[Severe neutropenia in infectious mononucleosis].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adolescent↗
Biomedical subjects
F Ries
Publications and source records attributed to F Ries.
Intravenous immune globulin in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
The most common complication of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is infection, which occurs mainly in advanced stages of disease or in those patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia. Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) has been shown to be a useful prophylactic therapy against infections in such patients. A randomized, double-blind study on 36 patients receiving either 500 mg/kg or 250 mg/kg IVIG every 4 weeks was undertaken to determine the dose regimen required. There was no significant difference in the two treatment groups and we found that CLL patients were equally protected with low-dose IVIG.
Agammaglobulinemia↗
Side-effects of intravenous immune globulins.
Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) preparations are efficacious and safe products in use world-wide. Although rare, side-effects of IVIG may be serious, even life-threatening, and clinicians should be aware of their potential occurrence. This article summarizes most of the adverse experiences with IVIG reported in the literature since its introduction into clinical practice almost 15 years ago.
Anaphylaxis↗
[Small cell bronchial cancer. Comparison of results of weekly polychemotherapy using multiple drugs with standard chemotherapy. European Lung Cancer Working Party].
The administration of multiple cytostatic drugs on a weekly basis has been proposed as a new intensive chemotherapy modality for small-cell lung cancer. The European Lung Cancer Working Party has conducted a randomized trial comparing to a standard regimen (cyclophosphamide + adriamycin + etoposide given at the cycle beginning) a weekly chemotherapy with 7 active drugs (cyclophosphamide + adriamycin + etoposide on day 1; cisplatin + vindesine on day 8; methotrexate + vincristine on day 15). A total of 215 eligible patients have been registered. There has been no significant difference between the 2 arms for response and for survival. The total relative dose-intensity has been lower in the weekly chemotherapy arm. This approach has failed to improve current results.
Adult↗
[Apoptosis and cancer].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
Genomic imprinting and its relevance for oncology.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Animals↗
Of the British coastline and the interest of fractals in medicine.
We review a certain number of medical applications of a new non-euclidean geometry: the fractal geometry described by Mandelbrot. Examples come from anatomy, cytology, general physiology and physiopathology. Furthermore, real clinical applications are shown, in particular, in cardiology, neurology, ophtalmology, radiology and other imaging techniques. An easy reading mathematical approach is added. Some of the fractal images will certainly capture your attention and spur your interest for further applications of this new concept.
Fractals↗
A transpulmonary contrast medium enhances the transcranial Doppler signal in humans.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transtemporal insonation in transcranial Doppler sonography is often impaired by an insufficient signal-to-noise ratio, especially in elderly patients. A transpulmonary stable air microbubble suspension was injected intravenously in humans as an intracranial ultrasonic contrast agent. METHODS: In a clinical phase II study, 20 patients (15 women, 5 men; mean age, 65.5 +/- 11.5 years) presenting with clinical indications for transcranial Doppler investigation were examined. A total of 97 intravenous injections with different concentrations (200, 300, and 400 mg/mL of suspension) of air microbubbles bound to galactose microparticles as a carrier were performed. The signal enhancement of color-coded pulse curves of basal cerebral arteries was evaluated off-line in comparison to an integrated color-coded decibel scale, considering quality, quantity, and time course of enhancement requiring a 3-dB level above the native signal. The overall diagnostic information was assessed according to a reliability score. RESULTS: The first acoustic signal increase was registered after an average of 21 seconds. Time intervals for a dose-dependent peak intensity and maximal duration were 41.3 +/- 17.1 seconds and 118.0 +/- 69.8 seconds (200 mg/mL); 55.5 +/- 27.7 seconds and 237.0 +/- 112.3 seconds (300 mg/mL); and 66.1 +/- 31.8 seconds and 293.0 +/- 122.0 seconds (400 mg/mL), respectively. Duration of signal enhancement increased significantly (P < .05) with higher concentrations. The extent of signal enhancement during the whole pulse curve reached an average of 9.1 +/- 5.0 dB for 200 mg/mL, 12.0 +/- 5.4 dB for 300 mg/mL (significant on P < .05 level), and 13.1 +/- 5.6 dB for 400 mg/mL concentration (P = NS). Respective maximal intensity spots reached 17.5 +/- 6.0, 20.7 +/- 5.5, and 22.7 +/- 5.9 dB for increasing concentrations, respectively. Overall visual assessment of enhanced pulse curves for diagnostic reliability showed a sufficient result in 38.1% of all injections with 200 mg/mL, in 88.6% with 300 mg/mL, and in 84.2% with 400 mg/mL concentration. Minimal side effects occurring in 12.4% of all injections were all reversible. CONCLUSIONS: Transpulmonary stable air microbubbles bound to a galactose carrier represent a useful and safe contrast agent in case of an insufficient native signal in transcranial Doppler investigation.
