Multidimensional vulnerability and financial risk protection in health in contexts of protracted conflict: Evidence from the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

This paper proposes a multidimensional vulnerability index for a setting of protracted conflict, which is applied to study the relationship between financial vulnerability and catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) incidence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 2018. We find that our index better captures the extent of financial risk protection in health compared to conventional measures of financial welfare. Results indicate that the most vulnerable groups experience a significantly higher likelihood of incurring CHE, and this likelihood is increased for those living in the West Bank compared to the Gaza Strip.

Penehyclidine Hydrochloride: A Promising Antimuscarinic Agent for PONV Prophylaxis in Diverse Surgical Procedures.

Purpose: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to measure the effectiveness of penehyclidine hydrochloride hydrate (PHC)-an antimuscarinic drug-in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for different surgeries.

Design: Meta-analysis.

Methods: According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we conducted an online literature search using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases.

Iodoform in Surgical Practice: A Comprehensive Review of Its Historical Evolution, Clinical Applications, and Safety Profiles.

Iodoform, a halogenated organic compound, has been a cornerstone in surgical practice due to its potent antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. This comprehensive review examines the historical evolution, mechanism of action, clinical applications, and safety profile of iodoform across various surgical disciplines. Historically significant formulations like Whitehead's varnish and bismuth iodoform paraffin paste (BIPP) demonstrated remarkable efficacy in wound healing during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Active cycle of breathing technique versus oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy: Effect on lung function in children with primary ciliary dyskinesia; A feasibility study.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder requiring airway clearance techniques for mucus removal. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and the effect of the active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) versus oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy (OPEP) in improving lung function and functional exercise capacity among children with PCD in Palestine. 32 PCD children (6-18 years) were included in a 12-week home-based feasibility study.

Major individual and regional variations in unit entrainment by oscillations of different frequencies.

In vitro studies have shown that a neuron's electroresponsive properties can predispose it to oscillate at specific frequencies. In contrast, network activity in vivo can entrain neurons to rhythms that their biophysical properties do not predispose them to favor. However, there is limited information on the comparative frequency profile of unit entrainment across brain regions.

Validating quality standards in Palestinian emergency departments: An e-Delphi survey approach.

To validate Palestine's previously derived emergency department quality standards (EDQS) using an e-Delphi survey. A two-round e-Delphi survey validated the EDQS, developed in an earlier study through a literature review and consensus-building among Palestinian emergency medicine and healthcare quality experts. The study purposively sampled 53 emergency department and healthcare quality experts with over 5 years of experience.

Organ-specific malperfusion in acute type A aortic dissection: epidemiological meta-analysis of incidence rates.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening clinical emergency that necessitates immediate surgical intervention with an estimated mortality rate of approximately 1-2% per hour. When complicated by malperfusion, the perioperative mortality rate is reported to be increased by up to 39%. Malperfusion can affect many vascular beds with varying incidence and severity, resulting in coronary, cerebral, visceral, peripheral, renal or spinal malperfusion.

Recurrent peripheral ischemia following endovascular repair of an infrarenal aortic aneurysm: what did we miss?

We document a case of a 75-year-old patient with a history of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, who underwent endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with common iliac artery ectasia. Despite an initially successful procedure, the patient experienced recurrent episodes of acute limb ischemia in his right leg. Subsequent imaging revealed thrombus formation distal to the stent graft, constituting a potential source of embolization, which warranted a reevaluation of the treatment strategy.

Rotational Atherectomy Followed by Modified (Cutting or Scoring) Balloon Versus Plain Balloon Before Drug‑Eluting Stent Implantation for Calcified Coronary Lesions: A Meta-Analysis.

Coronary calcification is a major factor leading to stent under-expansion, and subsequent adverse events. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the short and long‑term outcomes of rotational atherectomy (RA), followed by modified balloon (cutting or scoring) (MB) versus plain balloon before drug‑eluting stent implantation for calcified coronary lesions. We searched PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and the Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), from inception until 30 January 2024.

Validation of the Perceived hope scale in Arabic-speaking adults living in Gaza in the midst of war, destruction and death.

Background: Despite its obvious relevance for clinical practice and research, it is surprising that presently no hope measure is available for use among Arabic-speaking populations, especially the most vulnerable ones who have been going through major humanitarian crises. This paper aimed to provide novel insights into psychometric information on the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Perceived Hope Scale (PHS) in Palestinians living in Gaza who have endured several months of suffering since the war began in October 2023.

Method: This study had a cross-sectional design and applied a quantitative research approach.

Incidental detection of pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis in an old adult: An exceedingly rare case report.

Introduction And Importance: Pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis (PLC) is a rare and aggressive condition that silently spreads cancer cells through the lungs' lymphatic system. Often linked to advanced malignancies, PLC often mimics other pulmonary diseases, making diagnosis challenging. This report shares the unique case of an asymptomatic patient whose routine follow-up imaging led to the early discovery of PLC, highlighting the life-saving potential of attentive medical care.

