Biological efficacy of a chimeric antibody to the epidermal growth factor receptor in a human tumor xenograft model

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a protein tyrosine kinase expressed on many types of tumor cells, including breast, ovarian, bladder, head and neck, and prostatic carcinoma. There seems to be an association between up-regulation of the EGFR and poor clinical prognosis for a number of human cancers. The 225 antibody is a highly specific murine monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to the human EGFR with an affinity equal to its ligand, competes with the ligand for binding, and blocks activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase. In addition, 225 has been shown to inhibit the growth of human tumor xenografts in athymic nude mice. The 225 antibody has recently been chimerized with human IgG1 in its constant region to increase its clinical utility by decreasing the potential for generation of human antimouse antibodies in recipients. This report compares the biological effects of 225 and its chimeric counterpart (designated C225) against established A431 tumor xenografts in nude mice. The results of these experiments indicated that C225 was more effective than 225 in inhibiting tumor growth in this model. In addition, many of the animals treated with C225 were tumor free at the end of each treatment protocol. It was determined that the dissociation constant of C225 was about 5-fold lower than 225. This suggested that the increased capacity of C225 to compete with ligand for binding to the EGFR was responsible for its enhanced in vivo antitumor effect.     

Intraocular concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents after systemic or local administration

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the concentrations of carboplatin and etoposide achieved in the aqueous and vitreous humors after intravenous infusion in nonhuman primates, and to investigate whether local administration of carboplatin might result in higher concentrations in the vitreous humor. METHODS: Macaca fascicularis primates were treated with 1 of 3 regimens: (1) intravenous carboplatin (18.7 mg/kg), etoposide (5 mg/kg), and vincristine sulfate (0.05 mg/kg), (2) peribulbar carboplatin (10 mg/mL), or (3) episcleral balloon carboplatin (10 mg/mL). Concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents were measured in the plasma and in the aqueous and vitreous humors. RESULTS: No measurable amount of etoposide was detected in the aqueous or vitreous humor after intravenous administration. Mean measured peak vitreous concentration of carboplatin after intravenous administration was 0.31 microg/mL, which was 1% of the peak plasma value. Mean measured peak vitreous concentrations of carboplatin after peribulbar or episcleral balloon administration were 2.38 microg/mL and 2.95 microg/mL, respectively, which represent 7.68- and 9.52-fold increases over the concentration achieved after intravenous administration. No serious toxic effect was observed in any animal. CONCLUSIONS: Peribulbar and episcleral balloon administration of carboplatin seemed to be safe and resulted in higher vitreous concentrations than intravenous administration in this model. These results suggest that these alternate routes of delivery should be explored in children with vitreous seeding of retinoblastoma.     

MML方法在航空航天系统可靠性分析中的应用

修正的极大似然估计法是一种基于经典估计理论系统的可靠性分析方法中较优的算法。主要介绍MML方法及其在航空航天系统可靠性分析中的应用。     

空间跟踪与监视系统探测能力分析

基于空间跟踪与监视系统性能参数信息,借鉴国内相关研究成果,建立了空间跟踪与监视系统红外探测能力分析相关模型,分析了其探测距离、探测精度、定位精度、识别能力,对于空间跟踪与监视系统的相关研究工作具有一定的参考价值.     

Reversibly erasable nanoporous anti-reflection coatings from polyelectrolyte multilayers

For nearly two centuries, researchers have sought novel methods to increase light transmission in optical systems, as well as to eliminate unwanted reflections and glare. Anti-reflection coatings and surfaces have enabled the increasing performance demands of optical components fabricated from glass-based optical materials. With the current trend of technology moving towards optically transparent polymeric media and coatings, the need for anti-reflection technology and environmentally benign processing methods for polymeric materials independent of shape or size has become quite apparent. We describe an economical, aqueous-based process controlled at the molecular level that simultaneously coats all surfaces of almost any material. Systematically designed nanoporous polymer films are used, which are suitable for optical applications operating at both visible and near-infrared wavelengths. These high-efficiency anti-reflection coatings are created from phase-separated polyelectrolyte multilayer films that undergo a reversible pH-induced swelling transition. Furthermore, such films, easily patterned by an inkjet printing technique, possess potential for pH-responsive biomaterial and membrane applications.     

Lack of TEL/AML1 fusion in pediatric AML: further evidence for lineage specificity of TEL/AML1

The percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS) was used in a 64-year-old woman with cardiogenic shock due to sustained ventricular fibrillation (Vf) caused by severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation. The Vf attack was resistant to cardioversion and adrenaline for lack of left ventricular support by PCPS. She was transported to the operation theater with PCPS in situ and emergency aortic valve replacement was performed. Although preoperative cardiac resuscitation time was long (35 minutes), she was discharged from the hospital on foot without any neurological complications on 84th postoperative day. Because PCPS does not decrease left ventricular systolic stress in poorly contracting dilated heart, early surgical treatment is needed in patients with severely damaged heart.     

Convention note.

Presents information about the 1968 Convention of the American Psychological Association, held in San Francisco, California. Information includes the names of committee chairmen, committee members, and volunteers who assisted at the Convention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of DPFM on serum lipids in normo- and hyperlipaemic subjects. A preliminary report

The effect of DPFM on the serum lipid levels of both normo- and hyperlipaemic male subjects consuming and average South African diet was studied. After 6 weeks on DPFM the mean fall in the serum total cholesterol (TC) level os the hypercholesterolaemic group was 15,2% and that in the normal subjects 12%. In 13 of the 15 patients with hypertriglyceridaemia the mean fall in the serum triglyceride level was 29%. The triglyceride response in normal subjects was variable, but the highest level attained (1,15 mmol/l) lay well within the normal reference range for this group. The low density lipoprotein cholesterol level fell in every density lipoprotein cholesterol level fell in every subject. In normal subjects the mean decrease was 14,1% while in the hypercholesterolaemic group it was 17,8%. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) did not alter significantly in either group, but the HDL-C/TC ratio increased in all cases. In normal subjects the mean increase was 17,8%, whereas in hyperlipaemic patients it was 21,7%. Six weeks after discontinuation of DPFM the serum lipids had returned to their baseline values in *5% of subjects. The palatability of DPFM was confirmed in all cases.