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Biomedical subjects

A Geller

Publications and source records attributed to A Geller.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Low serum thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone) in older persons without hyperthyroidism.

We studied a large population (n = 2575) of unselected ambulatory persons older than 60 years to determine the prevalence of a low serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, ie, of less than 0.1 mU/L using a sensitive assay, a level suggestive of hyperthyroidism in younger adults. One hundred one persons (3.9%) had a low serum TSH level. About half of them (51/101) were taking thyroid hormone. Of the remainder, 44 were not hyperthyroid did not become so during up to 4 years of follow-up. Forty-one of the 44 euthyroid persons had a serum thyroxine level of less than 129 nmol/L; repeated testing showed a serum TSH level of more than 0.1 mU/L in the three euthyroid persons with a serum thyroxine level of more than 129 nmol/L. Only six were hyperthyroid or became so during the follow-up period; all had a serum thyroxine level of more than 129 nmol/L. Routine clinical examination was not a sensitive indicator of hyperthyroidism and did not permit discrimination from euthyroidism. A low value of serum TSH alone, while it had high sensitivity and specificity for hyperthyroidism, had a low positive predictive value (12%) for this diagnosis; addition of the thyroxine assay raised the predictive value fivefold to 67%. A low value of serum TSH is far more common in older persons than is hyperthyroidism. Low values in euthyroid persons are accompanied by a clearly normal serum T4 concentration (less than 129 nmol/L) or by a serum TSH level of more than 0.1 mU/L on repeated testing. We recommend measurement of the serum TSH thyroid concentration, using a sensitive assay, as the initial step in testing any older person for possible hyperthyroidism. Measurement of the serum T4 concentration or the free T4 index on the same sample would be needed only in the approximately 2% with a serum TSH level of less than 0.1 mU/L; alternatively, the TSH assay in these could be repeated at a later time.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The aging thyroid. The use of thyroid hormone in older persons.

The overall prevalence of thyroid hormone use in an unselected population of older adults (n = 2575; average age, 68.6 years) was 6.9% (10.0% in women and 2.3% in men). Eighty-one percent of women taking it were doing so for appropriate indications, eg, hypothyroidism, while 12% were not, eg, for obesity or high serum cholesterol; more men (29%) were taking it inappropriately. Inappropriate use was associated with desiccated thyroid more than with thyroxine. After follow-up averaging 6.9 years, 58% of inappropriate users were still taking it. Underuse also occurred. Thirty-seven percent of those definitely hypothyroid had a clearly elevated serum thyrotropin level (greater than 10 mU/L) despite thyroid therapy. Thyroid therapy is common in the elderly; most is appropriate. When inappropriate use occurs, it is more common in men and more often associated with desiccated thyroid, still commonly used in this age group. In chronic users of thyroid hormone, it is important to review currently appropriate indications and to measure serum thyrotropin levels to assess the adequacy of treatment of primary hypothyroidism.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Serum prolactin and aging: basal values and changes with estrogen use and hypothyroidism.

We studied basal serum prolactin in older (greater than age 50) men (N = 501) and women (N = 384) using younger adults for comparison and excluding those taking medications. Serum prolactin rose slightly with increasing age in men; it fell slightly in women until age 80, when it rose slightly. Men and women were not different except for the higher value in women at age 20 to 29. Serum prolactin did not fall after the menopause, while estrogen treatment had no effect on older women and caused only a slight rise in older men. Thyroid deficiency had only a minimal effect and did not raise the serum prolactin above 25 ng/ml. The prevalence of clearly elevated values (greater than 20 ng/ml) was only 1.3% in women and 0.6% in men above age 50; there is little evidence for a significant prevalence of prolactin-secreting adenomata in older persons. In older persons, prolactin-secreting tumors are uncommon, and neither thyroid failure nor estrogen therapy are good explanations for a clearly elevated serum prolactin.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Differential effects of the anxiolytic drugs, diazepam and buspirone, on memory function.

The effects of the anxiolytic drugs diazepam (5 mg) or buspirone (5 or 10 mg) were studied in comparison with placebo on memory function in 39 subjects diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Neither drug altered the immediate recall of a list of 16 nouns or impaired digit span, a second test of immediate memory. Diazepam selectively impaired the recall of nouns after a 20 min delay when compared with placebo. In contrast, neither dose of buspirone altered the delayed recall of the word list. The implications of such different effects of anxiolytic drugs on memory function for the clinical treatment of anxiety are discussed.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1984

A strategy, structure, human resource database: OASIS.

Traditionally, strategic planners and human resource professionals have taken separate approaches in their attempts to improve organization functioning. As a result, strategic planners lack important information that affects the implementation of their plans and human resource managers have little impact on the strategic direction of their organizations. The University of Michigan, Hay Associates, and The Strategic Planning Institute have come together in a new venture to build a multicompany database that links organization characteristics and human resource and strategic planning practices with data on company financial performance. The database will be used to make intercompany comparisons on significant organization variables and to identify those practices that lead to improved financial performance.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1984

The social, psychological and medical management of intoxication.

