First Constraints from DAMIC-M on Sub-GeV Dark-Matter Particles Interacting with Electrons.

We report constraints on sub-GeV dark matter particles interacting with electrons from the first underground operation of DAMIC-M detectors. The search is performed with an integrated exposure of 85.23 g days, and exploits the subelectron charge resolution and low level of dark current of DAMIC-M charge-coupled devices (CCDs). Dark-matter-induced ionization signals above the detector dark current are searched for in CCD pixels with charge up to 7e^{-}. With this dataset we place limits on dark matter particles of mass between 0.53 and 1000 MeV/c^{2}, excluding unexplored regions of parameter space in the mass ranges [1.6,1000] MeV/c^{2} and [1.5,15.1] MeV/c^{2} for ultralight and heavy mediator interactions, respectively.

Results on Low-Mass Weakly Interacting Massive Particles from an 11 kg d Target Exposure of DAMIC at SNOLAB.

We present constraints on the existence of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) from an 11 kg d target exposure of the DAMIC experiment at the SNOLAB underground laboratory. The observed energy spectrum and spatial distribution of ionization events with electron-equivalent energies >200 eV_{ee} in the DAMIC CCDs are consistent with backgrounds from natural radioactivity. An excess of ionization events is observed above the analysis threshold of 50 eV_{ee}. While the origin of this low-energy excess requires further investigation, our data exclude spin-independent WIMP-nucleon scattering cross sections σ_{χ-n} as low as 3×10^{-41} cm^{2} for WIMPs with masses m_{χ} from 7 to 10 GeV c^{-2}. These results are the strongest constraints from a silicon target on the existence of WIMPs with m_{χ}<9 GeV c^{-2} and are directly relevant to any dark matter interpretation of the excess of nuclear-recoil events observed by the CDMS silicon experiment in 2013.

Constraints on Light Dark Matter Particles Interacting with Electrons from DAMIC at SNOLAB.

We report direct-detection constraints on light dark matter particles interacting with electrons. The results are based on a method that exploits the extremely low levels of leakage current of the DAMIC detector at SNOLAB of 2-6×10^{-22} A cm^{-2}. We evaluate the charge distribution of pixels that collect <10e^{-} for contributions beyond the leakage current that may be attributed to dark matter interactions. Constraints are placed on so-far unexplored parameter space for dark matter masses between 0.6 and 100 MeV c^{-2}. We also present new constraints on hidden-photon dark matter with masses in the range 1.2-30 eV c^{-2}.

First Direct-Detection Constraints on eV-Scale Hidden-Photon Dark Matter with DAMIC at SNOLAB.

We present direct detection constraints on the absorption of hidden-photon dark matter with particle masses in the range 1.2-30 eV c^{-2} with the DAMIC experiment at SNOLAB. Under the assumption that the local dark matter is entirely constituted of hidden photons, the sensitivity to the kinetic mixing parameter κ is competitive with constraints from solar emission, reaching a minimum value of 2.2×10^{-14} at 17 eV c^{-2}. These results are the most stringent direct detection constraints on hidden-photon dark matter in the galactic halo with masses 3-12 eV c^{-2} and the first demonstration of direct experimental sensitivity to ionization signals <12 eV from dark matter interactions.

The management of pre-hypertension in primary care: Is it adequate?

BACKGROUND: Pre-hypertension (pHT) is frequently diagnosed in the primary care setting, but its management by primary care physicians (PCPs) is not well characterized. METHODS: All individuals aged 30-45 years who were insured by Clalit Health services in the Tel Aviv district and had their blood pressure (BP) measured from January 2006 to December 2010 were evaluated. Individuals were divided into three groups based on their initial BP value: optimal (< 120/80 mmHg), normal (systolic BP 120-129 or diastolic 80-84 mmHg) and borderline (130-139/85-89 mmHg). Groups were compared regarding clinical and laboratory follow-up performed by their PCP. RESULTS: Of the 20,214 individuals included in the study, 6576 (32.5%) had values in the pHT range. Of these, 2126 (32.3% of those with pHT) had BP values defined as "borderline" and 4450 (67.6% of those with pHT) had BP values defined as "normal". The number of follow-up visits by the PCP and repeat BP measurement were similar in those with "optimal" BP and pHT. A third and fourth BP measurement were recorded more frequently in those with pHT. In those with pHT, there were more recorded BP measurements than in those with borderline BP (3.35 ± 3 vs. 3.23 ± 2.6), but the time from the initial to the second measurement and a record of a third and fourth measurement were the same in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Identification of pHT does not lead to a significant change in follow-up by PCPs, irrespective of BP values in the pHT range.

