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Biomedical subjects

H Levy

Publications and source records attributed to H Levy.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

The saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis--I. Biochemical characterization of the high molecular weight fraction.

1. A method is described for obtaining dilute Hirudo medicinalis saliva by feeding leeches through a membrane on arginine/saline and squeezing them immediately after from the posterior end forwards. The process can be repeated at intervals. Yields are considerably higher than from salivary gland extracts. 2. Hirudo saliva contains hirudin, eglin, hyaluronidase, collagenase and apyrase. Leech collagenase and apyrase are here reported for the first time. 3. On gel filtration of lyophilized saliva, activity peaks were well defined. Approximate molecular weights were determined. Apyrase appears in two forms with optimum activity around pH 7.5. Collagenase was identified as belonging to the mammalian type.

Adenylate Kinase↗
PubMed1987

The saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis--II. Inhibition of platelet aggregation and of leukocyte activity and examination of reputed anaesthetic effects.

1. Leech saliva inhibits platelet aggregation induced by collagen, ADP and epinephrine. 2. Leech saliva inhibits superoxide production by neutrophils stimulated by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate or polyhistidine. The effect is due in part at least to eglin. 3. Reputed anaesthetic effects of leech saliva were not detected.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1987

Ecology of dermatophyte infections in South Bronx, New York, 1969 to 1981.

This survey describes the ecology of superficial dermatophyte infections in South Bronx, New York from 1969 to 1981. The predominant species were Trichophyton rubrum (Castellani) Sabouraud, 1911 (57.5%), followed by Trichophyton tonsurans Malmsten, 1845 (18.5%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (Robin) Blanchard, 1986 (11.5%), Microsporum canis Bodin var. canis Matsumoto, Padhye, and Ajello, 1902 (5%), Epidermophyton floccosum (Harz) Langeron and Milochevitch, 1930 (3.9%), and M. audouinii Gruby, 1843 (2.8%).

Arthrodermataceae↗
PubMed1987

Acute respiratory failure in active tuberculosis.

We describe 15 patients whose acute respiratory failure associated with pulmonary tuberculosis necessitated their ICU admission during a 42-month period. There was a 1.5% incidence of respiratory failure in hospitalized tuberculosis patients. Eleven of the 15 patients required ventilatory assistance for a mean 17.3 days. Five patients died in ICU (early mortality = 33%), and two others died within 3 months of discharge (total mortality = 47%). We began specific anti-tuberculous chemotherapy in these patients within 3 +/- 4 (SD) days after hospital admission. Pulmonary histology was available in five cases. Despite the clinical and radiologic features compatible with the adult respiratory distress syndrome in these patients, histology showed confluent tuberculous bronchopneumonia with no evidence of the syndrome.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Pulmonary mucormycosis presenting with Horner's syndrome. Report of a medical cure.

A patient with pulmonary mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae was treated with a total dose of intravenous amphotericin B 2060 mg which resulted in medical cure. This is the first reported medical cure in the RSA of pulmonary mucormycosis. Mucormycosis with brachial plexus involvement and Horner's syndrome has not been previously reported.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1986

Inhibition of superoxide generation by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with chlorhexidine. Its possible relation to periodontal disease.

During the acute phase of periodontal disease, as many as 60% of the cells of the junctional epithelium may be accounted for by polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). It is generally accepted that these cells play a dominant role in the destruction of connective tissue by virtue of the proteinases they release and the free oxygen radicals they generate. Modulation of the proteolytic activity and free radical production seems to be essential for the inhibition of tissue destruction. We have therefore studied the effect of chlorhexidine on the generation of free oxygen radicals and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) by stimulated human PMNs. Nontoxic chlorhexidine concentrations (0.1-1 microgram/ml) were found to inhibit superoxide production but did not affect LDCL. We therefore suggest that in addition to its antiseptic effect, chlorhexidine may also modulate the generation of free radicals by activated PMN cells in the inflamed gingiva.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Pulmonary resection in the prone position for suppurative lung disease in children.

Lung resection for suppurative inflammatory disease is hazardous in children whose small airway diameter precludes the use of standard methods of bronchial separation. A prospective evaluation of the prone position for thoracotomy in 17 children referred for operation with severe inflammatory disease was done. Bronchography showed whole lung bronchiectasis eight, destroyed lung in three, and lobar bronchiectasis five. Pulmonary resections performed with the child prone included left pneumonectomy (nine), right pneumonectomy (four), lingulectomy with lower lobectomy (two), and other lobectomy (two). No endobronchial or intrapleural spillage occurred. One child required reexploration for bleeding and one child developed a postoperative empyema that ultimately caused death. The remaining 16 children were discharged within 8 days of operation, and follow-up of 1 to 18 months records favorable progress.

