Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Papadopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to N Papadopoulos.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

[An unusual lateral cervico-facial fistula].

Lateral cervical sinuses of fistula are usually derivatives of the branchial clefts and pouches and have a more or less typical course in the neck. We present a patient with an extremely long sinus extending from the left supraclavicular area, via the cheek up to the left infraorbital rim. We could not find a similar report in literature. The diagnostic evaluation as well as the successful surgical removal of the malformation through a skin incision in the neck and a second incision in the sulcus gingivobucalis are described. On the basis of a brief review in the embryology of the congenital anomalies of the neck and face some considerations about the possible origin of the cervico-facial sinuses are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Concomitant administration of recombinant human interleukin-2 and recombinant interferon alpha-2A in cancer patients: a phase I study.

Twenty-seven patients with metastatic cancer were treated with a daily continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) along with daily intramuscular recombinant interferon-alpha-2a (rIFN-alpha-2a) 4 days per week for 4 weeks with repeated treatment after 2 to 4 weeks of rest. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) was 3 million U/m2/d of rhIL-2 with 5 to 10 million U/m2/d of rIFN-alpha-2a. The dose-limiting toxicities are moderate hypotension requiring low doses of pressors and chronic fatigue associated with decreased performance status. Other common side effects included fever, chills, fluid retention, nausea/vomiting, erythrodermia, weight loss, elevated liver transminase levels, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and CNS toxic effects. There were seven objective responses among 25 evaluable patients. Four major responses (one complete response and three partial responses) were observed among 10 patients with melanoma treated with the MTD level. These data suggest that for cancer patients, concomitant rhIL-2 and rIFN-alpha-2a therapy is tolerable and has manageable side effects. Further phase II studies will be needed to define the antitumor activity of this combination.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Anatomical observations on the arcade of Frohse and other structures related to the deep radial nerve. Anatomical interpretation of deep radial nerve entrapment neuropathy.

In a series of 120 elbow regions (66 male, 54 female) from embalmed human cadavers, the authors observed the course of the deep radial nerve and then related it to structures such as a) the deep surface of the initial part of the extensor carpi radialis brevis, which was found to be tendinous in 90% of the cases, b) the superior hiatus of the supinator muscle, which formed a fibrous arcade of Frohse in 61% of the cases, and the distance of its peak from the lateral condyle, which ranged from 4 to 6 cm, and c) the angle between the superficial oblique muscle fibres of the supinator and the long axis of the radius, which varies from 18 degrees to 38 degrees and crossed the nerve almost transversely. The above anatomical factors--and particularly the thickened fibrous arcade of Frohse--are all important for the deep radial entrapment neuropathy in predisposed individuals.

Adult↗

The shape and size of the human hyoid bone and a proposal for an alternative classification.

Human hyoid bones, according to the main characteristics of their shape, studied in 76 bones, may be classified into five types, in the following order of frequency:D-type 29%, B-type 26.5%, H-type 21%, U-type 18.5%, and V-type 5.0%. The frequency of the types is to a certain (but not statistically significant) degree sex-related. In 60% of the cases the shape of the hyoid bone does not belong to any of the shapes that are conventionally described. Almost half of the hyoid bones are asymmetric and/or anisometric. According to their width the hyoid bones may be designated as narrow (45%), intermediate (34%) and wide (21%). There is no standard correlation of the distance between the tubercles of the greater horns to the distance between the lesser horns in the same hyoid bone. On the contrary, with the exception of the horseshoe-shaped bones, the former distance almost coincides to the length of the major transverse axis of the same bone. The two dimensional size of the hyoid bone, which is of importance to the vital space of the superior opening of the lower respiratory tract, varies greatly, and to a certain degree it is related to the hyoid shape.

Biometry↗

Some biometric anatomical remarks on the human hyoid complex.

In a series of fourty dissected specimens of the human hyoid complex, the position of the hyoid level was determined by measuring and statistically processing certain parameters with regard to bony landmarks, as well as to the musculature of the hyoid biomechanical system. In spite of the conventional description, only in 30% of the cases the long axis of the greater horns run parallel to the lower margin of the mandible. On the contrary, in 30% the hyoid level has an oblique ascending course of more than 20 degrees. Moreover, in 40% of the cases the hyoid bone lies higher, closer than 1.9 cm to the plane of the mental symphysis. The above observations, strengthened by similar ones on the length of the musculature, were more frequent in women, including almost half or more than half of their population. This sexual dimorphism has to be taken into account when dealing with the functional position of the hyoid, both in normal and clinical cases.

