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Biomedical subjects

A Berman

Publications and source records attributed to A Berman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Self-envy and the concealment of inner resources.

Self-envy refers to envy of one's own inner resources. This term is an adjunct to the psychodynamic understanding of developmental self-arrest, defined as deliberate and defensive impairment of one's own abilities and accomplishments and the concealment of inner resources. The article suggests possible explanations for the formation of self-envy, emphasizing the formation of envious object representations and the construction of a part of the personality based on these introjections. The effects of self-envy on patient therapist relations are also described, focusing on two particular manifestations: attachment to the therapist as a defense against self-envy and attacking the therapeutic contract as one of the patient's assets. Excerpts from a case study are included.

Countertransference↗
PubMed1998

Subclinical mastitis assessed by deviations in milk yield and electrical resistance.

Concurrent falls in milk production and electrical resistance of composite milk were examined in Israeli Holstein cows. The cows were milked three times a day by a system that recorded yield and the lowest electrical resistance in the composite milk from the four glands. The study included two groups: cows that experienced on day 0 a decline in resistance and milk production > or = 20% from the mean of the previous 9 d (62 cows, case group) and cows that experienced no such episodes over 9 d before and after a fixed day (118 cows, control group). Bacteriological status and somatic cell count (SCC) or California mastitis test scores were assessed on the fixed day in the control group, and on days 0, 1 and 2 in the case group. California mastitis test scores greater than 2 and SCC thresholds of 5 x 10(5) cells/ml were used to create two classes of leucocytosis. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in frequency distributions of pathogens and their types: in 30% of cows infection was not detected, 33% were infected by major pathogens (95% of which were Staphylococcus aureus), and 53.5% by minor pathogens (80% Micrococcus spp.). Cows in the case group had lower milk production during the 8 d following day 0. Mean electrical resistance was lower in infected cows and particularly in cows infected by Staph. aureus. High leucocytosis was associated with reduced electrical resistance in both groups, and was found in 93% of cows in the case group v. 25% in the control group. The results suggest that falls in electrical resistance of milk and in milk production were not linked to a specific pathogen, and were followed by 3-8 d of reduced milk production and electrical resistance. The study suggests that there are episodic aggravations in mammary health that do not evolve into clinical mastitis but may induce significant losses in milk yield and quality.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The advanced-stage therapy group.

Many authors describe a stage of maturity in the development of groups, but each highlights a different dimension. This article describes the characteristics of the advanced stage and the main axes along which it develops (internalization and containment, symbolization, self and self-other development, differentiation and individuation). It also offers a conceptual explanation for these developments and attempts to identify the conditions necessary for the emergence of this stage of maturity. An understanding of this stage and the conditions required for its development can be used by the group leader as a compass to help him or her navigate the group toward this objective.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Clinical predictors of acute response with olanzapine in psychotic mood disorders.

BACKGROUND: In controlled studies of patients with schizophrenia, the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine has been shown to be more effective in the treatment of positive and negative symptoms compared with haloperidol at doses of 10 mg/day. However, little is known about the efficacy of olanzapine in patients with psychotic mood disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of olanzapine in the treatment of these psychotic mood disorders in comparison with nonaffective psychotic disorders and to identify clinical factors associated with olanzapine response. METHOD: In a naturalistic setting, by reviewing medical records, we assessed response to olanzapine and factors associated with response to olanzapine in 150 consecutive patients newly treated with the drug at a nonprofit academic psychiatric hospital. RESULTS: Patients displaying a moderate-to-marked response to olanzapine were more likely to be younger; be female; receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder; and have a shorter duration of illness, shorter length of stay prior to olanzapine, and longer duration of trial. CONCLUSION: Olanzapine may be a useful alternative or adjunctive treatment for patients with bipolar disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Extracorporeal shock wave treatment for chronic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and radiological response of chronic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder to extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT). METHODS: The study included 3 female patients, 42, 48, and 50 years of age, all with calcified tendinitis of the rotator cuff. All had severe shoulder pain and limitation of motion. ESWT was done in one session with an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter. RESULTS: After 24 hours, a fragmentation of calcification was achieved, and the patients had no pain and had entirely regained their joint movement. After 2 years of followup they were clinically and radiologically asymptomatic, and there were no adverse effects or other complications. CONCLUSION: With its good tolerance, safety, and clinical and radiologic response, ESWT should be considered as an alternative therapy in the treatment of chronic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder refractory to other therapies.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Musculoskeletal problems are common, disabling, and cause great suffering in older adults. Rehabilitation services are frequently indicated and can usually be offered in an outpatient setting. The role of the physician is to make an accurate diagnosis, recognize disability, and refer for rehabilitation services when indicated. There are many diagnostic tests available to assist the physician, but none is as useful and practical as the office examination, including the functional history. Treatment goals with musculoskeletal conditions often are modest and include reduced pain and improved function. Frequently, conditions can flare up or persist in smoldering forms, requiring recurrent interactions with the rehabilitation team. The primary care physician can make use of many of the following resources available to treat musculoskeletal pain and limitations: exercise, medication, physical modalities, adaptive equipment, and arthritis education, including self-help and support groups. Used in combination, these treatments can contribute to increased well-being. The key for the physician is knowing that these options exist and being familiar with their use.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Effect of continuous quality improvement analysis on the delivery of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

