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Biomedical subjects

M Ron

Publications and source records attributed to M Ron.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

A serial study of psychometric and magnetic resonance imaging changes in multiple sclerosis.

Over a 6-month period, five patients with early relapsing--remitting multiple sclerosis and five with long-standing, benign multiple sclerosis underwent serial psychometric testing and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the brain at 2-weekly or monthly intervals, respectively. All patients were individually matched with healthy controls who completed the same psychometric battery at the same time intervals. As a group, multiple sclerosis patients either made more errors or performed slower on all psychometric tasks than controls. In the control subjects and those patients with a stable brain lesion score, no consistent deterioration occurred in any test and the overall pattern was one of improvement over time commensurate with practice effects. However, patients with a deteriorating lesion score either showed a fall-off in performance on some psychometric tasks (patients 2, 3) or else an impaired ability to improve with practice on certain tests of attention and information-processing speed (patient 10).

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Growth hormone status in patients with maturation arrest of spermatogenesis.

The growth hormone levels of 11 azoospermic patients with histological evidence of maturation arrest of unknown aetiology were studied using the clonidine test. The results were compared with the results from clonidine tests on 10 healthy fertile men and on a group of patients with severe oligozoospermia of various aetiologies. The results demonstrated that 10 patients (91%) in the azoospermic group had non-reactive, pathological responses while none of the control group had a pathological response. Of the severe oligozoospermic group, 82% had normal reactive clonidine tests (P < 0.005). We suggest that growth hormone deficiency may be associated with maturation arrest, and the possibility of treatment with growth hormone should be considered.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Unequivocal determination of sire allele origin for multiallelic microsatellites when only the sire and progeny are genotyped.

The effect of a segregating economic trait locus (ETL) can be detected with the aid of a linked genetic marker, if specific alleles of each locus are in association among the individuals genotyped for the genetic marker. For dairy cattle this can be achieved by application of the 'granddaughter design'. If only the sires and their sons are genotyped for the genetic markers, then the allele origin of sons having the same genotypes as their sires cannot be determined. Seven sires and 101 sons were genotyped for five microsatellites. The mean frequency of heterozygous sires was 77%. The mean number of alleles per locus was 8.2. Frequency of informative sons per locus ranged from 60% to 80% with a mean of 72%. With highly polymorphic microsatellites, at least 60% more grandsire families can be included in the analysis, and the number of sons assayed can be reduced by 40%, as compared to diallelic markers.

Alleles↗
PubMed1993

Sequence variation in D-loop mtDNA of cow lineages selected for high and low maternal effects on milk production.

The four highest and four lowest cow lineages for milk production were selected from 324 maternal lineages of the Israeli Holstein population. For a single cow from each lineage, the mitochondrial D-loop region was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced for 719bp. Eighteen polymorphic sites were found of which 17 were substitutions and one was an insertion. Only two alleles were found for each polymorphic site, one of which corresponded to the sequence of Anderson et al. (1982), which was the more frequent allele, in all but two sites. None of the polymorphic sites had an apparent effect on milk production, even though an effect > or = 0.33 phenotypic standard deviations, equivalent to 470 kg milk, could be detected by this experimental design. Furthermore, there was no indication that moderately increasing the sample size would have altered the result, since all rare alleles found in more than a single lineage were found in both the high and low subgroups.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The prognosis of hypertensive disease of pregnancy accompanied by intrauterine growth retardation in relation to parity.

Twenty-two primiparous women with hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HDP) associated with intra uterine growth retardation (IUGR) were compared with 20 parous women in whom HDP associated with IUGR appeared for the first time in a second or a later pregnancy. Both groups of women were followed up for 10-13 years. The course of the disease among the parous women was more severe as compared to the primiparous women; the mean gestational age at the first increase in blood pressure and gestational age at delivery were significantly earlier in the parous group (33.3 weeks +/- 3.5 v.s. 35.3 +/- 3.2 weeks, p < 0.01, 36.2 weeks +/- 2.2 v.s. 37.6 +/- 1.9 p < 0.01 accordingly). Maternal indication for induction of labor because of uncontrollable hypertension was present in 77% of the cases in the parous group as compared to 31% in the primiparous group (p < 0.05). These complications were present in 66% of subsequent pregnancies in the parous group as compared with 31% in the primiparous group (p < 0.05). Chronic hypertension developed in 33% of the parous group as compared with 20% in the primiparous group. These differences show that the manifestation of HDP is more severe in women in whom HDP with IUGR occur for the first time in a second or a later pregnancy than in those in whom this complication occurs for the first time in a second or a later pregnancy than in those in whom this complication occurs for the first time in their first pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The natural anti-alpha-galactosyl IgG in seminal fluid. A simple means to determine damage to the blood-genital tract barrier in infertile males.

