Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center Research Articles

Refractive predictive errors using Barrett II, Hoffer-Q, and SRKT formulae for pediatric IOL implantation

PurposeTo compare the accuracy of the Barrett II universal (BU II) formula, Hoffer-Q, and SRKT formulae following lensectomy and IOL implantation in a large pediatric cohort.MethodsRetrospective study of children who underwent lensectomy and IOL implantation between 2015 and 2023 at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-one eyes of 104 children aged 6.0 ± 3.9 years were included. The mean prediction error (PE) was − 0.08 ± 1.54 diopters (D) with BU II, 0.24 ± 1.46 D with Hoffer-Q, and 0.71 ± 1.92 D with SRKT (P = 0.10). In eyes with axial length (AL) < 22 mm, BU II and Hoffer-Q had a smaller PE than SRKT (P = 0.024). In eyes with AL ≥ 22 mm, BU II had a smaller PE than Hoffer-Q (P = 0.048).In children 24 months or older at surgery, BU II had a smaller PE than SRKT and Hoffer-Q (P = 0.012). However, in younger children, no difference was found between the formulae (P = 0.61).For mean k-values ≥ 44.5 D, BU II and Hoffer-Q had a smaller PE than SRKT (P = 0.002). An absolute prediction error < 1.0 D was obtained with BU II in 66% of eyes and SRKT in 35% (P = 0.01).ConclusionsThe BU II formula performed well with a small prediction error. No significant difference in PE was detected overall between the formulae. However, only BU II demonstrated a stable prediction error at varying axial lengths, K-readings, and ages. As the biometric parameters of the developing eye change with growth, the BU II formula offers a reliable and stable option for pediatric IOL calculation.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19 presenting as cervical inflammation.

The major clinical manifestations multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) are fever, gastrointestinal and cardiac. The aim of this study was to describe MIS-C in a series of patients who presented primarily with cervical manifestations. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization MIS-C diagnostic criteria treated at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center between April 2020 and September 2021. Of 37 children diagnosed with MIS-C (median age: 10.2 years, range 1.5-18 years, 20 male) five, 13.5% (median age: 14.4 years, range 9.2-17.5 years) presented with cervical symptoms mimicking neck infections. One was hospitalised with a working diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess, and four with acute cervical lymphadenitis that did not respond to early antibiotic treatment. All developed full MIS-C phenotype. MIS-C may present as cervical inflammation. An ill-appearing child with symptoms and/or signs of cervical inflammation should be evaluated for clinical and laboratory features of MIS-C, thereby facilitating prompt treatment of this potentially fatal disorder.

Infant pulmonary function tests in individuals with Down syndrome

Background and objectiveDown syndrome is associated with significant respiratory morbidity. The available pulmonary function testing data in school aged children and adults with Down show evidence of restrictive lung disease. We aimed to evaluated infant pulmonary function tests (iPFTs) in individuals with Down. MethodsAn observational case-control study evaluating iPFTs results from a registry of patients assessed at the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center between 2008 and 2018. iPFTs results in Infants with Down were compared to a spirometry control group of infants with normal expiratory airflows, using the Mann–Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests. ResultsiPFT data from 66 infants (20 Down and 46 control) were evaluated in the study. Most infants with Down showed abnormalities of an obstructive lung disease with mildly increased lung volumes and significantly decreased expiratory flows, mostly unresponsive to bronchodilators. Airflow limitations were most prominent at low lung volumes (median (IQR); maximal expiratory flow at functional residual capacity, V˙max FRC = 48 (26–78) %predicted in Down Vs. V˙max FRC = 100 (93–114) %predicted in controls, p < 0.001). We further observed an alteration in breathing mechanics with significantly decreased respiratory system compliance and increased airway resistance associated with decreased tidal volumes but similar minute ventilation. ConclusionOur study shows that infants with have a fixed airflow obstruction phenotype. These results add comprehensive data to allow better understanding of the lung disease present early in life of infants with Down syndrome. Further studies are required to improve management of respiratory disease in individuals with Down.

