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Biomedical subjects

J Androulakis

Publications and source records attributed to J Androulakis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Total parenteral nutrition by intraperitoneal feeding in rabbits.

The possibility of intraperitoneal (IP) parenteral nutrition was suggested after the observation that glucose and amino acids pass from the peritoneal cavity into the systemic circulation. We used rabbits to study the characteristics of the transfer of glucose, lipids and amino acids. An IP injection of glucose 25% (1 g/kg) produced a peak level in the serum within 40 min. A 20% fat solution (1 g/kg) showed maximum serum levels of triglycerides and total lipid in 2.5 h, while a standard amino acid solution (1.5 g/kg) enriched with 25 14C-phenylalanine peaked serum levels in 16 min. The 4 rabbits survived for 28 days with IP glucose, amino acids and lipids as the only form of nutrition, apart from water. When sacrificed after 28 days histology of peritoneum, liver, spleen, gut and kidney showed no abnormality. We conclude that the basic nutritional components are adequately absorbed through the peritoneum, and that long-term nutritional support can be achieved uneventfully with IP administration of nutritional solutions.

Absorption↗
PubMed1988

Infected echinococcal cyst. A common cause of pyogenic hepatic abscess.

Twenty-one cases of hepatic abscesses treated during a period of four years (from 1981 to 1985) at the University of Patras, Greece, are presented. This material includes 10 cases with abscesses caused by suppurated echinococcal cysts, corresponding to 21% of the total number of 47 cases of echinococcal cysts of the liver treated at our department during the same period. A preoperative diagnosis of the suppurated echinococcal cysts by conventional laboratory methods was not reliable. Because of the high frequency of echinococcal disease in our region and the risk of contamination of the peritoneal cavity from echinococcal parasites if the cyst is punctured, the new therapeutic techniques of treating hepatic abscesses by percutaneous drainage have not been applied. The exclusive method of treatment used was surgical drainage which had a satisfactory outcome and a mortality rate as low as 9%.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The role of hypoalbuminemia in the development of the TPN-associated cholestasis.

Forty-one patients undergoing total parenteral nutrition (TPN), were studied in a prospective manner. We found that patients with low serum albumin were more likely to develop cholestasis than patients with normal serum albumin. None of the patients with normal serum albumin developed cholestasis. Fifty-one per cent of patients with low serum albumin (< 3.0 g/dl) developed cholestasis (p < 0.05). In those who developed cholestasis there was a significant, correlation (r = 0.816, p < 0.001) between the serum albumin and the number of days after start of TPN when cholestasis appeared.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1975

Stimulation of Fracture Healing by Pacemaker in Rabbits.201S.

An und-splaced fracture of each fibula was produced in 20 rabbits. Into the fracture of the right fibula, a cathode was inserted, which delivered 15 microamperes of galvanic current for more than one week. The source of current was 5v small transistor batteries which acted like a pacemaker. This stimulated healing of the fracture for 15 days. The left fibula fractures were used as controls. Both fibulae were studied roentgenographically and microscopically. This experiment suggested that galvanic current with a cathode placed in the fracture gap stimulated fracture healing.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of forearm muscle dynamometry with nutritional prognostic index, as a preoperative indicator in cancer patients.

We studied 95 patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract in various sites. The aim of the study was to compare the forearm dynamometry vs the prognostic nutritional index which was reported by Busby et al, 1890. We used these methods as preoperative prognostic indicators for postoperative mortality and morbidity. The forearm muscle dynamometry has greater positive predictive value (58.33 vs 32.4%), higher sensitivity (77.78 vs 66.6%), and specificity (86.11 vs 65.28%) than the prognostic nutritional index. The forearm muscle dynamometry predicted the patients mortality with a high rate of sensitivity (100%). The results suggest that dynamometry is a useful, rapid, and inexpensive test. It is more accurate than the nutritional index, and can identify cancer patients at a high risk of developing major postoperative complications, and predict the postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mitomycin C and vinblastine in anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer: a phase II study.

