Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0000729 (abdominal cramps)
 531 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In search of new practical diagnostic methods for the early diagnosis of hereditary medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT) calcitonin release has been studied following induction by pentagastrin, cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (the C-terminal octapeptide, C8-CCK, and the native swine extract), and ethanol in eighteen cases of MCT (all but one clinically occult), three 'borderline cases', seven first degree relatives of patients with hereditary MCT and thirty-five healthy controls. Pentagastrin, subcutaneous (s.c.) or intravenous (i.v.), induced a pronounced and rapid increase of serum calcitonin within 2-5 min. The elevation was roughly proportional to the tumour mass as estimated at operation. Seventeen out of eighteen MCT patients responded to s.c. pentagastrin with a significant increase in serum calcitonin and the response correlated well with that induced by calcium infusion test. Only two blood samples, at times 0 and 5 min, were necessary for diagnosis. In the MCT patients, i.v. pentagastrin produced more pronounced elevations of serum calcitonin than did s.c. pentagastrin, whereas no increase was seen in the control group. The subjective discomfort caused by i.v. pentagastrin was somewhat more intense but lasted shorter than that induced by s.c. administration. No serious complications were seen. All of nine MCT patients responded to C8-CCK with increments in serum calcitonin exceeding those of the control group and both of two responded similarly to the native cholecystokinin-pancreozymin extract. Generally the serum calcitonin response was lower and more variable after C8-CCK than after s.c. or i.v. pentagastrin, and the subjective discomfort was also more pronounced with abdominal cramps during the injection. Ethanol in the dose used was the least effective stimulator for serum calcitonin release. Clinically suspected MCT carriers with palpable tumours can be diagnosed by determination of the basal, i.e. non-stimulated serum calcitonin levels. Other possible Sipple genome carriers, who are at the time clinically healthy with normal basal serum calcitonin, should be subjected to a s.c. or i.v. pentagastrin stimulation test at each examination. These tests are much simpler to perform than a calcium infusion, test, but seem to have about the same sensitivity.
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PMID:Screening for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in families with Sipple's syndrome: evaluation of new stimulation tests. 40 80

An outbreak of Gnathostoma larva migrans occurred among guests of a New Year's party in Chachoengsao, Thailand. Nine people who consumed a raw fish dish called 'Hu-sae' contracted the disease. Five of them developed gastro-intestinal symptoms consisting of nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea as early as within the first 24 hours, while in the other four, symptoms started on the following day. After the initial symptoms pertaining to the gut, malaise, chest discomfort, cough, myalgia, weakness, itching and migratory swellings were experienced. Eosinophilia was demonstrated in every patient with a mean (+/- SE) count of 5,516 +/- 1,010 cells/cu mm. Detection of antibody against aqueous extracts of G. spinigerum adult antigen using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed a titer of 1:1,600 or greater in every patients except one who had a titer of 1:400 (positive greater than or equal to 1:400). This outbreak illustrates the high attack rate when heavily infected fish are consumed.
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PMID:Gnathostoma larva migrans among guests of a New Year party. 182 91

Stenosis of the rectum after surgery is a rare complication of low anastomosis. Infection, ischemia, foreign body reaction, technical faults or recurrence of neoplasms are the most important causes. Dilatation is attempted either manually or by instrument, if the stenosis causes discomfort and in particular if diarrhea results. Rarely resection of the stenosed segment is necessary. Stenosis in conjunction with incontinence is the most feared complication of anorectal surgery. It develops exceptionally after scarring of a large mucocutaneous defect after hemorrhoidectomy, correction of an anal fistula, a mucosal prolapse, electro-resection, infection or trauma. Anal stenosis leads to increasing constipation, a reduction of stool volume, abdominal cramps and rectal bleeding.
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PMID:[Postoperative anorectal stenosis]. 236 80

