Glutathione S-transferases as risk factors in prostate cancer.

Glutathione S-transferases are enzymes involved in the metabolism of carcinogens and in the defence against reactive oxygen species. Genetic polymorphisms have been detected in glutathione S-transferases M1, T1 and P1, and some of these polymorphisms have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. In a case-control study (153 cases and 288 controls) the effect of these genetic polymorphisms on the risk of prostate cancer was investigated.

Low-dose oral contraceptives and acquired resistance to activated protein C: a randomised cross-over study.

Background: We have reported previously that, compared with use of second-generation oral contraceptives, the use of third-generation oral contraceptives is associated with increased resistance to the anticoagulant action of activated protein C (APC). Owing to the cross-sectional design of that study, these observations may have been subject to unknown bias or uncontrolled effects of the menstrual cycle. We aimed to overcome these sources of bias by doing a cycle-controlled randomised cross-over trial.

[Dolichoectasia of the intracranial arteries and stroke].

Intracranial arterial dolichoectasia is a condition related to stroke. The prevalence in patients suffering from their first cerebral infarction is estimated to be 3%. Patients with dolichoectasia are more likely to have lacunar infarctions than those without.

[Thrombolytic therapy in acute cerebral infarction--a time study when organizing a new therapeutic option].

Cerebral thrombolysis is a therapeutic option for patients with acute cerebral infarction, but its use can be limited by delayed hospital admission. The aim of this study was to examine this delay, to improve admission routines and thus increase the number of potential candidates for treatment. In the first part of the study, time from first symptoms until hospital admission (time from first symptoms to contact with the primary health care system, and from contact to admission) was registered for 100 patients with acute stroke.

Histological and clinical outcome after liver transplantation for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis frequently recurs after liver transplantation for hepatitis C. However, the histological progression of disease, predictors of recurrence and disease severity, and patient survival remain uncertain. Fifty-five patients with cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis C underwent liver transplantation between January 1990 and December 1993.

[Stroke. An effective evaluation and specialized treatment].

Stroke is an acute disorder with a high fatality rate and with severe residual impairment among many of the survivors. Advances in neuroimaging and ultrasound have increased our understanding of the disease process. New drugs seem to reduce the neuronal damage caused by brain infarction if they are administered within the first few hours after onset of stroke.

Subclavian steal phenomenon. Clinical and hemodynamic aspects.

Fifty-eight patients with subclavian artery stenosis were classified as having definite or probable vertebrobasilar symptoms, carotid symptoms or no symptoms. The vertebral artery flow pattern was graded as no subclavian steal (Grade 0), systolic deceleration (Grade 1), alternating flow (Grade 2), or reversed flow (Grade 3). We found a statistically significant association between the occurrence of vertebrobasilar symptoms and the subclavian steal phenomenon Grades 2-3.

Invasive cervical cancer in young women. Clinicopathologic correlation and demonstration of human papillomavirus by in situ hybridization.

It has been suggested that invasive cervical carcinoma is biologically more aggressive in young patients than in older patients. The clinicopathologic characteristics and human papillomavirus (HPV) status of women < or = 35 years of age with invasive cervical carcinoma treated at Emory University Hospital from 1985-1989, were evaluated in a retrospective study. The group consisted of 23 patients, 35% of all patients with invasive cervical carcinoma.

Bilateral non-traumatic carotid cavernous sinus fistula with spontaneous closure.

A case of bilateral spontaneous carotid cavernous sinus fistula is presented. The diagnostic value of Doppler ultrasound examination is discussed, as well as therapeutic measurements, such as manual compression of the carotid artery and embolization treatment. The frequent spontaneous closure of these fistulas is emphasized, and a conservative attitude is recommended.

[Mollaret's meningitis].

Mollarets meningitis is a rare form of recurrent aseptic meningitis where a diagnostic feature is the characteristic cytologic picture in the cerebrospinal fluid. The article presents two cases that were clinically diagnosed as Mollarets meningitis. The cytologic picture of the cerebrospinal fluid is described and the major clinical aspects and the differential diagnoses are discussed briefly.

Cerebral air embolism after transthoracic aspiration with a 0.6 mm (23 gauge) needle.

A 54 yr old man experienced weakness in his legs, ataxia and subsequent urinary retention after a percutaneous fine-needle aspiration of a tumor in the right lower lobe. Clinical neurological examination and electroencephalography revealed signs of a brain stem lesion, probably due to an air embolism to the basilar artery. The symptoms and signs gradually disappeared prior to, as well as after, hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

[Balloon dilatation of subclavian artery stenosis and brachiocephalic trunk stenosis].

We report our initial experiences concerning percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of four subclavian artery stenoses and one innominate artery stenosis in four patients. In two patients the indication for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was a severe subclavian steal syndrome, in one patient prophylactic treatment together with carotid endarterectomy before coronary bypass surgery, and in one patient a brainstem infarction. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty resulted in normal vertebral artery blood flow in all patients and in complete relief of symptoms in the two patients with a subclavian steal syndrome.