Outcomes of Prostatectomy versus Radiation Therapy in the Management of Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Patients Within the PLCO Trial

Background

The objective of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of clinically localized prostate cancer treated with prostatectomy versus radiation therapy within the context of a prospective prostate cancer screening study.

Therapeutic Effect of Dimethyl Dimethoxy Biphenyl Dicarboxylate on Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats

Objective:To study the effect of oral administration of dimethyl dimethoxy biphenyl dicarboxylate(DDB) on adjusting angiogeneic/inflammatory mediators and ameliorating the pathology of bones in rats with collagen-induced arthritis(CIA).Methods:Wistar rat model of CIA was set up using bovine collagen type Ⅱ.Fifty rats were divided into five groups randomly:normal,CIA model,DDB treatment,methotrexate(MTX) treatment,and combined DDB+MTX treatment.Ankle joints of rats were imaged with digital X-ray machine to show the destruction of joints.Fore and hind paw and knee joints were removed above the ankle joint then processed for haematoxylin and eosin staining.Plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),platelet derived growth factor,interleukin-8(IL-8),IL-4,tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Nitric oxide levels were detected by Griess reagent.Results:Compared with the CIA model group,a remarkable reduction in various angiogenic(VEGF and IL-8) and inflammatory mediators(TNF-α,IL-4 and COX-2) after treatment with DDB either alone or combined with MTX(P0.05 or P0.01).Histopathological and X-ray findings were confirmatory to the observed DDB anti-arthritic effect.The DDB-treated group showed amelioration in signs of arthritis which appeared essentially similar to normal.Conclusion:Our data shed light on the therapeutic efficacy of DDB in experimental rheumatoid arthritis(RA) compared with a choice drug(MTX) and it may be offered as a second-line drug in the treatment of RA.     

Subchronic vaginal toxicity studies of Alcide Allay gel and liquid in guinea pigs

Alcide Allay, an antimicrobial preparation produced in gel and liquid forms, was evaluated for vaginal toxicity in guinea pigs. 1.0 g/kg Allay gel or placebo was administered intravaginally once per day over a 30 day period while 2.5 g/kg Allay liquid (containing either of two concentrations of sodium chlorite and lactic acid as active ingredients) or placebo was applied vaginally three times per day for 10 days. At the conclusion of the studies, hematology, blood and urine clinical chemistry tests and necropsies were performed. RBC, HGB, HCT, MCHC and direct bilirubin increased while CO2, SGPT and CPK decreased in blood after Allay liquid treatment. Creatinine, urea nitrogen and uric acid in urine were statistically reduced in the liquid groups. Hematology and clinical chemistry parameters were within the normal range of values reported in the literature for guinea pigs, indicating no clinical significance due to drug treatment. Significant differences in organ body/weight ratios were observed between controls and Allay gel and liquid groups. However, only the livers in the gel study and the vaginas in both studies were changed histologically.     

Clinical experience with alpha-particle emitting 211At: treatment of recurrent brain tumor patients with 211At-labeled chimeric antitenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6.

alpha-Particle-emitting radionuclides, such as (211)At, with a 7.2-h half-life, may be optimally suited for the molecularly targeted radiotherapy of strategically sensitive tumor sites, such as those in the central nervous system. Because of the much shorter range and more potent cytotoxicity of alpha-particles than of beta-particles, (211)At-labeled agents may be ideal for the eradication of tumor cells remaining after surgical debulking of malignant brain tumors. The main goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of this approach in patients with recurrent malignant brain tumors. METHODS: Chimeric antitenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 (ch81C6) (10 mg) was labeled with 71-347 MBq of (211)At by use of N-succinimidyl 3-[(211)At]astatobenzoate. Eighteen patients were treated with (211)At-labeled ch81C6 ((211)At-ch81C6) administered into a surgically created resection cavity (SCRC) and then with salvage chemotherapy. Serial gamma-camera imaging and blood sampling over 24 h were performed. RESULTS: A total of 96.7% +/- 3.6% (mean +/- SD) of (211)At decays occurred in the SCRC, and the mean blood-pool percentage injected dose was < or = 0.3. No patient experienced dose-limiting toxicity, and the maximum tolerated dose was not identified. Six patients experienced grade 2 neurotoxicity within 6 wk of (211)At-ch81C6 administration; this neurotoxicity resolved fully in all but 1 patient. No toxicities of grade 3 or higher were attributable to the treatment. No patient required repeat surgery for radionecrosis. The median survival times for all patients, those with glioblastoma multiforme, and those with anaplastic astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma were 54, 52, and 116 wk, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provides proof of concept for regional targeted radiotherapy with (211)At-labeled molecules in oncology. Specifically, the regional administration of (211)At-ch81C6 is feasible, safe, and associated with a promising antitumor benefit in patients with malignant central nervous system tumors.     

The urodynamic characteristics of different ileal reservoirs: an experimental study in dogs.

Using adult mongrel dogs, the urodynamic characteristics of three types of ileal reservoirs were studied and compared. Segments of ileum of the same length were utilized to construct simple loop pouches (five dogs), DeKlerk pouches (five dogs) and Kock pouches (five dogs). Six to eight weeks after surgery, urodynamic evaluation was carried out. This included determination of the volume/pressure relationship and measurement of the contractions of the circular and longitudinal muscle fibers. Results indicate that the Kock pouch offers the best features in terms of the volume capacity, the volume/pressure relationship and contractile activity. Detubularization abrogated the muscle tone but it did not affect the phasic contractile activity of the circular muscle layer.     

Coronary reperfusion with a new catheter in six patients with acute occlusion after angioplasty

A new catheter was used in an attempt to re-establish coronary flow in six patients with acute occlusion after angioplasty and prior to emergency coronary artery bypass surgery. All patients suffered from severe chest pain, and the electrocardiogram showed signs of acute transmural ischemia. A reperfusion catheter manufactured by Advanced Cardiovascular Systems (ACS) has 36 side holes spirally arranged along the distal 10 cm. It is introduced over an exchange wire. After the catheter was positioned across the occlusion, five patients had complete relief of chest pain, and another patient had partial relief. The electrocardiogram normalized in all six patients (in one only initially). Two patients developed a limited myocardial infarction, but four did not. The time between introduction of the reperfusion catheter and aorta cross clamping varied between 1.5 and 6.5 hours, and there were no complications related to its use. We conclude that the ACS reperfusion catheter is useful in re-establishing coronary blood flow after failed angioplasty and prior to emergency coronary artery bypass surgery.     

Morphological study of some hypothalamic centers in rats after deafferentation of the mediobasal hypothalamus

The volume of the nuclei and nucleoli of certain hypothalamic centers (SON, PVN, SCN, AN, VMN) was determined in control rats and in rats after deafferentation of the mediobasal hypothalamus. Sex differences were found in the parvocellular formations of the control animals: The volumes of nuclei and nucleoli of neurons of AN and VMN, and also of the nucleolus of SCN neurons were larger in females than in males. After deafferentation of the mediobasal hypothalamus the volume of the cell nuclei was increased, especially in hypothalamic formations located outside the isolated zone. This increase was more clearly defined in rats constantly in a state of estrus after the operation. Statistically significant differences between volumes of both nuclei and nucleoli of the cells in subgroups of rats with permanent estrus and with permanent diestrus were found only in the case of SCN. No such differences were found for AN, despite the considerable difference in the constant of luteinizing hormone in the pituitary of the same rats. It is suggested that gonadotropin releasing factors are not produced by the cells of AN and that control over the succession of phases of the sex cycle may be exerted by SCN.Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. N. Chernigovskii.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 89, No. 3, pp. 352–354, March, 1980.