Many Complications (many + complications)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Heparan sulfate proteoglycans in experimental models of diabetes: a role for perlecan in diabetes complications

DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 6 2001
Karin Conde-Knape
Abstract Proteoglycans are ubiquitous extracellular proteins that serve a variety of functions throughout the organism. Unlike other glycoproteins, proteoglycans are classified based on the structure of the glycosaminoglycan carbohydrate chains, not the core proteins. Perlecan, a member of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) family, has been implicated in many complications of diabetes. Decreased levels of perlecan have been observed in the kidney and in other organs, both in patients with diabetes and in animal models. Perlecan has an important role in the maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier. Decreased perlecan in the glomerular basement membrane has a central role in the development of diabetic albuminuria. The involvement of this proteoglycan in diabetic complications and the possible mechanisms underlying such a role have been addressed using a variety of models. Due to the importance of nephropathy among diabetic patients most of the studies conducted so far relate to diabetes effects on perlecan in different types of kidney cells. The various diabetic models used have provided information on some of the mechanisms underlying perlecan's role in diabetes as well as on possible factors affecting its regulation. However, many other aspects of perlecan metabolism still await full elucidation. The present review provides a description of the models that have been used to study HSPG and in particular perlecan metabolism in diabetes and some of the factors that have been found to be important in the regulation of perlecan. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Effect of a Comprehensive Lifestyle Modification Program on the Bone Density of Male Heavy Drinkers

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 5 2010
Toshifumi Matsui
Background:, Heavy alcohol drinking is implicated in osteoporosis. Although abstinence is rapidly followed by a restoration of osteoblastic activity, little is known about the contributions of alcohol-related factors or the effectiveness of a lifestyle modification program (LMP) on bone density. Methods:, We conducted a study of 138 male alcoholic patients to investigate whether drinking history and concurrent factors were associated with the bone density of the calcaneus. A 2.5-months LMP in an institutionalized setting was completed by 20 of them, and its effect on bone density, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), and 1.25-(OH)2 vitamin D levels were assessed. Results:, The patients had a high prevalence of daytime drinking (93.5%), continuous drinking (84.1%), and current smoking (82.0%) with mean duration of alcohol abuse of 30.0 ± 12.8 years. The patients had lower bone density than a reference control group (Z-scores: ,0.45 ± 1.02). Multiple stepwise regression analysis identified age, poor activities of daily living (ADL), continuous drinking, absence of liver cirrhosis, depression, and dementia as determinants of low bone density. The bone density of the 20 participants in the LMP improved 2.3% (p = 0.0003) with a more ameliorating effect on bone density than a conventional abstinence therapy (p = 0.014 for interventional effect). The upper normal range of PTH levels at baseline were significantly decreased, and 1.25-(OH)2 vitamin D levels also had a trend toward decrease during the abstinence. Conclusions:, Alcoholic patients may have many complications such as poor ADL and dementia, which are independently associated with decreased bone density. The results of this study support the idea that comprehensive approach to lifestyle factors to minimize risk of osteoporosis is the best way to improve bone density. [source]


Photodynamic therapy with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid as a post-operative adjuvant therapy for an incompletely resected primary nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma: A case report

LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 5 2006
Cheng-Ping Wang MD
Abstract Background and Objectives Surgical excision of primary nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma is sometimes incomplete with remaining microscopic disease. Post-operative radiotherapy only has limited efficacy but may cause many complications. Study Design/Materials and Methods Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was used as a post-operative adjuvant therapy for an incompletely resected primary nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma. A special form of 20% topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), which was originally a liquid form and became a gel form after applied on the nasopharynx, was used as the photosensitizer. A 2-mm optic fiber delivered the light (633 nm wavelength) to the lesion with a fluence rate of 100 mW/cm2 generated by a diode laser under 5 mm 0° endoscope assistance. The total energy delivered was 150 joules/cm2. Results No significant acute side effect was noted and the nasopharyngeal wound healed rapidly. The patient is alive without locoregional recurrence or distant metastasis for 5 years. Articulation, salivation, and swallowing functions are all well preserved. Conclusion Post-operative adjuvant PDT can successfully cure an otherwise difficult to treat disease with preservation of good life quality of the patient. Potential complications of PDT (e.g., photosensitivity) can be prevented by a special formulation of topical 5-ALA preparation. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Review article: medical management of the liver transplant recipient , a primer for non-transplant doctors

