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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Perioperative management of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in Israel: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: The approach to perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, bowel preparation, and postoperative routines in elective colorectal resections has changed over the last two decades. The aim of this national survey was to document the current methods of perioperative management of those patients scheduled for elective colorectal resections in surgical departments in Israel. METHODS: A mail and telephone survey of surgical departments was conducted in 2001 in order to evaluate the routines of perioperative management of elective colorectal resections. Re-evaluation was performed in 2004. RESULTS: In 2001, all but one of the responders used low-residue diet preoperatively and combined oral and parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis. Polyethylene glycol or sodium phosphate bowel preparation was used by 69% of the responders. The most common oral regimens were a combination of neomycin plus metronidazole (43.5%) or neomycin plus erythromycin (47.8%). The most common parenteral regimens used were gentamicin plus metronidazole or gentamicin plus metronidazole plus ampicillin (56.5% and 17% of the responders, respectively). Cephalosporins alone or in combination were used in three departments. In 17 departments (74%), parenteral prophylactic antibiotics were continued for 24 h or longer (up to 72 h). All but one of the departments left a nasogastric tube for 1-5 days after surgery. There were substantial changes over the last three years-that is, less use of preoperative restriction diets, shorter duration of perioperative antibiotic coverage, more common use of cephalosporins, switch to sodium dihydrogen and sodium hydrogen phosphate bowel preparation, shorter use of postoperative nasogastric drainage, and faster resumption of peroral fluids. CONCLUSIONS: In 2001, the majority of surgical departments in Israel used a conservative approach to perioperative management of patients undergoing elective colorectal resections. Significant changes occurred during the last three years. The perioperative routines used today in most general surgery departments in Israel comply with current recommendations.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measles in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza: continuing incidence and the case for a new eradication strategy.

Measles continues to occur in epidemic waves in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, causing morbidity and mortality. In Israel, immunization of infants against measles began in 1967, and 90% had been immunized by the mid-1980s. In Gaza and the West Bank, where immunization of infants against measles began in 1973 and 1976, respectively, the immunization rate reached 75% in the late 1970s and increased to greater than 90% in the 1980s. Measles epidemics, which previously had occurred in 5- to 7-year cycles, occurred every 2-4 years in the 1980s and affected individuals who were older than those affected in previous years. Israel's commitment to eradicating measles by 1992 will require a substantially expanded immunization program in comparison with the traditional program that requires immunization of infants alone. The benefits of several alternative immunization strategies considerably exceed their costs. A new, two-dose immunization will be needed as a minimal strategy, and a campaign for administering booster doses to school-aged children may be required as well to achieve control and eradication of measles. Measles is a serious but preventable public health problem; appropriate strategies must be devised by national and international public health officials to control the disease in developing and developed countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Molecular epidemiology of type 1 polioviruses isolated in Israel and defined by restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.

