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Biomedical subjects

M S Edwards

Publications and source records attributed to M S Edwards.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Craniosynostosis and hydrocephalus.

Ten cases of craniosynostosis associated with hydrocephalus were found in a retrospective review of 250 cases of children with craniosynostosis. Four children had Pfeiffer's syndrome, 3 had Crouzon's syndrome, 2 had kleeblattschädel with multiple anomalies and therefore could not be classified into a definite syndrome, and 1 had isolated sagittal synostosis. Of these 10 children, 5 had kleeblattschädel, two with Crouzon's syndrome, one with Pfeiffer's syndrome, and 2 with multiple anomalies. In all patients, hydrocephalus was controlled by a shunting procedure. Possible causes of hydrocephalus in association with craniosynostosis are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Growth of a medulloblastoma on normal leptomeningeal cells in culture: interaction of tumor cells and normal cells.

Well-characterized medulloblastoma cells growing in suspension were placed on top of a confluent monolayer of leptomeningeal cells. In contrast to cells placed on plastic alone, which did not grow or attach, the medulloblastoma cells attached readily to the leptomeningeal cells and grew to form enlarging spheroids. The growth of these spheroids was supported with minimal essential medium containing 10% fetal calf serum or with human cerebrospinal fluid. Medulloblastoma cells grown on plastic remained viable for 7 to 10 days, whereas those grown on a monolayer of leptomeningeal cells remained viable for 40 days. Electron microscopy demonstrated increased interdigitation of the plasma membrane at the sites of contact between leptomeningeal and medulloblastoma cells, the deposition of fine, basement membrane-like material between the two cell types, and an increased number of cytoskeletal filaments in the leptomeningeal cells. We conclude that medulloblastoma cells can be grown on a leptomeningeal monolayer. This in vitro system may be useful in studying the mechanisms by which medulloblastoma cells attach to leptomeningeal elements and grow after dissemination in cerebrospinal fluid.

Arachnoid↗
PubMed1987

MR imaging of intracranial tuberous sclerosis.

The role of MR in evaluating tuberous sclerosis is reviewed in 15 patients. These studies were compared with CT scans, which were available in 14 patients. Four characteristic findings were noted on the MR images obtained. Subependymal nodules projecting into the lateral ventricles were seen in 12 of 15 patients on T1-weighted images. This was the most specific finding. Distortion of the normal cortical architecture was seen in 10 of 11 patients in whom T1-weighted images were obtained using a 256 X 256 matrix. These foci corresponded to multiple cortical areas of increased signal on T2-weighted images. Dilated ventricles were seen in five patients. In one patient, a known astrocytoma showed increased signal on the T2-weighted images, allowing differentiation from a benign subependymal nodule. MR depicted the cortical hamartomas more completely than did CT. The MR scans were abnormal in all cases, and a diagnosis could be confidently made in all 11 cases scanned using a 256 X 256 matrix. Our preliminary experience suggests that MR will at least equal and probably exceed CT, both for sensitivity and specificity, given the use of a 256 X 256 matrix.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Recurrent malignant gliomas: survival following interstitial brachytherapy with high-activity iodine-125 sources.

The authors report survival data for the first 41 patients treated for recurrent malignant gliomas with interstitial brachytherapy at the University of California, San Francisco (1980-1984). Iodine-125 (125I) sources were temporarily implanted using stereotaxic techniques. The median survival period for 18 patients with recurrent glioblastomas was 52 weeks after brachytherapy; two patients are alive more than 5 years after brachytherapy. The median survival period for 23 patients with recurrent anaplastic astrocytomas is 153 weeks after brachytherapy, with 10 patients alive more than 3 years and four patients alive more than 4 years after brachytherapy. Both groups did significantly better (p less than 0.01) than groups of patients with the same diagnoses and similar general characteristics who were treated at recurrence with chemotherapy alone. Because of deterioration of their clinical condition and evidence of recurrence from computerized tomographic scans, 17 (41%) of 41 patients required reoperation 20 to 72 weeks after brachytherapy. Despite the invariable presence of apparently viable tumor cells mixed with necrotic tissue in the resected specimen, nine patients have survived more than 2 years after reoperation and two of the nine are still alive 4 years after reoperation. The authors conclude that brachytherapy with temporarily implanted 125I sources for well-circumscribed, hemispheric, recurrent malignant gliomas is effective and offers a chance for long-term survival even though focal radiation necrosis can seriously degrade the quality of survival in a minority of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Distribution of leukemia, lymphoma, and allied disease in parts of Great Britain: analysis by administrative districts and simulations of adjacencies. Leukaemia Research Fund 1984 Data Collection Group.

