Waning Humoral Response 3 to 6 Months after Vaccination with the SARS-COV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine in Dialysis Patients.

Background And Objectives: The short-term reported antibody response to SARS-COV-2 vaccination in dialysis patients is high, with a seroconversion response rate up to 97%. Data on the long-term durability of this response are scarce. Our objective was to characterize the long-term anti-spike antibody level in dialysis patients.

Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery.

Background: Hip fracture is common in elderly patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI) following hip fracture may have additional impact on clinical outcomes.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of AKI, the risk factors for its occurrence and impact on mortality, timing of surgery, and length of hospitalization (LOS) in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Myocarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

Background: Clinical trials of the BNT162b2 vaccine, revealed efficacy and safety. We report six cases of myocarditis, which occurred shortly after BNT162b2 vaccination.

Methods: Patients were identified upon presentation to the emergency department with symptoms of chest pain/discomfort.

[THE ROLE OF COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH END STAGE RENAL DISEASE].

The number of dialysis patients is consistently growing and the dialysis population is aging. Of all age groups of dialysis patients, the higher prevalence rate is in the elderly group (aged 75 years and older). The elderly patients have a high rate of comorbidities.

[Cost-effectiveness of angiotensin receptor blockers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nephropathy in Israel].

Background: Besides its toll on human life, the steep rise in the rate of diabetes as the cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD), with the consequent increase in the need for renal replacement therapy has created a substantial economic burden on health care systems. Clinical trials have found angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to be more beneficial than traditional antihypertensive therapy in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, in Israel, ARBs are not considered first-line therapy.

Maintenance of inspiratory muscle training in COPD patients: one year follow-up.

In most chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, dyspnoea and functional exercise capacity may improve as a result of inspiratory muscle training (IMT). However, the long-term benefits of IMT have been investigated to a much lesser extent. The present study investigated the short-term and long-term benefits of IMT on inspiratory muscle performance (strength and endurance), exercise capacity and the perception of dyspnoea.

The perception of dyspnea after bronchoconstriction and bronchodilation in patients with asthma.

Background: It is well documented that the perception of dyspnea (POD), subjectively reported by patients, is an important index used to guide treatment. The severity of dyspnea following methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction and added mechanical loads is increasing in popular. No formal attention has been addressed to the reduction in dyspnea following bronchodilators.

Comparison of specific expiratory, inspiratory, and combined muscle training programs in COPD.

Background: Respiratory muscle weakness may contribute to dyspnea and exercise limitation in patients with significant COPD. In an attempt to reduce the severity of breathlessness and to improve exercise tolerance, inspiratory muscle training has been applied in many COPD patients. On the other hand, there is a paucity of data related to expiratory muscle performance and training in COPD.

Specific expiratory muscle training in COPD.

Background: There are several reports showing that expiratory muscle strength and endurance can be impaired in patients with COPD. This muscle weakness may have clinically relevant implications. Expiratory muscle training tended to improve cough and to reduce the sensation of respiratory effort during exercise in patients other than those with COPD.

[The effect of time on the perception of dyspnea following inhaled long-acting bronchodilator].

Study Objectives: To assess the effect of time on the change in the perception of dyspnea (POD) following inhalation of long-acting bronchodilator.

Patients And Methods: Spirometry and the POD were measured in 32 asthmatic patients, with moderate asthma, before and following inhalation of placebo, and salmeterol. The POD was measured while breathing against progressive loads, using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

[The relation between the perception of dyspnea and beta 2-agonists consumption in patients with mild-moderate asthma].

It is well documented that, in patients with asthma, there is a considerable variation in the severity of breathlessness for any particular degree of airflow obstruction. The factors underlying this variability are still to be explored. The consumption of beta 2-agonists and the perception of dyspnea were assessed in eighty asthmatic patients, with mild-moderate asthma, attending the asthma clinic.

The relationship among inspiratory muscle strength, the perception of dyspnea and inhaled beta2-agonist use in patients with asthma.

