Radiation-induced cardiac disease: Modern techniques to reduce cardiac toxicity.

Purpose: Continuous advancements in cancer management have resulted in increased long-term survival rates amongst cancer survivors and in turn have exposed the full extent of radiotherapy-associated morbidities. Radiation-induced coronary heart disease (RICHD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors, particularly in those having undergone mediastinal radiation. While mediastinal radiation has been shown to substantially reduce both recurrence and mortality rates in multiple thoracic malignancies, the risk for the development of RICHD is of significant concern.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A WAidid Consensus Document on New Preventive Options.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly affecting young infants, older adults, and individuals with comorbidities. : This document, developed as a consensus by an international group of experts affiliated with the World Association of Infectious Diseases and Immunological Disorders (WAidid), focuses on recent advancements in RSV prevention, highlighting the introduction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines. : Historically, RSV treatment options were limited to supportive care and the monoclonal antibody palivizumab, which required multiple doses.

Gut Microbiome Modulation of Glutamate Dynamics: Implications for Brain Health and Neurotoxicity.

The gut-brain axis plays an integral role in maintaining overall health, with growing evidence suggesting its impact on the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. This review explores the complex relationship between gut microbiota and glutamate (Glu) regulation, highlighting its effect on brain health, particularly in the context of depression following certain neurological insults. We discuss how microbial populations can either facilitate or limit Glu uptake, influencing its bioavailability and predisposing to neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity.

Once daily Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of venous leg ulcers versus gel vehicle (placebo) and non-surgical standard of care: a three-arm multicenter, double blinded, randomized controlled study.

Background: Debridement is considered the first step in treatment of chronic wounds, however, current enzymatic and autolytic debridement agents are slow or ineffective. Previous studies have shown positive initial results with EscharEx® (EX-02 formulation), a Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement agent in development for chronic wounds. The main objective of this study was to assess its efficacy in debriding venous leg ulcers (VLU), compared to gel vehicle (GV) as a placebo control and to non-surgical standard of care (NSSOC).

The Interplay Between Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Asthma Inception: Insights Gained From the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in the first year of life has been linked with an increased risk for asthma. Some propose that RSV-induced inflammation leads to lasting airway changes, while others contend that RSV bronchiolitis is a marker for underlying predisposition. Social distancing adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic reduction in RSV activity, providing an unexpected opportunity to investigate this debate.

Novel bimanual haptic simulator for epidural loss-of-resistance detection: a pilot study assessing movement strategies and performance across anesthesiologist experience levels.

Background: Correct identification of the epidural space requires extensive training for technical proficiency. This study explores a novel bimanual haptic simulator designed for the precise insertion of an epidural needle based on loss-of-resistance (LOR) detection, providing realistic dual-hand force feedback.

Methods: The simulator, equipped with two haptic devices connected to a Tuohy needle and an LOR syringe, was designed to simulate the tissues' resistive forces felt by the user during the procedure, offer anatomical variability and record detailed performance metrics for personalized feedback.

Cell-free DNA Levels in Herpes Zoster: A Cross-sectional Longitudinal Study.

This study investigates serum cell-free DNA fluctuations in patients with herpes zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia, offering insight into the tissue damage and inflammatory dynamics associated with these conditions. A single-centre combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study was conducted with 59 patients to assess cell-free DNA levels in herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia. Cell-free DNA was extracted from blood samples of patients with herpes zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia and compared with healthy controls.

Reepithelialization of partial thickness porcine burns treated with silver sulfadiazine, triple antibiotic or petrolatum.

Topical antibiotic application and occlusive dressings stand as the current standard of care for partial thickness burn (PTB) treatment. Silver sulfadiazine (SSD) is the most widely used topical antimicrobial agent for acute burn management worldwide. Despite its antimicrobial benefits, there is emerging evidence that SSD might delay wound reepithelialization.

Hyperelastic models for the human zona pellucida and their implications on shear modulus estimation in the clinical practice.

It has long been speculated that the mechanical properties of the human oocyte can be an indicator for oocyte viability. Recent studies have demonstrated that embryo implantation rates, following Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures, may be increased if the shear modulus value of the oocyte Zona Pellucida (ZP) is taken into consideration during embryo transfer. The shear modulus was determined by an iterative oocyte specific finite element (FE) analysis based on the clinical ICSI data.

