Showing papers by "Mulago Hospital published in 1971"

Vasoactive substances in Kaposi's sarcoma.

Abstract: Nine patients with Kaposi's sarcoma had tumor tissue, blood, and urine examined for the presence of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5HT), histamine, catecholamines, and prostaglandins to determine if an overproduction of any of these substances might be associated with some of the clinical features of the tumor. The features vary from pricking pains, itching, and increased local sweating to edema of the affected limb. In addition, a small percentage of patients develop gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. The results show that 5HT, histamine, and catecholamine concentrations were within normal limits. But prostaglandin‐like materials was found in all Kaposi's sarcoma tissue tested. The presence of this substance may explain the occurrence, in some patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, of persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Changes in serum creatine kinase and other biological measurements associated with musculature in children recovering from kwashiorkor.

Abstract: 1. Changes in serum creatine kinase activity, creatinine excretion, mid-upper arm and thigh muscle circumference and the ‘X-ray muscle shadow weight’ of the upper arm and thigh muscles have been compared in children recovering from kwashiorkor.2. Creatine kinase activity rose as the health of the child improved but was subject to large fluctuations mainly associated with the Occurrence of infections. For this reason it is unlikely to be of value in assessing nutritional status on the basis of changes in musculature.3. Creatinine excretion also increased with treatment and was more consistent. This measurement should be of much greater value than serum creatine kinase.4. The anthropometric measurements were relatively insensitive to quite large changes in limb musculature.5. Assessment of musculature by soft-tissue X-rays of the limbs appeared to be a sensitive method of potential value.

The effect of an oral glucose load on serum free amino acid concentrations in children before and after treatment for kwashiorkor.

Abstract: 1. The mechanisms by which an oral dose of glucose can stimulate the uptake of essential amino acids from serum was found to be operative even in children with severe, untreated kwashiorkor. 2. Although the percentage fall in the concentration of the essential amino acids in response to glucose was the same before and after treatment, the absolute fall was greater on discharge. The results indicated that the magnitude of this fall might depend on the initial fasting concentration of each individual amino acid. 3. These results have been discussed on the basis of possible long-term pathological effects of a distorted serum amino acid pattern typified by low concentrations of valine, leucine and threonine. The protein-sparing action of carbohydrate, achieved by the preferential synthesis of muscle protein in response to insulin secretion, might be less effective because of substrate limitation. 4. Of the non-essential amino acids, the concentrations of alanine and glycine also fell markedly before treatment, but this did not occur on discharge. The significance of this difference is also discussed. 5. The results also indicate that slightly high, spurious amino acid ratios can be obtained if a child is given a drink containing sugar before a blood sample is taken.