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Biomedical subjects

T J Cunningham

Publications and source records attributed to T J Cunningham.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Bilateral ganglion cell branches in the normal rat: a demonstration with electrophysiological collision and cobalt tracing methods.

The application of microelectrode recording and anatomical tracing methods to the subcortical optic projections of the normal rat shows that the uncrossed pathway from the retina of this mammal is substantially composed of branches of crossed axons. In the recording experiments, paired stimuli to the optic tracts produces an attenuated antidromic response in the optic nerve which is best explained by the collision of impulses which travel in branches of the same parent axon. Cobalt injection of one optic tract results in retrograde filling of axons in the entire contralateral optic nerve and filling of axons in restricted regions of the ipsilateral optic nerve. This procedure also results in the filling of axons in the opposite optic tract. The locations of the filled axons in the opposite tract correspond to the positions of crossed and uncrossed projections from the temporal retinae: ventrolateral and dorsomedial, respectively. The position of the temporal retinal projections in both optic tracts was determined by applying silver degeneration methods after small lesions of the retina.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

A correlation of DNCB-induced delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions and the course of disease in patients with recurrent breast cancer.

Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to DNCB were performed before therapy in 84 patients with recurrent breast cancer. Following sensitization, a 100 microgram challenge dose was graded as a strong, weak, or negative reaction. Thirty six patients were rechallenged greater than or equal to 6 months with 109 microgram of DNCB. Patients with a strong delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to DNCB were characteried by: a significantly higher probability of surviving at 52 and 78 weeks, a longer median length of survival (strong 78 weeks, weak 43 weeks, and negative 35 weeks), and a greater probability of responding to therapy (strong 52%, weak 29%, and negative 23%). It is suggested that patients with histologic grade III tumors with a dense lymphocyte infiltrate had more frequent strong delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to DNCB than those with few lymphocytes. The correlation of DNCB skin testing with a good prognosis in this group of patients with breast cancer suggests a protective role by the immunologic defense mechanisms and warrants its further evaluation and use in the development of new therapeutic modalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Intracavitary bleomycin in the management of malignant effusions.

Instilled bleomycin and thoracostomy were utilized in 38 patients with malignant pleural effusions; the therapy produced a complete or partial response rate of 63%. Toxicity was minimal. In patients with intraperitoneal effusions, bleomycin instillation after drainage produced a complete or partial response in 36%. One patient had severe hypotension and fever. Patients with ovarian and breast carcinoma responded best, among them, effusions were controlled in greater that 70%. Because of its low systemic toxicity, absence of marrow toxicity, and virtual absence of discomfort, we think that the local instillation of bleomycin is indicated in the management of malignant effusions.

Ascites↗
PubMed1975

Treatment of grade III and IV astrocytoma with dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide (DTIC, NSC-45388) alone and in combination with CCNU (NSC-79037) or methyl CCNU (MeCCNU, NSC-95441).

The effectiveness of DTIC in the treatment of Grade III and IV astrocytomas was analyzed in two phases. In the first phase, 14 patients (Group A) with progressive neurologic dysfunction following primary treatment were treated with DTIC alone (8 patients) or in combination with CCNU or methyl CCNU (6 patients) and evaluated for change in neurologic status. Five of the 8 treated with DTIC responded symptomatically for a median duration of 18 weeks, and 3 of 6 treated with the combination of drugs responded for a median duration of 12 weeks. In the second phase, 15 patients (Group B) were treated within 4 weeks of surgical resection with radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy with DTIC and/or MeCCNU. These patients were followed for survival and compared to a historical control group of 15 patients (Group C) treated with surgery and radiation only. The drug-treated group had a median survival of 55 weeks, compared to 35 weeks for the control group. Hematologic toxicity was life threatening in 2 of 14 patients treated with combination drugs, but mild with DTIC alone. DTIC appears to be active against malignant astrocytomas. Survival may be lengthened by combining chemotherapy with surgery and radiation therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to concanavalin A-binding tumour membrane components.

The use of affinity chromatography has permitted the isolation of those tumour membrane fractions possessing affinity for the lectin concanavalin A. That these fractions are rich in tumour-associated antigens is supported by their ability to induce delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions. The tumour extracts possessing concanavalin affinity resulted in skin test reactivity of considerably greater frequency and magnitude than normal tissue fractions, disrupted unfractionated tumour membrane extracts, or tumour membrane fractions not possessing concanavalin A affinity. Although the present data does not permit the correlation of skin reactivity with patient or disease parameters, the isolation of augmented concentrations of tumour-associated antigens may lead to improved diagnostic and prognostic tests and vaccines for patients with cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1973

The numb chin in breast cancer.

Numbness of the chin, an uncommon neurological symptom, was observed in 15 patients with cancer. Thirteen had breast cancer. This symptom usually heralded progressive involvement of the cranial nerves or cerebrum and denoted a poor prognosis in patients with a short `tumourfree interval'. The pathogenesis is commonly related to dural involvement of the Vth cranial nerve at the base of the brain, although metastasis to the mandible might sometimes be implicated. The reason for the peculiar predilection for the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve to be affected by breast cancer is not known.

Adult↗