Dobutamine stress testing in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Dobutamine stress ventriculography is a safe test that appears to separate groups of patients with and without significant coronary artery stenoses. In this study, all 7 patients with significant coronary artery stenoses who reached a heart rate > or = 110 beats/min had a positive stress test, whereas 9 of 10 control patients had a negative stress test.

Treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has been increasing in incidence over the past 2 decades and may currently be the most common form of primary nephrotic syndrome in the United States. Nephrotic patients with FSGS who do not achieve a remission in proteinuria usually advance to end-stage renal disease within 5 to 10 years. Although initially felt to be a steroid-resistant disease, especially in adults, studies show significant responsiveness to more prolonged courses of steroids. For patients with steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent FSGS, cyclosporine A and cytotoxic agents have shown efficacy in clinical trials. Other agents used include pulse methylprednisolone, azathioprine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and combination therapy. For recurrent FSGS after renal transplantation, plasmapheresis is often used but appears not to be as efficacious in adults as in the pediatric population.

Male to female ratio after gonadotropin-induced ovulation.

Two hundred fifty-six children were born in 195 births from 176 women that conceived after human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin (hMG/hCG)-induced ovulation. The secondary sex ratio was 50% male to 50% female births, which is not statistically different from the Israeli or Occidental population. The same trend was observed for single births and for twins. Thus, the data presented do not support the reports of increased numbers of female infants in those conceived after induction of ovulation. Factors that are expected to have been shown to affect sex ratio: maternal age at delivery, total number of ampules of hMG/hCG administered in the conceptional cycle, urinary estrogen levels on the day of hCG injection, degree of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and time of insemination in relation to the basal body temperature rise were found to be insignificant. Thus, the hypothesis that a local hormonal environment (gonadotropin or estrogen levels) during hMG/hCG treatment possibly affects sex selection was not confirmed.

Mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

AIMS: Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of end-stage renal disease in both children and adults. Our current treatments are suboptimal, and a significant percentage of cases are resistant to current therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an open-label, 6-month trial of the new immunosuppressive agent mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in 18 biopsy-proven patients resistant to a course of corticosteroids therapy. Seventy-five percent had also failed to respond to a cytotoxic agent and/or a calcineurin inhibitor. RESULTS: A substantial improvement in proteinuria was seen in 44% (8/18) of the patients by 6 months. This was sustained for up to 1 year post treatment in 50% (4/8) of this group. No patient had a complete remission. No deterioration in renal function was observed in any patient over the treatment period, but 3 progressed to chronic kidney failure during follow-up. Adverse effects were mild. Only 1 patient required a dose reduction due to an intercurrent infection. CONCLUSIONS: MMF appears safe to use in this group of patients and did lower proteinuria in 44% of this cohort resistant to other forms of treatment. Relapses were common, suggesting more prolonged or combination therapy may be required. More rigorous trials utilizing this medication should be considered to further assess the risk-benefit ratio of treatment with MMF in patients with FSGS.

Plasmapheresis treatment of recurrent FSGS in adult renal transplant recipients.

Plasmapheresis (PP) is often employed in the treatment of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in the renal allograft, where it appears to be effective in the pediatric population. The efficacy of PP in adults and predictors of response are not well documented. We analyzed the records of 13 adult patients from three transplant centers who underwent PP for recurrent FSGS between 1993 and 1999. One patient (8%) had a complete response, one (8%) had a partial response, and 3 (23%) partially responded but remain PP-dependent. All 5 responders were started on PP within 30 days of recurrence, while 7 of the 8 non-responders initiated PP after a delay of at least 42 days (p = 0.0047). FSGS recurred within 30 days of transplantation in all 5 responders, while 4 of 8 non-responders had no evidence of recurrence until 42-150 days after transplantation (p = 0.098). Post-transplant biopsies were examined in 10 patients and revealed either cellular (6) or collapsing (4) variants of FSGS. We conclude PP is less effective in adults than in children as a treatment for recurrent FSGS in the renal allograft. Predictors of response to PP include early initiation of treatment after recurrence and possibly an early recurrence of disease.