An analysis is presented of the distribution of cases of leukemia and allied disorders occurring in 151 administrative districts from England, Wales, and Scotland during 1984. The age-adjusted rates for certain conditions present an unusual pattern highlighting excessively high and low rates in parts of the country, some of which share contiguous boundaries. In particular, high rates for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are found in rural Yorkshire districts, whereas leukemias and primary polycythemias are much more common in the Midland districts.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Retreatment of pediatric brain tumors with radiation and misonidazole. Results of a CCSG/RTOG phase I/II study.

Twenty-nine patients with recurrent pediatric brain tumors after full-dose treatment with radiation were retreated with misonidazole (9 gm/m2) and whole-brain irradiation (300 rad X 10). Seventeen of 29 patients (59%) experienced nausea and vomiting with misonidazole administration and 6 patients (21%) developed peripheral neuropathy. Serum levels of misonidazole were similar to those reported for adults. One patient died of trauma shortly after retreatment. For the remaining 28 patients, the median time-to-progression was 5.5 months. Median survival was 13 months. Six patients (21%) developed radiation toxicity, two of whom died from the toxicity. Whereas the results on this study are similar to reported series of patients receiving salvage chemotherapy for recurrent pediatric brain tumors, more effective treatment clearly is needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

S-phase fraction of human brain tumors in situ measured by uptake of bromodeoxyuridine.

One hundred fifty-four patients with brain tumors of various types were given an intravenous infusion of the thymidine analogue bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR), 200 mg/m2, at the time of surgery but before biopsy of the tumor to label S-phase cells. Excised tumor specimens were fixed, sectioned, and stained by immunoperoxidase methods to detect BUdR. The labelling index (LI), or percentage of BUdR-labelled cells, was calculated for each tumor specimen. The LIs of glioblastomas, medulloblastomas, and most highly anaplastic astrocytomas were 5% to 20%. The majority of moderately anaplastic astrocytomas showed LIs of less than 1%, but 30% of them had LIs similar to those of highly malignant gliomas. Most pituitary adenomas and neurinomas showed LIs of less than 1%. Nonmalignant meningiomas had LIs of less than 1%, whereas malignant meningiomas had LIs higher than 2.7%. This is an important observation, because malignant meningiomas are not well-defined histopathologically and their growth rate and rate of recurrence cannot be predicted by current diagnostic procedures. By estimating the proliferative potential of individual tumors more precisely, the BUdR LI supplements histopathological diagnosis, allowing a more accurate estimate of prognosis and facilitating the design of treatment regimens for individual patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Location of 'continuous' antigenic determinants in the protruding regions of proteins.

A simple method is described to locate 'antigenic' peptides from the alpha-carbon co-ordinates of a protein, based on protrusion from the protein's globular surface. A good correlation is found between those parts of a protein which protrude and the experimentally determined antigenic peptides in myoglobin, lysozyme and myohemerythrin. A comparison is made between the use of protrusion index, mobility, solvent accessibility and hydrophilicity for predicting the most likely antigenic peptides.

Epitopes↗
PubMed1986

Recurrent Kawasaki disease.

This case report describes a boy who had Kawasaki disease (KD) at age 12 months and had a recurrence one year later. The coronary arteries were normal following the initial episode; however, during the second episode he developed coronary aneurysms. Gallium-67 radionuclide imaging, echocardiography, and angiography were used to diagnose the coronary abnormalities.

Aneurysm↗
PubMed1986

Urological aspects of the tethered cord syndrome.

We performed urological evaluations in 18 patients with the tethered spinal cord syndrome. Of the patients 4 had low grade vesicoureteral reflux but none had significant upper tract anomalies. Urodynamic studies documented a flaccid bladder in 9 patients (5 with supersensitivity to bethanechol), an uninhibited bladder in 5, mixed bladder dysfunction in 2 and normal function in 2. Repeat urodynamic studies were performed in 15 patients at least 6 months after release of the tethering. Of 8 patients with flaccid bladders studied postoperatively 6 had significant changes: 2 became normal, 2 had limited contractions and 2 had evidence of upper motor neuron abnormalities. Supersensitivity to bethanechol was of no predictive value. All 4 patients with uninhibited bladders who were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively had improved and 3 currently are entirely normal. Careful urological evaluation of patients with the tethered spinal cord syndrome is helpful not only for diagnosis but also for appropriate management preoperatively and postoperatively. The fact that lower urinary tract function improves in some patients should encourage early and aggressive neurosurgical management of patients with this syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

The role of complement and antibody in opsonophagocytosis of type II group B streptococci.

