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Biomedical subjects

S Abraham

Publications and source records attributed to S Abraham.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary cardiac lipoblastoma.

Lipoblastoma is a benign adipose tumor in children that has been described in various anatomic locations, most commonly the extremities. We describe the case of a 17-month-old boy diagnosed with cardiac lipoblastoma, a previously unreported primary cardiac tumor in children. Our patient presented with symptoms of coughing, wheezing, and hoarseness and was found to have a large mediastinal mass, which narrowed the left mainstem bronchus and compressed the right atrium and superior vena cava, causing superior vena cava syndrome. Surgical exploration revealed an intrapericardial soft tissue mass arising from the area of the posterior interatrial septum. Grossly, the resected mass was lobulated, pale yellow, and fatty with focal areas of gray myxoid tissue. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of both immature and mature adipocytes, with focal vascular myxoid areas containing lipoblasts, diagnostic of lipoblastoma. Two months after surgery, the patient was in good health without evidence of recurrence.

Heart Neoplasms↗
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Eating behavior and pregnancy outcome.

The association between clinical eating disorders, maternal body weight, shape, and eating concerns, and the birth of low-birth-weight infants (LBW; less than 2500 g) was investigated using a retrospective case-control study. Eighty-eight women delivering LBW infants were interviewed and then divided into two groups--those delivering term, small-for-gestational-age infants (SGA; 37 or more completed weeks, n = 34) and those delivering premature infants (less than 37 completed weeks, n = 54). There were 86 reference women (CTRL) matched for age, parity, and health insurance status, who delivered babies with birth weights greater than 2500 g. In the week postpartum, women delivering term SGA, premature (PREM), and CTRL infants were interviewed using a semistructured interview. One section of this interview included a modified version of the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), which retrospectively generated, over the previous 12 months, diagnosis of an eating disorder and maternal "normative" weight and shape concerns. In the 3 months before pregnancy, 32% of SGA women, 9% PREM women, and 5% of reference women were diagnosed as having a clinical eating disorder. Women with a past history of an eating disorder had no greater risk of delivering a low-birth-weight infant. Women delivering SGA infants, reported elevated eating disorder psychopathology postdelivery (Eating Disorders Inventory, EDI) and more disturbances in eating behavior before and during pregnancy. Unique predictors for delivery of a LBW term SGA infant were: low maternal prepregnancy body weight, smoking, low maternal weekly weight gain, and elevated EDI (Bulimia subscale). Unique predictors for delivery of a LBW premature infant were: lower maternal occupational status, vomiting in pregnancy, and lower dietary restraint. Women with disordered eating were shown to be at greater risk of delivering term SGA infants. Predictors of term growth retardation are partly determined by maternal behavior.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexuality and reproduction in bulimia nervosa patients over 10 years.

The reproductive and sexual histories of women who had recovered or were recovering from bulimia nervosa were examined. Of 48 consecutive female patients, 43 were studied 10-15 years after first presenting for treatment. At follow-up, 74% were considered recovered and 26% still had an eating disorder. Only 2 women fulfilled the criteria for bulimia nervosa. A history of amenorrhea was common (81% of women), 63% of women being without their menstrual periods for more than 12 months. Menstruation was present in women at a body mass index of 19 or more who were no longer using the weight loss practices of self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, and starvation. Bulimia nervosa women are more likely to be investigated for infertility when their eating disorder is active. Bulimia sufferers are sexually active, but have times of withdrawing from their partners and ceasing sexual behavior. They associate their sexual feeling with body weight, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and status of their relationships. Marital breakdown is also more common but only if the eating disorder was active at the time of marriage. Forty-five percent left their relationship had a negative effect on their eating disorder. Short-term episodes of bulimic-free behavior are associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding in some pregnancies. Termination of pregnancy occurs more often. The prevalence of miscarriage, hyperemesis gravidarum, and postnatal depression was greater among women who had not recovered from their eating disorder at the time of their pregnancy. Recovery from eating disorder behavior before attempting conception reduces the prevalence of the gynecologic, obstetric, and psychiatric problems associated with eating disorder behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The eustachian tube midportion in infants.

