Clinical features and prognosis of transient global amnesia in Israel: 6 years' single-center experience.

Background: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a benign neurological syndrome of unknown etiology, causing sudden anterograde amnesia that lasts up to 24 h. During the episode of TGA, other cognitive functions are normal. This is the first study describing the characteristics of the disease in Israel.

Arterial floating mural thrombi are a characteristic imaging pattern in SARS-CoV-2-related ischemic stroke.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We aimed to explore neurovascular imaging patterns in patients with SARS-CoV-2-related AIS.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and radiological data of patients hospitalized with AIS and a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 prior to AIS onset.

The Significance of Body Surface Area to Mass Ratio for Thermal Responses to a Standardized Exercise-Heat Stress Test.

Purpose: To evaluate the significance of body surface area-to-mass ratio (BSA/mass) on the heat-tolerance test (HTT) results. We hypothesized that individuals defined as heat tolerant (HT) would have on average higher BSA/mass compared with heat intolerant (HI) individuals.

Methods: A retrospective reanalysis of the HTT results of 517 soldiers (age, 18-38 yr; M/F, 96%:4%), who were tested by the Israel Defense Forces HTT protocol.

Support Vector Machine-Based Formula for Detecting Suspected α Thalassemia Carriers: A Path toward Universal Screening.

The blood counts of α thalassemia carriers (α-thal) are similar to those of β thalassemia carriers, except for Hemoglobin A (Hb A), which is not elevated. The objective of this study was to determine whether mathematical formulas are effective for detecting suspected α-thal. The data were obtained from the database of the prevention program for detecting couples at risk for having a child with hemoglobinopathy.

The Differences in Clinical Manifestations and Prognosis of Infective Endocarditis Patients With Positive Serology to Antineutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibody Compared to Negative Serology.

Previous studies have established a relationship between bacterial proteins and autoimmune diseases through several mechanisms. Infective endocarditis is known for its immunological phenomena, and the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) antibodies has been previously demonstrated in several infectious diseases. This retrospective, comparative, and descriptive study examined the relationship between infective endocarditis and the presence of ANCA antibodies.

The Impact of Ca on Intracellular Distribution of Hemoglobin in Human Erythrocytes.

The membrane-bound hemoglobin (Hb) fraction impacts red blood cell (RBC) rheology and metabolism. Therefore, Hb-RBC membrane interactions are precisely controlled. For instance, the signaling function of membrane-bound deoxy-Hb and the structure of the docking sites in the cytosolic domain of the anion exchanger 1 (AE-1) protein are well documented; however, much less is known about the interaction of Hb variants with the erythrocyte's membrane.

Factors influencing real-life use of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with cerebral sinus and venous thrombosis.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are advocated as equally effective to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) for the treatment of patients with cerebral sinus and venous thrombosis (CSVT). However, data concerning the real-life management practices in CSVT patients are is lacking.

Methods: Prospective CSVT databases from four large academic medical centers were retrospectively studied.

Clinicoradiologic Criteria for the Diagnosis of Stroke-like Episodes in MELAS.

Background And Objectives: Stroke-like episodes (SLEs) in patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome are often misdiagnosed as acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to determine unique clinical and neuroimaging features for SLEs and formulate diagnostic criteria.

Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with MELAS admitted for SLEs between January 2012 and December 2021.

Clinical score for early diagnosis and treatment of stroke-like episodes in MELAS syndrome.

Background And Objectives: Stroke-like episodes (SLEs) in patients with MELAS syndrome are often initially misdiagnosed as acute ischemic stroke (AIS), resulting in treatment delay. We aimed to determine clinical features that may distinguish SLEs from AISs and explore the benefit of early L-arginine treatment on patient outcomes.

Methods: We looked retrospectively for MELAS patients admitted between January 2005 and January 2022 and compared them to an AIS cohort with similar lesion topography.

Development and validation of Hebrew version of the UCLA Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument 2.0.

Aim: The aim of this study was to test the reliability of the University of California, Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract (UCLA SCTC GIT) 2.0 questionnaire in Hebrew.

Methods: UCLA SCTC GIT 2.

Delayed CTP-Derived Deep Venous Outflow: A Novel Predictor of Striatocapsular Infarction after M1 Thrombectomy.

Background And Purpose: Isolated striatocapsular infarction occurs commonly in patients with ischemic stroke following M1 thrombectomy. We aimed to explore the correlation between CTP-derived parameters of deep venous outflow at presentation and subsequent striatocapsular infarction in a retrospective cohort of such patients.

Materials And Methods: TTP and peak enhancement were measured on CTP-derived time-attenuation curves of the internal cerebral and thalamostriate veins bilaterally.

Characteristics of patients with cerebral sinus venous thrombosis and JAK2 V617F mutation.

Objectives: Janus kinase 2 (JAK2-V617F) mutations can cause thrombocytosis, polycythemia and hyper viscosity leading to cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT). However, data regarding the characteristics and prevalence of JAK2-V617F mutation in patients with CSVT are currently lacking. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of CSVT patients that carry the JAK2 mutation.

