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Biomedical subjects

L Becker

Publications and source records attributed to L Becker.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Giant cell astrocytoma with histiocytic infiltrate. Definition of a subgroup of monstrocellular brain tumors.

The neoplastic cells of a monstrocellular brain tumor were poorly differentiated, but some had the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features of astrocytes. Mononuclear cells, mainly histiocytes, were prominent around vessels and throughout the tumor, and were even found within tumor giant cells. The lesion was a circumscribed nodule, and other features included frequent mitoses, perivascular reticulin fibers, and endothelial reaction less severe than usual in a poorly differentiated glioma. A surprising number of cerebral giant cell neoplasms have had similar morphology, and it is likely that giant cell astrocytomas with histiocytic infiltrates form a definite subgroup of these tumors that are more amenable to surgical treatment and have a slightly better prognosis than the usual poorly differentiated glioma.

Astrocytes↗
PubMed1983

Analogies between Cushing's disease and depression: a case report.

A case report is used to illustrate the difficult differential diagnostic dilemma between depression and Cushing's disease that has led to extensive scientific collaboration to test the hypothesis that both diagnoses may fall within a pathophysiological continuum. Unique to the collaborative study underway is the commitment of psychiatric clinical investigators to bring state of the art techniques for studying neurobiology in a disease traditionally viewed as medical, and of endocrinologists to address their expertise in a disease viewed primarily as psychiatric.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Diagnostic accuracy of neonatal brain imaging: a postmortem correlation of computed tomography and ultrasound scans.

The aim of this study was to validate brain imaging techniques in the preterm infant. A homogeneous group of very immature (less than 32 week) neonates dying in the neonatal period were sequentially scanned with linear-array real-time ultrasound scans, and after death with compound B static sector ultrasound and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans. All three imaging techniques were correlated with the autopsy results. All germinal matrix bleeds greater than 5mm in size and intraventricular hemorrhages associated with ventricular dilation or distortion were accurately diagnosed. In the immature infant it was difficult to distinguish the normal highly vascular germinal matrix and choroid plexus from hemorrhage into the brain or ventricles, respectively. Further studies that address the questions of accurate timing and incidence of bleeds must consider the spatial resolution of the individual scanner, the maturity of the brain, the site and size of the lesion, and the evolution of the lesion. For the diagnosis of major hemorrhagic lesions in the preterm infant, either ultrasound or CT scans may be used with confidence.

Brain↗
PubMed1981

Type 2 GM1 gangliosidosis with long survival and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Neurologic deterioration began in a girl before age 2 years. By 4 she was spastic and decerebrate. GM1 gangliosidosis was diagnosed by absence of beta-galactosidase activity in leukocytes and fibroblasts. She died at 17 years. Her small brain contained only 2.61 mumole glycolipid N-acetylneuraminic acid per gram, and was filled with autofluorescent material. GM1 gangliosidosis was confirmed by the presence of membranous cytoplasmic bodies, by the absence of beta-galactosidase, and by failure of complementation when the patient's fibroblasts were fused with cells from other forms of GM1 gangliosidosis. The autofluorescent material probably accumulated because of the long survival rather than the primary enzyme defect.

Brain↗
PubMed1981

Community awareness of emergency phone numbers.

Knowledge of numbers to call for medical emergencies was compared among communities with three different call numbers: 1) 911; 2) regional seven-digit numbers; and 3) local seven-digit numbers. Correct responses were 85 per cent in the 911 communities; 47 per cent in areas with regional systems, and 36 per cent in areas with local systems. Persons living adjacent to a 911 area were more likely to believe 911 was the emergency number (28 per cent) than persons not adjacent to 911 areas (12 per cent).

Community Participation↗
PubMed1981

Giant nevus of the scalp associated with intracranial pigmentation. Case report.

A case is reported of aggressive cellular blue nevus of the scalp. Intracranial pigmentation in association with a melanocytic nevus of the scalp may indicate either benign coexisting melanosis, local extension, or invasive malignancy. The importance of accurate diagnosis is discussed, and the need to be prepared to carry the excision deep enough to include the dura is illustrated.

Arachnoid↗
PubMed1979

Diaphragmatic muscle tone.

It is generally believed that there is a scarcity of muscle spindles in the diaphragm and that there is no tonic activity at end expiration. This conclusion is based mainly on animal studies and the difficulty in differentiating tonic electromyogram activity from noise. We have, however, found a number of muscle spindles in the newborn human diagphragm, concentrated in the region of the central tendon. We also tried to detect tonic activity by decreasing it (by rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep or anesthesia) or increasing it (with abdominal loading). During REM sleep in five infants and five adults, using subcostal electrodes were observed a marked fall in tonic activity (P less than 0.001) compared to non-REM or quiet sleep. We also observed a reduction in diaphragmatic tonic activity with halothane anesthesia (P less than 0.001). With esophageal electrodes in adult subjects, there was a rise in tonic diaphragmatic activity proportional to the amount of abdomina load (P less than 0.001). We conclude that there are muscle spindles in the human diaphragm and that there is tonic activity at end expiration.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Electron beam therapy of mycosis fungoides.

