Prostaglandin production by murine tumors as a predictor for therapeutic response to indomethacin.

We investigated whether there is a relationship between the production of eicosanoids by murine solid tumors and their response to the prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase inhibitor indomethacin. Three sarcomas, designated FSA, NFSA, and SA-NH, and two carcinomas, designated MCA-K and HCA-I, syngeneic to C3Hf/Kam mice were used. In general, FSA and NFSA produced more PGH synthase products than lipoxygenase products, whereas HCA-I produced both types of metabolites in large quantities. All three tumors responded well to indomethacin treatment by slowing their growth. In contrast, MCA-K and SA-NH tumors produced insignificant quantities of PGH synthase products, but substantial amounts of lipoxygenase products. Their growth was not affected by treatment with indomethacin. Indomethacin did not influence tumor cell survival either in vitro or in vivo, but it reduced the proportion of S-phase cells in the tumors. The antitumor effect of indomethacin was not reduced by immunosuppression of the tumor host and was independent of tumor immunogenicity, implying that indomethacin acted through nonimmunological mechanisms. Thus, the effectiveness of indomethacin was directly related to the ability of tumors to produce PGs. Consequently, the eicosanoid profile of tumors could serve as a valuable way to select patients likely to respond to indomethacin and other PGH synthase inhibiting agents.

Increase in radioresponse of murine tumors by treatment with indomethacin.

Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, was investigated for its ability to increase radioresponse of two fibrosarcomas, FSA and NFSA, in C3Hf/Kam mice. In addition, the effect of indomethacin on radioresponse of hematopoietic tissue, jejunum, hair follicles, and tissues involved in the development of radiation-induced leg contractures was determined. Indomethacin greatly increased radioresponse of 8-mm tumors, as assessed by both tumor growth delay and TCD50 assays. Enhancement factors for tumor growth delay and tumor radiocurability (TCD50) were 1.55 and 1.39, respectively, for FSA, and 1.4 and 1.26, respectively, for NFSA tumors. Of four normal tissues assessed, two (hair follicles and tissues responsible for development of leg contractures) showed no change in radioresponse after treatment with indomethacin, one (hematopoietic tissue) exhibited radioprotection, and one (jejunum) exhibited slight radiosensitization (enhancement factor, 1.12). Therefore, indomethacin significantly augmented tumor radiocurability but had minimal effect on radioresponse of some normal tissues.

Modification of tumor response to cyclophosphamide and irradiation by preirradiation of the tumor bed: prolonged growth delay but reduced curability.

The effect of tumor bed irradiation (TBX) on subsequent tumor response to treatment with cyclophosphamide (CY) or further irradiation was studied in mice. Using the growth delay assay, the therapeutic response was enhanced by prior TBX: for example, in mice receiving 3000 rad TBX 1 day before fibrosarcoma cell inoculation, the growth delay from 8 to 12 mm produced by CY (150 mg/kg) was 18.8 days compared with 9.4 days without prior TBX. This effect was independent of time between TBX and tumor cell inoculation over the range 1-56 days. When tumor cure experiments were performed, however, the effect of prior TBX was to decrease significantly the proportion of tumors controlled by either CY or irradiation and to make the dose-response curve for radiocurability less steep. These data are best interpreted by postulating that TBX increases the environmental heterogeneity of tumors growing in preirradiated sites, with an overall net decrease in the cell kill achieved by a given dose of CY or radiation. This results in increased resistance to cure and a lack of dose response. However, the TBX also causes slower regrowth of surviving cells, so that an increase in tumor growth delay is realized. Thus, although eradication of postirradiation recurrences by chemotherapy is compromised, their palliation may actually be enhanced.

Final report on phase I trial of WR-2721 before protracted fractionated radiation therapy.

This is the final report of the Phase I Protocol for the initial clinical study of Multiple Dose WR-2721 with radiotherapy (RTOG 80-02). The essential object of the study was to determine the highest dose of WR-2721 that could be given daily for the greatest number of weeks 15 to 30 minutes before conventional radiation treatment schedules. Eighty-four patients were entered into various dose levels. The major and dose-limiting toxicities were emesis, hypotension and malaise. The latter symptom was characterized by increasing weakness, fatigability, and ill-feeling. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) established by this study is 340 mg/m2 given 4 days a week (excepting Wednesday) for 5 weeks. The drug is delivered intravenously in 7 minutes. There were no long-term blood chemistry changes. There were no deaths due to the administration of the radioprotector.

