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Biomedical subjects

S Levin

Publications and source records attributed to S Levin.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

The value of urinary pregnanediol estimation for monitoring early pregnancies.

Urine samples from 76 pregnant women were tested for pregnanediol content during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnanediol was measured by gas chromatography in 24-hour urine samples obtained once weekly from 76 randomly selected pregnant women 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after the last menstrual period. Pregnancy was ascertained by a positive hemagglutination inhibition test for human chorionic gonadotropin. In patients in whom the urinary pregnanediol content was less than 3 mg/24 hours the abortion rate was 81.5%, and 18.5% had normal pregnancies and births In patients whose pregnanediol content was greater than 3 mg/24 hours the abortion rate was 8.3%, and 91.7% had normal pregnancies and births. The 24-hour urinary pregnanediol excretion rate reflects corpus luteum function and can be considered as a means of monitoring pregnancy in its initial stage.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Von Frey's method of measuring pressure sensibility in the hand: an engineering analysis of the Weinstein-Semmes pressure aesthesiometer.

The development of microsurgical techniques has generated a resurgence of interest in estimating local pressure sensibility as a measure of sensory improvement. Because our experience with Weinstein's modification of Von Frey's probes yielded variable and poorly understood results, we measured two sets of probes and examined them in the light of the engineering principles on which their behavior is based. The mechanical behavior of the nylon monofilaments can be described as buckling with one end built in and the other end pinned. The probes are relatively uniform and consistent. However, no loss in sensitivity would accompany division of the set into two or three equivalent sets. Variations in the buckling stress as high as a factor of eight are difficult to avoid. Gross errors arise from careless application, variations in the elastic modulus due to changes in temperature and humidity, and variations in the attachment of fibers to handles and differences in the ends of the filaments. Interpreting results for this instrument requires an understanding of the factors which can influence those results. The rpobes are simple to use but easy to misinterpret.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Aspects of consumer satisfaction with brief family therapy.

In an evaluative study of brief family therapy, 279 families were administered a Family Satisfaction Questionnaire in their own homes, six months after treatment terminated. This questionnaire was designed to assess several aspects of the families' satisfaction with services received. The identified patient in all families was a child with academic and/or behavioral problems at school. A variety of outcome measures were also obtained both at treatment termination and at the six-month follow-up. Families were generally satisfied with the overall services received but expressed widely varying degrees of satisfaction with various aspects of treatment. Very little dissatisfaction was expressed regarding the availability of services (less than 7 per cent), but a sizeable proportion of families (45 per cent) did not feel that the services provided were comprehensive and adequate. Despite concerns regarding comprehensiveness and adequacy of the service, the majority of families were functioning well at the time of follow-up as assessed by a number of independent measures. Global satisfaction should not be regarded as the only index of treatment effectiveness, as many families who were dissatisfied experienced successful treatment outcomes.

Adolescent↗

Gonadal dysfunction in patients with ataxia telangiectasia.

Two males and three females with ataxia telangiectasia aged from 4 6/12 to 23 years were subjected to an i.v. LH-RH test. All were found to have elevated basal levels of FSH and three had elevated levels of LH. In all the response of FSH to LH-RH was supranormal. In the pubertal and adult females the basal levels of estradiol were low. The laboratory and clinical findings in these patients as well as data reported by others indicated that the primary gonadal failure is an integral part of AT.

Adolescent↗

The role of goal attainment scaling in evaluating family therapy outcome.

The role of an individualized goal attainment procedure as an outcome measure for brief family therapy is described. Establishment of a scale and assessment of goal attainment at six-month follow-up are reported in a study of some 270 families. Results support the procedure as being a reliable and valid means of examining the outcome status of treated families.

Adult↗

The parent-therapist program: alternate care for emotionally disturbed children.

The development of an alternative to residential treatment centers is described. Healthy nuclear families are recruited and, in groups of five couples each, encouraged to function as extended families. Training in appropriate therapeutic techniques enables them to treat several disturbed children in their own homes. Evaluation of the program indicates that outcome does not differ significantly from that of residential treatment, but that costs are markedly lower.

