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L Weintraub

Publications and source records attributed to L Weintraub.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Risks and benefits of splenectomy in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia: a retrospective analysis of 26 cases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of splenectomy in myelofibrosis and myeloid metaplasia (MMM). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our records of 26 patients with MMM who underwent an open splenectomy at Boston University Medical Center between 1979 and 1995. Fourteen patients had agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) and 12 had myelofibrosis with antecedent myeloproliferative disorders (MF). The main indications for splenectomy were progressive transfusion-dependent anemia, painful splenomegaly, and hypercatabolic symptoms associated with cytopenia. RESULTS: Median time to splenectomy after the diagnosis of MMM was 29 months ranging from 1 to 96 months. Three patients (11%) died within 1 month after the surgery because of sepsis. The most common peri- and postoperative complications were pneumonia and other bacterial infections (42%), cardiac events (19%), acute bleeding (15%), ileus (15%), and venous thrombosis (12%). Of the eight surviving patients who underwent splenectomy for transfusion dependent anemia, six (75%) had improvement in their hematocrit levels with abolishment of blood transfusions. A durable symptomatic palliation was achieved in all patients. Liver enlargement was noted in seven patients at 1-year evaluation. None of these patients developed hepatic failure. Leukemic transformation occurred in 8 of 18 patients (44%) postsplenectomy. The median overall survival for the entire group was 58.5 and 28 months from the diagnosis of MMM and the time of splenectomy, respectively. There was no difference in survival rates between patients with AMM and MF. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy is an effective palliative procedure with an acceptable morbidity in selected patients with MMM. Progressive transfusion-dependent anemia should also be considered an indication for splenectomy in the absence of leukemic evolution.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparative response to splenectomy in Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia with or without associated disease.

We reviewed our experience in 30 patients with direct Coombs-positive (DAT+) autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA) who underwent splenectomy. Twelve patients had idiopathic "warm" AHA (group I) and 18 had AHA associated with systemic diseases (group II). Complete response to splenectomy was defined as having normal hemoglobin and reticulocyte count lasting for at least 6 months without subsequent medical therapy. Subnormal but greater than 50% improvement in these parameters with or without medical therapy was considered to be a partial response. Median age was 64 (23-81) in group I and 68 (23-76) in group II. Median follow-up duration was 18 and 10.9 months, respectively. Nine of 11 (82%) evaluable patients with idiopathic AHA and 3 of 16 (19%) patients with associated disease achieved a complete response. Partial response was obtained in 2 (18%) and 6 (37%) patients in groups I and II, respectively. Both complete-response and overall-response rates were statistically different between two groups (P = 0.001 and 0.02). Postoperative courses of group I patients were uneventful except for one who developed a subphrenic abscess. Five patients in group II developed bacterial infections, which were mostly pneumonias. Our findings indicate that splenectomy is an effective treatment approach with low morbidity and mortality in patients with refractory idiopathic AHA. It should, however, be considered cautiously in AHA patients with underlying systemic diseases because of its decreased efficacy and increased surgical morbidity in this subgroup.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Could bacterial vaginosis be due to the competitive suppression of lactobacilli by aerobic microorganisms?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by lack of lactobacilli and predominance of anaerobic species. Ciprofloxacin is active against a great number of aerobic bacteria. The effect of ciprofloxacin on the vaginal microbial flora was studied both in healthy subjects and in patients with BV in order to test if BV may be due to competitive suppression of lactobacilli by aerobic species. About half of the patients were relieved of their symptoms. No adverse effects on the microbial profile or colonization by lactobacilli were produced by the drug. Lactobacilli known to be able to produce hydrogen peroxide were found to be significantly more common in healthy women than in women with BV. The species most frequently related to vaginal health were Lactobacillus jensenii and Lactobacillus rogosae.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Bacterial vaginosis is not a simple ecological disorder.

