Is the evaluation and treatment of transient ischemic attack performed according to current knowledge? A nationwide Israeli registry.

Background: Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) at a high risk of stroke can be identified and should be managed urgently.

Objectives: To investigate whether recognized recommendations are being implemented in Israel.

Methods: An Israeli nationwide registry (NASIS) on patients admitted with stroke and TIA was conducted in all acute care hospitals within 2 successive months during 2004, 2007 and 2010.

Computed tomography study of the effect of orlistat on visceral adipose tissue volume in obese subjects.

Background: Obesity has become a major public health problem worldwide.

Objectives: To examine the effect of orlistat in promoting weight loss and its specific effect on visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue as evaluated by computed tomography.

Methods: A prospective case series study of 10 obese subjects was conducted.

Stapled transanal rectal resection: a new surgical treatment for obstructed defecation syndrome.

Background: Rectal intussusception, rectocele and rectal prolapse are anatomic disorders in obstructed defecation syndrome. A relatively new surgical approach, Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection, was designed to treat these anomalies.

Objectives: To present our preliminary results with this technique.

Comparison of embryo quality between intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization in sibling oocytes.

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the quality of embryos derived from sibling oocytes by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI.

Methods: Consecutive patients with a less than 40% fertilization rate in a previous standard IVF cycle or with relative male factor infertility were recruited for the study. The oocytes retrieved from each patient were divided into two groups for either conventional insemination (group A) or ICSI (group B).

On the factors modulating the effect of statins on malignant cell proliferation.

HuCC, EHEB, K562, and Raji cells were incubated with 3 hydrophobic statins (atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin) and one hydrophilic statin (pravastatin). The 4 statins inhibited HuCC cell proliferation; however, none of them affected their apoptosis. EHEB and K562 cell proliferation was inhibited by the hydrophobic statins, but not by pravastatin.

Lycopene affects proliferation and apoptosis of four malignant cell lines.

The beneficial effect of lycopene from tomatoes on a variety of chronic diseases and particularly its association with decreased incidence of prostate and breast cancer seems to be well established. The aim of the study was to examine its anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect on other malignant cell lines. Cells of the following lines were incubated with 1.

Estimation of prevalence and incidence rates and causes of blindness in Israel, 1998-2003.

Background: The prevalence and incidence of blindness in Israel appear to be comparable to other western countries. Comparisons are difficult because of different definitions of blindness, and the uniqueness of the Israeli Registry of the Blind.

Objective: To characterize the population who were registered as Blind in Israel in the years 1998-2003 and estimate the prevalence and incidence of blindness by age and causes of blindness.

[The sense of taste].

The taste sense is one of the five human senses. It is essential to our survival because it enables the individual the choice of correct food, which, in turn, is crucial for one's existence, maintenance and function. This is a complicated chemical sense, which operates in conjunction with other senses such as vision, smell and touch, and is also associated with the operation of temperature and consistency receptors.

Hysteroscopy combined with hysterosalpingo contrast sonography (HyCoSy): a new modality for comprehensive evaluation of the female pelvic organs.

Aim: Hysterolaparoscopy is the gold-standard procedure for mechanical evaluation of the female pelvic organs. However, it is invasive and potentially life-threatening. The purpose of the present study was to assess the value of an alternative, minimally invasive technique.

Functional hypersplenism in mice induced by adoptive transfer of syngeneic spleen cells.

Investigation of peripheral blood cell count alterations in cases with hypersplenism, and an understanding of the relationship between splenic function and hematopoietic cell production require suitable experimental animal models. Previously described methods are either traumatic or require surgical intervention. We suggest a relatively simple method for achievement of a state mimicking hypersplenism in mice by intraperitoneal inoculation of syngeneic spleen cells.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients who previously underwent open nephrolithotomy.

Background And Purpose: Open stone surgery nowdays is rare. However, some patients who are treated today have in the past undergone open nephrolithotomy. The aim of this study was to determine the possible impact of open nephrolithotomy on the efficacy and morbidity of subsequent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: does prolonged stimulation justify cancellation of in vitro fertilization cycles?

Background: In daily practice, assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles are often cancelled under the assumption that a prolonged stimulation period lowers the likelihood of an appropriate ovarian response. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a prolonged cycle has an adverse effect on achievement of pregnancy.

Methods: The study sample included consecutive women enrolled in our ART unit between 1999 and 2001 who were treated with the mid-luteal long suppressive gonadotropin-releasing hormone protocol.

Effect of pravastatin, simvastatin and atorvastatin on the phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Since cholesterol and lipid content may affect cell membrane fluidity, we assumed that treatment of mice with lipid lowering statins would enhance the engulfing capacity of their macrophages. Four groups of animals were examined. Group I-treated with pravastatin, group II--with simvastatin--both drugs in a dosage of 40 mg/kg daily, 5 days/week for a total of 3 weeks.

