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Biomedical subjects

R Schiffman

Publications and source records attributed to R Schiffman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Massive liver necrosis associated with hyperamylasemia.

In North America, massive liver necrosis is due mainly to viral infection or exposure to hepatotoxins. We report an unusual case of massive liver necrosis due to diffuse liver infiltration by small cell carcinoma of the lung. The unusual presentation included hyperamylasemia due to ectopic amylase production by the tumor. In this era of liver transplantation it is important to consider malignancy in the differential diagnosis of fulminant or acute liver failure prior to liver transplantation.

Amylases↗
PubMed1996

Autoimmune manifestations in the transforming growth factor-beta 1 knockout mouse.

Targeted disruption of the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) gene in mice results in the development of a massive multifocal inflammatory disease in many tissues. Because no detectable pathogen was identified, we examined whether autoimmune mechanisms played a role in initiating or maintaining the inflammatory disease. The serum of TGF-beta 1 knockout mice contained elevated titers of antibodies to nuclear antigens (ssDNA, dsDNA, Sm, and RNP) as well as reactivity against the 16/6 idiotype (16/6 Id). In addition, Ig deposits were detected in renal glomeruli of TGF- beta 1 knockout mice. Transplantation of TGF-beta 1 knockout hematopoietic cells into normal irradiated recipients resulted in a similar profile of autoantibody production as well as in the induction of inflammatory lesions. Our results describe autoimmune activity that ensues when the TGF-beta 1 cytokine is absent.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Signet-ring cells associated with pseudomembranous colitis.

After being treated for pneumonia with antibiotics, an 82-year-old man with a history of colonic carcinoma developed pseudomembranous colitis with toxic megacolon. In addition to the classic features of pseudomembranous colitis, the colon displayed signet-ring cells confined to the surface epithelium and crypts. A misdiagnosis of recurrent carcinoma was avoided after a review of the history and the endoscopic findings and by noting the location of the signet-ring cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix with malignant stroma. An unusual variant of carcinosarcoma?

An 80-year-old woman developed vaginal bleeding caused by a large tumor of the cervix. Histologically, the tumor proved to be composed predominantly of adenoid cystic carcinoma focally associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Of special interest was the stroma, which displayed pleomorphism, multinucleated tumor giant cells, and numerous mitoses, justifying the designation of carcinosarcoma. A single similar reported case also regarded as a carcinosarcoma described a primary cervical neoplasm in a postmenopausal woman containing an admixture of heterologous sarcoma and conventional cervical adenocarcinoma, which focally demonstrated areas of adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of catheter ablation using radiofrequency versus direct current energy: biophysical, electrophysiologic and pathologic observations.

The effects of catheter ablation with radiofrequency versus direct current energy were compared in 18 dogs assigned to two groups (of 9 dogs each). Each dog underwent a single ablation at two sites in the left ventricle at energy levels of 100, 200 or 300 J delivered in unipolar configuration to six dogs each. A transient decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure (from 121.3 +/- 24.5 to 94.2 +/- 18.7 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) and wall motion abnormality were noted in dogs with direct current shock. The left ventricular ejection fraction decreased (from 50 +/- 2% to 34 +/- 3%, p less than 0.001) shortly after direct current ablation but improved 4 weeks later to 43 +/- 3%. There were no significant changes in left ventricular pressure, wall motion or ejection fraction in dogs in the radiofrequency ablation group. Sustained ventricular tachycardia (greater than or equal to 30 s) was seen immediately after direct current shock in all dogs, and one dog died of intractable ventricular fibrillation. A 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor obtained immediately after the procedure showed multiple runs of ventricular tachycardia in all dogs exposed to direct current ablation but in only three dogs that underwent radiofrequency ablation. No differences were found in peak creatine kinase, complete blood count with smear and B-beta 15-42 fibrinopeptide levels. Pathologically, direct current-induced lesions were larger (mean length x width x depth 10.9 x 7.5 x 5.2 vs. 4.8 x 4.6 x 4.3 mm) and were poorly circumscribed with inhomogeneous margins of necrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Asymmetries of sleep spindles and beta activity in pediatric EEG.

Unilateral suppression of beta activity, unilateral suppression of sleep spindles, and unilateral delta slowing on EEG have not been previously compared regarding accompanying neuroradiological (NR) and clinical neurological (CN) findings in children. We studied EEGs in children under age 10 years with unilateral beta suppression (n = 80), spindle suppression (n = 51) or unilateral delta slowing (n = 49). There were no significant differences between the three groups of abnormal EEGs in their relationships with NR and CN. Unilateral suppression of sleep spindles and beta activity are at least as accurate as focal slowing in lateralizing NR and CN findings.

Beta Rhythm↗
PubMed1990

Decreased serum triiodothyronine is associated with increased concentrations of tumor necrosis factor.

Previous studies in laboratory animals have shown that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) may alter thyroid function tests. To determine whether elevated serum TNF levels are associated with altered serum concentrations of T4, T3, free T4, rT3, and TSH, we measured these parameters in 29 nursing home residents with detectable serum TNF levels and compared the levels to those found in 36 patients with undetectable serum TNF levels. The 2 groups were matched for age, sex, clinical problems, use of medications, and nutritional status. Patients with detectable serum TNF levels had significantly lower serum T3 concentrations compared to those with undetectable levels [1.072 +/- 0.588 vs. 1.621 +/- 0.594 nmol/L (mean +/- SD); P less than 0.01]. Differences in other tests did not achieve statistical significance. Thyroid function tests were not significantly different when patients with detectable interleukin-1 alpha levels, another cytokine secreted during endotoxemia, were compared to those with undetectable levels. These observations taken together with the previous findings in laboratory animals suggest that some of the alterations in thyroid hormone levels seen in nonthyroidal illness are associated with elevated serum concentrations of TNF.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Vaginal bleeding as a presenting symptom of synovial sarcoma.

A case is reported of a woman who presented with bleeding from a vaginal extension of a synovial sarcoma. The patient was unaware of the primary tumor in the left thigh and histologically, the tumor resembled a carcinosarcoma. Awareness of the physical and radiologic findings allowed the correct pathologic diagnosis to be made. The manner of presentation of the tumor is believed to be unique.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1980

Epithelioid sarcoma and synovial sarcoma in the same knee.

A patient who had had a synovial sarcoma removed from the soft tissues adjacent to his knee subsequently developed an epithelioid sarcoma on the opposite side of the same joint. The epithelioid sarcoma metastasized to lymph nodes, invaded blood vessels and produced death 16 years after it was first discovered. The unique association of these two tumors may be an interesting coincidence or may have some relevance to the histogenesis of epithelioid sarcoma.

Adult↗