A successful primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) program requires a learning process whereby the efficiency of the cardiac catheterization laboratory to deliver prompt intervention can be refined. The purpose of this study was to (1) quantify this learning process in terms of shortening the time to reperfusion, (2) examine the changes in strategy that allowed for this, and (3) determine if expedited reperfusion by primary PTCA improved patient outcomes. A database of all primary PTCA procedures was established in February 1, 1994. Continuous quality assurance analysis was performed, and program modifications introduced as needed. Patients were separated into early (group A = February 1, 1994 through January 31, 1995) and late (group B1 = February 1, 1995 through June 31, 1995, and group B2 = July 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995) cohorts. Time intervals to certain treatment landmarks were compared among groups. In-hospital outcomes were tabulated. Fifty-two consecutive patients were included (group A = 19, group B1 = 17, group B2 = 16). Time intervals shortened significantly (group A vs group B1 vs group B2) with the time from hospital presentation to first balloon inflation decreasing progressively (from 205 to 119 to 97 minutes; p <0.001). Most of this decrease was obtained by shortening the time from hospital presentation to xylocaine administration (158 to 85 to 72 minutes; p <0.005), although the time from xylocaine to first balloon inflation also decreased (from 47 to 33 to 24 minutes; p <0.005). Parallel decreases for in-hospital mortality (26% vs 0%; p = 0.004), adverse events (47% vs 18%; p = 0.05), and length of hospital stay (13.3 +/- 13.7 vs 8.4 +/- 4.4 days; p = NS) were demonstrated for groups A versus B1 and B2. A learning effect following initiation of a primary PTCA program is demonstrated in which reperfusion was more rapidly achieved as the result of procedural changes directed by quality improvement analysis with a concurrent improvement in in-hospital outcomes.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1997

Muscular strength and bone mineral density in haemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between muscular strength and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients undergoing regular haemodialysis. METHODS: The BMD was measured in the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and in the proximal femur (femoral neck and trochanter) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry DEXA (Lunar DPX). Muscular strength of the extensors, flexors and abductors muscles of the femur (proximal muscles) and the extensors muscles of the back was measured with an isometric dynamometer. Thirty patients, 15 women with a mean age of 33.7 years (18-43) and 15 men with a mean age of 45.5 years (18-65) were included in the study. RESULTS: There was a positive and significant correlation between the BMD of the femoral neck and muscular strength of the flexors (r = 0.490, P < 0.005), the extensors (r = 0.658, P < 0.01) and the abductors muscles of the femur (r = 0.671, P < 0.0008), as well as between the muscular strength of the flexors (r = 0.413, P < 0.02) and extensors muscles of the femur (r = 0.433, P < 0.01) with BMD of the trochanter. There was no correlation between the muscular strength of the back extensor muscles and the BMD of the lumbar spine (r = -0.119, P NS). There was no correlation between the BMD and the number of years of haemodialysis therapy (r = -0.032, P NS), the patient's age (r = -159, P NS), or the value of serum PTH (r = 0.369, P NS) respectively. However, there was a significant correlation between the BMD of the femoral neck with muscular strength (r = 0.602, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reveals the close relationship that exists between muscular strength of the proximal muscles and the BMD of proximal femur in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Photoaffinity labeling of mefloquine-binding proteins in human serum, uninfected erythrocytes and Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

