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Biomedical subjects

R Katz

Publications and source records attributed to R Katz.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Past and present state examination: the assessment of 'lifetime ever' psychopathology.

A Past History Schedule (PHS) for use in conjunction with the Present State Examination (PSE) is described. The PHS/PSE interview enables a rating of 'lifetime ever' psychopathology to be performed. It provides good inter-rater reliability, as well as a satisfactory agreement between retrospective interviews and casenote-based assessment of past psychopathology. The PHS has been devised specifically for use in a family-genetic study of affective illness, but the general approach may be applicable to other categories of psychiatric disorder.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Lung cancer risk at low doses of alpha particles.

A survey of inhabitant exposures arising from the inhalation of 222Rn and 220Rn progeny, and lung cancer mortality has been carried out in two adjacent areas in Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China, designated as the "high background" and the "control" area. Annual exposure rates are 0.38 working level months (WLM) per year in the high background, and 0.16 WLM/yr in the control area. In 14 yr of continuous study, from 1970 to 1983, age-adjusted mortality rates were found to be 2.7 per 10(5) living persons of all ages in the high background area, and 2.9 per 10(5) living persons in the control area. From this data, we conclude that we are unable to determine excess lung cancers over the normal fluctuations below a cumulative exposure of 15 WLM. This conclusion is supported by lung cancer mortality data from Austrian and Finnish high-background areas. A theoretical analysis of epidemiological data on human lung cancer incidence from inhaled 222Rn and 220Rn progeny, which takes into account cell killing as competitive with malignant transformation, leads to the evaluation of a risk factor which is either a linear-exponential or a quadratic-exponential function of the alpha-particle dose. Animal lung cancer data and theoretical considerations can be supplied to support either hypothesis. Thus we conclude that at our current stage of knowledge both the linear-exponential and the quadratic-exponential extrapolation to low doses seem to be equally acceptable for Rn-induced lung cancer risk, possibly suggesting a linear-quadratic transformation function with an exponential cell-killing term, or the influence of risk-modifying factors such as repair or proliferation stimuli.

China↗
PubMed1986

The aetiology and prognostic implications of reciprocal electrocardiographic changes in acute myocardial infarction.

The relations between reciprocal ST segment depression in the electrocardiogram and infarct size and 10 year prognosis were studied in 315 patients who survived for at least 28 days after a first anterior or inferior myocardial infarction. ST depression was more common in inferior infarcts (72%) than in anterior (37%) ones. It occurred more frequently in complicated infarcts and in the presence of considerable ST elevation. Patients experiencing second or third degree heart block were significantly more likely to show reciprocal changes. The rise in peak cardiac enzyme concentration was higher in patients showing ST depression. In patients with ST depression, peak creatine kinase concentration was 46% higher, aspartate aminotransferase was 39% higher, and lactate dehydrogenase 29% higher after correction for site and complications. A discriminant function analysis selected infarct site, peak aspartate aminotransferase, and magnitude of ST elevation as predictors of the occurrence of ST depression. Age, severity, and smoking status did not significantly improve discrimination. Despite larger increases in peak enzyme concentrations patients with ST depression had marginally fewer subsequent episodes of unstable angina or fatal or non-fatal infarction and a marginally lower 10 year death rate. Neither difference was statistically significant. ST depression occurring early in the acute phase of myocardial infarction is likely to be a reflection of electrophysiological changes taking place at the site of the infarct that is manifested in the contralateral surface of the heart. Other causes, however, such as transient ischaemia at the site of the reciprocal changes or extension of the infarct to contiguous areas cannot be excluded in all cases.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed1986

Transient immunoregulatory perturbation during the acute phase of rheumatic fever.

An abnormal immune response directed at streptococcal antigen is currently thought to be involved in the development of autoimmune phenomena in rheumatic fever (RF). We studied T-cell subsets using the OKT monoclonal antibodies in 13 patients with newly-diagnosed RF. No difference was found in the total number of T cells or in the proportion of helper T cells (OKT4+) at the acute phase (56.6 +/- 6.9) as compared to the recovery phase (55.2 +/- 9.2). However, a significantly decreased proportion of suppressor T cells (OKT8+) was observed during the acute phase (17.2 +/- 6) as compared to the recovery phase (26.4 +/- 5.3) (p less than 0.001). The T4/T8 ratio was significantly higher during the initial phase (3.65 +/- 1.04) and returned to normal later (2.12 +/- 0.39) (p less than 0.002). The results of our study indicate that in the acute phase of RF many patients had low levels of suppressor T cells which return to normal after recovery. Thus, reduced proportion of suppressor T cells might be an indicator for the active phase of RF. Decreased suppressor cell activity may also be involved in the development of autoimmune phenomena in RF.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Congenital anterior urethral diverticulum associated with bilateral urinomas and dysplastic kidneys.