Adult↗
Differentiation of multi-infarct and Alzheimer dementia by intracranial hemodynamic parameters.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The differentiation between the Alzheimer and multi-infarct types of dementia may still be equivocal considering clinical criteria, neuropsychological tests, and imaging techniques. Cerebral microangiopathic alterations underlying multi-infarct dementia should allow the characterization of dementia subgroups. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia (n = 17; mean age, 69.1 +/- 8.5 years) or Alzheimer dementia (n = 24, mean age, 65.8 +/- 9.0 years) according to standard testing criteria, clinical findings, and neuroimaging techniques (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) were investigated prospectively by transcranial Doppler sonography and compared with a normal reference group (n = 64; mean age, 61.0 +/- 11.1 years). Transcranial Doppler sonography allows an indirect evaluation of peripheral flow resistance in the microcirculatory bed by quantifying pulsatility characteristics, as reflected in the effective pulsatility range (time-averaged mean blood flow velocity minus the peak-systolic to end-diastolic amplitude, in centimeters per second). RESULTS: A total of 204 vessels were investigated in 105 subjects. Mean and diastolic blood flow velocities as well as the effective pulsatility range were significantly lower in the multi-infarct dementia group compared with the Alzheimer and the normal reference groups (p < 0.001). By using receiver operating characteristic analysis, a cutoff point for effective pulsatility range values of -5 cm/sec gives a side-dependent sensitivity of 90.48-95.24% and a specificity of 64.71-70.59% in diagnosing Alzheimer-type dementia; the corresponding sensitivity and specificity for a value of -2 cm/sec are 82.35-88.24% and 80.95-90.48%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pulsatility changes as reflected by the effective pulsatility range are a noninvasive additional criterion in the differential diagnosis of dementia.
Aged↗
Multiple-drug weekly chemotherapy versus standard combination regimen in small-cell lung cancer: a phase III randomized study conducted by the European Lung Cancer Working Party.
PURPOSE: A randomized trial was conducted in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) to determine if survival can be improved by a weekly chemotherapy regimen combining various drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred twenty-three patients were randomized to receive either six courses of a multiple-drug combination (MDC) regimen (Adriamycin [ADR; doxorubicin; Farmitalia Carlo Erba, Milan, Italy] 25 mg/m2 intravenously [i.v.] on day 1; etoposide [VP16] 120 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1; cyclophosphamide [CPA] 500 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1; cisplatin 60 mg/m2 i.v. on day 8; vindesine [VDS] 3 mg/m2 i.v. on day 8; vincristine [VCR] 2 mg i.v. on day 15; methotrexate [MTX] 100 mg/m2 i.v. on day 15), or a standard chemotherapy (SC) regimen (ADR 50 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1; CPA 1 g/m2 i.v. on day 1; VP16 80 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1 to 3). RESULTS: In 98 MDC-treated and 101 SC-treated assessable patients, we observed 69% and 62% objective responses rates, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival, with median durations and 2-year overall survival rates of 49 and 43 weeks and 8.5% and 7.9%, respectively. There was a significant increase in response rate in favor of MDC patients with limited disease (84% v 62%). Toxicity was tolerable, although SC was more hematotoxic, with 76% (v 59%) experiencing leukopenia and 17% (v 7%) experiencing thrombocytopenia (grades III and IV). If the cumulative doses received were nearly equal to the scheduled cumulative doses in both arms, the total relative dose-intensity (RDI) was significantly higher in the SC arm. The difference was due to increased treatment delays in the MDC arm. CONCLUSION: Weekly MDC failed to improve survival rates in patients with SCLC.
Adult↗
Dose-response relationship of epirubicin-based first-line chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer: a prospective randomized trial.
PURPOSE: We compared prospectively the antitumor efficacy of two combination chemotherapy regimens with two different dose levels of epirubicin as first-line treatment for advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-one fully assessable patients were randomized to receive either our intensified schedule (group A, n = 71) of epirubicin 50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 (every 3 weeks), or a non-intensified program (group B, n = 70) in which epirubicin was only administered on day 1. Both groups also received fluorouracil (5 FU) and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 on day 1 of each course. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in response rate was observed (69% in group A v 41% in group B, P < .001) for both locally advanced (LA) and recurrent metastatic (RM) disease. Response duration (22 v 14 months, P < .01) and time to progression (TTP; 19 v 8 months, P < .02) were also significantly improved. Overall survival was similar in both groups. However, univariate and/or multivariate analyses showed a meaningful relationship between type of treatment allocated, dose-intensity (DI) of epirubicin, and response rate, as well as between TTP and survival. Ultimately, TTP and survival were also influenced by further treatment modalities, namely, hormonotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: This study validates prospectively the concept of a dose-response relationship for an anthracycline-based chemotherapy in previously untreated advanced breast cancer.
Actuarial Analysis↗
[Chemoprevention: a new strategy in the fight against breast cancer?].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Genetic aspects of multidrug resistance.
Gene amplification is responsible both for dihydrofolate reductase induced methotrexate resistance, and for the P-glycoprotein encoding multigene family induced multidrug resistance. The 6 pairs of hydrophobic regions of the P-glycoprotein fold up in a snake-like structure through the lipidic layers of the cell membrane. Other detoxification mechanisms include the glutathione S-transferase 'pi', but without gene amplification.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
The genetic basis of multidrug resistance.
