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Biomedical subjects

Y Shemesh

Publications and source records attributed to Y Shemesh.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Zinc and osteoporosis in patients with spinal cord injury.

Thirty-eight patients (8 women and 30 men) with spinal cord injury were investigated. All had been immobilised after the traumatic event. The time elapsed since their accidents varied from 2 to 74 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected to investigated calcium, zinc, magnesium, sodium, alkaline phosphate, phosphore, haemoglobin, creatinine, uric acid and proteins in blood, and the urinary excretion of phosphore, hydroxyproline, creatinine, amino acids, calcium, calcium, magnesium and zinc. The methods were estimately by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The serum zinc levels did not differ statistically from normal and the calcium and magnesium levels in the serum were lower among the patients than in normal controls. The urinary excretion of zinc, calcium, phosphore and hydroxyproline was higher among the patients without correlation to the patients' age. The zinc excretion is negatively correlated to the time elapsed since the injury, but it is still high 3 months after trauma. The highly significant correlation between urinary zinc and hydroxyproline excretion, together with increased calcium and phosphore excretion, suggests that zinc may be involved in the process of osteoporosis in patients with spinal cord injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

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↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ciprofloxacin in the treatment of nosocomial multiply resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus bacteremia.

Twelve cases of multiply resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus bacteremia occurred in three intensive care units in three different outbreaks. All patients were mechanically ventilated, on broad spectrum antibiotics and had central lines when bacteremia occurred. The sites of primary infection were: abdominal (n = 3); respiratory (n = 4); central lines (n = 4); CNS (n = 1). In eight cases the acinetobacter strains were susceptible to ciprofloxacin only. Four other strains were sensitive to amikacin as well. All 11 patients treated with ciprofloxacin alone (seven) or in combination with amikacin (four) fully recovered from the infection. The 12th patient died before antibiotic susceptibility was available. Ciprofloxacin seems to be an excellent therapeutic agent for A. calcoaceticus infections.

Acinetobacter Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

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↗