The role of complement and antibody in the opsonophagocytosis of type II group B streptococci (type II GBS) was defined with sera from healthy adults and two populations with theoretical susceptibility to type II GBS infection--neonates and insulin-dependent diabetics. Significant opsonophagocytosis (bactericidal index, greater than or equal to 90%) of five clinical isolates of type II GBS lacking components of protein antigen c was demonstrated by each of 12 adult sera, as well as by agammaglobulinemic serum, a result indicating that opsonophagocytosis can proceed by antibody-independent activation of the classic complement pathway. Strains containing components of protein antigen c were somewhat more resistant to opsonin-binding activity. Four of 10 neonatal sera and nine of 15 diabetic sera exhibited inefficient opsonophagocytosis. Some of the adult sera with either high or low concentrations of specific antibody to type II GBS promoted opsonophagocytosis via the alternative complement pathway, but this response was not observed with neonatal sera. The addition of sufficient amounts of specific antibody to type II GBS to neonatal and adult diabetic sera in vitro, however, promoted efficient opsonophagocytosis via the alternative pathway.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Parenteral benzyl alcohol-induced hypersensitivity reaction.

An uncommon hypersensitivity reaction due to parenteral benzyl alcohol administration is reported. One patient treated with benzyl alcohol-preserved cytarabine, vincristine, and heparin solutions developed a systemic hypersensitivity reaction on three separate occasions. Hypersensitivity to benzyl alcohol was confirmed by skin testing. Clinically, the patient presented with a fever and a maculopapular rash on the chest and arms. None of the reactions were life-threatening or required hospitalization of the patient.

Benzyl Alcohol↗
PubMed1986

Intramedullary neurilemomas of the spinal cord: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two patients harboring intramedullary neurilemomas of the spinal cord are presented. Published reports of these rare lesions and possible mechanisms of their origin are reviewed. Based on the authors' experience and review of the literature, they think that the treatment of choice for these rare lesions is laminectomy and resection and that intraoperative frozen section diagnosis is essential. Incorrect interpretation of the biopsy material that suggests an original diagnosis of infiltrating glioma, perhaps because a neurilemoma was not expected, has made second operations necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Pediatric central nervous system tumors: a cell kinetic study with bromodeoxyuridine.

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), 150 to 200 mg/m2, was administered at the time of operation to 20 pediatric patients with neuroectodermal tumors to label tumor cells in the S phase. Immunocytochemical techniques were used on excised tumor specimens to detect cells containing BrdU, and the BrdU labeling index (LI) was calculated as the number of BrdU-labeled cells divided by the total number of cells counted. Four medulloblastomas, three glioblastomas multiforme, and two highly anaplastic astrocytomas had average BrdU LIs of 13.0 +/- 3.0% (SE), 12.7 +/- 4.3%, and 14.6 +/- 6.7%, respectively. Three of nine moderately anaplastic astrocytomas had BrdU LIs of greater than 1% (average, 6.5 +/- 2.4%), whereas six had LIs of less than 1%. In two juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas, which are considered slow-growing, the BrdU LIs were unexpectedly high, averaging 6.5 +/- 1.4%. Thus pediatric medulloblastomas, glioblastomas multiforme, highly anaplastic astrocytomas, and a minority of moderately anaplastic astrocytomas had high proliferative potentials, whereas most of the moderately anaplastic astrocytomas had low proliferative potentials. Although the number of cases in this study is still too small to yield statistically significant comparisons, the results indicate that some pediatric tumors have considerably higher LIs than histologically similar adult tumors studied previously.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

In situ cell kinetics studies on human neuroectodermal tumors with bromodeoxyuridine labeling.

Thirty-eight patients undergoing surgical removal of neuroectodermal tumors of the central nervous system were given a 1-hour intravenous infusion of bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR), 150 to 200 mg/sq m, to label tumor cells in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis phase (S-phase). The excised tumor specimens were divided into two portions: one was fixed with 70% ethanol and embedded in paraffin and the other was digested with an enzyme cocktail to make a single-cell suspension. The paraffin-embedded tissues were stained by an indirect peroxidase method using anti-BUdR monoclonal antibody (MA) as the first antibody. Single-cell suspensions were reacted with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-BUdR MA's for flow cytometric analysis. S-phase cells that had incorporated BUdR into their DNA were well stained by both methods. The percentage of BUdR-labeled cells, or S-phase fraction, was calculated in tissue sections by microscopic examination and in single-cell suspensions by flow cytometric analysis. The biological malignancy of the tumors was reflected in the S-phase fractions, which were 5% to 20% for glioblastoma multiforme, medulloblastoma, and highly anaplastic astrocytoma, but less than 1% in most moderately anaplastic astrocytomas, ependymomas, and mixed gliomas. Two juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas and two low-grade astrocytomas from children had high S-phase fraction despite the fairly benign and slow-growing nature of these tumors. These results indicate that the S-phase fraction obtained immunocytochemically with anti-BUdR MA's may provide useful information in estimating the biological malignancy of human central nervous system tumors in situ.

Adolescent↗