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Biomedical subjects

H N Nguyen

Publications and source records attributed to H N Nguyen.

97 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Chemotherapy of advanced and recurrent cervical carcinoma.

Chemotherapy is used primarily to treat advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. There are three major applications: primary therapy, as a radiation sensitizer, and neoadjuvant therapy. Primary chemotherapy is employed in advanced and disseminated cervical carcinoma (Stage VB). The four best single drugs with moderate activity against cervical cancer are: cisplatin, ifosfamide, dibromodulcitol (mitolactol), and Adriamycin (doxorubicin). Cisplatin and ifosfamide appear to be the best combination therapy: they provide an objective response rate of 33%. However, because the overall survival was not significantly improved with combination therapy, single-agent therapy with one of the above active drugs is acceptable. For stages IIB, III and IVA, the primary therapy is still radiation. Concomitant chemotherapy with hydroxyurea or a combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have been shown to enhance radiation response in several randomized trials. Hydroxyurea is the preferred radiation sensitizer because it offers less toxicity, ease of administration, and equivalent results. Chemotherapy in neoadjuvant setting produces promising results. Various cisplatin combinations of mitomycin C, 5-FU, vincristine, and bleomycin have been employed to shrink locally advanced cervical cancer and permit safe, radical excision. Early results with these combinations in small trials are encouraging but further studies are needed to fully evaluate their potential.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Special problems in cervical cancer management.

Cervical cancer is easily recognized when it presents as a visible lesion, but a problem arises when it adopts unusual presentations. Cervical cancer can develop high in the endocervical canal, beyond the reach of cone biopsy. Copious vaginal discharge from cervical adenocarcinoma may lead to a false-negative Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Treatment of cervicitis can result in a delay in diagnosis. Successful and timely diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer requires experience and vigilance. Careful intraoperative palpation of the cervix and uterus can help determine the location and extent of the lesion. Flexibility during surgery is required to utilize intraoperative findings and thus optimize treatment. Pitfalls of cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment with actual case presentations are presented along with other special problems in cervical cancer management such as incidental findings of cervical cancer in hysterectomy specimens, treatment of cervical stump cancers, and unusual cervical cancer cell types.

Adenocarcinoma↗

In vivo covalent binding of cismethrin and bioresmethrin to hepatic proteins.

The covalent binding level of [14C]alcohol-labelled cismethrin, bioresmethrin and/or their metabolites to hepatic proteins was measured after a single i.v. injection of pyrethroids in rats pretreated with malathion. In the first control group, the radiolabel binding level was different for cismethrin (35.3 pmol X mg-1 protein) and bioresmethrin (22.6 pmol X mg-1 protein) and in the treated rats, the amount of binding was reduced similarly for the two pyrethroids (13 pmol X mg-1 protein). After 13 days of chronic i.p. treatment, the covalent binding level on microsomal protein was 3 times higher for cismethrin than for bioresmethrin and the ratio of cismethrin to bioresmethrin covalent binding level was similar to that after a single i.v. injection. It is suggested that the difference in covalent binding distribution and concentration in the various subcellular fractions of liver was due to the different routes of metabolism of the two resmethrin isomers.

Animals↗

[Clozapine and pregnancy].

