Insulin-induced enhancement of antitumoral response to methotrexate in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: It has been reported that insulin increases the cytotoxic effect in vitro of methotrexate by as much as 10,000-fold. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical value of insulin as a potentiator of methotrexate.

Patients And Methods: Included in this prospective, randomized clinical trial were 30 women with metastatic breast cancer resistant to fluorouracil + Adriamycin + cyclophosphamide and also resistant to hormone therapy with measurable lesions.

Staging of regional lymph nodes in melanoma patients by means of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy.

Unlabelled: Most first relapses in patients with melanoma occur in regional lymph node basins. Such lesions are frequently diagnosed clinically during the first 2 y of follow-up. In the last few years, our group has been studying the usefulness of (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy in the evaluation of recurrent melanoma lesions.

Antitumoral effect of a vaccination procedure with an autologous hemoderivative.

Lately, the promising results obtained with autologous cancer vaccines are stimulating new research in the old field of cancer immunotherapy. This paper describes the development of a procedure previously reported by us that is used to obtain an autologous hemoderivative with antitumoral properties. The procedure has been tested in a phase I-II, randomized, controlled clinical trial of 28 cancer patients with different primary malignancies in metastatic and chemotherapy-resistant stages.

Short-term fluoride and cations release from polyacid-modified composites in a distilled water, and an acidic lactate buffer.

Fluoride and various cations release from three commercial compomers (Dyract, Dyract AP and Compoglass-F) and a resin-modified glass ionomer (Fuji-II LC) as a control were measured up to 7 days in distilled water and 0.01M lactate buffer solution with pH 4.1.

Low maternal nutrition during pregnancy reduces the number of Sertoli cells in the newborn lamb.

The nutritional status of females during pregnancy can play a critical role in the postnatal growth and development of the offspring, often leading to permanent changes ('fetal programming'). The Sertoli cells are a strong candidate for fetal programming of future performance because the number of Sertoli cells is highly correlated with adult testicular size and the maximum rate of sperm production. For Merino ewes, we imposed different levels of metabolizable energy (ME) intake (LowME: 70% of requirements for maintenance of ewe body mass and normal growth of conceptus (n = 13); HighME: 110% of those requirements (n = 12)) from Week 10 of pregnancy until parturition and then tested for effects on testicular histology in newborn males.

Predictive value of (99m)Tc sestamibi scintigraphy in the evaluation of doxorubicin based chemotherapy response in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Resistance to doxorubicin based chemotherapy is a major therapeutic problem limiting advanced breast cancer treatment. 99mTc hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) has been reported to be extruded from tumour cells by the P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance protein encoded by MDR1 and MRP1 genes, respectively. These proteins are involved in the cellular efflux of several chemotherapeutic agents including doxorubicin.

Is (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintimammography complementary to conventional mammography for detecting breast cancer in patients with palpable masses?

Unlabelled: The aim of this trial was to evaluate in developing countries from different regions the diagnostic performance of (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintimammography (SM) in palpable breast lesions and to verify the clinical usefulness of a joint evaluation with mammography and SM.

Methods: From 10 countries, a total of 238 patients with palpable breast masses (n = 245) were included in this prospective multicenter trial. Prone SM was performed 10 min and 60-90 min (157 patients) after injection using an isotime acquisition of 10 min.

Preoperative evaluation of sentinel lymph node status in melanoma by means of (99m)Tc-MIBI and lymphoscintigraphy: a case report.

Previous reports have shown that (99m)Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) could detect clinically occult metastatic melanoma lesions. This article reports on a patient with invasive melanoma of the right heel in whom the sentinel node status was preoperatively evaluated with this tracer. Although regional lymph nodes were clinically negative, (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy showed focal increased tracer uptake in the right groin that corresponded to the location of 2 sentinel nodes visualized by lymphoscintigraphy with (99m)Tc-colloidal rhenium sulfide performed the same day.

Occlusal stabilization appliances. Evidence of their efficacy.

Background: There is substantial controversy regarding the value of occlusal appliances for managing temporomandibular joint disorders. This article specifically assesses whether the evidence is sufficient to judge occlusal appliances as being efficacious for the management of localized masticatory myalgia, arthralgia or both. A major confounder is that few studies have measured or evaluated whether subjects had strong, ongoing parafunctional activity (such as clenching or grinding) and whether appliances influenced this behavior.

Response of Corriedale ewes to the "ram effect" after priming with medroxyprogesterone, fluorogestone, or progesterone in the non-breeding season.

One hundred eighty-nine Corriedale ewes were used during the non-breeding season to study the "ram effect" stimulus after priming with progestogens. Intravaginal sponges containing either medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP group, n = 49), fluorogestone acetate (FGA group, n = 49), or progesterone devices (CIDR group, n = 46) were inserted on Day-6 (Day 0 = introduction of the rams). Forty-five ewes were untreated and kept as a control group.

Evaluation of ocular tumors with technetium-99m-MIBI: planar pinhole technique or SPECT?

Objective: This study compares 2 imaging protocols, planar pinhole technique (PPHT) and SPECT, for evaluating ocular masses with 99mTc-MIBI.

Methods: Sixteen patients with ocular lesions were studied. Planar images were acquired 10 min after the injection of 740 MBq 99mTc-MIBI with an LFOV camera fitted with a pinhole collimator (5.

Toothache of cardiac origin.

Pain referred to the orofacial structures can sometimes be a diagnostic challenge for the clinician. In some instances, a patient may complain of tooth pain that is completely unrelated to any dental source. This poses a diagnostic and therapeutic problem for the dentist.

