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Biomedical subjects

W Berman

Publications and source records attributed to W Berman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Communicating hydrocephalus: a reversible complication of the Mustard operation with serial hemodynamics and long-term follow-up.

Severe superior vena caval (SVC) obstruction following the Mustard operation resulted in substantially increased intracranial pressure in 3 patients. A pathophysiological mechanism is postulated to explain the cerebral edema in 1 and the communicating hydrocephalus in 2. Following surgical relief of the obstruction in the latter 2, there was a decrease in both the rate of head growth and the ventricular size. It is of note that despite the angiographic appearance of azygous decompression, the pressure elevation from the SVC obstruction was transmitted to the brain. The long-term follow-up at three and four years of the 2 infants with communicating hydrocephalus suggests that aggressive treatment is compatible with a favorable outcome.

Brain Edema↗
PubMed1986

Long-term follow-up of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

We observed 10 children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, evaluated initially by cardiac catheterization (mean age 18 months), for an average of 4.4 years. Age at last evaluation averaged 5.8 years; subjects reside in and around Albuquerque, N.M. (altitude 5000 ft). At initial cardiac catheterization, mean pulmonary artery pressure was 40 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance index 8.9 units, and intrapulmonary shunt fraction was high; pulmonary wedge angiograms were normal. Over the period of follow-up the group has done poorly. Four of the 10 continue to receive home oxygen therapy, but none requires inotropic or diuretic therapy; four children have marked developmental or motor delays. Nine of 10 patients have abnormalities of respiratory function on spirometric testing. Four patients underwent recatheterization because of clinical indications; two had large atrial level left-to-right shunts not found on initial study. Reductions in pulmonary artery pressure (55 to 37 mm Hg) and pulmonary vascular resistance (11.9 to 7.8 units) occurred between the two studies in these four patients (average study interval 4.0 years); the still elevated levels of pressure and resistance fell further in response to 40% O2 administration. Pulmonary wedge angiograms were abnormal in each restudied patient. Although not uniformly bleak, the long-term outlook for children with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia is diverse and guarded.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1986

Effects of ouabain on monovalent cation transport in mammalian tissue.

We measured the effects of ouabain on sodium-potassium ATPase (Na-K ATPase) specific activity (SA) and rubidium (Rb) transport in newborn (NB) and adult (Ad) sheep myocardium (myo), guinea pig myo and red blood cells (RBC), and human RBC. 50% inhibition of Na-K ATPase SA and Rb transport occurred at ouabain concentrations between 10(-4.8) and 10(-7.6) M in different species; within a species, 50% inhibition of Rb transport occurred at lower ouabain concentrations than 50% inhibition of Na-K ATPase SA. No differences between mature and immature tissues were found. Ouabain binding stability to Na-K ATPase extracted from myo and RBC did not vary with age. Binding studies revealed a KD X 10(-8) M of 0.87 +/- 0.09 for NB human RBC and 0.88 +/- 0.14 for Ad human RBC. Calculated RBC receptor density however, was higher in the Ad (1.25 +/- 0.08 sites/micron2) than in the NB (1.03 +/- 0.04 sites/micron2, p less than 0.01). Binding studies in extracted myocardial specimens showed a KD X 10(-8) M of 1.23 +/- 0.27 for NB and 1.09 +/- 0.46 for Ad; mM ouabain bound X 10(-12)/Na-K ATPase unit were 355 +/- 120 (SEM) for NB and 316 +/- 51 for Ad. These studies of cardiac glycosides reveal few age-related differences in drug binding or inhibition of monovalent cation transport.

Aging↗
PubMed1986

Chronic maternal cigarette smoking and fetal abdominal aortic blood flow in humans.

The abdominal aortic blood flow was measured in 19 fetuses of nonsmoking mothers (NS) and five fetuses of smoking mothers (S) who consumed over 10 cigarettes per day throughout gestation. Serial blood flow measurements beginning in the mid-second trimester to term were made noninvasively with an ultrasonic duplex scanner. Biparietal and transverse abdominal diameters were used to estimate gestational age and fetal weight. Blood velocity spectral waveforms and lumen diameters were used to calculate blood flow (Q, ml/min) and weight normalized blood flow (Q/kg, ml/kg/min). Both Q and Q/kg for the two groups were significantly different by analysis of variance throughout the periods of observation. Third trimester Q and Q/kg (+/- SD) in the S group (738 +/- 20 ml/min and 278 +/- 36 ml/kg/min) were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than values in the NS group (522 +/- 60 ml/min and 180 +/- 24 ml/kg/min). A redistribution of blood flow to the placenta resulting from an increase in fetal systemic vascular resistance is postulated.

Aorta, Abdominal↗
PubMed1985

In vitro cloning of tumor stem cells in semi-solid media containing agar and agarose.

