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Biomedical subjects

I Blum

Publications and source records attributed to I Blum.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Histochemical and ultrastructural study on the innervation of the byssus glands of Mytilus galloprovincialis.

The aluminium-formaldehyde (ALFA) histofluorescence method reveals an extensive plexus of brilliant greenish monoaminergic elements in the glandular zones of the Mytilus foot, while only scanty nerve fibres are acetylcholinesterase-positive. By electron microscopy, bundles of nerve fibres can be seen i) in close connection with the intrinsic musculature located in the connective septa among the glands, and ii) near the cell bodies and necks of all the byssus glands. The nerve fibres show varicosities containing three types of vesicles: small clear (50-60 nm), small granular (80-90 nm), and large granular (160-200 nm). The regions of close apposition between nerve terminals and muscle or gland cells generally do not show typical pre- or postsynaptic specializations. Along the pedal groove, mainly in the proximal two thirds of the foot, peripheral bipolar neurons can be detected, both by fluorescence and electron microscopy.

Animals↗

Evidence for a therapeutic effect of dl-propranolol in benign and malignant insulinoma: report of three cases.

Two patients suffering from benign and one patient suffering from malignant insulinoma experienced frequent incapacitating hypoglycemic attacks which did not respond to treatment with streptozotocin, diazoxide and/or diphenylhydantoin. Dl-propranolol, in dosages ranging from 30-240 mg/day, successfully abolished the symptoms of hypoglycemia, prevented recurrent hypoglycemic attacks, and normalized blood glucose levels concomitant with a reduction in pulse rate to 60/min. The main mechanism of the drug's effect seems to be the suppression of insulin release. However, other mechanisms may be involved such as increased peripheral insulin resistance. No side effects of treatment with dl-propranolol were noted. In patients suffering from insulinoma who are refractory to other forms of treatment, and for those who need symptomatic relief before surgery, dl-propranolol may play an important therapeutic role.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Hypocalcaemia, a possible manifestation of thyrotoxicosis.

A severely thyrotoxic patient was found to have hypocalcaemia and tetany, which cleared when she became euthyroid. Cessation of treatment with propranolol and propylthiouracil resulted in a recurrence of the thyrotoxicosis and the reappearance of hypocalcaemia. Reinstitution of treatment resulted in a second remission of the thyrotoxicosis and correction of the hypocalcaemia. It is suggested that in this patient, the thyrotoxicosis was the cause of hypocalcaemia. The various pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.

Female↗

The influence of thyroid function on serum lipid profile.

Serum triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C levels as well as the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio were determined in 11 patients suffering from hyperthyroidism and 7 patients suffering from hypothyroidism, and compared with those of 19 sex-and age-matched controls. In hypothyroidism a net increase of all lipid values was observed. In hyperthyroidism cholesterol and LDL-C values were reduced while those of the triglycerides and HDL-C were unchanged as compared with controls. The LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio in either group of patients was lower than in controls, the lowest being observed in thyrotoxicosis.

Aged↗

Eosinophilic fasciitis (Shulman syndrome) with prominent synovitis.

Synovitis has been infrequently reported in eosinophilic fasciitis. We report on a patient whose condition conformed to the general features of the syndrome, in whom synovitis was a prominent histological finding. The clinical, laboratory and histopathological features of this disease are reviewed.

Eosinophilia↗

Hypercalcemia in carcinoma of the breast without evidence of bone destruction: beneficial effect of hormonal therapy.

A premenopausal woman with soft tissue metastases from a carcinoma of the breast developed hypercalcemia with hypophosphatemia, reduced tubular reabsorption of phosphate, elevated urinary cyclic AMP levels and normal serum PTH levels was observed. Hormonal therapy with testosterone followed by tamoxifen induced normalization of her serum calcium concomitant with the disappearance of the pleural effusion and reduction in the size of her lung metastases. The correlation between the efficacy of antitumor treatment on pleural effusion, lung metastases, and normalization of serum calcium, as well as the elevated PTH level in the pleural effusion, suggest that this breast carcinoma secreted a PTH-like substance.

Adult↗

Clinical evaluation of the effects of combined treatment with bromocriptine and spironolactone in two women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Two women with the polycystic ovary syndrome were treated with bromocriptine (15 to 20 mg/day) in combination with spironolactone (100 mg/day). In the first woman the combined therapy induced a marked reduction of hirsutism, with ensuing ovulation and pregnancy. In the second woman, who had hyperthecosis and had been refractory to treatment with clomiphene and wedge resection, the combined therapy resulted in abolition of hirsutism, normalization of blood pressure, weight reduction, and improvement in glucose intolerance. In this patient fertility could not be established by the above treatment, but the symptomatic amelioration was so great that she accepted no further attempt to induce ovulation. In view of the marked amelioration of the polycystic ovary syndrome induced by combined bromocriptine and spironolactone treatment, this mode of therapy should receive further consideration.

Adult↗

Pyrexia of unknown origin. Presenting sign of hypothalamic hypopituitarism.

A 62-year-old man was admitted to hospital 10 times over 12 years because of pyrexia of unknown origin. Hypothalamic hypopituitarism was diagnosed by dynamic tests including clomiphene, LRH, TRH and chlorpromazine stimulation. Lack of ACTH was demonstrated by long and short tetracosactrin tests. The aetiology of the disorder was believed to be previous encephalitis. Following substitution therapy with adrenal and gonadal steroids there were no further episodes of fever.

Fever of Unknown Origin↗

Successful treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with spironolactone or bromocriptine.

Marked improvement in the severe hypertension (250/150 mmHg) and hirsutism of a patient suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome was quickly achieved by the use of spironolactone 200 mg per day. Substitution of spironolactone with bromocriptine induced further amelioration of these symptoms and renewal of ovulatory cycles. These drugs may afford another mode of therapy in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Adult↗