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Biomedical subjects

M Scott

Publications and source records attributed to M Scott.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

The effect of CNS metastases on the survival of patients with small cell cancer of the lung.

The records of 227 patients with small cell lung cancer (SMCLC) treated between January 1974 and July 1978 in a series of randomized trials were reviewed to determine the influence of central nervous system (CNS) metastases on survival. Sixteen patients were excluded because of single agent chemotherapy (11), lack of CNS irradiation despite proven metastases (2), prior chemotherapy (2), and concomitant metastatic second primary (1). Of 211 evaluable patients, 100 presented with limited disease and 111 with extensive disease, 25 of whom had CNS metastases at presentation, 21 ("CNS-limited") as the only site of metastases. Treatment of limited patients consisted of chemotherapy and thoracic radiation, while chemotherapy alone was used for extensive patients. No prophylactic brain irradiation was used, but CNS radiation was given to almost all patients when CNS metastases developed. Median survivals were: limited, 13.8 months; CNS-limited, 15.1 months; and extensive 8.6 months (P less than 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the survival experience of limited and CNS-limited patients, although none of the CNS-limited patients experienced long-term remissions. Thirty-five of the limited patients and 21 of the extensive patients subsequently developed CNS metastases. Their median survivals following CNS metastases were 3.7 months and 1.6 months, respectively. In conclusion, CNS metastases as the sole site of metastatic disease at diagnosis of SMCLC is not necessarily a bad prognostic sign, while the subsequent development of CNS metastases may be.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Evaluation of prognostic factors in chemotherapy of recurrent brain tumors.

We have evaluated the prognostic significance of several easily obtainable and commonly used factors in patients with primary brain tumors (recurrent after irradiation) undergoing chemotherapy. Age, sex, tumor grade, on-study performance score, time from initial diagnosis to initial postirradiation progression, and prior chemotherapy or no were evaluated for affects on tumor response. None of the six factors significantly correlated with response to therapy. The above six factors plus response to chemotherapy were evaluated for their affects on time to progression and survival. Tumor regression following chemotherapy most strongly correlated with prolonged time to progression and survival. A good on-study performance score (not, or only minimally, symptomatic) significantly correlated with prolonged survival, but not with prolonged time to progression. Surprisingly, tumor grade did not significantly correlate with response, time to progression, or survival. Further study is required, but initial data analyses would suggest that essentially all patients with all grades of recurrent tumor could be used in chemotherapeutic trials with proper pretreatment stratification.

Adult↗

The proportion of mitochondrial isoenzyme of aspartate aminotransferase is not elevated in Reye's syndrome.

We reexamined a previously reported, highly specific increase in the relative proportion of the mitochondrial isoenzyme of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum of patients with Reye's Syndrome. Using ion exchange chromatography, we measured mitochondrial, cytosolic, and total AST in serum samples from (1) 10 patients early in the course of Reye's Syndrome; (2) nine controls with normal serum AST; and (3) seven controls with other diseases causing an increase in serum AST. The mitochondrial percentage (2.8 +/- 2.0%) in Reye's Syndrome was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than that of both the normal control group (6.1 +/- 7.1%) and the group with increased AST (5.6 +/- 4.0%). We thus failed to confirm the previous report of a specific increase in the % of mitochondrial isoenzyme in Reye's Syndrome, and conclude that the % of mitochondrial isoenzyme is not likely to be a useful marker of (or predictor for progression to) Reye's Syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacokinetics of mitomycin C in patients receiving the drug alone or in combination.

We have characterized plasma pharmacokinetics in 30 patients receiving mitomycin C (mitomycin) in doses ranging from 6 to 20 mg/m2 by iv bolus injection, either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs. Plasma elimination of the drug was described by a two-compartment model in all but three cases, giving mean values for alpha-half-life of 8.2 mins, beta-half-life of 51.8 mins, and total body clearance of 332.9 ml/min/m2. The mean urinary excretion was 8.1% of the total dose administered. We did not detect alterations in pharmacologic parameters related to liver dysfunction, dose of mitomycin, and concomitant administration of other cytotoxic drugs.

Adult↗

Randomized phase II studies in advanced colorectal carcinoma: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group study.

