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Biomedical subjects

T D Nguyen

Publications and source records attributed to T D Nguyen.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Systematic irradiation of the vaginal vault in stage I endometrial carcinoma.

One hundred and twenty patients with clinical pathological stage I carcinoma of the endometrium were treated by total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and either pre- or postoperative intracavitary cesium insertion. External pelvic irradiation (45-50 Gy in 5 weeks) was given postoperatively in 36 cases, mainly for deep myometrial invasion. All the women have been followed for a minimum of 5 years. The overall 5-year survival rate is 86%. According to histological grading, the 5-year survival was 88, 83 and 57% for grades 1 (90 patients), 2 (23 patients) and 3 (7 patients) respectively. A total of 17 local and distant failures were observed: 10 patients had distant metastases, six patients had a pelvic failure and one had both. There was only one isolated vaginal recurrence. Depth of myometrial invasion was not a statistically significant indicator of outcome. Survival rates were comparable in pre- and postoperatively treated patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Analysis of late complications after rapid hyperfractionated radiotherapy in advanced head and neck cancers.

Late effects were analyzed in a series of 39 patients with a 2-year minimal follow-up who were treated by rapid hyperfractionated radiotherapy. The total dose was 66-72 Gy delivered in two series of 33-36 Gy separated by a 2-4 week rest interval. The number of daily fractions ranged from 8 to 6 and the interval between each fraction was 2 hr. Late complications consisted of cervical fibrosis, mucosal necrosis, bone necrosis, trismus, and laryngeal edema. Seventy percent of patients experienced late complications, and in 54% of cases, these reactions were considered severe, causing death in 13% of patients. No relationship was found between field sizes, dosimetric data and type and frequency of late effects. It is therefore suggested that the interval between two daily sessions in any multifractionated protocol may be of critical importance.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Thymosin alpha 1: amino acid homology with peptide T from the human immunodeficiency virus envelope.

Thymosin alpha 1 has many effects on immune function and its absence in primary immunodeficiency states produce a clinical presentation similar to the one encountered in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiologic agent of AIDS, binds to T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes through specific surface receptors which include the CD4 glycoprotein. Octapeptide T, a component of the HIV envelope, mediates the binding of HIV to its receptor. In this report, we draw attention to the similarity between the amino acid sequence of thymosin alpha 1 and peptide T and its analogues. This similarity can produce a cross-reactivity between thymosin alpha 1 and HIV and may be a factor in the pathophysiology of the acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Laterobasal membranes from intestinal epithelial cells: isolation free of intracellular membrane contaminants.

A simplified method for isolating highly purified laterobasal membranes (LBM) from enterocytes is based on treatment of membranes with 8 mM CaCl2 concentration in order to aggregate intracellular membrane contaminants. The resultant LBM showed an average 15-fold enrichment and constituted 8% of the original K-stimulated phosphatase in the initial crude homogenate. It showed typical LBM migration on counter-current distribution (CCD) and was essentially free of contamination with endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membranes. This method is highly efficient and yields sufficient purified LBM to allow comprehensive analysis of enterocyte membrane events.

Animals↗

Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) of swine: in vitro virus attachment and effects of polyanions and polycations.

Four transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) strains (Purdue-115, D-52, 188-SG and Gep-II) and two cell lines (swine testis-ST and pig kidney-RPD) were used to study virus attachment and cell susceptibility. Virus attachment was partially thermodependent and the rate varied, depending on the strain. Identical TGEV inocula produced a higher plaque number by plaque assay in the swine testis cell line (ST) than in the pig kidney cell line (RPD) but [3H]uridine-labelled virus was found associated equally well with both cell lines. A field TGEV strain (Gep-II), which was unable to multiply in cell cultures, appeared able to inhibit the attachment of radiolabelled cell-passaged virus. Therefore, the susceptibility to TGEV infection was apparently not determined at the virus-to-cell attachment stage. The attachment sites on the cell surface were specific, however, differences in TGEV attachment determinant between strains were not observed. Attachment of all the virus strains tested was enhanced by DEAE-dextran and inhibited by dextran sulfate, poly-L-lysine (PLL), poly-L-alpha-ornithine (PLO) and protamine sulfate.

