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Biomedical subjects

J Shapira

Publications and source records attributed to J Shapira.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

A noninvasive screening of systemic reactive (secondary) AA amyloidosis, based on reduced amyloid degrading activity of amyloidotic serum.

Standardization of the measurement of amyloid degrading activity (ADA) by diffusion of serum in amyloid-impregnated agar plates may either indicate or exclude with reasonable certainty the presence of systemic AA amyloidosis. In certain cases, it may obviate the need for a diagnostic biopsy. The sera of 38 patients with systemic amyloidosis were tested and compared with sera of 38 controls matched for age, serum creatinine and albumin blood levels, and with sera of 48 additional controls with the same basic diseases as the amyloidotic patients but without amyloidosis. The difference between ADA of amyloidotic and control patients was significant, with no overlap in the range of activity between the two groups. A positive correlation was found between ADA and serum albumin concentration in the nonamyloidotic matched controls but not in patients with amyloidosis. Our data do not support the view that the decline in ADA of sera of amyloidotic patients is due to hypoalbuminemia.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1989

Advanced primary ovarian carcinoma in pregnancy.

A case of advanced ovarian carcinoma in pregnancy is described. The entity is usually difficult to diagnose; when it does occur, the objective should be to optimize both fetal and maternal outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of sodium depletion on renal prostanoid synthesis in rats: influence of the converting enzyme inhibitor captopril.

1. The synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane (TX) B2 by isolated glomeruli, cortical tubules, inner medullary slices and outer medullary slices was measured in salt-depleted (LNa) rats and in salt-depleted rats receiving captopril (LNa-CEI). Animals were studied before and after 4, 9 and 15 days of Na+ depletion. 2. Na+ balance was reached in LNa rats after 4 days. Blood pressure and creatinine clearance remained stable. Serum Na+ decreased from 140 +/- 1 to 126 +/- 1 mmol/l (mean +/- SEM, P less than 0.01). In contrast, LNa-CEI rats were unable to conserve Na+ adequately: fractional excretion of Na+ and natriuresis were constantly greater than in LNa animals. As a consequence, LNa-CEI rats developed severe hyponatraemia, lost weight and their creatinine clearance decreased. 3. The glomerular synthesis of PGE2, PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, but not of TXB2, was significantly increased in LNa rats. In LNa-CEI rats, the synthesis of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was similar to control values, but PGF2 alpha and TXB2 synthesis was elevated at day 9. In cortical tubules, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were unaffected by Na+ depletion, but 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 were increased and a similar trend was observed in LNa-CEI rats. In outer medulla of LNa rats, a decrease in all the eicosanoids measured was observed at day 4. In LNa-CEI animals, the synthesis of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha, but not of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2, was significantly depressed. In inner medulla, Na+ depletion only tended to decrease PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, but in the presence of captopril, the synthesis of all prostanoids was significantly decreased.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1989

Changes in renal prostanoid synthesis induced by potassium loading in rats.

Previous works have demonstrated changes in the urinary excretion of prostaglandins (PG) in response to changes in potassium (K) or sodium (Na) intake. In the present study, the production of PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) by isolated glomeruli, cortical homogenates, medullary and papillary slices was measured in K-loaded rats on either a normal or a low Na intake. In glomeruli, K loading increased selectively PGE2 synthesis. In Na-depleted animals, all prostanoids were elevated and K loading did not induce a further increase. In cortical and medullary preparations, PGE2 was decreased by K loading irrespective of the state of Na balance. In papilla, PGE2 decreased (in all K-loaded rats) and PGF2 alpha increased (only in rats with normal Na intake). 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 did not change significantly. No correlation was present between changes of PG synthesis and urinary kallikrein excretion. The results demonstrate a specific effect of K on PGE2 and PGF2 alpha, and suggest a role for these substances in K homeOstasis.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1989

Thrombin inhibits the synthesis of prostanoids by isolated glomeruli and peritoneal macrophages in rats.

Activation of macrophages and release of mediators that activate the coagulation system characterize proliferative glomerulonephritis. To evaluate the possible role of prostanoids in this process, isolated rat glomeruli (G) and peritoneal macrophages (M) or a combination of the two (G + M) were incubated in the presence of thrombin (2 U/ml). In G, thrombin inhibited only the synthesis of thromboxane B2. In M and G + M incubations, the synthesis of prostaglandin I2 and thromboxane A2 was inhibited by thrombin. This effect was abolished by the addition of arachidonic acid. As prostanoids may play a modulatory role in the interaction between macrophages and glomerular cells, inhibition of their synthesis by thrombin might enhance macrophage activity.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1988

Personality alterations in dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Personality alterations in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) are common but have received little systematic or quantitative investigation. In this study, changes in personality in patients with DAT were compared with those of nondemented retirees using a personality inventory. The inventory used information obtained from each subject's spouse. No personality changes were identified in the control subjects when pre- and post-retirement inventory scores were compared, whereas patients with DAT had highly significant alterations on 12 of the 18 inventory items. The results demonstrate that patients with DAT become more passive, more coarse, and less spontaneous as a result of the disease. Personality changes are a consistent part of the clinical syndrome of DAT and occur early in the course of the disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Familial congenital fiber type disproportion (CFTD) with an autosomal recessive inheritance.

