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Biomedical subjects

B Reichman

Publications and source records attributed to B Reichman.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Maternal serum lipid profile in pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders.

Plasma lipoprotein, cholesterol and triglycerides were determined in 34 hypertensive pregnant patients and in 17 healthy full term pregnant women. Pregnancy induced hypertension was diagnosed in 21 patients and chronic hypertension in the remaining 13 women. Serum triglyceride levels were significantly elevated in the hypertensive patients. This elevation was not influenced by either the severity or the etiology of the hypertension. The total cholesterol/HDL and the LDL/HDL ratios were significantly elevated in the severely hypertensive patients, and furthermore the LDL/HDL ratio was elevated in patients receiving anti-hypertensive treatment. The lipid profiles found in hypertensive pregnant patients could be associated with enhancement of pathological lipid deposition in predisposed vessels such as the uterine spiral arteries. Furthermore, the hypertriglyceridemia found in the hypertensive patients may be associated with the hypercoagulability reported in pregnancy induced hypertension.

Cholesterol↗

High-order multifetal gestation--management and outcome.

During the period 1975-1989, 11 high-order (quadruplet or more) multifetal gestations reaching the second trimester were treated in our department. All pregnancies resulted from ovulation induction therapy. Premature contractions occurred in all cases. Two women delivered stillborn quadruplets vaginally at 25 and 26 weeks' gestation. Nine women had cesarean deliveries at 28-35 weeks; one fetus was stillborn and two of the 39 live-born infants died. Twenty-nine (74%) weighed less than 1500 g and 16 (41%) were below the tenth percentile for gestational age. Thirty infants have been followed for at least 2 years, corrected for gestational age; 21 (70%) are developing normally, two are severely handicapped with both cerebral palsy and mental retardation, four have mild motor delay, and three have mild motor and mental delay.

Adult↗

Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil infusion for metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Differences in survival in two patient groups with similar response rates.

Because of reported synergism between 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) in L1210 leukemic mice and activity of this combination in clinical studies, a trial was initiated in previously untreated patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Cisplatin at 20 mg/m2 and 5-FU as a continuous infusion at 1000 mg/m2 were both administered for 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks. Forty-one patients were treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and 46 were treated by the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) physicians. A 50% reduction in measurable disease was seen in 12 of 35 (34%) MSKCC patients and in nine of 41 (22%) of the CCOP patients with 95% confidence intervals of 0.18 to 0.50 and 0.10 to 0.35 in the two groups, respectively. The predominant toxicities were as follows: nausea and vomiting, 32%; mucositis, 26%; leukocyte counts less than 2000 cells/mm3, 17%; platelet counts less than 25,000 cells/mm3, 8%; and severe neurotoxicity, 5%. Dose attenuation was similar in the two groups. The median survival was 16.4 months for the MSKCC group and 9.6 months for the CCOP group (P = 0.0003). Although the baseline characteristics (age, sex, performance status, and baseline lactic dehydrogenase [LDH] and alkaline phosphatase) were similar, on further examination differences between the two groups were evident. In the MSKCC group, 14% of patients with liver metastases had greater than 50% of their liver involved with tumor whereas this occurred in 41% of the CCOP group (P = 0.03). The LDH values greater than 500 U/l were observed in 10% of patients in the MSKCC group and in 37% of the patients in the CCOP group (P = 0.007). Characteristics which reflect the bulk of disease, such as the percent of liver involvement, need to be analyzed in order to evaluate purported survival differences in randomized and nonrandomized trials of colorectal carcinoma.

Adult↗

The improving outcome of triplet pregnancies.

During the period 1975 to 1988, 78 triplet pregnancies that reached a gestational age greater than or equal to 20 weeks were treated in our department--a prevalence of 1/849 deliveries. A total of 69 (88%) of the pregnancies occurred after treatment with ovulation-induction agents. The most common complication of pregnancy was premature contractions. Elective cervical cerclage neither prolonged gestation nor decreased fetal loss. The mean gestational age at delivery was 33.2 weeks + 3.8 weeks and 86% of the patients were delivered of premature infants. The perinatal and neonatal mortality rates were 93/1000 and 51/1000, respectively. Our results show a higher proportion of low Apgar scores and respiratory disorders in the third vaginally delivered infants. Follow-up of very low birth weight infants revealed four infants (10.5%) with severe neurologic handicaps. Results of this study suggest that cesarean section is the preferred mode of delivery in triplet pregnancies. Maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks of triplet gestations are relatively low and compare favorably with recent reports on twin pregnancies.

