Overall accuracy of cervical cytology and clinicopathological significance of LSIL cells in ASC-H cytology.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were (i) to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and (ii) to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of the presence of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cells in atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (ASC-H) cytology. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed paired cytological and histological findings from 3141 patients. ASC-H cytology was classified as either ASC-H or LSIL with some features suggestive of the presence of a concurrent HSIL (LSIL-H). Clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated through a retrospective study and meta-analysis. RESULTS: The accuracy of the cytological diagnosis was 93.7% (2942 of 3141 cases). The positive predictive value (PPV) of ASC-H for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+ ) was 51.4%. In cases of LSIL-H, CIN 2+ histology was more prevalent in the pre-menopausal period (19-44 years) than in peri- and postmenopausal periods (older than 45 years) (P = 0.024). There was no difference in the ability of LSIL-H and ASC-H to predict CIN 2+. CONCLUSION: The Pap smear is a good cervical cancer screening method. Although there was no difference in the predictive value for CIN 2+ between LSIL-H and ASC-H, the presence of definite LSIL cells was more predictive of CIN 2+ in younger patients than in older patients.

Effect of pentoxifylline on radiation response of non-small cell lung cancer: a phase III randomized multicenter trial.

PURPOSES: The objectives of this prospective clinical trial were to determine whether pentoxifylline improves the radiation response and survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1993 through October 1994, 64 patients with histologically confirmed Stage I, II and III non-small cell lung cancer were randomly divided into pentoxifylline (Pento)+Radiotherapy (RT) group and RT alone group. Out of the 64 patients, only 47 patients who had measurable tumors on chest X-ray views were analyzed and divided into Pento+RT group (n=27) and RT alone group (n=20). Total tumor dose of 65-70 Gy was delivered as conventional fractionated radiation schedules. Pento was given to the patients 3 x 400 mg/day with a daily dose of 1200 mg during RT. RESULTS: Complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable in Pento+RT group were three (11%), 13 (48%), and 11 (41%), respectively, as compared with corresponding values of three (15%), 13 (65%), and four (20%) in the RT alone group. The median time to relapse in the Pento+RT group was 11 months which was 2 months longer than for the RT alone group (P>0.05). All the patients in both groups showed lower than or equal to grade 2 dysphagia, odynophagia, pulmonary fibrosis, and pneumonitis. The median survival was 18 months in the Pento+RT group and 7 months in the RT alone group. The 1-year survival rate was 60% in the Pento+RT group and 35% in the RT alone group, the 2-year survival rate was 18% in the Pento+RT group and 12% in the RT alone group. But these differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that Pento is a modestly effective radiation response modifier and provide benefit in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Frequency of micronuclei in lymphocytes following gamma and fast-neutron irradiations.

The dose response of the number of micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked (CB) lymphocytes after in vitro irradiation with y-rays and neutrons in the 5 dose range was studied in a heterogeneous population of 4 donors. One thousand binucleated cells were systematically scored for micronuclei. Measurements performed after irradiation showed a dose-related increase in micronuclei (MN) frequency in each of the donors studied. The dose-response curves were analyzed by a linear-quadratic model; frequencies per 1000 CB cells were (0.31 +/- 0.049)D + (0.0022 +/- 0.0002)D2 + (13.19 +/- 1.854) (r2 = 1.000, x2 = 0.7074, p = 0.95) following y-irradiation, and (0.99 +/- 0.528)D + (0.0093 +/- 0.0047)D2 + (13.31 +/- 7.309) (r2 = 0.996, x2 = 7.6834, p = 0.11) following neutron irradiation (D is irradiation dose in cGy). The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of neutrons compared with y-rays was estimated by best fitting linear-quadratic model. In the micronuclei frequency between 0.05 and 0.8 per cell, the RBE of neutrons was 2.37 +/- 0.17. Since the MN assay is simple and rapid, it may be a good tool for evaluating the y-ray and neutron response.

In vivo radioprotective activity of Panax ginseng and diethyldithiocarbamate.

Studies were performed to determine whether the water fraction and the alkaloid fraction of Panax ginseng protect against radiation damage to jejunal crypts of N:GP(s) mice and induction of micronuclei (MN) in cytokinesis-blocked (CB) lymphocytes of C57BL/6 mice after in vivo irradiation with 60Co gamma-rays. The radioprotective effect of ginseng was compared with the effect of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC). Jejunum was protected by the water fraction (2 mg/ml of drinking water) (P < 0.001) and the alkaloid fraction (5.4 mg/day, P.O.) (P < 0.005), both pre-and post-treatment, and by DDC (1000 mg/kg B.W., single I.P., 30 minutes before 15 Gy irradiation) (P < 0.001). The frequency of radiation (3 Gy)-induced micronuclei in spleen lymphocytes was also reduced by pretreatment of water fraction, alkaloid fraction of ginseng (P < 0.025) and DDC (P < 0.001). The data suggested that the water fraction and alkaloid fraction of Panax ginseng may reduce cell damage caused by gamma-rays, especially damage to DNA molecules, and play a role in the repair or regeneration process of damaged cells.