Parental magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of fetuses with brain anomalies.

Aim: To evaluate the role of parental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing fetuses with suspected brain anomalies and its use in prenatal counselling.

Method: A retrospective, multicentre chart review was conducted on fetuses who underwent brain MRI because of suspected brain abnormalities between January 2008 and December 2022, with one or both parents who underwent brain MRI (MRI-Trio) as part of prenatal counselling. Clinical and demographic data were collected, including fetal and parental MRI findings, prenatal counselling outcomes, genetic testing results, family and previous pregnancy history, neurological examinations of the born children up to 24 months of age, and autopsy reports of fetuses from terminated pregnancies.

Identifying causes and associated factors of stillbirths using autopsy of the fetus and placenta.

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the causes of death and associated factors in cases of stillbirth, using post-mortem examination and applying a rigorous, evidence-based holistic approach.

Methods: Our retrospective observational study included cases of autopsy following stillbirth that occurred at our tertiary medical center during a period of 8 years. Detailed up-to-date criteria that incorporate clinical reports, medical history, prenatal imaging, and histopathological findings were used to evaluate the cause of death and associated factors.

Hydrocephalus associated with a molar tooth sign: A distinct subtype of Joubert syndrome.

Hydrocephalus is rarely described in Joubert-Boltshauser syndrome (JBTS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether this association is a chance occurrence or potentially signifies a new phenotypic subtype. The databases of Wolfson Medical Center, Sourasky Medical Center, and EB's personal collection were reviewed.

[EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE FETAL SUPRATENTORIAL BRAIN VOLUME AND THE SUBARACHNOID SPACE IN VARIOUS FETAL PATHOLOGIES USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING].

Introduction: The subarachnoid space (SAS) is a potential space surrounding the brain where the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows. Previous work demonstrated how the SAS width changes during pregnancy and measured the normal values per gestational week.

Objectives: Studying the ratio between the fetal brain volume (STV) and the SAS width (SS ratio), as measured via fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in different fetal pathologies - macrocephaly and microcephaly, and studying the correlation between this ratio and the gestational week.

Medullary Tegmental Cap Dysplasia: Fetal and Postnatal Presentations of a Unique Brainstem Malformation.

Background And Purpose: Medullary tegmental cap dysplasia is a rare brainstem malformation, first described and defined by James Barkovich in his book from 2005 as an anomalous mass protruding from the posterior medullary surface. We describe the neuroimaging, clinical, postmortem, and genetic findings defining this unique malformation.

Materials And Methods: This is a multicenter, international, retrospective study.

Sexual dimorphism of the fetal brain biometry: an MRI-based study.

Purpose: Fetal growth assessment is a key component of prenatal care. Sex-specific fetal brain nomograms on ultrasound are available and are clinically used. In recent years, the use of fetal MRI has been increasing; however, there are no sex-specific fetal CNS nomograms on MRI.

Volumetric Brain MRI Study in Fetuses with Intrauterine Growth Restriction Using a Semiautomated Method.

Background And Purpose: According to the medical literature, it is known that intrauterine growth restriction is associated with abnormal fetal brain findings. The aim of this study was to assess the volume of fetal brain structures in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction compared with the control group and to examine the effect of intrauterine growth restriction on birth weight in relation to the effect on the volumes of these structures.

Materials And Methods: This historical cohort study included 26 fetuses diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction due to placental insufficiency.

Expanding the natural history of CASK-related disorders to the prenatal period.

Aim: To assess whether microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH) could manifest in the prenatal period in patients with calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) gene disorders.

Method: In this international multicentre retrospective study, we contacted a CASK parents' social media group and colleagues with expertise in cerebellar malformations and asked them to supply clinical and imaging information. Centiles and standard deviations (SD) were calculated according to age by nomograms.

PFAPA flares observed during COVID outbreak: can emotional stress trigger PFAPA attacks? A multicenter cohort study.

Objective: It is common knowledge among clinicians who treat PFAPA (Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Adenitis) patients that emotional stress can trigger PFAPA attacks similarly to other autoinflammatory diseases. However, it has never been proved scientifically. Our aim was to examine whether emotional stress serves as a trigger for PFAPA attacks.

Performance of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society versus European Society of Cardiology guideline criteria for hospital admission of patients with syncope.

