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Biomedical subjects

M S Gelfand

Publications and source records attributed to M S Gelfand.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Recognition of genes in human DNA sequences.

A new approach to computer-assisted gene recognition in higher eukaryote DNA is suggested. It allows one to use not only linear functions for scoring structures, but all functions satisfying natural monotonicity conditions. The algorithm constructs the set of structures guaranteed to contain an optimal structure for every function. So, it uncouples the time-consuming step of generation of this set from the fast step of structure scoring, thus making it simple to experiment with different functions. One particular scoring function, taking into account only codon usage and positional nucleotide frequencies of the splicing sites, has been implemented in the Genome Recognition and Exon Assembly Tool program, and has been tested on an independent sample of human genes, yielding 88% sensitivity and 79% specificity.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1996

Streptococcal meningitis as a complication of diagnostic myelography: medicolegal aspects.

Bacterial meningitis is a rare complication of myelography. Most reported cases of bacterial meningitis are caused by a wide variety of streptococcal species, but the source of these organisms is uncertain. We recently participated in the defense of two legal cases arising from this complication. We discuss the medicolegal aspects of streptococcal meningitis that is a complication of myelography.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Peritonitis due to Penicillium sp in a patient receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Infectious peritonitis is a common complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Only one case of CAPD-related peritonitis due to Penicillium sp has previously been reported. We present a second case in which fungal colonies were observed on the inner surface of the CAPD catheter. The infection was successfully treated with catheter removal and intravenous amphotericin B.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Fluconazole and amphotericin B for cryptococcal meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with cryptococcal meningitis treated with the combination of amphotericin B and fluconazole. CASE SUMMARY: A 41-year-old woman with cryptococcal meningitis who was not infected with HIV was treated with a combination of amphotericin B and fluconazole because she did not respond to amphotericin B alone and could not tolerate amphotericin B with flucytosine. She improved clinically, but it is unclear whether the combination was beneficial. DISCUSSION: Standard therapy for cryptococcal meningitis is amphotericin B with or without flucytosine. Fluconazole is an alternative therapy, but its efficacy has not been documented in the patient population not infected with HIV. Theoretically, the combination of amphotericin B and fluconazole is antagonistic, but in vitro and in vivo data suggest that antagonism may not occur. The combination of amphotericin B and fluconazole in cryptococcal meningitis has not been evaluated in clinical trials, and its use is not recommended. CONCLUSIONS: A patient with cryptococcal meningitis was treated with the combination of amphotericin B and fluconazole because of a poor response to amphotericin B monotherapy and intolerance to flucytosine. It is unclear whether her clinical response was a result of the combination.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Reconstruction of a string from substring precedence data.

The problem of reconstructing of a symbol string given the data about precedence of fixed length substrings arises in the method of nucleic acid sequencing by nested strand hybridization. We reformulate the problem in the graph-theoretical terms, describe the structure of the set of solutions, and present polynomial time algorithms that check existence and uniqueness of a solution or finiteness of the solution set, and then construct the solutions.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

Prediction of function in DNA sequence analysis.

Recognition of function of newly sequenced DNA fragments is an important area of computational molecular biology. Here we present an extensive review of methods for prediction of functional sites, tRNA, and protein-coding genes and discuss possible further directions of research in this area.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

Streptococcal meningitis complicating diagnostic myelography: three cases and review.

Bacterial meningitis is a rare complication of myelography. Most reported cases are due to miscellaneous streptococci, but the source of these organisms is uncertain. The differential diagnosis of chemical meningitis caused by the contrast material vs. bacterial meningitis may be difficult. We recently treated three patients with streptococcal meningitis following myelography performed with the contrast medium iopamidol. We discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to postmyelography meningitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Invasive staphylococcal infections complicating percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: three cases and review.

Infectious complications infrequently occur after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is performed. We recently treated three patients with invasive staphylococcal infections that developed after PTCA. Two patients had septic arthritis of the knee joint secondary to probable femoral endarteritis, and the third patient had an infected hematoma of the groin. Early reuse of the initial puncture site, prolonged retention of the femoral sheath, bleeding or hematoma at the femoral sheath insertion site and vascular complications such as pseudoaneurysm may predispose to infectious sequelae after PTCA. The clinician should be aware of these risks and the possibility that a patient may develop these potentially serious complications after PTCA.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Adenovirus parotitis in patients with AIDS.

Adenoviruses are well documented as opportunistic pathogens in patients with immunocompromising conditions, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We recently diagnosed adenovirus infection of the parotid gland in two patients with AIDS. Viral cultures and electron microscopic examinations of parotid tissue were positive in both cases. Adenovirus infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid swelling in HIV-infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

Bone marrow granulomas, fever, pancytopenia, and lupus-like syndrome due to tocainide.

We describe the case of a patient in whom a syndrome of fever, pancytopenia, pleural effusion, hepatosplenomegaly, positive ANA antibodies, and bone marrow granulomas developed in association with tocainide therapy. Tocainide, a recognized, albeit rare, cause of fever, lupus-like syndrome, and cytopenias, should be added to the list of medications that can cause bone marrow granulomas.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

A sequential study of intravenous and oral fleroxacin in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infection.

This study enrolled patients with complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a trial to determine the efficacy and safety of sequential therapy with intravenous fleroxacin (first 3 days) followed by oral fleroxacin, for a total course of 7-14 days, both administered at a dosage of 400 mg once a day. We enrolled 68 patients with complicated UTIs or acute pyelonephritis, 32 of whom were evaluable for bacteriologic and clinical efficacy. The pathogens isolated included Escherichia coli, 15; enterococci, 9; miscellaneous, 15. Intravenous fleroxacin was given for a mean of 3.2 days, followed by oral fleroxacin for a mean of 5.3 days. A total of 27 patients were clinically cured (84%), two improved, and three failed. A total of 26 patients were bacteriologically cured (81%), and six failed (19%). The bacteria that were not eradicated included enterococci, 4; Staphylococcus epidermidis, 1; and Pseudomonas species, 1. One enterococcal isolate became resistant to fleroxacin. Four patients were bacteremic (E. coli, 3; Proteus mirabilis, 1); the pathogen was eradicated in all cases. Two patients developed urinary enterococcal superinfections. A total of 12 patients experienced 16 adverse reactions remotely, possibly, or probably related to fleroxacin (insomnia, 3; dizziness, 2; miscellaneous, 11). One patient had a grand mal seizure after aspirating gastric contents; the seizure was thought to be only remotely related to the study drug. Fleroxacin was discontinued in two patients because of adverse effects (phlebitis at intravenous access site, 1; anxiety and insomnia, 1). Only minor and asymptomatic laboratory abnormalities were observed. All clinical and laboratory abnormalities resolved with discontinuation of the study drug. Fleroxacin is a safe and effective antibiotic for sequential intravenous and oral treatment of acute pyelonephritis and complicated UTIs. Enterococci may be problematic pathogens, as reported with other fluoroquinolones.

Administration, Oral↗