Maintained salivary function after brachytherapy in patients with head and neck carcinomas--evaluation using quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not salivary gland dysfunction occurs within the first three months after brachytherapy in patients with head and neck carcinoma. Of the 20 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma included in this study, 11 were treated with brachytherapy and the remaining 9 patients received external irradiation. All the patients underwent a salivary gland scintigraphy before and after radiotherapy.

Role of angiotensin II-regulated apoptosis through distinct AT1 and AT2 receptors in neointimal formation.

Background: In vitro studies suggest that angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 (AT1 and AT2) receptors exert opposite effects in terms of vasoconstriction, natriuresis, and cell growth, but the role of these receptors in cardiovascular remodeling in vivo is still an enigma. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that AT2 exerts an antiproliferative effect by inducing apoptosis, thereby antagonizing AT1a in vascular remodeling.

Methods And Results: Vascular injury was induced by polyethylene cuff placement around the left femoral artery of AT1a-null (AT1aKO), AT2-null (AT2KO), and wild-type mice.

Maintained Salivary Function after Brachytherapy in Patients with Head and Neck Carcinomas - Evaluation Using Quantitative Salivary Gland Scintigraphy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not salivary gland dysfunction occurs within the first three months after brachytherapy in patients with head and neck carcinoma. Of the 20 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma included in this study, 11 were treated with brachytherapy and the remaining 9 patients received external irradiation. All the patients underwent a salivary gland scintigraphy before and after radiotherapy.