The use of Luria's method for the neurobehavioral assessment of encephalopathy in an adolescent: application in a rehabilitation setting.

Standardized neuropsychological test batteries demonstrate their greatest reliability and validity in patients with focal, well-defined neurologic disease. In these patients, the test profiles typically highlight focal areas of strengths and weaknesses in the brain. However, the clinical utility of standard test batteries and their reliance on scaled score differences is limited when evaluating patients with severe or diffuse neurobehavioral disorders.

Exhaled nitric oxide is age-dependent in asthma.

We determined whether the exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) level in asthmatics is age-dependent. Eighty-seven asthmatic patients aged 2-41 years were studied. Hyperreactivity to adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) was used to confirm asthma ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Extended psychiatric interview and medical students: a tool for teaching psychotherapeutic skills.

Background: There is difficulty in teaching medical students clinical psychiatric skills, specifically the clinical interview and general psychotherapeutic technique. We present a way to convey to students the ability to assess and make contact with patients while being aware of and utilizing their own presence as part of the therapeutic process. We describe a model for teaching these skills based on a prolonged clinical interview.

Quantification of guided regeneration of weight-bearing bones.

An accurate histological evaluation system was established to improve and quantify the compatibility of membranes to provide bone regeneration in a large mid-diaphyseal bone defect, complementing radiographic evaluation. New bone formation obtained in critical segmental defects covered with tubular ethyl cellulose membranes was examined. Computerized radiography showed gradual new bone formation, which slows after 6 weeks.

Achievements of dermatological research in Denmark and Israel: a comparative 10-year study.

Wide differences of achievement in dermatological research between Denmark and Israel have been reported, although the two countries are comparable in terms of academic dermatological structure. The aims of the present study were to document these differences by means of bibliometric analysis, and to attempt to elucidate the causes of these differences. Employing MEDLINE searches for the 10-year period 1988-97, quantitative and qualitative comparisons of the dermatological publications from these two countries were conducted.

Morphological abilities of Hebrew-speaking adolescents with Williams syndrome.

In recent years research has focused on the exact nature of the linguistic skills that individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) exhibit. This work has resulted in controversial positions, with an increasing number of studies casting doubt on previous claims of superior linguistic competence for individuals with WS. This study investigated morphosyntactic knowledge in Hebrew-speaking adolescents with WS.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia presenting with extreme hyperleukocytosis and thrombosis of the common femoral vein.

Very few case reports dealing with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and hyperleukocytosis have been reported in the medical literature and none with venous thrombosis as a complication. Here, we describe a 73-year-old woman who presented with newly diagnosed CLL, leukostasis, and hyperleukocytosis (2000 x 10(9)/l), affecting the respiratory and nervous system. In addition, she also had deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Acute myocardial infarction after bone marrow transplantation: an unsuspected late complication.

Acute myocardial infarction is a common disease rarely seen as a complication of bone marrow transplantation in young patients. We report on a 25-year-old patient 3.5 years after bone marrow transplantation who suffered an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Pulmonary haemorrhagic syndromes in children.

Pulmonary haemorrhage in children is rare and may be either focal or diffuse, idiopathic or associated with an underlying disease. Focal bleeding is usually associated with congenital anomalies or localized acquired disease. Many of the disorders causing diffuse alveolar haemorrhage appear to be immunologically mediated.

Acute rheumatic fever associated with Henoch-Schönlein purpura: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Aim: To describe a possible relationship between Henoch-Schönlein purpura and rheumatic fever.

Methods: Patients with features of both diseases were identified by reviewing the hospital records. Medline and reference lists from published articles were used to search for previous reports of the two conditions occuring simultaneously.

Polystyrene microspheres as a specific marker for the diagnosis of aspiration in hamsters.

The diagnosis of recurrent aspiration in young children is problematic because there is no specific gold standard test to be used. In the present work, normal saline or a suspension of white polystyrene microspheres in normal saline was instilled into hamsters' trachea (n = 42), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology, microsphere index (total microspheres/100 macrophages), and lung histology were followed for 90 d. Naive animals (n = 6) had no tracheal instillation.

Maneuvering the retrograde medullary screw in pubic ramus fractures.

