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Biomedical subjects

E Graff

Publications and source records attributed to E Graff.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Plasma neurotransmitter profile during different phases of the ovulatory cycle.

The influence of the different phases of the menstrual cycle on platelet-poor plasma norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5HT) was examined in 17 normal volunteers. The examinations were performed consecutively during 3 phases of the ovulatory cycle: 1) follicular phase, 2) ovulation, and 3) luteal phase. This investigation was initiated after a preliminary study in 51 volunteers showed wide and consistent variations of plasma NE and 5HT during the different phases of the cycle. Since in this first group the determinations had not been performed consecutively in the same subjects, and the changes observed in the different phases of the cycle could reflect interpersonal variations, the determinations were performed consecutively in a second group, concomitantly with serum estradiol (E2) and LH measurements. The results showed a decrease in plasma 5HT from the follicular phase [144.3 +/- 69.3 nmol/L (+/- SD)] to ovulation (55.7 +/- 41.4; P less than 0.001) and a subsequent increase in the luteal phase (141.3 +/- 96.4; P less than 0.01). The nadir in plasma 5HT showed an inverse correlation with serum LH (r = -0.07). Plasma NE increased from the follicular phase (1226.5 +/- 475.1 pmol/L) to ovulation (1694.0 +/- 564.4; P = 0.027) and reached a maximum in the luteal phase (2335.0 +/- 728.2; P = 0.0034). This rise correlated positively with serum E2. In conclusion, plasma 5HT and NE vary with the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Plasma NE rises during ovulation and seems to to correlate positively with serum E2 levels. Plasma 5HT reaches a nadir during ovulation and correlates inversely with serum LH.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Changes of muscarinic cholinergic binding by lymphocytes in Parkinson's disease with and without dementia.

We compared the muscarinic cholinergic binding in lymphocytes of 44 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease with 23 age-matched normal volunteers, using [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. In 24 patients with Parkinson's disease without dementia, binding was normal in 12, below control values in 6, whereas the remaining 6 (all on anticholinergic medication) showed very high binding. In all 20 patients with Parkinson's disease and with dementia, the binding was below control levels, indicating that in these patients, as in patients with Alzheimer's dementia, the cholinergic muscarinic binding by lymphocytes is reduced.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Collaborative study of the International Office of Cocoa, Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery on Salmonella detection from cocoa and chocolate processing environmental samples.

A comparative collaborative study was performed in 13 laboratories to evaluate the use of motility enrichment on Modified Semisolid Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium for rapid Salmonella detection from food-processing environmental samples. Artificially contaminated chocolate scrapings and naturally contaminated cocoa bean dust samples were used in the study. Pre-enrichment was performed in buffered peptone water with added casein and malachite green oxalate. Motility enrichment was compared with a conventional cultural procedure using Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth and selenite cystine broth as selective enrichment. The productivity of motility enrichment was 93.5% compared to a productivity of the cultural procedure of 92%. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the two procedures. Modified Semisolid Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium is a sensitive and simple diagnostic tool for the microbiological safety evaluation of food-processing environments.

Cacao↗
PubMed1991

The influence of bromocriptine on the pharmacokinetics of levodopa in Parkinson's disease.

Several hypotheses have explained the beneficial effect of adding bromocriptine (BR) to levodopa (LD) in Parkinson's disease (PD) by interaction at the striatal level. In the present study we show the influence of BR on plasma LD values in an acute loading experiment (125 mg LD + 12.5 mg carbidopa [DCI] given alone and together with 2.5 mg BR at 0 time; 4 h observation). On the basis of this influence we have been able to differentiate between three groups of patients: (a) in six patients (five of them with frequent off episodes) LD values were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) when both drugs were given together (area under the curve [AUC] +/- SE 2.10 +/- 0.42 micrograms/ml/h vs. 4.96 +/- 1.10 micrograms/ml/h); (b) in eight patients (one with frequent akinesia) LD levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.003) when both drugs were given together (AUC +/- SE 4.05 +/- 0.51 micrograms/ml/h vs. 1.94 +/- 0.19 micrograms/ml/h); (c) in six patients (without motor fluctuations) no difference in LD levels was noted (AUC +/- SE 3.91 + 0.62 micrograms/ml/h vs. 3.81 +/- 0.70 micrograms/ml/h). The clinical evaluation (Webster scale) did not show substantial differences, except for increased dyskinesia, which correlated with higher LD levels. In summary, we suggest that the diminution of motor fluctuations and the occurrence of dyskinesias when BR is added to LD may stem from changes in LD plasma levels. These findings would be taken into consideration in the interpretation of therapeutic response fluctuations under combined treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Hyperphosphataemia and hypocalcaemia induced by hypertonic phosphate enema--an experimental study and review of the literature.

