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Biomedical subjects

M Nussbaum

Publications and source records attributed to M Nussbaum.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

DSM-III-R criteria for primary degenerative dementia and multi-infarct dementia [corrected].

Primary degenerative dementia (PDD) and multi-infarct dementia (MID) are the two most common categories of cognitive decline in old age. The definitions of these two clinical entities are currently based on clinical evaluation and on the exclusion of other underlying causes, and still lack a consensus. The DSM-III-R criteria are widely used for the diagnosis of dementia. However, their role in the differentiation between PDD and MID has not been thoroughly examined. A consecutive series of 98 demented patients who met the DSM-III-R criteria for dementia were admitted to a clinical study. Upon evaluating their type of dementia according to these criteria, 53 patients could not be diagnosed either as having PDD or MID. The DSM-III-R criteria for these two types of dementia are critically reviewed. Proposed modifications, aimed at refining their differential diagnostic role, are presented, enabling better allocation of demented patients into PDD, MID, or intermediate groups.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Passive smoking alters lipid profiles in adolescents.

Although cigarette smoking is associated with elevation of plasma lipid levels and changes in lipoprotein distribution, it is not known whether passive smoking is associated with an alteration in lipid profiles. The relation between plasma cotinine, a marker of exposure to tobacco smoke, and lipid profiles was studied in healthy adolescents from a suburban New York high school district who were undergoing preparticipation sports physicals. Forty-four percent of the adolescents reported that one or both parents currently smoked. Eleven percent of the adolescents had plasma cotinine concentrations greater than or equal to 2.5 ng/mL, the level considered indicative of exposure. Adolescents with two smoking parents had significantly higher plasma cotinine concentrations after adjustment for other factors than adolescents whose parents did not smoke. Plasma cotinine concentration greater than or equal to 2.5 ng/mL was associated with an 8.9% greater ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P less than .003) and a 6.8% lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P less than .03). These results suggest that passive smoking, like active smoking, leads to alterations in lipid profiles predictive of an increased risk of atherosclerosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Reduction in pulmonary function and increased frequency of cough associated with passive smoking in teenage athletes.

Previous studies have suggested that passive smoking (involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke by nonsmokers) reduces small airways function. We evaluated the exposure to passive smoking and its effects on pulmonary function and symptoms in a group of 12- to 17-year-old high school athletes (N = 209; 119 boys and 90 girls) at their annual presport participation physical examinations. A structured interview was used to assess pulmonary symptoms, personal smoking habits, and passive cigarette smoke exposure. All athletes performed forced expiratory maneuvers on a portable spirometer. We measured forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and forced expiratory flow 25% to 75% (FEF25-75). The best of three FEF25-75 measured was used. Less than 70% of predicted FEF25-75 was considered abnormal. Of the 209 athletes, 7.7% were active smokers and were excluded. Of the remaining 193 athletes, 68.4% were currently exposed to passive smoking. We found a fourfold increase in incidence of low FEF25-75 and/or cough in athletes exposed to passive smoking compared with athletes not exposed: 18 of 132 exposed athletes (13.6%) had low FEF25-75 and/or cough compared with two of 61 unexposed athletes (3.3%) who had low FEF25-75 and cough (P = .02). Boys were more frequently exposed to passive smoking than girls (74% of boys [80/108] v 61% of girls [52/85] ), but the effects were more pronounced in girls. These data show a relationship between exposure to passive smoking and early pulmonary dysfunction in young athletes. The frequent exposure to passive smoke and the high prevalence of dysfunction in this population, generally considered to be healthy, is of particular concern.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

A new approach to the management of malignant esophageal obstruction and esophagorespiratory fistula.

Successful palliation of 6 patients with total or nearly total malignant esophageal obstruction is reported. In 5 of the patients, laser vaporization, dilation, and placement of an endoesophageal prosthesis resulted in an esophageal lumen that allowed adequate swallowing of soft food. In 1 patient with an esophagorespiratory fistula, the prosthesis successfully occluded the fistula and prevented aspiration or pulmonary infection until the patient's death. This rapidly achieved endoscopic palliation represents a major advance in the management of a serious medical problem.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Endoscopic applications of laser therapy.

Lasers have provided a new surgical tool that has several distinct advantages: It is effective at a distance ("no-touch" technique). It can cut, coagulate, and vaporize depending on the wavelength, energy, and tissue characteristics. Laser energy can be carried through flexible fibers and so can be used in previously inaccessible sites. Endoscopic laser surgery can now be successfully used for control of bleeding, palliation of obstructing tumors, detection in microscopic stages, and possibly as definitive treatment of small malignant tumors. The indications for the use of lasers and their successful application will undoubtedly increase in the near future.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Intractable paroxysmal sneezing: a conversion reaction of adolescence.

A case of recurrent paroxysmal sneezing in an adolescent girl is reported with a review of the literature. The mechanisms of sneezing are described. Most cases appear to have a psychogenic etiology. We postulate that this is a conversion symptom in which the patient received secondary gain and probably represents a pre-oedipal conflict.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in early pregnancy. Remission after plasma exchange.

A 24-year-old Chinese female developed fever, fluctuating neurological and renal manifestations, microangopathic hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia during the 11th week of her first pregnancy. Therapy for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), initiated during the 15th week of her pregnancy, including corticosteroids, platelet aggregation inhibitors, hysterotomy, and splenectomy was ineffective. However, dramatic improvement and remission occurred after plasma exchange of 3,560 ml was performed with the Haemonetics Model 30 Blood Cell Separator.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1978

Pulmonary lesions in atypical measles.

Atypical measles is a well-described entity which has a high frequency of pulmonary involvement. Resolution and shrinkage of the pneumonic infiltrates into nodular mass-like lesions have been cited only once before. Three cases of atypical measles pneumonia are described which demonstrate these pulmonary nodular sequelae. In one of the cases examined a nodular residuum has now persisted for five months. Atypical measles pneumonia should be considered as a diagnostic possibility before invasive investigations are performed in a patient who has a pulmonary nodule.

Adolescent↗