In vivo interaction of cis-platinum and fosfomycin on squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Cis-platinum is the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity continue to be the primary dose-limiting toxicities encountered. Fosfomycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has been previously shown to be both otoprotective and nephroprotective against cis-platinum toxicity. Previous in vitro work demonstrated that fosfomycin does not inhibit the tumoricidal actions of cis-platinum. This study tests whether fosfomycin inhibits cisplatinum in vivo. METHODS: An SCCA cell line was grown in vivo in four groups of nude mice, which then received no treatment, standard-dose cis-platinum, high-dose cis-platinum, or high-dose cis-platinum with fosfomycin. RESULTS: Fosfomycin did not inhibit the tumoricidal activity of cis-platinum. Mice treated with fosfomycin also had longer survival, which is probably due to lessening of immediate cis-platinum systemic toxicity. CONCLUSION: This study shows that fosfomycin in combination with cis-platinum may be useful in treating advanced, and possibly relatively chemoresistant, SCCA of the head and neck.

Technical note: the initial stages of statistical data analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of several important data-related considerations in the design stage of a research project and to review the levels of measurement and their relationship to the statistical technique chosen for the data analysis. BACKGROUND: When planning a study, the researcher must clearly define the research problem and narrow it down to specific, testable questions. The next steps are to identify the variables in the study, decide how to group and treat subjects, and determine how to measure, and the underlying level of measurement of, the dependent variables. Then the appropriate statistical technique can be selected for data analysis. DESCRIPTION: The four levels of measurement in increasing complexity are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Nominal data are categorical or "count" data, and the numbers are treated as labels. Ordinal data can be ranked in a meaningful order by magnitude. Interval data possess the characteristics of ordinal data and also have equal distances between levels. Ratio data have a natural zero point. Nominal and ordinal data are analyzed with nonparametric statistical techniques and interval and ratio data with parametric statistical techniques. ADVANTAGES: Understanding the four levels of measurement and when it is appropriate to use each is important in determining which statistical technique to use when analyzing data.

Optimal length for summary knowledge of results: the influence of task-related experience and complexity.

Because manipulations of knowledge of results (KR) are critical to motor learning, researchers have attempted to establish an optimal length for summary KR. Experiment 1 of the present study investigated the option that optimal summary length may be dependent on a subject's task-related experience. Participants in a summary 1, 5, or 15 condition practiced a simple striking task for one session on three consecutive days with each day followed by a 24-hour no KR retention test. The retention test results indicated that optimal summary length is dependent on task-related experience. Experiment 2 investigated the nature of the relationship between task-related experience and complexity and optimal summary length (summary 1, 5, or 15). Again, striking tasks (simple and complex) were used. There was one practice session with either a simple or complex striking task for either novice or experienced performers, followed by a 24-hour no KR retention test. Data from the two experiments suggest that task complexity and performer experience interact in determining optimal summary length.

The effects of prophylactic knee bracing on running gait.

Although the use of prophylactic knee braces in football players is common, the effectiveness of this practice is questionable. Some studies have actually shown an increase in the incidence of lower extremity injuries in players wearing such braces. The purpose of this study was to determine if wearing a prophylactic knee brace (Omni Anderson Knee Stabler) caused an alteration in a normal running gait pattern that might then increase the risk for injury. Ten subjects with no prior history of knee injury or brace use were filmed in two planes while running on a treadmill at 5 mph. Two-dimensional digital analysis of each subject's running gait with and without the use of knee braces was performed. The duration of the gait cycle and the range of motion and velocity of movements at the knee, hip, and ankle joints were determined in each leg for each condition. No differences were found between braced and nonbraced conditions for any of the measured variables. Therefore, we conclude that the use of the Omni Anderson Knee Stabler does not alter gait pattern of the lower extremities while running on a treadmill.