The genomic variability of 27 type 1 polioviruses (PV-1) isolated in Israel during 1980-1991 was examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of a reverse-transcribed genomic fragment amplified by polymerase chain reaction. By using the restriction enzymes HaeIII, DdeI, and HpaII, strain-specific restriction profiles were generated for the PV-1/Mahoney and PV-1/Sabin strains and 27 wild-type isolates. The profile observed for PV-1 isolated during an outbreak in 1988 was also observed for PV-1 isolated from different places in Israel in 1982 and 1983, 1987, and 1991. This profile, characterized by the lack of the DdeI site, was different from the DdeI profile of PV-1 isolated in 1984 or in 1986 from sporadic cases of poliomyelitis. The diversity of circulating PV-1 in Israel was also confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis. The epidemiologic information provided by the RFLP and sequence data establishes a clear epidemiologic link between epidemic and sporadic virus strains and demonstrates the power of this molecular approach to epidemiology.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Seroepidemiology and molecular epidemiology of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus among Jewish population groups in Israel.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of classic Kaposi's sarcoma among Jews in Israel is among the highest in the developed world. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or human herpesvirus 8) is causally linked to Kaposi's sarcoma. Very little is known about the prevalence of KSHV in the Middle East or about the modes of transmission in Mediterranean countries. METHODS: From 1992 through 1995, sera were obtained from 1648 adults who had tested positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen 20 years earlier at blood donations; sera were also obtained from 2403 of their family members. All sera were tested for anti-KSHV antibodies with the use of an indirect immunofluorescence assay. To analyze the effects of various factors on the risk of KSHV infection for both the HBV-positive cohort and their families, logistic regression for cluster data and generalized estimating equations were used. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Among family members, the seroprevalence of antibodies against KSHV was 9.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.7% to 11.1%); among the former blood donors who had tested positive for hepatitis B, it was 22% (95% CI = 19.9% to 24.1%). Overall, the best predictor of KSHV status was the place of birth. The most important risk factors found for both husband and wife to test KSHV positive were their own places of birth and their spouse's seropositivity. For a child to test positive, the most important risk factor was maternal seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: The crude prevalence rate of KSHV among the Jewish population in Israel is 9.9%. Important routes of KSHV transmission in the families studied are spouse to spouse and mother to child. The presence of KSHV in Jews in Israel of all ethnic origins and their high incidence of reported Kaposi's sarcoma suggest that KSHV was introduced into the Jewish population prior to the major Diaspora.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Factors associated with family physicians' involvement in research in Israel.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the factors that encourage or deter family medicine physicians and residents in Israel from participating in research. METHOD: In October 1995, a questionnaire containing items on demographic variables, research attitudes, and academic and research activities in primary care settings was mailed to a random sample of 200 family medicine physicians and residents (out of approximately 600) employed by the General Sick Fund, the largest health maintenance organization in Israel. The questionnaire also contained items regarding difficulties in participating in research and asked for opinions about several general statements about research in family practice. RESULTS: In all, 190 physicians responded, for a response rate of 95%. Based on their responses, the respondents were divided into four groups by amount of research involvement. Univariate analysis using the chi-square test was used for the comparison of variables among the four groups. The respondents reporting greater knowledge of and involvement in research were, by and large, men (p = .01) who were qualified specialists with academic status (p < .00001). They also taught students (p = .0005) and residents (p < .0005), participated in more conferences (p < .0005), and while in residency training had had a mentor who encouraged involvement in research (p = .0001). CONCLUSION: Research is essential to family medicine with regard to both primary care practice and academic activities, its development, however, has been inhibited. Given the results of this preliminary study, family medicine residency programs would be well advised to assign a research mentor to every resident; also, time and resources should be devoted to research in postgraduate training programs. Perhaps more important, women physicians in Israel should be encouraged to participate more actively in research, and support for them in their special needs should be made available.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Ulcerative colitis in the Kinneret sub district, Israel 1965-1994: incidence and prevalence in different subgroups.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is prevalent among Jews around the world, as well as in Israel. We evaluated the incidence rates of the disease in one of the northern districts of Israel (Kinneret) by religion and by type of settlement. The population in this district is composed of Jews who have immigrated to Israel in the last century from various countries all over the world, and from Arabs. The study population included all residents of Kinneret district diagnosed with UC between 1965 and 1994. The mean annual incidence rate of UC in the 30 years covered in this survey (1965-1994) proved to be 3.5/100,000. A trend of increase in the incidence rate was observed until 1989. It was most prominent among the Jewish rural settlements. Since 1989, the rates have been declining. Prevalence rates were 87/100,000 among the Jewish population, and 27/100,000 among the Arab population. Both prevalence and incidence rates were 2.5 times higher among Jews than among Arabs. We include that (1) UC morbidity had been increasing until 1989 and has been decreasing moderately ever since; (2) the lowest morbidity was found in the Arab population; and (3) the highest morbidity was found among the Jewish rural population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Association between antidepressant prescribing and suicide in Israel.

The effects of antidepressants on suicide are controversial; on the one hand they decrease the incidence of death by suicide, as reflected in epidemiological studies, and on the other hand, there are claims that they increase the risk of impulsivity and suicide. In 1998, primary care physicians in Israel were not allowed to prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and in 1999 this prohibition was lifted. We thus evaluated the association between patterns of antidepressant prescribing and the rate of death by suicide in Israel in 1998 compared with that in 2002. Data regarding deaths by suicide were obtained from the Central Bureau of Statistics. Annual rates of antidepressant prescribing were computed from the Intercontinental Marketing Services database. The Intercontinental Marketing Services data covers three out of the four Health Maintenance Organizations in Israel, encompassing 46% of all citizens. Prescribing of all antidepressants increased 2.6-fold between 1998 and 2002. This increase was significantly more pronounced for the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A shift in prescription practices was noted, with a 1.37-fold increase in prescribing by primary care physicians. While the concomitant decrease in overall national rates of completed suicide did not reach significance (17-14 per 100,000), the incidence decreased significantly in men aged 55-74 years (33-22 per 100,000; P=0.029). An overall reduction in suicides, which was significant only in elderly men, was noted in association with increased rates of antidepressant prescription. This study is limited in scope but adds a unique viewpoint related to the possible positive effect of increased antidepressant prescribing in primary care on suicide.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Blood pressure, glucose, insulin and lipids of young Ethiopian recent immigrants to Israel and in those resident for 2 years.