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Low anterior resection syndrome following rectal cancer surgery: are incidence and severity lower with long-term follow-up?

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a functional disorder that may follow restorative proctectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term incidence and risk factors for LARS following surgery for rectal cancer. A retrospective study was performed on patients from a prospectively maintained database, who underwent a restorative proctectomy between January 2014 and December 2019 at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center. The study cohort was divided into two groups: patients following partial proctectomy with a partial mesorectal excision and a colorectal anastomosis (PME group) and patients following total proctectomy with total mesorectal excision and a coloanal anastomosis (TME group). The incidence and severity of LARS were evaluated using the LARS questionnaire. Risk factors for LARS were also evaluated. A total of 240 patients (male: female ratio 134:106, median age 64years [interquartile range 55-71years]) were included in the analysis. There were 160 patients in the PME group and 80 patients in the TME group. The overall incidence of LARS was 37.4% (26.5% major LARS and 10.9% minor LARS). Major LARS was observed in 53.8% of patients who underwent TME and in 12.7% of patients who underwent PME (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge, TME, and neoadjuvant radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for LARS. The incidence and severity of LARS were significantly lower in patients with longer follow-up (p = 0.05). Significant improvement in LARS can be expected with longer follow-up. Distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge, TME and neoadjuvant radiotherapy are independent risk factors for LARS.

The Validity of Positive Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus Cultures for the Diagnosis of Sepsis in the Neonatal Unit.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) is the most frequent pathogen causing late-onset sepsis (LOS) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Technical difficulties hinder blood culture (BC) collection and obtaining only one culture before initiating antibiotic therapy is a common practice. We sought to assess specific clinical information and CoNS cultures for the diagnosis of true bacteremia in the NICU. This historical cohort study was conducted in NICUs at the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center of Jerusalem in Israel. Clinical and laboratory data in every CoNS bacteremia were collected and compared between bacteremia groups as follows: true positive, two positive BCs; contaminant, one positive BC out of two; undefined, one BC obtained and found positive. For 3.5 years, CoNS was isolated in 139 episodes. True positive was identified in 44 of 139 (31.7%), contaminant in 42 of 139 (30.2%), and the event was undefined in 53 of 139 (38.1%). Vancomycin treatment was more frequent in the true positive and undefined groups than the contaminant group (100, 90.6, and 73.8% respectively, p = 0.001); treatment was also prolonged in these two groups (p < 0.001). No clinical variables were associated with true bacteremia on multivariable analysis. Diagnosis should definitely be based on at least two positive BCs, despite objective difficulties in obtaining BCs in neonates. · CoNS is a frequent pathogen causing LOS in neonates.. · Due to technical difficulties, often only one culture is collected prior to antibiotic therapy.. · No clinical/laboratory variables were associated with the diagnosis of true CoNS bacteremia..

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Response to Letter.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel and Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri Financial Disclosure Joshua I. Rosenbloom reports receiving funds from Anchora Medical. The other authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest.

The Use of Infant Pulmonary Function Tests in the Diagnosis of Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia of Infancy

Infant pulmonary function tests (iPFTs) in subjects with neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI) have demonstrated substantial expiratory airflow obstruction and air trapping. Can indices from iPFTs be used in the diagnosis of NEHI? This is an observational case-control study evaluating iPFT results from a registry of patients assessed at the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center between 2008 and 2018. iPFTs results in infants with NEHI were compared to two disease control infant groups (infants evaluated for recurrent wheezing and infants evaluated due to prematurity) and a spirometry control group of infants with normal expiratory airflow, using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of iPFT indices. We evaluated iPFT data in 481 infants (15, NEHI; 292, wheezing; 128, premature; and 46, spirometry control group). Infants with NEHI had significantly increased trapped air volumes (median functional residual capacity measured with infant whole-body plethysmography [FRCpleth] was 199%predicted; median ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity was 59%predicted) when compared with results in all evaluated groups of infants (P< .001), including multiple pairwise comparisons. Airflow limitation was demonstrated in infants with NEHI when compared with the infants in the spirometry control group but was similar to the two disease control groups. FRCpleth had the best discriminatory ability for NEHI diagnosis, with an FRCpleth≥ 150%predicted demonstrating a ROC of 0.91 (95%CI, 0.82-1.00), sensitivity of 86.7%(95%CI, 59.5%-98.3%), and specificity of 95.5%(95%CI, 93.2%-97.3%). Findings on iPFTs of markedly increased air trapping, out of proportion to the degree of airflow limitation, are characteristic of infants with NEHI. iPFT results demonstrating an FRCpleth≥ 150%predicted are highly specific for NEHI and may aid in early diagnosis. Further research is required to confirm these findings in a prospective cohort and to understand the pathophysiologic explanation for these findings.

