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Biomedical subjects

D Ovadia

Publications and source records attributed to D Ovadia.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Antagonization of TNF attenuates systemic hemodynamic manifestations of envenomation in a rat model of Vipera aspis snakebite.

OBJECTIVES: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been reported as a mediator of local tissue injury following snake envenomation in an intact rat model. We investigated whether systemic release of TNF occurs following Vipera aspis envenomation. We further analyzed the possible connection between envenomation-related hemodynamic depression and TNF antagonization (TNF antibodies or soluble TNF receptor). DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study using a rat model for snake envenomation. SETTINGS: A medical university hospital research laboratory. INTERVENTION: Eighty rats (300-400 g) were divided into four groups (n = 20): control and three experimental groups. Intramuscular injection of V. asis 500 microg/kg was administered to the three experimental groups: venom only (group 1), venom and 40 microg anti-TNF antibodies (group 2), venom and 250 microg soluble TNF receptor (p55-R; group 3). Hemodynamic parameters were monitored up to 4 h following venom injection. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A significant hemodynamic deterioration (reduction in heart rate and blood pressure) occurred 30 min following venom injection in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3, where hemodynamic parameters remained stable throughout the 4 h observation period. Serum levels of TNF were detected 15 min after venom injection and peaked after 2 h at 485+/-12 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The hemodynamic consequences of intramuscular injection of V. aspis venom can be blunted in a rat by systemic antagonization of TNF activity prior to venom injection. The poisonous hemodynamic effects of the V. aspis venom might be caused by systemic release of TNF.

Animals↗

Xanthine oxidase and tumor necrosis factor alpha: possible mediators of remote tissue injury after viper envenomation.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor is associated with various local and systemic inflammatory sequelae following snakebite. Xanthine oxidase is a principal mediator of remote tissue injury (e.g., lungs, heart, liver). OBJECTIVE: To investigate in a snakebite-like animal model the as yet unexplored role of TNF and XO in mediating organ damage following snakebite. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intramuscularly with a non-lethal 500 micrograms/kg dose of Vipera aspis venom (n = 10) or saline (n = 10). Blood pressure and heart rate were continuously monitored, TNF-alpha was measured in the blood, and total XO + xanthine dehydrogenase activity was assessed in various tissues. Lung histology and permeability indices were analyzed. RESULTS: Venom injection caused a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in both heart rate and invasive arterial pressure. The blood circulating TNF levels were significantly higher in the intoxicated group (P < 0.05 vs. saline group), with changes seen at 30 minutes from intoxication in both groups. Total XO + XDH activity in the kidney, lung and liver of the venom-injected group was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in the saline group, while the activity in the heart was similar. CONCLUSIONS: The mediation of remote organ and hemodynamic changes following intramuscular injection of a non-lethal dose of Vipera aspis venom can be attributed partly to TNF and partly to XO. More research is needed to better understand the role of either compound and the time frame of their activity before specific antagonists can be introduced for snakebite management.

Animals↗

The use of three-dimensional computed tomography in evaluating snapping scapula syndrome.

This article evaluates imaging of the scapula and scapulothoracic joint in patients with snapping scapula syndrome. Between 1990 and 1996, a total of 20 patients (10 men and 10 women) with snapping scapula syndrome were evaluated. Diagnosis was based on patient complaints and physical examination findings. There were 26 affected scapulae (6 patients had bilateral presentation). Imaging of the scapula included plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), and 3-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) reconstruction. Plain radiography revealed bony incongruity between the anterior aspect of the scapula and the chest wall in 7 scapulae, CT revealed such incongruity in 19 scapulae, and 3-D CT revealed incongruity in all 26 scapulae. Treatment was conservative, consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a physiotherapy program, and subscapular injection of a local anesthetic and steroids. In 5 patients who responded poorly to conservative treatment, the region responsible for the snapping was resected. Pain relief and resolution of the snapping were complete following surgery in 4 patients, while pain and crepitation persisted in the fifth. Three-dimensional CT is recommended as the main imaging modality in the evaluation of any patient with snapping scapula syndrome who is a candidate for surgical intervention.

Adult↗

Efficacy of closed wound drainage after total joint arthroplasty. A prospective randomized study.

