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Biomedical subjects

E Levin

Publications and source records attributed to E Levin.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Tremorous mouth movements in rats administered chronic neuroleptics.

Oral movements (OMs) in rats administered chronic haloperidol (HAL) were quantified simultaneously by a human observer and via a computerized video analysis system which monitored the distance between the upper and low lips using TV images. The human observer data indicated that during HAL administration the total duration of OMs was initially decreased, gradually returned to levels slightly above controls, and then increased substantially upon drug withdrawal. The computer records confirmed these findings and further indicated that after prolonged HAL administration a syndrome developed in which large-amplitude OMs remained suppressed but OMs of the smallest detectable amplitudes increased. Upon drug withdrawal, these small OMs increased in amplitude and rhythmicity, developing into repetitive tremors.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Increased risk for cancer of the breast due to previous medication.

Fifteen patients presenting one or more risk factors for cancer of the breast, who also received medication with prolactin-stimulating effects, were selected. The medication was by hormone derivatives or by non-hormone drugs used for processes other than oncologic . In all cases the medication was for long periods, three or more years, with the exception of one case, where the correlation with the unfavourable evolution of the cancer process was more evident. In patients presenting the classic risk factors for cancer of the breast, it is recommended to avoid the prescription of drugs having a prolactin-stimulating effect. The association of both circumstances (risk factors and prolactin-stimulating medication) is considered as an increased risk for cancer of the breast.

20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone↗
PubMed1983

A prospective randomized trial of methotrexate versus cisplatin in the treatment of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

A prospective randomized study was conducted to determine the relative effectiveness, toxicity and tolerance of methotrexate (MTX) versus cisplatin (DDP) in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Forty-four patients were randomized to receive either MTX, 40 mg escalated to 60 mg/m2 IV push weekly, or DDP, 50 mg/m2 6 hour infusion days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks. All patients had objectively measurable disease and a performance status greater than 60% (Karnofsky scale). All had been treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. No patients had prior chemotherapy. Prior treatment, performance status, and site of primary disease were comparable in both groups. Complete and partial objective responses were achieved in 23.5% of the MTX group and 28.6% of the DDP group (P = 0.51). Median duration of response was 84 days in the MTX group and 92 days in the DDP group. Median survival of patients was 6.1 months with MTX and 6.3 months with DDP. Mucositis was noted in 38% of patients in the MTX group (P = 0.001) compared to none in the DDP group. Vomiting occurred in 87% of patients in the DDP group (P less than .0001) compared to 10% of patients in the MTX group. This study demonstrates that in the treatment of recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, MTX and DDP are equally effective, although MTX appears to be better tolerated.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1982

Dopamine regulates canine plasma beta-endorphin-immunoreactivity levels.

Intravenous administration of the dopamine antagonists domperidone and metoclopramide elevates canine plasma beta-endorphin immunoreactivity. Pretreatment with dopamine, but not dexamethasone, inhibits this effect. Sephadex G-50 chromatography shows that this response is due to beta-endorphin-like peptides, not beta-lipotropin. These findings indicate that pituitary beta-endorphin secretion is tonically inhibited by dopamine and suggest that the intermediate lobe is the source of this secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Correlation of single and serial CEA determinations with the clinical evolution of cancer patients.

The correlation between CEA results and the clinical evolution of 56 patients with breast and colorectal cancer, was studied. In mammary cancer (41 patients) there was a correspondence of 75% between single initial CEA values and clinical state at the time of the determination. For colorectal cancer patients the correspondence was 80%. A follow up of the patients during 4 years permitted the evaluation of serial CEA results in the prognosis of the disease. Two or more consecutive CEA results with the same significance (increased or normal) correlated better than single values with the clinical evolution of the disease (93% of correspondence). Normal values in patients with active disease were indicative of favourable prognosis; the appearance of single values above normal but below three times the upper normal limit, do not justify changes in the installed therapy. Two or more consecutive increased results are indicative of present or future deterioration of the patient. Cases of non-correspondence between consecutive serial. CEA results and clinical evolution of the patient are considered as "real false results" (7%). Serial CEA determination resulted very useful in the follow up of the oncological patient in the frame of other laboratory and diagnostic means, as a part of the periodic clinical control.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1981

The mini-Wright expiratory peak flow meter.