The formation of tumor stem cell colonies in vitro has been studied by comparing the growth of three mouse teratocarcinoma derived cell lines and one human teratocarcinoma derived cell line in semi-solid media containing either agar or agarose. We show that agaroses should be used in higher concentrations than agar to obtain comparable results. The maximum number of colonies were obtained in agarose over a broader range of concentrations (1%-4% for SeaPrep and 0.5%-2% for SeaPlaque agarose) than in agar, which allowed anchorage-independent growth of tumor cells only over a narrow concentration range (0.3%-0.5%). Overall, the preparation of media containing agarose was less cumbersome than preparation of agar-containing media, primarily because agaroses gelled more slowly and remained liquid in the physiological temperature range. Furthermore, the transfer of colonies from semi-solid media containing agarose to solid surface tissue culture dishes was much more efficient than the transfer of colonies from agar. The stock solutions of SeaPrep agarose could be kept ready for use for extended periods of time. All these features show that the low melting point agarose has considerable advantages over agar for preparation of semi-solid media for anchorage-independent tumor cell growth.

Agar↗
PubMed1985

Assessment of hemodynamic function with pulsed Doppler ultrasound.

Recent refinements in pulsed Doppler technology have made possible the noninvasive assessment of hemodynamic function. The application of the Doppler frequency shift principle to study discrete velocity events at a measured distance from the transducer is discussed. The accuracy and limitations of Doppler techniques in determining ascending aortic and peripheral blood flow velocities in infants with various cardiac lesions are examined. Noninvasive assessment of myocardial contractility is also described. Most studies performed to date suggest that pulsed Doppler techniques provide a sensitive approach to the measurement of flow velocity and acceleration in appropriate selected circumstances. However, distinctions between volume flow and flow velocity must be considered in the interpretation of data.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Depressed mood during pregnancy and the puerperium: clinical recognition and implications for clinical practice.

Mild to moderate depression is common among women during the first 3 months postpartum. The authors studied 20 normal pregnant women in the hope of finding valid predictors of postpartum mood disorder. The subjects rated their level of emotions and various depressive symptoms at 26 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and filled out a brief questionnaire about the emotional circumstances of their pregnancy. The mood scales were repeated at 2 days and 6 weeks postpartum, along with a clinical interview. The antepartum mood scale identified women with postpartum depression and differentiated this condition from the more common, transient postpartum blues. Certain psychosocial variables also predicted postpartum distress. The authors discuss the implications of these findings, emphasizing the feasibility and necessity of routine screening for mood disturbances in prenatal and puerperal women.

Depression↗
PubMed1985

Serial echo-Doppler measurements of human fetal abdominal aortic blood flow.

An echo-Doppler duplex scanner (DS) was used to make serial noninvasive measurements of human fetal abdominal aortic blood flow (Q). In 18 uncomplicated pregnancies (16 weeks to term), Doppler shifted frequency spectral waveforms (delta f), Doppler incident angles (theta), and peak systolic lumen diameters (D) were measured. Using the measured values of delta f and theta, the temporal average blood velocity (V) in the cardiac cycle was calculated from the Doppler equation. Values of Q were calculated using the equation: Q = pi X (D2/2) X V X HR, where HR is the heart rate. Gestational age (GA) and fetal weight (FW) were estimated from biparietal and transverse abdominal diameters. Each fetus was studied three to eight times at 2- to 4-week intervals. Results showed that Q increased nonlinearly with GA. Normalized to estimated FW, values of Q/kg did not vary significantly with estimated GA and gave an overall mean value (+/- standard deviation) during gestation of 184 +/- 35 ml/kg/min.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Right ventricular contractile function in children with congenital heart disease.

Indexes of right ventricular (RV) systolic function were evaluated in 41 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. High-fidelity tracings were used to determine RV pressure, maximal RV dP/dt and the velocity of contractile element shortening at a developed pressure of 10 mm Hg (VCE10). In 14 children with an RV systolic pressure less than 35 mm Hg, normal RV volume, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) less than 3 units X m2 and no shunts (our normal group), mean (+/- standard deviation) RV dP/dt was 437 +/- 116 mm Hg X s-1 and VCE10 was 1.15 +/- 0.33 muscle length X s-1. In patients with RV systolic hypertension due to valvular pulmonary stenosis or isolated increases in PVR, mean values for RV dP/dt and VCE10 were significantly (p less than 0.05) greater than the normal values. In patients with a ventricular septal defect, RV hypertension and normal PVR, VCE10 was normal but RV dP/dt was significantly elevated. Children with chronic RV volume overload had normal RV contractile indexes. No patient in any group had values for RV dP/dt or VCE10 that were less than normal (mean normal - 2 standard deviations). This study establishes for the first time the indexes of RV isovolumic systole in children. It also shows that RV contractile function is preserved in young patients with chronic RV pressure or volume overload who do not have overt congestive heart failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Effect of patent ductus arteriosus on lower extremity blood flow velocity patterns in preterm infants.

