Real-world treatment patterns in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: associations with comorbidities and damage.

Objective: To assess treatment patterns and the association between long-term glucocorticoid (GC) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use and damage accrual in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: A retrospective study including patients with SLE using the computerised database of a large health maintenance organisation. Patients were matched with subjects from the general population.

Real-World Drug Survival of Biologics and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs Among Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Background: While the variety of biologics (b) and targeted synthetic (ts) disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) available for patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has proved to be efficacious in randomized clinical trials, there is a growing importance to understand the benefits and potential drawbacks of these different therapies in real-world settings, which includes bio-experienced and older patients as well.

Objective: To evaluate the real-world adherence, drug survival, and discontinuation risk of bDMARDs and tsDMARDs among patients with PsA, comprising both younger and older patients.

Methods: A retrospective study using a computerized database.

Epidemiology and Treatment Patterns of Patients with Vitiligo: A Real-World Analysis.

Introduction: Vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune skin depigmentation disease with an unpredictable course, has been associated with several comorbid autoimmune and psychological conditions. Our current understanding of vitiligo burden and management in the real world is limited. This real-world analysis presents data on vitiligo epidemiology, comorbidities, and treatment of patients in Israel.

Technology transfer for COVID-19 vaccine in the Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.

Innovation is an essential element for development and growth, but it consists of a long process of knowledge accumulation, so technology transfer is used to accelerate this process. This study mapped the particularities of the technology transfer process for the COVID-19 vaccine between AstraZeneca and the Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, and identified enablers, obstacles, and gaps. Our analysis investigated the process from selection of the most suitable partner to incorporation of the new technology based on a comprehensive literature review on this topic, combined with a case study.

Evaluating the impact of a rigid and a deformable registration method of pre-treatment images for hypoxia-based dose painting.

Purpose: To assess the impact of rigid and deformable image registration methods (RIR, DIR) on the outcome of a hypoxia-based dose painting strategy.

Materials And Methods: Thirty head and neck cancer patients were imaged with [F]FMISO-PET/CT before radiotherapy. [F]FMISO-PET/CT images were registered to the planning-CT by RIR or DIR.

Hormone-Replacement Therapy and Its Association with Breast Cancer Subtypes: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: The study examined trends in breast cancer incidence, mammography testing rates, hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) use and breast cancer subtypes in a large Israeli health maintenance organization during 2000-2014.

Methods: Annual rates of mammography tests and HRTs use were analyzed in women age ≥45. Annual incidence rates of breast cancer were analyzed in women age ≥20.

Proton pump inhibitors long term use-trends and patterns over 15 years of a large health maintenance organization.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are used for a variety of indications. Despite reported associations with undesirable effects, their long-term use is on the rise, while appropriate indications, dose, and treatment duration may deviate from guideline recommendations.

Objectives: Primary to examine the annual patterns of PPI use.

Asthma in Youth and Early-onset Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Study of 1.72 Million Israeli Adolescents.

Background: The prevalence of both asthma and early-onset diabetes is on the rise; however, the association between them remains unclear. We examined a possible association of asthma at adolescence with type 2 diabetes in young adulthood.

Methods: This is a nationwide, population-based study of 1 718 541 Israeli adolescents (57% males; mean age 17.

Analysis of Total Phenols, Sugars, and Mineral Elements in Colored Tubers of L.

The use of colored tubers of L. is growing worldwide due to their health benefits and attractive color. The positive health effects of purple-fleshed tubers are a result of anthocyanins and various phenolic compounds.

Adherence to metformin and the onset of rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based cohort study.

: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to examine whether adherence to metformin treatment may be associated with lower onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).: Using the computerized databases of a 2.3-million state-mandated health services organization in Israel, we identified incident RA cases among a cohort of 113 749 adult patients who initiated metformin therapy between 1998 and 2014.

Hypothyroidism in Young Children Following Exposure to Iodinated Contrast Media: An Observational Study and a Review of the Literature.

While it is well documented that exposure to iodinated contrast media (ICM) can interfere with thyroid function in adults, much less is known about the incidence and risk factors associated with ICM induced hypothyroidism in young children. Using a computerized database we identified 843 children who were exposed to ICM between 1998 and 2015. The incidence rate of ICM induced hypothyroidism per 1000 person-years was 9.

Silicone breast implants and the risk of autoimmune/rheumatic disorders: a real-world analysis.

Objectives: Several epidemiological studies have investigated the link between silicone breast implants (SBIs) and autoimmune/rheumatic disorders, reporting inconsistent results. We aimed to evaluate the association between SBIs and the most clinically relevant autoimmune/rheumatic disorders using a large, population-based database.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used the computerized databases of Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS), which include up to 20 years of data on 2 million members.

