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Biomedical subjects

B Sarov

Publications and source records attributed to B Sarov.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus in the serum of schizophrenic patients versus other psychosis and normal controls.

One hundred and thirty eight subjects were examined for presence of antibodies by immunoperidose assay (IPA). The frequency of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) antibody of 48 schizophrenic inpatients was compared to 48 inpatients with other psychosis and to 48 staff controls. No differences were found between schizophrenic and control groups.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1992

Variation in serum levels of the soluble TNF receptors among healthy individuals.

Soluble forms of the two receptors for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are present in human sera at concentrations that increase greatly in various disease states as well as varying among healthy individuals. Measurements of the soluble TNF receptor (sTNF-R) concentrations in healthy individuals at time lapses of 3 months (17 individuals) or 1 year (51 individuals) showed a significant correlation between the first and the second measurements from each individual, implying that individual differences are stable. Since the sTNF-Rs are believed to function as physiological attenuators of TNF activity, these steady individual differences may contribute to differences in the severity of the harmful effects of TNF in disease states.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of structural polypeptides, detected by immunoblotting technique, in the sera of spotted fever group rickettsia positive cases--symptomatic versus asymptomatic.

In an attempt to characterize the nature of symptomatic versus asymptomatic spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) infection, the immune response to R. conorii (boutonneuse fever) structural polypeptides was studied by Western-blot immunoassay. Sera from immunoperoxidase assay (IPA), SFGR seropositive (titre greater than or equal to 80) individuals, symptomatic and asymptomatic and from SFGR seronegative (IPA titre less than 80) individuals living in a kibbutz community in the desert region of Southern Israel were examined by immunoblot. This community suffered from a very high morbidity rate due to SFGR (21-fold higher than the national reported average). The entire community (n-326) has been followed-up since 1985, with serial serum samples being examined for specific IgG antibodies by IPA. The intensity of the immunoblot reaction correlated with specific IgG antibody titres as determined by IPA. This correlation was also observed between the decrease in the IgG titre and the strength of the antibody-antigen reaction by immunoblot over time for a given individual. IPA seropositive sera from asymptomatic as well as symptomatic spotted fever cases reacted to 8 individual polypeptides. In both cases antibodies to 22 kD, 24 kD, 26 kD, 28 kD, 30 kD, 32 kD, 34 kD, and 37 kD were found. In the IPA seronegative sera, antibodies to polypeptides in the range of 24 kD to 32 kD were not detected. The lack of detectable differences by immunoblotting between SFGR symptomatic vs, asymptomatic cases might be explained by other aspects of the immune response of each infected individual, and/or it is possible that virulent and non-virulent antigenically closely related SFGR strains infected symptomatic vs. asymptomatic individuals.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

[Complications of third stage labor and the puerperium in preterm and term deliveries].

Preterm delivery is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether preterm delivery is associated with complications of the third stage of labor and of the puerperium. Retained placentas occurred more frequently in 99 women with preterm vaginal delivery than in 97 with term vaginal delivery (13.1% vs 1%, p = 0.003). There was a higher rate of endometritis in women delivering before term than in those delivering at term (10.1% vs 0%, p = 0.004). This study indicated that preterm labor and delivery is associated with higher rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality and with an increased risk of maternal complications.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Cytomegalovirus IgG and IgA serum antibodies in a study of HIV infection and HIV related diseases in homosexual men.

The significance of serum IgG and IgA antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) at various stages of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection was studied in 175 homosexual men. Sera were obtained from 123 HIV seropositives [41 asymptomatic, 29 with lymphadenopathy associated syndrome (LAS), 22 with AIDS related complex (ARC), and 31 AIDS patients], 17 HIV seroconverters, and 35 HIV asymptomatic seronegatives. The sera were tested blindly for CMV IgA and IgG antibodies using the immunoperoxidase assay (IPA) and CMV infected human embryo cells. Cross-sectional analysis of CMV IgG antibodies at a titer of greater than or equal to 20 showed 87% and 100% prevalence in the HIV seronegative groups and in the HIV seropositive groups, respectively (P less than 0.05). CMV IgG antibodies at a titer of greater than or equal to 80 were present in significantly higher proportions among the HIV seropositive subjects of the various groups as compared with the HIV seronegative homosexual men. However, in the HIV seronegatives who later seroconverted to HIV, a significantly higher prevalence of CMV antibodies (35%) was detected before HIV seroconversion, as compared with the persistently HIV seronegative subjects (14.3%) (P less than 0.05). The HIV seronegatives pre-HIV seroconversion also exhibited a significantly higher geometric mean titer (GMT) of CMV IgG antibodies (62.17 +/- 0.64) as compared with the persistently HIV seronegatives (34.0 +/- 0.6) (P = 0.03). Significantly higher GMTs of CMV IgG antibodies were detected in all the HIV seropositive groups as compared with the persistently HIV seronegative group. CMV IgG antibodies were not detected in the HIV seronegative subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Sequential serological studies of homosexual men with and without HIV infection. Epstein-Barr virus activation preceding and following HIV seroconversion.

