Seasonal variations, acute rhinosinusitis and orbital infections in children.

Background: Orbital infections in children are commonly secondary to acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS). It is unclear whether seasonal variations can predispose to these complications mirroring acute rhinosinusitis incidence.

Objective: To determine the incidence of ABRS as a cause of orbital infections and whether seasonality is a risk factor.

Tipifarnib as maintenance therapy did not improve disease-free survival in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia at high risk of relapse: Results of the phase III randomized E2902 trial.

Purpose: Despite the achievement of complete remission with chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), relapse is common and the majority of patients will die of their disease. Patients who achieve a remission after refractory or relapsed disease as well as elderly patients have a very high rate of relapse even if they achieve a complete remission. A phase 3 randomized ECOG-ACRIN-led intergroup study was conducted to determine whether post-remission therapy with the farnesyl transferase inhibitor, tipifarnib (R115777), improved the disease-free survival (DFS) of adult patients with AML in complete remission (CR), at high risk for relapse.

Association between adaptive behaviour and age in adults with Down syndrome without dementia: examining the range and severity of adaptive behaviour problems.

Background: Studies on adaptive behaviour and ageing in adults with Down syndrome (DS) (without dementia) have typically analysed age-related change in terms of the total item scores on questionnaires. This research extends the literature by investigating whether the age-related changes in adaptive abilities could be differentially attributed to changes in the number or severity (intensity) of behavioural questionnaire items endorsed.

Methods: The Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System-II Adult (ABAS-II Adult) was completed by parents and caregivers of 53 adults with DS aged between 16 and 56 years.

The association between behavioural and emotional problems and age in adults with Down syndrome without dementia: Examining a wide spectrum of behavioural and emotional problems.

The literature on the association between behavioural and emotional problems and ageing in adults with Down syndrome (DS) without dementia is limited and has generally not reported on a wide range of behavioural and emotional problems. This research aimed to extend the field by examining the associations between age and a wide spectrum of behavioural and emotional problems in adults with DS without dementia. A preliminary analysis of the association between potential covariates and behavioural and emotional problems was also undertaken.

Prognostic factors and jaw and renal complications among multiple myeloma patients treated with zoledronic acid.

Few studies have evaluated prognostic factors among patients with multiple myeloma (MM) since new therapies have become available. Monthly zoledronic acid (ZOL) has been incorporated into many treatment regimens to reduce skeletal-related events (SREs), but outcomes among patients receiving this bisphosphonate have not been well-defined. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine baseline and on-treatment prognostic factors in these patients.

Phase II study of all-trans retinoic acid in the accelerated phase or early blastic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia: a study of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (E1993).

The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in the treatment of the accelerated and blastic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and to evaluate in vitro correlates of biological activity. ATRA was administered in an intermittent schedule to patients with CML in the accelerated or blastic phases for a 6 week induction period, which was continued if there was evidence of clinical response or stable disease. If the patient was progressing at 6 weeks, interferon-alpha could be added to the ATRA.

A phase 3 study of three induction regimens and of priming with GM-CSF in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia: a trial by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

The optimal induction for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is unknown. Several anthracyclines have been proposed, but the data remain equivocal. Additionally, few prospective trials of priming with hematopoietic growth factors to cycle leukemia cells prior to induction chemotherapy have been conducted.

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia evolving from a myelodysplastic syndrome.

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare hematologic disorder usually presenting with a persistent neutrophilia in the leukemoid range (WBC > 40-50 x 10(9)/1) and consisting largely of mature neutrophils. Patients have no obvious cause for an elevated white count and typically have an elevated leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score, hepatosplenomegaly, elevated vitamin B12 and are Philadelphia chromosome-negative. CNL has occasionally been associated with paraproteinemia or outright myeloma.

A phase II study of menogaril (7R-O-methylnogarol) in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia: a study of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

Fifty-one patients (47 evaluable) with AML, 27 in first relapse and 20 either in second relapse or refractory were treated with menogaril, 100 mg/m2/day as a 90-min infusion daily for 5 days. The complete response (CR) rate was 17% (8/47), and there was one partial response. Seven of eight responders were in first relapse with a 26% response rate among first relapse patients (7/27).

