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Biomedical subjects

H Silver

Publications and source records attributed to H Silver.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Cytomegalovirus antibody detection in blood donors and mothers of very low birth weight neonates by using three serologic methods.

We compared three serologic methods for cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody detection and determined the CMV antibody seroprevalence of blood donors and mothers of very low birth weight (less than 1250 g) neonates in the Greater Hartford region. CMV serology was determined for 577 healthy blood donors as well as for 147 mothers of premature infants. Plasma from blood donors and sera from mothers were tested by either latex agglutination (LA) or by an immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA), and results were compared with those from an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sensitivity and specificity for LA to ELISA were significantly better than for IFA to ELISA [sensitivity 79/81 (97%) vs 171/202 (85%), and specificity 90/94 (96%) vs 257/347 (74%), p less than 0.01]. These differences remained whether plasma or sera were tested. Borderline values explained only two (33%) of six LA-ELISA as well as only 70 (58%) of 121 IFA-ELISA discordance. CMV seroprevalence rate for the donor blood population was 38%, and for the mothers was 53%. The LA assay is superior to the IFA assay for CMV screening of blood donors and maternal populations.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1990

The proton NMR of blood plasma and the test for cancer.

The water-suppressed proton NMR spectra of plasma from healthy controls and cancer patients have been recorded along with the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels in the plasma. The dependence of the average of methylene and methyl resonance linewidths on the HDL/TG ratio is demonstrated. It is shown that the deranged lipoprotein levels caused by the presence of cancer lead to the serological test for cancer proposed by Fossel. The work provides the formation for a complete understanding of the proposed serological test for cancer. However, the wide variation in lipoprotein composition in the plasma from both healthy adults and cancer patients means that the serological test proposed by Fossel cannot be used as a screen for cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Cyclic AMP second messenger signal generation in EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells from schizophrenic patients.

Several aspects of cyclic AMP second messenger signal generation were examined in EBV-transformed cell lines from 12 schizophrenic patients and 12 age- and sex-matched controls. No evidence was obtained suggesting a heritable abnormality in cyclic AMP synthesis in schizophrenia. Basal, forskolin, A1/NaF- and GppNHp-stimulated cyclic AMP synthesis in membranes from transformed cell lines was identical for schizophrenic and control subjects. In addition, no significant differences were observed for basal, forskolin-, isoproterenol- and prostaglandin E1-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cell lines derived from ten of the schizophrenic patients compared with cell lines derived from ten of the control subjects.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1990

Postural hypotension in chronically medicated schizophrenics.

Blood pressure readings at rest and on standing in 196 chronic schizophrenic patients on stable long-term antipsychotic treatment were compared with those in unmedicated healthy controls. Patients recorded significantly lower resting blood pressure and significantly higher prevalence of postural hypotension than controls. The prevalence of postural hypotension in patients was 77% at 1 minute and 16.8% at 3 minutes after standing compared with absence of postural hypotension in controls at both time points. Prevalence of postural hypotension was unaffected by age or sex and was poorly correlated with drug dose, except in young patients. alpha 1-Receptor binding affinity of antipsychotic drugs was not predictive of postural hypotension. The possible significance of such persistent postural hypotension in chronically medicated patients is discussed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

Monitoring patron use of CD-ROM databases using SignIn-Stat.

SignIn-Stat, a PC-based, menu-driven program, collects information from users of the library's public access computer systems. It was used to collect patron use data for the library's four CD-ROM workstations for the period September 1987 to April 1988 and to survey users for the period December 1987 to March 1988. During the sample period, 5,909 CD-ROM uses were recorded. MEDLINE was the most heavily used database, followed by PsycLIT and Micromedex CCIS. Students accounted for 61% of the use, while faculty, residents, and staff were responsible for 31%. Graduate students had the highest rate of use per student. Nineteen percent of use was by patrons who had never used CD-ROMs before, while 37% was by patrons who had used CD-ROMs ten or more times. Residents were the least experienced user group, while graduate students and faculty were the most experienced.

Faculty↗
PubMed1989

Paternity testing.

