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Biomedical subjects

M Silber

Publications and source records attributed to M Silber.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Oxytocin, somatostatin, insulin and gastrin concentrations vis-à-vis late pregnancy, breastfeeding and oral contraceptives.

Oxytocin concentrations increased during pregnancy and during medication with low-dose oral contraceptives (o.c.). Postprandial somatostatin concentrations were lower during medication with o.c. Insulin concentrations were elevated during pregnancy with the same tendency during medication with o.c. Gastrin levels were unaffected during the peripartal period and during medication with o.c. Women who were breastfeeders at 3 months after delivery had higher concentrations of oxytocin and lower somatostatin concentrations post-prandially during pregnancy and fasting at 3 months after delivery compared with non-breastfeeders at 3 months after delivery. Metabolic and behavioral implications are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Temporary peripartal impairment in memory and attention and its possible relation to oxytocin concentration.

The aim of the present study was to investigate peripartal performance on cognitive tests and its possible relationship with plasma oxytocin concentrations. Twenty women (cases) were tested on five experimental occasions, the first toward the end of pregnancy and the last 12 months postpartum. On each experimental occasion performance on cognitive tests of memory and attention was recorded and oxytocin concentrations were simultaneously assayed in plasma-samples. Twenty non-pregnant women (controls) were investigated at similar intervals. Cases were found to have improved their performance on some cognitive tests significantly more than controls when results at 6 and 12 months after delivery were compared with those from the end of pregnancy and up to three months after partus. This observation strongly suggests impairment in cognitive performance during the peripartal period. Cases had significantly higher oxytocin concentrations than controls in plasma samples up to three months post partum. No correlation was, however, found between cognitive test results and levels of oxytocin concentration.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Premenstrual syndrome in a group of hysterectomized women of reproductive age with intact ovaries.

In this prospective study 13 women of reproductive age, unselected with regard to the presence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and hysterectomized but with intact ovaries, eight variables were rated as indicative of PMS on visual analog scales (VAS) for 35 consecutive days. Their menstrual cycles were subsequently reconstructed in relation to the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge as pin-pointed in urine samples and confirmed with progesterone in saliva. The aim of the study was to investigate PMS apart from psychological and psychosocial factors and to compare prospective and retrospective ratings of PMS. Retrospectively, 50% of the participants reported having had both somatic and mood changes typical of PMS, but only 3/13 were found to have PMS according to prospective ratings. Symptoms of PMS were absent in one woman according to retrospective ratings and in 4/13 with prospective ratings. There was no significant correlation between retrospective and prospective ratings of PMS. The results indicate that PMS does exist apart from psychological and psychosocial factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Elevated plasma levels of oxytocin in women taking low-dose oral contraceptives. Identification of the plasma oxytocin with high performance liquid chromatography.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether low-dose oral contraceptives affect oxytocin concentrations in plasma. Twenty women participated in an open cross-over study. Six consecutive blood samples were drawn twice, with a 4-week interval, in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when the women were/were not taking oral contraceptives. Plasma levels of oxytocin were analysed with a radio-immunoassay specific for oxytocin. A significant increase in oxytocin concentrations was observed following ingestion of oral contraceptives (p less than 0.02). Women with the highest oxytocin levels during a normal menstrual cycle increased their levels the most when on oral contraceptives. Analysis with high performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that immunoreactive oxytocin found in plasma, whether with or without oral contraceptives, co-eluted with synthetic oxytocin standard. An interesting possibility could be that the mental side effects and effects on glucose metabolism occurring after treatment with oral contraceptives might be related to elevated oxytocin levels, since metabolic and CNS effects of oxytocin are known.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The effect of oral contraceptive pills on levels of oxytocin in plasma and on cognitive functions.

Millions of healthy women use combined oral contraceptives (o.c.) for decades. In spite of that, little is known about their possible effects on cognitive functions. In this open cross-over study, 20 women were examined twice at four-week intervals at a fixed period of the menstrual cycle when they were and when they were not taking o.c. They were examined with a test-battery to assess cognitive functions. Blood samples were taken before and after breakfast to assess levels of oxytocin and prolactin. A significant increase in levels of oxytocin was registered when the women were on o.c. There was no significant difference in performance on the psychometric tests when the participants were on o.c. compared to when they were without o.c.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Autosomal recessive idiopathic torsion dystonia in a kindred of mixed ancestry.

A family with idiopathic torsion dystonia (dystonia musculorum deformans) was seen in a peripheral clinic in the Richtersveld in the north-western Cape. This rare inherited form of neurological disease has maximal prevalence in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, and there is controversy regarding the exact mode of inheritance. The kindred documented in this study was of mixed ancestry (Cape Coloured), and autosomal recessive inheritance was suggested by the finding of affected male and female siblings born to normal parents in an isolated inbred community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Life-threatening haemolytic anaemia and infectious mononucleosis. A case report.

A 36-year-old man with infectious mononucleosis presented with massive intravascular haemolytic anaemia. The diagnosis was established by a positive Paul-Bunnell test, the demonstration of IgM antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus capsid, and IgG antibody to early antigen. The direct and indirect antiglobulin tests were negative; the pathogenesis of the severe haemolysis was attributed to the temporary synthesis of anti-i cold agglutinin having a high thermal amplitude. Although life-threatening, the episode was short-lived and responded to supportive therapy with blood transfusion and folate administration only. This case illustrates a rare association between severe haemolytic anaemia and infectious mononucleosis, it emphasizes the value of IgM-specific fluorescent antibody tests in diagnosis when patients have otherwise unexplained haemolysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Pneumatic orthosis PILOT STUDY;.

The pneumatic orthosis is potentially a substitute or replacement for conventional long-ler and under outer clothing. Pneumatic tubes are incorporated into the orthosis and may be inflated at will by the patient. In a preliminary test it was found to be lighter, more comfortable and cosmetically more acceptable than conventional braces. This paper presents the results of the first pilot study of the orthosis in the United States, conducted by the New York Medical College--Bird S. Coler Hospital Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, using 11 patients with different levels of cord transection. The orthosis was tested for its effect in the following areas: pulmonary function, blood chemistries to determine calcuyn function and phosphorus metabolic retention or loss; spasticity; urinary tract studies; skin; systemic blood pressure and pulse; physical comfort; and effect of temperature and humidity on patient. Wearing time was increased daily until a patient tolerated a minimum of one hour of inflation and six to eight hours of deflation comfortably without negative results. All the patients tested tolerated daily use of the pneumatic orthosis up to six to eight hours with no harmful effect on the skin. It did not interfere with healing of existing decubiti. Use of the pneumatic orthosis prevented postural hypotension in all tested cases, facilitated urinary outflow, increased vital capacity and reduced spasms related to postural changes.

Activities of Daily Living↗