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Biomedical subjects

E Scapa

Publications and source records attributed to E Scapa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Hepatotoxic effects of repeated administration of oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) venom.

Venom sac extract (VSE) of the Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) has been shown to exert a toxic effect on hepatic cells. The present work set out to examine its effect on liver cells using serum levels of a lysosomal hydrolase as a marker of injury in rats. Serum activities of beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase (BNAH; EC 3.2.1.30) were found to be positively correlated with the number of treatments received by the rats. The maximal elevation occurred from the third to the sixth day and comprised a 2-3-fold increase over the control mean level. This enhancement effect was reversible. The rat envenomend for 2 wk showed 3.5 times as much BNAH activity as in control rats. Biochemical analysis revealed increased specific activity of the lysosomal enzyme in rats treated repeatedly with VSE.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Inflammatory bowel disease and serum beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase.

Serum beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase levels in 49 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; 23 patients with ulcerative colitis, 10 with Crohn's disease, and 16 with ileostomy after total proctocolectomy) as well as in healthy normal controls were determined. They were found to be significantly elevated in 91% of all patients, disregarding the state of activity of the disease. It seems most likely that activated macrophages are the source of this lysosomal hydrolase in the serum of IBD patients since other theoretical possibilities, like damaged hepatocytes or elevated serum bile acid levels, are not relevant for these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Chlamydia trachomatis and inflammatory bowel disease--a coincidence?

Serological tests of 35 patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease were compared to those of 35 healthy controls. The tests were performed using the indirect immunoperoxidase assay. Ninety-three per cent of 15 patients with Crohn's disease had IgG antibodies against Chlamydia, compared to 26% in the control group. In the 20 patients with ulcerative colitis, 45% had IgG antibodies against Chlamydia, compared to 10% in the control group. High serum titres of IgG antibodies were found in most of the patients with inflammatory bowel disease, mainly with Crohn's disease, while weak reactions appeared in most of the controls in which antibodies were detected. These results suggest a high incidence of Chlamydia infection in the studied patients with inflammatory bowel disease, especially in those with Crohn's disease. The possible association between Chlamydia trachomatis and inflammatory bowel disease is discussed.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

Serum-beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase (beta-NAH) in the elderly.

Serum levels of beta-N-Acetyl Hexosaminidase (beta-NAH) provide information on the normal non-phagocytic function of Kupffer cells in the liver. Beta-NAH can thus be used as an indicator for non-parenchymal non-phagocytic liver cell function, whereas most of the more routine liver function tests measure hepatocytic status or function. Serum beta-NAH activity levels found in 49 patients and 10 healthy individuals above the age of 65 did not differ significantly from those found in younger controls. The results clearly indicate that beta-NAH serum activity in the aged is within normal limits and, if accepted as a routine measure of the non-phagocytic function of non-parenchymal liver cells, could be used in all adults.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Cimetidine-related cardiac conduction disturbances and confusion.

A 70-year-old woman free of renal or hepatic dysfunction developed reversible mental confusion, sinus bradycardia, and extreme QT interval prolongation following initiation of intravenous cimetidine 1200 mg daily. The association of mental confusion with cardiac conduction impairment in a single patient in the context of cimetidine toxicity is highly unusual. We review this and other reports on potentially fatal cimetidine-related cardiac conduction disturbances to suggest that in patients at risk, in addition to reducing cimetidine dosage, electrocardiogram (ECG) follow-up is indicated to identify dangerous bradycardia and QT interval prolongation.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Duodenal ulcer in the elderly.

Of 333 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients 75 (22.5%) were aged 65-93 years (study group). Ninety-two percent (306 patients) of the entire group were diagnosed endoscopically, and all were followed prospectively. In the study group of the older patients there were fewer smokers, but more patients used steroids and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and had more arteriosclerotic heart disease than the younger control group. Presenting signs and symptoms were similar in both age groups, although painless upper gastrointestinal bleeding was more common in the elderly, and pain, when present, tended to be milder. Bleeding episodes were more prevalent in the older age group. Another difference between the groups was the larger incidence of concurrent gastric ulcer and DU observed endoscopically in the study population. Steroids and NSAIDs could be etiologically connected to bleeding in the older patients, as well as to their relative lack of pain. We conclude that DU in the elderly tended to present atypically and that pain was not the major symptom of activity. This places a different emphasis on diagnostic and therapeutic criteria.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Attitude of hospital personnel toward hepatitis B vaccination.

