[Cisplatin, 5-FU and preoperative radiotherapy in esophageal epidermoid cancer. Multicenter phase II FFCD 8804 study].

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and tolerance of preoperative radiochemotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Patterns of recurrence and prognostic factors were also studied.

Patients And Methods: This multicentric phase II trial included patients deemed operable.

Correlation of 3D MRI and clinical findings in the patients with sensorineural hearing loss and/or vertigo.

The aim of the study was to correlate clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (3D CISS and MP-RANGE) findings in patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and/or vertigo. We found a high correlation of MRI and symptoms (17 out of 18 patients, 13 out of 13, respectively) concerning detectability of tumors and acute labyrinthitis. In the case of labyrinthine fibrosis, the correlation between clinical and MRI findings was lower.

Cystogastrotomy entirely performed under endosonography guidance for pancreatic pseudocyst: results in six patients.

Background: There are increasing reports of endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been recommended for optimal localization of the puncture site and to reduce the risk of bleeding and perforation. We describe our experience with cystogastrostomy guided entirely by EUS.

Phase II trial of oxaliplatin as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Digestive Group of French Federation of Cancer Centers.

Purpose: To evaluate the objective tumor response rate and safety profile of oxaliplatin when administered to patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: A total of 39 patients were entered onto this phase II trial. One patient was excluded for having had a second cancer, so the study was based on 38 patients.

Value of endoscopic ultrasonography for assessment of patients presenting elevated tumor marker levels after surgery for colorectal cancers.

Background And Study Aims: This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in patients presenting with elevated tumor marker levels (CEA, CA 19-9) after surgery for colorectal cancer.

Patients And Methods: During a 26-month period, colonic EUS was performed in 21 patients who had undergone surgical treatment for colorectal cancers. All patients presented with elevated tumor marker levels at the time of examination but all other diagnostic procedures (US, CT scan of the abdomen and thorax, bone scintigraphy and colonoscopy) did not demonstrate recurrence.

Localization of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) protein and the receptors FGFR 1-4 in normal human seminiferous epithelium.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), which occurs in various isoforms both species and tissue specifically, regulates cell proliferation and differentiation via a dual receptor system consisting of heparan sulphate proteoglycans and receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFRs). This study demonstrates for the first time the distribution pattern of FGF-2 and the receptors FGFR 1-4 in the normal seminiferous epithelium of adult men. In western blot analyses, the polyclonal antibody, anti-FGF-2, shows two immunoreactive bands at 18 and 24 kDa.

Mitochondrial malic enzyme: purification from bovine brain, generation of an antiserum, and immunocytochemical localization in neurons of rat brain.

To elucidate the cellular location of mitochondrial malic enzyme in brain, immunocytochemical studies were performed. For this purpose, mitochondrial malic enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity from bovine brain and used for the immunization of rabbits. Subjecting the antiserum to affinity purification on immobilized antigen as an absorbent yielded a purified immunoreactive antibody preparation, which was characterized by probing cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions of bovine and rat brain in western blotting.

5-Fluorouracil, high-dose folinic acid and mitomycin C combination chemotherapy in previously treated patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of second-line continuous 5-fluorouracil (5FU) chemotherapy combined with folinic acid and mitomycin C in patients with advanced colorectal cancer who progressed on first-line chemotherapy. From June 1992 to April 1994, 24 consecutive patients, median age 59.7 years (range 41-73), performance status (PS) 0 to 2, were treated as second-line chemotherapy with mitomycin C, 7 mg/m2 every 4 weeks, folinic acid 200 mg/m2/day as a 2 h infusion followed by 400 mg/m2 of 5FU bolus and 600 mg/m2 continuous 5FU infusion for 22 h on days 1 and 2 and every 14 days; 19 patients did not respond to folinic acid and 5FU bolus regimen (in 2 patients, this was associated with pirarubicin in a continuous hepatic artery infusion) and 3 did not respond to irinotecan; 2 patients had disease progression during adjuvant chemotherapy with folinic acid and 5FU bolus.

Clinical application of a flat-panel X-ray detector based on amorphous silicon technology: image quality and potential for radiation dose reduction in skeletal radiography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare images obtained with a self-scanning, flat-panel X-ray detector based on amorphous silicon technology with conventional screen-film radiographs and to evaluate the possibility of radiation dose reduction in skeletal radiography.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred twenty patients were examined prospectively using a conventional screen-film system (speed, 400; detector dose, 2.5 microGy) and a prototype digital amorphous silicon detector (simulated speed, 400 and 800, n = 120; simulated speed, 1600, n = 40).

Cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase II of rat coagulating gland is secreted via the apocrine export mode.