Unveiling the Hidden Burden: A Systematic Review on the Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Calcified Brain Metastases.

Background: Brain calcifications, found in various conditions, may be incidental or crucial for diagnosis. They occur in physiological changes, infections, genetic diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, vascular syndromes, metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, and primary tumors like oligodendroglioma. While often incidental, their presence can be vital for accurate diagnosis.

A rare case of adult-onset vanishing white matter leukoencephalopathy with movement disorder, expressing homozygous EIF2B3 and PRKN pathogenic variants.

Background: Vanishing white matter disease (VWMD) is a rare autosomal recessive leukoencephalopathy. It is typified by a gradual loss of white matter in the brain and spinal cord, which results in impairments in vision and hearing, cerebellar ataxia, muscular weakness, stiffness, seizures, and dysarthria cogitative decline. Many reports involve minors.

Impact of initial jugular vein insertion site selection for central venous catheter placement on hemodialysis catheter complications.

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of choosing the right versus left internal jugular vein (IJV) for initial central venous catheter (CVC) placement on hemodialysis catheter-related outcomes in critically ill patients.

Materials And Methods: Medical records from the University of Maryland Medical Center were reviewed for adult critical care patients who received an IJV CVC between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, and later required an additional temporary hemodialysis catheter.

Results: The study included 214 patients, with 100 (46.

The prevalence of burnout and coping strategies among Palestinian health professionals: a cross sectional study.

Introduction: During times of conflict, healthcare personnel face a heightened vulnerability to experiencing psychological problems such as burnout. The impact of conflict or wars on mental health professionals in Palestine and their strategies for managing these problems are currently not recognized. This study sought to assess the prevalence of burnout symptoms and coping strategies among healthcare workers in Palestine, in the context of the ongoing conflict and political violence.

Approach to death and dying patients and its relation with death anxiety among medical interns: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Dealing with death and dying patients is one of the most challenging aspects of medical practice. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitude of medical interns toward death and dying patients as well as their level of death anxiety.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on medical interns across three countries-Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine-using an online survey created with Google Forms.

Evans syndrome as a presentation in systemic lupus erythematous, coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and pernicious anemia: a case report.

Background: Evans syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the simultaneous or sequential combination of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immunological thrombocytopenia, together with a positive direct antiglobulin test. This syndrome, which can be primary or secondary, is a rare initial manifestation of autoimmune diseases, notably systemic lupus erythematosus, with 1.7-2.

The Health-Related Quality of Life for Cemented Versus Uncemented Hemiarthroplasty in Elderly Patients With Femoral Neck Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: Femoral neck fractures in the elderly are a global health issue, with the choice between cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty remaining a topic of debate. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the effects of the two surgical options on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mortality, and functional outcomes.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing cemented with uncemented hemiarthroplasty in patients aged 50 years and older with femoral neck fractures.

Segmental Thoracic Spinal Anesthesia for Critical Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgeries: A Case Series and Literature Review.

Segmental thoracic spinal anesthesia (STSA) is emerging as a promising alternative for high-risk patients undergoing abdominal surgeries, particularly those who are not optimal candidates for general anesthesia (GA). By selectively targeting the thoracic spinal segments responsible for abdominal innervation, STSA aims to provide precise anesthesia and pain management while minimizing systemic side effects. This case series presents the outcomes of several critical patients who underwent abdominal surgeries under STSA.

Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on the incidence of preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy complication affecting 2-8% of pregnancies globally, contributing to substantial maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, yet the efficacy of its supplementation during pregnancy in reducing preeclampsia incidence remains uncertain.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the incidence of preeclampsia and related maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Data-driven vs. psychological personality temperaments: theoretical and clinical utility of personality measures in psychiatry.

Decades of research on personality identified dissociable psychological temperaments. Cloninger's temperament and character theory used a psychobiological approach to differentiate three major dimensions of personality: harm avoidance, novelty seeking, and reward dependence. Previous studies, heretofore, did not examine the correspondence between Cloninger's psychological temperaments and statistically independent data-driven components and how that could enhance the clinical utility of personality temperaments.

Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: A European Multicentre Cross-Sectional Evaluation.

Background: A multicentre European randomized control trial - European Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Repair (EU-TBAR) is being developed to compare pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with custom-made devices versus conventional optimal medical therapy. The pretrial set-up is confluent on different pillars, including evaluation of 1) European activity, trends, and governance; 2) outcome reporting; and 3) cost evaluation. This article aimed to demonstrate the observational cross-sectional survey results from participating centers and highlight the risk assessment, activity, practices, and governance of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD).

Awareness and knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among the general public in West-Bank in Palestine.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a leading cause of cardiovascular-related deaths, often occurring outside hospitals in undiagnosed individuals. Our study aims to assess the baseline awareness and skills in performing CPR among the population in Palestine.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire to assess CPR knowledge among residents of the West Bank, Palestine.