Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Heller

Publications and source records attributed to T Heller.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Permanency planning for adults with mental retardation living with family caregivers.

Permanency plans made by 100 family caregivers of adults (age 30 and over) with mental retardation living at home were described. Also examined were the effects that the individual's functioning level, caregiver characteristics, support resources, and perceptions of burden had permanency plans. Logistic regression analyses indicated that the individual's functioning level, caregiver characteristics, and support resources predicted preference for placement in a residential program, whereas only the caregiver's characteristics predicted whether families had made financial arrangements for their relative. Implications for service provision to family caregivers were discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1990

Increased expression of a putative adenoma-associated antigen in pre-colonoscopic effluent of patients with colorectal cancer.

A monoclonal antibody Adnab-9, was raised against antigens derived from benign polyps of the colon. Adnab-9 was tested against pre-colonoscopic effluent material obtained from groups of patients with a macroscopically normal colonscopic examination, histologically confirmed adenomatous polyps and patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The resultant binding levels displayed little overlap between the CRC group and the normal, and the difference was statistically significant. Since this putative early neoplasia associated antigen is essentially not expressed in CRC extracts, it may originate from a region of the colon predisposed to neoplasia, increasing in expression as the tendency to malignancy progresses, useful in the diagnosis of early stage malignancy.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1990

[Ultrasound echogenic splenic tumors: nodular manifestation of type C Niemann-Pick disease].

A female patient is described with highly echogenic splenic nodes found in routine diagnosis. After CT and angiography a splenectomy was carried out. The histological finding of sea blue histiocytes and the extended family history suggested a subtype of Niemann-Pick disease. Biochemical lipid analysis of the spleen confirmed Type-C Niemann-Pick disease. Niemann-Pick disease and its subtypes are discussed briefly.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Effects of adenosine analogues on force and cAMP in the heart. Influence of adenosine deaminase.

The effects of the adenosine receptor agonists (-)-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) on the force of contraction, adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP content in the presence of isoprenaline (Iso) were studied in ventricular preparations of the guinea-pig heart. Only in the presence of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and 50 mM sodium chloride, i.e. under 'optimal' conditions, did PIA and NECA reduce the Iso-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in broken cell preparations, with a maximal effect of about 25%. In electrically driven (1 Hz) papillary muscles from guinea-pigs, both compounds concentration dependently reduced the Iso-stimulated force of contraction maximally by about 50% in the presence of ADA (1 microgram/ml). cAMP was measured in the same preparations. Low concentrations (0.1-1 microM) of PIA reduced the cyclic AMP content while higher concentrations increased the cyclic AMP content. The negative inotropic effect of NECA was accompanied by a concentration-dependent increase in the cyclic AMP content. We conclude that the negative inotropic effect of PIA in the presence of Iso is only in part due to a decrease in the cyclic AMP content resulting from inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. Such an effect was only detected in the presence of ADA so that endogenous adenosine can obviously mask small effects of PIA on adenylate cyclase activity or the cyclic AMP content. In addition, the negative inotropic effect of NECA in the presence of isoprenaline was not accompanied by a reduction but an increase in the cyclic AMP content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine↗
PubMed1989

Anger control in response to verbal provocation: effects of stimulant medication for boys with ADHD.

Although stimulant medication reduces hyperactive children's aggression in naturalistic settings, stimulant effects on anger control have not been demonstrated. We therefore assessed the role of methylphenidate in enhancing response to verbal provocation from familiar peers and from role-playing adults. Twenty-four boys with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aged 6-12, received small-group cognitive-behavioral intervention in anger management skills. During posttraining assessments, the children were randomly assigned to placebo versus .6 mg/kg of methylphenidate. In the peer provocations, methylphenidate enhanced self-control, decreased physical retaliation, and marginally increased the display of coping strategies. Medication and prompting were minimally beneficial in the delayed, adult-administered generalization assessments. Among the issues discussed are (a) differences between peer and adult provocation and (b) the roles of medication dosage and multimodality intervention for promoting socially competent behavior in children with ADHD.

Aggression↗
PubMed1989

[Intracranial ependymoma with extraneural metastases].

A report is given on a 14-year-old boy with an ependymoma of the brain which was 3 times operated upon. At autopsy, a widespread leptomeningeal and intraventricular dissemination was found. Extraneural metastases developed in the soft tissues of the neck as well as in the pleura and lung on the left side. Immunohistochemically, the cells of the brain tumor and extraneural metastases of the neck showed a positive GFAP-reaction. According to Tables 17 to 19 of Jänisch and co-workers (1976; 1988) and Table 1 of this paper, 48 intracranial, intraspinal and ectopic (subcutaneous sacrococcygeal) ependymomas with extraneural metastases were collected from the literature.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[A simple method for the isolation of GFAP and its use for the study of brain tumors].

A simple method is described in this paper for the production of a polyclonal antiserum against GFAP. The antiserum was tested on 212 primary brain tumours which had been selected from biopsy and autopsy material of the Institute of Pathological Anatomy at the Medical Academy of Erfurt, GDR. 52 of 81 astrocytomas (64%) and 26 of 47 glioblastomas (55%) gave GFAP-positive results. GFAP-negative responses were primarily recorded from tumours with severe anaplasia. GFAP was found in all 22 ependymomas tested. Epithelioid ependymomas, however, exhibited lower immunological reactions than tanycytic variants. Isomorphic oligodendrogliomas, meningiomas, medulloblastomas, and brain metastases of carcinomas were GFAP-negative. The possibility is discussed in some detail of falsely negative results on account of too little biopsy material or insufficient fixation of tumour tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Factors influencing pseudomonas colonization in cystic fibrosis.

