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Biomedical subjects

S Reif

Publications and source records attributed to S Reif.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Passive smoking in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an Israeli multicentre case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The association between smoking and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is well established. There are, however, no large scale studies of passive smoking in inflammatory bowel disease and this has never been surveyed in the Jewish population of Israel. AIM: To study the passive smoking exposure of Jewish IBD patients in Israel in a large scale multicentre study. METHODS: Patients with established IBD, aged 18-70 years, were interviewed regarding smoking and other habits. Two controls, one clinic and one neighbourhood, matched by age, sex, community group, and education, were sought for each subject. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty-four patients (273 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 261 Crohn's disease (CD)), 478 clinic controls and 430 community controls were interviewed. There were no significant differences in the passive smoking habits between IBD patients and their controls. Fifty-one percent of UC patients, 50% of the clinic controls and 58% of the community controls were exposed to passive smoking at home (NS); similar results were found among CD patients (50%, 55% and 56%, respectively). When a quantitative exposure index was used UC patients were significantly less exposed to passive smoking than were their community controls (7.46 +/- 8.40 vs 9.36 +/- 9.46, n = 229, P< 0.031). There was no difference in the exposure to passive smoking among CD patients and their controls. No differences in exposure to passive smoking were found when UC patients who had never smoked were compared with their controls. When the quantitative index was used 'never-smoked' CD patients tended to be less exposed to passive smoking at home than their community controls (5.40 +/- 7.60 vs 8.04 +/- 8.72, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a lack of association between passive smoking and IBD in Jewish patients in Israel. When a quantitative exposure index was used UC patients were found to be less exposed to passive smoking than their community controls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Lack of association between smoking and Crohn's disease but the usual association with ulcerative colitis in Jewish patients in Israel: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: The association between smoking and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is well established, but data in Jewish patients in Israel were discrepant. The aim of this study was to examine the smoking habits of Jewish IBD patients in Israel in a large scale, multicenter study. METHODS: Patients with established IBD aged 18-70 yr were interviewed in relation to smoking and other habits. Two controls (one clinic and one neighborhood control matched by age, sex, community group, and education) were sought for each subject. RESULTS: A total of 534 patients (273 ulcerative colitis [UC], and 261 Crohn's disease [CD]), along with 478 clinic controls and 430 neighborhood controls, were interviewed. There was no significant difference in the smoking habits between CD patients and their controls. Of patients with CD, 24.5% were current smokers, as compared to 19.9% of clinic controls and 25.2% of neighborhood controls (NS). The odds ratio for CD in current smokers was 1.30 (95% confidence interval 0.85-1.99) versus clinic controls, and 0.96 (0.63-1.46) versus neighborhood controls. There were also no significant differences in the proportion of ex-smokers between the groups. Only 12.9% of UC patients were current smokers versus 21.9. % Clinic controls, and 26.4% community controls (p<0.005). The proportions of ex-smokers were higher in UC patients 29.7% versus 25.9%, and 19.5% in their respective controls (p<0.001 vs. community controls). No significant differences were found in the proportions of never-smokers between IBD patients and controls. All the above trends were similar in four different parts of the country. The proportion of current smokers in UC decreased with the extent of disease (19.7% in proctitis, 13.6% in left-sided, and 4.5% in total colitis) (p<0.05). Patients with UC were more likely to be light smokers(1-10 cigarettes/day), whereas patients with CD were more likely to be moderate smokers (11-20 cigarettes/day) in comparison to their controls. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of association between smoking and CD has now been established in Jewish patients in Israel. The association was found in UC. The stronger genetic tendency in CD may contribute to this discrepancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of assays for anti-endomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies for diagnosis of pediatric celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Anti-endomysial antibodies are sensitive and specific markers for celiac disease. This antibody has recently been identified as an antibody to tissue transglutaminase, an enzyme that cross-links and stabilizes extracellular matrix proteins. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of an enzyme-linked immunoassay for anti-transglutaminase antibodies, and to compare the results with those of AEA, the current gold standard serological test for celiac disease. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 33 patients with biopsy-proven celiac disease and AEA tests were performed. Control samples for anti-transglutaminase were obtained from 155 patients. An ELISA test for immunoglobulin A anti-transglutaminase utilizing guinea pig liver transglutaminase was developed and performed on all sera. Cutoff values for the test were performed using logistic regression and receiver operating curves analysis. RESULTS: An optical density cutoff value of 0.34 was established for the assay. The mean value was 0.18 +/- 0.19 optical density for controls, and 1.65 +/- 1.14 for patients with celiac disease (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the assay were both 90%, while AEA had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A tissue transglutaminase-based ELISA test is both sensitive and specific for detection of celiac disease.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Chronic hepatitis B virus in children in Israel: clinical and epidemiological characteristics and response to interferon therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological features of hepatitis B virus infection in Israeli children, and to evaluate their response and compliance to therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 51 patients (34 males, 17 females), aged 2-18 years, from several medical centers in Israel. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients, 38 with elevated transaminase, positive hepatitis B e antigen and/or HBV DNA, and histologic evidence of liver inflammation were treated. Interferon was administered by subcutaneous injections three times a week for 3-12 months (dosage range 3-6 MU/m2). Only 16% were native Israelis, while 78% of the children were of USSR origin. A family history of HBV infection was recorded in 25 of the 51 patients (9 mothers, 16 fathers or siblings). Five children had a history of blood transfusion. The histological findings were normal in 3 patients, 24 had chronic persistent hepatitis, 14 had chronic active hepatitis and 2 had chronic lobular hepatitis. Five children also had anti-hepatitis D virus antibodies. Twelve of the 38 treated patients (31.5%) responded to IFN completely, with normalization of the transaminase levels and disappearance of HBeAg and HBV DNA. In no patient was there a loss of hepatitis B surface antigen. The main side effects of IFN were fever in 20 children, weakness in 10, headaches in 9, and anorexia in 6; nausea, abdominal pain, and leukopenia were present in 3 cases each. The response rate was not affected by age, country of origin, alanine/aspartate aminotransferase levels, or histological findings. However, a history of blood transfusion was a predictor of good response, 60% vs 27% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found IFN to be a safe and adequate mode of treatment in children with chronic HBV infection, regardless of their liver histology and transaminase levels. Therefore, in view of the transient side effects associated with this drug, we recommend considering its use in all children with chronic hepatitis B.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

