Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Amer.
Schistosomiasis is the name given to a group of diseases caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosome. Humans and other animals are definitive hosts, and snails of various genera are intermediate hosts. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathology, cutaneous manifestations, and treatment of these diseases.
A retrospective study was conducted to determine if a chemotherapy regimen incorporating cis-platinum, etoposide, and actinomycin D (PEA) was associated with an outcome different from that of the standard triple regimen of methotrexate, actinomycin D, and chlorambucil (MAC) in patients with gestational trophoblastic tumor and liver metastases. Subjects were treated at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital Gestational Trophoblastic Center (KFSH-GTC) between January 1980 and December 1990. Of 19 patients with gestational trophoblastic tumor and liver metastases, 6 received MAC chemotherapy, and 8 received PEA. Five patients were terminally ill and received palliative treatment only. Treatment outcome was measured by beta-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin assay (beta-HCG) and by imaging studies which included ultrasound, computerized axial tomography, and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Durable remission was obtained in 5 of 8 (62.5%) PEA-treated patients and none of 6 MAC-treated patients. There was no difference in risk status or World Health Organization (WHO) prognostic score between the two groups. We conclude that PEA is a relatively effective chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic tumor with liver metastases, and it may be worthy of consideration for prospective clinical trials.
A computer simulation model was developed and used to analyze the inhibitory effect of aphidicolin on the proliferation of Hela cells. Simulation results were compared with actual experimental results [Pedrali-Noy et al. (1980) Nuc. Acid Res. 8, 377] and were found to be in good agreement. Also, the simulation showed that aphidicolin caused cells to be accumulated at the G1/S boundary and that recruitment and synchrony occurred.
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A conservative technique designed to simple reduce the width of nasal tip is presented. It consists of approximation of the anterosuperior segments of alar lateral crus after their elevation on median pedicles. A marginal inferior band of alar cartilage is left adherent to the nasal mucosa. The procedure is completed without cartilaginous excision. We tried this technique in ten rhinoplasties and the results were satisfactory. The nasal tip narrowing obtained has no significant effect on either tip projection and position or nostril shape.
To assess the role of levamisole in treatment of different types of warts, a double-blind study was conducted on 40 patients with different types of warts. Patients were divided into two equal groups, A and B. Group A received levamisole 5 mg/kg body weight on 3 consecutive days every 2 weeks for a period up to 5 months, while patients of group B received placebo for the same period. In group A, 12 patients showed complete cure (60%), two showed partial cure (10%), and the remaining six patients showed no response (30%). In group B, complete cure was achieved only in one case. The higher cure rate was observed in plane and common warts, while plantar warts showed no improvement with levamisole treatment.
A novel polyanionic complement inhibitor 5,5,5''-(1,3,6-naphthalene-triyl-tris[sulfonylimino])-tris(1 ,3-benzene- disulfonic acid) hexasodium salt (compound IIb) was tested for its ability to suppress vascular injury at the site of the Arthus reaction (AR). In control animals in which AR was evoked without drug treatment, venules at AR sites ranged from normal (arbitrarily defined as stage I) to destroyed (stage V). Between these two ends of the spectrum were venules with an accumulation of cells and deposits of electron dense material (stage II), accumulations of cells and deposits and small endothelial gappings (stage III), and accumulations of cells and depositions which had spread into perivascular tissue and small gappings (stage IV). In animals treated with compound IIb, the AR stopped at stage III or IV depending on the dose, it never reached stage V. In other words compound IIb treatment resulted in protection of endothelium, basal lamina and other structures from the destruction which is characteristically observed in the AR. The effect of high doses of compound IIb was similar to that described before for suramin.
In order to establish diagnostic cavernometric criteria, we selected 63 patients who did not respond positively to visual sexual stimulation. They were subjected to the following protocol including Rigiscan monitoring of 2 or 3 nights erections for, hormonal assays, penile doppler, cavernometry and cavernography. Intracorporeal injection of 8 mg of papaverine was performed during the hemodynamic tests. Our results showed that the erection maintenance blood flow and the maintenance index are statistically reliable diagnostic criteria for venous leaks (the maintenance index is more accurate). The use of 8 mg of papaverine reduces the incidence of false positive results without significant hemodynamic changes. In order to exclude psychogenic false positive patients, it is recommended to select the candidates for cavernometry after papaverine tests and nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity monitoring.