Adult↗

The ossified hyoid apparatus--morphology, interpretation, clinical and functional significance. Presentation of a rare case and highlights of the literature.

A rare and unique case of completely ossified hyoid apparatus, found in an 80 years old female cadaver, is presented. The ossified apparatus consists of 4 bones bilaterally--the stylohyal, the main and the accessory keratohyal and the hypohyal--of which the 2 first, on the left and the second and third, on the right, were almost fused. In addition a very long lesser cornu, exceeding 35 mm, was noted bilaterally. Highlights of the literature are given with respect to anatomy, comparative anatomy, embryology as well as to clinical and functional implications.

Aged↗

Autoimmune basis for visual paraneoplastic syndrome in patients with small cell lung carcinoma. Retinal immune deposits and ablation of retinal ganglion cells.

Recently, patients with visual paraneoplastic syndrome (VPS) were described, a binocular loss of vision found in patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL). The patients have serum antibodies against a small number of discrete antigens which are shared by the retina and small cell carcinoma cells, and which are associated with cells and processes of the ganglion cell layer of the retina. Pathologic findings are presented with regard to the presence of immunoglobulins in, and the nature of the lesions in, the central nervous system of a VPS patient. The patient's blood-brain barrier was shown to be compromised, as demonstrated by the finding of high immunoglobulin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and immune deposits in the retina. It is further shown that within the central nervous system only the retina and optic nerve show any tissue damage with the specific loss of retinal ganglion cells and their processes. The findings support the hypothesis of an autoimmune cause for this remote effect of cancer.

Aged↗

A familial basis for the heterogeneity in coronary atherosclerotic disease.

Miniature swine fed a high-cholesterol, high-fat diet demonstrated heterogeneity in the extent of coronary artery disease. Plasma cholesterol or lipoprotein concentrations as well as other known risk factors accounted for little of this heterogeneity. However, the majority of the variability could be accounted for by the familial predisposition to develop cardiovascular disease in the individual animal kindreds. This study strongly suggests that the enhanced rate of development of coronary atherosclerotic disease during hypercholesterolemia is more critically modulated by previously unrecognized genetic actors than by absolute plasma cholesterol concentrations.

Animals↗

Oligomerization of pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) at physiologic pH and ionic strength.

Highly purified pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) migrated in gel electrophoresis as a homogeneous species and behaved as a single species in 6 mol/l guanidinium chloride (GdmCl), both in the ultracentrifuge and HPLC. At physiologic pH and ionic strength, in the absence of GdmCl, SP1 existed in the form of oligomers of apparent molecular weights of 40 000 to greater than 300 000. The specific activity of these oligomers varied over a 5-fold range. Electrophoretic mobility also varied among SP1 oligomers, with increasing (alpha-like) mobility shown by oligomers of increasing molecular size. Oligomerization may explain some or all of the reports of SP1 heterogeneity.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

A long-term follow-up study of patients with post-poliomyelitis neuromuscular symptoms.

A "post-polio" syndrome characterized by new neuromuscular symptoms, including muscle weakness, may develop years after recovery from acute paralytic poliomyelitis. We studied 27 patients (mean age, 50.6 years) in whom new muscle weakness developed a mean of 28.8 years after recovery from acute polio. We reevaluated these patients during a mean follow-up period of 8.2 years (range, 4.5 to 20) after they were originally studied at the National Institutes of Health. The total mean follow-up period after the onset of new weakness was 12.2 years (range, 6 to 29). The patients were assessed with quantitative muscle testing, muscle biopsy, electromyography, and virologic and immunologic examination of the cerebrospinal fluid. Muscle strength had declined in all patients. The rate of decline averaged 1 percent per year. The decrease was irregular, with subjective plateau periods that ranged from 1 to 10 years. None of the patients had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Oligoclonal bands (IgG) were found in the cerebrospinal fluid of 7 of 13 patients studied, but no specific elevation of antibodies to poliovirus was observed in the cerebrospinal fluid. The newly affected muscles that were evaluated longitudinally with follow-up muscle biopsies and electromyography showed signs of chronic and new denervation. Groups of atrophic muscle fibers (group atrophy) and "neurogenic jitter" were not present. New post-polio muscle weakness is not a life-threatening form of motor-neuron deterioration. It appears that this weakness is not due to a loss of whole motor neurons, as in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but that it is due to a dysfunction of the surviving motor neurons that causes a slow disintegration of the terminals of individual nerve axons.

