Have gender and ethnic disparities in ophthalmology disappeared? Insights from a workforce-based study in Israel (2006-2021).

Background: Workforce diversity in healthcare has been shown to improve the quality of patient care. A paucity of data exists globally on this subject in ophthalmology. The purpose of this study was to analyze nationwide trends in gender-, ethnic- and country of graduation disparities among ophthalmologists in Israel.

Evaluation of the Effect of Risankizumab on the Pharmacokinetics of Cytochrome P450 Substrates in Patients with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease.

Background And Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of risankizumab on the pharmacokinetics of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A substrates in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) using a cocktail approach.

Methods: Patients with CD or UC (n = 20) received single doses of probe substrates for CYP1A2 (caffeine 100 mg), CYP2C9 (warfarin 10 mg), CYP2C19 (omeprazole 20 mg), CYP2D6 (metoprolol 50 mg), and CYP3A (midazolam 2 mg) before and after intravenous infusions of risankizumab 1800 mg once every 4 weeks for four doses. Serial blood samples were collected for determination of concentrations of the CYP probe drugs and metabolites with and without risankizumab.

Ablative radiofrequency microplasma for lateral dermatochalasis-indications and treatment recommendations.

To determine in which cases ablative radiofrequency microplasma is preferred for the treatment of lateral dermatochalasis over a surgical approach as well as discussing each method's benefits and limitations. Twenty-one patients underwent 3 interventions of plasma exeresis. Photographic and RCM images were acquired at baseline and 4 weeks after final plasma exeresis.

Greater Tuberosity Healing Rate and Clinical Results Following RSA Are Similar for Two Fracture-Specific Implant Systems.

Various fracture-specific reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) systems exist on the market. We set out to examine whether the type of prosthesis used and the means of fixation (cemented or non-cemented) influenced the rate of tuberosity healing or the functional outcome of the operation. This retrospective cohort multicenter study included 146 patients who underwent RSA for an acute three- or four-part proximal humerus fracture and had a minimum follow-up of one year.

Pain-Associated Diagnoses in Childhood Before the Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Population-Based Study.

Pediatric pain significantly affects children's lives, leading to school absenteeism, impaired social interactions, and psychological distress. The perception of sensory signals as pain is influenced by the brain's noradrenergic system, and recent evidence suggests that chronic pain may impact cognitive functioning and emotional regulation. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with alterations in the dopaminergic/noradrenergic systems, which could affect pain perception.

Comparative Analysis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management: Hospital-based Versus Community-based Care.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses chronic gastrointestinal disorders characterized by recurrent inflammation. Achieving mucosal healing and preventing disease progression are primary treatment goals.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare disease characteristics, medication utilization, procedures performed, and hospitalizations between IBD patients treated in hospital and community settings using the Leumit Health Service database.

Phototherapy for the treatment of cutaneous graft-versus-host disease: A systematic review.

Background: Cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Phototherapy has been used to treat cutaneous GVHD, but data on its safety and efficacy are sparse.

Aim: Review the current medical literature regarding the efficacy, dosing, and safety of various types of phototherapies for the treatment of cutaneous GVHD.

Unique Presentation of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Vertebral Osteomyelitis, and Iliopsoas Abscess Due to Klebsiella pneumonia in a 73-Year-Old Man with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Empagliflozin.

BACKGROUND Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2), such as empagliflozin, used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), can increase the risk of infections, including urinary tract infections and osteomyelitis, especially in elderly patients. The use of SGLT2 inhibitors has been increasing dramatically in the last few years. Therefore, their adverse effects and complications have also been increasing.

Duration-Dependent Risk of Hypoxemia in Colonoscopy Procedures.

: Colonoscopy is a critical diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in gastroenterology. However, it carries risks, including hypoxemia, which can impact patient safety. Understanding the factors that contribute to the incidence of severe hypoxemia, specifically the role of procedure duration, is essential for improving patient outcomes.

