Alex Sherman, M.D.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an emerging era of collaborative gene discovery
Gwinn, Katrina; Corriveau, Roderick A; Mitsumoto, Hiroshi; Bednarz, Kate; Brown, Robert H Jr; Cudkowicz, Merit; Gordon, Paul H; Hardy, John; Kasarskis, Edward J; Kaufmann, Petra; Miller, Robert; Sorenson, Eric; Tandan, Rup; Traynor, Bryan J; Nash, Josefina; Sherman, Alex; Mailman, Matthew D; Ostell, James; Bruijn, Lucie; Cwik, Valerie; Rich, Stephen S; Singleton, Andrew; Refolo, Larry; Andrews, Jaime; Zhang, Ran; Conwit, Robin; Keller, Margaret A
2007 ;2(12):e1254-e1254, PLoS ONE
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of motor neuron disease (MND). It is currently incurable and treatment is largely limited to supportive care. Family history is associated with an increased risk of ALS, and many Mendelian causes have been discovered. However, most forms of the disease are not obviously familial. Recent advances in human genetics have enabled genome-wide analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that make it possible to study complex genetic contributions to human disease. Genome-wide SNP analyses require a large sample size and thus depend upon collaborative efforts to collect and manage the biological samples and corresponding data. Public availability of biological samples (such as DNA), phenotypic and genotypic data further enhances research endeavors. Here we discuss a large collaboration among academic investigators, government, and non-government organizations which has created a public repository of human DNA, immortalized cell lines, and clinical data to further gene discovery in ALS. This resource currently maintains samples and associated phenotypic data from 2332 MND subjects and 4692 controls. This resource should facilitate genetic discoveries which we anticipate will ultimately provide a better understanding of the biological mechanisms of neurodegeneration in ALS
— id: 94693, year: 2007, vol: 2, page: e1254, stat: Journal Article,

Clinical characteristics of Asian Americans infected with hepatitis B diagnosed by community-based screenings in New York City
Pollack, H; Sherman, A; Tsang, T; Wan, K; Lupatkin, H; Villaneuva, G; Tso, A; Angela, T; Michael, P; Pearl, K; Ruchel, R; Rey, M; Tobias, H
2006 OCT ;44(4):568A-568A, Hepatology
— id: 70934, year: 2006, vol: 44, page: 568A, stat: Journal Article,

An epidemiologic study of hepatitis B virus infection among Asian Americans in New York City
Wan, K; Chen, Y; Tsang, T; Sherman, A; Tso, A; Korenblit, P; Son, S; Poon, E; Ramos, R; Tobias, H; Rey, M; Pollack, H
2006 JUN 1 ;163(11):S252-S252, American journal of epidemiology
— id: 68859, year: 2006, vol: 163, page: S252, stat: Journal Article,

Mass screenings in New York City reveal extraordinarily high prevalence of hepatitis B in an urban Asian population
Sherman, A; Tsang, T; Villaneuva, G; Pollack, H; Tobias, H
2005 OCT ;42(4):214A-214A, Hepatology
— id: 59260, year: 2005, vol: 42, page: 214A, stat: Journal Article,

Endoscopy plays an important preoperative role in bariatric surgery
Sharaf, Ravi N; Weinshel, Elizabeth H; Bini, Edmund J; Rosenberg, Jonathan; Sherman, Alex; Ren, Christine J
2004 Nov-Dec;14(10):1367-1372, Obesity surgery
BACKGROUND: The role of upper endoscopy (EGD) in obese patients prior to bariatric surgery is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and cost of routine EGD before bariatric surgery. METHODS: The medical records of consecutive obese patients who underwent EGD prior to bariatric surgery between May 2000 and September 2002 were reviewed. Two experienced endoscopists reviewed all EGD reports, and findings were divided into 4 groups based on predetermined criteria: group 0 (normal study), group 1 (abnormal findings that neither changed the surgical approach nor postponed surgery), group 2 (abnormal findings that changed the surgical approach or postponed surgery), and group 3 (results that were an absolute contraindication to surgery). Clinically important findings included lesions in groups 2 and 3. The cost of EGD (430.72 US dollars) was estimated using the endoscopist fee under Medicare reimbursement. RESULTS: During the 28-month study period, 195 patients were evaluated by EGD prior to bariatric surgery. One or more lesions were identified in 89.7% of patients, with 61.5% having a clinically important finding. The prevalence of endoscopic findings using the classification system above was as follows: group 0 (10.3%), group 1 (28.2%), group 2 (61.5%), and group 3 (0.0%). Overall, the most common lesions identified were hiatal hernia (40.0%), gastritis (28.7%), esophagitis (9.2%), gastric ulcer (3.6%), Barrett's esophagus (3.1%), and esophageal ulcer (3.1%). The cost of performing routine endoscopy on all patients prior to bariatric surgery was 699.92 US dollars per clinically important lesion detected. CONCLUSIONS: Routine upper endoscopy before bariatric surgery has a high diagnostic yield and has a low cost per clinically important lesion detected
— id: 49346, year: 2004, vol: 14, page: 1367, stat: Journal Article,

