Production of multiple growth factors by a human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line.

The 1PT cell line, derived from an undifferentiated bronchial carcinoma, produced, in conditioned medium, immunoreactive basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), and transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF beta 2) in its latent form, but not platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), or transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF beta 1). Comparative studies of growth stimulation of human umbilical vein (HUV) endothelial cells indicated that the growth factors detected in 1PT-conditioned medium do not solely account for its proliferative effects on these cells. These results support previous characterization studies [1,2] that suggest the production of a potentially novel tumour-derived endothelial cell growth factor by the 1PT cell line.

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in dysplasia of the bronchial epithelium.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is expressed in cells in the cell cycle and has been studied as a marker of proliferation in lung and other tumours. We have noted immunocytochemical differences in PCNA expression between normal and neoplastic bronchial cells. As bronchial dysplasia is considered preneoplastic, we have examined PCNA expression in this condition.

Professional attitudes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation in departments of geriatric and general medicine.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the elderly has long been a contentious issue. We have established by means of a postal survey the attitudes of 300 consultant geriatricians, 300 consultant physicians and 249 registered nurses to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We also audited 400 case notes to document current practice in departments of general medicine and medicine for the elderly.

Photorefractive keratectomy for myopia: 6-month results in 95 eyes.

Ninety-five eyes of 91 patients with myopia from -1.00 to -6.00 D (mean -3.

Neoadjuvant carboplatin and ifosfamide chemotherapy for inoperable FIGO stage III and IV ovarian carcinoma.

Thirty patients aged 34-69 years (median 56) with previously untreated FIGO Stage III and IV ovarian carcinoma were given carboplatin (400 mg/m2) and ifosfamide (5 g/m2) with mesna every 28 days for a median of 3 cycles, followed, where possible, by laparotomy. Objective responses were observed in 13 (43%) patients, 11 of whom proceeded to laparotomy. Nine were successfully debulked, and two of these had removal of all macroscopic disease.

The activity of 10-, 14-, and 21-day schedules of single-agent etoposide in previously untreated patients with extensive small cell lung cancer.

Pharmacologic studies in patients with small cell lung cancer treated with differing schedules of intravenous etoposide over 1 to 8 days have suggested that etoposide's antitumor cytotoxicity is related to duration of exposure to low plasma levels of drug. Three phase II studies have been performed in 78 patients with extensive small cell lung cancer examining the efficacy and toxicity of 50-mg doses of oral etoposide given twice daily for 14 days every 3 weeks, once daily for 21 days every 4 weeks, and twice daily for 10 days every 3 weeks. Partial response rates were observed in 76%, 52%, and 70% of patients, respectively.

Concentrations of vitamins A, C and E in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease.

Concentrations of the naturally occurring antioxidant vitamins A, C and E were measured in 27 patients with Parkinson's disease and 16 age-matched control subjects, from a similarly disabled patient group. There was no significant difference in the serum concentrations of vitamins A and E in the two groups. Vitamin C was significantly higher (P < 0.

The law and medical fitness to drive--a study of doctors' knowledge.

We assessed doctors' knowledge on laws and recommendations regarding fitness to drive in certain medical conditions by a questionnaire survey. A total of 646 doctors consisting of 400 general practitioners and 246 hospital doctors of all grades were circulated with the questionnaire. The survey was anonymous so non-responders could not be re-circulated.

Accelerated fast neutron therapy: a pilot study.

The clinical role of fast neutron therapy has been limited by excessive late normal tissue damage. A pilot study of accelerated fractionation of fast neutron therapy was performed, based on the rationale that this should result in an increase in the response in acute reacting tissues (normal and malignant), with no change in late damage and a consequent increase in the therapeutic ratio. Further accelerated fractionation should improve the local control of rapidly proliferating tumour, without the potential problem of inadequate reoxygenation inherent in accelerated photon schedules.

An investigation of the dose equivalent to radiographers from a high-energy neutron therapy facility.

The external radiation hazard to radiographers from the use of high-energy neutrons in radiotherapy has been investigated. The contributions from neutron-induced activity in the therapy gantry, the treatment room, the patient and ancillary equipment have been analysed as has the whole-body dose equivalent to radiographers. It was found that there are significant levels of gamma radiation throughout the treatment room, which increase both in the vicinity of the walls in line with the beam axis and in close proximity to the neutron therapy gantry.

Clinical pharmacology and schedule dependency of the podophyllotoxin derivatives.