Bronchiectasis↗
PubMed1985

Severe deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin associated with cutaneous vasculitis, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and colitis.

The association of vasculitis with severe deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin is rare. This report describes a 44-year-old man with severe deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin associated with diffuse vasculitis involving skin, kidney (rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis), and colon (colitis). Colitis has not previously been reported in association with deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin. Other reported cases are reviewed and the possible immunologic mechanisms underlying the association are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Purification and characterization of a low molecular mass cysteine proteinase inhibitor from human amniotic fluid.

We have purified the human low molecular mass cysteine proteinase inhibitor in good yield from amniotic fluid, using ultrafiltration through 100-kDa and 1-kDa cut-off filters, chromatography on Ultrogel AcA 54, and affinity chromatography on alkylated papain-agarose. Approximately 1-4 mg/l of this inhibitor are present in amniotic fluid. The purified inhibitor had an apparent molecular mass of 10.5-12 kDa, as judged by its electrophoretic behavior. Amino acid analysis showed it to be rich in acidic and aliphatic residues and in cysteine. No carbohydrate side-chains could be demonstrated. The purified inhibitor inhibited papain, ficin, cathepsins B, C, and H, the cathepsin B-like enzyme from B16 melanoma cells, and a bovine chromaffin granule enkephalin-converting activity. No inhibition of Ca2-dependent neutral cysteine proteinase, serine- or metallo-proteinases was seen. Analysis of the purified inhibitor by isoelectric focusing revealed 7 major bands with pI values of 7.95, 7.0, 6.7, 6.55, 6.25, 5.5, and 5.2, all of which inhibited papain.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1985

Phase II trial of a complex polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid with poly-L-lysine and carboxymethyl cellulose in the treatment of children with acute leukemia and neuroblastoma: a report from the Children's Cancer Study Group.

Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity were evaluated in 28 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in ten with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL), and in 13 with metastatic neuroblastoma. All were refractory to standard chemotherapeutic agents and 25 were refractory to an investigational drug. The initial dose was 12 mg/m2/day and was based on an established maximal dose tolerated in adults. This dose was found to be intolerable in 5 of 5 children with leukemia. Similarly an initial dose of 9 mg/m2/day was intolerable in 4 of 5 patients with leukemia. The starting dose in the next 28 children with leukemia or neuroblastoma was 3 mg/m2. This drug was gradually increased to the highest tolerated dose by 3-mg/m2 increments. Fifteen children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 3 children with ANLL, and 2 children with neuroblastoma received the drug daily. Seven patients with ANLL and 7 patients with neuroblastoma received the drug biweekly. Seventeen patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 6 patients with ANLL, and 5 patients with neuroblastoma had an adequate trial of the drug. An adequate trial was defined as a minimum of 5 weeks of therapy unless progressive disease developed. Side effects of the drug were striking and included fever, hypotension, myalgia, bone pain, arthralgia, arthritis, abdominal pain, liver toxicity, thrombocytopenia, and neurotoxicity. No complete remission occurred although interferon levels above 100 units/ml were induced in nearly 50% of the patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Phase II trial of poly(I,C)-LC, an interferon inducer, in the treatment of children with acute leukemia and neuroblastoma: a report from the Children's Cancer Study Group.

A Phase II study of poly(I,C)-LC was performed in 28 children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 10 with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL), and 13 with metastatic neuroblastoma. All were refractory to standard chemotherapeutic agents and 25 to an investigational drug. Initial doses of 12 mg/m2 and 9 mg/m2 were intolerable. However, 9 mg/m2 was tolerable in the majority of patients when the drug was started at 3 mg/m2 and increased by 3 mg/m2 increments. Fifteen children with ALL, three with ANLL, and two with neuroblastoma received the drug daily. Seven patients with ANLL and seven children with neuroblastoma received the drug biweekly. Twenty-eight patients received an adequate trial, which was defined as a minimum of 5 weeks at the maximal tolerated dose, unless there was progressive disease at the maximal tolerated dose. Side effects of the drug were striking, and included fever, hypotension, myalgia, bone pain, arthralgia, arthritis, abdominal pain, liver toxicity, thrombocytopenia, and neurotoxicity. No complete remissions occurred in spite of interferon levels above 100 U in nearly 50% of patients.

Acute Disease↗