Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Z Braf

Publications and source records attributed to Z Braf.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Phase II study of recombinant interferon alpha-C in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Recombinant interferon alpha-C is a new strain of the alpha interferon family. It was given to 33 patients with measurable metastatic renal cell carcinoma of whom 31 were evaluable. Protocol consisted of 3 million U/d for 2 weeks, then 3 million U/m2 every other day until progression. No complete response was observed. Three patients (9.7%) had partial response for a mean duration of 5.6 months and eight patients (25.8%) were stabilized for a mean of 4.3 months. Responsive sites were mainly lung, bone, and kidney, while side effects were generally mild. better results were observed in previously nephrectomized patients who had not received chemotherapy or hormonotherapy for recurrent or metastatic disease (p less than 0.05), and also in patients with a brief disease-free interval and short delay from presenting symptoms of the primary tumor until interferon treatment (p less than 0.05). Median survival was significantly longer in responders than in progressors (p less than 0.05). We suggest that the efficacy of recombinant interferon alpha-C in a low-dose regime versus other types of interferon as first-line therapy for inoperable, metastatic, or locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma should be investigated in a prospective, controlled, randomized study.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Changes in prostate-specific markers under chronic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue treatment of state D prostatic cancer.

Nineteen patients with newly diagnosed advanced prostatic carcinoma were treated with daily inhalations of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue (buserelin acetate, Hoechst 766, Frankfurt, FRG), for up to 3 years. Successful long-term suppression of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone was observed without any escape of testosterone. Ten patients were considered nonresponders, whereas nine were defined as responders (had either stabilized or regressed). Serum prostate-specific markers, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), were monitored at fixed time intervals throughout treatment in these patients. Simultaneous determinations of both markers was made under treatment in 147 samples. The results suggest a high correlation between the disease state and the level of the markers (P less than 0.0001), as well as a very high correlation between serum concentrations of the markers themselves (correlation coefficient = 0.6). Thus, the authors could not point clearly towards a superiority of any marker when monitoring response to GnRH analogue treatment. Contrary to current belief, the pretreatment values of both markers were of no prognostic value with regard to response or survival.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome with unusual presentations in two brothers.

Two cases are reported of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome in two brothers. One had an asymptomatic adrenal pheochromocytoma (probably bilateral) and a synchronous metastatic hypernephroma which presented as a rather "innocent" renal colic. The second asymptomatic brother underwent urologic investigation which revealed multifocal tumors of the kidney. High clinical suspicion based on family history only is mandatory. The literature related to von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is reviewed.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

Potential pitfalls in the obstructive renal scan in patients with double-pigtail ureteral catheters.

In 21 patients with a long-standing internal ureteral double-pigtail catheter we demonstrated the adverse effect of a full bladder on upper system drainage. A pseudo-obstructive pattern noted in these patients on routine scans was immediately rectified by mere bladder emptying and a normal pattern was demonstrated. We suggest the bladder be emptied in all patients with indwelling internal ureteral stents before renographic evaluation.

Catheters, Indwelling↗
PubMed1989

The value of renal scan in acute renal colic--a clinical viewpoint.

The value of emergency room renal scan in acute renal colic was evaluated. Based on obstructive pattern on renal scan, 53 cases were admitted. The results indicate that only in 13 cases (25%) there was a need for further inpatient investigation followed by interventional treatment. In all 13 cases, either elevated fever, impaired renal function or intractable pain were present, in addition to an obstructive renal scan pattern. In the majority (75%) of cases, when there were no adjunctive ominous signs, hospital admission based only on an obstructed renal scan, showed need for conservative therapy only and was rather unjustified.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue in advanced prostatic cancer: 3 years clinical experience.

The relative efficacy of the recently introduced gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues in advanced prostatic cancer, compared with surgical castration, is still debatable. High patient compliance, lack of side effects, and absence of the psychological impact of castration, seem to be the most prominent advantages cited. Our long-term follow-up in a group of 19 prostate cancer patients treated with GnRH analogue also indicated high patient compliance and mild side effects. However, we found a discrepancy between local prostatic regression and general clinical responsiveness, and a poorer therapeutic effect than that obtained with surgical castration. In this group of patients follow-up with either prostatic acid phosphatase or prostatic specific antigen seems promising. We found a high correlation between disease state and prostatic markers. We suggest that GnRH analogues are another addition to the armamentarium for treating advanced prostatic carcinoma, yet are limited in their therapeutic effectiveness.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

The role of increased prolactin levels under GnRH analogue treatment in advanced prostatic carcinoma.

The role of prolactin in the progress of prostatic carcinoma still is obscure. It is known to modulate testosterone metabolism and may have a prognostic value in determining disease progression. Prolonged treatment with a GnRH analogue has been introduced recently as a therapeutic alternative to surgical castration in advanced prostatic carcinoma. It has been reported that prolactin levels remain unchanged or even decrease in GnRH analogue treatment. By contrast, in this series of 15 prostatic carcinoma patients treated with GnRH analogue, a significant rise was demonstrated in clinical responders as well as nonresponders. In the latter group, prolactin rise was more pronounced. These results suggest that frequent prolactin determinations might be of prognostic value in determining early disease progression under GnRH analogue treatment.

Buserelin↗
PubMed1987

Phantom kidney--a pitfall in radionuclide study of urinary tract.