1. The study objective was to determine the hyperphosphataemic and hypocalcaemic effect of hypertonic phosphate enema. The study was conducted in a department of Internal Medicine at a University Medical Center. 2. Fourteen patients were studied. Patients' mean age (+/- s.d.) was 78.5 +/- 9 years. The creatinine clearance was 48.2 +/- 17.4 ml min-1 (mean +/- s.d.). 3. 500 ml (approx. 7 ml kg-1) of Fleet enema (FE - Na2HPO4.7H2O 224 mmol l-1 and NaH2PO4.H2O 1160 mmol l-1) were administered to each patient. Blood was drawn before FE administration and 1/2, 1, 3, 5, 12 and 24 h thereafter. Serum was analysed for levels of inorganic phosphorus and for calcium. 4. The serum inorganic phosphorus level rose from 1.01 +/- 0.3 mmol l-1 to 1.4 +/- 0.5 mmol l-1 (P = 0.001) 1 h after FE was administered. Serum calcium decreased from 2.32 +/- 0.12 mmol l-1 to 2.12 +/- 0.1 mmol l-1 (P less than 0.001) 12 h after FE was administered. 5. We conclude that FE carries a potential risk for acutely ill elderly patients. To avoid untoward effects due to hyperphosphataemia and hypocalcaemia, the phosphate load must be adjusted to the patient's renal function, i.e. enema volume is to be lowered when phosphate concentration is high, so that if renal function is compromised the amount of phosphate absorbed does not exceed renal excretion capacity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Magnesium content of mononuclear cells, erythrocytes and 24-hour urine in carefully screened apparently healthy Israelis.

Twenty apparently healthy Israelis aged 16-52, examined for their history of disease and, carefully screened to exclude concurrent infection or medication, abuse of alcohol or drugs, and pathological findings on routine laboratory estimation, were examined to establish the reference range for the magnesium content of mononuclear cells. The magnesium content of mononuclear cells was estimated according to modified method of Elin & Hosseini (Clin. Chem. 31 (1985) 377-380), together with serum magnesium concentration (S-Mg) and erythrocyte magnesium content. In 10 subjects, aged 23-37 years, 24 h urinary magnesium (U-Mg) was also determined. The mean magnesium content of mononuclear cells was 164.8 fg/cell (SD 28.3 fg/cell). The mean erythrocyte magnesium content was 2.02 (SD 0.16) mmol/l. The magnesium content of mononuclear cells was significantly correlated to U-Mg (r = 0.704, p less than 0.01), suggesting that U-Mg may have a potential value as an index of intracellular Mg content.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Cortisol, ACTH, and beta-endorphin after dexamethasone administration in Parkinson's dementia.

The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) has been suggested as an effective tool for differentiating between depression and dementia. After administering 1 mg dexamethasone, we measured cortisol, ACTH, and beta-endorphin levels in 32 nondepressed patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) (14 also with dementia) and 20 healthy, age-matched controls. Four of the 20 controls, 9 of the 18 with PD alone, and 8 of the 14 with PD and dementia were dexamethasone nonsuppressors (cortisol value greater than or equal to 5 micrograms/100 ml). PD patients without dementia (nonsuppressors) showed higher basal plasma values of cortisol (22.06 +/- 5.30 micrograms/100 ml) compared with the suppressors (13.38 +/- 3.30 micrograms/100 ml). Plasma ACTH and beta-endorphin responded in a coupled way to dexamethasone challenge. Higher basal levels of both peptides were found among PD patients (demented and nondemented), nonresponders to DST. Thus, the DST does not appear to be effective in differentiating between depression and dementia in PD. In addition, PD nonsuppressors showed higher basal values of plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin, and cortisol (similar to patients with major depression). This suggests that although the depression is clinically undetectable, both disorders may share some pathophysiological features at the hypothalamic hypophyseal adrenal level.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1990

The effect of disopyramide on uterine contractions during pregnancy.

To evaluate the effect of disopyramide on uterine contractions during pregnancy, the drug was given for 48 hours to 10 women with indications for labor induction. Placebo was given to 10 other women with the same indications for induction. During the study period, regular uterine contractions occurred in 10 women in the study group, as compared with none in the control group (p less than 0.0001). Eight women in the study group were delivered of infants within 48 hours, as compared with none in the control group (p less than 0.0001). The mean time until the appearance of regular uterine contractions in the study group (4.15 +/- 1.76 hours) was significantly shorter (p less than 0.001) than that in the control group (56.13 +/- 5.28 hours). Patients who were not delivered of infants within 48 hours received other medications (prostaglandin E2, oxytocin). The mean maternal blood level of disopyramide at the time of appearance of uterine contractions was 1.52 +/- 0.9 mg/ml. The mean maternal level at delivery was 0.93 +/- 0.43 mg/ml and the cord blood level at the time of delivery was 0.33 mg/ml (cord blood/maternal level ratio = 0.36, r = 0.73, p less than 0.05). These results indicate that disopyramide should not be used in pregnancy for antiarrhythmic purposes because it may induce uterine contractions and delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Bromocriptine blood levels after the concomitant administration of levodopa, amantadine and biperiden in Parkinson's disease.