Influenza surveillance during winter 1997-1998 in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Each winter influenza activity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality both in Israel and worldwide. OBJECTIVES: To identify the influenza viruses active in Israel during the winter season and to assess the extent of influenza morbidity. METHODS: Information was collected on a population of 18,684 individuals enrolled in two community clinics in central Israel. It included the total number of visits for acute respiratory infection--including influenza and influenza-like illness (ARI/flu-like)--during a 20 week surveillance period (23 November 1997 to 27 March 1998) and the percent of influenza virus isolates in nasopharyngeal specimens from a sample of patients with ARI/flu-like collected on a weekly basis during the same period. RESULTS: A total of 5,947 visits for ARI/flu-like were recorded among 18,684 enrolled patients in two community clinics (18.1%). The progressive increase in the number of visits for ARI/flu-like reached a peak on week 2/98 with 597 visits and a rate of 31.95 visits per 1,000 population. After this, a decrease to the initial values was evident by week 12/98. Most affected patients were in the age groups 5-14 and 65 years and over, with a rate of 733.5 and 605.3 visits per 1,000 population, respectively. Influenza virus was isolated from 92 of the 426 nasopharyngeal specimens (21.6%). The most commonly detected strain was A/Sydney/5/97 (H3N2) like (77.2%). The peak rate of isolates was recorded at the beginning of January (01/98). CONCLUSIONS: A/Sydney/5/97 (H3N2) like-strain was the dominant influenza virus. Its presence did not prevent the simultaneous activity of influenza A/H1N1 virus. The dynamic of the clinical disease as expressed by the weekly visit rate for ARI/flu-like was similar to the temporal pattern of the virological findings. The extent of morbidity suggests moderate epidemic activity.

Striae in adolescents mistaken for physical abuse.

Physiological striae are common in adolescence, occurring in the lumbar and gluteal regions, the upper thighs, breast, lower abdomen, and back. The lesions may be mistaken for nonaccidental injury, that is, physical abuse. We present four cases of adolescents with lesions thought to be due to physical abuse. Three of these cases were revealed during a school screening program for scoliosis; of the 2600 adolescents screened, aged 12 to 16 years, 168 were found to have striae. One case was found by a family physician when a young boy presented with low back pain. Since striae may be mistakenly ascribed to physical abuse, it is important for family physicians, nurses, and pediatricians to be familiar with this benign condition.

[Disease at any price: psychological challenge and the financial costs of somatization].

In clinical medicine we sometimes deal with patients with unexplained somatic complaints. In a 45-year-old woman with multiple somatic complaints, 2 years of medical examinations in search of a disease diagnosis cost almost 250,000 shekels (about +84,000). The differential diagnosis between somatization, hypochondriasis and psychosomatic pain, and the reasons why physicians are tempted to participate in the "investigation dance" are presented.

[Malaria in travelers returning to Israel from endemic areas: diagnosis of two patients in a family practice].

2 cases of malaria in family practice are described in a 26- and a 50-year-old woman. Both probably could have been prevented had common chemoprophylactic drugs been taken. The risk of malaria is greater than the risk of possible side-effects of the drugs commonly used by travelers for prevention. Family physicians must be aware of the possibility of malaria in young people with fever, especially those who have travelled to equatorial areas and special attention should be given to encourage chemoprophylaxis.

[The Kibbutz physician: family medicine theory in practice].

124 of 251 physicians living and working in 109 of the 194 kibbutzim in Israel answered a 125-item postal questionnaire on their professional and personal characteristics and the special issues affecting a kibbutz physician. Most were specialists in family practice, had had the best of modern medical training, were deeply involved in their communities, and were familiar with all aspects of their patients' lives. They were given the opportunity to express the bio-psycho-social model of family medicine. This study relates to the special encounter of family medicine theory and its practice in the kibbutz system of health care delivery, including the problems of the kibbutz physician and the degree of personal satisfaction derived.

Fever and chills caused by nitrofurantoin taken after sexual intercourse.

Nitrofurantoin is one of many antibiotics used in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI). The drug is also used for the prevention of recurrent UTI in women. We report a case of nitrofurantoin drug fever associated with its use, following sexual intercourse, for chemoprophylaxis of UTI. The intermittent appearance of the side effects due to the occasional use of antibiotics, such as in this case, may easily lead to misdiagnosis.

