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Biomedical subjects

J Cummins

Publications and source records attributed to J Cummins.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Preliminary results of the treatment of patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) HBsAg+,HBeAg+ with low oral doses of human interferon-alpha].

The treatment conception was based on the theory of immunocorrective activity function of low doses of human interferon alpha (HuIFN alpha) multi-played by logistic amplifier system included in oral cavity. Twelve patients with chronic hepatitis, HBV infected, aged 7-59, were randomly chosen for treatment. Previously they underwent immunosuppression without success. All of them revealed clinical and biochemical symptoms of steel active disease with morphological progression including active cirrhosis (3 cases). HuIFN alpha therapy was started just after withdrawal of immunosuppression (steroids, steroids and azathioprine). Effects of 50-100 U/d dose of HUIFN alpha were monitored by examination of hematological, biochemical parametres and indicators of humoral and cellular immune response and HBV markers in control liver biopsy specimens too. The HBVDNA serum level was measured besides, using the method of molecular hybridisation. Observation period is from 5 to 17 month, now. Among all patients during 1-2 months from the treatment beginning, transient increase of biochemical parametres of liver function (f. ex: 2-3 times ALAT increase) were observed without any clinical signs of disease exacerbation. All patients revealed immune system activation that lasted longer than incipiens intensive stimulation. Four from twelve patients that finished therapy, eliminated HBVDNA from blood serum. One of them eliminated HBsAg too. Three further confirmed decrease of HBsAg with e system seroconversion. Three from 8 patients treated 6-9 months reveal decrease of HBVDNA concentration in blood serum.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

An overview of bilateral synchronous inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BSIPSS) in the pre-operative assessment of Cushing's disease.

This study examines the role of bilateral synchronous inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BSIPSS) in resolving two major issues in the pre-operative assessment of Cushing's disease, namely proof of pituitary dependent disease and accurate lateralisation of tumour within the pituitary. BSIPSS was technically successful in 16 of 20 patients. The central to peripheral ACTH gradients, supporting the diagnosis of pituitary dependent disease, was greater than 2.0 (2.0-27.2) in all patients with histologically proven ACTH-secreting pituitary tumours and in those who remained in remission following pituitary surgery. In addition, BSIPSS accurately localised the site of the tumour within the pituitary in 13 of the 16 technically satisfactory studies and thus contributed to the outcome of surgical treatment. In contrast CT scan demonstrated a definite tumour in only two patients.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1989

Inferior petrosal sinus sampling in acromegaly.

In view of the diagnostic value of bilateral simultaneous inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BSIPSS) in localising preoperatively the site of the microadenoma in pituitary dependent Cushing's disease, the clinical value of BSIPSS was evaluated in five acromegalic patients with equivocal or negative pituitary CT scans. Intersinus GH gradients were obtained for all patients (range 1.6-4.2) but in only one case was the gradient correctly localised to the side of the tumour. Gradients of several other pituitary hormones, particularly prolactin (range 1.6-4.0), also demonstrated gradients parallel to the GH intersinus gradients. Despite the paradoxical intersinus GH gradients, the surgeon was able to readily identify the tumour at the time of surgery. Thus BSIPSS is of little assistance to the surgeon for the preoperative radiological evaluation in acromegaly and these results caution against the universal adoption of the BSIPSS technique in the radiological assessment of all secretory pituitary microadenomas.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1987

Spinal arteriovenous malformations: some diagnostic difficulties with illustrative cases.

Spinal arteriovenous malformations commonly present with progressive or step-like cord and conus dysfunction. Diagnosis is achieved by demonstrating abnormal vessels on the cord by means of high-quality myelography followed by selective spinal angiography. Diagnostic difficulties arise where screening myelography is equivocal or where angiography is negative in patients with suggestive myelographic findings. Negative investigation may not exclude a spinal arteriovenous malformation in patients with very suggestive clinical presentations. Occasionally reinvestigation after a period of follow-up or surgical exploration, even in the absence of a definite diagnosis, may be indicated.

Arteriovenous Malformations↗
PubMed1986

In vitro photoradiation therapy of the rat 9L gliosarcoma.

The authors have investigated various factors involved in the photoradiation treatment of 9L glioma cells. The cells were grown in tissue culture and exposed to light from a laser source that allowed accurate quantitation of the light energy. Cell death was determined following treatment using the trypan blue exclusion test. It was shown that the treatment is very wavelength-dependent following the absorption spectrum of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD). The absorption peaks in the lower part of the spectrum are more efficient than those of higher wavelengths. Photoradiation therapy is more effective the higher the concentration of HPD. Intensity of light is a very important factor in calculating the total dose of light necessary for this treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Penetration of hematoporphyrin derivative into rat brain and intracerebral 9L glioma tissue.

