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Biomedical subjects

B Rabin

Publications and source records attributed to B Rabin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Medical and psychosocial outcome of patients with occupational contact dermatitis in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Although the medical, financial and prognostic factors of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) have been addressed, studies on the social outcome of OCD are sparse. OBJECTIVE: To define the medical and psychosocial outcome of patients with OCD. METHODS: Workers with OCD were interviewed by telephone using a questionnaire that included questions about the occupation, dermatological disease, sick leave, present working status and disability claims, and questions related to the subjective perceptions of OCD in all areas of psychosocial functioning and quality of life. RESULTS: Seventy workers (64.3% males and 35.7% females) were interviewed. Forty per cent had stopped working and one-third had taken sick leave because of OCD. Forty-seven (67.1%) were currently working while 23 (32.8%) were unemployed. Disability compensation was claimed by only 41.4% and was received by 24.3%. Eight workers (11.4%) had persistent postoccupational dermatitis (PPOD). Loss of employment affected the occupational area of the workers' lives (100%), and also interpersonal relationships (45.7%), relationships within the family (18.6%), daily functioning (45.7%) and mental health (24.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Considerable working time is lost because of unemployment or sick leave due to OCD. Only a small proportion of eligible patients with OCD apply for disability compensation and an even smaller proportion receive it. Our study demonstrates the significance of OCD to the psychosocial aspects of workers' lives and emphasizes that the assessment of OCD outcome should relate not only to the medical but also to the psychosocial aspect of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Familiarizing medical students with hospital social worker's role].

Patient care in a general hospital is usually provided by a multi-professional team. Treatment is most effective when each professional understands the functions of the various other members of the team. Professional literature and research have highlighted differences in perception by social workers and physicians of the proper function of the medical social worker. Our social work department has developed a teaching program for medical students to enhance their knowledge with regard to this issue. It is presented at a single-session group meeting of an hour and a half, with structured content and goals.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed2000

Knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding battered women. Comparison between specialists in family medicine and GPs.

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence is a widespread public health problem and an important part of primary care practice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the approach of primary care physicians (family physicians and GPs) to the care of battered women. METHODS: A self-report questionnaire containing items about experience, knowledge and attitudes regarding the care of battered women was mailed to a random sample of 300 primary care physicians employed by the two major health management organizations in Israel. The population included family physicians, who have 4 years of residency training in primary care, and GPs, who do not undergo specialization after completing their medical studies. RESULTS: A total of 236 physicians (130 family physicians and 106 GPs) responded. In general, the physicians had had very little exposure to the problem and estimated its prevalence in the community as less than half that indicated in the medical literature. Compared with the GPs, however, the family physicians reported more exposure to the subject (P < 0.001) and had better knowledge of its prevalence and risk factors (P < 0.001). They also showed a greater tendency to view the problem as universal (P < 0.05) and as part of their professional responsibilities. However, both groups tended not to include the care of battered women with no physical injury within their professional duties. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be made more aware of the problem of battered women within the context of their routine professional practice and of the importance of keeping abreast of the subject. Educators should place more emphasis on imparting knowledge and skills in the management of battered women, especially for GPs.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2000

Negative life experiences, depression, and immune function in abused and nonabused women.

Abuse of women by their intimate partner is a staggering national problem. Abused women have a higher number of medically unexplained somatic symptoms, more functional disability, a lower self-rating of general health, and higher health care utilization when compared to nonabused women. The authors' purpose in this study was to examine differences in occurrences of negative life experiences, level of depression, and T-cell function between abused and nonabused women. The sample consisted of abused women (n = 12) and nonabused women (n = 12). Hypotheses tested were (1) abused women will have more negative life experiences than nonabused women, (2) abused women will have higher levels of depression than nonabused women, and (3) abused women will have reduced T-cell function compared to nonabused women. A cross-sectional cohort design was used to compare differences in negative life experiences, levels of depression, and T-cell function. Independent sample t-tests were performed comparing the abused versus nonabused women on the dependent measures. Significant differences were found between the groups for negative life experiences (LES; t = 2.29, p < 0.05), level of depression (BDI; t = 3.48, p < 0.01), and T-cell function (TMR; t = -5.62, p < 0.01). These findings are descriptive and do not establish causal links. However, this is an inquiry into the psychological and biobehavioral responses of women experiencing abuse and their potential health problems. The study shows that abused women reported more negative life experiences, experienced higher levels of depression, and experienced lower T-cell function when compared with nonabused women.

Battered Women↗
PubMed2000

Primary care physicians' attitudes to battered women and feelings of self-competence regarding their care.

