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Biomedical subjects

I Horowitz

Publications and source records attributed to I Horowitz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phase I trial of escalating doses of paclitaxel combined with fixed doses of cisplatin and doxorubicin in advanced endometrial cancer and other gynecologic malignancies: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this phase I trial was to determine the feasibility of administering a combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and doxorubicin with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with advanced endometrial and other gynecologic cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were chemotherapy-naive. Doxorubicin was administered as a brief infusion, paclitaxel for 3 hours, and cisplatin for 60 minutes. Treatments were repeated every 3 weeks. For most dose levels, the cisplatin and doxorubicin were fixed at 60 mg/m(2) and 45 mg/m(2), whereas the paclitaxel was escalated in successive cohorts from 90 to 250 mg/m(2). Patients who had received previous radiotherapy to the whole pelvis were escalated separately from those who had not. RESULTS: Eighty patients received 320 cycles of therapy. When G-CSF was not used, myelosuppression prevented escalation beyond the starting dose for patients with or without previous pelvic radiotherapy. When G-CSF was added, neurotoxicity became dose-limiting for both groups. Ten patients were removed from the study for asymptomatic declines in ejection fraction, but no symptomatic congestive heart failure was observed. Major antitumor responses occurred in 46% of patients (six of 13) with measurable endometrial carcinoma and 50% of patients (eight of 16) with measurable cervical carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The combination of paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cisplatin at relevant single-agent doses is active and feasible with the addition of G-CSF. A regimen of cisplatin 60 mg/m(2), doxorubicin 45 mg/m(2), and paclitaxel 160 mg/m(2) with G-CSF support is recommended for further testing.

Adult↗

Use of an optical fiber scope to confirm endotracheal tube placement in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a portable optical fiber scope to confirm endotracheal tube (ETT) placement. DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized, blinded study. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit in a children's hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty mechanically ventilated patients with an ETT in place. INTERVENTIONS: Patients entered into the study underwent ETT placement determination by chest roentgenogram (CXR) and by the optical fiber scope. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty patients were entered into the study, for a total of 46 measurements (n = 46). ETT size ranged from 3.0 to 6.0 mm internal diameter. Distance from the ETT and the carina was determined by the scope and compared with the distance measured on the CXR. No statistical difference was found between the two methods. None of the patients experienced clinically significant side effects from the procedure. On three occasions, the presence of secretions in the ETT did not allow for the visualization of the carina by the scope. CONCLUSION: The use of a flexible optical fiber scope is an accurate, fast, and practical method to determine ETT placement in pediatric patients on mechanical ventilation.

Adolescent↗

The bottom line: the effect of written expert witness statements on juror verdicts and information processing.

Mock jurors recruited from jury rolls were either not given written statements of expert witnesses' direct testimony or were provided with such statements before or after the presentation of that testimony. Presentation of the statements before the testimony and cross-examination provided jurors with a schema that allowed them to distinguish more effectively among the claims of four differentially worthy plaintiffs because they processed more probative evidence than other jurors. Jurors in receipt of written statements before the testimony found the evidence to be more comprehensible than other jurors. Jurors provided with written statements following testimony and cross-examination were able to differentiate between the most and least severely injured plaintiffs, whereas jurors not in receipt of any written statements were unable to differentiate among any of the differentially worthy claimants. The limitations of this case management technique and of the study are discussed.

Adult↗

Tear production in three captive wild herbivores in Israel.

The Schirmer tear test (STT) I was performed to evaluate tear production in 12 captive Nubian ibex (Capra ibex nubiana), 10 captive Burchell's zebras (Equus burchelli) and five Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) at the Tel-Aviv Ramat-Gan Zoological Center (Israel). Mean (+/- standard deviation) STT values were 13.2 +/- 5.1 mm/min in the ibex, 23.4 +/- 3.4 mm/min in the zebra and 12.7 +/- 4.8 mm/min in the oryx. There were no significant effects of gender, age, weight, or side of the eye. There were no significant differences in STT values between ibex and oryx, but tear production in both species was significantly lower than in zebras. Knowledge of normal tear production values is important for the differential diagnosis of conjunctivitis and keratitis in these species.

Animals↗

Complications after apicoectomy in maxillary premolar and molar teeth.

This study was designed to enumerate the number of perforations to the maxillary sinus while performing apicoectomy on maxillary premolar and molar teeth and to evaluate possible complications as a result of these perforations. A total of 472 apicoectomies were performed in 440 patients; perforations occurred in 10.4% of teeth, 23% in molars, 13% in second premolars and 2% in first premolars. No cases of acute or chronic sinusitis were recorded. It was concluded that apicoectomy, carried out using a meticulous surgical technique and proper postoperative care, should be considered as a treatment option before contemplating extraction.

Apicoectomy↗

Sleep and pulmonary function in children with well-controlled, stable asthma.

