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Biomedical subjects

A Wasserstein

Publications and source records attributed to A Wasserstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Preliminary observations of sildenafil treatment for erectile dysfunction in dialysis patients.

Erectile dysfunction is common in dialysis patients. We report our experience with sildenafil citrate in patients undergoing dialysis therapy. Male subjects attending the Outpatient Dialysis Unit at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) who were prescribed sildenafil by their primary physician or nephrologist were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function before their first dose of sildenafil and after at least 4 weeks of therapy. Subjects' mean age was 50.3 +/- 14.63 (SD) years. Ninety-three percent of the subjects were black. Based on a global efficacy question, 66.7% of the subjects believed that treatment had improved their erections. Subjects reported no increase in the sexual desire domain despite experiencing a significant increase in erectile function, orgasmic function, and satisfaction with intercourse. Sildenafil was well tolerated in a selected group of patients who reported improved sexual function with no major adverse effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Outbreak of sterile peritonitis among continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30,000 patients receive peritoneal dialysis in the United States. In August 1996, several dialysis centers from different states reported sterile peritonitis among CCPD patients using sterile peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) from a single manufacturer. The manufacturer recalled 53 lots of PDS that had passed established industry guidelines and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved quality control tests [including endotoxin levels <0.5 endotoxin units (EU)/ml], but had pre-sterilization bacterial colony counts >1 cfu/ml. METHODS: At one outpatient dialysis center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), we conducted a retrospective cohort study of all CCPD patients treated during July 15 to August 30, 1996. A case-patient was defined as any HUP patient with culture-negative peritoneal fluid with a white blood cell count >100/mm3, cloudy peritoneal fluid, and/or abdominal pain. PDS and tubing were cultured for bacteria and assayed for endotoxin. RESULTS: Overall, 14 of 28 patients had sterile peritonitis. The only risk factor identified was exposure to > or =1 lot of recalled PDS (14 of 22 vs. 0/6, P = 0.02); the more recalled lots received, the higher the attack rate (P = 0.0001). Five of 47 PDS bags had detectable endotoxin; recalled lots were more likely to have measurable endotoxin than nonrecalled lots (5/19 vs. 0/17, P = 0.05). When case-patients resumed CCPD using PDS from non-recalled lots, no further cases were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that this outbreak was caused by intrinsic PDS contamination with endotoxin. Pre-sterilization colony counts may be an important quality control indicator for CCPD fluids in conjunction with endotoxin levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Hemodialysis vascular access morbidity.

Complications associated with hemodialysis vascular access represent one of the most important sources of morbidity among ESRD patients in the United States today. In this study, new data on the magnitude and growth of vascular access-related hospitalization in the United States is presented, demonstrating that the costs of this morbidity will soon exceed $1 billion per yr. This study also reviews published literature on the morbidity associated specifically with native arteriovenous fistulae, polytetrafluoroethylene bridge grafts, and permanent central venous catheters. Next, new information on the changing patterns of vascular access type in the United States is presented, demonstrating the continuing evolution of medical practice away from the use of arteriovenous fistulae in favor of more reliance on synthetic bridge grafts. Based on these data, a discussion is provided of the tradeoffs among the most commonly available modalities of vascular access today. Although radial arteriovenous fistulae continue to represent the optimal access modality, the appropriate roles for brachial arteriovenous fistulae, synthetic bridge grafts, and central venous catheters are less certain because of inadequate data on the long-term function of the first and the high rates of complications associated with the latter two. To reduce vascular access-related morbidity, strategies must be developed not only to prevent and detect appropriately early synthetic vascular access dysfunction, but to better identify the patients in a whom radial arteriovenous fistula is a viable clinical option.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Root resorption after orthodontic treatment: Part 2. Literature review.

All permanent teeth may show microscopic amounts of root resorption that are clinically insignificant and radiographically undetected. Root resorption of permanent teeth is a probable consequence of orthodontic treatment and active tooth movement. The incidence of reported root resorption during orthodontic treatment varies widely among investigators. Usually, extensive resorption does not affect the functional capacity or the effective life of the tooth. Most studies agree that the root resorption process ceases once the active treatment is terminated. Root resorption of the deciduous dentition is a normal, essential, and physiologic process. Permanent teeth have the potential to clinically undergo significant external root resorption when affected by several stimuli. This resorptive potential varies in persons and between different teeth in the same person. This throws doubt on the role of systemic factors as a primary cause of root resorption during orthodontic treatment. Tooth structure, alveolar bone structure at various locations, and types of movement may explain these variations. The extent of treatment duration and mechanical factors definitely influence root resorption. In most root resorption studies, it is not possible to compare the results and conclusions because of their different methods. Further research in this field is necessary to advance the service of the specialty. The question of whether there is an optimal force to move teeth without resorption or whether root resorption may be predictable remain unanswered. This review indicates the unpredictability and widespread incidence of the root resorption phenomenon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Microleakage in three designs of glass ionomer under composite resin restorations.