This report describes an improved percutaneous insertion technique of a retrograde medullary screw in pubic ramus fractures. This improved technique enables the use of a relatively thick retrograde medullary screw in difficult anatomical variations such as narrow or curved pubic ramus. Maneuvering of the retrograde medullary screw gives control of the proximal fragment and can assist in fracture reduction.

The floating hip injury: patterns of injury.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between mechanism of injury, type of femoral fracture and type of acetabular fracture in floating hip injury.

Design: Historical retrospective.

Patients: Twenty consecutive patients who sustained a floating hip injury, i.

Charcoal is a sensitive, specific, and stable marker for the diagnosis of aspiration in hamsters.

The diagnosis of recurrent aspiration in young children is a perpetual challenge because there is no specific gold standard test to be used. The finding of lipid-laden alveolar macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a sensitive but nonspecific marker for the diagnosis of aspiration. We conducted a short-term study comparing tracheal instillation of saline, milk, or a milk-charcoal mixture in hamsters.

Beta-cell function in new-onset type 1 diabetes and immunomodulation with a heat-shock protein peptide (DiaPep277): a randomised, double-blind, phase II trial.

Background: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. The 60 kDa heat-shock protein (hsp60) is one of the known target self antigens. An immunomodulatory peptide from hsp60, p277, arrested beta-cell destruction and maintained insulin production in newly diabetic NOD mice.

A balanced 5:1 carbohydrate:protein diet: a new method for supplementing protein to patients with chronic liver disease.

Background And Aims: Protein malnutrition in patients with chronic liver disease contributes to bone and muscle weakness and compromises immune function and survival. In contrast, high-protein diets may induce or exacerbate hepatic encephalopathy. The aim of the present study was to test whether increased amounts of protein, balanced by dietary carbohydrate in a 1:5 ratio, may be given to chronic liver disease patients in order to minimize postprandial increases in plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations.

Exercise, methacholine, and adenosine 5'-monophosphate challenges in children with asthma: relation to severity of the disease.

Bronchial hyperreactivity is a characteristic feature of asthma and can be evaluated by different challenges. The aim of this study was to compare exercise, methacholine (MCH), and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) challenges in 135 children and young adults (mean age +/- SD, 12.4+/-3.

Retrograde nailing of femoral fractures distal to previous osteosynthesis.

As the proportion of elderly in the population grows, the incidence of femoral fractures distal to previous proximal osteosynthesis is increasing. When the gap between two rigid load-bearing fixations consists of osteopenic bone, the risk of further fractures increases. Herein the authors describe a load-sharing device that stabilizes the fracture and eliminates the osteopenic gap, allowing early mobilization and rapid return to the preinjury level of activity.

Spontaneous language of children with specific neurological syndromes.

This paper presents data concerning the early phases of language development in 8 children with congenital neurological syndromes (NS) who are cognitively impaired. The children are native speakers of Hebrew, and their verbal achievements assessed on normative tests are below their age level. The children's spontaneous speech was analyzed with respect to 13 different language variables known to be diagnostic of a child's developmental level.

Acetabular fractures. Clinical outcome of surgical treatment.

Sixty patients with acetabular fractures were treated surgically. All fractures were a result of high energy trauma, most with significant associated injuries. Fifty-three of the patients were followed up for at least 2 years.

Amputated lower limbs as a bank of organs for other organ salvage.

Aggressive modern technologies have made it possible to attempt limb salvage in even the most extreme cases. However, it is imperative to remember that prolonged salvage attempts may lead to devastating complications. The decision-making is more problematic in patients with bilateral severely injured mangled lower limbs.

Combined injuries to the lower limbs.

Several patterns of severe lower limb injuries are presented. They all indicate high energy trauma and affect the immediate care of the patient. The improvement of evacuation systems and resuscitating methods in intensive care create many reconstruction challenges for the orthopaedic surgeon.

The "crushed open pelvis" in children.

A retrospective analysis was performed in order to review the outcome of open pelvic fractures in children. Medical records, radiographs and CT scans of 15 children with open pelvic fractures admitted to our trauma centre between 1983 and 1995 were reviewed. The minimal follow-up on the survivors was two years.