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Biomedical subjects

A Laor

Publications and source records attributed to A Laor.

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

Birth weight, current body weight, and blood pressure in late adolescence.

Objective--To study the effect of birth weight and body weight on blood pressure in late adolescence. Design--Analysis of data on weight, height, and blood pressure at age 17 of subjects from the Jerusalem perinatal study, according to their birth weight. Data for men and women were analysed separately. Setting--Jerusalem, Israel. Subjects--32,580 subjects (19,734 men and 12,846 women) born in the three major hospitals in Jerusalem during 1964-71 and subsequently drafted in to the army. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Correlations between birth weight and blood pressure at age 17 and weight and height at age 17 and blood pressure. Results--Diastolic and systolic blood pressures were associated with birth weight in both young men and young women, but the correlation coefficients were low. A high body weight at age 17 (greater than 66 kg for women, greater than 75 kg for men) rather than a low birth weight (less than 2500 g) was linked with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures in both men and women (p less than 0.01). Conclusions--Intrauterine environment, as reflected by birth weight, has little effect on blood pressure in young men and women. Modification of factors which lead to excess weight during adolescence may have a major role in preventing hypertension in adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Are psoriatic patients at risk of heat intolerance?

Sixteen young male subjects with psoriasis (mean of 4.9% of skin surface area involvement) and 10 healthy controls underwent a heat exercise test (40 degrees C, 40% r.h.) for 2 h. Rectal temperature (Tr), mean skin temperature (Tsk), heart rate (HR) and heat storage (dS) were measured and calculated. A sharper rise was found for all parameters in the psoriatic patients as compared with controls. Statistically significant differences were found in Tr after 60 min (37.9 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 37.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C in patients and controls, respectively) and at termination of the exercise (38.3 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 37.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C). Heat storage at the end of the first hour was 78 +/- 9 and 30 +/- 7 kcal in patients and controls, respectively. At the end of 120 min, heat storage in the study group increased to 87 +/- 14 kcal, while the control group stored only 30 +/- 7 kcal. Sweat rate was lower in the psoriatic patients (590 +/- 49 g/h) than in controls (691 +/- 42 g/h), even when corrected for healthy skin area (337 +/- 26 g/h/m2 compared with 370 +/- 24 g/h/m2). It is suggested that psoriatic patients have a reduced ability to dissipate extra heat during exposure to exercise in the heat. Psoriasis should therefore be considered as a risk factor for heat intolerance.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Pre-eclampsia and offspring's blood pressure, cognitive ability and physical development at 17-years-of-age.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of maternal pre-eclampsia on the blood pressure, physique and intelligence of the offspring at the age of 17 years. DESIGN: Data obtained at the age of 17 during assessment for drafting to the Israel Defence Forces and from the records of the mothers' pregnancies from the Jerusalem Perinatal Study. SUBJECTS: Study subjects were 145 girls and 283 boys whose mothers had had pre-eclampsia and controls were 12,701 girls and 20,416 boys whose mothers did not have pre-eclampsia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, weight, height and intelligence scores at the age of 17 were related to birthweight and the occurrence of pre-eclampsia during their mothers' pregnancies. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure was greater than 140 mmHg in 6.9 and 11.0% of the study girls and boys, compared with 2.9 and 9.9% of the control girls and boys. The study boys but not the girls had a higher mean body mass index than the controls (P less than 0.001). There were no differences in the intelligence scores. Using multiple logistic regression to allow for the confounding effects of body mass index, weight and birthweight, the odds ratio for the risk of a systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg was 2.30 (95% CI 1.80-4.46) for the study girls but was not significantly increased for the study boys. CONCLUSION: Maternal pre-eclampsia does not impair growth and cognitive performance in the children who reach late adolescence but may be associated with hypertension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Is low birth weight a risk factor for asthma during adolescence?

The effect of low birth weight on the incidence of asthma by 17 years of age was investigated by studying medical draft examination records of 20,312 male subjects born in Jerusalem between January 1967 and December 1971. Additional information on birth weight and other demographic factors was abstracted from the Jerusalem Perinatal Study computerised database. A stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios for developing asthma by 17 years of age in 500 g birthweight categories from less than 2000 g to 4500 g. The odds ratios were adjusted for the confounding effects of ethnic origin, social class (determined by area of residence), paternal education, maternal age, and birth order. The group with low birth weights (less than 2500 g, n = 1004) had a significantly increased risk of developing asthma by 17 years of age, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79 to 2.66) for birthweight group less than 2000 g and 1.49 (95% CI 1.05 to 2.12) for birthweight group 2000-2499 g compared with the reference group of 3000-3499 g. We conclude that infants with birth weights of less than 2500 g may have a higher risk of asthma during childhood and adolescence than infants who were heavier at birth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Changes in body height among selected ethnic groups.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the effects of genetic factors and environmental influences on adolescence body height. DESIGN: The study was a retrospective survey of mean standing height collected from computerised medical draft records of 17-18 year old adolescents, born between 1950 and 1971. SETTING: All the studied population is resident of the state of Israel. PARTICIPANTS: About half a million records of recruits were examined. The sex distribution was: 61% male, 39% female. Ethnic distribution of the studied population was according to the countries of origin: Poland 7.8%, Romania 22.0%, Yemen 11.4%, Iraq 17.5%, Morocco 27.4%, and Israel 7.8%. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Marked differences in standing height measures were found between the ethnic groups compared to the Israeli reference group. A linear increase of 1.1 mm/year for reference males and 0.8 mm/year for the female population was found over the 22 years of study period. Ethnic groups with lower mean height were found to have a significantly greater increase in height during the period studied. CONCLUSIONS: Israel as an immigration country may serve as a model for the study of environmental and genetic factors. Under conditions found in Israel, body height continues to increase with year of birth, while significant differences in height between ethnic groups has diminished.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Risk factors for lateral ankle sprain: a prospective study among military recruits.