5-FU, semustine (MeCCNU), triazinate (TZT), and razoxane (ICRF-159) have each shown activity against advanced colorectal cancer in studies by at least two investigative groups. Objective response rates, however, have been low, without evidence of increased patient survival. The hope of this study was that enhanced activity might result from giving these agents in two-drug combinations. There were 167 eligible and evaluable patients randomized among the programs: 5-FU at a dose of 500 mg/m2/day by iv push X 5 (F); 5-FU at a dose of 400 mg/m2/day iv X 5 plus TZT at a dose of 175 mg/m2/day iv X 3 (FT); 5-FU at a dose of 400 mg/m2/day plus ICRF-159 at a dose of 600 mg/m2/day orally X 3 (FI); MeCCNU at a dose of 150 mg/m2/day orally plus TZT at a dose of 200 mg/m2/day iv X 3 (MT); MeCCNU at a dose of 150 mg/m2 orally plus ICRF-159 at a dose of 500 mg/m2/day orally X 3 (MI); and ICRF-159 at a dose of 425 mg/m2/day orally X 3 plus TZT at a dose of 125 mg/m2/day iv X 3 (IT). Patients with limiting conditions (serum creatinine greater than 1.5 mg/dl or elevated bilirubin) were randomized among programs F, FI, and MI. Objective response rates by treatment arm were: F--13% (four of 31 patients); FT--13% (four of 31); FI--15% (four of 27); MT--11% (three of 28); MI--13% (four of 32); and IT--6% (one of 17). Response rates of combination arms were not significantly larger than those of 5-FU alone. With regard to survival, patients initially treated with 5-FU alone had the most favorable experience (median, 10.8 mos). Multivariate analysis showed the following factors to have a significant and independent influence on survival: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score, grade, site of indicator lesion, and the presence of 5-FU in the treatment regimen. Toxic effects most frequently seen were nausea, vomiting, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, diarrhea, stomatitis, alopecia, and dermatitis. The incidence and severity of toxicity were roughly comparable among the six treatment arms.

Adult↗

Effect of plasma calcium concentration on the metabolic clearance rate of parathyroid hormone in the dog.

Low perfusate calcium concentrations reportedly enhance the degradation of intact bPTH in isolated rat liver and dog kidney. Depending on the magnitude of such effects, they might affect the metabolic clearance of intact PTH in vivo. Therefore we have investigated the effect of acute and chronic hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia on the MCR of intact PTH in vivo in dogs. The t 1/2 of endogenous PTH was unchanged after 5, 30, and 480 min of hypocalcemia and ranged from 1.2 to 2.8 min. The MCR of bPTH infused to constant plasma levels in TPTX dogs also did not change with short- or long-term changes in the plasma calcium concentration by approximately 7 mg/dl. The MCR averaged 13 ml/min per kilogram for fully biologically active bPTH and 6 ml/min per kilogram for oxidized bPTH. Thus neither acute nor chronic hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia at extremes observed in disease states significantly altered the MCR of PTH. We conclude that changes in plasma intact PTH concentrations during changes in plasma calcium accurately reflect PTH secretion rate.

Animals↗

Physiology of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in normal human subjects.

We determined the metabolic clearance and production rates of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in four normal healthy adults. We also examined the excretion of radioactivity in stool, urine, and bile after the intravenous administration of 24,25-[3H]dihydroxyvitamin D3 to human subjects. 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 is rapidly cleared from the plasma with a half-life of approximately 390 +/- 25 min (mean +/- SE). The metabolic clearance rate of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was 9.2 +/- 1.5 liters/day with a production rate of 26.4 +/- 7.2 micrograms/day (mean +/- SE). Within 1 day 13.0 +/- 4.2% (mean +/- SE) of the administered dose had appeared in the stool; by day 7, 48.8 +/- 2.7% of the dose had appeared in the feces. Within 24 hr, 6.4 +/- 0.8% of the administered dose appeared in the urine; 7.4 +/- 1.8% of the dose had appeared in the urine within 2 days. The biliary excretion of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was studied in two subjects. By 8 h, 15.3 +/- 1.3% of the administered dose had appeared in the bile. The metabolites present in bile, feces, and urine were much more polar than 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. These results demonstrate that 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is rapidly cleared from plasma and is excreted in the feces (probably via the bile) and urine of normal human subjects.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

Corneal autopsy.

