Platform development toward ultra-intense laser-based simultaneous hard x-ray and MeV neutron multimodal radiography.

Ultra-intense short-pulse lasers interacting with matter are capable of generating exceptionally bright secondary radiation sources. The short pulse duration (picoseconds to nanoseconds), small source size (sub-mm), and comparable high peak flux to conventional single particle sources make them an attractive source for radiography using a combination of particle species, known as multimodal imaging. Simultaneous x-ray and MeV neutron imaging of multi-material objects can yield unique advantages for material segmentation and identification within the full sample.

Minimal Pilonidal Surgery vs. Common Wide Excision Operations: Better Well-Being and Comparable Recurrence Rates.

Background: Pilonidal disease in the natal cleft is treated traditionally by a wide and deep excision of the affected area. There is growing awareness, however, to the advantages of minimally invasive surgeries.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of wide excision operations and minimal trephine surgery in patients with primary pilonidal disease.

A prospective, randomized, three arm, open label study comparing the safety and efficacy of PP110, a novel treatment for hemorrhoids to preparation-H® maximum strength cream in the treatment of grade 2-3 hemorrhoids.

Background: Hemorrhoids are a common disorder that affects the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. The effectiveness of OTC medication is limited and they mainly provide symptomatic relief. In order to treat this ailment, we formulated PP110 Gel and Wipes, as a novel treatment for hemorrhoids.

Video-assisted transthoracic sympathectomy in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis: friend or foe?

The authors hypothesize that palmar hyperhidrosis is a systemic manifestation of abnormal sudomotor function; consequently, thoracoscopic sympathectomy to alleviate symptoms in the hands may result in heat dissipation because sweating is transferred to other sites. To investigate this phenomenon and to determine whether it adversely affects patient satisfaction, a standard questionnaire was administered to 626 patients who underwent sympathectomy at a university-associated public hospital between 1991 and 1998; only patients treated at least 6 months before questionnaire distribution were included in the study. Replies were received from 336 (53.

Congenital deficiency of the tibia: a report on 22 cases.

Congenital deficiency of the tibia (tibial hemimelia, aplasia, or dysplasia) is very rare, with an incidence of approximately 1 per 1 million live births. The disorder usually is accompanied by other congenital anomalies on the same limb or other parts of the body. A report is made of 22 limbs observed in 18 patients from 1970 to 1987 at San Juan de Dios Hospital in Caracas, Venezuela, with more than a 5-year follow-up.

Outpatient surgical treatment of anal fissure.

Objectives: To review our experience of treating anal fissures by lateral subcutaneous anal sphincterotomy in the outpatient clinic.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: University hospital, Israel.

Abdominal compartment syndrome.

Abdominal compartment syndrome is still a controversial entity. We report on a patient who developed the classical hemodynamic, respiratory, and renal changes of abdominal compartment syndrome after surgical intervention for blunt abdominal trauma. A decompressive laparotomy improved the situation dramatically.

Antiviral activity of mice with chronic renal failure--an assessment using peritoneal effluents.

Antiviral activity (AVA) determined by the inhibition of the cytopathic effect (CPE) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) on mice fibroblasts, was measured in the peritoneal effluent of mice. Four groups of animals (each group numbering 30 mice) were studied. Group 1 consisted of sham operated mice and served as the control group.

The effect of administration of FK506 on delayed regeneration in flushed partially hepatectomized livers.

It has been shown previously that liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats is delayed if the liver is subjected to either concurrent ischaemia, flushing with cold solution, or grafting. We have shown recently that treatment with CsA preoperatively overcomes the suppressive effect of flushing and returns the regenerative response to a normal time scale. The present study was designed to investigate whether administration of FK506 would also return the observed delayed regenerative response to normal.

Endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis. A review of 290 sympathectomies.

Objectives: To describe the surgical technique of endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis and to identify associated complications.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: University referral center.

Congenital absence of the radius.

Between 1971 and 1987, we treated 26 patients with congenital absence of the radius which had produced a club hand; 37 hands were affected. Treatment before the age of 8 months was by gentle manipulation and serial plasters. If a functional position was not obtained, and in patients over 8 months, surgical reduction was carried out.

Sarcoidosis masquerading as a parathyroid adenoma.

Two patients presented with a presumptive diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism. Surgically excised "parathyroid glands" were found to be, in fact, large lymph nodes with sarcoid granulomata. In one patient, the preoperative localization of the "parathyroid adenoma" was based on scintigraphy (thallium-technetium subtraction imaging) and sonography procedures.

Seasonal pattern in the incidence of bleeding caused by peptic ulcer in Israel.

We have reviewed all endoscopies performed in our hospital between 1977 and 1986. During that period, 1337 endoscopies were performed to identify bleeding from peptic ulcers. Excluded were cases in which a predisposing factor was found, such as the use of ulcerogenic drugs.

The possible role of Chlamydia trachomatis in perineal suppurative hidradenitis.

Objective: To find out if there is an association between perineal suppurative hidradenitis and Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Design: Open study.

Subjects: Seven consecutive patients treated for perineal suppurative hidradenitis during the past three years, and 10 control subjects who were being treated for acute cryptogenic perianal abscesses.

[Use of somatostatin analogue for intestinal and pancreatic fistulas].

The hormone somatostatin, a tetra-deca-peptide, was discovered in 1972. It inhibits the central nervous system and the endocrine and exocrine secretions of the gastrointestinal tract. The first clinical use of the hormone was to inhibit hormone-secreting tumors of the CNS.

Effect of prostaglandin and leukotriene antagonists in acute mesenteric artery occlusion.

Superior mesenteric artery occlusion leads to mesenteric ischemia, activation of arachidonic acid metabolism and release of endotoxins into the systemic circulation. The effect of leukotriene and prostaglandin antagonists on hemodynamic response and survival of rats after superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion was investigated. The animals were divided into five groups: in group 1 (n = 105) the SMA was clamped for 2 h and mortality assessed after 24 h.

Posterior duodenal ulcer: acute free perforation into the lesser sac.

Perforation of a peptic ulcer located on the posterior wall of the duodenum is very rare. We present here three cases with acute and free perforation of a posterior duodenal ulcer with a fatal outcome. To the best of our knowledge such an acute free perforation has not been previously published.