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Growth and metastasis of tumors appear to be dependent on the ability of tumor cells to recruit blood vessels. Integrins are a class of cell adhesion molecules that may have a role in angiogenesis. In this study the effect of the expression of two integrins, α6β1 and α6β4, on microvessel density in human prostate tumor xenografts in SCID mice was evaluated. Five methods (one-person count, two-person count, digital analysis of immunostained tissues, and digital analysis of vascular corrosion casts) were used to measure microvessel density. Results indicate that alpha6 integrin expression correlates negatively with tumor vessel density. and with tumor cell proliferation but not the extent of the tumor burden. β4 integrin expression does not appear to affect tumor vessel density, tumor cell proliferation, nor tumor burden. Comparison of methods of quantitation suggest that computer-assisted vessel counting may offer advantages over optical counting or computer-assisted area measurement.

Psychologists have focused on the phenomenon of chemotherapy-related nausea because of the extent of its debilitating effects, which affect compliance with medical regimens, and the more-current belief that some of this nausea may be conditioned. Research with behavioral treatments began with and continue to apply relaxation training. However, attention has moved to distraction strategies recently, with the belief that one active ingredient of relaxation may be distraction. This two-experiment project tested distraction with two types of chemotherapy patients: those with chemotherapy experience (Experiment 1) and patients new to chemotherapy (Experiment 2). An induction and rationale for distraction was provided treatment patients along with a "package" of distractors that included hand-held games, tape recordings and magazines. Orders were given to begin use of distractors when symptoms of nausea began. It was hoped that with all patients the distraction would attenuate nausea. With patients new to chemotherapy, it was hoped distraction would also inhibit conditioning of nausea. The first experiment utilized a pre-test, post-test control group design with sequential assignment to treatment and control groups. Subjects (20 controls, 13 treatment) were followed for two hospitalizations, with treatment subjects given the distraction intervention on the second visit. A regressed change analysis with variables entered hierarchically found no significant differences between treatment and control subjects' levels of nausea. Experiment 2 used a repeated-measures posttest-only design with sequential assignment. Nine control and 10 treatment subjects were each followed for three hospital visits, with treatment subjects using distraction each visit. A mixed factoral design analysis of variance found no significant difference in nausea between control and treatment subjects. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-07, Section: B, page: 2879. / Major Professor: Wallace Albert Kennedy. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.

<p> <b>Objective:</b> To explore patient factors that influence patients&rsquo; decisions about Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) including patient unmet needs, challenges in decision making, and the role of family and caregiver involvement in treatment decision making. Our goal is to elucidate patient factors including their beliefs, values, expectations, worries about NC and MIBC, emotional challenges, and the importance of caregivers&rsquo; involvement in decision making and selection of treatment procedures. </p><p> <b>Design:</b> A qualitative study with semi-structured single interviews and focus groups. Atlas.ti software was used to analyze the qualitative data collected. </p><p> <b>Settings:</b> Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) and Northwell Health (NH), New York, USA. </p><p> <b>Methods and Materials:</b> 20 MIBC survivors from the ISMMS (n = 10) and NH (n = 10) were enrolled in this study from September 2015 and August 2016. 17 of them finished a semi-structured single interview and 3 of them joined a focus group interview to share their decision-making process about their treatment plans. Three ISMMS health care providers were interviewed to understand physicians&rsquo; standpoints on the challenges, barriers, and potential facilitators for MIBC patients to make a decision about their treatment plans. </p><p> <b>Results:</b> Patients decisions on whether or not to go through NC were influenced by three major parts: physician&rsquo;s opinion or suggestion, family and spouses&rsquo; opinion, and patients&rsquo; own value and preferences. Sufficient information about treatment efficacy (i.e. treatment options, survival rates, experience sharing from former patients) would benefit patients&rsquo; decision-making process. Therefore ensuring information available for patients is important Results also showed that having a second opinion, experience shared by other patients, and caregivers&rsquo; help with information search helped address some of the patients&rsquo; reported informational needs. Physicians&rsquo; recommendations and advice were reported as influential factors in patients&rsquo; treatment decision making. Physicians&rsquo; challenges confirmed by interviewed patients suggested several areas await improvement including more help with daily activities from healthcare professionals, good bedside manners and professional figures, and opportunity to communicate with former patients. </p><p> <b>Conclusions:</b> Meeting patients&rsquo; informational and emotional needs is imperative to facilitate their decision-making process. Caregivers play significant roles in treatment decision making and recovery. Preparing caregivers for treatment decision making and patient care can maximize support received from the patient&rsquo;s social network. </p><p>

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