Comparison of blood pressure measurements on the bare and sleeved arms - what does it uncover?

Accurate office blood pressure (BP) measurement remains crucial in diagnosing and managing hypertension. In this study, we aimed to compare BP measurements done over a bare arm versus a sleeved arm, while controlling all other possible sources of variance. We collected BP measurements of 100 hypertensive patients visiting a nephrology and hypertension clinic between January 2019 and December 2023.

Dry Eye Disease following LASIK, PRK, and LASEK: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

Dry eye disease is the most frequent non-refractive postoperative complication following refractive surgery. This prospective study investigated the development of dry eye disease after three common refractive laser surgeries: laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK). Patients who underwent uneventful refractive surgery in a single private medical center between May 2017 and September 2020 were included.

The Prevalence of Amblyopia and Eye Diseases among Pediatric Jewish Ethiopian Immigrants in Israel: An Observational Cross-sectional Study.

Background: In developed countries, amblyopia has an estimated prevalence rate of 1-4%, depending on the socioeconomic gradient. Previous studies performed on pediatric populations in Ethiopia demonstrated amblyopia rates up to 16.7.

The HIT Study-The Hydroxychloroquine Effect in the Treatment of Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Decreased age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been reported in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ, plaquenil). In a randomized controlled trial with a parallel study design, we assessed visual acuity, central macular thickness measured with macular optical coherence tomography (OCT), and the number and size of drusen, following treatment with HCQ or a placebo in individuals with AMD. The patients received a daily dosage of 400 mg hydroxychloroquine (study group) or placebo (control group) during 12 months, and underwent complete ophthalmic examinations at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months after initiation of treatment.

[IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM - PROFESSIONAL NURSING COMPETENCE ADAPTED TO CLINICAL NEEDS TO IMPROVE THE PROFESSIONAL QUALITY AND QUALITY OF CARE AT ASSUTA ASHDOD PUBLIC HOSPITAL].

Health systems in Israel and around the world are facing an increase in life expectancy and chronic diseases, along with technological developments, healthcare transparency, and increased customer (patients') requirements. Medical teams must provide high professional responses to these challenges. Nurse training in Israel occurs on both academic and professional levels.

Modified "Top-up sandwich" technique for the management of corneal perforations: A case report and a literature review.

Purpose: We describe a modified technique for managing a peripheral, non-infected, corneal perforation using a "Sandwich" technique that combines posterior lamellar keratoplasty, an amniotic membrane patch and a Gundersen conjunctival flap.

Observations: A 75-year-old female patient presented with Sjogren's syndrome-related corneal perforation. A mini-Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) graft (5 mm) was introduced into the anterior chamber and was mobilized to plug the perforation.

Spectrum of brain malformations in fetuses with mild tubulinopathy.

Objective: To report on a large cohort of fetuses with mild forms of tubulinopathy and to define prenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that can facilitate prenatal diagnosis.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study of fetuses diagnosed between January 2007 and February 2022 with a mild tubulinopathy (without lissencephaly or microlissencephaly). We collected and reviewed brain imaging and genetic data, and defined major criteria as findings observed in ≥ 70% of the patients and minor criteria as those observed in ≥ 50% but < 70% of the patients.

The Impact of Prehospital and Hospital Care on Clinical Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

: In recent years, several actions have been made to shorten the chain of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). These include placing defibrillators in public places, training first responders, and providing dispatcher-assisted CPR (DA-CPR). In this work, we aimed to evaluate the impact of these changes on patients' outcomes, including achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to discharge, and survival with favorable neurological function.

Quality of Life Following Robotic Transaxillary Versus Conventional Hemithyroidectomy: A Comparative Analysis.

Robotic technology has proven safe and effective for thyroidectomy procedures. Few studies have addressed the quality-of-life outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy compared with conventional thyroidectomy. The database of a tertiary medical center was retrospectively reviewed for all patients with thyroid disease who had undergone robotic hemithyroidectomy in 2012-2020.

Sexual dimorphism of the fetal brain biometry: an MRI-based study.