Food allergy safety: a descriptive report of changing policy in a single large medical center

BackgroundFood allergy can result in life-threatening anaphylaxis and is considered an increasing public health burden. Hospitalized patients are dependent on the hospital menu to meet their nutritional needs; thus, errors in the meals provided can have a substantial impact on patients’ health outcomes. In Israel, no specific policy protocol exists to ensure food allergy safety in the setting of a hospital foodservice system.ObjectivesThis paper has two aims: 1) to provide an in-depth review of food allergy as a major public health concern and 2) to report actions taken in a single large medical center, as an ongoing project that aimed to ensure patients’ safety, and which ended in developing policy on this matter.ResultsDuring the years 2017–2019, we initiated several interventions with the goal of achieving food allergy safety and ensuring quality of care for patients with food allergies at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center. These included integrating food management safety into the computerized foodservice system, highlighting labels on patients’ food trays, introducing safety checks into the process of food delivery to hospitalized patients; and ensuring the nutritional requirements of patients with allergy restrictions. Moreover, changes were made in specialized menus for patients with various types of food allergy, and specific procedures were implemented regarding enteral feeding, to prevent accidental allergen exposure. All the procedures were incorporated into a written protocol that applies to all hospital employees, and the staff received the relevant training.ConclusionsOur experience suggests that methods for food allergy safety should be promoted, and that an established policy and suitable set of guidelines on this matter is required. This clearly mandates collaboration between the various sectors of the hospital, including management and the computer department; and the medical, nursing, dietetics and kitchen staffs. Furthermore, routine ongoing knowledge training programs for medical teams and kitchen staff are crucial for such implementational changes. In a technological world, computerized systems delivering food to hospitalized patients must be adapted such as to create a uniformly safe food environment of healthcare systems, and developing a suitable policy should be prioritized accordingly by hospitals across Israel, with collaboration and synergy between institutions management and the departments of nutrition and patient safety and risk management.

Biomarker Analysis in Patients (pts) with Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-Vs-Host Disease (aGVHD) Treated with Ruxolitinib (RUX) or Best Available Therapy (BAT) in the Randomized, Phase 3 REACH2 Study

Biomarker Analysis in Patients (pts) with Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-Vs-Host Disease (aGVHD) Treated with Ruxolitinib (RUX) or Best Available Therapy (BAT) in the Randomized, Phase 3 REACH2 Study

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Vaccine-associated Complications in Immunodeficient Patients Following Stem Cell Transplantation.

PurposeBacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) is a live attenuated vaccine with the potential of causing severe iatrogenic complications in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We aim to investigate risk factors of post-HSCT BCG-related complications in PID patients.MethodsA retrospective analysis of pediatric PID patients who had received the BCG vaccine and underwent HSCT at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, between 2007 and 2019.ResultsWe found 15/36 (41.67%) patients who developed post-HSCT BCG-related complications. The most significant risk factor for developing BCG-related complications was T cell deficiency (47.6% of the non-complicated vs 83.3% of the BCGitis and 100% of the BCGosis groups had T cell lymphopenia, p = 0.013). None of the chronic granulomatous patients developed BCG-related manifestation post-transplant. Among T cell–deficient patients, lower NK (127 vs 698 cells/μl, p = 0.04) cell counts and NK-SCID were risk factors for ongoing post-HSCT BCGosis, as was pretransplant disseminated BCGosis (33.3% of patients with BCGosis vs none of the non-BCGosis patients, p = 0.04). Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) was observed in 3/5 patients with Omenn syndrome. Prophylactic antimycobacterial treatment was not proven effective.ConclusionBCG vaccination can cause significant morbidity and mortality in the post-transplant T cell–deficient patient, especially in the presence of pre-transplant disease. Taking a detailed medical history prior to administering, the BCG vaccine is crucial for prevention of this complication.

