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Biomedical subjects

M Lange

Publications and source records attributed to M Lange.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Thyroperoxidase (TPO) immunostaining of the solitary cold thyroid nodule.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of immunostaining using the monoclonal antibody (MoAB47) against thyroperoxidase (TPO) in distinguishing between benign and malignant tumour cells in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) samples obtained from a solitary cold nodule of the thyroid gland for the purpose of strengthening the indication for thyroid surgery. DESIGN: A prospective, immunocytochemical study of FNACs taken from patients with solitary cold thyroid nodules who presented to Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, during the period April 1993 to May 1996. The first sample series was taken perioperatively in order to test the utility of the method. In the second part of the study samples were obtained preoperatively by ultrasonic guided aspiration. Tissue sections from the nodules obtained during a subsequent operation served as controls. PATIENTS: One hundred and eighty-one patients, 150 women and 31 men, were studied. The age range was 14-89 years with a median age of 44 years. Fifty-seven patients were excluded from the study for various reasons leaving us with a total of 124 nodules from 124 patients for final evaluation. METHODS: FNAC cells and corresponding nodular tissue were stained by immunocyto- and immuno-histochemistry using MoAb47 and by routine staining methods. Samples were considered benign if 80% or more of the epithelial-looking cells of both the FNACs and the histological tissue sections of the nodule were stained by TPO. Consequently, samples were considered malignant if more than 20% of the epithelial-looking cells failed to stain for TPO. Routinely stained tissue cells and sections served as diagnostic controls. RESULTS: A pattern with negative TPO staining was found in all lesions which, by conventional histological staining, were subsequently proven to be malignant. A universal and reliable, positive TPO staining pattern was found in all subsequently proven benign lesions, with the exception of one out of 26 follicular adenomas. This gave the method a sensitivity of 1.0 (negative TPO staining = malignancy in 27 out of 27) and a specificity of 0.99 (positive TPO staining = benign lesion, in 96 out of 97). Positive and negative predictive values were 0.96 and 1.00 respectively. CONCLUSION: Thyroperoxidase immunostaining of fine needle aspirates from solitary, scintigraphically cold nodules of the thyroid gland has proved to be an important and reliable diagnostic tool for distinguishing between benign and malignant nodules. Thus, patients might be spared further surgery if not otherwise indicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Phylogenetic position of Cryothecomonas inferred from nuclear-encoded small subunit ribosomal RNA.

The systematic position of the genus Cryothecomonas has been determined from an analysis of the nuclear-encoded small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of Cryothecomonas longipes and two strains of Cryothecomonas aestivalis. Our phylogenetic trees inferred from maximum likelihood, distance and maximum parsimony methods robustly show that the genus Cryothecomonas clusters within the phylum Cercozoa, and is related to the sarcomonad flagellate Heteromita globosa. Morphological data supporting the taxonomic placement of Cryothecomonas near the sarcomonad flagellates has been compiled from the literature. The high number of nucleotide substitutions found between two morphologically indistinguishable strains of Cryothecomonas aestivalis suggests the possibility of cryptic species within Cryothecomonas aestivalis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Growth velocity, fat-free mass and energy intake are inversely related to viral load in HIV-infected children.

The study objectives were to assess the relationships among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, energy balance, body composition and growth in children with HIV-associated growth failure (GF). Energy intake and expenditure, body composition and level of HIV RNA were measured in 16 HIV-infected children with growth failure (HIV+/GF+), defined as a 12-mo height velocity </= 5th percentile for age, and 26 HIV-infected children with normal rates of growth (HIV+/GF-). Energy intake was measured by repeated 24-h dietary recall, resting energy expenditure (REE) by indirect calorimetry and total energy expenditure (TEE) by the doubly labeled water method. Fat-free mass (FFM) was determined by dual X-ray energy absorptiometry and plasma HIV RNA by the polymerase chain reaction method. The mean plasma HIV RNA content among the HIV+/GF+ group was nearly 1.5 log higher than that of the HIV+/GF- group (4. 89 +/- 1.08 vs. 3.43 +/- 1.64 x10(2) copies/L, P: = 0.009). The mean daily energy intake, and age-adjusted REE and TEE were lower in HIV+/GF+ children (P: = 0.003, 0.06 and 0.16, respectively). HIV+/GF+ children had a mean daily energy deficit of 674 +/- 732 kJ/d compared with HIV+/GF- children who had a mean energy surplus of 1448 +/- 515 kJ/d (P: = 0.030). There were no differences in REE after adjustment for differences in FFM and age using multiple regression analysis (P: = 0.88). There was a significant inverse relationship between FFM and plasma HIV RNA [R:(2) = 0.64, standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 3.23] and between viral load and 12-mo growth velocity (R:(2) = 0.61, SE = 1.51). Viral load and energy intake were also inversely related (R(2) = 0.17, SEE = 573.2, P: = 0. 0125). In HIV-infected children, rate of growth, quantity of FFM and energy intake are closely related to the level of HIV replication. The energy intake of children with HIV-associated GF may not be adequate for supporting normal development of FFM and growth, despite possible decreases in total energy expenditure.

