NETosis induction reflects COVID-19 severity and long COVID: insights from a 2-center patient cohort study in Israel.

Background: COVID-19 severity and its late complications continue to be poorly understood. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) form in acute COVID-19, likely contributing to morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: This study evaluated immunothrombosis markers in a comprehensive cohort of acute and recovered COVID-19 patients, including the association of NETs with long COVID.

SARS-CoV-2 variants with reduced infectivity and varied sensitivity to the BNT162b2 vaccine are developed during the course of infection.

In-depth analysis of SARS-CoV-2 quasispecies is pivotal for a thorough understating of its evolution during infection. The recent deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, which elicit protective anti-spike neutralizing antibodies, has stressed the importance of uncovering and characterizing SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutated spike proteins. Sequencing databases have allowed to follow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants that are circulating in the human population, and several experimental platforms were developed to study these variants.

Diagnosis and Classification of 17 Diseases from 1404 Subjects via Pattern Analysis of Exhaled Molecules.

We report on an artificially intelligent nanoarray based on molecularly modified gold nanoparticles and a random network of single-walled carbon nanotubes for noninvasive diagnosis and classification of a number of diseases from exhaled breath. The performance of this artificially intelligent nanoarray was clinically assessed on breath samples collected from 1404 subjects having one of 17 different disease conditions included in the study or having no evidence of any disease (healthy controls). Blind experiments showed that 86% accuracy could be achieved with the artificially intelligent nanoarray, allowing both detection and discrimination between the different disease conditions examined.

Effect of Fampridine-PR (prolonged released 4-aminopyridine) on the manual functions of patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Persons with MS (PwMS) commonly present ambulatory and manual dysfunctions. While ambulation is recognized as important to PwMS, manual dysfunction is only lately gaining attention. Fampridine-PR was approved for MS ambulatory impairments.

Gene expression profiling of the response to interferon beta in Epstein-Barr-transformed and primary B cells of patients with multiple sclerosis.

The effects of interferon-beta (IFN-β), one of the key immunotherapies used in multiple sclerosis (MS), on peripheral blood leukocytes and T cells have been extensively studied. B cells are a less abundant leukocyte type, and accordingly less is known about the B cell-specific response to IFN-β. To identify gene expression changes and pathways induced by IFN-β in B cells, we studied the in vitro response of human Epstein Barr-transformed B cells (lymphoblast cell lines-LCLs), and validated our results in primary B cells.

Detection of multiple sclerosis from exhaled breath using bilayers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and single-wall carbon nanotubes.

A cross-reactive array of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and single wall carbon nanotube bilayers was designed for the detection of volatile organic compounds (tentatively, hexanal and 5-methyl-undecane) that identify the presence of disease in the exhaled breath of patients with multiple sclerosis. The sensors showed excellent discrimination between hexanal, 5-methyl-undecane, and other confounding volatile organic compounds. Results obtained from a clinical study consisting of 51 volunteers showed that the sensors could discriminate between multiple sclerosis and healthy states from exhaled breath samples with 85.

Multiple sclerosis in diverse populations: characteristics in distinct Arab ethnicities in Israel.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence and genetic susceptibility varies among the different ethnic groups of Jews and Arabs in Israel.

Objective: Characterization of MS disease course in Christian, Muslim and Druze Arabs in Israel.

Methods: Historical cohort and three-year follow-up cohort analyses based on interviews and clinical charts of 149 Arab MS patients (78 Muslims, 49 Christians and 22 Druze) from three MS centers in Israel.

Participatory medicine and patient empowerment towards personalized healthcare in multiple sclerosis.

The current understanding that the key for successful healthcare is an integrated approach, involving predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory medicine, is leading major changes. These are: a shift from medical decisions based on 'trial and error' to informed therapeutics based on diagnostics (theranostics); a shift from a 'disease-centered' to a 'patient-centered' approach; and a shift from a 'reactive' to 'proactive' medical approach. It is essential that not only the physician, but also the patient, becomes proactive.

Telemedicine for multiple sclerosis patients: assessment using Health Value Compass.

Background: Telemedicine carries the potential of improving accessibility to health services, especially for disabled people.

Objective: To assess the health-related outcomes of short-term implementation of telemedicine (telemed) for MS patients.

Methods: A prospective study of 40 MS patients divided into a control group and a telemed group was conducted, in two stages: A.

Mediterranean weather conditions and exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.

Background: Previous studies provide increasing support for the impact of environmental factors on disease incidence and activity in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between the incidence of MS relapses and weather conditions in Israel.

Methods: Clinical data, including occurrence of relapses in 235 patients, during 3 consecutive years (2001-2003) were assessed against the general daily meteorological variables.

Internet usage by patients with multiple sclerosis: implications to participatory medicine and personalized healthcare.

Online health information and services for patients were suggested to improve symptom management and treatment adherence, thereby contributing to healthcare optimization. This paper aimed to characterize multiple sclerosis (MS) patients Internet usage. Information regarding browsing habits, Internet reliability, and the medical team's attitude to information collected online was obtained by questionnaires from MS patients.

Translation towards personalized medicine in Multiple Sclerosis.

In recent years the realization that the concept 'one drug fits all' - does not work, created the need to shift gears from 'treating the disease' to 'treating the patient', and implementation of 'Personalized Medicine' where treatment is tailored to the individual. In chronic and progressive diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the need for tailored therapeutics is especially imperative, as the consequences of an ineffective medication might be irreversible dysfunction. In recent years accumulating evidence indicates that MS is not a single disease and that patients with different disease subtypes respond differently to a medication.

Electronic medical record systems in Israel's public hospitals.

Background: Various medical centers in Israel have recently incorporated electronic medical record systems. Knowing the EMR systems' features and pattern of use is an essential step for developing locally and nationally integrated systems.

Objectives: To evaluate the status of EMR systems in all major general hospitals in Israel in terms of the applications used and the patterns of use.