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Biomedical subjects

J Shapiro

Publications and source records attributed to J Shapiro.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Determinants of needle sharing among intravenous drug users.

Data from 110 IV-drug abusing persons in methadone maintenance were analyzed to determine the correlates of needle sharing. Sharing was directly related to peer group behavior, attitudes conducive to sharing, economic motivation to share, not owning injection equipment, and fatalism about developing AIDS. Sharers were aware of their AIDS risk. Indicated measures to reduce needle sharing would be positive peer support groups to help resist pressures to share, legal and free access to fresh injection equipment, education on the utility of risk reduction, and increased treatment options for IV cocaine users.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Relationship between plasma atriopeptin concentration and function in the conscious primate.

The renal actions of atriopeptins (APs) 24, 21 and 28 were examined in the conscious primate, macaca fascicularis. AP-24 increased urine flow rate and sodium excretion 20- and 100-fold, respectively. The circulating form of the atriopeptins, AP-28, had similar, even slightly greater (25%) effects when compared to AP-24. AP-21 on the other hand had dramatically reduced effects, less than 20%, when compared to either AP-24 or AP-28. Infusion of AP-24 resulted in marked increases in plasma immunoreactive AP and in renal function. There were direct, significant linear relations between plasma levels and arterial pressure, heart rate, glomerular flow rate, urine flow rate, sodium and potassium excretion. However, the threshold for these effects was generally higher than expected, i.e., greater than 100 pg/ml. Interestingly, there was a 4-fold greater slope for sodium excretion when compared to other renal functions implying a distinctly different mechanism of action. Whereas, the plasma half-life of the peptide was 2 to 3 min, the biological half-life varied from 6 min for sodium excretion to 10 min for urine flow and potassium excretion. The increased slope for the relationship between sodium excretion and plasma AP concentration and the short half-life for sodium excretion indicate that the change in renal sodium handling is independent of urine flow rate and glomerular filtration rate. There is a direct and linear relationship between plasma peptides and renal function which may imply a cause and effect relationship. This extrapolation may, however, be valid only when plasma peptide levels are elevated markedly.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Interaction of recombinant IL-1 and recombinant tumor necrosis factor in the induction of mouse acute phase proteins.

Recombinant mouse and human IL-1 (alpha and beta forms), as well as rTNF-alpha when administered in vivo, induced the production of the mouse acute phase reactants: serum amyloid P-component (SAP), C3, and fibrinogen. The SAP response to all three rIL-1 proteins reached a maximum at a dose of 10(4) U/mouse, which corresponds to 1 to 10 micrograms of protein. The maximum in vivo response consisted of a 10-fold increase in SAP levels, a 2-fold increase in C3 levels, and a 3-fold increase in fibrinogen concentration. By contrast, rTNF-alpha induced a much smaller acute phase (AP) protein response (4-fold increase in SAP) when administered in vivo. Administration of a combination if rIL-1 and rTNF resulted in an AP response that was additive for SAP, synergistic for fibrinogen, but resulted in only the same amount of C3 induced by IL-1 alone. Both recombinant monokines induced new SAP synthesis by isolated hepatocytes in vitro with an optimal response occurring with either 1 U of rIL-1/ml per 2 x 10(5) hepatocytes or 10(-3) U/ml of rTNF. The hepatocyte response to IL-1 was of the same magnitude as the response of intact mice; however, the response to TNF was approximately 10(4) times more efficient in vitro. A mixture of the monokines induced an in vitro SAP response that was additive when suboptimal doses of rIL-1 were combined with optimal amounts of rTNF-alpha. Overall, the findings indicate that both monokines directly trigger hepatocyte synthesis of SAP and that their combined effect probably accounts for a substantial portion of the synthesis of these AP proteins in mice.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1988

Clinical laboratory challenges in the recognition of Leuconostoc spp.