First generation cephalosporins as therapy for uncomplicated pyelonephritis in children. A retrospective analysis.

There is no consensus opinion for the optimal management of pyelonephritis in children. We summarized our experience with first generation cephalosporins by a retrospective analysis of 129 pediatric patients with pyelonephritis who were treated either by first generation cephalosporins (97 patients, group 1) or broad-spectrum antibiotics (32 patients, group 2). Group 1 patients were less likely to have reported previous urinary infections or anatomical urinary tract abnormalities (16.2% vs. 53.1%, p= 0.002) and pathogens other than E. coli (7.3% vs. 25%, p=0.02). Resistance to first generation cephalosporins was identified in 22.6% of pathogens cultured, however, only 7.5% of them had poor clinical responses and required alternative treatment replacement. Our findings show that first generation cephalosporins could be used in our region to treat pyelonephritis in an otherwise healthy child, and that they can provide therapeutic success even in the face of apparent bacterial resistance.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Feasibility of multidimensional substance abuse treatment matching: automating the ASAM Patient Placement Criteria. American Society of Addiction Medicine.

UNLABELLED: The Patient Placement Criteria published by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM Criteria) established a non-proprietary standard for matching substance use disorder patients to treatment settings. METHODS: Data from 593 substance dependent adults who were assessed using the first computerized implementation of the ASAM Criteria were analyzed to determine whether the level of care assignments showed significant differences on a variety of clinical measures. RESULTS: The algorithm showed acceptable discrimination between each of three ASAM Levels of Care across numerous clinical subscales. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to implement complex, multidimensional criteria for substance abuse treatment that may improve reliability and facilitate validity studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of a new immunochromatographic test for Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies in elderly symptomatic patients.

