Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Balogh.
Of 23 children with extrahepatic cholestatic syndromes, who were studied with sonography, there were found to have biliary atresia, choledochal cyst, cholelithiasis, stenosis of bile duct, gallbladder duplication, cholecystitis. Ultrasonography is the most useful initial investigation of choice, and in most of the cases the only investigation.
Authors analysed in an infant with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes and the distribution of T lymphocyte subpopulations in the jejunal mucosa with immunohistochemical methods. It was established that the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes and of the cells belonging to the various T lymphocytes markedly decreased in the patient compared to controls, however the decrease of the CD4 cells was less than that of CD8 cells, thus the CD4/CD8 ratio increased. Authors conclude that the increase of CD4/CD8 ratio in the jejunal mucosa may explain the absence of frequent gut infections in intestinal lymphangiectasia.
The widespread use of obstetric and neonatal sonography has resulted an increasing number of neonatal hydronephrosis, and some of them are asymptomatic. From November 1987 to May 1990 49 neonates with hydronephrosis or multicystic dysplastic kidney were seen. The most common conditions found were obstruction of the distal ureter (10), multicystic dysplatic kidney (12). Fifty-three percent of the cases were discovered on fetal screening during obstetric sonography, seven of them were asymptomatic at birth, but 4 of the asymptomatic babies underwent operation in the neonatal period. Nine of the postnatal diagnosed cases were incidental findings. The major benefit of prenatal echography is to allow early recognition of major uropathic conditions before postnatal infection worsens the prognosis. A correct postnatal ultrasound diagnosis was established in all cases.
The possibilities and the difficulties of prenatal ultrasonography in detecting fetal renal abnormalities are discussed in this review article. The consequences of prenatally diagnosed uropathies are: intrauterine surgery, termination of pregnancy, induction of premature labour and an optimal preparation for the immediate postnatal diagnosis and management.
Abdominal cyst was diagnosed in 14 babies by ultrasound examination (9 multicystic dysplastic kidneys, 4 ovarian cysts, 1 bowel duplication). The cysts were followed in 6 patients by ultrasound and marked reduction of multicystic dysplastic kidneys was observed in 2 patients, and 1 ovarian cyst fully disappeared. Their experience in agreement with the literature data suggest that conservative management with sonographic reevaluation is an acceptable alternative to surgical therapy in uncomplicated cases.
Abdominal cyst was diagnosed in 14 babies by ultrasound examination (9 multicystic dysplastic kidneys, 4 ovarian cysts, 1 bowel duplication). The cysts were followed up in 6 patients by ultrasound, and marked reduction of multicystic dysplastic kidneys was observed in 2 patients, and 1 ovarian cyst was disappeared. Their experience and a review of the literature suggest that conservative management with sonographic reevaluation is an acceptable alternative to surgical therapy in uncomplicated cases.
Neurochemical studies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) suggest deficiencies in the cholinergic system. We evaluated the steady-state pharmacokinetics of tacrine (Cognex), an oral cholinesterase inhibitor, in 12 patients with AD. Patients sequentially received nine doses of 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg of tacrine every 6 hours. Blood samples were collected until 24 hours after the final dose. Plasma tacrine concentrations were measured using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Mean maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 5.1 ng/ml, 20.7 ng/ml, and 33.9 ng/ml following administration of 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg doses, respectively. Corresponding mean values for steady-state area under the curve (AUC) were 19.7 ng/ml, 82.9 ng/ml, and 139 ng/ml.hr. Dose-normalized Cmax and AUC values after administration of the 20 mg and 30 mg doses of tacrine were comparable to each other but were significantly greater (p less than .05) than those after the 10 mg doses. The apparent elimination half-life was approximately 3.4 hours for all dosing regimens. Dose-dependent increases in Cmax and AUC values in patients with AD were similar to those previously reported in normal volunteers. The mechanism of the nonlinearity in tacrine pharmacokinetics is unknown.
Ninety-four patients, partly on chronic haemodialysis, partly after successful kidney transplantation, were studied. Progress of perceptual performance was followed up by measurements of the reaction time. It is pointed out that accumulation of uraemic toxins causes permanent damage to the central nervous system. The psychological tests revealed behavioural and personality deviations typical of other chronic diseases, the main features being growing anxiety, neuroticitation, sense of inferiority, egocentric attitude, primitive defense reactions, social introversion, distorted image of the ego, etc. Dependence of the patients on the medical or nursing staff and on the dialysing system also favour these symptoms. The uncertain outcome of the illness and the "over-protective" attitude of the close or the more distant milieu also add to the sense of insecurity and uselessness. The need for individual and group psychotherapy is emphasized.
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This liquid-chromatographic assay requires 0.2 to 0.5 mL of whole blood, avoids the use of diethyl ether, and consumes only 10 to 20% of the solvents used in prior methods. Sample preparation involves an acidic extraction with methyl-t-butyl ether, performed in a 13 X 100 mm disposable glass tube, then a short second extraction of the organic phase with sodium hydroxide. After evaporation of the methyl-t-butyl ether, chromatography is performed on an "Astec" 2.0-mm (i.d.) octyl column. We compared results by this procedure with those by use of earlier larger-scale extractions and their respective 4.6-mm (i.d.) columns; analytical recoveries of cyclosporins A and D were comparable with previous findings and results for patients' specimens were equivalent, but the microbore columns provided greatly increased resolution and sensitivity.
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The case of a 2-year-old boy with associated anomalies of the limbs and the urinary system is reported. Similar to cases reported earlier he presented a split hand and foot syndrome, but differed from previously reported cases by the presence of bilateral renal hypoplasia leading to end stage renal failure. Renal histology disclosed oligomeganephronia.
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The effect of desglycinamide9-[Arg8]-vasopressin (DGAVP) on memory processes was studied in patients with Korsakoff's syndrome. Intranasal treatment with DGAVP for 7 days affected neither attention nor short- and long-term memories. It is suggested that treatment with DGAVP is not indicated for all types of memory disorders, and that the beneficial effect of this treatment may depend on the integrity of certain brain structures.
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In a newborn infant, absence of kidney, hypoplasia of the lung, absence of the subclavian artery, of the adnexa, of the upper limb and its acetabulum were found on the right side, together with renal dysgenesis and other anomalies on the left side. It is presumed that the severe anomalies damaging the right part of the body were consequences of an increased intrauterine pressure due to oligohydramnios.
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