BACKGROUND: Previous descriptive studies have demonstrated the problematic nature of physicians' attitudes toward battered women. However, little empirical research has been done in the field, especially among the various medical specialties. OBJECTIVES: To compare the approach and feelings of competence regarding the care of battered women between primary care and non-primary care physicians. The non-primary care physicians who are likely to encounter battered women in the ambulatory setting are gynecologists and orthopedists. METHODS: A self-report questionnaire formulated for this study was mailed to a random sample of 400 physicians working in ambulatory clinics of the two main health maintenance organizations in Israel (300 primary care physicians, 50 gynecologists and 50 orthopedists). RESULTS: In both physician groups, treating battered women tended to evoke more negative emotional states than treating patients with infectious disease. The most prevalent mood state related to the management of battered women was anger at her situation. Primary care physicians experienced more states of tension and confusion than non-primary care physicians and had lower perceived self-efficacy and self-competence in dealing with battered women. CONCLUSIONS: Though both physician groups exhibited negative feelings when confronting battered women, the stronger emotion of the primary care physicians may indicate greater sensitivity and personal awareness. We believe that more in-service training should be introduced to help physicians at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels to cope both emotionally and professionally with these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A comparative study of Jewish and Arab battered women presenting in the emergency room of a general hospital.

Domestic violence has been well documented in the past few years in both social work and medical journals. Our study seeks to determine the comparison between two cultures regarding this important issue. Five domains regarding demographic variables, components of battering, coping skills, social services offered and discharge objectives are discussed. Our findings suggest that the differences in several areas of battering in the two ethnic groups reflect to a large extent differences in the two cultures. Issues that warrant further research are child abuse and substance abuse in the Arab culture both on individual issues and in relationship to domestic violence.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Magnesium activation of GTP hydrolysis or incubation in S-adenosyl-l-methionine reverses iron-56-particle-induced decrements in oxotremorine enhancement of K+-evoked striatal release of dopamine.

Previous research has determined that the deficits in motor behavior seen in aged animals irradiated with (56)Fe particles involved alterations in muscarinic receptor sensitivity. In the present experiments, we determined whether increasing either membrane fluidity by exposure of striatal slices from irradiated ((56)Fe particles) animals to S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) or GTP hydrolysis with Mg(2+) would reverse this (56)Fe-particle-induced loss of muscarinic receptor sensitivity, as has been observed in aged animals. Results indicated that, while increasing Mg(2+) concentrations in the incubation medium was effective in reducing the radiation effects, SAM was able to effect some reversal of the radiation effects only at the lower concentration (200 microM). These results suggest that similar mechanisms may be involved in the deficits in signal transduction seen after (56)Fe-particle irradiation to those seen in aging, and that these may include changes in the membrane structure or composition that could alter subsequent responsiveness of transduction pathways. The results further suggest that, as has been reported previously, (56)Fe-particle irradiation may accelerate brain aging, and that since these HZE particles contribute at least 1% of the dose that astronauts would receive from cosmic rays, long-term exposure on extended space flights (e.g. to Mars) may produce similar deficits that could have immediate or delayed effects on behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

An off-site orientation program for medical social workers.

The health care system is a complex and demanding environment requiring an acculturation process for all those who provide services under its aegis. Social workers new to a medical setting, are faced with difficulties relating to all aspects of their role: bureaucratic, professional and clinical. In an attempt to ease their entry into the health care system, five social work administrators, employed by the largest HMO in Israel, structured and facilitated an off-site orientation program for new workers. A core group of 22 social workers participated in the program, and in the final session, the participants evaluated the course verbally and in an anonymous closed questionnaire. Feedback was mixed and included the participants dissatisfaction with the reduction of the experiential component of the sessions.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1997

Effects of lovastatin on the immune system.

Laboratory investigations have demonstrated that blockade of HMG-CoA reductase in vitro reduces lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens as well as other facets of the immune system, such as natural killer cell cytotoxicity. However, in this randomized and double-blind clinical investigation, treatment with 20-mg lovastatin for 6 months did not significantly alter several enumerative and functional characteristics of circulating immune cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Lymphocyte subset redistribution during acute laboratory stress in young adults: mediating effects of hemoconcentration.

Acute psychological stress is known to alter the distribution of circulating lymphocyte subsets and also to cause a reduction of plasma volume. Data were reanalyzed from 4 previously reported studies (E. A. Bachen et al., 1995; T. B. Herbert et al., 1994; A. L. Marsland, S. B. Manuck, T. V. Fazzari, C. J. Stewart, & B. S. Rabin, 1995; A. L. Marsland, S. B. Manuck, P. Wood, et al., 1995) to determine the extent to which changes in the concentration of lymphocyte subsets are attributable to such hemoconcentration. Meta-analytic procedures showed circulating concentrations of T-suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8) and natural killer (NK) cells to increase following acute laboratory challenge, whereas T-helper (CD4) and B- (CD19) cell populations did not change. Adjustments for concomitant hemoconcentration reduced the magnitude of stress-related increases in CD8 and NK cells significantly and revealed a decrease in CD4 and CD19 cell concentrations from baseline to stress measurements. These data provide evidence (a) that increases in circulating numbers of CD8 and NK cells following acute stress are partially attributable to hemoconcentration and (b) that CD4 and CD19 cell concentrations decrease during acute stress when hemoconcentration is taken into account.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Contrast-enhanced magnetization transfer MR of the brain: importance of precontrast images.

