Detection of two anaerobic periodontopathogens in children by means of the BANA and ELISA assays.

The mouths of young children become colonized by a variety of bacteria, but there have been only a few studies that have sought the presence of periodontopathic species in this population. Almost all of these studies used culturing techniques rather than the newer detection methodologies for various periodontopathogens. Studies in adults have shown that Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis can be detected in dental plaque by use of the BANA and ELISA diagnostic tests.

The treatment of medulloblastoma. Results of a prospective randomized trial of radiation therapy with and without CCNU, vincristine, and prednisone.

In a prospective randomized trial designed to study the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy following standard surgical treatment and radiation therapy, 233 eligible patients with medulloblastoma were treated by members of the Children's Cancer Study Group and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive radiation therapy with or without adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-nitrosourea (CCNU), vincristine, and prednisone. The estimated 5-year event-free survival probability was 59% for patients treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy and 50% for patients treated with radiation therapy alone, a difference which is not statistically significant.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of Lactinex in the prophylaxis of amoxicillin-induced diarrhea.

The disruption of the natural flora of the gastrointestinal tract (especially Lactobacillus acidophilus) may occur during antibiotic therapy. This may lead to diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. It has been suggested that replacement of the lactobacilli with a commercially available product may prevent the diarrhea.

Residents' evaluation of behavioural paediatrics instruction.

This study sought to explore the following questions: (1) Do residents perceive training focused on infancy and early childhood care issues as more clinically applicable than training focused on care of older children and adolescents? (2) Do residents at different training levels differ in their evaluation of behavioural paediatrics instruction? (3) What is the strength of the association between instructional style and clinical impact dimensions? and (4) Compared to the instruction provided by instructors from other medical and academic disciplines, do paediatric residents perceive differences in the teaching efficacy and clinical relevance of instruction provided by paediatricians? Data were drawn from 1341 residents' evaluations of 116 required behavioural paediatrics sessions over 3 years. The data demonstrated that house officers recognize the value of acquiring knowledge in behavioural paediatrics, regardless of the level of the house officers' training, or whether the focus concerned infants or older children. However, residents were more likely to perceive the presentations provided by paediatricians as providing instruction that was slightly more applicable to their practice needs than instruction that other faculty presented.

The effectiveness of chemotherapy for treatment of high grade astrocytoma in children: results of a randomized trial. A report from the Childrens Cancer Study Group.

Fifty-eight patients with high-grade astrocytoma were treated by members of the Childrens Cancer Study Group in a prospective randomized trial designed to study the effectiveness of chemotherapy as an adjuvant to standard surgical treatment and radiotherapy. Following surgical therapy, patients were assigned randomly to radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy consisting of chloroethyl-cyclohexyl nitrosourea, vincristine, and prednisone. Treatment with chemotherapy prolonged survival and event-free survival.

The relationship of various aspects of surgical management to outcome in childhood nonmetastatic osteosarcoma: a report from the Childrens Cancer Study Group.

Recently, much attention has been focused on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of osteosarcoma. Surgery, however, remains the primary modality for the ablation of this disease. In this report, we examine the relationship of various aspects of surgical management of osteosarcoma to prognosis for disease-free survival (DFS) in a randomized study of 234 pediatric patients.

Brain-stem tumors in childhood: a prospective randomized trial of irradiation with and without adjuvant CCNU, VCR, and prednisone. A report of the Childrens Cancer Study Group.

Seventy-four children with a brain-stem tumor diagnosed between 1977 and 1980 were entered into a prospective study in which exploration and assessment for resection were optional, radiation treatment using standard methods was required, and randomization occurred with regard to the use of adjuvant chemotherapy (1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, vincristine, and prednisone) or no further treatment. The overall 5-year survival rate was 20% and was not improved by the adjuvant chemotherapy program. An increased risk of infection was associated with the adjuvant therapy.

A randomized study comparing high-dose methotrexate with moderate-dose methotrexate as components of adjuvant chemotherapy in childhood nonmetastatic osteosarcoma: a report from the Childrens Cancer Study Group.

Methotrexate (MTX) has demonstrated significant activity against relapsed and metastatic osteosarcoma. However, there is little published data to indicate the appropriate dose for MTX when given as a component of a multidrug regimen for the treatment of osteosarcoma. Therefore, the investigators at the Childrens Cancer Study Group undertook a randomized clinical trial that compared Adriamycin and vincristine given with either high-dose methotrexate or moderate-dose methotrexate as postoperation chemotherapy in the treatment of childhood osteosarcoma.

L-Asparaginase as a single agent in acute lymphocytic leukemia: survey of studies form Childrens Cancer Study Group.

A series of studies were undertaken by the Childrens Cancer Study Group between 1968 and 1972 to evaluate the optimum schedule and dosage of L-asparaginase as a single agent in induction and maintenance of children with previously treated acute lymphocytic leukemia. Six different dosages of enzyme were administered (3600-840,000 IU/4 wk/m2). The optimal dose of L-asparaginase was found to be 12,000 IU/m2 given three times per week for a total dose of 144,000 IU/m2.

Brain tumors in children.

Brain tumors are relatively common cancers among children, just as they are among adults. Unlike the tumors of adults, however, they have a predilection for the posterior fossa. The most common types of tumors among children are astrocytomas, ependymomas, and medulloblastomas.

Effective dose of L-asparaginase for induction of remission in previously treated children with acute lymphocytic leukemia: a report from Childrens Cancer Study Group.

L-Asparaginase, in the dose of greater than or equal to 6000 IU/sq m three times weekly, was demonstrated to be an effective agent in reinduction of remissions in childhood leukemia. Four hundred thirteen children with acute lymphocytic leukemia were treated with L-asparaginase. Doses i.

Tumors of the pineal and suprasellar region: Childrens Cancer Study Group treatment results 1960--1975: a report from Childrens Cancer Study Group.

Tumors of the pineal and suprasellar region form a rare and interesting group of lesions with germinomas accounting for over 50% of all lesions in this anatomic region. The Brain Tumor Committee of Childrens Cancer Study Group (CCSG) recently surveyed all CCSG member institutions to determine treatment parameters and assess the techniques. A total of 140 patients were seen during the period from 1960 to 1975; 118 patients were evaluable, having adequate treatment records.

5-(3,3-Dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (NSC-45388) in the treatment of solid tumors in children.

5-(3,3-Dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (NSC-45388) was administered to 46 children with various solid tumors which were resistant to conventional therapy. Two or more courses of NSC-45388 were administered to 13 of 18 children with neuroblastoma, seven of 11 children with rhabdomyosarcoma, three of four children with Wilms' tumor, one of three children with Ewing's tumor, and six of ten children with miscellaneous neoplastic disorders. Major toxic effects included nausea, vomiting, decreased hemoglobin level, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia.

Effective combination treatment of advanced acute lymphocytic leukemia with cytosine arabinoside (NSC-63878) and L-asparaginase (NSC-109229).

The combination of cytosine arabinoside and L-asparaginase induced remission in 15 of 22 children (68%) with previously treated acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Eight of these patients were in remission after the second week of treatment and seven were in remission after the fourth week. The combination was well tolerated.