Body Composition↗
PubMed2000

Use of green fluorescent protein to tag lactic acid bacterium strains under development as live vaccine vectors.

The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are safe microorganisms which are mainly used for the preparation of fermented foods and for probiotic applications. The potential of LAB as live vehicles for the production and delivery of therapeutic molecules such as antigens is also being actively investigated today. However, very little is known about the fate of live LAB when administered in vivo and about the interaction of these microorganisms with the nasal or gastrointestinal ecosystem. For future applications, it is essential to be able to discriminate the biotherapeutic strain from the endogenous microflora and to unravel the mechanisms underlying the postulated health-beneficial effect. We therefore started to investigate both aspects in a mouse model with two LAB species presently under development as live vaccine vectors, i.e., Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum. We have constructed different expression vectors carrying the gfp (green fluorescent protein [GFP]) gene from the jellyfish Aequoria victoria, and we found that this visible marker was best expressed when placed under the control of the inducible strong nisA promoter from L. lactis. Notably, a threshold amount of GFP was necessary to obtain a bright fluorescent phenotype. We further demonstrated that fluorescent L. plantarum NCIMB8826 can be enumerated and sorted by flow cytometry. Moreover, tagging of this strain with GFP allowed us to visualize its phagocytosis by macrophages in vitro and ex vivo and to trace it in the gastrointestinal tract of mice upon oral administration.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

In situ reverse transcription-PCR for monitoring gene expression in individual Methanosarcina mazei S-6 cells.

An in situ reverse transcription-PCR protocol for detecting specific mRNA in Methanosarcina mazei S-6 is described. This method allowed us to detect heat shock-induced increases in the intracellular levels of the transcript of the universal stress gene dnaK. The cell walls of paraformaldehyde-fixed cells were permeabilized by a thermal cycling procedure or by lysozyme treatment, and the cellular DNA was removed with DNase. The cells were subjected to a seminested reverse transcription-PCR protocol in which a digoxigenin-labeled primer was used. Detection of the reporter molecule was based on the 2-hydroxy-3-naphtoic acid-2'-phenylanilide phosphate-Fast Red detection system and binding of anti-digoxigenin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Fluorescence in permeabilized cells increased after a heat shock compared to fluorescence in non-heat-shocked cells, and the increase corresponded to an increase in the level of the dnaK transcript.

Cell Wall↗
PubMed2000

Endoscopical and histological aspects of inflammatory changes in J-pouch mucosa.

The aim of the study was endoscopic and histological evaluation of mucosal inflammatory changes in the ileal reservoir after restorative proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis (IPAA) because of FAP (27 patients) and ulcerative colitis (34 patients). Endoscopic symptoms of pouchitis (edema, granularity, contact bleeding, loss of vascular pattern, mucus, erosions) were found in 13 patients (4 were operated on because of FAP, 9 because of UC). A statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) was found between endoscopic inflammatory index in UC (4.0 +/- 0.5) and in FAP (1.00 +/- 0.00). The endoscopic changes were correlated with the Moskowitz histological classification, in 12 acute score and in 6 chronic score were above 4 points. In 18 patients histological diagnosis of pouchitis was made (5 in FAP, 13 in UC). Acute pouchitis occurred in 12 patients and chronic in 6. In one patient histological changes resembled Crohn's disease. Regular endoscopic control with histological examination and verification of inflammatory lesions in the ileal reservoir is necessary.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed2000

Cerebellopontine angle meningiomas (cpam)--clinical characteristics and surgical results.

