PET Imaging in Patients at Risk for Acute Lung Injury
Acute Lung InjuryEarly Pulmonary Neutrophilic InflammationDespite decades of research, the mortality in acute lung injury remains very high and treatment options are very limited. Given these facts, the best treatment modality may be in prevention of this lethal syndrome. Historically, imaging has played a crucial role in understanding ALI. The appearance of chest radiography is one of the consensus criteria in defining ALI, and commuted tomography (CT) scans further advanced the understanding of the pathoanatomy of ALI. While valuable, these imaging modalities are nonspecific and do not incorporate functional cellular physiology. PET imaging measures concentrations of radioisotopes in the body. By embedding in, but not altering molecules, the natural fate of these tracers can be studied with PET imaging. Advances in the understanding of ALI include blood flow distribution, as well as the response to alveolar recruitment maneuvers and prone positioning. Not all patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation develop ALI. Inflammation in the lungs is known to play a key early role in the development and progression of ALI. Secondary to inflammation, the lungs develop edema and do not exchange oxygen as well. This early inflammation is in part driven by a specific type of immune cell called the neutrophil. These cells seem to travel and become sequestered in the lung- they are "recruited" to the lung during this inflammatory stage. When there, these neutrophils release inflammatory substances which are integral in the development of ALI. Neutrophils use primarily glucose as a fuel source. The radio isotope [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)is a glucose analog and therefore taken up/ingested by the neutrophils as a part of their normal metabolism. Because of this fact, positron emission tomography (PET) using the radio isotope [18F]FDG is a highly sensitive marker to look at the recruitment of neutrophils to the lung, therefore quantifying the degree of pulmonary inflammation prior to the development of ALI. The investigators seek to examine the relationship of pulmonary inflammation in patients at risk for ALI, but without clinical evidence of the syndrome. The investigators seek to enroll ten patients in a pilot trial.
Assessing Special Features of Impaired Gait After Acquired Brain Injury With an Instrumented Treadmill...
Traumatic and/or Non-traumatic Brain InjuryHemiparetic gait following acquired brain injury (ABI) is grossly characterized by decreased speed of walking, increased stance time on the unaffected side, and decreased stance time on the affected side.These abnormalities are associated with a complex pattern of dysfunction including muscle weakness, spasticity, impaired sensory-motor control, long-term mechanical changes in muscles and joints, and cognitive impairments e.g. attention.\ At this stage of our knowledge it is still unclear which kinetic and kinematic parameters of hemiparetic gait provide insight about the different components of the complex pattern of dysfunction. A novel technique had been introduced in the Motion Laboratory of the Sheba Medical Center consisting of an ordinary treadmill that is equipped with a 'mat' of more than 5000 high-quality capacitive pressure/force sensors. This treadmill developed by "ZEBRIS" enables to analyze gait and roll-off patterns on the treadmill. Aims of the study: To assess variability of data derived from the Zebris treadmill. To investigate stability of hemiparetic gait. To evaluate variability and relevant gait parameters taking place during recovery after acute ABI. To compare gait on ground with gait on treadmill. Rationale of the study- Basic assumptions of the study: No significant change in gait parameters is expected in both groups including healthy controls and chronic ABI subjects in recurrent examination within one week period. Subacute ABI patients are found to be within the context of neurorehabilitative recovery due to brain plasticity. Therefore a change in gait parameters is expected within two consecutive examinations in the chosen time intervals. All measurements are subject to error which contributes to the variance of outcomes. On the grounds of these assumptions: A. Two consecutive examinations in both groups including healthy controls and chronic ABI subjects are intended to estimate the error in measured values. B. Two consecutive examinations in the subacute ABI patient group are intended to estimate the contribution of neurorehabilitative recovery due to brain plasticity assessed with this unique research instrumentation.
