Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve-In-Valve Implantation in Patients with Tricuspid Bioprosthetic Valve Degeneration at High Surgical Risk: A Multicenter Case Series.

Background: Transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation (TVIV) is an attractive yet under-explored alternative to redo valve surgery.

Objectives: To report the multicenter TVIV experience in Israel.

Methods: We approached multiple centers and collected data regarding seven TVIV cases.

Immunogenicity of Sci-B-Vac (a Third-Generation Hepatitis B Vaccine) in HIV-Positive Adults.

Background: Guidelines recommend hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination of all adults positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Immune responses to single-antigen HBV vaccine among HIV-positive patients are low when compared with HIV-negative adults. Sci-B-Vac™ is a recombinant third-generation HBV that may be advantageous in this population.

Lymphocyte Subset Reference Ranges in Healthy Israeli Adults.

Background: Reference ranges for adult peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets have been established in a few countries. To the best of our knowledge no broad lymphocyte subset analysis of the Israeli population has been reported.  Objectives: To establish reference ranges for healthy adults in Israel and to describe age- and gender-specific differences, if present.

Effects of histone deacetylase inhibitory prodrugs on epigenetic changes and DNA damage response in tumor and heart of glioblastoma xenograft.

The histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory prodrugs of butyric (AN7) and valproic (AN446) acids, which release the active acids upon metabolic degradation, were studied examining their differential effects on the viability, HDAC inhibitory activity and the DNA damage response (DDR), in glioblastoma cell and normal human astrocytes (NHAs). In xenografts of glioblastoma, AN7 or AN446 given or the combination of each of them with Dox augmented the anticancer activity of Dox and protected the heart from its toxicity. In order to determine the processes underlying these opposing effects, the changes induced by these treatments on the epigenetic landscape, the DDR, and fibrosis were compared in tumors and hearts of glioblastoma xenografts.

Tissue and peripheral eosinophilia as predictors for disease outcome in children with ulcerative colitis.

Background: Eosinophils are implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Aims: To evaluate the magnitude of mucosal and blood eosinophils in newly diagnosed pediatric ulcerative colitis patients and its significance in predicting disease outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated colorectal biopsies of 96 pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis and 50 age- and sex-matched controls.

Anthropometric measures and prevalence trends in adolescents with coeliac disease: a population based study.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of coeliac disease (CD) diagnosis on anthropometric measures at late adolescence and to assess trends in the prevalence of diagnosed CD over time.

Design: A population based study.

Patients: Prior to enlistment, at the age of 17 years, most of the Israeli Jewish population undergoes a general health examination.

Aspiration of immature oocytes during cesarean section for fertility preservation.

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes is an important technology for selected clinical indications. We previously described a pregnant woman with a history of renal transplantation who underwent oocyte aspiration during cesarean section (CS) for fertility preservation and future surrogacy.

Case: A 27-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with neck rhabdomyosarcoma at 37 weeks' gestation.

Methadone treatment, bruxism, and temporomandibular disorders among male prisoners.

There is little information on bruxism related to illicit drug use. Prolonged drug use may damage the stomatognathic system via oral motor overactivity. The aim of the present study was to compare the rates of bruxism and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) between prisoners with and without drug-use disorders, to evaluate the association between methadone treatment and bruxism and to assess the possible relationship between bruxism and pain.

Israeli survey of anesthesia practice related to placenta previa and accreta.

Background: Anesthesia practices for placenta previa (PP) and accreta (PA) impact hemorrhage management and other supportive strategies. We conducted a survey to assess reported management of PP and PA in all Israeli labor and delivery units.

Methods: After Institutional Review Board waiver, we surveyed all 26 Israeli hospitals with a labor and delivery unit by directly contacting the representatives of obstetric anesthesiology services in every department (unit director or department chair).

Patients' Attitudes Towards Disclosure of Genetic Test Results to Family Members: The Impact of Patients' Sociodemographic Background and Counseling Experience.

Many factors predict the intention to disclose genetic information to relatives. The article examines the impact of patients' socio-demographic factors on their intention to disclose genetic testing results to their relatives. Data were collected in eight genetic clinics in Israel.

