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Biomedical subjects

M Cohen

Publications and source records attributed to M Cohen.

At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

[Radioimmunologic detection of IgE and IgG antibodies against drugs. Conclusions after experience with over 1200 patients].

Based on the radioallergosorbent test (RAST), the authors have developed a series of assays to detect IgE and IgG antibodies against a number of frequently used drugs. In this system drugs bound covalently to cellulose paper are incubated with serum and washed; the hapten-specific IgE and IgG antibodies are then qualified and quantified by means of 125I-labelled anti-human IgE and IgG respectively. Thus far the sera of 1,228 patients have been analyzed following therapy with betalactam antibiotics, co-trimoxazole, salicylates, pyrazolones, flavonoids and tetrahydroisoquinoline. The induction of IgG antibodies is a frequent occurrence and that of IgE rare. Isolated high titers of IgE are associated mainly with anaphylactic reactions; in the presence of simultaneously raised IgG titers such side reactions are often absent. Highest IgG titers were found in patients with immune hemolysis after betalactam antibiotics, flavonoids and tetrahydroisoquinoline. In the other types of side reaction specific IgG titers were not significantly higher than in patients without side reactions. The estimation of circulating antibodies against drugs cannot yet be utilized diagnostically except in the rare cases of anaphylactic side reactions. However, the method described permits specific and sensitive detection of sensitization and is suited for scientific purposes.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1986

Transplantation of kidneys from related living donors at Johannesburg Hospital.

The Johannesburg Hospital kidney transplantation unit's experience with 111 kidney donations from living relatives between 1966 and December 1984 is reviewed. The 1-year patient survival rate for those who received transplants up to the end of 1982 was 93%. Donor surgery only caused 1 instance of serious illness and no deaths. The justification for and procedure of donor transplantation are discussed and the psychological reward to the donor highlighted.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Renal function after nephrectomy for donor organs.

Thirty-three living related kidney donors were investigated at a mean of 5.8 years after donor nephrectomy (range 3-18 years) to detect late adverse effects. They were evaluated for hypertension, the presence of proteinuria and renal dysfunction as assessed by serum creatinine value and creatinine clearance. There was a significant rise in both diastolic blood pressure and serum creatinine levels and a trend towards significance in the decline in creatinine clearance. Eleven individuals had diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg but only 1 required treatment. Although the rise in serum creatinine reached significance the mean serum creatinine (104.91 mumol/l) remained within the normal range. Two patients showed a minimal rise in proteinuria. The overall results confirm that kidney donation is safe and indicate that there are no significant late sequelae.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Rationale for medical or surgical therapy in anal incontinence.

Seventy patients with anal incontinence referred to a colorectal service over a two-year period were evaluated and treated. In each case, a comprehensive history and physical examination as well as anal manometry were performed. Anorectal angle measurement was done when indicated. Patients were separated into groups of the four major causes of incontinence: 1) external/internal sphincter dysfunction, 2) puborectalis and anorectal angle, 3) alterations in rectal compliance, and 4) sensory deficits. Treatment was dictated by categorization of the patients. All patients were followed for a minimum of one year and, with the exception of patients with profound sensory loss, each believed that their symptoms had decreased substantially, enabling them to return to normal occupational and social activities.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1986

Safety of pyridoxine--a review of human and animal studies.

A literature review was conducted on adverse effects associated with administration of high oral doses of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) to animals and man. The human data suggest that doses of pyridoxine greater than 500 mg/day for prolonged periods of time can result in sensory nerve damage. Doses less than 500 mg/day appear to be safe on the basis of literature reports where the compound was administered for periods ranging from 6 months to 6 years.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1986

The first open-heart repairs of ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular communis, and tetralogy of Fallot using extracorporeal circulation by cross-circulation: a 30-year follow-up.

From March 26, 1954, to July 19, 1955, 45 patients with major cardiac malformations not previously correctable underwent open repair utilizing cross-circulation between patient and donor without donor deaths. All operations were carried out at normothermia with lowered flow rates based on azygos flow studies. Twenty-seven patients, more than half of them infants, had ventricular septal defects closed. There were 8 hospital deaths, and there have been only 2 late deaths in 30 years. Fourteen (87.5%) of 16 who underwent recatheterization have closed defects. The 17 30-year-survivors are all in New York Heart Association Functional Class I. Five patients 4 months to 10 years old were operated on for atrioventricular canal (complete form). All had intractable failure, and 4 had pulmonary hypertension. Two of the 3 hospital deaths were due to heart block. The long-term survivor, a 15-month-old infant at the time of operation (severe pulmonary hypertension, 90/50 mm Hg), underwent repair 31 years ago and is now married with 3 children. Recatheterization disclosed normal pulmonary pressure (20/4 mm Hg), no shunts, and mild mitral regurgitation. Ten cyanotic tetrads 13 months to 14 years old were operated on with 5 hospital deaths. Of the 3 late deaths, 1 was accidental at 17 years, 1 occurred suddenly at home 13 years after operation in infancy for atresia, and the third occurred at reoperation 10 years later. The 2 remaining patients (1 the first patient operated on) are in excellent health. The surgical methods used and the physiological advantages of cross-circulation (temporary placenta) that made these results possible at a time when surgical knowledge was primitive are described.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed1986

Use of iohexol in the radiographic diagnosis of ischemic bowel.

