A machine learning-based prediction model for gout in hyperuricemics: a nationwide cohort study.

Objective: To develop a machine learning-based prediction model for identifying hyperuricemic participants at risk of developing gout.

Methods: A retrospective nationwide Israeli cohort study used the Clalit Health Insurance database of 473 124 individuals to identify adults 18 years or older with at least two serum urate measurements exceeding 6.8 mg/dl between January 2007 and December 2022.

Melanoma Management: Exploring Staging, Prognosis, and Treatment Innovations.

Melanoma, a malignant neoplasm originating from melanocytes, stands as one of the most prevalent cancers globally, ranking fifth in terms of estimated new cases in recent years. Its aggressive nature and propensity for metastasis pose significant challenges in oncology. Recent advancements have led to a notable shift towards targeted therapies, driven by a deeper understanding of cutaneous tumor pathogenesis.

[ADVANCES ON ESOPHAGEAL MEASUREMENTS: HIGH RESOLUTION MANOMETRY, TIMED BARIUM SWALLOW, ENDOFLIP AND PH MONITORING].

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms are very common in the general adult population. Dysphagia, heartburn, regurgitation and non-cardiac chest pain are the most common signs. The clinical approach in managing these symptoms starts with upper GI endoscopy in order to exclude inflammatory, neoplastic and fibrotic disorders that involve the esophagus.

[AI (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE) IN AI (ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION)].

The article, which focuses only on the prevention of the sperm and/or the frozen embryo mix-up, will begin by elaborating on the acute need to prevent the next gamete and zygote mix-up scenario. Afterwards, it will explore the practical methods already existing and the technologies. The main chapter will suggest the possible artificial intelligence technologies in the narrow field of artificial insemination for achieving that goal.

Varicella-Zoster Virus-Induced Neurologic Disease After COVID-19 Vaccination: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Early reports described an increased risk of herpes zoster following receipt of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. The objective was to assess whether COVID-19 vaccine is associated with varicella-zoster virus-induced neurologic disease (VZV-ND).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective case-control study with a test-negative design was conducted at 12 hospitals in Israel.

Predictability: A new distinguishing feature of cancer?

Cancer is a consequence of stochastic (mutations, genetic, and epigenetic instabilities) and deterministic (evolutionary bottlenecks) events. Stochastic events are less amenable to prediction, whereas deterministic events yield more predictable results. The relative contribution of these opposing forces determines cancer predictability, which affects the accuracy of our prognostic predictions and is critical for treatment planning.

Diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes of pediatric pemphigus: a retrospective study at tertiary medical centers.

Background: Pediatric pemphigus is a rare bullous disease that represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge;  evidence on patients' response to various treatments and long-term surveillance data are lacking. We aimed to investigate pediatric pemphigus patients' characteristics, diagnosis, therapeutics, response, and long-term follow-up.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of all pemphigus patients aged <18 years, diagnosed between 2000 and 2023, from three tertiary medical centers in Israel.

Can COVID-19 herd immunity be achieved at a city level?

We propose a new approach to estimate the vaccination rates required to achieve herd immunity against SARS-COV2 virus at a city level. Based on information obtained from the Israeli Ministry of Health, we estimate two separate quadratic models, one for each dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA Pfizer vaccine. The dependent variable is the scope of morbidity, expressed as the number of cases per 10,000 persons.

Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of antimicrobial resistance and population structure of gastroenteritis-related Aeromonas isolates.

Background: The population structure and the correlation between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes and genotypes in Aeromonas species isolated from patients with gastroenteritis are not well understood. The aims of the study were to: (1) investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Aeromonas species isolated from patients with gastroenteritis; (2) explore the relationship between AMR genes and resistance phenotypes; and (3) describe the population structure of these isolates and provide evidence of transmission events among them.

Methods: This microbiological survey was performed at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Emek Medical Center in Afula, Israel.

Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis: A Multi-center Retrospective Study from the Pediatric IBD Porto Group of ESPGHAN.

Background And Objectives: Current data on ustekinumab therapy in children with ulcerative colitis (UC) or unclassified inflammatory bowel disease (IBDU) are limited. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in pediatric UC and IBDU.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 16 centers affiliated with the IBD Interest and Porto groups of ESPGHAN.