The protective effect of the spleen in sickle cell patients. A comparative study between patients with asplenia/hyposplenism and hypersplenism.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a point mutation in the beta-globin gene. SCD is characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia, vaso-occlusive events leading to tissue ischemia, and progressive organ failure. Chronic inflammatory state is part of the pathophysiology of SCD.

Cardiac CT for intra-cardiac thrombus detection in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS).

Introduction: Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) is a common medical challenge regarding secondary prevention strategy. Cardiac imaging is the cornerstone of embolic stroke workup, in an effort to diagnose high risk cardio-embolic sources. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an emerging imaging modality with high diagnostic performance for intra-cardiac thrombus detection.

Clinical improvement of a toddler with COVID-19 focal cerebral arteriopathy possibly due to intra-arterial nimodipine.

Pediatric stroke is considered an infrequent complication of COVID-19. Focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA) is one of the most common causes of arterial ischemic stroke in a previously healthy child. The present report describes a toddler with FCA most likely induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection who showed significant clinical improvement that may be related to injection of intra-arterial nimodipine.

Back to the "Gold Standard": How Precise is Hematocrit Detection Today?

Introduction: The commonly used method for hematocrit detection, by visual examination of microcapillary tube, known as "micro-HCT", is subjective but remains one of the key sources for fast hematocrit evaluation. Analytical automation techniques have increased the standardization of RBC index detection; however, indirect hematocrit measurements by blood analyzer, the automated HCT, do not correlate well with "micro-HCT" results in patients with hematological pathologies. We aimed to overcome those disadvantages in "micro-HCT" analysis using "ImageJ" processing software.

Calcium carbonate mineralization is essential for biofilm formation and lung colonization.

Biofilms are differentiated microbial communities held together by an extracellular matrix. μCT X-ray revealed structured mineralized areas within biofilms of lung pathogens belonging to two distant phyla - the proteobacteria and the actinobacteria . Furthermore, calcium chelation inhibited the assembly of complex bacterial structures for both organisms with little to no effect on cell growth.

Janus Kinase-2 V617F Mutation and Antiphospholipid Syndrome in Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis: Natural History and Retrospective Bicenter Analysis.

Background: Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare neurovascular entity, usually associated with acquired or genetic hypercoagulable states. In up to 30% of the cases it remains idiopathic. Bone marrow proliferation disorders that are associated with Janus Kinase 2 V617F mutation (JAK-2) are known causes of the systemic and cerebral thrombosis-at times despite normal blood counts-for which hematologic treatment exists.

Characteristics of Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis Patients Presenting with Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) occasionally present with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In this study, we aimed to identify predictors for ICH in CVST patients. Prospective CVST databases from three academic centers were retrospectively analyzed.

Changes in bone mineral density following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: 2-year outcomes.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that sleeve gastrectomy (SG) leads to significant bone mineral density (BMD) losses, but there is a paucity of studies evaluating skeletal consequences beyond 12-months post-operatively.

Objectives: To evaluate BMD changes 2 years postoperatively.

Setting: A university hospital.

Food Addiction and Binge Eating Impact on Weight Loss Outcomes Two Years Following Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery.

Background: Emerging evidence suggest that problematic eating behaviors such as food addiction (FA) and binge eating (BE) may alter following bariatric surgery (BS) and impact weight outcomes. We aimed to examine the prevalence of FA and BE and their associations with weight outcomes 2 years post-sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Methods: Forty-five women (mean age 32.

Vocal cord paresis on CTA - A novel tool for the diagnosis of lateral medullary syndrome.

Background: Diagnosis of lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) is often delayed due to elusive clinical presentations and frequently non-revealing neuroimaging tests. We aimed to investigate the use of ipsilateral vocal cord paresis (VCP) identified on neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) as an early diagnostic sign for LMS.

Methods: Medical records were queried for patients admitted with LMS between 1/2012 and 10/2020.

Effect of time from onset to endovascular therapy on outcomes: the National Acute Stroke Israeli (NASIS)-REVASC registry.

Background: Endovascular therapy (EVT) is currently the most effective treatment for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) stroke. Earlier treatment is associated with a better clinical outcome. Our aim was to examine the association between onset-to-EVT (OTE) time and clinical outcomes using real-world nationwide data from the National Acute Stroke ISraeli (NASIS)-REVASC registry.

Incorporation of relative cerebral blood flow into CT perfusion maps reduces false 'at risk' penumbra.

Purpose: The region defined as 'at risk' penumbra by current CT perfusion (CTP) maps is largely overestimated. We aimed to quantitate the portion of true 'at risk' tissue within CTP penumbra and to determine the parameter and threshold that would optimally distinguish it from false 'at risk' tissue, that is, benign oligaemia.

Methods: Among acute stroke patients evaluated by multimodal CT (NCCT/CTA/CTP) we identified those that had not undergone endovascular/thrombolytic treatment and had follow-up NCCT.