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Biomedical subjects

A O Wollitzer

Publications and source records attributed to A O Wollitzer.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The significance of platelet counts in coagulation studies.

Traditionally, the platelet count recommended for coagulation studies has been less than 10 x 10(9)/L, but the documentation for this is obscure. In the present study, platelet rich plasma (PRPs) and platelet poor plasmas (PPPs) were prepared from the same blood specimen to determine prothrombin times (PTs), International Normalized Ratios (INRs), partial thromboplastin times (PTTs), and their results compared. The measurements of all three of these parameters are not statistically or clinically significant in 100 paired comparisons. Incremented platelet count studies, selected by the number of platelets in the PRPs, showed that platelet counts of at least 199 x 10(9)/L, or perhaps even higher, did not compromise the results of PTs, INRs or PTTs. Such increased platelet counts, however, cannot be tolerated in the various studies for antiphospholipid antibodies, the Lupus Anticoagulant (LAC), or when monitoring heparin therapy with PTTs. Here, the < 10 x 10(9)/L platelet levels must be respected; otherwise the tests would be compromised by platelet-liberated phospholipid (Triplett, Brand et al., 1983) or by Platelet Factor 4, respectively.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗
PubMed1991

Ethanol influences class I and class II MHC antigen expression on human fetal islet-like cell clusters.

Several autoimmune diseases have been linked to an aberrant expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) products Ethanol enhances Class I and Class II products on a variety of cell types, and there is evidence for an autoimmune etiology in numerous pathologies associated with alcoholism. We examined whether ethanol alters the expression of Class I and Class II MHC products on human fetal islet-like cell clusters. Incubation of islet-like clusters for 48 hr in ethanol at a starting concentration of 1.5% increased the percentage of single cells expressing Class I. The percentage of cells expressing Class II did not change, but their relative mean fluorescence increased significantly. These findings suggest that alcohol ingestion could alter MHC expression on pancreatic islet cells in vivo perhaps affecting the development of diabetes in genetically predisposed individuals. These findings also support the hypothesis that the rising incidence of type 1 diabetes seen in areas of the world where the per capita consumption of alcohol is also increasing may be a consequence of the immunological effects of alcohol intake.

Ethanol↗
PubMed1987

Ethnic variability in cholelithiasis--an autopsy study.

By reviewing 3,506 autopsy records to determine the prevalence of gallbladder disease among San Francisco county coroner cases for 1981 and 1982, we found an overall prevalence rate of 92.7 per 1,000. After confirming age as a significant risk factor (P </=.0001), the data were age adjusted and then analyzed using a stepwise logistic regression. Women were found to have a twofold to threefold greater prevalence compared with men. Latina women showed a higher prevalence than whites, blacks or Asians. Black women did not have a significantly higher prevalence than the white sample. Actual to ideal weight was also significantly related to the presence of gallbladder disease.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1987

Vasectomy: views of Latinos and white men.

Vasectomy has gained wide acceptance as a safe, effective, and efficient method of birth control. Knowledge regarding the satisfaction of patients who have undergone the procedure has been well documented. In contrast, there is little data examining the attitude of men in general to the procedure or attempting to interpret these attitudes in a cultural context. Moreover, there appears to be widespread belief by providers that acceptance of the operation is poor among ethnic minorities such as Latinos and blacks. A questionnaire was distributed to 50 white and 50 Latino men at a large county hospital to determine ethnic differences in attitudes toward vasectomy. Only 54 percent of the Latino respondents stated they knew what a vasectomy was compared with 96 percent of the white respondents. Among respondents who knew what a vasectomy was, 50 percent of Latinos and 61 percent of whites stated they would not consider vasectomy in the event that they did not want more children. There was little support for the hypothesis that machismo played an important part in the negative responses by the Latino men or that fears of impotence played a role in the attitudes of both groups. This study suggests that a stronger emphasis on education regarding this procedure should be directed to the Latino male population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of training in patient education on attitudes and behaviors of family practice residents.

The attitudes of 24 family practice residents toward patient education and perceptions of their own efficacy as patient educators were measured before and after they underwent a special patient education training program. Their scores were compared to those of 34 family practice residents who did not have access to the program. Study group residents showed positive changes in attitudes, reported behaviors, and problems, while the comparison group showed no changes in any of the categories. The differences were statistically significant for the behaviors and problems but not for the attitudes data.

Analysis of Variance↗