Sixteen patients with mycosis fungoides were treated with a 3.3 MeV skin electron beam to a dose of 30 Gy over 40 days. Nine patients achieved a complete remission which was generally short. Only two patients remained free of disease one year following treatment. All patients received palliative benefit from treatment, but no significant increase in survival can be anticipated.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

"Circumferential profiles:" a new method for computer analysis of thallium-201 myocardial perfusion images.

A method for computer analysis of thallium-201 scintigrams is described, in which the left-ventricular activity is measured along radii constructed from the center of the left ventricle (LV) to each point on the LV circumference. Data are then displayed graphically as a "circumferential profile" of normalized activity against radial location. Thallium defects are identified and scored by comparison of the profile curve with empirically determined normal limits. In patients with coronary artery disease, defect scores were found to be quantitative and reproducible, and to agree generally with subjective visual analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

The Abortion and Sterilization Act in 1975--experience of the Johannesburg Hospital Pregnancy Advisory Clinic.

The experience of a Pregnancy Advisory Service operating in terms of the Abortion and Sterilization Act of 1975 is reviewed. A total of 454 applications for abortion were considered, of which 198 (44%) were accepted and the abortions performed. The urgent need for sex education at schools, colleges and universities is stressed, in view of the large number of scholars and students under the age of 17 who seek an abortion. There are also patients who discontinue contraception for a variety of reasons, on medical advice or otherwise, without an alternative being suggested or sought. Motivation of patient, nurse and doctor needs urgent improvement.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1978

Cerebral hypoperfusion in the sudden infant death syndrome? Brainstem gliosis and vasculature.

Gliosis is increased in the respiratory control area of the brainstem in victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), as it is in infants who have died of congenital heart disease. In the latter, the lesions appear to result from hypoxia or ischemia, and studies of the brainstem microvasculature of SIDS victims indicated a close relationship between the gliosis and adjacent vasculature. It is postulated that cerebral hypoperfusion may play a role in SIDS.

Astrocytes↗
PubMed1978

Effects of L-5-hydroxytryptophan in autistic children.

Behavioral effects of L-5-Hydroxytrophan (L-5-HTP), administered in combination with carbidopa, were evaluated in three autistic children using direct behavioral observation and parent ratings. Children were assessed under each of four experimental conditions: Baseline, Placebo I, L-5-HTP plus carbidopa, and Placebo II. During the 20-week study two children showed behavioral change that appeared to be unrelated to drug treatment. The findings did not support the hypothesis that a functional deficit in brain 5-HT underlies the autistic syndrome.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1978

Rest angina with transient S-T segment elevation. Correlation of clinical features with coronary anatomy.

In 44 consecutive patients with angina at rest associated with transient S-T segment elevation, clinical features were correlated with angiographic coronary anatomy. Patients were divided into three groups depending on the number of major vessels having greater than or equal to 70 per cent luminal narrowing: Group I = no or minimal disease (six patients); group II = single vessel disease (13 patients); and group III = multiple vessel disease (25 patients). The following features did not differ significantly among groups I, II or III: age, sex, risk factors, time from onset of episodes of pain at rest to study or arrhythmias during ischemic episodes. Patients in group III were more likely to have angina on effort (p less than 0.001) and an abnormal base line electrocardiogram (p less than 0.001) than patients in groups I or II. However, the absence of these features did not separate patients in group I from those in group II. In patients with angina at rest associated with transient S-T segment elevation, clinical features identify patients with multiple vessel disease but do not allow differentiation of patients with no or minimal coronary disease from patients with single vessel disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Use of the telephone for short-term follow-up.

We have instituted a telephone appointment system (TAS) to follow patients with well-defined relatively minor problems. The patient is asked to call a special phone number at a specified date and time to obtain test results or information. A senior physician reviews each chart beforehand and indicates in lay terms, the information to be given to the patient by the clerk. Initial contact was made with 235 (58%) of the 404 scheduled telephone appointments reviewed during a four-week period. Physician data review time averaged one minute per chart and two full-time clerks were required. Although no improvement in patient compliance was found, significant savings of patient, physician, and nursing time are obvious. Additional advantages include decreased total patient load and the opportunity for senior physicians to assess the quality of care and provide feedback to the emergency department house officers.

Aftercare↗