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Gemcitabine and cisplatin in a concomitant alternating chemoradiotherapy program for locally advanced head-and-neck cancer: a pharmacology-guided schedule.

PURPOSE: Administration of gemcitabine together with cisplatin at cytotoxic doses in a chemoradiotherapy regimen is hampered by a high degree of local toxicity. Using the pharmacologic properties of the drug we designed a modified schedule aimed at reducing toxicity while preserving activity. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx, bulky T4, and/or N2 to N3 were eligible. Gemcitabine was administered at a dose of 800 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 12 and cisplatin at a dose of 20 mg/m2 on Days 2 to 5, every 21 days for 3 courses. Radiotherapy, delivered with standard fractionation, was given on Days 8 to 12 and 15 to 19 and was repeated 3 times up to a total dose of > or = 60 Gy. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were selected. Grade 3 to 4 stomatitis was recorded in 25 patients (89%). Thirteen patients (46%) experienced Grade 3 to 4 neutropenia. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 8 patients (29%) and in 2 was complicated by infection and death. The overall complete response rate was 79%. At a median follow up of 71 months, 11 patients had a locoregional relapse (3-year locoregional control, 64%); 6 patients had distant metastases, among whom only 2 were without locoregional recurrence. The 3-year progression-free survival is 39% and 3-year overall survival has been 43%. CONCLUSION: The schedule modification did not attenuate local toxicity. Moreover, infections and especially pneumonia, were a major problem. The high activity of gemcitabine when combined with radiotherapy would most likely be better exploited in the context of modified radiation schemes.

Adult↗

Granuloma formation in vitro requires B-1 cells and is modulated by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 antigen.

The mechanisms that determine granuloma formation and the significance of this type of inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of fungal diseases such as paracoccidioidomycosis are far from fully understood. We developed a granuloma model in vitro using beads to evaluate the role of isolated mouse peritoneal macrophages and B-1 cells. We also investigated granuloma formation in the presence of gp43, the main antigenic component of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, which is secreted exocellularly. To determine whether B-1 cells, macrophages, or both, participate in granuloma formation, peritoneal cells from Xid mice, which lack B-1 cells, were used. Granuloma-like structures were not formed with Xid peritoneal cells or with cells from wild type mice that had their peritoneal and pleural cavities irradiated before the cultures were established. Granulomas were observed either when total adherent peritoneal cells or when isolated B-1 cells were added to macrophage cultures. The data strongly suggest that an interaction of B-1 cells and macrophages plays an important role in granuloma-like formation in this experimental model and that the presence of gp43 strongly stimulates this response.

Animals↗

Paclitaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and radiotherapy in the management of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a phase II trial.

Aim of the present study was to test, activity and toxicity of a rapidly alternating chemoradiation (paclitaxel based) in 31 patients with unresectable, locally advanced or recurrent after surgery, head and neck cancer. Three-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 61.4 and 73.7%, respectively. Main side effects remain a major problem.

Adult↗

Efficient Tet-dependent expression of human factor IX in vivo by a new self-regulating lentiviral vector.

Regulation of gene expression represents a long-sought goal of gene therapy. However, most viral vectors pose constraints on the incorporation of drug-dependent transcriptional regulatory systems. Here, by optimizing the design of self-regulating lentiviral vectors based on the tetracycline system, we have been able to overcome the limitations of previously reported constructs and to reach both robust expression and efficient regulation from a single vector. The improved performance allows us to report for the first time effective long-term in vivo regulation of a human clotting Factor IX (hF.IX) transgene upon systemic administration of a single vector to SCID mice. We showed that hF.IX expression in the plasma could be expressed to therapeutically significant concentrations, adjusted to different set levels by varying the tetracycline dose, rapidly turned off and on, and completely recovered after each treatment cycle. The new vector design was versatile, as it successfully incorporated a tissue-specific promoter that selectively targeted regulated expression to hepatocytes. Robust transgene expression in the systemic circulation coupled to the ability to switch off and even adjust the expression level may open the way to safer gene-based delivery of therapeutics.