In a prospective study of risk factors for lateral ankle sprain among 390 male Israeli infantry recruits, a 18% incidence of lateral ankle sprains was found in basic training. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of lateral ankle sprains between recruits who trained in modified basketball shoes or standard lightweight infantry boots. By multivariate stepwise logistic regression a statistically significant relationship was found between body weight x height (a magnitude which is proportional to the mass moment of inertia of the body around a horizontal axis through the ankle), a previous history of ankle sprain, and the incidence of lateral ankle sprains. Recruits who were taller and heavier and thus had larger mass moments of inertia (P = 0.004), and those with a prior history of ankle sprain (P = 0.01) had higher lateral ankle sprain morbidity in basic training.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1991

Risk factors for stress fractures among Israeli infantry recruits.

In order to answer the question of why the stress fracture morbidity rates among Israeli infantry recruits are so high, we prospectively evaluated 392 infantry recruits for risk factors for stress fractures. Prior to training, each recruit underwent a detailed evaluation. Using multivariate analysis, five risk factors for tibial fractures were identified: shorter tibial length (p less than 0.0001); relatively greater valgus knee alignment (p less than 0.002); right leg dominance (p less than 0.02); external rotation of the hip greater than 65 degrees (p less than 0.02); and training in specific subunits (p less than 0.0002., 0.03). No risk factors for femoral stress fracture were found by multivariate analysis.

Fractures, Stress↗
PubMed1991

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and physical and cognitive performance at 17 years of age.

To estimate the effect of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia on long-term cognitive ability in full-term newborns with a negative Coombs test, we performed a 17-year historical prospective study of 1948 subjects. Intelligence tests and medical examinations performed at the military draft board were stratified according to serum bilirubin concentration. A logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for the confounding effects of gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, ethnic origin, socioeconomic class, paternal education, birth order, and the administration of phototherapy and exchange transfusion. No direct linear association was shown between neonatal bilirubin levels and intelligence test scores or school achievement at 17 years of age. However, the risk for low intelligence test scores (IQ score less than 85) was found to be significantly higher (P = .014) among full-term male subjects with serum bilirubin levels above 342 mumol/L (20 mg/dL) (odds ratio, 2.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-6.79). This association was not observed among female subjects. We conclude that severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, among full-term male newborns with a negative Coombs test, could be associated with lower IQ scores at 17 years of age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Apgar scores and cognitive performance at 17 years of age.

The association between low Apgar scores (7 or less) at 1 and 5 minutes and cognitive performance in late adolescence was assessed. A 17-year follow-up of 1942 subjects was performed. The intelligence test scores at 17 years of age were matched with 1- and 5-minutes Apgar scores. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to control for the possible confounding effect of perinatal factors (birth weight, gestational age, serum bilirubin levels, birth order) and demographic characteristics (ethnic origin, paternal education, social class). The sensitivity and positive predictive value of a low 1-minute Apgar score were 8 and 8% and of a low 5-minute Apgar score 1.5 and 5%, respectively. Low Apgar scores are poorly correlated with long-term intellectual outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

A longitudinal study of birth weight and being overweight in late adolescence.

A total of 33,413 infants born in Jerusalem between 1964 and 1971 were followed up at 17 years of age by matching computerized database files. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios for being overweight at 17 years of age for 500-g birth weight categories from less than 2500 g to 4500 g or greater. Information on the ethnic origin, paternal education, birth order, maternal age, and area of residence at birth was available, and these factors were used as possible confounders. The adjusted odds ratios for being overweight (greater than or equal to 90th percentile; body mass index greater than 24.6 kg/m2) and severely overweight (greater than or equal to 97th percentile; body mass index greater than 27.8 kg/m2) at 17 years of age was elevated for the three birth weight categories above the normal reference category of 3000 to 3499 g, with an estimate of 2.16 and 2.30 for male subjects with a birth weight greater than 4500 g and 2.95 and 4.39 for female subjects. The data suggest that higher birth weights correlate strongly with being overweight in late adolescence independently of other factors considered. However, the predictive power of this association is poor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Correlation between bone magnesium concentration and magnesium retention in the intravenous magnesium load test.

