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Biomedical subjects

D Mandel

Publications and source records attributed to D Mandel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Nosocomial cutaneous abscesses in septic infants.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively study the epidemiology of nosocomial cutaneous abscesses in 46 consecutive septic infants. RESULTS: Ten infants had one abscess or more. Surviving infants with abscesses had a longer duration of bacteraemia, which disappeared within 24 hours of drainage. CONCLUSION: Infants with persistent bacteraemia should be examined regularly for the presence of abscesses.

Abscess↗
PubMed2004

[Special clinical manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents].

During the period 1989-1996, we retrospectively investigated 104 children and adolescents with Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosed by gastroscopy. The median age was 12.11 +/- 3.31 years, 55% were female and 45% male. The chief complaint of 92% of the children was abdominal pain, mainly epigastric. The typical macroscopic finding was nodular gastritis. The most common microscopic picture was chronic superficial gastritis with lymphatic follicles and the presence of Helicobacter pylori. We demonstrated correlation between these gastroscopic and histological findings. Children who suffered from peptic ulcer were older than those with nodular gastritis. Most of the Helicobacter pylori positive patients were treated with triple drug therapy. The combination of drugs changed throughout the years according to the newly accepted strategies in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori. The majority of children reported a decrease in symptoms on completion of therapy. Urea breath test was an efficient and convenient method for the follow-up of patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2003

Decreased immune response to hepatitis B eight years after routine vaccination in Israel.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although immunization of infants against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most effective way to prevent infection, duration of the afforded protection is unknown. Titers of anti-HBV antibodies decline with time, especially during the first few years after vaccination. Anti-HBV antibody levels were measured in the serum of vaccinated children in order to determine the duration of the response afforded by the primary course of HBV vaccine. METHODS: The immunity derived from the HBV vaccine was assessed by measuring antibody levels in 122 healthy children who were vaccinated in a routine vaccination program in Israel. RESULTS: Ninety-four children (77.1%) had detectable antibodies levels (HBsAb titer > or = 10 mIU/ml): 59 (48.4%) of the children had high antibodies levels (HBsAb titer > 100 mIU/ml). Twenty-eight children (22.9%) had undetectable antibodies levels (HBsAb titer < 10 mIU/ml). When the children were divided into three groups according to the time elapsed since vaccination, it was found that the antibody levels declined with time (p < 0.009). Most of the children with undetectable antibody levels belonged to the 5 to 8-y post-vaccination group (36.1% vs 20% and 14.6% for the 2.5 to 5-y and 1 to 2.5-y groups, respectively, p < 0.01). The mean HBsAb declined in relation to the length of time post-vaccination (226.9 +/- 248.2 mIU/ml for 1-2.5 y post-vaccination, 199.0 +/- 235.7 mIU/ml for 2.5-5 y and 90.4 +/- 138.5 for 5-8 y, p < 0.05). No correlation was found between HBsAb titers and gestational age, birthweight and parental origin, although females generated higher mean antibody levels than males (207.3 +/- 217 mIU/ml vs 141.9 +/- 218.9 mIU/ml, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate a steady decline in anti-HBV titers over time after routine vaccination against HBV in Israel. The most significant decline occurred 5-8 y post-vaccination.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2003

Cold weather training: a risk factor for Achilles paratendinitis among recruits.

In a prospective study of risk factors for Achilles tendinopathy among four induction cycles of infantry recruits, 95 out of 1405 recruits, (6.8%) were found to suffer from Achilles tendinopathy. In more than 94% of the cases, the tendinopathy was considered to be paratendinitis. Training season had a statistically significant effect on the incidence of Achilles paratendinitis with 3.6% suffering in the summer and 9.4% in the winter (p = .001). This increased risk for Achilles paratendinitis in cold weather outdoor training can be explained by a fall in temperature of the Achilles paratenon whose membranes are rich in mucopolysaccharides and serve as a lubricant for gliding of the tendon and epitenon. Decreased temperature may increase the viscosity of the lubricant and thereby increases friction and risk for Achilles paratendinitis. This same relationship illustrates why "warming up" before exercising may be important in lowering the incidence of Achilles paratendinitis.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed2001

Double catheter technique for misdirected umbilical vein catheter.

We studied the success rate of the double catheter technique during umbilical vein catheter placement in 42 patients with a misdirected umbilical vein catheter. The misdirected catheter was left in place, and an additional catheter was inserted. X-ray films confirmed that successful placement was achieved in 50% of infants without significant adverse effects.

Catheterization, Peripheral↗
PubMed2001

Embedding health-promoting changes into the daily lives of independent-living older adults: long-term follow-up of occupational therapy intervention.

The Well Elderly Study was a randomized trial in independent-living older adults that found significant health, function, and quality of life benefits attributable to a 9-month program in preventive occupational therapy (OT). All participants completing the trial were followed for an additional 6 months without further intervention and then reevaluated using the same battery of instruments. Long-term benefit attributable to preventive OT was found for the quality of interaction scale of the Functional Status Questionnaire and for six of eight scales on the RAND SF-36: physical functioning, role functioning, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and general mental health (p<.05). Approximately 90% of the therapeutic gain observed following OT treatment was retained in follow-up. The finding of a sustained effect for preventive OT is of great public health relevance given the looming health care cost crisis associated with our nation's expanding elderly population.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Derivation and pilot assessment of a health promotion program for Mandarin-speaking Chinese older adults.