Predictors of Complicated Disease Course in Children and Adults With Ulcerative Colitis: A Nationwide Study From the epi-IIRN.

Background: Data on predictors of complicated ulcerative colitis (UC) course from unselected populations cohorts are scarce. We aimed to utilize a nationwide cohort to explore predictors at diagnosis of disease course in children and adults with UC.

Methods: Data of patients diagnosed with UC since 2005 were retrieved from the nationwide epi-IIRN cohort.

A Comparison of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Characteristics Among Israeli Arabs and Jews: Analysis of Two Cohorts.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease involving apocrine gland-bearing regions. There is an under-representation of non-Caucasians in epidemiologic studies of HS. The characteristics of HS in Israeli Arabs have not yet been studied.

[CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES].

Introduction: Ocular inflammation, uveitis, represents over 40 distinct diseases, caused by infectious or non-infectious etiologies. Non-infectious uveitis may be related to systemic autoimmune diseases. Most uveitis patients are of working age, and prolonged disease may affect their independence and ability to work.

Empagliflozin for treating neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction in 21 infants with glycogen storage disease 1b.

Empagliflozin has been successfully repurposed for treating neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction in patients with glycogen storage disease type 1b (GSD 1b), however, data in infants are missing. We report on efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in infants with GSD 1b. This is an international retrospective case series on 21 GSD 1b infants treated with empagliflozin (total treatment time 20.

Factors Influencing Referral for Bariatric Surgery by Primary Care Physicians in Northern Israel.

Purpose: Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease with global distribution among adults and children which affects daily functioning and ultimately quality of life. Primary care physicians (PCPs) provide an important role for the treatment of severe obesity. Better understanding of obesity and its treatment options may increase patients' referral rates to the various treatment modalities, including metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS).

Breast cancer insights from Northern Israel: a comprehensive analysis of survival rates among Jewish and Arab women.

This study investigates breast cancer survival rates between 2000 and 2022 in northern Israel, focusing on ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age at diagnosis, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Analyzing data from Clalit Health Services, we studied 8,431 breast cancer patients (6,395 Jewish, 2,036 Arab). We compared five- and ten-year survival rates across different demographics.

Faecal Transplantation for Ulcerative Colitis From Diet Conditioned Donors Followed by Dietary Intervention Results in Favourable Gut Microbial Profile Compared to Faecal Transplantation Alone.

Background And Aims: Several faecal microbial transplantation [FMT] approaches for ulcerative colitis [UC] have been investigated with conflicting results. We have recently published the clinical outcomes from the CRAFT UC Trial using FMT with the UC Exclusion Diet [UCED], compared with FMT alone. Here we aimed to compare the two FMT strategies in terms of microbial profile and function.

The Effect of Total Knee Replacement on Dual-Task Gait Performance in Older Adults.

Objective: Total knee replacement (TKR) is a common solution for patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA). Still, fall rates remain relatively high after surgery. TKR may alter pain and knee function, balance control, and proprioception.

Applying hypnotic associative - dissociative techniques in psychotherapy for psychosomatic symptoms.

Patients experiencing psychosomatic symptoms frequently have difficulty obtaining correct treatment. They are often reluctant to partially attribute their symptoms to psychological factors and, as a result, delay referrals to mental health professionals. Furthermore, the dropout rate from therapy is high and relapses are common.

Colorectal polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline - Update 2024.

1:  ESGE recommends cold snare polypectomy (CSP), to include a clear margin of normal tissue (1-2 mm) surrounding the polyp, for the removal of diminutive polyps (≤ 5 mm).Strong recommendation, high quality of evidence. 2:  ESGE recommends against the use of cold biopsy forceps excision because of its high rate of incomplete resection.

Apparent mineralocorticoid excess in Israel: a case series and literature review.

Background And Objective: Apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) syndrome is an ultra-rare autosomal-recessive tubulopathy, caused by mutations in HSD11B2, leading to excessive activation of the kidney mineralocorticoid receptor, and characterized by early-onset low-renin hypertension, hypokalemia, and risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). To date, most reports included few patients, and none described patients from Israel. We aimed to describe AME patients from Israel and to review the relevant literature.