Emergency preparedness: Geriatric mental health concerns
Sherman, A; Howe, J; Villanti, A; Sheehan, C; Toner, J; Fulmer, T
2004 ;44(3):501-501, Gerontologist
— id: 115040, year: 2004, vol: 44, page: 501, stat: Journal Article,

Fractured colon: an endoscopically distinctive lesion associated with colonic perforation following colonoscopy in patients with collagenous colitis
Sherman, Alex; Ackert, John J; Rajapaksa, Roshini; West, A Brian; Oweity, Thaira
2004 Apr;38(4):341-345, Journal of clinical gastroenterology
BACKGROUND: Collagenous colitis is characterized by collagen deposition in the superficial colonic mucosa, beneath the surface epithelium, resulting in chronic nonbloody diarrhea of variable severity. The mucosa generally appears endoscopically normal. METHODS: We report the occurrence of distinctive linear mucosal tears, unassociated with trauma, in 4 patients during diagnostic colonoscopy. The patients' tissue specimens were examined histologically, and clinical courses were recorded. OBSERVATIONS: Recognition of linear 'fractures' was followed in 3 patients by colonic perforation. One patient required colectomy. Severe collagenous colitis was present in all. The resection specimen contained shallow linear ulcers overlying fibrotic submucosa, with pneumatosis and acute peritonitis. CONCLUSIONS: We theorize that the stiffness of the colon in areas of collagenous colitis with submucosal fibrosis makes it susceptible to linear 'fractures' during colonoscopic air insufflation with subsequent transmural air dissection. We urge extreme caution if this lesion is recognized at colonoscopy and recommend aborting the examination and obtaining plain radiographs to detect free intraperitoneal air
— id: 56129, year: 2004, vol: 38, page: 341, stat: Journal Article,

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis
Tobais H; Sherman A
Tuberculosis Philadelphia : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004,
— id: 3976, year: 2004, vol: , page: 537, stat: Chapter,

Endoscopy plays an important role in determining bariatric surgical approach
Sharaf, RN; Weinshel, EH; Bini, EJ; Rosenberg, J; Sherman, A; Ren, CJ
2003 ;57(5):AB120-AB120, Gastrointestinal endoscopy
— id: 108241, year: 2003, vol: 57, page: AB120, stat: Journal Article,

Lessons from a social work videoconference
Dunbar, J; Howe, J; Sherman, A; Fulmer, T
2002 ;42(2):266-266, Gerontologist
— id: 115044, year: 2002, vol: 42, page: 266, stat: Journal Article,

Getting the word out: Marketing geriatric education
Dunbar, JM; Sherman, A; Fulmer, T
2001 ;41(7):144-144, Gerontologist
— id: 115050, year: 2001, vol: 41, page: 144, stat: Journal Article,

Implications of a needs assessment of American Indians in New York State
Sherman, A; Rosenfeld, P; Fulmer, T
2001 ;41(1):145-145, Gerontologist
— id: 115055, year: 2001, vol: 41, page: 145, stat: Journal Article,

Hepatitis C: Progress and challenges
Sherman, A
2000 SEP ;17(9):614-+, Infections in medicine
— id: 54522, year: 2000, vol: 17, page: 614, stat: Journal Article,

HCV on the threshold
Sherman A
1999 ;16(2):92-94, Infections in medicine
Advances in basic science and diagnostic techniques have led to a dramatic decrease in the incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in the US. Further advances in treatment are necessary for comparable reductions in prevalence during the next millennium
— id: 15962, year: 1999, vol: 16, page: 92, stat: Journal Article,