AIM: To determine the diagnostic value of a new serum and whole blood serological IgG antibody test, FlexPack HP, for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in elderly symptomatic patients. METHODS: 94 consecutive symptomatic patients who underwent upper endoscopy were studied (mean age, 62.6 years). On endoscopy, the presence of H. pylori infection was examined by biopsies from gastric antrum and body for rapid urease test and histologic examination. Blood was drawn prior to endoscopy and both blood and serum were immediately analyzed for human IgG antibodies to H. pylori by a new commercially available qualitative immunochromatographic method, FlexPack HP. This test incorporates high-molecular weight cell-associated proteins (HM-CAP), which are highly specific for H. pylori IgG antibodies. RESULTS: Overall agreement for FlexPack HP whole blood vs FlexPack HP serum was 100%, and agreement with biopsy results was 71%. The gold standard (detection of H. pylori by histology or urease test) identified H. pylori in 61 patients (65%). Complete agreement was observed between the gold standard test and the serology kit in 72% (68/94) of sera (51 positive and 17 negative). Disagreement was found in sera of 26 patients; 16 sera were negative by the gold standard and positive by FlexPack HP and 10 patients were found negative by serology. The sensitivity of FlexPack HP was 84% and the specificity 52% when compared with the gold standard. CONCLUSIONS: FlexPack HP serum and whole blood test is a simple and reliable method for the detection of H. pylori antibodies, with 100% agreement between the serum and blood results. In the elderly symptomatic patients the sensitivity of FlexPack HP was similar to that of other serologic tests, but the specificity was relatively low, limiting its use in this population.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

The Ras antagonist, farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS), inhibits experimentally-induced liver cirrhosis in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Protooncogenes may play an important role, not only in carcinogenesis, but also in the regulation of normal cellular proliferation and differentiation. Several studies have indicated increased expression of the Ras protooncogenes in the liver in animal models and in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a synthetic Ras antagonist, S-farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS), which specifically dislodges Ras from the membrane of Ras-transformed fibroblasts (EJ cells), can prevent experimentally-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of thioacetamide (200 mg/kg twice weekly for 12 weeks). The Ras antagonist, farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS, 5 mg/kg), was administered during the study period 3 times a week. Ras expression in the liver was determined by Western blot analysis with pan anti-Ras antibodies and by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Rats treated with thioacetamide and the Ras antagonist, farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS), for 12 weeks had lower histopathologic scores of fibrosis and inflammation (p-values of 0.003 and 0.008, respectively) than those treated with thioacetamide only. There were no differences between the histopathologic scores in vehicle (control) and in Ras-antagonist (FTS) only treatments. Analysis of hepatic hydroxyproline levels from the two thioacetamide-treated groups and controls confirmed the histopathologic scores (7.7+/-0.9 mg/g protein in the TAA-treated vs. 3.8+/-0.5 mg/g protein in the TAA+FTS treated group, p = 0.007). Ras levels, determined by Western blot analysis, were markedly increased in the livers treated with TAA (17-fold over control) and significantly decreased (by about 70%) in the livers of rats treated with TAA and FTS. Studies in isolated human hepatic stellate cells demonstrated that FTS inhibited both DNA synthesis and migration of those cells (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that inhibition of Ras expression in the liver during fibrogenesis, prevents the development of experimentally-induced hepatic cirrhosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The efficacy of omeprazole-based short-term triple therapy in Helicobacter pylori-positive older patients with dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of 1-week triple therapy with omeprazole, clarithromycin,and tinidazole (OCT) in Helicobacter pylori-positive older patients with dyspepsia. DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized therapeutic study. SETTING: The primary care and referral center of a gastroenterological outpatient clinic at a central university hospital serving an urban population (>1 million) in Israel. PARTICIPANTS: The study group consisted of 134 patients (71 men, and 63 women) more than 60 years old who were referred for evaluation of symptoms of dyspepsia and were endoscopically diagnosed as H. pylori positive. The patients were divided into two groups: those who received their first course of anti-H. Pylori therapy during this study (Group 1) and those who had previously received standard metronidazole and bismuth combination therapies that failed to eradicate the H. pylori (Group 2). MEASUREMENTS: All the patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and H. pylori infection was confirmed by a rapid urease test (CUTest) and/or histological staining. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by a 13C-urea breath test 4 weeks after completion of treatment. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 68.8 years (range 60-87). There were 112 patients in Group 1 and 22 patients in Group 2. Endoscopic findings were: gastritis (in 46), gastric ulcer (8), duodenal ulcer (52), and duodenitis (28). The H. pylori eradication rate was significantly higher in Group 1 patients (104/112, 92.9%) than in patients of Group 2 (15/22, 68.2%). There was no difference in the eradication rate in relation to gender, endoscopic diagnosis, more advanced age, place of birth, or smoking habits. The compliance in both groups was equally good, and no major side effects were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-week OCT triple therapy is well tolerated and effective as first line therapy for H. pylori among older people. It is less effective in patients previously treated.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of ropivacaine, 3-hydroxy-ropivacaine, 4-hydroxy-ropivacaine and 2',6'-pipecoloxylidide in plasma.