Cellular multidrug resistance, a common side-effect of anticancer chemotherapy frequently leading to failure of the treatment, has been characterized as an acquired resistance to several antimitotic drugs simultaneously. Multidrug resistance could mainly be attributed to the overexpression of the P-170 glycoprotein, considered as a drug-efflux pump encoded by the mdr 1 gene. Overexpression of this protein can be induced either by an accidental amplification or activation or both of the mdr 1 gene. Recent investigations focused on these mechanisms, aiming at a better understanding of the appearance of multidrug resistance during a chemotherapy. P-glycoprotein mediated drug resistance, however, is only one, albeit quite an important detoxification pathway, and some observations revealed genetic interactions with other systems. On the basis of this new knowledge, the development of novel therapeutic strategies to circumvent this clinical side-effect of cancer treatment has already begun.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
[Thrombopenia secondary to heparin].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Autoimmune Diseases↗
[Total intravenous anesthesia using propofol and alfentanil as compared to combined inhalation anesthesia reduces the flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery. A Doppler sonographic study].
Anesthesia for craniotomies should guarantee hemodynamic stability, preservation of cerebral autoregulation, and rapid postoperative recovery of consciousness. Increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) and postoperative respiratory depression should be avoided. Combined anesthesia (KA) with N2O and volatile anesthetics may increase cerebral blood flow (CBF), ICP, and cerebral oxygen consumption. According to recent studies, total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and alfentanil seems to best fulfill the requirements. Using transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) (TC2-64, EME), we studied the influence of TIVA and KA under normo- and hyperventilation on the blood flow velocity (BFV) and pulsatility of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). METHODS. Two groups of 10 patients each undergoing craniotomy were investigated. Systolic and mean BFV, pulsatility index, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial CO2 tension were measured at four time intervals: (1) preoperatively; (2) 15 min after anesthesia induction under normoventilation, preoperatively; (3) 25 min after anesthesia induction under hyperventilation, preoperatively; and (4) 6 h postoperatively. The patients were premedicated with flunitrazepam 1 mg PO. TIVA was induced with 60 mg propofol, 1 mg alfentanil, and 6 mg vecuronium; simultaneously infusions of propofol (15 mg/min) and alfentanil (0.3 mg/min) were started and were maintained until the dura was completely opened. The infusion rates were then reduced to 6 mg/min propofol until skin suturing and 0.1 mg/min alfentanil until dural suturing was completed. Patients were ventilated with O2/air (fiO2 = 0.5). In the KA group anesthesia was induced with 4-6 mg/kg thiopental, 0.15 mg fentanyl, and 6 mg vecuronium and maintained with boluses of fentanyl, N2O (fiO2 = 0.5), and isoflurane (1.3 MAC). The time course is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and the results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. They were tested using a one-factor analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis range test. RESULTS. There was a significant decrease in systolic and mean BFV combined with an increase in pulsatility index after induction of TIVA, while KA induction effected no significant change in cerebral hemodynamics. The subsequent hyperventilation caused a similar decrease in mean BFV and increase in pulsatility index in both groups. CONCLUSION. Using the assumption that the diameter of the MCA is nearly constant, the reduction in BFV associated with an increase in pulsatility during TIVA is explainable as a decrease in CBF. By having a comparable influence on hemodynamics, the reduction in CBF with increase in cerebral vascular resistance seems to make TIVA the more advantageous anesthesia technique for patients with reduced intracranial compliance.
Adult↗
[Is there an unusual incidence of the manifestation of intracranial angiomas in pregnancy? Risk assessment based on 17,733 patients over 10 years].
From 1979-1988, 134 inpatients (m:f = 80:54) were treated because of an intracranial angioma (AVM). The male/female ratio was 3/2 in general as well as during the "reproductive age" (15-45 yrs). In 6 patients (20-27 yrs; grav 2/para 1: n = 3; grav 1/para 0: n = 3) the AVM became symptomatic during pregnancy (n = 4: 23-33 gestational week) or at birth (n = 2). In the group of the presently non-pregnant women (n = 40) 47 uncomplicated deliveries had occurred years before. We conclude that the available data neither allow us to reject nor to confirm the hypothesis that pregnancy and/or delivery influence the manifestation of cerebral AVMs. The reasons for this dilemma of epidemiology are discussed.
Adolescent↗
Use of intravenous immunoglobulin in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A brief review.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disorder with multiple defects leading to an increased susceptibility to infection. Hypogammaglobulinemia is present in about 20% to 70% of patients with CLL. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) supplementation (400 mg/kg body weight every 3 weeks) prevented bacterial infections in these patients. An ongoing study is being conducted to compare doses of 250 mg/kg/mo with those of 500 mg/kg/mo in 36 patients included so far. As of this writing, the rate of infection in the two treatment groups was not significantly different, and no substantial loss of protection against bacterial infection was found in the lower-dose group. It seems likely that the lower dose is almost as effective as the standard therapy. If this is so, cost savings would be substantial.
Humans↗