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Biomedical subjects

A Rosenbaum

Publications and source records attributed to A Rosenbaum.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Enzyme-linked immunoassay for detection of PCR-amplified DNA of legionellae in bronchoalveolar fluid.

A nonradioactive method is described that detects 10 to 100 legionellae in 1 ml of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. DNA is purified by a proteinase K-phenol protocol or with a commercial DNA preparation kit and amplified by PCR with amplimers specific for the 16S rRNA gene of Legionella pneumophila. The upstream primer is 5' biotinylated. The amplification product is immobilized on streptavidin-coated microtiter plates. Because of the high binding capacity, no removal of nonincorporated biotin from the PCR product is required. After alkaline denaturation, the single-stranded PCR product is hybridized with a 5' digoxigenin-labeled probing oligomer. The amplification product is then detected by using peroxidase-labeled anti-digoxigenin antibodies in a luminescence or colorimetric reaction. The assay detects as few as 10 legionellae in 1-ml bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens. It is specific for medically relevant Legionella species, including Legionella pneumophila, L. bozemanii, and L. longbeachae. Of over 250 clinical specimens examined, 8 were positive for legionellae by both culture and the PCR assay. Six further specimens were culture negative but PCR positive for legionellae; of these, five specimens were from patients receiving high-dose erythromycin therapy for suspected or previously diagnosed legionella pneumonia. None of the remaining 240 specimens that were culture negative for legionellae yielded a positive PCR test, although a total of over 30 different bacterial species were cultured from these specimens. The PCR assay therefore appears to exhibit high sensitivity and specificity and thus could prove suitable for use in the routine microbiological diagnostic laboratory.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Rearrangement of the bcl-6 gene as a prognostic marker in diffuse large-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: About 40 percent of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are diffuse lymphomas with a large-cell component (DLLC). Current therapy can induce a long-term remission in half the patients with DLLC, but more intensive treatment has the potential to improve outcome, particularly in patients at high risk for treatment failure. Clinical and cytogenetic markers can identify subgroups at high or low risk. Rearrangement of a novel candidate proto-oncogene, bcl-6, is a possible prognostic indicator in DLLC. METHODS: We performed Southern blot hybridization to detect bcl-6 and bcl-2 gene rearrangement in samples of lymphoma from 102 patients with B-cell DLLC. The results were correlated with the patients' histologic features, age, disease stage, tumor sites and bulk of disease, serum lactate dehydrogenase level, and treatment outcome. RESULTS: Rearranged bcl-6 was found in 23 cases, and rearranged bcl-2 in 21 cases. Nineteen of the patients with rearranged bcl-6 had extranodal DLLC, two had primary splenic lymphomas, and only one had bone marrow involvement. Thirty-six months after diagnosis, the proportion with freedom from progression of disease was projected to be 82 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 66 to 98 percent) among the patients with rearranged bcl-6, as compared with 56 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 43 to 70 percent) for the patients with germ-line bcl-6 and bcl-2 and 31 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 8 to 53 percent) for the patients with rearranged bcl-2. The status of the bcl-6 gene was an independent prognostic marker of survival and freedom from disease progression in a multivariate model and added predictive value to established prognostic signs. CONCLUSIONS: Rearrangement of the bcl-6 gene correlated with a favorable clinical outcome in DLLC and may thus serve as a prognostic marker in patients with this form of malignant lymphoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Head injury in partner-abusive men.

Research into etiology of marital aggression has focused primarily on psychosocial, political, and cultural factors, to the exclusion of physiological influences. Fifty-three partner abusive men, 45 maritally satisfied, and 32 maritally discordant, nonviolent men were evaluated for past history of head injury, by a physician who was not informed of group membership and aggression history. Logistic regressions confirmed that head injury was a significant predictor of being a battered. The implications of these findings for both marital aggression and post-head injury rehabilitation are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Head-injured males: a population at risk for relationship aggression?

Several recent studies suggest that head injury may be a potentially useful factor in explaining some types of aggressive behavior. In our research, we have been able to demonstrate an association between head injury and marital aggression using a sample of male batterers and appropriate comparison groups. Anecdotal and empirical literature also supports the hypothesis that aggression, relationship problems, and negative changes in personality and behavior are common sequelae to a head injury. This article explores the hypothesis that flows intuitively from the above, namely, that head-injured males are at increased risk for physical aggression in their intimate relationships. Empirical data are presented identifying several risk factors for relationship aggression and marital discord that may be sequelae of a significant head injury. Nevertheless, head-injured men were not found to be more physically aggressive with their female partners. The implications of these results are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Respiratory findings among millwright and machinery erectors: identification of health hazards from asbestos in place at work.

