Main Operating Room Versus Field Sterility in Hand Surgery: A Review of the Evidence.

Many of the guidelines that are generally accepted as main operating room best practices are not evidence based. They are based on the concept that if some sterility is good, more must be better. They are not derived from evidence-based sterility.

On-admission serum 25(OH)D level and mortality within one year in older patients.

Background: Mounting evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of many chronic non-skeletal, age-associated diseases as well as mortality.

Aim: To determine, in older patients aged ≥ 80, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with comorbidity, laboratory tests, length of stay and mortality within one year from blood withdrawal on admission to acute geriatrics ward.

Methods: We retrospectively surveyed electronic hospital health records of 830 older patients.

Age-related Changes of the Prostate on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation in a Screening Cohort of BRCA Mutation Carriers.

Background: Age-related changes in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate have been reported in the general population but not in screening cohorts.

Objectives: To evaluate age-related changes on prostatic mpMRI in a screening cohort of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.

Methods: Asymptomatic BRCA1/2 mutation carriers underwent mpMRI as part of a screening program.

Mortality in the Oldest-Old Adults After Discharge From Acute Geriatric Ward.

To examine risk factors for post-discharge mortality in the oldest-old patients. We have assessed the risk factors for mortality after discharge from acute geriatric ward in 448 patients aged ≥90. Low albumin, high urea, and full dependence were risk factors for mortality within 1 month and within 1 year after discharge from hospital.

First-line programmed death-1 inhibitor treatment for locoregionally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma - A real-world experience from Israel.

Objective: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common non-melanoma skin cancer worldwide. It is usually treated surgically, with very high cure rates. However, in 3%-7% of cases, cSCC metastasizes to lymph nodes or distant organs.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in acute mitral regurgitation following acute myocardial infarction: Recent advances.

Acute mitral regurgitation (MR) is not a rare finding following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It may develop due to papillary muscle rupture (primary MR) or due to rapid remodeling of the infarcted areas leading to geometric changes and leaflets tethering (secondary or functional MR). The clinical presentation can be catastrophic, with pulmonary edema and refractory cardiogenic shock.

Falls in oldest-old adults hospitalized in acute geriatric ward.

Purpose: The study aims to identify risk factors for falling among acutely ill older patients, hospitalized in acute geriatric ward.

Methods: A retrospective study of 260 cases of patients who had fallen and 439 controls was conducted in a geriatric ward. We retrieved from the electronic hospital records data including patient demographics, medical diagnoses, and laboratory results, and drugs taken prior to the fall were reviewed.

Imaging and Chemical Analysis of External and Internal Ureteral Stent Encrustation.

Introduction: Ureteral stents are effective in alleviating flow disruptions in the urinary tract, whether due to ureteral stones, strictures or extrinsic ureteral obstruction. However, significant stent encrustation on the external and/or internal stent lumen walls can occur, which may interfere with stent functioning and/or removal. Currently, there is only limited, generally qualitative, information on the distribution, mineral structure, and chemical content of these deposits, particularly in terms of stent lumen encrustation.

Osteophytes' position in subjects with DISH and right-sided aorta: verification of the 'aortic pulsation protective effect' theory.

Objectives: To validate in a large cohort with right-sided aorta the theory that thoracic right-sided flowing osteophytes in DISH results from a 'protective' effect of the pulsating descending left-sided thoracic aorta.

Methods: Chest CTs of patients with DISH and right-sided aorta and controls with DISH and left-sided aorta were evaluated and compared on each intervertebral space (IS) for the location of the aorta (right, left, centre) and the location of the osteophyte relative to the aorta (contralateral, ipsilateral, bilateral).

Results: The study and control cohorts included 31 and 35 subjects, respectively (male 22/9 and female 27/8; median age 64.

Major pulmonary resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation in potentially resectable stage III non-small cell lung carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of postoperative outcome and survival of locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) resections after neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation. Medical records of all patients with clinical stage III potentially resectable NSCLC initially treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation followed by major pulmonary resections were retrieved from the databases of four Israeli Medical Centers between 1999 to 2019. The 124 suitable patients included, 86 males (69.

Sentinel Lymph Node Sampling as an Alternative to Lymphadenectomy in Patients With Endometrial Cancer and Obesity.

