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Biomedical subjects

S Heller

Publications and source records attributed to S Heller.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Effect of combined maternal and infant food-allergen avoidance on development of atopy in early infancy: a randomized study.

The effect of maternal and infant avoidance of allergenic foods on food allergy was examined in a prenatally randomized, controlled trial of infants of atopic parents. The diet of the prophylactic-treated group (N = 103) included (1) maternal avoidance of cow's milk, egg, and peanut during the third trimester of pregnancy and lactation and (2) infant use of casein hydrolysate (Nutramigen) for supplementation or weaning, and avoidance of solid foods for 6 months; cow's milk, corn, soy, citrus, and wheat, for 12 months; and egg, peanut, and fish, for 24 months. In the control group (N = 185), mothers had unrestricted diets, and infants followed American Academy of Pediatrics feeding guidelines. The cumulative prevalence of atopy was lower at 12 months in the prophylactic-treated (16.2%) compared to the control (27.1%) group (p = 0.039), resulting from reduced food-associated atopic dermatitis, urticaria and/or gastrointestinal disease by 12 months (5.1% versus 16.4%; p = 0.007), and any positive food skin test by 24 months (16.5% versus 29.4%; p = 0.019), caused primarily by fewer positive milk skin tests (1% versus 12.4%; p = 0.001). The prevalences of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and inhalant skin tests were unaffected. Serum IgE levels in the prophylactic-treated group were marginally lower only at 4 months. Thus, reduced exposure of infants to allergenic foods appeared to reduce food sensitization and allergy primarily during the first year of life.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

DMI-measured defenses and HIV-related risk behaviors in i.v. compared to non-i.v. substance abusers.

The Defense Mechanism Inventory (DMI) and The Risk Behavior Inventory (RBI) were administered to substance abusers hospitalized on a drug detoxification service. The groups were categorized on the basis of self-reported IV versus non-IV substance abuse. Significant between-group differences were obtained on the DMI and RBI. The non-IV group responded less often than the IV group with the Turning Against Object (TAO) response option, resulting in higher scores when Turning Against Self (TAS), Reversal (REV), Principalization (PRN) and Projection (PRO) were summed into a single score. Significant within-group differences were obtained for DMI response levels and defenses. Both groups relied less on TAO at the thought level and more on PRN and REV as primary defenses. The IV group reported twice as many risk behaviors as the non-IV group and risked HIV exposure through needle use and sexual transmission modes. Consideration was given to the role of principalization and denial within the addicted individual's defense structure and the relationship of these defenses to HIV-related risk behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The maintenance of total ventilatory requirements through a chronic bronchopleural cutaneous fistula.

In patient with a chronic post-tuberculous bronchopleural cutaneous fistula (BPCF), minute ventilation, dead space, flow rates, arterial blood gas tensions, and oxygen consumption were measured during mouth breathing and after 30 min of steady-state breathing solely through the BPCF. Despite a 390-ml (18%) decrease in dead space when breathing took place through the BPCF, there were no significant changes in minute ventilation or respiratory rate. BPCF breathing was also associated with an increase in airways resistance as reflected by a 300-ml (35%) decrease in the FEV1 and a 16% decrease in the FEV1/FVC ratio. The increased resistance resulted in a 20 ml/min (18%) increase in oxygen consumption. Arterial blood gas tensions remained constant. We conclude that although ventilatory efficiency was not improved, this patient was able to satisfy his total minute ventilatory requirements, for the 30-min period, solely through BPCF breathing.

Bronchial Fistula↗
PubMed1986

Effectiveness of dietary manipulation in the prevention of food allergy in infants.