This study evaluates the use of iohexol as a radiographic diagnostic contrast agent in normal animals and those with experimental bowel ischemia and obstruction. Eighteen rats and 12 rabbits were gavaged with iohexol in a dose of 7.5 mL/kg using concentrations of 140 mg I/mL (isotonic with blood) or 300 mg I/mL. In addition, four rabbits had intraperitoneal iohexol injection and three were given gastrografin gavage. Experimental groups included normal bowel controls, bowel injury induced by ischemia and alcohol contact, bowel obstruction by ligature, and intraperitoneal injection. Serial abdominal radiographs and plasma concentrations of iohexol were obtained. Iohexol remained stable throughout the gastrointestinal tract, retained its intensity, and was well visualized up to four days after administration. Bowel images were fair at concentrations of 140 mg I/mL and excellent at 300 mg I/mL. Gastrografin caused bowel distention and poor visualization related to dilution. It also precipitated in the stomach. Iohexol was rapidly absorbed from the peritoneal cavity and excreted by the kidneys, without causing peritonitis. Rat plasma iohexol levels were three times controls in obstructed bowel and 80 times controls if there was mucosal injury without perforation. Rabbit peak plasma levels were 30 times greater following intraperitoneal injection than with gastric gavage. These observations suggest that iohexol may be useful as a gastrointestinal contrast agent. Measuring plasma iohexol levels may be helpful in the evaluation of suspected bowel ischemia or perforation in the clinical setting.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Detection of fungal antigen in body fluids for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.

In clinical trials, the diagnostic utility of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) to detect Aspergillus antigen was demonstrated in sera obtained from patients with invasive pulmonary, endothelial, and disseminated aspergillosis, in cerebrospinal fluids from patients with Aspergillus meningoencephalitis, and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The RIA was further evaluated in three blinded, controlled clinical trials. In one, sera were collected prospectively from patients with acute leukemia. Antigenemia was detected in four patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) due to A. flavus, appeared early in the course of infection of three patients concurrent with the onset and evolution of lung infiltrates, and remitted with antifungal chemotherapy. Antigenemia was not detected in three patients before the onset of IPA, in eight leukemic controls, or in the 24 normals. In contrast, seven bronchoscopies were performed in five patients with IPA; fungi were not isolated in three. In a second study, antigenemia was found in coded sera from two patients with invasive aspergillosis but not in eight controls. In the third controlled study, 616 sera from 79 hematology patients admitted on 152 occasions were analyzed for circulating fungal antigen. The diagnostic utility of the RIA was confirmed and levels of antigenemia correlated with the patients' clinical course. These studies demonstrate the utility of the Aspergillus antigen RIA for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in hospitalized high risk patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Parental reactions to the onset of adolescence.

This paper documents the common changes associated with the onset of puberty and examines parents' reactions to these changes. Nine hundred questionnaires were sent to the parents of sixth and seventh graders (11-13 years old) in four communities. The questionnaire requested information on the perception of recent behavioral changes and the parents' emotional responses to them. Four hundred parents responded. Parents reported significant changes, both positive and negative, in their children in the year prior to the study. Reported changes were not significantly related to community locations, demographic or education variables, and, with one exception, to the sex of the child. First-born children were perceived more negatively and generated more negative feelings in parents. Younger parents (less than or equal to 38 years of age) perceived more negative changes and experienced more negative and anxious feelings toward their children than did older parents (greater than or equal to 39 years). These findings suggest that a primary cause of stress for parents with children in this age group may be a lack of knowledge about the developmental process. Physicians may be able to reduce the stress by providing anticipatory guidance to parents about the physical growth and psychologic aspects of early adolescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Thrombosis and embolism from cardiac chambers and infected valves.

In a number of cardiac conditions (acute myocardial infarction, chronic left ventricular aneurysm, dilated cardiomyopathy, infective endocarditis and atrial fibrillation in the absence of valvular disease), the risk of embolism gives cause for concern. Although anticoagulation with warfarin (Coumadin)-derivatives has been shown to be effective in some of these situations, there is no evidence regarding the role of antiplatelet agents. The common factor in the thromboembolic potential of acute myocardial infarction, chronic left ventricular aneurysm and dilated cardiomyopathy is mural thrombus. This can be detected by two-dimensional echocardiography and indium-111 platelet scintigraphy. Although of value in elucidating the natural history of mural thrombus, in most cases, management is not substantially aided by these investigations. In patients with extensive myocardial infarction, particularly anterior infarction, moderate intensity anticoagulation started soon after hospital admission reduces the rate of embolism. After 8 to 12 weeks, embolic risk is low so that anticoagulants can usually be discontinued. Patients with chronic left ventricular aneurysm have a low incidence of embolism; anticoagulation is, therefore, inappropriate. Dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with a high risk of embolism; moderate intensity anticoagulation may be advisable in many such cases. Little information is available regarding the incidence of thromboembolism or the role of antithrombotic therapy in the patient with a diffusely dilated left ventricle due to ischemic heart disease. In native valve infective endocarditis, the risk of hemorrhage is high, and the efficacy of conventional anticoagulants unclear; thus, anticoagulation should not be instituted for the cardiac condition as such. However, in prosthetic valve endocarditis, the risk of embolism seems to be very high, and anticoagulant therapy should be continued, but with great care because there is a substantial risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Atrial fibrillation in patients with valvular heart disease is dealt with in a previous review. Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation are at varying risk of embolism, depending on the etiology of the arrhythmia; trials of antithrombotic therapy are needed for the various subsets of patients. In most elderly patients, the etiology is not known, and their stroke risk is high. The risk of embolism in younger patients with idiopathic atrial fibrillation is so low as to make any antithrombotic therapy unnecessary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed1986

