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Biomedical subjects

A Elizur

Publications and source records attributed to A Elizur.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Lithium and electrolytes plasma/RBC ratio and paradoxical lithium neurotoxicity.

1. Although lithium neurotoxicity and EEG disturbances are known to be associated with toxic plasma lithium levels, it may also be paradoxically manifested when plasma lithium levels are within the therapeutic range. 2. Plasma and RBC lithium and electrolytes levels were measured in 50 patients with affective disorders during the course of lithium therapy. Seventeen of them suffered from lithium neurotoxicity. 3. It is suggested that in the course of lithium treatment, in the manic and depressed phases as well as during prophylaxis, lithium ratio is a better correlate of lithium neurotoxicity than plasma lithium alone, even when the plasma lithium levels are within the therapeutic range. 4. In addition, an increase in the intra-erythrocyte sodium/potassium ratio was observed in toxic patients in comparison to non-toxic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Empathy and attitudes among medical students: the effects of group experience.

This study compares the level of empathy of medical students with the levels of empathy among other university students. It also explores the impact of the psychiatric clerkship with group experience on the medical students' empathy for and attitudes toward mental patients as compared with the level of attitudes and empathy of medical students without group experience. The results indicated that psychiatric teaching can change and enhance empathy and increase positive attitudes toward mental illness among medical students. These results were dependent upon the students' participation in a self-exploratory group experience. An additional goal of the study was to test the impact of medical students' psychiatric clerkships on the relationship between the level of self-reported empathy and the level of empathy as judged by their peer group. It was found that these separate vantage points merged as a consequence of group participation.

Attitude↗
PubMed1982

Satellite DNA sequences in the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus).

There is a complex pattern of satellite DNA sequences in M. rufus which are revealed by addition of Ag+ or dye (Hoechst 33258) to the DNA ink Cs2SO4 or CsCl equilibrium density gradients. Six satellite DNA fractions have been isolated; these have buoyant densities in neutral CsCl of 1.692, 1.704, 1.705, 1.707 (two), 1.710 and 1.712 g/ml compared with 1.696 g/ml for the main band DNA. Each satellite accounts for 1-3% of the DNA of the genome. The satellites are located in the centromeric heterochromatin of the chromosomes, in the nucleolar organizer region and in interstitial bands on some of the autosomes, each satellite having a unique distribution. Nucleic acid hybridization showed that six of the satellite sequences are also present in the genomes of the wallaroo and the red-necked wallaby, with sequence divergences of only 1-2% relative to the sequences in the red kangaroo.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Repeated DNA sequences and kangaroo phylogeny.

Three highly repeated DNA sequences have been used to determine relationships of species within the Macropodidae (kangaroos and wallabies). Two highly repeated DNA sequences were isolated as buoyant density satellites in the red-necked wallaby and in the wallaroo-euro group. The third probe was a cloned representative of one class of highly repeated species from the red kangaroo. Radioactively labelled probes of these three repeated sequences were used to determine the incidence and distribution of each in number of macropodid species. The results were consistent with a monophyletic origin of the macropodid species and showed in particular, that the red-necked wallaby is closely related to the red kangaroo and to the euro-wallaroo group. In addition, the data indicated that the tammar and the agile wallaby were closely related. The results also favour the current taxonomic status of the eastern and western grey kangaroos as closely related but separate species.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The treatment of adolescents and their parents in group settings in a psychiatric hospital.

This paper describes the structure, composition, function and treatment methods in an adolescent unit containing 16-20 patients, at the Shalvata Psychiatric Center. Treatment is based on organizing the adolescents in a group setting with organized activities. Description of group therapy with the adolescents, their families and group sessions of the team receives special emphasis. Our objectives went beyond a symptomatic improvement and were towards strengthening and integrating the personality. Emphasis was thus placed on creating a therapeutic and educational milieu conducive to new developmental as well as corrective emotional experiences, rather than on economy in length of hospitalization and therapeutic hours invested. This demanded considerably more investment in terms of period of hospitalization and number of personnel than was the usual practice with adult patients in the hospital.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Antipsychotic effect of propranolol on chronic schizophrenics: study of a gradual treatment regimen.

Ten chronic treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients were treated in a single-blind trial for six weeks with propranolol in daily doses increasing up to 3 g in order to evaluate a modified dose regimen of propranolol treatment in these patients. Four of the patients improved significantly and could be released from the hospital, regaining premorbid social and work adjustments. The modified regimen proved safe as long as the dose increment was not more than 80 mg/day. The mean therapeutic level of propranolol was 1600 mg/day, which proved to be a safe dose. Although three patients with hypertensive encephalophaty responded, their response was related not to the maximum dose but to a drastic change in the rate of the dose increase. It seems that on the basis of these results a double-blind comparative study would be worthwhile.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Group experience as a means of training medical students.

All medical students in a six-week psychiatric clerkship met once a week in "experiential groups." One week after the last group session a concluding and evaluative discussion was held. A detailed description of the students' responses and reactions is given. The results indicate that for the majority of the students, the experiential group was the most significant personal and learning experience they had during the clerkship. It effected better interpersonal communication among the students and improved their humane skill, empathy, and sensitivity.

Inservice Training↗
PubMed1979

The clinical and psychological effects of pemoline in depressed patients--a controlled study.

The clinical and psychological effects of pemoline were compared with placebo in a double-blind study of 20 depressed patients. Target symptoms were disturbances of concentration and memory, tension, depression, fatigue, decreased libido, anorexia and insomnia. The two groups were matched for their clinical picture, age, sex, and duration of illness. During the three-week study period the pemoline group received 50 mg daily. Significant differences in some clinical symptoms were found between the groups, but not in the performance of psychological tests, administered before and after the three-week study period. These differences proved the effectiveness of pemoline in combating symptoms of disturbances in concentration, memory, tension, depression and fatigue.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Behavioral toxicity. Neuroleptic-induced paradoxical behavioral toxicity in young borderline schizoprenics.

9 young borderline schizophrenics who developed an acute paradoxical behavioral toxicity as a reaction to the initiation of antipsychotic medication are described. The dynamics, the psychological issues as well as some possible psychopharmacological interactions are discussed. The risk of behavioral toxicity should not be overlooked or underestimated and the occurrence of this reaction must be carefully differentiated from other drug-induced reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) excretion in depression.

Twelve acute depressed patients were studied in the course of antidepressant treatment. Three-day-24-hour urine samples for 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MHPG) were collected both before and after a five week treatment schedule. MHPG were estimated by spectrophotometry. Initial MHPG excretion did not reflect the severity of pretreatment depression and final MHPG showed no specific correlation with post-treatment improvement. No specific or uniform influence of different anti-depressant treatments or changes in MHPG was evident. Depressed patients with bipolar affective disorder tend to have initially lower MHPG levels than patients with unipolar depression. Urinary MHPG excretion measurements may prove not to be a useful index in the diagnosis and choice of treatment in patients suffering from primary depression.

Adult↗