Lesion regression rate based on RECIST: prediction of treatment outcome in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy compared with FDG PET-CT

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the lesion regression rate (ΔLR) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria could be used for the prediction of treatment outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) compared with FDG PET-CT. A total of 33 patients underwent MRI and PET-CT at pretreatment and at 8 weeks after CRT. We assessed the treatment outcome by analyzing the following parameters: the RECIST criteria, ΔLR, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria, and pretreatment SUV_max of the primary tumor and node. The correlation between the analysis of the parameters and the results of the long-term follow-up of the patients was determined. The RECIST did not significantly correlate with locoregional control (LRC) or survival. The ΔLR was significantly lower for the lesions with locoregional failure (LRF) than for those with LRC. A threshold ΔLR of 48% revealed a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 77.3% for the prediction of LRF. Progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with ΔLR ≥ 48% was significantly better than that of patients with ΔLR < 48% (P = 0.001), but not overall survival. There was a significant correlation between LRC and the EORTC (P = 0.02). The patients who achieved a complete response by the EORTC criteria showed significantly better PFS and overall survival (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). The ΔLR was inferior to FDG PET-CT with respect to the prediction of patient survival; however, it may be useful for selecting patients in need of more aggressive monitoring after CRT.     

Ethanol regulated preference in rats

A series of experiments evaluated the determinants of preference for mixtures of ethanol plus sucrose relative to sucrose in rats. One dipper served 10% ethanol mixed with 10% sucrose, and the second dipper served 10% sucrose. Lever presses operated each dipper according to a variable-interval 5-s schedule. In three experiments the subjects were given pre-session meals of sucrose (2.5–20 ml) or sucrose (20 ml) plus chow (5 or 10 g). Pre-session meals decreased responding maintained by sucrose but not responding maintained by ethanol mixture. In two experiments body weight was varied from 85% to 125% of the initial free-feeding values. Increases in body weight, like pre-session meals, decreased responding reinforced by sucrose, but typically did not decrease responding reinforced by ethanol mixture. Throughout most of the study, ethanol consumption remained at about 1.25 ml per half hour session (3–4 g/kg per 30 min). For example, pre-session access to ethanol mixture decreased within-session ethanol consumption, but total consumption, counting both sources, remained about 1.25 ml/session. The within-session patterns of responding also differed. Responding reinforced by ethanol mix decreased as a function of ethanol consumption, whereas responding reinforced by sucrose was relatively constant throughout the session. The simplest explanation of the results is that ethanol's pharmacological consequences regulated preference.     

Impact of Induction Chemotherapy and Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy on Operative Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Locoregional Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach or Gastroesophageal Junction

Background Significant tumor downstaging has been achieved in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma by induction chemotherapy and preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CTX–CTXRT). However, the influence of CTX–CTXRT on operative morbidity and mortality has not yet been clarified. The aim of the present study was to document the frequency and nature of morbidity and mortality after surgery combined with CTX–CTXRT, and identify factors predictive of postoperative complications in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A prospectively collected database on 71 consecutive patients who underwent CTX–CTXRT at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between January 1997 and August 2004 was reviewed. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were investigated, and risk factors for overall complications were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 38.0% (27 patients) and 2.8% (2 patients), respectively. Age greater than 60 years [relative risk 11.3 (95% confidence interval 2.50–50.6)] and body mass index (BMI) of 26 kg/m² or above [relative risk 4.08 (95% confidence interval 1.08–15.4)] were significant risk factors for overall complications. Conclusions CTX–CTXRT can be performed safely with an acceptable operative morbidity and a low operative mortality rate in patients with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer, with careful consideration of added risk associated with age and obesity.     

The ensemble-averaged impedance cardiogram: An evaluation of scoring methods and interrater reliability

The interrater reliability and concurrent validity of two methods of scoring the ensemble-averaged impedance cardiogram were evaluated. Impedance cardiographic and electrocardiographic signals were recorded from 40 undergraduate men and women during a baseline rest period and a vocal mental arithmetic task period. Recordings were scored by four raters using a conventional method, involving ensemble averaging after careful editing of beat-to-beat waveforms, and a streamlined method, involving ensemble averaging without beat-to-beat editing. Intraclass correlations for interrater reliability exceeded .92, whereas intraclass correlations for concurrent validity exceeded .97, indicating excellent agreement between raters and scoring methods for all cardiac measures. The streamlined method was significantly faster than the conventional method. The results indicate that variations in beat-to-beat editing do not constitute a serious source of error in the ensemble-averaged impedance cardiogram and support the interrater reliability and concurrent validity of the two scoring methods.     

Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

We report a case of combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. A 78-year-old man with vertigo was referred to our hospital where chest X-ray revealed a tumor shadow in the right lung. A transbronchial lung biopsy specimen verified a diagnosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (cT1N0M0). Right lower lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection (#7,8,9) was performed. A postoperative histological diagnosis was combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of a component of squamous cell carcinoma [pT4 (pm) N2M0]. The patient received concurrent chemoradiotherapy due to upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis 4 months after surgery. The chemoradiotherapy well responded and the patient remains well 9 months after surgery.     