A survey was done on 39 nephrectomized patients who underwent our routine radionuclide kidney study including blood flow imaging at various periods postoperation. Perfusion of varying degree was demonstrated in the area of the nephrectomized kidney in 17 patients showing equal or less activity than the actual kidney. This so-called phantom kidney was reproducible in the same patient and was found four weeks to ten years after nephrectomy. Thirteen phantom kidneys were found on the left side and four on the right. Seven were after simple nephrectomy, four after radical nephrectomy, and six after nephroureterectomy. Besides being a source of error in interpretation in kidney imaging, the appearance of this residual postnephrectomy blood flow is difficult to explain, particularly in the cases of radical nephrectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Drinking, micturition habits, and urine concentration as potential risk factors in urinary bladder cancer.

Investigation of micturition and drinking habits in urban (n = 475) and rural (n = 156) working populations demonstrated less frequent micturition, decreased fluid intake, and a higher urine concentration in the urban as compared to the rural group. All these differences were significant (P less than .01) by multivariate analysis, adjusting for age and sex differences. Drinking and micturition habits were similar in both sexes, but urine concentration was significantly lower in females (P less than .01) in both the urban and rural groups. Incidence of bladder cancer is reportedly higher in urban versus rural populations and in males versus females, the differences being apparently unaccountable for by differences in smoking, an important risk factor for bladder cancer. Our findings of greater urine concentration and less frequent micturition (which augments urine contact with bladder epithelium) in high-risk groups for bladder cancer are consistent with the "urogenous contact hypothesis." This hypothesis associates the etiology of bladder cancer with prolonged exposure to urine, on the basis of studies indicating carcinogenicity of urine. Further studies should indicate whether frequent drinking and urination are effective preventive measures against bladder cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Kaposi's sarcoma localized on the shaft of the penis].

The importance of Kaposi's Sarcoma, known for over a century, resides in its relation to AIDS. The localisation on the shaft of the penis is very rare even in the generalised forms, more so when the lesion is primary and localized. The basic lesion appears as a reddish-violet nodule. The authors report a case of a primary Kaposi's Sarcoma in a 58 year-old patient where the tumor appeared as a pedunculated 2 X 2 cm lesion with a necrotic surface. The tumor was excised. A search for internal foci of KS was negative. The complete cure was proven by decreased lymphocyte proliferative responses and defective natural-killer cell activity.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Bilateral metachronous xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in end-stage renal failure.

We report a case of bilateral metachronous xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) in a hemodialyzed patient with end-stage renal failure due to bilateral nephrolithiasis. The XGP was initially diagnosed by computed tomographic (CT) scan, and right nephrectomy was performed. The patient remained clinically stable for the next year. Involvement of the contralateral kidney was again confirmed by CT examination. Both kidneys showed histologic changes compatible with XGP. A coexisting nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder has been attributed to chronic urinary tract infection.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Demonstration of antispermatozoal antibodies in varicocele-related infertility with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

To assess the existence of a possible immunologic factor in varicocele-associated infertility, we searched for antispermatozoal antibodies in serum, seminal plasma, and bound to spermatozoa in 32 infertile men with varicocele and 22 infertile patients without palpable varicocele, with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, we performed morphologic and microbiologic analyses of the semen and urethral smears for isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis. Twenty-nine men from the varicocele group (90.6%) demonstrated antispermatozoal antibodies, compared with only 9 men (40.9%) in the control group. The antibodies in both groups, when present, were mainly serum and seminal plasma immunoglobulins IgA and IgM. A significant quantitative difference between the varicocele and control groups was also observed for serum IgA, seminal plasma IgA and IgM, and sperm-bound IgG, IgA, and IgM. Oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia were significantly more prevalent in the varicocele men. An asymptomatic genital tract infection with C. trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Escherichia coli was traced in 40.6% of the varicocele men and in 45.5% of the control group. No interaction could be demonstrated between the infection and antispermatozoal antibody formation. These data suggest that an immunologic factor may play a role in varicocele-associated infertility; however, its impact on reproduction has yet to be assessed.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1986

Concentration of ciprofloxacin in human prostatic tissue after oral administration.

Concomitant concentrations of ciprofloxacin in serum, urine, and prostatic tissue were determined in 15 patients after single oral doses of 750 mg. Levels in tissue ranged from 0.6 to 4.18 micrograms/g, and therapeutic concentrations were demonstrable for up to 9 h after administration. The mean ratio of tissue to serum concentration was 0.93 +/- 0.08 (standard error).

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

High ligation or embolization of varicocele.

The presence of a varicocele was confirmed in 121 of 123 patients complaining of scrotal pain or infertility, in whom radionuclide scanning was performed. In the first 29 patients (retrospective study), a high ligation of the internal spermatic vein was performed. In 94 patients, a percutaneous venography was done via the jugular vein followed by embolization by Gianturco coils (occluding spring embolus, Cook Group Company, USA) in 84 of them. In eight patients, due to technical difficulties during the embolization trial, a high ligation was performed at a later date. Eleven patients underwent embolization after failed high ligation. A posttreatment follow-up radionuclide study revealed recurrences in two of the 95 patients who underwent embolization. Embolization can be performed on an outpatient basis with minimal risks. Reembolization is feasible, and it in no way prevents a further high ligation should this be necessary.

Adolescent↗