Different orders for acquisition of apoptotic characteristics by leukocytes.

Apoptotic leukocytes undergo cellular changes that are used as markers for "early" versus "late" stages of apoptosis. To ascertain if the order for acquisition of these changes is unique to specific hematopoietic cell types, we compared four leukocyte cell types and the following five apoptotic characteristics: MC540 incorporation, annexin V-FITC binding, propidium iodide (PI) labeling of hypodiploid nuclei, DNA fragmentation by a colorimetric assay, and cell membrane permeability to PI. The order for acquisition of these apoptotic characteristics was significantly different for each of the leukocyte cell types and for the mode of induction of apoptosis.

Ron-mediated cytoplasmic signaling is dispensable for viability but is required to limit inflammatory responses.

Ron receptor activation induces numerous cellular responses in vitro, including proliferation, dissociation, and migration. Ron is thought to be involved in blood cell development in vivo, as well as in many aspects of the immune response including macrophage activation, antigen presentation, and nitric oxide regulation. In previous studies to determine the function of Ron in vivo, mice were generated with a targeted deletion of the extracellular and transmembrane regions of this gene.

Survival and recurrence factors in adult medulloblastoma: the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center experience from 1978 to 1998.

Medulloblastoma is a rare adult primary brain tumor for which limited retrospective studies are available to elucidate natural history or to guide therapy. A retrospective chart and imaging review of adult patients (aged >18 years) with medulloblastoma was performed to identify survival and prognostic factors. Fifty-seven patients were evaluated at the University of Texas M.

Statistical pattern analysis of gene expression profiles for glioblastoma tissues and cell lines.

The recent development and refinement of cDNA array and genechip techniques allows for large-scale parallel screening of gene expression and thereby provides a global assessment of molecular events transpiring in cell populations. We hypothesized that such an approach might help illuminate current issues in glioma research. To what degree are glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines representative of primary GBM tumors? We carried out a gene expression profiling study using cDNA array technology on 10 GBM primary tissues and 3 GBM cell lines.

Effect of preoperative biliary decompression on pancreaticoduodenectomy-associated morbidity in 300 consecutive patients.

Objective: To examine the relationship between preoperative biliary drainage and the morbidity and mortality associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Summary Background Data: Recent reports have suggested that preoperative biliary drainage increases the perioperative morbidity and mortality rates of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Methods: Peri-operative morbidity and mortality were evaluated in 300 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Correlation of kidney weight and volume and selected skeletal parameters to sex in the adult rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

This report outlines a comparison of renal weight and volume and selected skeletal parameters to sex in 22 adult male and 156 adult female rhesus macaques. Means and standard deviations for kidney weight and volume, body weight, and radiographic measurements for both males and females are reported. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals and P-values for the mean differences between the sexes for these parameters were also compiled.

Surgery for abdominal metastases of cutaneous melanoma.

The objective of this study was to support our hypothesis that surgical resection of abdominal metastases of melanoma, regardless of symptomatology, could provide prolonged palliation and improved survival. We performed a retrospective chart review at M.D.

"Ditzels" on chest CT: survey of members of the Society of Thoracic Radiology.

Objective: We surveyed the members of the Society of Thoracic Radiology regarding their interpretation of and management decisions for very small (3-5 mm) pulmonary nodules-"ditzels"-noted on CT.

Subjects And Methods: A survey consisting of 13 case scenarios in which ditzels were encountered on CT examinations was mailed to the 406 members of the Society of Thoracic Radiology. Statistical analysis was performed to determine associations between responses, years of experience, location in an endemic region of granulomatous disease, and location at a lung or a general cancer center.

McLeod syndrome: a novel mutation, predominant psychiatric manifestations, and distinct striatal imaging findings.

The McLeod syndrome is an X-linked disorder caused by mutations of the XK gene encoding the XK protein. The syndrome is characterized by absent Kx erythrocyte antigen, weak expression of Kell blood group system antigens, and acanthocytosis. In some allelic variants, elevated creatine kinase, myopathy, neurogenic muscle atrophy, and progressive chorea are found.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: treatment variables and survival duration.

Background: For patients with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer, the poor outcome associated with resection alone and the survival advantage demonstrated for combined-modality therapy have stimulated interest in preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of different preoperative chemoradiotherapy schedules, intraoperative radiation therapy, patient factors. and histopathologic variables on survival duration and patterns of treatment failure in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.

Phase I bioequivalency study of MitoExtra and mitomycin C in patients with solid tumors.

