Biomedical subjects

R M Amin

Publications and source records attributed to R M Amin.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Complete clinical responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for uterine serous carcinoma.

Three cases of serous carcinoma of the uterus with radiographically documented widespread metastases are presented. Following confirmation of histopathology, all were treated with a standard regimen of carboplatin and paclitaxel for eight courses with complete resolution of distant metastases on CT scan prior to postchemotherapy surgical exploration. Two patients had gross disease at laparotomy, and one had only microscopic tumor found in the uterine specimen. This experience offers rationale for treatment of patients with widely metastatic uterine serous carcinoma or other relative contraindications to surgery with primary carboplatin and paclitaxel. In addition, we believe this experience supports the hypothesis that this regimen may result in prolonged disease-free survival when employed as postsurgical adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Multiple primary neoplasms. Ovarian carcinoid tumor, mucinous cystadenoma of low malignant potential tumor of left ovary, and adenocarcinoma of the colon.

We describe a case of primary left ovarian carcinoid tumor with metastases to the right paraovarian tissue, left fallopian tube, the right lung, omentum, cul-de-sac, pericolonic fat, and, most likely, metastasis to the contralateral ovary, as well as a simultaneous left ovarian mucinous cystadenoma of low malignant potential and a well-differentiated colonic adenocarcinoma. Primary ovarian carcinoids are almost always unilateral. Metastases from such tumors to the lung and adrenal gland are very rare. To our knowledge, no such combination of all the above tumors has been reported.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1996

Aortoduodenal fistula. Two case reports and a review of the literature.

Aortoduodenal fistulas (ADF) are relatively rare causes of fatal exsanguination. They occur predominantly in the third and fourth parts of the duodenum. Symptoms of ADF consist of flank or abdominal pain, hematemesis, melena, and an abdominal mass. We report two fatal cases of ADF, one of which includes the afferent loop of a Billroth II anastomosis, an event previously unrecognized, as well as a more conventional case of ADF, involving the third portion of the duodenum.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Identification of human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I antibodies, DNA, and protein in patients with polymyositis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a possible association between human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I (HTLV-I) and polymyositis (PM). METHODS: Sera and muscle biopsy samples from 9 Jamaican PM patients were compared with specimens from American HTLV-I-positive PM patients and normal controls. Sera were evaluated for HTLV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. The biopsy samples were analyzed for HTLV-I/II DNA by polymerase chain reaction and were also immunohistochemically stained for HTLV gp46 envelope protein. RESULTS: Seven of the 8 Jamaican PM patients from whom sera were available were HTLV-I seropositive. The muscle biopsies of all 9 Jamaican patients demonstrated severe lymphocytic infiltration, cellular degeneration, myofiber atrophy, and fibrosis. Each muscle biopsy specimen contained HTLV-I DNA. Two of 6 samples demonstrated intense staining for HTLV-I gp46 in many of the invading mononuclear cells and weak staining for HTLV-I gp46 in many of the invading mononuclear cells and weak staining in the adjacent myocytes. Two other specimens were weakly positive for gp46 in rare mononuclear cells. All control specimens were negative for the presence of HTLV-I DNA and protein. CONCLUSION: HTLV-I is associated with an inflammatory muscle disease characterized by direct invasion of the affected muscle by HTLV-I-infected mononuclear cells.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

A survey of blood transfusion practices of gynecologic oncologists.