Somatostatin Analogs Improve Respiratory Symptoms in Patients With Diffuse Idiopathic Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare lung disease associated with proliferation of neuroendocrine cells in the lung and multifocal neuroendocrine tumorlets/tumors. Although usually considered an indolent condition, DIPNECH causes chronic, progressive cough and dyspnea which can adversely impact quality of life. There is very limited information on the treatment of this condition. The objective of this study was to assess changes in symptoms and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in response to somatostatin analog (SSA) treatment. Patients with clinical and/or pathologic diagnosis of DIPNECH and chronic respiratory symptoms were treated with SSAs at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. Their charts were reviewed to assess changes in symptoms and PFTs. Forty-two patients were identified who had either chronic cough or dyspnea because of proven or suspected DIPNECH and who had received treatment with an SSA. Thirty-three patients experienced symptomatic improvement. Additionally, 14 of 15 patients in whom PFTs were checked were noted to have an improvement in FEV1 after treatment. SSA treatment can improve chronic respiratory symptoms and PFTs in patients with DIPNECH.

755: Nifedipine versus ritodrine during external cephalic version procedure: a case control study

Published series regarding interventions for facilitating external cephalic veriosn (ECV) have concluded that parenterally administered beta-stimulant tocolytics, increased ECV success rate and reduced the number of caesarean sections. However, there were insufficient data regarding calcium channel blockers (CCB) to provide good evidence regarding its efficacy. Given the paucity of literature, we aimed to compare the efficacy of nifedipine to that of ritodrine on ECV success rates. This is a retrospective case control study of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent ECV between January 2012 and December 2013 at Bikur Cholim Medical Center and Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. Patient undergoing ECV with tocolysis by ritordine were compared to those using nifedipine as tocolysis. Patients were matched in a one-to-one ration by parity and placental location. Overall, 148 women received ritodrine and 148 women received nifedipine prior to ECV procedure. Overall Success rate was higher among the ritodrine group (82.4% vs. 63.5%, p< 0.001). Among nuliiparous and among parous, success rate was higher in the ritodrine group (78.9% vs. 57.9% and 88.6% vs. 73.5%, p=0.001, p=0.04, respectively). Vaginal delivery rate was higher among the ritodrine group (86.5% vs. 68.9%, p< 0.001). Cesarean delivery rate was 31.1% for the nifedipine group versus 13.5% in the ritodrine group (p< 0.001). Number needed to treat to benefit (NNTb) 5.7 (95% confidence interval 3.7 to 12.1). Overall, 216/296 (72.9%) of ECV were successful. Ritodrine was associated with higher success rates as compared with nifedipine (56.5% vs. 32.5%, p< 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, ritodrine tocolytic therapy was independently associated higher ECV success rates as compared with nifedipine (OR 4.54, 95% CI 2.38-9.09. Higher AFI (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.28) and nulliparity (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.08-0.30) were additional independent predictors of ECV outcome. Ritordine significantly improve the success of ECV compared to nifedipine. Both drugs are shown to be safe.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Skin toxicity following treosulfan-thiotepa-fludarabine-based conditioning regimen in non-malignant pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

