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Biomedical subjects

A Man

Publications and source records attributed to A Man.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Role of double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase in human hematological malignancies.

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (PKR) is one of many genes induced by IFN. The PKR sequentially undergoes autophosphorylation and activation on binding to dsRNA. Previous studies have shown that PKR may be an important factor in the regulation of viral and cellular protein synthesis. Recent studies suggest that PKR may function as a tumor suppressor gene. The role of PKR in various human leukemic cells was therefore investigated. PKR mRNA levels by reverse transcription-PCR, protein expression by Western blot and FACScan analysis, and activity by phosphorylation status were studied. The expression of a known inhibitor of PKR, p58, was also investigated at mRNA and protein levels. A total of 24 samples from normal mononuclear cells (MNCs), 26 samples of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 26 samples of acute myelogenous leukemia, 32 samples of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and 5 samples of hairy cell leukemia was investigated. Mean mRNA levels were increased in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia and decreased in chronic lymphocytic leukemia compared to normal MNCs. The mRNA levels in hairy cell leukemia were similar to those of normal MNCs. PKR protein was detectable in normal MNCs and leukemic cell extracts, and on FACScan analysis, more than 70% of cells stained positive for PKR. PKR activity was detectable in all samples investigated and was enhanced 4-23-fold in the presence of the synthetic dsRNA, poly(I) x poly(C). Protein expression of a known PKR inhibitor, p58, was barely detectable in normal MNCs and leukemic cells, with high expression in the HeLa cell line. These findings provide no evidence to support the hypothesis that PKR acts as a tumor suppressor in human leukemic cells.

Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic↗
PubMed1997

The effect of incentive spirometry and inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function after lung resection.

BACKGROUND: A predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of less than 800 ml or 40% of predicted is a common criterion for exclusion of patients from lung resection for cancer. Usually, the predicted postoperative lung function is calculated according to a formula based on the number of lung segments that will be resected. Incentive spirometry and specific inspiratory muscle training are two maneuvers that have been used to enhance lung expansion and inspiratory muscle strength in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and after lung operation. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were candidates for lung resection were randomized into two groups: 17 patients received specific inspiratory muscle training and incentive spirometry, 1 hour per day, six times a week, for 2 weeks before and 3 months after lung resection (group A) and 15 patients were assigned to the control group and received no training (group B). RESULTS: Inspiratory muscle strength increased significantly in the training group, both before and 3 months after the operation. In group B, the predicted postoperative FEV1 value consistently underestimated the actual postoperative FEV1 by approximately 70 ml in the lobectomy subgroup and by 110 ml in the pneumonectomy subgroup. In group A, the actual postoperative FEV1 was higher than the predicted postoperative FEV1 by 570 ml in the lobectomy subgroup and by 680 ml in the pneumonectomy subgroup of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing lung resection the simple calculation of predicted postoperative FEV1 underestimates the actual postoperative FEV1 by a small fraction. Lung functions can be increased significantly when incentive spirometry and specific inspiratory muscle training are used before and after operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Pleural effusion as a presenting symptom of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Pharmacological ovarian stimulation is an accepted technique for amplifying the normal process of follicular development and maturation. It has been in use for the past decade, especially in cases of infertility. Pleural effusion associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a complication of this therapy, may be more prevalent than is commonly accepted. Four young women presented to our department with dyspnoea caused by pleural effusion as a result of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The diagnosis of OHSS was based on a history of pharmacological ovarian stimulation, clinical and laboratory evidence of ovarian enlargement and exclusion of other potential causes of pleural effusion in young women, such as infections, malignancy, pulmonary embolism and collagen vascular diseases. The fluid characteristics in all cases were exudative, with low to normal LDH. All of these patients required fluid evacuation for symptomatic relief. Resolution was achieved with supportive measures and rest. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may be common enough to warrant routine consideration in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion in young women.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Phase III randomized study to compare interferon alfa-2a in combination with fluorouracil versus fluorouracil alone in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and toxicity profiles of a combination of fluorouracil (5-FU) and recombinant human interferon alfa-2a ([IFN alpha 2a] Roferon-A; Hoffmann-LaRoche, Basel, Switzerland) versus 5-FU alone in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (ACC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 245 previously untreated ACC patients were randomized to receive either IFN alpha 2a (9 million IU) subcutaneously (SC) three times weekly with 5-FU (750 mg/m2/d) by continuous intravenous (CIV) infusion on days 1 to 5 and then, after a 1-week hiatus, as a weekly IV bolus at the same dose (IFN/ 5-FU), or 5-FU alone at the same dose schedule (5-FU). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between IFN/5-FU and 5-FU alone in the overall response rate (24% v 17%, P = .2), duration of response (median, 6.4 v 8.1 months), time to response (plateau at 3 months), time to progressive disease ([PD] median, 4.8 v 4.9 months), or survival duration (median, 13.9 v 13.2 months). Toxicity profiles were not statistically different except for constitutional symptoms, which were more frequent and more severe with IFN/5-FU. More patients interrupted treatment for adverse events (AEs) with IFN/ 5-FU (34%) than with 5-FU alone (21%) (P = .03). The number of deaths (mostly unrelated to drug treatment) during the study (8%) was similar with both regimens. CONCLUSION: The combination IFN/5-FU produced a response rate, response duration, and survival duration similar to that of 5-FU alone. The addition of IFN to 5-FU in the doses and schedules used in this study did not provide any further benefit over 5-FU alone and cannot be recommended for patients with metastatic ACC. This study confirms the value of large prospective randomized clinical trials to determine the clinical value of regimens that emerge from smaller single-center phase II studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Carinal, adenoid, cystic carcinoma mimicking bronchial asthma].

