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Biomedical subjects

G H Lyman

Publications and source records attributed to G H Lyman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Upper-body fat distribution and endometrial cancer risk.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: --To determine if body fat distribution affected endometrial cancer risk. DESIGN: --Case-control study. SETTING: --This study was carried out at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center at the University of South Florida, Tampa, where all patients in the case group received their diagnoses and histological confirmations. PATIENTS: --Forty consecutive women newly diagnosed with endometrial cancer and 40 controls matched for age and Quetelet index. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: --Anthropometric measurements were taken for the abdomen, thigh, suprailiac, subscapular, biceps, and triceps skin fold thicknesses; waist and hip circumferences, weight, and height. Relative risks for endometrial cancer were calculated according to these anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: --Case patients with endometrial cancer had significantly greater waist-to-hip circumference ratios (P less than .001), abdomen-to-thigh skin fold ratios (P less than .01), and suprailiac-to-thigh skin fold ratios (P = .02) compared with control subjects matched for age and Quetelet index. The relative risk for endometrial cancer increased with an increasing waist-to-hip circumference ratio (less than or equal to 1.14 = 1.0; greater than 1.14 = 15.0), with an increasing abdomen-to-thigh skin fold ratio (less than or equal to 0.82 = 1.0; greater than 0.82 = 5.0), and with an increasing suprailiac to-thigh skin fold thickness ratio (less than or equal to 0.67 = 1.0; greater than 0.67 = 3.50). CONCLUSION: --Upper-body fat localization is a significant risk factor for endometrial cancer in women matched for age and Quetelet index.

Adult↗

Estimate of breast cancer risk reduction with weight loss.

Upper body fat localization has been associated with an increased risk of cancer. This study demonstrated that 64.2% of 124 women with at least a 4.5-kg weight loss decreased their upper body fat localization, as measured by a reduction in their suprailiac-thigh skin fold ratio and other skin fold thicknesses associated with upper body fat localization. Based on a risk model previously developed for breast cancer and upper body fat localization, a reduction in estimated breast cancer relative risk of 45% was calculated for the entire group of women who lost 4.5 kg or more in weight. Greater weight loss further reduced upper body fat localization and estimated breast cancer risk based on this model.

Adult↗

Obesity, body fat distribution, and sex hormones in breast cancer patients.

This study addresses the relationship between female sex hormones, obesity, body fat distribution, and breast cancer. Increasing obesity correlated with a progressive fall in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) level and an increase in testosterone level. Premenopausal breast cancer patients were found to have significantly lower levels of SHBG compared with age-matched and weight-matched controls. This difference in SHBG level was not noted in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. The SHBG level decreased with increasing upper body fat localization in breast cancer patients and controls. This effect was more marked in breast cancer patients which may explain our earlier finding that women with upper body fat localization are at increased risk for developing breast cancer.

Adult↗

Obesity and body fat distribution and breast cancer prognosis.

This study addresses the effect of obesity and body fat distribution on axillary lymph node involvement, tumor size, and estrogen receptor (ER) level in breast cancer patients. Anthropometric measurements were prospectively obtained on 248 consecutively and newly diagnosed women with invasive breast cancer. The anthropometric measurements evaluated were abdomen, thigh, subscapular, and midaxillary skinfolds; weight; and height. Weight and Quetelet Index (kg/m2) were significantly (P = 0.001) associated with lymph node involvement in postmenopausal patients. The abdomen:thigh skinfold ratio was significantly higher in premenopausal patients (P = 0.004) and postmenopausal (P = 0.03) without axillary node involvement compared with women with 4+ axillary node involvement. The abdomen:thigh skinfold was higher (P = 0.05) in women with smaller breast cancers (less than 2.0 cm) and higher ER levels. Weight and Quetelet Index did not affect tumor size or ER level. This study demonstrated that obese postmenopausal women who developed breast cancer tend to have more axillary node involvement than their leaner counterparts. Generalized obesity did not affect tumor size or ER level. Premenopausal and postmenopausal women with upper body fat distribution appear to be a subset of women who have a more favorable prognosis as measured by less lymph node involvement, smaller tumors, and higher levels of ER in their tumors.

