Isr Med Assoc J
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Multicenter Study
Trends in Emergency Department Admissions Due to Renal Colic in the Pediatric Population: A Multicenter Study.
Pediatric urolithiasis is relatively uncommon and is generally associated with predisposing anatomic or metabolic abnormalities. In the adult population, emergency department (ED) admissions have been associated with an increase in ambient temperature. The same association has not been evaluated in the pediatric population. ⋯ ED admissions oscillated during the period investigated and had a downward trend. Unlike in the adult population, rates of renal colic ED admissions in the pediatric population were not affected by seasonal changes or rise in maximum ambient temperature.
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Multicenter Study
Difference Between COVID-19 Alpha Variant B.1.1.7 and the Original Virus in Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Mortality: Does a Negative Correlation Exist?
Up to half the patients diagnosed with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presented with gastrointestinal symptoms. Gastric mucosal cells, enterocytes, and colonocytes express the viral entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and coreceptor transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and are prone to infection. Direct infection of gastrointestinal epithelial cells has been demonstrated. COVID-19 disease was first diagnosed in Israel at the end of February 2020 with 842,536 confirmed cases and 6428 deaths by the end of June 2021. In our multicenter, retrospective cohort study, we looked for gastrointestinal signs and symptoms in two periods and correlated them with mortality. Period 1 included the first and second waves and the original virus. Period 2 represented the third wave and the alpha variant. ⋯ Thirty-day mortality and in-hospital mortality rates were 1.84 and 1.64 times higher from 6 November 2020 to 15 January 2021, the alpha variant, and in negative correlation with gastrointestinal symptoms.
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Multicenter Study
Serum Albumin Levels as a Predictor of Mortality in Patients with Sepsis: A Multicenter Study.
Low serum albumin is known to be associated with mortality in sepsis, as it reflects effects of nutrition, catabolism, and edema. ⋯ The decline in serum albumin one week after admission is a stronger predictor of mortality in younger patients. Older patients might have other reasons for low serum albumin, which reflect chronic co-morbidity rather than acuity of disease.
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Multicenter Study
Critical Stepwise Decline of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among Chronic Hemodialysis Patients 180 Days Post Comirnaty Vaccine.
The reduced immune response of maintenance hemodialysis patients to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines is a major concern. ⋯ We recommend all patients on hemodialysis receive a booster COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after the second dose.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Minimal Pilonidal Surgery vs. Common Wide Excision Operations: Better Well-Being and Comparable Recurrence Rates.
Pilonidal disease in the natal cleft is treated traditionally by a wide and deep excision of the affected area. There is growing awareness, however, to the advantages of minimally invasive surgeries. ⋯ Minimally invasive surgeries have the advantage of reducing the extent of surgical injury and preserving patient's quality of life. They should be the treatment of choice for primary pilonidal disease.