Homoeopathy vs. conventional primary care in children during the first 24 months of life-a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Unlabelled: To compare the difference between primary homoeopathic and conventional paediatric care in treating acute illnesses in children in their first 24 months of life. One hundred eight Indian singleton newborns delivered at 37 to 42 weeks gestation were randomised at birth (1:1) to receive either homoeopathic or conventional primary care for any acute illness over the study period. In the homoeopathic group, conventional medical treatment was added when medically indicated.

Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children and the BNT162b2 vaccine: a nationwide cohort study.

Unlabelled: Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare, severe, post-infectious hyperinflammatory condition that occurs after COVID-19 infection. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the risk reduction of MIS-C and severe MIS-C after Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. This nationwide cohort study included 526,685 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases (age < 19 years), of whom 14,118 were fully vaccinated prior to COVID-19 infection.

Effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variant Beta (B.1.351) among persons identified through contact tracing in Israel: A prospective cohort study.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 variant Beta (B.1.351) was designated as a Variant of Concern (VoC) after becoming the dominant strain in South Africa and spreading internationally.

Post-Ebola sequelae among Ebola child survivors in Sierra Leone.

Background: There are limited data regarding the long-term health effects of child survivors of the 2013-2016 West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak. Here, we assess post-Ebola sequelae among EVD child survivors by comparing the self-reported symptoms between EVD child survivors and their close household contacts over one year after the end of the outbreak.

Methods: EVD child survivors(n=159) and their close contacts(n=303) were enrolled in Western and Eastern Sierra Leone.

Infections, hospitalisations, and deaths averted via a nationwide vaccination campaign using the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in Israel: a retrospective surveillance study.

Background: On Dec 20, 2020, Israel initiated a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign for people aged 16 years and older and exclusively used the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (tozinameran). We provide estimates of the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19-related admissions to hospital (ie, hospitalisations) and deaths averted by the nationwide vaccination campaign.

Methods: In this retrospective surveillance study, we used national surveillance data routinely collected by the Israeli Ministry of Health from the first 112 days (Dec 20, 2020, up to our data cutoff of April 10, 2021) of Israel's vaccination campaign to estimate the averted burden of four outcomes: SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19-related hospitalisations, severe or critical hospitalisations, and deaths.

Inferring Numbers of Wild Poliovirus Excretors Using Quantitative Environmental Surveillance.

Response to and monitoring of viral outbreaks can be efficiently focused when rapid, quantitative, kinetic information provides the location and the number of infected individuals. Environmental surveillance traditionally provides information on location of populations with contagious, infected individuals since infectious poliovirus is excreted whether infections are asymptomatic or symptomatic. Here, we describe development of rapid (1 week turnaround time, TAT), quantitative RT-PCR of poliovirus RNA extracted directly from concentrated environmental surveillance samples to infer the number of infected individuals excreting poliovirus.

Impact and effectiveness of mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations, and deaths following a nationwide vaccination campaign in Israel: an observational study using national surveillance data.

Background: Following the emergency use authorisation of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 (international non-proprietary name tozinameran) in Israel, the Ministry of Health (MoH) launched a campaign to immunise the 6·5 million residents of Israel aged 16 years and older. We estimated the real-world effectiveness of two doses of BNT162b2 against a range of SARS-CoV-2 outcomes and to evaluate the nationwide public-health impact following the widespread introduction of the vaccine.

Methods: We used national surveillance data from the first 4 months of the nationwide vaccination campaign to ascertain incident cases of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and outcomes, as well as vaccine uptake in residents of Israel aged 16 years and older.

Earlier Outbreak Detection-A Generic Model and Novel Methodology to Guide Earlier Detection Supported by Data From Low- and Mid-Income Countries.

Infectious disease outbreaks can have significant impact on individual health, national economies, and social well-being. Through early detection of an infectious disease, the outbreak can be contained at the local level, thereby reducing adverse effects on populations. Significant time and funding have been invested to improve disease detection timeliness.

Earlier detection of public health risks - Health policy lessons for better compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005): Insights from low-, mid- and high-income countries.

The International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) require all Member States to build and maintain the capacities to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies. Early detection of public health risks is one of the core functions. In order to improve surveillance and detection, a better understanding of the health system conditions and their influencing factors are needed.

Outbreak of human leptospirosis linked to contaminated water bodies in Northern Israel, June to August 2018.

We report preliminary findings of a large outbreak of human leptospirosis with 36 confirmed/probable and 583 suspected cases from June-August 2018, linked to contaminated water bodies in Northern Israel. There was a travel-associated case in Germany; additional cases are being investigated in other countries. The presumed chain of transmission, implicating wild boar and cattle, raises multiple challenges for risk assessment, risk management and risk communication currently being addressed by a public health response team.

Ongoing mumps outbreak in Israel, January to August 2017.

In Israel, 262 mumps cases were registered between 1 January and 28 August 2017 despite a vaccine coverage of ≥ 96%. The majority (56.5%) of cases were adolescents and young adults between 10 and 24 years of age.

The Israeli public health response to wild poliovirus importation.