Adult↗

A randomized trial to compare intravenous and oral etoposide in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of small cell lung cancer.

In a randomized multi-center study, 83 patients with small cell lung cancer were randomly assigned to treatment with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) day 1 and etoposide 120 mg/m2 IV days 1, 2, and 3 or cisplatin 100 mg/m2 IV day 1 and etoposide 120 mg/m2 IV day 1 and 240 mg/m2 orally days 2 and 3. Both regimens were repeated every 4 weeks. Prior to randomization, patients were stratified by extent of disease, performance status, and gender. A total of 41 patients were randomly assigned to the parenteral treatment only regimen, and 42 patients received cisplatin and IV/oral etoposide therapy. Both treatment arms were comparable regarding patient characteristics. Limited disease (LD) patients constituted 52% and 49% of the patient population for the oral and IV etoposide regimens, respectively. The overall complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) rate was 50% (95% confidence interval [CI] 35% to 65%) for the oral etoposide regimen and 59% (95% CI 44% to 74%) for the IV etoposide regimen (P = 0.438). For both regimens, 55% of the LD patients achieved either CR or PR. Time to progression and survival were comparable for both treatment arms. Hematologic toxicity was comparable in both treatment arms, with 80% of patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Moderate to severe anemia and weight loss were more predominant with the IV than with the oral regimen.

Administration, Oral↗

Abdominal obesity and breast cancer risk.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if body fat distribution affects breast cancer risk. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. PATIENTS: The anthropometric measurements of 216 consecutively and newly diagnosed women with invasive carcinoma of the breast were compared with those of 432 age-matched controls. The anthropometric measurements taken were abdomen, thigh, suprailiac, biceps, triceps, subscapular, and midaxillary skinfolds; waist and hip circumference; and weight and height. Women between 25 and 83 years of age were included in the study. RESULTS: Patients with breast cancer had a significantly greater waist:hip circumference ratio than controls (P less than 0.001) and a significantly greater suprailiac:thigh skinfold ratio (P less than 0.001). The relative risk for breast cancer increased with increasing waist:hip circumference ratio (less than 0.73 = 1.00; 0.73 to 76 = 1.90; 0.77 to 0.80 = 2.83; greater than 0.80 = 6.46) and with suprailiac:thigh skinfold ratio (less than 0.42 = 1.00; 0.42 to 0.56 = 1.85; 0.57 to 0.71 = 2.25; greater than 0.71 = 5.85). At other sites of upper body obesity, such as the biceps and triceps, skinfolds were significantly greater in patients with breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Although obese women are at slightly higher risk for developing breast cancer, women with android obesity are a segment of obese women who appear to be at a significantly higher risk for developing breast cancer.

Adipose Tissue↗

Serum cholesterol reduction with tamoxifen.

The serum cholesterol levels of 123 consecutively and newly diagnosed women with Stage I and II breast cancer taking tamoxifen were compared with a control group of 81 consecutively newly diagnosed women with Stage I and II breast cancer who were not taking a hormonal treatment or supplement. Other factors that were evaluated were age, menopausal status, tumor size, weight, height, Quetelet index, and smoking and alcohol intake history. The mean cholesterol change in patients on tamoxifen (34.2 +/- 3.6 mg/dl) was significantly greater than controls (1.0 +/- 4.1 mg/dl) (P less than 0.001). Serum cholesterol fell by more than 10 mg/dl in 72.9% of women on tamoxifen vs. 35.1% of controls and by more than 40 mg/dl in 39.9% of women on tamoxifen vs. 12.6% of controls. Multivariate analysis revealed that tamoxifen administration (P less than 0.0001), initial cholesterol level (P = 0.001), and age (P = 0.04) were significant factors in producing a decrease in serum cholesterol. The administration of tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy to women with newly diagnosed breast cancer resulted in a significant fall in serum cholesterol. This effect of tamoxifen on the serum cholesterol may prove to be an additional benefit in the form of reduced cardiovascular risk in these women.

