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Biomedical subjects

C Novak

Publications and source records attributed to C Novak.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Internal neurolysis fails to improve the results of primary carpal tunnel decompression.

This prospective, randomized study compares two treatment methods in patients with primary carpal tunnel syndrome. Decompression of the transverse carpal ligament was done in thirty-two hands (thirty patients) and decompression of the transverse carpal ligament with the addition of an internal neurolysis of the median nerve was done in thirty-one hands (twenty-nine patients). Relief of symptoms was described in eighty-eight percent of the patients with carpal ligament release and eighty-one percent of patients with carpal ligament release plus internal neurolysis. Improvement in hand sensibility testing, in thenar muscle strength, and atrophy was noted in both treatment groups with no statistical difference between groups. The addition of an internal neurolysis to division of the transverse carpal ligament does not add significant improvement in the sensory or motor outcome of patients with primary carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Phase I clinical trial of interleukin 2 and alpha-interferon: toxicity and immunologic effects.

Because recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) and recombinant alpha-interferon (rIFN-alpha) exhibit synergistic antitumor activity in C3HMT1820 T-cell lymphoma and B16 melanoma tumor systems, we have performed a Phase I study of this combination in 55 patients with advanced malignancies for whom no standard therapy exists. Successive groups of greater than or equal to 4 patients have been entered into 12 dose levels (1A-3D), with dose levels 1-3 referring to doses of rIL-2 of 0.1, 0.5, and 2.0 x 10(6) units/m2, respectively, and dose levels A-D referring to doses of recombinant human alpha 2a-interferon (rHuIFN-alpha 2a) of 0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 x 10(6) units/m2. Both agents were given on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with rIL-2 being given as i.v. bolus injections and rHuIFN-alpha 2a being given intramuscularly. Myelosuppression was dose-limiting and was related primarily to the dose of rHuIFN-alpha 2a. The maximum-tolerated dose level was reached at a dose of rIL-2 of 2.0 x 10(6) units/m2 and of rHuIFN-alpha 2a of 10.0 x 10(6) units/m2 (dose level 3D). At this dose level, 3/6 patients developed grade 3 neutropenia (absolute granulocyte count less than 1 x 10(9)/liter). Myelosuppression was transient, with no documented infections being associated with neutropenia. Hypotension was mild; a single patient was treated with a vasopressor, but all other cases of hypotension responded to fluid administration. No significant pulmonary toxicity was produced. Fever, chills, and malaise were universal but not dose-limiting. Three partial responses and one minor response were observed in patients with malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer. Immunological studies suggested that natural killer activity was related to both the dose of rIL-2 and the dose of rHuIFN-alpha 2a, with natural killer activity being positively related to the dose of rIL-2 and maximal at the lowest dose of rHuIFN-alpha 2a of 0.1 x 10(6) units/m2.

Adult

Facial sensibility testing in the normal and posttraumatic population.

A reliable, reproducible, simple examination of facial sensibility is described. Evaluation of 60 healthy subjects established normal values, trends, and variations of facial sensibility. Comparison of these normal values with 20 posttraumatic patients revealed that postfacial fracture sensibility testing was abnormal. Abnormalities in pressure threshold testing was most consistently associated with functional sensory complaints. Twelve of the 20 patients had significant sensory complaints at one year following the trauma.

Adolescent

A new tool for peptide separation.

A family of reagents has been developed (Pep-Seps) which provide separations of peptides based upon the presence or absence of a single type of amino acid. This separation is achieved through a reversible, covalent attachment of the peptide to the Pep-Seps reagents. Pep-Seps provide a more specific separation than most forms of HPLC and may be used to complement HPLC in peptide separations and isolations. Several specific applications will be discussed.

Arginine