A simple method for detecting damage to the blood genital tract barrier (BGTB) is presented. The method is based on the ubiquitous presence of the natural anti-alpha-galactosyl (anti-Gal) IgG antibodies in high titers in the serum of every normal individual, and the interaction between this antibody and alpha-galactosyl residues on rabbit red blood cells (RabRBC). The binding of the anti-Gal antibodies to RabRBC could be demonstrated by the rosetting antiglobulin test. The seminal fluid (SF), normally compartmentalized from the blood, is devoid of anti-Gal reactivity. The SF of a large proportion of infertile males contained significant anti-Gal reactivity, implying transudation of serum IgG molecules probably due to damage in the selective permeability of the BGTB. The diagnostic potential of this assay is discussed.

Blood-Testis Barrier↗
PubMed1992

The effect of ethinyl estradiol on endometrial thickness and uterine volume during ovulation induction by clomiphene citrate.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the deleterious effect of clomiphene citrate (CC) on the development of the endometrium and its improvement by the addition of ethinyl estradiol (E2). PARTICIPATING PATIENTS: Infertility-treated patients, monitored for induction of ovulation or timing of insemination (control group). DESIGN: We studied four groups of women during an ovulatory cycle with various treatment schedules. Group 1: untreated patients; group 2: patients treated by CC; group 3: patients treated by CC + ethinyl E2; group 4: patients treated by human menopausal gonadotropin. Follow-up of the patients was done by vaginal ultrasonography and measurements of blood E2. RESULTS: In the group treated by CC, both endometrial thickness and uterine volume growth during the follicular phase were lower as compared with untreated controls and menotropin-treated patients. The addition of ethinyl E2 to these patients reversed this deleterious effect of CC without interfering with ovulation. CONCLUSION: Ethinyl E2 may reverse the deleterious effect of CC on endometrial development during the follicular phase.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Acute optic neuritis. A cognitive and magnetic resonance imaging study.

Forty-two patients with acute optic neuritis (ON) (mean duration of symptoms 14.5 d) were compared with a matched, normal control group on a battery of tests of attention and information processing speed. Approximately half the sample (55%) had brain abnormalities shown by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were more impaired across a variety of tests compared with those patients without brain lesions or normal controls. There was no difference in psychometric performance other than the pegboard task between the normal control group and those ON patients without brain involvement. Significant correlations were found between total lesion area in the brain and some tests of attention. Results from the Symbol Digit-Substitution Test were particularly sensitive in this regard and could correctly identify 70% of the sample with brain lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Fetal middle cerebral artery blood flow during normal active labour and in labour with variable decelerations.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the distribution of fetal blood flow impedance of the umbilical and middle cerebral artery in active uncomplicated labour and in labour complicated by variable decelerations. INTERVENTIONS: Blood flow impedance of the umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries was assessed by means of pulsed Doppler ultrasonography and measured by the resistance index (RI) and the systolic/diastolic ratio. SUBJECTS: 35 women at 38-40 weeks gestation admitted to, or monitored in the intrapartum unit. One group of 25 women had a normal active labour, the second group of 10 women were in active labour with moderate variable decelerations. A control group of 25 women--healthy pregnant women at term but not in active labour. All three groups were comparable for maternal age and parity. SETTING: Hospital department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Israel. DESIGN: A prospective descriptive study. RESULTS: There was a 40% reduction in middle cerebral artery blood flow impedance in the two groups of women in active labour compared with the control group. Umbilical blood flow did not differ significantly between the three groups. Fetal middle cerebral blood flow impedance in labour was not significantly different in uncomplicated labours and those complicated by fetal heart rate decelerations. CONCLUSIONS: During active labour, mechanisms that may be unrelated to low fetal blood oxygen content reduce fetal brain blood vessel impedance.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1992

