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Biomedical subjects

Shai Luria

Publications and source records attributed to Shai Luria.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Talc sclerodhesis of persistent Morel-Lavallée lesions (posttraumatic pseudocysts): case report of 4 patients.

Large posttraumatic pseudocysts are infamous for their tendency to recur despite repeated aspiration. The standard practice has been repeated extensive surgical debridement. To avoid the need for such treatment, talc was used to sclerose the lesion in 4 patients treated between 2000 and 2003. The patients were between the ages of 20 and 73 and had thigh and buttock pseudocysts that persisted for an average of 3 months. Talc was administered under fluoroscopic guidance and suction drainage (wall suction followed by a bulb vacuum drainage system) was applied for an average of 12 days. The patients were followed for an average period of 27 months after talc sclerodhesis. All persistent pseudocysts showed an immediate cessation of fluid accumulation in the treated space without reccurence. One case which was complicated by infection, had to be treated twice with talc to cease the accumulation. In this case, the infection recurred, although fluid accumulation did not recur. Talc sclerodhesis proved to be a simple and rapid method of treatment in posttraumatic cases classically treated by repeated and aggressive surgical methods.

Adult↗

Inherited and acquired interactions between ACHE and PON1 polymorphisms modulate plasma acetylcholinesterase and paraoxonase activities.

The 5.5 Mb chromosome 7q21-22 ACHE/PON1 locus harbours the ACHE gene encoding the acetylcholine hydrolyzing, organophosphate (OP)-inhibitable acetylcholinesterase protein and the paraoxonase gene PON1, yielding the OP-hydrolyzing PON1 enzyme which also displays arylesterase activity. In search of inherited and acquired ACHE-PON1 interactions we genotyped seven polymorphic sites and determined the hydrolytic activities of the corresponding plasma enzymes and of the AChE-homologous butyrylcholinesetrase (BChE) in 157 healthy Israelis. AChE, arylesterase, BChE and paraoxonase activities in plasma displayed 5.4-, 6.5-, 7.2- and 15.5-fold variability, respectively, with genotype-specific differences between carriers of distinct compound polymorphisms. AChE, BChE and arylesterase but not paraoxonase activity increased with age, depending on leucine at PON1 position 55. In contrast, carriers of PON1 M55 displayed decreased arylesterase activity independent of the - 108 promoter polymorphism. Predicted structural consequences of the PON1 L55M substitution demonstrated spatial shifts in adjacent residues. Molecular modelling showed substrate interactions with the enzyme variants, explaining the changes in substrate specificity induced by the Q192R substitution. Intriguingly, PON1, but not BChE or arylesterase, activities displayed inverse association with AChE activity. Our findings demonstrate that polymorphism(s) in the adjacent PON1 and ACHE genes affect each other's expression, predicting for carriers of biochemically debilitating ACHE/PON1 polymorphisms adverse genome-environment interactions.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Safety of biological/chemical respiratory protection filter for patients in need of oxygen supplementation.

BACKGROUND: During the 2003 war in Iraq, Israel faced the problem of supplying biological/chemical respiratory protection for a population in need of ventilator support. The devices in use were insufficient in terms of protective value, costs, and availability. An adaptor was developed to allow connection between respirators and the standard biological/chemical filter canister. OBJECTIVE: As part of the safety protocol for such a device, an investigation was made to determine the possibility of combustion of the biological/chemical filter canister, because of a possible exothermic reaction between the inspired oxygen-enriched air flow passing through the canister and the activated charcoal component of the filter. METHODS: A mechanical ventilator generated airflow with a frequency of 24 breaths per minute and a 500-mL tidal volume, for 90 minutes, through 14 standard filter canisters in a sealed chamber at a temperature of 25 degrees C and through seven canisters at a temperature of 30 degrees C. Incremental levels of oxygen (21-100%) were used for each set of canisters. The temperature of each filter was recorded throughout the examination. RESULTS: There was no elevation in the final temperature of the filters after 90 minutes of airflow with high oxygen levels. There were no signs of ignition. CONCLUSION: High oxygen levels passing through the activated carbon in the filter canister placed between the mechanical ventilator and the patient do not cause a combustion reaction, making it a safe means for respiratory protection for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Equipment Safety↗

Evaluation of CO2 accumulation in respiratory protective devices.

A simple mathematical model was developed to grade the results of the fraction of inspiratory CO2 levels in respiratory protective devices (RPDs). Using this model, the level of FiCO2 of two chemical warfare RPDs was monitored during the examination of 54 young male volunteers at rest and exercise. No set of results distributed in a normal Gaussian mode; therefore, parametric statistics could not be used to analyze the group's results. Yet the model allowed simple and insightful evaluation of the results, stressing differences between the similar RPDs. We suggest continued use of the analysis model as a tool for quantitative evaluation of results and further understanding of the respiratory patterns of RPDs.

Adult↗

[Using thalidomide against pathological neovascularization].

Thalidomide was first used during the 50's-60's, especially for morning sickness in pregnant women. It was found to be a powerful teratogen only years later and was banned from use. At the same time it was found to have anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties and was approved as treatment for leprosy. As such, thalidomide might be used against pathological neovascularization, as seen in mustard gas exposure. From past experience we know that the eyes are the most vulnerable organ to mustard gas exposure. In some of the casualties there is a late sequella including pathological corneal neovascularization. So far there is no specific effective treatment against this neovascularization. The purpose of this review is to examine current research about the potential use of thalidomide as an anti-angiogenic agent, including potential role in treating mustard gas eye injury.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

[Medical aspects of the lacrimator CS].

Since the 1960's, CS has become the main riot control agent in use by police and army forces throughout the world. The first post-exposure symptom is a burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat. At a later stage, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, conjunctivitis, sore throat and salivation appear. These symptoms are followed by chest pain and dry cough, and if the substance is swallowed, it may cause nausea and vomiting. This article reviews the physical properties of CS, the main dispersing techniques, the clinical signs and symptoms of exposure, including information on mutagenicity, carcinogenesis, pregnancy safety, and will introduce guidelines for treatment after exposure.

Chest Pain↗

Revision total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Revision total knee arthroplasties are performed with increasing frequency due to the increasing numbers of primary arthroplasties. OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively analyze 71 patients who underwent 78 revision total knee arthroplasties during the years 1991 to 1999 METHODS: We evaluated the revised knees using the Knee Society Clinical Rating System after an average follow-up period of 3 years and 9 months (2-10 years). The indications for revision included pain and instability, deep infection of the joint, complaints linked to the patella, or post-trauma to the operated knee. RESULTS: The average knee score (evaluation of the knee joint itself) calculated after the revision was 74.5. The results on the knee score were excellent (> 85) in 48% of patients and poor (< 60) in 22%. The functional results (patient's ability to walk and climb stairs) were only 48.3. CONCLUSION: Although the revision of total knee replacements is known to be problematic, most patients show good results on knee examination, and reasonable functional results given the factors involved.

Aged↗