Information from animal studies has demonstrated the harmful effects of zinc supplementation on copper transport. Although some studies have been carried out in humans, the effect on humans has not been as well documented as the effect on animals. Forty-seven healthy volunteers (26 women and 21 men) took part in a double-blind cross-over trial which lasted for 12 weeks. The subjects were asked to take 50 mg of elemental zinc (as 220 mg zinc sulphate) or placebo, three times a day for six weeks. Venous blood was collected for the analysis of plasma levels of copper and zinc. Symptoms, which included headaches, abdominal cramps, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting, were registered from 84% of women and 18% of men. Six female volunteers discontinued the trial; five owing to gastric irritation and one owing to consistent headaches. Plasma zinc levels rose significantly in both men and women, the increase being 36% and 57%, respectively. Plasma copper levels did not change significantly. Our study suggests that the gastric discomfort that is associated with zinc supplementation may be related to body weight as symptoms were reported from the lower-weight volunteers. Our study also shows no detrimental effect of 150 mg of zinc a day on plasma copper levels in healthy volunteers over a period of six weeks.
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PMID:The effect of zinc supplements on plasma zinc and copper levels and the reported symptoms in healthy volunteers. 354 53

Of the 109 specialist female physical education students who answered a detailed questionnaire on menstruation and the contraceptive pill in relation to exercise, 91 (83.5%) reported that they suffered menstrual problems. These included stomach ache, depression, abdominal cramps, and backache. Over 2/3 of the students considered that these problems adversely influenced their physical performance. However, whether they had a mainly physiological or psychological effect is not clear. Many of the students with menstrual problems thought that exercise had a beneficial effect and helped alleviate their discomfort. A small number of students reported problems such as amenorrhea and reduced menses possibly due to excessive training. Just under 1/2 of the students in the investigation took OCs, and though as many students taking the pill complained of menstrual problems as those not taking it, they reported less problems and to a lesser degree. Most students claimed that taking OCs had no effect on their performance.
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PMID:Effects of menstruation and contraceptive pill on the performance of physical education students. 685 Feb 5

12 cases of food-borne botulism were registered in Sion, Switzerland, between 31 December, 1993 and 12 January, 1994. A type B toxin was isolated from the serum of one patient and from the incriminated ham. Clinical data of 10 male patients aged 21 to 54 years and some epidemiologic data are reported. The clinical course was mild to moderate with predominant autonomic and gastro-intestinal symptoms and signs: blurred vision (10 patients of 10), dry mouth with dysphagia (9/10), asthenia (7/10), diarrhea and/or constipation (7/10), nausea and vomiting (6/10), abdominal cramps (5/10), impaired sexual function (5/10), dilated pupils (4/10). Some discomfort (mainly blurred vision, asthenia and impaired sexual function) persisted for several months in most patients. Neuromuscular involvement was never the reason for seeking medical assistance and had often disappeared at the time of the first visit. Two patients were hospitalized, one for transient ileus of unknown origin and the second (first suspected case) for monitoring and infusion of trivalent equine botulinum antitoxin. This treatment was administered on day eight after intoxication and had no effect on this patient's outcome when compared with others. No patient died. Epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of botulism are discussed.
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PMID:[Epidemic of type B botulism: Sion, December 1993-January 1994]. 748 37

The efficacy and tolerability of acarbose was studied in type 2 diabetic patients eating a typical Jamaican diet. The study was an open label parallel group study without placebo control. Of the 51 subjects recruited, five (9.8%) did not complete the study and were excluded from further analysis. Six (13%) of the remaining 46 had adverse side effects and did not complete the protocol. Of the remaining 40 (Gp A), acarbose was added to their previous regime of diet alone (n = 15), [Gp B], oral hypoglycaemic agents, OHAs (n = 17), [Gp C], or insulin (n = 8), Gp D]. In addition, during the run-in period all subjects had one session each with a dietitian and a diabetes educator. Over a 3-month period, significant reductions in average glucose (mmol) were observed in Gp B 10.5 +/- 1.1 to 8.4 +/- 0.9 (p < 0.027) and, from 11.0 +/- 1.0 to 8.7 +/- 0.7 (p < 0.01) in Gp C. Similarly, total glycosylated haemoglobin fell from 14.8 +/- 1.1% to 12.2 +/- 1.0% (p < 0.016) in Gp B, from 14.9 +/- 1.1 to 11.9 +/- 1.1% (p < 0.002) in Gp C, and from 14.1 +/- 1.4 to 11.8 +/- 1.4 (p < 0.02) in Gp D. Twenty-three per cent (23%) of the patients experienced flatulence; 7.5%, changes in bowel habits and 5%, abdominal cramps and discomfort. Acarbose is effective as monotherapy and as combination therapy with oral hypoglycaemic agents or insulin. Side effects were common, but tolerable.
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PMID:The efficacy of acarbose in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jamaica. 1121 36