Adult↗

A phase II trial of PCNU in patients with malignant melanoma and central nervous system metastases.

Twelve patients with malignant melanoma metastatic to the central nervous system (CNS) were treated with PCNU. All patients had prior chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and had progressive brain metastases, documented by computerized tomography. PCNU was given as a single intravenous infusion of 90-110 mg/m2 every 6-8 weeks. There was one partial response and four patients had stable disease. Although no episodes of sepsis or bleeding occurred, seven of 17 courses led to significant granulocytopenia or thrombocytopenia. Nonhematopoietic toxicities were mild. These results indicate that systemic PCNU is unlikely to be more effective than other currently used chemotherapy in patients with malignant melanoma and CNS metastases.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Serum monoclonal immunoglobulin bands in undifferentiated lymphomas of Burkitt and non-Burkitt types.

Using an improved electroimmunofixation technique that combines the sensitivity of high resolution agarose gel electrophoresis with the specificity of immunoprecipitation, we have demonstrated monoclonal immunoglobulin bands in the serum of patients with undifferentiated lymphomas of Burkitt and non-Burkitt types. Monoclonal bands were detected in the serum of 12 of 21 patients with extensive tumor, and 1 of 10 patients with minimal tumor. All of the bands were identified as IgM of a single light chain class. Such bands were not detected in the serum of patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma (7) or African Burkitt's lymphoma (6). There was disappearance of the bands after therapy and reappearance at relapse. These findings, coupled with previously reported in vitro information, indicate that undifferentiated lymphoma cells secrete immunoglobulin of IgM isotype. Therefore, such monoclonal bands may be of potential value as tumor markers.

Adolescent↗

Arterial segmentation of the human spleen by post-mortem angiograms and corrosion-casts.

In a series of seventy adult human spleens, obtained from embalmed dissecting-room cadavers and post-mortem bodies, the extrasplenic division and intrasplenic architecture of the terminal branches of the splenic artery and of its polar arteries were studied via extrasplenic dissection, angiograms and injection-corrosion casts. The results showed that the splenic artery is divided into two (85.7%), or three (14.3%) primary branches, each of which is subdivided, mostly, into two to four secondary branches. Moreover, a superior polar artery (60.0%) and inferior polar arteries (80.0%) are given from the splenic trunk or from one of its primary branches. The human spleen is divided accordingly into two or three main arterial segments, separated by a definite avascular plane. Also, a rather constant avascular plane separated the polar segments from the remaining of the organ. Each main segment is also subdivided, usually into two to four less constant secondary segments, the architecture of which and the avascular planes between them are very variable. The findings of this study and other relative studies consist the anatomical basis for highly conservative surgical management, as an alternative to splenectomy, in cases of splenic rupture.

Adult↗

Role of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in testicular cancer.

Changes in the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase have been noted to reflect growth and/or regression in many patients with testicular tumors, but they were nonspecific. However, elevation of the first of the LDH isoenzymes (LD-1) has been found specific to testicular cancer among all neoplasms. In this prospective preliminary report of 19 testicular cancer patients serum LD-1 was found to be normal in 4 patients with no tumor present. Therefore, there were no false positive findings. Of 6 patients with microscopic disease, LD-1 level was normal. Of 9 patients with gross disease, 5 had elevated serum LD-1 and 4 had normal LD-1. Of 4 patients with seminoma, 3 had elevated LD-1 while all 4 patients had no other elevated markers. It appears that elevation of serum LD-1 provides a marker for seminoma and a marker with some specificity for testicular cancer.

Clinical Enzyme Tests↗

Demonstration of CSF gamma-globulin banding in presenile dementia.

An improved agarose gel electrophoretic technique was used to fractionate serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins in patients with presenile dementia. The CSF electrophoretic patterns demonstrated three abnormal bands in the gamma-globulin region in five out of eight of these patients.

Adult↗