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Biomedical subjects

M L Brigden

Publications and source records attributed to M L Brigden.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

An apparatus to retain the spatial orientation of breast biopsies.

An apparatus has been designed to retain the spatial orientation of breast biopsies throughout surgery, transport and processing in the pathology laboratory. It does not interfere with regular surgical procedures and simplifies the surgeon's task of marking the orientation of a specimen. As the use of the apparatus does not involve either chemical or physical substances it is an appropriate handling procedure for those specimens requiring sensitive testing procedures such as cell culture.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1988

Estrogen receptor distribution in the peripheral, intermediate and central regions of breast cancers.

The central, intermediate and peripheral regions of 25 breast tumors were analyzed for estrogen receptors (ER) using a combined biochemical (BC)/immunohistochemical (IHC) micromethod. To optimize the regional comparison, the percentage carcinoma per sample (PCS) was evaluated and incorporated into the quantification of the ER. Correction of the measured ER for the PCS eliminated differences in receptor levels between the central and peripheral regions but not the intermediate region. Although the corrected BC-ER level in this region was found to be about 20% higher, the IHC method did not detect such a difference. Determination of the ER status at the actual growth front of a tumor, rather than in the intermediate region where ER levels appear to be highest, may be of greater clinical relevance. Intra-regional ER heterogeneity appears, however, to be particularly pronounced in this area of a tumor.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Failure of methylprednisolone acetate to prolong the antinauseant effect of intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate in patients receiving chemotherapy.

The efficacy of intramuscular methylprednisolone acetate in maintaining the antinauseant effect of intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate was assessed in a prospectively-randomized, double-blind, crossover-design trial. Of 150 patients entered, 127 were evaluable. There was no statistically significant difference between methylprednisolone acetate and saline placebo, although patient preferences slightly favoured the methylprednisolone acetate for nausea, vomiting, and overall effectiveness.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Multiple microsample analysis of intratumor estrogen receptor distribution in breast cancers by a combined biochemical/immunohistochemical method.

A multiple microsample analysis of estrogen receptors (ER) was performed on 81 samples obtained from 21 human breast cancers using a biochemical (BC) and immunohistochemical (IHC) method. Qualitative agreement occurred in 96% of the cases. Using both the percentage of cells staining specifically for ER as well as the intensity of staining (Histoscore) a semiquantitative correlation between the two analyses was obtained. Large variations in cellularity and the percentage of cells that stained specifically for ER existed within individual tumors. In most cases the variation in intensity of staining was minimal. Both the level and distribution of ER in different areas of individual tumors were calculated using a correction for differences in cellularity amongst samples. Heterogeneity in ER level as well as distribution was found in some tumors. In addition, a "checkerboard" type of staining with intermixed ER positive and ER negative cells was observed. This combined BC/IHC method may provide specific information about intratumor ER heterogeneity not available from either method alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Unorthodox therapy and your cancer patient.

Major differences exist between healthcare professionals and the general public in the way in which they view disease processes. Healthcare professionals use a scientific approach, while many of the middle-class public's perceptions of disease are based on a commonsense model. Today's proponents of unorthodox therapy are well-educated, media-conscious, and effective salespersons. More than 50% of patients receiving cancer therapy also use some form of unorthodox treatment. Of all patients who try unconventional therapy, up to 40% may ultimately give up conventional treatment. This is particularly tragic when patients have a potentially curable form of cancer. Physicians need to be aware of the magnitude of this problem and of the rationale used to promote unorthodox therapy. An informed, available, receptive physician remains one of the best defenses against cancer quackery.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1987

A practical approach to improving pain control in cancer patients.

Despite a wealth of recent articles, many patients with cancer pain continue to suffer needlessly. The satisfactory treatment of cancer pain requires a variety of practical management strategies. Practicing physicians need a wider understanding of both the basic principles of analgesic therapy and the pharmacologic features of analgesics. Certain analgesics are best not used in cancer care. The use of pharmacologic adjuncts may lessen overall narcotic requirements and side effects. The appropriate use of alternative therapies can dramatically improve the quality of patients' overall survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Heterogeneous estrogen receptor levels detected via multiple microsamples from individual breast cancers.

Twenty-six surgical breast cancer specimens were subjected to multiple estrogen receptor (ER) assays with a microsample technique. In most tumors there were large variations in ER levels in samples taken from different regions of the same tumor. After correction of individual samples for differences in carcinoma content, such variations were not abolished. Nine of the 26 breast cancers, although positive overall, were devoid of ER in some regions. For ER-positive tumors the average coefficient of variation (CV) for intratumor ER levels was 86%, with a range from 25% to 200%. This is well above the CV obtained with repeat samples of homogeneous tissue (14%). These results suggest that many ER-positive cancers may be composed of cells with a variety of ER levels. An assessment of individual intratumor ER variability may have biologic and clinical significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Postsplenectomy sepsis syndrome. How to identify and manage patients at risk.

Established postsplenectomy sepsis syndrome, although infrequent, may carry a mortality rate of over 90%. Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) has been the infective organism in more than 50% of published cases. Certain groups, such as infants, patients with hematologic malignancy, and those with compromised humoral immunity, may be especially susceptible. However, even healthy individuals who have been splenectomized because of trauma may be affected. Within the general population there is a significant pool of asplenic or functionally hyposplenic patients who are not aware of their condition. Efforts must be made to identify any such individual at risk for the postsplenectomy sepsis syndrome. The new 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine should be made available to any asplenic or functionally hyposplenic individual. A high index of suspicion must be maintained for febrile illness in asplenic patients, and if such an illness occurs, a vigorous investigation is mandatory.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Estrogen receptor assay on breast cancer microsamples: implications of percent carcinoma estimation.

Forty-milligram strips of malignant breast tissue were divided longitudinally into 20-mg microsamples. Soluble protein concentration was determined for one-half, and histologic evaluation for viable carcinoma content was made on its sister half. The correlation coefficient for 88 such comparisons was 0.330. This suggests that estrogen receptor (ER) assays that do not take into account the actual amount of carcinoma present in the sample may not permit reliable stratification of ER data. Using this technique, ER values obtained for 129 breast tumor microsamples were adjusted to reflect carcinoma content. A comparison of ER values before and after such adjustment revealed that the relative status of 73% was not significantly changed. The ER status of 27%, however, was changed sufficiently to be of potential clinical significance.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Fatal pneumothorax in "BCNU lung".

A patient with recurrent glioma treated with BCNU developed pneumothorax and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. She died from "BCNU lung" and its complications, although she was free of her initial disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Sigmoid mesenteric tumour as a manifestation of von Recklinghausen's disease.

The gastrointestinal tract may be involved in up to 25% of cases of von Recklinghausen's disease. The authors report such a case in which an 18-year-old girl presented with gastrointestinal symptoms secondary to a tumour in the sigmoid mesentery. There was no family history so it was presumed to be a case of spontaneous mutation. The authors discuss the protein manifestations of neurofibromatosis emphasizing the gastrointestinal presentations and the need for careful surgical management.

Adolescent↗