ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To determine the potential activity and tolerability of sequential treatment in head and neck cancer, we conducted a phase II trial based on induction chemotherapy of two cycles of taxotere, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy plus weekly cetuximab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx were treated and evaluated for response and acute toxicity. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of patients had stage IV disease and 42% had hypopharyngeal and oral cavity primaries. The overall response rate was 81.8%, with 60.6% complete response and 33.3% partial response. Severe toxicities were febrile neutropenia (6%) during induction chemotherapy and dermatitis (48%), mucositis (33%) and dysphagia (12%) during the concurrent phase. CONCLUSION: Our protocol proved to be feasible, effective and well tolerated. This sequential strategy should be further investigated.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy , Chemoradiotherapy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy , Induction Chemotherapy , Aged , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Bridged-Ring Compounds/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Cetuximab , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Feasibility Studies , Female , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Follow-Up Studies , Head and Neck Neoplasms/mortality , Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Humans , Male , Maximum Tolerated Dose , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Remission Induction , Survival Rate , Taxoids/administration & dosage , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Proteomics has recently emerged as a powerful approach both for discovering biomarkers as well as for understanding the physiopathology of unclear gynecological-obstetrical disorders. Currently, several biological fluids and fetal tissues were successfully tested, including maternal plasma, amniotic fluid, cervical-vaginal fluid, urine, saliva, placental trophoblast, amnio-chorionic membranes and cord blood. The potential of proteomics on the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) involves biomarkers discovery for a more accurate diagnosis of the syndrome and identification, within the patients with PCOS, those who respond more easily to treatment and those who will be at increased risk for future metabolic complications. The proteomic approach applied to patients with endometriosis would allow not only a non-invasive early diagnosis, but also a staging of the disease and a prediction of infertility risk. Proteomics also involves oncological field, in order to discover biomarkers that allow early diagnosis and prognosis of female genital malignancies. In addition to this, proteomics could be used to understand and predict obstetrical complications such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, preterm birth and preeclampsia. However, further studies are needed on a larger cohort of patients to introduce these biomarkers in clinical practice.
Subject(s)
Genital Diseases, Female/diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis , Proteomics , Endometriosis/diagnosis , Female , Genital Neoplasms, Female/diagnosis , Humans , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/diagnosis , PregnancyABSTRACT
An experimental development based on the combination of microwaves action with one of the methods of silver staining by Del Río Hortega is presented. Material from pathological tissues and culture of fungi were studied. Besides morphological studies, were considered the causes of reduction from ionic to metalic silver, some characteristics of the silver reagent and its relationship with histochemical constitution of cellular walls. It is pointed the rapidity in fungi demonstration, the satisfactory definition of affected tissues, the advantages of working with a stable reagent, the omission of carcinogenetic substances, the possibility of stain fungical structures in previously stained materials with anilinic techniques, and the extent of the method to cultured materials without necessity of previous formaldehidic fixation.
Subject(s)
Fungi/isolation & purification , Microwaves , Silver Staining/methods , Adult , Animals , Biopsy , Culture Media , Culture Techniques , Female , Histological Techniques/methods , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rats , Skin/microbiologyABSTRACT
An experimental development based on the combination of microwaves action with one of the methods of silver staining by Del Río Hortega is presented. Material from pathological tissues and culture of fungi were studied. Besides morphological studies, were considered the causes of reduction from ionic to metalic silver, some characteristics of the silver reagent and its relationship with histochemical constitution of cellular walls. It is pointed the rapidity in fungi demonstration, the satisfactory definition of affected tissues, the advantages of working with a stable reagent, the omission of carcinogenetic substances, the possibility of stain fungical structures in previously stained materials with anilinic techniques, and the extent of the method to cultured materials without necessity of previous formaldehidic fixation.
ABSTRACT
An experimental development based on the combination of microwaves action with one of the methods of silver staining by Del RÝo Hortega is presented. Materials from normal and pathological tissues were studied. The stuff were fixed in 10 formalin and received a paraffined embedding. The impregnation was made with ammoniacal silver carbonate in a domestic microwave oven during twelve seconds at 375 w. As a result of this, a time shortage of the technique, the high degree of definition of the nuclear, cytoplasmatic and extracellular matrix (collagenus fibbers with an unsteady reticular representation) details and the easy visualization of mitosis was observed. Also, omitting the reduction, they were clearly evidenced the argirophilics granules (melanin pigment)
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Carcinoma, Basal Cell , Silver Staining/methods , Tissue Fixation/methods , Microwaves , Skin NeoplasmsABSTRACT
An experimental development based on the combination of microwaves action with one of the methods of silver staining by Del RYo Hortega is presented. Materials from normal and pathological tissues were studied. The stuff were fixed in 10 formalin and received a paraffined embedding. The impregnation was made with ammoniacal silver carbonate in a domestic microwave oven during twelve seconds at 375 w. As a result of this, a time shortage of the technique, the high degree of definition of the nuclear, cytoplasmatic and extracellular matrix (collagenus fibbers with an unsteady reticular representation) details and the easy visualization of mitosis was observed. Also, omitting the reduction, they were clearly evidenced the argirophilics granules (melanin pigment)
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinoma, Basal Cell/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Microwaves , Silver Staining/methods , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Tissue Fixation/methodsABSTRACT
An experimental development based on the combination of microwaves action with one of the methods of silver staining by Del Río Hortega is presented. Materials from normal and pathological tissues were studied. The stuff were fixed in 10% formalin and received a paraffined embedding. The impregnation was made with ammoniacal silver carbonate in a domestic microwave oven during twelve seconds at 375 w. As a result of this, a time shortage of the technique, the high degree of definition of the nuclear, cytoplasmatic and extracellular matrix (collagenus fibbers with an unsteady reticular representation) details and the easy visualization of mitosis was observed. Also, omitting the reduction, they were clearly evidenced the argirophilics granules (melanin pigment).
