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Biomedical subjects

E Katz

Publications and source records attributed to E Katz.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Effects of systemic administration of indomethacin on ovulation, luteinization, and steroidogenesis in the rabbit ovary.

Indomethacin blocks ovulation in human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated rabbits. Experiments were done with an in vitro ovarian perfusion system to investigate whether indomethacin affects luteinization and steroidogenesis. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) was administered in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin (100 IU) via a marginal ear vein, and a second dose of indomethacin was given 8 hours later. Control animals received vehicle in place of indomethacin. Laparotomy was performed 24 hours after the initial treatment. The presence of unruptured follicles and corpora lutea was recorded and the ovaries were perfused in vitro for 3 hours. Progesterone, prostaglandin F2 alpha, prostaglandin E2, and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha were measured in samples obtained at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes from the circulating perfusion medium entering and exiting the ovary. At the end of the perfusion all ovaries (12 treated and 10 controls) were fixed for histologic analysis. Ovulation occurred in all control ovaries but in none of the indomethacin-treated ovaries. The mean number of unruptured follicles per ovary in the treated group was not significantly different from the number of corpora lutea plus unruptured follicles per ovary in the controls. Cells in both groups were qualitatively similar in ultrastructure; abundant lipid droplets, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria were seen. Secretion rates of progesterone and prostaglandin did not differ between the two groups during the 3-hour perfusion period. These results suggest that transformation of granulosa cells into fully functional luteal cells can occur in the absence of follicular rupture.

Animals↗

Injuries due to deliberate violence in areas of Argentina. I. The extent of violence. Copenhagen Study Group.

As part of a transcultural investigation of violent behaviour in Argentina and Denmark an analysis was made of the incidents involving deliberate violence as registered in the emergency wards of Hospital Fernandez and Hospital Pinero in Capital Federal Buenos Aires over a period of 13 and 17 months, respectively. In the two emergency wards a total of 281 victims of deliberate violence were observed corresponding to a rate of approximately 0.2/1000 per year in a mainly middle income area of the metropolis Buenos Aires, the catchment region of Hospital Fernandez, and 0.6/1000 per year in a mainly low income area of Buenos Aires, the catchment region of Hospital Pinero. Men aged 20-24 years and 40-49 years were found to be the most frequent victims of deliberate violence, 13% and 11%, respectively. Elderly women greater than or equal to 60 years of age were rarely found to be victims of deliberate violence (2%). Skilled and unskilled male workers were over-represented as victims of violence. Sixty-four percent of the victims were men and 29% women, 6% were boys and 0.7% girls less than or equal to 14 years of age. Twenty-one percent of the male victims and 5% of the female victims were alcohol intoxicated when arriving in the emergency ward. The incidents took place in restaurants or in the vicinity of restaurants for only 7% of the male victims, while 55% of male victims and 34% of female victims had been injured in the street, most often by non-acquainted men. Fifty-eight percent of the female victims had been subject to deliberate violence at home, in the majority of the cases beaten by their spouse. Twelve percent of the male victims and 8% of the female victims were estimated to be under the influence of drugs. The incidence of deliberate violence seems to be lower in Argentina than in Denmark. However, serious lesions appear to be considerably more frequent in male Argentinian victims compared to male Danish victims, maybe because the practice of seeking medical assistance is different in the two countries. The pattern of deliberate violence appears to be associated with socio-economic and cultural factors. Influence of alcohol does not appear to play a role that is comparable to the situation observed in Denmark. A considerably larger percentage of victims in Argentina than in Denmark had been injured in the street.

Adult↗

Injuries due to deliberate violence in areas of Argentina. II. Lesions. Copenhagen Study Group.

