Efficacy of epoetin-beta 30,000 IU/week in correcting anaemia in patients with gastrointestinal tumours subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy

Objective  

The aim of the project was to assess the effectiveness and safety of weekly epoetin-beta (EB) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCTRT).     

High-resolution myocardial perfusion mapping in small animals in vivo by spin-labeling gradient-echo imaging.

An ECG and respiration-gated spin-labeling gradient-echo imaging technique is proposed for the quantitative and completely noninvasive measurement and mapping of myocardial perfusion in small animals in vivo. In contrast to snapshot FLASH imaging, the spatial resolution of the perfusion maps is not limited by the heart rate. A significant improvement in image quality is achieved by synchronizing the inversion pulse to the respiration movements of the animals, thereby allowing for spontaneous respiration. High-resolution myocardial perfusion maps (in-plane resolution=234 x 468 microm2) demonstrating the quality of the perfusion measurement were obtained at 4.7 T in a group of seven freely breathing Wistar-Kyoto rats under isoflurane anesthesia. The mean perfusion value (group average +/- SD) was 5.5 +/- 0.7 ml g(-1)min(-1). In four animals, myocardial perfusion was mapped and measured under cardiac dobutamine stress. Perfusion increased to 11.1 +/- 1.9 ml g(-1)min(-1). The proposed method is particularly useful for the study of small rodents at high fields.     

Application of bidimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of ventricular septal defect]

Between 1985-1990 we studied by means of two-dimensional echocardiography 286 patients with isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD). A hundred and sixty three being male and 123 female, as a mean age of 5 +/- 3 months. Sixty two cases (22.3%) reveales associated anomalies and in other 63 (22.4%) there was in the evolution an aneurysm of the septum membranous. The projections used were apical 4-chamber, with or without aortic root; parasternal long-short axis of great arterias or at ventricular level; subcostal 4-chamber; right oblique outlet right outflow tract and left oblique outlet left and right outflow tracts. Patients with VSD smaller than 3 mm were excluded. Perimembranous defects, 189 cases (66%), were more frequent than muscular, 91 31.8%), and subarterial defects, 6 (2.1%). Only 19 (9 apical muscular, 6 perimembranous outlet and 4 perimembranous trabecular) were initially misclassified. The diameter of the VSD was large in subarterial (0.85 +/- 0.1 cm) and perimembranous outlet VSD (0.75 +/- 0.5 cm) compared with the rest. Each group of defects was more easily shown by one particular projection except trabecular muscular defect. In conclusion, we are able to state that two-dimensional echocardiography enables us to discover the size and situation of isolated ventricular defects.     

Cervical cancer: incidence and survival in migrants within Spain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--This study examined the incidence of cervical cancer and survival rates according to migrant experience of women from different regions of Spain to Girona, Catalonia (Spain). DESIGN--Using data from the population based cancer registry of Girona for the period 1980-89, crude and age adjusted incidence rates were calculated for local-born and first generation migrants from other Spanish regions. The age standardised rate ratio (SRR) was calculated and Cox's regression model was used to adjust survival according to migrant status for age and stage at diagnosis. MAIN RESULTS--The incidence of cervical cancer was significantly higher in first generation Spanish migrants compared with locally born women (SRR: 2.02; 95% CI 1.40:2.92). The stage at diagnosis was more advanced among migrants. Survival probability was significantly associated with stage at diagnosis, but age and region of birth were not. CONCLUSIONS--Migrants from the southern Spanish regions show a twofold excess in the incidence of cervical cancer compared with the Girona-born female population. Cases of cervical cancer in migrants are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and as a consequence have a poorer prognosis.     

Short-acting beta-adrenergic blockade and the fetus. A case report.

An infant was born to a woman who received intravenous esmolol for intrapartum supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. Despite the very short acting and cardio-selective beta-1 adrenergic blockade induced by that agent, neonatal effects can occur up to 48 hours after delivery.     

A programme of neurosurgical education

Summary We present a programme of Neurosurgery concerning pre- and post-graduate education. Objectives are divided into general objectives, intermediate and specific. We suggest also a syllabus for students and another for residents, containing a list of theoretical lectures, seminars and guidelines for practical tuition.Schedule of training period, services requirements and facilities for didactic purposes are mentioned. In this respect we follow the recent recommendations of the E.A.N.S.We emphasize the need for personal teaching as the only element of general guidance for the programme. We also emphasize the necessity of criticism, change and evolution, in order to perfect the programme we are offering.     

Frequent expression of the multi-drug resistance-associated protein BCRP/MXR/ABCP/ABCG2 in human tumours detected by the BXP-21 monoclonal antibody in paraffin-embedded material

The expression and cellular localization of angiotensin II (Ang II) and AT(1) receptor proteins were examined in the normal human prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by immunohistochemistry. In the normal prostate, Ang II immunoreactivity was localized to the basal layer of the epithelium and AT(1) receptor immunostaining was found predominantly on stromal smooth muscle and also on vascular smooth muscle of prostatic blood vessels. Ang II immunoreactivity was markedly increased in hyperplastic acini in BPH compared with acini in the normal prostate (normal: 7.4+/-0.2%, n=5 vs. BPH: 22.7+/-1.9%, n=5, p<0.001). However, AT(1) receptor immunoreactivity was significantly decreased in BPH compared with the normal prostate [normal: 16.4+/-2.2%, n=4 vs. BPH: 9.4+/-1.3%, n=5, p<0.05 (p=0.025)]. The present study demonstrates the presence of Ang II peptide in the basal layer of the epithelium and AT(1) receptors on stromal smooth muscle, suggesting that Ang II may mediate paracrine functions on cellular growth and smooth muscle tone in the human prostate. Furthermore, AT(1) receptor down-regulation in BPH may be due to receptor hyperstimulation by increased local levels of Ang II in BPH. These data extend previous findings in support of the novel concept that overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may be involved in the pathophysiology of BPH.