INTRODUCTION: About 10% of the tumourous lesions in the cerebellopontine angle are meningiomas according to the literature. Evidently, these tumours differ from the other lesions by their clinical presentation as well as by the surgical results, which will be presented in the following article. PATIENT MATERIAL: We report on 26 patients (22 females, 4 males: age distribution 45-81 years, mean 63 years) operated on CPAM's in the last 8 years. Clinical history lasted from 2 weeks to 9 years (mean 17 months). Cerebellar symptoms were the most frequent findings (n = 22), followed by cranial nerve (V, VII, and VIII) deficits (n = 12) and signs of increased intracranial pressure (n = 7). In 3 clinically asymptomatic cases the lesion was found incidentally, and there was 1 patient with a recurrent lesion. The radiological procedures included CT-scan in 17 patients, MR-imaging in 18, MR-angiography in 2 cases and angiography in 2 cases. Hydrocephalus was demonstrated in 8 cases. Tumour size ranged from 2.8 to 7 cm (mean 4.2 cm). All patients underwent osteoclastic craniotomy with complete tumour removal. Temporary CSF-drainage was necessary in 8 cases, monitoring was done in 9 patients. RESULTS: Postoperative follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 5 years (mean 2.5 years). After 1 month, 14 patients were discharged home and 12 were transferred into other hospitals in good condition. Improvement was achieved in 19 cases, 5 patients were equal to their preoperative situation, in one case a temporary deterioration with tetraparesis and in 1 case deterioration of hearing was found. After an average follow-up of 2.5 years, 22 patients were self-sufficient without or with minimal neurological deficits at home, 2 were moderately disabled and 2 died in the meantime due to other diseases. Among the operative complications, we observed 3 CSF-fistulas, 1 requiring surgical reexploration as well as 1 rebleeding and additionally 1 meningitis. Non-surgical complications were found in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebellar ataxia and impairment of hearing are the clinical leading symptoms of CPAM's. At diagnosis, these tumours are impressively large, but the operative results are very favourable with low morbidity and excellent prognosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Anterior cervical spine fusion using RABEA-Titan-Cages avoiding iliac crest spongiosa: first experiences and results.

INTRODUCTION: In cervical discectomy using the ventral approach both, the necessity of replacement of the removed disc space itself as well as the material of the graft, if used, is still a matter of discussion. New approaches are titan-cages, usually filled with autologeous spongiosa. We present in the following study our first experiences using the hollow RABEA-Titan-Cages without filling with spongiosa to avoid the iliac crest complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 63 patients (33 male, 30 female, age 25-79 years, mean 52 years) were operated on a degenerative cervical disc herniation by ventral discectomy and replacement of the disc by the cage for fusion. The mean follow-up was 8 months. The preoperative symptoms were radiculopathies (n = 43) and myelopathies (n = 20). The diagnosis was confirmed by CT, MRI, myelography/CT and functional plain x-ray examination excluding instability. Level of the disc herniation: C3/4 n = 3, C4/5 n = 4, C5/6 n = 21, C6/7 n = 23, C7/Th1 n = 5, and 7 cases with 2 levels. In 30 cases we found hard discs, in 13 cases soft discs and in 20 patients combined lesions. All patients were intra- and postoperatively controlled by x-ray examination. RESULTS: Free of complaints were 17 patients, a marked improvement was found in 33 cases, a minor improvement in 10 cases, from those 4 patients additionally suffered from depression or alcoholism and 1 patient had a trauma in the history. 3 patients showed no change. Minor neck pain was reported in 5 cases. The mean postoperative hospitalisation was 8 days. Surgery related complications: temporary radicular palsies n = 5, hoarseness/problems with swallowing n = 5. In 2 cases (3%) with osteoporosis surgical revision of the cage was necessary (one case with ventral dislocation and one case with recurrent nerve root compression). In all other cases the x-ray control proved the correct placement of the cages intra- and postoperatively on discharge. CONCLUSION: For the anterior cervical fusion, the hollow RABEA-Titan-Cages present good clinical results and help to avoid complications from the iliac crest donor site. For long-term results, a longer follow-up and a increased number of patients is required.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The genes coding for the hsp70 (dnaK) molecular chaperone machine occur in the moderate thermophilic archaeon Methanosarcina thermophila TM-1.