Causes and Characteristics of Occupational Eye Injuries in Western Turkey
Other and Unspecified Superficial Injuries of EyePatients with work-related eye injuries (WREI) admitted to the center in the four-year period were enrolled in this prospective study. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained before commencement of the study. A special data recording system was developed for the study. The study sample comprised only the casualties occurred at workplace and while working de facto. The data were abstracted via face to face contact in the emergency department (ED). The data sheets comprised sociodemographic and injury-related information brought together in 15-item questionnaire. Causes of occupational injuries as reported by the victims were assigned to either of two groups: "Worker-related causes" and "workplace-related causes". Since workers are known to be pressured by the workplace to work in unsafe ways, an isolated room in the ED was used for this purpose in order to prevent bias and the patients were not accompanied by any person other than the medical personnel in charge of due medical care. The patients were also assured that the information obtained by the survey are to be used for research purposes only and no feedback is to be given to employers or related persons. Patients who did not give consent for the study, fatal accidents and patients younger than 15 years of age were excluded from the analysis.
Inflammatory Genetic Polymorphism and Acute Lung Injury After Cardiac Surgery
Acute Lung InjuryAcute lung injury is a common complication of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, and it is significantly related to prolonged postoperative recovery, hospital stays and medical cost. Currently available predictors of acute lung injury after cardiac surgery are still limited within clinical data. Several genetic polymorphism of inflammatory mediators have been reported to be associated with severity of sepsis and ARDS, but the association of these inflammatory polymorphism and acute lung injury after cardiac surgery has never been reported. This study is performed to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms including TNF -308A/G, IL-10 -1082A/G and IL-6 -572C/G and postoperative lung injury.
Wound Healing Abnormalities in Major Abdominal Surgery
Impaired Wound HealingFactor XIII DeficiencyThis clinical observational study investigates the incidence of wound healing abnormalities in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Second aim of the study is, if wound healing deficits may be accompanied by abnormalities in blood coagulation parameters.
Reflux in Spinal Cord Injury Patients With Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction
Vesico-ureteral RefluxSpinal Cord InjuryThe purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of reflux in patients with spinal cord injury in relation to the lesion level, duration of injury and bladder management
The Influence of Oral Hygiene on Local Wound and Systemic Infection in Patients With Percutaneous...
DysphagiaPeristomal Wound InfectionPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is commonly used for long term enteral feeding of patients with severe dysphagia. The most common complication is peristomal wound infection. The possible mechanism the bacterial from the oral cavity disseminate during the PEG insertion through the stomach to the abdominal wall, in spite the routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis, have reported low rates of wound infection in patients who were already receiving antibiotics at the time of PEG Our hypothesis that washing the oral cavity with antibiotic solution prior the insertion PEG , We planned a prospective, randomised, double blind, one centre study of antibiotic mouth wash solution (0.2% Chlorhexidine gluconate) as.prophylaxis in PEG
Prospective Evaluation of Aeromedical EMS Ultrasound in Major Trauma Victims
Major Trauma PatientsThe purpose of this study is to investigate the use of ultrasound by aeromedical prehospital providers.
Balanced Volume Replacement Therapy With Ringer's Acetate Solution in Burn Injury
Severe Burn InjuryThis observational study compares the influence of Ringer's Lactate solution and Ringer's Acetate solution on organ function scores following severe burn injury.
Plating of Humeral Shaft Fractures in Multiple Trauma Patients.
Humeral FracturesMultiple TraumaThe purpose of this study is to review our experience with the operative management of acute diaphyseal fractures of the humerus via an anterolateral approach with the use of small fragment fixation at a Level I, urban, trauma center. We will report our clinical and radiographic results, complication rate and final range of motion. A standardized outcome measurement (DASH) will be reported. Muscle recovery of the triceps and biceps will be evaluated by a standard protocol, accomplished with the assistance of a licensed physical therapist. We hypothesize that open reduction and internal fixation of humeral diaphyseal fractures via an antero-lateral approach with the use of small fragment fixation is a safe and efficacious way to treat multiple trauma patients with these injuries.