A summer outbreak of influenza A virus infection among young children.

In the summer of 2003 in Jerusalem, Israel, 23 children were hospitalized with influenza A virus (A/Fujian/411/02-like virus) infection. The majority were neonates and infants. Clinical manifestations included neonatal fever, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, and outcomes were favorable.

High seroprevalence of human metapneumovirus among young children in Israel.

Exposure to the newly discovered human metapneumovirus (HMPV) during the first 2 years of life was studied by longitudinal serological analysis in 40 healthy children in southern Israel. The seropositivity rate decreased to a minimum by age 13 months and increased to 52% by age 24 months. Evidence of new infection was detected in 13%, 23%, and 55% of children by ages 7, 13, and 24 months, respectively.

Cataract surgery in children with chronic uveitis.

Objective: To evaluate the visual outcome of cataract surgery in children's eyes with chronic uveitis and the feasibility of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in these cases.

Design: Retrospective noncomparative case series.

Participants: Seventeen children (20 eyes) with chronic uveitis, dense cataract, and a preoperative visual acuity of 6/120 or less with follow-up of 5 years after the initial cataract surgery.

Assessment of vestibular ototoxicity of ear drops by recording of vestibular evoked potentials to acceleration impulses.

Introduction: The cochlear ototoxicity of several ear drops is well documented in the literature, but very few studies exist on the vestibular ototoxicity of these topical drugs.

Goal Of Study: To develop an animal model for the assessment of the vestibular ototoxicity of ear drops.

Materials And Methods: Two animal groups, consisting of five fat sand rats (FSRs) each, underwent unilateral labyrinthectomy.

Posterior capsulectomy in pediatric cataract surgery: the necessity of a choice.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether a posterior capsulectomy combined with anterior vitrectomy is a necessity in pediatric cataract.

Design: The incidence of posterior capsule opacification, the need for additional surgical interventions, and the influence of a primary posterior capsulectomy after cataract surgery in children were evaluated. The analysis was carried out by studying patients' records retrospectively or after prospective follow-up.

Traumatic cataract in children: correction of aphakia by contact lens or intraocular lens.

Purpose: To compare the postoperative complications, visual outcome, and incidence of strabismus in children suffering from traumatic cataract corrected with contact lens or intraocular lens and to follow up the refractive changes in these eyes for an extended period of time.

Methods: Forty children, 2 to 13 years old at time of surgery for unilateral traumatic cataract, were followed up for 1.5 to 11 years.

Blood serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in pars planitis and ocular Behçet disease.

Purpose: To determine the levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in the blood serum of patients with idiopathic bilateral pars planitis and Behçet disease.

Methods: Five milliliters of blood was with-drawn from the cubital vein of 91 patients (58 with the ocular type and five with the combined type of Behçet disease; 28 with pars planitis) and 36 volunteers. Serum was separated from these samples and stored at -70 C until assayed.

Ketotifen therapy in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD): effect on mast cells and fibroblasts.

Current treatment options for cGVHD are limited. Mast cells (MC) and fibroblasts have been shown to play a role in the murine model of cGVHD. Ketotifen is an anti-H-1 antihistamine with MC-stabilizing properties.

Effect of ionizing radiation on neuromuscular junctions in mouse tongues.

Radiation damage to the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in mouse tongues was studied using local x-irradiation of the tongues with the rest of the body shielded. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed no significant morphological changes in the fine structures and organelles of the NMJs given 4 Gy. A dose of 8 Gy produced degenevative morphological changes associated with oxon terminal sprouting as early as 2 and 7 days following irradiation.

Groenouw's macular dystrophy: Histochemistry and ultrastructure of the cornea.

Corneal macular dystrophy - Groenouw Type II - is related to a local deficiency of the hydrolytic enzyme α-Galactosidase. The disease originates from the stromal keratocytes and affects progressively Bowman's and Descemet's membranes.Examining such an affected cornea by means of light microscopy, histochemistry and electron microscopy, these findings were confirmed.

Kibbutz adolescence: Relevance to personality development theory.

The paper presents the child-raising model of the Israeli kibbutzim and describes the modal kibbutz adolescent. The relation of some of its significant constituents (multiple mothering, peer group living, institutionalization of values, and role expectations) to the course and the outcome of adolescent maturation is reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of the extended psychosocial moratorium are considered, and it is suggested that time-limited adolescence may be a favorable factor on healthy personality growth.