Objective: Although its use in endometrial cancer staging is relatively new, sentinel lymph node (SLN) sampling has been shown to be highly accurate and is associated with few complications. However, some studies report lower rates of detection with SLN sampling among patients with obesity. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the feasibility of SLN sampling in endometrial cancer for patients with obesity, and to determine whether omitting lymph node dissection (LND) in surgical staging using SLN sampling impacts oncologic outcomes.

Promoting Compliance to COVID-19 Vaccination in Military Units.

Background: On December 27th, 2020, the Israeli Defense Forces initiated a mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign aiming to vaccinate its personnel. This population upheld specific characteristics in terms of age and sex, lack of significant comorbidities, and a general scarcity of risk factors for sustaining a severe COVID-19 illness. We present the measures taken to increase vaccination compliance, and the vaccination rate that followed these actions.

Length of hospital stay among oldest-old patients in acute geriatric ward.

Purpose: To examine risk factors for prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) in the oldest-old inpatients aged ≥ 90.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in acute Geriatrics Department at Kaplan Medical Center. The target population was the oldest-old inpatients aged ≥ 90 hospitalized with acute illness.

Influence of Reading on Smartphone Screens on Visual Optical Quality Metrics and Tear Film Stability.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a prolonged reading session on a smartphone screen on optical quality metrics and tear film stability.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 41 healthy volunteers who were asked to read an article on a smartphone screen for 20 minutes. The following tests were performed before the reading task in this consecutive order and repeated after the reading task in the same order: automated noninvasive tear break-up time, optical quality assessment including Objective Scatter Index (OSI), modulation transfer function, Strehl ratio, and tear film dynamic analysis as follows: vision break-up time (VBUT) as a function of OSI changes within 20 seconds, using a double-pass aberrometer imaging system, and fluorescein tear break-up time (FBUT) measured using the slit lamp.

Conception after early IVF pregnancy loss: should we wait?

Research Question: Is the interval length between an early pregnancy loss and the following treatment cycle a predictor for achieving clinical pregnancy among IVF patients?

Design: This retrospective cohort study of 257 women who reinitiated treatment after first-trimester IVF pregnancy loss was conducted at a tertiary, university-affiliated medical centre between 1 January 2014 to 1 January 2018. Women aged 18-40 years, with normal uterine cavity, who experienced first-trimester pregnancy loss at less than 14 weeks after IVF, were included. Miscarriages were classified as spontaneous, biochemical, medical or surgical.

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.

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).

Does the Hebrew Eating Assessment Tool-10 Correlate with Pharyngeal Residue, Penetration and Aspiration on Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing?

The Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) is a 10-item patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for dysphagia patients. The objective of this study was to translate and validate the EAT-10 and to test for a correlation between its score and residue, penetration and aspiration on Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing (FEES). 136 patients visiting two specialized dysphagia clinics and undergoing FEES between April 2015 and August 2017, filled the EAT-10.

Correlation Between Pharyngeal Residue and Aspiration in Fiber-Optic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing: An Observational Study.

Objectives: To examine the correlation between pharyngeal residue severity and clearance to penetration/aspiration on fiber-optic endoscopic examination of swallowing (FEES).

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Kaplan Medical Center dysphagia clinic.

Translation and Validation of the Dysphagia Handicap Index in Hebrew-Speaking Patients.

The Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) is a 25-item questionnaire assessing the physical, functional, and emotional aspects of dysphagia patients' quality of life (QoL). The study goal was to translate and validate the Hebrew-DHI. 148 patients undergoing fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing (FEES) in two specialized dysphagia clinics between February and August 2017 filled the Hebrew-DHI and self-reported their dysphagia severity on a scale of 1-7.

Minocycline induced lupus with yellow colored chylous exudative pleural effusion.

Ninety years old male was admitted to hospital due to breathlessness. The prominent findings were extensive blue-grey skin pigmentation and large left chylothorax. Drug induced lupus was diagnosed due to either minocycline chronic treatment or no alternative illness to explain his sub-acute disease.

Adult acute supraglottitis: Analysis of 358 patients for predictors of airway intervention.

Objectives/hypothesis: Acute supraglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition due to rapid onset upper airway obstruction. The study aimed to characterize adult acute supraglottitis patients and to recognize factors associated with an aggressive disease course.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.