As the percentage of older adults of diverse ethnicities increases in the United States, the call for culturally sensitive health care service strategies that target the special needs of older people grows. The present report describes methods used to adapt a health care program so that it would better meet the needs of a group of well, older Mandarin-speaking Chinese residents of Los Angeles. The specific qualitative research procedures that we used to adapt the treatment program are described, along with the particular adaptations that emerged. Additionally, outcomes from a randomized pilot experiment are presented that are consistent with the notion that the adapted program was effective in reducing health-related declines among older Mandarin-speaking men and women. The overall outcome of this project is in agreement with other reports in the health care literature that address the importance of providing culturally sensitive health care service for elders.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Psychometric properties of a Chinese translation of the SF-36 health survey questionnaire in the Well Elderly Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the psychometric properties of a Chinese translation of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in the Well Elderly Study--a randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive occupational therapy services specifically tailored for multiethnic, independent-living, older adults. METHODS: Translation and back-translation procedures were used to obtain appropriate meanings for the SF-36 survey questions and to ensure face, functional, and conceptual equivalence. RESULTS: Statistical analyses demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity, with the results generally similar to those reported for older Anglo adults. DISCUSSION: As the percentage of older adults of diverse ethnicity increases, the need for health care research and service strategies that can effectively include multiple ethnicities becomes paramount. The results of this study suggest that a Chinese-translated SF-36 can be used to assess multiple dimensions of health in a Mandarin-speaking population of older adults.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Identification and voluntary reduction of vancomycin use for perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Vancomycin prophylaxis for coronary artery bypass graft surgery without prosthetic valve implantation voluntarily decreased from 94% to 18% in one medical center. Median hospital stay (10 vs 9 days, P = .30) and number of postoperative infections (17.0% vs 14.3%, P = .60) did not differ among patients who received vancomycin and those who did not.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Occupation in lifestyle redesign: the Well Elderly Study Occupational Therapy Program.

This article describes an innovative preventive occupational therapy intervention for well older adults, the Well Elderly Treatment Program. In a previously reported large-scale randomized effectiveness study, this intervention was found to be highly successful in enhancing the physical and mental health, occupational functioning, and life satisfaction of multicultural, community-dwelling elders. In this article, the philosophical background, manner of development, topical content, methods of program delivery, and mechanisms underlying the program's positive effects are discussed, along with implications for occupational therapy practice. The treatment was based on application of occupational science theory and research and emphasized the therapeutic process of lifestyle redesign in enabling the participants to actively and strategically select an individualized pattern of personally satisfying and health-promoting occupations. The wide-ranging effectiveness of the program supports the occupational therapy profession's emphasis on occupation in affecting health and positions practitioners to extend their services to the realm of preventive interventions.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Life domains and adaptive strategies of a group of low-income, well older adults.

Older adults are at increased risk for a variety of physical and functional limitations that threaten their ability to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Consequently, they stand to benefit from personalized strategies of adaptation that enable them to achieve successful outcomes in their daily activities and desired goals. In the current investigation, a qualitative descriptive methodology was used to document the perceived life domains of importance and associated strategies of adaptation of 29 residents of Angelus Plaza, a federally subsidized apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles for low-income, well older adults. On the basis of interview data, 10 life domains were identified, and within each domain, a typology of adaptive strategies was derived. The domains were activities of daily living (ADL), adaptation to a multicultural environment, free time usage, grave illness and death-spirituality, health maintenance, mobility maintenance, personal finances, personal safety, psychological well-being and happiness, and relationships with others. Although the typology should not be generalized to a geriatric population, therapists may wish to refer to it to gain a sense of the extent to which certain adaptive strategies may be applicable to the lives of particular older adults to whom they deliver services. The teaching of these adaptive strategies could then be incorporated into an individualized treatment plan. The typology also provides a broad picture of the kinds of adaptive strategies used by the older adults as a way of coping and adapting to their setting. Although some of the domains do not differ from those typically addressed in occupational therapy textbooks on geriatric care (e.g., ADL, health maintenance), others seem uniquely tailored to the specifics of the Angelus Plaza context (e.g., personal safety). Finally, certain domains emerged that may be highly relevant to older adults in most settings but are not typically the focus of occupational therapy programs (e.g., grave illness and death-spirituality, relationships with others). The emergence of these domains from our data suggests that therapists may wish to consider them more in treatment if they are convinced that they possess local relevance.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Deficits in spontaneous behavior and cognitive function following systemic administration of kainic acid.

Recurrent seizures leading to status epilepticus were induced in rats by a 10 mg/kg subcutaneous injection of kainic acid (KA). After a 4-day recovery period, the KA-treated animals showed a syndrome of increased activity in an open field, hyperreactivity in response to handling, and deficits in acquisition of both passive avoidance and spatial learning tasks. The second experiment demonstrated that KA also caused deficits in learning to approach a visible platform in a water maze. Two months after the initial treatment, the animals were still hyperactive and deficient in passive avoidance acquisition; however, they performed normally on the spatial learning task. These results reflect both the convulsive effects of KA, which produce transient retardation, and the brain damage to limbic system structures, which accounts for the permanent deficits.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Marital adjustment and fatherhood.

This paper examines the relationship between marital stability and fathers' bonding to their first born infants. Current literature reports on the significant and unique influence of the father on his developing infant and the influence of the father on the mother-infant bond. Some authors suggest that prematurity, the type of delivery, or a father's presence or absence at the birth, influences his engrossment or bonding and later caretaking behaviour. However, little attention has been given to other factors such as the father's personality, education, previous experience with child care or his relationship with his spouse. Similarily, there is a paucity of research on the effect of the birth of the infant on the marital bond. Einzig, Wente and Crockenberg and Dyer suggest that the transition to parenthood is a crisis in the family life and can lead to disruption in the husband-wife relationship. With the apparent increase in family instability in the last decade as marked by the rising divorce rate, it seems crucial to explore what correlation, if any, exists between marital condition and a father's relationship to his newborn infant.

Adult↗