Adult↗

The value of current nutrition information.

To prevent or delay the occurrence of chronic diseases, scientific bodies from the cardiologic and oncologic disciplines have made recommendations regarding the daily dietary intake of certain macro- and micronutrients. This study assessed the knowledge of a random population of 2,305 individuals comprising members of the public, health care workers, university graduate students, and health club attendees. Segments of this population might be expected to have a greater understanding and ability to implement these dietary recommendations. We found that over 90% of the participants were unaware of the recommendations for calcium, salt, vitamin A, and fiber, and the fiber content in a high fiber cereal. Approximately 80% of the participants were unaware of the recommendations regarding fat intake and could not calculate the fat content of a food product. Almost half of the study population took a vitamin pill daily. Of the subjects who were aware of the correct unit measurement for vitamin A (IU), almost 25% of gave a response that exceeded the recommended daily intake. A majority of this study population were unaware of the dietary recommendations regarding the prevention of cardiovascular events and cancer. Subgroups of this study population that might be expected to have more information regarding these recommendations (i.e., having higher education or being a health care professional) did not display a satisfactory level of knowledge. To further compound the problems of adhering to the recommended guidelines, the labeling of many food products is misleading. The recommendations on dietary intake and the information on food product content must be transmitted to the public in a form that allows for ready application when purchasing and consuming food.

Adult↗

Tuboovarian abscess in postmenopausal women.

A retrospective review was done on all patients at Tampa General Hospital with a surgically confirmed tuboovarian abscess between March 31, 1983, and April 30, 1988. Patients were grouped according to their menopausal status. Sixty-three were identified. Fifty-four were premenopausal and nine postmenopausal. The median ages of the two groups (26 and 52, respectively) were significantly different. The premenopausal patients had a significantly lower median parity and were significantly more likely to have a prior history of gonorrhea and/or pelvic inflammatory disease. The postmenopausal patients were significantly more likely to have contributing medical problems and to have concomitant genital tract pathology. Such pathology, found in 13% of the premenopausal patients, consisted mainly of large leiomyomata uteri. In 3 (33.3%) of the postmenopausal patients there was a strong preoperative suspicion of a coexisting pelvic abscess originating in the genital tract. Two of the patients developed septic shock shortly before surgery. Concomitant pelvic pathology was present in six patients (66.7%), with four of them having genital tract malignancies. An attempt at early recognition and surgical management of tuboovarian abscess is important in postmenopausal women. There is little to be gained by delaying surgical treatment, and the patient is at significant risk of deterioration. In addition, surgical exploration appears to be vital to the recognition and treatment of concomitant pelvic malignancy or other pathologic conditions that may be contributing to the abscess.

Abscess↗

Anti-c-myc DNA increases differentiation and decreases colony formation by HL-60 cells.

The proto-oncogene c-myc, whose gene product has a role in replication, is overexpressed in the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell line. Treatment of HL-60 cells with an antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide complementary to the start codon and the next four codons of c-myc mRNA has previously been observed to inhibit c-myc protein expression and cell proliferation in a sequence-specific, dose-dependent manner. Comparable effects are seen upon treatment of HL-60 cells with dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO), which is also known to induce granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. Hence, the effects of antisense oligomers on cellular differentiation were examined and compared with Me2SO. Differentiation of HL-60 cells into forms with granulocytic characteristics was found to be enhanced in a sequence-specific manner by the anti-c-myc oligomer. No synergism was observed between the anti-c-myc oligomer and Me2SO in stimulating cellular differentiation. In contrast, synergism did appear in the inhibition of cell proliferation. Finally, the anti-c-myc oligomer uniformly inhibited colony formation in semisolid medium. It is possible that further reduction in the level of c-myc expression by antisense oligomer inhibition may be sufficient to allow terminal granulocytic differentiation and reverse transformation.

Cell Differentiation↗

Treatment of recurrent and metastatic endometrial cancer with cisplatin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and megestrol acetate.