Psychomotor retardation found in college students seeking counseling.

Psychomotor retardation (PMR) has been documented for inpatient populations. Futterman and Tryon (1994) [Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 25, 41-48] provided the first report of PMR in a female outpatient sample. Because 8 of their 11 depressed Ss were receiving medication, the possibility remains that Futterman and Tryon's findings were due to medication side effects. The present study documents PMR in a nonmedicated male and female college population. Two-week, 24-h per day, content-valid behavioral measurements were obtained using step-counters from 73 college students seeking counseling. The 20 males and 53 females completed the Inventory to Diagnose Depression, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Inventory, and a structured interview. Regression analysis revealed that depression was negatively related to daytime activity. Significant age and gender effects were statistically controlled.

Is nursing's image a deterrent to recruiting men into the profession? Male high school students respond.

The extremely small number of men choosing the nursing profession as a career, coupled with the continuing shortage of nurses, prompted an investigation of male high school students' opinions about nursing. Kohler and Edwards' Career Questionnaire was administered to 126 male high school students representing grades 9-12 from three area public schools. Findings show that although the majority of subjects have a positive perception of nurses and nursing, the vast majority are not planning on entering the profession. Analysis of subjects' beliefs about nurses' financial status offers a possible explanation.

HIV testing, perceived vulnerability and correlates of HIV sexual risk behaviours of Latino and African American young male gang members.

This study examined HIV testing behaviours, perceived vulnerability to HIV and correlates of sexual risk behaviours of young adult Latino and African American male gang members in Los Angeles, California. Data were collected from 249 gang members aged 18-26 years. The majority (59%) of gang members reported unprotected vaginal intercourse (UVI) in the past 12 months. Only one-third (33.2%) of gang members had ever been tested for HIV. In our multivariate analysis, gang members who reported UVI were more likely to have engaged in the following behaviours: had sex with someone they just met (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.51), had sex with someone they think or know had a sexually transmitted infection (STI; AOR = 4.67) or had sex while incarcerated (AOR = 8.92). In addition, gang members with a higher perceived vulnerability to HIV were less likely to report UVI in the previous 12 months (AOR = 0.75). These findings offer implications for development of an HIV prevention intervention for young Latino and African American male gang members.

Negotiation for the perioperative nurse: it's all up to you.

This article explores negotiation and related theories involved in the negotiation process. Philosophical views, stages, and various negotiation styles are discussed. Particularly, principled negotiation is addressed as a useful framework for conflict resolution. In addition, barriers, strategies, and skills inherent to the negotiation process are explored. Finally, a case application is presented to highlight the potential effectiveness of using successful negotiation tactics in the perioperative nursing setting.

Factor analysis of the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale among multicultural college students.

The Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES) was administered to 447 multicultural college students. The sample consisted of 63.5% Hispanic/Latino, 17.1% African-American, 13.7% Caucasian, 4.1% other and 1.6% Asian students. The obtained scores were subjected to a principal components factor analysis with a Varimax rotation. An item designation criteria was used and three distinct factors were extracted: (1) 'Appropriation', (2) 'Sexually Transmitted Diseases' and (3) 'Partners' Disapproval'. Comparisons to the only other published factor analysis of the CUSES are made. Implications for future research using the CUSES to design AIDS education curricula for multicultural college students are discussed.

Predictors of success on the NCLEX-RN. Among baccalaureate nursing students.

It is important for a nursing program to determine which variables are good predictors of student success or failure on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) (1). Significant predictors for success may include such variables as National League for Nursing (NLN) Achievement Test scores, grade point averages (GPA), American College Test (ACT) and Standardized Assessment Test (SAT) scores, and grades in various nursing courses. The purpose of this study was threefold: to determine which variables have the greatest predictive value of success on the NCLEX-RN; to investigate the efficacy of the continued use of standardized NLN Achievement Tests; and to develop and evaluate a new assessment instrument, the NCLEX-RN Risk Appraisal Instrument, which allows nursing educators to quickly assess a student's risk of failure by examining school records. Data were obtained from undergraduate nursing students at a large university in the Southeast. The potential predictors used included nursing theory course grades, nursing clinical course grades, and NLN Achievement Test scores.