Viral cofactors may be important in the pathogenesis of HIV infection and the development of AIDS, but their role is still imperfectly understood. Sequential serological studies were performed in a cohort of 100 homosexual men and 70 matched healthy controls over a mean period of 4 years. Of the patients, 18 were found to be HIV+ on admission to the study and 15 seroconverted to HIV+ during the follow up (seroconversion group). Serum antibodies of both IgG and IgA isotypes against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were determined. IgG antibodies indicate past infection, while a marked increase in IgG titre or a positive IgA titre were taken to indicate active infection or reactivated latent infection. EBV and CMV infections were about two to four times more prevalent in the homosexual men both HIV- and HIV+, compared with controls. Active infections were increased in the homosexual men and particularly in the HIV+ patients. The seroconversion group revealed activation of both EBV and CMV following HIV infection. When the antibody profile of seroconverting patients at the time preceding seroconversion was compared with a matched group of 39 homosexual men who remained HIV-, no change was found in CMV antibodies, but four out of 15 (26.6%) of the patients had high titres of anti-EBV IgA preceding seroconversion, as compared with only one out of 39 (2.6%) of HIV- homosexual men (P less than 0.05). This suggests a role for EBV reactivation in the pathogenesis of HIV infection in some patients.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

Perinatal factors influencing infant feeding practices at birth: the Bedouin Infant Feeding Study.

Bedouin Arab women delivering newborns at Soroka Medical Center, Israel, during 1 year were interviewed in hospital to determine the factors influencing infant feeding practices at birth. Eighty-six per cent breastfed, 11% breast and bottlefed, and 3% bottlefed at birth. Based on a multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors that significantly reduced the odds ratio (OR) of exclusive breastfeeding vs. breast and bottle feeding or bottle feeding at birth include: delivering during the high birth season (OR = 0.49); maternal recall of feeling unwell during pregnancy (OR = 0.59); delivering a low birthweight newborn (OR = 0.10); a newborn diagnosed with major malformations (OR = 0.30) or with major illnesses (OR = 0.32); and delivering by Caesarean section (OR = 0.09). In contrast, multiparae experienced an increased odds (OR = 1.67) of breastfeeding. Among primiparae, the factors that significantly reduced the odds of exclusive breastfeeding include: delivering during the high birth season (OR = 0.47); delivering a low birthweight newborn (OR = 0.12); and delivering by Caesarean section (OR = 0.18). Mothers of high-risk neonates and those who deliver by Caesarean section need to be educated about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. Young primiparae are a challenge and require qualitative and quantitative research into the reasons precluding exclusive breastfeeding.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1991

The Bedouin Infant Feeding Study: study design and factors influencing the duration of breast feeding.

A longitudinal study of infant feeding practices, growth and morbidity among Bedouin Arab infants residing in the Negev, Israel, was conducted during a 3-year period (1981-1983). Follow-up samples were restricted to healthy newborns. The majority of newborns are breast fed at birth but, by 2 months, 50% are also introduced to a milk supplement. Based on the bivariate analysis using the logrank test to examine the factors associated with exclusive versus partial breast feeding during the first 6 months, those born during the wet cool months are exclusively breast fed longer than those born during the dry season. More traditional women, living in tents rather than houses or huts, exclusively breast feed for at least 6 months. In a multiple logistic regression model, parity, house type and birth season are independently associated with the odds of exclusively breast feeding for the first 6 months of life. Factors influencing the duration of any breast feeding for the first 18 months include: house type, place of residence, birthweight, and whether the infant was stunted at 6 months.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Antinuclear autoantibodies in healthy nonpregnant and pregnant women and their offspring.

Antinuclear autoantibodies have previously been detected in sera of healthy women although less frequently than in sera of women with autoimmune disorders. The effect of pregnancy on antinuclear autoantibody production in healthy women is as yet debatable. We present four studies in which, by employing the ELISA method, we evaluated the presence of six antinuclear autoantibodies (anti-ds DNA, anti-ss DNA, anti-poly(I), anti-cardiolipin, anti-Sm, and anti-RNP) in the sera of more than 1,000 healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women, including 196 pairs of matched maternal and cord blood sera. In all four studies healthy pregnant women did not demonstrate significantly higher prevalence rates of various serum antinuclear autoantibodies as compared to healthy non-pregnant women. All detected autoantibodies were of the IgM isotype. In only one infant (born to a healthy seronegative mother) was an autoantibody (IgM anti-ss DNA) detected. This may indicate that in certain circumstances the fetus is capable of self-production of autoantibodies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Cryptosporidium in Bedouin and Jewish infants and children in southern Israel.

