147 research outputs found
Fetal Safety in MRI During Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review
No full textAs medical imaging continues to expand, concerns about the potential risks of ionizing radiation to the developing fetus have led to a preference for non-radiation-based alternatives such as ultrasonography and fetal MRI. This review examines the current evidence on the safety of MRI during pregnancy, with a focus on 3 T MRI and contrast agents, aiming to provide a comprehensive synthesis that informs clinical decision-making, ensures fetal safety and supports the safe use of all available modalities that could impact management. We conducted a comprehensive review of studies from 2000 to 2024 on MRI safety during pregnancy, focusing on 3 T MRI and gadolinium use. The review included peer-reviewed articles and large database studies, summarizing key findings and identifying areas for further research. Fetal MRI, used alongside ultrasound, enhances diagnostic accuracy for fetal anomalies, particularly in the brain, thorax, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems, with no conclusive evidence of adverse effects on fetal development. While theoretical risks such as tissue heating and acoustic damage exist, studies show no significant harm at 1.5 T or 3 T, though caution is still advised in the first trimester. Regarding gadolinium-based contrast agents, the evidence is conflicting: while some studies suggest risks such as stillbirth and rheumatological conditions, animal studies show minimal fetal retention and no significant toxicity, and later clinical research has not substantiated these risks. The existing literature on fetal MRI is encouraging, suggesting minimal risks; however, further investigation through larger, prospective and long-term follow-up studies is essential to comprehensively determine its safety and late effects
Emotional Reactions and Attitudes Prior to In Vitro Fertilization: An Inter-Spouse Study
No full text
Dysglycemia and long‐term mortality: observations from the Israel study of glucose intolerance, obesity and hypertension
No full textBACKGROUND: We describe the relationship between dysglycemia and long-term mortality and elucidate the relationship between blood glucose levels during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and haemoglobin A1 (HbA1) and mortality. METHODS: A cohort of 1410 individuals was followed for 33 years since 1980. Fasting and post-OGTT glucose parameters were used to categorize the cohort according to baseline glycemic status. RESULTS: The mortality rate increased from 43% in normoglycemic individuals to 53.3, 61.7, 72.9 and 88.0% in those with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), IFG/IGT and diabetes, respectively. The highest mortality rate, compared with the normoglycemic category, was observed in individuals with IFG/IGT and diabetes according to a Cox proportional hazard model (HR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.10-1.74 and HR = 2.14, 95%CI 1.70-2.70, respectively), followed by individuals with IGT and IFG, but this did not reach statistical significance. We speculate that the IFG group may represent a mixture of individuals en route from normal to the next two categories as well as another cohort whose glucose levels are stably set at the upper reaches of the normal distribution. Significant differences were found between 1 and 2 h glucose values (p \u3c 0.001). Fasting, 60 and 120 min glucose values were positively associated with increasing HbA1 quintiles (p \u3c 0.05). The mean HbA1 was significantly higher in those who died (p = 0.01). The highest mortality (58.8%) was observed in the upper HbA1 quintile that was also associated with the highest prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (17.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a continuous relationship between the severity of dysglycemia and long-term mortality and should promote the early recognition of prediabetes. The 1 h post-load glucose level was continuously associated with increasing HbA1 concentrations and may therefore serve as an early marker for abnormalities in glucose tolerance. An elevated 1 h post-load glucose level may potentially identify at-risk individuals well before the traditional 2 h glucose value. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Incidence Rates of Cervical Carcinoma Among First- and Second-Generation Women of North African Origin in Israel
No full textObjectives:To evaluate the incidence rates of cervical cancer by ethnic origins and compare these rates between first- and second-generation women of North African origin.Methods:Data of all cervical carcinoma of Jewish women during 2000 to 2005 were obtained from the National Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios for each ethnic origin category were calculated and compared using Poisson regression.Results:During the study period, 938 patients were examined. The standardized incidence ratios of North African-born women and of Israeli-born women of North African descent were significantly higher compared with those of women of other origins.Conclusions:The persistence of a higher risk of cervical cancer in Israeli Jewish women of North African descent compared with those of other origins may suggest that genetic factors are involved in the etiology of this neoplasm.</jats:sec
Assessment of a Possible Association between Living in Proximity to Gas Stations and the Incidence of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Israel
No full text- …
