The Impact of COVID-19 on Intravitreal Injection Compliance.

Intravitreal injections (IVI) of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents have become the most prevalent intraocular procedure as they represent the major therapeutic modality for prevalent retinal conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. Effective therapy requires adherence to a schedule of iterative IVI as well as routine clinic appointments. The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the reduction of attendance at scheduled clinic visits and IVI.

Revision cochlear implantation using a double array device in the post-meningitis ossified cochlea.

Purpose: To describe the surgical technique and outcome in a series of patients who underwent revision cochlear implantation using a double array or split electrode device. All patients developed ossified cochleae due to meningitis and were functioning poorly with the previous implant.

Methods: Four patients between the ages of 4-15 years underwent revision with five double-array cochlear implant devices.

Management of Pregnant Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Unlabelled: The rapid emergence of the novel coronavirus [SARS-CoV2] and the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] has caused significant global morbidity and mortality. This is particularly concerning for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Care for pregnant IBD patients in itself is a complex issue because of the delicate balance between controlling maternal IBD as well as promoting the health of the unborn child.

Telemedicine comes of age during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): An international survey of oculoplastic surgeons.

Purpose: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing healthcare crisis that continues its worldwide spread. Ophthalmologists are at high risk of acquiring and transmitting the virus. Telemedicine platforms have evolved and may play an important role in attenuating this risk.

Para-tracheal neck dissection - is dissection of the upper part of level Ⅵ necessary?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has a high propensity for regional metastases, however, the impact of such metastases on the outcome of the patients is minimal. The central compartment of the neck is considered the first and the most common echelon of metastases from thyroid carcinoma. Physical examination along with ultrasonography are the gold standard pre-operative evaluation of patients with PTC.

Contemporary transcatheter aortic valve implantation related thrombocytopenia.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation related thrombocytopenia (TAVI-rTP) is an inevitable phenomenon. However, no study has been performed on TAVI-rTP in the current setting of extended clinical indications combined with technology improvements.

Methods: Patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent transfemoral TAVI, from January 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled.

Correction to: Trends of change in the individual contribution of risk factors for small for gestational age over more than 2 decades.

In the original article published, the name of the corresponding author is published incorrectly.

Is the extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy in the staging of endometrial cancer associated with the yield of metastatic nodes? An Israeli Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Objectives: Primary, to explore correlation between the extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy in the surgical staging of endometrial cancer and the number of nodes with metastasis. Secondary, evaluate survival measures in relation to the number of excised nodes.

Methods: A retrospective multi-center study of prospectively collected information of 2014 women with endometrial cancer, 1032 of whom underwent lymph node staging.

Intrapartum fetal monitoring and perinatal risk factors of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Background: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in term infants, is a major cause of neonatal mortality and severe neurologic disability.

Objectives: To identify in labor fetal monitoring characteristic patterns and perinatal factors associated with neonatal HIE.

Study Design: Single-center retrospective case-control study between 2010 and 2017.

Induction of labor at second delivery subsequent to a primary cesarean: is stage of labor at previous cesarean a factor?

Purpose: Parturients with a history of a cesarean delivery (CD) in the first delivery (P1), undergoing induction of labor (IOL) in the subsequent delivery (P2) are at increased risk for obstetric complications. The primary aim was to study if "the stage of labor" at previous cesarean (elective/latent/first/second) is associated with a successful IOL. The secondary aim was to search for other obstetric characteristics associated with a successful IOL.

Previous non-diabetic pregnancy with a macrosomic infant - Is it a risk factor for subsequent gestational diabetes mellitus?

Aim: To examine the association between previous pregnancy neonatal birthweight (BW) among non-diabetic women and the rate of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the subsequent pregnancy.

Methods: Case control study in a university affiliated medical center from 2005 to 2019. Women who had a singleton pregnancy and two consecutive deliveries in our medical center were included.

Differential Effect of Community Rehabilitation Reform on Hospitalizations of Patients with Chronic Psychotic Disorders With and Without Substance Use Disorder, Israel, 1991-2016.

The co-occurrence of schizophrenia and substance use disorder (SUD) is clinically challenging and increasingly prevalent. This study compares trends in hospitalization characteristics of chronic psychotic patients with and without SUD in Israel, before and after introduction of the Community Rehabilitation of Persons with Mental Disability Law in 2000. The National Psychiatric Case Registry provided data on 18,684 adults with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders, hospitalized in 1991-2016 (at least once in 2010-2015).

Trends of change in the individual contribution of risk factors for small for gestational age over more than 2 decades.

Purpose: Over the past years, the prevalence of various risk factors for small for gestational age (SGA) neonates has changed. Little is known if there was also a change in the specific contribution of these risk factors to the prevalence of SGA. We aim to identify trends in the specific contribution of various risk factors for SGA by observing their odds ratios (ORs) throughout different time periods.

Characteristics and outcome of elderly patients admitted for acute Cholecystitis to medical or surgical wards.