The hsp70(dnaK) locus of the moderate thermophilic archaeon Methanosarcina thermophila TM-1 was cloned, sequenced, and tested in vitro to measure gene induction by heat and ammonia, i.e., stressors pertinent to the biotechnological ecosystem of this methanogen that plays a key role in anaerobic bioconversions. The locus' genes and organization, 5'-grpE-hsp70(dnaK)-hsp40 (dnaJ)-trkA-3', are the same as those of the closely related mesophile Methanosarcina mazei S-6, but different from those of the only other archaeon for which comparable sequence data exist, the thermophile Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum deltaH, from another genus, in which trkA is not part of the locus. The proteins encoded in the TM-1 genes are very similar to the S-6 homologs, but considerably less similar to the deltaH proteins. The TM-1 Hsp70(DnaK) protein has the 23-amino acid deletion--by comparison with homologs from gram-negative bacteria first described in the S-6 molecule and later found to be present in all homologs from archaea and gram positives. The genes responded to a temperature elevation in a manner that demonstrated that they are heat-shock genes, functionally active in vivo. Ammonia also induced a heat-shock type of response by hsp70(dnaK), and a similar response by trkA. The data suggest that the moderate thermophile TM-1 has an active Hsp70(DnaK)-chaperone machine in contrast to hyperthermophilic archaea, and that trkA is a stress gene, inasmuch as it responds like classic heat-shock genes to stressors that induce a typical heat-shock response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Photometric determination of human serum bromide levels--a convenient biomonitoring parameter for methyl bromide exposure.

Methyl bromide is one of the most important pesticides for the control of insects, fungi and nematodes. Serum bromide has been proposed as a biomonitor for occupational exposure to methyl bromide. Therefore, a novel, sensitive photometric method was developed for the determination of serum bromide at concentrations relevant for such exposure. Further possible applications are monitoring of intoxication victims and halothane narcosis. Using the method we have established a mean serum bromide level of 4.13 +/- S.D. 1.05 mg/l (n/64) in a group of healthy female and male volunteers not knowingly exposed to bromide or bromine containing organics. Serum of a subject accidently exposed to methyl bromide revealed a bromide level of 11.5 mg/l serum, while two individuals exposed to methyl iodide had no elevated levels. A group of 30 agricultural workers showed a mean serum bromide level of 15.33 +/- S.D. 1.90 mg/l at the end of the methyl bromide application season.

Bromides↗
PubMed1999

A trial of etanercept, a recombinant tumor necrosis factor receptor:Fc fusion protein, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated with methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis often improve but continue to have active disease. This study was undertaken to determine whether the addition of etanercept, a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (p75):Fc fusion protein (TNFR:Fc), to methotrexate therapy would provide additional benefit to patients who had persistent rheumatoid arthritis despite receiving methotrexate. METHODS: In a 24-week, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 89 patients with persistently active rheumatoid arthritis despite at least 6 months of methotrexate therapy at a stable dose of 15 to 25 mg per week (or as low as 10 mg per week for patients unable to tolerate higher doses) to receive either etanercept (25 mg) or placebo subcutaneously twice weekly while continuing to receive methotrexate. The primary measure of clinical response was the American College of Rheumatology criteria for a 20 percent improvement in measures of disease activity (ACR 20) at 24 weeks. RESULTS: The addition of etanercept to methotrexate therapy resulted in rapid and sustained improvement. At 24 weeks, 71 percent of the patients receiving etanercept plus methotrexate and 27 percent of those receiving placebo plus methotrexate met the ACR 20 criteria (P<0.001); 39 percent of the patients receiving etanercept plus methotrexate and 3 percent of those receiving placebo plus methotrexate met the ACR 50 criteria (for a 50 percent improvement) (P<0.001). Patients receiving etanercept plus methotrexate had significantly better outcomes according to all measures of disease activity. The only adverse events associated with etanercept were mild injection-site reactions, and no patient withdrew from the study because of adverse events associated with etanercept. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with persistently active rheumatoid arthritis, the combination of etanercept and methotrexate was safe and well tolerated and provided significantly greater clinical benefit than methotrexate alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Autocrine growth regulation by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human gliomas with tumor progression.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and/or their receptors are increasingly detected in solid human tumors, although little is known about their function in tumor growth and invasion. We analyzed RNA and protein expression of both factors and their receptors in 22 human gliomas (WHO grade II, III, and IV) and derived cell cultures. G-CSF, GM-CSF, and/or their receptors were expressed in all tumors and derived cell cultures, but coexpression of both factors and receptors was almost exclusively found in grade IV glioblastomas and thus correlated with advanced tumor stage. The functional significance of G-CSF and GM-CSF as regulators for glioma cells was demonstrated by 1) stimulation of proliferation and migration in tumor cells expressing one or both receptors by the corresponding factor; 2) inhibition of growth and migration of glioma cells expressing G-CSF, GM-CSF, and their receptors by neutralizing antibodies to both factors. These results indicate a significant role for both factors in the autocrine regulation of growth and migration in late-stage malignant gliomas and suggest a shift from paracrine to autocrine regulation with tumor progression. The implication of G-CSF and GM-CSF in glioblastoma growth regulation could make these factors further prognostic indicators and raises questions concerning their use in cancer therapy.

