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Biomedical subjects

A Arora

Publications and source records attributed to A Arora.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Reduced Length of ADT and ARTA With XRT in High-Risk Prostate Cancer (RELAX): A Randomised Controlled Trial.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of a short, intensified regimen of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and androgen receptor-targeted agent (ARTA) with curative-intent external beam radiotherapy (XRT) for high-risk prostate cancer (HRPCa) staged with prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The RELAX (Reduced Length of ADT and ARTA with XRT in high-risk prostate cancer) trial is a multicentre, phase II randomised non-inferiority trial comparing 9 months of ADT and 6 months of ARTA against the standard 24-month ADT, with definitive dose-escalated hypofractionated pelvic radiotherapy for PSMA-staged non-metastatic HRPCa. The primary endpoint is 5-year disease-free survival (DFS), defined from randomisation to first biochemical or clinico-radiological recurrence or any-cause death. Secondary endpoints include biochemical failure-free survival, metastasis-free survival, overall survival, testosterone recovery, treatment-related adverse effects, and patient-reported outcomes. Participants are monitored with serial serum PSA and testosterone levels, CTCAE and PRO-CTCAE assessments, and PSMA-PETCT at recurrence. The non-inferiority margin is set at 10% absolute difference from an expected 5-year DFS of 85% in the standard arm, with intention-to-treat analysis. The trial is ethics board approved and funded by institutional intramural grant, and registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06818682). RESULTS: The planned accrual of 206 participants commenced in February 2025, with nearly a third of enrolment completed till date. CONCLUSION: The RELAX trial incorporates contemporary standards of PSMA-based staging, dose-escalated hypofractionated radiotherapy, and ARTA for HRPCa. The results are expected to inform the efficacy of a shorter, intensified androgen suppression strategy against the prevailing standard of long-term ADT for these patients.

Humans↗

A novel GJA8 mutation is associated with autosomal dominant lamellar pulverulent cataract: further evidence for gap junction dysfunction in human cataract.

PURPOSE: To identify the gene responsible for autosomal dominant lamellar pulverulent cataract in a four-generation British family and characterise the functional and cellular consequences of the mutation. METHODS: Linkage analysis was used to identify the disease locus. The GJA8 gene was sequenced directly. Functional behaviour and cellular trafficking of connexins were examined by expression in Xenopus oocytes and HeLa cells. RESULTS: A 262C>A transition that resulted in the replacement of proline by glutamine (P88Q) in the coding region of connexin50 (Cx50) was identified. hCx50P88Q did not induce intercellular conductance and significantly inhibited gap junctional activity of co-expressed wild type hCx50 RNA in paired Xenopus oocytes. In transfected cells, immunoreactive hCx50P88Q was confined to the cytoplasm but showed a temperature sensitive localisation at gap junctional plaques. CONCLUSIONS: The pulverulent cataract described in this family is associated with a novel GJA8 mutation and has a different clinical phenotype from previously described GJA8 mutants. The cataract likely results from lack of gap junction function. The lack of function was associated with improper targeting to the plasma membrane, most probably due to protein misfolding.

Cataract↗

The use of immunomodulators as an adjunct to antituberculous chemotherapy in non-responsive patients with osteo-articular tuberculosis.

We studied 51 patients with osteo-articular tuberculosis who were divided into two groups. Group I comprised 31 newly-diagnosed patients who were given first-line antituberculous treatment consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. Group II (non-responders) consisted of 20 patients with a history of clinical non-responsiveness to supervised uninterrupted antituberculous treatment for a minimum of three months or a recurrence of a previous lesion which on clinical observation had healed. No patient in either group was HIV-positive. Group II were treated with an immunomodulation regime of intradermal BCG, oral levamisole and intramuscular diphtheria and tetanus vaccines as an adjunct for eight weeks in addition to antituberculous treatment. We gave antituberculous treatment for a total of 12 to 18 months in both groups and they were followed up for a mean of 30.2 months (24 to 49). A series of 20 healthy blood donors served as a control group.Twenty-nine (93.6%) of the 31 patients in group I and 14 of the 20 (70%) in group II had a clinicoradiological healing response to treatment by five months. The CD4 cell count in both groups was depressed at the time of enrolment, with a greater degree of depression in the group-II patients (686 cells/mm(3) (sd 261) and 545 cells/mm(3) (sd 137), respectively; p < 0.05). After treatment for three months both groups showed significant elevation of the CD4 cell count, reaching a level comparable with the control group. However, the mean CD4 cell count of group II (945 cells/mm(3) (sd 343)) still remained lower than that of group I (1071 cells/mm(3) (sd 290)), but the difference was not significant. Our study has shown encouraging results after immunomodulation and antituberculous treatment in non-responsive patients. The pattern of change in the CD4 cell count in response to treatment may be a reliable clinical indicator.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

The role of the surgeon in the management of melanoma.

