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Biomedical subjects

M Vander Straten

Publications and source records attributed to M Vander Straten.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Human papillomavirus, smoking, and cancer.

BACKGROUND: The effect of smoking on human papillomavirus (HPV) activity and subsequent dysplasia and neoplasia remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To determine any reported effects of smoking on either HPV activity or HPV-related dysplasia/cancer using retrospective analysis of the literature from 1966 through 1998 via Toxline and PubMed to search for "smoking," "papillomavirus," and "cancer." CONCLUSION: Several recent large studies demonstrated that smoking was associated with a greater incidence of cervical, vulvar, penile, anal, oral, and head and neck cancer in a dose-dependent fashion, while other studies did not show any correlation between smoking and cervical dysplasia after multivariate adjustment. Recent studies have also indicated that smoking may be more closely related to high-grade lesions of the cervix and vulva. These data provide evidence of an association between HPV, smoking, and cancer. Progression of dysplasia likewise seems to be associated with smoking. Several groups have attempted to discern whether the connection between smoking and cervical cancer is from local immunosuppression and/or from direct carcinogenic effects.

Anus Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Molecular diagnosis of skin-associated infectious agents.

Molecular pathology is a relatively new division of laboratory medicine that detects, characterizes, and/or quantifies nucleic acids to assist in the diagnosis of human disease. Molecular assays augment classic areas of laboratory medicine by providing additional diagnostic data more quickly or by providing results that are not obtainable using standard methods. For these reasons, molecular pathology is the most rapidly growing area in laboratory medicine.

Genetic Markers↗
PubMed2001

Antiviral agents.

The potential severity of many viral infections and the lack of appropriate treatment for these diseases have been a source of endless frustration and helplessness for clinicians. The newly developed field of antiviral therapy is expanding at an astounding rate, with new discoveries each day. Although physicians are not yet able to cure many of the viral infections, such as HSV, HIV, and CMV, a means of controlling them is available. It is hoped that the research and investigations currently under way will lead to a future era of antiviral drugs that will be able to eradicate these diseases.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Tobacco use and skin disease.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the mucocutaneous manifestations of tobacco use. METHODS: Computerized literature searches were conducted for English language articles related to skin/mucous membrane disease and use of tobacco. The primary criterion for assessing data quality and validity was the demonstration of a causal relationship between tobacco use and skin/mucous membrane disease. RESULTS: This review of the literature shows that a number of disorders and diseases of the skin and mucous membranes are related to tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: Since millions of persons use tobacco despite its well publicized relationship to increased mortality, knowledge of the mucocutaneous morbidity associated with tobacco use may help physicians in counseling their patients.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reduction of postherpetic neuralgia in herpes zoster.

BACKGROUND: Persons 50 years of age and older are not only at increased risk of developing herpes zoster, they are also more likely to suffer the long-term morbidity of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is pain persisting after the rash of herpes zoster has healed. PHN affects at least 40% of all herpes zoster patients over age 50 and over 75% of herpes zoster patients over age 75; PHN is the single most common neurologic condition in elderly patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to evaluate interventions that may reduce or even eliminate PHN. No single therapy has been consistently effective for PHN. The most effective approach appears to be with the use of antiviral therapy early in the course of herpes zoster. The goals of ongoing studies in herpes zoster are to develop interventions that will further reduce the symptoms of PHN and/or to eliminate PHN by prophylaxis using the varicella vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of PHN can best be achieved with the use of antiviral medication early in the course of herpes zoster; other classes of drugs are minimally effective in treating established PHN. Widespread use of the varicella vaccine may lead to secondary reductions in PHN in the distant future.

2-Aminopurine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Feasibility of hepatocellular transplantation via the umbilical vein in prenatal and perinatal lambs.

Hepatocellular transplantation has previously been performed in experimental animals by infusion of hepatocyte suspensions into the spleen or portal venous system. Cells injected into these sites flow to the liver and engraft within the hepatic parenchyma. We designed this study to evaluate the feasibility of hepatocellular transplantation through the umbilical vein in the prenatal or perinatal periods. Allogeneic sheep hepatocytes were harvested, stained with the vital fluorescent dye DiI, and injected into the umbilical vein of fetal lambs at 85% gestation and term. Hemodynamic studies performed to assess the physiological impact of transplantation on the recipient animal demonstrated that the procedure was well tolerated. No significant short-term complications were encountered and no lesions were found by conventional histological examination at necropsy 1-17 days after transplantation. Engrafted cells were identified within the liver by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry in 4/7 animals constituting 1.2-5% of the hepatocyte population. Fluorescent cellular material with the morphology of hepatocytes, noncellular material, and fluorescent phagocytic cells were seen occasionally in other organs including lung, brain, adrenal, and placenta. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of performing hepatocellular transplantation in the fetus via the umbilical vein in experimental animals.

Amniotic Fluid↗