Adult↗

Influence of secondary cytoreduction at the time of second-look laparotomy on the survival of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

The value of secondary cytoreductive surgery at the time of second-look laparotomy in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma is not established. Sixty-seven patients with residual carcinoma found at the time of second-look laparotomy performed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between December 1, 1978, and May 30, 1986, were evaluated for survival relative to the success of secondary cytoreductive surgery. At second-look laparotomy, 17 patients had microscopic disease, 28 patients had disease less than 2 cm and 22 patients had disease greater than 2 cm. After secondary cytoreductive surgery 33 patients had microscopic disease, 26 patients had disease less than 2 cm, and 7 patients had disease greater than 2 cm (1 unknown). Five-year survival by Kaplan-Meier calculation was 62% for patients found to have microscopic disease at second-look laparotomy and 51% for patients whose disease was rendered microscopic by secondary cytoreductive surgery (P = 0.55). Patients left with gross disease (either less than or greater than 2 cm) had 5-year survivals of less than 10% (P = 0.013 compared with microscopic residual). Secondary cytoreductive surgery at the time of second-look laparotomy in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma may result in improved survival of patients who are reduced to microscopic residual disease.

Adult↗

Intraperitoneal cisplatin and etoposide in the treatment of refractory/recurrent ovarian carcinoma.

To determine the efficacy of a 6-month course of combination intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide in patients with refractory or recurrent advanced ovarian carcinoma, 67 patients were entered into this prospective, nonrandomized, single-institution trial. Cisplatin at 100 mg/m2 and etoposide at 200 mg/m2 were administered IP on day 1 every month for 6 months. Exploratory laparotomy was performed before protocol entry and was planned after the completion of 6 months of IP therapy to surgically document response. All patients had received prior intravenous (IV) chemotherapy with a cisplatin-based regimen. At protocol entry, 18 (27%) patients had surgically defined residual tumor (maximal tumor diameter) greater than 2.0 cm, 17 (25%) patients greater than 0.5 cm - less than or equal to 2.0 cm, and 32 (48%) patients less than or equal to 0.5 cm. Sixteen patients (24%) who had experienced a treatment-free interval of more than 1 year prior to study entry were considered as having recurrent disease and the remaining 51 (76%) patients were considered as having refractory disease. Toxicity was tolerable: four patients (6%) had nadir fever, three (4%) had culture-documented bacterial peritonitis, five (7%) had IP catheter-related complications, and 27 (40%) had an increase in serum creatinine greater than 1.5 mg/dL. Among the 57 patients who are fully evaluable for response, the overall surgically defined response rate, complete (CR), and partial response (PR), was 40% (23/57), and the CR rate was 21% (12/57). Among the patients with recurrent disease, eight of 13 (62%) responded, with responses seen among all categories of residual disease. Among the patients with refractory disease, 15 of 44 (34%) had surgically documented responses. However, responses were more frequent in patients with residual disease less than 0.5 cm; 11 of 20 (55%) versus four of 24 (17%) with residual greater than 0.5 cm, P = .019 (chi 2, one degree of freedom, Yates correction). The duration of the CRs ranges from 4 to 18+ months. Longer follow-up is needed to determine if there is any impact on survival.

Adult↗

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy as treatment for ovarian carcinoma and gastrointestinal malignancies: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience).

Several different chemotherapy trials via either combined systemic and intraperitoneal or only via the intraperitoneal route were investigated. The administration of systemically and intraperitoneally infused 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with ovarial carcinoma did not shown in any patient a complete or partial remission, but showed severe side effects. In a patient with a metastasizing adeno carcinoma of the appendix this chemotherapy protocol led to a complete remission. Investigations with intraperitoneally infused cisplatin showed that 50% of all patients came into remission with tumor nodules less than 0.5 cm, but showed only 20% objective remissions in patients with tumor nodules greater than 0.5 cm. The intraperitoneal administration of mitoxantrone showed in several patients with cisplatin refractory ovarial carcinoma tumor remission with, however, severe local toxicity.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Demographic factors influencing the initiation of breast-feeding in an Israeli urban population.

