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Biomedical subjects

M Birger

Publications and source records attributed to M Birger.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Velocardiofacial manifestations and microdeletions in schizophrenic inpatients.

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is associated with an increased frequency of schizophrenia and other types of psychiatric morbidity. In this study, we tried to identify a subgroup of schizophrenic patients with deletions in the VCFS region of the long arm of chromosome 22. For that purpose, we screened the records of two major general hospitals for patients with abnormalities characteristic of VCFS, such as cardiac anomalies and cleft palate, and cross-checked the data with the register of psychiatric hospitalizations in four psychiatric hospitals. Of the 24 patients that qualified, only seven patients could be studied. An additional eight schizophrenic inpatients were ascertained clinically, based on a working VCFS Clinical Scale. FISH studies and molecular analyses, using polymorphic markers from the VCFS region, documented hemizygosity of 22q11 in three out of 15 patients (20.0%). Increased awareness of psychiatrists to signs of VCFS among patients with psychiatric illnesses is encouraged, in order to direct molecular studies effectively. In order to cut down the cost of testing, we suggest screening suspected patients with a single marker, such as D22S941, and to study further only those who have a single electrophoretic band.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1997

[Biofeedback treatment of Raynaud's disease].

Raynaud's disease is characterized by intermittent peripheral vasoconstriction leading to pallor, cyanosis and reactive vasodilation of the arterioles of fingers and toes. These phenomena are accompanied by sensations of cold or warmth, pain and difficulty in manipulating the palms. Ulcerations of the fingertips can occur in severe cases. Since conservative medical treatment, consisting of preventive measures and changing various habits, results in alleviation in only half the patients, sympathectomy is often required. Psychological intervention, including biofeedback, also has a significant role. Biofeedback involving relaxation techniques, guided imagination, and in parallel, computer-assisted monitoring of sympathetic arousal, might lead to symptom reduction as a unique treatment or in conjunction with other treatment modalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Conversion deafness.

Conversion deafness is very rarely encountered among adults. This report will illustrate two cases of this somatoform disorder following different traumatic experiences. It emphasizes the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis and reviews various aspects of treatment.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1989

Control-related beliefs and sleep characteristics of posttraumatic stress disorder patients.

To examine correlations among chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), control-related beliefs, and sleep difficulties 7 PTSD casualities and 7 non-PTSD matched subjects were compared in their laboratory sleep patterns as well as in their beliefs about personal control over external and internal events in general and over sleep-related events in particular. Analyses indicated that PTSD casualties had poorer sleep and reported more doubts regarding their ability to control external and internal events than control subjects. Further, we found a significant association between perceived control and sleep difficulties. Results were discussed in terms of Horowitz's conception of intrapsychic processes related to PTSD.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Chlorprothixene-induced hypouricemia: a biologic indicator of drug compliance.

Chlorprothixene is a neuroleptic as well as a potent uricosuric drug that consistently lowers the levels of plasma uric acid (PUA). The usefulness of this relative hypouricemia as an indicator of compliance with treatment was evaluated in 17 outpatients treated from 120 to 600 days. Plasma uric acid values were substantially reduced in all patients with all doses within the therapeutic range. Low levels of PUA remained stable as long as the patients were treated and returned to normal within 7 days after treatment was terminated. The authors discuss the advantages and the limitations of PUA as an indicator of chlorprothixene treatment compliance.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Clinical evaluation of fetal movements.

Fetal movement was examined in 200 pregnancies to establish normal patterns, influencing factors, possible clinical value and practical application. The mean number of movements per hour was 26 in hospitalized and 40 in ambulatory patients. These values remained fairly steady throughout pregnancy except for a significant decrease in the week preceding labor. Individual variations were large. The number of movements was uninfluenced by parity and fetal sex but was lower for small-for-gestational-age babies, in mothers suffering from both hypertension and diabetes and in mothers treated with diazepam. Fetal movement count may be used as a parameter of fetal well-being.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1980

Management of patients with a live fetus and cessation of fetal movements.

Sixty-seven patients with a history of no fetal movements for at least 12 hours and a live fetus were managed according to a fixed protocol. Twelve of these patients were found to have meconium-stained amniotic fluid and/or abnormal unstressed or oxytocin-stressed cardiotocograms; all of them were delivered within 24 hours of a live infant. The remaining 55 patients had no meconium and normal unstressed and stressed cardiotocograms, and their pregnancy, was allowed to continue. All felt fetal movements again and were delivered of live babies one to ten weeks later.

Amniotic Fluid↗