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Biomedical subjects

S M Levy

Publications and source records attributed to S M Levy.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The prevalence of periodontal attachment loss in an Iowa population aged 70 and older.

Survey dental examinations were conducted in 262 dentate elderly people aged 70 and older and residing in two rural Iowa counties. Over 60 percent of the elderly in these countries were dentate. Buccal and mesial sites of all teeth were assessed for gingival recession, pocket depth, and attachment loss. Mean loss of periodontal attachment was 2.1 mm, and was slightly greater in older age groups and in men. More gingival recession was found on buccal sites and deeper pocketing was found on mesial sites regardless of age group, sex, or tooth type. However, the clinical magnitude of these differences was small. The prevalence of advanced periodontal breakdown was relatively low, with less than 15 percent of the subjects having at least one site with attachment loss of 7 mm or more. However, moderate periodontal breakdown was highly prevalent in this older population.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Estrogen receptor concentration and social factors as predictors of natural killer cell activity in early-stage breast cancer patients. Confirmation of a model.

Previous work of ours has demonstrated that a significant amount of natural killer (NK) activity variance after surgery in stage I and II breast cancer patients could be accounted for by both the estrogen receptor (ER) status of the tumor and by social factors, namely, perceived social support and seeking social support as a general coping strategy. As considerable evidence has accumulated that social support in both animal and human populations may have survival value, we sought to test the reliability of this regression model, using coping and perceived support factor values obtained at 3 months after surgery to account for concurrent follow-up NK activity in this serially assessed group of patients. It was found that the most significant variable predicting NK activity at follow-up was tumor ER concentration, with higher NK activity associated with ER- status. In addition, seeking social support as a coping strategy, as well as the perceived quality of support, also entered the model to account for a significant amount of NK activity variance (multivariate F = 5.25, p less than 0.001). If, as the literature suggests, NK activity is relevant to breast cancer control, and since ER- tumors have a worse prognosis, we suggest here that perhaps such tumors are resistant to control by NK cells because they lack the ability to attract an accumulation of effector cells to the tumor site, or because blocking factors at the site of the tumor prevent local tumor control at the site of action. The finding related to social support also replicates results from an independent sample of breast cancer patients. This finding, taken together with other evidence that this social variable is associated with longer survival in breast cancer populations, underscores the potential importance of this social support variable. Our findings also suggest one possible immunological variable involved, with potential clinical significance, for this patient population.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Dietary fluoride supplements for Ohio children--the role of the physician.

1. All children should receive one form of systemic fluoride and appropriate forms of topical fluoride. 2. If a child is not receiving optimally fluoridated water, the physician or dentist should prescribe dietary fluoride supplements (tablets or drops). 3. The correct dosage must be determined based on patient age and fluoride content of the patient's main water source(s). 4. Special attention is necessary concerning fluoride intake for children breast-feeding or consuming infant formula. 5. To determine the correct fluoride dose, these steps should be followed: A. Always have a sample of the main drinking water source (usually home water) analyzed for the fluoride content before prescribing a fluoride supplement, if you do not have other specific knowledge of water fluoride content. The Ohio Department of Health, Division of Laboratories can provide water fluoride-testing services. B. When the fluoride content of the water has been determined, the fluoride level and the child's age should be compared to the Supplemental Fluoride Dosage Schedule to identify the correct supplement dose. 6. The Division of Dental Health, Ohio Department of Health can provide a list of communities that are optimally fluoridated. Please contact: Ohio Department of Health Division of Dental Health 246 N. High Street Columbus, Ohio 43266-0588 (614) 466-4180

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

Breast conservation versus mastectomy: distress sequelae as a function of choice.

Between 1981 and 1984, 93 stage I and II breast cancer patients were entered onto a trial at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) randomizing patients to excisional biopsy plus radiation v mastectomy. Between 1984 and 1987, 98 stage I and II breast cancer patients were entered onto a behavioral study in Pittsburgh, approximately 70% of whom elected to have breast conservation surgery. Patients at both sites were assessed three to five days postsurgery, and again at 3-month's follow-up, using a well-validated mood measure, the Profile of Mood States (POMS). There were no demographic or disease differences between the two samples. In the Pittsburgh sample, using a repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) analysis, after adjusting for menopausal status and radiotherapy and chemotherapy toxicity, the conservation group was psychologically worse off (F = 2.7, P less than .03). For example, they were significantly more distressed over time (F = 5.5, P less than .02), and more depressed in general (F = 9.2, P less than .005). Using Karnofsky ratings, the two groups were identical in terms of disability at 3-month's follow-up. In contrast, for the NCI patients participating in the randomized trial, after adjusting for chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, reported overall distress decreased over time (F = 17.4, P less than .0001) for all patients, irrespective of treatment group, and the between-groups MANCOVA was not significant. Thus, when comparing the two samples, when "choice" played a major role, the conservation patients were psychologically worse off--at least at 3-month's follow-up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Affect↗
PubMed1989

Dietary fluoride supplements for Indiana's children: the role of the physician.

