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Biomedical subjects

V Cwik

Publications and source records attributed to V Cwik.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Neurotrophic factors decrease the release of creatine kinase and prostaglandin E2 from metabolically stressed muscle.

We have used an in vitro model of oxidative stress by exposing rat muscle to 2:4 dinitrophenol. This causes an efflux of creatine kinase (CK) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) commonly used as indicators of muscle cell damage. We then investigated compounds with a putative cell protective effect in the system. Ciliary neurotrophic factor, brain derived neurotrophic factor and insulin like growth factor 1 all prevent the release of PGE2 and CK. To the extent that these indicators may reflect cell damage, the results might support the investigation of the therapeutic potential of these compounds in muscle disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Motor neuron syndromes in cancer patients.

Previous reports indicate that motor neuron disease (MND) may rarely be associated with systemic cancer. We have encountered 14 patients with MND and cancer who formed three distinct groups. Group 1: Three patients developed a rapidly progressive MND, less prominent symptoms of involvement of other areas of the nervous system, and anti-Hu antibodies. Group 2: Five women developed signs of upper motor neuron (UMN) disease, initially resembling primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), and breast cancer. In 4, symptoms of UMN occurred within 3 months of cancer diagnosis or tumor recurrence. They had no metastases or spinal cord compression. Serum anti-neuronal antibodies were negative. Three patients are alive (follow-up of 156, 15, and 12 months), and 2 remain without lower motor neuron signs. Group 3: Six patients developed MND resembling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis between 47 months before and 48 months after their cancer diagnosis. In group 1, the MND associated with the anti-Hu antibody is unequivocally paraneoplastic. In group 2, the proximate onset of MND with the diagnosis of cancer or its recurrence, its pure or long-lasting UMN signs, and its association with breast cancer, suggest that the disorder may be paraneoplastic. Although for most cancer patients who develop MND the occurrence of both disorders is probably coincidental, in some patients with MND a careful search for an underlying cancer is warranted (ie, patients in groups 1 and 2).

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Myasthenia gravis in association with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: clinical observations, therapeutic implications and review of literature.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We present the 11th case in the medical literature, a 23-year-old female 100 months post-allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). After discontinuation of immunosuppression for chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) involving skin, gastrointestinal tract and lacrimal glands, the patient developed severe, progressive dysphagia initially attributed to esophageal candidiasis. With the development of muscle weakness, ptosis, and dysphonia the diagnosis of generalized myasthenia gravis was suspected, and confirmed by elevated anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer and a positive edrophonium challenge. Prednisone and pyridostigmine produced improvement, and thymectomy was performed without pathologic evidence of thymoma. Recurrent post-operative respiratory distress required transient mechanical ventilation. Twenty-seven months after diagnosis, the patient requires maintenance prednisone to control symptoms of myasthenia gravis. The clinical features of all reported cases of MG post-allogeneic BMT are reviewed, and universal features include an association with decreasing immunosuppression, the presence of other manifestations of chronic GVHD, anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies, and the absence of an associated thymoma. HLA Cw1, Cw7 and DR2 were identified at frequencies significantly above that expected from HLA antigen prevalance studies, and may be markers for increased risk of developing MG post-allogeneic BMT. No statistically significant associations with HLA A2, B7, B35 or donor-recipient sex mismatch were present. Reinstitution of immunosuppression and standard therapies for myasthenia gravis were effective in the majority of cases. The role of thymectomy in this population remains unclear.

Adolescent↗