Pill-induced gastric injury
Sherman A; Bini EJ
1999 Feb;94(2):511-513, American journal of gastroenterology
Pill-induced esophageal injury is a well described clinical entity. In contrast, pill-induced gastric injury has not been well characterized. In this report, we describe two patients with acute gastric ulcers due to pill ingestion and review the available literature on pill-induced gastric injury. The first patient presented with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and was found to have a large gastric ulcer with multiple potassium chloride pills in the ulcer crater. The second patient presented with odynophagia and endoscopy revealed doxycycline-induced esophageal and gastric injury. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of doxycycline-induced gastric ulcer
— id: 7446, year: 1999, vol: 94, page: 511, stat: Journal Article,

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis
Tobias, Hillel; Sherman, Alex
Tuberculosis Boston : Little Brown, 1996,
— id: 4844, year: 1996, vol: , page: ?, stat: Chapter,

EFFECTIVENESS OF HIGH-DOSE LONG-TERM ALFA INTERFERON THERAPY IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C
TOBIAS, H; SHERMAN, A; MICHAUD, J; TEPPERMAN, L
1994 APR ;106(4):A999-A999, Gastroenterology
— id: 52458, year: 1994, vol: 106, page: A999, stat: Journal Article,

SUCCESSFUL ENDOSCOPIC RETRIEVAL OF A COCAINE PACKET FROM THE STOMACH
Sherman, A; Zingler, BM
1990 Mar-Apr;36(2):152-154, Gastrointestinal endoscopy
— id: 32087, year: 1990, vol: 36, page: 152, stat: Journal Article,

Spontaneous intramural hematoma of the esophagus
Ackert JJ; Sherman A; Lustbader IJ; McCauley DI
1989 Oct;84(10):1325-1328, American journal of gastroenterology
Spontaneous intramural hematoma of the esophagus (SIHE) is a rare condition usually affecting middle-aged or elderly women. It presents as acute substernal or epigastric pain, typically accompanied by dysphagia or hematemesis. SIHE is not usually associated with vomiting, and is therefore clearly distinguished from emetogenic esophageal disorders, such as the Mallory-Weiss lesion and the Boerhaave syndrome. The diagnosis has traditionally been made by barium esophagram. Therapy is conservative; a favorable prognosis is the rule. The pathogenesis is in dispute. We present a case of SIHE without a discernible mucosal breach, suggesting a primary intramural bleed as the initiating event. We document the utility of computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of SIHE
— id: 10462, year: 1989, vol: 84, page: 1325, stat: Journal Article,

Perirectal abscess in the Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
Sherman A; Genuth L; Hazzi CG; Balthazar EJ; Schinella RA
1989 May;84(5):552-556, American journal of gastroenterology
The Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a triad of tyrosine-positive albinism, platelet dysfunction, and the deposition of an abnormal ceroid-like pigment in the tissues. Complications of the syndrome, such as pulmonary fibrosis, renal failure, and cardiomyopathy, have been described. Granulomatous colitis has been documented in several families with the HPS. The bowel disease of the HPS is a unique type of inflammatory bowel disease with clinical features suggestive of idiopathic ulcerative colitis and pathologic features suggestive of Crohn's disease. Analogous to the presentation of Crohn's disease with perianal and perirectal involvement, we describe the occurrence of perianal disease and a perirectal abscess in a 29-yr-old woman with HPS and mild granulomatous colitis
— id: 10663, year: 1989, vol: 84, page: 552, stat: Journal Article,

Ileocecal tuberculosis in a patient with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Dickerman SA; Sherman A; Balthazar EJ; Hazzi C
1987 Nov;83(5):1010-1011, American journal of medicine
— id: 43891, year: 1987, vol: 83, page: 1010, stat: Journal Article,

Primary gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Lustbader I; Sherman A
1987 Sep;82(9):894-895, American journal of gastroenterology
Gastrointestinal involvement by Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with cutaneous or lymph node involvement is common. Since the advent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome in 1981, primary gastrointestinal involvement, i.e., without skin or lymph node involvement, has not been adequately documented. We describe a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and primary gastrointestinal involvement by Kaposi's sarcoma
— id: 35841, year: 1987, vol: 82, page: 894, stat: Journal Article,

Studies of the Gravlee jet washer in the detection of endometrial neoplasia
Richart RM; Marchbein H; Sherman A
1979 Aug;8(1):49-59, Gynecologic oncology
— id: 38971, year: 1979, vol: 8, page: 49, stat: Journal Article,