Late adolescent risk-taking: effects of perceived benefits and perceived risks on behavioral intentions and behavioral change.

To assess the predictive utility of perceived benefits and risks of risk-taking behaviors (RTBs) on behavioral intentions and behavioral change, data were collected from 187 male and female late adolescent college students (ages 17-20). Perceived benefits, perceived risks, behavioral intentions, and involvement for 18 RTBs were assessed at T1 and T2 (3 months later). Factor analyses were performed on T1 involvement data, and six RTB factors emerged: Alcohol RTBs, Illegal Drug RTBs, Stereotypic Male RTBs, Social RTBs, Sex RTBs, and Imprudent RTBs.

Definitive radiotherapy for T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx.

Purpose: To report the results of radiotherapy alone for stage T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the true vocal cord and compare these data with those obtained with other treatment modalities.

Methods And Materials: Seventy-five patients with previously untreated T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx were treated with curative intent with radiotherapy alone (73 patients) or followed by a planned neck dissection (two patients) at the University of Florida between September 1966 and August 1994. No patient received adjuvant chemotherapy.

Postoperative radiation of open head and neck wounds--updated.

Background: Postoperative radiotherapy is commonly used in treating head and neck cancer. A concern is the possibility of an unhealed surgical wound delaying or disrupting the treatment schedule. Our institution previously reported our experience on the outcome of radiotherapy on unhealed wounds from 1977 to 1984.

Src family protein tyrosine kinases: cooperating with growth factor and adhesion signaling pathways.

The Src family of protein tyrosine kinases functionally interacts with several receptor and nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases. Recent developments show that Src family kinases may cooperate with the epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptors and the integrin-linked focal adhesion kinase to diversify signals that regulate growth and cell movement.

Can pretreatment computed tomography predict local control in T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx treated with definitive radiotherapy?

Purpose: To determine if pretreatment computed tomography (CT) can predict local control in T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT).

Methods And Materials: Forty-two patients with previously untreated T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx were treated for cure with RT alone; all had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Tumor volumes and extent were determined by consensus of two head and neck radiologists on pretreatment CT studies.

Ischemia-induced inhibition of calcium uptake into rat brain microsomes mediated by Mg2+/Ca2+ ATPase.

It is well established that ischemia is associated with prolonged increases in neuronal intracellular free calcium levels. Recent data suggest that regulation of calcium uptake and release from the endoplasmic reticulum is important in maintaining calcium homeostasis. The endoplasmic reticulum Mg2+/Ca2+ ATPase is the major mechanism for sequestering calcium in this organelle.

Radiotherapy for carcinoma of the supraglottis.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx is treated primarily by conservation surgery or radiotherapy for early to moderately advanced lesions, and total laryngectomy, with or without irradiation, for advanced tumors. This article reviews the role of radiotherapy, used alone or in combination with surgery, for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. Treatment philosophy, techniques, and results from the University of Florida are emphasized.

Integrin-dependent activation of the p70 ribosomal S6 kinase signaling pathway.

Interaction of the cell surface integrin receptors with extracellular matrix proteins results in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways, including activation of the p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinases. The protein tyrosine kinase focal adhesion kinase, or FAK, is linked to integrin signaling and interacts with several molecules involved in signal transduction. Here we report that exposure of fibroblast cells to extracellular matrix proteins activates the p70/p85 ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) pathway in a ligand dependent manner.

Quality of life outcomes after primary radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue.

Purpose: To determine quality of life functional outcome after primary radiotherapy for carcinoma of the base of tongue.

Methods And Materials: At the University of Florida, essentially all patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue are treated with primary continuous-course, external-beam radiotherapy alone or followed by a neck dissection. Fifty-three patients who remained continuously free of disease at 2 to 23 years were eligible to participate in an assessment of the posttreatment quality of their lives.

Radiotherapy for local control of aggressive fibromatosis.

Purpose: To evaluate local control rates in patients treated with radiotherapy for aggressive fibromatosis.

Methods And Materials: Fifty-three patients with histologically confirmed aggressive fibromatosis were treated with radiotherapy at the University of Florida between march 1975 and June 1992. The minimum length of follow-up was 2 years; 81% of the patients had follow-up for at least 5 years.

p130Cas, a substrate associated with v-Src and v-Crk, localizes to focal adhesions and binds to focal adhesion kinase.

p130(Cas) (crk associated substrate) has the structural characteristics of an adapter protein, containing multiple consensus SH2 binding sites, an SH3 domain, and a proline-rich domain. The structure of p130(Cas) suggests that it may act to provide a framework for protein-protein interactions; however, as yet, its functional role in cells is unknown. In this report we show that p130(Cas) is localized to focal adhesions.

