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Biomedical subjects

M Berant

Publications and source records attributed to M Berant.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Zinc protoporphyrin levels in children in Haifa: a pilot study.

Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels of greater than or equal to 40 micrograms dl-1 were found in blood samples of 32 (12.1%) out of 264 children living in Kiryat Yam, Haifa Bay (a sea-level neighborhood with much vehicular traffic, located 4.5 km from an industrial zone in the bay area), 22 (8.8%) out of 251 children living in Neve Shaanan (located on a mountainside, 3.5 km from an industrial zone and exposed to visible smoke pollution), and 14 (6.5%) out of 214 children from Mt Carmel (Ahuza), which is furthest from industry and where visible signs of pollution are seldom seen. Zinc protoporphyrin levels, low in non-anemic infants, were slightly higher in 1st graders from all three neighborhoods; higher levels were found in both 3rd and 6th graders from Kiryat Yam, but only in 6th graders from Neve Shaanan. The ZPP levels remained unchanged in older, Mt. Carmel children. Zinc protoporphyrin concentrations of greater than or equal to 40 micrograms dl-1 varied inversely with two indices of socio-economic status (parental ethnic origin and father's educational level). Blood lead levels of greater than or equal to 20 micrograms dl of blood were found in eight (13%) out of 62 children with ZPP levels greater than or equal to 40 micrograms dl-1, but in none (0%) of 14 children with ZPP levels greater than or equal to 40 micrograms dl-1. Three (60%) out of five children with ZPP levels greater than or equal to 50 micrograms dl-1 had Pb levels of greater than or equal to 20 micrograms dl-1. In Kiryat Yam, Pb(B) was higher in 31 children with ZPP greater than or equal to 40 micrograms dl-1 compared with 13 with ZPP less than 40 micrograms dl-1. The data on age-associated increases in ZPP in children suggest the possibility of an effect on red blood cell porphyrin metabolism, in some cases from cumulative low level lead exposures, and in others from iron deficiency, especially in poorer socio-economic groups. The findings call for further studies, both in the populations studied here, and elsewhere, to determine the role of lead toxicity and iron deficiency in children of all age groups, and the need for preventive action.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

Effects of nonischemic hypoxia on jejunal mucosal structure and function: study of an experimental model in dogs.

A model of nonischemic hypoxia of the jejunum was designed in dogs, by shunting of blood from the inferior vena cava directly into the regional mesenteric arterial supply, thereby lowering the PaO2 of the blood that reached the jejunal wall from 98.6 +/- 3 to 62 +/- 5 mm Hg. Absorption rates of sodium, glucose, fructose, glycine, and the dibasic aminoacid lysine were studied by in situ luminal perfusion of a 30-cm proximal jejunal segment with a bicarbonate buffer solution containing phenol red as a nonabsorbable marker for determination of water fluxes. During periods of control, hypoxia, and after discontinuation of the venoarterial admixture (recovery), effluent perfusate was collected and mucosal biopsies were obtained for assay of lactase, maltase and sucrase activity, mucosal ATPase activity and ATP content, and for light- and electron microscopic examination. Mesenteric supply with hypoxic blood was associated with a significant inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity (p less than 0.001) and a rise in mucosal ATP content (p less than 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the absorption rates of sodium (p less than 0.001), glucose, and glycine (p less than 0.01), but no change in the transport of fructose and of lysine. Brush border enzymes were unaltered. The histological appearance of the mucosa remained normal throughout the experiment, but on electron microscopy a distinct swelling of the enterocyte mitochondria was noted during the hypoxia period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1986

Ultrasonography in the radiologic evaluation of children with urinary tract infection.

A prospective blind study comparing the findings of ultrasonography, intravenous pyelography, and voiding cystourethrography was conducted on 81 patients to examine the place of ultrasonography in the initial radiologic evaluation of children with urinary tract infection. The patients' mean age was 4.8 years; 15 were male. Forty-eight were inpatients (mean age, 3.2 years) and 33 were outpatients (mean age 7.2 years). In 29 patients (35.8%) abnormality of the urinary system was detected by one or more of the three imaging procedures; 21 were inpatients and eight were outpatients. The most frequent finding was vesicoureteral reflux, occurring in 62.1% of the pathologic cases. The findings at ultrasonography correlated well with those of intravenous pyelography in 73 of the 81 studies (90.1%), but they failed to demonstrate double collecting systems and several of the minor changes. However, ultrasonography in combination with cystourethrography identified all patients who had abnormal urinary systems, except for two children with negligible findings. Moreover, ultrasonography and cystourethrography together identified all 11 patients, nine of them inpatients, in whom surgical treatment was indicated. It is concluded that ultrasonography can successfully replace intravenous pyelography as a screening imaging procedure for the urinary system, but because of the superiority of intravenous pyelography in the detection of some types of lesions, intravenous pyelography will be required whenever ultrasonography or cystourethrography results are abnormal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child↗
PubMed1986

Oral calcium carbonate as phosphate-binder in infants and children with chronic renal failure.