While multimodality therapy has become the standard for most solid tumors, the mainstay of therapy for melanoma remains surgical. This includes not only early stage disease, but advanced melanoma as well. The surgical approach to melanoma has changed dramatically, with a trend towards less aggressive resection of the primary tumor, and towards a more aggressive approach to regional and metastatic disease. Melanoma surgery has been altered by our knowledge of the biology of the disease, and the results of well-designed, prospective randomized trials. Conversely, new surgical approaches have expanded our understanding of melanoma biology, and new randomized trials are needed to further define the optimal surgical approach. This article will review the evolution of melanoma surgery and the evidence behind today's recommendations.

Humans↗

Decreasing strabismus surgery.

AIM: To determine whether there has been a consistent change across countries and healthcare systems in the frequency of strabismus surgery in children over the past decade. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data on all strabismus surgery performed in NHS hospitals in England and Wales, on children aged 0-16 years between 1989 and 2000, and between 1994 and 2000 in Ontario (Canada) hospitals. These were compared with published data for Scotland, 1989-2000. RESULTS: Between 1989 and 1999-2000 the number of strabismus procedures performed on children, 0-16 years, in England decreased by 41.2% from 15 083 to 8869. Combined medial rectus recession with lateral rectus resection decreased from 5538 to 3013 (45.6%) in the same period. Bimedial recessions increased from 489 to 762, oblique tenotomies from 43 to 121, and the use of adjustable sutures from 29 to 44, in 2000. In Ontario, operations for squint decreased from 2280 to 1685 (26.1%) among 0-16 year olds between 1994 and 2000. CONCLUSION: The clinical impression of decrease in the frequency of paediatric strabismus surgery is confirmed. In the authors' opinion this cannot be fully explained by a decrease in births or by the method of healthcare funding. Two factors that might have contributed are better conservative strabismus management and increased subspecialisation that has improved the quality of surgery and the need for re-operation. This finding has a significant impact upon surgical services and also on the training of ophthalmologists.

Adolescent↗

Pulmonary artery dissection: an emerging cardiovascular complication in surviving patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial dissection is an extremely rare and usually lethal complication of chronic pulmonary hypertension. The condition usually manifests as cardiogenic shock or sudden death and is therefore typically diagnosed at postmortem examination rather than during life. However, recent isolated reports have described pulmonary artery dissection in surviving patients. The first case of pulmonary artery dissection in a surviving patient with cor pulmonale caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is presented. The aetiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of pulmonary artery dissection are reviewed and factors that may aid diagnosis during life are discussed.

Aortic Dissection↗

Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis--a rare differential diagnosis of soft-tissue infection in a neonate: a case report.

This case report describes a rare differential diagnosis of soft-tissue infection in a neonate. Fever, pain, inflammation, and acute tenderness in the limb of a neonate signify acute infection or osteomyelitis unless proved otherwise. Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis presents with similar symptoms and signs; its diagnosis may be easily confused with an infective condition by an unwary orthopaedic surgeon. This report aimed to raise doctors' awareness on the presentation, aetiopathogenesis, and course of the relatively rare iatrogenic calcinosis cutis.

Calcinosis↗

Recurrent spinal meningioma: a case report with review of the literature.

Spinal meningioma generally responds favourably to surgical excision and has a low rate of recurrence. However, follow-up data on patients under 50 years of age are limited. We report a recurrence of intraspinal meningioma 18 years after the initial surgery in a 45-year-old woman. She presented with weakness in both lower limbs that had gradually progressed over the previous 8 months, and difficulty in walking for the last 2 months. She had no history of sensory loss or visceral involvement, but had undergone a major surgical intervention of the upper spine for a similar episode of weakness in both lower limbs 18 years earlier. She underwent a second surgery at the same site, and a greyish-white tumour was excised, which was histopathologically confirmed as recurrent psammomatous meningioma. The patient demonstrated complete neurological recovery in 8 months.

Female↗

Surface anatomy of the inferior epigastric artery in relation to laparoscopic injury.

The inferior epigastric artery (IEA) is at risk of injury in laparoscopic surgery. Current descriptions of the course of the IEA do not provide surface landmarks useful to the surgeon. This study aimed to define surface relations and propose guidelines for safer trocar placement. The posterior surfaces of the anterior abdominal walls of 30 preserved cadavers were dissected. The surface anatomy of 60 IEAs and their branches were defined. At the level of the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), the IEA is 38% +/- 18% (95% confidence interval [CI]) from the midline to the ASIS. At the mid-inguinal point the relation is 40% +/- 17% and at the umbilicus 40% +/- 22%. The pattern of branches is highly variable. Although giving guidelines for trocar insertion can be treacherous, we found the following to be of value: 1) the midline is avascular; 2) the main stem of the IEA will be avoided if trocars are inserted more than two-thirds of the distance along a horizontal line between the midline and the ASIS; and 3) IEA branches are least frequently found in the lowest part of the abdomen lateral to the artery.

