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Biomedical subjects

M Sigal

Publications and source records attributed to M Sigal.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Contact photoallergic eczema caused by ketoprofen].

INTRODUCTION: Since 1983, several cases of allergy and photoallergic contact dermatitis to ketoprofen gel have been reported in Italy and Spain. In France, this drug has been available for topic applications since 1989 and no cases of photoallergy have been reported. CASE REPORT: We observed two cases of photoallergic contact dermatitis to ketoprofen (Profenid gel, Ketum gel). Imputability was suggested by clinical history and proven by patch-tests showing evidence of crossed photoallergy with fenofibrate in both cases. Photoallergic dermatitis to oxybenzone was associated in one case. COMMENTS: Ketoprofen is the predominant nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug responsible for allergic and/or photoallergic contact dermatitis resulting from topic applications. Its prevalence is probably underestimated in France in light of the number of cases reported in certain Mediterranean countries. Cross reactive photoallergy to ketoprofen and fenofibrate can be explained by the common benzoly-ketone structure of these compounds. In case of skin reaction, the other drug should not be prescribed and benzophenone-containing cosmetics discouraged.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Hospital at war: treatment changes in mental patients.

The implications of the chemical war threat and the missile attacks during the Gulf War for a medium-sized psychiatric community are analyzed in terms of psychiatric care and management. Changes in medication, physical restraint, and ward transfer were observed for schizophrenic patients in active psychotic phase (n=50), in residual post-active phase (n = 37), and patients with long-term residual type (n = 167). The variables for the first week of the war (n = 250) were compared to those the same week 1 year before (n = 254). Patients in active phase and patients in residual phase received more supplementary treatment and radical changes in treatment; patients in active phase received more treatment reinforcement, as well as physical restraint, compared to patients in phase and residual type patients. Residual type patients remained unchanged on all variables. Residual type patients remained mostly indifferent, while many severely disturbed patients residing in open wards required only minor tranquilizers. Patients in active phase tended to behave very erratically while denying being affected by the war, and patients in residual phase overtly expressed their anxiety and remained in control.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Systemic mastocytosis associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: clinical features and response to interferon alfa therapy.

Systemic mastocytosis is a rare disease that shows marked heterogeneity in clinical manifestations and prognosis. It may be associated with hematologic disorders. We describe a patient with systemic mastocytosis associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia accompanied by ascites, pleural effusion, and development of skin lesions along a surgical scar. The disease responded well to interferon alfa therapy. This is the second report of successful treatment of mastocytosis with interferon alfa and the first associated with a hematologic malignancy.

Ascites↗
PubMed1995

Partial insanity: when the judiciary and the psychiatric world collide.

The psychiatric and judicial concepts of mental disorders are similar but not always identical. The gap between them creates confusion, a lack of unity and inconsistencies in decision making. This gap needs to be bridged. In the hinterland of these concepts lies a range of psychiatric disturbances such as encapsulated over organized delusional disorders (Paranoia Vera) and life endangering eating disorders (Anorexia Nervosa). When life threatening or criminal responsibility circumstances arise, the dilemma presented to the psychiatrists on the one hand and the judicial system on the other reaches its peak. Presented in the article are aspects of the gray areas of involuntary commitment and criminal responsibility.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Therapeutic use of humor to improve social support in an institutionalized schizophrenic inpatient community.

We attempted to use passive communal laughter to improve social support within a chronic schizophrenic inpatient population. Two identical wards were compared on classical measures of social support (emotional and functional), social network (size and dispersion), satisfaction, and the nature of the social relationships (source). The experimental group was exposed to video projection of humorous movies four times daily for 3 months, and the control group to video projections of other, assorted movies at the same rate. In the experimental ward a significant improvement was manifest in the category of "distinct individuals supporting each patient." The difference may have been due to an improvement in the relationship with the staff. No improvement was found on any of the other measures. We concluded that the positive atmosphere that humor creates affects the therapeutic alliance between staff and patients but does not affect other social networks because of the regressed nature of the schizophrenics' social relationships.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Coexistence of Meyerson's with Sutton's naevus after sunburn.

