Association of Nutrition Status at Dialysis Start With Long-Term Survival: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Objective: The objectives of the study are to explore the association between nutritional status at the initiation of dialysis and the improvement or worsening of nutrition status during first 3 months of dialysis and first 5 years of survival on dialysis.

Methods: Two hundred ninety-seven patients who started dialysis between March 2009 and March 2019 were enrolled in the study. The nutritional status of the patients at dialysis commencement was evaluated by the method of The Integrative Clinical Nutrition Dialysis Score (ICNDS).

Nutrition assessment and risk prediction in dialysis patients-a new integrative score.

Objective: We developed a quantitative nutritional score, based on biochemical measures, taken as part of monthly routine care. The score can be accomplished within a short time after routine laboratory results completion and identify a monthly change in nutritional status.

Design: A longitudinal observational cohort study

Setting: The Institute of Nephrology, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.

Measurement of the X-ray mass attenuation coefficients of silver in the 5-20 keV range.

The X-ray mass attenuation coefficients of silver were measured in the energy range 5-20 keV with an accuracy of 0.01-0.2% on a relative scale down to 5.

Effect of high doses of vitamin D on arterial properties, adiponectin, leptin and glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background & Aims: Vitamin D supplementation has the potential to alleviate the cardiovascular damage in diabetic patients. The present study was designed to evaluate long term impact of high doses of vitamin D on arterial properties, glucose homeostasis, adiponectin and leptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods And Results: In randomized, placebo-controlled study 47 diabetic patients were assigned into two groups: Group 1 received oral daily supplementation with vitamin D at a dose of 1000 U/day for 12 months.

Success and failure of dead-time models as applied to hybrid pixel detectors in high-flux applications.

The performance of a single-photon-counting hybrid pixel detector has been investigated at the Australian Synchrotron. Results are compared with the body of accepted analytical models previously validated with other detectors. Detector functionals are valuable for empirical calibration.

A novel oxidative method for the absorption of Hg(0) from flue gas of coal fired power plants using task specific ionic liquid scrubber.

A simple continuous process is described for the removal of mercury from gas streams (such as flue gas of a coal fired power stations) using imidazolium based Task Specific Ionic Liquids [TSILs] with the general structure ([RMIM][XI(2)(-)]) where X=Cl, Br or I. The latter are formed by blending dialkylimidazolium halide salts with iodine. When applied in a gas/liquid scrubber, these salts were shown to absorb >99% of elemental mercury originally present in a gas stream in concentration of 75-400 ppb.

A step toward standardization: development of accurate measurements of X-ray absorption and fluorescence.

This paper explains how to take the counting precision available for XAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure) and attenuation measurements, of perhaps one part in 10(6) in special cases, to produce a local variance below 0.01% and an accuracy of attenuation of the order 0.01%, with an XAFS accuracy at a similar level leading to the determination of dynamical bond lengths to an accuracy similar to that obtained by standard and experienced crystallographic measurements.

New consistency tests for high-accuracy measurements of X-ray mass attenuation coefficients by the X-ray extended-range technique.

An extension of the X-ray extended-range technique is described for measuring X-ray mass attenuation coefficients by introducing absolute measurement of a number of foils - the multiple independent foil technique. Illustrating the technique with the results of measurements for gold in the 38-50 keV energy range, it is shown that its use enables selection of the most uniform and well defined of available foils, leading to more accurate measurements; it allows one to test the consistency of independently measured absolute values of the mass attenuation coefficient with those obtained by the thickness transfer method; and it tests the linearity of the response of the counter and counting chain throughout the range of X-ray intensities encountered in a given experiment. In light of the results for gold, the strategy to be ideally employed in measuring absolute X-ray mass attenuation coefficients, X-ray absorption fine structure and related quantities is discussed.

Noninvasive skin measurements to monitor chronic renal failure pathogenesis.

Background/aims: Cutaneous manifestations are common in hemodialysis (HD) patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Associated with uremia, pruritus is a frequently observed symptom in CRF patients and increases with deteriorating renal function. Skin hydrophilic biomarkers (SHB) may be altered in CRF compared to healthy controls.

Medication apprehension and compliance among dialysis patients--a comprehensive guidance attitude.

Background: Compliance with treatment regimens is a continuing challenge for chronic dialysis patients and their medical caregivers. Poor patient adherence to prescribed medications can adversely affect treatment outcome.

Study Design: In this pre- versus post-intervention study, 89 chronic dialysis patients [75 hemodialysis (HD), 14 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); mean age 62.

A randomized controlled clinical trial comparing the efficacy of dead sea mineral-enriched body lotion versus two types of placebo in the treatment of cutaneous dryness, itching, peeling and tightness in hemodialysis patients (EDIT).

Background/aims: The present study was designed to investigate the short-term safety and efficacy of topical application with body lotion enriched with minerals from the Dead Sea versus 2 different placebo treatments in reducing symptoms of uremic pruritus.