Animals↗

Regional wall motion analysis by dobutamine stess echocardiography to distinguish between ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

To distinguish between ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), we studied 43 patients with left ventricular dysfunction (15 ischemic and 28 nonischemic detected by coronary angiography) by dobutamine stress echocardiography. At rest, there were more normal segments (p<0.001) and a trend toward more akinetic segments (p, not significant) per ischemic than per nonischemic DCM patient. However, either at rest or with low-dose dobutamine, individual data largely overlapped. At peak dose, in ischemic DCM, regional contraction worsened in many normal or dys-synergic regions at rest (in the latter case after improvement with low-dose dobutamine); in contrast, in nonischemic DCM, further mild improvement was observed in a variable number of left ventricular areas. Thus with peak-dose dobutamine, more akinetic and less normal segments were present per ischemic than per nonischemic DCM patient (both, p<0.001). A value of six or more akinetic segments was 80% sensitive and 96% specific for ischemic DCM. Our data show that analysis of regional contraction by dobutamine stress echocardiography can distinguish between ischemic and nonischemic DCM.

Aged↗

Neuroadrenergic activation and response to dobutamine in congestive heart failure secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Detection of contractile reserve is important in heart failure patients. To determine if detection of contractile reserve is influenced by neuroadrenergic activation, we examined the relation between dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) findings and plasma norepinephrine levels (NE) at rest in 35 patients with nonischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (New York Heart Association class >III in all; LV ejection fraction 0.27 +/- 0.5). Changes in global wall motion score (WMS), and separately in WMS of hypokinetic segments and akinetic segments, were analyzed. A patient was considered to be responsive to dobutamine if the change in global WMS was >/=4. Twenty-three patients were responsive and 12 were not responsive to dobutamine. Plasma NE and baseline heart rate were significantly higher in nonresponsive patients (p <0.001). Changes in global WMS and in hypokinetic segment WMS were inversely related to either plasma NE (r -0.68 and -0.67, respectively) or baseline heart rate (r -0.60 and -0.66, respectively). The change in akinetic segment WMS was related to plasma NE only (r -0.50). Changes in WMS were not related to age, diastolic and systolic LV volume, baseline global WMS, or number of akinetic segments at baseline. Plasma NE >602 pg/ml predicted a blunted or absent contractile reserve at DSE (sensitivity 92%; specificity 87%). Neuroadrenergic activation may influence contractile reserve found at DSE in patients with heart failure due to nonischemic LV dysfunction.

Adult↗

Prognostic significance of the dobutamine echocardiography test in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dobutamine stress echo provides potentially useful information on idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). From February 1, 1997, to October 1, 1999, 186 patients (131 men and 55 women, mean age 56 +/- 12 years) with IDC, ejection fraction <35%, and angiographically normal coronary arteries were studied by high-dose (up to 40 micro/kg/min) dobutamine echo in 6 centers, all quality controlled for stress echo reading. In all patients, wall motion score index (WMSI) (from 1 = normal to 4 = dyskinetic in a 16- segment model of the left ventricle) was evaluated by echo at baseline and peak dobutamine. One hundred eighty-four patients were followed up (mean 15 +/- 13 months) and only cardiac death was considered as an end point. There were 29 cardiac deaths. Significant parameters for survival prediction at univariate analysis are: DeltaWMSI (chi-square 20.1; p <0.0000), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (chi-square 17.57; p <0.0000), rest ejection fraction (chi-square 10.41; p = 0.0013), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (chi-square 8.23; p = 0.0041), and hypertension (chi-square 8.08, p = 0.0045). In the multivariate stepwise analysis only DeltaWMSI and NYHA were independent predictors of outcome (DeltaWMSI = hazard ratio 0.02, p < 0.0000; NYHA class = hazard ratio 3.83, p < 0.0000). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates showed a better outcome for patients with a large inotropic response (DeltaWMSI > or =0.44, a cutoff identified by receiver-operating characteristic curves analysis) than for those with a small or no myocardial inotropic response to dobutamine (93.6% vs 69.4%, p = 0.00033). Thus, in patients with IDC, an extensive contractile reserve identified by high-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography is associated with a better survival.