There is evidence that parentage determination was a problem even in biblical times. The most significant developments in resolving these problems occurred in the 20th century starting with Landsteiner's description of the ABO blood group system in 1900. The utility of paternity testing increased as new blood group systems were identified. Major advances occurred between 1940 and 1970, starting with the discovery of the Rh system and reaching a highpoint with the application of HLA typing to paternity studies. Although the exclusion of falsely accused alleged fathers continues as the primary focus of paternity testing, statistical analysis has contributed significantly to the information that can be gleaned from the test results when exclusion has not been demonstrated. Paternal inclusion still cannot be conclusively proven but a mathematical estimation of the likelihood of paternity has found legal acceptance. New technology is now being directed toward identifying inherited DNA markers through the use of genetic probes. Segregation of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) may provide the near ultimate test for paternity as it may supply indisputable evidence of family relationships.

Biometry↗
PubMed1987

Addiction in pregnancy: high risk intrapartum management and outcome.

Drug-dependent women (DDW) have an increased incidence of medical and obstetrical complications; however, little information exists on the intrapartum course and management of these patients. Within the context of Family Center, a study was undertaken to determine if the DDW had normal patterns of labor and if standard intrapartum management is appropriate. The study population included 336 women of which 112 were DDW (72 per cent receiving methadone maintenance). The comparison group of 224 non drug dependent women was matched for gravidity, parity, and socioeconomic background. The incidence of premature delivery, abruptio placentae, breech presentation, and intrauterine growth retardation were significantly greater in the DDW. The average duration of the first, second, and third stages of labor compared well with the normal course of labor and matched the results of the comparison group. Labor abnormalities and cesarean sections were of no greater incidence, but there were more than twice as many forceps deliveries which coincides with the 40 per cent increased use of epidural anesthesia. Analgesia and anesthesia were in excess of that which is given to the average patient. There were three stillborns, one neonatal death, and one maternal death. Apgar scores and the incidence of fetal distress and meconium staining were identical in both groups. Postpartum complications were more common in the DDW, but most were secondary to the use of subclavian intravenous lines inserted due to the presence of sclerotic veins. These data suggest that high risk prenatal management and careful monitoring in the intra- and postpartum periods utilizing epidural anesthesia identifies and usually prevents untoward complications in DDW.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Physical complaints are part of the core depressive syndrome: evidence from a cross-cultural study in Israel.

To clarify whether physical complaints are primary or secondary phenomena in depression, Israeli inpatients of Western and Oriental origin suffering from depressive and nondepressive illnesses were compared using the self-reported Physical Complaints List. There were no differences based on ethnic origin. Depressed patients scored higher than controls. The data support the view that subjective physical distress is part of the core depressive syndrome and that, for severe psychiatric illnesses at least, cultural factors are secondary phenomena affecting expression of physical symptoms and the emphasis placed on physical symptoms by patient and physician.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The use of clonidine in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia.

A double-blind crossover comparison of clonidine and placebo was conducted in seven subjects afflicted with neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia (TD). Subjects received either clonidine, 0.4 mg/day, or placebo for a period of 8 weeks and were then crossed over to the opposing treatment modality. The effects of clonidine on TD symptomatology could not be distinguished from those of placebo (p greater than 0.05). However, comparison of prestudy ratings of TD severity to poststudy ratings revealed a significant reduction in TD symptoms (p less than 0.01). Close analysis of the data indicates that clonidine's effect on TD may have carried over into the placebo phase of the study, masking any true differences between clonidine and placebo treatment. Other factors which may have contributed to the lack of significant findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Physical complaints correlate better with depression than do dexamethasone suppression test results.

DST responses of 67 Israeli inpatients, a group heterogeneous in ethnic background, were examined. Overall, 56% of depressed patients and 34% of patients with diagnoses other than depression were DST nonsuppressors. Ethnic background did not significantly influence the DST response. Scores on the Carroll Rating Scale for Depression (CRS) and the Physical Complaints List (PCL) did not correlate significantly with DST response. PCL scores correlated significantly with the diagnosis of depression. The data support the view that the DST has limited utility as a biologic marker of depression, but that an analysis of physical complaints using the PCL may be useful in the differential diagnosis of depression in some cultures.

Adult↗