Aseptic Liver Abscess in a Patient With Diversion Colitis.

Aseptic abscess syndrome is a rare clinical entity mainly associated with systemic inflammatory conditions, particularly inflammatory bowel disease. The syndrome is characterized by an inflammatory infiltrate predominantly consisting of neutrophils, most commonly in the liver and spleen. We present a case of a patient with symptomatic diversion colitis diagnosed with a clinical and histological presentation consistent with aseptic abscess syndrome of the liver.

Associations of the COVID-19 burden and various comorbidities of different ethnic groups in Israel: a cross-sectional study.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is highly transmissible between human beings. We examined differences in the core families with COVID-19 severity and mortality and comorbidities between Arab and Jews and explored the factors associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality to find a genetic component. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2240 COVID-19 patients (> 18 years of age) randomly selected by online panels and questionnaires in the native language (Hebrew or Arabic) during March 2021-June 2022.

Disease severity and renal outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease infected with COVID-19.

Introduction: While there is evidence of the presence of the coronavirus in the kidneys and resultant acute kidney injury (AKI), information on the effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on COVID-19 outcomes and its pathogenesis is currently lacking.

Methods: This retrospective, observational study evaluated the outcomes of all consecutive patients hospitalized during COVID-19 outbreaks in Meir Medical Center. Serum creatinine level was assessed before hospitalization ("baseline serum creatinine") and at admission, as well as minimum and maximum serum creatinine levels during hospitalization.

Prediction of acute-coronary-syndrome using newly-defined R-CHADS-VASc score among patients with chest pain.

Background: Chest-pain patients with no evidence of acute coronary syndrome might still be at risk for adverse outcomes. Adding renal function to the classic scoring of CHADS and CHADS VASC may improve risk stratification of chest-pain patients discharged from internal medicine wards after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rule-out.

Methods: We accessed medical records of patients admitted to internal medicine wards during 2010-2016 and discharged following ACS rule-out.

Non-coronary cardiac calcifications and outcomes in patients with heart failure.

Background: Calcium deposits on heart valves are considered a local manifestation of atherosclerosis and are associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. The clinical significance of cardiac calcifications among heart failure (HF) patients, as assessed by echocardiography, is unknown. This study evaluated associations of cardiac calcifications with mortality and hospital admissions in this specific population.

Hyponatremia is associated with poor prognosis among patients with chest pain discharged from internal medicine wards following acute coronary syndrome-rule-out.

Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality observed in clinical practice. Among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), serum sodium levels are inversely associated with mortality risk. We assessed associations of serum sodium level with ACS and mortality in patients with chest pain.

Mean platelet volume and clinical outcomes of patients with chest pain discharged from internal medicine wards.

Background: Currently, there are no clinical scores for risk stratification of low-risk patients with chest pain. We aimed to examine the association between mean platelet volume (MPV) and risk for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with chest pain discharged from internal medicine wards following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rule-out.

Patients And Methods: Included were patients who were admitted to internal medicine wards and were discharged following an ACS-rule-out during 2010-2016.

The association between red cell distribution width and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalised due to chest pain.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the degree of heterogeneity of erythrocyte volume. Higher RDW levels are associated with increased mortality among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. The association between RDW levels and clinical outcomes in patients admitted for further evaluation of chest pain is not known.

Magnesium Deficiency and Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy among Patients with Compensated Liver Cirrhosis.

Background: Magnesium is an essential intracellular cation. Magnesium deficiency is common in the general population and its prevalence among patients with cirrhosis is even higher. Correlation between serum levels and total body content is poor because most magnesium is intracellular.

Telomere Length, Aggregates, and Capture in Cirrhosis.

Background: Shortened telomeres were found in patients with cirrhosis, probably reflecting chronic liver injury, continuous regeneration, and destruction of hepatic nodules.

Objectives: To test whether telomere shortening is a general marker of cirrhosis, independent of disease etiology.

Methods: We evaluated telomere length in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis (largely a late sequela of steatohepatitis) compared to patients with cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV).

CHA DS -VASc score and clinical outcomes of patients with chest pain discharged from internal medicine wards following acute coronary syndrome rule-out.

Background: Chest-pain patients deemed safe for discharge from internal medicine wards might still be at risk for adverse outcomes.

Hypothesis: CHA DS -VASc score improves risk stratification of low-risk chest-pain patients discharged after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rule-out.

Methods: We accessed medical records of patients who were admitted to internal medicine wards at a single medical center during 2010-2016 and discharged following an ACS rule-out.

Iodinated Contrast Media Allergy in Patients Hospitalized for Investigation of Chest Pain.

Background: Iodinated contrast media (ICM) allergy may entail severe adverse events in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Premedication protocols and low-osmolality contrast media have been thought to improve the outcomes of these individuals.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of allergic reactions during PCI in patients admitted for investigation of chest pain.

Impaired renal function is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with chest pain discharged from internal medicine wards.

Background: Assessment of chest pain is one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions in internal medicine wards. However, little is known regarding predictors for poor prognosis in patients discharged from internal medicine wards after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rule-out.

Objective: To assess the association of kidney function with mortality and hospital admissions due to ACS in patients with chest pain who were discharged from internal medicine wards following ACS rule-out.

Pre-admission CHA2DS2-VASc score and outcome of patients with acute cerebrovascular events.

Background: The CHA2DS2-VASc score has been recommended for the assessment of thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Data regarding the association between the pre-admission CHA2DS2-VASc score and the outcome of patients with stroke and TIA are scarce. We aimed to assess the predictive value of pre-admission CHA2DS2-VASc score for early risk stratification of patients with acute cerebrovascular event.

HCV genotype-1 subtypes and resistance-associated substitutions in drug-naive and in direct-acting antiviral treatment failure patients.

Background: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment regimens and response rates of patients with HCV genotype-1 (GT1) are currently considered subtype-dependent. Identification of clinically relevant resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in the NS3 and NS5A proteins at baseline and in DAA failures, may also impact clinical decisions.

Methods: In a multicentre cohort study (n=308), NS3 or NS5B sequencing (n=248) was used to discriminate between GT1 subtypes.

Telomere Dysfunction in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cryptogenic Cirrhosis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) are considered preneoplastic conditions that might progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. We evaluated parameters of telomere dysfunction in these patient groups to study the correlation between telomere length and the progression of NAFLD. We analyzed peripheral lymphocytes from 22 patients with NAFLD, 20 patients with CC, and 20 healthy, age-matched controls.

Aneuploidy and asynchronous replication in non-alcholic fatty liver disease and cryptogenic cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC), which is largely a late sequela of NAFLD, are considered pre-neoplastic conditions that might progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. Aneuploidy, telomere aggregates and synchronization of replication were evaluated as markers of genetic instability in these patients.

Methodology: Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 22 patients with NAFLD, 20 patients with CC and 20 age-matched healthy controls were analyzed.

Telomere dysfunction in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Background And Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease are two associated, chronic inflammatory, pre-malignant conditions. We hypothesized that patients with these disorders may harbour telomere dysfunction as a marker of chromosomal instability. The aim of our study was to compare parameters of the telomere-telomerase system in these cohorts.