In view of the known toxicity of aluminum, we studied the effects of CaCO3 as an alternative phosphate binder in 12 chronic renal failure (CRF) children during 152 patient-months. Mean (+/- SD) serum creatinine concentration rose during that period from 3.7 +/- 1.8 to 5.1 +/- 3.0 mg/dl. 8 patients received CaCO3 from the start, and 4 were switched from A1(OH)3 after 2 months of interruption. In addition to CaCO3 (0.1-0.3 mg/kg BW) all patients received NaHCO3, and all but two received 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha(OH)D3] or dihydrotachysterol (DHT). Urine and blood variables were checked every 4-6 weeks and medication dosages were adjusted accordingly, aiming to keep serum Ca at 10.4-10.8 mg/dl, serum Pi at 3.5-5.5 mg/dl, and serum HCO-3 above 18 mEq/l. Bone X-rays were obtained every 6-9 months. With treatment, mean serum Ca increased from 8.9 +/- 0.7 to 10.3 +/- 0.4 mg/dl (p less than 0.01), serum Pi decreased from 6.3 +/- 0.9 to 4.2 +/- 0.5 mg/dl (p less than 0.01), and the mean Ca X P product decreased slightly and insignificantly. Mean serum alkaline phosphatase levels decreased significantly from 486 +/- 251 to 168 +/- 28 IU (p less than 0.01). Bone X-rays at the end of the study showed either healing of renal osteodystrophy or its prevention. Only one episode of mild hypercalcemia (serum Ca 11.7 mg/dl) was observed in 1 patient, but his Ca X P product remained low.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1985

Progressive diaphyseal dysplasia: evaluation of corticosteroid therapy.

Progressive diaphyseal dysplasia is characterized clinically by crippling leg pain, fatigue, headache, poor appetite, muscle weakness, and waddling gait. Twelve affected patients, aged 2 years 4 months to 40 years, were treated with intermittent courses of low doses of prednisone given in a single dose on alternate mornings for periods ranging from 6 months to 10 years. The average initial dose of prednisone was 0.6 mg/kg/d, and average maintenance dose was 0.3 mg/kg/d. Relief of all crippling symptoms was achieved in all patients. No untoward serious side effects have been observed, and the growth of children was not slowed. However, corticosteroid therapy should be restricted to patients suffering from crippling pain. The mechanism through which steroids act remains undefined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Lipid pneumonia].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1984

Dominant inheritance of bifid nose.

To our knowledge, median cleft of nose without apparent hypertelorism (bifid nose) has been reported only twice [Esser, 1939; Boo-chai, 1965]. We report five individuals in 3 generations of a family who had a bifid nose without apparent hypertelorism or mental retardation. In this family bifid nose was most likely an autosomal dominant trait.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1984

The use of calcium gluconate prior to verapamil in infants with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Verapamil is a useful drug for treating supraventricular tachycardia; however, severe side effects occasionally have been reported in infants. We describe here our experience with the use of a 10 percent solution of intravenous calcium gluconate prior to the use of verapamil in infants with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. In all the attacks verapamil converted the supraventricular tachycardia to sinus rhythm. We feel that calcium gluconate injected previous to verapamil can avoid the negative inotropic effects without interfering with the antiarrhythmic properties of verapamil.

Bradycardia↗
PubMed1984

Serum IgG antibodies to gliadin in children with celiac disease as measured by an immunofluorescence method.

Antigliadin antibodies (AGAs) were studied in sera from 190 patients divided into five clinical groups. Group I included 28 sera from children with newly diagnosed celiac disease on a normal diet. Group II consisted of 43 sera from children with celiac disease who were fed a gluten-free diet (GFD). Group III included 25 sera from children with celiac disease who had been in remission but exposed to a gluten-containing diet (GCD). Group IV consisted of 46 sera from children with chronic diarrheal disorders other than celiac disease. Group V included 43 sera from healthy children. The observed p values proved that (a) mean titer levels of AGAs in Groups I and III were significantly higher than the mean values for all other groups (p less than 0.001), and (b) the mean titer level of AGAs in Group II was significantly higher than the mean values for Groups IV and V. A good correlation between the AGA titers and the morphology of the duodenal mucosa was found in children with celiac disease. The examination of IgG AGAs by the immunofluorescence technique used in our study appears to be a useful tool in the follow-up of individual patients to determine adherence to a GFD.

Animals↗