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Biomedical subjects

R Pourmand

Publications and source records attributed to R Pourmand.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to autologous and allogeneic muscle in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis.

We examined the proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to autologous and homologous muscle homogenates in 21 patients with early, active, untreated polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), 8 patients with chronic PM/DM, 10 patients with myopathies other than PM/DM, 7 patients with connective tissue diseases without myositis, and 12 healthy individuals. PBMC from patients with PM/DM and from control subjects were incubated with various dilutions of autologous and homologous muscle homogenates. PBMC from patients with active PM/DM underwent significant proliferation on exposure to both the autologous muscle and the homologous muscle homogenates. In contrast, PBMC from patients with chronic PM/DM, other myopathies, connective tissue diseases without myositis, and from healthy individuals did not respond to either autologous or homologous muscle. Our findings demonstrate that the PBMC of patients with PM/DM are sensitized to muscle.

Adolescent↗

Periodic lateralized EEG abnormality in a case of Neuro-Behcet syndrome.

A thirty-six year old male with a sixteen month history of a progressive neurological disorder had Behcet's disease. His initial electroencephalogram showed periodic lateralizing epileptiform discharges (PLEDs). The electroencephalographic changes in this disorder have not been described in detail in the American literature. The review of world publications in this matter disclosed that there is no specific EEG pattern in this condition, and that electroencephalographic changes are mainly related to the side of the lesion and have no prognostic value.

Adult↗

Late-onset Mcardle's disease with unusual electromyographic findings.

Symptoms of McArdle's disease (muscle phosphorylase deficiency) commonly begin in childhood or adolescence. Late onset of the disease is rare. We describe a 76-year-old man whose symptoms began at age 74 years with sudden onset of proximal muscle weakness and fatigability. Electromyography disclosed substantial spontaneous activity and myopathic features as seen in inflammatory muscle disease. The diagnosis of McArdle's disease was made by histochemical studies of muscle, an abnormal ischemic lactate test, and absence of myophosphorylase activity.

Aged↗

Parathyroid storm.

Primary hyperparathyroidism frequently has a chronic and relatively benign course. Occasionally, however, it may have a stormy presentation requiring prompt adequate diagnosis and urgent surgical treatment. We describe a 71-year-old woman who had severe hypercalcemia, seizures, and coma refractory to treatment with anticonvulsant drugs, intravenous infusion of normal saline, furosemide, glucocorticoids, calcitonin, and hemodialysis. Bone roentgenograms were normal, but a strikingly positive bone scan that also showed marked soft-tissue uptake prompted the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and the successful surgical removal of a large parathyroid adenoma. This was followed by a remarkable recovery and marked reduction in soft-tissue radioactive uptake on bone scan. The association of hypercalcemia and seizures and the diagnostic value of bone scanning are discussed. An up-to-date review of the literature is presented. We proposed this condition to be named "parathyroid storm" on the basis of the rapid and lethal course unless surgery is performed without delay.

Acute Disease↗

Acquired respiratory failure in critically ill patients.

With increasing survival rates from acute medical or surgical emergencies a new form of peripheral neuropathy, CIP, has been recognized. CIP can be seen only in patients who are considered to be critically ill; therefore, it invariably occurs in the ICU. Typically, initial symptoms begin with transient (hours to a few days) septic encephalopathy followed by generalized weakness, manifested in weaning failure, limb weakness and hyporeflexia. Diagnosis is confirmed by an EMG. CIP should be considered in any elderly patient with sepsis and prolonged respiratory muscle weakness. Prognosis is poor in severe cases, in which the EMG also shows severe axonal degeneration. In milder forms, fair to good recovery is expected within weeks. Management includes treatment of sepsis, normalization of failing organ function, physical therapy and proper nutrition.

Critical Care↗