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Biomedical subjects

A Ohry

Publications and source records attributed to A Ohry.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Spinal cord injuries: male infertility aspects.

In a study of 16 married paraplegic patients, it was found that without electrostimulations, erections occurred in eight patients and ejaculation in three of them. Rectal electroejaculation performed in all the patients for the purpose of collecting sperm showed poor results. Sperm analysis revealed severe distubrances in spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, the etiology of which was not clear since hormonal and sperm metabolic substrates were found to be in the normal range.

Adolescent↗

Electrodiagnostic investigation of motor neuron and spinal reflex arch (H-reflex) in spinal cord injury.

Twenty patients with spinal cord injury underwent serial electromyographic examinations. Fibrillation potentials and positive waves were noted in six patients in the spinal shock phase. In another subject, these potentials were found 27 months after injury. Our finding of significant slowing in the NCV of both nerves, indicates that lower motor neurons are indeed affected by upper motor neuron lesions. The H-reflex studies showed an increase in the mean H/M ratio. This may indicate an increase of reflex motor neuron excitability. No clear correlation was found between this increase and the degree of clinical spasticity. With repeat investigations, after a period of physical activity, a trend to reduction of the H/M ratio was noted with no clinical confirmation of reduction in spasticity. These findings emphasise the need for not assigning diagnostic terms to EMC abnormalities, but rather identifying them as neurophysiological changes which must be interpreted in the light of the clinical picture.

Adolescent↗

Pulmonary functional abnormalities after upper dorsal sympathectomy.

Pulmonary function tests were performed in a group of 15 patients before and 1 to 3 months after upper dorsal sympathectomy. Significant decreases in all compartments of lung volume and maximal expiratory flows were found. Serial studies in 3 patients showed improvement after 6 to 8 months.

Adolescent↗

The status of the urinary tract in a survey of 92 cases with neurogenic bladder.

Since 1973 intermittent catheterisation was introduced in our centre and this practically eliminated pathology of the urethra. More than half of the patients had a high and complete lesion. It is our impression that 5 years following injury more than half of the patients preserved a normal upper urinary tract; however, only 39 of the 92 patients had a follow-up of over 5 years. Nephrolithiasis was rare in comparison to other reports in spite of belonging to the stone belt area. Complications of the lower urinary tract including a 10 per cent incidence of vesico-ureteric reflux were compatible with other series. Narrowing of the external sphincter on voiding cystogram should be substantiated by a profile pressure record. One female patient is a candidate for ileal conduit. Most of the patients have some form of erection but the data on ejaculation should be accepted with reserve. Two patients in this series died more than 10 years after injury, one due to a myocardial infarction and the other due to chronic renal failure following secondary amyloidosis.

Adolescent↗

Effects of exposure to Finnish sauna.

Pathophysiological effects of exposure to Finnish sauna (80 to 90 C, 30 to 40% relative humidity) were investigated in 60 volunteers--33 men and 27 women aged between 18 and 63 years. The volunteers entered the sauna after a rest period of 20 min, and remained there for 20 min or until they suffered discomfort. Weight, height, rectal and skin temperatures, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates and ECG were recorded 20 min prior to the sauna, during the sauna, and 20 min after leaving the sauna. Marked physiological changes appeared in the first few minutes in the sauna without any prodromal warning. At the 20th min the mean heart rate was 143 +/- 25 (SD) beats/min (greater than 160 beats/min in 32% of the subjects). Mean rectal temperature was 38.6 +/- 0.6 (SD) C (greater than 39 C in 22%): mean skin temperature was 40.4 +/- 1 (SD) C (greater than 40 C in 35%); mean systolic blood pressure was 130.5 +/- 26.6 (SD) mm Hg (greater than 160 mm Hg in 17%); and mean diastolic pressure was 66.6 +/- 15.9 (SD) mm Hg (greater than 50 mm Hg in 17%). The mean total sweat loss was 457 +/- 264 (SD) g. Three subjects experienced syncope, and one developed an anginal attack; ECG changes suggestive of coronary insufficiency were recorded. No decrease in blood pressure occurred in patients with preexisting high blood pressure. It is concluded that sauna bathing involves dangers to the bather's health, which may appear suddenly, without prodromal warning signs.

Adolescent↗

Heat stress: comparison of short exposure to severe dry and wet heat in saunas.

