PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Rea

Publications and source records attributed to A Rea.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

The use of bone scintigraphy in temporomandibular joint disorders.

INTRODUCTION: The use of bone scintigraphy (bone scan) in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease has been infrequent, as compared with traditional radiographic techniques. Bone scans have the potential to detect active bone remodeling whereas corresponding radiographs may be normal or document past structural change in the joint. Traditional radiographic findings and relevant clinical signs and symptoms correlated with bone scans may aid in the diagnosis of TMJ disease and possibly affect treatment and prognosis of individual cases. The use of bone scans as an additional tool in diagnosing TMJ disease was assessed in this series of patients. METHODS: Thirty consecutive subjects with TMJ tenderness were selected for bone scintigraphy using technetium diphosphonate 99 mTc and single photon emission computerized tomography. These subjects received bone scans as well as other selected imaging modalities for diagnostic purposes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The findings on bone scan were evaluated and a change in preliminary clinical diagnosis or treatment was made in 60% of cases because of the findings on bone scintigraphy. Bone scintigraphy may be valuable to assess progress of TMJ inflammation or remodeling, and may affect diagnosis and treatment of patients with TMJ tenderness.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Tailored therapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: results of a phase II study with a long-term follow-up.

Aim of the study was to improve cure rate and survival of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with a tailored program of therapy based on histologic type, prognostic characteristics of patients and response to therapy, and with the use of differentiating or cytostatic agents such as Ara-C at low doses and alphaIFN. Fifty-four consecutive patients with aggressive NHL were treated in the induction phase with 4 sequential courses of a third generation regimen (modified CODBLAM IV), followed in responsive patients by 1 cycle of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide and 1 cycle of high dose methotrexate with folinic acid rescue (AC-MTX). Patients who achieved partial response (PR) were treated with the combination of CCNU + vinblastine if affected by high grade NHL, or with low dose Ara-C plus alphaIFN if affected by intermediate grade NHL. Patients who obtained complete response (CR) with basal adverse prognostic factors were treated with alphaIFN as maintenance therapy for two years. Radiotherapy and surgery were effected in selected cases. Thirty-four patients (62.9%) achieved CR and 12 patients (22.2%) showed PR after induction therapy. Among the 12 patients who achieved PR, 6 prolonged CRs were obtained in 7 patients treated with Ara-C at low doses plus alphaIFN and 4 CRs were obtained in 5 patients treated with CCNU + vinblastine. After completion of treatment, 44 patients (81.5%) obtained CR, 2 patients (3.7%) showed PR and 8 patients (14.8%) presented progression of disease (PD). Fifteen patients received alphaIFN as maintenance therapy. The overall survival and failure-free survival rates are 53.7% and 50% respectively, with a median follow-up of 82 months: 27 patients remain alive, disease-free without relapses, and can be considered cured. This tailored program of therapy resulted effective and moderately toxic and may improve the outcome in aggressive NHL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Protein evaluation of tears: different biological parameters and their respective value].

PURPOSE: The lacrimal film contains 6 to 10 g/l of proteins, 99% of which locally synthesized by the lacrimal glands. The study of these proteins allows us to explore the lacrimal function and to reveal an inflammatory process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The lacrimal proteinic profile included the determination of total proteins and electrophoresis on agarose gel and, if necessary, specific determinations of albumin, lactoferrin, lysozyme and immunoglobulins using a nephelemetric technique. Normal values were established on a hundred of individual tears. RESULTS: The electrophoretic proteinic profile may present different abnormalities, such as an inflammatory process, a functional alteration of the lacrimal glands or a dysproteinic abnormality of the tears. The specific determination of the principal lacrimal proteins allows us to accurately quantify each of them. CONCLUSION: The electrophoresis of the tears on an agarose gel reveals the presence of an inflammatory process or the quantitative or qualitative alteration of the lacrimal function. The immuno-nephelemetric determination of the most important proteins which are involved in theses mechanisms gives an accurate quantitative measurement of proteins and allows biological follow-up of the disease.

Albumins↗
PubMed1994

Cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) plus alpha-interferon (alpha IFN) determine prolonged complete remissions in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma partially responsive to first-line doxorubicin-containing regimens.