Regression in thromboembolic type of primary pulmonary hypertension during 2 1/2 years of antithrombotic therapy.

Primary pulmonary hypertension carries a poor prognosis, with a 5 year survival rate of less than 25%. However, a previous study of more than 100 patients with tissue-proved primary pulmonary hypertension suggested that antithrombotic therapy may have a beneficial effect on survival, especially in patients with the thromboembolic type of primary pulmonary hypertension. This report describes a 54 year old white man with primary pulmonary hypertension of the thromboembolic type (proved by right upper lobe lung biopsy) who, after long-term antithrombotic therapy, showed resolution of symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue, regression of electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular hypertrophy and regression of elevated pulmonary artery pressure. Base-line cardiac catheterization in January 1982 revealed elevated pulmonary artery pressure (104/37 mm Hg) and pulmonary vascular resistance (14.6 units/m2) that did not decrease with 100% oxygen or intravenous hydralazine (12 mg). The patient was treated with warfarin and dipyridamole, 100 mg four times daily. The most recent cardiac catheterization in January 1984 revealed a pulmonary artery pressure of 50/15 mm Hg and a pulmonary vascular resistance of 8.7 units/m2. It is believed that this is the first report of regression of the symptoms and signs of biopsy-proved primary pulmonary hypertension. In view of the lack of a response to vasodilators in 1982, it is suggested that antithrombotic therapy is partially responsible for the improvement of this patient.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed1986

The first open heart corrections of tetralogy of Fallot. A 26-31 year follow-up of 106 patients.

Tetralogy of Fallot became a correctable malformation on August 31, 1954, and from that data through 1960, 106 patients (ages 4 months-45 years) who underwent open repairs at the University of Minnesota and were discharged, have been followed (99% complete) until death or for 26-31 years (mean: 23.7 years, 2424 patient years). The purposes of this study were to determine survival, morbidity, hemodynamics, educational/employment attainments, and relation of these to surgical technics. Operations were done by cross circulation (6 patients) and bubble oxygenator (100 patients). This group had the first uses of patch ventricular septal defect closure, outflow root, infundibuloplasty, atresia correction, ischemic arrests, and pacemakers among other innovations. Twenty-one (of 105 patients) have died during the followup: eight deaths in the first 10 years, 12 between 10 and 20 years, and 1 greater than 20 years. The causes of death were sudden (5), accidental (4), congestive failure (2), reoperation (2), suicide (2), and other (2). Actuarial survival at 30 years was 77%. Late complications were ten reoperations, five arrhythmias, and one endocarditis. Actuarial freedom from reoperations at 30 years was 91%. Cardiac recatheterizations in 62 patients disclosed only 10 with residual shunts. Peak right ventricular systolic pressures were less than 40 mmHg (34 patients), 41-60 mm (2 patients), 61-70 mm (4 patients), greater than 71 mm (4 patients). Thirty-four patients (32%) completed college, ten of these completed graduate school (5 masters degrees, 2 M.D.'s, 2 Ph.D.'s, 1 lawyer). Fifteen others attended college, and nine received technical school diplomas. Forty patients (18 men, 22 women) had progeny, with 82 (93%) live births and six major cardiac defects (7.3%). In summary, complete repair gave excellent late results in this group cared for very early in the open heart era. Survivors led productive lives without restrictions in education and employment. Many of the deaths/complications that occurred are now easily preventable, which augurs extremely well for this generation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp.

Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp or perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens is a rare, chronic, progressive, suppurative disease of the scalp of unknown etiology. It is characterized by painful nodules, purulent drainage, burrowing interconnecting abscesses, and cicatricial alopecia. The pathogenesis is unknown, although it is probably related to follicular occlusion, secondary infection, and deep inflammation. Black men in their second to fourth decade are predominantly affected. Treatment varies from systemic antibiotics to incision and drainage, x-ray epilation of the affected areas, systemic steroid administration, and surgical excision. Our experience with four patients with extensive scalp disease is presented. Wide excision of the affected areas and splitthickness skin graft are favored as our treatment of choice.

Adult↗