Asbestos-associated diseases are prevalent in the construction trades primarily because of the previously widespread use of asbestos-containing insulation materials. Workers in metal-related trades, employed at construction sites and power facilities, but who do not routinely handle such materials as part of their work, may also be at risk for significant asbestos exposure. In order to evaluate such risk, a clinical field survey was conducted of 110 millwright and machinery erectors from the New York metropolitan area. A high prevalence of chest roentgenologic abnormalities was found. Forty-nine (44.5%) of the examined workers had pleural abnormalities consistent with asbestos-induced effects. Eighteen workers showed evidence of unilateral pleural thickening. Duration from onset of employment was significantly longer for those with pleural abnormalities (mean 32.3 years) as compared to those with normal chest radiographs (mean 18.5 years). Thirteen workers (11.8%) had radiographic signs of interstitial lung disease. The workers with pleural abnormalities had lower mean values of restrictive and obstructive lung function parameters than those with normal pleura. Multivariate and logistic regression analyses demonstrated association between duration of employment in the millwright trade and pleural abnormalities which was independent of smoking status. These findings suggest that millwright and machinery erectors employed in work environments where there is potential for primarily indirect exposure to airborne asbestos-containing dust are at risk for adverse effects from such exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Fluoxetine and desipramine in major depressive disorder.

The efficacy and safety of fluoxetine and desipramine were compared in a 6-week double-blind, parallel group study of patients with major depression. Twenty-five were studied while hospitalized for treatment, and 33 were studied as outpatients. Improvement on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was significant for both treatments from week 1 through the end of the study and did not differ between the two treatments at any week. Overall, 64% of fluoxetine-treated patients and 68% of desipramine-treated patients had at least a 50% reduction in Hamilton Depression score. We assessed whether improvement relatively early in treatment was predictive of categorical response at 6 weeks. Among fluoxetine-treated patients, but not desipramine-treated patients, the week 3 change in the Hamilton Depression mood item was significantly predictive of the response at 6 weeks. Patients treated with fluoxetine had significantly fewer side effects than those treated with desipramine. Desipramine, but not fluoxetine, caused a persistent increase in heart rate. The results suggest that early signs of response to fluoxetine are not dependent on achieving steady-state levels of the drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Coca-Cola, caffeine, and mental deficiency: Harry Hollingworth and the Chattanooga trial of 1911.

Harry Hollingworth's 1911 investigation of the behavioral effects of caffeine is one of the earliest examples of psychological research contracted by a large corporation. The research was necessitated by a federal government suit against the Coca-Cola Company for marketing a beverage with a deleterious ingredient, namely, caffeine. Although Hollingworth's research played little role in the outcome of the Coca-Cola trials, it was important as a model of sophistication in experimental design. As such, it set a standard for psychopharmacological research. It also was particularly important in directing Hollingworth toward a life-long career in applied psychology.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Respiratory findings among ironworkers: results from a clinical survey in the New York metropolitan area and identification of health hazards from asbestos in place at work.

Diseases associated with asbestos are prevalent in the construction trades primarily as the result of the previously widespread use of insulation materials containing asbestos in the building industry. Workers in metal related trades, who are employed at construction sites, but who do not routinely use such materials in their work, may also be at risk for asbestos hazards. To assess such risk, a clinical survey was conducted on 869 ironworkers from the New York metropolitan area. A high prevalence of abnormalities on chest radiographs was found. Three hundred and twenty nine (38%) of the examined workers had pleural abnormalities on their chest radiographs consistent with asbestos induced effects. The prevalence of radiographic abnormalities indicating interstitial lung disease was low (7%) as was the prevalence of restrictive pulmonary function impairment (7%). Association was found between forced vital capacity (FVC) and pleural abnormalities on chest radiographs. Although ex-smokers appeared to have the highest prevalence of abnormalities, regression analyses showed that duration of employment in the ironworkers' trade was the most important factor associated with them.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1991

Over- vs. undercontrolled hostility: application of the construct to the classification of maritally violent men.