The role of abnormal fetal heart rate in scheduling chorionic villus sampling.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of fetal heart rate (FHR) measurements in predicting spontaneous fetal loss in pregnancies scheduled for chorionic villus sampling (CVS). DESIGN: A prospective descriptive study. SETTING: Two hospital departments of obstetrics and gynaecology in Israel. SUBJECTS: 114 women between 9 and 11 weeks gestation scheduled for chorionic villus sampling (CVS). INTERVENTIONS: Fetal heart rate was measured by transvaginal Doppler ultrasound and compared with a monogram established from 75 fetuses. Whenever a normal FHR was recorded, CVS was performed immediately. RESULTS: 106 women had a normal FHR and underwent CVS; two of these pregnancies ended in miscarriage. In five pregnancies no fetal heart beats could be identified and fetal death was diagnosed. In three pregnancies an abnormal FHR was recorded and CVS was postponed; all three pregnancies ended in miscarriage within 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Determination of FHR correlated with crown-rump length could be useful in predicting spontaneous miscarriage before performing any invasive procedure late in the first trimester.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Genetic analysis of fertility traits in Israeli Holsteins by linear and threshold models.

Conception rates of Israeli Holstein cows and heifers were analyzed separately by linear and threshold models. Fixed effects for both data files were insemination number, AI institute, geographical region, and calendar month. Analysis of cows also included the fixed effects of parity, calving status, and DIM at insemination. Random effects included in the models were herd-year-season, insemination technician, sire of cow, and service sire. Fixed effect solutions for heifers and cows were not similar. For cows, insemination month had the greatest effect on conception rate. Heritability of conception rate ranged from 2 to 3.5% for heifers and from 1 to 2% for cows. Correlations between corresponding threshold and linear model random effect solutions were all greater than or equal to .99. Correlations between heifer and cow analyses for sire and service sire solutions were less than .4. Analysis with an incorrect herd-year-season variance component affected only the technician solutions.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Rupture of ectopic pregnancy following disappearance of serum beta subunit of hCG.

The introduction of sensitive assays for the beta subunit of hCG (beta-hCG) and improved ultrasound technology for diagnosis and monitoring of ectopic pregnancy have changed the clinical approach to the management of ectopic pregnancy. Only a few reports have been published of patients with ectopic gestation and negative serum beta-hCG levels. None of these described rupture of ectopic pregnancy following the decline of beta-hCG levels to below 10 mIU/mL. We describe a case of ectopic pregnancy, managed expectantly, in which rupture and hemoperitoneum occurred after the decline of beta-hCG levels to below 10 mIU/mL.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Genetic analysis of reproductive disorders in Israeli Holstein dairy cows.

The heritability of common reproductive disorders was asessed in Israeli Holstein cows. Data were collected from 76,000 calvings on 102 collective farms (kibbuts) over a 36-mo period. The disorders considered were those of retained placenta, abnormal lochia, endometritis, anestrus, ovarian cysts with anestrus and ovarian cysts with nymphomania. The statistical model included fixed effects of herd-year, month of calving, duration of previous pregnancy, interaction between calving difficulty and sex of offspring, and the random effect of the sire. Herd-year effects consituted 0.68 of the explained variance of the incidence of retained placenta and approximately 0.89 of all the other disorders. Sire and calving-month effects were significant (P<0.05) for all the disorders. Heritability estimates of the disorders were 0.01 for retained placenta, abnormal lochia, and endometritis; 0.02 for anestrus; and 0.03 for all disorders. Correlations between any two disorders did not exceed 0.20. High genetic correlations were found between retained placenta and either abnormal lochia (0.90) or endometritis (0.70), while moderate genetic correlations were found among each of these and anestrus (0.30). Reproductive disorders occur as part of a complex which may be efficiently controlled by management measures. Nevertheless, breeding for resistance to reproductive disorders may also be feasible by using appropriate sires evaluated on a large number of daughters.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Cognitive behaviour therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fifty patients fulfilling operational criteria for the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and who had been ill for a mean of five years, were offered cognitive behaviour therapy in an open trial. Those fulfilling operational criteria for depressive illness were also offered tricyclic antidepressants. The rationale was that a distinction be drawn between factors that precipitate the illness and those that perpetuate it. Among the latter are cognitive factors such as the belief that physical symptoms always imply tissue damage, and behavioural factors such as persistent avoidance of activities associated with an increase in symptoms. Therapy led to substantial improvements in overall disability, fatigue, somatic and psychiatric symptoms. The principal problems encountered were a high refusal rate and difficulties in treating affective disorders. Outcome depended more on the strength of the initial attribution of symptoms to exclusively physical causes, and was not influenced by length of illness. These results suggest that current views on both treatment and prognosis in CFS are unnecessarily pessimistic. It is also suggested that advice currently offered to chronic patients, to avoid physical and mental activity, is counterproductive.

Activities of Daily Living↗