Dr. Maale studies various orthopedic conditions and the challenges associated with diagnosing infections and tumors. He primarily focuses on chronic infections that arise after orthopedic surgery, where traditional methods are often insufficient. He examines rare bone tumors, such as clear cell chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma, aiming to identify genetic factors that influence treatment and survival. His research also includes how different treatment protocols can affect the effectiveness of chemotherapy in nonmetastatic osteosarcoma. Overall, his work seeks to improve diagnosis accuracy and treatment strategies for patients with orthopedic issues.
Key findings
In his 2011 study, Dr. Maale found that less than 1% of bacteria in orthopedic infections could be detected using traditional culture methods, highlighting the need for improved molecular techniques like the Ibis method.
The 2005 research on clear cell chondrosarcoma revealed that 3 out of 4 cases showed unusual chromosome patterns, including extra copies of chromosome 20.
From his 2003 study on skip metastasis, two patients with high-grade osteosarcoma underwent chemotherapy and surgery and remained cancer-free for 3 and 6 years post-diagnosis.
In a 2002 study, he reported that only 33% of patients received the planned full doses of high-dose methotrexate in one treatment protocol, compared to 93% in a more effective protocol.
His 2001 study indicated that blood vessel growth within tumors in patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma did not significantly correlate with survival outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Maale study bone tumors?
Yes, Dr. Maale studies various bone tumors, including clear cell chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma.
What treatments has Dr. Maale researched?
He has researched treatment protocols for high-dose methotrexate in nonmetastatic osteosarcoma and methods to improve detection of orthopedic infections.
Is Dr. Maale's work relevant to patients with chronic infections?
Absolutely, his research focuses on improving diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from chronic infections following orthopedic procedures.
What did Dr. Maale find about detecting infections?
He found that traditional methods miss a vast majority of bacteria, with less than 1% being successfully cultured, thus emphasizing the need for better detection techniques.
How does Dr. Maale's research impact treatment outcomes?
By identifying effective treatment protocols and improving diagnosis, his research has the potential to significantly enhance patient outcomes in orthopedic conditions.
Publications in plain English
New methods for the detection of orthopedic and other biofilm infections.
2011
FEMS immunology and medical microbiology
Costerton JW, Post JC, Ehrlich GD, Hu FZ, Kreft R +8 more
Plain English This study looked at how well current methods detect bacteria in infections, particularly in orthopedic surgery. It found that traditional culture methods miss a lot of bacteria, reporting that less than 1% of bacteria can be grown in labs, which leads to misdiagnoses in infections that seem obvious from symptoms. The researchers highlight new molecular techniques, especially the Ibis method, as better options to accurately identify these bacteria in chronic infections, which is important for proper treatment.
Who this helps: This helps patients with chronic infections and doctors treating them.
Cytogenetic findings in clear cell chondrosarcoma.
2005
Cancer genetics and cytogenetics
Nishio J, Reith JD, Ogose A, Maale G, Neff JR +1 more
Plain English This study looked at a rare type of bone tumor called clear cell chondrosarcoma, which usually occurs in young adults. Researchers examined four cases and found that three of them had unusual patterns in their chromosomes. While they didn't find a specific genetic change linked to this tumor, they noted that extra copies of chromosome 20 and changes to part of chromosome 9 often appeared.
Who this helps: This information benefits doctors and researchers studying bone tumors and developing treatment plans.
Plain English This study looked at a rare type of cancer spread called skip metastasis in patients with high-grade osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. Researchers found that two patients had skip metastasis, which was confirmed through MRI scans and tissue tests. Both patients received chemotherapy and surgery and are now free of cancer, living 3 and 6 years after their diagnosis.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with high-grade osteosarcoma and their doctors by providing insight into a rare cancer spread and successful treatment outcomes.
Variability in dose intensity of high-dose methotrexate for nonmetastatic osteosarcoma.
2002
Pediatric hematology and oncology
Leavey PJ, Mantadakis E, Maale G
Plain English This study looked at how well doctors could stick to the planned doses of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) for treating patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma. Out of 27 patients, only 33% received the full planned doses in the second week of treatment under one protocol, compared to 93% under another protocol (with a very significant difference). This is important because giving the right amount of medication is crucial for effective treatment and avoiding increased toxicity.
Who this helps: This helps patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma and their doctors.
Lack of prognostic significance of intratumoral angiogenesis in nonmetastatic osteosarcoma.
2001
Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology
Mantadakis E, Kim G, Reisch J, McHard K, Maale G +2 more
Plain English The study looked at whether blood vessel growth inside tumors (angiogenesis) in patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma could predict their chances of survival. Researchers analyzed samples from 29 patients and found no significant difference in blood vessel counts between those who survived and those who passed away from the disease, suggesting that this type of tumor blood vessel growth does not help to determine patient outcomes. This is important because it indicates that doctors may need to consider other factors for patient risk assessments and treatment planning.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare teams making treatment decisions for young patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma.
Trisomies 8 and 20 characterize a subgroup of benign fibrous lesions arising in both soft tissue and bone.
1999
The American journal of pathology
Bridge JA, Swarts SJ, Buresh C, Nelson M, Degenhardt JM +5 more
Plain English This research looked at specific genetic changes (trisomy 8 and trisomy 20) in benign tumors called desmoid tumors and similar fibrous lesions found in both soft tissue and bones. The study analyzed 22 samples from 19 patients and discovered these genetic changes in 15 samples, indicating that these trisomies appear frequently in these types of tumors. This is important because it helps doctors understand the genetic characteristics of these lesions, which could improve diagnosis and treatment approaches.
Who this helps: Patients with benign fibrous tumors and their doctors.
Fractures through the distal weight-bearing surface of the tibia.
1980
Orthopedics
Maale G, Seligson D
Plain English This research looked at fractures in the lower part of the leg, specifically where the tibia meets the ankle. The study identified three main types of these fractures and highlighted that they can lead to significant complications like pain and long-term disability. The outcomes for patients significantly depend on how well the fracture is realigned and cared for after surgery.
Who this helps: This helps patients with ankle fractures and their doctors by improving treatment approaches.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis: the value of laboratory tests.
1979
The Orthopedic clinics of North America
Hoaglund FT, Maale G
Plain English This study examined how effective laboratory tests, particularly x-rays and analyses of joint fluid, are in diagnosing osteoarthritis. The researchers found that while x-rays are crucial for spotting changes linked to osteoarthritis, testing the fluid from swollen joints can help distinguish osteoarthritis from other types of arthritis, especially in uncertain cases. This is important because accurate diagnosis ensures that patients receive the right treatment, which can prevent further joint damage.
Who this helps: Patients with joint pain and doctors diagnosing arthritis.
Patrick J Leavey John William Costerton James Christopher Post Garth D Ehrlich Fen Z Hu Rachael Kreft Laura Nistico Sandeep Kathju Paul Stoodley Luanne Hall-Stoodley
Physician data sourced from the
NPPES NPI Registry
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Publication data from
PubMed
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Plain-English summaries generated by AI.
Not medical advice.