OBJECTIVE: To survey the attitudes of gynecologic oncologists about indications for blood transfusion, and compare them to current recommendations about transfusion practice. METHODS: With the permission of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO), a study questionnaire was mailed to 548 members and candidates in their directory. The questions asked about transfusion threshold before chemotherapy, following ovarian debulking, and after endometriosis surgery. Indications for transfusion were assessed using a qualitative/quantitative scale. Responses were analyzed with respect to years of SGO membership and practice setting using the chi 2 test and analysis of variance. Results were compared to the 1992 guidelines for transfusion of the American College of Physicians (ACP). RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-five forms were returned (52% of total). Fifty-one percent of respondents were in full-time academic positions; 36% were in private practice. Sixty-one percent were full SGO members, and 35% were candidates. The average prechemotherapy transfusion threshold (TT) was a hemoglobin concentration (hgb) of 7.9 +/- 0.7 g/dl (g). At that level the mean transfusion was 1.9 +/- 0.5 units of packed red blood cells (U). For the ovarian debulking scenario, the mean postoperative TT was 8.1 +/- 0.8 g with a mean transfusion of 1.9 +/- 0.4 U. For the endometriosis case, the mean TT was 7.0 +/- 0.8 g, with a mean transfusion of 1.9 +/- 0.5 U. Analysis showed no difference in practice based on years of SGO membership or practice setting. CONCLUSION: A majority of the gynecologic oncologists surveyed offers transfusion at levels of anemia similar to ACP recommendations, but frequently transfuse more units than recommended. A substantial minority does not follow the guidelines at all.

Blood Transfusion↗

PubMed1995

p53, retinoblastoma gene product, and cyclin protein expression in human papillomavirus virus DNA-positive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cancer.

Human papillomavirus interacts with cyclin protein and tumor suppressor genes, p53, and retinoblastoma gene (Rb). Expression of these gene products was examined in 69 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cervical biopsies by immunohistochemistry utilizing antibodies against p53, Rb, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and by human papillomavirus DNA in-situ hybridization assays. Samples selected for this study included 27 normal/reactive atypia cases that were all human papillomavirus DNA in-situ hybridization negative, 37 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions, and 5 invasive carcinomas. The CIN and invasive carcinoma cases were all human papillomavirus DNA in-situ hybridization positive. p53 protein expression was detected in approximately one-third of the reactive atypia and CIN lesions and in 60% of invasive cancers. Neither the amount or the location of p53 staining was correlated with the histologic diagnosis. Rb staining was more frequently found in the CIN/invasive carcinoma cases compared to the normal/reactive atypia samples (39/42 [93%] versus 21/27 [78%], respectively; P < 0.05 by chi 2. PCNA staining was detected in virtually all samples tested. However, the location of both PCNA and Rb staining differed when the normal/reactive atypia cases were compared to the CIN cases. Only 10% of the former group demonstrated Rb staining throughout the basal two-thirds layer or full thickness of the epithelium compared with 65% of the latter group (P < 0.001 by chi2). Likewise, PCNA staining of the basal two-thirds or full-thickness of the epithelium was found in only 58% of normal/reactive atypia cases, but in 97% of the CIN group (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that the location of Rb and PCNA staining is quite different between normal/reactive atypia cervical biopsies and CIN lesions.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

PubMed1993

Prostate biopsy in patients after proctectomy.

Until the discovery of prostate specific antigen as a tool to detect prostate carcinoma, the rectum has always been necessary to allow the best evaluation and biopsy of the prostate, whether by digital examination or transrectal ultrasound. We describe a simple, accurate, computerized tomography-guided method to biopsy the prostate in men who have undergone proctectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1992

HTLV-I DNA sequences in CNS tissue of a patient with tropical spastic paraparesis and HTLV-I-associated myelopathy.

Human T cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I) is the etiologic agent of adult T cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATLL) and tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM). We studied an HTLV-I-seropositive, white man diagnosed in 1977 with ATLL and 10 years later, 6 months prior to his death, with TSP/HAM. Sections of brain, spinal cord, and visceral tissues were examined histologically, immunohistochemically, by in situ hybridization, and by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR amplification of a region of the polymerase (pol) gene of HTLV-I from visceral tissue demonstrated the presence of proviral HTLV-I DNA in paraffin-embedded sections from the liver and in DNA extracted from frozen sections of kidney and spleen, but failed to demonstrate viral sequences in paraffin sections of the lung and a lymph node. PCR analysis of CNS tissue demonstrated viral sequences in regions of the brain including frozen samples from cerebellum and cerebral cortex and paraffin sections of the thoracic spinal cord, but failed to detect proviral DNA in sections from a region in the lumbar cord. These results map the distribution of HTLV-I DNA sequences in the CNS of a patient with TSP/HAM for 3 months.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1991

Phosphoinositide turnover in human platelets is stimulated by albumin.

