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Biomedical subjects

J Levy

Publications and source records attributed to J Levy.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Epidemiology of minority health.

Collecting epidemiologic data by ethnicity and race is a highly useful undertaking; but "bench mark" comparisons relative to majority Americans should not take priority over defining the determinants of health status within a minority group. Thus, it is necessary to identify factors contributing to the measured health status and to modify the environment, lifestyles, and behaviors to diminish the likelihood of undesirable health outcomes. This article presents an overview of the health status of African Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics. The goals are to provide a framework for the rational interpretation of both health status data and its determinants both within and between minority groups. This approach recognizes the heterogeneity of health status that exists within a minority group and encourages investigators to place more emphasis on the within-group health status differentials as they search for modifiable factors that underlie the risk for undesirable health outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Lycopene is a more potent inhibitor of human cancer cell proliferation than either alpha-carotene or beta-carotene.

The antiproliferative properties of lycopene, the major tomato carotenoid, were compared with those of alpha- and beta-carotene. Lycopene, delivered in cell culture medium from stock solutions in tetrahydrofuran, strongly inhibited proliferation of endometrial (Ishikawa), mammary (MCF-7), and lung (NCI-H226) human cancer cells with half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 1-2 microM; alpha- and beta-carotene were far less effective inhibitors. For example, in Ishikawa cells, a 4-fold higher concentration of alpha-carotene or a 10-fold higher concentration of beta-carotene was needed for the same order of growth suppression. The inhibitory effect of lycopene was detected after 24 hours of incubation, and it was maintained for at least three days. In contrast to cancer cells, human fibroblasts were less sensitive to lycopene, and the cells gradually escaped growth inhibition over time. In addition to its inhibitory effect on basal endometrial cancer cell proliferation, lycopene also suppressed insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated growth. Insulin-like growth factors are major autocrine/paracrine regulators of mammary and endometrial cancer cell growth. Therefore, lycopene interference in this major autocrine/paracrine system may open new avenues for research on the role of lycopene in the regulation of endometrial cancer and other tumors.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed1995

Adult onset Kawasaki disease diagnosed by the echocardiographic demonstration of coronary aneurysms.

A 17-year-old boy presented with fever, bilateral conjunctival infection, angina and extensive cervical adenopathy. Amoxycillin was started. Ten days later he was admitted to hospital because of persistent high fever, cervical adenopathy, erythema of the pharynx and tongue and lip fissuration. The most important interventions of his first hospitalization were endotracheal intubation because of increasing dyspnoea due to adult respiratory distress syndrome and haemodialysis for renal insufficiency. His admission to our hospital was marked by the echocardiographic discovery of giant coronary aneurysms in the first few centimeters of both right and left coronary arteries. Coronary angiography confirmed giant aneurysm formation of the right and left coronary arteries. Similarly, medium sized arteries (cerebral, hepatic, mesenteric, iliac) presented abnormalities and laboratory findings. This is the first description of adult-onset Kawasaki disease with giant coronary aneurysm formation and more generalized arterial involvement. The severity of the clinical symptoms and the severity of the coronary disease indicates that Kawasaki disease of the adult does not always have a benign course.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Endogenous plasma growth hormone and the occurrence of pregnancies in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer with ovarian stimulation.

This study was undertaken to investigate a possible relationship between endogenous secretion of growth hormone (GH) during ovarian stimulation and treatment outcome in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. Plasma samples obtained from 19 women who had successfully completed all stages of IVF/embryo transfer were analysed retrospectively. Based on the increase in GH during treatment, 11 GH responders and eight GH non-responders were identified. Mean daily GH concentrations for the GH responders and GH non-responders were 3.5 +/- 1.8 and 1.8 +/- 0.8, 5.4 +/- 2.3 and 0.5 +/- 0.2, and 9.0 +/- 1.9 and 0.7 +/- 0.1 ng/ml (P < 0.05) for days 10, 11 and 12 respectively. Plasma insulin-like growth factor-I slightly increased with treatment in both groups. No significant difference between these groups was found in relation to treatment duration, number of human menopausal gonadotrophin ampoules used, oestradiol peak values, and number of oocytes retrieved or fertilization rate. Seven of the 11 GH responder women conceived in comparison with one pregnancy among eight GH non-responder patients (P < 0.05). In view of the absence of differences in the clinical and laboratory parameters, we suggest that the occurrence of pregnancies among GH responder patients might be related to a positive local effect of GH or its mediators on uterine receptivity at the time of nidation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Intrinsic defect in B cells of patients with hyper-immunoglobulin M syndrome.