A photoreactive quinolinemethanol analog, N-[4-[1-hydroxy-2-(dibutylamino)ethyl]quinolin-8yl]-4- azido-2-salicylamide (ASA-MQ) has been synthesized which closely mimics the action of mefloquine. ASA-MQ possesses potent antimalarial activity against a mefloquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum and shows decreased activity against a mefloquine-resistant parasite strain. Radioiodinated ASA-MQ has been used in photoaffinity labeling studies to identify mefloquine-interacting proteins in serum, uninfected erythrocytes and Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. We have shown that mefloquine interacts specifically with apo-A1, the major protein of serum high density lipoproteins. In addition, mefloquine was shown to interact specifically with the erythrocyte membrane protein, band 7.2b (stomatin). A further two high affinity mefloquine-binding proteins with apparent molecular masses of 22 and 36 kDa were identified in three different strains of Plasmodium falciparum. We suggest that these two mefloquine-binding parasite proteins may be involved in the uptake of mefloquine or may represent macromolecular targets of mefloquine action in malaria parasites.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1996

Human erythrocyte band 7.2b is preferentially labeled by a photoreactive phospholipid.

A head-group modified, photoreactive analog of phosphatidylethanolamine, N-([125I]iodo-4-azidosalicy- lamidyl)-1,2-dilauryl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine ([125I]-N-ASA-DLPE), has been used in photoaffinity labeling studies of proteins of the human erythrocyte membrane. [125I]-N-ASA-DLPE was shown to be preferentially incorporated into a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 31 kDa. Protein sequencing and immunoprecipitation were used to identify this protein as the erythrocyte membrane protein, band 7.2b or stomatin. A sulphydryl-reactive ligand, 4-hydroxy-3-(iodo-[125I])-N-[2-(2-pyridinyldithio)ethyl]- benzenepropanamide ([125I]-PDA), was also shown to preferentially label band 7.2b. We propose that band 7.2b may act as a site of transbilayer reorientation of membrane phospholipids.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of four laboratory tests for diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

Four different laboratory tests for diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea were compared to determine the optimal one for management of patients with hospital-acquired diarrhea. Stool samples from 231 patients with diarrhea were tested by the following methods: culture for Clostridium difficile with subsequent determination of exotoxin production, with a toxigenic Clostridium difficile positive (TCP) result considered truly positive; enzyme immunoassay (EIA); latex agglutination test; and an immunobinding blot assay. The rates of positive results were as follows: EIA 5.5%, TCP 7.3%, latex agglutination 16.7%, and immunobinding blot assay 26.1%. Compared to the TCP results, the sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 61 and 98% for EIA, 47 and 85% for latex agglutination, and 60 and 76% for the immunobinding blot assay. Samples from patients with > or = 6 stools/day were TCP and EIA positive in 27 and 17% of cases, respectively, whereas in patients with < 6 stools/day, these percentages decreased to 2 and 3%, respectively (p < 0.001). In hospitalized patients with > or = 6 stools/day, EIA appears to be the optimal test for diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, with a 73% positive predictive value and a 97% negative predictive value. However, in patients with < 6 stools/day, the prevalence of Clostridium difficile is low, and laboratory detection of this organism remains problematic.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

Interaction between inclusions embedded in membranes.

We calculate the membrane-induced interaction between inclusions, in terms of the membrane stretching and bending moduli and the spontaneous curvature. We find that the membrane-induced interaction between inclusions varies nonmonotonically as a function of the inclusion spacing. The location of the energy minimum depends on the spontaneous curvature and the membrane perturbation decay length, where the latter is set by the membrane moduli. The membrane perturbation energy increases with the inclusion radius. The Ornstein-Zernike theory, with the Percus-Yevick closure, is used to calculate the radial distribution function of inclusions. We find that when the spontaneous curvature is zero, the interaction between inclusions due to the membrane deformation is qualitatively similar to the hard-core interaction. However, in the case of finite spontaneous curvature, the effective interaction is dramatically modified.

Kinetics↗
PubMed1995

[Limb injuries at the Aerodium hover sport facility in Eilat].

The Aerodium hover sport facility in Eilat has been in operation for the past 4 years and 33 patients have been treated for injuries caused by falls while hovering. The Aerodium is a new sport facility in Israel, similar to others in the US and Switzerland. It includes a 4-meter-wide wind tunnel with air pushed vertically upwards toward its center. Air flow velocity is adjustable and ranges between 120 and 140 km/hr, with a maximum of approximately 180 km/hr. Participants wear special suits and jump into the center of the column of air to hover. The hover suits are very wide, and puff up like a balloon; the sleeves and leggings have vents through which air escapes. Participants hover with their arms spread out and their legs slightly spread apart. The inexperienced hover at a height about 2 m. and the more experienced at heights of up to 5 m. During falls the person hovering lands on air mattresses surrounding the air column. Failure to follow rules and procedures, usually while changing limb position during hovering, can unbalance the inexperienced participant and lead to uncontrolled spins and falls.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1995

Effect of heat stress on follicular development during the estrous cycle in lactating dairy cattle.

