Adriamycin-induced inhibition of melanoma cell invasion is correlated with decreases in tumor cell motility and increases in focal contact formation.

Tumor cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is closely linked with tumor cell invasion and metastasis. In this study, we demonstrate that low levels of adriamycin, a widely used anticancer drug, can inhibit the invasion of highly metastatic K1735-M2 mouse melanoma cells in vitro through a reconstituted basement membrane extract. Adriamycin-induced inhibition of melanoma cell invasion occurred at levels of the drug (i.e. 1 ng/ml) that did not inhibit tumor cell growth, suggesting that the observed inhibition in tumor cell invasion was not due to the well-documented ability of adriamycin to interfere with DNA and/or RNA synthesis. Rather, these studies indicated that adriamycin-induced inhibition of melanoma cell invasion was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the ability of adriamycin-treated tumor cells to migrate in response to several isolated ECM components including fibronectin, laminin and basement membrane (type IV) collagen. The decreased migration of adriamycin-treated tumor cells was not accompanied by a decrease in the adhesion or spreading of the adriamycin-treated cells on substrata coated with these ECM components. Instead, adriamycin-treated cells actually exhibited a slightly increased propensity (compared to untreated control cells) to adhere on fibronectin-, laminin-, and type IV collagen-coated substrata. Additionally, adriamycin treatment caused a dramatic increase in focal contact formation by these melanoma cells, as assessed by fluorescent microscopy of actin and vinculin. In addition to providing a useful model for which to study the molecular and cellular basis for focal contact formation, these results further emphasize the results of several other investigators that have suggested an important role for focal contacts in modulating tumor cell motility, invasion and metastasis.

Carbohydrate and acid contents of Gala apples and Bartlett pears from regular and controlled atmosphere storage.

Gala apples and Bartlett pears were harvested over two crop seasons at different maturities and growing sources then stored in refrigerated storage alone and in controlled atmosphere storage (1% O(2) plus 1% CO(2) or 2% O(2) plus 3% CO(2)). Before and after storage of 45 or 90 days, the juice from the fruit was examined for carbohydrate and acid compositions and contents. For Gala apples, the type and length of storage had no significant effect on juice carbohydrate and acid contents and compositions, whereas the time of harvest greatly influenced both parameters. Storage atmosphere did not affect the carbohydrate and acid contents and compositions of Bartlett pear juice; however, the source of the fruit and subsequent amount of ripening did appear to significantly cause changes in the same parameters. The carbohydrate and acid compositions and contents of Gala apple juice were within the compositional range for worldwide apple juice. Bartlett pear juice contained significantly greater concentrations of citric acid than shown in previously published studies.

Serum CA 12-5 concentrations and CA 12-5/CEA ratios in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

In attempts to increase the specificity of the CA 12-5 test the ratio of CA 12-5 and CEA concentrations has been determined in 155 cancer patients, all of whom had an increased serum CA 12-5. The patients included 47 with epithelial ovarian cancer, 38 with colorectal cancer, 24 with cervical cancer, 20 with lung cancer, 17 with gastric cancer, and 9 with pancreatic cancer. The CA 12-5/CEA ratio in serum of patients with ovarian cancer ranged from 30 to 920 (mean 251), whereas in other types of cancer the highest ratio was 240 and the mean was 13. All 47 patients with ovarian cancer, but only 7 of the 108 patients with other types of cancer, showed a CA 12-5/CEA ratio greater than 25. About 10% of the patients with gastric or colorectal cancer but none of those with other types of cancer showed an increased ratio. As the predictive value of a CA 12-5/CEA ratio of less than 25 excluding ovarian cancer is 100%, we recommend measuring the CEA concentration in all those with increased CA 12-5 and calculation of the CA 12-5/CEA ratio.

Mechanical properties of orthodontic wires in tension, bending, and torsion.

The mechanical properties of three sizes of stainless steel (SS), nickel-titanium (NT), and titanium-molybdenum (TM) orthodontic wires were studied in tension, bending, and torsion. The wires (0.016 inch, 0.017 by 0.025 inch, and 0.019 by 0.025 inch) were tested in the as-received condition. Tensile testing and stiffness testing machines along with a torsional instrument were used. Mean values and standard deviations of properties were computed. The data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance using a factorial design. Means were ranked by a Tukey interval calculated at the 95 percent level of confidence. In tension, the stainless steel wires had the least maximum elastic strain or springback, whereas the titanium-molybdenum wires had the most. Higher values of springback indicate the capacity for an increased range of activation clinically. In bending and torsion, the stainless steel wires had the least stored energy at a fixed moment, whereas the nickel-titanium wires had the most. Spring rates in bending and torsion, however, were highest for stainless steel wires and lowest for nickel-titanium wires. A titanium-molybdenum teardrop closing loop delivered less than one half the force of a comparable stainless steel loop for similar activations.

Neuron-specific enolase during chemotherapy of small cell lung cancer.

Serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) has been measured in 28 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 90 patients with other forms of lung cancer (NSCLC), i.e., 28 with adenocarcinoma and 62 with squamous cell carcinoma. Increased NSE (greater than 12.0 micrograms/liter) was found in 71.4% of SCLC patients and in 22.2% of NSCLC patients. The predictive value of an increased NSE in identifying SCLC was only 50%, whereas the predictive value of a normal NSE in differentiating SCLC for NSCLC was 91%. Serial studies during chemotherapy of SCLC patients showed that the doubling time of NSE ranged from 7 to 127 days and the mean apparent half-life (AHL) of NSE to be 14 days. AHL values in excess of 20 days suggest that the tumour is not in full remission. We believe that measurement of serum NSE and calculation of the AHL and DT are valuable in identifying the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with SCLC.