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Biomedical subjects

Y Tal

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tal.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Relationship of sweat electrolytes to apparent life-threatening events (ALTE): a case control study.

Twenty infants aged 25 days to 6 months who were consecutively investigated for apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) with negative results and 20 matched normal controls underwent an iontophoresis sweat test. A statistically significant elevated sweat potassium level (22.1 +/- 8.9 versus 12.4 +/- 6.5 mol/l) was noted in the ALTE patients compared with the control group (p < 0.001). No difference was found, however, between sweat sodium and chloride levels in the two groups. Na/K ratio in sweat was significantly different between the groups (p < 0.001). A between-groups discriminant analysis, using Na/K ratio as a discriminant variable, resulted in 80% accuracy in group assignment. A significant increase in sweat potassium concentration at night compared with day time was evident in ALTE patients. Elevated sweat potassium levels specifically characterized infants who experienced ALTE and may possibly indicate an underlying mechanism involving enhanced sympathetic activity.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMed1994

The relationship between joint hypermobility and neurodevelopmental attributes in elementary school children.

Joint hypermobility is associated with motor developmental delay in infancy. To assess this finding in school-aged children, 320 first- and second-grade elementary school children and 110 children attending a special education program were assessed. Joint hypermobility was found in 40 (12.4%) and seven (6.4%) of the children attending the regular and special education classes, respectively. No difference in the neurologic status or verbal and eye-hand coordination task performance was found between the children of the study group and their age- and sex-matched controls. It appears that joint hypermobility and neurodevelopmental dysfunctions are not causally related and have a different maturational course.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome: epilepsy, dementia, and amelogenesis imperfecta.

Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome is a central nervous system (CNS) degenerative disease with convulsions and mental regression in which the affected children present with yellow teeth due to defective enamel. We present a family in which 2 affected children (a boy and a girl) were born to consanguineous parents. This report confirms the autosomal recessive inheritance of the disorder. The combination of a CNS and an enamel defect may represent pleiotropy or a contiguous gene syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1992

Variability in head circumference growth rate during the first 2 years of life.

The head circumference (HC) curves were plotted for a group of 415 healthy full-term babies over the first 2 years of life. Two hundred ten (51%) of the cohort demonstrated HC variability, defined as an HC acceleration or deceleration of at least 1 centile curve for at least 2 months. Of these, the deceleration pattern was predominant (80.9%), and also frequently permanent (87%). The HCs of 3 (1.42%) of 210 infants with HC variability ended up with a deviation of 2 standard deviations or more from the mean. The onset of HC transition occurred from the mean age of 1.3 months, and the new curve had stabilized by age 13 months in 95% of the study group. Parallel changes occurred in body weight and body length in approximately 48% of the total cohort, but more frequently in the variable-HC group. The clinical interpretation of these findings is discussed.

Body Height↗
PubMed1991

High dose intravenous gamma-globulin in intractable epilepsy of childhood.

Eight children aged between 1.3 and 13 years suffering from epilepsy refractory to conventional anticonvulsive therapy were treated with high dose intravenous gamma globulin (200 mg/kg, 3 times per week, repeated after 3 weeks). Immunological studies after therapy showed normal results. In four children, clinical and EEG findings markedly improved. In one other case a partial response was noted. No improvement was observed in the remaining three cases. We confirm that although the mechanism is still obscure, high doses of i.v. gammaglobulin may have a beneficial effect in a significant number of children with intractable epilepsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

A new method for fetal ECG detection.

Presented in this work is the theoretical basis of a new method we propose for the analysis of fetal ECG (FECG). This method is intended to detect the fetal HR from a weak FECG signal, and to supply us with an average FECG complex. The FECG signals studied in this work were recorded from the maternal abdominal wall. The core of our method is the computation of a triple parametric transform, using analyzing functions which have a greater correlation with the ECG signal than the correlation of the standard sine and cosine functions used in a Fourier transform. The functions used are trains of square waves characterized by the width of the square wave, their periodicity, and some initial phase value. This method, applied here to a medical problem, can be more generally applied to handle weak quasiperiodic sharp signals of any origin.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed1991

Effect of beta-endorphin on human chorionic gonadotrophin secretion by placental explants.