We recently demonstrated that when different drugs (mainly used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease) are administered in combination they interfere with the availability of bromocriptine in the brain of rats (striatum and hypothalamus). In the present study performed with parkinsonian patients, we measured plasma levels of bromocriptine (RIA) over 4 h after giving orally 5 mg bromocriptine alone; together with levodopa 250 mg plus 25 mg DCI (10 patients); with 100 mg amantadine HCl (5 patients) and with biperiden 5 mg (5 patients). Amantadine and biperiden did not interfere with the pharmacokinetics of bromocriptine. However, levodopa significantly diminished plasma levels (a mean increment of 1.78 mg +/- 0.30 vs 0.92 +/- 0.18 mg/ml). We postulate that levodopa may interfere with the metabolism of bromocriptine in the liver. Although we did not observe substantial clinical differences among the patients (Webster scale), this study supports our previous findings and suggests that one of the advantages of combined treatment may result from a modification of the plasma levels of bromocriptine by levodopa. A "smoothing" of the plasma bromocriptine curve possibly avoids sudden oscillations of the drug availability and enables a more "stable" penetrability of the medication into the central nervous system.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

Synovial and serum levels of methotrexate during methotrexate therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methotrexate (MTX) levels were studied following intravenous MTX in both serum and synovial fluid (SF) of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Two hours after injection serum MTX levels were higher than those of SF. At 24 hours SF levels of MTX exceeded those of the serum, while at 72 hours both blood and SF concentrations were undetectable. The localization of parenteral MTX in the SF may have importance in the understanding of its mechanism and site of action in rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1989

The influence of levodopa in the pharmacokinetics of bromocriptine in Parkinson's disease.

The administration of bromocriptine in addition to levodopa in Parkinson's disease produces beneficial results. Several hypotheses have explained the advantage of the combined treatment by a pharmacodynamic interaction in the striatum. However, no study has considered the possibility that levodopa modifies the kinetics of bromocriptine. In the present study performed with parkinsonian patients, we measured blood levels of bromocriptine (by radioimmunoassay) at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min after the oral administration of bromocriptine alone and together with 250 mg levodopa plus 25 mg DCI. After loading of bromocriptine alone, we found mean peak levels at 60 min (1.42 ng/ml) and at 90 min (1.82 ng/ml). These values were reduced by levodopa (0.97 ng/ml at 60 min and 0.93 ng/ml at 90 min). Although we did not observe substantial clinical differences among the groups after the drug challenge (Webster scale), this study supports our previous findings and suggests that one of the advantages of a combined treatment may result from a modification of the plasma levels of bromocriptine by levodopa. A "smoothing" of the plasma bromocriptine curve possibly avoids sudden oscillations of the drug and enables a more "stable" penetrability of the medication into the central nervous system. Therefore long-term combined treatment is advised in preference to bromocriptine alone.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic↗
PubMed1989

Delayed metabolic changes after strenuous exertion in trained young men.

Twenty apparently healthy, young male volunteers, aged 18-25 (mean 19.3, SD 1.4) years received a 6 months standardized, graded outdoor physical training and were screened for serum magnesium concentration (S-Mg), serum calcium concentration (S-Ca), serum aspartate amino transferase (S-AST), serum alanine amino transferase (S-ALT), serum creatine kinase activity (S-CK), other laboratory variables, weight, and VO2 ml.kg-1.min-1 [corrected] (VO2 max), before a 70 km march, as well as at 1, 24 and 72 h and 18 days after. Maximal aerobic power, body weight, haemoglobin, haematocrit, serum creatinine, total protein and albumin remained unchanged throughout. Immediately after the march, S-Mg did not change, S-AST, S-ALT and S-CK rose, but the rise was not statistically significant, while small but significant rises in S-Ca (P less than 0.05, Student's t-test) and serum cholesterol (P less than 0.01) normalized at 24 h. At 72 h after the march, a significant fall in S-Mg was found (P less than 0.01), together with a second significant rise in S-Ca (P less than 0.05). After 18 days, with no intervening marches or dietary changes, S-Mg remained significantly lowered (P less than 0.05), mean S-ALT and S-CK became significantly raised for the first time (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.01 respectively), whereas S-Ca normalized. Concomitantly, for the first time there was now a significant rise in blood sugar (P less than 0.001), serum triglycerides (P less than 0.01), and a second rise of serum cholesterol (P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Amylase-creatinine clearance ratio. A simple test to predict gentamicin nephrotoxicity.