The aim of this study was to assess sleep and pulmonary function in asthmatic and control children. Forty children with well-controlled, stable asthma, and 34 controls (age range: 8.2 to 15.4 years) were monitored with wrist actigraphs and peak-flow meters for 3 consecutive days. In addition, asthma severity was assessed by subjective parental and self-rating scale and symptom checklist. Asthmatic children had poorer sleep quality in comparison to their controls, as manifested in lower percentages of quiet sleep (p < .05) and increased activity level during sleep (p < .05). As expected, asthmatic children had reduced morning peak expiratory flow measures (p < .01) and a higher evening-to-morning drop in peak expiratory flow (p < .005). Peak-flow measures were significantly correlated with subjective and objective sleep measures. In the asthmatic group, sleep measures were also correlated with subjective asthma severity indices and symptom checklists. We conclude that poorer sleep is associated with reduced pulmonary function. The reduced sleep quality, coupled with subjective reports of increased fatigue and reduced alertness found in asthmatic children, suggest that these children are at risk for developing neurobehavioral deficits associated with chronic sleep loss.

Adolescent↗

The effects of anesthesia and gender on intraocular pressure in lions (Panthera leo).

Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in a pride of 22 (11 males, 11 females) lions (Panthera leo) using a Schiotz tonometer. Two anesthetic protocols were used in the study. Lions in group I (n = 14) were anesthetized using xylazine, atropine sulfate, and ketamine. Lions in group II (n = 8) were anesthetized using ketamine and diazepam. Five sequential readings were taken from each eye of every lion. There were no significant differences in IOP between the two anesthetic groups, between left and right eyes, or over the five readings. The IOP was significantly higher in males than in females, controlling for age and weight. The mean (+/-SD) tonometer reading in 22 eyes of 11 male lions was 2.9 (+/-0.5) mm; with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.6-4.5 mm. The mean tonometer reading in 22 eyes of 11 female lions was 4.0 (+/-0.7) mm, with a 95% CI of 1.8-6.3 mm. Using the 1955 Friedenwald human calibration table, the estimated mean IOP in 22 eyes of 11 male lions was 24.9 (+/-2.0) mm Hg, with a 95% CI of 20.4-29.4 mm Hg. The estimated mean IOP in 22 eyes of 11 female lions was 20.9 (+/-2.4) mm Hg, with a 95% CI of 15.6-26.3 mm Hg.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

Children with asthma in the emergency department: spectrum of disease, variation with ethnicity, and approach to treatment.

The role of the pediatric emergency department (ED) in the management of acute asthma was assessed by examining patterns of referrals, admissions, clinical patient evaluation, laboratory tests ordered, and treatment instituted. The functioning of the attending physicians with different degrees of seniority was also evaluated. One thousand thirty-six children with acute asthma (5.3% of all visits) were admitted to the ED during 1990. The mean age was 5.5 years, and the male to female ratio was 2.6:1. Fifty percent of the patients reported atopic disease in their immediate family, and upper respiratory tract infection preceding the attack was reported in 27% of patients. Significant differences were observed between Arab and Jewish patients: more Arab patients presented after physician referral (90 vs 33%) in morning hours (43 vs 26%), and after a longer duration of symptoms. Experienced physicians ordered fewer laboratory tests and treated the patients less aggressively than junior physicians. Patients treated by senior physicians stayed less time in the ED, and a smaller proportion of patients was hospitalized (4 vs 19%). Patients admitted by senior physicians had a longer period of hospitalization (4.7 vs 1.2 days). This study shows that ethnicity influenced the pattern of utilization of the ED and that the approach to care differed among junior and senior physicians.

Acute Disease↗

Effect of RU-486 and related compounds on the proliferation of cultured macrophages.

PROBLEM: Macrophages are implicated in the pathophysiology of endometriosis and are influenced by anti-inflammatory steroids as well as anti-oxidants. METHODS: We tested the effect of RU-486, an antiprogesterone, antiglucocorticoid and an antioxidant, on the proliferation of RAW macrophages. RESULTS: The incorporation of 3H-thymidine was significantly inhibited by both progesterone and RU-486. Progesterone and RU-486, in combination, synergistically inhibited macrophage growth. In contrast, dexamethasone-stimulated growth was antagonized by RU-486 in a dose dependent manner. ZK 112,993 which is structurally related to RU-486 but lacks antioxidant properties, also inhibited thymidine incorporation. The synergistic effect of RU-486 and ZK 112,993 with progesterone implicate a mechanism of action separate from receptor bound antagonists. A cell permeable antioxidant, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was very effective in inhibiting the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest novel therapeutic modalities in the management of endometriosis via antiglucocorticoid as well as antioxidant mechanisms.

Antioxidants↗

Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological features of shigellosis among hospitalized children in northern Israel.

