Activity and tissue localization of cathepsin D in non small cell lung cancer.

Activity and tissue localization of cathepsin D were examined in tumors deriving from 80 patients with non small cell lung cancer. Activity of the enzyme was higher in sediments and supernatants of tumors than in non invaded lung parenchyma. In all histological types of tumors cathepsin D activity in sediments was three times lower and in lung parenchyma five times lower than in supernatants.

Activity and tissue localization of cathepsin G in non small cell lung cancer.

Activity and tissue localization of cathepsin G were examined in tumors deriving from 73 patients with non small cell lung cancer. Activity of cathepsin G was highest in adenocarcinoma, lower in planoepitheliale cancer, the lowest in macrocellular cancer. In all histological types of tumors cathepsin G activity in supernatants was lower than in sediments.

Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue localization of cytokeratin 19 in lung cancer.

Cytokeratins (CK) are one of the main families of intermediate filaments which make up the cytoskeleton. CK19 is strongly expressed by normal simple bronchial and respiratory epithelium as well as by their malignant counterpart. Although CK19 is a part of the cytoskeleton, a soluble fragment of this polypeptide can be released and assayed in the blood as CYFRA 21-1, new sensitive and valuable marker of non small cell lung cancer.

Activity of cancer procoagulant (CP) in serum of patients with cancer of lung, breast, oesophagus and colorectum.

Activity of cancer procoagulant (CP) was studied in blood serum of 90 patients with cancer of lung, breast, oesophagus and colorectum, and of 15 healthy people. The activity of CP was determined by the coagulation method. Sera of patients with cancer showed higher mean activity of CP than sera of healthy control.

Effect of elevated leukocyte count on in-hospital mortality following acute myocardial infarction.

The peripheral white blood cell count on presentation with acute myocardial infarction directly correlates with short-term in-hospital mortality. This association is independent of other prognostic factors, including extent and size of the acute myocardial infarction.

Expectant management of post-term patients: observations and outcome.

Post-term pregnancy is associated with increased perinatal mortality. In a retrospective study based on our post-term protocol from 1990 until May 1995 1,798 post-term pregnant women with reliable dating were evaluated for expectant management. A group of 2,633 pregnant women who delivered between 37 and 41 weeks during 1994 served as a control group.

Preoperative CYFRA 21-1 level as a prognostic indicator in resected primary squamous cell lung cancer.

The CYFRA 21-1 assay is a test that has been developed recently for detection of a cytokeratin 19 fragment in serum. A diagnostic role for CYFRA 21-1 has already been proposed. The question of whether this marker is prognostically significant is important in clarifying the role of CYFRA 21-1 in clinical practice.

Effects of nitric oxide/EDRF on platelet surface glycoproteins.

We examined the effects of nitric oxide (NO)/endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) on platelet surface glycoproteins (GP). As determined by flow cytometry, in both a washed platelet system and platelet-rich plasma, the EDRF congener (S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine) markedly inhibited both the thrombin-induced and the (stable thromboxane A2 analogue) U-46619-induced upregulation of P-selectin (alpha-granule protein), CD63 (lysosomal protein), and the GPIIb-IIIa complex (fibrinogen receptor) but minimally inhibited downregulation of the GPIb-IX complex (von Willebrand factor receptor). The inhibitory effects of EDRF were markedly reduced in whole blood or by the addition of washed erythrocytes.

The platelet surface expression of glycoprotein V is regulated by two independent mechanisms: proteolysis and a reversible cytoskeletal-mediated redistribution to the surface-connected canalicular system.

In this study, we show that the platelet surface expression of glycoprotein (GP) V is regulated by two independent mechanisms. While confirming that both thrombin and neutrophil elastase proteolyse GPV, we show that neutrophil cathepsin G, thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP), and a combination of ADP and epinephrine can each result in a decrease in the platelet surface expression of GPV by a nonproteolytic mechanism: a cytoskeletal-mediated redistribution of platelet surface GPV to the surface-connected canalicular system (SCCS). Four independent lines of evidence documented the nonproteolytic nature of this decrease in the platelet surface expression of GPV.

"Grievous bodily harm:" gamma hydroxybutyrate abuse leading to a Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a naturally occurring GABA-like drug used illicitly by bodybuilders. Although there are reports of several cases of GHB abuse, with a variety of nervous system complications, we present the first case associated with a Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and cholangiography in the laparoscopic era.

Objective: The authors reviewed the results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and intraoperative cholangiography in a series of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Summary Background Data: The indications for preoperative and postoperative ERCP and intraoperative cholangiography as adjuncts to laparoscopic cholecystectomy are evolving. The debate regarding the use of selective or routine intraoperative cholangiography has intensified with the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Pemoline effects on children with ADHD: a time-response by dose-response analysis on classroom measures.

Objective: To evaluate the dose-response by time-response characteristics of pemoline (Cylert) on dependent measures of behavior and academic performance in a laboratory classroom.

Method: After a 2-week baseline, a double-blind crossover design was used to compare placebo, 18.75 mg, 37.

CYFRA 21-1 determination in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: clinical utility for the detection of recurrences.

The aim of this study was to evaluate serial determinations of CYFRA 21-1 in the follow-up of patients treated surgically for non-small cell lung cancer in order to predict the risk of tumour recurrence. Serum levels of CYFRA 21-1 were measured using an immunoradiometric assay (CIS bio) in 57 patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): 25 with squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC), 20 with adenocarcinoma (AC), 12 with large cell carcinoma (LCC) and 30 with non-malignant lung diseases. Elevated preoperative CYFRA 21-1 levels were identified in 44% of all patients with NSCLC.