Animals↗

Accelerated irradiation of cervical node metastases.

Accelerated irradiation combining electron beam and cobalt sources was carried out in 34 patients with large involved nodes fixed to the cervical structures (N3). Concomitant boost technique was used to reduce the overall duration of treatment from 7 to 5 weeks while maintaining the standard 70-Gy tumor dose. The first part of treatment consisted of conventional cobalt irradiation, 50 Gy delivered to the whole neck over 5 weeks. The accelerated schedule, carried out over 4 weeks, delivered an additional 1 Gy/day to the node through a circular and lateral electron beam field, for a total dose of 70 Gy to the enlarged node. In the case of an identified primary the tumor site was also boosted to the 70-Gy total dose. The rate of acute skin reactions was acceptable and there were no major mucosal complications. At the end of irradiation, 62% of patients experienced complete clinical regression; 41% subsequently had cervical recurrences. Early cervical fibrosis was limited to the over-treated area. The concomitant boost technique is a good way to accelerate irradiation without decreasing the total dose or increasing the immediate complication rate.

Adolescent↗

[Influence of concanavalin A on the attachment of the coronavirus of transmissible gastroenteritis in cell cultures].

Effect of Concanavalin (ConA) on attachment of three strains of Transmissible Gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGE) of swine was investigated in cell culture. Whatever the virus strain, reduction of virus plaques number is observed when viral suspension is incubated with cells together or after addition of ConA. Intensity of inhibition is related with ConA concentration. ConA treatment of preinfected cell cultures has no effect on plaque formation. Addition of alpha-methyl-D-mannoside inhibits the ConA activity. Treatment of cells with metaperiodate has no effect on plaque formation and ConA activity. Our results suggest that ConA inhibits formation of plaques by TGE coronavirus.

Cells, Cultured↗

Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor on liver plasma membranes: characterization as a glycoprotein.

The receptor for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was identified in rat liver plasma membranes after covalent cross-linking to 125I-VIP by three different agents [disuccinimido dithiobis(propionate), disuccinimido suberate, and succinimido 4-azidobenzoate] and examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide electrophoresis. Regardless of the presence of reducing conditions, two molecular species of the putative VIP binding unit were identified as broad autoradiographic bands of 80,000 and 56,000 daltons (Da). Both the large and small species showed the same high affinity for 125I-VIP binding and subsequent cross-linking (half-maximal inhibition at 3 nM unlabeled VIP). The 80-kDa species was partially converted to the 56-kDa form by denaturing conditions and was extensively degraded when incubated at 20 degrees C for 30 min with 1 microgram/mL chymotrypsin, trypsin, or elastase to fragments that that migrated similarly to the 56-kDa unit. In contrast, the 56-kDa moiety was resistant to attack by serine proteases. Both the 80- and 56-kDa species were microheterogeneous due at least in part to the presence of carbohydrate chains, each species binding fractionally to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-agarose (approximately 50%). The WGA-bound fraction (eluted with N-acetylglucosamine) was relatively retarded on acrylamide gels as compared to the WGA-unbound fraction. Exposure of the 80- and 56-kDa species to endo-beta-acetylglucosaminidase F reduced the apparent molecular mass of each by 19 kDa, indicating the presence of complex N-linked carbohydrate chains. The receptor species do not appear to have high-mannose N-linked chains since they did not interact with concanavalin A and were not cleaved by endo-beta-acetylglucosaminidase H.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Asbestos fibers and trace metals in the blood of cattle grazing in fields inundated by asbestos-rich sediments.