TBC regimens are considered as "reduced toxicity" and are increasingly employed in pediatric HSCT. In our center, we commonly use the combination of treosulfan-thiotepa-fludarabine and ATG for pediatric non-malignant diseases. As we often observe acute skin toxicities following this conditioning regimen, we conducted a prospective observational study to describe and characterize these toxicities. Fifteen pediatric patients undergoing HSCT for non-malignant diseases who were treated at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center during 2015 were enrolled. A thorough dermatological assessment was done on days 0, 1, 7, and 14 from treatment initiation and included description of cutaneous reactions, measurement of BSA of affected skin, and response to local treatment. All the fifteen enrolled patients developed some degree of acute skin reaction. Cutaneous manifestations were variable and included erythematous patches in inguinal area and genitalia (80%), in neck and axillae (40%), diffuse hyperpigmentation (73%), erosions in inguinal area and buttock (47%), and xerosis and desquamation (40%). Average affected BSA reached 71.8%. Erosions were more prevalent in children younger than 2years of age. The eruptions resolved without sequela in all patients and did not necessitate treatment other than topical agents. Observed extracutaneous toxicities included oral mucositis (40%), diarrhea (47%), and elevated liver enzymes (47%). TBC combined with thiotepa is highly toxic to the skin with various cutaneous manifestations. The toxicity resolves with no long-term sequela.

2223. Real-time Prediction of Respiratory Pathogen Infection Based on Machine Learning Decision Support Tool

BackgroundRespiratory pathogens are a common cause of disease. Currently there is not a practical tool to predict the putative etiology of each case with an inexpensive, fast point-of-care assay. Here, we describe a decision support tool that enables the prediction of both bacterial and viral respiratory pathogen infections in a single patient, using a Machine Learning model.MethodsThe data were obtained from the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center during a period of 10 years beginning from 2007 and contained more than 40,000 patients from a 1,000,000-population community for whom specimens were tested by either PCR or culture. The pathogens included were, H. influenzae; M. catarrhalis; S. pneumoniae; M. pneumoniae; Adenovirus; Human metapneumovirus; Influenza H1N1, A, B; parainfluenza 1,2 and 3; and RSV. We then created a Machine-Learning algorithm to simulate the spread of infection in the entire Jerusalem area. We defined transmission areas based on geographical distances of patients’ home-addresses. Then we prospectively tested the tool accuracy over a 4-month period, in addition to real-time improvement of the model.ResultsInitial model was created based on gender, age, home addresses and the diagnostics test results. We then reconstructed a putative spread pattern for each of the pathogens that can be correlated to potential “transmission routes.” The initial prediction tool had an AUC for most pathogens around 0.85. It ranged from 0.75 to 0.8 for the bacterial and 0.82 to 0.89 for the viral pathogens. In almost all pathogens the NPV was 0.98–0.99. We then tested the decision support tool prospectively over four consecutive months (January to April 2019—1,700 patients with respiratory complaints from whom samples were sent to the lab). While the AUC in the prospective cohort was 0.81 on average, the NPV remained high on 0.98.ConclusionThe implementation of the decision support tool on respiratory pathogen diagnostics enables better prediction of patients not infected with either viral or bacterial pathogens. The use of such a tool can save more than 50% of diagnostic tests expenses as well as real-time mapping of disease spread. Improvement of the Machine Learning protocol may further promote the optimization of positive predictive values.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Nifedipine versus ritodrine during external cephalic version procedure: a case control study

Objective Published series regarding interventions for facilitating external cephalic version (ECV) have concluded that parenterally administered beta-stimulant tocolytics, increased ECV success rate and reduced the number of cesarean sections. However, there were insufficient data regarding calcium channel blockers to provide good evidence regarding its efficacy. Given the paucity of literature, we aimed to compare the efficacy of nifedipine to that of ritodrine on ECV success rates. Methods This is a retrospective case control study of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent ECV between January 2012 and December 2013 at Bikur Cholim Medical Center and Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. Patient undergoing ECV with tocolysis by ritodrine were compared with those using nifedipine as tocolysis. Patients were matched in a one-to-one ration by parity and placental location. Results Overall, 148 women received ritodrine and 148 women received nifedipine before ECV procedure. Overall success rate was higher among the ritodrine group (82.4 vs. 63.5%, p < .001). Among nulliparous and among parous, success rate was higher in the ritodrine group (78.9 vs. 57.9 and 88.6 vs. 73.5%, p = .001, p = .04, respectively). Vaginal delivery rate was higher among the ritodrine group (86.5 vs. 68.9%, p < .001). Cesarean delivery rate was 31.1% for the nifedipine group versus 13.5% in the ritodrine group (p < .001). Number needed to treat to benefit (NNTb) 5.7 (95% confidence interval 3.7–12.1). Overall, 216 of 296 (72.9%) of ECV were successful. Ritodrine was associated with higher success rates as compared with nifedipine (56.5 vs. 32.5%, p < .001). In a multivariate analysis, ritodrine tocolytic therapy was independently associated higher ECV success rates as compared to nifedipine (OR 4.54, 95% CI 2.38–9.09). Higher amniotic fluid index (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05–1.28) and nulliparity (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.08–0.30) were additional independent predictors of ECV outcome. Conclusion Ritodrine significantly improve the success of ECV compared with nifedipine. Both drugs are shown to be safe.