Bronchotracheal, adenoid, cystic carcinoma is a very rare tumor. Most of its symptoms relate to airway obstruction. We report a 45-year-old woman with a carinal, adenoid, cystic carcinoma who presented with symptoms suggestive of bronchial asthma 2 years prior to diagnosis. No inspiratory flow-volume curve was performed at that time and the patient was treated with inhalation of beta-2 agonists. Early diagnosis of adenoid, cystic carcinoma is important because appropriate surgical treatment results in an excellent prognosis.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1995

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, mu and kappa opioid tolerance, and perspectives on new analgesic drug development.

This laboratory perspective reviews the pharmagologic approaches that have been used in preclinical animal models to demonstrate the ability of competitive (LY274614) and noncompetitive (MK801 and dextromethorphan) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists to attenuate or reverse the development of morphine tolerance. We provide additional data to support previous observations that these NMDA antagonists modulate morphine (mu) opioid tolerance but do not affect U50488H (kappa 1) opioid tolerance. A strategy, which utilizes efficacy as an NMDA receptor antagonist and clinical safety, provides the basis for a discussion of the clinical potential of dextromethorphan, ketamine, and felbamate as modulators of opioid tolerance in pain patients or opioid addicts. The potential use of NMDA receptor antagonists and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors in neuropathic pain is also discussed.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗
PubMed1990

The effect of caffeine on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

The effect of caffeine on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was examined in ten patients with bronchial asthma. Placebo and caffeine 3.5 mg/kg and 7 mg/kg were given two hours before exercise. Spirometry was taken at one and two hours following caffeine and at 5, 15, and 30 minutes following exercise. Caffeine significantly improved baseline FEV1 and prevented exercise-induced bronchoconstriction only at a dose of 7 mg/kg. Caffeine was well tolerated by the patients. These data suggest that only high doses of caffeine significantly prevent a postexercise drop in FEV1.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Use of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist (leuprorelin) in advanced post-menopausal breast cancer: clinical and endocrine effects.

Fifteen post-menopausal patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with the LH-RH agonist leuprorelin (D-leu6-des-gly10-Gn-RH-ethylamide) given in a dosage of 7.5 mg as a monthly subcutaneous depot injection, to assess the clinical activity and endocrine response to treatment. None of the 15 patients showed an objective response to treatment, although four patients had stable disease for at least 6 months. No toxicity was demonstrated. Endocrine effects after 4 weeks' treatment were as follows: mean levels of serum gonadotrophins fell to 10% of their pretreatment values; there were no significant changes in the levels of prolactin on treatment; there was a significant decrease in the levels of serum testosterone in 12 out of 14 patients; there were no significant changes in the levels of oestradiol, androstenedione and oestrone. The lowering of serum testosterone suggests that androgens in post-menopausal women may be partly produced by the ovaries, stimulated by LH and FSH. This fall in testosterone may explain why some post-menopausal breast cancer patients in other studies have been reported to respond to treatment with LH-RH agonists, as it would decrease the substrate for the peripheral synthesis of oestrogens.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

The first clinical use of depot buserelin for advanced prostatic carcinoma.