In 2013, a silent wild poliovirus type 1 importation and sustained transmission event occurred in southern Israel. With the aim of preventing clinical poliomyelitis and ensuring virus re-elimination, the public health response to the importation event included intensification of clinical and environmental surveillance activities, enhancement of vaccine coverage, and supplemental immunisation with a bivalent oral polio vaccine against wild poliovirus types 1 and 3. A national campaign launched in August, 2013, resulted in vaccination of 943,587 children younger than 10 years (79% of the eligible target population).

Defining the role of medication adherence in poor glycemic control among a general adult population with diabetes.

Aims: This study assesses the attributable impact of adherence to oral glucose medications as a risk factor for poor glycemic control in population subgroups of a large general population, using an objective medication adherence measure.

Methods: Using electronic health records data, adherence to diabetes medications over a two-year period was calculated by prescription-based Medication Possession Ratios for adults with diabetes diagnosed before January 1, 2010. Glycemic control was determined by the HbA1c test closest to the last drug prescription during 2010-2012.

The weight of MMRV-related febrile convulsions among other clinical factors contributing to febrile convulsions in children.

Background: It was previously demonstrated that MMRV vaccine causes a higher rate of febrile convulsions (FC) compared to the MMR vaccine. Additional risk factors for FC include age, familial tendency, day care attendance, viral diseases, complications at birth and developmental delay.

Objective: We evaluated the relative and attributable risk of FC for vaccinees' age, ethnicity, low birth weight, preterm birth and MMRV vaccination in 10-24 months old children.

EMR-based medication adherence metric markedly enhances identification of nonadherent patients.

Objectives: To determine whether addition of written-prescription data to existing adherence measures improves identification of nonadherent patients and prediction of changes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis of all health plan members prescribed a statin in 2008 and followed through 2010.

Methods: We examined statin use in a 4-millionmember health plan with 100% electronic medical record coverage.

Effect of Traumeel S on cytokine profile in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis model in rats.

Background: Sepsis results in significant morbidity and mortality, with current treatment options limited with respect to efficacy as well as safety. The complex homeopathic remedy Traumeel S has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects in the in vitro setting.

Objectives: The objective was to explore the effects of Traumeel S in an in vivo setting, using a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis model in rats, evaluating the effects of the medication on cytokine activity.

Hypnosis and acupuncture (hypnopuncture) for prurigo nodularis: a case report.

Prurigo Nodularis (PN) is a chronic pruritic skin condition for which current conventional therapies are of limited benefit and with potentially toxic effects. Acupuncture--the insertion of thin needles at specific points on the skin--has been shown to alleviate itching through a number of itch-associated mediator effects. Hypnosis has been shown to modify and reduce the intensity of itching as well.

Hormesis and homeopathy: bridge over troubled waters.

Homeopathy is an empirical method of treatment. Hormesis, while stemming from within the rationalist tradition, has yet to be explained according to current pharmacological theory. Both share in common sub-threshold doses of toxic substances and an initial semi-toxicological insult followed by a greater compensatory (or healing) response.

[Validation of a Hebrew translation of the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI)].

Background: Symptom checklists used in clinical research of gastroparesis have not been evaluated for reliability or validity. The Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) is a reliable, validated measure whereby patients score three groups of symptoms: nausea/vomiting, postprandial fullness/early satiety and bloating.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to translate the GCSI into Hebrew and then validate the language of the translation for use in future studies.

Use of and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine among nurse-midwives in Israel.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the use and attitudes of nurse-midwives in Israel toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Study Design: In a cross-sectional study, nurse-midwives from 5 Israeli medical centers completed the CAM Health Belief Questionnaire, a validated tool examining data regarding personal health behavior, use of CAM therapies, and attitudes toward CAM.

Results: One hundred seventy-three of 238 potential respondents completed the questionnaires (72.

Traumeel S for pain relief following hallux valgus surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In spite of recent advances in post-operative pain relief, pain following orthopedic surgery remains an ongoing challenge for clinicians. We examined whether a well known and frequently prescribed homeopathic preparation could mitigate post-operative pain.

Method: We performed a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the homeopathic preparation Traumeel S in minimizing post-operative pain and analgesic consumption following surgical correction of hallux valgus.

Ecoepidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak, Israel.

A total of 161 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica occurred in the Jerusalem district during 2004-2005; 127 (79%) cases were in a town just outside Jerusalem. Environmental models suggest that in the context of global warming, this outbreak has the potential to extend into Jerusalem.

Acupuncture for psychiatric illness: a literature review.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is on the rise, especially among psychiatric patients. Acupuncture is considered a safe and effective treatment modality, and traditional Chinese medicine teaches that acupuncture harmonizes the body's energies. Scientific research has found that acupuncture increases a number of central nervous system hormones (ACTH, beta-endorphins, serotonin, and noradrenaline) and urinary levels of MHPG-sulfate, an adrenergic metabolite inversely related to the severity of illness in schizophrenics.

Herbal medicine and epilepsy: proconvulsive effects and interactions with antiepileptic drugs.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine is on the rise, including among patients with epilepsy. Herbal medicine, one of the most popular forms of CAM, is considered to be both safe and effective by most consumers. Yet many herbs may increase the risk for seizures, through intrinsic proconvulsant properties or contamination by heavy metals, as well as via effects on the cytochrome P450 enzymes and P-glycoproteins, altering antiepileptic drug (AED) disposition.