We conducted a 1-year prospective study in two clinics and a hospital in the Negev region of southern Israel to determine the epidemiological and clinical patterns of Cryptosporidium diarrhea among Jewish and Bedouin infants and children living in the same geographical area. A total of 612 episodes were studied: 398 in Bedouins and 214 in Jews, of which 449 occurred in patients with diarrhea and 164 in controls. Cryptosporidium was detected in 13 of 382 patients (3.4%) with diarrhea and in 1 of 138 controls (0.7%) (P = 0.078). In 5 of 13 Cryptosporidium-positive patients (38%) another pathogen was detected. No significant difference in Cryptosporidium detection rates was observed between Jews and Bedouins or between hospitalized or nonhospitalized patients. The frequency of Cryptosporidium detection did not differ significantly when three age-groups were compared (less than 6 months old, 7-12 and 13-36 months old). The rate of Cryptosporidium detection was similar among malnourished and well-nourished patients, as determined by weight-for-height percentiles. Cryptosporidium was detected more frequently during the summer months (8.3%) than during the rest of the year (1.2%) (P less than 0.001). Patients with Cryptosporidium diarrhea did not differ clinically from patients with other causes of diarrhea. However, they were characterized by the absence of fecal leukocytes. Cryptosporidium is not a rare cause of diarrhea in southern Israel. It is more prevalent during the hot and dry season and can be detected in a relatively high prevalence among very young infants. Its clinical features are indistinguishable from those of patients with non-cryptosporidial diarrhea.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1990

The rate of gastrointestinal bleeding in a general ICU population: a retrospective study.

We retrospectively reviewed 298 charts in order to evaluate the efficiency of a protocol used to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding among ICU patients. The protocol included the use of an antacid (186 patients), iv administration of cimetidine (66 patients), or both drugs when the combination was needed because of a persistently low gastric pH after antacid (28 cases). In 18 cases the implementation of this protocol was stopped when enteral feeding through a nasogastric tube was started. All four groups were homogenous for average age and the presence of risk factors at admission as well as at the time of bleeding. Nevertheless the percentage of gastric bleeding during ICU stay (coffee-ground vomitus haematemesis and/or melaena) widely varied: 5% for the antacid group; 15% in the cimetidine group; 25% in the "both" group and 56% in the "enteral" group. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed. The results support the use of treatment protocols in order to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with risk factors who are admitted to ICU.

Antacids↗
PubMed1990

Chlamydial IgG and IgA in serum and follicular fluid among patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation.

The point prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies to Chlamydia was analyzed in serum and follicular fluid in 63 patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in comparison to sera of 298 healthy women by the single serovar (L2) inclusion immunoperoxidase assay (IPA). The presence of specific IgG and IgA to Chlamydia in follicular fluid was demonstrated. No statistical association was found between the presence of specific Chlamydia IgG and IgA in serum and follicular fluid to oocyte fertilization. The positive predictive value for mechanical infertility of Chlamydia IgG at titers of greater than or equal to 128 and IgA titers at greater than or equal to 16 was 91 and 92%, respectively, in this high-risk group for mechanical infertility. Multiple regression analysis singled out Chlamydia IgG levels as a major contributor to the variance between the groups of infertile patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Seasonality of births among Bedouin Arabs residing in the Negev Desert of Israel.

From 1 January 1981 to 31 December 1982 information on all births to Bedouin Arab women residing in the Negev Desert of Israel showed a previously unreported seasonal pattern. The peak season, November-February, coincided with the period of cool temperatures and the Bedouin Arab cultural seasons of winter and spring. This pattern is different from those of Jewish and Christian groups in the same region, a difference not attributable to religion alone. Sociodemographic factors associated with the peak season of birth include traditional occupations of fathers, multiparae 2+, and traditional place of residence. This pattern has persisted over the past 15 years although it is less apparent among the more recently sedentarized Bedouin Arabs.

Birth Rate↗
PubMed1990

The forty-day rest period and infant feeding practices among Negev Bedouin Arab women in Israel.

Four hundred and twelve Bedouin Arab women were interviewed within 48 hours of delivering a newborn in 1982 and two months later to examine the effect of social support during the forty-day postpartum rest period on the incidence of exclusive breast feeding at two months. Whereas the distribution of infant feeding practices at two months did not differ among women with and without support during the "forty days," the number of days of help during the "forty days" was significantly associated with type of feeding at two months. The longer the duration of help, the greater were the odds of maintaining exclusive breast feeding after adjustment for covariates by multinomial logistic regression analysis. The association between duration of help and infant feeding practices at two months was modified by the interview month and the feeding practices of the respondents' primary social supports. More respondents with infants who reached two months of age in May and June were exclusively breast feeding than respondents with infants who reached two months in the hot, dry months of July and August. Also, respondents with sisters-in-law who breast fed alone or in combination with the bottle were feeding their infants in the same way after adjustment for covariates. Given the beneficial effects of breast feeding on infant health and development, these findings identify potential avenues of intervention for programs promoting breast feeding.