During a major storm in 1975, a pasture was inundated with serpentinitic sediments which are rich in asbestos fibers and trace metals. Little natural revegetation has occurred at the site and dairy and beef cattle which continue to graze in and around the contaminated site are exposed to asbestos fibers by inhalation and ingestion. The effect of this material on the cattle was investigated in this study by analyzing blood samples from exposed and control animals for asbestos fibers, trace metals, and general blood chemistry. The analysis showed that at the time of exposure Ni and Mn values were significantly higher in the exposed animals than in the controls, and in six out of seven samples asbestos fibers were present as determined by STEM analysis. Once the animals were removed from the site, trace metal levels returned to normal but asbestos fibers were still present in three out of seven animals. Two of the control animals unaffected by the sediments also showed asbestos fibers and there were no relationships between the magnitude of fibers and trace metal content. This suggests that the sediments influence the blood chemistry of animals but the presence and magnitude of asbestos fibers in the blood can be influenced by other factors as well.

Animals↗

Nonidentical induction of the guanylate binding protein and the 56K protein by type I and type II interferons.

Upon the addition of interferon (IFN) to cultured human cells, the expression of genes encoding the 56K and the guanylate binding protein (GBP) is specifically induced. We have analyzed their expression at the protein and the mRNA levels and studied how their regulation differs in cells treated with different IFNs. In the type I IFN (alpha and beta)-treated cells, we detected the accumulation of the 56K protein primarily in the cytoplasm. The 56K protein was undetectable in untreated cells or in cells treated with type II IFN (IFN-gamma). In contrast, a greater amount of GBP was synthesized in cells treated with type II IFN than in cells treated with type I IFN. The differential induction of these two proteins correlates well with the relative amounts of their mRNAs in type I and type II IFN-treated cells. In addition, the IFN-induced synthesis of the 56K protein was found in certain cell lines in which the GBP synthesis was not detected. These results suggest that the regulation of these two genes requires dissimilar factors which are activated or induced to different extents by type I and type II IFNs.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Hepatocellular adenoma and nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver in a young man.

A 26-year-old man had a massive intraabdominal hemorrhage from a hepatocellular adenoma (HCA). The tumor arose within a liver that demonstrated generalized nodular regenerative hyperplasia. The patient had no factors predisposing to either HCA or nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) of the liver. Although rare, HCA should be included in the differential diagnosis of spontaneous intraperitoneal hemorrhage even in young men. The coexistence of HCA and NRH of the liver in this patient may indicate a common pathogenesis.

Adult↗

Neutralizing secretory IgA and IgG do not inhibit attachment of transmissible gastroenteritis virus.

Secretory IgA (sIgA) and IgG from porcine milk and serum, respectively, [3H]uridine-labelled virus, swine testis and pig kidney cell lines were used to examine the neutralized virus-cell interaction. Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), 99.99% neutralized by immunoglobulin, was able to attach to the cells. Moreover, sIgA enhanced virus attachment. However, the neutralized virus was unable to enter cells, as demonstrated by the action of proteinase K which removed it from the cell surface. It was also found that pre-attached virus was still neutralizable and that IgG and sIgA had similar TGEV-neutralizing capacities.

Animals↗

Rapid hyperfractionated radiotherapy. Clinical results in 178 advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

The authors present a series of 178 patients with Stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated by rapid irradiation using multiple and small fractions per day. An initial group of 91 patients (G1) received a total dose of 72 Gy in 80 sessions and 10 days, according to the following split course schedule: J1 to J5, 36 Gy in 40 sessions, eight daily fractions of .9 Gy separated by 2 hours; J6 to J20, rest period; J21 to J25, same as in J1 except that the spinal cord was shielded. This protocol was altered for the following 87 patients (G2) by lessening the total dose to 60 to 66 Gy and the number of fractions to 60. The rest period was lengthened to 4 weeks. All patients but five completed the whole program and the minimal follow-up period was 24 months. At the end of irradiation, 121 patients achieved a total remission, but local recurrences occurred in 56%. Moreover, acute intolerance was considered as severe in 34% of G1 patients, and included extensive mucosal necrosis and bleeding. Although this rate was significantly reduced in G2 patients, late complications were observed in 20 of the 25 survivors, and included trismus, cervical sclerosis, and recurrent laryngeal edema. The crude survival rate is 13% at 2 years. Although this study was not randomized, this particular type of accelerated and hyperfractionated combination of irradiation did not really improve the clinical results in advanced carcinoma of the head and neck. Other schedules and probably other tumors, less extended, should be tested.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