CT in the clinical and prognostic evaluation of acute graft-vs-host disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

Objective: To determine the role of abdominal CT in assessment of severity and prognosis of patients with acute gastrointestinal (GI) graft-vs-host disease (GVHD).

Methods: During 2000-2004, 41 patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute GI-GVHD were evaluated. CTs were examined for intestinal and extra-intestinal abnormalities, and correlated with clinical staging and outcome.

Evaluation of bone density in girls with precocious and early puberty during treatment with GnRH agonist.

Background: Major changes in bone status occur during puberty. Most longitudinal studies have shown no impairment in bone mineral density (BMD) in girls with precocious (PP) and early puberty (EP) during and after GnRH agonist therapy.

Methods: In the present study we evaluated BMD, bone strength (BS) and bone metabolism in 26 girls with PP and with EP before and during treatment with GnRH agonist.

Effectiveness of a second deep TMS in depression: a brief report.

Objectives: Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (DTMS) is an emerging and promising treatment for major depression. In our study, we explored the effectiveness of a second antidepressant course of deep TMS in major depression. We enrolled eight patients who had previously responded well to DTMS but relapsed within 1 year in order to evaluate whether a second course of DTMS would still be effective.

Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of auditory hallucinations: a preliminary open-label study.

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling disease that presents with delusions and hallucinations. Auditory hallucinations are usually expressed as voices speaking to or about the patient. Previous studies have examined the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the temporoparietal cortex on auditory hallucinations in schizophrenic patients.

Protracted postpartum urinary retention: the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence and obstetric risk factors of protracted postpartum urinary retention, beyond the third postpartum day.

Methods: Thirty thousand seven hundred fifty-seven consecutive women delivered in Lis maternity hospital during June 2006 to June 2009. The term "protracted postpartum urinary retention" was defined as the absence of adequate voiding beyond the third postpartum day.

Shortened erythrocyte sedimentation rate evaluation is applicable to hospitalised patients.

Background: Westergren method, commonly used for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) determination, is simple and inexpensive. However, the 60 min required for the test are disadvantageous, especially for those departments/facilities where prompt evaluation is necessary. We investigated the possibility that earlier ESR recordings might correlate with standard 60-minute ESR and/or be predictive of the latter.

Riding a bicycle: do we need more than a helmet?

Background: To assess pediatric bicycle-related traumatization in view of types of injuries, incidence and modes of prevention.

Methods: Retrospective study of pediatric cases admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit of a university-affiliated level II trauma hospital in Israel over 12 consecutive years.

Results: Forty-six patients (three girls, 43 boys) with bicycle-related injuries formed 1% of the total pediatric intensive care unit admissions during the study period.

Myringotomy knife for pyloromyotomy.

Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is a common procedure for treating infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Since 2006, we have been using miniature otolaryngologic instruments for pyloromyotomy due to a shortage of arthroscopic blades in our Medical Center. The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, efficacy, and cosmetic results obtained from the use of fine otolaryngologic instruments in pyloromyotomy.

Hepatic coma culminating in severe brain damage in a child with a SCN1A mutation.

An 11 months old boy, developed liver failure after febrile status epilepticus while being treated with valproic acid for myoclonic epilepsy and recurrent partial and generalized seizures. The diagnosis of Alpers-Huttenlocher disease was considered. A muscle biopsy showed mitochondrial dysfunction.

Anemia in diabetic patients at an internal medicine ward: clinical correlates and prognostic significance.

Background: Characteristics and prognostic significance of anemia in hospitalized diabetic patients are unknown.

Methods: We studied 3145 unselected patients admitted to two Internal Medicine Departments, 872 (27.7%) of whom were diabetic.

Hallucinations and psychosis in Parkinson's disease.

Although Parkinson's disease (PD) is considered mainly a movement disorder, robust information accumulated during the last 30 years has shown that about 30% of PD patients may also suffer from psychosis, which deeply affects their quality of life and eventually brings them to permanent hospitalization in nursing homes. PD psychosis (PDPsy) mainly occurs after 10 or more years of treatment. The main features of PDPsy include recurrent and continuous hallucinations and delusions for at least 1 month.

AlloDerm Sling for Correction of Synmastia After Immediate, Tissue Expander, Breast Reconstruction in Thin Women.

Introduction: Synmastia is a condition in which the breasts are conjoint and the natural intermammary sulcus is obliterated. It is the rarest type of breast implant malpositioning during breast augmentation; however, it is the most difficult one to correct. AlloDerm is an acellular dermal matrix that is assuming a major role in immediate breast reconstruction in recent years.

Coiling characteristics of umbilical cords in breech vs. vertex presentation.

Objective: To compare selected umbilical cord parameters, especially cord coiling, between breech and vertex presentations.

Methods: We prospectively collected umbilical cords from uncomplicated breech and vertex obtained during elective term cesarean deliveries. We compared various cord parameters between the two groups as well as data regarding obstetric history and pregnancy outcome.

Influence of drilling on the distortion product otoacoustic emissions in the non-operated ear.

Objective: To determine possible changes in the outer hair cell (OHC) function related to drill noise exposure.