Aged↗

Acute renal failure following para-phenylenediamine (PPD) poisoning: a case report and review.

We report a case of systemic poisoning with para-phenylenediamine (PPD) presenting with characteristic features of severe angioneurotic edema, rhabdomyolysis and intravascular hemolysis with hemoglobinuria culminating in acute renal failure. Though rare in western countries, such poisoning is not uncommon in East Africa, Indian subcontinent and Middle East countries. We discuss here the clinical features and key management issues of systemic PPD poisoning.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Modulation of altered hepatic foci induction by diallyl sulphide in Wistar rats.

Diallyl sulphide (DAS) is a sulphur-containing volatile compound present in garlic (Allium sativum). It has been shown to inhibit a number of chemically induced forms of cancer in experimental animals. The present study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of DAS on the development of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) initiated and 2-acetyl-aminofluorene (2-AAF) promoted preneoplastic altered hepatic foci (AHF) in Wistar rats. AHF were scored and analysed by quantitative stereology using the Image Analysis system from frozen liver sections stained for biological markers, namely glutathione S-transferase, placental form (GST-P), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase) and alkaline phosphatase (AlkPase). DAS-supplemented rats were found to restore the near-normal levels of enzymes GST-P and GGT when exposed to DEN and 2-AAF. DAS administration following DEN and 2-AAF exposure led to the restoration of enzymic activity of ATPase, G6 Pase and AlkPase, as evident by number and area of the foci. These findings suggest the protective role of DAS in rat hepatocarcinogenesis, by suppressing DEN- and 2-AAF-induced AHF development.

Allyl Compounds↗

Dhaga syndrome: a previously undescribed entity.

Three children between the ages of 18 months and four years presented with a discharging sinus or sinuses at the wrist due to a 'sacred' thread (the Moli Dhaga) which had been tied around it. This thread had been forgotten by the parents and had become embedded in the soft tissues of the wrist. Plain radiographs showed a circumferential constriction in the soft tissue shadow in all three. In two, there was a periosteal reaction in the distal radius or ulna with an indentation which we have called the constriction sign. Surgical removal of the buried thread was successful in all cases.

Child, Preschool↗

Behaviour of the kyphotic angle in spinal tuberculosis.

We followed 70 adult patients with spinal tuberculosis for a minimum of 2 years. Forty patients were treated by ambulant multi-drug chemotherapy (group A), and 30 with neurological complications (group B) were treated by antero-lateral decompression and chemotherapy. We studied the angle of spinal kyphosis as calculated on lateral spinal X-ray by the modified Konstam's method. The angle at final follow-up was compared with the pre-treatment angle. The relationship between the amount of initial vertebral loss, the predicted kyphotic angle and the observed kyphotic angle was analysed. Mean initial vertebral loss, mean pre-treatment angle and mean observed kyphotic angle in group A were 0.77 degrees, 24.3 degrees and 31.75 degrees respectively, with a mean increase in angle of 7.4 degrees. In group B, the readings were 0.67, 25.9 degrees and 26.8 degrees respectively, with a mean increase in angle of 0.9 degrees. Kyphotic deformity continued to progress until 2 years' follow-up. Progression was more pronounced in the non-operative group.

Adolescent↗

Hip arthroscopy: complications in 1054 cases.

Although arthroscopic surgery of the hip is becoming a more frequently done operation, there is relatively few data in the literature regarding the frequency of complications. In the current prospective study of 1054 consecutive hip arthroscopies, the authors report an overall complication rate of 1.4%. Complications included neurapraxia, portal wound bleeding, portal hematoma, trochanteric bursitis, and instrument breakage. The only major complication was one case of septic arthritis. It is concluded that, done properly, hip arthroscopy can be a considered a low-risk procedure.

Adolescent↗

Salmonella osteomyelitis in an otherwise healthy adult male-successful management with conservative treatment: a case report.

A 21-year-old male presented with pain in the right thigh of insidious onset and 3 months' duration. He had a history of febrile illness lasting for 15 days, 2 months prior to the onset of pain. Examination revealed swelling over the lower lateral aspect of the right thigh with some induration and tenderness. Initial X-rays of the right femur and the computed tomography scan at 10 weeks after the onset of disease were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging scan showed signal alteration with minimal destruction of the anterior cortex in the mid-diaphyseal region of the right femur. A repeated X-ray taken at 15 weeks after the onset of illness showed erosive changes, along with periosteal reaction in the diaphyseal area. The Widal test was positive. Open biopsy of the lesion revealed inflammatory non-caseating tissue. Culture of the specimen grew Salmonella typhi. The patient was given antibiotic treatment. Both X-rays and the Widal titres were normal on subsequent follow-up at 3 months.

Adult↗