The Clinical Presentation of Pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections-A Single Center Cohort.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a major cause of community-acquired upper and lower respiratory infections in school-age children; however, there is increasing recognition that younger children are also affected. Clinical manifestations vary from asymptomatic, to severe complicated pneumonia sometimes with extrapulmonary manifestations. We reviewed the medical records of all MP positive pediatric patients admitted to the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. MP positive case was defined if MP polymerase chain reaction was positive from an oropharyngeal swab sent from 2007 to 2017. During the study period, we identified 353 MP positive pediatric cases, of which 51.3% (181 of 353) were younger than 6 years old. Full clinical data were available for 332 of 353 (94%). The median age was 5.7 years (range, 3 weeks to 18 years). Disease presentation differed between younger and older children. Children older than 6 years were more likely to have chest radiograph confirmed pneumonia (66% vs. 52%; P = 0.009), while younger children were more likely to have other respiratory manifestations (37% vs. 25%; P = 0.017). The duration of hospitalization and pediatric intensive care unit admission rate, however, did not differ between age groups. The rate of extrapulmonary manifestations were also similar. MP-associated infection is a significant cause of hospitalization in the pediatric population including younger children (<6 years old). However, the clinical presentation in younger age is less typical than is thought. These findings should prompt clinicians to consider MP infections also in children younger than 6 admitted with fever even without pneumonia.

Why targeting the microbiome is not so successful: can randomness overcome the adaptation that occurs following gut manipulation?

The microbiome is explored as a potential target for therapy of bowel and systemic diseases. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has demonstrated efficacy in Clostridium difficile infection. However, clinical results regarding other diseases are modest, despite the abundant research on the microbiome over the last decade. Both high rate variability of the microbiome and adaptation to gut manipulations may underlie the lack of ultimate effects of FMT, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and antibiotics, which are aimed at restoring a healthier microbiome. The present review discusses the inherent variability of the microbiome and multiple factors that affect its diversity, as possible causes of the adaptation of the gut microbiome to chronic manipulation. The potential use of randomness is proposed, as a means of overcoming the adaptation and of restoring some of the inherent variability, with the goal of improving the long-term efficacy of these therapies.

Implementation of a structured communication tool improves family satisfaction and expectations in the intensive care unit

BackgroundIntensive care unit (ICU) physicians should provide relatives of critically ill patients with appropriate and clear information, regarding prognosis, treatment options and expectations. ObjectivesTo assess whether a structured communication tool improves satisfaction with care and engenders realistic expectations among relatives of critically ill patients. Study designA controlled, pre-post intervention design was implemented in the General and Medical ICUs in the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. MethodsForty relatives of patients who received usual communication from the medical staff (control group) were interviewed. We then implemented a structured communication tool and another forty family members were interviewed (intervention group). The ICU physicians who participated in the family meeting were also interviewed. ResultsSatisfaction in the intervention group was higher regarding ease of obtaining the information (90% vs 70%, p = .025) and the consistency of information provided (92.5% vs 77.5%, p = .057). There was better correlation between physicians' and relatives' expectations in the intervention group regarding hospital survival (Kappa 0.322 vs 0.054, p = .01). Physicians predicted more accurately patients' actual hospital survival. ConclusionsA structured communication tool was associated with improved family satisfaction with communication and expectations regarding hospital survival. Further research is required to evaluate this promising intervention.