PURPOSE: To determine the importance of obtaining precontrast T1-weighted magnetization transfer (MT) MR images for better interpretation contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MT images. METHODS: One hundred fifty-five patients referred for MR imaging of the brain were examined prospectively with noncontrast T1-weighted imaging, noncontrast T1-weighted imaging with MT, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging with MT. In the patients who had abnormally increased signal intensity on postcontrast images (with or without MT), the four imaging sequences were evaluated with regard to number of lesions and lesional signal intensity. For each of the sequences, two experienced neuroradiologists subjectively graded the lesions on a scale of 1 to 4 (4 being the most conspicuous) with regard to abnormally increased signal intensity. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 155 patients had increased signal intensity on one or more of the postcontrast sequences. Eight of these 22 patients had increased signal intensity of one or more lesions on images without MT. All these lesions were seen better on images obtained with MT. An additional six of the 22 patients had increased signal intensity of one or more lesions on images obtained with MT that was not detected on images obtained without MT. Eight of the 22 patients had no high signal intensity on noncontrast images with or without MT. One of the eight had increased number and conspicuity of lesions on postcontrast MT images. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients had increased signal intensity on noncontrast T1-weighted images with MT that was not seen on noncontrast T1-weighted images without MT. This high signal intensity was also visible on postcontrast MT images, and would have been mistaken for pathologic enhancement if noncontrast MT images had not been available for comparison.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Non-right sidedness: an association with lower IL-2 production.

Using a laterality questionnaire, 138 normal healthy individuals were classified as right-sided and 25 as non-right sided. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was generated from whole blood obtained from these subjects using mitogen (PHA) stimulation. IL-2 was quantitated in picograms/ml using an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Additionally, sera from these subjects were tested for 7 autoantibodies by standard serological methods. As compared to right sided subjects, non-right sided individuals had significantly lower IL-2 production. Non-right sided individuals with autoantibodies had significantly lower IL-2 production than right sided subjects with or without autoantibodies, but did not differ significantly from their non-right sided counterparts without autoantibodies. These data support the increasing evidence for the differential and lateralized regulation of immune functions by the right and left cerebral regions.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[An increasing number of births outside marriage].

"In 1990, more than 30% of the children born in France were born out of wedlock, which puts France in the second place behind Denmark in the European Community. The proportion of illegitimate births, which has been growing since the sixties, has greatly increased over the last decade. Simultaneously, the differences associated [with] the distinction between illegitimate and legitimate births have become less visible: geographical or social disparities are less noticeable, and today both married and unmarried women have children later in life." (SUMMARY IN ENG AND SPA)

Developed Countries↗
PubMed1988

Suggestive evidence of genetic linkage between alcoholism and the MNS blood group.

Thirty nuclear families ascertained through an alcoholic proband were studied using segregation and linkage analyses. Linkage was investigated between a putative alcoholism susceptibility (AS) gene and six blood group markers: ABO, Rhesus, Duffy, Kidd, Kell, and MNS. Evidence is presented suggestive of linkage between susceptibility to alcoholism and the MNS blood group.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1988

Extending corneal storage with 2.5% chondroitin sulfate (K-Sol).

K-Sol corneal storage medium maintains corneal viability for at least ten days, compared with McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) medium, which does so for a reported maximum of three days. Since many eye banks still use M-K medium exclusively, stored corneas must be used without undue delay, and shipping time further hastens the planned surgery time. Transferring the shipped M-K medium-stored cornea to K-Sol offers a simple way of increasing storage time in our eye bank. Ninety-five out of 100 transferred corneas (95%) remained clear 3 to 18 months postoperatively. There were no primary graft failures, and transferred corneal mates were clear. A comparable series of 100 corneas stored in M-K medium alone, or in K-Sol alone, were clear in 93% and 97% of the transplants. Analysis of donor rims after keratoplasty indicated statistically significantly more endothelial cell loss during storage in corneas transferred to K-Sol compared with 18 corneas preserved only in M-K medium for a similar length of time. There was no statistical significance between the transferred group and the group preserved in only K-Sol. Transferring M-K medium stored corneas to K-Sol medium may be a useful means of extending corneal storage time, resulting in improved tissue utilization.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1987

Development of coronary artery disease in cardiac transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine and prednisone.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been shown in previous uncontrolled studies to be a limiting factor to long-term survival in patients undergoing cardiac transplantation and who were taking conventional immunosuppressive agents. To study the development of CAD after cardiac transplantation in patients taking the newer immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine, we prospectively performed yearly coronary arteriography on all eligible transplantation patients (first year, 57 patients; second year, 30 patients; third year, 14 patients). The prevalence of CAD by life table analysis was 18% at 1 year, 27% at 2 years, and 44% at 3 years. The occurrence of two or more major rejection episodes was associated (p less than .005) with the development of CAD. In two patients who died of CAD, coronary artery histology revealed subintimal inflammatory cellular infiltration in some lesions. These data demonstrate that the prevalence of CAD rises progressively over time and immunologic factors may be important in its development.

Adult↗