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Biomedical subjects

B Rao

Publications and source records attributed to B Rao.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Lipid peroxidation in human spermatozoa as related to midpiece abnormalities and motility.

The formation of malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation (LPO), was measured in human spermatozoa from 27 subjects with normal sperm characteristics. Peroxidation of lipids in washed spermatozoa was induced by catalytic amounts of ferrous ions and ascorbate and malondialdehyde determined by thiobarbituric method. MDA formation varied considerably from one sample to another. The studied population showed a strong correlation between lipid peroxidation potential (amount of MDA formed by 10(8) spermatozoa after 1 hour of incubation) and 1) initial motility r = -0.623, P = 0.001; and 2) morphologic abnormalities of the midpiece r = 0.405, P = 0.05. These results suggest that poor motility is linked with membrane fragility and that spermatozoa with midpiece abnormalities probably have membrane and/or cytoplasmic antiperoxidant system defects. Because LPO potential is related to the two most important characteristics of fertility, it seems possible that it has the potential to become a good biochemical index of semen quality.

Humans↗

Therapy for localized Ewing's sarcoma of bone.

Fifty-two previously untreated patients with localized Ewing's sarcoma of bone were treated with nonintensive chemotherapy in combination with surgery or radiation therapy (RT). RT was delivered to limited volumes in a dose dependent on the initial response to induction chemotherapy (30 to 35 Gy v 50 to 55 Gy). Fifty of the 52 patients achieved complete or partial responses with induction chemotherapy, with one nonresponding patient rendered free of tumor with surgery. Fifty patients were evaluable for local control of tumor and overall response to protocol therapy. Seventeen relapses have occurred; three metastatic, four local plus metastatic, and ten local. Two factors predicted worse disease-free survival: high WBC count (P = .03) and size of primary tumor (P = .05). Of the 14 local recurrences, 12 occurred in 28 patients who presented with primary tumors greater than 8 cm in size while only two of 22 patients with lesions less than 8 cm had local recurrence. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of disease-free survival at 3 years is 82% for those with small lesions and 64% for those with larger lesions. Site of primary was of no prognostic value (P = .27). The 5-year survival estimate for all patients is 80% (median time on study, 3.3 years).

Adolescent↗

Lymphangioendothelioma of the liver in a neonate.

The case report describes the clinical features, imaging findings, and pathology of a lymphangioendothelioma that almost entirely replaced the liver parenchyma in a neonate. No other organs were involved.

Female↗

Effect of two-week infusion of deamino D-arginine vasopressin in rats.

Our purpose was to investigate a method of prolonged desmopressin (DDAVP) infusion in a free roaming rat to better understand the SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion) syndrome in man. DDAVP was infused for 2 weeks from implanted self-powered osmotic minipumps. At the end of that time, plasma DDAVP and urine osmolality were both significantly elevated in experimental as compared with control animals. However, hyponatremia and hypoosmolality, which are characteristic in the SIADH, did not develop. Our observations suggest that inappropriate high antidiuretic hormone levels do not necessarily lead to the SIADH either by urine sodium loss or by water retention if animals decrease water intake.

Animals↗

Metastatic Ewing's sarcoma: remission induction and survival.

Eighteen patients with previously untreated metastatic Ewing's sarcoma (ES) entered a protocol designed to evaluate the response rate to cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin induction therapy delivered before delayed surgery and delayed lower dose, limited-field radiation therapy, (RT), and maintenance chemotherapy. With chemotherapy and delayed surgery, 14 of 18 were rendered free of gross tumor. RT was delivered to the primary site of 11 of these responding patients, plus four of those not free of gross disease. Following RT, two more attained complete clinical remission. Site of primary or metastases did not influence outcome; however, the size of the primary at diagnosis did appear to do so. Ten patients remain disease-free 16 to 82 months (median, 47 months) from diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Campylobacter jejuni septicemia--epidemiology, clinical features and outcome.

In 33 cases of Campylobacter jejuni septicemia, the disease was more common at the extremes of age: infants made up a third of the reported cases while 24% of patients were older than 50 years. Fever was noted in more than 80% of patients and chills in about a fourth. Enteritis was present in 70% of cases, and the gastrointestinal tract was the principal source of septicemia. Half of the patients did not have significant underlying disease but were at extremes of age, which may reflect relative host impairment. Mortality (25%) owing to C jejuni septicemia occurs mostly in compromised hosts.

Age Factors↗

Ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid versus moxalactam in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections.

