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Biomedical subjects

I Zahavi

Publications and source records attributed to I Zahavi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Native valve bacterial endocarditis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis. A community acquired infection following an acute course.

Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) is the leading pathogen of prosthetic valve endocarditis. At the same time it is a very rare cause of native valve endocarditis and it follows a clinical course and outcome similar to Streptococcal viridans endocarditis. We report here the case of a 41-year-old man with a community acquired SE endocarditis of a native aortic valve. Despite early surgical intervention, the case followed an acute and fatal course.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The effect of serum from patients with acute myocardial infarction on in vitro lymphocyte reactivity. II. Inhibition of IL-2 production.

Culture supernatants from concanavalin-A (con-A)-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy controls grown in the presence of sera from 20 patients 24 hours and 1 week after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were tested for their mitogenic activity and for the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Binding of exogenous IL-2 to activated lymphocytes from 10 patients was also determined. In supernatants prepared in the presence of patients' as compared to control sera, a significantly decreased mitogenic activity and IL-2 content were found. The mitogenic activity and IL-2 content in culture supernatants prepared with patients' sera collected 24 hours after the AMI (AMI I) and one week thereafter (AMI II) were significantly suppressed, and the degree of suppression in the 24-hour sera was significantly higher than in those collected after one week. No significant differences were observed in the binding capacity to exogenous IL-2 of activated patients' and control lymphocytes. The possibility is that immunosuppressive factors in the patients' sera, including cortisol, may suppress the patients' immune response acting through inhibition of IL-2 production.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

The effect of serum from patients with acute myocardial infarction on in vitro lymphocyte reactivity. I. Inhibition of mitogen stimulation.

Sera from 20 patients obtained within 24 hours and one week after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were tested for their immunomodulating effect on concanavalin-A (con-A) stimulated lymphocyte cultures from 11 healthy unrelated donors. Individual control sera from 21 healthy donors and 5 pools of control sera were used for comparison. Cortisol levels were tested in patients' and controls' sera. A significantly higher suppressive effect was seen in the presence of patients' sera taken at 24 hours than corresponding sera taken one week later. However, the suppressive effect after one week was increased as compared to control sera. A significant correlation between the degree of suppression and the cortisol level in corresponding sera was observed. An increased immunosuppression was observed with increased cortisol levels.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1991

Effect of anthracycline drugs on the element content of cultured embryonic rat cardiomyocytes.

The effect of two anthracyclines--doxorubicin hydrochloride (adriamycin, CAS-25316-40-9), and 4'-epidoxorubicin (epirubicin, CAS-56420-45-2), and an anthracenedione, mitoxantrone (CAS-70476-82-3) on the element content of cultured embryonic rat cardiomyocytes was examined by X-ray microanalysis. Adriamycin induced an increase in Ca, P and S, and a decrease in Cl content. Novantrone caused a marked increase in the Na and a decrease in the Cl content, whereas epirubicin did not affect the content of any of the elements examined. In an attempt to prevent the effect of the drugs on the element content of the cells, the cardiomyocytes were incubated with a blocker of the slow Ca channels--verapamil-- and with each of the three drugs. Verapamil only induced an increase in the Ca and a decrease in the S content of the cells. Except for some protective effect on the element content of the cardiomyocytes, which was altered by adriamycin, the results did not indicate any beneficial effect of verapamil added to the other two drugs, as for this aspect of the study.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of sucralfate on experimental colitis in the rat.

The therapeutic effect of sucralfate on ulcerated gastric and duodenal mucosa is well known. There is, however, almost no information about its activity in colitis. Experimental colitis was produced in rats by rectal instillation of 1 ml of 10 percent acetic acid, and 1.5 ml of a 20 percent suspension of sucralfate was then administered every 12 hours for various lengths of time. Study animals and appropriate controls were killed after 3, 7, 10, or 14 days. The distal colons were studied macroscopically and histologically. Colonic prostaglandin E2 levels were measured in animals killed after 3, 7, 10, or 14 days. The macroscopic score was significantly improved 10 and 14 days after induction of colitis, although the histologic appearance was unchanged. Acetic acid administration increased and sucralfate treatment reduced prostaglandin E2 levels in colitic animals on days 3 and 7, but not later. The present study supports a role for sucralfate in the treatment of colitis, but further studies on the mechanism of its effect and on its clinical activity are indicated.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The effect of opiates on the intestinal immune response to cholera toxin in mice.

We studied the effect of opiates on the intestinal immunoglobulin A response in mice. C57BL mice were orally immunized by two doses of 10 micrograms of cholera toxin, 2 weeks apart. Experimental groups received subcutaneous injections of morphine, either 10 or 20 mg/kg/day, in two divided doses. Morphine was given for 4 days, starting 1 day prior to each cholera toxin dose. Intestinal secretions were collected by lavage 1 week after the last cholera toxin dose, and assayed for specific anticholera toxin antibody and total immunoglobulin A. Results were expressed as units of anticholera toxin per nanogram immunoglobulin A. It was found that morphine, 20 mg/kg/day, reduced the response from 30.9 +/- 3.11 to 9.78 +2- 1.42 units/ng (M +/- SEM; p less than 0.0001). 10 mg/kg/day of morphine slightly reduced the immune response to 21.38 +/- 3.51 units/ng (M +/- SEM), but failed to achieve statistical significance. Naloxone administration prior to morphine injections abolished the inhibitory effects of morphine. Morphine administration had no effect on the response to a booster dose of cholera toxin 3 months after the initial cholera toxin immunization and morphine administration. It is concluded that morphine has a significant inhibitory effect on the intestinal immune response, but does not effect long-term mucosal immunological memory. The effect is probably mediated by a specific opiate receptor, as it is blocked by naloxone. This effect may have clinical implications.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of verapamil on bone resorption and formation in uremic rats.