Aged↗

Comparison of steerable continuous-wave versus pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography to renal artery angiography in diagnosing renal artery stenosis.

Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography is widely used to noninvasively diagnose renal artery stenosis. The use of steerable continuous-wave Doppler has never been tested. We compared pulsed and steerable continuous-wave Doppler ultrasonography, demonstrating that although both methods are highly sensitive for severe stenoses, continuous-wave Doppler shows a better sensitivity for mild to moderate stenoses.

Adult↗

Prognostic value of pharmacologic stress echocardiography in patients with left bundle branch block.

PURPOSE: Although coronary artery disease is a frequent cause of left bundle branch block, the prognostic value of myocardial ischemia in patients with this conduction abnormality has not been defined. We investigated the value of pharmacologic stress echocardiography in risk stratification of patients with left bundle branch block. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred eighty-seven patients [230 men and 157 women, mean (+/- SD) age, 64 +/- 9 years] with complete left bundle branch block on the resting electrocardiogram underwent dobutamine (n = 217) or dipyridamole (n = 170) stress echocardiography to evaluate suspected or known coronary artery disease. A summary wall motion score (on a one to four scale) was calculated. The primary end points were cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction. RESULTS: A positive echocardiographic result (evidence of ischemia) was detected in 109 (28%) patients. During a mean follow-up of 29 +/- 26 months, there were 21 cardiac deaths and 20 myocardial infarctions, 63 patients underwent coronary revascularization, and 1 patient received a heart transplant. In a multivariate analysis, four clinical and echocardiographic variables were associated with increased risk of cardiac death: resting wall motion score index [hazard ratio (HR) = 7.5 per unit; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.8 to 20; P = 0.001], previous myocardial infarction (HR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1 to 7.3; P = 0.02), diabetes (HR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.6; P = 0.03), and the change in wall motion score index from rest to peak stress (HR = 3.0 per unit; 95% CI, 1.0 to 8.6; P = 0.04). The 5-year survival was 77% in the ischemic group and 92% in the nonischemic group (P = 0.02). Four variables were associated with increased risk of cardiac death or infarction: previous myocardial infarction (HR = 3.4; 95% CI, 1.7 to 6.8; P = 0.0005), diabetes (HR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.6; P = 0.01), resting wall motion score index (HR = 2.2 per unit; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.1; P = 0.02), and positive echocardiographic result (HR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.5; P = 0.03). The 5-year infarction-free survival was 60% in the ischemic group and 87% in the nonischemic group (P < 0.0001). Stress echocardiography significantly improved risk stratification in patients without previous myocardial infarction (P = 0.0001), but not in those with previous myocardial infarction (P = 0.08). In particular, it provided additional value over clinical and resting echocardiographic findings in predicting cardiac events among patients without previous infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial ischemia during pharmacologic stress echocardiography is a strong prognostic predictor in patients with left bundle branch block, particularly in those without previous myocardial infarction.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

CFTR: development of high- affinity antibodies and localization in sweat gland.

Rabbit antisera were raised to six synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences contained in the protein product of the cystic fibrosis gene, CFTR. For two peptides, [Lys102]CFTR(102-116) and CFTR(1468-1480), antibody-peptide binding was of high affinity in that half-maximal binding occurred at peptide concentrations below 10 nM. Monospecific antibodies were prepared using these peptides, and these antibodies were used to stain human skin. Specific staining was detected in the cells lining the reabsorptive duct of the sweat gland. Within these lumenal cells, staining was most prominent at the apical domain but was also detected near the basolateral surface. This finding agrees well with predictions based on the effects of cystic fibrosis on sweat gland function, and suggests that these antibodies will be useful for studying CFTR in other human tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bombesin binding and biological effects on pancreatic acinar AR42J cells.

