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Biomedical subjects

R Weiner

Publications and source records attributed to R Weiner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Improved survival of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

A total of 28 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP) received bone marrow allografts from HLA-matched siblings at the University of Florida between August 1984-July 1992. The present study compares the disease-free survival (DFS) for those patients who were transplanted before or after August 1988 using the same conditioning regimen. The analysis shows significant difference in 3-year DFS for those patients transplanted post- vs. pre-August 1988 (69.6% vs. 20%, respectively; P = 0.006). A decrease in pneumonitis due to different etiologies from pre-August 1988 (6/13, 46%) to post-August 1988 (1/15, 7%) was statistically significant (P = 0.029). A decrease, although statistically insignificant, in the overall incidence and severity of acute and chronic graft vs. host disease (GVHD) after August 1988 was also noticed. This study indicates significantly improved outcome for patients with CML in CP who have been treated in the University of Florida after August 1988. Better supportive care and prophylaxis for GVHD most likely contributed to such improvement.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Laparoscopic staging of gastrointestinal tumors].

Laparoscopic staging was carried out in 28 cases with carcinomas of the distal esophagus, cardia, stomach or pancreas. The intention was first to rule out peritoneal carcinomatosis and secondly to see, whether RO-resection would be possible, mainly for the reason of therapeutic splitting. The diagnostic accuracy can be raised to 95% using laparoscopic ultrasound, exploration of the lesser sac of the peritoneum and tissue sampling in combination with preoperative endoscopy and radiography. In 39.3% of the investigated patients the staging must be corrected after laparoscopic staging compared with the preoperative findings. 35.7% of the patients did not need explorative laparotomy.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Ethics rounds.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

American Nurses' Association↗
PubMed1994

A multi-institutional experience with stereotactic radiosurgery for solitary brain metastasis.

PURPOSE: A multi-institutional experience in radiosurgery for solitary brain metastases was combined to identify factors associated with safety, efficacy, tumor control, and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of 116 patients with solitary brain metastases who underwent gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery at five institutions was performed. The median follow-up was 7 months following radiosurgery and 12 months following diagnosis. Minimum tumor doses varied from 8-30 Gy (mean, 17.5 Gy). Forty-five patients failed prior radiotherapy and 71 had no prior brain irradiation. Fifty-one patients had radiosurgery alone and 65 underwent combined radiosurgery with fractionated large-field radiotherapy (mean dose, 33.8 Gy). RESULTS: Median survival was 11 months after radiosurgery and 20 months after diagnosis. Follow-up documented local tumor control in 99 patients (85%), tumor recurrence in 17 (15%), and documented radiation necrosis in one (1%). The 2-year actuarial tumor control rate was 67 +/- 8%. Tumor histology affected survival (better for breast cancer, p = .004) and local control (better for melanoma and renal cell, p = .0003) in multivariate analyses. Combined fractionated radiotherapy and radiosurgery improved local control (p = 0.111), but not survival in multivariate testing. CONCLUSION: Radiosurgery is effective in controlling solitary brain metastases with low morbidity. Further study is needed to better define optimum treatment parameters for radiosurgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Splenic lymphoma with circulating villous lymphocytes: report of seven cases and review of the literature.

Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) is a relatively new entity with only a few reports published. We report seven cases of SLVL with detailed clinicopathologic and comprehensive immunophenotypic studies to further characterize this lymphoma, which is frequently confused with hairy cell leukemia and other low-grade B-cell lymphoid neoplasms. The diagnostic criteria we used include 1) prominent splenomegaly, 2) insignificant or no lymphadenopathy, 3) lymphocytosis without leukopenia, 4) presence of circulating villous lymphocytes, 5) characteristic cytologic and histologic features, and 6) specific phenotypic and cytochemical findings. Our studies show that SLVL does not represent a pure entity but rather a morphologically heterogeneous group of low-grade lymphomas with various cytologic and histologic features. Although immunophenotyping is helpful in differential diagnosis, multiparameter studies are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. In our series, only two patients died of SLVL, who probably developed transformation to a higher-grade lymphoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Dust and pneumoconiosis in the South African foundry industry.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the extent of occupational health monitoring for dust and pneumoconiosis in the foundry industry and to assess dust levels and the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in a group of foundries. In only 13 (16%) of the 82 foundries that responded to a postal questionnaire were regular periodic full-sized chest radiographs done. Dust levels were measured every 3 years or more frequently in 20 foundries (24%). An uncontrolled dust hazard was evident in all 9 foundries surveyed between 1983 and 1992. The prevalence of silicosis ranged from 0% to 10.3% and increased with duration of service. The study provided convincing evidence of neglect of occupational health by the foundry industry.