The desire to alter the natural incidence of atopic illness has piqued physicians' imaginations for decades. Specifically, the phenotypic expression of IgE-mediated disorders, which appears regulated by multiple genetic factors and modulated by environmental experiences (allergen exposure, infection, and smoking), has been a target for preventive medicine since the 1920s when dietary intervention was espoused in infancy. To be successful, such intervention must overcome many patient factors that in concert markedly increase the risk for development of atopic disease (Table XII). During the past 60 years, much controversy has emerged from multiple clinical studies designed to evaluate the effect of dietary and other environmental exclusions on the subsequent manifestation of atopy. One may conservatively conclude, from critical evaluation of these conflicting studies, that sole breast feeding for about 6 months combined with delayed introduction of solid foods for at least 6 months may reduce atopic dermatitis and food allergy in early infancy. A randomized, prospective study of allergy prophylaxis during infancy is mandatory to determine definitely the benefits and feasibility of such a regimen and its long-term effects on the development of atopy. From our recent findings, which demonstrate the development of atopy in infants entered in a strict prophylactic protocol, it becomes apparent that monumental obstacles confront preventive efforts to overcome the strength of the allergic constitution. In the very near future, results from our prospective study of prenatally randomized allergy prophylaxis should be available for critical scrutiny of the effectiveness and feasibility of allergy prevention during infancy.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1981

Prediction of renal functional recovery after relief of upper urinary tract obstruction.

Renal cortical regions of interest were used prospectively to predict recoverability of renal function in 27 patients with unilateral or bilateral urinary tract obstruction. In these 27 patients 36 kidneys with short-term or long-term obstruction were studied. The 131iodine radiohippuran renogram curves were generated from areas of interest from the renal cortex and from the whole kidney. Curves generated during obstruction were evaluated qualitatively to determine if regional cortical renograms exhibited a more normal appearance than total kidney curves. After relief of obstruction renograms generated from the whole kidney were evaluated for evidence of renal functional recovery. Cortical curves obtained before relief obstruction were judged normal, with an abnormal whole kidney renogram in 20 of 36 kidneys. The whole kidney renogram improved after relief of obstruction in all 20 cases. Cortical curves for the remaining 16 kidneys before relief of obstruction had the same abnormal appearance as the whole kidney renogram. After relief of obstruction no evidence of kidney function improvement as measured by the renogram was evident in 14 kidneys. The over-all accuracy of this test of renal functional recoverability was 94 per cent. These data support the hypothesis that when cortical curves appear more normal than total kidney curves there is a strong likelihood of postoperative improvement in renal function when the obstruction is relieved. Abnormal cortical curves are associated with a poor prognosis for renal functional improvement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

How many CT scanners do you need?

Ohio HSA has developed a systematic approach to determine the need for CT scanners, basing final decisions on population and incidence of disease.

Disease↗
PubMed1980

[Pre-eclampsia and placental hormones (author's transl)].

Human placental lactogen (HPL) and beta 1-SP-1, a placental glycoprotein specific for pregnancy, were determined in 177 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia of varying severity. The serum levels of both hormones decrease during pregnancy in concordance to the severity of pre-eclampsia. In women with severe pre-eclampsia more than 50% showed extreme decreases of the serum concentrations of both hormones. Because of the simple methodology of the test, rapid availability of the results and a lower cost, the determination of the beta-1-SP-1 is perferable to the determination of HPL.

Female↗
PubMed1980

[The influence of artificial infrared radiation and microwaves upon mucopolysaccharides, protamine sulphate, and mucin in virus-infected organ cultures (author's transl)].