Sixty subjects, 33 males and 27 females, from 18 to 63 years of age, were exposed to two kinds of saunas: the Finnish sauna (dry sauna) with an air temperature of 80 to 90 C and a relative humidity of 50%, and the wet sauna with an air temperature of 45 to 50 C and a relative humidity of 100%. There was a rest period of one week between the two experiments. For the 60 subjects the mean duration in the wet sauna was 19.6 minutes and in the dry sauna it was 17.4 minutes. After 10 and 20 minutes of exposure in the wet sauna the mean rectal temperature was 38.1 and 38.5 respectively, the mean skin temperature 40.2 and 40.4 C, the respiratory rate 21 and 22.9 breaths/min, the pulse rate 113 and 135.4 beats/min, the mean diastolic pressure 76.1 and 71.9 mm Hg, and the mean systolic pressure 115.7 and 123.5 mm Hg. Comparing the different physiological parameters in both saunas showed significant differences only during the first 10 minutes: a greater drop in diastolic blood pressure, a higher increase in systolic blood pressure, and a greater rise in pulse rate in the dry sauna. After 20 minutes there were no significant differences between any of the above parameters. It is concluded that the heat strain and hence the risk in both saunas are similar and exposure in either sauna exceeding 10 minutes may be dangerous.

Adolescent↗

Is the polio virus responsible for late central nervous system tumors?

A hypothesis is advanced concerning the relationship of poliomyelitis viruses and late developing neoplasia in the central nervous system. The literature is surveyed, and several experimental approaches based upon known evidence of viral and neoplastic behaviour are advanced. The present status of world polio incidence is discussed as it applies to this possible relationship.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Preparation of a hospital rehabilitation system for war and other disasters.

A large number of casualties caused by war are in need of medical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation facilities are unable to cope adequately with them without advance planning and preparedness. Guidelines are suggested for the planning and preparation of a hospital rehabilitation system for war, including the formulation of policies, expanding and strengthening of existing rehabilitation facilities, and converting institutions, as well as securing the necessary human and material resources. It is also suggested that such plans and preparations should be adapted to form a basis for meeting rehabilitation needs caused by natural and civil disasters.

Disaster Planning↗

Upper limb functional electrical stimulation for walker ambulation in hemiplegia: a case report.

Electrical stimulation has been sporadically used in the treatment of hemiplegia. Reported benefits include decreasing spasticity, providing a supplementary means for range of motion exercises, increasing strength, and improving local blood flow in a paretic or paralyzed limb. Some studies have also shown functional gains in the hemiplegic upper limb following treatment with electrical stimulation. Nevertheless, there have been very few reports of the use of neuromuscular stimulation to achieve new hemiplegic upper limb activity not possible without the electrical stimulation. This is a case report of a head injury patient who was able to begin ambulation with a walker, without physical assistance, for the first time in the 16 yr since his injury. A new electrical stimulation device (Handmaster) initially used therapeutically, and then functionally, provided a reliable, strong grasp and release and was instrumental in achieving the new level of function. The device proved to be easy to use in the home, giving the patient microprocessor-controlled therapeutic and patterned functional electrical stimulation.

Adult↗

Hybrid functional electrical stimulation orthosis system for the upper limb: effects on spasticity in chronic stable hemiplegia.

A new hybrid functional electrical stimulation orthosis system for the upper limb has been designed to allow for ease of use in the home as a daily treatment modality, as well as offer the opportunity for function enhancement. In a pilot study, the system was used by ten patients with chronic stable hemiparesis secondary to cerebral vascular accident and head injuries. The patients were referred by their treating physicians or therapists after meeting the inclusion criteria of good general health, being greater than one year after head injury, or being ten months post-stroke, with no observed neurologic changes in the prior six weeks. Each of these patients had received prolonged physical therapy, either continuous from the initial inpatient rehabilitation treatment or on an intermittent basis over a period of years. The baseline status for factors related to increased muscle tone, i.e., passive range of motion at the wrist and elbow, posture at rest, posture immediately following activity, and spasticity were quantified before the treatment protocol with the functional electrical stimulation orthosis. Active range of motion and tests of functional use of the involved upper limb were also assessed. The patients were instructed in the protocol, trained in the use of the system, and then used the electrical orthosis at home for up to several hours per day. Follow-up assessments were at six months. A statistically significant improvement was noted in all muscle tone/spasticity parameters measured. A separate report will describe the effects on voluntary motion and functional capabilities.

Activities of Daily Living↗