Chlorpromazine, an inhibitor of the complement (C) system, inhibited the cellular infiltration at the site of Arthus reaction (AR), as assessed by a newly developed computerized area integration technique (CAIT). This inhibition was rather strong (mean value 92%) and statistically significant according to the classical quotient estimator. This may, at least in part, explain the protection of vessel wall destruction by chlorpromazine in AR, as observed in a previous study. CAIT estimated cellular infiltration in H & E stained skin biopsy sections quantitatively and reliably.
Microsurgery is the technique of choice for vasectomy reversal. This study was undertaken to compare the patency of the vas deferens in rats after vasovasostomy performed either according to the technique described by Howard or using low energy Co2 laser. Two groups of rats were operated on using a surgical microscope. Results were evaluated on the external appearance and histopathological studies of the anastomosis, as well as on patency as documented by a methylene blue test. Both techniques proved satisfactory, but results were clearly better with the laser method. These findings suggest that the laser technique should be preferred in human surgery.
The pharmacokinetics of platinum was investigated in 10 cancer patients treated with a 1-hr infusion of 300 mg/m2 of carboplatin which was given 2-4 days after the administration of 100 mg/kg (20-mg/kg bolus and 80-mg/kg intravenous infusion) of methotrexate. Platinum was analyzed in the samples by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentration vs time data for total platinum in plasma followed a two-compartment model and the mean (and SE) values for beta, TBC, Vc, and RC were 0.0827 (0.22) hr-1, 2.355 (0.252) liters/hr . m2, 10.74 (0.62) liters/m2, and 2.405 (0.228) liters/hr . m2, respectively. There was no significant change in the creatinine clearance or TBC with repeated treatment. The ultrafilterable platinum which was measured in the plasma of two patients constituted 82 and 11.3% of the total platinum at 1 and 24 hr, respectively, and the data conformed to the one-compartment model. The mean (SE) values for t 1/2, TBC, and Vd for free platinum were 1.844 (0.208) hr, 4.583 (1.059) liters/hr . m2, and 11.88 (1.45) liters/m2, respectively. The above data are in good agreement with those reported earlier for platinum following the administration of carboplatin as a single agent. These results suggest that high-dose methotrexate therapy, when administered 2-4 days before carboplatin, does not affect the pharmacokinetics of platinum in the plasma.
Fifty impotent men between 21 and 65 years old, were all evaluated by nocturnal penile rigidity monitoring (NPRM) with Rigiscan on 2 to 3 successive nights. The results showed 37 normal graphs (74%), and 13 abnormal (26%). As these results confirmed the importance of psychogenic impotence, it was interesting to compare the results of nocturnal erections to those produced by the realtime screening test: the Visual Stimulation Test (VST). This test was done after intracavernous injection of Papaverine and Thymoxamine, alone or combined. The VST seems to be a good screening test. According to the response to VST, psychogenic patients were classified in three groups. This new classification had prognostic and therapeutic implications. The use of Thymoxamine alone at 5 mg or in combination with Papaverine (one mg of each), seems to give better results than Papaverine alone, with minimal pain.
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A 1 U/ml solution of bleomycin sulfate in physiologic saline solution was injected intralesionally in 38 patients, and was compared with physiologic saline solution injection into paired warts in the same patient. No patient received more than 2 ml of bleomycin. Ninety-seven of 143 warts (67.8%) showed complete resolution after one or two bleomycin injections, while 25 warts (17.5%) showed incomplete resolution. Bleomycin local injection failed to elicit any therapeutic response in 21 warts (14.7%). The cure rate was 77% for warts on the extremities, 71.4% for periungual warts, and 47.6% for the plantar warts. The responsive warts showed hemorrhagic eschars that healed without scarring. It is concluded that this form of treatment for resistant warts, up to the dose used, is safe, reliable, and accepted by the patient.
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The authors describe their technique for correction of curvatures of the phallus, regardless of its aetiology, applied to 46 cases (36 cases of Peyronie's disease and 10 cases of congenital curvature without hypospadias). The proposed technique was inspired by the technique described by Nesbit.
The authors report a case of priapism following cavernography with secondary fibrosis of the corpora cavernosa demonstrated histologically. They stress the importance of a rigorous cavernography technique which must take account of the respective tissue toxicity of the various contrast media used.