Fluoride supplements for Indiana children are necessary for caries reduction where communal and well water tests show deficient levels of fluoride. The role of the physician in providing optimum preventive dental care to young patients is discussed. Also, the proper dental protocol for fluoride supplements is provided.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Dietary fluoride supplements for children--the role of the physician.

1. All children should receive one form of systemic fluoride and appropriate forms of topical fluoride. 2. If a child is not receiving optimally fluoridated water, the dentist or physician should prescribe dietary fluoride supplements (tablets or drops). 3. The correct dosage must be determined based on patient age and fluoride content of the patient's main water source(s). 4. Special attention is necessary concerning fluoride intake for children breast feeding or consuming infant formula. 5. To arrive at the correct fluoride dose, these steps should be followed: A. Always have a sample of the main drinking water source (usually home water) analyzed for the fluoride content before prescribing a fluoride supplement, if you do not have other specific knowledge of water fluoride content. The Medical College of Georgia (Department of Oral Biology - Dr. Whitford) provides water fluoride assay services. B. When the fluoride content of the water has been determined, the fluoride level and the child's age should be matched on Table 1 to arrive at the correct supplement dose. 6. Dr. Alderman, Director of the Office of Dental Health, Division of Public Health, Georgia Department of Human Resources, can provide lists of communities in Georgia that are optimally fluoridated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Persistently low natural killer cell activity in normal adults: immunological, hormonal and mood correlates.

This current study is concerned with the identification of the incidence of persistently low natural killer (NK) cell activity in an essentially healthy population of young adults, and the characterization of the psychological profile associated with this pattern of NK activity. Eighty-eight individuals, between the ages of 18 and 44 years, were accrued to this project. Subjects were tested serially, at baseline induction into the study, and at 2 and 4 weeks follow-up. Baseline assessment included a complete physical examination and laboratory work-up in order to exclude anyone ill at the time of enrollment, and to have complete physical status information on all subjects at the time of accrual. NK activity, urinary catecholamine levels and psychological status were also assessed at baseline, and at the specified follow-up intervals. Individuals with low NK activity were operationally defined as those having NK function either below the group mean, or below the group lowest quartile, at baseline and at two follow-up assessments. Results showed that in both univariate analyses, as well as in logistic regression models, age and the perception of environmental stressors or 'hassles' predicted persistently low NK activity. Younger subjects, who perceived environmental events to which they were exposed as more serious in nature, were more likely to exhibit a persistently low NK profile over time than older individuals who perceived daily events as less important to them.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Dietary fluoride supplements for Nebraska's children--the role of the physician.

1. All children should receive one form of systemic fluoride and appropriate forms of topical fluoride. 2. If a child is not receiving optimally fluoridated water, the physician or dentist should prescribe dietary fluoride supplements (tablets or drops). 3. The correct dosage must be determined based on patient age and fluoride content of the patient's main water source(s). 4. Special attention is necessary concerning fluoride intake for children breast-feeding or consuming infant formula. 5. To arrive at the correct fluoride dose, these steps should be followed: A. Always have a sample of the main drinking water source (usually home water) analyzed for the fluoride content before prescribing a fluoride supplement, if you do not have other specific knowledge of water fluoride content. The Laboratory Division of the Nebraska State Department of Health provides water fluoride assay services. B. When the fluoride content of the water has been determined, the fluoride level and the child's age should be matched on Table 1 to arrive at the correct supplement dose. 6. The Division of Dental Health of the Nebraska State Department of Health can provide lists of communities and schools in Nebraska that are optimally fluoridated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Dietary fluoride supplements for Tennessee's children: the role of the physician.

1. All children should receive some form of systemic fluoride and appropriate forms of topical fluoride. 2. If a child is not receiving optimally fluoridated water, the physician or dentist should prescribe a dietary fluoride supplement as tablets or drops. 3. The correct dosage must be determined, based on patient age and fluoride content of the patient's drinking water. 4. Special attention is necessary concerning fluoride intake for children breast-feeding or consuming infant formula. 5. To arrive at the correct fluoride dose, these steps should be followed: (A) Whenever you do not have specific knowledge of water fluoride content, have a sample of the main drinking water source (usually home water) analyzed for the fluoride content before prescribing a fluoride supplement. (B) When the fluoride content of the water has been determined, the fluoride level and the child's age should be matched on Table 1 to arrive at the correct supplement dose. 6. The Fluoridation Program of the Tennessee Division of Water Supply can provide lists of communities and schools in Tennessee that are optimally fluoridated.

Child↗