In order to assess the relationship between various factors influencing Pseudomonas (Ps) colonization of the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the appearance of various strains of Ps, two groups of CF patients were studied during a 5-year period. Group A consisted of 24 Ps-negative patients, and Group B consisted of 32 Ps-positive patients, including eight patients who expired. Several clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated. Although the precise mechanism causing the appearance of Ps in the respiratory tract of CF patients remains elusive, we analyzed several biologic characteristics of both host and organism. This study indicates that frequent use of antibiotics combined with the eradication of Staphylococcus aureus from the respiratory tract heralds the onset of persistent Ps colonization and a subsequent downhill course for CF patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Family reactions to institutional closure.

Determinants of families' reactions to their relatives' relocation (from a large developmental disability institution that was closing to smaller institutions) were examined. Ninety-four families responded to two surveys sent during closure and one year later asking about (a) reactions to the closure, (b) relative's medical status, (c) involvement with their relative, (d) appraisal of the situation, and (e) social support. Over time, families reported less stress and dissatisfaction with closure. Family reactions during closure were related to the relative's medical status, involvement with their relative, and appraisal of the situation, whereas family reactions one year later were related to appraisal, involvement with their relative, and social support.

Family↗
PubMed1985

[Successful acute treatment of chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases with oral 5-aminosalicylic acid].

The effectiveness of oral 5-aminosalicylic acid (0.5 g t.i.d.) and of salazosulfapyridine (1.0 g t.i.d.) was compared in a randomized controlled study in two groups with 30 patients each with ulcerative colitis and with Crohn's disease. Persistent complaints within the first 5 days were treated with additional methyl-prednisolone (40 mg/d initially). After treatment for 8 weeks patients with ulcerative colitis showed morphologic remissions in 60% of the 5-aminosalicylic acid group and in 53% of the salazosulfapyridine group. Clinical improvement was achieved in 86% in both groups. Clinical improvement in Crohn's disease was seen in 87% of patients of the 5-aminosalicylic acid group and in 80% of the salazosulfapyridine group. This was evidenced by the significant fall (P = 0,0001) of the mean activity index. Additional steroid medication was nearly equal in both treatment groups. There were no side effects during treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid. In contrast, salazosulfapyridine had to be withdrawn in four patients due to signs of intolerance. 5-Aminosalicylic acid can thus be considered a valuable alternative to conventional treatment on the basis of equal effectiveness as salazosulfapyridine and lack of undesirable side effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Social adaptation of mentally retarded adults in community settings: a social-ecological approach.

Evidence regarding the social networks of mentally retarded adults in community settings is reviewed. These networks appear to be widespread and consist primarily of peers. The social ecology of community settings is a critical factor in the development and maintenance of these networks. Given the considerable importance of such networks to the social support of nondisabled adults, the furtherance of peer support among mentally disabled adults appears to be a desirable goal. Some approaches to achieving this goal were suggested. Carefully consideration of the social ecology of community settings for mentally disabled adults may usefully supplement individual social skills training as a method for improving social adaptation to community life.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The effects of involuntary residential relocation: a review.

Research on the effects of involuntary residential relocation on the personal adjustment of individuals is examined. These relocations include institutional transfers, job transfers, and urban renewal projects. The research indicates that although such relocations frequently result in physical and emotional stress reactions, these effects are stronger for some groups and occur only under certain circumstances. The variability in personal reactions to relocation is explained in terms of three types of approaches: the first emphasizes stable individual characteristics; the second, cognitive mediators; and the third, environmental characteristics. The major implication of this review is that relocation be examined from an ecological perspective, which takes into account both the subjective and objective features of the old and new environments.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1982

Social disruption and residential relocation of mentally retarded children.

Effects of relocation on 50 severely and profoundly mentally retarded and physically disabled children transferred from two facilities into a third one were examined. Social disruption, which referred to changes in daytime staff and programming, was manipulated 3 weeks after the move; the health and personal adjustment were measured prior to and 1 to 3 weeks, 4 to 6 weeks, and 11 to 13 weeks after the move. Relocation resulted in short-term decrements in positive behavior and in deterioration in health for all the groups. High staff disruption produced a short-term increase in abnormal behavior.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1981

Social ecology of supervised communal facilities for mentally disabled adults: VI. Initial social adaptation.

The social adaptation of mentally disabled adults introduced to two new vocational rehabilitation settings was investigated. Client behavior was observed for 8 weeks after placement in an evaluation center and for an additional 8 weeks in subsequent workshop settings. During the evaluation period, clients' sociability increased with time in the program. In the later workshop placements, the social milieu rather than time in the program influenced the degree of client sociability. Specifically, in the first 2 weeks of workshop placement, clients placed in Workshop A, which had a more sociable milieu, remained at the high levels of sociability, similar to the last weeks in the evaluation phase. In contrast, clients placed in Workshop B showed a decline in sociability, which was related to environmental variables. Clients initially affiliated more with other clients they knew during evaluation, but this tendency decreased as they became integrated into the workshop program.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Group decision-making by mentally retarded adults.

The effects of group discussion and decision-making on subsequent individual decisions of mentally retarded residents of group homes were studied. Meeting in groups of four, the subjects discussed and attempted to make group decisions of 6 of 12 interview questions (experimental) but did not discuss the remainder of the questions (control). Between the pretest and the posttest, there was a significantly greater increase in the quality of answers to the experimental than to the control questions. Also, leadership status moderately correlated with individual participation rates and initial task competence but not with verbal intelligence.

Adult↗