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Biomedical subjects

C Putterman

Publications and source records attributed to C Putterman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Embryonal germ-layer antigens: target for autoimmunity.

Histopathological analysis of some systemic autoimmune diseases and syndromes led us to the conclusion that the common feature of the organs involved might be their embryonal origin. We suggest that organs derived from the same germ layer express common germ-layer-specific antigens. Such antigens could serve as target antigens for the autoimmune response.

Autoantibodies

Liver failure and the sea-blue histiocyte/adult Niemann-Pick disease. Case report and review of the literature.

Niemann-Pick disease is a metabolic disorder resulting in accumulation of sphingomyelin in visceral organs. The adult form (type B) is characterized by the sparing of brain involvement, allowing those affected to have a relatively benign course. Although the abnormal lipid accumulation in the liver is commonly recognized, hepatocellular compromise is extremely rare. We describe a patient with adult Niemann-Pick disease who over the course of over 35 years developed hepatic failure and portal hypertension, and we review the literature regarding hepatic involvement in this rare disease.

Adult

Late cardiovascular and pulmonary complications of therapy in Hodgkin's disease: report of three unusual cases, with a review of relevant literature.

With the advent of modern therapeutic approaches, even patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease have high cure rates today. Therefore, more attention is gradually being focused upon the late complications of chemotherapy and irradiation, appearing long after the patient is in remission and thought to be cured. In this report, we review the incidence and presentation of some of the cardiovascular and pulmonary complications which may appear later in the course of the disease. Cardiovascular mishaps reviewed include pericardial manifestations, conduction abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, and premature coronary artery disease. Pulmonary complications discussed are lung fibrosis, spontaneous pneumothorax, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, and hyperlucent lung. Three instructive cases from our recent experience, are also presented. One fatal case was due to cardiac failure because of radiation-induced pericarditis and coronary artery disease. Another patient with an almost fatal complication required lung transplantation because of severe bilateral radiation fibrosis of the lung and pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. The third instance was also life-threatening in nature, with radiation-induced arterial changes in the major arteries of the chest and neck, resulting in recurrent cerebral and ophthalmic thromboembolic disease. It is suggested that potentially severe cardiopulmonary complications be considered during the planning of the initial and subsequent management of patients with Hodgkin's disease, particularly in an era employing autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation as part of therapy in some cases.

Adult

Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to extrinsic compression by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: importance of echocardiographic diagnosis and follow up.

Acquired right ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to extrinsic compression of the pulmonary artery is a rare manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We report a case of a 17 year old boy who was referred for evaluation of a large anterior mediastinal mass, causing dyspnea and cough and resulting in a harsh systolic murmur. Echocardiography demonstrated compression of the pulmonary artery by the mass, with a severe pressure gradient. Biopsy revealed intermediate grade, diffuse large cell NHL. Systemic chemotherapy rapidly led to a significant decrease in the size of the mass, and virtual disappearance of the pressure gradient. In this report, the use of echocardiography for diagnosis and follow up of extracardiac tumors is reviewed. It is suggested that this technique may also be useful for the routine staging of mediastinal lymphomas because of the potential consequences of clinically undetectable hemodynamic compromise.

Adolescent

Quotation accuracy: fact or fiction?

Results from original studies are not always correctly represented in subsequent medical publications. In this study, randomly selected quotations from Israeli medical journals were examined. Less than 80% of the examined statements were in complete agreement with the original source. In about 7% the cited reference failed to substantiate the previous author's statement. Similar results were found over a range of American and European general and speciality journals. It is concluded that errors in quotation are a widespread problem in the biomedical literature. Editors and peer reviewers can improve quotation accuracy by stressing this issue in decisions regarding publication. Nevertheless, it seems that the most efficient solution would be for authors to increase their vigilance in accurately quoting results and statements from previous publications.

Bibliographies as Topic

Acute colchicine intoxication--possible role of erythromycin administration.

A 29-year-old patient with familial Mediterranean fever and amyloidosis involving the kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal tract received longterm colchicine, 1 mg daily. In the last year she developed diarrhea and abdominal pain, that coincided with toxic colchicine blood levels. After 2 weeks of oral erythromycin therapy she was hospitalized for acute, life threatening colchicine toxicity, with fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, myalgia and lower extremity parasthesias and later convulsions and alopecia. Pancytopenia evolved into rebound leukocytosis, disturbed liver function and hypoglycemia. After a long stormy course she improved. Colchicine toxicity with combined liver and renal impairment and the role of erythromycin in her colchicine toxicity are discussed.

Acute Disease