Infrared radiation and 1-2 micron microwaves influenced the infectivity of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) upon chick embryo tracheal tissue in such a way that the expected destruction of ciliated epithelium turned out to be incomplete or did not take place at all, respectively. Due to the fact that direct damaging of viruses following such radiation was not shown and that it was our intention to arrange the experimental set-up as if natural rhinolaryngeal conditions had induced the infection of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract a study was performed in order to establish the radiation influence on mediator substances involved in the virus infection of mucous membranes. The mucopolysaccharides, chondroitine sulphate and hyaluronic acid, as well as mucin served as models; in addition protamine sulphate was used for reasons of comparison. The influence of the above substances upon NDV-infection in organ cultures and the effect of electromagnetic waves upon such influence were studied. By choosing a virus concentration of 10(-8)/ml on chick embryo tracheal tissue it was established that the application of infrared radiation (Osram Siccatherm Infrared Radiator,- 1-2 micron) and cm-waves (Klystron Raytheon Comp. Mass. USA, - 1.35 cm) for a length of 10 min. inhibited Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) infectivity. The suspension fluid was treated with infrared and the tissue with cm-waves. Previous experiments revealed that direct radiation influence upon viruses cannot be taken for granted which is why the agents, chondroitine sulphate (polyanion) 5-10 microgram/ml, and hyaluronic acid (polyanion) 10-50 microgram/ml, were used in order to study such influence upon NDV-infected tracheal mucous membrane. In addition, protamine sulphate (polycation), 5-10 microgram/ml, and mucin were used. All the above mentioned substances influenced viral infectivity in organ cultures-expressed in terms of quotients: quotient 1 means no influence on the motility of the ciliated mucous membrane cells and quotient 0.01 means the complete destruction of the cells. Chondroitine sulphate inhibited strong but promoted weak virus infectivity, hyaluronic acid inhibited strong virus infectivity, protamine sulphate inhibited strong but promoted weak virus infectivity and mucin promoted weak virus infectivity in accordance with the used virus concentrations (Table 2). Under the influence of infrared radiation the mediator substances exercised a different influence upon viral infectivity: 25 times out of 32 experiments chondroitine sulphate was inhibited and hyaluronic acid increased in 8 out of 12 experiments (Table 2). The influence of protamine sulphate on viral infectivity was found to be increased 39 times and inhibited 14 times out of 54 experiments, mucin was inhibited 6 times. Furthermore, it is to be added that additional radiation with cm-waves increased the influence of infrared radiation (Table 1)...

Adsorption↗
PubMed1976

[Effects of longterm HCG administration on testicular function in hemodialysis patients (author's transl)].

Thirtheen male patients with chronic renal failure undergoing regular dialysis treatment (2 X 8-10 hours/week) were treated with gonadotropins (HCG, Primogonyl) primarily 2 X 2,000 IU/week and later 2,000 IU/week. Before HCG administration and during 4-months HCG-therapy testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, Androstandiol, LH and FSH levels were determined by RIA-methods in 7-14 days intervals. Before HCG-application plasma testosterone levels were low and did not increase in the course of regular dialysis treatment. Derivates from testosterone like dihydrotestosterone and Androstandiol were elevated in plasma, presumbably because of accumulation in renal failure. LH-levels were slightly elevated on the average. FSH-levels showed a high individual variation but also seemed to be elevated on the average. HCG stimulation by exogenous HCG administration for short time resulted in a insufficient rise of testosterone levels as compared to normals. During prolonged HCG administration plasma testosterone levels increased to normal but dropped immediatly after cessation of therapy or reduction to less than 2,000 IU HCG twice/week. Body weight, plasma proteins, haematocrite and fertility did not improve significantly. These results indicate that in chronic renal failure androgen synthesis by testicular tissue is seriously impaired and does not improve under usual dialysis treatment. Feedback regulation of testosterone levels by increase of LH levels seems not to be sufficient although pituitary response is found to be normal. This may be explained by elevated levels of testosterone derivates which exert negative feedback effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Alpha 1 fetoprotein in pre-eclamptic toxemia (author's transl)].

From 1973 to 1975, 287 serum levels of alpha 1 fetoprotein in women with pre-eclamptic toxemia were determined. Pre-eclamptic toxemia was classified according to modified scheme of Goecke and Rippmann. 161 patients had mild pre-eclamptic toxemia (index 1-3), 72 patients had moderate pre-eclamptic toxemia (index 4-6), 54 patients had severe pre-eclamptic toxemia (index 7). In all types of severity of pre-eclamptic toxemia more levels of alpha fetoprotein were lower or higher than the normal levels including the standard deviations. The number of abnormal values rose with an increasing toxemia index. There was no statistically significant difference between too high values and too low values. Significantly more values were above and also below the normal values. Our investigations appear to indicate that the determination of the alpha fetoprotein is not only valuable as screening method for neural tube defects but also of value in the diagnosis and management of pre-eclamptic toxemia. Too high and too low values should not be differentiated but values both above and below the normal levels should be considered.

Adolescent↗