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N Lang

Publications and source records attributed to N Lang.

197 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

IMMULITE OM-MA assay: a useful diagnostic tool in patients with benign and malignant ovarian tumors.

Measurement of CA125 is well established in the diagnosis and follow-up of ovarian cancer. CA125 determination is usually performed with the monoclonal antibodies OC125 and M11. For the IMMULITE OM-MA chemoluminsence assay (DPC Biermann, Bad Nauheim, Germany) the monoclonal antibody OV185 is used. We analysed CA125 serum concentrations of patients with benign and malignant ovarian tumors with the IMMULITE OM-MA assay by defining a cut-off at 90% specificity level. Sera of 130 patients with benign and 119 patients with malignant ovarian tumors at different FIGO stages were analysed. By calculating a cut-off of 46 U/ml, in 87 ovarian cancer patients, elevated CA125 concentrations were detected (78% sensitivity). There were no significant differences between CA125 concentrations of tumors of different histological type. The measurement of CA125 by IMMULITE OM-MA is a simple and sensitive procedure.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro activity of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)--doxorubicin conjugates against ovarian cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Despite radical surgery and the introduction of novel chemotherapeutic agents, the prognosis of ovarian cancer remains poor. Since in the past the potential role of gonadotropins in the induction and progression of ovarian cancer has been discussed, we conjugated doxorubicin to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in order to specifically target ovarian cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Doxorubicin was conjugated to hCG via glutaraldehyde. 48 hours post seeding, NIH:OVCAR 3 cells were treated with various concentrations of hCG-conjugated and non-conjugated doxorubicin for 2 hours. Cells were cultured for a total of 168 hours. Cell growth was monitored by a crystal violet assay. RESULTS: Conjugating doxorubicin to hCG resulted in an average specific uptake of 22 mol doxorubicin per mol protein (range 3.0-43.3 mol). Incubating NIH:OVCAR 3 cells for 2 hours with the conjugate led to a more than 8 fold increase of the IC50 values compared to non-conjugated doxorubicin (0.55 microM versus 4.43 microM). The antiproliferative activity of both conjugated and free doxorubicin was detectable up to 168 hours post treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The present experiments clearly demonstrate a more than 8-fold increase in cytotoxicity of the conjugates compared to free doxorubicin. It was also shown that this effect was not restricted to an acute toxic event but that it resulted in a prolonged antiproliferative activity.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatic arterial infusion with oxaliplatin, folinic acid, and 5-fluorouracil in patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: role of carcino-embryonic antigen in assessment of response.

BACKGROUND: Therapy for patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial and may be improved by regional oxaliplatin which proved to be effective when administered systemically to patients with advanced CRC. METHODS: During the current study, which aims to determine the maximum tolerated dose, the dose-limiting toxicity, and the pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin applied as hepatic intra-arterial infusion combined with folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil in patients with hepatic metastases from CRC, serial levels of carcino-embryonic antigen were determined and their relationship to response to therapy was assessed. RESULTS: Toxicity mainly consisted of nausea, pain, mucositis, sensorial neuropathy, diarrhoea, and thrombocytopenia. The results of tumor marker analyses suggest that progressive disease may be detected early by increasing CEA levels and responsive disease may be characterized by low or decreasing values. CONCLUSIONS: Further analyses are warranted to determine the role of CEA in the assessment of response as compared to imaging techniques.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Growth regulation effects of gonadotropin induced steroidogenic response in human ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite a substantial body of epidemiological evidence, there is only a limited indication that gonadotropins and steroids have growth regulating functions in ovarian cancer. To elucidate the role of gonadotropins in regulating steroid metabolism in human ovarian cancer, we analyzed the modulation of estradiol secretion by FSH and hCG and the gonadotropic regulation of hCG secretion in vitro. Furthermore, we analyzed estradiol and hCG levels in serum and cyst fluids of patients with ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OVCAR3 cells were incubated with estradiol (1, 5, 10 nM), FSH (100 microg/L) and hCG (10, 25 microg/L). Growth stimulation was evaluated by MTT assay. Estradiol was measured in the supernatant after incubation with hCG and FSH, while hCG was measured after FSH incubation. FSH, estradiol and hCG levels were measured in serum and cyst fluids of patients with ovarian cancer. RESULTS: OVCAR3 cells responded to hCG and FSH by increased estradiol secretion (p<0.001), while estradiol led to a dose-dependent stimulation of cell growth (p<0.05). 100 microg/L FSH led to a 75% decrease of hCG secretion (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Gonadotropins stimulate estradiol secretion in ovarian cancer cells and modulate steroid dependent growth stimulation. FSH modulates hCG related growth stimulation in ovarian cancer. These results were supported by in vivo measurements in ovarian cancer patients.