Autocrine Communication↗
PubMed1999

Prothrombin concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid is not altered in Alzheimer's disease.

Prothrombin, known to be expressed in brain and to possess growth modulating properties, has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We studied prothrombin concentration in lumbar CSF (L-CSF) in patients with AD (n = 25), neurologic disease controls (NDC; n = 33) covering a wide range of neurologic disorders, and subjects with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS; n = 4) as well as in samples of non-pathological ventricular CSF (V-CSF; n = 4). The results were evaluated with respect to CSF flow rate, as indicated by the albumin quotient (Q(Alb)). The concentrations of prothrombin in L-CSF in NDC (mean: 0.46 mg/l, range: 0.21-0.96), and AD (mean: 0.6 mg/l, range: 0.19-1.2) were in the normal range reported previously. Expectedly, prothrombin concentration in L-CSF of GBS was increased (mean: 6.3 mg/l, range: 2.3-9.7) corresponding to the increased Q(Alb) in this group (mean 54.6x10(-3), range: 17-88.1). The concentrations of both prothrombin and albumin were 5.5-fold higher in L-CSF than in V-CSF (mean Q(Alb) : 1.1x10(-3), mean concentration of prothrombin: 0.088 mg/l). In conclusion, CSF prothrombin in all conditions evaluated here is exclusively derived from blood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Stress genes and proteins in the archaea.