High serum carbonic anhydrase IX predicts shorter survival in head and neck cancer.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate prognostic and predictive value of pretreatment soluble carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) blood serum concentration in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Background: Increased expression of CA IX in tumor tissues has been associated with treatment resistance and worth prognosis. Soluble form of CA IX, released from tumor cells, is detectable in blood serum and could be a convenient predictive factor of treatment effectiveness that would enable treatment individualization.

[Relation between carbonic anhydrase IX serum level, hypoxia and radiation resistance of head and neck cancers].

Background: Hypoxia of locally advanced head and neck cancers is one of the main causes of their radiation resistance that presents clinically as a persistence of residual tumor disease after radiation therapy. Therefore, detection of tumor hypoxia could be an important predictor of treatment efficacy. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a protein, coded by a homonymous gene, the expression of which increases in tumor tissues at hypoxic conditions.

Heparin elevates circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 immunoreactivity in pregnant women receiving anticoagulation therapy.

Background: Alterations in circulating levels of pro- and antiangiogenic factors have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Heparin is routinely administered to pregnant women, but without clear knowledge of its impact on these factors.

Methods And Results: We conducted a longitudinal study of 42 pregnant women.

Modulation of amniotic fluid activin-a and inhibin-a in women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes and infection-induced preterm birth.

Problem: Activins and inhibins are important modulators of inflammatory processes. We explored activation of amniotic fluid (AF) activin-A and inhibin-A system in women with intra-amniotic infection and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM).

Method Of Study: We analyzed 78 AF samples: '2nd trimester-control' (n=12), '3rd trimester-control' (n=14), preterm labor with intact membranes [positive-AF-cultures (n=13), negative-AF-cultures (n=13)], and PPROM [positive-AF-cultures (n=13), negative-AF-cultures (n=13)].

Interpretation of amniotic fluid white blood cell count in "bloody tap" amniocenteses in women with symptoms of preterm labor.

Objective: To estimate whether blood-contaminated amniotic fluid affects the performance of white blood cell (WBC) count in diagnosing intraamniotic inflammation and infection.

Methods: Three hundred fifty-seven consecutive women pregnant with singletons undergoing amniocentesis to rule out infection were enrolled prospectively. A "bloody tap" was defined as a red blood cell (RBC) count of 1,000 cells/mm or more.

Amniotic fluid angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, and soluble receptor tunica interna endothelial cell kinase-2 levels and regulation in normal pregnancy and intraamniotic inflammation-induced preterm birth.

Background: Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and Ang-2 act selectively on endothelial cells by engaging the Tunica interna endothelial cell kinase-2 (Tie2) receptor. A soluble form of Tie2 (sTie2) blocks angiopoietin bioactivity.

Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize changes and expression patterns of Ang-1, Ang-2, and sTie2 in amniotic fluid (AF) and placenta during human pregnancy and intraamniotic inflammation (IAI)-induced preterm birth.

Prenatal diagnosis of ectopic intrathoracic kidney in a fetus with a left diaphragmatic hernia.

Intrathoracic renal ectopia as a result of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare congenital anomaly. We present a case in which the prenatal diagnosis of an ectopic intrathoracic kidney was made on routine anatomical survey at 28 weeks' gestation. Color doppler sonography imaging revealed the renal artery coursing into the infant's thorax and was consistent with CDH, but fetal MRI suggested an intact diaphragm.

Stillbirth at term in women of advanced maternal age in the United States: when could the antenatal testing be initiated?

We sought to determine if advanced maternal age (AMA) is a risk factor for intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). We used a U.S.

Multidimensional proteomics analysis of amniotic fluid to provide insight into the mechanisms of idiopathic preterm birth.

Background: Though recent advancement in proteomics has provided a novel perspective on several distinct pathogenetic mechanisms leading to preterm birth (inflammation, bleeding), the etiology of most preterm births still remains elusive. We conducted a multidimensional proteomic analysis of the amniotic fluid to identify pathways related to preterm birth in the absence of inflammation or bleeding.

Methodology/principal Findings: A proteomic fingerprint was generated from fresh amniotic fluid using surface-enhanced laser desorbtion ionization time of flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry in a total of 286 consecutive samples retrieved from women who presented with signs or symptoms of preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of the membranes.

Multidimensional system biology: genetic markers and proteomic biomarkers of adverse pregnancy outcome in preterm birth.

Premature birth before 37 weeks of gestation is a significant public health problem. Each year, 4.5 million premature infants are born worldwide.