Brain and glioma tissue levels of tritiated hematoporphyrin derivative (3H-HPD) were measured in normal and 9L intracerebral glioma-bearing rats at 24 hours following administration of 3H-HPD 2-20 mg/kg and at 24-120 hours after 3H-HPD 10 mg/kg. Levels of 3H-HPD in blood, liver, spleen and muscle were also measured. Tissue levels of 3H-HPD increased progressively as the dose was increased. In animals given 10 mg/kg, gradual decreases in tissue levels occurred between 24 and 72 hours but thereafter remained stable. The 3H-HPD level in gliomas was consistently 2-3 X greater than in brain tissue, despite changes in dosage and time interval. High levels of activity were measured in normal brain tissue at all dosage levels, and subsequent clearance of the 3H-HPD from brain, glioma, and other tissues was slow; at 120 hours after administration of 10 mg/kg, approximately 50% of the 24 hour level was still present. These results indicate that although a dose- and time-independent preferential uptake of hematoporphyrin derivative occurs in intracerebral gliomas, persistent high levels may be present in the surrounding brain. The disadvantages of using hematoporphyrin derivative rather than its individual components in studies of HPD uptake and photosensitization in the brain are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Neuropsychological sequelae of postradiation somnolence syndrome.

Postirradiation somnolence syndrome in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia treated with cranial irradiation has been identified as a possible precursor of later cognitive dysfunction. To test this, the neuropsychological evaluation of 48 children who developed somnolence syndrome was compared with that of 31 children who did not have the syndrome at approximately 1 1/2 and 3 3/4 years after treatment. No differences in performance between the two groups were found on many measures of neuropsychological functioning with the exception of fine motor speed. Children without somnolence syndrome scored somewhat less than normal on measures of academic achievement. No other differences from normal performance were noted in either group. The results of the study indicated that if children with somnolence are at greater risk for the development of cognitive dysfunction than those not manifesting the syndrome, such risks occur at a time farther from treatment than 3 to 4 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Alterations in erythrocyte survival parameters in rats after 19.5 days aboard Cosmos 782.

Rats were subjected to 19.5 d of weightless space flight aboard the Soviet biosatellite, Cosmos 782. Based on the output of 14CO, survival parameters of a cohort of erythrocytes labeled 15.5 d preflight were evaluated upon return from orbit. These were compared to vivarium control rats injected at the same time. Statistical evaluation indicates that all survival factors were altered by the space flight. The mean potential lifespan, which was 63.0 d in the control rats, was decreased to 59.0 d in the flight rats, and random hemolysis was increased three-fold in the flight rats. The measured size of the cohort was decreased, lending further support to the idea that hemolysis was accelerated during some portion of the flight. A number of factors that might be contributory to these changes are discussed, including forces associated with launch and reentry, atmospheric and environmental parameters, dietary factors, radiation, and weightlessness.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Academic performance and cognitive processes in EMR children.

The present study investigated the extent to which simultaneous and successive processing were related both to academic achievement and Verbal and Performance IQs in EMR adolescents. Simultaneous processing involves the integration of individual stimuli into quasi-spatial groups, whereas successive processing integrates individual stimuli into temporally organized successive series. Simultaneous processing was significantly related to WRAT arithmetic and WISC Performance IQ, whereas successive processing was involved in WRAT spelling and WRAT oral reading and negatively related to WISC Performance IQ. Silent reading and WISC Verbal IQ were related to neither processing strategy. These findings were considered in the broader context of the processing demands underlying decoding and comprehension skills in different subject populations.

Achievement↗
PubMed1977

Sexual counselling.

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Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1977

Sexuality.

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Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental laser phototherapy of the Morris 7777 hepatoma in the rat.

The tumoricidal effect of the activation of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD), by an argon-ion-dye-laser (wavelength 630 nm), was investigated in the Buffalo rat bearing subcutaneous implants of the Morris 7777 hepatoma. Tumor growth was monitored by measuring the tumor volume with constant force calipers. In control animals and those that were pretreated with HpD alone (10 or 20 mg per kg by i.p. injection) or laser light alone (2,000 J at 100 mW), a predictable exponential growth pattern of the cancer was observed. Animals were pretreated with HpD (10 mg per kg by i.p. injection) 48 hr prior to the fiberoptic, intratumor delivery of laser radiation (2,000 J at 100 mW), when the tumor had reached a volume greater than 1.5 cm3. Forty-eight hours after combined laser and HpD treatment, the hepatoma underwent coagulation necrosis, and the tumor volume rapidly increased from a mean value of 1.8 +/- 0.7 cm3 S.D. to a value of 5.8 +/- 1.5 cm3 S.D., compared with a mean of 3.7 +/- 0.7 cm3 S.D. in animals who had not received laser phototherapy. Rats treated with HpD and laser light survived longer (mean survival time 48 +/- 12 days S.D.) than did the other animals treated with the laser alone or HpD alone (mean survival time 31 +/- 16.5 S.D.). Tissue biodistribution studies with tritiated hematoporphyrin derivative, given with doses of 10 and 20 mg per kg of HpD, showed higher concentrations of the dye in the liver, kidneys and spleen than in the tumor at 48 hr after administration of the dye.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