Intoxicated persons appear frequently in substance abuse centers and in general hospital settings. The severity of their condition ranges from mild impairment to coma or delirium. The prominent features of intoxication with the major classes of abused drugs are described. Staff responses to intoxication are discussed. Guidelines are presented for systematic management of this condition.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1983

Growth of bacteria in inorganic medium at different levels of airborne organic substances.

Invasion rates of airborne organic substances into sterile mineral medium were compared by using flasks closed with cotton stoppers, silicone stoppers, and screw caps with Teflon gaskets. The resulting increases of dissolved organic carbon were 0.5, 0.2, and 0 mg/liter per week, respectively. The compounds supported the growth of lake water bacteria and a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Growth rates were correlated to the permeability of the stoppers used. The measured input of organic carbon in the sterile mineral medium is considered to be a minimum value for the actual contribution of organic compounds by the air. Multiplication rates of the bacteria suggest that the organisms prevent the escape of volatile organic substances from the medium by rapid utilization. The steady nutrient supply through the air should be considered in growth experiments with bacteria at low concentrations of nutrients.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

A preliminary report: nutritional levels and cognitive performance in chronic alcohol abusers.

The relationship between vitamin levels, alcohol intake and cognitive status was examined in a group of 19 chronic alcoholics who had just begun to withdraw from alcohol. The results indicate that during this stage of detoxification levels of folic acid are the best predictors of cognitive performance. Alcohol intake, as measured by either total life consumption or years of alcohol abuse, was only weakly associated with neuropsychological tests scores. It is suggested that the cognitive recovery that occurs during the first weeks of abstinence may be related to nutritional variables, whereas the longer-lasting neuropsychological impairments of alcohol abusers may be related to the direct neurotoxic effects of alcohol.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Lithium in aggressive behavior.

A patient with intractable aggression was treated with lithium carbonate. On the basis of the authors' study and their review of the literature, they conclude that lithium may exacerbate the interictal aggression sometimes noted in patients with temporal lobe spike activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Studies on the degradation of atrazine by bacterial communities enriched from various biotopes.

Degradation of 14C-ring labeled atrazine (2-choloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine) by bacterial populations from soil, waters and activated sludges was investigated and compared with non-biological decomposition in sterile solutions. Within two weeks, 0.6% Cl-deethyl- and 0.1% Cl-deisopropylatrazine had been formed in sterile 0.02 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.2. In biodegradation studies, bacterial populations were enriched and incubated in media containing atrazine and high or low levels of nutrients. Nutrient supply had a strong effect on the fate of atrazine in bacterial cultures, whereas the origin of bacteria was of minor importance. In 31 of 33 mixed populations investigated, the herbicide was largely converted to unidentified compounds. Incubation with high levels of nutrients resulted in 17% to 57% of these compounds being constant after one and two weeks of incubation. In parallel experiments with low nutrient supply, the compounds were present in amounts of 7% to 57% after one week. The proportions of the unidentified compounds dropped within the second week of incubation, while atrazine reappeared correspondingly. The amounts of dealkylated metabolites generally did not exceed those of sterile solutions. The results indicate that atrazine is not degraded by bacteria but bound, thus simulating biodegradation. Evidence is presented that physicochemical decomposition of the herbicide is more significant than microbial degradation.

Atrazine↗
PubMed1979

Sorption and desorption of atrazine by three bacterial species isolated from aquatic systems.

The isolates Acinetobacter spec., Cytophaga spec. and Pseudomonas fluorescens represent different morphological and physiological types of bacteria. They accumulate atrazine (2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-5-triazine) to different levels. Accumulation expressed by the ratio of atrazine sorbed per volume of bacteria to atrazine per the same volume of water amounted to 11 for Acinetobacter spec., 8.6 for Cytophaga spec. and 6.2 for Pseudomonas fluorescens. Accumulation ratios were proportional to the surface areas of the organisms. Single cells of Acinetobacter spec. sorbed amounts of atrazine comparable to the other species investigated, whereas cell aggregates, formed a few months after isolation, sorbed an order of magnitude less. A large portion of atrazine accumulated by the bacteria could be rapidly desorbed. A remainder of 10% was bound by Cytophaga spec. and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Acinetobacter spec. bound 70--80% of the atrazine sorbed. In the range of 0.3--3 mg/L atrazine, there was a linear relationship between the amount of non desorbable herbicide and its concentration in the incubation medium.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed1977

Degeneration of fasciculus gracilis in cystic fibrosis.

The spinal cords of 19 percent of patients dying with cystic fibrosis after 5 years of age showed posterior column degeneration. The risk did not appear to increase with advancing age. None of these patients had findings of pernicious anemia or spinocerebellar degeneration. The lesions had been undetected clinically. It is possible that nutritional, toxic, or hereditary factors may play a role in producing this lesion.

Adolescent↗