Methods: Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were measured at frequencies of f(2) = 2, 3, 4 and 5 kHz, and a frequency ratio f(1)/f(2) = 1.22.

AKT1 E17 K pleckstrin homology domain mutation in urothelial carcinoma.

The PI3K/AKT pathway is frequently activated in human cancer. Recently, a G to A point mutation (E17K) was found in the pleckstrin homology domain of AKT1. We aimed to explore this mutation in cases of urothelial carcinoma.

Clinical variables affecting survival in patients with decompensated diastolic versus systolic heart failure.

Background: The impact of various clinical variables on long-term survival of patients with acutely decompensated diastolic heart failure (DHF) compared to systolic heart failure (SHF) has not been sufficiently investigated.

Methods: Clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data were collected and analyzed for all-cause mortality in 473 furosemide-treated patients aged >or=60 years, hospitalized for acutely decompensated HF.

Results: Diastolic heart failure patients (n = 183) were more likely to be older, female, hypertensive, obese, with shorter preexisting HF duration, atrial fibrillation, lower New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, lower maintenance furosemide dosages, and to receive calcium antagonists.

Does RNA editing play a role in the development of urinary bladder cancer?

Purpose: A-to-I RNA editing is essential for the development of normal cells and is involved in a wide variety of biological pathways. Currently, limited information suggests linkage between changes in RNA editing levels and the development of cancer. We aimed to explore the possible linkage between altered RNA editing levels and the development of human urinary bladder neoplasms.

Sealed rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms: CT features in 6 patients and a review of the literature.

Purpose: To assess the CT features of sealed rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the CT scans of six index cases obtained over a 3 year period with a sealed rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and those reported in the literature over a 21 year period. CT scans were reviewed for aneurysm size, the presence of a draped aorta and adjacent vertebral erosion.

Carotid atherosclerotic disease following childhood scalp irradiation.

Objective: During the first half of the 20th century, scalp irradiation was a standard treatment for children suffering from Tinea Capitis. These children are now more than 50 years old, reaching the age when manifestations of atherosclerosis are common. We investigated the possible association between childhood low dose scalp irradiation and development of carotid atherosclerosis in adulthood.

Evidence for aberrant regulation of MAP kinase signal transduction pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with active celiac disease.

Background: Aberrant signaling via the p21/mitogen-activated proteins (MAP) kinase pathway has been described in lymphocytes of patients with various autoimmune diseases. There is little published data about the intracellular mediators and signals that regulate expression and activity of transcription factors and their effect on celiac disease induction and progression.

Aim: To investigate the possible involvement of MAP kinase pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in celiac disease and its correlation with disease activity.

Seating-induced postural hypotension is common in older patients with decompensated heart failure and may be prevented by lower limb compression bandaging.

Background: Postural hypotension induced by transition from supine to sitting position and measures for its prevention in heart failure has not been investigated.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the prevalence of postural hypotension and associated clinical manifestations as well as the contribution of various risk factors for postural hypotension on transition from lying to sitting in older patients with decompensated heart failure, and to study the eventual preventive effect of leg bandaging.

Methods: Seating-induced postural hypotension (>or=20 mm Hg systolic and/or >or=10 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure fall) was assessed on the first study day in 108 patients aged >or=60 years, hospitalized for acutely decompensated heart failure.

Splenic vein thrombosis following abdominal compression and vibration: a case report.

The authors describe a 46-year-old man with isolated splenic vein thrombosis (SVT) that developed after concrete drilling, which caused significant compression and vibration of the abdominal wall. Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency-related hyperhomocysteinemia, which was subsequently diagnosed, predisposed him to this event. To the best of the knowledge of authors, this is the first report of isolated splenic vein thrombosis caused by compression and vibration of the abdomen.

Expanded reverse abdominoplasty for reconstruction of burns in the epigastric region and the inframammary fold in female patients.

We report the use of expanded reverse abdominoplasty in three female patients with postburn scars involving the entire epigastric region in which the inframammary folds were effaced, resulting in distortion of breast contour. In two of the patients, tissue expanders were used, and subsequently, reverse abdominoplasty was performed, thus re-creating the inframammary fold. The third patient reported to be pregnant after expanders were placed; therefore, smaller volumes of inflation for tissue expansion were necessary.

Infantile onset progressive cerebellar atrophy and anterior horn cell degeneration--a late onset variant of PCH-1?

Despite major recent advances in our understanding of developmental cerebellar disorders, classification and delineation of these disorders remains difficult. The term pontocerebellar hypoplasia is used when there is a structural defect, originating in utero of both pons and cerebellar hemispheres. The term olivopontocerebellar atrophy is used when the disorder starts later in life and the process is a primary degeneration of cerebellar neurons.

A comparison between CO2 laser surgery with and without lateral fold vaporization for ingrowing toenails.

Background: An ingrowing toenail is an excessive lateral nail growth into the nail fold. It acts as a foreign body and exerts a local pressure sore-like effect, which may result in inflammation and granulation. Several treatment modalities exist, including chemical ablation and different surgical procedures.