The effect of human serum albumin (HSA) on the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositides in human platelets labeled with myo(3H)inositol was studied. Incubation of platelets with HSA (4 gm/dl) for 10 seconds increased IP2, and IP3, by 169% and 217% respectively. 93% of IP3 accumulated within the first 10 seconds. This effect was also shared by bovine serum albumin, although no changes in IP3 levels occurred with ovalbumin. All albumin species used induced 45Ca+2 release from platelets irrespective of its effect on IP3 accumulation. These findings indicate that albumin may function in biological systems by inducing intracellular signaling.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed1991

Virucidal efficacy of various lens cleaning and disinfecting solutions on HIV-I contaminated contact lenses.

The virucidal efficacy of various commercially available contact lens care cleaning regimens on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) contaminated contact lenses using either cursory or meticulous cleaning with a rubber policeman was evaluated. Levels of infectious HIV-1 remaining on individual contact lenses were determined by cultivating the lenses with target HUT-78 cells and subsequently analyzing the cultures for the production of HIV-1 p24 by antigen capture and for HIV-1 gag gene DNA content by the polymerase chain reaction. The data indicate that most of the lens care regimens tested, when coupled with meticulous rubbing, were capable of safely decontaminating the contact lenses, that is, they reduce the amount of infectious HIV-1 on the lenses by greater than a 10 log concentration (10(-10], relative to standard controls. Most tested lens care regimens, if properly followed, would virtually eliminate any chance of the lens serving as a vector for HIV.

Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic↗

PubMed1991

Endocrine crises. Hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is defined as the occurrence of a wide variety of symptoms in association with a plasma glucose level of 40 mg/dL or less. The conditions associated with hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients include exogenous insulin administration, ethanol, drugs (especially chlorpropamide), renal insufficiency, liver disease, infections, total parenteral nutrition, treatment of hyperkalemia with insulin, extensive burns, neoplasia, pregnancy, and a wide variety of less common causes. Although clinical features are helpful in making a diagnosis, a significant proportion of the patients are either asymptomatic or present with symptoms of altered mental status. The diagnosis of hypoglycemia should be considered in all hospitalized patients presenting with adrenergic or neuroglycopenic symptoms and signs suggestive of hypoglycemia. A detailed history along with a physical examination and appropriate laboratory investigations usually identify the specific cause of the hypoglycemia. An episode of hypoglycemia, especially if severe, should be treated with prolonged intravenous infusion of glucose. Prompt recognition and management of hypoglycemia are necessary to prevent significant morbidity and mortality.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Detection of L-forms of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in pure and mixed culture suspensions by an enzyme immunoassay.

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Gonozyme, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL) was evaluated for its ability to detect L-forms of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in pure and mixed culture suspensions. A total of 15 L-form strains that were induced from fresh clinical isolates of N. gonorrhoeae on an L-form medium were tested by EIA at antigen levels equivalent to those found in 2 X 10(5), 3 X 10(4), and 2 X 10(3) parental cells per milliliter. The results showed the sensitivity of the EIA for L-forms and parental cells to be the same, exhibiting positive results in all pure culture suspensions of parental cells at 2 X 10(5) and 3 X 10(4) cells per milliliter and their corresponding L-form preparations. At 2 X 10(3) cells per milliliter, three parental and two of their respective L-form preparations yielded positive EIA results. Incorporation of a mixture of heterologous organisms that can be found in the normal human genital flora, each at a concentration of 1 X 10(7) cells per milliliter into the L-form preparations, did not affect the sensitivity of the EIA for detection of L-forms. The results of the present study indicate that the EIA is an equally sensitive method for detecting gonococcal L-forms and parental cells. A further study, however, is needed to ascertain its usefulness under actual clinical conditions.

Bacteriological Techniques↗