A 39-year-old man, who had made a cycling tour from Tibet to Nepal, visited the outpatients' clinic one month later because of prolonged diarrhoea, abdominal complaints and serious weight loss. Parasitological examination of the stool revealed oocysts of Cyclospora cayetanensis and the patient was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) with good result. C. cayetanensis has only recently been discovered as a protozoal cause of diarrhoea. Infections are primarily reported from areas with a low hygienic standard e.g. Central and South America, the Indian subcontinent (Nepal), Indonesia and South-East Asia. Clinical symptoms of infection are diarrhoea (usually watery), abdominal cramps and discomfort. The infection can have a prolonged course. Diagnosis is made by parasitological examination of the stool (one should be cautious not to confuse with cryptosporidia) and treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is effective.
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PMID:[Prolonged diarrhea and weight loss after a biking trip from Tibet to Nepal: infection with Cyclospora]. 1239 4

Jejunal diverticula are rare and usually asymptomatic; they occur twice as frequently in men. They are discovered incidentally during small-bowel enteroclysis, CT scan or laparotomy. Complications include diverticulitis, perforation, hemorrhage and enterolith formation. Intestinal obstruction due to enterolithiasis is uncommon. We present the association of enterolithiasis and jejunal diverticulosis causing obstruction of the small intestine in a 74-year-old female who was admitted for abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. On physical examination, there was discomfort on palpation of the upper abdomen. Laboratory tests revealed mild elevation of leucocytes and C-reactive protein. CT scan demonstrated dilatated loops of proximal jejunum with thickening of the wall, suggesting ingestion of a foreign body. Clinical and radiological findings did not indicate conservative therapy; our patient underwent minilaparotomy, and pronounced jejunal diverticulosis was identified. An enterotomy was performed and a cylindrical enterolith, 10cm long and 3cm in diameter, was removed. The operative and postoperative course was uneventful. Enterolithiasis must be considered as a potential source of intestinal obstruction. The differential diagnosis should take gallstone ileus and ingestion of a foreign body into consideration. Initial therapy is nonoperative; if this management fails, surgery is indicated.
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PMID:Enterolithiasis in jejunal diverticulosis, a rare cause of obstruction of the small intestine: a case report. 1592 22

Abdominal cramping and pain is a frequent problem in the adult population of Western countries, with an estimated prevalence of < or =30%. Hyoscine butylbromide (scopolamine butylbromide) [Buscopan/Buscapina] is an antispasmodic drug indicated for the treatment of abdominal pain associated with cramps induced by gastrointestinal (GI) spasms. It was first registered in Germany in 1951 and marketed in 1952, and has since become available worldwide both as a prescription drug and as an over-the-counter medicine in many countries. This article reviews the pharmacology and pharmacokinetic profile of hyoscine butylbromide, and summarises efficacy and safety data from clinical trials of this drug for abdominal cramping and pain. Pharmacological studies have revealed that hyoscine butylbromide is an anticholinergic drug with high affinity for muscarinic receptors located on the smooth-muscle cells of the GI tract. Its anticholinergic action exerts a smooth-muscle relaxing/spasmolytic effect. Blockade of the muscarinic receptors in the GI tract is the basis for its use in the treatment of abdominal pain secondary to cramping. Hyoscine butylbromide also binds to nicotinic receptors, which induces a ganglion-blocking effect. Several pharmacokinetic studies in humans have consistently demonstrated the low systemic availability of hyoscine butylbromide after oral administration, with plasma concentrations of the drug generally being below the limit of quantitation. The bioavailability of hyoscine butylbromide, estimated from renal excretion, was generally <1%. However, because of its high tissue affinity for muscarinic receptors, hyoscine butylbromide remains available at the site of action in the intestine and exerts a local spasmolytic effect.Ten placebo-controlled studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of oral or rectal hyoscine butylbromide. Hyoscine butylbromide was considered beneficial in all of these trials, which supports its use in the treatment of abdominal pain caused by cramping. Hyoscine butylbromide is barely absorbed and detectable in the blood and does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and is, therefore, generally well tolerated. Few adverse events have been reported; in particular, no significant increases in the incidence of anticholinergic-related adverse effects have been observed. In summary, hyoscine butylbromide appears to be a valuable treatment option for patients with symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort associated with cramping.
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PMID:Hyoscine butylbromide: a review of its use in the treatment of abdominal cramping and pain. 1754 75


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