In this study we examined, in two experiments, patterns of follicular development and dominance under conditions of heat stress. Estrous cycles were programmed to include two follicular waves (wave 1 and 2). On Day 1 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 = estrus), cows were assigned randomly to cooled (C; n = 6) or heat-stressed (H; n = 6) groups. In experiment 1, on Day 12 prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha was injected and a controlled intravaginal drug release device (1.9 g progesterone) was inserted (this was removed on Day 17). In experiment 2, PGF 2 alpha was injected on Day 14. Ovarian structures were examined daily by ultrasonography, and blood samples were collected at each scanning. Cycle lengths were 20 and 17 days in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Mean maximal body temperatures were higher (p < 0.01) in H (40.3 degrees C) than in C (38.8 degrees C) cows. In experiment 1, the rate of increase in number of large follicles (> or = 10 mm) was greater in H than in C cows (p < 0.01), resulting in 53% more large follicles in H cows during wave 1; this was associated with a lower (p < 0.05) number of medium-sized (6-9 mm) follicles between Days 7 and 10 of the cycle. Heat stress hastened (p < 0.02) the decrease in size of the first-wave dominant follicle and hastened (p < 0.01) the emergence of the second dominant (preovulatory) follicle by 2 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Sex differences in blood flow distribution of normothermic and heat-stressed rabbits.

Sex differences in blood flow (BF) distribution of male and female mature laboratory rabbits were determined in normothermic and heat-stressed states. Animals were anesthetized with alpha-chloralose, and BF distribution was determined by radioactive microspheres in the thermoneutral state and then again during hyperthermia after 2 h of heat exposure. Cardiac output did not change in either sex during heat stress. BF to the toe and ear skin and to nasal turbinates was lower in females than in males, whereas that to the diaphragm, sternum, intercostal muscles, spleen, and skeletal muscles was higher in females. A thermal state-by-sex interaction was detected in several organs, indicating that during heat stress in males, BF is significantly higher than in the controls, whereas in females a decline, no change, or only a slight increase was recorded. Males did not exhibit any decrease in inner organ BF during heat stress, whereas females did. Results show sex differences in BF distributions under normothermia and hyperthermia, suggesting that males and females differ in their BF regulation in both peripheral organs, which are active in heat dissipation, and inner body organs.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Interactions between body condition at calving and cooling of dairy cows during lactation in summer.

This study examined the interactions between dietary manipulation for increased body condition during the last trimester of pregnancy (spring) and postpartum cooling (summer lactation). Effects of diet on milk production of Holstein cows were examined to determine whether body stores could compensate for reduced DMI during heat stress. Cows calving between May and July with high (3.8 on a six-point scale) or low (2.7) body condition scores were assigned postpartum to be cooled by sprinkling and ventilation or to serve as uncooled controls. Cooled cows ate 1.6 kg more DM/d and consumed 9 L less of water/d than uncooled cows. Cooled cows maintained body temperatures below 38.9 degrees C during day hours; peak body temperature for uncooled cows was 39.7 degrees C. For 8 wk postpartum, glucose and insulin concentrations in plasma were unaltered by cooling or body condition. The NEFA were lower, and urea was slightly higher, for cows with low body condition. Milk production increased 1.9 kg/d with cooling, fat production increased with both body condition and cooling, and protein production increased with cooling but not with body condition. Performance was lowest for the uncooled subgroup with low body condition. Among cooled cows, no advantage was attributable to high body condition. An additive effect of high body condition and cooling on milk production in summer was not evident.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1995

Immunodeficiency states and associated rheumatic manifestations.

For immunodeficiency states, the past year has been marked with the discovery of a series of events at the gene level and cell-to-cell interaction, particularly in common variable immunodeficiency, severe combined immunodeficiency, IgA deficiency, and immunodeficiency associated with IgM hyperimmunoglobulinemia. Clinical expression, especially in the musculoskeletal system, as well as infectious complications and therapy, also have been reported.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency↗