Congenital anterior urethral diverticulum (AUD) is a rare condition. We report a case of AUD associated with urinary ascites, bilateral urinomas and dysplastic kidneys. The diagnosis of urethral obstruction was established in utero by means of ultrasound. The right perirenal urinoma appeared "septated", and we believe that this is related to its hemorrhagic content. Improvement of the clinical condition and renal function was noted after decompression by bilateral cutaneous loop ureterostomy.

Diverticulum↗
PubMed1986

Phase III study of 5-FU and carmustine versus 5-FU, carmustine, and doxorubicin in advanced gastric cancer.

Seventy-seven patients with advanced gastric carcinoma were prospectively randomized to receive 5-FU and carmustine (FB) with or without doxorubicin (FAB). Thirty-five patients were evaluable for response. Neither the response rates (partial remission, 11% for FB and 24% for FAB) nor survival times (median, 4.0 months for FB and 5.5 months for FAB) were statistically different. The median survival of patients with partial remission (7.8 months) and those with no change (7.4 months) was significantly prolonged compared to patients with progressive disease (4.5 months). The side effects of both regimens after the first treatment cycle (except alopecia in FAB) were low. After the second cycle more pronounced myelosuppression in the FAB arm was observed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1985

Growth retardation in sickle-cell disease treated by nutritional support.

The effect of increased nutritional intake was evaluated in 5 growth-retarded children with sickle-cell disease. Growth on recommended daily calorie and protein intakes had been inadequate in all 5. Fat absorption and intestinal mucosal morphology were normal in all 5. 2 children were given nutritional supplementation by nasogastric intubation, 1 received nightly oral formula supplements, and 2 were supplemented with zinc, iron, folate, and vitamin E only. Nutritional supplementation by the nasogastric route produced a rapid sustained increase in growth rate, associated with striking reductions in pain crises and infections which had previously necessitated many hospital admissions. Oral supplementation improved the clinical course but had no effect on growth rate. Mineral and vitamin supplements influenced neither the growth rate nor the clinical course. The observations indicate that nasogastric nutritional supplementation may accelerate growth and reduce the incidence and severity of complications in growth-retarded children with sickle-cell disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Impaired immune function in hemophilia patients treated exclusively with cryoprecipitate: relation to duration of treatment.

Recently, abnormalities of cell-mediated immunity were found in hemophiliac patients receiving factor VIII concentrate therapy. Contradictory results were reported concerning cellular immune functions in hemophiliacs treated only with cryoprecipitate or fresh frozen plasma. Therefore, we evaluated the immunological status of 15 Israeli patients with severe classic hemophilia-A who were treated only with cryoprecipitate and never exposed to factor VIII concentrate whether of commercial source or blood bank prepared. As a group, only mildly depressed cellular immune functions and slight reduction in the helper to suppressor cell ratio were found. However, when patients treated more than 15 years were analyzed separately, a significant reduction in proportion of T cells, T-helper cells, helper to suppressor ratio, and proliferative response to phytohemaglutinin and pokeweed mitogen were observed compared to patients treated for less than 15 years and normal controls. Proportion of T-suppressor cells, Con A-activated suppressor activity, and IgG and IgA levels were significantly elevated in patients treated for more than 15 years. These results may support the view that derangement of immune function in hemophiliacs results from infusion of foreign proteins or an ubiquitous virus rather than contracting AIDS infectious agent.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Quantification of keratan sulfate in blood as a marker of cartilage catabolism.