Cell Division↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nursing's next advance: an internal classification for nursing practice.

An International Classification of Nursing Practice (ICNP) is needed to support the processes of nursing practice and advance the knowledge necessary for cost-effective delivery of quality nursing care. Below, the authors present their case for developing such a system that will provide nursing with a nomenclature, a language and a classification that can be used to describe and organize nursing data. It is their belief that this landmark project is achievable and that ICN should lead the work in collaboration with its member associations, the World Health Organization and key national, international, governmental and nongovernmental groups. But to ensure that the system will be adaptable across borders, nurses and organizations are being encouraged to share their ideas and research on such a system.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A new long-acting Partusisten preparation for oral tocolysis--results of a multicenter study].

The new 14 mg Partusisten Depot Perlonget from Boehringer Ingelheim was tested in a multi-centre study for its uterine relaxant effect and duration of action, tolerance and the main side-effects over a period of 72 hours under the usual clinical conditions in 64 female patients with premature labour in the 29-36th week of pregnancy. The uterine activity which had increased owing to the premature labour and which was clearly reduced with i.v. infusion of Partusisten was still inhibited on the following 3 days under treatment with Partusisten Depot Perlongets. There was no increase in the rate or intensity of labour at the end of the 8-hour interval between doses of the Perlongets. The uterine relaxant effect and tolerance were good in 69% to 84% of cases. Side-effects were limited to restlessness, tremor and cardiovascular complaints which subsided clearly in the course of treatment. The average heart rate of the patients which was elevated at the start of treatment tended to normal range during treatment with Partusisten Depot Perlongets. The foetal heart rate remained normal. Thus the effect of Partusisten Depot Perlongets with 14 mg lasted for 8 hours, they are highly effective and particularly well tolerated.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical detection of P-glycoprotein on frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections of normal and malignant tissues.

In this study the reactivity of the monoclonal antibodies (mabs) C 219, C 494 and 4E3 was compared on frozen and paraffin-embedded normal tissues and tumors. On frozen tissues we used an indirect immunoperoxidase method, while on paraffin sections a streptavidin-biotin method without antigen retrieval methods was used. In normal tissues all mabs were reactive with colon epithelium in frozen and paraffin-embedded sections. The bile canaliculi in the liver showed the most extensive reaction with C 219 in frozen sections, and to a lesser extent with C 494 and 4E3. C 219 reacted with the pancreatic acinar and ductal epithelium, whereas C 494 and 4E3 reacted predominantly in the stroma. The kidney showed positivity for all mabs in the collecting ducts and isolated solitary cells were reactive in the spleen. In the skin the eccrine part of the sweat glands was reactive for all mabs in paraffin sections. The lung, prostate and breast were negative for all mabs. Only in paraffin sections of various tissues did the C 494 appear to be reactive with nerve fibers and ganglion cells. Colon cancers were positive for P-170 with all mabs tested. In breast carcinoma C 494 showed positive reactions in 8/26 frozen and 4/22 paraffin sections, while 4E3 was reactive with 20/25 frozen but only with 1/21 paraffin sections. C 219 gave similar results in frozen (22/26) and paraffin (17/26) sections of breast cancer. Ovarian carcinomas were positive with C 494 in 11/20 of the frozen and in 11/15 of the paraffin sections, while 4E3 again reacted more weakly in paraffin (5/15) than in frozen (15/20) sections. C 219 gave positive reactions in all ovarian carcinomas in frozen (20/20) and paraffin sections (14/14). In the tumors, the most intense reaction for all mabs was obtained in the colon, followed by the ovary and breast. Enhanced staining was seen in paraffin sections for mab C 494 in ovarian carcinoma. By demonstrating the presence of both an external and internal epitope on frozen sections, the combined use of 4E3 and C 219 gave complementary information about the expression of P-170.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CA 125 as an indicator of pleural metastases in breast cancer patients.