The initial target of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity is the proximal tubule. Yet, no simple test is available to predict such toxicity. Taking advantage of the fact that amylase is filtered in the glomerulus and reabsorbed by the proximal tubules, we prospectively examined in 23 patients if changes in renal amylase creatinine clearance ratio (ACCR) can predict gentamicin nephrotoxicity. Eighteen of these patients had an initial creatinine clearance (rCcr) above 30 mL/min. Eleven of them (group A) had an ACCR above 3.5% (control 3% +/- 1.03%) and all exhibited an average reduction of 32.2% +/- 11.6% in rCcr following one week of gentamicin therapy. In contrast, only one of seven patients (group B) with an initial ACCR below 3.5% had a reduction, albeit transient, in rCcr. During gentamicin therapy, group A patients had a further increase in ACCR which was proportional to the reduction observed in rCcr (r = -.54). Our preliminary data suggest that ACCR may prove a simple and possibly a reliable predictor of kidney function deterioration during gentamicin therapy in patients with rCcr above 30 mL/min: patients with pretherapy ACCR above 3.5% may exhibit a deterioration in the creatinine clearance during the first week of therapy. For patients with pretherapy renal failure (rCcr less than 30 mL/min) the creatinine levels (but not the ACCR) seem to retain their significance in predicting and monitoring further renal function deterioration during aminoglycoside therapy.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1988

Enzyme analysis of amniotic fluid for prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in high-risk pregnancies.

We determined the activity concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ALP isoenzymes, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and alpha-glucosidase (AGL) in 1200 unselected amniotic fluids and in amniotic fluids from 40 pregnancies at high risk for cystic fibrosis (CF). From the results we established the normal range and CF-predictive cutoff values for these enzymes in the second trimester of pregnancy. In all predicted normal pregnancies that went to term, normal children were born. Among the predicted affected pregnancies, 14 were terminated and two went to term, one resulting in a CF-affected child and the other in a healthy child. Evidence for CF was found in all 13 aborted fetuses examined (the parents of one refused to allow autopsy). We noted no differences in the amniotic fluid enzyme activities for the Arab and various Jewish ethnic groups living in Israel. We conclude that prenatal diagnosis of CF among the Israeli population at risk for CF is feasible by means of a reliable, fast, and economic test in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Magnesium fluxes in ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation in untreated and dibenzepine HC1 pretreated cats.

Serum magnesium concentration (S-Mg) was estimated in 12 anesthetized cats before and after central thoracotomy, during an electrically induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) and after defibrillation (DEF), and again, in the same experimental animals, after the administration of 3 mg/kg of dibenzepine HC1--a tricyclic antidepressant reported to facilitate spontaneous DEF--as well as during a subsequently induced VF and after the spontaneous DEF which followed. In the first part of the experiment, the surgery and the induction of VF caused no significant change of mean serum magnesium concentration (S-Mg) or serum calcium concentration (S-Ca), whereas the DEF was accompanied by Mg efflux (a significant increase of mean S-Mg from 0.824 mmol/l, SD 0.182, n = 12 to 0.991 mmol/l, SD 0.182, n = 12; P less than 0.05). In the second part of the experiment, following the administration of dibenzepine HCl there was Mg influx (a lowering of mean S-Mg to 0.891 mmol/l, SD 0.160, n = 12; P less than 0.05). During VF in the pretreated cats, S-Mg remained unchanged, while S-Ca decreased significantly (P less than 0.05), followed by a rebound Ca++ efflux (a systematic rise of S-Ca) as the animals defibrilated spontaneously. Concomitantly, there was Mg efflux (a systematic rise of S-MG), the mean S-Mg rising from 0.879 mmol/l, SD 0.143, n = 9 to 1.083 mmol/l, SD 0.257, n = 7, ie to virtually the same value as that obtained after electrically induced DEF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Periarthritis associated with basic calcium phosphate crystal deposition and low levels of serum alkaline phosphatase--report of three cases from one family.

Three siblings, 2 women and one man, from an Iranian-Jewish family with low serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (liver fraction) and symptomatic calcific periarthritis of multiple joints are described. Both parents and 2 additional siblings had normal serum alkaline phosphatase levels and no joint symptoms. The disease in the proposita, a 49-year-old woman, showed 3 unusual features: (1) no rise in acute phase serum proteins despite severe attacks of periarthritis; (2) refractoriness to treatment; (3) pure octacalcium phosphate found in a deposit obtained by biopsy.

Adult↗