Two siblings, born to healthy non-consanguineous parents, were found to be affected with congenital progressive severe myopathy. Muscle biopsy revealed fiber type disproportion with no other histological abnormalities, thus confirming the diagnosis of congenital fiber type disproportion and suggesting an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. This, to our knowledge, is the first reported family in which a strict histological diagnosis of congenital fiber type disproportion has been made and an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance shown.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Prostanoids in renal failure induced by converting enzyme inhibition in sodium-depleted rats.

Clearances of inulin (CIn) and p-aminohippurate (CPAH) were measured in four groups of rats before and after intravenous administration of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA): 1) controls, on normal Na intake, 2) captopril-treated (30 mg.kg-1.day-1) on normal Na intake, 3) Na depleted, and 4) Na depleted, captopril-treated. In Na-depleted animals, CIn and CPAH were similar to controls but decreased significantly with ASA. In Na-depleted, captopril-treated rats, CPAH was slightly decreased, but CIn was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01). Both were not affected by ASA. Urine output was unchanged and the kidneys appeared normal on histological examination. The production of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2), F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) was measured in isolated glomeruli, cortical tubule suspensions, and medullary and papillary slices. Captopril increased PGE2 production by glomeruli and PGF2 alpha and TxB2 synthesis in papillary slices. Na depletion selectively enhanced the production of PGE2 by glomeruli and papillae. In contrast, the synthesis of prostanoids was significantly decreased in captopril-treated, Na-depleted rats. These findings suggest that in this model, functional nonoliguric renal failure may be related to abnormalities of prostanoid synthesis.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1988

The "ruler sign"--a semiquantitative physical sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This report describes a simple and reproducible physical sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--the "ruler sign." With the patient standing erect, a ruler is placed on the trapezius muscle and the clavicle at the midclavicular line. The ruler forms an angle with the horizontal line. At the end of a normal expiration this angle was 36 degrees +/- 4 SD in healthy control subjects as compared with 15 degrees +/- 4 SD in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A simple device is described that enables convenient measurement of this angle at the bedside.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Effects of sodium loading on the renal synthesis of prostanoids in the rat.

1. The production of prostaglandin (PG) E2, F2 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) by isolated glomeruli, cortical tubular suspensions and medullary and papillary slices was measured in normal Long-Evans rats 4, 8 and 14 days after starting on oral Na+ load and the results were compared with those of rats on a normal Na+ intake. 2. In glomeruli, PGE2 decreased at days 4 and 8, and returned to normal at 14 days. PGF2 alpha decreased only at day 4 and TXB2 decreased in all Na+-loaded animals. In cortical suspensions, a transient decrease of PGE2 was observed at day 4. In medullary slices, PGE2 and TXB2 decreased in all experimental periods. In contrast, in papillae, a significant increase of PGE2 was observed with Na+ loading at day 8, but PGF2 alpha and TXB2 did not change consistently. 3. Similar changes were observed in rats with hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI rats) Na+ loaded for 4 days, as compared with DI rats on a normal Na+ intake. 4. The results suggest that prostanoids participate in the renal adaptation to an increased Na+ intake, and that this response is relatively independent of the presence of antidiuretic hormone.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Experimental neoplastic spinal cord compression: evoked potentials, edema, prostaglandins, and light and electron microscopy.

Spinal cord compression was induced in Fischer rats by percutaneous inoculation of 10(6) cells of malignant fibrous histiocytoma anterior to the T13 vertebral body. Paraplegia and incontinence occurred in all animals after 14-27 days (median, 23 +/- 3.0 days). Autonomic dysfunction and a measurable increase in tumor volume were documented with the use of computer tomography. The tumor penetrated the vertebral bone, invaded the epidural space, and gradually compressed the lumbar spinal segments. Electron-microscopic examination revealed dilated intermyelin spaces containing exuded homogenous material and extravasated leukocytes and erythrocytes. Myelin breakdown was accompanied by the presence of lipid-laden macrophages. Sequential recording of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) revealed a progressive increase in the latency of the cervical responses, which preceded the onset of clinical signs. In the presence of paraplegia, spinal cord conductivity was abolished. The levels of the prostaglandins TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and PGE2 were measured in the compressed and remote spinal cord segments during the presymptomatic and symptomatic periods. Only PGE2 was significantly elevated (P less than 0.001) in the paraplegic rats, all along the spinal cord segments. A significant increase in water content was measured in the compressed lumbar segments in the presymptomatic period, and when paralysis set in it was increased in the adjacent low thoracic area as well. Tissue specific gravity was significantly increased only in paraplegic rats in the compressed (P less than 0.01) and the adjacent low thoracic areas (P less than 0.05) but no significant change occurred during the presymptomatic period. Multiple mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of neurologic symptoms in neoplastic spinal cord compression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Autopolymerized versus light-polymerized fissure sealant.