Two different pathways for protein secretion are described for epithelial cells of rat coagulating gland and dorsal prostate: the classical merocrine and the alternative apocrine release mode. Apocrine-secreted proteins are synthesized on cytoplasmic polyribosomes and are subsequently exported in protrusions on the apical cell surface (aposomes). In this article we report the identification and purification to homogeneity of a 29-kD protein from the secretion of rat coagulating gland.

Dedicated head-neck coil in MR angiography of the supra-aortic arteries from the aortic arch to the circle of Willis.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of a dedicated head-neck coil in preoperative imaging of the supra-aortic arteries.

Material And Methods: Forty consecutive patients with suspected carotid artery stenosis underwent MR angiography (MRA). Using a dedicated head-neck coil, we made a complete evaluation of the supra-aortic arteries and graded the internal carotid artery (ICA) stenoses.

Immune responses induced by intramuscular or gene gun injection of protective deoxyribonucleic acid vaccines that express the circumsporozoite protein from Plasmodium berghei malaria parasites.

The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is a target for effector Ab and cell mediated immunity against malaria parasites; DNA vaccination can induce both types of effector response. The immunogenicity and efficacy of two DNA plasmids expressing different amounts of Plasmodium berghei CSP were evaluated by immunizing BALB/c mice i.m.

Detection of simulated chest lesions with normal and reduced radiation dose: comparison of conventional screen-film radiography and a flat-panel x-ray detector based on amorphous silicon.

Rationale And Objectives: The authors compared a solid-state amorphous silicon (a-Si) detector and screen-film radiography (SFR) with regard to the detection of simulated pulmonary lesions. Evaluation of the impact of a dose reduction of 50% with this digital flat-panel detector was of special interest.

Methods: A self-scanning flat-panel detector, based on a-Si technology with 143 x 143 microm pixel size, 1 k x 1 k matrix and 12-bit digital output was used.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) continuous intravenous infusion compared with bolus administration. Final results of a randomised trial in metastatic colorectal cancer.

The aim of this Phase III, balanced randomised trial was to compare continuous intravenous infusion (CVI) of 5-FU with bolus (B) administration for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). One hundred and fifty-five non-pretreated patients were randomised to receive CVI 5-FU at a dose of 750 mg/m2/day (d), 7 d every 21 d (n = 77), or bolus 5-FU 500 mg/m2/d x 5 d every 28 d (n = 78). Incremental dose escalation at 50 mg per step was recommended in the absence of toxicity.

Metaphor, symbolic play, and logical thought in early childhood.

Development of the ability to understand diverse types of metaphor was examined in terms of play context (symbolic vs. constructive-object play), Piagetian operational level (preoperational vs. concrete-operational), and medium of presentation (pictures vs.

Amorphous silicon, flat-panel, x-ray detector versus screen-film radiography: effect of dose reduction on the detectability of cortical bone defects and fractures.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this phantom study was to assess the diagnostic performance of a self-scanning, solid-state amorphous silicon (a-Si) detector in skeletal radiography using different exposure parameters.

Methods: A flat-panel detector (15 cm x 15 cm), based on a-Si technology with 143 microm x 143 microm pixel size, 1k x 1k matrix, and 12 bit digital output was used. State-of-the-art screen-film radiography (SFR; speed 400, detector dose 2.

Simultaneous high-dose external irradiation and daily cisplatin in unresectable, non-metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: a phase I-II study.

Background And Purpose: Clinical trials have demonstrated that high dose radiation therapy and daily cisplatin (CDDP) could increase local control and survival in carcinoma from various sites. The present phase I-II study has combined high dose radiation therapy and daily CDDP at escalating dosages.

Methods: From August 1994 to December 1995, 23 patients with non-resectable carcinoma of the pancreas were enrolled in a phase I-II multicentric, pilot study to test the toxicity and the effectiveness of high dose radiotherapy and daily cisplatin (CDDP) at escalating dosages.

MRI of the hypopharynx with provocative maneuvers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of magnetic resonance (MR) functional images of the hypopharynx. Following T2-weighted spin-echo sequences during quiet respiration, contrast enhanced 2D-Turbo-FLASH sequences were obtained during Valsalva-maneuver, quiet respiration, A- and U-phonation, respectively. Tumor detection was clearly improved using functional MRI (sensitivity of 97.

[Computer tomography-guided gastrostomy, jejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy. A reliable non-surgical method also for contraindications and failure of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy].

Objective: To analyse retrospectively the results of CT (computed tomography)-guided gastrostomy or gastroenterostomy where an endoscopic procedure was not possible or had failed.

Patients And Methods: Between August 1993 and March 1997, CT-guided gastrostomy (n = 50) or gastroenterostomy (n = 8) was performed in 58 patients (mean age 56 +/- 6 years; 51 males, 7 females). An endoscopic or fluoroscopic method had been contraindicated in 52 and had failed in 6 patients.