Purpose: Fetal growth assessment is a key component of prenatal care. Sex-specific fetal brain nomograms on ultrasound are available and are clinically used. In recent years, the use of fetal MRI has been increasing; however, there are no sex-specific fetal CNS nomograms on MRI.

Differences in severity of cardiovascular anomalies in children with Noonan syndrome based on the causative gene.

Background: Noonan syndrome (NS) is a genetic syndrome, characterized by various dysmorphic features, cardiac anomalies, short stature, and developmental delay. NS is a leading cause of cardiovascular anomalies. The syndrome results from dysregulation in the RAS-MAPK pathway and is related to the RASopathy family syndromes.

Persistent Asymptomatic Isolated Microscopic Hematuria in Adolescents is not Associated With an Increased Risk for Early Onset Urinary Tract Cancer.

Objective: To elucidate the association between adolescent microscopic hematuria and early onset urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma.

Methods: Nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study using medical data of 970,366 adolescents aged 16 through 19 years (58.6% male) examined for fitness for military service between 1980 and 1997.

Refractive Outcomes of Non-Toric and Toric Intraocular Lenses in Mild, Moderate and Advanced Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the refractive outcomes of non-toric and toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) in keratoconus (KC) using different IOL power calculation formulas.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify studies that report on refractive outcomes of different IOL power calculation formulas in KC patients undergoing cataract surgery. Inclusion criteria were primary posterior chamber non-toric and toric monofocal intraocular lens implantation, data on the degree of KC, explicit mention of the formula used for each stage of KC, and the number of eyes in each category.

[CUFFING PRISONERS AND DETAINEES IN ISRAELI HOSPITALS - A MULTI-CENTER STUDY].

Aims: To describe the extent of prisoner/detainee cuffing and characterize cuffing methods.

Background: Thousands of prisoners and detainees receive medical treatment in Israeli hospitals every year. According to the Israeli law, cuffing during hospital stay should be an exceptional measure, to be considered only in cases of real threat of violence or escape, based on individual assessment.

Alarming increase in ketoacidosis in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and severity of ketoacidosis (DKA) at type 1 diabetes diagnosis during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Israel.

Research Design And Methods: A population-based study the product of a national collaboration of Israeli pediatric diabetes centers investigated the presentation of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. The frequencies of DKA and severe DKA observed during the COVID-19 period from March 15, 2020 (commencement of the first nationwide lockdown) until June 30, 2020 were compared with the same periods in 2019, 2018, and 2017 using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic position.

Machine learning-based prediction of 1-year mortality for acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Clinical risk assessment with quantitative formal risk scores may add to intuitive physician risk assessment and are advised by the international guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Most previous studies have used the binary regression/classification approach (dead/alive) for long-term mortality post-ACS, without considering the time-to-event as in survival analysis. The use of machine learning (ML)-based survival models has yet to be validated.

Differences in the thermal properties and surface temperature of prehospital antihypothermia devices: an in vitro study.

Background: Preventing and treating hypothermia in prehospital settings is crucial. Several products have been developed to prevent heat loss and actively warm patients in prehospital settings. We compared the efficacy and the surface temperature of different antihypothermia products, using a fluid-based model at two ambient temperatures.

The effect of central corneal thickness on Goldmann tonometry: a retrospective study.

Purpose: To determine the relation between central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study investigated 112 eyes from 56 individuals who underwent photorefractive keratectomy in a single private medical center between May 2018 and September 2019. Intraocular pressure readings were obtained with Goldmann applanation tonometry, and central corneal thickness measurements were evaluated preoperatively.

"One-stop shop" for the evaluation of the infertile patient: hystero-salpingo foam sonography combined with two and three dimensional ultrasound and sonohysterography.

Hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) is considered an acceptable alternative for hysterosalpingography (HSG). By combining HyFoSy with two and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) ultrasound and hysterosonography, a complete fertility work-up can be done. We aimed to evaluate the value of a combined ultrasound examination for fertility work-up.