The influence of demographic and prenatal factors on the initiation of breast-feeding in an urban Israeli population was evaluated by interviewing 1,000 parturients prior to discharge from the hospital. The mothers were all Jewish, none were single, and none were social welfare dependents. Of these mothers, 72% were breast-feeding, 6% stated an intent to breast-feed, and 22% were formula-feeding their infants. A significantly increased rate of breast-feeding was found among mothers with the following characteristics: those of orthodox religious belief, high educational level, in the academic and paraacademic professions, nonsmokers, those who worked outside of the home during the pregnancy, those who had previous breast-feeding success, and mothers whose husbands' attitude toward breast-feeding was positive. The decision to breast-feed was made prior to delivery in 85% of mothers. Participation of the mother and/or father in antenatal preparation courses did not significantly influence the initiation of breast-feeding. Multivariant analysis with a stepwise logistic regression model delineated the four factors most significantly associated with the initiation of breast-feeding: positive spousal attitude toward breast-feeding, orthodox religious belief, nonsmoking, and work outside of the home during the pregnancy. The expected probability for initiating breast-feeding was computed for the various combinations of these four categories and ranged from .94 with all factors present to .33 in the absence of these characteristics. Pediatrics 1989; 83:519-523; breast-feeding, Israel.

Adolescent↗

Implementation of the group sequential methodology in a randomized trial in metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

A prospective randomized trial using the group sequential statistical method with frequent planned interim analyses was initiated in patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma comparing methotrexate and 5 fluorouracil (MTX-FU) to methyl CCNU, vincristine, FU, and streptozotocin (MOF-Strep). As a requirement of the group sequential design, a p value of 0.0125 was necessary to stop the trial at the first analysis. The first analysis was done after 17 patients were entered in each study arm and revealed six partial responses to MOF-Strep (35%) and one partial response to MTX-FU (6%) (p = 0.017). As a result, patient accrual continued. Problems encountered with the implementation of the group sequential methodology and the importance of stratification for prognostic variables are discussed.

Adult↗

Phase I trial of concurrent intraperitoneal and continuous intravenous infusion of fluorouracil in patients with refractory cancer.

In an effort to maximize both local-regional and systemic drug exposure to tumor in the peritoneal cavity, a phase I study was conducted that examined the simultaneous daily intraperitoneal (IP) and continuous intravenous infusion (CVI) of fluorouracil (5-FU) to 32 patients with refractory cancer. IP 5-FU administered at 1,000 mg/d with concurrent 5-FU by CVI at 1,000 mg/m2/d for four consecutive days was well tolerated. One patient with a primary gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy with minimal volume disease experienced a surgically defined complete remission. In theory, this regimen may demonstrate clinical utility as an adjuvant treatment of certain GI malignancies. Future studies are planned in this clinical setting.

Drug Administration Schedule↗

In utero thyroxine therapy for the induction of fetal lung maturity: long term effects.

Intra-amniotic thyroxine has been used for the induction of fetal lung maturity. The long term effects of this therapy was evaluated in a group of eighteen preschool children, 5 to 6 years of age, whose mothers received intra-amniotic thyroxine during the last trimester of their gestation. Eleven children born during the same time period were selected as controls. The children were all clinically well with no evidence of growth or endocrine abnormalities. Neurological assessment was normal and psychomotor development was in the normal range for our population and did not differ from the control subjects. Intra-amniotic thyroxine administered during the last trimester of gestation did not appear to have any significant long term detrimental effects in the treated patients.

Amnion↗

Internal podalic version with unruptured membranes for the second twin in transverse lie.

Internal podalic version of the second twin in transverse lie has usually been performed after first rupturing the membranes of the second amniotic sac. In a prospective study on internal podalic version with unruptured amniotic membranes, 11 second-born twins in transverse lie were successfully delivered, with good neonatal outcome and without birth injuries. From our experience, it appears that this modified technique, when used within the presented guidelines, offers a reasonable alternative for the safe delivery of the second twin.

Apgar Score↗

The influence of abnormal pregnancies on fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid lipids.

The fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid, a measure of fetal lung maturity, was determined in 518 amniotic fluid samples obtained by amniocentesis. The subjects were divided into seven clinical groups: premature contractions, premature rupture of the membranes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, diabetes, intrauterine growth retardation, vaginal bleeding, and "other" for gestational-age groups of 30 weeks or less, 31-36 weeks, and 37 or more weeks. The proportion of mature values (fluorescence polarization 0.285 or lower) increased progressively from 12.5% at 27-28 weeks to 100% at 39-40 weeks. In the 31-36-week gestation group, the proportion of mature values in subjects with premature rupture of the membranes (84.6%) was significantly higher than in those with premature contractions (60%), severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (50%), mild pregnancy-induced hypertension (55.2%), diabetes class A (50%), insulin-dependent diabetes (60%), and other (63.5%). The mean +/- SD fluorescence polarization value was significantly lower in premature rupture of the membranes (0.256 +/- 0.030) than in premature contractions (0.274 +/- 0.032), mild and severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (0.280 +/- 0.027 and 0.280 +/- 0.035, respectively), and class A and insulin-dependent diabetes (0.285 +/- 0.018 and 0.277 +/- 0.030, respectively). The severity of pregnancy-induced hypertension and diabetes did not appear to influence either the fluorescence polarization value or the proportion of mature results. With the exception of a marked influence of premature rupture of the membranes, abnormal pregnancy conditions did not appear to have a significant effect on fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Randomized management of the second nonvertex twin: vaginal delivery or cesarean section.

