Modified repeated intracyclic clomiphene citrate therapy after conventional clomiphene therapy.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: We compared modified repeated intracyclic clomiphene citrate therapy (RICCT) to gonadotropin therapy to determine whether this modified regimen was an effective alternative after conventional clomiphene therapy. METHODS: Patients with ovulation disorder received treatment with modified RICCT and gonadotropin, and ovulation, pregnancy, total drug cost, and adverse effects were compared. RESULTS: Among a total of 16 patients, 14 successfully ovulated after modified RICCT and 11 ovulated after gonadotropin therapy; two did not respond to either therapy. The total drug cost was US $36.3+/-17.9 for modified RICCT, which was significantly lower than the cost of gonadotropin therapy, US $213.9+/-100.4 (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Because modified RICCT does not require the discomfort of daily injection and has excellent ovulation-inducing effects, it is a useful treatment after conventional clomiphene therapy.

Monte Carlo simulation of growth of porous SiOx by vapor deposition.

A random network model containing defects has been developed and applied to the deposition of amorphous SiOx films on a flat substrate. A new Monte Carlo procedure enables dangling bonds to migrate and annihilate. The degree of porosity in the films is found to increase with oxygen content. As the oxygen content increases a larger fraction of pore surfaces is covered with oxygen, and the density of dangling bonds on pore surfaces decreases. Oxygen plays the role of a surfactant, lowering the energies of pore surfaces and enhancing the porosity of amorphous SiO2 compared to amorphous Si.

Assessment of c-erbB2 and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression in fine-needle aspirates from early breast carcinomas: pre-operative determination of malignant potential.

AIMS: Although axillary lymph nodes status, tumour size, hormonal-receptor status and histological grade at diagnosis are frequently used to orient the treatment of breast cancer patients, some tumours recur in patients with early stage disease. Pre-operative assessment of individual tumour characteristics, based on oncogenes and growth factors related to tumour growth, invasion or metastasis, may guide the treatment for patients with breast carcinomas. METHODS: We examine here the prognostic significance of cyclin D1, urokinase type plasminogen activator, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor, and c-erbB2 expression in pre-operatively obtained fine-needle aspirates from breast carcinomas less than or equal to 3 cm in size. Correlation between mRNA expression of these factors and clinicopathological characteristics was analysed. RESULTS: The level of c-erbB2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in tumours with lymph node metastases than in those without lymph node metastases. VEGF mRNA expression positively correlated with the degree of angiogenesis as quantitated by immunohistological staining with a CD31 monoclonal antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of c-erbB2 and VEGF mRNA expression in fine-needle aspirates may be useful in assessing the malignant potential of individual breast carcinomas, leading to a pre-operative discrimination of a high-risk group.

Preoperative assessment of tumor angiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression in homogenate samples of breast carcinoma: fine-needle aspirates vs. resection samples.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tumor angiogenesis is receiving increased attention as a prognostic factor and also as a possible target for new anticancer agents. We investigated whether extent of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression correlated with degree of neovascularization, and whether this expression in fine-needle aspirates could be a marker for assessing angiogenic potential of breast tumors. METHODS: VEGF mRNA expression was semiquantitated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by Southern blotting. Tumor neovascularization was assessed by immunohistochemical staining with anti-CD31 (PECAM) antibody. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between degree of neovascularization and semiquantitated VEGF mRNA expression in invasive ductal carcinomas (r2 = 0.346, n = 48, P < 0.05). Extent of VEGF mRNA expression in fine-needle aspirates was closely correlated with that in resected invasive ductal carcinomas equal to or less than 3 cm in size (r2 = 0.874, n = 14, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that semiquantitation of VEGF mRNA expression in fine-needle aspirates is useful for assessing angiogenic potential of invasive ductal carcinomas.