Koilonychia of the toenails in children.

Two hundred twenty-four children were examined for koilonychia of the toenails. Koilonychia was encountered in 55 out of 171 (32%) kibbutz children compared with 9 out of 53 (17%) of urban children (p less than 0.046). The most likely explanation for the increased prevalence of koilonychia in kibbutz children is habitual minor trauma associated with barefoot walking and frequent water immersion.

Chronic use of hypnotics in a family practice--patients' reluctance to stop treatment.

Insomnia is a common symptom in family practice, and hypnotics are frequently prescribed for its treatment. A survey was performed in an urban clinic serving 1900 persons in order to detect the prevalence of this disorder and to reassess the need for hypnotics. Sixty-one patients were identified who were taking prescribed hypnotic drugs, mainly benzodiazepines. All were over the age of 40, and they comprised 8.1% of this age group. Forty-five were chronic users, taking hypnotics for more than 4 months during a 6-month study period. Eighty-nine percent of these chronic users were above 60 years of age. Seventy-seven percent had difficulty initiating sleep and 23% had problems maintaining sleep. Information was given to these patients on the side effects and possible addictive nature of chronic hypnotic use. Different kinds of psychological support were offered as alternatives to drug treatment, but these were refused by all. We conclude that in view of the addiction associated with chronic use and the difficulty of weaning patients off the sleeping pill, there is a place for more careful evaluation and management before hypnotics are prescribed.

Stethoscopes and otoscopes--a potential vector of infection?

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether stethoscopes and otoscopes used in community paediatric clinics harboured pathogenic micro-organisms, and, if so, which measures could prevent this. METHODS: Fifty-five stethoscopes belonging to paediatric physicians working in 12 community clinics were sampled for bacterial cultures by two methods: (i) direct impression of the diaphragm and bell section of each stethoscope for 5 seconds onto blood agar plates and a mannitol-salt-agar plate; (ii) swabbing the entire surface of the diaphragm of the stethoscope with a sterile cotton-tipped applicator. Forty-two otoscopes from the same physicians were sampled by rubbing the handles of the otoscopes with cotton-tipped swabs. The plates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 hours and examined for colony growth at 24 and 48 hours of incubation. Culture results were recorded as mean numbers of colony-forming units (CFUs). Eight additional stethoscope diaphragms were chosen at random at the participating clinics and cultured as described above. They were then wiped with alcohol swabs (isopropyl alcohol 70%), allowed to air dry for approximately 10 minutes and cultured a second time. RESULTS: All the stethoscopes and 90% of the otoscope handles were colonized by microorganisms. Staphylococci were isolated from 85.4% of the stethoscopes and 83.3% of the otoscopes, with 54.5% and 45.2% respectively being S. Aureus. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus were found in four each of the stethoscopes (7.3%) and otoscopes (9.5%). Cleaning with alcohol reduced the colony count by an average of 96.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Fomites can harbour potentially pathogenic bacteria, and with the increasing trend for children with more complex medical problems to be managed in an ambulatory setting, often by physicians who also work in hospitals, there is a real risk of spreading potentially serious infections to such patients. Simple cleansing with alcohol effectively eliminates the bacterial contamination of the fomites, and should be encouraged.

Handwashing patterns in primary pediatric community clinics.

Handwashing is acknowledged as a critical factor in the prevention of nosocomial infection. Nonetheless, health care personnel often wash their hands inadequately. The purpose of this study was to examine the flora of hands and the frequency of handwashing of physicians working in primary care pediatric community clinics. The fingers of the dominant hand of 55 physicians working in 12 clinics were sampled for bacterial cultures. Only 354/720 (49%) of the expected handwashings by 17 board-certified pediatricians were recorded as having been performed. None of them washed their hands after each contact with an examined child. All physicians' hands were found to be contaminated with microorganisms. Staphylococcus species were isolated from 47 (85.4%) of the physicians' hands. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was found on the hands of 9.1% of the physicians. Such contaminated hands may serve as a potential vector of community-acquired infection with highly resistant organisms. Compliance with handwashing recommendations among these physicians was low. An active educational infection control program must be introduced in ambulatory pediatric community clinics.