The effects of bombesin on amylase release and the receptor binding of 125I-[Tyr4]bombesin in the rat pancreatic acinar carcinoma cell line AR42J were examined. Bombesin-like peptides stimulated amylase release from AR42J cells in a dose-dependent manner; a maximal 2-fold stimulation occurred at a bombesin concentration of 300 pM. Binding of 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin to AR42J cells was specific, saturable and temperature dependent. The relative potencies with which various structurally related peptides stimulated amylase release correlated well with their relative abilities to compete for the bombesin receptor.

Amylases↗

Distribution of pancreatic polypeptide receptors in the rat brain.

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is a regulatory peptide that modulates gastrointestinal function. Previously we demonstrated PP receptors in the brainstem and interpeduncular nucleus, and the PP receptors in the brainstem appear to modulate gastric motility and pancreatic exocrine secretion. The purpose of this study is to extend our understanding of the distribution of PP receptors in the rat brain in order to determine the systems that are potentially modulated by PP. Rat brains were studied using 125I-PP receptor autoradiography on cryostat sections of the entire brain cut in three planes (horizontal, sagittal, and coronal). Brain regions exhibiting PP binding sites were confirmed when identified in all three planes of section. Saturable PP binding was identified in the hypothalamus (arcuate and paraventricular n), the rostral forebrain (medial preoptic area, anterior olfactory nucleus, islands of Calleja, the dorsal endopiriform n, piriform cortex, and the bed n of the stria terminalis), medial amygdaloid n; the thalamus (anteromedial thal. n; reuniens thal. n; and paraventricular thal n), the interpeduncular red nucleus, substantia nigra, parabrachial n; locus coeruleus, mesencephalic trigeminal n, dorsal motor n of the vagus, the n solitary tract, and the area postrema. We conclude that PP receptors are distributed widely throughout the rat brain. The distribution of many of these PP binding sites corresponds to brain regions regulating digestion and autonomic function. We speculate, based on the patterns of binding in the olfactory and limbic systems, that PP receptors might be involved in positive reinforcement of ingestion behavioral as well as modulation of gastrointestinal function.

Animals↗

Conditioning exercise decreases premenstrual symptoms: a prospective, controlled 6-month trial.

Six months of exercise training was associated with decreased premenstrual symptoms in two groups of women. There was no change in symptoms in nontraining women. Eight sedentary (ST) women increased running from 0 to 76 +/- 26 km/cycle (mean +/- standard deviation) over 6 months and seven runners (MT) trained for a marathon (42.2 km). Six normally active, nontraining (C-NT) women kept their activity constant. Each subject completed monthly intensity-graded questionnaires or kept daily symptoms diaries concerning premenstrual symptoms. All monitored basal body temperature, weight, and exercise. Gonadal steroids were measured in ST women. For ST subjects, breast (P = 0.005), fluid (P = 0.01), and personal stress (P = 0.025) decreased. MT women experienced decreased fluid (P = 0.034) and depression (P = 0.014). Anxiety tended to decrease (P = 0.087). ST and MT subjects experienced decreases in premenstrual symptoms without documented hormonal, menstrual cycle, or weight changes. These symptom changes appear to be the earliest evidence of the effects of conditioning exercise on the reproductive system.