Integrated Profiling of Extracellular Vesicle microRNA Impact on Trabecular Meshwork mRNA Expression: Insights From Microarray Analysis.

Purpose: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by non-pigmented ciliary epithelial (NPCE) cells under oxidative stress may contribute to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) pathogenesis by altering gene expression in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. This study investigated the impact of microRNAs (miRNAs) carried by NPCE-derived EVs on HTM cell gene expression under oxidative stress conditions.

Methods: NPCE cells were exposed to oxidative stress, and EVs were isolated from control and stressed cells.

Impact of Baseline Hypoalbuminemia on Long-Term Survival Following Acute Myocardial Infarction According to Body Mass Index.

Serum albumin and body mass index (BMI, kg/m) have been associated with outcomes following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Aiming to assess whether the mortality risk inflicted by hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL) in this context is influenced by BMI, we conducted a retrospective analysis of AMI survivors hospitalized during 2004-2017.

Preadmission systemic antibiotic treatment in necrotizing otitis externa (NOE).

Purpose: Necrotizing otitis externa (NOE) is a serious life-threatening infection, with Pseudomonas (PA) aeruginosa being the primary causative agent. Over the last two decades the use of systemic anti-PA antibiotics expanded substantially and are now prescribed regularly by physicians. Meanwhile, studies indicate shifting trends in the incidence of the offending pathogen in NOE.

Long-term outcome of pediatric acute severe colitis: A prospective 5-year follow-up of the PRASCO trial.

Objectives: The PRASCO trial reported the short-term superiority of an antibiotic cocktail plus intravenous corticosteroids (IVCS) over IVCS alone in children with acute severe colitis (ASC). Here, we report the extension of the PRASCO trial and the long-term outcomes of the antibiotic cocktail in ASC.

Methods: This prospective follow-up of the PRASCO trial documented disease outcomes and treatments annually through 5 years.

C-reactive protein diagnostic value for bacterial infections in the paediatric emergency department setting.

Aim: C-reactive protein (CRP) is commonly used to assess the probability of bacterial infection and the need for empiric antibiotic treatment. We assessed the relationship between CRP levels and bacterial infection in the paediatric emergency room (PER) setting.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study.

The impact of a fracture liaison service with in-hospital anti-osteoporosis treatment on subsequent hip fracture and mortality rates-a single-center retrospective study.

Unlabelled: The implementation of an in-hospital fracture liaison service facilitated prompt initiation of anti-osteoporosis treatment following a hip fracture (HF), increasing follow-up and treatment rates. This led to a 48% reduction in the risk of subsequent HF and a 29% decrease in mortality rates.

Purpose: To demonstrate the impact of an institutional fracture liaison service (FLS) which allowed in-hospital anti-osteoporosis treatment following hip fracture (HF) on subsequent HF and mortality rate.

Ethnic Disparities in Chronic Diseases: Comparison Between Arabs and Jews in Israel.

Background: The lifestyle of the Arab population in Israel has changed in the last few decades, and modernization and urbanization have impacted the prevalence of chronic diseases.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of chronic diseases in the Arab population compared to the Jewish population in Israel.

Methods: This retrospective study included Arab and Jewish people insured by Israel's largest health maintenance organization.

In COVID-19 Patients Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Intensive Care Unit Mortality Is Associated with the Blood Transfusion Rate.

: The COVID-19 pandemic markedly increased the number of patients with infection-related acute respiratory distress syndrome who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and multiple blood transfusions. This study aimed to assess a potential correlation between the daily rate of transfused blood products and the intensive care unit (ICU) outcome of ECMO-supported COVID-19 patients. : Data were retrieved from the electronic databases of three Israeli tertiary care centers.

Outcomes and Prognosis of COVID-19-Induced Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients Treated with Prolonged Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Predicting whether extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment duration affects prognosis is important both medically and economically. : We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study to better understand the outcomes of patients treated with veno-venous (VV) ECMO over a prolonged duration, analyzing data from the Israel ECMO registry. The study included all adult patients treated with VV-ECMO due to COVID-19-induced respiratory failure.

Perioperative Lung Ultrasound Findings in Elective Intra-Abdominal Surgery: Associations with Postoperative Pulmonary Complications.

For patients undergoing abdominal surgery, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are a major source of morbidity and mortality. The use of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS), and specifically POCUS of the lungs, has seen many advancements in recent years. We hypothesize that perioperative lung ultrasonography can be used as a predictor for PPCs.