[TWENTY YEARS OF NAHARIYA CONFERENCES ON MEDICINE AND THE HOLOCAUST].

Since the beginning of the current century, the Galilee Medical Center (formerly Nahariya Hospital) has held "Nahariya conferences on medicine and the Holocaust". It is a unique and ongoing enterprise that tells the wonderful story of Holocaust medicine on the one hand, and the terrible consequences of survivors' health and their offspring on the other. Discussions were held that contributed to intensive research and publications on these issues, as well as to the authorities' recognition of the later stages of Holocaust survivors' illnesses and injuries.

Long-term health effects in adults born during the Holocaust.

Background: Previous studies suggest that exposure to starvation and stress between conception and early infancy may have deleterious effects on health later in life; this phenomenon is termed fetal origin of adult disease.

Objectives: To determine whether exposure to the Holocaust from preconception to early infancy is a cause of chronic morbidity in adulthood.

Methods: This pilot study involved 70 European Jews born in countries under Nazi rule (exposed group) during the period 1940-1945 who were interviewed to determine the presence of chronic diseases.

[Young man with gunshot wound (GSW)--what killed Ernst vom Rath?].

On the morning of November 7, 1938 vom Rath, a diplomat at the German embassy in Paris, was shot by Herschel Grynzspan, a Jewish teenager. Of the 5 shots fired, 2 hit vom Rath, one in the right shoulder and one in the abdomen. He was rushed to Alma Women's Hospital near the embassy, where emergency surgery was undertaken.

[Sterilization and eugenics].

The term "eugenics" was coined by Francis Galton in 1883 and was defined as the science of the improvement of the human race by better breeding. "Positive eugenics" referred to methods of encouraging the "most fit" to reproduce more often, while "negative eugenics" was related to ways of discouraging or preventing the "less fit" from reproducing by birth control and sterilization. Many western countries adopted eugenics programs including Britain, Canada, Norway, Australia, Switzerland and others.

[Hospital under fire--take home message from one war].

Future conflicts in our region will no longer be limited to clashes between opposing armies. Unlike past wars, which by and large did not target places of worship and hospitals, such structures will not be immune from attack in the "total wars" of the future, nor will the civilian population be spared. Hospitals may be hit by enemy fire and must, therefore, be ready to work under adverse conditions and emergency situations.

[Late morbidity among Holocaust survivors].

The mental and physical health of the HoLocaust survivors has interested many researchers around the world. In spite of the assumption that the survivors are prone to develop premature morbidities (based on paralLeL findings among disabled people or people who survived severe trauma), apparently, excessive morbidity was significantly found only in two areas: malignancy and skeLetaL disorders. Survivors should ultimately benefit from broad and sincere assistance in sociaL, economic, mental and medical issues.

[Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya--50+ years].

Initially beginning as a small birthing center, the Western Galilee Hospital (WGH) in Nahariya is now the largest hospital in Galilee. It serves a demographically mixed Israeli population of more then 400,000, the Galilee's mosaic of Jews, Moslems, Christians, Druze and large immigrant populations from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. The hospital is also a treatment center for IDF and UN soldiers.

[Late morbidity among Holocaust survivors: myth or fact?].

The harsh life in the ghettos and concentration/extermination camps during the Holocaust was characterized by hunger, exposure to extreme cold temperatures, continuous threats, infectious diseases and injuries with acute or permanent disabilities and extreme psychological stress. There is no definite scientific evidence that the Holocaust survivors are exposed to premature aging or premature appearance of various physical diseases. These aspects were thoroughly investigated in other populations: ex-prisoners of war, ex-displaced persons, prisoners and survivors of torture.

[Medicine in the concentration camps of the Third Reich].

Between 1942 and 1944 millions of prisoners were subjected to forced labor in concentration camps throughout the Third Reich, all the while being the victims of a systematic and "scientific" extermination policy. Though the policy was directed mainly against Jews, it was implemented against other "inferior races" as well. The prisoners, stripped of all rights, experienced constant humiliation, uncertain survival and terror.

Electrophysiological abnormalities in upper extremities after brachiocephalic A-V fistulas construction in predialysis patients.

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is considered a common complication in patients suffering from advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Superimposed peripheral multiple neuropathies may complicate arteriovenous (A-V) fistulas construction.

