Comparison of electrohysterogram signal measured by surface electrodes with different designs: A computational study with dipole band and abdomen models

Non-invasive measurement of uterine activity using electrohysterogram (EHG) surface electrodes has been attempted to monitor uterine contraction. This study aimed to computationally compare the performance of acquiring EHG signals using monopolar electrode and three types of Laplacian concentric ring electrodes (bipolar, quasi-bipolar and tri-polar). With the implementation of dipole band model and abdomen model, the performances of four electrodes in terms of the local sensitivity were quantifed by potential attenuation. Furthermore, the efects of fat and muscle thickness on potential attenuation were evaluated using the bipolar and tri-polar electrodes with diferent radius. The results showed that all the four types of electrodes detected the simulated EHG signals with consistency. That the bipolar and tri-polar electrodes had greater attenuations than the others, and the shorter distance between the origin and location of dipole band at 20dB attenuation, indicating that they had relatively better local sensitivity. In addition, ANOVA analysis showed that, for all the electrodes with diferent outer ring radius, the efects of fat and muscle on potential attenuation were signifcant (all p<0.01). It is therefore concluded that the bipolar and tri-polar electrodes had higher local sensitivity than the others, indicating that they can be applied to detect EHG efectively

An EORTC phase II study of the efficacy and safety of linomide in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to determine the objective tumour response rate and duration of response and toxicity of linomide (Roquinimex) treatment in patients with disseminated renal cell carcinoma, pretreated or not pretreated with immunotherapy, From March 1991 to July 1992, 72 patients with metastatic and progressive renal cell cancer were entered of whom 9 (12%) were not evaluable for response. Linomide was given orally, twice weekly, 5 mg during the first week with dose escalation to 10 mg during the second week and 15 mg thereafter. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. No haematological toxicity but slight anaemia was observed. A significant WBC (white blood cell count) increase (P < 0.0001, paired T-test) was found during treatment. The most often reported non-haematological side-effects were: flu-like syndrome (54%, grade III-IV 7%), nausea/vomiting (41% and 3%, respectively) and neurotoxicity (34% and 2%). Most side-effects were of mild or moderate intensity (WHO grade 1 or 2). The objective overall response rate was 4%: 1 CR and 2 PRs. Stable disease was reported for 28 patients (40%). The duration of response was 17, 22 and 30 (CR) months. Median time to progression was 5 months. Linomide at the given dose and schedule is well tolerated, but has limited antitumour activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd

EORTC phase II study of daily oral linomide in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients with good prognostic factors

Following a previous EORTC GU-Group study, in which linomide showed some activity in poor prognosis patients, this study was initiated to determine the effect of linomide in more favourable patients. 35 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma with good prognostic factors, i.e. good performance status, prior nephrectomy, no prior systemic therapy, and no liver, bone or brain metastases, were treated with linomide, a quinoline derivative with immunomodulating properties, at a dose of 10 mg daily, after an initial dose escalation during the first 4 weeks of treatment. In 29 evaluable patients, no responses were observed (95% confidence interval 0-10%). Best overall response was no change in 9 patients, for a median duration of 4 months. Linomide in this schedule was poorly tolerated, with 17% (6 patients) of patients being withdrawn and 23% (8 patients) having dose reductions due to adverse events, mostly influenza-like symptoms of myalgia, arthralgia and fatigue. Several cases of pericarditis and neuropathy were observed. In spite of selection of favourable prognosis patients and an optimal daily dosing schedule, linomide was not an effective treatment in renal cell carcinoma. In view of toxicity and lack of efficacy, there is no rationale in further testing the drug in this disease. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd