PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Sherman

Publications and source records attributed to E Sherman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Serum leptin levels in alcoholic liver cirrhosis: relationship with gender, nutritional status, liver function and energy metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum leptin levels in alcoholic liver cirrhosis and the relationship with gender, nutritional status, liver function, energy metabolism, inflammatory state and refeeding. SUBJECTS: Thirty-seven hospitalized alcoholic cirrhotic patients (M/F: 24/13), 27 hospitalized patients at risk of malnutrition but with normal liver function (M/F: 15/12) as control patients, and 31 healthy control subjects (M/F: 17/14) participated. DESIGN: Liver function was assessed from Child-Pugh classification; anthropometric parameters and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured; caloric intake was evaluated over 5 days; and serum leptin and insulin were assayed. The same protocol was performed after 1 month refeeding in 22 patients. Healthy subjects were studied as controls for anthropometric parameters and serum leptin levels. RESULTS: Serum leptin levels were higher in male cirrhotic patients than in the other two male groups (P=0.0079) and in the same range in the female groups. They were higher in female than in male subjects in the three groups. In female cirrhotic patients, logarithmically transformed serum leptin levels correlated significantly with fat mass (P=0.0043), insulin levels (P=0.0072), REE (P=0.0133), bilirubin levels (P<0.0001), prothrombin time (P=0.0003) and Pugh score (P=0.0266) in simple regression analysis and with insulin levels (P=0.0137), but not with fat mass (P=0.0761), Pugh score (P=0.4472) and REE (P=0.4576) in multiple regression analysis. In the male cirrhotic and control patients, log (leptin) levels correlated with CRP (C reactive protein) (r=0.365, P=0.0223). Log (leptin) levels did not correlate with caloric intake in any of the groups. Leptin levels (P<0.05) and fat mass (P<0.02) increased with refeeding while liver function improved (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a gender difference in regulation of serum leptin level in alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Insulin level is the best determinant of leptin level in female patients while inflammatory state related to alcoholic hepatitis seems to have a greater influence in male patients. Although leptin levels positively correlated with REE in female patients, there is no evidence that leptin reduces caloric intake and fat stores in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

WMS-III performance in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy: group differences and individual classification.

The utility of the WMS-III in detecting lateralized impairment was examined in a large sample of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods of analysis included evaluation of group means on the various indexes and subtest scores, the use of ROC curves, and an examination of Auditory-Visual Index discrepancy scores. In addition, performance on immediate and delayed indexes in the auditory and the visual modality was compared within each group. Of the WMS-III scores, the Auditory-Visual Delayed Index difference score appeared most sensitive to side of temporal dysfunction, although patient classification rates were not within an acceptable range to have clinical utility. The ability to predict laterality based on statistically significant index score differences was particularly weak for those with left temporal dysfunction. The use of unusually large discrepancies led to improved prediction, however, the rarity of such scores in this population limits their usefulness. Although the utility of the WMS-III in detecting laterality may be limited in preoperative cases, the WMS-III may still hold considerable promise as a measure of memory in documenting baseline performance and in detecting those that may be at risk following surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A decision-supported outpatient practice system.

We describe a Decision-supported Outpatient Practice (DOP) system developed and now in use at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. DOP is an automated ambulatory medical record system that integrates in-patient and ambulatory care data, and incorporates active and passive decision support mechanisms with a view towards improving the quality of primary care. Active decision support occurs in the form of event-driven reminders created within a remote clinical information system with its central data repository and decision support system (DSS). Novel features of DOP include patient specific health maintenance task lists calculated by the remote DSS. uses of a semantically structured controlled medical vocabulary to support clinical results review and provider data entry, and exploitation of an underlying ambulatory data model that provides for an explicit record of evolution of insight regarding patient management. Benefits, challenges, and plans are discussed.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1995

Do high doses of stimulants impair flexible thinking in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder?

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that high doses of methylphenidate (MPH) impair cognitive flexibility in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: A double-blind crossover design was used in an acute dosage trial to assess effects of three dosages (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mg/kg) of MPH on the performance of 17 ADHD children on five tasks designed to assess divergent thinking, perseveration, and ability to shift mental set. The tasks also assessed convergent thinking, problem solving, and speed and accuracy of processing. RESULTS: There was minimal evidence of deleterious effects on flexible thinking or other cognitive processes, either in the ADHD group as a whole or in any subgroup. The most common pattern indicated linear improvement across dosages. CONCLUSIONS: Under the acute dosage conditions used in this study, MPH doses up to 0.9 mg/kg had an increasingly positive effect on measures of mental flexibility and other cognitive processes. Rather than eliciting perseveration, MPH appeared to improve persistence. The generalized nature of the cognitive and motivational changes observed suggests that MPH acts on central, self-regulatory processes. Because effects of two or more daily doses can accumulate when MPH is prescribed in the clinical situation, clinical doses of more than 0.6 mg/kg were not recommended.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiology of infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis in Manitoba, Canada.

In a study of the epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Manitoba during 1981-1990, we retrospectively reviewed laboratory and clinical case notification records as well as hospital and health insurance data concerning pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy. After implementation of a control program in 1987, the annual incidence of chlamydial infection was highest among females aged 15-24 years (3,418 cases per 100,000 residents). Recurrent infection, which occurred in 13.4% of patients, was more common in women (P < .001), patients aged 15-24 years (P < .001), registered North American Indians (P < .001), and persons with concomitant gonorrhea (P < .001). Risk factors for dual (chlamydial and gonococcal) infection included male sex (P < .001) and young age (P < .001). Although the incidence of hospitalization and outpatient visits for pelvic inflammatory disease decreased (P < .001) from 1981 to 1990, the annual incidence of ectopic pregnancy increased from 10 to 16 cases per 1,000 reported pregnancies (P < .001). Control activities focusing on the primary prevention of C. trachomatis infection are presented. Strategies for improving secondary prevention (through case detection and treatment of lower genital infection) include the targeting of individuals with recurrent and multiple sexually transmitted diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Reminiscentia: cherished objects as memorabilia in late-life reminiscence.

This survey was designed to study cherished objects and other memorabilia as "reminiscentia," (i.e., as inducers of reminiscence). One hundred persons were surveyed by questionnaire and interview to determine the kinds of memorabilia and cherished objects they would identify and how these were related to reminiscence and current mood as measured by the Affect-Balance Scale. Most of the identified cherished objects were cherished for reasons other than their value as reminiscentia, but when they were cherished primarily for this reason, they seemed to serve as reconstructive symbols in the lives of those older persons. A significant positive relationship was found between memorabilia and mood, and the total lack of a cherished object was associated with significantly lower mood scores. Some significant associations were also found among objects, reminiscence, and mood variables by age and gender.

Affect↗
PubMed1989

Bloodstream infections in the elderly.

PURPOSE: Bacteremia in the elderly is associated with a different clinical course and a higher mortality rate when compared with that in younger age groups. In order to examine these issues in the aged, we reviewed the clinical course and factors involved in the outcome of 100 episodes of bloodstream infections in patients over 65 years of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The hospital records of all patients over 65 years of age at The Mount Sinai Hospital with a positive blood culture result during the period October 1984 to October 1986 were reviewed. Place of residence before hospital admission, site of acquisition of infection, source of bloodstream infection, and microorganism were analyzed. Antimicrobial therapy was defined as appropriate if initial therapy included one agent to which the isolate was sensitive, or inappropriate if the isolate was resistant. The following factors affecting survival were analyzed: age, sex, underlying diseases, clinical parameters on admission, white blood cell count, mental status, source of infection, microorganism isolated, antibiotic toxicity, and appropriate versus inappropriate antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Most patients were female (63 percent), were febrile (90 percent), had an altered mental status (52 percent), and had a neutrophilic response (61 percent). Eighty-three percent of patients were admitted from the community (home), 14 percent were from long-term-care facilities, and 3 percent were transferred from other hospitals. Fifty percent of infections were nosocomial, and 44 percent were community (home and nursing home)-acquired. Gram-negative organisms accounted for 60 percent of isolates, with Escherichia coli (22 percent) and Klebsiella species (11 percent) predominating; 30 percent were gram-positive organisms, with Staphylococcus aureus (13 percent) and Streptococcus faecalis (10 percent) the most common. The overall survival was 60 percent; the survival rate was 65.8 percent for community-acquired (home) bacteremia, 75 percent for nursing home-acquired bacteremia, and 52.8 percent for hospital-acquired bacteremia. Survival for gram-negative isolates was 65 percent, versus 51.7 percent for gram-positive isolates. Survival was greatest in patients whose source of bacteremia was either the genitourinary tract (70 percent) or an intravascular device (78 percent) and poorest in patients with lower respiratory tract source (42 percent); all three patients with endocarditis died. Increased survival was observed in patients treated with appropriate antimicrobial agents regardless of age, source of infection, or bloodstream isolates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1987

IgE receptor-activated calcium permeability pathway in rat basophilic leukemia cells: measurement of the unidirectional influx of calcium using quin2-buffered cells.