It has been suspected that Mg retained in the Mg load test is retained in bone--in both hypomagnesaemic and normomagnesaemic Mg deficiency. Bone Mg concentration was therefore compared to the percentage retention of an intravenously administered load of Mg in normomagnesaemic patients at high risk for Mg deficit. We found that the lower the bone Mg concentration the higher the Mg retention in the Mg load test.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1989

Cimetidine as an immunomodulator in the treatment of herpes zoster.

As there is evidence of a possible immunoregulatory role for H2-histamine receptor antagonists, we carried out a prospective randomized trial to evaluate the in vivo and in vitro effect of cimetidine, an H2-blocker, in the treatment of herpes zoster infection. Cimetidine treatment shortened the median interval until the first decrease in pain, the median interval until the complete resolution of pain and promoted faster complete healing of skin lesions than symptomatic treatment. The immunological trends observed in vitro support an important role for histamine in the induction of immunosuppression, as measured by the response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin. This effect of histamine was antagonized by cimetidine.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1989

A clinical model for diagnosis of urinary tract infection in young women.

To develop a clinical model for diagnosis of bacterial urinary tract infection, we conducted a prospective study on 266 dysuric young women, 147 of whom had urinary tract infections. Five variables were found to be significant and independent correlates to bacterial urinary tract infection on logistic regression analysis: sexual activity, absence of vaginal discharge, short duration of complaints, leukocyturia, and hematuria. An algorithm combining the logistic model and a Gram-stained urine specimen, which was used in only a third of our patients, afforded a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 84%. The algorithm was validated in a second set of 166 dysuric women, 77 of whom had urinary tract infections. The algorithm led to a diagnosis of bacterial urinary tract infection with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 79%; the only laboratory test needed except for urinalysis was a Gram's stain of urine, obtained for 30% of the patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Cardiomyopathy and multiple myeloma. Complications of scleredema adultorum.

Multiple myeloma and congestive heart failure developed in a patient with long-standing scleredema adultorum. Staining of the myocardium, performed after her death, was positive for acid mucopolysaccharide and negative for amyloid. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in which acid mucopolysaccharide has been demonstrated in the myocardium, thus explaining the cardiomyopathy of scleredema adultorum. Review of the world literature enabled us to identify a statistically significant increased prevalence of plasma cell dyscrasia among patients with protracted scleredema. In all patients, plasma cell dyscrasia appeared years after the onset of scleredema. Immunofluorescent studies were negative for immunoglobulin deposition. We assume, therefore, that the plasma cell dyscrasia was secondary to scleredema.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1988

Renal excretion of lactate and magnesium in mitral valve prolapse.

A strong positive correlation between urinary magnesium and lactate was found in 17 magnesium-depleted patients with echocardiographically proved mitral valve prolapse. The strong correlation over all the range of urinary magnesium values and the significantly increased excretion of lactate suggest urinary magnesium loss in this syndrome.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1987

Urinary tract infections and sexual activity in young women.

A group of 147 young women with symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) were compared with a control group of 105 symptom-free young women belonging to the same population. On logistic-regression analysis, sexual activity was the only significant and independent behavioral difference between the groups (87% of women with UTI were sexually active vs 32.7% of the control group). Of the 147 episodes of UTI, only 28.9% occurred within 24 hours of sexual intercourse; of 24 episodes that occurred during follow-up, the percentage that occurred within 24 hours of intercourse was 33.3%. This finding is in discordance with the close temporal association between UTI and sexual intercourse reported in previous studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

CNS oxygen toxicity in oxygen-inert gas mixtures.

Central nervous system oxygen toxicity in hyperbaric oxygen-inert gas mixtures was studied by exposing male rats to various gas mixtures having the same oxygen partial pressure and varying pressures of inert gases. The duration of the latent period until the appearance of electrical discharges in the electroencephalogram was used as the criterion for the sensitivity to CNS oxygen toxicity. Two hundred and twenty rats with chronically implanted cortical electrodes were subjected to a single exposure to 1 of 11 different gas mixtures at ambient pressures ranging from 5 to 10 ATA. All gas mixtures had a constant oxygen partial pressure of 5 ATA and varying pressures of inert gas (helium or nitrogen). The duration of the latent period was found to be significantly different in the 11 experimental groups (P less than 0.001). While increasing the inert gas pressure, the latency gradually shortened, reaching the lowest values in mixtures of 5 ATA oxygen and 3 ATA of either inert gas. On further increase in the inert gas pressure up to a total ambient pressure of 10 ATA, the latency returned to control (pure 5 ATA oxygen) values. No difference was found between nitrogen and helium of equal partial pressures. These findings suggest that the risk of CNS oxygen toxicity in gas mixtures is not determined solely by the PO2, and even a relatively low pressure of inert gas can contribute to the imminence of hyperbaric-oxygen-induced seizures.

Animals↗