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Biomedical subjects

I Singer

Publications and source records attributed to I Singer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Gonococcal peritonitis in a patient treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

We report a case of gonococcal peritonitis in a sexually active female on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The presumed route of entry into the peritoneal cavity was via the Fallopian tube. The episode responded rapidly to a standard antibiotic treatment protocol. Some episodes of culture-negative peritonitis may be caused by genital tract organisms which are not cultured by routine methods.

Adolescent

Factors influencing erythrocyte sedimentation in patients with chronic renal failure.

Erythrocyte sedimentation was studied in stable patients with chronic renal failure free of complicating illnesses. The mean (+/- SD) Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 49 +/- 26 mm/hr in patients not receiving dialysis and 60 +/- 33 mm/hr in patients receiving hemodialysis. Both values are significantly higher than normal. Because anemia accelerates the Westergren determination, we restudied the patients with the zeta sedimentation ratio (ZSR), a method unaffected by hematocrit. In nine patients not receiving dialysis and 49 patients receiving hemodialysis, the ZSR was significantly higher than normal. The ZSR correlated positively with plasma fibrinogen concentration. Recombination experiments showed that the abnormal factor accelerating erythrocyte sedimentation was a constituent of plasma. Thus, erythrocyte sedimentation is accelerated in stable patients with chronic renal failure and a plasma factor, probably fibrinogen, is responsible. An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate in this population lacks diagnostic usefulness.

Blood Sedimentation

The role of gallium-67 studies in the management of malignant melanoma.

This study was undertaken to assess the role of gallium-67 studies in the management of malignant melanoma. Gallium-67 studies were performed in 41 patients prospectively to determine the presence of regional lymph-node spread or distant metastatic disease. A high correlation was found in the assessment of lymph-node status between the results of the gallium-67 study and those of the histological examination. Distant metastases were demonstrated in brain, lung, bone, and liver. In three patients, lymphoscintigraphy was performed before the gallium-67 study in order to assess regional drainage; this may prove to be a very useful combination in determining treatment strategy, especially in patients with truncal melanoma.

Bone Neoplasms

Blood-pool studies of the liver. Diagnostic patterns exist in cavernous haemangioma.

Hepatic haemangioma is the most common vascular abnormality of the liver occurring in 0.4% to 7% of reported autopsy series. Its diagnosis is critical, as biopsy of these lesions can lead to catastrophic results owing to uncontrolled haemorrhage. Hepatic angiography is normally used for diagnosis. Previous reports of attempts to confirm the diagnosis by non-invasive means such as ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) have shown these tests to be non-specific. The usefulness of the patient's own red blood cells labelled with technetium-99m (99mTc RBC) in the non-invasive diagnosis of hepatic haemangioma was investigated. After the intravenous injection of the isotope, flow, early static, and delayed static views were obtained. A flow study demonstrating decreased perfusion and a late blood-pool study showing local blood volume markedly greater than that of the normal liver were characteristic of haemangioma. 99mTc RBC studies are useful in the evaluation of focal defects in the liver when cavernous haemangioma is suspected. A diagnostic pattern is present in patients with cavernous haemangioma.

Adult

Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis after chlorine inhalation.

Chlorine gas inhalation is usually accompanied by pulmonary toxicity and hypoxemia; the associated acidemia, when present, has been attributed to lactic acidosis. This case report describes the development of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis following accidental chlorine gas exposure. The mechanism postulated for the production of this acidosis is the absorption of hydrochloric acid following the reaction of chlorine gas with tissue water. This may be the first case of chlorine toxicity in which the mechanism of the acidosis has been determined.

Accidents, Home

Radionuclide plethysmography and Tc-99m red blood cell venography in venous thrombosis: comparison with contrast venography.

Radionuclide plethysmography (RPG) is a new technique that uses Tc-99m labelled red blood cells to ascertain changes in venous volumes by detecting the change in counts in response to the inflation and deflation of proximal thigh cuffs. Diagnosis of ileofemoral venous occlusion is possible using this technique, which also provides kinetic data of venous outflow. A range of normal values was defined in 19 subjects for per cent change in venous capacitance and venous outflow. Twenty-one patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis were studied prospectively using RPG, radionuclide venography (RV), and contrast venography (CV) to establish the usefulness of RPG alone and in combination with RV in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. RPG proved to be a reliable technique for the diagnosis of ileofemoral venous thrombosis (sensitivity, 91%; specificity, 100%). RV was less sensitive (73%) and less specific (93%) in diagnosing that condition. When RPG is used as the criterion for the detection of ileofemoral vein thrombosis and RV is used as the criterion for the detection of calf vein thrombosis, the combined techniques show improved sensitivity (92%) and specificity (93%) for the detection of all deep venous thromboses.

