Road to Hepatitis C Elimination in Israel: Improvements in Linkage to Care (2009-2020).

Introduction: Disrupted linkage to care is a major barrier to hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination leading to high attrition rates. This study aimed to describe (1) flow through the HCV care-cascade (2009-2020), and (2) monthly patterns in HCV care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2020) in Israel.

Methods: Data were obtained from Maccabi Healthcare Services, a 2.

Patterns of Care in Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Stage II Endometrioid Endometrial Adenocarcinoma: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

Purpose: Treating stage II endometrial cancer involves total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and risk-adapted adjuvant therapy. Professional guidelines support various adjuvant treatments, but high-level data supporting specific options are conflicting. We sought to evaluate adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) trends for these patients, hypothesizing increased utilization of pelvic external beam RT (EBRT) over time.

Perceptions of Multicancer Detection Tests Among Primary Care Physicians and Laypersons: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Multicancer detection tests (MCDs) are blood-based tests designed to detect multiple cancer types. It is currently unclear whether these cancer screening tests improve mortality. To understand awareness of MCDs among providers and patients, as well as explore how they perceive the benefits, harms, and acceptability of MCDs, we have undertaken a focus group study in primary care physicians (PCPs) and laypersons to explore knowledge, attitudes, and expectations of cancer screening using MCDs.

Outcomes and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients with COVID-19 Treated with Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir: Real-World Data Analysis.

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was granted emergency use authorization in Israel in January 2022 to treat high-risk patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The aim of the study was to assess the association between nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment and COVID-19-related hospitalization and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in a country with a high level of vaccinations compared to patients who were offered treatment and declined. The Maccabi Healthcare Services dataset was used to identify high-risk SARS-CoV-2-positive adults from January to February 2022 who received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir within 5 days of symptom onset (treatment group) or who were offered nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment and declined it (reference group).

Primary care physicians and laypersons' perceptions of multicancer detection clinical trial designs.

Background: The National Cancer Institute Cancer Screening Research Network is launching a pilot study (Vanguard) to determine feasibility of successful completion of a clinical trial of multicancer detection tests. This focus group study reports perceptions of primary care physicians and laypersons of different clinical trial designs and willingness to participate in a multicancer detection clinical trial.

Methods: We undertook 14 focus groups with 88 laypersons and 6 focus groups with 45 primary care physicians.

Gross Tumor and Intracranial Control Benefits with Fractionated Radiotherapy Compared with Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients with WHO Grade 2 Meningioma.

Objective: Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for WHO grade 2 meningioma. Fractionated radiation therapy (RT) is frequently used after surgery, though many centers utilize stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for recurrence or progression. Herein, we report disease control outcomes from an institutional cohort with adjuvant fractionated RT versus salvage SRS.

The Role of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection versus Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection in Breast Cancer Patients with Clinical N2b-N3c Disease Who Receive Adjuvant Radiotherapy.

Background: For breast cancer with advanced regional lymph node involvement, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remains the standard of care for staging and treating the axilla despite the presence of undissected lymph nodes. The benefit of ALND in this setting is unknown.

Objectives: We sought to describe national patterns of care of axillary surgery and its association with overall survival (OS) among women with cN2b-N3c breast cancer who receive adjuvant radiotherapy.

Differentiation of survival outcomes by anatomic involvement and histology with the revised 2023 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system for endometrial cancer.

Objectives: The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system for endometrial cancer underwent revision in 2023, incorporating histology, lymphovascular space invasion, and molecular classification. Herein, we compare overall survival (OS) outcomes by anatomic and histologic involvement for patients staged by the 2009 system versus 2023 system.

Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients with newly-diagnosed uterine adenocarcinoma from 2004 to 2015, with follow-up data extending through 2020.

Real-World Coverage With Influenza, Pneumococcal, and Herpes Zoster Vaccines Among Patients With Rheumatic Diseases in a Nationwide Healthcare Plan.

Objective: Vaccination against preventable infections is important for the management of rheumatic diseases (RDs). This study assessed the vaccination coverage and predictors among patients with RDs using real-world data from Israel.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study, based on a Maccabi Healthcare Services database, included adult patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as of April 30, 2019.

