Biological role of indolealkylamine derivatives.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to I Khan.
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The conventional sperm characteristics of density (millions per milliliter) and motility, scored in a semi-subjective way, were correlated with results of an on-going in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program. No male infertility patients were included in this study. Individual characteristics of the "successful" ejaculates are described. Sperm densities in the original ejaculate of more than 10 X 10(6) spermatozoa/ml did not significantly improve outcome (P less than 0.01). In contrast, sperm motility seemed to play the most important role, since most pregnancies (12/14) occurred using sperm samples with greater than or equal to 60% total motility (P less than 0.001). The incidence of multipronuclear fertilization is also described and discussed. These data, which were collected during 1984 in the in vitro fertilization unit of Professor R. Schoysman and coworkers (Vilvoorde, Brussels), may help to make fertilization in vitro and embryo transfer a viable method in cases of mild male subfertility, and to provide guidance in preparing some couples for the combined use of husband and donor semen if a sufficient number of oocytes are obtained.
The typical annual expenditure for patients requiring continuous hemofiltration (CHF) is high. To audit the benefit of this expensive treatment, the outcome of 48 consecutive patients (34 men, 14 women; mean age, 65 years) requiring hemofiltration for acute renal failure was analyzed during a period of 24 months. The operations performed were 26 CABG, 8 AVR, 3 AVR/MVR, 2 post infarction VSD repairs, and 1 thoracoabdominal aneurysmectomy. Indications for hemofiltration were oliguria and fluid overload in 69%, uremia in 56%, acidosis in 33%, and hyperkemia in 13%. Twenty five patients (52%) died while in the hospital, and 10 more died within 9 months of discharge. Of the remaining 13 survivors, 6 (46%) were classified as III or IV according to the New York Heart Association classification system. The mean ITU and hospital stay per patient requiring CHF was 15.3 days and 25.4 days, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between patients who did and did not survive in the hospital in age, pre-operative renal function, ejection fraction, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, or urine output before CHF. However, there were no survivors when the cardiac index was less than 1.7 L/m2 and adrenalin requirement was more than 30 micrograms/min before CHF (seven patients). These results suggest that the short- and long-term outcome in patients requiring CHF after cardiac surgery is poor. Considering the large demand on resources, the use of CHF should be rationalized, particularly in patients with persistent low cardiac output.
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The abuse by injection of heroin or other drugs has long been associated with liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other viruses. Increasingly severe hepatic and virological complications of parenteral drug abuse have been reported due to infection with new viruses or concomitant alcohol abuse. The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) can replicate and cause liver infection only in the presence of HBV; such infection in HBV carriers may cause rapidly progressive and clinically significant liver disease. Liver cirrhosis is frequently detected in parenteral drug abusers who have chronic infection with both HBV and HDV or who also abuse alcohol. More than one quarter of those persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States of America are homosexual or heterosexual males who are parenteral drug abusers. Existing evidence implicates parenteral drug abusers in the spread of hepatitis viruses and the retrovirus associated with AIDS to the general population. To cope with these serious problems the authors suggest that more intensive international co-operation is needed, particularly with a view to promoting data collection, research and the exchange of knowledge and experience on measures that have been effective in dealing with parenteral drug abuse and its complications.
A symposium of over 125 scientists, held in August 1984 at the campus of Oxford University, considered the latest developments concerning cannabis research. Evidence on the mode of tetrahydrocannabinol action on the central nervous system indicates that acetylcholine turnover in the hippocampus through a GABA-ergic mechanism is of major importance, though the role of the dopaminergic or serotoninergic mechanism and involvement of prostaglandins and c-AMP is not ruled out. The use of cannabis causes prominent and predictable effects on the heart, including increased work-load, increased plasma volume and postural hypotension, which could impose threats to the cannabis users with hypertension, cerebrovascular disease or coronary arteriosclerosis. Cannabis or tetrahydrocannabinol has damaging effects on the endocrine functions in both male and female of all animal species tested. Among possible mechanisms of action, it is suggested that tetrahydrocannabinol disrupts gonadal functions by depriving the testicular cells of their energy reserves by inhibition of cellular energetics, and that it stimulates androgen-binding protein secretion, which may account for oligospermia seen in chronic cannabis smokers. In addition to these direct effects on gonads, tetrahydrocannabinol interferes with hormonal secretions from the pituitary, including luteinizing hormones, follicle-stimulating hormones and prolactin. Research findings indicate that maternal and paternal exposure to cannabinoids can influence developmental and reproductive functions in the offspring, but it is difficult to separate possible teratogenic effects from subsequent gametotoxic and mutagenic potentials of cannabinoids.
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A conference was held in London in March 1980 on the use and misuse of psychotropic substances. The conference noted that there was a preponderance of medical practitioners who prescribed psychotropic substances. The topics covered ranged from the extent of use of psychotropic substances to the effects of their use in producing different types of morbidity. Consideration was given to controls of psychotropic substances, including steps to reduce their misuse without restricting their legitimate use.