OBJECTIVES: To determine influence of residence in Israel on blood pressure, glucose, insulin and lipids levels in recent and resident young Ethiopian immigrants, and to compare them with Israeli students. DESIGN: Young male Ethiopians, resident in Israel for < 3 months and residing in boarding schools, were compared, in a cross-sectional study, with those who had been living under the same conditions for 2 years. The food for both groups was provided from the same kitchen. A group of Israeli students served as an additional comparison group. METHODS: Body mass index, triceps skinfold width, sitting blood pressure and fasting glucose insulin, lipids and fructosamine levels were measured and a standard oral glucose tolerance test was performed, with glucose and insulin levels being measured 60 and 120 min after the load. RESULTS: Body mass index did not differ by much between the two Ethiopian groups, but was significantly lower in the Ethiopian groups than in the Israeli student group. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly higher in the resident immigrants than in the students, but the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, fructosamine and insulin response to oral glucose loading were all significantly lower, whereas the blood glucose response was actually higher. Resident immigrants had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension. SBP and DBP correlated weakly (r = 0.25 and 0.24, respectively) with the sum of insulin after loading among the Ethiopian immigrants but not among the students. CONCLUSION: After 2 years' residence in Israel, young male Ethiopian immigrants acquire in parallel a rise in blood pressure and an increase in lipidaemia, insulinaemia and glucose response. However, the hypertensive subjects are not hyperinsulinaemic, with increases in insulinaemia accounting for only approximately 6% of blood pressure variability. The increase in the prevalence of hypertension therefore cannot be explained by dietary-induced insulinaemia alone.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Epidemiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in Israel.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, demographic, and clinical features of Pseudo Tumor Cerebri (PTC)/Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) in Israel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chairpersons of all neurology and ophthalmology departments in Israel were asked to complete questionnaires regarding patients diagnosed with PTC/IIH from 1998 through 1999. Each questionnaire contained details regarding patient's age, sex, country of birth, age at diagnosis, weight, height, presence of obesity, and the results of lumbar puncture, brain computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or magnetic resonance venography. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients with PTC/IIH were diagnosed during the years 1998 to 1999. Eighty-five (93.4%) patients were females and six (6.6%) patients were males. The calculated incidence of PTC/IIH in the Israeli general population was 0.57 to 0.94 per 100,000 persons, with incidences of 1.82 per 100,000 for women and 0.034 per 100,000 for men. The incidence for women during the childbirth years was 4.02 per 100,000. The female to male ratio was higher than previously reported for Western countries. CONCLUSIONS: Although the population of Israel is a mixture of people originating from Eastern and Western countries, the incidence of PTC/IIH was found to be similar to that of Western countries. This finding is an additional support to the notion that PTC/IIH is more common in obese populations.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Human herpesvirus 8 infection among various population groups in southern Israel.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of antibodies to human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) or Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus among Israeli and Ethiopian subjects. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 98 Israeli Jewish students aged 18-30 years, 100 HIV-1-seronegative Ethiopian immigrants to Israel of the same age, and 100 HIV-1-seronegative Ethiopian children 1-12 years old upon their arrival in southern Israel. Plasma samples were obtained from 3 hospitalized patients with multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) as positive controls. All serum samples were tested for antibodies to both latent and lytic antigens. Antibodies to the lytic antigens and the latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) of HHV-8 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and by immunofluorescence assay. HHV-8 DNA from serum or plasma samples was detected by polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: Antibodies to HHV-8 LANA were detected in 2.9% of the Israeli subjects aged 18-30 years and in 26% of the Ethiopian subjects from both age groups tested. Antibodies to the lytic antigens were detected in all 3 MCD patients, in 4% of the Ethiopian children, and in 2% of the 18- to 30-year-old Ethiopians. No antibodies to the lytic antigens were detected in the Israeli students. HHV-8 DNA was detected in all 3 MCD patients and in 2 of 4 of the Ethiopian children positive for the lytic antigens. CONCLUSIONS: HHV-8 is highly prevalent in Ethiopian immigrants to Israel as compared with Israeli students. Antibodies to HHV-8 in Ethiopia are acquired before puberty. The results of this study indicate the association of HHV-8 with MCD, as has been documented by many other researchers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Acute mastoiditis in Southern Israel: a twelve year retrospective study (1990 through 2001).