Methods: In this single-center, randomized, double placebo-controlled clinical trial, 78 hemodialysis patients with self-reported uremic pruritus were randomized to twice-daily topical treatment with body lotion enriched with minerals from the Dead Sea (DS) or to each of 2 types of placebo: (1) lotion with no Dead Sea minerals but otherwise identical to DS (P1) or (2) lotion with no active ingredients (P2). Symptoms of uremic pruritus (itching, dryness, peeling, tightness) were evaluated at baseline and 2 weeks (14 days) after treatment intervention using a 5-point Likert scale.

X-ray mass attenuation coefficient of silicon: theory versus experiment.

We compare new experimental x-ray total mass attenuation coefficients of silicon obtained with the x-ray extended-range technique (XERT) from 5 to 20 keV with theoretical calculations and earlier experimental measurements over a 5 to 50 keV energy range. The accuracy of between 0.27% and 0.

Protein Crystal Diffraction Patterns Using a Capillary-Focused Synchrotron X-ray Beam.

A paraboloidally tapered glass monocapillary was used to focus an 8 keV monochromated synchrotron bending-magnet X-ray beam into a 40 (+/-5) mum focal spot located 45 (+/-5) mm from the exit of the capillary. This focal spot had a measured intensity gain of 120 (+/-10) times the intensity present in an equivalent cross section of the unfocused beam from the monochromator. This focused beam was used to obtain oscillation diffraction patterns on image plates from a hen egg-white lysozyme protein crystal in two distinct geometries: one with the specimen crystal at the capillary exit and the other with the crystal at the beam focus.

Focusing of X-rays by Total External Reflection from a Paraboloidally Tapered Glass Capillary.

The first observation of a true geometrical focus of X-rays well beyond the exit of a paraboloidally tapered glass monocapillary is reported. An intensity gain of 250 +/- 20 into a 6 x 9 mum pinhole for 8 keV X-rays and transmission efficiencies of more than 90% below 20 keV were observed.

Substance use and abuse among deviant and non-deviant adolescents in Israel.

The study examined the hypothesis that the use of psychoactive substances is strongly associated with social deviance. Patterns of alcohol and drug use among two samples of deviant adolescents were investigated and compared to patterns of use among a sample of non-deviant youths. The participants were as follows: ninety-seven juvenile delinquents, inmates in institutions, aged twelve through eighteen; 184 detached youth, aged twelve through eighteen, who are in treatment programs of the Departments of Youth Advancement, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Welfare; and a nationwide representative sample of 8151 high school students, aged twelve through eighteen.

Personality, cognitive, and interpersonal factors in adolescent substance use: A longitudinal test of an integrative model.

This study tests a multidimensional model of adolescent drug use. The model incorporates sociodemographic variables, personality variables (state and trait anxiety, depressive mood, and sensation seeking), cognitive variables (knowledge, attitudes, and intentions), interpersonal factors (relationships with peers and parents), and the availability of drugs. The model was tested in a longitudinal study, comprising two phases.

Alcohol consumption among Israeli youth--1989: epidemiology and demographics.

Epidemiological and sociodemographic findings on alcohol (wine, beer, hard liquor) consumption among the Israeli youth are presented. Three samples of adolescents, aged 12-18, were studied by means of an anonymous self-report questionnaire: a nationwide representative sample of high school students; a sample of detached youth; and a sample of inmates in institutions for juvenile delinquents. Alcohol consumption was assessed by three indices: frequency of use during the last year, use during the last month and use during the last week.

Sensation seeking, state and trait anxiety, and depressive mood in adolescent substance users.

The following hypothesis has been tested: sensation seeking, A-state and A-trait, and depressive mood should positively affect adolescent substance use. The personality variables and alcohol and drug use were assessed among 1,900 Israel adolescents, 14 to 19 years old. The major findings were as follows: (a) Sensation seeking and availability significantly affected the "ever" and "current" substance use among adolescents.

Personality and substance use among adolescents: a longitudinal study.

The following hypotheses have been tested: (a) sensation seeking, A-State and Trait and Depressive Mood should positively affect the initiation and continuation of adolescent substance use: and (b) Following Zuckerman's conclusion with regard to the relationships between sensation seeking and drug use, and Khantzian's 'self medication hypothesis', different patterns of relationships between personality variables and substance use should be found: Whereas sensation seeking will be associated with substance use regardless of the specific psychopharmacological properties of a given substance, anxiety and depressive mood will be primarily associated with the use of depressants. One thousand nine hundred adolescents, 14-19 years old, were tested twice, 12 months apart, for alcohol and drug use. The major findings were as follows: (a) Sensation seeking was found to affect substance use among adolescents more than State and Trait Anxiety, and Depressive Mood; (b) Sensation seeking differentiated among abstainers, beginners, and users of all substances.

A critical and comparative review of the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse in Israel.

The article reviews the various programs and intervention strategies of substance abuse prevention in Israel. It concentrates mainly on the stages of primary and secondary prevention among youth. School-based prevention programs, those designated for detached youth as well as community-based programs, are presented and analyzed.

Alcohol and psychoactive drug use among Israeli adolescents: an epidemiological and demographic investigation.

One thousand nine hundred Israeli adolescents--51.8% males and 48.2% females--aged 15 to 18, were questioned twice about their current and "ever" substance use.