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Biomedical subjects

L Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to L Kumar.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Acute renal failure due to leukaemic infiltration of kidneys.

Three patients with acute lymphatic leukaemia who presented with non-oliguric acute renal failure resulting from leukaemic infiltration of the kidneys are reported. Chemotherapy resulted in clinical remission of leukaemia with regression of renal size and prompt improvement in renal function in two cases. The third patient died on the second day of therapy and a post-mortem renal biopsy revealed dense leukaemic infiltration of the kidneys. Early institution of specific chemotherapy for leukaemia, maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance, and dialytic support whenever indicated may prove helpful in prevention of serious complications associated with renal failure and in halting further ischaemic injury to the kidney.

Acute Kidney Injury

Low-dose cytosine arabinoside in acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia.

Eighteen previously untreated patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) were treated with cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) in low doses (10 mg/m2 every 12 hours) subcutaneously for 3 weeks. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in four patients (22.2%), and myelosuppression was observed in nearly all of them. Thrombocytopenia (20 X 10(3)/microliters) was pronounced in the third week of treatment and six patients (33.3%) needed platelet support. Contrary to earlier claims, our experience suggests that treatment with low-dose Ara-C is associated with significant cytopenias. Ara-C does not obviate the need for intensive supportive care and CR rates are no longer better. Low-dose Ara-C does not seem to be a choice in previously untreated ANLL patients who otherwise have a high probability of achieving a CR with standard multidrug chemotherapy protocols.

Adolescent

Serum enzymes in head and neck cancer. IV: 5-nucleotidase.

Serum 5-nucleotidase levels have been estimated in a group of 50 patients with head and neck cancer. The mean value was significantly higher in patients compared to the controls. In patients with non-malignant growths, the activity was comparable with the controls. The increase was higher in patients with proliferative lesions than those with ulcerative growths. Enzyme activity was found to be increased with the advancement in the stage of cancer. The rise was comparatively higher in patients with cervical metastasis. After radiotherapy, a gradual and significant reduction of serum 5-nucleotidase activity was observed.

5'-Nucleotidase

Theophylline pharmacokinetics in well-nourished and malnourished asthmatic children.

The influence of age, sex and nutritional status on theophylline pharmacokinetics was studied in stable asthmatic children. Theophylline was given at a dose of 6 mg/kg orally on an empty stomach and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from the estimated plasma concentration of theophylline. No significant difference in the elimination half-life (t1/2), volume of distribution (Vd), clearance (cl) and area under the time plasma curve (AUC) could be observed between the three pediatric age groups. Also, there was no influence of sex and nutritional status on the pharmacokinetic parameters. The notable observation was a 5-fold interindividual difference in the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) after a single dose.

Adolescent

Skin involvement in leukemia.

Skin infiltration in leukaemia occurs rarely. We describe here four such cases of acute leukaemia. In two, the skin infiltration was evident at presentation; in the other two, it developed while on treatment. The lesions varied from maculopapular to tumorous stage. Complete remission could be achieved with chemotherapy, however, the long term prognosis was poor.

Adolescent

Vincristine infusion in advanced non Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Prognosis in cases of advanced Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma refractory to primary chemotherapy - continues to be poor. In search of suitable alternative we have recently treated six such patients with continuous, intravenous infusion of vincristine for five days. All patients had a variety of histological types and had received earlier primary combination chemotherapy including Vincristine by Intravenous bolus injection. A total of 21 courses (average 3.5) were given. Three patients (50%) achieved objective-partial response. Duration of response varied from two to nine months (mean 4.5 months). Toxicity was low with minimal myelosuppression and no increased neurotoxicity occurred. Vincristine infusion treatment may provide better palliation in advanced refractory Non Hodgkin's lymphoma and suggests the possibility of its use in combination chemotherapy protocols in untreated patients.

Adult