Patterns of failure after radiosurgery for WHO grade 1 or imaging defined meningiomas: Long-term outcomes and implications for management.

Background: We analyzed long-term control and patterns of failure in patients with World Health Organization Grade 1 meningiomas treated with definitive or postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery at the authors' affiliated institution.

Methods: 96 patients were treated between 2004 and 2019 with definitive (n = 57) or postoperative (n = 39) stereotactic radiosurgery. Of the postoperative patients, 17 were treated adjuvantly following subtotal resection and 22 were treated as salvage at time of progression.

Vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics of planktonic cyanobacteria communities in a water column of deep mesotrophic Lake Geneva.

Background: Temperate subalpine lakes recovering from eutrophication in central Europe are experiencing harmful blooms due to the proliferation of , a potentially toxic cyanobacteria. To optimize the management of cyanobacteria blooms there is the need to better comprehend the combination of factors influencing the diversity and dominance of cyanobacteria and their impact on the lake's ecology. The goal of this study was to characterize the diversity and seasonal dynamics of cyanobacteria communities found in a water column of Lake Geneva, as well as the associated changes on bacterioplankton abundance and composition.

Multi-Institutional Analysis of Cancer Patient Exposure, Perceptions, and Trust in Information Sources Regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Purpose: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use during cancer treatment is controversial. We aim to evaluate contemporary CAM use, patient perceptions and attitudes, and trust in various sources of information regarding CAM.

Methods: A multi-institutional questionnaire was distributed to patients receiving cancer treatment.

Pre-morbid Laboratory Tests, Diseases, and Medications in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Israel.

Background: There is an unmet need for real-world data regarding laboratory results, co-morbidities, and medication use prior to the first symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Researchers must identify specific subpopulations at risk for developing ALS and understand pathogenic mechanisms preceding the clinical presentation of ALS as well as possible subclinical disease manifestations.

Objectives: To valuate the role of laboratory results, co-morbidities, and medication use prior to the first symptoms of patients with ALS in Israel so that specific subpopulations at risk for developing ALS can be identified and for possible subclinical disease manifestations.

Management and outcome of 500 multiple myeloma patients treated for first relapse outside clinical studies.

Treatment options for multiple myeloma (MM) at 1st relapse are expanding. The current study compared common 2nd line regimens administered in a real-world setting. MM patients registered in Maccabi health care services and treated with second line therapy during 2014-2020 were evaluated, analyzing factors affecting time to third line therapy (TT3T).

Real-World Utilization of Molnupiravir during the COVID-19 Omicron Surge in Israel.

Molnupiravir (MOV) was introduced in Israel in January 2022 during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron surge for high-risk patients contraindicated for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe characteristics of patients offered COVID-19 antiviral treatment in Maccabi Healthcare Services (antiviral treatment-eligible cohort; = 5596) between 12 January and 28 February 2022, and the subset of these who were dispensed MOV (MOV-treated cohort; = 1147), as well as outcomes following MOV dispensation. Median (interquartile range) age in the antiviral treatment-eligible and MOV-treated cohorts were 70.

Trends in use of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and combination chemoradiotherapy in advanced uterine cancer before, during, and after GOG 258.

Objective: To explore the use of Gynecologic Oncology Group 258 (GOG 258) study regimens before, during, and after the study.

Methods: Patients aged 18 years or older with endometrial cancer between 2004-2019 were identified in the National Cancer Database. Inclusion criteria were stage III or IVA of any histology and stage I-IVA clear cell or serous histologies with positive washings that received adjuvant therapy.

Rapid determination of protein digestibility in sorghum before and after cooking.

Quantifying the digestibility of proteins in cereal grain is important for assessing and improving the nutritional quality of the grain after ingestion. This trait is particularly important for sorghum since the grain protein is known to be less digestible after wet cooking compared to other cereals. The reduced digestibility contributes to malnutrition in regions where sorghum is consumed as a staple food.

Case report: Efficacy of lutetium-177 oxodotreotide for neuroendocrine tumor with central nervous system metastases.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) rarely metastasize to the brain. However, when they occur, NET brain metastases are associated with a poor prognosis. Due to their low incidence, NET brain metastases are poorly studied, with few data to guide a consensus for management.