Vancomycin-resistant Streptococcus salivarius-like bacteria were isolated from the blood and gastrostomy tube of a 6-month-old child during vancomycin therapy for Staphylococcus epidermidis central venous catheter-associated bacteremia. The isolates produced D-(-)-lactate and ethanol from glucose, hydrolyzed esculin, and produced no ammonia from arginine, thus fulfilling the major criteria as Leuconostoc spp. The enzymatic profile of the bacteria suggested that they were not lactobacilli or streptococci. Resistance to vancomycin and penicillin tolerance were noted. The formula fed through the gastrostomy tube was suspected as the vehicle that transmitted the organism to the patient. Penicillin and tobramycin therapy was used successfully.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗
PubMed1988

Odontogenic infection secondary to Leuconostoc species.

Leuconostoc species are gaining importance as pathogenic organisms. We present the first case of odontogenic infection caused by Leuconostoc spp. Isolates initially identified as streptococci were found to be vancomycin resistant. Rigorous bacteriologic investigation subsequently classified these organisms as Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1988

Adrenal enkephalin biosynthesis regulated by glucocorticoid.

Denervation of the rat adrenal results in a 10 to 20-fold increase in enkephalin-containing EC peptides 4 days after surgery. This denervation-induced rise in medullary EC peptides is blocked by hypophysectomy (hypox) and partially reinstated by dexamethasone or ACTH treatment. Culture of adrenal medullary explants (glands) for 4 days in serum-free medium without dexamethasone resulted in a 6-fold increase in EC peptides in glands from hypox rats while the addition of dexamethasone (10-5M) produced a 29 fold increase. These results indicate that a loss of depolarizing stimuli produced by denervation in vivo or explanation in vitro initiates a pretranslational event which requires glucocorticoid for the full expression of EC peptide biosynthesis.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1988

Dysphagia in infants.

In summary, the suckle and swallowing functions in infancy are complex and require precise anatomic and neuromuscular coordination for normal function. The causes of dysphagia are multiple and require careful evaluation to elucidate the cause in each patient.

Deglutition↗
PubMed1988

The maturing of family medicine: challenges to behavioral science.

For family medicine to maintain the unique creativity and risk taking that were present at its inception, behavioral scientists must be allowed to play, and be willing to assume, an essential role in the ongoing process of defining the field of family medicine, formulating its assumptions and asserting its future direction both in terms of academic research and clinical teaching. As co-creators and co-inspirers, behavioral scientists have the rare challenge of synthesizing their perspectives and values with those of the physicians with whom they work. It is to be hoped that through this interactive process, the practice of family medicine will continue to be an experience of real healing and wholeness for both patients and physicians.

Behavioral Sciences↗
PubMed1987

Human control.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Aging↗
PubMed1987

Axotomy increases the conduction velocity of C-cells in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia.

Axotomy produced an increase in the spike width and a decrease in amplitude of the afterhyperpolarization which followed the action potential in C-cells of bullfrog sympathetic ganglia. Although no change in B-cell conduction velocity was noted, C-cell conduction velocity increased significantly and approached that of B-cells. This change may reflect a process of dedifferentiation prior to the initiation of regrowth following axotomy.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1987

Effect of an adolescent medicine rotation on pelvic examination skills of paediatric residents.

This study evaluated the effects of an adolescent medicine rotation on paediatric residents' pelvic examination skills. Measurements were: self-evaluations pre- and post-rotation; nurse's evaluations of pelvic examination performance during the first and last week of the rotation; and patients' evaluations. The self-evaluation was also given at the start and at the end of the year to residents not taking the rotation. Twenty-four third-year residents were evaluated during the year. Eighteen subjects taking the rotation showed significant improvement post-rotation in the areas of competence, comfort, evaluation of training and importance to career, while the six residents not taking the rotation showed no change. The nurse's evaluation of the pelvic examination showed increases in comfort level, skill, awareness of adolescents' feelings, and ability to explain and reassure. Patient ratings were high at the beginning of the rotation and showed no significant change post-rotation. An adolescent medicine rotation significantly improved pelvic examination skills as assessed by self-ratings and a nurse's evaluation. A rotation in adolescent medicine can play a crucial role in developing gynaecological skills in paediatric residents.

Adolescent Medicine↗