BACKGROUND: Acute mastoiditis is a serious complication of acute otitis media (AOM) and has been increasingly reported in the last decade. OBJECTIVES: To report the experience accumulated with acute mastoiditis at the Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel, in a period of increasing antimicrobial resistance with Streptococcus pneumoniae. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of all children with acute mastoiditis hospitalized from 1990 through 2001. Acute mastoiditis was diagnosed when one or more of the physical signs of mastoiditis (swelling, erythema, tenderness of the retroauricular area and anteroinferior displacement of the auricle) were diagnosed in the presence of concomitant or recent (< or =4 weeks) AOM. RESULTS: One hundred sixteen episodes of acute mastoiditis occurred in 101 children age 2 months to 14 years (median, 25 months; 19% <1 year old). The average yearly incidence was 6.1 cases per 100 000 population <14 years old, with a significant increase in the number of cases during the study period. Acute mastoiditis was the first evidence of AOM in 10 (10%) patients. Fever >38 degrees C and >15,000 WBC/mm3 were present in 67 and 43% of cases, respectively. Irritability, retroauricular swelling, redness and protrusion of the auricle occurred more commonly in patients <3 years old (79, 90, 84 and 76% vs. 28, 42, 45 and 30%, respectively, in patients > or =3 years old; P < 0.002). Computed tomography scans were performed in 54 of 116 (47%) cases and revealed bone destruction in 38 (70%). Periosteal abscess and lateral sinus vein thrombosis were diagnosed in 8 and 2 patients, respectively. Simple mastoidectomy was done in 32 of 116 (28%) cases, after no response to intravenous antibiotics was observed; ventilation tubes were inserted in 12 patients. Cultures were obtained at admission in 83 (72%) episodes (71 by tympanocentesis and 12 from ear discharges). Overall 43 pathogens were isolated: 34 at admission; 14 at surgery; and 5 at both occasions. The most commonly isolated organisms were S. pneumoniae (14 of 43, 33%; 4 penicillin-nonsusceptible), Streptococcus pyogenes (11 of 43, 26%), nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (6 of 43, 14%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5 of 43, 12%) and Escherichia coli (4 of 43, 9%). All S. pneumoniae organisms were isolated between 1996 and 2001. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The incidence of acute mastoiditis in children in Southern Israel is greater than that reported in the literature; (2) a significant increase in the number of cases was recorded during the study period; (3) the clinical picture of acute mastoiditis was more severe in infants and young children; (4) the pathogen distribution in acute mastoiditis differs from that of AOM with significantly higher rates of S. pyogenes and lower rates of nontypable H. influenzae recovery; (5) penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae played only a minor role in the etiology of acute mastoiditis in Southern Israel.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

A bridge between hearts: mutual organ donation by Arabs and Jews in Israel.

BACKGROUND: The availability of organ transplants depends largely on the will of the donor families. Given the current state of affairs in Israel, the authors evaluated the stance of Jews and Arabs toward mutual organ donations. METHODS: Between October 1997 and December 1999, there were 4.8 million Jews and 1.09 million Arabs living in Israel. Data gathered from 22 general hospitals for this period yielded 373 potential organ donors and 171 families (45.8%) that consented to the procedure. Actual donation was obtained from 157 patients. The authors examined the characteristics of the potential organ donors and organ recipients and the reasons (religious and nonreligious) for familial consent or refusal. Donation made since onset of the Intifada (armed Palestinian resistance) was also reviewed to determine whether any changes took place. RESULTS: Consent was obtained from 48.9% of the Jewish families approached, 30.7% of the Muslim Arabs, and 66.6% of the Christian Arabs. For the whole sample, altruism was the main reason for consenting. The percentages of Arabs and Jews (per population) on the waiting list for a heart (Jews, 90%; Arabs, 10%) or liver (Jews, 78.66%; Arabs, 21.34%) and who received a heart (Jews, 90%; Arabs, 10%) or liver (Jews, 78.36%; Arabs, 21.64%) were similar. There were relatively more Arab recipients of kidney transplants (waiting list, 11%; recipients, 18.6%) because of the higher percentage of children in the Arab group who were given priority. Since September 2000 (start of the Intifada), there has been a trend toward an increasing rate of refusal to donate among Arabs (consent obtained in 52.9% of Jewish families approached vs. 27.9% of the Muslim Arabs), mainly because of fear of rejection by the community for cooperating with Jews. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of organ donations among Arabs and Jews in Israel is proportional to their representation in the general population. The main reason for donating organs is altruism. Apparently, altruism cuts across the boundaries of religion and ethnic groups, even in a country where conflict prevails. We trust that progress in the international arena will bring the current cycle of violence to an end and allow humanitarian values to take preference over politics.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Helicobacter pylori infection in persons with intellectual disability in residential care in Israel.

Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori ) was identified in 1982 by researchers from Australia as a pathogenic factor in peptic ulcer disease. Due to the few studies on H. pylori infection conducted in the population of persons with intellectual disability it was decided to conduct a clinical study in Israel. The purpose of the study was to determine the occurrence of H. pylori infection in persons who presented with severe dyspeptic symptoms and to monitor clinically the effect of treatment. The Division for Mental Retardation in Israel provides service to 6,022 persons in 53 residential care centers and 1 in central Israel was selected for this pilot study. The study has been performed since 1999 and each patient who came to the medical clinic of the institution with severe dyspeptic symptoms was examined clinically and a blood specimen drawn for IgG antibodies to H. pylori (ELISA, Pharmatop Millenia). In case of positive serology, triple drug treatment (amoxycillin, metronidazole, and pantoprazole or omeprazole) was initiated for 1 week. Since 1999 a total of 43 persons (total population in care was 224) had severe dyspeptic symptoms and 42 persons (98%, 26 males, 16 females, mean age 45 years, mean institutionalization 20 years) had Helicobacter infection. All patients were treated for 1 week, but six patients received an extra month of omeprazole due to persistent symptoms. At follow-up, clinically all patients had improvement and only seven still had minor complaints (83% treatment success). Persons with developmental disability, intellectual disability, or mental retardation in residential care presenting with severe dyspeptic symptoms had a high incidence of H. pylori infection. Therefore, we recommend serology or urea breath investigations in this population presenting with dyspeptic symptoms and triple drug treatment for 1 week in case of positive findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Snoezelen or controlled multisensory stimulation. Treatment aspects from Israel.

In Israel today, with a total population of over 6 million persons, the Division for Mental Retardation (DMR) provides services to 23,000 persons with intellectual disability (ID). Of the 23,000, residential services are provided to more than 6,000 in close to 60 residential centers, another 2,000 are provided residential care in hostels or group homes in the community in about 50 locations, while the rest are served with day-care kindergarten, day-treatment centers, sheltered workshops, or integrated care in the community. The first Snoezelen room (controlled multisensory stimulation) in the DMR was established at the Bnei Zion residential care center in 1995. The Snoezelen method is now used in Israel in more than 30 residential care centers and 3 community settings. Since the year 2000, a physiotherapist has been employed in order to supervise the treatment and development of the method nationally. Professional staff meetings take place every 4 months. A certification course has been established on a national basis for individuals from different professions (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, teachers, music therapists, nurses, speech therapists, or caregivers). Snoezelen has proved to be an important instrument and a powerful therapeutic tool among the various treatment modules employed in Israel for persons with ID. This paper presents the concept illustrated with two case stories.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

European Standard Series patch test results from a contact dermatitis clinic in Israel during the 7-year period from 1998 to 2004.

The results of a 7-year retrospective study (1998-2004) from patch testing with the European Standard Series (ESS) establishing the frequency of sensitization in a contact dermatitis clinic in Israel are presented. 23 allergens were patch tested on 2156 patients, 1462 females (67.8%) and 694 males (32.2%). Atopy and asthma were present in 21.9% of the patients. One or more allergic reactions were observed in 937 patients (43.5%). The highest yield of patch test positives from the 1076 positive reactions were obtained from nickel sulfate (13.9%), fragrance mix (7.1%), potassium dichromate (3.8%), Balsam of Peru (3.6%), CL+Me-isothiazolinone (3.4%) and cobalt chloride (3.4%). Allergens which produced the least amount of positive results were primin and clioquinol. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was established in 32.8%, whereas occupationally related allergic (8.0) and irritant contact dermatitis (5.6%) affected a total of 13.6% of the cases studied. The most common clinical forms of dermatitis were chronic dermatitis (47.7%) followed by acute dermatitis (22.8%), and lichenification and hyperkeratosis (7.9%). The hands (30.7%), face and neck (23.9%) and extremities (11.3%) were the most frequently affected areas. Four allergens in our study differed from the top 10 allergens in Europe namely: Cl+Me-isothiazolinone, formaldehyde, 4-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin and sesquiterpene lactone mix reflecting an existing difference in environmental exposure. Our study is the first to provide data on the frequency of sensitization and important allergens in the aetiology of ACD in Israel. In spite of the existing differences with Europe, we conclude that ESS is an appropriate screening system for the diagnosis of ACD in Israel.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

'Cheaper than a newcomer': on the social production of IVF policy in Israel.