The combination of cisplatin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and megestrol acetate was used to treat 15 patients with recurrent and metastatic endometrial cancer. Four patients had a complete response and one patient had a partial response, yielding a total response rate of 33%. Five patients had stable disease. The median survival for the whole group was 38 weeks. The median survival for responders was 60 weeks, and that for nonresponders was 21 weeks. The median progression-free survival for the whole group was 17 weeks. The median progression-free survival for responders was 32 weeks, and that for patients with stable disease was 25 weeks. The toxic reactions noted were primarily nausea, vomiting, and myelosuppression. The combination of cisplatin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and megestrol acetate has modest effectiveness in the treatment of metastatic or recurrent carcinoma of the endometrium.

Aclarubicin↗

Wound hematoma: prophylaxis with topical thrombin.

We studied 123 patients having elective exploratory laparotomy through a midline vertical incision for gynecologic disease; patients were randomized to receive wound irrigation with either saline or topical thrombin before closure of the incision. Seven patients were not evaluable. No patient received low-dose heparin therapy perioperatively. No patient in either group had a clinically significant wound hematoma or disruption. Minor wound hematomas were more common in the saline group, a finding that approached statistical significance. Blood coagulation profiles were not different in the two groups either preoperatively or postoperatively. Topical thrombin is probably not clinically useful in preventing wound hematomas in patients who do not receive perioperative treatment with low-dose heparin; however, it seems to be safe for application to open wounds.

Administration, Topical↗

A new objective measurement of esophageal lumen patency.

This study was performed to develop a system to measure dysphagia in an objective fashion, test its correlation with subjective estimates of dysphagia, and encourage the use of a standardized measure of esophageal stenosis. Thirty-five patients with mechanical dysphagia underwent subjective estimates of dysphagia using a dysphagia scale graded from 0 to 5, as well as a diet scale. Lumen diameter was measured endoscopically, using the open or closed biopsy forceps as a measuring guide. Patients were then given barium capsules or tablets of increasing diameter under fluoroscopy, in the upright position. Pills were given sequentially until a pill failed to traverse the esophagus in less than 20 s. The diameter of the pill failing to traverse the esophagus within 20 s correlated strongly with the endoscopically measured diameter by Spearmans rank correlation (Rs = 0.85). The weakest correlation was between endoscopically measured diameter and the dysphagia scale (Rs = 0.48). The diameter of the pill failing to traverse the esophagus within 20 s is an excellent estimate of esophageal lumen diameter. Pill size correlates much better with esophageal lumen diameter than dysphagia or diet scales. This new dysphagia assessment system should simplify standardization of the grading of dysphagia.

Barium Sulfate↗

Clinical assessment of beta blockade.

This study was undertaken to assess a clinical measurement (leg squats) in order to determine the adequacy of beta-adrenergic blockade (AdBB) utilizing the symptom-limited exercise test heart rate of less than 120 beats/min as the standard. Seventy subjects were tested, 35 receiving beta-adrenergic-blocking drugs in clinically determined maximal doses, and 35 subjects not receiving these agents. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and positive (Pv+) and negative (Pv-) predictive values were calculated for post-leg squat heart rates of less than or equal to 100, less than or equal to 110 and less than or equal to 120 beats/min. Other variables analyzed for AdBB were resting heart rates and post-leg squat heart rate increase greater than 50% over baseline. A cost-benefit analysis was also performed. It was concluded that: (1) Neither the resting heart rate or percent increase in heart rate compared to baseline reliably predicted AdBB. (2) In patients receiving beta-blocking drugs, a post-squat heart rate of less than or equal to 100 beats/min had a Se = .82, Sp = .67, Pv+ .70, and Pv- .80, values not high enough to be reliably used in many clinical situations. (3) If the post-squat heart rate was greater than 110 beats/min, however, AdBB is probably absent, since no subjects on beta blockers with maximum exercise test heart rate less than or equal to 120 beats/min had a post-leg squat heart rate greater than 110 beats/min. (4) For a reasonable range of cost and test performance estimates, utilization of the leg squat test as described here is favored on the basis of cost-benefit analysis.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