The efficacy of closed suction drains following joint arthroplasty operations was prospectively evaluated in a randomized manner. All 88 patients allotted to primary knee or hip arthroplasty operations during a 6-month period were included in the study. Drains were used in 32 of 58 patients following total knee arthroplasty and in 18 of 30 total hip arthroplasties. No statistical difference was found in the hemoglobin levels measured following surgery and in the number of patients requiring blood transfusions between the two groups after total hip arthroplasty (P = .06). The power of the test to detect a difference of 2 g% in hemoglobin levels is 94%. Two patients from each group had a transient serous discharge for 3 to 4 days following surgery and none had wound infections. Significantly more blood transfusions were needed in patients with drains following total knee arthroplasty compared with patients without drains (0.7 unit per patient versus 0.2 unit per patient, P = .005) to maintain the same hemoglobin blood levels. Patients with no drains had significantly more transient sterile serous wound discharge than patients with drains (38.4% vs 12.5%, P = .02). Superficial wound infection necessitating antimicrobial medication developed in one patient with drains and in no patients in the other group. These results suggest that drains may not be needed following total hip arthroplasty. The more common serous wound discharge may be of some concern when drains are not used following total knee arthroplasty.

Aged↗

Malignant bone and soft tissue tumors of the shoulder girdle. A retrospective analysis of 30 operated cases.

From 1988 to 1995, 30 patients (16 men) with malignant bone (n 23) and soft tissue (n 7) tumors of the shoulder girdle underwent surgery in our department. The mean age was 34 (6-80) years. 26 patients had primary and 4 had metastatic lesions. The average follow-up period was 3 (2-8) years, at the end of which 18 patients showed no evidence of disease, 2 were alive with disease, and 10 had died (9 because of tumor). 25 of the operations were limb-sparing procedures, while the other 5 were major amputations. Radical resection was performed in 4 patients, wide resection in 25 and marginal resection in 1. Local recurrence was observed in 2 patients. 10 patients with stage IIB tumors of the proximal humerus underwent extraarticular humeral and glenoid resection. Reconstruction was performed with either a modular or an improvised implant. Following surgery, those patients had a concave contour of the shoulder and poor abduction ability. Overall functional outcome was good in 18 patients, moderate in 11 and poor in 1. No correlation was found between functional outcome and reconstruction technique.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Cognitive evaluation of patients with temporal epilepsy, candidates for surgery].

We provide a short overview on selected aspects of the neuropsychology of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy candidate to surgery. The possible impairment of verbal and non verbal memory is treated in particular. We also present the neuropsychological test battery that we use for the cognitive assessment of such patients before surgery and in the follow-up phase.

Cognition Disorders↗

Improvement of left visuo-spatial hemineglect by left-sided transcutaneous electrical stimulation.

The effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on left visuo-spatial hemineglect, assessed by a visuo-motor exploratory task (letter cancellation), were investigated in patients with right hemisphere lesions. In Experiment 1 left neck stimulation temporarily improved the deficit in 13 out of 14 patients (93%), while stimulation of the right neck had no positive effects, worsening exploratory performance in nine patients (64%). Experiment 2 showed that left neck stimulation temporarily improved neglect also when head movements were prevented by a chin-rest. In Experiment 3, stimulation of both the left hand and left neck had comparable positive effects on visuo-spatial hemineglect. These results are interpreted in terms of: (1) non-specific activation of the right hemisphere, contralateral to the stimulation side; (2) specific directional effects of left somatosensory stimulation on the egocentric co-ordinates of extra-personal space, which in neglect patients are distorted towards the side of the brain lesion.

Adult↗

[Fetal heart rate monitoring in ambulatory and resting mothers].

The nonstress test (NST) to assess fetal wellbeing is done over the course of 30 minutes with the patient lying in the semi-Fowler position. The test relates changes in fetal heart rate to fetal movement, and uterine contractions are also recorded. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the NST is affected by maternal ambulation, so that the patient must be lying down when it is performed. We did the NST during ambulation as well as with the patient reclining. There were no differences in fetal heart rate and/or uterine activity between the 2 tests. 50% of the women preferred the ambulatory method while 25% preferred reclining and 25% expressed no preference. We conclude, that the ambulatory NST is an acceptable alternative to the conventional test with the patient reclining.

Female↗

"Floating tibia-talus complex"--an ipsilateral dislocation of the knee and the subtalar joint in an elderly patient: a case report and review of the literature.

Knee dislocation is defined as a radiographically confirmed total loss of the tibiofemoral articulation. This rare injury is believed to be the result of a high-impact trauma. Knee dislocations are classified according the direction of tibial displacement with respect to the femur. Subtalar dislocation is the simultaneous dislocation of the distal articulations of the talus at both the talocalcaneal and talonavicular joints. These injuries are also quite rare and are mostly (80%-85%) classified as medial subtalar dislocations with the calcaneus lying medially, the head of the talus being prominent dorsolaterally and the navicular located medial and dorsal to the talar head. The authors report the case of an elderly patient who suffered ipsilateral anterior dislocation of his left knee and medial subtalar dislocation of his left foot. The authors believe this to be the first presentation in the English literature of an ipsilateral combination of these two injuries on the same limb.

Aged↗