RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND AIM: To correlate stereological parameters to the WHO morphological classification of brain tumours and to address the prognostic value of the different parameters. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A quantitative analysis of 50 astrocytomas was performed by an image analysis system. At least 450 nuclei were counted and measured in every sample. The ANOVA 1-way test and Newman-Keuls modification were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: The morphometric data showed significant differences between the tumour grades. We found the nuclear volume and form factor to be parameters of the degree of 'nuclear atypia' from low- to high-grade gliomas. When malignancy was increased, the mean values of nuclear orientation were found to be elevated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study underline the usefulness of morphometric techniques in tumour research. These techniques seem to be an important tool for grading gliomas and also for practical therapeutic purposes.
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Citodiagnóstico/métodos , Glioma/diagnóstico , Glioma/patología , Humanos , PronósticoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vardenafil in outpatients with chronic schizophrenia and erectile dysfunction and to investigate any effect on quality of life in this population. METHOD: In this 12-week, open-label, flexible-dose study, 25 outpatients with chronic schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria) and erectile dysfunction received vardenafil 10 mg as needed (at a maximum of 1 dose per day) with the option to maintain current dose or to titrate to 5 mg or 20 mg at 4 and 8 weeks. Assessment was performed with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) at base line and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The Quality of Life Scale (QLS) was administered at baseline and at week 12. The study was carried out at the Psychiatric Hospital of Athens, Greece, between October 2005 and November 2006. RESULTS: Vardenafil produced a statistically significant improvement in all IIEF domains [erectile function (p < .001), orgasmic function (p < .05), sexual desire (p < .05), intercourse satisfaction (p < .01), and overall satisfaction (p < .001)] and QLS (p < .003). Results were similar for the intention-to-treat (N = 25) and completer (N = 21, 84%) groups. Adverse events were infrequent and decreased in incidence over the course of the study. CONCLUSION: Vardenafil was generally well tolerated and highly effective in outpatients with chronic schizophrenia and erectile dysfunction. The response to vardenafil was not influenced by certain patient characteristics, such as erectile dysfunction severity or serum prolactin levels. Improvement in sexual function was correlated with improvement in the quality of life.
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Disfunción Eréctil/complicaciones , Disfunción Eréctil/tratamiento farmacológico , Imidazoles/uso terapéutico , Pacientes Ambulatorios , Piperazinas/uso terapéutico , Calidad de Vida , Esquizofrenia/complicaciones , Adulto , Anciano , Análisis de Varianza , Enfermedad Crónica , Esquema de Medicación , Disfunción Eréctil/sangre , Grecia , Humanos , Imidazoles/administración & dosificación , Imidazoles/efectos adversos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Orgasmo , Satisfacción del Paciente , Erección Peniana/efectos de los fármacos , Inhibidores de Fosfodiesterasa/uso terapéutico , Piperazinas/administración & dosificación , Piperazinas/efectos adversos , Prolactina/sangre , Estudios Prospectivos , Proyectos de Investigación , Sulfonas/administración & dosificación , Sulfonas/efectos adversos , Sulfonas/uso terapéutico , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Triazinas/administración & dosificación , Triazinas/efectos adversos , Triazinas/uso terapéutico , Diclorhidrato de VardenafilRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the morphologic and the morphometrical features of spindles in biopsies of patients with different types of muscular dystrophy and investigate the possible involvement of the spindle in the pathologic process of these diseases. STUDY DESIGN: The following variables were studied in biopsy specimens from 10 patients with Duchenne or Becker dystrophy, 9 with limb-girdle dystrophy, 3 with congenital dystrophy and 3 with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy: diameter and area of spindle; thickness of the capsule; number, diameter and area of intrafusal fibers; and number and area of nuclei. RESULTS: The statistical evaluation of the data showed significant differences regarding the thickness of the capsule, which was greater in patients than in controls, while the diameter and the area of the fibers were all smaller in patients than in controls. The area of nuclei of fibers was increased; this was a common feature for all types of muscular dystrophy. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the spindle possibly participates in the pathologic process of different types of muscular dystrophies.
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Husos Musculares/anatomía & histología , Husos Musculares/patología , Distrofias Musculares/patología , Adolescente , Adulto , Niño , Preescolar , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Distrofia Muscular de Cinturas/patología , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/patología , Distrofia Muscular Facioescapulohumeral/patologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether augmentation of clozapine with aripiprazole improves clinically significant residual symptoms in stabilized outpatients with chronic schizophrenia. METHODS: Twenty seven stabilized outpatients meeting criteria for chronic schizophrenia, who had residual symptoms despite clozapine treatment, were assigned to receive oral aripiprazole (15 mg/day) for a period of 16 weeks. Patients remained on clozapine (100-900 mg/day) for at least 12 months, prior to study initiation. Symptoms assessments were made with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. The Quality of Life Scale (QLS) was administered at baseline and at week 16. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean scores for PANSS (p<0.05), PANSS negative (p<0.001), MADRS (p<0.05), MMSE (p<0.01), and QLS (p<0.05), but not for PANSS positive (p>0.05). Extrapyramidal side effects (as assessed by the Simpson-Angus Scale and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) did not vary significantly at any point of the study. No statistically significant change was observed in prolactin levels and body weight. Results were similar for the intention-to-treat (n=27) and completer (n=23) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Aripiprazole augmentation in a group of chronic schizophrenic outpatients treated with clozapine led to a substantial improvement in clinically significant residual symptoms, such as negative-depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment and quality of life, without worsening the side effect burden.