A sensitive HPLC method has been developed for the determination of ropivacaine, 3-hydroxy-ropivacaine, 4-hydroxy-ropivacaine and 2',6'-pipecoloxylidide in plasma. The procedure involved extraction from plasma with a mixture of n-heptane-ethyl acetate and a back-extraction into an acidified aqueous solution. The chromatography was achieved using a LiChrospher RPB C8 column with a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile and pH 2.1, 0.01 M potassium dihydrogenphosphate, the latter phase containing 0.005 M 1-heptanesulfonic acid for ropivacaine metabolites analysis. The extraction yields of ropivacaine, 3-hydroxy-ropivacaine, 4-hydroxy-ropivacaine and 2',6'-pipecoloxylidide were 94.7%, 79.4%, 79.4% and 77.7%, respectively. The limits of detection of ropivacaine, 3-hydroxy-ropivacaine, 4-hydroxy-ropivacaine and 2',6'-pipecoloxylidide in plasma samples were 0.9 ng/ml, 3 ng/ml, 5 ng/ml and 1 ng/ml, respectively.

Amides↗
PubMed1998

[Aphthous stomatitis as a first manifestation of Crohn's disease in a 5 year-old boy].

The incidence of Crohn's disease has risen dramatically over the past few years. The peak age of onset is in late adolescence, but it rarely occurs in the first few years of life. We describe a 5-year-old boy with recurrent bouts of fever, aphthous stomatitis, and anemia which did not respond to routine antibiotic therapy. It was only after a few months, when the characteristic symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): abdominal pain and diarrhea appeared, that the diagnosis of Crohn's disease was made. This case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosing IBD in young children. The presenting symptoms of IBD in children are often nonspecific and extra-intestinal. There is usually a low index of suspicion by the physician as to the possibility of IBD in a young child.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1998

Cocaine dependence with and without PTSD among subjects in the National Institute on Drug Abuse Collaborative Cocaine Treatment Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence of lifetime traumatic events and current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent outpatients and compared patients with and without PTSD on current substance use, psychopathology, and sociodemographic characteristics. METHOD: The subjects were 122 adult cocaine-dependent outpatients participating in a treatment outcome study of psychosocial therapy. In addition to standard self-report and interview measures of psychopathology and substance use, the subjects completed the Trauma History Questionnaire and the PTSD Checklist before entering treatment. RESULTS: These patients experienced a large number of lifetime traumatic events (mean = 5.7); men experienced more general disasters and crime-related traumas than women, and women experienced more physical and sexual abuse than men. According to self-report measures, 20.5% of the subjects currently met the DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD; the rate of PTSD was 30.2% among women and 15.2% among men. Patients with PTSD had significantly higher rates of co-occurring axis I and axis II disorders, interpersonal problems, medical problems, resistance to treatment, and psychopathology symptoms than patients without PTSD. Psychopathology symptoms represented the most consistent difference between the two groups and provided the best prediction of PTSD status in a logistic regression. However, the groups did not differ significantly in current substance use or sociodemographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the value of screening substance abusers for PTSD, because it can identify a small but substantial number who might require additional treatment. Further studies of the relationship between PTSD and substance abuse appear warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The Addiction Severity Index as a screen for trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) includes items to assess patients' history of trauma (physical or sexual). The goal of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of those questions in relation to the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ), a more thorough measure of lifetime trauma and, in addition, to an actual posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. METHOD: At the start of treatment cocaine dependent outpatients (N = 110, 65.5% male) were assessed on the ASI, the THQ and a PTSD symptom checklist as part of a multisite clinical trial. RESULTS: Specificity of the ASI questions was higher than sensitivity for both sexual trauma (specificity = .96, sensitivity = .46) and physical trauma (specificity = .71, sensitivity = .50), while for PTSD the sensitivity of the ASI (.91) was higher than its specificity (.43). Other findings indicated that patients were more likely to report trauma on the THQ than on the ASI (which may be due to the self-report format of the THQ); that the ASI was better at assessing sexual than assessing physical trauma; and that the higher the number of ASI trauma items endorsed, the more likely was the PTSD diagnosis. Finally, PTSD patients had greater severity than non-PTSD patients on other ASI items (e.g., psychological severity, need for treatment). CONCLUSIONS: The ASI trauma questions show stronger utility as a screen for PTSD than for trauma. Results of the study are discussed in light of ways to modify the ASI to screen more accurately for trauma, clinical implications, and limitations of the study method.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