Scintigraphic evaluation of malignant melanoma lesions with Tc-99m tetrofosmin.

Two cases of malignant melanoma (primary and metastatic lesions) imaged with Tc-99m tetrofosmin are reported. One patient showed intense uptake in a primary skin lesion of the thorax, and the other patient had accumulation in skin, cerebellum, breast, and lymph node metastases. Like Tc-99m MIBI, Tc-99m tetrofosmin imaging may be of clinical relevance in the evaluation of suspicious skin lesions and in patients with known cutaneous malignant melanoma in the assessment of recurrent disease during follow-up evaluation.

Detection of recurrent malignant melanoma with 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy.

Initial reports suggest that 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scanning may be of clinical value in staging patients with malignant melanoma. We carried out a study to evaluate the potential of this technique in the detection of recurrent disease. Whole-body 99mTC-MIBI scans were performed in 81 patients with a history of a surgically excised MM: 28 with known recurrent lesions and 53 during follow-up without evidence of disease.

99Tc(m)-MIBI scanning of the thyroid gland in patients with markedly decreased pertechnetate uptake.

Diffusely reduced 99Tc(m)-pertechnetate uptake is a relatively infrequent but annoying finding that impairs evaluation of the thyroid gland. We studied 32 female patients aged 19-85 years with markedly reduced pertechnetate uptake. The following causes of reduced pertechnetate uptake were recognized: treatment with iodinated pharmaceuticals (n = 15), suppression therapy with T4 (n = 11), subacute thyroiditis (n = 5) and massive tumour replacement (n = 1).

Oronasopharyngeal suction at birth: effects on arterial oxygen saturation.

The effect of oronasopharyngeal suction (ONPS) on arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) is described in a controlled study of 30 normal term newborn infants. In 15 of them, ONPS was performed immediately after birth. The SaO2 value was recorded through a pulse oximeter.

Countertorque testing and histomorphometric analysis of various implant surfaces in canines: a pilot study.

As surface roughness may play a role in the mechanical attachment of an implant surface to bone, various implant surfaces have been prepared and analyzed by removal torque (countertorque) or push-out tests in a variety of animal model systems. Rougher surfaces generally have displayed higher mechanical testing values, indicating a stronger implant-bone interface. This pilot study was undertaken to test the countertorque values for integrated threaded implants with surfaces prepared by machining, blasting, and acid-etching, to compare the various implant surface types histomorphometrically for percentage of bone-implant contact under loaded and unloaded conditions, and to determine the degree of correlation between countertorque values and bone-implant contact with varying degrees of surface roughness.

Oral premedication with midazolam in paediatric anaesthesia. Effects on sedation and gastric contents.

The aim of this study was to assess oral premedication with midazolam in paediatric anaesthesia. Sedation, quality of induction, recovery time, acceptance and effects on gastric contents were analysed. This prospective, double blind, at random and controlled study was performed in 107 children, aged between three and ten years.

Estimation of gestational age by the length of the dorsal spine.

Gestational age assessed by dorsal spine length (DSL) was compared with that based on date of the last menstrual period (LMP). This study was performed in 70 newborn infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit requiring chest radiography, by which dorsal spine length was measured (figure 1). Gestational age ranged from 23 to 42 weeks.

Use of streptomycin-lidocaine injections in the treatment of the cluster-tic syndrome. Clinical perspectives and a case report.

Trigeminal neuralgia and cluster headache syndrome are complex pain conditions of the craniofacial region. Both diseases can coexist in the same patient, comprising the cluster-tic syndrome. This article reviews the literature on this condition and reports a new case who responded well to peripheral streptomycin-lidocaine injections.

Scintigraphic detection of invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma with Tc-99m MIBI.

Malignant melanoma is a relatively uncommon cancer of increasing incidence. The authors report on two cases of malignant melanoma lesions (primary and lymph node metastasis) imaged with Tc-99m MIBI. One patient revealed intense accumulation of the radiotracer in a primary skin lesion of the thorax, whereas the other patient showed increased Tc-99m MIBI uptake in a lymph node metastasis of the neck.

Thyroid imaging with Tc-99m MIBI in patients with solitary cold single nodules on pertechnetate imaging.

Thyroid imaging was performed in 30 patients with the standard pertechnetate technique, as well as with Tc-99m MIBI using a double-phase acquisition protocol. All patients had normal thyroid function confirmed by hormone measurements and cold solitary thyroid nodules, which were evaluated by pertechnetate scanning. Tc-99m MIBI scans were reported as showing cold (N = 14), warm (N = 7), or hot (N = 9) nodules.

Caries incidence, effect of preventive measures, and caries prediction in Uruguayan children.

In 1988, 100 12- to 13-year-old children from two neighborhoods in Montevideo with different standards of living were examined. Twenty-three children with large numbers of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, or decayed surfaces or a combination of these factors were considered to be at high risk of developing caries. Twelve of these 23 children were selected for special preventive measures.

Dental caries and microbial and salivary conditions in Uruguayan children from two different socioeconomic areas.

Dental caries, microbial and salivary conditions, dietary habits, and socioeconomic conditions were studied in 100 12- to 13-year-old children from 2 different socioeconomic areas in Montevideo: Pocitos and Piedras Blancas. The residents of Pocitos had a higher educational level, better housing conditions, and occupations involving higher earnings than those of Piedras Blancas. The caries prevalence in the two areas was about the same, but the children in Piedras Blancas had more decayed surfaces and fewer filled surfaces than the children in Pocitos.