We challenge the theory that the CD40-CD40 ligand is the only explanation for X-linked immunodeficiency in patients with hyper-immunoglobulin M (IgM) syndrome (HIGM1), and we demonstrate an intrinsic defect in the patients' B cells. Patients with HIGM1 have a defective CD40 ligand on their activated T-helper cells; therefore, they cannot receive signals for isotype switching when the cells are activated by T cell-dependent antigens. We activated mononuclear cells from three patients with HIGM1 and from three healthy blood donors with T cell-independent mitogens and studied their proliferative responses and Ig secretion. Normal murine plasma membrane fragments were implanted into peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the cells were activated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I, pokeweed mitogen, and lipopolysaccharide. This implantation significantly augmented the proliferative responses to the mitogens in two patients. However, it augmented IGM secretion in response to B-cell mitogens in only one patient. No IgG or IgA response could be detected in the implanted mononuclear cells that originated from patients with HIGM1, unlike implanted mononuclear cells from healthy donors, which responded by IgM, IgG, and IgA antibody secretion following their stimulation with B-cell mitogens. The data suggest that the B cells of patients with HIGM1 possess an additional defect which prevents Ig isotype switching in response to T cell-independent mitogens. This defect is not located in the membrane receptors or within the membrane enzymes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Helicobacter pylori infection density and gastric inflammation in duodenal ulcer and non-ulcer subjects.

The factors that determine which Helicobacter pylori infected subjects develop duodenal ulcer (DU) are unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that infection density and urease activity are higher in DU than non-DU subjects. Fifty five DU and 55 age and sex matched non-DU subjects were studied. Quantitative methods were used for measuring infection density (viable organism count) and urease activity (Berthelot reaction). DU subjects had a greater antral infection density (geometric mean of colony forming units/mg biopsy protein; 10.5 x 10(5) v 1.3 x 10(5), p < 0.001). They also had higher biopsy urease activity (geometric mean of NH3 nmol/min-1/mg protein-1; 103 v 25, p < 0.001). Urease activity per organism, however, was similar in the two groups showing that high antral urease activity in DU was a reflection of organism density. DU was not present in subjects with an antral infection density less than 10(5) colony forming units/mg protein. A correlation was present between H pylori viable counts and the severity and activity of gastritis. Both severity and activity of gastritis were greater in the antrum of DU compared with non-DU subjects but there was no difference in the body between the two groups. It is concluded that antral H pylori infection density is probably an important determinant of DU development, and that there is a baseline of infection density that is necessary for ulcer formation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Modulation of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors and membrane-associated IGF-binding proteins in endometrial cancer cells by estradiol.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors and membrane-associated IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) were examined in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. Our findings suggest that about 95% of [125I]IGF-I is bound to membrane-associated IGFBPs rather than to IGF-I receptors. Specifically, [125I]IGF-I binding to cell membranes could be completely displaced by cold IGF-I or IGF-II, but not by insulin, suggesting that binding was primarily due to IGFBPs. This was confirmed by using [125I]des-(1-3)IGF-I as the ligand. Des-(1-3) IGF-I binds with high affinity to IGF-I receptors, but with markedly lower affinity to IGFBPs. [125I]Des-(1-3)IGF-I bound to Ishikawa cells was displaced by IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin. These results suggest that measuring IGF-I receptor levels using labeled IGF-I may be misleading. Accordingly, we evaluated the differential binding of [125I]IGF-I and [125I]des-(1-3)IGF-I to study the involvement of the IGF system in the stimulation of Ishikawa cell growth by estradiol. IGF-I stimulates Ishikawa cell proliferation, but at low concentrations, and this stimulation is largely dependent on the presence of estradiol. Estradiol caused a 2.5-fold increase in IGF-I receptor levels. Moreover, estradiol reduced soluble IGFBP levels, presumably increasing the availability of IGFs for their receptors. This elevation in IGF-I receptor levels and the decrease in IGFBP levels were accompanied by a 3.5-fold increase in IGF-I receptor messenger RNA and a 2.5-fold decrease in IGFBP messenger RNAs. These experiments suggest that estradiol sensitizes endometrial cancer cells to the effects of IGFs by simultaneously elevating receptor levels and decreasing (potentially inhibitory) IGFBP levels.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1995

The new syndrome of congenital hypoparathyroidism associated with dysmorphism, growth retardation, and developmental delay--a report of six patients.

We describe six children of Arab origin with a syndrome of congenital hypoparathyroidism, severe growth retardation, developmental delay, and dysmorphism. The most prominent dysmorphic features were microcephaly, facial and dental anomalies, and small hands and feet. Bone age was markedly retarded. Neither immunological nor chromosomal abnormalities were found. Insulin-like growth factor-1 serum levels, measured in two patients, were abnormally low.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1995

Adjuvant surgical and hormonal treatment of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata. A case report.