The purpose of this phase II study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of mitomycin C and vinblastine in patients with anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer. This single-center, non-randomized trial enrolled 39 patients. Eligible patients must have received at least three chemotherapy regimens with epirubicin or CAF and had treatment failure while on chemotherapy or within 6 months of completing therapy. Treatment consisted of mitomycin C at a starting dose of 8 mg/m2 on day 1 and vinblastine (8 mg/m2, days 1 and 28). The regimen was repeated every 6 weeks with a 20% dose escalation of both drugs after the first cycle in the absence of grade III hematologic or other toxicity. On an intent-to-treat basis, 38 patients were eligible for assessment; 9 (23.7%, 95% confidence interval 1.92-2.45%) achieved a partial response and 13 (34.2%) had stable disease. The median time to disease progression was 6.21+/-4.26 months (range, 1-15; 95% confidence interval, 4.81-7.61), and the median survival was 10.76+/-7.6 (range, 1-29; 95% confidence interval 8.0-13.1%). Responsive patients had a significantly better survival than those with stable and progressive disease. Treatment was well tolerated. Anemia and neutropenia (grade I-III) developed in 28.9% and 26.3% of the patients, respectively. One patient with grade III granulocytopenia developed fever and infection that required hospitalization. Moderate neurotoxicity, myalgia, constipation, diarrhea and alopecia were observed. No toxic death occurred. Mitomycin C plus vinblastine is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for anthracycline resistant cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adjuvant tamoxifen versus tamoxifen plus CMF in the treatment of early breast cancer in Greece. Fifteen-year results of a randomised prospective trial and the potential risks of the antioestrogen.

BACKGROUND: CMF and Tamoxifen are the most commonly administered drugs for the adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer. We present the 15-year follow-up of our 250-patient series and evaluate the oestrogenic side-effect of Tamoxifen on the endometrium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 250 women entered this prospective study from 1981-1986. They had all undergone modified radical mastectomyl and were randomly assigned to receive either Tamoxifen only for 4 years or combination of Tamoxifen with 6 cycles of standard CMF. Abdominal sonogram was used to determine endometrial thickness, with 6 mm as cut-off limit for endometrial biopsy. RESULTS: After 15.6 years of follow-up DFS and OS rates were better for the CMF + Tamoxifen, group (52.8% vs 39.2%--p = 0.043 and 57.6% vs 40.8%--p = 0.006 respectively). Only patients with more than 4 infiltrated nodes did not significantly benefit from adjuvant CMF. Postmenopausal women suffered more proliferative endometria compared to premenopausal ones (40.3% vs 15.6%), while life-threatening lesions (cancer and atypias) were found in 3.3% of the postmenopausal patients only. CONCLUSION: CMF + Tamoxifen combination offers better long-term results for early-stage breast cancer patients. Dose reduction must be avoided if maximum results are to be achieved. More than 4 positive nodes seem to require additional chemotherapeutic manipulation. Tamoxifen's oestrogenic side-effect on the endometrium is quite common, but life-threatening lesions are rare, thus proving the drug's safety.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of nasogastric tube after elective abdominal surgery.

PURPOSE: Nasogastric tube (NGT) is routine employed after abdominal surgery still in our country and abroad too, but the patients' discomfort is severe and several serious complications were referred as related to its use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pros and cons of routine use of NGT in elective uncomplicated abdominal surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In order to evaluate the routine use of NGT we performed a prospective randomized trial on 100 patients who had elective uncomplicated abdominal surgery: 50 subjects had the early removal of NGT and in 50 patients it was maintained until passage of flatus/feces. RESULTS: The relevant differences between the two groups were the earlier passage of flatus and feces and the lower incidence of postoperative gastrectasy in the group where NGT was early removed. No statistical difference was recorded concerning the occurrence of postoperative nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, complications and day of clinical release. CONCLUSIONS: The routine application of NGT in elective abdominal surgery could be omitted if the surgeon and nursing team are willing to renounce a useful tool in providing informations about the resolution of postoperative intestinal atony to the patient's benefit: in fact a severe discomfort due to the NGT was recorded in the 70% of our series.

Abdomen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute rupture of an aortic aneurysm mimicking the discus hernia syndrome. A case report.

Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta have been recognised as a cause of back pain and vertebral erosion. However back pain and paraplegia are uncommon, presenting complaints in patients with aortic aneurysms. A case of acute rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is presented mimicking the symptoms of a discus hernia syndrome and paraplegia.

Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gallbladder contraction after administration of intravenous amino acids and long-chain triacylglycerols in humans.

We examined the possible physiologic effects of intravenous (IV) amino acids (AAs) and long-chain triacylglycerols (LCTs) on gallbladder (GB) motility and release of cholecystokinin (CCK) on humans. GB contraction was studied in normal volunteers after administration of a fatty meal and IV infusion of AA and LCT. The GB contraction volume was calculated with ultrasound. Cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) and cholecystokinin-33/39 (CCK-33/39) were measured by radio-immunoassay. Administration of a fatty meal resulted in GB contraction by 60% of its basal volume and was accompanied by an increase in the serum levels of both CCK-8 and CCK-33/39. Administration of IV AA and LCT resulted in GB contraction by 17 and 37%, respectively, of its basal volume. The latter contractions were accompanied by increased levels of CCK-8 only. We conclude that IV administration of AA and LCT can result in human GB contraction and induce the release of only CCK-8. Continuous IV administration of AA and LCT for greater than 2h causes exhaustion of CCK-8 release, so that the GB returns to its initial volume.

Adult↗