Ten patients with aggressive NHL who failed to achieve a complete remission with first-line chemotherapy were treated with Ara-C and alpha IFN. Ara-C was administered subcutaneously at 100 mg on day 1, 150 mg on day 2 and 200 mg on days 3, 4 and 5 of a 28 d cycle; alpha IFN was given at 3 million International Units three times a week and continued for 2 years in CR patients. Six CR were attained with a median duration of 36+ months. Toxicity was mild. A new approach to second-line therapy for aggressive NHL is proposed.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

The enterocyte-like differentiation of the Caco-2 tumor cell line strongly correlates with responsiveness to cAMP and activation of kinase A pathway.

We have investigated the expression of protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) during the phases of growth and differentiation of the human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells. We studied whether differentiation correlated with the responsiveness to cAMP and with an increased transport of the catalytic subunit of PKA into the nucleus. Also, we evaluated whether this phenomenon was affected by PKC activity. High levels of activated PKC were found in the plasma membranes of replicating cells. When the cells began to differentiate, plasma membrane-activated PKC decreased, while the cytosolic fraction increased. On the contrary, PKA holoenzyme increased during differentiation, along with the transport of its catalytic subunit into the nucleus. Both types I and II kinase A holoenzymes increased during differentiation, with maximal type II activity found when cells were fully differentiated. In replicating preconfluent cells, the inhibition of PKC by high dose phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or sphingosine increased the amount of both PKA catalytic subunit in the nucleus and sucrase activity. During differentiation, 8-Bromo-cAMP increased PKA catalytic subunit in the nucleus and apoliprotein A1 mRNA levels. These effects were inhibited by low-dose phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which activates PKC in the plasma membranes. Our data suggest that PKC is activated in proliferating Caco-2 cells. The inhibition of PKC induces the transport of PKA catalytic subunit into the nucleus and the expression of the differentiation markers. Differentiated Caco-2 cells show a lower activation of PKC and an increased transport of the catalytic subunit of PKA into the nucleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Low-dose dopamine induces early recovery of recombinant interleukin-2--impaired renal function.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) can produce impairment of renal function with hypotension, fluid retention, elevated blood urea nitrogen, oliguria and low fractional sodium excretion; these side-effects are a common cause of reduction or interruption of rIL-2 infusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the control and treatment of renal toxicity induced by rIL-2 therapy. Here we show that dopamine, at a low dose of 2 micrograms/kg/min, completely prevented renal toxicity induced by rIL-2. While continuing rIL-2 therapy, 24-h continuous infusion of low-dose dopamine produced a rapid normalisation of urine output and a significant decrease in serum creatinine levels and body weight (P < 0.01), with an early and complete recovery of the rIL-2--impaired renal function: mean recovery time of renal function in patients treated with dopamine was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in nontreated patients (4.8 days vs. 10 days, respectively).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Cuddler Program provides soothing answers.

Volunteer cuddler programs have the potential to enhance the human caring aspects of complex technological nursing care provided premature infants. Nurse researchers have identified the value of human touch and stimulation to the development of premature infants. Although the fragile premature infant may not always appear to respond overtly, the weight gain, and social and mental development of the cuddled babies give testimony to the effectiveness of human attention. The infants' improved well-being and subsequent earlier hospital discharge as a result of cuddling are convincing rationale to implement a cuddler program. A well administered hospital volunteer program is an excellent resource for cuddlers. Volunteers tend to be readily attracted to a neonatal nursery and their services have proven to be safe and therapeutic. After determining the type of service needed, nurse administrators and directors of volunteer programs may team together to develop their strategy. A literature review about cuddler programs and the development of the premature infant contain valuable information of research findings and experience of other nurses. Staff nurse and physician involvement in the program are essential for overall success as well as identifying an effective person to coordinate the plan. The team of planners need a program development and implementation schedule, a volunteer job description and a training plan. Orientation of all nursing staff to the program may occur simultaneously with volunteer recruitment. Evaluation of a cuddler program utilizing predetermined criteria should occur at scheduled intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