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent-inhibition assay which makes use of a monoclonal antibody specific for keratan sulfate to quantify keratan sulfate present as single chains in adult human serum. In adults hospitalized with conditions not thought to affect the turnover of keratan sulfate-containing tissues, the serum levels varied from individual to individual (53-1,009 ng/ml) but did not show significant differences with respect to age, sex, or disease category. There were no significant differences between the serum levels of adult hospitalized patients and those of nonhospitalized normal adults. In contrast, the concentration of keratan sulfate in the sera of children aged 5-12 was significantly higher. No keratan sulfate was detected in the sera of 3 adult patients with macular corneal dystrophy, an inherited disorder of the cornea. This may indicate that individuals with macular corneal dystrophy have no keratan sulfate-containing proteoglycans in their cartilage. Adult patients with osteoarthritis have significantly higher concentrations of circulating keratan sulfate. This suggests that the assay could prove valuable in monitoring increased cartilage catabolism in joint diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Cutaneous facilitation of transmission in Ib reflex pathways in the human upper limb.

Group I effects from wrist extensors to flexors, i.e. an early inhibition followed by a relative facilitation which are thought to be Ia and Ib in origin respectively, were compared in control conditions and when preceded by a weak cutaneous stimulation. Stimulating the skin of the dorsal side of fingers II-III, which did not modify the test reflex size when applied alone, increased Ib facilitation. By contrast this Ib effect was not changed by stimulation of the skin of the palmar side. It has previously been shown that heteronymous Ib inhibition in the lower limb during voluntary contraction is facilitated by cutaneous stimulation from restricted receptive fields. Thus, present results lend support to the idea that cutaneous facilitation of transmission in Ib reflex pathways might be functional in curtailing exploratory movements.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Lung cancer incidence in a Chinese high background area--epidemiological results and theoretical interpretation.

A survey of inhabitant exposures arising from the inhalation of radon and thoron daughters, and lung cancer mortality has been carried out in two adjacent areas in Guangdong province, China, designated as the "high background" and the "control" area. Annual exposure rates are 0.38 WLM/yr in the high background, and 0.16 WLM/yr in the control area, while age-adjusted mortality rates are 2.7 per 10(5) living people of all ages in the high background, and 2.9 per 10(5) in the control area. From this data we conclude that we are unable to determine the excess lung cancer rate over normal fluctuations below a cumulative exposure of about 15 WLM. This conclusion is supported by lung cancer mortality data from an Austrian high background area.

China↗
PubMed1985

[Endemic goiter in school children of Salta Province, Argentina].

The Province of Salta, located in the northwest of Argentina, showed severe endemic goiter-cretinism. The purpose of our work, therefore, was to evaluate the results of the iodized salt prophylaxis measure implemented since 1963. In 1980-1981 the prevalence of goiter was determined in 16,935 school children whose ages ranged from four to 15 years. The urinary iodine/creatinine index was also determined in a subsample of 401 children. Findings revealed that the goiter prevalence in the Province was 16.1%. In 10 Departments of the Province, those with greater socioeconomic development and denser population, the prevalences found were below 10%, limit established as endemic. In the remaining 13 Departments, especially in those less developed--where mountainous regions make their access difficult and hence, their populations consume non-iodized salt obtained from natural salt basins--values exceeded this limit. The average ioduria was 104.0 micrograms I/g Cr, with 4.5% presenting values below 25 micrograms. After 20 years of prophylaxis, endemic goiter has therefore been partially eradicated. It is suggested, however, that consumption of iodized salt and, even the supply of iodized oil in those areas where prevalence is high, be recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Prospective randomized study in advanced stomach cancer. Comparison between combinations of 5-fluorouracil and carmustine without and with adriamycin].

In a multi-center study of 77 patients with gastric carcinoma and metastases, the effects of combined 5-fluorouracil and carmustine with or without adriamycin (FB vs FAB) were compared. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups as to rate of response or survival time, response to treatment was 20% (FB) and 24% (FAB), including "no change" 52% and 56%, respectively. But median survival time among the responders (partial remission and clinical improvement) and of the patients with unchanged findings was significantly longer (8.4 or 7.4 months, respectively) than that among patients with progression (4.5 months). Analysis of prognostic factors in terms of survival curves revealed no difference between patients with or without measurable tumor parameters, with or without local recurrences or liver metastases. However, there was a statistically significant worsening of prognosis for patients whose initial general state was reduced, who had lung metastases or increased WBC counts. Side effects were relatively mild with both therapy regimens, except for alopecia with FAB. After the second treatment cycle myelosuppression was more marked with FAB than FB.

Adult↗