During a 1-yr period (November 1985-86), a free-of-charge vaccination program against hepatitis B was offered to 809 of the 1200 medical workers in a 650-bed general and regional hospital in Israel. Three hundred and eighteen (39.3%) accepted the offer and were vaccinated. The higher rates of acceptance were among cleaning personnel (96.3%) and student nurses (63.9%). The lower rates of acceptance were among physicians (46.5%) and nurses (24.9%). Different types of fear, as well as lack of knowledge, were the reasons responsible for 73.3% of all refusals. More specific and continuous health educational efforts among high-risk groups should be initiated for voluntary vaccination programs in Israel.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Serum beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase and bile acid levels in patients with benign and malignant biliary obstruction.

beta-N-Acetyl hexosaminidase (beta-NAH), a lysosomal enzyme, was measured in the plasma of 15 patients with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction, 14 with benign extrahepatic obstruction, and 15 with long-standing benign intrahepatic cholestasis. beta-NAH was correlated with total serum bile acid levels. The correlation was significant (P less than 0.05) for the malignant and benign intrahepatic obstructions but not for the benign extrahepatic obstructions. This is consistent with the idea that circulating high levels of bile acids in patients with long-standing biliary obstruction may cause damage to Kupffer cell membranes and to their receptors for beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase, impeding the clearance of the enzyme from the circulation resulting in elevated serum levels.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1986

Serum beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase levels in chronic renal failure.

Serum beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase (beta-NAH) levels, the indirect indicators of hepatic endothelial and Kupffer cell function, were examined in 16 anuric chronic hemodialysis patients, and in 11 patients in different stages of chronic renal failure (serum creatinine 2-8.8 mg/dl). They were found to be lower than those of the healthy controls, contrary to expectation. It might be concluded that nonparenchymal liver cells are functioning well in chronic renal failure. However, the possibility that production of beta-NAH in these patients is abnormally reduced cannot be excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Serum beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase (beta-NAH) as a discriminant between malignant and benign extrahepatic biliary obstruction: comparison with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

Fifty-one patients (16 with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction, ten with benign extrahepatic biliary obstruction, eight with alcoholic liver disease, five with viral hepatitis and 12 with liver metastases) and 19 adult healthy controls were studied with determinations of beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase (a lysosomal enzyme which is cleared from the circulation by the Kupffer cells), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), serum bilirubin, alkaline-phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Both CEA and beta-NAH were elevated in each disease group. Elevated beta-NAH levels distinguished between benign and malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction better than CEA levels. Beta-NAH levels for the malignant and the benign groups were 47.6 +/- 14.7 U/l and 23.0 +/- 4.7 U/l (mean +/- S.D.) respectively. The groups differed significantly (P less than 0.001). Plasma CEA levels for both groups were 18.7 +/- 38.9 and 7.2 +/- 3.3 ng/ml (mean +/- S.D.) respectively. Beta-NAH levels for the 19 normal controls were 15.8 +/- 3.5 U/l (mean +/- S.D.). Beta-NAH also was significantly elevated in patients with hepatic metastases (36.9 +/- 20.1 U/l). In 25 cancer patients with metastases other than in the liver beta-NAH levels (18.3 +/- 5.2) were not significantly elevated over the control group. It has potential value as a marker for non-CEA-producing liver metastases.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1985

Chemical burns of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Burns of the upper gastrointestinal tract, caused by acids, alkalis, drugs or heat may lead to stenoses, some of them severe, to perforations, to inanition and to the patient's death. The type of damage differs among the various groups of noxious agents. First aid at home is almost non existent. On admission every effort must be made to identify the ingested material. Parenteral fluids and antibiotics are used and in some patients nutritional support will be required. The extent of the damage must be evaluated endoscopically. Strictures, caused by intramuscular collagen formation, could possibly be prevented by steroid therapy. If stenoses occur, these must be cautiously dilated. A late complication of oesophageal burns is carcinoma. There appears to be a relation between this grave complication and the use of very hot beverages in certain countries where oesophageal cancer is common. Upper gastrointestinal burns are similar to skin burns, however, their dangers may be greater as they occur in a pipe-like structure and very close to vital viscera.

Acids↗
PubMed1985

Differences in CEA values determined by EIA and RIA in patients with benign and malignant biliary obstructions.

Serial carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were determined by both the Roche RIA and Abbott EIA methods in 11 patients with pancreatic cancer (9 with extrahepatic biliary obstruction); 7 with benign extrahepatic obstruction; 26 with colonic cancer without biliary obstruction; and 12 normal, non-smoking controls. The Roche/Abbott CEA ratios in the patients with malignant and benign obstruction (mean ratios = 3.05 and 3.08, respectively), were significantly higher than those in patients with colon cancer without biliary obstruction and in normal controls (mean ratios = 1.35 and 1.06, respectively). Four patients with malignant obstructions were decompressed successfully (bilirubin less than or equal to 1.5 mg/dL); the ratios for two of these patients declined to "normal" (1.0), while the ratios for the other two remained elevated despite decompression. These findings show that some patients with benign or malignant biliary obstruction have elevated CEA levels when measured by the Roche RIA but not with the Abbott EIA.

Adult↗