The eustachian tube midportion in infants and children was measured in 44 eustachian tubes from normal temporal bones and 11 eustachian tubes from temporal bones harboring acute otitis media. The temporal bones were serially sectioned, and the lumina of the eustachian tubes' midportions were measured with the aid of a grid mounted on a microscope. These measurements showed that the eustachian tube lumen grows to a small degree with age. Each age group showed a considerable variation in the range of the luminal area compatible with natural biologic distribution. No statistically significant difference was found in the sizes of the midportions of the eustachian tube lumina from temporal bones that harbored acute otitis media when compared with the lumina of the eustachian tube midportions from normal ears.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chemoembolization of liver tumor in a rabbit model: assessment of tumor cell death with diffusion-weighted MR imaging and histologic analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of chemoembolization of liver tumors by determining the fraction of viable tumor cells remaining after treatment with use of diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histologic analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VX2 tumor was grown in the livers of 12 rabbits. Animals were divided into a chemoembolization group and an untreated group. Conventional, perfusion, and diffusion MR imaging was performed on all rabbits. Histopathologic analysis of explanted livers was performed to document tumor cell death and measure Bcl-2 levels (inhibitor of apoptosis). RESULTS: Diffusion-weighted MR imaging delineated zones of tumor cell death as regions of lower signal intensity in both groups. Apparent diffusion coefficients were significantly greater in the area of tumor necrosis than in the area of viable tumor. Histologic analysis demonstrated a significantly lower percentage of viable cells in the treated group (<1%) than in the control group (55%). Bcl-2 expression detected within the viable areas of the tumor was greater in the treated group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Chemoembolization causes extensive tumor cell destruction. Diffusion MR imaging can detect tumor cell death and can be used to assess the efficacy of chemoembolization. Bcl-2 was expressed in the treated group, suggesting an apoptotic pathway of cell death.

Animals↗
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Knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to weight control, eating disorders, and body image in Australian trainee home economics and physical education teachers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about weight control and eating disorders among trainee home economics and physical education teachers and to assess their body image and weight control practices. The association between actual body weight and body image was also examined. DESIGN: Survey research was undertaken using a self-report questionnaire. Height and weight were measured. SUBJECTS/SETTINGS: Trainee home economics and physical education teachers (N = 216, 96% participation rate) in their last month of training at three major state teacher training universities completed a questionnaire during their regular class times. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Advice teachers give to overweight adolescents knowledge and beliefs about eating disorders, body image, desired weight, food habits, dieting, body appearance ratings, weight control practices, and diagnosed and self-reported eating disorders. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Descriptive statistics, chi square, and analyses of variance compare gender and Body Mass Index differences. RESULTS: Males (85%) and females (87%) advised young overweight adolescents to diet to lose weight. Twenty percent of females and 13% of males regularly skipped breakfast. The advise given showed a lack of specific nutrition education about weight control, adolescent nutritional needs, and fad diets. Participants held misconceptions about eating disorders, and a range of 14% to 72% answered these questions incorrectly. Fourteen percent of females self-reported that they currently had an eating disorder, but only 6% had received treatment. Some females used potentially dangerous methods of weight loss, including 19% who abused laxatives and 10% who induced vomiting. IMPLICATIONS: Trainee home economics and physical education teachers need specific nutrition information and training about eating disorders, weight control, and suitable advice for overweight students. The female trainee teachers in our study had a poor body image and disordered eating similar to other young women in Western countries, and this should be taken into account by teacher training institutions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The human Eustachian tube lumen in children. I. The isthmus.

A study of Eustachian tube measurement in infants and children is presented. The study comprised 53 Eustachian tubes from normal temporal bones and 17 Eustachian tubes from temporal bones harbouring acute and secretory otitis media. The temporal bones underwent histologic serial sectioning. The lumen of the Eustachian tube isthmus was measured with the aid of a grid mounted on a microscope. These measurements show: A) the Eustachian tube isthmus lumen does grow and enlarge slightly with age; B) each age group presents a considerable range in area, compatible with a natural biological distribution; C) no statistical difference was found in the size of isthmus lumens obtained from temporal bones which had been affected by acute or secretory otitis media, when compared with lumens of Eustachian tubes coming from non-pathological ears. This comparison took into consideration both age and physiological distribution.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antibody response to a single tetanus toxoid booster in young women in rural south India.