As part of a transcultural investigation of violent behavior in Argentina and Denmark, the lesions from accidents involving deliberate violence registered in the emergency wards of Hospital Fernandez and Hospital Pinero in Capital Federal Buenos Aires over a period of 13 and 17 months, respectively, were studied. Among the 281 victims entering the two emergency wards blunt violence without use of instruments was most often reported to be the violation method. Frequently indicated violation instruments against the male victims were batons (18.7%), sharp instruments (17.7%), and firearms (17.7%), the corresponding figures for female victims being 9.6%, 8.4% and 4.8%. The use of firearms and batons was considerably more pronounced in Argentina than in Denmark, particularly against male victims. A total of 373 primary and secondary diagnoses were reported from the patients, the most frequent diagnoses being contusions and open wounds in the head/neck region. Forty-three percent of the diagnoses were related to the head/neck region, being the most frequently injured region and the trunk the second most frequently injured region (30%). The degree of predominance of lesions in the head/neck region was much less than in the Danish material. Injuries of internal organs of the trunk were considerably more frequent in Argentina than in Denmark. Eighty-five percent of the victims had moderate or less serious lesions when assessed on the basis of the scores in the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), (score less than or equal to 2). The AIS scores of the lesions in female victims were on average only slightly higher than those recorded in the Danish study, while 16.1% of the male Argentinian victims had lesions scored greater than or equal to 3 compared to 1.8% in male Danish victims. The need for treatment and hospitalization was more pronounced than in the Danish study. It may be concluded that the frequency of serious cases of deliberate violence probably would decrease if more restrictive rules for the possessing of firearms were enacted and enforced.

Adolescent↗

Primary blast injury after a bomb explosion in a civilian bus.

A 6-kg explosive charge detonated under a seat in the center of a crowded city bus in Jerusalem, killing three passengers immediately. Of the 55 survivors, all of whom were transferred to two major medical centers, 29 were hospitalized. Among those admitted, a high rate of primary blast injuries was found, including perforated ear drums (76%), blast lung (38%), and abdominal blast injuries (14%). Two of the latter patients suffered bowel perforations, which were diagnosed with considerable delay. Eight patients (31%) had sustained life-threatening trauma, consisting of a combination of primary, secondary, and tertiary blast injuries. The overall mortality rate was 10.3%. The large number of primary blast injuries, including the unexpected finding of bowel perforations, is explained by the high amplitude of the air pressure wave (3.8-5.2 atm) and its relatively long duration (2-3 msec) resulting from the detonation of the high-energy explosive charge in the small, enclosed space of the bus. Besides the usual wounds sustained by victims of an explosion that occurs in a confined space, the possibility of primary blast injury to the abdomen and to the lungs should be taken into account by the treating surgeon.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Transfection of EK-3, a subline of NIH 3T3, with the oncogene Ha-ras does not abolish its anchorage dependence.

EK-3 cells, previously isolated by us from cultures of NIH 3T3, require both ras and myc oncogenes for efficient transformation, while their parent cells are readily transformed by ras alone. We transfected the EK-3 cells with the v-Ha-ras oncogene and obtained several sublines which integrated this gene and transcribed it successfully. The ras-NIH 3T3 formed foci of multilayered cells that were piling up in culture, while the ras-EK-3 cells remained contact inhibited. Furthermore, when the growth of the cells in soft agar was examined, a clear difference was observed. Cells of the ras-NIH 3T3 clonal lines showed high efficiency of growth (10%), while the ras-EK-3 cells exhibited low efficiency (0.2%). The latter being quite similar to that of the non-transfected NIH 3T3 and EK-3 cells (0.05%). The results presented now, showing that ras-EK-3 cells are more anchorage dependent than the ras-NIH 3T3 cells, clearly indicate that differences, previously shown to exist between EK-3 and NIH 3T3 cells, persist in their daughter cell lines derived following transfection with the Ha-ras oncogene.

Agar↗

Successful treatment of a prolactin-producing pituitary macroadenoma with intravaginal bromocriptine mesylate: a novel approach to intolerance of oral therapy.