Background: It is well documented that the perception of dyspnea (POD), subjectively reported by patients, is related to the activity and strength of the inspiratory muscles, and influences the use of 'as needed' beta2-agonists.

Study Objective: To investigate the relationship among the increase in inspiratory muscle strength after specific inspiratory muscle training, beta2-agonist consumption and the POD in patients with persistent, mild to moderate asthma.

Methods: Inspiratory muscle strength, daily beta2-agonist consumption and the POD were measured in 30 patients with mild to moderate asthma.

C-reactive protein as a marker for active coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain in the emergency room.

Background: Markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), were found to be related to risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with angina pectoris. In addition, recent studies have shown that, in the case of atherosclerosis, increased CRP concentration reflects the inflammatory condition of the vascular wall.

Hypothesis: The study was undertaken to determine whether CRP levels in individuals with chest pain attending the emergency room (ER) may be used as a marker of active CVD.

[Fatal attack in patients with bronchial asthma].

What is most notable about asthma deaths is that they continue to occur despite increased understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma, more effective treatment and improvements in asthma education. Studies of fatal and near fatal asthma revealed two distinct groups of patients. The first is a "slow onset-late arrival" group (type I) in whom the final common pathway is a period of poor asthma control, increased use of bronchodilators, late arrival for care of the final attack and underutilization of glucocorticosteroids.

Influence of gender and inspiratory muscle training on the perception of dyspnea in patients with asthma.

Background: Men and women respond differently to asthma.

Patients And Methods: Maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (P(Imax)), beta(2)-agonist consumption, and perception of dyspnea (POD) were measured in 22 women and 22 men with mild persistent-to-moderate asthma. Next, the women were randomized into two groups: those who received inspiratory muscle training and those who received sham training.

Respiratory muscle performance and the Perception of dyspnea in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Pulmonary and respiratory muscle function impairment are common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, dyspnea is not a frequent complaint among these patients, although it is well documented that the intensity of dyspnea is related to the activity and the strength of the respiratory muscles.

Patients And Methods: We studied pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and endurance and the perception of dyspnea (POD) in 20 patients with PD (stage II and III Hoehn and Yahr scale) before and after their first daily L-dopa dose.

The risk of hospitalization and near-fatal and fatal asthma in relation to the perception of dyspnea.

Background: A life-threatening asthma attack is still of major concern. One of the main goals in treating patients with asthma is identification of the patients at risk of having these attacks. It has been shown that patients who have a near-fatal asthma attack have a blunted perception of dyspnea (POD).

Long-acting bronchodilators in premenstrual exacerbation of asthma.

Premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of asthma occurs during the 5-10 days leading up to the menses and can be demonstrated in about 40% of asthmatic females. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and beta2-agonist consumption were recorded during three menstrual cycles in 67 females with mild-severe asthma. All were treated with inhaled glucocorticosteroids (IGC) and beta2-agonists, as required.

Hypercalcaemia in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Hypercalcaemia is a common electrolyte abnormality. The vast majority of patients will be shown to have either hyperparathyroidism or malignancy. In less than 10% of patients other, less common causes of hypercalcaemia will be present.

The cumulative effect of long-acting bronchodilators, exercise, and inspiratory muscle training on the perception of dyspnea in patients with advanced COPD.

Background: Dyspnea is a common complaint during daily activities in patients with advanced COPD. The mechanisms underlying dyspnea and the appropriate treatment strategies to relieve it are still not totally understood. We hypothesized that the perception of dyspnea (POD) may be modified by the accumulative effect of bronchodilator therapy, exercise, and inspiratory muscle training (IMT).

[Effect of specific inspiratory muscle training on dyspnea and exercise tolerance in congestive heart failure].

It has been shown that the inspiratory muscles of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) are weaker than normal. This weakness may contribute to dyspnea and limit exercise capacity. But respiratory muscles can be trained for increase in both strength and endurance.