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Biomedical subjects

M Berlin

Publications and source records attributed to M Berlin.

80 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

In utero lead exposure in squirrel monkeys: motor effects seen with schedule-controlled behavior.

Timed-pregnant squirrel monkeys were exposed orally to lead during the last 1/2 to 2/3 of gestation such that maternal lead levels ranged from 21 to 70 micrograms/dl in blood. Offspring of these lead-exposed monkeys were compared to gender-matched, untreated controls (blood-lead levels from 4 to 9 micrograms/dl), born at about the same time. When the monkeys were 3 to 7 years old they were trained to pull a T-shaped bar against 1 kg spring through a displacement of 1 cm. This performance was examined during acquisition of different fixed-ratio (1, 5, and 20) and fixed-interval (120", 300", and 600") schedules of reinforcement and during steady state under the fixed-ratio 5 and fixed-interval 600". Monkeys exposed prenatally to lead showed an increased number of responses failing to meet the requirement of pulling against 1 kg spring through a 1 cm displacement when behavior was maintained by a fixed-ratio schedule, which engenders a vigorous, high-rate pattern of responding. This increased number of incomplete responses first appeared in the acquisition of a fixed-ratio 5 and fixed-ratio 20 schedules of reinforcement, remained after the fixed-ratio 5 schedule was allowed to reach steady state, and did not appear under the fixed-interval schedule. Neither body weight not response rate were affected by lead, but it was necessary to control for these variables using multiple regression to isolate lead's effect. The appearance of incomplete responses while the monkeys pulled vigorously against a 1 kg spring suggests that lead exposure during gestation produced subtle motor impairments years after exposure has ended. Deficits in the acquisition of behavior (learning) under Concurrent Random Interval schedules of reinforcement have also been reported with these monkeys. Together, these reports reveal prolonged deficits in learning and motor function resulting from in utero exposure to lead at maternal blood lead levels (21-70 micrograms/dl) that could result from exposure to ambient air in heavily polluted urban environments or in occupational settings meeting current World Health Organization standards.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of acute health effects from the Medfly Eradication Project in Santa Clara County, California.

Surveys were performed to assess the acute health effects of aerial application of malathion bait over a large urban area. Three indirect attempts to assess utilization of health care services were made: (1) surveillance of a major hospital emergency department was undertaken, (2) ambulance dispatches were reviewed, and (3) emergency treatments for asthma at a university hospital were reviewed. These assessments were negative but insensitive. Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was assessed with two surveys that were subject to severe time constraints. Personal interviews of the same individuals, before and after the spraying, were conducted: one was conducted by telephone and the other by residential visit. Results indicated no detectable increase in acute morbidity. Also, after the spraying, there was a decrease in anxiety-related symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Puerperal ovarian vein thrombosis.

Puerperal ovarian vein thrombosis presents as a life-threatening complication of pregnancy and/or pelvic surgery. Diagnosis and management have been obscure in the past. We have previously reported three non-surgically treated cases and are now adding two more, one of which was surgically treated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Keratoconus detected by videokeratography in candidates for photorefractive keratectomy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with corneal shape abnormalities should be identified prior to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). We used videokeratography screening to detect subclinical corneal abnormalities, including keratoconus, which might have been missed by conventional clinical evaluation. METHODS: One hundred forty-six apparently normal myopic eyes (-1.00 to -7.00 diopters [D] with less than 1.50 D of cylinder) of 91 consecutive patients who were candidates for PRK were screened by videokeratography. RESULTS: In 6 of 91 patients (7 of 146 eyes), unsuspected corneal shape abnormalities were detected by videokeratography. Two patients had definite keratoconus and three were classified as keratoconus suspects by inferior corneal steepening (Rabinowitz I-S index ranging from 1.62 to 6.20 D). One patient had early pellucid marginal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Keratoconus suspects and contact lens-induced changes resembling keratoconus are present in the "normal" myopic population that presents for refractive surgery. Videokeratographic screening is the only effective means of identifying these and other corneal shape abnormalities.

Adult↗