Comparative pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous ifosfamide/mesna/methylene blue therapy

Oral treatment with ifosfamide results in dose-limiting encephalopathy. Methylene blue is effective in reversal and prophylaxis of this side effect. In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of ifosfamide after iv and po therapy in combination with prophylactic administration of methylene blue were investigated. Nine patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer were treated by a combination of ifosfamide (3 days), sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (4 days), and etoposide (8 days). Cycles were repeated every 28 days. Ifosfamide was administered orally, with the exception of one of the first two cycles, when it was administered as a short infusion (randomly assigned). The patients received methylene blue in doses of 50 mg po 3 times daily; an initial dose of 50 mg was given the evening before chemotherapy. Urine samples were collected over the entire treatment period, and concentrations of ifosfamide and its major metabolite, 2-chloroethylamine, were measured by gas liquid chromatography. By the same technique, 2- and 3-dechloroethylifosfamide were determined in plasma and urine. Overall alkylating activity in urine was assayed by reaction of the alkylating metabolites with 4-(4'-nitrobenzyl)-pyridine. The chemotherapeutic regimen was well-tolerated by all of the patients studied. There was no evidence of a shift in the metabolic pattern dependent on the route of administration. From the data, we conclude that methylene blue has a neuroprotective effect and that the pharmacokinetics of ifosfamide are not influenced by its comedication.     

Tumor control of locally advanced prostate cancer following combined estramustine, vinblastine, and radiation therapy

Thalidomide (Thd) has been shown to have interesting immunosuppressive properties and strong action against TNF-alpha. It is used for treating a variety of immune-mediated pathology and inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo immunosuppressive effects of Thd and its derivative, N-Hydroxythalidomide (H-Thd), alone and in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA), upon different in vitro lymphocyte activation pathways and in vivo local graft-versus-host-reaction (GvHR). At different concentrations, both Thd and H-Thd alone inhibited the lymphocyte proliferation induced by alloantigen (MLR), mitogens (Con A, PWM) and superantigen (SEB) with an activity of 50-75% that of CsA, however, in some tests, immunosuppressive potency of H-Thd was shown to be higher than that of Thd. In vivo using GvHR, Thd and H-Thd alone proved as active as CsA. The association in vitro and in vivo of each compound with CsA at different low concentrations, produced an additive effect as strong as CsA used alone at high therapeutic concentrations. In summarizing, this study revealed that: (1) despite its weaker potency in vitro than that of CsA, H-Thd presents interesting immunosuppressive properties similar to, and in some cases, better than Thd, and (2) the combination of H-Thd or Thd with CsA at suboptimal concentrations leads to high activity.     

The phenomenon of panic.

Assessed 108 20–67 yr old patients complaining of anxiety using a structured interview and categorized them into the DSM-III anxiety-disorder and major-depression categories. The incidence and nature of panic was examined in a detailed fashion in Ss in 2 separate interviews and included a search for any difference as a function of whether panic was predictable or cued (e.g., panic when encountering a phobic object or situation) or unpredictable. At least 83% of Ss in each diagnostic category admitted to having had a panic attack. Frequency of DSM-III panic attacks distinguished among categories, but few differences emerged among diagnostic categories on severity of the 12 DSM-III symptoms associated with panic. Symptom severity was also similar for Ss reporting either predictable or unpredictable panic. However, Ss with unpredictable panic reported a significantly greater number of the 12 symptoms than did those with predictable panic. These data point to differences between these 2 types of panic and underline the importance of discovering the nature of these differences. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Examination of the temperature coefficient of polystyrene. Effect of solvent,temperature, and molecular weight

The temperature coefficient of polystyrene was examined in three θ solvents by several different methods. Four homogeneous samples were employed, having molecular weights of 51,000, 97,200, 160,000, and 392,000. It was found that the linear expansion factor α and the temperature coefficient were dependent upon the solvent, temperature range and molecular weight of the polymer.     

Application and performance of titanium linings in FGD ductwork and stacks

Wet scrubbing of flue gas to remove sulphur dioxide generates highly corrosive conditions in the operating plant. Conditions in the mixing zone are discussed in detail. Titanium has been evaluated and has been installed as a corrosion resistant liner in several major US plants. Competitive, cost effective installation has been achieved using Resista-Clad Plate. Installation and seal welding techniques are detailed and discussed. Cost comparisons with other lining materials are given. Using five case studies the performance of titanium is considered in relation to operating environments and extraneous factors. Specific failures are commented upon in detail. The corrosion resistance of titanium to FGD environments, fluorides, and hot concentrated reducing acids is discussed. Plant monitoring is encouraged. Conclusions point to the overall satisfactory performance of titanium, despite the specific and localised failures experienced in service.     

"A comparison of alprazolam and behavior therapy in treatment of panic disorder": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by J. S. Klosko et al (Journal of Clinical & Consulting Psychology, 1990[Feb], Vol 58[1], 77–84). On pages 82 and 83, there was an error in the chi-square for the number of patients experiencing zero panic attacks among the four groups evaluated. The correct statistic is given. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1990-17776-001). The results of a clinical outcome study (N?=?57) comparing behavior therapy directed at panic disorder (panic control treatment [PCT]) with alprazolam were reported. These conditions were compared with a medication placebo and a waiting-list control group. Patterns of results on measures of panic attacks, generalized anxiety, and global clinical ratings reveal that PCT was significantly more effective than placebo and waiting-list conditions on most measures. The alprazolam group differed significantly from neither PCT nor placebo. The percentage of clients completing the study who were free of panic attacks following PCT was 87%, compared with 50% for alprazolam, 36% for placebo, and 33% for the waiting-list group.… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)