This paper explores the shaping of health policy in terms of power relations and group interests, as enacted in Israel's IVF policy. A comparison with the principles of IVF provision in other countries (UK, Canada, USA) shows Israel's policy to be substantially more 'liberal'. In order to explain this exception, the policy is initially located within the context of the state's pro-natalist reproductive policy, women's impaired equality and a complex system of healthcare provision. A Parliament Committee discussion on the subject is then analysed in greater detail, revealing three narratives that are used to account for the state's IVF policy: a nationalised narrative of reproductive medicine as a source of international acclaim, a personalised narrative of compassion for anguished women, and a medicalised narrative of experts as being best capable of regulating IVF. All three narratives have merged within the local IVF discourse, enabling the creation and maintenance of consensus among the participating politicians, physicians, consumers and women activists. Of significance is the muted argument regarding the state's interest in enlarging its Jewish population, which dominated other discussions on this topic. I argue that it is the demographic interest which crucially underlies the state's willingness to sustain its costly IVF policy, and that it is this interest which has enabled the various participants--who all shared an interest in unlimited IVF provision--to present a unanimous agreement. State representatives then used this consensus as a firm civil ground for the development and maintenance of Israel's exceptional IVF policy. The paper concludes with several implications regarding women's health and wellbeing.

Female↗
PubMed2007

Children injured following TV tipovers in Israel, 1997-2003.

BACKGROUND: According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 7000 children, many under age five, are treated annually at emergency rooms for injuries associated with unintentional tipping of television (TV) and furniture. However, the professional literature does not reflect much inquiry regarding this source of risk. In Israel, cases of children injured following TV tipover are reported in newspapers but no studies were conducted in Israel on this issue. The aim of this report is to present data regarding frequency and characteristics of children injured following a falling TV in Israel during recent years, in order to provide more specific information for advising policymakers and raising awareness about this growing danger. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Israeli National Trauma Registry, and included injured children (0-17) hospitalized between 1997 and 2003, because of TV-related injury. Demographic information, Injury Severity Score (ISS), injured body region, surgical intervention, admission to the intensive care unit, length of hospital stay, destination at discharge and mortality were analysed. RESULTS: There were 116 children injured following TV tipover during the years analysed, increasing from nine in 1997 to 27 in 2003. Over half of the children (54.3%) were aged 1-2 years; 57.8% were boys. Three-quarters of the TV-related injuries were head and neck injuries; nearly one-fifth had ISS scores of over 15. The mean was 4.3 (median = 2 days); 15 children (12.9%) required surgery and four children died in the hospital. CONCLUSION: The findings reflect the fact that TV tipover is a growing source of danger that can be serious and should be brought to the attention of the public, health professionals and policymakers. Specific, age-related recommendations should be proposed, such as placing TVs on low and stable surface and not placing the remote controls on the top of the set.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed2003

Phylogenetic status and matrilineal structure of the biting midge, Culicoides imicola, in Portugal, Rhodes and Israel.

The biting midge Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is the most important Old World vector of African horse sickness (AHS) and bluetongue (BT). Recent increases of BT incidence in the Mediterranean basin are attributed to its increased abundance and distribution. The phylogenetic status and genetic structure of C. imicola in this region are unknown, despite the importance of these aspects for BT epidemiology in the North American BT vector. In this study, analyses of partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among 50 C. imicola from Portugal, Rhodes, Israel, and South Africa and four other species of the Imicola Complex from southern Africa, and to estimate levels of matrilineal subdivision in C. imicola between Portugal and Israel. Eleven haplotypes were detected in C. imicola, and these formed one well-supported clade in maximum likelihood and Bayesian trees implying that the C. imicola samples comprise one phylogenetic species. Molecular variance was distributed mainly between Portugal and Israel, with no haplotypes shared between these countries, suggesting that female-mediated gene flow at this scale has been either limited or non-existent. Our results provide phylogenetic evidence that C. imicola in the study areas are potentially competent AHS and BT vectors. The geographical structure of the C. imicola COI haplotypes was concordant with that of BT virus serotypes in recent BT outbreaks in the Mediterranean basin, suggesting that population subdivision in its vector can impose spatial constraints on BT virus transmission.

African Horse Sickness↗