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2007
A. SETHI
Summary Background Survival 10 years after orthotopic liver transplantation now approaches 65%. Consequently, community doctors must manage the metabolic and neoplastic complications of orthotopic liver transplantation in an ageing population. Aims To review common sources of morbidity and mortality in long-term orthotopic liver transplantation recipients, and to make evidence-based recommendations regarding their management. Methods Pertinent studies and reviews were identified by literature search through PubMed. Where evidence-based recommendations could not be gleaned from the literature, expert opinion was obtained from syllabi of national meetings. Results The two most common causes of morbidity and mortality in orthotopic liver transplantation recipients are atherosclerotic vascular disease and de novo malignancy. The pathogenesis of many complications begins before orthotopic liver transplantation, and many are potentially modifiable. Most complications, however, can be directly ascribed to immunosuppressive agents. Despite improvements in our understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the metabolic and neoplastic complications of orthotopic liver transplantation, remarkably few randomized-controlled studies exist to define their optimal management. Conclusions Orthotopic liver transplantation recipients experience and succumb to the same afflictions of old age as non-transplant patients, but with greater frequency and at an earlier age. Most recommendations regarding surveillance for, and treatment of, medical complications of orthotopic liver transplantation remain based upon expert opinion rather than evidence-based medicine. [source]


Bronchial compression due to stent placement in pulmonary artery in a child with congenital heart disease

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 12 2005
MÓNICA NÚÑEZ MD
Summary Congenital heart disease, such as transposition of the great vessels (TGV), requires surgical procedures which can lead to important complications. We report on a case of bronchial obstruction following placement of a pulmonary artery stent in a 4-year-old boy who had undergone a Rastelli procedure to correct TGV, ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis. There are many complications that can arise as a consequence of intravascular stents in heart surgery, as well as many causes of bronchial compression. However we have not found any report which describes bronchial compression as a direct consequence of endovascular stent. [source]


Right lobe living donor liver transplantation with or without venovenous bypass

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 1 2003
S. T. Fan
Background: Venovenous bypass was considered necessary to maintain haemodynamic stability and avoid splanchnic and retroperitoneal congestion during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation. It was essential for right lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in which the inferior vena cava needed to be cross-clamped to construct wide and short hepatic vein anastomoses. However, many complications related to venovenous bypass have been reported. This study aimed to determine whether venovenous bypass was necessary for right lobe LDLT. Methods: Between June 1996 and June 2001, 72 patients underwent right lobe LDLT. The outcomes for the first 29 patients who had venovenous bypass during the operation were compared with those of the remaining 43 patients who did not have venovenous bypass. In patients without bypass, blood pressure was maintained during the anhepatic phase by boluses of fluid infusion and vasopressors. Results: Compared with patients undergoing operation without venovenous bypass, patients who had venovenous bypass required significantly more blood, fresh frozen plasma and platelet infusion, and had a lower body temperature; their postoperative hepatic and renal function in the first week was worse than that in patients who did not have a bypass. The time to tracheal extubation was longer and the incidence of reintubation for ventilatory support was higher with venovenous bypass. Six of the 29 patients with venovenous bypass died in hospital, compared with two of the 43 patients without a bypass (P = 0·05). By multivariate analysis, the lowest body temperature during the transplant operation was the most significant factor that determined hospital death. Conclusion: Venovenous bypass is not necessary and is probably harmful to patients undergoing right lobe LDLT, and should therefore be avoided. Copyright © 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd [source]