We described the simultaneous occurrence of perinaevic eczema (Meyerson's naevi) and Sutton's halo naevus in one patient. Characteristic clinical and histological features of perinaevic eczema were found around four benign melanocytic naevi on the limbs. In addition, the patient had a typical Sutton's naevus on the back. The association of Meyerson's naevi and Sutton's naevus has been reported only once in the past literature. Both diseases appeared a few weeks after a severe sunburn. The role of sun exposure in the development of eczematiform and/or vitiligoid reactions around melanocytic naevi is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Involuntary hospitalization--medical or judicial authority.

The case described in this paper is the basis of two verdicts, which are very important case law precedents. These verdicts, given in connection with the new law for the treatment of the mentally ill, clarify the framework in which involuntary hospitalization in Israel is implemented. These verdicts exemplify the shifting of authority, on the issue of commitment, from the medical model to a more judicial one. Although the first step in the commitment system is still performed by a physician (the district psychiatrist), the entire system is now under strict judicial supervision, and the legal procedure is of utmost importance.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Insanity and war: the Gulf War and a psychiatric institution.

The threat of a chemical war has profound impacts on all layers of society. Hospitalized mental patients, as we have observed them, react in more extreme ways than staff members. They may react overanxiously, totally apathetically, or in context-related flights to partial sanity. Denial and projection were heavily used defense mechanisms together with a tendency of the more acute patients to plunge into their bizarre idiosyncratic world, lending strange meanings to what was happening in the world. Many patients were found to have strong narcissistic traits and to invest most of their libidinal energies in their private world. In times of stress this results in even greater social isolation. Different types of patients in different phases of their illness react differently to such overpowering stress, and the way they react illustrates their cognitive, behavioral, and social deficiencies. WWII literature on the reactions of mentally ill patients to "fly-bombing" seem not to take into consideration the different possible reactions of patients. This may be due to a change in emphasis in the care of mentally disturbed individuals in the last two decades. We propose to use even such an extremely stressful situation as a challenge to the mental health profession to further the well-being of their patients.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1993

Laughter in a psychiatric ward. Somatic, emotional, social, and clinical influences on schizophrenic patients.

The study was designed to explore the potential therapeutic effects of humor on hospitalized schizophrenics. For this purpose, in the first stage, we conducted a review of findings in regard to physical health, emotions, psychiatric state, and social behavior. In the second stage, we carried out an experiment with 34 resident patients in two chronic schizophrenic wards who were exposed to 70 movies during 3 months. The experimental group was exposed to humorous movies only, and the control group to different kinds of movies. Before and after the exposure to films for 3 months, both groups were tested on different health, emotional, social, and clinical measures using the Cognitive Orientation of Health Questionnaire, the Shalvata Symptom Rating Scale, blood pressure, heart rate, Perceived Verbal and Motor Aggression (rated by nurses), the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List, the Social Support Questionnaire 6, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS; rated by psychiatrists). Covariance analyses yielded significant reductions in Perceived Verbal Hostility, BPRS scales (total score, anxiety/depression), and significant increases in BPRS (activation) and degree of staff support experienced by the patients. The results indicate that the effects of exposure to humor may be mediated by the effects on the staff of the incidental exposure to humorous films.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[3H]dopamine uptake by platelet storage granules in schizophrenia.

[3H]Dopamine (DA) uptake by platelet storage granules was determined in 26 schizophrenic male patients, paranoid type (14 acute stage; 12 in remission) and 20 age-matched, normal controls. Maximum velocity (Vmax) of DA uptake was significantly higher in acute patients, than patients in remission or controls (p less than 0.05). The apparent Michaelis constant (Km) of DA uptake in acute patients was also significantly different from chronic patients (p less than 0.05). Preincubation with reserpine (10(-4), 10(-5) M) produced a substantial diminution of DA uptake, while haloperidol (10(-4), 10(-5) M) did not affect the assay. Considering that a DA dysequilibrium in schizophrenia may be expressed not only in the brain, but also in the periphery and that an increased amount of DA accumulated in the vesicles, implies that an increased quantity of catecholamine is available for release, our findings suggest additional evidence for the role of DA overactivity in the pathophysiology of this disorder.

Adult↗