Biomedical subjects

Y Amitai

Publications and source records attributed to Y Amitai.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Henoch-Schönlein purpura: simultaneous occurrence in two siblings.

Simultaneous occurrence of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in family members is not well documented. We describe simultaneous onset of HSP in two sisters 1 day after the wearing of new synthetic slippers. Such an occurrence of the disease implies a common cause, however, in most patients the search for a causative agent is usually futile. There was no clear evidence of infection in our patients. The association of the appearance of the disease with the use of the slippers in our patients could indicate a possible, although unlikely, cause for their HSP.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Regenerative activity in apical dendrites of pyramidal cells in neocortex.

In intracellular recordings from three neocortical pyramidal cells in vitro, intracellular dye injection identified the impalement site as the primary trunk of the apical dendrite. Dendritic recordings displayed two types of regenerative events: relatively fast, low-threshold spikes with amplitudes of 12-69 mV, and slower, higher-threshold spikes up to 80 mV in amplitude. This distinctive dendritic firing pattern was also encountered in six recordings without dye-filled electrodes. Fast spike frequency was extremely sensitive to small changes in membrane potential at the recording site. In one recording, the fast spikes were blocked by 1 microM TTX, while slow events were spared. A computational model of a pyramidal cell was constructed to assist in interpreting the recordings. Simulations suggested that the fast spikes were generated primarily by active Na+ conductance concentrated at a distance from the impalement site, probably in the region of the soma. The low threshold of the fast spikes suggested that Na+ channels also exist in the apical dendrites, where they have a relatively low density. The data strongly imply that there are Ca2+ channels in the apical dendrites.

Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of religious observance on infants' sleep position in the Jewish population.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the effect of the level of religiousness on infants' sleep position in the Jewish population. METHODS: A longitudinal telephone survey of randomly selected 608 2-month-old Jewish infants repeated at 4 and 6 months. Results were analyzed versus the four levels of Jewish religion observance. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the level of religious practice and sleep position (P < or = 0.002). 56.8% (50/88) of ultra-orthodox parents put their babies to sleep in the non-prone position, compared with 79% (411/520) in the other three groups (P < 0.001). Non-prone sleeping decreased when infants grew. Higher parity correlated with the level of religiousness and with prone sleeping in religious families (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.00-1.33, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Jews and especially the ultra-orthodox families comply significantly less with recommendations to avoid prone sleeping. Specific measures may be required in this population that rely more on personal experience and belief than on health care provider advice.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Acute pyridostigmine overdose: a report of nine cases.

Pyridostigmine is known as a pre-treatment drug against intoxication with organophosphorus nerve agents. During the Persian Gulf war, we encountered a cluster of nine cases of pyridostigmine self-poisoning, of which three presented with mixed drug poisoning. The clinical and laboratory features of pyridostigmine toxicity are presented. Doses ranged between 390 and 900 mg. Pyridostigmine ingestion resulted in mild to moderate cholinergic symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, emesis, nausea, hypersalivation, urinary incontinence, fasciculations, muscle weakness and blurred vision. No central nervous system manifestations were evident. The symptoms developed within several minutes and lasted up to 24 h. All patients underwent gastric emptying followed by administration of activated charcoal. Atropine (1-8 mg) was required in only three patients. Measurement of serum cholinesterase inhibition was found to be a reliable and sensitive diagnostic tool in pyridostigmine poisoning. No clear correlation was found between the extent of cholinesterase inhibition and the incidence or severity of the cholinergic signs. The clinical recovery was faster than the spontaneous recovery of the enzyme. Pyridostigmine intoxication is self-limited and well tolerated by young healthy adults.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mycobacterium bovis lymphadenitis complicating BCG immunization in an infant with symptomatic HIV-1 infection.

A 3-month-old infant with HIV-1 infection who recently immigrated from Ethiopia developed regional lymphadenitis and systemic symptoms subsequent to BCG immunization. She was suffering from axillary lymphadenitis ipsilateral to the BCG vaccination site, failure to thrive, unresolving fever and hepatosplenomegaly. Acid-fast bacilli were seen on staining and Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from the regional lymph node. The infant responded promptly to triple antituberculous therapy but died 2 months later from overwhelming pneumonia and respiratory failure. This case emphasizes the iatrogenic hazards of BCG immunization in HIV-1 infected infants. With the increasing prevalence of pediatric HIV-1 infection, indiscriminate BCG immunization programs should be reconsidered. While infants with asymptomatic HIV-1 infection at risk for tuberculosis should be immunized, BCG immunization should be withheld in those with symptomatic disease.

BCG Vaccine↗