One-week triple therapy with omeprazole, clarithromycin, and nitroimidazole for Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Resolution of Helicobacter pylori infection is important in the management of peptic ulcer disease and reduces peptic ulcer recurrence in both adults and children. Various anti-H pylori treatment regimens have been proposed, reflecting the incomplete clinical success of each. A combination of omeprazole, clarithromycin, and tinidazole, given for 1 week, has been shown to be highly tolerable and effective, achieving a success rate of >90% in the adult population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate this short-term regimen in pediatric and adolescent populations. METHODS: The study group consisted of 35 children referred for evaluation of dyspeptic symptoms. They all underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, in which H pylori infection was confirmed by rapid urease test and/or histologic staining. They were given omeprazole (20 mg twice daily), clarithromycin (250 mg twice daily), and tinidazole or metronidazole (500 mg twice daily) for 1 week. The patients were divided into two groups: those who received the first course of anti-H pylori therapy during this study (group 1) and those who had previously received standard metronidazole and bismuth combination therapies that failed to eradicate H pylori (group 2). Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by a 13C-urea breath test performed 4 weeks after completion of treatment. Results. The 35 study patients had a mean age of 15.9 years (range, 10 to 19) and included 19 males and 16 females, of whom 22 were born in Israel and 13 were immigrants from the former USSR. There were 27 patients (77. 1%) in group 1 and 8 patients (22.9%) in group 2. Endoscopic findings were nodular gastritis (14), gastritis (11), gastric ulcer (1), duodenal ulcer (5), and duodenitis (4). H pylori resolution was significantly higher in group 1 patients (24/27, 88.9%) than in group 2 patients (1/8, 12.5%). There was no difference between patients with nodular gastritis and those with nonnodular gastritis, and between Israeli-born patients and patients born in the former USSR. Compliance in both groups was equally good, and no major side effects were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: One-week omeprazole/clarithromycin/tinidazole triple therapy is highly tolerable and effective for treating H pylori in the pediatric age group, but previous treatment failure diminishes the likelihood of success with this regimen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Transthyretin: a marker for celiac disease activity.

Transthyretin (TTR), a well-established nutritional marker, was measured in patients with active and inactive celiac disease (CD) in order to assess its value as a marker of disease activity. CD activity was assessed by intestinal biopsy to determine intestinal atrophy histologically and by measuring the level of antiendomysial antibody titer. TTR was measured in 26 CD patients fed a diet containing gluten and 22 CD patients fed a gluten-free diet. The control group was composed of 65 healthy sex- and age-matched children. We compared the TTR levels to the two established markers of CD activity. TTR levels were lowest among the celiac patients fed a diet containing gluten and differed significantly from those of the other two groups (r = 0.7, p < 0.002). The TTR levels correlated inversely with both the degree of mucosal atrophy (r = 0.6, p < 0.005) and with anti-endomysial antibody titers (p < 0.005). TTR levels appear to be correlated with morphologic and serologic markers of activity in celiac patients. TTR can be used as a systemic parameter in assessing celiac patients. It can contribute information to the evaluation of children in whom celiac disease is suspected, and it can monitor patients' diet compliance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Preillness non dietary factors and habits in inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM: Environmental as well as genetic factors play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases. The effects of smoking and diet have been demonstrated. Other factors have not been extensively investigated. PATIENTS: Preillness non dietary habits and factors were studied in 88 patients with recent onset of inflammatory bowel diseases (55 with ulcerative colitis and 33 with Crohn's disease) and in matched 76 population and 68 clinic controls. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in relation to education, housing, birth weight, breast feeding in infancy and current weight. The current body mass index was significantly lower in patients as compared to clinic controls (p < 0.05). More patients had low levels of physical activity during the preillness period as compared to controls (p < 0.001 vs clinic controls), while more controls engaged in moderate (p < 0.05) or high levels of physical activity in the corresponding periods. Patients spent fewer hours in strenuous physical activity as compared to controls (NS). Patients slept fewer hours per day (p < 0.05 vs clinic controls). More patients than controls experienced stressful life events during the year prior to onset of symptoms (p < 0.05 for patients with Crohn's disease against both controls and all patients vs population controls). CONCLUSIONS: Other environmental factors besides smoking and diet may affect the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Adolescent↗