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Biomedical subjects

H Ekert

Publications and source records attributed to H Ekert.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

CFU-c enrichment from human bone marrow using a discontinuous Percoll gradient and soybean agglutinin in comparison with Ficoll-paque.

This study compares the efficiency of different methods of separation of human bone marrow in vitro prior to transplantation. Separation on Ficoll-paque resulted in a median recovery of 11.3 X 10(4) CFU-c/10(9) nucleated cells harvested. The recovery from the major CFU-c containing fraction following separation on a discontinuous Percoll gradient was 10.8 X 10(4) CFU-c/10(9) nucleated cells. The CFU-c recovered from Percoll were contained in a smaller number of cells, resulting in enrichment for CFU-c of 1.6 times that of Ficoll-paque. Further CFU-c enrichment to approximately three times that of Ficoll-paque separation was possible by treatment of Percoll fractionated cells with soybean agglutinin (SBA). However this caused an overall loss of 67% of CFU-c. Cells remaining after SBA treatment of the CFU-c containing Percoll fraction had increased spontaneous DNA synthesis and decreased PHA responses. There was no significant change in the mixed lymphocyte reaction in comparison with Ficoll-paque.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Autologous bone marrow rescue in the treatment of advanced tumors of childhood.

High-dose multiagent chemotherapy followed by autologous marrow rescue was used in the treatment of 13 patients with Stage III or IV childhood tumors. Encouraging results are being obtained in abdominal lymphoma (1/3 complete remissions (CR); rhabdomyosarcoma (2/4 CR); and retinoblastoma (1/2 CR). In neuroblastoma, the results are disappointing, with only one of four patients in CR; this patient developed a lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. Marrow reconstitution was obtained in 11 patients, with recovery of neutrophils to greater than 0.5 x 10(9)/liter between six and 30 days and platelet recovery to greater than 50 x 10(9)/liter between seven and 38 days. Investigations on the numbers of cells or committed granulocyte precursors ()CFU-c's) infused and parameters of hematologic recovery show poor correlation and suggest that a more accurate and reliable assay for the predictability of cryopreserved marrow to reconstitute marrow function within a reasonable time is necessary. Nonhematologic toxicities of high-dose multiagent chemotherapy are the principal dose-limiting factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia in children.

Complete remission was achieved in 11 of 22 children with acute myeloid leukaemia using at least two courses of a 24 hour infusion of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) 10 mg/kg, followed by push injections of daunorubicin (DNR) 45 mg/m2, and adriamycin (ADR) 45 mg/m2. Consolidation therapy consisted of three courses of Ara-C and 6-thioguanine (Tg) and one course of cyclophosphamide (CPA) and ADR. Central nervous system prophylaxis with intrathecal Ara-C was given in all patients and cranial irradiation of five. Maintenance therapy consisted of 5 day courses of Ara-C and Tg given 4 weekly with immunotherapy (BCG) vaccine and subcutaneous leukaemic cells) between courses. Median length of first complete remission was 99+ weeks, and median survival of all patients was 44 weeks. Median survival of remitters was 195+ weeks and non-remitters, 28 weeks. Two patients developed central nervous system disease, one at presentation and the other 46 weeks from presentation. Five patients have ceased therapy and remain in remission from 32 to 142 weeks after ceasing treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Home treatment of haemophilia. A follow-up study.

Twenty-four children and adolescents who have been receiving home treatment for haemophilia A and B, and were followed up for a median period of five years, have been assessed for physical activity, social adjustment, range of joint movement and infection with hepatitis viruses. They were treated with cryoprecipitate from 1972 to 1977, and since then with factor-VIII concentrates. The average dose of factor VIII was 20 units/kg body mass. It was found that there was near normal range of physical activity and school performance, and, in virtually all families, near normal family function could be preserved. Approximately one-third of the patients showed impairment of the normal range of joint movement in flexion and extension. Although there was no clinical evidence of liver disease, elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were found in 14 patients. Evidence of past, or present, infection with hepatitis B was found in 19 patients, and of infection with hepatitis A in seven patients. Home treatment is associated with a reduced level of disability from haemophilia, but transfusion therapy continues to be associated with a high rate of liver function abnormalities, probably of infectious origin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Results of cessation of treatment in childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

From 1972 to 1977, 55 of 161 children with acute lymphocytic leukaemia discontinued treatment after being in continuous complete remission for three years. A low total white cell count as diagnosis (less than 10 X 10(9)/L) was significantly associated with cessation of therapy, but there was no significant association with age or sex. Nine patients have relapsed, all but one within 50 weeks of cessation of treatment. Testicular relapse occurred only in one patient. Actuarial complete remission rate with a median duration of follow-up 140 weeks was 76%, and there was no significant sex difference. It is proposed that the relatively good prognosis in boys after cessation of therapy may be related to limited use of steroids during induction chemotherapy.

Child↗
PubMed1981

Intracranial hemorrhage and circulating coagulation inhibitor in beta-thalassemia major.

A syndrome of intracranial hemorrhage with gross prolongation of the prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, with normal thrombin time, fibrinogen concentrations, and coagulation factor assays is described in four children with homozygous beta-thalassemia. Mixing experiments and plasma thromboplastin inhibition tests revealed a persistent abnormality which was consistent with the presence of a circulatory prothrombinase inhibitor. The origin of this previously unreported inhibitor in thalassemia remains speculative.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed1980

Prophylactic co-trimoxazole and lactobacilli preparation in neutropenic patients.

A randomized study of intestinal decontamination was undertaken in 68 children with leukemia and solid tumours. Framycetin, colymycin, nystatin, and metronidazole were given in 35 neutropenic episodes in 33 children, while co-trimoxazole and lactobacilli preparation were administered in 35 episodes in 35 children. The diseases, severity of neutropenia, and incidence of infection at entry into study were comparable in the two groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of infections developing during the phase of neutropenia. The median and range of time required to recover from neutropenia were also not different. Co-trimoxazole and lactobacilli were significantly better tolerated, there being no nausea and vomiting, no refusal to take medication, no dose reduction or change to an alternative regimen. We conclude that co-trimoxazole and lactobacilli preparation improve quality of life during a neutropenic episode and have the additional advantage of being relatively inexpensive.

Agranulocytosis↗
PubMed1980

Management of common congenital disorders of haemostasis.

The management of haemophilia, Christmas disease and von Willebrand's syndrome are reviewed. The principal advances in diagnosis are the measurement of procoagulant activity, the ristocetin cofactor and the levels of the protein associated with procoagulant activity by immunologic methods. The mainstay of treatment is replacement of the coagulation factors by partially or highly purified blood products.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1979

Amelioration of cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

The antinausea and antivomiting effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in children receiving cancer chemotherapy were compared with those of metoclopramide syrup and prochlorperazine tablets in two double-blind studies. THC was found to be a significantly better antinausea and antivomiting agent, but not all patients obtained relief of nausea and vomiting with THC. In some patients, THC enhanced appetite during a course of chemotherapy. In two patients, a "high" associated with THC administrationwas reported. Drowsiness was reported significantly more frequently with THC.

Antiemetics↗
PubMed1979

Poor outlook for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with relapse.

Results of treatment in 72 children with a relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were analysed. A second remission was induced in 57 children (79%). Remission rates were significantly higher in males, and in patients with white cell counts less than 30 X 10(9)/L. The median duration of the second remission was only four months, and the median duration of survival from the time of relapse was nine months. The median duration of survival from the time of diagnosis was 27 months. Among children who suffered a relapse was a small group who had prolonged survival and prolonged second remissions. It is uncertain whether some of these may have a chance of "cure".

Child↗