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Biomedical subjects

L Reiner

Publications and source records attributed to L Reiner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Long-term efficacy of radon spa therapy in rheumatoid arthritis--a randomized, sham-controlled study and follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the efficacy of a series of baths containing natural radon and carbon dioxide (1.3 kBq/l, 1.6 g carbon dioxide/l on average) versus artificial carbon dioxide baths alone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. SUBJECTS: Sixty patients participating in an in-patient rehabilitation programme including a series of 15 baths were randomly assigned to two groups. DESIGN: Pain intensity (100 mm visual analogue scale) and functional restrictions [Keitel functional test, Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS questionnaire)] were measured at baseline, after completion of treatment and 3 and 6 months thereafter. To investigate whether the overall value of the outcomes was the same in both groups, the overall mean was analysed by Student's t-test for independent samples. RESULTS: The two groups showed a similar baseline situation. After completion of treatment, relevant clinical improvements were observed in both groups, with no notable group differences. However, the follow-up revealed sustained effects in the radon arm, and a return to baseline levels in the sham arm. After 6 months, marked between-group differences were found for both end-points (pain intensity: -16.9%, 95% confidence interval -27.6 to -6.2%; AIMS score: 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.98). The between-group differences were statistically significant for both overall means (pain intensity, P: = 0.04; AIMS, P: = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Marked short-term improvements in both groups at the end of treatment may have masked potential specific therapeutic effects of radon baths. However, after 6 months of follow-up the effects were lasting only in patients of the radon arm. This suggests that this component of the rehabilitative intervention can induce beneficial long-term effects.

Aged↗

Profiles of four women. Health and human rights activists.

This article briefly profiles four women physicians working for health and human rights around the world. Dr. Ruchama Marton, an Israeli psychiatrist and activist for peace in the Middle East, is a founder of Physicians for Human Rights/Israel. Dr. Jane Green Schaller is a US pediatrician whose 1985 trip to South Africa initiated her human rights involvement, which includes the founding of Physicians for Human Rights. Dr. Judith van Heerden, a primary care physician in South Africa, has worked for reform of prison health care, to establish hospice care, and, most recently, for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) education for medical students. Dr. Ma Thida, the only physician not interviewed for this article, is currently held in a Burmese prison because of her work on behalf of the National League for Democracy. The profiles suggest the breadth of human rights work worldwide and are a testament to what physicians can do.

Female↗

Ultrastructure of lipoma.

Eleven benign lipogenic tumors comprising ten ordinary lipomas and one fibroblastic lipoma were studied by light and electron microscopy. The former, which contained only a few inconspicuous septa, were composed of univacuolar mature adipocytes. No young forms of adipocytic differentiation were seen reflecting the slow growth of the ordinary lipomas. Small spindle cells accompanying capillaries located in the triangular confluence of the adipocytes are thought to be potential precursors of adipocytes. By contrast, the fibroblastic lipoma contained many younger forms which closely resembled those seen during maturation of normal adipose tissue. These younger forms are located in and about prominent trabeculae which therefore are considered to constitute active growth centers.

Adult↗

Ultrastructural "fingerprint" in cryoprecipitate and glomerular deposits: a case report of systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 20 year old woman had lupus nephritis and cryoglobulinemia. The cryoglobulins isolated from the serum and a renal biopsy specimen were studied by means of immunofluorescence, immunochemistry, and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural "fingerprint" structures were observed both in the cryoprecipitate and in the glomerular deposits, as were IgG, IgM, and IgA. These observations furnish morphologic evidence for the glomerular deposition of cryoglobulins in lupus nephritis.

Adult↗

Immunofluorescence of renal lesions in paraffin-embedded and fresh-frozen sections.

Immunofluorescent findings in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections of kidneys involved by various nephropathies compared favorably with those in fresh-frozen sections. In some cases, the findings in paraffin-embedded sections were complementary. Immunoreactivity with complement could not be demonstrated.

Complement System Proteins↗

Immunological observations following vasectomy.

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCA) against panels of normal lymphocytes and leukemic B-cells were demonstrated in vasectomized men. Since vasectomy is known to induce antibody formation to spermatozoa, the demonstration of these lymphocytotoxic antibodies may be related to antigenic constituents of spermatozoa such as HLA or B-cell alloantigens. Long term follow-up is needed to clarify the clinical significance of these antibodies.

Antibodies↗

Immunoblastic sarcoma following Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Immunoblastic sarcoma has been observed in association with, or subsequent to, chronic immune stimulation, connective tissue disorders, and immunoblastic lymphadenopathy. A case of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia progressinng after a few years into immunoblastic sarcoma is reported. Splenectomy led to disappearance of hemolytic anemia and of pulmonary infiltrates, as well as to marked reduction of macroglobulins. Although immunoblastic sarcoma usually terminates fatally within two or three months, complete remission was induced by combination chemotherapy. It is speculated that Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, immunoblastic lymphadenopathy, and immunoblastic sarcoma are related disorders reflecting a clonal nature of immunoblastic lymphoma cells and the plasmacytic cells.

Adult↗

Enterovenous fistulization in Crohn's disease.

A case of Crohn's disease was complicated by enterovenous fistulization (ileum to superior mesenteric vein) with septic manifestations. The fistulization was diagnosed by the observation of gas in the liver and by the opacification of mesenteric veins following a barium meal.

Adult↗

Brunnian adenoma (inverted papilloma) of the urinary bladder: report of a case.

An additional case of a benign polypoid tumor of the urinary bladder is reported, the first one observed at autopsy and the first in which photographic documentation of the gross appearance is presented. The lesion was first described as an adenomatoid polyp in 1927. We consider the subsequent (1963) designation of inverted papilloma misleading. Because its histologic morphology bears a striking resemblance to Brunn's nests and because the term papilloma of the urinary bladder connotes potential malignant change, we propose the designation brunnian adenoma. All cases previously reported have been benign.

Adenoma↗

Spondylothoracic dysostosis: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two Puerto Rican infants, offsprings of nonconsanguineous parents, died with spondylothoracic dysostosis as characterized by widespread anomalies of the spine (malformed vertebral bodies including hemivertebrae), deformity of the thorax, and fan-like configuration of the ribs. The disease was lethal in early life in the 18 cases previously reported. An autosomal-recessive inheritance has been described. Spondylocostal dysostosis, a related entity, showed associated intrinsic anomalies of the ribs. The 17 cases culled from the literature pursued a milder course, affected mainly older children and adults, and had a different pattern of inheritance.

Adult↗

On the relationship between heart weights, fibrosis, and QRS duration.

This study analyzed the effects of heart weights, myocardial fibrosis, sex, and body length upon the duration of the QRS complex. A positive correlation was found between presence or absence of fibrosis and duration of the QRS complex. A positive correlation was also found between weights of the heart and QRS duration, but this correlation appeared to be spurious and due to the tendency of fibrosed hearts to be heavier than those with normal myocardium.

Autopsy↗