The purpose of this study was to compare the recently modified mini-Wright peak flow meter with the Wright peak flow meter. One hundred adult patients were arbitrarily divided into two groups, based on their average peak flow on the mini-Wright device. A strong positive correlation in excess of 0.90 was shown. We believe that the smaller, cheaper device is as accurate as the Wright peak flow meter.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Isobaric tetracaine spinal anesthesia and the lithotomy position.

The extent and pattern of anesthesia produced by hyperbaric and by isobaric 0.5% tetracaine spinal anesthesia were compared in this blind-observer, randomized study of 103 spinal anesthetics performed in 98 patients having genitourinary surgery in the lithotomy position. Pinprick stimulation showed no significant differences in maximum segmental sensory levels, times to maximum level, or duration of anesthesia for isobaric as compared to hyperbaric tetracaine. No parameters were significantly altered by barbotage of isobaric tetracaine solutions. With injections given to patients in the sitting position and with patients subsequently maintained in a horizontal lithotomy position before being put in the lithotomy position, the addition of dextrose to tetracaine solutions injected at room temperature into the subarachnoid space does not significantly alter the cephalad spread of spinal anesthesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Density of normal human cerebrospinal fluid and tetracaine solutions.

Density and specific gravity (SG) were determined at two or more temperatures between 23 and 37 C for 15 samples of normal human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CSF mixed with tetracaine, and for tetracaine solutions commonly used for spinal anesthesia. Density was determined from measured weight and volume, and SG was calculated using the density of water at the same temperature. With 95% confidence limits, SG of normal human CSF at 37 C ranges from 1.0063 to 1.0075, less variation than previously reported. Changes in temperature altered the densities of dextrose, tetracaine, and CSF, alone or in combination, in a parallel manner, but SG remained constant for each solution over the observed temperature range.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Treatment of depressive and anxiety neurosis with a new psychotropic drug: Nomifensin].

The effect of Nomifensin (Hoechst 36984), a new psychotropic agent different from tricyclics and MAO inhibitors, was studied in patients with depressive-anxiety syndromes. Thirty three patients (22 female, 11 male), average age 40 years, were studied for five weeks in an open trial. The educational and occupational levels of the samples were determined. Follow-up was carried out with Wittenborn Psychiatric Rating Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Zung Self-Rating Scale and PEN Personality Inventory. No other drug was allowed to be taken along with Nomifensin, except for a benzodiazepine derivate in case of disturbed sleep. The average dose was 67 mg/day. The changes in Hamilton and Zung Scales were statistically significant, after the first week of treatment with Nomifensin. Only the N Scale of the PEN showed a a before/after treatment significant difference. The r=0.63 correlation obtained between Zung and Hamilton Scales is discussed. The drug showed to have thymoleptic action within the first week of treatment and an additional on the anxiety symptoms, frequently associated to reactive depressions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1974

Lactic acid translocation: terminal step in glycolysis by Streptococcus faecalis.

Streptococcus faecalis obtains metabolic energy chiefly from the conversion of glucose to lactic acid; the present experiments deal with the mechanism of lactic acid translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane. Efflux of [(14)C]lactate from preloaded cells was accelerated by raising the external pH, and also by the ionophores nigericin and valinomycin. These results suggest that lactate leaves the cell by an electroneutral process, presumably as lactic acid. Further evidence was obtained by studying the entry of [(14)C]lactate into nonmetabolizing cells. It appears that the membrane is essentially impermeable to the lactate anion, but allows passage of lactic acid. The most persuasive evidence is that, upon establishment of a pH gradient such that the cytoplasm was alkaline, l-[(14)C]lactate accumulated in the cells against the concentration gradient. Accumulation was transient, and dissipated in parallel with the collapse of the pH gradient. The concentration gradient attained at the peak was a function of the pH difference. Ionophores which are known to collapse a pH gradient, such as nigericin and valinomycin, abolished accumulation of l-lactate. We infer that lactic acid translocation, whether into the cells or outward, is an electroneutral process and for that reason the distribution of lactic acid across the membrane is a function of the pH of cytoplasm and medium. The specificity of translocation and its kinetic parameters suggest that it is mediated by a carrier of low specificity.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