Etoposide and teniposide are closely related derivatives of podophyllotoxin, and both have a phase-specific action in the late S and early G2 phases of the cell cycle. Etoposide has attracted more widespread use and study, although no evidence suggests a differing mode of action or spectrum of anticancer activity. The drugs have significant differences in their clinical pharmacology, however.

Can patients wash during radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall? A randomized controlled trial.

A total of 99 patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall were randomized to one of three washing policies: (1) not washing, (2) washing with water alone, and (3) washing with soap and water. Fifty-three of the patients were treated without the use of bolus, and 46 patients were treated using bolus for 10 to 15 of the 20 treatment fractions. Approximately half of the patients randomized to washing were tattooed.

Neuroendocrine and epithelial markers in diagnostic bronchial lung cancer biopsy specimens.

The incidence of neuroendocrine and epithelial markers was investigated by immunocytochemistry in archival, lung cancer, bronchial biopsy specimens (n = 48). No correlation of antigenicity with histological type was observed. 79% non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and 61% small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) were positive for epithelial markers.

POMB/ACE chemotherapy in non-seminomatous germ cell tumours: outcome and importance of dose intensity.

This study reports the outcome of POMB/ACE (cisplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, bleomycin, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, etoposide) chemotherapy in 53 male patients with metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) treated between 1983 and 1989 in one centre. The overall complete response (CR) rate was 62% [95% confidence interval (CI) 49-75%), and for patients with large or very large volume disease (L/VL, MRC criteria), the CR rate was 56% (95% CI 41-71%). The overall 5 year survival was 61%, and for L/VL volume disease 67%.

Expression of neuroendocrine and epithelial markers in an adherent subline derived from a classic small cell lung cancer cell line.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines usually grow as floating aggregates, in contrast to the adherent monolayers formed by non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Induction of an adherent phenotype by a variety of methods has been the subject of a number of recent publications. In this study, cultivation of the classic SCLC cell line, NCI-H69, on a substratum provided by the pretreatment of tissue culture dishes with medium conditioned by the growth of a well differentiated squamous carcinoma cell line, HN5, induced an adherent phenotype with a variety of epithelioid morphologies, commencing within 24 hr of plating.

Immunocytochemical investigation of the tissue of origin of two lung cancer cell lines.

The constitutive cell types of the two lung cancer cell lines CaLu1 and CaLu3 have been investigated by immunocytochemical staining with markers for cytokeratins, vimentin, carcinoembryonic antigen and the epithelial cell epitope recognized by the monoclonal antibody Ber-EP4. The cells of both lines reacted with vimentin, with CAM 5.2, which is a marker for cytokeratins 8, 18 and 19, and with a specific marker for cytokeratin 19.

Motivation to comply with infection control procedures.

This paper addresses the critical issue of motivating hospital staff to comply with standard infection control procedures. Previous psychological assessment of infection control knowledge, attitudes and behaviour has indicated that the reasons for non-compliance are very basic and reflect inter alia a low perception of the importance of the measures and a lack of motivation. It is argued that, although staff have a theoretical awareness of the value of complying with such procedures, in practice these seem to have a low priority.

High energy neutron treatment for pelvic cancers: study stopped because of increased mortality.

Objective: To compare high energy fast neutron treatment with conventional megavoltage x ray treatment in the management of locally advanced pelvic carcinomas (of the cervix, bladder, prostate, and rectum).

Design: Randomised study from February 1986; randomisation to neutron treatment or photon treatment was unstratified and in the ratio of 3 to 1 until January 1988, when randomisation was in the ratio 1 to 1 and stratified by site of tumour.

Setting: Mersey regional radiotherapy centre at Clatterbridge Hospital, Wirral.

Advances in treatment planning dosimetry for a high energy neutron beam.

Before starting the clinical programme, a series of physical measurements were made using the Clatterbridge high energy neutron facility. These consisted of measurements made under standard conditions, e.g.

A century of alcoholism conferences: unchanging themes.

Modern conferences on alcoholism receive research papers and stimulate multidisciplinary discussion, but this is not new, similar events took place 100 years ago. The published proceedings of Chester's conference of 1895 are reviewed and compared with recent conferences. Subjects then included alcohol's effect on the foetus, particular facets of women's drinking and increased availability in grocer's shops, the young and evaluation of educational programmes, alcohol in the workplace, long term control studies on alcoholics, laboratory studies on reaction time, attitude of the popular press, effects of restrictions in outlets and hours and lessons to be learnt from such in Scotland, and political and legislative remedies including evidence from Scandinavia.