In this study we analyzed the role of CA 125 serum levels in the diagnosis and follow-up of pleural metastases in breast cancer patients. CA 125 serum levels were measured in patients with lung and/or pleural metastases: a) at the time of detection of the metastases, b) 3 months thereafter during therapy and c) before and after drainage of pleural effusions. In all patients occurrence of metastases at other localisations was excluded. For CA 125 measurements ELISA sandwich assays were performed. In 76 patients with metastases CA 125 levels were elevated in 8% of patients with lung metastases, in 89% with pleural metastases and in 94% with-both sites of metastases. In patients with lung metastases, the CA 125 concentrations did not follow the clinical course of disease, while in patients with pleural metastases CA 125 levels followed the course of disease in 25 of 25 progressions and in 5 of 6 remissions. After the puncture of pleural effusions CA 125 levels decreased in 7 of 14 patients and remained stable in the other 7 patients.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP): nursing outcomes.

A classification of nursing phenomena (as diagnosed by nurses) and of nursing interventions is included in the Alpha Version of the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP). The third dimension of the ICNP-nursing outcomes-is currently being developed. Below are some of the issues, initial thinking and possible directions for the classification of nursing outcomes. As in the case of the Alpha Version's classifications of nursing phenomena and nursing interventions, the active participation of nurses around the world is being sought for the development of an improved Beta Version.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CA 125 is an indicator for pleural metastases in breast cancer.

In this study we analyzed the role of CA 125 serum levels in the diagnosis and follow-up of pleural metastases in breast cancer patients. CA 125 serum levels were measured in patients with lung and/or pleural metastases: a) at the time of the detection of the metastases, b) 3 months thereafter during therapy and c) before and after drainage of pleural effusions. In all patients the occurrence of metastases at other localisations was excluded. For CA 125 measurement ELISA sandwich assays were performed. In 76 patients with metastases CA 125 levels were elevated in 8% of patients with lung metastases, in 89% with pleural metastases and in 94% with both sites of metastases. In patients with lung metastases, the CA 125 concentrations did not follow the clinical course of the disease, while in patients with pleural metastases CA 125 levels followed the course of disease in 25 of 25 progressions and in 5 of 6 remissions. After the puncture of pleural effusions the CA 125 levels decreased in 7 of 14 patients and remained stable in the other 7 patients. CA 125, an established marker for diagnosis and follow-up of ovarian cancer, could also be considered as a relatively selective marker for the diagnosis and follow-up of pleural metastases in breast cancer patients.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CA 125 measurement in the follow-up of breast cancer patients.

During follow-up examinations for breast cancer the serum tumor marker CA 125 was measured routinely in the Universitätsfrauenklinik Erlangen. We found elevated CA 125 levels in 18 of 510 clinical asymptomatic patients. These patients were followed closely. A second malignant neoplasm was found in six of these patients, two at a curable early stage. We found metastases of breast cancer in nine patients and benign diseases in three patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

mRNA expression of components of the insulin-like growth factor system in breast cancer cell lines, tissues, and metastatic breast cancer cells.