A 37-year-old woman with a symptomatic 18-mm prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma could not be managed with oral bromocriptine mesylate because of unacceptable gastrointestinal side effects. However, when given the medication intravaginally, the patient was successfully treated as assessed by evident tumor shrinkage and diminished secretory activity. Serum bromocriptine levels were approximately six to eight times higher than those reported after oral administration. The vaginal route may help reduce some of the adverse effects of bromocriptine mesylate experienced during oral administration and may possibly allow lowering of the overall effective dose by avoiding first liver passage.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Purification and characterization of tryptophan dioxygenase from Streptomyces parvulus.

Tryptophan dioxygenase, derived from Streptomyces parvulus, was purified to near homogeneity and shown to have a native Mr of 88,000. Kinetic parameters of the enzyme were determined and evidence suggesting that it is a hemoprotein was obtained. Tryptophan dioxygenase has a high specificity toward L-tryptophan with an apparent Km of 0.3 mM. L-3-Hydroxykynurenine was a competitive inhibitor with respect to L-tryptophan with a Ki of 0.16 mM. In vitro, the enzyme displayed little activity in the absence of a reducing agent; ascorbate, at 50 mM, was the preferred reductant providing almost a 50-fold increase in enzyme activity. The regulation of tryptophan dioxygenase synthesis and activity is described. The expression of the enzyme is correlated with the biosynthesis of actinomycin D in S. parvulus. These results support the hypothesis that tryptophan dioxygenase functions as the first enzyme in the sequence converting L-tryptophan to the chromophore of this antibiotic.

Heme↗

Beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels in cul-de-sac blood of patients with ectopic pregnancies.

hCG levels in cul-de-sac and peripheral blood in patients with ectopic pregnancies were studied. hCG levels were significantly higher in the cul-de-sac blood than in peripheral blood (P less than 0.01). The high hCG level in the cul-de-sac blood was not due to interference by proteolytic enzymes in cul-de-sac blood since the protease inhibitors, aprotinin and phenylmethylsulfony fluoride, did not alter the RIA results from cul-de-sac samples, nor did Con-A chromatography of the samples. Assay of cul-de-sac blood samples for hCG may increase the sensitivity of diagnosing ectopic pregnancies.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

Induction of tyrosinase by L-methionine in Streptomyces antibioticus.

Investigations were carried out to establish conditions favorable for the formation of tyrosinase, an inducible metalloenzyme synthesized by Streptomyces antibioticus. It was determined that the size of the inoculum and age of the culture as well as the temperature of incubation were important factors for enzyme synthesis. Induction of tyrosinase by S. antibioticus appears to be specific for L-methionine with maximal enzyme synthesis observed at 0.1 mM. Addition of CuSO4 and D-glucose at the time of induction also are important for increased enzyme activity. Inhibition of tyrosinase synthesis was observed with actinomycin D, rifampicin, and chloramphenicol suggesting that both transcriptional and translational events are required for tyrosinase induction.

Amino Acids↗

Diagnostic work-up of hyperprolactinemic disorders.

Substantial advances have been made in the understanding of chronic hyperprolactinemia. The diagnostic effort should be directed at excluding physiological and pharmacological causes of chronic hyperprolactinemia, both of which are reversible and are not likely to be of grave consequence. Subsequently further efforts should be made to rule out obvious pathological entities, in particular, treatable hypothyroidism. Finally, the diagnosis of prolactinoma must be entertained. It relies on the biochemical determination of prolactin as well as direct imaging of the pituitary.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

Growth rate analysis of lung metastases from histologically benign giant cell tumor of bone.

A growth rate analysis of lung metastases of benign giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone, histologically indistinguishable from the primary benign tumor, is presented. The doubling time (DT) was 186 days in the first 13 months of growth, and 465 days in the last 4 months. These DTs are much longer than DT of lung metastases of any other tumors, and have a good correlation with a long survival time. Backward extrapolation showed that the lung metastases began to develop years before the primary tumor was diagnosed and treated. If this can be confirmed in a larger number of patients, it could be concluded that there will be no indication for amputation as a treatment for benign GCT whether or not lung metastases are present. The growth rate analysis supports the concept that these metastases might represent a benign process, and as such are a unique histologic and clinical phenomenon.

Adult↗