A formulation of 3.0 g of ticarcillin and 0.1 g of clavulanic acid was evaluated in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, and its efficacy was compared with that of moxalactam in a randomized open study. Thirty-three patients received 3.1 g of ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid every six hours via intravenous infusion, and 36 patients received 2.0 g of moxalactam every eight hours via intravenous infusion. Diagnostic categories included intramuscular abscesses, cellulitis, skin ulcers, gangrene, and perirectal abscesses. The average age of the patients and the duration of therapy were similar in both groups. Overall, 45 aerobic and 25 anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid-treated patients; 58 aerobic and 24 anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the moxalactam-treated patients. Thirty of 33 patients in the ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid-treated group had a satisfactory response; a skin rash developed in one patient; therapy failed in one patient with Staphylococcus aureus infection; and one patient died as a result of a bleeding peptic ulcer. In the moxalactam-treated group, 32 of 36 patients had a satisfactory response; a skin rash developed in one patient; therapy failed in a patient with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection; and two patients were unevaluable. Ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid as a single agent was found to be as effective as moxalactam in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of unresectable or metastatic osteosarcoma with cisplatin or cisplatin-doxorubicin.

Responses and toxicity after treatment with cisplatin and cisplatin-doxorubicin were compared in two groups of patients with unresectable or metastatic osteosarcoma. Complete or partial responses developed in 3 of 18 individuals treated with cisplatin, and in 5 of 19 after the two-drug combination. Hematologic and gastrointestinal complications were more frequent and severe in patients who received both agents. The combined use of cisplatin and doxorubicin is justified for patients with unresectable or metastatic osteosarcoma at diagnosis because of the potential therapeutic benefits for these individuals.

Adolescent↗

Thyroid dysfunction and neoplasia in children receiving neck irradiation for cancer.

The reported relationship of radiation exposure and thyroid carcinoma stimulated this retrospective study of 298 patients treated at St. Jude Children's Hospital with radiation therapy to the neck for childhood cancer to identify patients who developed subsequent thyroid abnormalities. This series includes 153 patients with Hodgkin's disease, 95 with acute lymphocytic leukemia, 28 with lymphoepithelioma, and 22 with miscellaneous tumors. Inclusion in the study required 5 years of disease-free survival following therapy for their original tumor, which included thyroid irradiation. Follow-up has been 100%. Most patients also received chemotherapy. Seventeen patients were found to have decreased thyroid reserve with normal levels of free triiodothyroxine (T3) or free thyroxin, (T4) and an elevated level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). In nine patients hypothyroidism developed, with decreased T3 or T4 levels and an elevated level of TSH. One hyperthyroid patient was identified. Two patients had thyroiditis, and seven had thyroid neoplasms: (carcinoma in two, adenoma in two, colloid nodule in one, and undiagnosed nodules in two). This survey has demonstrated an increased incidence of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid neoplasia when compared to the general population. The importance of long-term follow-up for thyroid disease is emphasized in patients who have received thyroid irradiation. The possible role of subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH elevation coupled with radiation damage to the thyroid gland as a model for the development of neoplastic disease is discussed.

Adolescent↗

In vitro activity of cefbuperazone, a new cephamycin, against anaerobic bacteria.

The 90% MIC of cefbuperazone (BMY 25182) was 32 micrograms/ml for Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides spp., 128 micrograms/ml for Fusobacterium and Clostridium spp., 64 micrograms/ml for Eubacterium and Peptococcus spp., 8 micrograms/ml for Actinomyces spp., and 32 micrograms/ml for Peptostreptococcus spp. The level of activity of cefbuperazone was higher against B. fragilis and lower against anaerobic cocci than those of related cephalosporins, i.e., cefoxitin, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, and cefmenoxime. However, the activity of cefbuperazone was comparable to that of moxalactam against all groups tested. Size of inoculum and type of media used did not alter the MICs of cefbuperazone for B. fragilis. Cefbuperazone showed synergistic activity when combined with cefoxitin against resistant strains of B. fragilis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The significance of calcified regional lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis of osteosarcoma.

The presence of lymph node metastases from osteosarcoma was rare at diagnosis, occurring in only four of 176 patients (2.3%) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. An additional patient presented with calcified lymph nodes, which were demonstrated to contain no evidence of metastatic osteosarcoma. These patients did not differ in race, sex or age at diagnosis from other osteosarcoma patients. Each of the four patients with lymph node metastases of osteosarcoma had tumors composed predominantly of the osteoblastic type. Regional nodal metastases, whether alone or in conjunction with other metastatic disease were a poor prognostic factor. Despite aggressive therapy, median survival was 8 1/2 months from diagnosis, which did not differ significantly from the survival achieved by other osteosarcoma patients who had other hematogenous metastases.

Adolescent↗

Cefmenoxime therapy for gynecologic and obstetric infections.

