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Biomedical subjects

R Varghese

Publications and source records attributed to R Varghese.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Carcinomatous meningitis: clinical manifestations and management.

Carcinomatous meningitis (CM) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. During the past 15 years, diffuse leptomeningeal metastases of extracranial malignant tumors have been increasingly reported [Wasserstrom et al. 1982, Theodore and Gendelman 1981, Little et al. 1974, Olson et al. 1974, Yaphey et al. 1978, Sorensen et al. 1984], CM is increasing in frequency because of improved survival of patients with systemic anti neoplastic therapies and increased awareness of this problem among physicians. In this review, we will be discussing the epidemiology, etiology, pathology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of carcinomatous meningitis, as well as the status of recent basic and clinical investigations.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Children's emotional associations with colors.

In this study children's emotional associations with colors were investigated. Sixty children (30 girls, 30 boys), equally divided into groups of 5-year-olds and 6 1/2-year-olds, were asked their favorite color and were then shown nine different colors, one at a time and in a random order. For each color, children were asked, "How does (the color) make you feel?" All children were able to verbally express an emotional response to each color, and 69% of children's emotional responses were positive (e.g., happiness, excitement). Responses also demonstrated distinct color-emotion associations. Children had positive reactions to bright colors (e.g., pink, blue, red) and negative emotions for dark colors (e.g., brown, black, gray). Children's emotional reactions to bright colors became increasingly positive with age, and girls in particular showed a preference for brighter colors and a dislike for darker colors. Boys were more likely than girls were to have positive emotional associations with dark colors. Potential sources for children's color-emotion concepts, such as gender-related and idiosyncratic experiences, are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Positive response to oral divalproex sodium (Depakote) in patients with spasticity and pain.

Divalproex sodium (DVS; Depakote) is a commonly used antiepileptic agent that increases the levels of gamma aminobutyric acid. Spasticity from different causes may be due to a deficiency of inhibitory transmitters like gamma aminobutyric acid or an excess of excitatory neurotransmitters. Spasticity also may be accompanied by pain. The authors administered DVS orally for pain and spasticity in three patients with a history of spinal cord injury and one patient with a history of head injury. Three patients had marked improvement in spasticity and pain. One patient, who had some symptomatic improvement in spasticity, could not tolerate DVS because of gastric irritation. In contrast to the side effects of sedation and increased motor weakness associated with antispasticity drugs commonly used, no such side effects were detected with DVS. It is suggested that a possible enhancement by DVS of gamma aminobutyric acid-ergic postsynaptic inhibition of motor reflex arc in the spinal cord may represent a new nonsedating, management approach for spasticity as a result of traumatic spinal cord and head injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Psychological growth and the impact of stress in middle age.

Cycles of stress and anxiety in middle age may have a developmental etiology, and may be a necessary part of the developmental process in this phase of life. Middle age often is punctuated by recurrent episodes of stress which do not appear to have a basis in any specific event. These cycles of stress instead are a function of psychological development in mid-life, with stress resulting from the need to integrate newly differentiated aspects of experience which cannot be integrated with an existing cognitive system of beliefs and values. Reintegration of the cognitive structure to accommodate these new elements reduces the stress, leaving the adult changed with respect to certain beliefs about self or world. These reintegrations are facilitated by an internal locus of control and an articulate self-other differentiation, both of which are important for a positive response to stress in middle age.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1980

Splenic abscess.

Fourteen cases of splenic abscess are reported and 159 cases previously cited in the literature are reviewed. The incidence, predisposing factors, pathogenesis, clinical features, bacteriology and radiologic findings are discussed. Infective endocarditis was the most common single antecedent infection. Hemoglobinopathies, non-penetrating abdominal trauma, and gastrointestinal malignancy appear to predispose the spleen to abscess formation. Emphasis is placed on clinical features and radiologic findings to aid practitioners in diagnosing this uncommon but often fatal infection. Also emphasized is the necessity for prompt surgical intervention when splenic abscess is suspected. An approach to the antimicrobial therapy in different clinical settings is outlined.

Abscess↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Metronidazole treatment of Bacteroides fragilis infections.

Seven patients with Bacteroides fragilis infections were treated with intravenous and/or oral metronidazole. Infections treated included endocarditis, osteomyelitis, lung abscess, empyema, peritonitis, septicemia, and pelvic infection. Some patients had failed to respond to therapy with chloramphenicol or clindamycin or both. Metronidazole was used alone or in combination with aminoglycosides. Serum levels of metronidazole several times in excess of the minimal inhibitory concentrations for the organisms were easily achieved and in one patient the CSF metronidazole level was equal to that of the serum. Response to therapy with metronidazole was considered to be excellent. The only serious side effect noted was hypotension, which occurred in the last patient. Therapy was discontinued, and therefore therapeutic results could not be evaluated. Metronidazole appears to be a safe and effective agent in the treatment of B fragilis infections.

Adult↗