Aim: To evaluate, prospectively, the influence of brachiocephalic A-V fistulas construction on the peripheral nerves of the same extremity and to characterize the patients at risk for developing ischemic and neurological complications.

[Bacteriophages as antibacterial agents].

Bacteriophages are viruses that only infect bacteria. They have played an important role in the development of molecular biology and have been used as anti-bacterial agents. Since their independent discovery by Twort and d'Herelle, they have been extensively used to prevent and treat bacterial infections, mainly in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

[Morbidity in the concentration camps of the Third Reich].

Life in the concentration camps of the Third Reich was like living on another planet. The prisoners, stripped of all rights, experienced constant humiliation, uncertain survival and endless terror. Living conditions were harsh, characterized by crowding, poor sanitation and personal hygiene, lack of proper clothing and heating.

[Clinical manifestations of "Hunger Disease" among children in the ghettos during the Holocaust].

The harsh life in the ghettos were characterized by overcrowding, shortage of supplies (e.g. money, sanitation, medications), poor personal hygiene, inclement weather and exhaustion.

Carbonyl stress induced by intravenous iron during haemodialysis.

Background: Anaemic haemodialysis (HD) patients are treated with erythropoietin and intravenous iron for effective erythropoiesis. Since iron is a potent inducer and aggravator of pre-existing oxidative processes in HD patients, this study was aimed to evaluate the acute in vivo effect of two recommended iron doses on protein oxidation during the HD session.

Methods: Iron gluconate was intravenously administered to HD patients in doses of 62.

Effect of erythropoietin therapy on polyneuropathy in predialytic patients.

Background: Peripheral neuropathy commonly develops in patients with advanced chronic renal failure. The uremic neuropathy is often subclinical and detectable only by electrophysiological studies. Receptors to erythropoietin (EPO) have been described on non-hematopoietic cells including neuronal cells.

The involvement of peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the oxidative stress and inflammation among cigarette smokers.

Background: Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor for the development of endothelial dysfunction and the progression of atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress and inflammation have recently been implicated in endothelial dysfunction.

Objectives: To assess the concomitant contribution of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to systemic oxidative stress and inflammation in cigarette smokers.

Interaction between erythropoietin and peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes in continuous ambulatory dialysis patients.

The effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on the oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation caused by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) in end-stage renal failure patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was investigated in vivo and in vitro. The studies were performed on isolated PMNLs from peripheral blood of CAPD patients before and following 6 weeks of EPO treatment and from healthy controls. OS was expressed by the rate of superoxide release from phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated isolated PMNLs and the inflammatory state was evaluated by PMNL counts of the enrolled subjects.

[The medical school of Padua and its Jewish graduates].

During the period between the 12th and 16th century, most European universities were under Papal control and Jews were restricted. An exception to this was the University of Padua, established in 1222. As "Universa Universis Patavina Liberta", outside of papal control, Jewish students were permitted to study and qualify for academic degrees.

[Morbidity in the ghettos during the Holocaust].

The environmental conditions and daily life in the ghettos of Europe during the holocaust are reviewed, and their effect on morbidity in different ghettos is scrutinized in an attempt to construct a typical morbidity profile. The outstanding characteristics were: crowding, shortage of basic necessities (such as food, clothing and medications), harsh environmental and sanitary conditions, inclement weather, poor personal hygiene, chronic undernutrition and malnutrition, physical and mental exhaustion. Morbidity was mainly due to infectious diseases, both endemic and epidemic outbreaks with high mortality, and high infestation rates of lice and other parasites.

[Medicine in the ghettos during the Holocaust].

The Health systems in several ghettos in Europe during the holocaust were studied in an attempt to construct a typical structural profile. The medical system in a typical ghetto consisted of a department of public health (sanitation) that belonged to the Yudenrat, several hospitals, outpatient clinics, first aid stations and physicians in the labor groups. The structure of the system in several ghettos is discussed and the functions of the various units in the prevention of epidemics, and health education are reviewed.

A link between polymorphonuclear leukocyte intracellular calcium, plasma insulin, and essential hypertension.

Background: Intracellular ionized calcium ([Ca2+]i) is a key mediator in the activation and oxidant production by peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Primed PMN contribute to oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation in essential hypertension (EH). Elevated [Ca2+]i has been described in insulin-resistant states and in various cell types in EH but not in EH PMN.