This article reviews the relations between clozapine and pregnancy. Six case reports are identified in the literature of pregnant patients who received clozapine. Novartis at Basle, Switzerland, through its pharmacovigilance and epidemiology, service, has data on nearly 200 cases summarized in this article. We also describe the case of a patient with paranoid schizophrenia who was hospitalized 10 times between the age of 22 to 32. She received clozapine when she was 29 years old and, with a daily dosage of 350 mg, she became asymptomatic. At the age of 33 and 37, she became pregnant and continued clozapine during her 2 pregnancies. During her first pregnancy, she received insulin due to gestational diabetes associated with a body weight mass (BWM) of 30.4 (N = 20 to 25). During her second pregnancy, the BWM was 23.7 and she did not develop diabetes. She delivered at term 2 daughters who are at the time of this report 5 and 3 years old. The two girls are doing well and have no developmental delay. Psychotic symptoms exacerbation: the plasma concentration of clozapine diminishes during pregnancy due to a higher hepatic metabolism and distribution volume. Monitoring plasma concentration of clozapine can help to adjust its dosage. In case of psychotic symptoms exacerbation, the following can be recommended: 1) Increase the clozapine dosage; 2) Add a classic antipsychotic like perphenazine, trifluoperazine or haloperidol. Diabetes: obesity, glucose intolerance or a family history of diabetes are risk factors to develop gestational diabetes. The follow-up of patients, who take an atypical antipsychotic, should include constant monitoring of the blood glucose or Hb1A and lipid dosages. Complications at labor: Clozapine increases the secretion of oxytocine and the contraction of the uterine muscle. But, no studies can explain how clozapine affects the labor exactly. Some case studies report use of forceps, vacuum or cesarean. CONVULSIONS: Stoner (1997) described neonatal convulsions 8 days after birth. The mother was receiving 350 mg of clozapine, but also lorazepam and haloperidol during her pregnancy. The newborn withdrawal of lorazepam can increase the risk of convulsions and also haloperidol can diminish the convulsion threshold. Floppy infant syndrome: in the case described by Dimichele (1996), the mother received a daily dosage of 300 mg of clozapine and 2.5 mg of lorazepam 3 to 5 times a day. This can explain hypotonia. Stoner (1997) reports a second case where a mother, who received 600 mg of clozapine during pregnancy, gave birth to a child who had no convulsions neither hypotonia. DEVELOPMENT: The cases described concerning studies of children until age 2 to 3 years by Stoner (1997) and Dickson (1998) and until 6 years old by Barnas (1994), do not mention any developmental problem, similar to the two daughters of our patient. The pharmacovigilance service of Novarits reports 6% of malformations. But these reports must be considered with caution since they represent only the pregnancies reported spontaneously to the pharmaceutical company. This is only a portion of all pregnancies associated with clozapine. CONCLUSION: No specific risks for the mother and children can be attributed to the use of clozapine during pregnancy. However, the plasma concentration of clozapine is higher in the fetus compared to the mother (Barnas, 1994); therefore, a minimal dosage should be used. Since clozapine is present in the maternal milk, breast feeding should be avoided. The advantages to use clozapine during pregnancy must exceed the risks. It is justified to continue the use of this medication even if data on classic antipsychotics (e.g.: haloperidol) are more extensive. Because the risk of psychotic exacerbation is higher, the substitution of clozapine is not recommended. The psychosocial support and the obstetrical follow-up must be intensive too. An institutional pharmacovigilance service should complement the one provided by the industry. Also, further case-control and cohort studies are essential to better estimate the long-term risks.

Adult↗

Relationship between bolus transit and LES-relaxation studied with concurrent impedance and manometry.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neuromuscular mechanisms regulating esophageal bolus transport are well studied. However, detailed data about the relationship between bolus transit and lower esophageal sphincter (LES)-relaxation during conventional motility testing are still lacking. METHODOLOGY: We performed systematic studies in 25 normal subjects, employing a catheter that integrates the two techniques impedancometry and manometry in a single instrument for simultaneous recording and analysis of the relationship between bolus transit and LES relaxation after swallowing saline or yogurt. RESULTS: 195 swallows were analyzed. LES relaxation occurred frequently later than UES relaxation. The mean latency between bolus entry into the esophagus and LES relaxation was 3.6 +0.2 sec. Two types of swallow-induced LES relaxation were observed: (a) LES relaxation preceding bolus transit (46 cases or 24%) and (b) LES relaxation occurring during bolus transit (149 cases or 76%). In the later case, during 114 (76%) cases of this deglutition, the position of the bolus was very close to the LES. CONCLUSIONS: During deglutition, LES relaxation seems to be modulated by bolus transit and occurs predominantly upon arrival of the bolus in the distal esophagus.

Adult↗

[Functional results of 280 Pean type gastrectomies for chronic Cruveilhier ulcer].

The authors review 216 gastrectomies of Péan type for gastric or duodenal ulcer with a follow up of between one and 12 years. In 91 patients, the follow up was more than five years. Six criteria were adopted for the essessment of the functional results: increase in body weight which may be of several types, the diet, post-prandial symptoms, return to work, asthenia recurrent ulcer. Each of these criteria were studied separately in all operated patients and analysed in relation to the follow up period. Except for recurrent ulcer, with occurred in 2% of cases, the results obtained improved with time. A routine study such as Visick's method completes this presentation. The good and very good results were 81% at 5 years, average results were 16% and poor results 3%. The differences between gastric and duodenal ulcer were negligeable. After comparison with the data in the literature, this level study seemed more interesting than a statistical study.

Adult↗

Hepatic portal venous gas following emergency endoscopic sclerotherapy of gastric varices.

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare condition, usually associated with extended bowel necrosis or intra-abdominal infection. Herein, we report a case of HPVG following endoscopic sclerotherapy for bleeding gastric varices. A 50-year-old female with a history of alcoholic liver disease was referred to our hospital because of hematemesis. Emergency endoscopic sclerotherapy was performed to control bleeding gastric varices. Twelve hours later, HPVG was demonstrated by ultrasound and confirmed by duplex sonography, which spontaneously resolved 2 hours later. The patient remained well throughout this time, and was released with no major sequelae. This case supports the view that HPVG can also present as a benign finding, in particular, following diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of the gut. The underlying cause determines the clinical significance and prognosis of HPVG.

Acute Disease↗