Thalidomide's back in the news, but in more favorable circumstances

Article Abstract:

Thalidomide, a drug that has perhaps received more negative attention than any other, has been reexamined for possible clinical use. In the late 1950s, thalidomide was prescribed as a sleeping pill and resulted in about 12,000 serious birth defects. The response of drug regulatory bodies in various countries was dramatic, and thalidomide was removed from the market. Recently, an Israeli dermatologist inadvertently discovered certain properties of thalidomide while treating leprosy patients. Thalidomide has shown indications of being an effective immunosuppressant. Additional research has been performed using the drug to treat graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is the most frequent cause of death associated with bone marrow transplants. GVHD has been successfully treated with thalidomide in animal models. Many patients do not tolerate or do not respond well to steroid therapy, which is given for a variety of autoimmune disorders. A human trial begun in 1987 used GVHD patients who were unresponsive to other treatments. Administration of thalidomide was problematic in these subjects because of its potential for causing intestinal damage. Other research has indicated that about 50 percent of patients respond to thalidomide therapy that is administered over lengthy periods of time. Expansion of thalidomide use to treat a variety of immunosuppressant disorders is likely. However, careful guidelines must be used because of the potential birth defects that are still a side effect of this drug. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Research, Drug therapy, Immunosuppressive agents, Leprosy, Thalidomide

---

Neuroradiologists find 'gentler' angiography excellent for diagnosis, kinder to patients

Article Abstract:

A new technique, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), is a safe, noninvasive way to examine the course of blood vessels in the head and neck. Scientists and clinicians discussed the approach at the recent meeting of the American Society of Neuroradiology in Los Angeles, California. Although still in early stages of development, MRA holds great promise for diagnosis, according to several specialists. Conventional angiography involves the injection of a dye into the circulatory system by means of a thin tube, or catheter, threaded into a large vein. Patients can react to the dye itself, and the burning sensation when it is injected is extremely unpleasant. MRA uses no dyes; rather, changes in energy given off by atomic nuclei as they relax following excitation in a magnetic field can tell investigators much about the geometry of blood vessels in the brain. High-powered computers then 'read' the resulting patterns and interpret them. The MRA scan takes only 10 minutes and the result is ''better than a movie'', according to one neuroradiologist. The technique works especially well to detect tumors near large vessels and can often obviate the need for conventional angiography. Since MR detects blood, not blood vessel anatomy, aneurysms (abnormal outpouchings of blood vessels, not necessarily filled with flowing blood) are unreliably visualized. Technical improvements are underway to improve this aspect. MRA holds great promise for the future. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Innovations, Diagnosis, Information management, Angiography, Brain diseases, Medical imaging equipment

---

Adolescents may experience home, school abuse; their future draws researchers' concern

Article Abstract:

Many adolescents approve of the use of violence in many situations, and they may be learning this attitude at home. A survey of 1,025 college students found that almost half said their father or mother assaulted them when they were living at home, and almost one-third reported violence between their parents. Half also reported violence between them and a sibling. A survey of 3,357 high school students found that many felt it was appropriate to hit a sibling or another student under several circumstances. Researchers studying family violence advocate teaching families conflict resolution skills and prohibiting violence in the home. Many countries have banned corporal punishment in schools, but in the US, 29 states allow this practice. One theory of family violence is that parents, who may feel powerless in the world outside the home, take their frustration out on their children, who are unable to fight back.

Crimes against, Surveys, Teenagers, Youth, Family violence, Domestic violence

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: What's your excuse? Rekindle the passion in your fitness routine. To the max
• Abstracts: Mycosis fungoides: the therapeutic search continues. Chemotherapy of lung cancer. A randomized trial comparing combination electron-beam radiation and chemotherapy with topical therapy in the initial treatment of mycosis fungoides
• Abstracts: The emperor's magnetic clothes. Foreign body carcinogenesis. Interleukin-2-activated lymphocytes from brain tumor patients: a comparison of two preparations generated in vitro
• Abstracts: The epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in oncology patients in a general hospital. A comparison of the effect of universal use of gloves and gowns with that of glove use alone on acquisition of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a medical intensive care unit
• Abstracts: New health care research agency reflects interest in evaluating quality. Federal agency focuses on outcomes research

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.