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Biomedical subjects

J Shapiro

Publications and source records attributed to J Shapiro.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Chronic dietary inositol enhances locomotor activity and brain inositol levels in rats.

myo-Inositol has been found to be clinically effective in depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder when given chronically per os. The present study examined the effects of chronic dietary inositol in rats on locomotor behaviour. Regional brain levels of inositol were analyzed by gas chromatography. Chronic dietary inositol significantly enhanced locomotion and rearing in rats and elevated inositol levels by 36% in the cortex and 27% in hippocampus. No differences in inositol levels were found in the striatum or cerebellum. The stimulatory effects of inositol may be related to its effects as an atypical antidepressant in depressed patients.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) is caused by androgen-dependent miniaturization of scalp hair follicles, with scalp dihydrotestosterone (DHT) implicated as a contributing cause. Finasteride, an inhibitor of type II 5alpha-reductase, decreases serum and scalp DHT by inhibiting conversion of testosterone to DHT. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether finasteride treatment leads to clinical improvement in men with male pattern hair loss. METHODS: In two 1-year trials, 1553 men (18 to 41 years of age) with male pattern hair loss received oral finasteride 1 mg/d or placebo, and 1215 men continued in blinded extension studies for a second year. Efficacy was evaluated by scalp hair counts, patient and investigator assessments, and review of photographs by an expert panel. RESULTS: Finasteride treatment improved scalp hair by all evaluation techniques at 1 and 2 years (P < .001 vs placebo, all comparisons). Clinically significant increases in hair count (baseline = 876 hairs), measured in a 1-inch diameter circular area (5.1 cm2) of balding vertex scalp, were observed with finasteride treatment (107 and 138 hairs vs placebo at 1 and 2 years, respectively; P < .001). Treatment with placebo resulted in progressive hair loss. Patients' self-assessment demonstrated that finasteride treatment slowed hair loss, increased hair growth, and improved appearance of hair. These improvements were corroborated by investigator assessments and assessments of photographs. Adverse effects were minimal. CONCLUSION: In men with male pattern hair loss, finasteride 1 mg/d slowed the progression of hair loss and increased hair growth in clinical trials over 2 years.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Hair regrowth. Therapeutic agents.

Today there are new classes of hair growth promotors with proven efficacy. This article reviews the current state of the art agents for treatment of two of the most common forms of hair loss encountered in clinical practice, androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Current therapeutic strategies are based on recent advances in the understanding of disordered hair growth. Practical treatment protocols are presented.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1998

Do patients want to talk to their physicians about organ donation? Attitudes and knowledge about organ donation: a study of Orange County, California residents.

This study surveyed Orange County, California residents to determine their attitudes and knowledge about organ donation and in particular to determine what factors influence the decision to donate one's organs upon death. Respondents were recruited from the Orange County Superior Court jury pool (N = 378). Each completed a 44 item questionnaire. Findings from the analysis of Questionnaire Data reveal that nearly three-quarters of respondents had considered donating their organs, yet less than one-third had made arrangements to donate. Having an accurate knowledge about organ donation and being willing to accept a donated organ were particularly robust factors associated with the likelihood to donate. Having spoken with a physician was also a positive factor, yet just 5% of the sample had done so, and two-thirds of respondents did not want to discuss organ donation with their physician. The study's findings suggest that enhanced recruitment may be achieved by focusing on education (especially increased emphasis on the family's role) and by targeting both parents and their children. Finally, although physicians are encouraged to discuss organ donation with patients, more information is needed to explain why patients may not want to talk about this topic with their doctors.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The importance of family functioning to caregiver adaptation in mothers of child cancer patients: testing a social ecological model.

This study was designed to investigate associations between family relationships, personal-psychological caregiver adaptation (ie, depressive symptomatology, sense of burden), and ability to function within the health care system (perceived doctor-parent relationship) in mothers of child cancer patients. Data were collected through a survey of a sample of 29 mothers whose children were diagnosed with some form of childhood cancer, mainly leukemia. Family functioning was positively related to both caregiver adaptation and doctor-parent relationship. Mothers who reported decreased maternal depression and burden were significantly more likely to report respectively improved spousal relationships and improved spousal communication. Mothers reporting more positive doctor-parent relationships also described themselves as having improved relationships with spouse and child, and improved spousal communication. Maternal well-being and doctor-parent relationship were not directly related. By suggesting that both intrapsychic and instrumental maternal adaptation are influenced by positive relationships in the family, this study provides support for the social ecological model of stress. The possibility that family factors exert a direct influence on both caregiver intrapsychic well-being and instrumental skills argues for the importance of their being carefully considered in any models evaluating caregiver adaptation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Plaque-type multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma (MCAH) is a rare cutaneous disorder that usually presents as papules or nodules. OBJECTIVE: This article reports a case of MCAH that appeared clinically as a large cutaneous plaque. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 74-year-old woman presented with a large painless, dusky red, indurated plaque measuring 12 x 6 cm on the trunk that was found on histopathologic examination to be a MCAH. Based on a literature review, this is the first reported case of MCAH presenting as a plaque rather than a papule or nodule. CONCLUSION: Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma may manifest clinically as a solitary cutaneous plaque.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Huge variation in Russian mortality rates 1984-94: artefact, alcohol, or what?