The identification of p130cas-binding proteins and their role in cellular transformation.

Adaptor proteins play an important role in signal transduction by regulating the establishment and maintenance of functionally important protein complexes. A recently described member of this group of proteins is p130cas (CAS), which contains numerous sequence motifs predicted to be involved in mediating protein-protein interactions. We propose that adaptor molecules like CAS may help determine the response of a cell to a particular signal by interacting with specific subsets of cellular proteins.

Response of the normal eye to high dose radiotherapy.

Radiation therapy of tumors near the eye or optic nerves often requires incidental irradiation of these structures, even when they are not clinically involved by tumor. Depending on the radiation treatment volume and dose required, radiation injury to the lens, lacrimal apparatus, retina, or optic nerve may result. The time to expression and severity of injury are dose-dependent.

Management of minor salivary gland carcinomas.

Purpose: To assess the role of radiotherapy alone or in combination with surgery in the treatment of patients with malignant minor salivary gland carcinomas.

Methods And Materials: Between October 1964 and November 1992, 95 patients with minor salivary gland carcinomas of the head and neck received radiotherapy with curative intent. Eighty-seven patients were previously untreated, and 8 were treated for postsurgical recurrence.

An SH3 domain-containing GTPase-activating protein for Rho and Cdc42 associates with focal adhesion kinase.

The integrin family of cell surface receptors mediates cell adhesion to components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Integrin engagement with the ECM initiates signaling cascades that regulate the organization of the actin-cytoskeleton and changes in gene expression. The Rho subfamily of Ras-related low-molecular-weight GTP-binding proteins and several protein tyrosine kinases have been implicated in mediating various aspects of integrin-dependent alterations in cell homeostasis.

Occult primary tumors of the head and neck: detection with 2-[F-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose SPECT.

Purpose: To evaluate 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the detection of clinically occult primary tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen patients with histologically proved cervical nodal metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) underwent FDG SPECT; 17 also underwent computed tomography (CT) and one underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. All 18 patients underwent direct panendoscopy and biopsy.

Salvage surgery after radiotherapy failure in T1-T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx.

Background: This study was undertaken to analyze the clinical course of patients who developed local (primary) recurrence after high-dose irradiation of T1 -T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx.

Methods: Between May 1977 and December 1989, 247 patients with previously untreated T1 and T2 invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx were treated for curative intent with radiotherapy. Local recurrence occurred in 26 of 247 patients (11%).

Integrin-mediated signalling: regulation by protein tyrosine kinases and small GTP-binding proteins.

Integrin signalling requires the activation of protein tyrosine kinases and members of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins. Recent evidence shows that coordinated regulation of these signalling molecules is central to the control of cell adhesion, formation of the actin cytoskeleton and activation of intracellular signalling cascades.

The tyrosine kinase receptors Ron and Sea control "scattering" and morphogenesis of liver progenitor cells in vitro.

The mammalian RON and the avian sea genes encode tyrosine kinase receptors of poorly characterized biological functions. We recently identified macrophage-stimulating protein as the ligand for Ron; no ligand has yet been found for Sea. In this work we investigated the biological response to macrophage-stimulating protein in mouse liver progenitor cells expressing Ron.

Does neck stage predict local control after irradiation for head and neck cancer?

The impact of neck stage (N stage) on local control after treatment for head and neck cancer is controversial. This article reviews the pertinent literature. Based on this review, the authors conclude that although N stage may be inversely related to local control, the relationship is relatively weak.

Radiotherapy for early vocal cord cancer: a dosimetric analysis of 60CO versus 6 MV photons.

Background: Currently, many patients with early vocal cord cancers are treated with 6 MV photons, but almost all the published radiotherapy data are based on patients treated with 60Co, 2-MV, or 4-MV X-rays. A theoretical risk of underdosage exists with higher energy beams due to lack of dose build-up. This dosimetric study compares 6-MV photons with 60Co.

Expression and maturation of the cellular sea receptor, a member of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor family of protein tyrosine kinases.

The c-sea proto-oncogene is a member of the Met/hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor family of receptor protein tyrosine kinases. A distinguishing feature of this family, whose other member is the Ron/Stk receptor, is a novel heterodimeric structure. We have previously described cDNA clones encoding the avian Sea receptor.

Oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy: a 30-year experience.

Purpose: This study was done to determine the outcome in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma treated at the University of Florida with radiotherapy alone to the primary site, for comparison with reported results of other types of treatment.

Methods And Materials: Of a consecutive cohort of 785 patients with biopsy-proven, previously untreated, invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, this report is based on the 490 patients who had continuous-course irradiation with curative intent at the University of Florida between October 1964 and January 1991. All patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up.