Bottle Feeding↗
PubMed1990

Serum IgG and IgA antibodies specific to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen in a longitudinal study of human immunodeficiency virus infection and disease progression in homosexual men.

A longitudinal study of serum IgG and IgA antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA) was carried out in 218 homosexual men at various stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The serum samples tested were obtained from the following groups: 24 HIV seroconverters, 41 persistently HIV-seropositive asymptomatic individuals, 22 seropositives who developed AIDS-related complex (ARC), 29 HIV seropositives who developed lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS), 35 HIV seronegatives with LAS, 36 asymptomatic HIV seronegatives, and 31 AIDS patients. Blind-tested samples were titrated for IgG and IgA EBV-VCA antibodies by immunoperoxidase assay (IPA). Cross-sectional analysis indicated that all HIV-seropositive subjects exhibited significantly elevated EBV IgG and IgA antibody titers compared with HIV-seronegative subjects. The proportions with EBV-VCA IgA antibodies at a titer of greater than or equal to 128 rose during the course of HIV infection and progression of the disease: 8% in HIV seronegatives, 11% in HIV seronegatives with LAS, 25% in HIV seronegatives prior to HIV seroconversion, 44% in asymptomatic HIV seropositives, 34% in LAS, 50% in ARC, and 58% in AIDS patients. An increase in EBV-VCA IgG and IgA titers was detected following HIV seroconversion and in samples obtained 6 months before disease progression to LAS. These data suggest the possible involvement of EBV in the natural history of HIV infection and disease progression. The possibility that EBV-VCA IgA antibody levels would be of value in prediction of progression of HIV-related illness is discussed.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1990

Undernutrition among Bedouin Arab infants: the Bedouin Infant Feeding Study.

Two hundred seventy-four healthy Bedouin Arab newborns in 1981 were followed for 18 mo to examine the relationship between infant-feeding practices and growth during planned social change. Although wasting was not prevalent, the prevalence rate of stunting (less than or equal to -2 SDs) increased from 12% to 19% to 32% at 6, 12, and 18 mo, respectively. After multiple-logistic-regression adjustment for covariates, the odds ratio (OR) of stunting at 6 mo was reduced among infants breast-fed only or fed with supplement compared with weaned infants. Infant-feeding practices were not associated with stunting in later infancy; however, those stunted at 6 mo had an OR of 13 of stunting at 12 mo and those stunted at 12 mo had an OR of 14 of stunting at 18 mo. In a multiple-linear-regression analysis, seasonality, duration of breast-feeding, hospitalized morbidity, and residual of height at 6 mo were negatively associated with daily average linear growth from 6 to 12 mo; these factors only explained 12% of the variation in daily linear growth.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1990

Rotavirus diarrhea in Jewish and Bedouin children in the Negev region of Israel: epidemiology, clinical aspects and possible role of malnutrition in severity of illness.

We conducted a 1-year prospective study in the Negev region of southern Israel to determine the epidemiologic and clinical patterns of rotavirus diarrhea. A total of 605 patients were studied, 392 Bedouins and 213 Jews, 441 of whom had diarrhea (449 episodes) and 164 did not. Rotavirus was the most common organism detected in children with diarrhea (63 of 444; 14%) but was rarely found in controls (3 of 163; 2%) (P less than 0.001). In 22% (12 of 54) of the rotavirus-positive patients, at least one other organism was also detected. The rate of rotavirus detection decreased as age increased, from 18% in the first year to 8% in the third year of life. Hospitalization with rotavirus diarrhea occurred more frequently in the summer. However, during winter, when diarrhea was less prevalent in the community, the proportion of cases associated with rotavirus was higher. Compared with controls, malnourished children were more likely to be hospitalized. However, rotavirus was detected in similar proportions among well-nourished and malnourished cases with diarrhea. The most prevalent rotavirus serotype was type 1 (in 69%), followed by types 4 and 2 (18 and 13%, respectively). We estimated that during the study period, approximately 2% of all Bedouin infants vs. only 0.2% of Jewish infants were hospitalized with rotavirus disease in their first year of life. Clinical signs and symptoms and stool appearance were not useful in predicting rotavirus detection. Malnutrition seems to be an important indicator of disease severity, which may explain why the toll of rotavirus-associated morbidity and mortality is particularly high among children in developing countries.

Acute Disease↗