The present pilot study was designed to analyse the efficacy and toxicity of the association of interferon (IFN) and dexamethasone (Dx) in 32 resistant and relapsed myeloma patients. Among the evaluable cases, 15 (68 per cent) responded to treatment (32 per cent achieved an objective response--OR--and 36 per cent a partial response--PR--), the 'remission' status lasting for more than one year in six of them. Moreover, four out of the seven OR patients showed a reduction in B.M. plasma cells to less than 5 per cent. Five out of 11 patients that were previously refractory to VBAD, that includes high dose dexamethasone (Dx), responded to IFN-Dx. The protocol was generally well tolerated with only four patients discontinuing therapy due to adverse effects. The present results show that the combination IFN + Dx is a promising therapeutic approach for patients with refractory myeloma.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of chemical denervation with 6-hydroxydopamine on myocardial responsiveness to isoproterenol in rabbits.

This study examined the hypothesis that chemical denervation with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) would increase myocardial responsiveness to isoproterenol. Five days previously, 15 New Zealand white rabbits were given 60 mg/kg 6-OHDA intravenously. Fifteen control rabbits received vehicle. Hemodynamic, coronary blood flow (CBF), and cardiac output measurements were obtained before and during isoproterenol infusion (0.5 microgram/kg/min for 15 min). Norepinephrine tissue content, beta-adrenoceptor number (Bmax) and affinity (Kd), cyclic AMP content and cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity were measured in the subepicardium (EPI) and subendocardium (ENDO). Myocardial norepinephrine content was significantly decreased from 1263 +/- 292 (EPI) and 874 +/- 221 ng/g tissue (ENDO) in the control to 148 +/- 33 (EPI) and 90 +/- 45 ng/g tissue (ENDO) in the denervated group. There were no significant changes in cyclic AMP-PDE activity or Bmax and Kd of beta-adrenoceptors. Cyclic AMP content was similar at baseline, but controls had a significantly larger increase (123-155%) during isoproterenol infusion when compared to the denervated group (27-37%). The denervated animals showed a smaller increase in cardiac output during isoproterenol infusion (from 203 +/- 30 to 235 +/- 26 ml/min), when compared to the control animals (from 135 +/- 18 to 216 +/- 42 ml/min). Baseline CBF was significantly higher in the EPI but not ENDO of the denervated group (185 +/- 20 ml/100 g/min in EPI and 150 +/- 8 in ENDO) compared to the control group (108 +/- 13 in EPI and 133 +/- 17 in ENDO). The relative increase in CBF during isoproterenol infusion was smaller in the denervated group (44-45%) than the control group (107-109%). Isoproterenol infusions of 0.1 and 2.5 micrograms/kg/min showed similarly depressed coronary blood flow responses in denervated animals. Thus, the chemically denervated animals did not have beta-adrenoceptor upregulation, exhibited a lesser increase in cyclic AMP with isoproterenol, and had a reduced functional and coronary blood flow response to isoproterenol. This occurred without any significant change in beta-adrenoceptor number or affinity, or in cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase activity, indicating there may be receptor uncoupling or other changes in the signal transduction pathway.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Deep planed torso-abdominoplasty combined with buttocks pexy.

This new procedure was created for aesthetic purposes with the intention of creating a longer and more slender waist and at the same time treating neighboring areas. This procedure also is used to raise or change the position of a previous abdominoplasty scar. In addition it is also beneficial for treating gestation sequelae of the torso-abdominal wall, ptosis of the abdomen, vertical and horizontal enlargements of the musculoaponeurotic system, lipodystrophy, stretch marks, rhytidosis of the inguinal region, and ptosis of the external quadrant of the gluteous and the external trochanter area in one surgical procedure. It is not always necessary to apply the entire procedure to each case. The deep planed torso-abdominoplasty offers a broader selection of techniques for creating aesthetic contouring of the torso-abdominal wall, flanks, inguinal region, and outer thighs. It also creates pexy of the external quadrant of the gluteous region.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Memory and learning disturbances in multiple sclerosis. MRI lesions and neuropsychological correlation.

Thirty-five patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) were studied. They underwent neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI findings at different brain areas levels were compared with the neuropsychological findings. A quantitative system was used to measure MRI-MS lesions. In this series, a positive correlation was established between memory and learning disturbances measured by Battery 144, and the lesions measured by MRI (total, hemispheric and, particularly, periventricular lesions). MRI can detect MS lesions, and this study shows that a correlation between MRI and neuropsychological findings is possible if quantitative methods are used to distinguish different MS involvement areas in relation to neuropsychological tasks. These findings suggest that hemispheric lesions in MS produce cognitive disturbances and MRI could be a useful tool in predicting memory and learning impairment.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative study on serum immunoglobulin levels in suckled calves and their relationship to post-natal diarrhoea in Chile.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention by ticlopidine of platelet consumption during extracorporeal circulation for heart surgery and lack of effect on operative and postoperative bleeding.

We studied the effects of ticlopidine, a platelet antiaggregant drug, on platelet consumption during and after extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and on the operative and postoperative blood loss in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on 20 patients who underwent open-heart surgery for implantation of a valvular prosthesis. We monitored the changes in platelet count during and after ECC, the need for platelet transfusions to compensate for excessive consumption, and the operative and postoperative blood loss. We also followed the cephalin-kaolin time, the prothrombin time, the fibrinogen level, the fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, and the euglobulin lysis time. Ticlopidine effectively reduced operative and post-ECC thrombopenia and prolonged the bleeding time. Apart from these changes, no differences in coagulation tests were observed between the ticlopidine-treated group and the placebo group. No side effects were observed. There was no significant difference between the groups concerning operative and postoperative blood loss, indicating that ticlopidine does not induce a hemorrhagic diathesis. Ticlopidine therapy may be of value during the first postoperative days because it prevents clotting on valvular prosthesis and complications such as systemic embolization. However, more trials and controlled studies are needed before such therapy can be recommended for routine use.

Adult↗