Adult↗

Antepartum computerized CTG and neonatal acid-base status at birth.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between individual computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) variables and acid-base status at birth before the first breathing in uncomplicated term pregnancy delivered by cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy singleton normal pregnancies delivered by elective cesarean section. The last antepartum cCTG performed within 4 h from delivery by the System 8002 (Oxford Sonicaid, UK) was correlated to umbilical blood gas analysis (UBGA) values (AVL compact 2 analyser). Considering blood gas analysis values as dependent and individual cCTG parameters as independent variables the best regression subsets followed by a backward stepwise linear regression was used. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation of cCTG parameters with any of the values of blood gas analysis. However, when neonatal conditions, as expressed by arterial pH > 7.20, Becf > - 4.0 mmol/l and Apgar score at 5 min > 7, were taken as an end-point, they could be predicted by Acc15 and FM/hour (sensitivity: 35%, positive predictive value: 92%, cut-off > 7 and 67%, 92%, > 21, respectively). CONCLUSION: In uncomplicated pregnancies, the prospect of a vigorous newborn seems particularly associated with the presence of Acc > 15 and FM/hour > 21.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Plasma lipoprotein composition, apolipoprotein(a) concentration and isoforms in beta-thalassemia.

Patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia show an abnormal lipoprotein profile. In asymptomatic heterozygotes the lipid pattern is less markedly affected but interestingly related to a diminished cardiovascular risk. The extent and significance of these findings are still a matter of debate and no data are available on lipoprotein(a) plasma levels. Seventy patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia (HT-P), 70 beta-thalassemia trait carriers (TT-C) and 70 sex and age-matched controls were investigated and their plasma lipoprotein profile and apo(a) phenotypes determined. In a subgroup of these same subjects (12 HT-P, 12 TT-C and 24 controls) and in 12 bone marrow-transplanted homozygous beta-thalassemic patients (BMT-P) plasma lipoprotein composition was assessed. HT-P disclosed significantly lower total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, apo A-I, apo B plasma levels and higher triglyceride concentration than TT-C (-7, -11, -8, -8, -13 and +11%, respectively) or controls (-39, -50, -46, -32, -30 and + 35%, respectively). All lipoprotein subclasses were triglyceride-enriched, while LDLs were also protein-enriched and HDLs protein-depleted. TT-C disclosed a small but significant reduction in apo A-I and apo B plasma levels but only minor lipoprotein abnormalities with respect to the controls. BMT-P lipoprotein composition was intermediate between HT-P and normal subjects. Apo(a) plasma levels did not differ among the groups. A higher prevalence of 'small' apo(a) isoforms was present in HT-P. Within the same 'isoform group', apo(a) plasma levels were significantly lower in HT-P than in TT-C or controls. Since liver cirrhosis is almost always present in HT-P, it is conceivable that an altered hepatic apo(a) synthesis or catabolism due perhaps to diminished apolipoprotein glycation may be involved. In TT-C a partially improved cardiovascular risk profile was apparent (low hematocrit, low LDL-cholesterol and apo B), thus justifying the claim for a low prevalence of ischemic heart disease, but no Lp(a) plasma level modification could be detected.

Adolescent↗

Assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy by ECG and VCG in patients with inferior and posterior myocardial infarction. A comparison with echocardiographic data.

Electrocardiographic (ECG) and vectorcardiographic (VCG) QRS voltage criteria have been analyzed in 26 patients with inferior and 17 with posterior myocardial infarction (MI) in comparison with left ventricular (LV) mass and global and regional wall motion as assessed by M-mode and two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. Transverse plane QRS maximal vector correlated significantly with LV mass in patients with both inferior and posterior MI (r = 0.65 and 0.87, respectively, p less than 0.01). A transverse plane QRS maximal vector greater than 1.5 mV correctly recognized 12 of 15 (80%) and 9 of 12 (75%) patients with respectively inferior and posterior MI and LV mass greater than 221 gm. Of the ECG measurements, S V1-2 + R V5-6 correlated moderately with LV mass in patients with inferior MI (r = 0.47), and R V1-2 + R V5-6 correlated moderately with LV mass in those with posterior MI (r = 0.67). ECG and VCG QRS voltage data did not correlate with global and regional LV function as assessed by M-mode and 2D echocardiography. We conclude that: ECG and VCG QRS voltage parameters can be utilized for assessing non-invasively LV enlargement in patients with postero-inferior MI; ECG and VCG QRS voltage parameters should be utilized with caution for analyzing LV function or MI size in postero-inferior MI.

Adult↗