Background: This study compares serum pharmacokinetics, urinary excretion patterns, and relative bioequivalencies of single doses of MitoExtra (ME; SuperGen, San Ramon, CA) and mitomycin C (MMC).

Methods: Thirty-five patients were entered into this open-label, single-institution, crossover study with 2 treatment arms. Each patient received alternating courses of ME and MMC as 15 mg/m(2) single intravenous doses via a short intravenous infusion.

Effects of boron derivatives on extracellular matrix formation.

Boric acid solution (3%) dramatically improves wound healing through action on the extracellular matrix, a finding that has been obtained in vitro. Consequently, investigations are presently underway to produce boronated compounds having a therapeutical effectiveness similar to that of boric acid. On the basis of experimental results obtained with boric acid, we examined the effects of boron derivatives on extracellular matrix formation and degradation and analyzed their potential toxicity by using two biological models (chick embryo cartilage and human fibroblasts).

Phase III randomized study of postradiotherapy chemotherapy with alpha-difluoromethylornithine-procarbazine, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-cyclohexyl-N-nitrosurea, vincristine (DFMO-PCV) versus PCV for glioblastoma multiforme.

Although the efficacy of the nitrosourea-based combination chemotherapy procarbazine, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-cyclohexyl-N-nitrosurea, and vincristine (PCV) has been previously demonstrated in the setting of anaplastic/intermediate-grade gliomas, the benefit for glioblastoma patients remains unproven. In the current study, we sought to determine whether the addition of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (eflornithine), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, which has shown encouraging results in the setting of recurrent glioma patients, to a nitrosourea-based therapy (PCV) would constitute a more effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme patients in the postradiation therapy setting. Following conventional radiation therapy, 272 glioblastoma (GBM) patients were randomized to receive either alpha-difluoromethylornithine-PCV (DFMO-PCV; 134 patients) or PCV alone (138 patients), with survival and time to tumor progression being the primary endpoints.

Patterns of expression of Rb and p16 in astrocytic gliomas, and correlation with survival.

The retinoblastoma pathway is a key cell cycle regulatory complex that controls the passage of cells through the G1 checkpoint and is a frequent target of genetic alterations in gliomas. In this study, we examined the expression of Rb and p16 in 170 primary astrocytic gliomas by immunohistochemical techniques, and correlated the expression with overall survival to determine their prognostic value as immunomarkers. There were 130 patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and 40 with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA).

Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on postoperative morbidity in soft tissue sarcomas.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NeoCT) does not increase morbidity in patients undergoing radical surgery for soft tissue sarcomas.

Patients And Methods: The records of 309 patients who presented to The University of Texas M.D.

The paraoxonase Leu-Met54 and Gln-Arg191 gene polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of coronary heart disease.

Background: Evidence has been presented that gene polymorphisms (PON54 L/M, PON191 Q/R) of paraoxonase are risk factors of coronary heart disease.

Results: We determined both PON genotypes in 535 male individuals who were free of vascular disease and in 2249 male subjects who underwent coronary angiography, and analysed the relation of both gene variations to CAD and MI. Both gene polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium (P<0.

[Mucopolysaccharidosis type I in Morocco: clinical features and genetic profile].

Background: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are inherited metabolic disorders due to lysosomal enzyme deficiencies, leading to glycosaminoglycan accumulation in lysosomes of different tissues. The aim of this study was to characterize MPS types, particularly MPS I, which are difficult to differentiate by clinical features.

Patients And Methods: Over a period of three years (June 1996-May 1999), 16 Moroccan patients (3-20 years old) with MPS were investigated.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I: characterization of a common mutation that causes Hurler syndrome in Moroccan subjects.

A group of 13 Moroccan patients with MPS I and their families, including three siblings and twin siblings, was screened for mutations of the alpha-L-iduronidase gene using fluorescence-assisted mismatch analysis (FAMA) and cycle sequencing of PCR products. The P533R mutation, which is rare in Europeans, was identified in 92% of mutant alleles (24/26). This is the highest frequency of this mutation detected in patients with Hurler syndrome.

Cognitive function as a predictor of survival in patients with recurrent malignant glioma.

Purpose: To determine the contribution of cognitive function in predicting the survival of patients with recurrent malignant brain tumors.

Patients And Methods: A total of 80 patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma were seen for baseline evaluations before beginning a phase I or phase II clinical trial. Each patient received a battery of nine brief tests measuring cognitive function, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and quality of life (QOL).