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the applicability of Megargee's (1967) distinction between over- and undercontrolled hostility to maritally aggressive men. Subjects were 41 men who were referred for treatment for physical marital violence. Data were derived from a written battery of self-report measures. Overcontrolled hostile men showed patterns of abuse in which violent episodes were more severe but less frequent and in which the wife was the sole target of the aggressive behavior. Undercontrolled hostile husbands were more generally aggressive and more frequently aggressive. Additionally, undercontrolled husbands were more likely than overcontrolled husbands to have witnessed violence in their families of origin and to have had rejecting mothers. Implications for the assessment and treatment of marital violence are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Role of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an enteral nutritional assistance technique using a simple device compatible with conventional feeding and thus enabling the patient to be integrated into his or her social and familial surroundings. This inexpensive device is quickly and easily inserted under local anaesthesia. It causes little morbidity and virtually no mortality and has many advantages for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We report the results of PEG in 28 ALS patients with bulbar involvement. Three of these patients developed minor complications during 6 consecutive months of PEG-assisted nutrition (2 had periostomial infection, 1 had mild haematemesis). There were no major complications, and mortality directly ascribable to PEG was nil. All patients put on weight or had their weight stabilized, and GEP was well accepted in all cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence and stability of physical aggression between spouses: a longitudinal analysis.

Community couples (N = 272) were assessed in a longitudinal study of early marriage. More women than men reported physically aggressing against their partners at premarriage (44% vs. 31%) and 18 months (36% vs. 27%). At 30 months, men and women did not report significantly different rates of aggression (32% vs. 25%). However, using either the self-report or the partner's report, the prevalence of aggression was higher for women than men at each assessment period. Modal forms of physical aggression for both men and women were pushing, shoving, and slapping. Conditional probability analyses indicated that the likelihood of physically aggressing at 30 months given that one had engaged in such aggression before marriage and at 18 months after marriage was .72 for women and .59 for men. Furthermore, 25-30% of the recipients of physical aggression at all three assessment periods were seriously maritally discordant at 30 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Prognosis of ruptured intracranial mycotic aneurysms: a review of 12 cases.

Intracranial mycotic aneurysms (IMA) occur in 1-3% of all infective endocarditis. Although spontaneous resolution was evidenced on serial angiograms in many asymptomatic cases, the prognosis, if they rupture, is reported to be worse and partly contingent on the therapeutic approach. Among 12 patients (six acute and six subacute endocarditis) with ruptured IMA, six were treated surgically and four were treated medically. Two patients died during rupture before any treatment could be started. Six patients had a sudden rupture manifested by coma, less clear consciousness seizures, hemiparesis unilateral mydriasis. CT-Scan showed intracerebral, intraventricular and subarachnoid haemorrhage. Ten angiograms showed 11 IMA. For patients with ruptured IMA, the decision for surgical treatment was made in the presence of deepening coma and extensive mass-lesion on CT-scan (one of six died in the postoperative period). Others received medical treatment (four cases: all survived) and were followed-up with serial angiographies. Of the nine patients who survived, five remained free of any disability 1-4 years later. We suggest that the prognosis of ruptured IMA (25% mortality rate) is not as bad as previously reported if surgery following angiography is performed early in the presence of deepening coma and extensive lesion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Head injury and marital aggression.

Of 31 consecutive male patients referred for evaluation of marital violence, 19 (61.3%) had histories of severe head injury. Although the relationship between child abuse and head injury did not reach an acceptable level of significance, it did indicate a trend toward a positive relationship. Alcohol abuse, reported by 48.4% of the sample, was significantly associated with head injury. Confirmation of biological etiologies in marital aggression would have implications for prevention and treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Quantification of thermal asymmetry. Part 2: Application in low-back pain and sciatica.

Temperature differences between the lower extremities were measured using a computerized thermometric scanning system in order to compare the degree of thermal asymmetry in 144 patients with low-back pain. The patients displayed highly significant thermal asymmetries, with the involved limb being cooler (p less than 0.001). When asymmetries exceeded 1 standard deviation from the mean temperature of homologous regions measured in 90 normal control subjects, the positive predictive value of thermometry in detecting root impingement was 94.7% and the specificity was 87.5%. These values indicate that calculation of temperature asymmetry is particularly effective in evaluating reported pain in psychosocially affected patient populations in whom the chance of positive myelography or impaired root function is low. In this group of patients, thermometric study provides physicians with important information for proper decision making. The test can be performed to avoid more invasive and probably less revealing diagnostic or exploratory surgical procedures.

Adult↗