Background: Elderly patients admitted because of acute cholecystitis are usually not operated during their initial admission and receive conservative treatment. To help formulate a new admission policy regarding elderly patients with acute cholecystitis we compared the demographic and clinical characteristics and outcome of patients > 65 with acute cholecystitis admitted to medical or surgical wards.

Methods: This retrospective study included all patients > 65 years admitted for acute cholecystitis between January, 2009 and September, 2016.

The use of a strict protocol in the trial of labor following two previous cesarean deliveries: Maternal and neonatal results.

Objective: Over the past few decades, the rate of repeat cesarean deliveries (CD) have taken on pandemic proportions. As part of the global effort to reduce the rate of CD, trail of labor (TOL) following one and even two previous CDs is encouraged. We aimed to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes of parturients attempting a TOL after two previous CDs, in which a strict departmental protocol was adopted.

Changes in trends over time for the specific contribution of different risk factors for pre-eclampsia.

Purpose: The prevalence of risk factors for pre-eclampsia has changed over time; however, little is known regarding how these changes have altered the specific contribution of each risk factor. We aim to identify trends in the contribution of different risk factors throughout different time intervals.

Methods: We compared the prevalence and odds-ratio of different known risk factors for pre-eclampsia occurring in three equal population groups from 1988 to 2014.

Is it financially beneficial for hospitals to prevent nosocomial infections?

Background: Financial incentives represent a potential mechanism to encourage infection prevention by hospitals. In order to characterize the place of financial incentives, we investigated resource utilization and cost associated with hospital-acquired infections (HAI) and assessed the relative financial burden for hospital and insurer according to reimbursement policies.

Methods: We conducted a prospective matched case-control study over 18 months in a tertiary university medical center.

Vacuum extraction in twin deliveries-maternal and neonatal consequences: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To establish the frequency of vacuum extraction among parturients with twin pregnancies, identify the risk factors and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort database study was conducted between 2005-2018. Twin fetuses with vertex presentation >34 weeks gestation who achieved vaginal delivery were included.

Trends of changes in the specific contribution of selected risk factors for shoulder dystocia over a period of more than two decades.

Objectives Shoulder dystocia (SD) is an obstetrical emergency with well-recognized risk factors. We aimed to identify trends of changes in the specific contribution of risk factors for SD over time. Methods A nested case control study comparing all singleton deliveries with and without SD was undertaken.

Temporal decline in the improved detection rates following OASIS workshops.

Introduction And Hypothesis: To evaluate the long-term sustainability of the effect of a hands-on workshop on the diagnosis of deliveries complicated by obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS).

Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study looking over a 4-year period, 1 year before and 3 years after an OASIS workshop. All deliveries that took place at the Soroka University Medical Center during the study period were included.

Prospective Audit of Empirical Antibiotic Therapy for Septic Patients.

Background: Antibiotic stewardship programs are necessary to test the appropriateness of local guidelines for empirical antibiotic treatment by audits.

Objectives: To assess whether compliance to local guidelines achieved a higher rate of appropriate antibiotic treatment and reduced morbidity and mortality, and whether infectious disease counseling improved the rate of appropriate treatment.

Methods: Our cohort comprised 294 patients with proven bacteremia.

Pigment epithelium derived factor as a novel multi-target treatment for uterine fibroids.

Research Question: Does recombinant pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) have potential in treating uterine fibroids?

Design: In-vitro models that used human leiomyoma and Eker rat uterine leiomyoma (ELT-3) cell lines. The ELT-3 cell line was used to examine cellular targets after adding recombinant PEDF to the culture media. Athymic nude female mice were used as an in-vivo model.

Re-suturing of puerperal perineal wound: An assessment of indications, risk factors and outcomes.

Objective: To assess the frequency of puerperal perineal wound re-suturing, and to evaluate the indications, risk factors and outcomes of this procedure.

Study Design: A retrospective series of all parturients that underwent puerperal perineal tear suturing between 2005 and 2019 was undertaken. All parturients who required re-suturing during the delivery hospitalization were identified and compared with those who had puerperal perineal wound repair and did not require re-suturing.

The effect of the implementation of institutional checklist on expert opinion of oxytocin use in labor.

Purpose: Oxytocin is a commonly used drug in the labor and delivery unit. There are wide variations in oxytocin use between countries and medical centers, which may reflect the lack of structured guidelines. The aim of our study was to evaluate the need of oxytocin checklist in labor and delivery unit, while assessing the management of oxytocin with and without such a checklist.

Early predictors of small-for-gestational-age neonates using non-invasive, low-cost, and readily available hematological markers.

Objective: To evaluate whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a well-established inflammatory marker, can be used as an early predictor for small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: A case-control study compared first-trimester hematological biomarkers in pregnancies of patients with and without SGA (n=149, n=151, respectively). Demographic, clinical, and obstetrical characteristics and first-trimester complete blood count were retrieved.