[Kos and lesbos or the physician and the lesbian patient].

Two to twelve percent of women define themselves as lesbians. Based on this data it has been estimated that 3-6% of patients who visit a physician are lesbians. In light of the growing awareness to gay/lesbian issues during the last decade, the special medical needs of the lesbian population have been sought and defined.

[Hyperperfusion syndrome].

Hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS) is a neurological syndrome, which consists of a triad of unilateral headache, seizures and focal neurological deficits. In its extreme form it can present as an intracerebral hemorrhage. Originally HPS was described in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomies for severe carotid stenosis but, more recently, it was also described following other means of cerebral revascularization such as stent-assisted angioplasty.

Significance of increased endometrial thickness in assisted reproduction technology treatments.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between thick endometrium and both implantation and pregnancy rates in ART treatments.

Methods: The study group was composed of consecutive women undergoing ultrasonographic evaluation on the day of hCG administration in our ART unit. Endometrial thickness was measured at the thickest part of the midsagittal plane.

The relationship between partial splenectomy and peripheral leukocyte count.

Background: Partial splenectomy is accepted as a treatment modality for hypersplenism permitting preservation of the spleen functions. Since a prominent leukocytosis is a marked event after total splenectomy, it was the aim of the present study to compare the peripheral white blood cell counts (PWBC) and immune response in mice following partial and total splenectomy.

Materials And Methods: Four groups of animals were included in the study: mice in which 70% of the spleen was removed, animals that underwent total splenectomy, mice with sham operation, and a group of mice that served as controls.

Gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents in interventional radiology.

Gadolinium-based agents are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging as contrast agents. These agents are radio-opaque enough for diagnostic imaging of the vascular tree by using digitally subtracted images as well as for imaging of the biliary system and the urinary tract. The recommended doses for gadolinium do not impair renal function or cause adverse reactions in patients with iodine sensitivity; thus patients with such conditions can safely undergo diagnostic angiography, either by MRI angiography or by catheterization using gadolinium as contrast agent, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Pregnancy rate fluctuations during routine work in an assisted reproduction technology unit.

Background: Fluctuations in spontaneous pregnancy rates have been observed in the general population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether pregnancy rates fluctuate over time in a homogeneous assisted reproduction treatment unit.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 3522 consecutive assisted reproduction cycles conducted from January 1996 to December 1999.

Lower extremity amputations in chronically dialysed patients: a 10 year study.

Background: Lower limb critical ischemia is a major problem in dialysed patients.

Objective: To evaluate the results of revascularization procedures, amputations and prosthetic rehabilitation in dialysed amputees.

Methods: In this retrospective study we examined the charts of selected dialysis patients.

Relationship between temperature and apoptosis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

To examine the effect of various incubation temperatures on the apoptotic death of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), we incubated cells at 37 degrees C, 22 degrees C, and 4 degrees C for 1 and 24 hours. In addition, cells incubated at 4 degrees C for 3, 6, and 9 hours were rewarmed to 37 degrees C until a total incubation time of 24 hours was reached. The percentage of apoptotic cells was detected by a flow cytometric assay using propidium iodide staining.

The effects of weight loss on renal function in patients with severe obesity.

Severe obesity is associated with increased renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The aim of the present study was to examine whether weight loss may reverse glomerular dysfunction in obese subjects without overt renal disease. Renal glomerular function was studied in eight subjects with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] 48.

Using the automated biopsy gun with real-time ultrasound for native renal biopsy.

Background: The use of an automated biopsy system for renal biopsy has recently gained popularity, but its safety in single functioning kidneys is unclear.

Objective: To report our experience with the automated system for closed renal biopsy during a 5 year period.

Methods: Eighty-five patients underwent percutaneous native renal biopsy with the automated biopsy gun (16G needle) under real-time ultrasound.

[Epulis during pregnancy].

Epulis is a hyperplastic lesion, which originates from the buccal mucosa and mainly from gingival tissues. It is characterised by several histologic types, of which the prevalent type during pregnancy is the granulomatous type, which is composed mainly of capillary vessels and endothelial proliferation. This lesion is referred to as "pregnancy tumor".

Effect of increased dialysate volume on peritoneal surface area among peritoneal dialysis patients.

Large dialysate volumes are often required to increase solute clearance for peritoneal dialysis patients. The resulting increase in solute clearance might be attributable to an increased plasma-to-dialysate concentration gradient and/or to an increased effective peritoneal surface area. One of the factors affecting the latter is the peritoneal surface area in contact with dialysate (PSA-CD).