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Biomedical subjects

M Bloch

Publications and source records attributed to M Bloch.

126 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
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Silent periods, long-latency reflexes and cortical MEPs in Huntington's disease and at-risk relatives.

Short-latency (R1) and long-latency (R2) components of the stretch reflex, the electromyographic silent period (S-X interval) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by magnetic stimulation of the cortex were measured in Huntington's disease (HD), at-risk first degree relatives and a normal control group. R1 and MEPs as well as central motor delay were normal in all 3 groups. R2 was absent in 7/9 patients with HD and 3/13 at-risk subjects. The S-X interval was reduced (less than 84 msec) in 7/9 patients and 5/13 at-risk subjects. Combined studies were abnormal in 88.9% of patients and 54% of at-risk subjects.

Adult↗
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Molecular and mechanistic validation of delayed healing rat wounds as a model for human chronic wounds.

The purpose of this study was to provide molecular and mechanistic evaluation of an ischemic wound model in rats to determine if it is a valid model for human chronic wounds. Compared to acute wounds, human chronic wounds contain markedly elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, while matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors and growth factor activity are diminished. Accordingly, tissue from ischemic and normal rat wounds were analyzed for cytokine, proteases and growth factor levels. Dorsal full thickness punch wounds were created in rats using a reproducible template. The ischemic wound group (n = 10) had six uniformly placed wounds within a bipedicled dorsal flap. The control group (n = 10) had the same wounds created without elevation of a flap. On postwound days 3, 6 and 13 wounds were excised and analyzed. Protein levels for tumor necrosis factor-alpha were determined with a rat-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while mRNA was determined by RNase protection assay. Matrix metalloproteinases and serine protease detection was done using gelatin and casein zymography, respectively. Significant delay in healing was achieved in the ischemic group: 50% healing for control wounds was at 7 days and 11 days for ischemic wounds (p < 0.001). No significant differences between wound groups were found for interleukin-1beta, and mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta. However, at day 13 ischemic wounds contained significantly more tumor necrosis factor-alpha than controls and normal skin (586 +/- 106 pg/biopsy vs. 79 +/- 7 pg/biopsy vs. 52 +/- 2 pg/biopsy; p < 0. 001). Zymography showed substantially greater quantities of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and serine proteases in ischemic wounds. This model of delayed healing in rats shares many of the key biochemical, molecular and mechanistic characteristics found in human chronic wounds, namely elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha and protease levels. As such, this model will likely prove to be useful in chronic wound research, particularly in developing novel therapeutics.

Animals↗
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Increased prevalence of negative life events in subtypes of major depressive disorder.

The prevalence of negative life events is known to be increased among patients with depression. Little data exist on the specific subtypes of depression that are related to negative life events. Our study aimed to address this issue. We compare 115 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) to 60 normal controls. MDD patients reported experiencing one (P = .0001) or two (P = .01) negative life events more frequently than controls. Patients reported marital, other personal problems, and medical events significantly more often than controls (P < .01). Patients did not report more positive life events, and did not attribute greater severity to their adversities than controls. Younger MDD patients experienced four (P = .01) negative life events significantly more often than older patients. Similarly, patients with mild-moderate depression, nonmelancholic depression, or first episode of depression (FDE), respectively, experienced three or four life events significantly more often than patients with severe, melancholic, or recurrent depression (RDE). Other patient and illness characteristics such as gender, early parental loss, family history of depression or other mental disorders, psychotic features, suicide attempts, and chronicity were not related to increased prevalence of negative life events. Our results support the hypothesis that a subset of patients with MDD is especially prone to suffer from a cluster of negative life events. This subgroup is at increased risk for relapse and poor prognosis. The implications of these results for further research and for treatment are discussed.

Adult↗
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Hookworm infection.

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El Salvador↗
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In vivo intestinal uptake of immunoreactive bovine albumin in piglet enteritis.

We examined the uptake of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from the intestine into the circulation of 3-week-old piglets infected with transmissible gastroenteritis virus. Transfer of immunoreactive bovine serum albumin (iBSA) from the intestinal lumen into the circulation was enhanced during both the early invasive phase of this viral enteritis (12-h postinoculation) and the diarrheal phase (84-h postinoculation). In some animals, enhanced uptake persisted into the recovery phase, 324 h after inoculation. Gel filtration studies suggested that iBSA had the molecular size characteristic of native BSA; no immunoreactive fragments of BSA were detected. Based on studies of two animals, the half-life of iBSA approximated that of porcine albumin. Further study is required to determine the immunological consequences of the enhanced uptake of protein occurring during viral infection of the intestine.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A year of living dangerously: the tobacco control community meets the global settlement.

Momentum toward Congressional action on tobacco issues began with the announcement in June 1997 of a proposed "global tobacco settlement" between the tobacco industry, a group of state Attorneys General, and private class action lawyers. For the next year, tobacco issues received unprecedented national attention, culminating in the U.S. Senate's consideration and ultimate defeat of the McCain tobacco bill. Through the proposed settlement, the Attorneys General and others involved in talks with the industry sought to reduce tobacco use by attempting to forge a "win-win" solution for all parties. In exchange for money and public health concessions, the industry would be granted sweeping protection from litigation and thus a stable environment in which to operate. Members of the public health community responded to the "global tobacco settlement" in very different ways. The authors explore how different visions of possibilities and practicalities were played out in the fight for strong Federal tobacco control legislation and attempt to draw lessons for the future.

Humans↗