The agonist analogues of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone now provide an alternate medical treatment of prostatic cancer. For effect repeated administration is required, either by five or six times daily intranasal or once daily subcutaneous treatment. There is an obvious disadvantage to such regimens in elderly patients who may have difficulty complying with therapy. In order to circumvent these difficulties, sustained release formulations of the agonist analogues have been synthesized. We report the first clinical use of a long-acting formulation of D-Ser (TBU)6-LHRH Ethylamide (buserelin) using a novel polymer material. Twelve symptomatic patients with previously untreated carcinoma of the prostate were treated with depot buserelin, administered once monthly. In all patients, depot buserelin suppressed serum testosterone into the range seen in castrate men at a rate equivalent to that provided by five times daily intranasal therapy. No significant increase in serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations occurred during the period of follow-up. Long-acting formulations of buserelin offer an advance in the management of prostatic cancer with agonist analogues of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Does drill noise during mastoid surgery affect the contralateral ear?

Drill-generated noise during chronic ear surgery, as well as surgical trauma, has been incriminated as a cause of sensorineural hearing loss in the operated ear. The contralateral ear is subjected to the drill noise but is spared the surgical trauma. Sixty-two patients who had undergone different mastoid operations served as the basis for this study. The average drilling time during surgery was 45 minutes. Sound pressure levels did not exceed 84 dB in the operated ear and 82 dB in the contralateral ear. Though some sensorineural hearing loss was found in the operated ear in fourteen patients, no changes in hearing were found in the contralateral ear. It is suggested that there is no damage exclusively due to the drill noise during mastoid surgery.

Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced↗
PubMed1984

[Cutaneous manifestations of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. Apropos of 7 cases].

Seven cases of DIC with cutaneous manifestations which permitted us to make the diagnosis. Etiopathogenic references are cited and the dermatological literature pointing out especially the cutaneous lesions with their clinical characteristics: ecchymoses which usually evolve to necrosis, bullae, petechiae, hematomas, cyanosis and bleeding at injection sites, and histological: Fibrinous thrombosis of the vessels of the dermis, with hemorrhages, necrosis and dermoepidermic bullae, with slight or no inflammation . In some of these cases the dermatological lesions antedated the characteristic laboratory data.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Limitations of jet ventilation through the laryngoscope.

A series is presented of 100 patients who underwent direct laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia. Our preferred technique of ventilation is jet insufflation by an injector attached to the blade of the laryngoscope, as it provides the surgeon with a quiet and completely exposed larynx. In nine cases, chest expansion was assessed as inadequate by the anaesthetist. These patients were obese with a short neck, and/or stiff-necked; thus, insertion of the laryngoscope was difficult and a good seal between it and the larynx could not be achieved. Arterial blood gas values in six of these patients demonstrated marked hypoventilation. To improve ventilation in these patients an alternative technique of insufflation through a nasotracheal catheter was used. Arterial blood gas values indicated that this method resolved the problem of hypoventilation. Although the catheter somewhat limits the view of the endolarynx, the improved ventilation outweighs the drawbacks of this technique. It is suggested that for the obese and/or stiff-necked patient, a nasotracheal catheter be used electively for ventilation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Early repair of traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane in children.

The results of early repair of traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane by alignment and approximation of the fragmented drum and paper patching of the defect are described in 14 children. The procedure was performed under light general anaesthesia, using Ketalar (ketamine hydrochloride) in a minimal dosage. In all cases except one, healing following patching was complete and uneventful. The disadvantage of general anaesthesia is outweighed by the prompt and uncomplicated healing, and a higher percentage of defect closure, compared with untreated cases in other reports.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