A retrospective study of the therapeutic efficacy of doxycycline on concurrent canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis in a veterinary hospital population

Doxycycline has a well known broad spectrum activity against bacteria and rickettsia, as well as Ehrlichia spp. However, the use of doxycycline for the treatment of concurrent ehrlichiosis and babesiosis has rarely been evaluated, especially in veterinary hospital populations. A retrospective study of 70 canine ehrlichiosis and 12 canine babesiosis concurrent infections from Out Patient Department patients at Chulalongkorn Small Animal Teaching Hospital, admitted during 2001–2003, were studied. The results showed a complete curative effect of doxycycline on both canine ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis concurrent infections. The red blood cell indices after treatment were significantly higher in canine ehrlichiosis (P < 0.05). The platelet cell counts after treatment were significantly higher in concurrent canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis infections (P < 0.05). Doxycycline can be recommended as the drug of choice for both canine ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis and concurrent infections of both conditions in veterinary hospitals.     

Concurrent infections ofTrichinella spiralis andToxoplasma gondii in mice

Concurrent infections with two parasites: a nematode,Trichinella spiralis, and a protozoon,Toxoplasma gondii, were investigated. Antibody production (total immunoglobulin and IgM) was similar in double and single infections. However, the number ofToxoplasma cysts in the brains of mice infected withTrichinella and challenged 1–6 weeks later withToxoplasma was higher than in mice infected withToxoplasma alone, while mice infected withToxoplasma and challenged 4–14 days later withTrichinella had lower worm burdens in the intestine than animals infected withTrichinella alone. Greater loss in body weight was observed in mice infected with both parasites than in those infected with either parasite alone.     

Persistent extramural vascular invasion positivity on magnetic resonance imaging after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy predicts poor outcome in rectal cancer

BackgroundIn rectal cancer, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) is the presence of tumour cells in blood vessels outside the muscular layer, which is associated with poor prognosis. Regression of EMVI on MRI following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or its persistence may have prognostic implications.MethodsThis retrospective study included 52 patients with rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision following long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). EMVI assessments were done on previous pelvic MRIs obtained before neoadjuvant CRT and eight weeks after the completion of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in initially EMVI positive cases.ResultsPersistently EMVI positive patients had worse overall survival and disease-free survival compared to initially EMVI negative patients and patients who returned to negative (p < 0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis identified persistent EMVI positivity after neoadjuvant treatment (HR, 102.9; p = 0.003) as significant independent predictor of worse overall survival; and persistent EMVI positivity (HR, 17.0; p = 0.002), mesorectal fascia involvement after neoadjuvant treatment (HR, 8.0; p = 0.017), and poor differentiation (HR, 10.3, p = 0.012) as significant independent predictors of worse disease-free survival.ConclusionPersistent EMVI positivity after neoadjuvant therapy appears to be an independent factor for poor overall survival; and persistent EMVI positivity as well as mesorectal fascia involvement on post neoadjuvant therapy MRI and poor differentiation appears to be important predictors of poor disease-free survival in rectal cancer patients.     

进展期低位直肠癌新辅助放化疗后侧方淋巴结清扫的选择和意义

侧方淋巴引流是低位直肠癌3个重要的淋巴引流方向之一。沿引流途径清扫淋巴结是直肠癌根治术基本要求,也决定淋巴结清扫范围。但侧方淋巴结是区域淋巴结还是远处淋巴结,一直存在争议。这带来新辅助放化疗和侧方淋巴结清扫、以及新辅助放化疗对侧方淋巴结转移疗效的争议。笔者综合分析国内外研究进展,对直肠癌侧方淋巴结转移规律、影响侧方淋巴结转移复发危险因素以及放化疗前后MRI检查对侧方淋巴结评估等进行深入阐述,并结合临床实践,探讨进展期低位直肠癌新辅助放化疗后侧方淋巴结清扫的选择和意义。     

Concurrent progressive-ratio schedules to compare reinforcing effectiveness of different phencyclidine (PCP) concentrations in rhesus monkeys

  Rationale: Progressive ratio (PR) schedules have become well accepted for testing the reinforcing effectiveness of drugs. This study extends the methods to concurrent PR schedules with different concentrations of orally delivered phencyclidine (PCP). Objective: The sensitivity of the procedure is tested by presenting different PCP concentrations with independently-operating PR schedules. Method: PCP self-administration was investigated in seven rhesus monkeys. Six different PCP concentrations (0.03–1.0 mg/ml) and water were randomly paired (21 pairings). Liquid delivery (24 ml) was contingent upon lip-contact responses on solenoid-operated drinking spouts; whereby, the response requirement or fixed-ratio (FR) increased (from 8 to 16, 32, 64, 128... to 4096) after each successful completion of a previous FR and subsequent liquid delivery. Monkeys self administered PCP during daily 3-h sessions, and each pair of concentrations was held constant until behavior had stabilized for at least 4 days. Results: The higher of the two PCP concentrations always maintained greater responding, PR break point (BP), or the last ratio completed, and liquid deliveries than did the lower concentration. However, the monkeys did not exclusively respond on the drinking spout that yielded the higher drug concentration. When examined across all drug pairings, the percentage of total available deliveries of the higher concentration was significantly greater than those of the lower concentration. The monkeys maximized the amount (mg) consumed for the response output. Responding, BPs and liquid deliveries maintained by 0.12 and 0.25 mg/ml PCP were significantly greater than other PCP concentrations; however, drug intake (mg) increased directly with PCP concentration. Conclusion: These results indicate that concurrent PR schedules using oral drug self-administration and a concurrent choice paradigm reliably provide an estimation of relative reinforcing strength, and behavior maintained by these schedules is sensitive to small changes in PCP concentration. Received: 18 September 1998 / Final version: 28 December 1998