Clinical tumour markers in lung cancer.

Within the past few years, the measurement of serum and tissue markers has had an increasing influence on clinical decisions about initial treatment and follow-up. Lung cancer illustrates the types and importance of these various markers. This review presents data concerning the most studied and interesting markers in non-small cell (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

CYFRA 21-1 as a tumour marker for bronchogenic carcinoma.

Despite extensive research, the role of the commonly employed tumour markers in the diagnosis of lung carcinoma is yet to be clarified. The utility of a new marker, CYFRA 21-1, in the preoperative evaluation of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma was investigated. CYFRA 21-1 was determined with a radiometric assay in serum of 280 patients with lung cancer and 208 patients with various nonmalignant lung diseases.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of the new tumour marker CYFRA 21-1 in patients with squamous cell lung cancer.

We wanted to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum CYFRA 21-1, especially in predicting the risk of recurrence in patients with operable squamous cell lung cancer. Serum levels of CYFRA 21-1 were measured using an immunoradiometric assay (CIS bio) in 76 patients with squamous cell lung cancer (64 operable and 12 with unresectable tumours), 22 with other non-small-cell type (12 with adenocarcinoma and 10 with large-cell type) and 45 with nonmalignant lung diseases. Elevated preoperative CYFRA 21-1 levels were identified in 63% of patients with squamous cell type (SqCC), 33% with adenocarcinoma, and 30% with large-cell carcinoma type.

Interleukin-1 pretreatment prevents interleukin-1-induced lung leak in rats.

We found that rats pretreated with interleukin-1 (IL-1) intraperitoneally did not develop the acute oxidative, neutrophil-dependent lung leak that occurs after administration of IL-1 intratracheally (IL-1-induced tolerance). IL-1-pretreated rats also had increased lung catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity and increased plasma catalase activity compared with sham-pretreated rats. In contrast to reducing lung leak, IL-1 pretreatment did not reduce the numbers of neutrophils that are increased in lung lavages of rats given IL-1 intratracheally.

A case study of lasers in cosmetic dentistry.

The dental laser offers revolutionary advantages over traditional cosmetic dental treatment for our patients. These advantages include precision, hemostasis, sterility, and minimal postoperative pain and swelling. The laser interacts with tissue to vaporize it in a predictable manner that produces predictable results.

A method for imaging of intracranial EEG electrodes using magnetic resonance imaging.

In this study, we describe a method for imaging intracerebral electrodes within a three-dimensional reconstructed image of the brain. A three-dimensional image of the brain was reconstructed from serial magnetic resonance images. The locations of intracerebral electrodes were determined from anterior-posterior and lateral skull X-rays performed after intracerebral electrode implantation.

Salmonella typhi iron uptake mutants are attenuated in mice.

Iron starvation interferes drastically with the multiplication and virulence of Salmonella typhi mutants defective in enterochelin synthesis or enterochelin transport. Growth of these mutants is inhibited in the presence of human sera and unsaturated transferrin and is restored by fully saturated transferrin. The mutants exhibit decreased ability to grow in HeLa cell monolayers and are attenuated in mice.

Platelet tyrosine kinases and fibrinogen receptor activation.

Platelet adhesion and aggregation during hemostasis and thrombosis are usually limited to sites where the integrity of the vessel wall is disrupted. The high concentration of platelet agonists within these sites represents a putative control mechanism for targeting platelet activation. Although much has been learned about the intracellular signaling systems controlling platelet activation, our understanding of the connection between signaling molecules and platelet aggregation remains limited.

Evaluation of CYFRA 21-1 as a new marker for non-small cell lung cancer.

The levels of the new tumour marker CYFRA 21-1 were assessed in 115 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in 45 patients with non-malignant lung disease. Increased levels of CYFRA 21-1 were observed in 47.8%, mostly in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 69.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) activity in peripheral blood in patients with esophageal carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate some of the PMN functions connected with phagocytosis in 34 patients with esophageal carcinoma, confronted with a clinical progression of the neoplastic disease, according to TNM classification. The level of the neoplastic markers--SCC and CEA antigens were determined also. In the examined group of patients significant decrease in the mean values of FcR and CR receptors expression, migration, chemotaxis and phagocytosis of PMN were observed.

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor in serum of patients with esophageal carcinoma.

We measured serum levels of sIL-2R in 28 patients with squamous cell esophageal carcinoma and in 12 controls. Sera for presence of sIL-2R were examined using DAKO Interleukin-2-receptor (CD25) ELISA. The samples were analyzed for CEA and SCC by using IMx System (Abbot).

[Cyfra 21-1 new marker for non-small cell lung cancer].

The aim of the study is to estimate the new tumor marker CYFRA 21-1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and comparison of this results with SCC-Ag. The investigation was carried out on 115 NSCLC patients (55 with squamous cell, 35 with adenocarcinoma, 25 with large cell) qualified for surgical treatment and in 48 nonmalignant lung diseases patients. CYFRA 21-1 was determined by the means of IRMA method (CIS bio international--GIF-SUR-Yvette, France) and SCC-Ag--MEIA method (IMx system Abbott).