Early experience with the Abre venous stent for central venous stenoses and occlusions in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Hemodialysis patients are prone to stenoses and occlusions throughout the access circuit. Central venous stenoses or occlusions (CVO) can be particularly challenging. There are many different types of balloons and stents available for treatment, including a new generation of dedicated venous stents (VS).

Recipient-independent, high-accuracy FMT-response prediction and optimization in mice and humans.

Background: Some microbiota compositions are associated with negative outcomes, including among others, obesity, allergies, and the failure to respond to treatment. Microbiota manipulation or supplementation can restore a community associated with a healthy condition. Such interventions are typically probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

Therapeutic drug monitoring of lacosamide among children: is it helpful?

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of Lacosamide (LCM) in a pediatric population with epilepsy using LCM serum concentration and its correlation to the age of the participants and the dosage of the drug. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the medical records of children with epilepsy treated with LCM at Shamir Medical Center between February 2019 to September 2021, in whom medication blood levels were measured. Trough serum LCM concentration was measured in the biochemical laboratory using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and correlated with the administered weight-based medication dosing and clinical report.

Intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, from prenatal diagnosis to postnatal outcome: a retrospective study.

Objective: Congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (IHPSS) are rare vascular malformations resulting in blood bypassing the liver to the systemic circulation. Previous studies included symptomatic patients diagnosed postnatally, but the outcome of IHPSS diagnosed prenatally is rarely reported. We present a cohort of children prenatally diagnosed with IHPSS and report their natural course and outcome.

Efficacy of Low Doses of Midazolam in Combination with Verbal Sedation during Transesophageal Echocardiography.

Background: Traditionally, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been performed under moderate sedation and local pharyngeal anesthesia. Respiratory complications during the TEE can occur.

Objectives: To test the effectiveness of low-dose midazolam combined with verbal sedation during TEE.

The Relations between Repetitive Behaviors and Family Accommodation among Children with Autism: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBI) are a significant component in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They often pose the main challenge in day-to-day functions for children with ASD and their families. Research addressing family accommodation behaviors (FAB) in the ASD population is scarce, and associations with the characteristics of the children's behaviors are unclear.

Adverse outcome following selective termination of presenting twin vs non-presenting twin.

Objective: Data are lacking on the impact on pregnancy outcome of the position of the abnormal fetus in a discordant twin pregnancy undergoing selective termination (ST). Tissue maceration post ST of the presenting twin may lead to early rupture of membranes, amnionitis and preterm labor. The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy complications and outcome following ST of the presenting vs non-presenting twin.

Resilience of hospital staff facing COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from Israel.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional burden on already strained healthcare systems worldwide, intensifying the responsibility and burden of healthcare workers. Although most hospital staff continued working during this stressful and challenging unprecedented pandemic, differences in the characteristics and attributes were noted between sectors and hospital departments. Israeli healthcare workers are trained and experienced in coping with national emergencies, but the pandemic has exposed variations in staff reactions.

Evaluation of the performance of robot assisted CT-guided percutaneous needle insertion: Comparison with freehand insertion in a phantom.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a novel robot for CT-guided needle positioning procedures and compare it to the freehand technique in an abdominal phantom.

Methods: One interventional radiology fellow and one experienced interventional radiologist (IR) performed twelve robot-assisted and twelve freehand needle positionings in a phantom over predetermined trajectories. The robot automatically aimed a needle-guide according to the planned trajectories, after which the clinician manually inserted the needle.

Attitudes of Healthcare Workers in Israel towards the Fourth Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine.

Attitudes of healthcare workers (HCWs) toward vaccines are extremely important for increasing vaccination coverage. We conducted a cross-sectional study at the beginning of the fourth COVID-19 vaccination dose campaign among 124 HCWs to evaluate attitudes towards the fourth dose and willingness to get vaccinated. At that time, Israel was the first country to approve the fourth vaccine dose.

Supporting healthcare workers in vaccination efforts.

Encouraging healthcare workers (HCWs) to be vaccinated is a global challenge and plays a fundamental role in combating COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond national policy, which could be different between countries, the decision to be vaccinated involves personal opinions, values, risk perception and attitudes. HCWs may have their own concerns and fears about vaccination beyond being part of the health system.

Obesity Paradox in Patients Hospitalized with Community Acquired Sepsis: Does Age Make a Difference?

Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) has been shown to be a protective factor from mortality in sepsis patients. Yet, whether this effect is different in the very elderly is currently unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between BMI and sepsis outcomes in patients older and younger than 80 years of age.

Reproductive Safety of Trazodone After Maternal Exposure in Early Pregnancy: A Comparative ENTIS Cohort Study.

Purpose/background: Trazodone is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder, but more frequently prescribed off-label at lower doses for insomnia in women of childbearing age. The aim of this study was to assess the risks linked to trazodone exposure during pregnancy for which limited safety data are available.

Methods/procedures: This multicenter, observational prospective cohort study compared pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to trazodone in early pregnancy against those in a reference group of women exposed to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) between 1996 and 2021.

Biologic treatments for severe asthma: 4 year experience of a single medical center.

Background: Severe asthma affects up to 20,000 citizens of Israel. Novel biological therapies, which individually have been proven to reduce asthma morbidity in clinical trials, have become available in recent years. Comparative data among different drugs are scarce.

Can Mild-to-Moderate Iodine Deficiency during Pregnancy Alter Thyroid Function? Lessons from a Mother-Newborn Cohort.

Severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy has substantial hormonal consequences, such as fetal brain damage. Data on the potential effects of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency on the thyroid function of pregnant women and their newborns are scarce and divergent. We investigated the association between iodine intake in pregnancy and maternal and neonatal thyroid function in a region with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency.

Systemic review of the robustness of randomized controlled trials for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in three domains: survival-inferred fragility index, restricted mean survival time, and the spin effect.

Background: The vast majority of patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CC) have advanced disease at diagnosis and are candidates for palliative treatment only. The robustness of the randomized controlled trials regarding the treatment of CC are assessed.

Methods: A systematic review of all randomized control trials (RCT) of treatments for both intra- and extrahepatic CC between 2010 and 2020 was performed.

Transitioning from hospital to home with non-invasive ventilation: who benefits? Results of a cohort study.

Background: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is effective in a variety of acute respiratory illnesses in hospitalised patients. Home NIV is effective for stable patients with hypercapnia due to neuromuscular or chronic pulmonary disease. However, there are little data to guide which patients may benefit from NIV immediately following hospitalisation with hypercapnia.

Attitudes of healthcare workers and members of the public toward the COVID-19 vaccine: A cross-sectional survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid development and implementation of vaccines. However, uncertainty about their safety and effectiveness among some people has led to vaccine hesitancy. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in March 2021 among individuals from the general Israeli population and health-care workers (HCWs) to examine risk perception toward the COVID-19 vaccine, trust in health-care providers and information sources used for making health-related decisions.

Rare Pediatric Cecal Anomalies: A Lesson in Pediatric Surgery.

Background: Rare incidence cases are part of the routine work of pediatric surgeons. Cecal anomalies in children are an example of such cases. Objectives: To describe the presentation, workup, management and outcome of rare cecal anomalies in children and to analyze the skills needed for their successful treatment.