A de-novo interstitial microduplication involving 2p16.1-p15 and mirroring 2p16.1-p15 microdeletion syndrome: Clinical and molecular analysis.

Background: Microdeletions of various sizes in the 2p16.1-p15 chromosomal region have been grouped together under the 2p16.1-p15 microdeletion syndrome.

Oncologic results of nephron sparing endoscopic approach for upper tract low grade transitional cell carcinoma in comparison to nephroureterectomy - a case control study.

Background: There is paucity of data as to the results of the endoscopic approach in comparison to the golden standard of nephro-ureterectomy in elective, low grade TCC, patients. Our purpose is to report our results of a nephron sparing approach compared to nephro-ureterectomy in those patients.

Methods: From a retrospective data base we identified 25 patients and 23 patients who underwent a nephron sparing ureterosocpic resection and nephro-reterectomy for low grade UT-TCC, respectively.

A longitudinal assessment of the natural rate of decline in renal function with age.

Background: Cross-sectional studies have long suggested that renal function declines with age. Longitudinal studies regarding this issue are limited.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a database of subjects attending a screening center in Israel between the years 2000-2012.

Low plasma vitamin D levels and muscle-related adverse effects in statin users.

Background: Treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) is often complicated by muscle-related adverse effects (MAEs). Studies of the association between low plasma vitamin D levels and MAEs have yielded conflicting results.

Objectives: To determine if low plasma vitamin D level is a risk factorfor MAEs in statin users.

Outcome of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: cross-sectional study of a single-center real-world inception cohort.

Background: Tight control of disease activity is the recommended target of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives: To determine the outcome of RA with respect to disease activity and the rate of remission, as measured by the DAS-28, in a real-world inception cohort.

Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of a single-center real-world inception cohort of 101 consecutive patients being treated for RA in 2009-2010 in a rheumatology outpatient clinic.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy among Bulgarian Jews: a new cluster?

Background: Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) produced by the (GCG)13 expansion mutation in the PABPN1 gene is frequent among Uzbek Jews in Israel.

Objectives: To describe the phenotypic and genotypic features in five Bulgarian Jewish patients, from different families, with autosomal dominant OPMD.

Methods: We performed clinical follow-up, electrodiagnostic tests and mutation detection.

The impact of sleep deprivation on sleepiness, risk factors and professional performance in medical residents.

Background: Prolonged working hours and sleep deprivation can exert negative effects on professional performance and health.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between sleep deprivation, key metabolic markers, and professional performance in medical residents.

Methods: We compared 35 residents working the in-house night shift with 35 senior year medical students in a cross-sectional cohort study.

Post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation: comparison of primary and secondary tracheoesophageal puncture.

Background: Voice restoration following total laryngectomy is an important part of patients' rehabilitation and long-term quality of life.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term outcome of indwelling voice prostheses inserted during (primary procedure) or after (secondary procedure) total laryngectomy.

Methods: The study group included 90 patients who underwent total laryngectomy and tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) with placement of voice prosthesis at a tertiary medical center during the period 1990-2008.

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome: a case series.

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease with clinical manifestations of arterial and venous thrombosis, obstetric manifestations, and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies or lupus anticoagulant. Catastrophic APS is a rare variant of APS, defined as acute failure of at least three tissues, organs or systems caused predominantly by small vessel thrombosis confirmed by histopathologic evidence. Catastrophic APS develops rapidly and leads to death in 30% of cases.

Evaluation of a new immunochromatography test for rapid and simultaneous detection of Clostridium difficile antigen and toxins.

Background: Clostridium difficile infection is considered the most common cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea among adults in the developed world. It is responsible for virtually all cases of pseudomembranous colitis. The Tox A/B enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is the most widely used test for the detection of C.

Smoking habits among Israeli hospital doctors: a survey and historical review.

Background: Smoking is a serious health issue worldwide. Smoking trends among physicians predict similar trends in the general population. Little is known about current smoking rates among physicians.

Heparanase patents: dim past and bright future.

Heparanase is an enzyme expressed normally in platelets and in placenta at high levels, and is undetectable in other normal human tissues. Heparanase degrades the heparan sulfate saccharides of the extracellular matrix. The real problem starts when tumor cells express heparanase; this results in increased tumor angiogenesis, aggressiveness, and metastasis.