Adult

Drug prescribing in renal failure: dosing guidelines for adults.

The data base for rational guidelines to safe, efficacious drug prescribing in adults with renal insufficiency are presented in tabular form. Current medical literature was extensively surveyed to provide as much specific information as possible. When information is lacking, however, recommendations are based on pharmacokinetic variables in normal subjects. Nephrotoxicity, important adverse effects, and special considerations in renal patients are noted. Adjustments are suggested for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis when appropriate.

Adult

Subcellular localization of aldosterone-induced proteins in toad urinary bladders.

Paired toad urinary hemibladders were incubated with [35S]methionine in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of aldosterone. Short-circuit current was used to monitor aldosterone-induced Na+ transport. Protein synthesis in epithelial cell subcellular fractions (cytosolic, microsomal, mitochondrial) was evaluated by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Aldosterone-induced proteins were identified in the cytosolic and microsomal fractions (70 000 and 15 000 daltons, respectively). These results represent the first demonstration of aldosterone-induced proteins in subcellular fractions of epithelial cells derived from single toad urinary hemibladders.

Aldosterone

Internal potassium balance and the control of the plasma potassium concentration.

The plasma potassium concentration is determined both by external potassium balance and by the distribution of potassium between extracellular and intracellular fluid compartments, i.e., "internal potassium balance." Whenever external potassium balance is altered, the resultant change in the plasma potassium concentration is strongly influenced by concomitant alterations in internal potassium balance. Several factors alter internal potassium balance independently of changes in external balance. Acid-base disturbances produce shifts of potassium into or out of cells, but attempts to quantify these effects are not likely to be clinically useful. Hypertonicity produces a shift of potassium out of cells. Several hormones (insulin, aldosterone, catecholamines, glucagon, and growth hormone) may have roles in internal potassium balance. Digitalis and succinylcholine, by producing efflux of potassium from cells, may cause hyperkalemia. Potassium is released from skeletal muscle during exercise, causing an increase in the plasma potassium concentration. The periodic paralyses are associated with well-defined transient alterations in internal potassium balance.

Acid-Base Imbalance

Drug therapy in renal failure: dosing guidelines for adults. Part II: sedatives, hypnotics, and tranquilizers; cardiovascular, antihypertensive, and diuretic agents; miscellaneous agents.

Data providing guidelines for drug use in adult patients with renal insufficiency are presented in tabular form with supporting references. The data are derived from the current medical literature. If specific information about a drug is unavailable or conflicting, emphasis is given to normal pharmacokinetic variables in arriving at recommendations for therapy. Nephrotoxicity or adverse effects in patients with renal disease are noted and adjustments for dialysis suggested.

Adult

Drug therapy in renal failure: dosing guidelines for adults. Part I: Antimicrobial agents, analgesics.

Data are presented in tabular form that provide guidelines for drug use in adult patients with renal insufficiency. The data are derived from the current medical literature. If specific information about a drug is unavailable or conflicting, emphasis is given to normal pharmacokinetic variables in arriving at recommendations for therapy. Nephrotoxicity or adverse effects in patients with renal disease are noted and adjustments for dialysis suggested.

Analgesics

Effects of tetracyclines on aldosterone- and insulin-mediated Na+ transport in the toad urinary bladder.

The effect of oxytetracycline and demethylchlortetracycline on aldosterone- and insulin-mediated Na+ transport (short-circuit current) were examined in toad urinary bladders mounted in modified Ussing chambers. Oxytetracycline had little or no effect on either basal or aldosterone-mediated Na+ transport. In contrast, demethylchlortetracycline markedly inhibited both basal and aldosterone-mediated Na+ transport. Furthermore, demethylchlortetracycline inhibited the aldosterone response significantly out of proportion to its effects on basal Na+ transport. Neither of the drugs had an effect on insulin-mediated Na+ transport. Consequently, the natriuresis observed in certain patients treated with demethylchlortetracyline may be related to drug-induced renal resistance to the effects of aldosterone.

Aldosterone