In the present study the effect of physiological concentrations of beta-endorphin was examined upon human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) secretion by first trimester placental explants. Results show that at 7-9 weeks of gestation, beta-endorphin inhibited HCG secretion; a maximal suppression of 60% was noted at 5 x 10(-10) M concentrations, while fivefold lower or higher doses were less effective. This inhibitory effect was completely reversed by naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist, indicating involvement of an opiate receptor in the action of beta-endorphin. The opioid peptide specificity was demonstrated by the failure of N-acetyl-beta-endorphin, a non-opiate analogue used at the same concentration range, to affect HCG secretion. Following the HCG peak, at 11 weeks however, the effect of beta-endorphin was stimulatory on HCG secretion, which suggests a gestational age-dependent effect of the opioid peptide. In conclusion, these data indicate that beta-endorphin, a mu and delta opioid receptor ligand, has a modulatory effect on HCG secretion in vitro in the young placenta.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1990

Practical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of apnea of infancy.

Twenty-three infants aged 6 days to 9 months, sequentially referred for apnea or apparent life-threatening events (ALTE), were studied. A selective approach consisting of hospitalization, prolonged cardiorespiratory monitoring, and a graduated investigative protocol yielded positive findings in 75% of the subjects. Polysomnographic study and continuous esophageal pH monitoring were found to be the most informative. In addition to other appropriate therapeutic interventions, cardiorespiratory home monitoring was prescribed for four patients. In three nonmonitored subjects apnea recurred. Two infants died, one with homocystinuria complicated by brain hemorrhage and another with a fulminant viral infection. These investigative results and their outcome indicate that in cases of apnea or ALTE in apparently healthy infants, in-patient monitoring and evaluation is of much value. Home monitors should only be recommended in a selected group of patients, and an adequate follow-up and support system is essential.

Female↗
PubMed1989

The ameliorating effect of lumbar puncture in viral meningitis.

To test the hypothesis that lumbar puncture in viral meningitis results in symptomatic improvement, a group of 48 children was studied. Twenty-six patients had proved aseptic meningitis, and 22 had infections outside the central nervous system. Before and after lumbar puncture each subject was repeatedly scored for symptoms independently by the attending pediatrician and a parent. Marked symptomatic improvement in children with meningitis was demonstrated following lumbar puncture, while no significant change was demonstrated in the control group. The mechanism underlying this improvement is not clear; however, we consider a number of possible explanations.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Subacute meningitis caused by Brucella: a diagnostic challenge.

A case of subacute meningitis caused by Brucella mellitensis is described. The meningitis was refractory to an antibiotic regime. Diagnosis was established by raised antibody titres to Brucella in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positive bone marrow and blood cultures. While treatment with tetracycline trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and streptomycin resulted in a dramatic clinical cure, the CSF findings returned only gradually to normal values over the ensuing 6 months.

Brucella↗
PubMed1986

Growth failure due to protein loss in dermatitis.

A 10-month-old infant is described who suffered from extensive atopic dermatitis, failure to thrive, hypoalbuminaemia and oedema. Large amounts of sticky exudate were lost through the skin and were shown to be rich in albumin. As renal and intestinal loss of protein was excluded, the patient's condition was ascribed to the loss of albumin through the skin at a rate that out-stripped the synthesis of this protein. Treatment with steroids resulted in dramatic clearing of his dermatitis, and subsequent rapid correction of his hypoalbuminaemia, oedema and anaemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Gaucher disease: assessment with MR imaging.

The skeletal system, spleen, and liver of five patients with proved Gaucher disease were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Homogeneous, low intensity signals resulting from relaxation times different than normal (longer T1 and shorter T2 values) were found in the marrow of long bones, vertebrae, and hips in all patients. In three patients, normal signals were noted in the patella, epiphysis of the knee, and capital femoral epiphysis. In two patients with acute bone pain in the tibial region, a higher signal was received from the tibial marrow. This signal was related to increased accumulation of fluid following an avascular episode. Soft tissues in the same area were also involved. Liver and spleen enlargement was readily visible, especially on coronal images. T1 values of spleen were significantly shorter than normal. MR imaging provides an excellent assessment of the extent of involvement of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow in Gaucher disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Childhood migraine--a dangerous diagnosis?

The diagnosis of childhood migraine cannot be confirmed in any objective way. The danger of missing brain tumours or cerebral vascular malformations in these patients was examined in two groups. 73 children who were diagnosed as childhood migraine were followed for 5.4 years. No brain tumour or vascular malformation was found, but two children diagnosed as "abdominal migraine" had a different important disease. The charts of 83 children with brain tumours and seven children with vascular malformations were examined. Only three children could be confused with migraine, and only one actually was.

Brain Neoplasms↗