Affective Symptoms↗

Aids to lactation.

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Equipment and Supplies↗

Amikacin in the treatment of gram-negative pneumonia.

A clinical efficacy study of amikacin in the treatment of 15 adults with nonbacteremic, gram-negative bacillary pneumonia is presented. All patients had serious underlying illnesses (11 organic heart disease, five chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, one cancer); 11 had undergone major surgical procedures. All had required respiratory assistance during their hospitalization and all had recently received other antibiotics. Thirteen of 15 patients showed clinical improvement with amikacin therapy; the pathogen was also eradicated in 10 of the 13. The mean minimum inhibitory concentration of amikacin for the 17 isolated pathogens was 3.13 microng/ml. The mean peak serum concentration of amikacin was 17.7 microng/ml. No evidence of ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity was seen. Seventy-three case reports submitted to the manufacturer by multiple investigators of patients with gram-negative pneumonia, treated with amikacin, are also reviewed. All isolated pathogens were sensitive to both amikacin and gentamicin. Fifty-four (74%) of these patients showed improvement with amikacin therapy.

Adult↗

Syphilitic meningitis with papilledema.

Reported is a patient with associated papilledema and syphilitic meningitis. The clinical picture initially suggested an intracranial mass lesion. The cause of the papilledema in this patient was not clear; it did not appear to be related to increased intracranial pressure. Patients with syphilitic meningitis should receive prompt penicillin therapy to avoid serious neurologic sequelae.

Adult↗

Acute glomerulonephritis in children: a review of 153 cases.

Clinical experience with 153 cases of acute glomerulonephritis is recorded. Streptococcal impetigo was the major causative factor in this series. The acute fatality rate was 1.3% (two patients). Of the 151 survivors, 103 patients have been followed up for periods of six months to 11 years. None of these patients have shown any evidence of progression to chronic glomerulonephritis. In this series, as in others previously reported, acute glomerulonephritis in children appears to be self-limited in contrast to the illness in adults, where 25% to 40% of the cases progress to chronic glomerulonephritis. Unusual findings in this survey were ten patients with minimal or no urine abnormalities. Ten patients had normal serum complement values and three patients had well documented second attacks of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Acute Disease↗

Serial measurement of vital capacity in patients on chronic haemodialysis.

Serial measurements of vital capacity (VC) were performed on nine patients on chronic haemodialysis. In six patients the VC remained stable, they were all adequately dialysed and working full-time. Reduction of dialysis time in one of these patients brought about a gradual onset of left heart failure which was preceeded by a decline of VC. In the three remaining patients a decrease of VC preceeded the onset of heart failure, and a rise of VC values signified improvement of cardiac performance. Serial recordings of VC are recommended as a useful objective guide to evaluation and treatment of patients on haemodialysis.

Adult↗

Immune deficiency of T system with possible T cell regulatory activity defect.

The occurrence of T system immunodeficiency in an infant together with excessive production of IgM and, to a lesser degree, of IgG and IgA, is an unusual combination. A case is reported in which an unremitting lung infection with lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly developed in a previously healthy two-month-old infant. Leukocytosis with lymphocytosis, monocytosis and eosinophilia was rapidly followed by leukopenia and lymphocytepenia after a blood transfusion for anemia. There was a transient clinical remission, but on relapse 10 days later, quantitative and functional T cell deficiency was found together with increased IgG and IgA and with IgM values reaching 50 times greater than normal. Thymic humoral factor was successful in vitro in increasing the number of identifiable T cells (E rosetts) as well as T cell function (leukocyte migration inhibition factor production). However, the infant died suddenly, and at autopsy evidence of a generalized inflammatory reaction compatible with a viral infection was found. The thymus was small, hypoplastic and hypocellular. It is speculated that the T system deficiency may have been acquired following Epstein-Barr virus infection, and that T cell regulatory activity of immunoglobulin production was defective.

Antibodies, Viral↗