Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
-
The aim of this study was to describe the current use of pulmonary function tests (PFT) and the degree of matching between the diagnoses at referral and after the test. ⋯ Our findings show that there should be better utilization of the PFT laboratory by physicians in all sub-specialities and there is a need to facilitate its use to make a better functional diagnosis.
-
The management of cancer involves procedures, which include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Development of chemoresistance is a persistent problem during the treatment of local and disseminated disease. A plethora of cytotoxic drugs that selectively, but not exclusively, target actively proliferating cells include such diverse groups as DNA alkylating agents, antimetabolites, intercalating agents and mitotic inhibitors. ⋯ Adjuvant therapy with P-glycoprotein inhibitors and, in specific instances, the use of growth factor and protein kinase C inhibitors are newer experimental approaches that may also prove effective in abrogating or delaying onset of resistance. Gene knockout using antisense molecules may be another effective way of blocking drug resistance genes. Conversely, drug resistance may also be used to good purpose by transplanting retrovirally transformed CD34 cells expressing the MDR gene to protect the bone marrow during high-dose chemotherapy.
-
The aim of the present study was to examine whether or not the administration of vitamin A (VA) protects against methotrexate (MTX)-induced damage to small intestinal epithelium. ⋯ Our results confirmed that administration of VA decreased the MTX-induced damage to the small intestine. This protective effect of VA may have clinical applications in cancer chemotherapy.
-
Comparative Study
Radioanatomical measurements of the medullary cavity of the humerus in Kuwait: ethnic differences and clinical implications for fracture fixation.
To compare the difference in diameter of the medullary cavity of the humerus in Arab and South Asian patients in Kuwait. ⋯ In cases of fracture of the humerus, radiographic measurements of the diameter of the medullary cavity of the uninjured side were essential in selecting the appropriate fixation device.
-
Comparative Study
Role of iodine-131 MIBG scanning in the management of paediatric patients with neuroblastoma.
To evaluate the role of iodine-131 metoiodobenzylguanidine (iodine-131 MIBG) scanning in the management of paediatric patients with neuroblastoma. ⋯ The findings indicate that iodine-131 MIBG scanning is useful for the diagnosis, staging, evaluation of response to therapy and detection of recurrences in patients with neuroblastoma. It exhibited a clear advantage over CT in detecting the primary site and soft issue metastases and was also superior to bone scanning in detecting skeletal metastases. It also reliably demonstrated bone marrow involvement.