Cefmenoxime, a new third-generation cephalosporin, was used as a single drug in the therapy for female genital tract infections. Therapeutic response was considered satisfactory in 21 of 22 cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, six of nine tuboovarian abscesses, two of three severe wound infections, and all five cases of endometritis. Overall, 34 of 39 patients responded. The peak serum antibiotic levels in this study ranged from 15.8 to 64 (average 48.7) micrograms/mL, and the trough level ranged from 0.9 to 4 (average 3.1) micrograms/mL. Cefmenoxime was tested in vitro against 424 isolates of anaerobes including 208 strains of bacteroides of which 80 were Bacteroides fragilis. Cefmenoxime inhibited the growth of 90% or greater of the organisms (minimal inhibitory concentration 90) at less than or equal to 64 micrograms/mL. The minimal inhibitory concentration for 75% of B fragilis was 32 micrograms/mL. This study suggests that cefmenoxime as a single-drug therapy is effective in the treatment of female genital tract infections caused by aerobic (including the gonococcus) and anaerobic bacteria.

Abscess↗

Improved recovery of post-thaw motility and vitality of human spermatozoa cryopreserved in the presence of dithiothreitol.

Semen was collected in the laboratory from nine healthy donors. The concentrations and the percentages of live and motile spermatozoa in all semen samples were within the normal range. Each sample was diluted with citrate-egg yolk-glycerol medium with and without 5 mM dithiothreitol (DTT). Samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor (-70 degrees C) for 7 min and subsequently stored in liquid nitrogen. The effect of DTT in cryopreservation of sperm was determined by comparing percentage of motile and live spermatozoa between controls and DTT-treated post-thaw samples. Percentage of motile spermatozoa was determined by two techniques, laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and light microscopy. The percentage of live spermatozoa was measured by microscopic evaluation after staining with eosin-nigrosin. It was shown that the addition of DTT to the freezing medium significantly improved the recovery of motile and live spermatozoa in the post-thaw samples. The mean motility recovery, as measured by LDV, was 44.9% in the controls as compared to 73.9% in the DTT-treated samples. Similarly the mean recovery of live spermatozoa in the controls and DTT-treated samples was 66.5 and 86.6%, respectively. Based on these results, a new hypothesis implicating lipid peroxidation in cryoinjury is proposed. It is also suggested that the use of DTT in the freezing medium may offer an advantage over the commonly used techniques of human sperm cryopreservation.

Cell Survival↗

Hormonal regulation of testosterone production in short-term primary culture of fetal mouse Leydig cells.

Short-term primary culture of Leydig cells were prepared from 18 day old fetal mouse testes. The cells were cultured in a defined medium supplemented with 1% fetal calf serum, EGF and Insulin. The cells rapidly attached to the plastic culture dish. Seventy to eighty percent of the firmly attached cells stained positively for 3 beta-HSD activity and gradually assumed a flattened epitheloid appearance. The functional activity of these cells in terms of testosterone production and hCG-responsiveness was maintained for 2 days. There was a significant effect of plating density. Pre-culture (24 h) of fetal Leydig cells in the presence of 100 mIU hCG desensitized these cells to a subsequent stimulation by hCG. This is the first report of a short-term primary culture of fetal Leydig cells which demonstrates the maintenance of androgenic activity of these cells in vitro.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

A double-blind comparison of fluvoxamine, imipramine and placebo in depressed patients.

In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 91 out-patient depressives, the anti-depressant effect of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor was compared to that of imipramine. Overall drug effects were relatively weak but analyses in selected sub-groups showed both active drugs superior to placebo. Effects of fluvoxamine were more marked in non-situational depressives and it did not improve sleep while effects of imipramine were more marked in retarded depressives and on retardation ratings, suggesting that fluvoxamine may have a different pattern of clinical effects. Side effects of Fluvoxamine were predominantly gastrointestinal and it did not produce postural hypotension or anticholinergic side-effects.

Adult↗

The role of surgical resection when combined with chemotherapy and radiation in the management of pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma.

With the development of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy for embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, the role and extent of surgical resection of these pelvic tumors need to be defined. Thirty-six children with pelvic genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma seen at St. Jude Children's were managed on protocols combining surgical resection and radiation, and chemotherapy. Ten children presented with cervical-vaginal tumors, which were managed with combined therapy; the surgical resection was histovaginectomy in eight and pelvic exenteration in one. Eight of the ten are free of disease from 1 to 14 years. Twelve children presented with bladder and prostate tumors, which were resected with segmental cystectomy in four cases, biopsy in five, and pelvic exenteration in three. All received combination therapy and six of the twelve are surviving free of disease from 6 months to 16 years. Fourteen children presented with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. Chemotherapy was combined with radical orchiectomy in all cases. Retroperitoneal node dissection was done in nine and five had inguinal node dissection. Nine of the 14 are surviving NED from 2 to 16 years. One patient died, free of disease, with complications of combination therapy. The results of this review supports the approach of combining chemotherapy, radiation, and complete surgical resection.

Adolescent↗