An exploratory study of systemic administration of the toll-like receptor-7 agonist 852A in patients with refractory metastatic melanoma.

Purpose: A topical Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist induces regression of cutaneous melanocytic neoplasms. We explored antitumor activity of a systemically administered TLR7 agonist, 852A, in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Experimental Design: We undertook a phase II, multicenter, open-label study in patients with chemotherapy-refractory metastatic melanoma.

S-100B and FDG-PET/CT in therapy response assessment of melanoma patients.

Objective: To compare the value of the tumor marker S-100B protein and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in patients treated for melanoma metastases.

Methods: In 41 patients with proven melanoma metastases, S-100B measurements and FDG-PET/CT were performed before and after therapy. The change of S-100B levels (DeltaS-100B) was assessed.

Tumour assessment in advanced melanoma: value of FDG-PET/CT in patients with elevated serum S-100B.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of PET/CT in melanoma patients with an elevated serum S-100B tumour marker level.

Methods: Out of 165 consecutive high-risk melanoma patients referred for PET/CT imaging, 47 had elevated (>0.2 microg/l) S-100B serum levels and a contemporaneous 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.

[Role of hepatotropic viruses in liver pathology in Southwestern Cameroon].

Between 1990 and 1992 (2 years), 102 patients with clinical liver pathology underwent standardized clinical, pathological, sonographic and serologic investigations (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV autoantibodies and tumor markers). During the same period seroepidemiological studies with the same parameters as above were performed on the following control groups: healthy pregnant women (n = 383), blood donors (n = 85), HIV-positive individuals (n = 93), and hospitalized patients in all age groups with minor ailments unrelated to liver pathology (n = 108). The results are discussed in detail.

Optimal staining and sample storage time for direct microscopic enumeration of total and active bacteria in soil with two fluorescent dyes.

Direct counting techniques, first developed for aquatic samples, can be used to enumerate bacteria in soil and groundwater sediments. Two fluorescent dyes, 5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride (CTC) for actively respiring bacteria and 4(prm1),6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) for total bacteria, were tested for their usefulness in epifluorescent direct bacterial enumeration in soil. Both dyes can be used for the same soil sample without affecting enumeration results.

Liver pathology in rural south-west Cameroon.

In a prospective study, 102 hospital patients with liver disease were evaluated in West Cameroon, Africa. Blood donors, pregnant women and patients without liver disease served as controls. A total of 757 individuals were tested for markers of hepatitis A, B, C and D and for immunological markers (autoantibodies, procollagen III, alpha-foetoprotein, CA50 antigen, alpha-1-antitrypsin and antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2).

Seroprevalence of hepatitis and HIV infection among rural pregnant women in Cameroon.

Since some hepatitis viruses and the human immunodeficiency viruses share common modes of transmission, such as the sexual route, we undertook to investigate the prevalence of antibodies to these and other pathogens among 384 rural pregnant women. Our study was intended to form the basis of infection management policies in pregnancy. Antibodies and other markers of the hepatitis A, B, C, and D viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV), the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Treponema pallidum were sought.

Characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients attending a rural hospital in Cameroon. Manyemen HIV/AIDS Team.

Manyemen, a rural community in Cameroon, has now been hit by the HIV epidemic. This paper describes the experiences gained at the Presbyterian General Hospital in Manyemen between 1990 and 1992 regarding HIV infection in pregnant women, AIDS case management, counseling and home visits. A total of 383 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were tested.

Hepatitis C virus infection in different populations in Cameroon.

We tested serum samples collected in an urban setting (Yaounde) and in a rural area (Manyemen) for the presence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) (anti-HCV). Screening was done by second-generation ELISA and confirmation with second-generation RIBA. In Yaounde, anti-HCV was found in 12.

Colorectal cancer in young blacks. An epidemic in Gazankulu?

Eight cases of colorectal cancer at Elim and Malamulele Hospitals, Gazankulu, occurring in a 7-month period in young black people, are presented. Epidemiological and aetiological considerations are discussed.