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Biomedical subjects

K Shulman

Publications and source records attributed to K Shulman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Fall in admission rate of old people to psychiatric units.

The numbers of the elderly, and particularly the very old, have been increasing and continue to increase rapidly; but admission rates of old people to psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales suddenly started to fall in 1970. They were still generally falling in 1974 (the most recent year for which figures are available). There is no evidence that the incidence of dementia has suddenly fallen, or that expansion of extramural or other non-psychiatric services is everywhere coping with the severely demented. It is probably becoming more difficult for demented people to be admitted to psychiatric hospitals that are often still overcrowded, in view of the greater scrutiny of institutional care that has become established since the Ely Report of 1969. If this is so the cost to the demented and those who care for them of the undoubted improvements in conditions in psychiatric hospitals needs to be counted.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Suicide and parasuicide in old age: a review.

The disproportionately high suicide rate among the elderly is examined in this review. As opposed to younger age groups, a close association exists between suicide and parasuicide in old age. Factors associated with these events include a high incidence of depression, serious physical illness, as well as social factors that serve to isolate the individual and deprive him of positive support and therapeutic intervention. A high risk profile and integrative model are proposed.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

A nonlinear analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid system and intracranial pressure dynamics.

A mathematical model of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system was developed to help clarify the kinetics of the intracranial pressure (ICP). A general equation predicting the time course of pressure was derived in terms of four parameters: the intracranial compliance, dural sinus pressure, resistance to absorption, and CSF formation. These parameters were measured in the adult cat, and the equation was tested by comparing experimental and calculated values of the time course of pressure in response to volume changes. The theoretical and experimental results were in close agreement, and the role of each parameter in governing the dynamic equilibrium of the ICP was determined. From this analysis, dynamic tests were developed for rapid measurement of CSF formation, absorption resistance, and the bulk intracranial compliance. These techniques are applicable to clinical settings, providing data that are useful in characterizing the physiological mechanisms responsible for raised ICP and assessing changes induced by therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

A simple gravimetric technique for measurement of cerebral edema.

A simple method was developed for the laboratory preparation of gradient columns of specific gravity used in measurement of brain-tissue water. By this automated technique, virtually linear and repeatable density gradients were obtained from which values of tissue specific gravity could be determined. The specific gravity of both solid and fresh cortex and white matter from adult cats was measured and converted to units of percent water per gram tissue using conversion factors derived for this purpose and applicable to studies of brain edema.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Cyclic AMP and adenyl cyclase in brain tumors.

Some of the regulatory mechanisms of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) production in human brain tumors were investigated by assessing both cyclic AMP levels and adenyl cyclase activity. A large disparity was found between the levels of cyclic AMP of normal brain and brain-tumor tissue. Cyclic AMP levels were much lower in brain tumors (25.8 pmoles (picomoles)/mg protein) than in normal brain (98.8 pmoles/mg protein). These studies also show that the abnormally low levels of cyclic AMP in tumors parallel those of adenyl cyclase. The mean adenyl cyclase activity of brain tissue was found to be 111.0 pmoles of cyclic AMP/min/mg protein, while that of the tumor was only 23.0 pmoles/min/mg protein. Levels of cyclic AMP and adenyl cyclase activity were inversely related to the degree of malignancy. Attempts to stimulate adenyl cyclase in homogenates of human brain and brain tumors resulted in a similar response in both tissues. Norepinephrone was the most effective stimulant and produced a two- to threefold increase in cyclic AMP production, while histamine had no effect. It is concluded that one of the factors governing tumor growth may be a defect in the adenyl cyclase system.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1977

Choroidal epithelial cyst. Case report.

A supratentorial cyst in the leptomeninges of an 8-month-old infant was studied with the electron microscope. The lining of the cyst consisted of a single layer of peg-shaped epithelial cells rich in organelles and glycogen. Their free border had numerous microvilli but no cilia, and their basal portions rested on a basement membrane. Tight junctions and interdigitations were frequent between contiguous cells. The blood vessels were fenestrated. Since these features characterize developing choroidal epithelial cells, we felt the diagnosis of choroidal epithelial cyst was justified. Cysts lined by choroidal epithelium may continue to secrete cerebrospinal fluid after surgical extirpation when this is incomplete. Accumulation of the fluid in the partially excised cyst bed may therefore account for recurrence of symptoms.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1977

Tissue pressure gradients in spinal cord injury.

Using cotton wick catheters, local tissue pressure was measured in the dorsal white matter of the impacted feline spinal cord. Twenty gram and 30 gram weights dropped 20 cm did not produce statistically significant elevations in tissue pressure adjacent to and remote from the site of injury. Forty gram weights dropped 20 cm produced pressure gradients of less than 10 mmHg between areas near and remote from the injury and between parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid. In a group studied 18-24 hours after similar injuries, no gradients were found, although edema formation as indicated by Evan's blue migration had progressed. These findings indicate that gradients of pressure within parenchyma are associated with edema spread following high impaction forces and that edema spread can continue after dissipation of these gradients.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Primary intracranial Burkitt's lymphoma in an infant.

A case of intracranial Burkitt's lymphoma is reported in a child whose symptoms began at 3 months of age with a definite histologic diagnosis established at 18 months. Serologic studies demonstrated high antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the patient and in four out of five members of the immediate family. The patient also demonstrated immunity to antigens derived from African Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines. The autopsy findings strongly support the case for the primary intracranial origin of the neoplasm and a perinatal infection with EBV is probable in this case.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1976

Spinal cord seeding from cerebellar astrocytomas.

Three juvenile patients with cerebellar astrocytomas which have seeded the spinal subarachnoid space are presented. Histologic verification of the similarity between the posterior fossa tumor and its spinal implant was obtained in two of the three patients. The cerebellar tumors in all cases have been benign (grade I),and the behavior, other than their seeding has also been indolent. Review of pertinent literature discloses no similar experience with cerebellar astrocytomas. Aggressive therapy is advocated for the rare patient with subarachnoid seeding from this benign lesion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Facial nevi associated with anomalous venous return and hydrocephalus.

The authors describe two children with anomalous intracranial venous return associated with bilateral facial nevi, macrocrania, and cephalic venous hypertension. Both children had functional absence of the jugular bulbs, forcing the intracranial venous effluent to exit through persistent emissary pathways. Both children had sustained intracranial hypertension, with one child developing symptomatic communicating hydrocephalus that responded satisfactorily to shunting. The relationship between these patients and those with Sturge-Weber syndrome is discussed. The embryologic abnormality producing the anomalous venous return is characterized. The link between venous hypertension and the development of hydrocephalus is discussed. The increased cranial compliance seen in this age group may predispose certain pediatric patients to develop hydrocephalus when stressed by venous hypertension.

Brain↗