IGF-1 and 2 are thought to be important growth factors for breast cancer. However, gene expression of IGFs or IGF receptors in breast cancer tissues, and especially in metastatic breast cancer cells, is not well known. Expression of mRNA encoding for IGF-1, IGF-2, IGF-receptor 1 and 2, IGF binding proteins- 1 to -6, insulin receptor and insulin was determined in the NIH MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, in specimens from breast cancer tissues, and in 6 primary breast cancer cell cultures obtained from metastatic breast cancer, using rT-PCR technique. Specific mRNA sequences encoding for IGF-receptor 1 and 2, IGFBP-2, -4 and insulin receptor were identified in all cell cultures and most of the tissue specimens. Though in most of the tissues additional expression of IGF-1 and IGF-2 was detected, there was no mRNA encoding for these proteins in MCF-7 cell cultures as well as in the primary cell cultures of metastatic breast cancers. In none of our specimens mRNA encoding for IGFBP-1, -3, -5, -6 and insulin was detectable. IGF-receptor expression in cancer tissues and metastatic breast cancer cells supports the hypothesis that IGFs increase tumor cell proliferation in vivo. Expression of IGF-1 and IGF-2 in tumor tissues but not in cancer cell cultures indicates an IGF expression located predominantly in stromal parts of cancer tissues.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasonic guided microbiopsy in mammary diagnosis: indications, technique and results.

Between 1992 and 1993, 307 ultrasonic guided highspeed core cut biopsies were performed. In 119 of the 307 women, we dispensed with further surgical and histological procedures when the tentative diagnosis from complementary mammary diagnostic procedures revealed no pathological findings and concurred with the histological results of the core cut biopsy. In 188 women, the biopsy was followed by surgical intervention and correlation of the histological findings. This group of patients showed a sensitivity of 98%, a specificity and positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 91%. If we combine the results of the complementary mammary diagnosis (including the core cut biopsy), then the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for this surgically and histologically confirmed group of patients reach 100%. In trained hands, the ultrasonic-guided high-speed core cut biopsy is a reliable means for determining the histological nature of lesions detected in ultrasonic scans. This technique has been perfected in our facility. Along with preoperative carcinoma detection, it permits us to avoid unnecessary operations when, under defined conditions, there are no pathological findings.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of local recurrences in breast cancer.

Breast conserving therapy (BCT) has turned out to be the standard procedure for the treatment of breast cancer. While the risk of local recurrences was reported as 1-2% or more per year after treatment, follow-up including clinical examination, mammography and even sonography is of priority. This study was performed to assess the efficacy of contrast-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance tomography (NMR) for the diagnosis of local recurrences after breast conserving therapy, compared to palpation, mammography and ultrasound. In 33 patients local recurrences within the breast were diagnosed after breast conserving surgery. The sensitivity for the diagnosis of local recurrences after BCT was as follows: palpation (51%), mammography (67%), ultrasound (85%) and NMR (91%). All multicentric local recurrences were diagnosed by NMR. Mammography was not able to diagnose 11 local recurrences in radiodense breasts. Here ultrasound was able to diagnose 8 of 11 recurrences, while NMR was able to diagnose 10 of 11 recurrences. Therefore, ultrasound should be included into routine follow-up protocols after BCT to achieve an acceptable sensitivity for the detection of local recurrences. Under defined conditions and indications MRI is the best method to complement mammography and sonography with the highest sensitivity for the diagnosis of local recurrences in the radiodense breast.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance imaging and its role in the diagnosis of multicentric breast cancer.

Multicentric breast cancer is one of the most important contraindications for breast conserving therapy. While the sensitivity of mammography decreases in the dense breast, the present study was designed to assess the efficacy of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of multicentric breast cancer compared to clinical examination, mammography and sonography. In 38 of 46 patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy, multicentric breast cancer was found histologically according to the definition of Holland et al The sensitivity for the diagnosis of multicentricity in breast cancer was as follows: palpation (47%), mammography (66%), sonography (79%) and MRI (89%). While MRI had the highest sensitivity, the specificity was the lowest showing 8 false positive enhancements (proliferative fibroadenomas, fibrocystic disease and papilloma). Compared to the other methods, MRI assessed the multicentric extent of breast cancer with the highest sensitivity which appears most important in radiodense breasts when breast conserving therapy is planned.

Breast Neoplasms↗