Three Class V cavity configurations with walls above and below the cemento-enamel junction were compared when 'sandwich' technique restorations with glass ionomer and composite resin were used. No dye penetration occurred at the occlusal cavosurface margin when the latter was bevelled and light-cured Scotchbond was applied to the etched enamel before restoration with Durafil composite resin. The least dye penetration at the gingival margin was observed when Ketac bond glass ionomer covered the entire non-bevelled wall. No configuration entirely eliminated dye penetration at the gingival margin.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1989

Reprocessing of hemodialyzers: a critical appraisal.

The reprocessing of hemodialysis equipment was originally developed to conserve scarce resources and to reduce the time necessary to construct early dialyzers. Although most dialyzers in current use are marketed as disposable items, the majority of dialysis facilities in the United States reprocess these devices and use them multiple times on the same patient. Recent studies have shown that certain reprocessing techniques confer improved biological properties on dialyzers compared with new membranes as prepared by manufacturers. Several studies have suggested that these biological properties may lead to improved clinical outcomes. However, critics of dialyzer reprocessing argue that it may expose patients to risks that produce increased morbidity and mortality. This article critically reviews the available scientific information regarding reprocessing hemodialyzers.

Cellulose↗
PubMed1987

AIDS and renal failure.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Musculoskeletal manifestations in hemodialysis patients.

One hundred and two consecutive patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis were interviewed and examined to analyze their musculoskeletal problems. Radiographic abnormalities of renal osteodystrophy were found in 23 and there were periarticular calcifications in 5. Only one patient had apatite associated knee arthritis and none had gout or calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease. Twenty patients had arthralgias, 3 polyarthritis, and 4 knee effusions all of which were incompletely explained. Correlations of arthralgias with radiographic findings was poor. Muscle cramps were seen in 24 patients, multiple fractures in one, symmetrical distal neuropathy in 18, and carpal tunnel syndrome in 9.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Disorders of calcium and magnesium homeostasis.

The components of calcium and magnesium balance and the factors responsible for the maintenance of the serum concentration of these cations are reviewed. Within this framework, the causes and treatment of disturbances of the serum concentration are discussed. Hypercalcemia is usually a reflection of increased bone resorption and/or gut absorption with the kidney playing a secondary role. Hypocalcemia is usually due to either a disturbance in the parathyroid hormone-adenylate cyclase system or a disturbance in vitamin D metabolism. As vitamin D is required for expression of the action of PTH at bone and as PTH is a prime regulator of vitamin D metabolism, the absence of either component results in important disturbances in calcium balance. In contrast to calcium homeostasis, the kidney plays a major role in the determination and regulation of serum magnesium. The major causes of hypermagnesemia therefore are associated with loss of renal function, and hypomagnesemia is frequently due to renal magnesium wasting.

Calcium Metabolism Disorders↗
PubMed1982

Proximal tubular defects in idiopathic hypercalciuria: resistance to phosphate administration.

Of 100 consecutive patients with recurrent renal calculi, 43 had idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) on outpatient evaluation. Hypercalciuria was classified as diet-dependent or fasting; all patients had normal serum iPTH and urinary cyclic AMP, and serum phosphate and TmPO4/GFR were reduced in IH compared to normocalciuric stone formers. In 16 patients with IH, clearance studies revealed an elevated urine flow are factored for GFR (V/GFR) as compared with normal controls (p less than 0.05). In 12 patients, serum PTH was normally suppressed by calcium infusion but TmPO4/GFR was persistently reduced. Acute and chronic phosphate administration significantly reduced urine calcium excretion but did not correct the abnormal V/GFR. We conclude that in IH of both the fasting and the diet-dependent type, there is a defect in the proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium and fluid as well as PTH-independent tubular phosphate wasting. The proximal tubular defect is not a consequence of hypercalciuria nor of phosphate depletion but may be a cause of these abnormalities.

Absorption↗