A phase I-II study of weekly cisplatin and gemcitabine with concurrent radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and the antitumor activity of gemcitabine when administered in combination with concurrent cisplatin and radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical carcinoma (LACC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed LACC (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics IIB-IVA), previously untreated, were eligible for entry in the study to receive radiotherapy and concomitant weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin 40 mg/m(2) and gemcitabine at increasing doses levels until the MTD was found. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included. Sixteen patients were entered at four dose levels. The MTD was 150 mg/m(2) and the recommended dose of gemcitabine for phase II was 125 mg/m(2). Twenty additional patients were entered at this level. Toxicity at the recommended dose was acceptable with grade 3/4 toxicity in <20% of patients. Thirty-five of thirty-six patients (97.3%) achieved an objective response, 32 (88.8%) a complete response (CR) three a (8.3%) partial response and one (2.7%) stable disease. At a median follow-up of 26 months, 28 of 36 patients (77.7%) are in sustained complete remission and seven of 36 (19.4%) have relapsed. The 3-year disease-free and overall survival rates are 67% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The association of cisplatin and gemcitabine with concurrent radiotherapy is active and well-tolerated in untreated LACC.

[Serum and hypophyseal profiles of alpha-melanotropin and prolactin during the reproductive cycle of Leptodactylus ocellatus]. / Perfiles séricos e hipofisarios de alpha-melanotrofina y prolactina durante el ciclo reproductor de Leptodactylus Ocellatus.

In this work, the seric and hypophysial concentrations of the hormones alpha-melantopin and prolactin of male specimens of Leptodactylus ocellatus from the province of Cordoba are studied during a complete annual period. This amphibian presents a continuous reproductive cycle with a wave of greater spermatogenic activity in early summer months (December-January). The results corresponding to hormones show a very similar pattern: both present their maximal seric value in the December-January period, coincidently with the greatest spermatogenic wave. Maximal hypophysial values precede seric concentration maximum by two months. Although the influence of these hormones on amphibian spermatogenesis is not well understood, the observations here described would indicate that alpha-melanotropin as well as prolactin could play a role in the spermatogenic process in Leptodactylus ocellatus.

Perfiles séricos e hipofisarios de alpha-melanotrofina y prolactina durante el ciclo reproductor de Leptodactylus Ocellatus. / [Serum and hypophyseal profiles of alpha-melanotropin and prolactin during the reproductive cycle of Leptodactylus ocellatus]

In this work, the seric and hypophysial concentrations of the hormones alpha-melantopin and prolactin of male specimens of Leptodactylus ocellatus from the province of Cordoba are studied during a complete annual period. This amphibian presents a continuous reproductive cycle with a wave of greater spermatogenic activity in early summer months (December-January). The results corresponding to hormones show a very similar pattern: both present their maximal seric value in the December-January period, coincidently with the greatest spermatogenic wave. Maximal hypophysial values precede seric concentration maximum by two months. Although the influence of these hormones on amphibian spermatogenesis is not well understood, the observations here described would indicate that alpha-melanotropin as well as prolactin could play a role in the spermatogenic process in Leptodactylus ocellatus.

Serum levels of prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin and structure of the ovary during the reproductive cycle of Columba livia (domestic pigeon).

Given the importance of the hormones prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin in the regulation of the mammalian reproductive cycle, it was decided to assess their serum levels during the reproductive cycle of Columba livia (domestic pigeon). Female pigeons were utilized in the stages of egg-laying, incubation and rearing. Simultaneously, the structural changes of the ovary in the aforementioned periods were studied. The levels of prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin showed similar behaviour. The low concentrations found in the period of egg-laying (x +/- s = 4.3 +/- 0.6; 3.5 +/- 0.26 ng/ml) increased significantly during incubation (x +/- s = 6.5 +/- 0.7 ng/ml; 6.6 +/- 1.7 ng/ml) to reach the maximum value in the rearing period (x +/- s = 10.33 +/- 1.8 ng/ml; 13.6 +/- 1.9 ng/ml). Accompanying these changes a marked predominance of the medullary zone over the cortex and lack of developing follicles were found in the rearing state.

Serum levels of prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin and structure of the ovary during the reproductive cycle of Columba livia (domestic pigeon).

Given the importance of the hormones prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin in the regulation of the mammalian reproductive cycle, it was decided to assess their serum levels during the reproductive cycle of Columba livia (domestic pigeon). Female pigeons were utilized in the stages of egg-laying, incubation and rearing. Simultaneously, the structural changes of the ovary in the aforementioned periods were studied. The levels of prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin showed similar behaviour. The low concentrations found in the period of egg-laying (x +/- s = 4.3 +/- 0.6; 3.5 +/- 0.26 ng/ml) increased significantly during incubation (x +/- s = 6.5 +/- 0.7 ng/ml; 6.6 +/- 1.7 ng/ml) to reach the maximum value in the rearing period (x +/- s = 10.33 +/- 1.8 ng/ml; 13.6 +/- 1.9 ng/ml). Accompanying these changes a marked predominance of the medullary zone over the cortex and lack of developing follicles were found in the rearing state.

Serum levels of prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin and structure of the ovary during the reproductive cycle of Columba livia (domestic pigeon)

Given the importance of the hormones prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin in the regulation of the mammalian reproductive cycle, it was decided to assess their serum levels during the reproductive cycle of Columba livia (domestic pigeon). Female pigeons were utilized in the stages of egg-laying, incubation and rearing. Simultaneously, the structural changes of the ovary in the aforementioned periods were studied. The levels of prolactin and alpha-melanotrophin showed similar behaviour. The low concentrations found in the period of egg-laying (x +/- s = 4.3 +/- 0.6; 3.5 +/- 0.26 ng/ml) increased significantly during incubation (x +/- s = 6.5 +/- 0.7 ng/ml; 6.6 +/- 1.7 ng/ml) to reach the maximum value in the rearing period (x +/- s = 10.33 +/- 1.8 ng/ml; 13.6 +/- 1.9 ng/ml). Accompanying these changes a marked predominance of the medullary zone over the cortex and lack of developing follicles were found in the rearing state.

Associacao entre lesoes coronarianas, idade e angina em pacientes valvopatas. / Association of coronary lesions, age and angina in patients with heart valve diseases

Foram estudados, quanto a frequencia de lesao coronariana significativa (LCS) na cinecoronariografia e sua relacao com angina de peito tipica (APT) e idade, 181 pacientes com valvolopatias - aortica (114), mitral (48) e mitro-aortica (19), sendo 117 homens e 64 mulheres, de 26 a 70 anos, com media de 48,9.Vinte e seis pacientes (14,3% do total) evidenciaram LCS e estas mostraram-se: 1) mais frequentes nos valvopatas em APT (43,9%) que nos assintomaticos (4,3%) e nos com dor toracica atipica (8,3%); 2) ausentes nos pacientes com menos de 40 anos e nos com menos de 50 anos sem APT; dos 50 anos em diante, foi 3 vezes mais frequente (23,0%) que dos 40 aos 49 (7,0%); 3) 4 vezes mais frequente nos pacientes com 50 ou mais anos e APT (52,0%) que nos da mesma idade sem APT (12,1%); 4) 3 vezes mais frequente nos aorticos sem LCS (20%) que nos mitrais e mitro-aorticos sem LCS (6,5% e 6,6%, respectivamente). Conclui-se que a ausencia de APT em pacientes valvopatas abaixo de 50 anos praticamente exclui presenca de LCS, e que dos 50 anos em diante esta indicada a realizacao sistematica de cinecoronariografia nesses pacientes, quando candidatos a cirurgia corretiva da valvopatia