Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Levy.
A biological model was designed to test the feasibility of making cryosurgical measurements and to determine if the measurements coincided with a theoretical mathematical model. The object of these studies was to convert cryosurgery from a qualitative to a quantitative therapeutic modality.
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The acetylator phenotypes of 21 patients from New York City and 29 patients from Israel with idiopathic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were determined with dapsone or isoniazid. Thirty were slwo acetylators, 17 were rapid, and 3 indeterminate. These cases plus published studies of acetylator phenotypes in idiopathic SLE show a worldwide distribution of 150 slow to 77 rapid instead of the expected 122:105 (P less than 0.001). The relationship between acetylator phenotype and possible etiologic agents is discussed.
A comparative study of adverse drug reactions (ADR) leading to hostpial admission showed that 103 (4.1%) out of 2499 medical admissions in Jerusalem and 167 (5.7%) out of 2933 admissions in Berlin were due to such reactions. Sex distribution in the two patient--populations was almost equal but the Jerusalem patients were younger. The most frequent ADRs were digitalis intoxication (in Berlin) and reactions to antibiotics (in Jerusalem). Other important differences were noted in the relative frequencies of ADRs associated anticoagulants, hypoglycemic agents and oral contraceptives. They were probably related to differences in drug usage in the two countries. The most common major side effects were arrhythmias, allergic reactions, bleeding, congestive heart failure, bronchospasm and hypoglycemia. The following risk factors were identified in both cities: old age, female sex, impaired renal function, previous history of ADR and polypragmasia.
A technique is disucssed by which a flexible three-piece moulage may be fabricated. This procedure is a useful aid in the modeling of an orbital prosthesis. It permits the continued transfer of a wax pattern from the moulage to the patient utilizing the tissue undercuts for the retention and stabilization of the pattern. The critical task of properly positioning the ocular prosthesis is simplified by the increased stability of the entire pattern. This is of the utmost importance since even a slight error in the alignment of the eye can entirely negate the effect of an otherwise accurate prosthesis. In addition, the retention of the wax pattern simplifies the carving procedure, and accurate detail is easily secured. The acrylic resin surface on which the final silicone prosthesis is cured has proven to be accurate. Well-adapted, thin margins of the facial prosthesis have been consistently obtained.
1 The effect of colchicine on polymorphonuclear leucocyte chemotaxis was assessed in eight healthy volunteers. Four of them received 1.0 mg colchicine and the other four received placebo daily for 8 successive days. 2 Chemotaxis decreased significantly within 24 h of the ingestion of colchicine; the values remained low throughout the 8 days of treatment and returned to normal within 48 h of cessation of medication. 3 There were no significant changes in the placebo treated subjects.
1 Major adverse reactions to mild analgesics, unless these drugs are abused or taken in high doses, are believed to be rare. 2 However, because of the massive and universal use of these drugs, quantitative measurement of the risk involved is imperative. At present, contradictory regulatory decisions about the use of mild analgesics are based on circumstantial evidence. 3 It is only by the conduct of epidemiological studies that data leading to decisions based on scientifically sound judgments may be obtained.
Two patients with an intraluminal carcinoid tumour obstructing the right main bronchus in one, and the left main bronchus in the other, resulting in unilateral increased transradiancy from hypoperfusion of the lung, are described. Resection of the tumours and reconstruction of bronchial continuity was followed by return of perfusion to normal between three and 18 months after the operation. The patient in whom the diagnosis was delayed showed a much slower rate of return of perfusion and a small lung resulted. The finding of increased transradiancy of lung even in an asymptomatic patient should be an indication for bronchoscopy.
Furosemide 20 mg/kg was given intravenously to 12 anesthetized dogs with clamped renal pedicles. Thoracic duct lymph flow (TDLF) increased promptly by 38% (P less than 0.05), an increment that lasted 80 min. Because in 6 of 12 dogs there was a transient increase in splanchnic blood flow, in separate groups splanchnic blood flow was either markedly constricted or markedly increased by intravenous isoproterenol. Thoracic duct lymph flow increased by 95 and 90%, respectively, following furosemid despite no further change in splanchnic blood flow. Furosemide had no effect on blood pressure, lymph protein, or plasma sodium. In four chronic caval dogs, TDLF was increased by 400%, yet furosemide produced a further increment in lymph flow of 30% (P less than 0.05). Infusion of a 25% albumin solution to contract the interstitial fluid did not abolish the furosemide effect, but a 10% mannitol solution did. Furosemide increased TDLF even after the infusion of papaverine reduced blood pressure to 60 mmHg. We conclude that furosemide increases TDLF by acting directly on splanchnic capillaries to allow increased filtration of fluid in the absence of increased splanchnic blood flow or capillary hydrostatic pressure.
Some examples of glomerular lesions developing in different types of nonhereditary glomerular diseases have been described. In most of them, secondary glomerular basement membrane changes are important factors in the development and progression of the glomerular lesions. When severe, they initiate irreversible glomerular scar formation.
Ultrastructural glomerular basement membrane changes are present in most hereditary glomerular diseases: thick and thin basement membrane with splitting of the lamina densa in Alport's syndrome, thin basement membrane in familial benign essential hematuria, and thick basement membrane with the presence of collagen-like fibrils in the nail-patella syndrome. They are useful markers for diagnosis. Moreover, their knowledge has set the problem of the primary biochemical defect in basement membrane metabolism accounting for morphological abnormalities and clinical disturbances. Further biochemical and immunochemical investigations are still required for a better understanding of hereditary glomerular diseases.
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We studied glomerulonephritis in a child with a deficiency of the second component of complement (C2) who was without clinical or serologic evidence of systemic disease. The clinical course was severe, with malignant hypertension and terminal renal failure when the child was 14 years old. Results of histologic studies were typical of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with subendothelial deposits. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed diffuse and intense localization of IgG, C1q, and C4 as granular deposits along the glomerular capillary walls and within the mesanguim. Diffuse deposits of C3 were also found along the capillary walls. Nine months after transplantation, the graft biopsy specimen showed glomerular lesions with IgG, C1q, C4, and C3 deposits, which suggests the possibility of a recurrence. The analysis of the previously reported cases of glomerulonephritis with C2 deficiency showed variable, but generally mild, glomerular lesions. Progression of the glomerulonephritis to severe renal insufficiency, as in the present case, is exceptional.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.