It has been shown in vitro that verapamil inhibits parathyroid hormone-induced bone resorption. To determine the effect of verapamil administration on bone histology in rats with chronic renal failure, male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: subtotally nephrectomized (SNX), SNX treated with verapamil, 8 mg/kg/day p.o. (SNX-V) and control (C). Thirteen weeks later, the mandibular condyle bone was studied by histomorphometry. When compared to C rats, SNX rats had active bone disease, with increased resorption parameters (resorption surface, active resorption surface, osteoclast number) and accelerated mineral appositional rate. These parameters improved with verapamil administration. When compared to C rats, SNX-V rats had decreased osteoid seam width and mineral appositional rate. Serum parathyroid hormone was similarly elevated in both uremic groups. These data suggest that verapamil administration improves active bone disease in rats with chronic renal failure and decreases bone formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The in vitro effect of pirprofen on the surface ultrastructure and function of human platelets.

The in vitro effect of pirprofen (Rengasil), an antiinflammatory agent, on the surface ultrastructure and function of human platelets was examined and compared with that of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, ASA), and diclofenac sodium (Voltaren, DS). Incubation with pirprofen induced formation of long, needle-shaped pseudopodia, a phenomenon observed also after incubation of the cells with DS. In contrast with ASA and DS, pirprofen induced a marked increase in platelet protein synthesizing capacity. The drug decreased the platelet aggregation to a degree similar to that of ASA and DS. The release of platelet factors 3 and 4 and the level of beta-thromboglobulin following incubation with the drug remained unaltered.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1988

Pathologic childhood aerophagy: an under-diagnosed entity.

Three children with pathologic childhood aerophagy are described. This entity is characterized by progressive abdominal distension during the day, non-distended abdomen in the morning, and visible air swallowing. The condition is usually self-limited, and treatment is symptomatic and by reassurance. Early recognition and diagnosis of this condition might help avoid unnecessary and expensive diagnostic investigations.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1988

X-ray microanalysis of the element content in the hearts of mice treated with digoxin.

The element content was detected by X-ray microanalysis in the hearts of mice treated with daily doses of 0.075 microgram digoxin for 12 days and compared with that of controls. Statistically significant differences were found for K and S, which were lower, and for P, which was higher following treatment with digoxin. In the sera of the treated mice Mg was slightly lower, whereas Ca and K levels were found to be elevated in comparison with those of nontreated animals. A possible explanation for these findings is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Sucralfate is protective against indomethacin-induced intestinal ulceration in the rat.

The therapeutic effects of sucralfate on ulcerated gastric and duodenal mucosa is well known. There is, however, very little information about its effect on the mucosa of the small intestine. We studied the possible protective effect of sucralfate against indomethacin-induced intestinal ulceration in the rat. Sucralfate was found to possess a marked protective effect on the intestinal mucosa (ulcer index 23.16 +/- 6.58 vs. 225 +/- 36.37; p less than 0.001). Sucralfate elevated basal mucosal prostaglandin E2 generation (p less than 0.001), and partially overcame the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis caused by indomethacin (p less than 0.03), but had no effect on mucosal cAMP level. The effect of sucralfate on prostaglandin E2 content might partially explain its protective effect on the intestinal mucosa.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effect of verapamil on platelet surface ultrastructure and calcium content.

The effect of verapamil on the surface ultrastructure and calcium content of human platelets was studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. The results showed that the drug prevents platelet pseudopodia formation and causes a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet calcium concentration. The significance of these findings in the explanation of the inhibitory effect of verapamil on platelet aggregation is discussed.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1988

Kikuchi's necrotizing lymphadenitis: a cause of fever of unknown origin and splenomegaly.

Kikuchi's disease is characterized by lymphadenopathy in young patients and may be mistaken for malignant disease both clinically and histologically. We report the case of a 26-year-old man with persistent fever for 3 weeks and splenomegaly, in whom pancytopenia developed afterwards. A bone marrow aspiration was normal. Blood, urine, throat, stool and bone marrow cultures were negative as were serological tests for lues, Toxoplasma, Epstein-Barr virus and Widal's test. An abdominal CT scan showed enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes and an exploratory laparotomy was performed. Two lymph nodes were excised and a wedge biopsy of the liver was performed. The histological findings in the lymph nodes were compatible with the diagnosis of Kikuchi's disease. The patient became afebrile on the 2nd postoperative day without any treatment. He has been well for 4 months after discharge.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

IgA antigliadin antibodies in childhood celiac disease.

Serum IgA-antigliadin antibodies (SAGA) were measured by ELISA in 46 children with proven celiac disease (CD), in 52 children with probable CD, and in 85 control subjects. Small intestinal biopsy was done within 3 months of the SAGA determination in all children. In the proven and probable CD groups, SAGA values were greater than 70 mu/ml in 76 of 82 biopsies that showed severe mucosal damage, but in only 4 of 31 with normal mucosa; thus specificity was 87.1% and sensitivity 92.7%. In the control group, only 12 of 85 children with normal biopsies had a similarly raised SAGA value. SAGA levels decreased significantly when a gluten-free diet was instituted, and rose to abnormal levels in most children on gluten challenge. IgA-SAGA can be used for monitoring dietary compliance during different phases of CD. Although it may help in selecting some children who are evaluated for the possibility of CD, for small intestinal biopsy, children with active CD may show negative SAGA values. The test should therefore not be used as the sole or final determining factor for the performance of small intestinal biopsy. In the proper clinical setting, a biopsy should be done, regardless of the SAGA results.

Adolescent↗