The epidemiological, clinical, and bacteriological aspects of shigellosis were studied in a population of hospitalized children in northern Israel. During the 6-year period 1987-92, 262 children were hospitalized due to shigella infection. Shigellosis represented 10% of pediatric admissions for diarrhea. Admissions for the disease peaked during the summer and autumn. The median age of the patients was 3 years. Shigella sonnei was isolated in 74% of patients and S. flexneri in 21%, compared with relative frequencies of 87% and 10%, respectively, in the non-hospitalized population of the area, detected during the same period (p < 0.001). Shigella sonnei represented 82% of isolates of hospitalized Jewish patients but only 60% of hospitalized Arab children, many of whom live in poverty and overcrowding (p < 0.001). Shigella flexneri was particularly frequent among hospitalized infants, and was associated with Arab origin, large families and residence in agricultural settlements. Duration of hospitalization was 4.7 +/- 2.3 days for S. sonnei infections and 5.8 +/- 3.6 days for S. flexneri (p < 0.005). No cases of shigella sepsis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, or fatalities were observed. Overall 37% of all shigella isolates from hospitalized children were resistant to ampicillin, 71% to cotrimoxazole, 28% to both and 13% were resistant to > or = 3 different drugs. It is concluded that shigellosis is an important cause of hospitalization in northern Israel. Resistance to antimicrobial drugs is widespread among all Shigella spp. Although S. sonnei is the most common species, S. flexneri is particularly frequent in infants.

Adolescent↗

Computed tomography of healing condylar fractures with some clinical correlations.

A longitudinal study using computed tomographic (CT) examinations has been performed in 79 patients with condylar fracture of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). CT scans were performed following healing to demonstrate the new condylar shape. Maximal incisor distance was measured in all patients. Patients with mild deformities of the condyles had satisfactory function of the TMJs with a maximal distance between the incisors that was similar to 50 healthy controls (average 45 mm). Fifteen patients with severely deformed condyles and an abnormal shape of the glenoid fossa had an average maximal distance between the incisors of 16 mm which corresponded with severe malfunction of the TMJs. The remaining 42 patients with moderate condylar deformity had an average maximal distance between the incisors of 29 mm and the disability of the TMJs was considered to be moderate. The results were statistically significant. There was no resorption of the fractured condylar head or bone fragment. The correlation of the fractured head or fragment and the remodelling of the condyle during the healing process determined the final alignment of the fractured condyle to the glenoid fossa on which the TMJs' function was dependent.

Adolescent↗

Metastatic tumors to postextraction sites.

Review of the literature revealed 55 cases where tooth extraction preceded the discovery of metastases. The lung and breast were the most common sources of the metastasis, and the mandibular premolar area was the most common site. A soft tissue mass extruding from a recent extraction wound, and accompanied by pain, were the main symptoms in most patients. The mean time from discovery of the metastasis to death was 3.8 months. Tooth extraction appears to serve as a promoting factor in the metastatic process. A case of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder involving the area of a recently extracted mandibular third molar is reported.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

The significance of idiopathic osteosclerosis found in panoramic radiographs of sporadic colorectal neoplasia patients and their relatives.

Osteosclerotic lesions in the mandible are reported with increased frequency in patients with colorectal neoplasia. Panoramic radiography has been suggested to detect high-risk patients among relatives of patients with hereditary adenomatous disease and sporadic colorectal cancer. The present study was undertaken to compare the incidence of idiopathic osteosclerotic lesions in patients with sporadic colorectal cancer and their first-degree relatives with the incidence in the general population and to determine whether panoramic radiographs are a reliable method to screen for early detection of risk of colorectal cancer. A total of 283 patients were interviewed and radiographically examined. Idiopathic osteosclerosis appeared in significantly increased incidence only in patients with colorectal cancer or adenomas and a first-degree relative with CRC (chi 2 = 7.214; p less than 0.01, and chi 2 = 4.1827; p less than 0.05 respectively). The incidence was not increased in first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer or adenoma. Therefore panoramic radiographs cannot be the only screening tool for early detection of patients at high risk of colorectal cancer.

Adenoma↗

Effect of salivary gland hypofunction on the healing of extraction wounds: a histomorphometric study in rats.

The effect of salivary gland hypofunction (SGH) on oral wound healing is not well established. The present study evaluates the healing of extraction wounds in a SGH rat model. Experimental rats underwent removal of the submandibular and sublingual glands and ligation of the parotid ducts. Maxillary left first molars were extracted and healing was determined at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days after extraction. Salivary gland hypofunction caused a significant delay in socket healing. The inflammatory process was more intense and of longer duration. The formation of fibrous connective tissue and bone was relatively slow among the experimental rats. The results suggest that SGH patients undergoing oral surgery may have prolonged wound healing.

Alveolar Process↗

Dental surgery in patients with severe factor XI deficiency without plasma replacement.

Bleeding following dental extraction is frequently the first manifestation of severe factor XI deficiency. Safe oral surgery has previously been performed in such patients by using plasma replacement therapy with or without concomitant administration of antifibrinolytic agents. The aim of this study was to determine whether such patients can undergo safe dental extractions using only an antifibrinolytic agent. The study group consisted of 19 patients with severe factor XI deficiency (factor XI:C level less than 14 U/dl) who had previously bled following dental extractions (14 patients) or other trauma (five patients). Tranexamic acid, 1 g q.i.d., was given from 12 h before surgery, until 7 days afterwards. No excessive bleeding was observed following dental extractions. One patient had slight oozing after 3 days which ceased spontaneously. Thus, plasma replacement no longer appears necessary for patients with severe factor XI deficiency requiring dental extractions.

Adult↗