Radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies in oncology. III. Radioimmunotherapy

The requirements, problems and progress of radioimmunotherapy in the management of certain malignancies are described. The future prospects using a two- or three-stage approach are promising.     

Variability in vibration perception threshold among sites: a potential source of error in biothesiometry

Vibration perception threshold was measured with a biothesiometer by a single observer at both medial malleoli and both big toes in 110 diabetic patients aged 15-65 selected at random and in 64 non-diabetic subjects aged 20-65. The vibration perception threshold showed appreciable individual variation both between contralateral sites and between ipsilateral sites, differing by at least 30% between the big toes in 26 (24%) of the diabetic patients and 16 (25%) of the non-diabetic group. Variability between sites was significantly greater in the diabetics than the normal subjects. The vibration perception threshold exceeded published normal values at one or more sites in 22 of the diabetic patients but at all four sites in only four. The wide variability in vibration perception threshold among sites may be due to the tissue characteristics locally and, in diabetic patients, possibly to asymmetric neuropathy. Biothesiometer readings at single or unilateral sites may be unrepresentative or misleading.     

Activity of nedocromil sodium in mast-cell-dependent reactions in the rat

Nedocromil sodium, a pyranoquinoline dicarboxylic acid derivative which differs structurally and physiochemically from sodium cromoglycate, was nonetheless shown to be effective in classical models of anti-allergic activity in the rat. These models, based on immediate hypersensitivity reactions in the passively sensitized rat, involve release of mediators from mast cells following cross-linking of membrane-bound IgE antibodies by specific antigen. In this system, nedocromil sodium exhibited a similar profile of activity to that of sodium cromoglycate. Whilst not predictive for therapeutic activity, rat models of immediate hypersensitivity are believed to reflect one component of obstructive airways disease. The results suggest that nedocromil sodium is worthy of clinical evaluation in this indication.     

Retinal and preretinal localisation of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, and their receptor in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

A number of growth factors have been implicated in the development and perpetuation of preretinal fibrovascular membranes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The aim of this study was to determine the potential role of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), and their receptor (EGF-R) in PDR development. Immunostaining for EGF, TGF-alpha, and EGF-R was compared between normal retina, PDR retina, and PDR preretinal membranes. Weak staining for EGF and EGF-R was observed throughout the neural retina from non-diabetic eyes while weak to moderate staining for TGF-alpha was observed in the ganglion cell layer and the inner and outer nuclear layers. In contrast, intense staining for EGF and TGF-alpha and moderate staining for EGF-R were observed throughout the PDR retina. Immunoreactivity for EGF, TGF-alpha, and EGF-R was seen in the majority of the 11 excised membranes studied and, though variable, was generally greater than that observed in normal retinas. These results suggest an autocrine/paracrine role for EGF, TGF-alpha, and EGF-R in PDR.     

Aspects of diabetes care in Britain, 1987

The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in Britain is rising rapidly. Hospital clinics are overcrowded and may only provide a rudimentary service. Various schemes have been devised to improve community care by involving hospital physicians and nurses. Trends towards increasing usage of human insulin, fixed ratio insulin mixtures and the Novopen, the declining popularity of CSII, and current attitudes towards diet are briefly summarised. Diabetic care in Britain has improved markedly over the past decade due particularly to improved patient education and the appointment of diabetes specialist nurses, but enormous logistical problems remain.