Dust↗
PubMed1994

Third wave of asbestos-related disease from secondary use of asbestos. A case report from industry.

An occupational health survey conducted in a workshop in which asbestos cement was used showed initial atmospheric asbestos levels ranging from 1.9 to 27.5 fibres per millilitre of air. Radiological changes suggestive of asbestos-related pleural disease were found in 2 workers (2.5%), while 3 (3.8%) had borderline features of asbestosis. The survey confirmed that uncontrolled and hazardous use of asbestos continues in industry despite public awareness of its dangers and the Asbestos Regulations of 1987.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1993

Membranous glomerulonephritis in association with hepatitis C virus infection.

Two bone marrow transplant recipients are described who developed nephrotic syndrome in association with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Renal biopsies of both patients revealed stage I membranous glomerulonephritis. Detection of HCV genome was performed by nonisotopic in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on paraffin-embedded renal biopsy specimens. Hepatitis C virus genome was detected by reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction on the RNA extracted from 15 5-microns paraffin sections. However, HCV genome was not revealed by nonisotopic in situ hybridization, which was likely due to the low copy number of HCV genomes present. These studies suggest that chronic HCV infection is associated with membranous glomerulonephritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The 16K fragment of prolactin specifically inhibits basal or fibroblast growth factor stimulated growth of capillary endothelial cells.

Intact 23 kilodalton (kDa), rat PRL is enzymatically cleaved in many target tissues to a 16 kDa (16K PRL) and an 8 kDa fragment. After reduction of an internal disulfide bond the fragments are released. 16K PRL was shown to be a potent mitogen on mammary epithelial cells via PRL receptors. Since estradiol-induced prolactinomas develop a new blood supply we tested the action of intact PRL and 16K PRL on growth of new vessels (angiogenesis). The angiogenic action of intact PRL and 16K PRL was tested in cultured bovine brain and adrenal cortex endothelial cells. Basal (b) or b-fibroblast growth factor (FGF) stimulated growth was estimated by counting cells or measuring the level of incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA. Paradoxically, 16K PRL inhibited the basal and FGF-stimulated growth of cultured endothelial cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Intact PRL or the cleaved but not reduced PRL were inactive even at a 100-fold higher concentration. When reformation of disulfide bonds was inhibited by carbamidomethylation of 16K PRL the preparations were more potent. 16K PRL had no effect on the mitogenic action of bFGF on baby hamster kidney cells which are known to have FGF receptors. These data demonstrate that in vitro 16K PRL is a potent and specific angiolytic factor, i.e. it inhibits angiogenesis. Furthermore, the action of 16K PRL does not appear to be via the known PRL or FGF receptors. Since angiogenesis is an essential component of tumor growth 16K PRL has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1991

Changes in basic fibroblast growth factor coincident with estradiol-induced hyperplasia of the anterior pituitaries of Fischer 344 and Sprague-Dawley rats.

Adult female Fischer 344 (F344) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with estradiol via Silastic implants for 10 and 20 days. This treatment period in F344 rats is sufficient to produce dramatic hyperplasia of anterior pituitary lactotropes, activation of folliculo-stellate cells (FS) as phagocytes, and reorganization of the blood supply, i.e. hemorrhagic lakes and arteriogenesis from vessels in the adjacent meninges. Estradiol-treated SD rats do not demonstrate a comparable response. We now report intense focal concentrations of cells immunopositive for basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in estradiol-treated F344 rats predominantly near the posterolateral edge of the anterior pituitary, a zone rich in gonadotropes and lactotropes. Immunostaining for FGF, by both light and electron microscopy, revealed that the immunopositive cells were gonadotropes, and that the immunoprecipitate was cytosolic and was most abundant in the cytosol facing the capillaries. Immunostaining for extracellular matrix-associated FGF also revealed foci of positivity at the postero-lateral edge. Estradiol-treated SD rats did not reveal comparable localization for FGF. Morphological analysis and immunolocalization of S-100 protein, a marker for FS cells, revealed that the periphery of the anterior pituitary of estradiol-treated F344 rats included numerous disrupted gonadotropes and, furthermore, was largely devoid of FS cells. This zone was more intact in control F344 rats, but lacked FS cells. The peripheral parenchyma of control and estradiol-treated SD rats was intact compared to that of F344 rats and consistently included FS cells. These results suggest that disruptions of gonadotropes at the pituitary periphery may release FGF, which could then stimulate angiogenesis from blood vessels within the adjacent meninges. The resultant systemic blood supply would stimulate lactotrope hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Since FS cells are known phagocytes within the anterior pituitary, their absence from the periphery of F344 rats may intensify or prolong the effect of the peripherally released FGF.

Animals↗