Eighty-four patients with bacterial vaginosis were examined in an open randomized trial, the aim of which was to define clinical results and the microbiological panorama after topical treatment for 1 week with either an acetic acid jelly (A), an estrogen cream (B), a fermented milk product (C) or metronidazole (D). After exclusion because of chlamydia infection (15 cases) or for other reasons, 61 cases remained for complete evaluation 4 weeks after the start of treatment. Clinical cure was obtained in 3 cases out of 17 on regimen A, in 1 out of 16 on regimen B, in 1 of 14 on regimen C, and in 13 out of 14 on regimen D. The patients were conclusively either symptomless or symptomatic when examined on 113 occasions. Statistically significant reduction after treatment resulting in relief of symptoms was observed in the numbers of corynebacteria and anaerobic cocci, whereas lactobacilli increased in numbers. The instillation of high numbers of Lactobacillus acidophilus (C) into the vagina cured only 1 patient and did not influence the predominance of lactobacilli in the vagina at the follow-up examination. The difference in microbiological profile of women in symptomatic and asymptomatic conditions becomes still more apparent when the results of the present and previously published studies on the subject by the present group of investigators are combined. The symptomatic woman is significantly more often harboring corynebacteria, Gardnerella vaginalis, peptostreptococci, peptococci, eubacteria and Bacteroides species. Lactobacilli are significantly reduced in numbers. However, only 51% of our previously symptomatic, but now symptomless women show predominant growth of lactobacilli, which is less than expected for healthy women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetates↗
PubMed1986

Clinical experience with a low-dose combination of estradiol valerate and levonorgestrel. Double-blind comparative study between SH D 386 F and Cyclabil. Effects on symptoms, lipids and endometrial condition.

In a double blind study of the effects of hormone replacement therapy in climacteric women, two different dosages of estradiol--17 beta valerate and levonorgestrel, with the same ratio between the amounts of the two steroids (Cyclabil and the trial preparation having the code number SH D 386 F respectively), were compared. The differences in effects on symptoms, certain humoral parameters including serum lipids, and endometrial histology before and after 12 months of therapy were evaluated. The study population consisted of 120 healthy women in the age range 41-63 years, many of whom had undergone previous estrogen treatment. All had typical climacteric symptoms and were peri- or postmenopausal. There were no significant differences between the two preparations as regards the effects on symptoms--except for episodes of hot flushes and depression (loss of confidence), which were more frequent during treatment with the higher dosage. One of the main objects of the study was to determine whether the lower dosage would be sufficient to prevent the development of endometrial hyperplasia. To this end, endometrial samples were collected before and after 12 months of treatment, using "Mi-markTM" disposable equipment for endometrial cytology/histology. No significant endometrial hyperplasia was found in either of the groups during the period of investigation. The serum lipid pattern was evidently more influenced in the group treated with Cyclabil. The drop-out rate was 20%, most of them being due to side effects of mild to moderate severity such as undesirable withdrawal bleedings or unsatisfactory relief of symptoms, which sometimes resulted in a wish to return to earlier treatment regimens.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Cryopreservation of human platelets using 6% dimethyl sulfoxide and storage at -80 degrees C. Effects of 2 years of frozen storage at -80 degrees C and transportation in dry ice.

Platelet studies were done in healthy male volunteers and in thrombocytopenic patients. Some of the platelets used in the study were isolated by mechanical apheresis using either the Haemonetics blood processor 30, the IBM blood processor 2997 or the Fenwal CS-3000 blood processor before freezing. Other platelets were isolated from individual units of whole blood and pooled before freezing. The platelets were frozen with a 6% cryoprotectant (DMSO) in a polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastic bag or a polyolefin plastic bag at -80 degrees C in a mechanical freezer and stored for as long as 3 years. Some of the frozen platelets were transported in dry ice in polystyrene foam containers to determine whether they would be adversely affected by such treatment. Platelet recovery after freezing, thawing and washing was about 75%. In the healthy male volunteers, in vivo recovery of autologous platelets 1-2 h after transfusion was about 33%, and the life span was about 8 days. In the thrombocytopenic patients, in vivo recovery values were 50% of those from fresh platelets. The transfusion of previously frozen washed platelets reduced clinical bleeding in the thrombocytopenic patients with bleeding. There was no evidence of quality deterioration in platelets after storage at -80 degrees C for at least 2 years, as determined from in vivo recovery and in vivo survival values, nor was there any adverse effect as a result of shipment of the frozen platelets in dry ice in polystyrene foam containers from one facility to another.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1977

Renal failure in Burkitt's lymphoma.

A case of Burkitt's lymphoma with renal failure due to massive infiltration of the kidney is reported. There was a striking initial response to chemotherapy with a parallel improvement in renal function and decrease in renal size. The rare occurrence of renal failure due to lymphomatous infiltration of the kidney parenchyma in the absence of urinary tract obstruction is reviewed.

Acute Kidney Injury↗