The intracellular calcium indicator and buffer quin2 has been used to generate a large calcium buffering capacity in the cytoplasm of rat basophilic leukemia cells. Above 3 mM intracellular quin2, there is no further increase in the initial rate of antigen-induced 45Ca uptake, suggesting that 45Ca buffering by quin2 is now sufficient to prevent the immediate efflux of 45Ca from the cells. Thus, the initial rate of 45Ca uptake should reflect the true unidirectional influx of calcium that occurs when immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptors are aggregated by antigen. The antigen-induced calcium permeability pathway appears to be saturable, with a Km of about 0.7 mM and a Vmax of 0.9 nmol of calcium (10(6) cells)-1 min-1. Although net 45Ca uptake reaches a plateau a few minutes after antigen stimulation, the increase in plasma membrane permeability is maintained for at least an hour, provided that receptors for IgE remain aggregated. The initial rate of 45Ca influx correlates well with the subsequent secretion of [3H]serotonin in response to different concentrations of antigen. Both 45Ca uptake and [3H]serotonin secretion are maximal when only 10% of the receptors are occupied with antigen-specific IgE. Thus, 45Ca influx correlates more closely with secretion than with the number of IgE receptors aggregated by antigen.

Aminoquinolines↗
PubMed1987

Epidemiology of an outbreak of infectious syphilis in Manitoba.

An outbreak of 82 cases of infectious syphilis (primary, secondary, and early latent) which occurred in 1984 in the province of Manitoba was analyzed by age, sex, geographic distribution, and stage of disease. In the preceding four years, from 1980-1983, there were 19, 24, 13, and 32 cases, respectively, of infectious syphilis, of which 89% involved males. Compared with 1983, the overall crude incidence rate in 1984 increased by 259%, from 2.9 to 7.5/100,000 population, with a peak incidence in the 25- to 29-year age group of 25.8/100,000 population. This increase was predominantly due to a striking increase in incidence in females which rose 6.3-fold, from 0.4 to 2.5/100,000 females, compared with a 2.3-fold increase in males. This increase was accompanied by a decline in the male-to-female ratio, from 15.0 to 4.9. Of the 68 males, 45 named women as their sexual contacts. Females were 2.4 times more likely to present with early latent disease, whereas males were 7.0 times more likely to present with primary disease (p less than 0.01). There was clustering in suburban locations with regard to clinical presentation (60% primary disease) and overall incidence (46% of all cases). These data suggest the occurrence of a major change in the epidemiology of syphilis in the province of Manitoba, with a shift from homosexual to heterosexual transmission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Diffuse endobronchial polyposis following a titanium tetrachloride inhalation injury.

We report a case of diffuse endobronchial polyps contributing to continued respiratory failure in a patient 5 wk after titanium tetrachloride inhalation injury. After the institution of corticosteroid therapy, the total number and size of remaining polyps were markedly reduced at which time the subject was successfully weaned from the ventilator. Follow-up bronchoscopy at 2 months, 5 months, and 1 yr postinjury revealed gradual but complete resolution of all polyps accompanied by improvement in the patient's obstructive airways disease. This delayed complication of inhalation injury has been previously reported as a complication of thermal respiratory injury, and may be an important contributing factor in prolonged or late respiratory failure in burn patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1980

Hemophilus influenzae in hospitalized adults: current perspectives.

In an eight year period 16 cases of serious extrapulmonary Hemophilus influenzae infection in adults were identified, including cases of meningitis, pericarditis, epiglottitis, empyema, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, endometritis, urinary tract infection, orbital cellulitis, primary peritonitis, mesenteric lymphadenitis and aortic graft infection. An 18 month prospective study of H. influenzae infection in hospitalized adults identified 10 cases of bronchitis, 25 of pneumonia and 65 of respiratory tract colonization, but there were no extrapulmonary infections. In 29 percent of the respiratory tract infections, H. influenzae appeared to be a nosocomial pathogen; in 71 percent, the infection was mixed. Finally, 110 clinical isolates of H. influenzae were studied for antimicrobial susceptibility. Eight percent were ampicillin resistant, two strains were resistant to tetracycline and one to chloramphenicol, but all were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and cefamandole.

Adolescent↗