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Adult↗

Cellular and antibody response to respiratory syncytial (RS) virus in human colostrum, maternal blood, and cord blood.

Samples of colostrum, maternal blood, and cord blood from a group of 21 women were examined for the presence of cellular reactivity to respiratory syncytial (RS) virus using a transformation assay and for the level of specific IgA, and IgG, and IgM antibodies to RS virus by membrane immunofluorescence. Six of the 18 colostral cell cultures and six of the 16 maternal blood cultures gave a significant proliferative response to RS virus antigen, although a positive response in both local and systemic cell cultures was found in only one another. In addition, one of 18 samples of cord blood gave a proliferative response to RS virus antigen. Detectable titres of IgA antibodies to RS virus were found in 15 of the 20 samples of colostral whey and in 13 of the 17 samples of maternal plasma examined. RS virus-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 10 of 20 colostral whey samples and in all samples of maternal cord plasma. In this study, it was not possible to demonstrate a relationship between a positive proliferative response of colostral cell cultures to RS virus and the level of specific IgA and IgG antibodies in colostral whey. Similarly, the proliferative response of material blood cultures was unrelated to the titre of specific IgA or IgG antibodies in maternal plasma. The relevance of the local cellular proliferative response to RS virus in colostral cell cultures to the protection afforded by breast-feeding is discussed.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Problems of families caring for Alzheimer patients: use of a support group.

An eight-week support group program was conducted for 15 members of the families of Alzheimer patients still living at home. It became clear that caring for an Alzheimer patient at home created tremendous practical, psychologic and social problems for family members. Frequently discussed problems included lack of support and information from physicians, poor understanding of the disease, depression, a trapped feeling, anger and fear about the patient's behavioral problems, isolation, and the caretaker's loss of self-identity. Group participation was especially beneficial for spouses who functioned as primary care providers. It increased their understanding of the disease, made them feel more supported and less isolated, and helped them resolve some of the feelings created by the illness. It also helped spouses to become more aware of their own needs and to regain some self-identity in relation to the patient. Such family support programs offer a way to strengthen the emotional well-being and treatment skills of the care-providing family and are an important aid to treatment in Alzheimer's disease.

Aged↗

Computed tomographic evaluation of laryngeal neoplasms.

Nineteen patients with laryngeal lesions each underwent diagnostic studies consisting of laryngoscopy and computed tomography (CT). Sixteen patients had linear tomography and coronal and sagittal reconstruction of their transaxial CT images. The results of each examination were compared with the surgical and pathological findings to assess their relative value. The results confirmed previous reports of the accuracy and value of transaxial CT and direct laryngoscopy, but indicated that coronal and sagittal reconstruction as well as linear tomography added no significant information.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Insulin binding to erythrocytes of normal infants, children, and adults: variation with age and sex.

The assay of insulin receptors on erythrocytes requires only small amounts of blood and has made it possible to characterize insulin binding in infancy and childhood. To establish normal insulin-binding criteria, we studied 125I binding to insulin receptors on erythrocytes from a large number of normal subjects, including 15 term deliveries, 45 prepubertal children (aged 2 months-12 yr), 15 adult women, and 15 adult men. Insulin binding to cord erythrocytes was significantly higher at tracer and physiological insulin concentrations than binding to cells from any other age group (P less than 0.001). In the prepubertal children after the newborn period, insulin binding was not related to age or sex and did not differ significantly from the binding to cells from adult women. Erythrocytes from adult males, however, bound significantly higher amounts of insulin than did those from adult women or prepubertal children at all insulin concentrations tested (P less than 0.01). Increased binding to cord erythrocytes appeared to be due to an increase in receptor affinity, while the increased binding in adult males was primarily a result of increased receptor concentration. The data confirm previous reports of increased insulin binding to fetal cells and indicate that erythrocyte insulin binding stabilizes at levels similar to those in adult females by the age of 2 months. The increased binding of insulin to erythrocytes from adult males compared to binding to erythrocytes from children or adult females suggests that androgens may increase erythrocyte insulin binding over prepubertal levels.

Adult↗