Biomedical subjects

Liubov Louba Ben-Noun

Publications and source records attributed to Liubov Louba Ben-Noun.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Relationship between changes in neck circumference and changes in blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Neck circumference (NC), as an upper body obesity index, is a simple screening measure for identifying overweight and obese patients. This study examines a relationship between changes in systolic blood pressure (BP), and diastolic BP and changes in NC, and other components of the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: In a longitudinal cohort study the study group was comprised of 364 subjects (155 men and 209 women) with no known major medical conditions who were not receiving any medication therapy. Main indicators studied included systolic BP, diastolic BP, NC, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), lipoprotein, glucose, and uric acid levels. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficients indicated a significant association between changes in systolic BP and changes in NC (men, r = 0.54; women, r = 0.56; each, P <.0001), WC men, r = 0.51; women, r = 0.56; each, P <.0001), triglycerides (men, r = 0.41; women, r = 0.44; each, P <.0001), and glucose (men, r = 0.43, P <.001; women, r = 0.48, P <.0001); between changes in diastolic BP and changes in NC (men, r = 0.56; women, r = 0.68; each, P <.0001), WC (men, r = 0.62; women, r = 0.50; each, P <.0001), triglycerides (men, women; each, r = 0.39, P <.0001), and glucose (men, r = 0.45; women, r = 0.49; each, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in systolic BP and diastolic BP correlated positively with changes in NC and other components of the metabolic syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The disease that caused weight loss in King David the Great.

BACKGROUND: Older people have suffered from loss of weight since the dawn of history. This research is unique in character, as it combines contemporary medical knowledge with the presentation of a case taken from Ancient History. OBJECTIVE: To analyze from a modern perspective the biblical description of a geriatric patient who suffered from weight loss. METHODS: Biblical texts associated with the aged were examined and passages relating to geriatric patients who suffered from loss of weight were closely studied. This study is based on the evaluation of the biblical passages, and not on the interpretations of various rabbis and scholars. RESULTS: Passages such as: ". I forget to eat my bread" and "My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh failed of fatness" and ". my bones cleave to my skin" indicate anorexia, fasting, extreme loss of weight, and subsequent cachexia. Among the numerous causes associated with weight loss, malignancy, social problems such as loneliness, social isolation and neglect by others, and psychological causes including depressed mood were most likely responsible. With regard to malignancy, it seems that the King was affected by primary carcinoma of the prostate or kidney with subsequent metastases to bones. CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates that the roots of geriatric medicine can be traced to biblical times.

Anorexia↗

PubMed2003

What is the biblical attitude towards personal hygiene during vaginal bleeding?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze biblical passages associated with personal hygiene during vaginal bleeding. According to the Bible, a woman who is menstruating or who has pathological vaginal bleeding is unclean. Anybody who touches such a woman's bed or her personal things is also regarded as unclean and should therefore, wash carefully. Sexual relations are forbidden within 7 days from the beginning of menstruation and during pathological vaginal bleeding. Seven days after the cessation of vaginal bleeding, a woman is considered as clean, and therefore, sexual contacts are permitted. From a modern perspective sexual contacts during menses are associated with the development of chlamydial and gonococcal diseases, the risk of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus infection, endometriosis and subsequent infertility. This report indicates that the roots of contemporary obstetric preventive medicine can be traced to Biblical times.

Bible↗

PubMed2003

Family dynamics in biblical times: Joseph as a family psychotherapist.

Families have existed for thousands of years and are the most enduring form of small social group. This article discusses the family of Jacob as described in the Bible, and analyses the dynamics of the family system, the relationships between family members and the ways in which they interact and respond to stressful events. Such events disrupted the equilibrium of the family and led to a severe crisis, but this was eventually resolved peacefully and family members were reconciled. The story of Joseph, Jacob's son, unfolds as possibly the earliest description of a psychotherapeutic intervention to resolve a long-standing family crisis.

Bible↗

PubMed2003

Figs--the earliest known ancient drug for cutaneous anthrax.

BACKGROUND: Anthrax is an often fatal bacterial infection, occurring in cutaneous, inhalational, gastrointestinal, and meningeal forms. Evaluation of anthrax treatment from ancient history may help healthcare providers to handle this serious disease more efficiently. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biblical descriptions of anthrax, focusing on its therapy in ancient times. STUDY SELECTION: All biblical texts associated with anthrax were examined and passages relating to this disease were studied closely. DATA SYNTHESIS: Biblical passages such as: "Take a cluster of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil [anthrax], and he recovered," and "Let them take a cluster of figs, and lay it upon the boil [anthrax], and he shall recover," convincingly indicate that figs have healing properties in cutaneous anthrax lesions. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this study, the National Institutes of Health together with the pharmaceutical industry may consider to work on isolation of compounds from fig plants to develop products against cutaneous and possibly other forms of anthrax once screening tests are completed.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

What was the disease of the bones that affected King David?

BACKGROUND: Elderly people have suffered from pain in their bones, which may be associated with various diseases, for thousands of years. METHODS: This report analyzes the disease that affected the Biblical King David, the second and greatest of Israel's Kings, who ruled the country 3000 years ago. RESULTS: The sentences "My strength failed.and my bones are consumed," and "My bones wasted away through my anguished roaring all day long" indicate that King David suffered from osteoporosis, which affected his bones. Among the various diseases that may be associated with osteoporosis, the most likely are senile osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, or malignant disease. Among these diseases, the diagnosis of malignancy is the most acceptable. CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates that the roots of contemporary modern gerontology can be traced to Biblical times.

Bible↗

PubMed2002

Was the biblical King David affected by hypothermia?

BACKGROUND: The elderly population has suffered from hypothermia for thousands of years. METHODS: This report analyzes the first documented case of hypothermia as described in the Bible. RESULTS: The sentence "Now King David was old and stricken in years, and they covered him with clothes, but he gained no warmth" indicates that hypothermia afflicted the biblical King David, the second and the greatest of Israel's kings, who ruled the country 3000 years ago. Environmental factors did not play a significant role in the development of hypothermia. Among various diseases, the most likely to cause immobility and subsequent hypothermia are dementia, senile osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, and malignancy. Among these diseases, malignancy is the most likely. CONCLUSIONS: Viewed by a modern physician, the story of King David unfolds as possibly the earliest description of a patient affected by hypothermia, features of which have changed little through the ages. This report shows that the roots of contemporary geriatrics lead back to biblical times.

Bible↗