BACKGROUND: Tetanus toxoid immunization is an integral part of the maternal and child health programme in developing countries. It is likely that many women may have had childhood immunization and so already have antitetanus antibodies at the time of their first antenatal visit. A single dose of tetanus toxoid injection can boost the levels of antitetanus antibodies in these women. This study was undertaken to assess the previous immunization status by verbal history and assess the effect of a single tetanus toxoid injection in young women. METHODS: Ninety-nine unmarried women between 18 and 22 years of age were enrolled for the study. The history of childhood immunization was obtained from their mothers. Blood samples were collected to measure IgG antibody levels to tetanus using ELISA. Antibody levels were also measured on day 14 after a dose of tetanus toxoid injection. RESULTS: Of the 99 women studied, 81 had a history of childhood immunization while 18 did not. Overall, 92% of the women had protective levels of antibodies at the time of first testing and 99% of the women were protected with a single dose of tetanus toxoid. CONCLUSION: In areas with good maternal and child health services, a single booster dose of tetanus toxoid can be considered adequate for primigravidae with a history of childhood immunization.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Symptoms related to the reproductive tract and mental health among women in rural southern India.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms related to the reproductive tract and symptoms of psychological distress are commonly seen in women living in South Asia. This study aimed to determine the association, if any, between symptoms related to the reproductive tract and mental health among women in rural southern India. METHODS: The study was conducted in a community setting of a comprehensive community health programme in a development block in rural southern India. It was a cross-sectional survey with a nested case-control study. The main outcome measure was the probability of mental distress as assessed by the Tamil version of the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ). RESULTS: Of the 622 subjects recruited, 150 (24.4%) complained of at least one symptom related to the reproductive tract. The commonest symptom was vaginal discharge (17.5%). Significantly higher scores on the GHQ were associated with the presence of many current and past symptoms related to the reproductive tract, and receiving treatment for the same, even after adjusting for age, education, current marital status and type of house, using multiple regression analysis. GHQ scores were positively correlated with a higher number of current and past symptoms. Significantly higher scores were also associated with greater knowledge about prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive tract infections. Being currently married and educated were significant protective factors. A nested case-control study was done with the presence of a current common mental disorder as the outcome. Symptoms and other factors dated prior to this outcome were considered potential risk factors. Logistic regression models were developed. The presence of a symptom related to the reproductive tract for more than one month (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.8, 7.2) and a history of similar symptoms over the past year (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.3, 3.7) were risk factors for the development of common mental disorders. Higher education (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.3, 0.7) and being currently married (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1, 0.6) were protective factors. CONCLUSION: The cross-sectional data suggest an association between symptoms pertaining to the reproductive tract and psychological distress. The results of the nested case-control study suggest that symptoms related to the reproductive tract are risk factors for common mental disorders, while education and being currently married are protective factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hormonal and biochemical abnormalities in women suffering from eating disorders.

This study reports the results of a biochemical investigation of 80 eating disorder patients and results of an endocrinological investigation of 20 subjects. Of the 80 subjects studied, 22 suffered from anorexia nervosa and 51 were diagnosed as having bulimia. These patient's results were compared to those of 30 control subjects. The eating disorder patients had significantly higher levels of total CO2 calcium, alanine aminotransferase and cholesterol, and significantly lower levels of potassium, chloride and phosphate in the plasma. Hypokalaemia was strongly associated with self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse. Hypercholesterolaemia occurred most commonly in anorexia nervosa patients. Preliminary endocrinological results suggest decreased gonadotrophin levels are associated with binge eating and self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse, as well as with low weight. We feel eating disorder patients should be interviewed and examined by a physician with an interest in this area. Appropriate investigations should be ordered. The physician should also undertake counseling about the short- and long-term sequelae of disordered eating.

Adult↗