The field covered in this review is new; the first sequence of a gene encoding the molecular chaperone Hsp70 and the first description of a chaperonin in the archaea were reported in 1991. These findings boosted research in other areas beyond the archaea that were directly relevant to bacteria and eukaryotes, for example, stress gene regulation, the structure-function relationship of the chaperonin complex, protein-based molecular phylogeny of organisms and eukaryotic-cell organelles, molecular biology and biochemistry of life in extreme environments, and stress tolerance at the cellular and molecular levels. In the last 8 years, archaeal stress genes and proteins belonging to the families Hsp70, Hsp60 (chaperonins), Hsp40(DnaJ), and small heat-shock proteins (sHsp) have been studied. The hsp70(dnaK), hsp40(dnaJ), and grpE genes (the chaperone machine) have been sequenced in seven, four, and two species, respectively, but their expression has been examined in detail only in the mesophilic methanogen Methanosarcina mazei S-6. The proteins possess markers typical of bacterial homologs but none of the signatures distinctive of eukaryotes. In contrast, gene expression and transcription initiation signals and factors are of the eucaryal type, which suggests a hybrid archaeal-bacterial complexion for the Hsp70 system. Another remarkable feature is that several archaeal species in different phylogenetic branches do not have the gene hsp70(dnaK), an evolutionary puzzle that raises the important question of what replaces the product of this gene, Hsp70(DnaK), in protein biogenesis and refolding and for stress resistance. Although archaea are prokaryotes like bacteria, their Hsp60 (chaperonin) family is of type (group) II, similar to that of the eukaryotic cytosol; however, unlike the latter, which has several different members, the archaeal chaperonin system usually includes only two (in some species one and in others possibly three) related subunits of approximately 60 kDa. These form, in various combinations depending on the species, a large structure or chaperonin complex sometimes called the thermosome. This multimolecular assembly is similar to the bacterial chaperonin complex GroEL/S, but it is made of only the large, double-ring oligomers each with eight (or nine) subunits instead of seven as in the bacterial complex. Like Hsp70(DnaK), the archaeal chaperonin subunits are remarkable for their evolution, but for a different reason. Ubiquitous among archaea, the chaperonins show a pattern of recurrent gene duplication-hetero-oligomeric chaperonin complexes appear to have evolved several times independently. The stress response and stress tolerance in the archaea involve chaperones, chaperonins, other heat shock (stress) proteins including sHsp, thermoprotectants, the proteasome, as yet incompletely understood thermoresistant features of many molecules, and formation of multicellular structures. The latter structures include single- and mixed-species (bacterial-archaeal) types. Many questions remain unanswered, and the field offers extraordinary opportunities owing to the diversity, genetic makeup, and phylogenetic position of archaea and the variety of ecosystems they inhabit. Specific aspects that deserve investigation are elucidation of the mechanism of action of the chaperonin complex at different temperatures, identification of the partners and substitutes for the Hsp70 chaperone machine, analysis of protein folding and refolding in hyperthermophiles, and determination of the molecular mechanisms involved in stress gene regulation in archaeal species that thrive under widely different conditions (temperature, pH, osmolarity, and barometric pressure). These studies are now possible with uni- and multicellular archaeal models and are relevant to various areas of basic and applied research, including exploration and conquest of ecosystems inhospitable to humans and many mammals and plants.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1999

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the hematopoietic growth factor PIXY321 after moderate-dose fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide in stage II and III breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To measure the effect of PIXY321 (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor/interleukin-3 S. cerevisiae fusion protein) on the incidence, duration, and complications of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia after moderate-dose fluorouracil 600 mg/m(2), doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2), and cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m(2) (FAC) chemotherapy in patients with stage II and III breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 71 women were to receive four 21-day cycles of treatment with moderate-dose FAC chemotherapy by short intravenous infusion on day 1, followed by either placebo or PIXY321 (375 microg/m(2) subcutaneously twice a day) on days 3 to 15. All patients were to receive prophylactic oral ciprofloxacin when the absolute neutrophil count was less than 1,000/microL. RESULTS: PIXY321 significantly reduced the incidence and duration of grade 3 and grade 4 neutropenia in cycles 1 and 2 and the duration of grade 3 neutropenia in cycles 1 through 4. In cycles 3 and 4, grade 3 thrombocytopenia was significantly more common with PIXY321 (P <.05). Two patients, both in the PIXY321 group, required platelet transfusions. Fever and hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics were significantly more common in the PIXY321 group during cycle 1 only. More patients in the PIXY321 group achieved hematologic recovery by day 22 in cycles 1 through 3, and time to recovery was significantly shorter with PIXY321 in all cycles. FAC dose intensity was roughly 2% higher in the PIXY321 group (P = NS). Nonhematologic events of any intensity occurring with significantly greater overall frequency in the PIXY321 group included injection-site reactions, fever, chills, abdominal pain, and arthralgia. No patient died on study or within 30 days of her last dose of study drug. CONCLUSION: PIXY321 decreased the incidence and duration of FAC-induced grade 3 and 4 neutropenia in cycles 1 and 2 and significantly shortened the time to hematologic recovery in all cycles. However, it produced more systemic toxicity as well as thrombocytopenia in cycles 3 and 4.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Museum of Perception and Cognition website: using JavaScript to increase interactivity in Web-based presentations.

The present paper introduces the Museum of Perception and Cognition website. This site offers an interactive introduction to cognitive psychology via a JavaScript-based illustration of optical illusions and a Java-based presentation of experimental paradigms. Its content and utilization as lecture support for 1st-year students at Free University of Brussels is described. This paper also endeavors to share experience we gained in Web-based lecture materials development. It introduces the Web lecturer with JavaScript features and utilization and provides him/her with a description of reusable JavaScript routines downloadable from our site that relate to more engaging, interactive, and effective Web-based presentation of course materials.

Cognition↗