Background: Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Heart Rhythm Society (ACC/AHA/HRS) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend different strategies to avoid low-yield admissions in patients with syncope.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to directly compare the safety and efficacy of applying admission criteria of both guidelines to patients presenting with syncope to the emergency department in 2 multicenter studies.

Methods: The international BASEL IX (BAsel Syncope EvaLuation) study (median age 71 years) and the U.

Major brain malformations: corpus callosum dysgenesis, agenesis of septum pellucidum and polymicrogyria in patients with BCORL1-related disorders.

Objective: BCORL1, a transcriptional co-repressor, has a role in cortical migration, neuronal differentiation, maturation, and cerebellar development. We describe BCORL1 as a new genetic cause for major brain malformations.

Methods And Results: We report three patients from two unrelated families with neonatal onset intractable epilepsy and profound global developmental delay.

Correlation between 2D and 3D Fetal Brain MRI Biometry and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Fetuses with Suspected Microcephaly and Macrocephaly.

Background And Purpose: Definitions of fetal microcephaly and macrocephaly are debatable. A better understanding of their long-term prognoses would help guide parental education and counseling. This study aimed to explore the correlation between 2D and 3D fetal brain MR imaging biometry results and the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Health Care Workers Despite the Use of Surgical Masks and Physical Distancing-the Role of Airborne Transmission.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted mainly via respiratory droplets. A key question in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is whether SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted via the airborne route as well. We report for the first time SARS-CoV-2 nosocomial infections despite using surgical masks and physical distancing.

Trend in women representation among authors of high rank rheumatology journals articles, 2002-2019.

Objective: The representation of women among authors of peer reviewed scientific papers is gradually increasing. The aims of this study were to examine the trend of the proportion of women among authors in the field of rheumatology during the last two decades.

Methods: Articles published in journals ranked in the top quartile of the field of rheumatology in the years 2002-2019 were analysed.

Fetal Brain Biometry: Is there an Agreement among Ultrasound, MRI and the Measurements at Birth?

Purpose: Measurement of the fetal brain can be achieved by different modalities, we aimed to assess the agreement between these methods and the head circumference at birth.

Methods: A retrospective study conducted between 2011-2018 at a tertiary referral medical center. Sonographic head circumference (HC), 2D MRI bi-parietal diameter (BPD) and occipito-frontal diameter (OFD), 3D MRI supra-tentorial volume (STV), and head circumference (HC) at birth were measured and converted into centiles according to gestational age.

Influenza Vaccination Rate and Factors Associated With Compliance Among Health Care Employees in Large and Medium Acute Care Hospitals.

Annual influenza epidemics are associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, with vaccinations being the main preventive intervention; however, the compliance rate of health care employees remains low. Study aims were to examine vaccination rates among physicians and nurses in surgical and medicine wards, compare between medium and large tertiary hospitals, and identify factors associated with increased vaccination rates. Structured questionnaires were distributed.

Risk factors and maternal outcomes following preterm premature rupture of membrane in the second trimester of gestation.

Purpose: To characterize the population of women who underwent mid-trimester preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) in a country where mid-trimester abortions are legal and available.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral hospital, during 2013-2016. Mid-trimester defined as gestational age 13 + 0 to 23 + 6 weeks.

Infantile onset progressive cerebellar atrophy and anterior horn cell Degeneration-A novel phenotype associated with mutations in the PLA2G6 gene.

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) encompasses a group of neurodegenerative disorders. There are ten known subtypes with common characteristics of pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia or atrophy, neocortical atrophy, and microcephaly. PCH is associated with anterior horn cell degeneration in PCH1a and PCH1b due to mutations in the VRK1 and EXOSC3 genes.

Refractory epilepsy associated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt over-drainage: case report.

Epilepsy and intracranial pressure (ICP) can be interrelated. While shunt malfunction is recognized as a cause of seizures, shunt over-drainage is seldom reported as such. We report a child who had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion at the age of 6 months following an excision of a left ventricle choroid plexus papilloma, who developed refractory epilepsy since the age of 3 years.

Spatial learning by rats across visually disconnected environments.

Two spatial tasks were designed to test specific properties of spatial representation in rats. In the first task, rats were trained to locate an escape hole at a fixed position in a visually homogeneous arena. This arena was connected with a periphery where a full view of the room environment existed.