This study found that 31 months after placement of a sealant, no significant difference was seen in the clinical performance and retention between the visible light-polymerized and autopolymerized materials. Practitioners can use either material without compromising efficacy.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1986

Sodium intake as a determinant of urinary prostaglandin excretion. Studies in the Brattleboro rat.

In order to investigate the effects of changes in sodium (Na) balance on the renal production of prostaglandins (PG) E2 and F2 alpha in the absence of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), studies were performed in Brattleboro rats, without endogenous ADH, and in heterozygote Long Evans rats which served as controls. All rats received a diet virtually devoid of Na, with distilled water ad libitum, and Na intake was modified by adding different quantities of Na to the drinking water. Three groups were studied for each strain: normal Na intake, low Na intake and Na loading. At the end of a 14 day diet period, urinary PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were measured by radioimmunoassay in collections obtained for three consecutive days. In the Na depleted animals, both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha decreased. The PGE2/PGF2 alpha ratio (E/F ratio) was unchanged. In contrast, Na loading induced a significant decrease of PGE2 but PGF2 alpha increased, though not significantly. The E/F ratio was significantly decreased. The results were qualitatively similar in the presence or absence of ADH, but the Brattleboro rats, overall, excreted less PGs than controls. The results suggest that changes in Na balance are major factors influencing urinary PG excretion. These substances probably play a role in the modifications of Na handling by the kidney in different balance states.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effect of angiotensin II on prostanoid synthesis in isolated rat glomeruli.

The influence of angiotensin II (ANG II) on the synthesis of glomerular prostanoids is controversial, possibly because of the different methodologies employed. In order to assess this inter-relationship isolated rat glomeruli were incubated with and without shaking. The use of shaking during incubation significantly increased the amounts of prostanoid synthesized, most probably because of continuous non-specific activation of phospholipase (PLA2) activity. After preincubation in a non-shaking bath, ANG II was added for a second incubation period. A marked increase of prostaglandin (PG) E2, and, to lesser degree, of thromboxane (TX) B2 was noted, with no change on PGF2 alpha synthesis. These results show (a) that preincubation without shaking, by lowering the non-specific activation of the PLA2 activity, may unmask, in vitro, specific peptide stimulation, and (b) that ANG II, stimulating principally PGE2 synthesis, may modify the vasoactive status of the glomerular vasculature.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1986

Renal prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha throughout normal human pregnancy.

Twenty-five normal pregnant women were studied sequentially at 4-week intervals, beginning from weeks 8-16 until delivery. In eighteen women the study was repeated 6 weeks after delivery. The 24-h urinary excretion of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone and fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) were measured at each visit. PGE2 and PGF2 alpha increased progressively throughout pregnancy (867 +/- 81 and 1048 +/- 94 ng 24 h-1 respectively, before week 15 and 1581 +/- 175 and 2625 +/- 305 ng 24 h-1, respectively, after week 35) and returned to normal values 6 weeks after delivery (748 +/- 107 and 1503 +/- 165 ng 24 h-1, respectively). PRA and aldosterone increased in a similar fashion, but values of prostaglandins did not correlate with those of PRA or aldosterone. PGE2 correlated directly with FENa but this correlation was weak. These results may suggest that tubulo-interstitial prostaglandins play a role in the regulation of sodium homeostasis during pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effect of vasoactive agents on prostanoid synthesis in isolated rat glomeruli.

We studied the influence of vasoactive substances (angiotensin II, epinephrine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine) on the synthesis of prostanoids in isolated rat glomeruli. A significant increase of prostaglandin E2, and of thromboxane B2, but not of prostaglandin F2 alpha synthesis was observed after the administration of angiotensin II at physiological doses. Neither catecholamines nor acetylcholine influenced prostaglandin synthesis. The stimulation of vasoactive prostaglandins by angiotensin II, may modify the hemodynamic status of the glomerulus.

Acetylcholine↗