J.H. Spungen, R. Goldsmith, Z. Stahl and R. Reifen
Background: Desalination of seawater and brackish water (mixed seawater and freshwater) provides an increasing portion of the Israeli drinking water supply. However, desalinated water contains little calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and consumers may be at risk for deficiencies of these essential minerals.
Objectives: To assess intakes of Mg and Ca from water, other beverages, and food in communities with different water supplies, and assess the proportion of individuals with intakes below the estimated average requirement (EAR).
Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted using a food frequency questionnaire to assess Mg and Ca intakes by adults in four communities. The proportion of individuals with Mg and Ca intakes below the EAR were evaluated based on current intakes and on potential intakes assuming that desalinated water had been introduced countrywide.
Results: The proportion of individuals with Mg intake below the EAR was higher in Kibbutz Maagan Michael (30.6%), an agricultural settlement supplied with desalinated water, than in Hadera (16.7%), a city supplied by the National Water Carrier (NWC) (P < 0.01). The proportion of individuals with Ca intake below the EAR was higher in Maagan Michael (15.3%) than in the communities supplied with water from the NWC or mixed water (27.7%–33.8%), P < 0.02.
Conclusions: Returning Mg and Ca to desalinated water may be beneficial for raising intakes in Israeli communities supplied with desalinated water. Individuals with intake of Mg and/or Ca below the EAR may be at risk for cardiac abnormalities and other medical conditions.
I. Abu-Kishk, B. Klin, N. Gilady-Doron, I. Jeroukhimov and G. Eshel
Background: Horse riding and horse handling are dangerous. There is a lack of knowledge concerning the incidence of hospitalization due to horse-related injuries and types of injuries in Israel. During the last two decades we have observed an increasing incidence of hospitalizations due to horse-related injuries at our medical center and noticed the frequent involvement of pediatric patients.
Objectives: To investigate these injuries with respect to type, incidence and modes of prevention.
Methods: A retrospective study of medical records was performed for all patients admitted to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center due to horse-related injury between January 1984 and December 2008. A telephone questionnaire was used to complete the data.
Results: Eighty-nine subjects (267 injuries) were included in the study. Most of them were not professional horse riders or horse handlers. Helmet use was reported in only 28% of the participants. The number of subjects with horse-related injuries and the percentage of pediatric involvement increased during the study period. Falling from a horse was the most frequent cause of injury (60.67%), followed by being kicked (13.4%). Head and extremities were the most affected areas. On admission, 33.7% had a potential severe injury score. Forty-two participants (47%) had underlying fractures, mostly in the upper extremities. In the pediatric population, 16.2% (vs. 0% adults) rode horses for therapeutic reasons. Seventeen subjects reported having long-term consequences.
Conclusions: The findings are similar to those described in other parts of the world. Horseback riding-related injuries are increasing, which emphasizes the need for safety education programs in Israel.
B. Haviv, S. Bronak and R. Thein
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common joint disease that can cause substantial pain and disability. The manifestation of pain, however, is highly variable with a poor correlation to plain radiographs. The source of pain in gonarthrosis is elusive. Pain receptors have been found in the synovium, ligaments, capsule, subchondral bone and surrounding tissues with the exception of articular cartilage. The perception of pain is regulated at the spinal and cortical level and is often influenced by psychosocial conditions. There is no definitive treatment modality to relieve the pain and surgery does not necessarily guarantee improvement. Understanding and careful clinical assessment of the sore osteoarthritic knee together with better imaging such as magnetic resonance may improve treatment strategies.
S. Graffi, A. Peretz, H. Jabaly and M. Naftali
G. Zandman-Goddard and Y. Shoenfeld
S. Bauer, R. Karplus, V. Belsky and H. Amital
S. Sacks, J. Finn, G. Sanna, M.A. Khamashta, F. Chowdhury, B.J. Hunt, R. Bell and D.P. D’Cruz
M. Naffaa, Y. Mazor, Z.S. Azzam, M. Yigla, L. Guralnik and A. Balbir-Gurman