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is a rare condition that usually presents during pregnancy or in women during the reproductive years and who are taking oral contraceptives. An unusual case of extensive LPD occurred in a 39-year-old woman who was not pregnant and had never taken oral contraceptives. The condition was treated successfully with total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, limited debulking and adjuvant hormonal therapy with megestrol acetate. Complete, rapid remission of residual tumor occurred in two months, as substantiated by clinical examination and serial sonography and laparoscopy. This is the first time that adjuvant hormonal therapy has been used successfully in the treatment of LPD. Radical surgery in patients with LPD is probably not indicated, and the use of adjuvant hormonal therapy may accelerate regression of residual tumor. Further evaluation of this form of therapy is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Insulin resistance in a patient with ovarian stromal hyperthecosis and the hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans syndrome. Report of a case with a possible endogenous ovarian factor.

Insulin resistance is a common feature of ovarian stromal hyperthecosis and is usually accompanied by hyperandrogenemia. A patient had ovarian stromal hyperthecosis, and her hyperandrogenemia resolved, possibly due to the development of a type of ovarian fibrosis similar to so-called ovarian fibromatosis, without a concomitant improvement in her insulin resistance. The insulin resistance improved markedly, however, after bilateral oophorectomy.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗
PubMed1995

Different genes for obesity are associated with insulin loss of regulation of the membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in the obesity syndrome. Lessons from animal models.

Intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is impaired in tissues from obese humans and rats and insulin loses its regulatory effect on the plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in kidney basolateral membranes (BLM) from the genetically obese fa/fa rats. We have demonstrated that loss of insulin regulation of the ATPase may impair insulin biologic effects and may therefore contribute to the insulin resistance in the obese rodents. To test whether the defect is restricted to one species or to one gene of obesity, studies were extended to an additional genetically obese rodent of another species the C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Twelve-weeks-old obese and control male mice were used and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity and its regulation by insulin were evaluated in their kidney BLM. The obese mice were heavier (56.4 +/- 2.5 vs 30.5 +/- 1.2 g P < 0.05), were hyperinsulinemic (6.32 +/- 1.87 vs 0.59 +/- 0.13 ng/ml P < 0.05) and had decreased (by 80%) specific binding of insulin to their epididymal fat cells compared with their non-obese littermates controls (ob/+, +/+). Yet, non-fasting plasma glucose levels were similar in the obese and control mice (227.0 +/- 19.3 vs 226.8 +/- 13.7 mg/dl N.S.). Basal activity of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was similar in membranes from the ob/ob and control mice. However, while insulin (1-40 ng/ml) stimulated the ATPase activity in BLM form controls in a dose dependent manner (15-52%), no effect of insulin on the enzyme was seen in BLM from the obese mice even in the presence of the highest (40 ng/ml) concentration of insulin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1994

Passive hyperimmune plasma therapy in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: results of a 12-month multicenter double-blind controlled trial. The Passive Hyperimmune Therapy Study Group.

High-titer anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies reduced circulating HIV viral burden and has shown promise in previous small uncontrolled studies, warranting a larger controlled study of passive hyperimmune therapy (PHT) in persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of PHT in 220 AIDS subjects in a 12-month double-blind placebo-controlled dosing study. Subjects were randomized to receive monthly infusions of 500 mL of plasma (full dose), 250 mL of plasma diluted in 250 mL of 5% human serum albumin (half dose), or 500 mL of 5% human serum albumin (placebo). Positive treatment effects occurred only in full-dose-treated subjects with baseline CD4 cell counts between 50 and 200 cells/mm3. Reduced mortality was observed, 1 death in 21 (full dose) versus 3 deaths in 21 (half dose) and 6 deaths in 30 (placebo) (P = .065). CD4 cells improved an average of 32.7 cells/mm3 over baseline (full dose) versus 0.9 cells/mm3 (half dose) and a loss of 3.5 cells/mm3 (placebo) (P = .043). No adverse effects or toxicity was noted in donors or recipients. Based on these findings, PHT appears to be a safe, promising therapy warranting further study.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Salivary antibodies to Helicobacter pylori: screening dyspeptic patients before endoscopy.

Diagnostic tests on saliva have advantages compared with those on serum. In 119 consecutive dyspeptic patients referred for endoscopy we developed and validated an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect salivary immunoglobulins to Helicobacter pylori. Salivary IgG distinguished positive and negative cases (p < 0.0001), but salivary IgA did not. The optimum performance of salivary IgG (85%) was similar to that of serum IgG (90%) and better than that of salivary IgA. Using our assay and a history of regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in screening patients under 45 years, we detected all peptic ulcers while saving 39% of endoscopies.

Adolescent↗