BACKGROUND: According to published data, between 1984 and 1994 mortality rates in Russia initially underwent a rapid decline followed by an even steeper increase. In 1994, male life expectancy at birth was 57.6 years, having fallen by 6.2 years since 1990. There has been concern that such striking fluctuations in mortality are an artefact, although, among other factors, alcohol consumption has been implicated. METHODS: We analysed the age-specific and cause-specific patterns of mortality decrease and increase by use of data from a newly reconstructed mortality series for Russia so that we could examine the plausibility of various explanations for the mortality trends. FINDINGS: All major causes of death, with the exception of neoplasms, showed declines in mortality between 1984 and 1987 and increases between 1987 and 1994. In relative terms, these tended to be largest for the age-group 40-50 years; surprisingly, they were of the same magnitude among women and men. The largest declines and subsequent increases in proportional terms were observed for alcohol-related deaths and accidents and violence. However, pronounced effects were also seen for deaths from infections, circulatory disease, and respiratory disease. No substantial variations were seen for neoplasms. INTERPRETATION: The stability of mortality from neoplasms in contrast to other causes over the period 1984-94 largely precludes the possibility that the changes in life expectancy are mainly an artefact, particularly one due to underestimation of the population. Although factors such as nutrition and health services may be involved, the evidence is that substantial changes in alcohol consumption over the period could plausibly explain the main features of the mortality fluctuations observed. These results provide a major challenge to public health in Russia and to our understanding of the determinants of alcohol consumption and its role in explaining mortality patterns within and between many other countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Skeletal status of men with early and late ankylosing spondylitis.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of extent of disease on the skeletal status of men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen men with AS were studied at entry and again after 15 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed by single photon absorptiometry (SPA), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Calciotropic hormones and bone turnover were also assessed, and biopsies of iliac crest and skin were taken after tetracycline double-labeling from 10 subjects. Clinical evaluation and Health Assessment Questionnaires were used to assess functional status. RESULTS: Of the 14 participants, 7 had sacroiliitis alone without radiologic evidence of spinal involvement (early disease) and 7 had sacroiliitis with extensive vertebral calcifications and immobilization (late disease). QCT baseline lumbar spine BMD was very low in both groups compared with normative standards (Z score = -3.08 +/- 1.83, P < 0.0001) and did not change significantly over 15 months. This low BMD was more marked in late disease than in early disease subjects (P < 0.01). DXA BMD at the lumbar spine was lower than predicted in early disease subjects (Z score = -1.08 +/- 0.67, P = 0.005) but not in the late disease group. DXA BMD was also low at the all three hip sites (Z score = -0.96 +/- 0.86, P < 0.01). Significant differences between late disease group and normative values were apparent at all hip sites. Values in early disease subjects, however, did not differ from age-predicted norms. Bone mineral status did not change significantly over the 15-month period of observation. Circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D metabolites were normal in both groups as were creatinine clearance and urinary excretion of calcium and hydroxyproline. Osteocalcin levels were normal in all but the two youngest subjects in the early disease group. Histomorphometry of the iliac crest showed no consistent change in bone turnover. Bone volume and trabecular width were low in many cases. Cancellous bone volume correlated with lumbar spine BMD by QCT (r = 0.69, P = 0.026) but not with DXA. Although beneficial changes occurred in exercise tolerance and pain over time, anthropometric measurements did not improve. CONCLUSION: BMD is low in both the axial and peripheral skeleton in men with AS and is independent of spinal immobilization. Anterioposterior lumbar spine DXA in late AS is less useful than QCT in determining the degree of osteopenia in late AS. Bone mineral deficits in AS do not reflect measurable metabolic derangement or hypogonadism. Although bone histomorphometry suggests both trabecular thinning and loss of structural elements as mechanisms involved in low bone volume, the exact cause of osteopenia in AS remains to be determined.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