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Basal Cell/pathology , Microwaves , Silver Staining/methods , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Tissue Fixation/methods , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , HumansABSTRACT
An experimental development based on the combination of microwaves action with one of the methods of silver staining by Del Río Hortega is presented. Materials from normal and pathological tissues were studied. The stuff were fixed in 10
formalin and received a paraffined embedding. The impregnation was made with ammoniacal silver carbonate in a domestic microwave oven during twelve seconds at 375 w. As a result of this, a time shortage of the technique, the high degree of definition of the nuclear, cytoplasmatic and extracellular matrix (collagenus fibbers with an unsteady reticular representation) details and the easy visualization of mitosis was observed. Also, omitting the reduction, they were clearly evidenced the argirophilics granules (melanin pigment).
Subject(s)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/etiology , Occupational Exposure , Solvents/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
The achievement of therapeutical experiments is from now on submitted to the December 20, 1988 Law which specifies that an agreement must be obtained from the consultative Committee for the Protection of People in biomedical research (Comité consultatif de Protection des Personnes), in order to appreciate the relevance of the project, its research validity and the practical conditions of the experiment. Penal sanctions are estimated for transgressors. In neurosurgery, two specific points are worth stressing: the obtainment of consent and the technical specificity of further investigations. Whereas this consent can be easily obtained from patients still conscious, coma makes its application more difficult, even impossible in case of chronic coma or brain death. Para clinical investigations in neurosurgery entail risks for the patient which must be taken into account and which do not seem in keeping with medical ethics, when they are used in the unique purpose of research.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia , Clinical Trials as Topic/legislation & jurisprudence , Nervous System Diseases/therapy , Resuscitation , Ethics, Medical , France , Humans , Legislation, MedicalABSTRACT
The pharmacokinetics of the tricyclic antidepressant amineptine (Survector) and its main metabolite were studied in 12 young healthy adults (6 men, 6 women; mean age 35.8 yr). Plasma samples were taken over 24 h following a single oral dose of 100 mg amineptine chloryhdrate. Plasma levels of both compounds were determined by means of high performance liquid chromatography. Amineptine was rapidly absorbed. Mean peak plasma concentrations of amineptine and its metabolite occurred 1 h and 1.5 h, respectively, after product administration. The mean apparent volume of distribution was large: 2.4 l.kg-1. Elimination was rapid; the mean half-lives of the 2 compounds were short: 0.8 h for amineptine and 2.5 h for the metabolite. The mean apparent plasma clearance of amineptine was high (124.8 l.h-1). When the results were adjusted for body weight and surface area, no significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters was found between men and women. Given its pharmacokinetic characteristics there is no risk of amineptine accumulation and thus it is a particularly easy drug to manage. A standard dosage of amineptine was defined for use in healthy young adults.
Subject(s)
Dibenzocycloheptenes/pharmacokinetics , Adult , Biotransformation , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Dibenzocycloheptenes/metabolism , Female , Half-Life , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
This report presents the ultrastructural nerve study of a patient with sensorimotor neuropathy by a shoe glue containing an association of n-hexane and methylethylketone. Giant axons, distended by microfilamentous proliferation typical of such cases of neuropathy, were found in significant amounts. An unusual histological feature of this case was the considerable distension by a marked accumulation of glycogen granules in certain unmyelinated axons. Such a lesion has never been described in neuropathy induced by industrial agents.
Subject(s)
Hexanes , Ketones , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced , Adult , Axons/analysis , Female , Glycogen/analysis , Humans , Peripheral Nerves/analysis , Substance-Related DisordersABSTRACT
Se presenta una observacion de quiste de timo, localizado en region mediastinal anterior, en un paciente de 29 anos de edad.Aunque carente por completo de sintomas y signos clinicos, radiologicamente se presentaba como una voluminosa tumoracion. La intervencion quirurgica permitio extirpar un quiste de gran tamano, cuyo estudio anatomopatologico demostro esta excepcional patologia timica. Se hacen consideraciones al respecto