Sixty twin deliveries after the thirty-fifth gestational week with vertex-breech and vertex-transverse presentations were managed according to a randomization protocol. Thirty-three parturient women (21 vertex-breech and 12 vertex-transverse presentations) were allocated for vaginal delivery and 27 for cesarean section (18 vertex-breech and nine vertex-transverse). Six pairs of twins in the vaginal delivery group were delivered in a different mode than requested by the protocol (two women underwent cesarean section; in four cases the second twin spontaneously changed to vertex presentation). There were no significant differences between 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores and incidence of neonatal morbidity between the second-born twins in both study groups. Firstborn twins had higher 1-minute Apgar scores than the second-born infants irrespective of route of delivery (p less than 0.05). No case of birth trauma or neonatal death was recorded. Maternal febrile morbidity was significantly higher in the cesarean section group than in the vaginal delivery group (40.7% versus 11.1%, p less than 0.05). These results suggest that in twins with vertex-breech or vertex-transverse presentations after the thirty-fifth week of gestational age the neonatal outcome of the second twin was not significantly influenced by the route of delivery.

Apgar Score↗

Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein levels and fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

406 midtrimester amniotic fluid samples were examined for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and fetal karyotyping. 44 cases with Down syndrome, 12 with Klinefelter syndrome and 14 with other chromosomal abnormalities were diagnosed. The AFP levels were below the median value for the normal pregnancies in 38 of the 44 Down syndrome-affected fetuses. The mean AFP value was significantly lower (p less than 0.0001) in this group. No such difference was found for fetuses affected by Klinefelter syndrome or other chromosomal aberrations. Almost all of the values for the Down syndrome-affected fetuses were, however, within the normal range, thereby precluding the possibility of using this measurement as an alternative to fetal karyotyping as a screening test for Down syndrome.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Intrahepatic or systemic infusion of fluorodeoxyuridine in patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma. A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of direct hepatic arterial chemotherapy with systemic chemotherapy in patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma. DESIGN: Randomized trial with crossover allowed from systemic to intrahepatic therapy if tumor progression occurred on systemic therapy. SETTING: Academic medical center, referral-based clinic. PATIENTS: One hundred sixty-two patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma agreed to be randomly assigned to treatment groups. At laparotomy, 63 were excluded from the study: 25 had hepatic resection; 33, extrahepatic disease; 1, infection; and 4, no tumor. INTERVENTION: Fourteen-day continuous infusion of fluorodeoxyuridine each month using an infusaid pump (0.3 and 0.15 mg/kg body weight X d in the intrahepatic and systemic arms, respectively). MAIN RESULTS: Intrahepatic therapy produced a significantly higher complete and partial response rate, 50%, compared with 20% for systemic therapy (p = 0.001). After tumor progression, 60% of the systemic patients crossed over to intrahepatic therapy; 25% then had a partial response, and 33% a minor response or stabilization of disease on intrahepatic therapy. Toxicity included ulcer disease (17%) and biliary sclerosis (8%) in patients receiving intrahepatic therapy and diarrhea (70%) in patients receiving systemic therapy. Extrahepatic disease occurred in 56% and 37% of the patients in the intrahepatic and systemic groups, respectively (p = 0.092). The median survivals were 17 and 12 months, for the intrahepatic and systemic groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: When compared with systemic therapy, hepatic arterial chemotherapy significantly increases response rate for hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma and appears to be a more effective treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Anuria in a premature infant due to ureteropelvic fungal bezoars.

Systemic candidiasis with renal involvement is a well recognised complication of intensive care in premature newborns. However, the development of reversible obstructive oliguric acute renal failure has not been well documented. We report a premature infant who developed anuria associated with bilateral candidal bezoar formation in the renal collecting system. The sonographic appearance of the renal fungus balls is described. Treatment by surgical removal of the bezoars, open placement of nephrostomy tubes and intravenous antifungal therapy resulted in apparent complete recovery.

Amphotericin B↗