[Randomized study of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for the treatment of planocellular cancer of the head and neck region]

Between January 1996 and November 1998 38 patients were treated with induction chemotherapy. Patients were distributed in two randomized groups, 19-19 patients in each, receiving (group N) either bleomycin, vincristine and methotrexate (BVM) or the previous medication plus cisplatin (BVCM) chemotherapy (group C). Side effects were low and reversible during the treatments. The clinical regression rate (RR) of the cases was 87% including complete regression 24%. There was no difference between the two groups. There was no difference in the pathological macroscopic regression, however group C was better in microscopic regression. During the 27.5 months of average follow-up time, group N had a significantly better result in the tumor-free survival, with a lower rate of metastatic recidives (N/C = 2/9). There was no significant difference in the overall survival rate, due to the radical neck dissections of recidive metastases. According to our experience we recommend the use of cisplatin in conjunction with neck radiotherapy.

A new approach to computer-aided comparison of skull and photograph

A computer-based method developed for the purpose of checking the results of identification performed with the "traditional" method of video-superprojection (developed by Helmer and Grüner) is demonstrated; it does not require any special programs in addition to those necessary for digitising the video pictures. The method is suitable for filtering out "false-positive" cases. A great advantage is that the phase of computer evaluation can be separated from the job performed in the video studio, both in time and space. The process can be reconstructed, which means it can be checked. The results can be easily documented and interpreted for lay people.

Pubertal development in south-Hungarian boys and girls

Data on pubertal development in 1392 boys and 1494 girls from the cross-sectional Pécs Growth Study are reported. Genital, breast and pubic-hair development were rated according to Tanner (1962). The initiation of pubic-hair development in boys was 11.8 years and that of genital development was 12.0 years. Stage 2 of pubic-hair development (PH2) in boys occurred 1.7 years later than in girls. The mean time of different stages of pubertal development in boys was in the same range as in Eveleth and Tanner's study (1991). Stages 2, 3 and 4 for pubic-hair and breast development in Pécs girls occurred earlier than in Eveleth and Tanner's subjects (1991), while the mean time of stage 5 for both sexual characteristics occurred at a later age than reported in Eveleth and Tanner (1991). The age of menarche was 12.9 years in Pécs girls, which seems later by 0.1-0.6 years than in Western-European countries and earlier by 0.1-0.3 years than in South-European countries.

[Comparative study of preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity]

The results of the preoperative Co 60 irradiation and BVMM (bleomycin, vincristine, mitolactol, methotrexate) chemotherapy were compared. Both treatments were used in 50-50 advanced squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity. The general condition, size of lesion and age of the patients were similar. Surgery in the irradiated group was significantly more radical at the primary sites. Local recurrences during a three-year follow-up period were diagnosed in 36% from the radiotherapy group, whilst 8% such recurrences diagnosed in the chemotherapy group. There was no significant difference in the radicality of lymph node surgery. Lymph node recurrences occurred in 8% from the irradiated group, whilst 22% was diagnosed in the chemotherapy group. The main opinion is that BVMM chemotherapy and irradiation can be used to support one another in the interest of better result, like preoperative chemo- and postoperative radiotherapy.

[Survey of reasons for tooth extraction in the framework of government-sponsored dentistry]

The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons for tooth extraction and to estimate the state of dental health in Hungary. Questionnaires with detailed instructions were sent to 300 Hungarian dental practitioners selected at random asking them to record and submit data on every extracted tooth during one month in 1986. They were also asked to give the reason for extraction in each case. 115 dentists returned completed forms on 7978 teeth which they had extracted. The dental caries was the most frequent cause for extraction (64%), followed by periodontal diseases (25.1%). 3103 teeth, 60.73% of teeth extracted because of caries had not been treated before the extraction. The results show that the dental caries remains the most important challenge for the Hungarian dental service during the next decades. The great numbers of extractions per dentist reveal the inadequacy of dental service in Hungary.

Effects of confinement, previous experience and hippocampal damage on the DRL schedule

Rats with dorsal hippocampal (HIPP) and cortical (CX) lesions and control animals were tested for acquisition of a differential reinforcement of low rate of responding (DRL-20 s) task in a 6-compartment apparatus that permitted running, drinking and other activities. HIPP and CX animals and one group of control rats (NOR) were trained in an 'open' condition which allowed a variety of activities, while another control group (CON) were trained while confined to the food and lever area of the apparatus. In the second stage of the experiment conditions were reversed. DRL performance was significantly better in the 'open' condition for all groups: more pellets were gained with fewer lever presses. Groups HIPP performed worse than groups NOR and CX in both conditions. When NOR and CX rats were confined to the food area they developed a jumping behaviour, (attempts to leave the food area) which increased throughout the testing period, coupled with a progressive deterioration of performance. Rats initially trained in the 'confined' condition did not develop jumping. HIPP animals were significantly more active; they produced more lever presses, entered the different compartments more frequently and showed higher activity in the running wheel. The schedule-induced interim behaviour in the open condition was wheel-running in all groups. In the HIPP group the number of jumps was significantly less than in the NOR and CX groups i.e. they were less affected by confinement. These findings suggest that previous experience in the 'open' condition has a strong anterograde, seemingly irreversible, consequence on subsequent behaviour in the 'confinement' condition for normal and cortical control rats and this anterograde effect is less pronounced in animals with hippocampal damage.