The impact of preoperative breast MRI on the therapeutic management of breast cancer patients.

Background: The role of preoperative breast MRI to evaluate the extent of disease in breast cancer patients is considered controversial. We aimed at assessing the effect of breast MRI on the management of newly diagnosed breast cancer.

Materials: A retrospective review of 202 consecutively seen patients who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer and who underwent preoperative breast MRIs at Assuta Ashdod between June 1, 2017, and June 1, 2020.

Assessing Generative Pretrained Transformers (GPT) in Clinical Decision-Making: Comparative Analysis of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4.

Background: Artificial intelligence, particularly chatbot systems, is becoming an instrumental tool in health care, aiding clinical decision-making and patient engagement.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the performance of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 in addressing complex clinical and ethical dilemmas, and to illustrate their potential role in health care decision-making while comparing seniors' and residents' ratings, and specific question types.

The Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy on Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function in Patients With Heart Failure.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved or reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF or HFrEF). The mechanism for this benefit is not clear. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are bone marrow-derived cells able to differentiate into functional endothelial cells and participate in endothelial repair.

Efficacy and safety of Apixaban in the treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a multi-center study.

Background: Information regarding the safety and efficacy of specific direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in the treatment of cerebral sinus and venous thrombosis (CSVT) is scarce. Apixaban is one of the most frequently prescribed DOACs. Therefore, we aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of Apixaban with those of vitamin k antagonists (VKA) in patients with CSVT.

Too Deep: The Rate of Inappropriate Deep Resections while Practicing a Single Stage Laser Cordectomy.

Objective: Whenever a cortectomy is indicated, obviating preoperative biopsy and practicing a single-stage-laser-cordectomy (SSLC) may expedite treatment and preserve surgical planes. This may result in more superficial resections and improved vocal function. Yet, SSLC holds a risk for over-treating nonmalignant lesions.

Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with elevated intraocular pressure among apparently healthy adults.

Purpose: To evaluate the association of cardiorespiratory fitness with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy adults.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 17,990 asymptomatic self-referred adults free of diabetes or cardiovascular disease who were screened in a preventive healthcare setting. All subjects underwent measurement of IOP and completed a maximal exercise stress test according to the Bruce protocol.

Nursing students led simulations to improve healthcare workers' hand hygiene compliance.

Background: Hand hygiene compliance (HHC) is recognised as a major factor in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Healthcare workers (HCWs) compliance is still suboptimal. Simulation as an educational strategy may contribute to improved performance.

The supine moving apprehension test-Reliability and validity among healthy individuals and patients with anterior shoulder instability.

Background: Performance-based tests for patients with anterior shoulder dislocation are lacking. This study determined the reliability and validity of the supine moving apprehension test designed to assess the ability to control anterior instability loads.

Methods: Thirty-six participants were recruited (18 healthy individuals, and 18 patients following anterior shoulder dislocation).

Subjective versus objective refraction in healthy young adults.

Purpose: To evaluate objective and subjective refraction differences in healthy young adults.

Methods: Data concerning candidates for the Israeli Air Force Flight Academy, as well as active air force pilots in all stages of service who underwent a routine health checkup between the years 2018 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Objective refraction measured using a single autorefractometer was compared with subjective refraction measured by an experienced military optometrist during the same visit.

Smartphone-based gait assessment for multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis causes gait alteration, even in the early stages of the disease. Traditional methods to quantify gait impairment, such as performance-based measures, lab-based motion analyses, and self-report, have limited ecological relevance. The Mon4t® app is a digital tool that uses sensors embedded in standard smartphones to measure various gait parameters.

Factors associated with changes in posterior corneal surface following laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose: To identify factors associated with changes in the posterior corneal curvature following laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: This retrospective study included myopic astigmatic eyes that underwent LASIK between January and December 2013 at Care-Vision Laser Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel. The average posterior keratometry was measured with the Sirius device at a radius of 3 mm from the center.