Clinical comparison of two radiocolloids for internal mammary lymphoscintigraphy

Recent studies suggest that 99mTc-labeled radiocolloid (SC) compounded with hydrogen sulfide can be used to visualize lymph channels and nodes. Our study prospectively compared SC with 99mTc antimony sulfide (SbS) colloid, in 28 patients undergoing internal mammary lymphoscintigraphy. Images were recorded on a scintillation camera and computer at 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 hr. Quantitative analysis included assessment of percent (%) injected dose in nodes, the percent remaining at the injection site, and the relative intensity of the most cephalad node compared to a 57Co standard. The mean (means) % injected dose of both radiocolloids within visualized nodes was less than 1% at each time interval, with no significant differences between means's. The means % injected dose remaining at the injection site at 3.0 hr was 83 for SbS and 76 for SC not statistically significant (N.S.). The means of the ratio of counts within the most cephalad node at 3.0 hr to counts within a 57Co standard was 0.98 for SbS and 1.03 for SC (N.S.). Clinical assessment of number of nodes visualized and extent of radiocolloid migration showed no difference between the two agents. The biological and clinical parameters for the two colloids appear similar when used for internal mammary lymphoscintigraphy.     

Transcranial Doppler and rCBF compared in carotid endarterectomy

In eight patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, the mean velocity and an index of pulse amplitude in the middle cerebral artery were monitored continuously by transcranial doppler ultrasound. rCBF was measured by intracarotid injection of 133 Xenon shortly before and at the time of the carotid artery occlusion, and again a few minutes after carotid flow was reestablished. Comparison of the mean velocity in the MCA and the cortical convexity rCBF revealed relatively little hysteresis in their relationship from prior to after the occlusion. There was however, considerable variability in this relationship among patients. Both the rCBF and the velocity decreased substantially at occlusion in three cases, neither changed very much in three. While in two, though the rCBF decreased significantly, the velocity did not change. The index of pulse amplitude was somewhat more sensitive to the occlusion, decreasing in the seven cases in which it was recorded, including one in which the rCBF did not change.     

The effect of a strongly-interacting macromolecular probe on the swelling and exclusion properties of loose connective tissue.

Poly(L-lysine), a cationic polypeptide known to undergo specific interactions with acid mucopolysaccharides, is used as a macromolecular probe in an investigation into the structure of loose connective tissue. The polypeptide apparently binds, via an electrostatic mechanism, to the mucopolysaccharide component of the tissue, leading to a reduction in the swelling of the tissue. The polypeptide does not, however, have a deswelling effect on the tissue; the ultimate reduction in swelling is influenced by the absolute amount of polybase which enters the tissue during the swelling process. Dextran 2000 is found to have a dwelling effect on the tissue which is independent of the action of the polypeptide; this is suggestive of a large degree of independence between the collagen network and the mucopolysaccharide-containing matrix. The polypeptide, moreover, causes a reduction in the excluded volume of the tissue.     

Paxillin-Y118 phosphorylation contributes to the control of Src-induced anchorage-independent growth by FAK and adhesion

Background  

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src are protein tyrosine kinases that physically and functionally interact to facilitate cancer progression by regulating oncogenic processes such as cell motility, survival, proliferation, invasiveness, and angiogenesis.