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Biomedical subjects

E Kahan

Publications and source records attributed to E Kahan.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Significance of specific Epstein-Barr virus IgA and elevated IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigens in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

The feasibility of using elevated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific-IgG antiviral capsid antigen (VCA) and IgA anti-VCA antibody levels as an aid in diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was analyzed by determination of serum antibody titers to EBV in 54 NPC patients, 114 healthy blood donors, and 40 family members by the immunoperoxidase assay (IPA). No significant difference was found in the prevalence rate of EBV IgG anti-VCA antibodies (titer greater than or equal to 20) between the patient group and the control and family groups (100% vs 92% and 90%, respectively). The prevalence rate of elevated EBV IgG anti-VCA titers (greater than or equal to 80, greater than or equal to 160, greater than or equal to 320, greater than or equal to 640) was significantly higher in the NPC patients than in controls. For example, at an IgG titer of greater than or equal to 320, the prevalence rate was 82% in the NPC patient group and 1.7% in the controls (P less than 0.0001). The prevalence of EBV IgA anti-VCA antibodies (greater than or equal to 10) was significantly higher in the NPC patients than in control and family groups (82% vs 6.1% and 0%, respectively). The prevalence rate for elevated EBV IgA anti-VCA (greater than or equal to 20) was found to be significantly higher (P less than 0.0001) in NPC patients than in the control group (70% vs. 1.7%). A significantly high proportion (P = 0.0004) of NPC patients who had serum EBV IgA anti-VCA titers of less than 20 had elevated IgG titers to VCA greater than or equal to 320 (21% vs 1.7% among controls). It appears that testing for IgG antibodies at a serum dilution of 1:320 and for IgA antibodies at a dilution of 1:20 by the IPA technique comprises the best combination for the differentiation between NPC patients and health controls (91% vs 3.4%), and it is suggested that these be used as screening markers for NPC patients.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1986

Serum lipoproteins in Israeli "Bnei Israel" Indians.

Serum lipoprotein concentrations differ markedly in the various ethnic groups which compose Israel's immigrant population. A group of subjects belonging to a community of "Bnei Israel" Indians, consisting of 21 women and 16 men between the ages of 30 and 60 years, was studied 10 years after immigration. The women had lipoprotein levels comparable with the Israeli-born population. The men had significantly lower mean cholesterol levels and significantly higher HDL/total cholesterol ratios and a tendency for lower triglycerides than an age-matched Israeli-born group, and a higher HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio than the women of the same origin. These results are consistent with the observed low incidence of coronary heart disease in Israeli Bnei Israel men who appear to have a "healthier" lipoprotein profile than the women in this community.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Carcinoma of the prostate in Israel: some epidemiological and therapeutic considerations.

Analysis of the different rate of prostatic cancer in Israel among Jews from various countries of origin reveals some very interesting and marked varieties in incidence, which are studied more closely now. Aggressive, combined treatment for the invasive cases of prostatic cancer has been used since 1975. This was based on orchiectomy, DES, and chemotherapy for the stage D2 disease, and on radiotherapy and hormonal therapy for the stage C, and possibly also the stage D1 disease. Results so far have been very encouraging indeed, and with considerably better results than obtained with the individual, more conventional forms of therapy. Five-year survival in the stage D2 disease has been 63.5%, and 87.6% in the stage C (+D1?) disease. It appears that this approach is more justified, certainly in the advanced stages of this disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

The influence of litter size and favourable conditions on mortality and weaning weights in rats.

Litters of 12 pups produced the optimum results for survival (P less than 0.005) and for weaning weights (P less than 0.05) when compared with litters of 8 and 10 pups. This number is similar to the normal litter size and normal number of teats in rats. In our study, the normal litter size was means = 12.5. Our results were obtained under favourable conditions without disturbing the animals and facilitating access to food and water for the mothers and pups.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Utilization of an automated multiphasic health testing system for performing prehospitalization examinations.

