Tibia lead levels and methodological uncertainty in 12-year-old children

In vivo bone lead measurements with 109Cd-based K-shell X-ray fluorescence (XRF) have been used to assess long-term lead exposure in adults. Tibia lead levels were measured in 210 children (106 boys, 104 girls) of 11-12(1/2) years of age in a lead smelter town and in a control (nonexposed) town. Tibia lead levels, methodological uncertainties, and models of some of the factors influencing them are presented. 109Cd-based K-shell XRF tibia lead methodological uncertainty in children is comparable to that in adults.     

Abstracts presented at the Fifth International Conference on Geriatric Nephrology and Urology, 4–6 October 1999, Salamanca,Spain (part 4)

Abstract List

Abstracts presented at the Fifth International Conference on Geriatric Nephrology and Urology, 4–6 October 1999, Salamanca, Spain (part 4)     

Transpedicular eggshell osteotomies for congenital scoliosis using frameless stereotactic guidance

STUDY DESIGN: Three cases of multiplanar congenital scoliosis corrected by a transpedicular eggshell osteotomy using frameless stereotactic guidance are reported. OBJECTIVE: To show an alternative surgical technique for correcting and fusing complex congenital spinal curves. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Children with congenital scoliosis can have progressive curves causing significant multiplanar deformities. In older children, traditional approaches to spinal corrective surgery including fusion in situ, convex growth arrest, and hemivertebra excision can achieve only limited corrections. METHODS: Three older patients who had congenital scoliosis with significant multiplanar curves underwent one-stage posterior transpedicular eggshell osteotomy. Three-dimensional reconstructive images and frameless stereotactic guidance were used for preoperative selection of osteotomy levels and accurate placement of pedicle screws. After completion of the osteotomy, closure was obtained with extension of the hips. RESULTS: The average coronal correction of the major curve was 28.7 degrees (range, 22-33 degrees ). The average correction of the plumb line or lateral displacement from the center of the trunk was 4.8 cm (range, 3-7.5 cm). A significant kyphotic deformity was corrected 38 degrees, and a pelvic tilt was reduced from 7 to 3 cm. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage posterior reduction eggshell osteotomy can be used to correct a sagittal and/or coronal congenital spinal curve imbalance. Frameless stereotactic guidance for solid pedicle screw fixation was essential to the achievement of rigid spinal stabilization before arthrodesis. Transpedicular eggshell osteotomy is a technique that should be considered for older patients who have congenital scoliosis with multiplanar spinal abnormalities.     

Use of neuroendocrine markers, p53, and HER2 to predict response to chemotherapy in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer: a Cancer and Leukemia Group B study

Several studies have suggested that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients whose tumors have neuroendocrine (NE) features may be more responsive to chemotherapy. In addition, increased expression of p53 and HER2 may confer relative chemotherapy resistance and shortened survival. The Cancer and Leukemia Group B performed a series of studies involving sequential chemotherapy followed by radiation for patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC. The objectives of this study were to analyze pathological specimens using immunohistochemistry for NE markers, p53 and HER2 to determine if there was a correlation between marker expression and response or survival. Of 160 eligible patients, 28 (18%) were not evaluable because of inadequate material. The percentage of specimens positive for markers was as follows: neuron-specific enolase 38%, Leu-7 2%, chromogranin A 0%, synaptophysin 5%, > or =2+NE markers 3%, p53 61%, and HER2 65%. There was no statistically significant correlation between any individual marker and response to induction chemotherapy or response to combined chemotherapy/radiation except for synaptophysin. Six of 6 (100%) synaptophysin positive tumors responded by the completion of all therapy compared with 69/125 (55%) synaptophysin negative tumors (P=0.04). None of the individual markers had a significant effect on survival in univariate analysis. Neuron-specific enolase was marginally significant in multivariate analysis (P=0.08). In conclusion, this study did not demonstrate that expression of NE markers, p53 and HER2 were predictive of response to chemotherapy, combined chemotherapy/radiation or for survival in this group of patients with stage III NSCLC. Future studies must employ either different markers or be performed on more adequate surgical specimens.     

Prognostic biomarkers in resected colorectal cancer: implications for adjuvant chemotherapy

Knowledge of the prognostic role of biomarkers in colorectal cancer is limited and the routine determination for clinical practice is not warranted. However, for some of these markers, data are promising enough for further evaluation. This review addresses a comprehensive analysis of prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer. Data from published studies were collected and analyzed. A sufficient level of evidence suggests that DNA indexes, angiogenesis indicators and some genetic/biochemical markers identity prognostic differences in patients with early-stage colorectal cancer. High-risk patients could be the target for future adjuvant chemotherapy trials and one or more of these markers may identify prognostic subgroups with the same TNM stage category.     

Immunotoxicity of the anticancer drug CI-994 in rats: effects on lymphoid tissue

CI-994 (acetyldinaline) is an investigative oral anticancer drug currently in clinical trials. To characterize the effects of CI-994 on lymphoid tissue, male rats were administered single oral doses at 0 (vehicle control), 10, 23, and 45 mg/kg and killed up to 7 days after dosing for evaluation of white blood cell differentials, bone marrow differentials, lymphoid tissue weights, and selected histopathology of lymphoid tissue. Statistically significant dose-related reductions in blood lymphocytes (CD-3⁺, CD-4⁺, CD-8⁺, CD-20⁺), monocytes, neutrophils, and bone marrow lymphoid cells were observed in all drug-treated groups on days 1 and/or 3. Statistically significant reductions in bone marrow myeloid cells were also observed on days 1 and 3 at 23 and 45 mg/kg. Complete or partial reversal of most parameters was evident on day 7. Spleen and/or thymus weights were significantly decreased in the groups administered 23 and 45 mg/kg on days 1, 3, and/or 7. Minor reductions in lymphoid organ weights were noted at 10 mg/kg. Minimal to moderate lymphoid depletion of the spleen and thymus was noted on day 3 in animals dosed at 23 mg/kg. In vitro, CI-994 inhibited mitogen-stimulated blood lymphocyte proliferation with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 3 μM. The results demonstrate that CI-994 can effect lymphoid tissue in rats within 1 day of a single oral dose, that effects are generally reversible within 7 days, and that inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation is a sensitive indicator of CI-994 immunotoxicity in vitro. Received: 23 September 1998 / Accepted: 12 January 1999