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Biomedical subjects

G R Diamond

Publications and source records attributed to G R Diamond.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

A controlled trial of early versus late treatment with zidovudine in symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection. Results of the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study.

BACKGROUND: Zidovudine is recommended for asymptomatic and early symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The best time to initiate zidovudine treatment remains uncertain, however, and whether early treatment improves survival has not been established. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial that compared early zidovudine therapy (beginning at 1500 mg per day) with late therapy in HIV-infected patients who were symptomatic and had CD4+ counts between 0.2 x 10(9) and 0.5 x 10(9) cells per liter (200 to 500 per cubic millimeter) at entry. Those assigned to late therapy initially received placebo and began zidovudine when their CD4+ counts fell below 0.2 x 10(9) per liter (200 per cubic millimeter) or when the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of more than two years, there were 23 deaths in the early-therapy group (n = 170) and 20 deaths in the late-therapy group (n = 168) (P = 0.48; relative risk [late vs. early], 0.81; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.44 to 1.59). In the early-therapy group, 28 patients progressed to AIDS, as compared with 48 in the late-therapy group (P = 0.02; relative risk, 1.76; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.8). Early therapy increased the time until CD4+ counts fell below 0.2 x 10(9) per liter (200 per cubic millimeter), and it produced more conversions from positive to negative for serum p24 antigen. Early therapy was associated with more anemia, leukopenia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, whereas late therapy was associated with more skin rash. CONCLUSIONS: In symptomatic patients with HIV infection, early treatment with zidovudine delays progression to AIDS, but in this controlled study it did not improve survival, and it was associated with more side effects.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Survey of management strategies for nystagmus patients with vertical or torsional head posture.

Surgery for a horizontal face turn or tilt in patients with congenital nystagmus began in 1953 and has been modified frequently since then. There are few published reports stating the frequency of or surgical guidelines for the treatment of a vertical or torsional head position due to congenital nystagmus and associated null point. To address this issue a questionnaire was sent to all members of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Most respondents see one or two cases of vertical head posture yearly and use observation as their primary therapy. When surgery is indicated, a graded bilateral vertical rectus recession or combined vertical rectus recession-resection procedure are usually done. Most respondents see no cases of torsional head posture yearly, and an overwhelming majority observe these patients. No one surgical procedure was advocated by most of the responding surgeons.

Head

Ocular and adnexal complications of unilateral orbital advancement for plagiocephaly.

Strabismus, ptosis, lateral canthal dystopia, nasolacrimal obstruction, and cranial nerve palsy were noted preoperatively in 32%, 21%, 14%, 12%, and 9% of 34 patients, respectively, undergoing ophthalmologic evaluation prior to unilateral orbital advancement for plagiocephaly. Thirty-two percent of the patients had normal preoperative ocular and adnexal examination results. Ptosis, strabismus, and amblyopia were frequently acquired postoperative abnormalities in 29%, 18%, and 18% of the patients, respectively. Forty-four percent of the patients had no new abnormalities following craniofacial surgery.

Child

Pseudotumor cerebri and childhood systemic lupus erythematosus.

Pseudotumor cerebri is a clinical syndrome characterized by elevated intracranial pressure with normal biochemical and cellular characteristics of the cerebrospinal fluid and normal radiologic studies of the skull. This syndrome has been reported infrequently as a primary feature of central nervous system involvement by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report clinical features in 3 adolescent black females with pseudotumor cerebri as a presenting manifestation of SLE.

Adolescent

Timolol. A new drug for management of chronic simple glaucoma.

Timolol maleate, a potent beta-adrenergic antagonist, reduces intraocular pressure in rabbits. With topical application in one eye, a significant reduction in pressure is seen in the contralateral, untreated eye also. When used in conjunction with timolol, other adrenergic amines, such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, produce an additional hypotensive response. On the other hand, pretreatment with timolol does inhibit the ocular hypotensive response to topically applied albuterol. No further reduction in pressure is seen after application of this beta-adrenergic agonist to eyes pretreated with timolol. In a double-blind study with patients who had previously been receiving various medications for control of elevated intraocular pressures, timolol was as effective as pilocarpine in reducing intraocular tension. Many common complaints associated with pilocarpine therapy, including miosis, ocular irritation, and blurred vision, were not encountered with timolol therapy.

Adult

Topical anesthesia for strabismus surgery.

Twenty-two adults underwent strabismus surgery under topical anesthesia over the past 4 years. Benefits of this technique include avoidance of certain hazards of general and retrobulbar anesthesia, the ability to adjust eye position to the patient's satisfaction on the operative table, and expanded options for patients unwilling to undergo general anesthesia. The major disadvantages are the possibility of increased patient discomfort. Patient selection is important.

Administration, Topical

True transposition procedures.

Three patients with large-angle strabismus and irreversible amblyopia in a previously-operated eye underwent a true transposition procedure in which a segment of resected extraocular muscle was used to lengthen its antagonist. Postoperative results were satisfactory and stable during follow-up of 9 to 14 months. Four prism diopters of deviation were corrected per millimeter of "alteration" (mm resection plus mm lengthening plus mm recession minus mm advancement). True transposition procedures can permit surgeons to capture large strabismus deviations with two-muscle surgery on one eye, appear safe and predictable, and offer an option in those patients who refuse adjustable suture techniques.

Adolescent