Various impacts of performing prehospitalization examinations (of elective surgical patients) by utilizing automated multiphasic screening technology were evaluated. Compared to the conventional way of conducting such examinations (in the concerned health care organization) the automated system was found to be more efficient (results were available earlier, in a more complete and convenient format), saved considerable time to patients and resulted in a shorter average hospital (postoperative) stay, suggesting that the automated technology is also cost effective. Postoperative stay was reduced by 20 per cent (1.8 days) in the group of patients who undertook the automated multiphasic testing, as compared to a similar group of patients who performed the required tests in the conventional way. Possible explanations for this finding are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of genocidal weapons.

For certain countries the availability of the technology and know-how has turned the nuclear weapons option, as well as the possession of chemical and bacteriological weapons, into a threatened reality of the present. Once a country embarks on a 'solution' such as this to its security problems, the countries in conflict with it are obliged to follow suit, thus accelerating the process of development and proliferation of similar weapons. Fear stimulates the creation of a spiral of false security that will inevitably result, if left to its 'natural' forces, in world-wide destruction. Nuclear war is examined here from an epidemiological viewpoint as a disease with two corresponding different possibilities: (a) the natural history of the disease, and (b) modifications produced by primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Medical responsibility has no alternative but to work for the prevention of the incurable consequences of nuclear war.

Chemical Warfare↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of SCUD missile attacks on the utilization of ambulatory services in a family practice.

The consulting load in a family practice exposed to SCUD missile attacks during the 1991 Gulf War was compared with the equivalent period in 1990. The rate of visits was cut by half, with a relative and absolute increase in psychological consultations, and a decrease in consultations for infectious and respiratory conditions. There were more urgent consultations and fewer planned appointments. It is suggested that the stress of the SCUD missile attacks led to a reduction in consultations for trivial disorders, but an increase in the anxiety level of the population.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Thyroid cancer in patients 70 years of age or older. Retrospective study of 50 patients.

This report presents our experience with 50 thyroid cancer patients 70 years of age or older, out of 606 patients of all ages. Comparing this series to those describing thyroid cancer patients of all ages, we found that thyroid carcinoma in the 70+ age group presents at a more advanced clinical stage, behaves more aggressively, and has a higher death rate. These findings are attributed mainly to the higher incidence of undifferentiated carcinoma and the more aggressive course of the differentiated types of carcinoma in the older age group. If suspected thyroid nodules are managed by initial radical treatment, carcinoma can be diagnosed earlier and patients will survive longer.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Responses of occupational physicians and laboratory staff to reports of high blood lead levels.

We evaluated the responses of physicians specializing in occupational health and of laboratory personnel engaged in occupational lead monitoring when periodic blood lead analysis results exceeded the Biological Exposure Index (BEI). Legally, Israeli workers must be removed from the site of occupational lead exposure after a repeat test shows "value above BEI" (VABEI). The maximum legal period between a report of VABEI and the repeat test is 14 days. Physicians have the discretion to remove workers after the first VABEI test if deemed necessary. In 1987-88, 242 of 3,776 analyses had a VABEI, 167 of which were periodic tests. The average laboratory response time between receipt of the sample and VABEI reports to occupational physicians was 13 days (SE = 0.4). Medical records of 100 workers who had 134 tests with a VABEI were available. In 35 (26.1%) of these events the physicians recommended removing the workers from the exposure source, in 55 (41.0%) events the physicians required repeat tests, and in 44 (32.9%) they neither recommended removal nor repeated the tests. The minimum time lapse between the first and repeat test was 20 days. The second test yielded 24 VABEI. Physicians recommended removing workers from the source only in 13 (54.2%) of these cases. This study suggests that the system must be improved in order to ensure the proper response to VABEI results.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Preadmission testing in elective surgery--improving the process.

Patients admitted for elective surgery (inguinal hernia, varicose veins and hemorrhoids) were evaluated in order to determine the differential impact between two methods of performing preadmission testing (PAT) on the length of stay and on the completeness of the requested data. The two methods compared were: conventional, whereby patients performed the PAT in the regular clinics and laboratories of a health care organization (health maintenance organization-like) and an automated multiphasic health testing system (AMHTS). For these particular operations no significant difference in length of stay between the two methods was found. Based on the accumulated experience with these modalities, a model for performing preadmission procedures (in a preanesthetic clinic for elective surgery) was designed in order to identify high-risk patients. Use of this model can reduce cost, increase patient satisfaction and prevent hospitalization when immediate surgery is contra-indicated.

Adolescent↗