Decreased platelet aggregation during pregnancy correlates with gestational age.

In vivo platelet aggregation was determined in pregnant women at different gestational ages and nonpregnant women by a modification of a method. A higher platelet count ratio (PCR) was found in pregnant women after a gestational age of 13 weeks. At 16-30 and 31-41 weeks of gestation, in vivo platelet aggregation was significantly decreased.

Balance of prostacyclin and thromboxane in offspring of parents with premature coronary arterial disease.

6-keto-prostaglandin F1a and thromboxane B2 were determined in order to obtain more information about the prostacyclin synthesis and thromboxane A2 release in 3- to 18-year-old healthy children and in offspring of parents who have had an acute myocardial infarction before the age of 45. The authors demonstrated a reduction of plasma prostacyclin synthesis in children with a positive family history of premature coronary arterial disease. Thromboxane levels in the affected adolescent boys were significantly lower compared with the controls.

Association between total cholesterol and plasma thromboxane B2 in human adults.

Apparently healthy adults were examined for their lipid and thromboxane parameters. The correlation between the levels of total cholesterol in serum and thromboxane B2/TXB2/ in plasma was strong mainly in men (p less than 0.01).

Association between total cholesterol and thromboxane B2 levels in offspring of parents suffering from premature coronary artery disease.

Relationship between plasma thromboxane B2 concentration and serum total cholesterol level was studied in 129 healthy 3 to 18 years old children, 77 girls and 52 boys, without any family history of premature coronary artery disease and in 181 offspring, 105 girls and 76 boys, of parents suffering from acute myocardial infarction before the age of 45. It was identified an enhancement in serum total cholesterol level of endangered children, and an elevated release of thromboxane A2 in affected girls. A significant negative correlation was found between serum total cholesterol concentration and plasma thromboxane B2 level in healthy girls.

Plasmapheresis. A therapeutic option in the management of heparin-associated thrombocytopenia with thrombosis.

Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HATT) is an uncommon syndrome that is estimated to occur in 1-5% of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Early diagnosis requires careful clinical surveillance, and the management of these patients can be complex. Cessation of heparin therapy and substitution or addition of oral anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, dextrans, and prostacyclin analogues have been advocated.

[Plasma prostacyclin and thromboxane concentration in healthy children and in offspring of parents suffering from myocardial infarct].

6-keto-prostaglandin F1a and thromboxane B2 were determined by radioimmunoassay in 135 healthy children, as a control group, and in 125 offsprings of parents suffering from premature coronary artery disease. Plasma prostacyclin concentration had decreased in children with a positive family history of coronary artery disease. It was demonstrated a strong reduction of thromboxane level in boys from age 11 in endangered group while the thromboxane/prostacyclin ratio did not differ from the control.

Potential markers of the atherosclerotic process in high-risk children.

Children whose parents had early coronary heart disease were investigated. In order to assess high-risk parameters serum total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TT), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), lipid peroxide (LP), prostacyclin (PGI2), thromboxane (TX) levels, and the distribution of the complement 3 (C3), protein phenotypes were measured. Compared to a group of control children, the offspring of high-risk subjects had increased LDLC, LP, TC, and TX levels, a higher incidence of fast-slow heterozygotes, and decreased HDLC and PGI2 levels.

Low level of prostacyclin as a risk of ischaemic heart disease.

We have studied the relationship between levels of lipids and prostacyclin in 3- to 14-year-old children with a family history of ischaemic heart disease. The total levels of cholesterol in the serum of these children increased, while levels of the HDL-fraction and prostacyclin (measured as 6-keto-prostaglandin F1a) decreased significantly. Levels of thromboxane B2 in the plasma were unchanged.

Prostacyclin and thromboxane levels of children of parents suffering from early ischemic heart disease.

Offsprings of parents who had acute myocardial infarction before age of 45 years were investigated. The aim of this examination was to obtain information whether the variation in the balance of prostacyclin/thromboxane ratio is a common cardiovascular risk factor in children. In children whose parents have had early myocardial infarction, a significant decrease was shown in 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha level while the thromboxane B2/6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha ratio increased in these children.