We used a 20-MHz, range-gated, pulsed Doppler device to measure noninvasively femoral artery blood flow velocity patterns in 24 preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Mean spatial flow velocity and its temporal average were recorded by illumination of the entire flow stream. Peak systolic forward flow velocity (Vs), peak diastolic retrograde flow velocity (VD), mean flow velocity (Vf), and the peak to peak-mean velocity ratio, (VS-VD)/Vf, were determined serially in each patient. The changes in the femoral flow velocity pattern preceded or coincided with other evidence of ductal left to right shunting. Prior to PDA closure, (VS-VD)/Vf averaged 14.1 and Vf averaged 4.4 cm/sec; after ductal closure, (VS-VD)/Vf fell to 3.7 (P less than .001) and Vf rose to 9.1 cm/sec, more than twice the preclosure value (P less than .001). Large diastolic reverse flow velocity vectors and low mean velocity correlated with large left to right PDA shunts estimated from other methods of assessment. The noninvasive femoral artery Doppler approach detects patency of the ductus early in life, reflects left to right shunting in diastole, and emphasizes the impact of the PDA on systemic blood flow.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1984

Noninvasive measurement of cardiac output in healthy preterm and term newborn infants.

Although values for cardiac output in the newborn infant have been reported previously, the methods utilized have been invasive. To assess if cardiac output could be determined noninvasively in the neonate, we measured mean ascending aortic blood flow velocity (VAo) in well newborns using a portable 5MHz, range gated, pulsed Doppler velocity meter. Measurements were made from a suprasternal approach in 8 preterm (mean birth weight 1718 gm; mean estimated gestation age 33.3 weeks) and 14 term (mean birthweight 3127 gm; mean EGA 39.8 weeks) healthy infants under one week of age. The internal ascending aortic systolic diameter was determined echographically and aortic cross sectional area was calculated: AAo = pi d2/4. Ascending aortic blood flow (QAo) was then computed as QAo (ml/min) = VAo (cm/sec) X AAo (cm2) X 60 (sec/min). With the exclusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and detectable intracardiac defects, QAo was taken to equal cardiac output. Flow determinations were normalized to body weight. The 8 preterm infants had a mean cardiac output of 221 +/- 56 (+/- SD) ml/min/kg. The 14 term infants had a similar mean cardiac output of 236 +/- 47 ml/min/kg. The mean cardiac output of all 22 infants was 230 +/- 50. This study establishes normal values for cardiac output determined noninvasively by the Doppler technique, in the first week of life in healthy infants. These values are similar to previously reported systemic blood flows, which were determined by cardiac catheterization and thermodilution methods in healthy newborn infants.

Aorta↗
PubMed1984

Psychological assessment of psychopathology in opiate addicts.

A sample of 99 opiate addicts seeking treatment were assessed on three well established clinical assessment procedures; the Loevinger Sentence Completion, the Bellak Ego Functions Interview, and the Rorschach. Their scores were compared using normal and clinical reference groups. On all three procedures, opiate addicts had a significantly greater impairment than normals but significantly less thought disorder and impairments in ego functions than hospitalized borderline and psychotic patients. The results indicate that a primary disturbance in opiate addicts appears to be their relative inability to conceptualize people as well differentiated, articulated, and involved in meaningful, purposeful, and constructive activity. In addition, opiate addicts appear to have greater affective lability. These difficulties in interpersonal relations and affect modulation are consistent with disturbances in the neurotic range and suggest that opiate addicts have selected a particularly untoward, self-destructive, isolated mode of adaptation for achieving the satisfactions and pleasures most people seek in intimate personal relationships.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1984

Femoral blood flow in term and premature infants.

A specially designed 20-MHz pulsed Doppler velocity meter was used to quantify noninvasively common femoral artery blood flow and blood flow characteristics in 11 normal term and 12 premature infants. Femoral artery mean velocity (vf), blood flow (Q), weight-normalized blood flow (Q/kg) and pulsatility index (PI) were determined for the two groups. Mean values for Q (+/- SD) in the term and preterm infants were 27.3 +/- 10.3 and 23.4 +/- 14.7 (ml X min-1), respectively (P less than 0.1). Mean Q/kg for the premature infants was significantly higher (22.1 +/- 12.8) than that for the term infants (9.1 +/- 4.2), P less than 0.005. This study demonstrates differences between the pulsatile blood flow and velocity characteristics of the femoral arteries of premature and of full-term infants.

Animals↗