The prediction of the analgesic placebo response is moderated by outward-focused attention: A sham, randomized clinical trial of chronic back pain patients.

The within-subject variability (WSV) of pain-intensity reports has gained attention as a predictor of the placebo response but has demonstrated mixed results. We hypothesized that participants' inward- and outward-directed attention will moderate WSV's prediction of the analgesic placebo response. In this sham randomized clinical trial (protocol number NCT05994118); placebo response was induced in chronic back-pain patients (n=113) through a saline injection plus verbal suggestion.

Primary autoimmune myelofibrosis: A case report in a child.

Autoimmune myelofibrosis (AIMF) is an uncommon cause of myelofibrosis associated with favorable outcome. Primary AIMF, AIMF without a known systemic autoimmune disorder, has been described in adults, but never in children. Here, we present, for the first time, an apparent case of primary AIMF in a 15-year-old boy admitted with profound hypoproliferative anemia.

Intra-discal drain insertion for culture and drainage of pyogenic spondylodiscitis: A one-step diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.

Background: Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is diagnosed in recent years at higher rates due to the aging population, increased survival of chronic and immune suppressed patients, and the higher rate of invasive procedures leading to bacterial seeding or direct contamination of the disc space. Treatment guidelines encourage bacterial sampling before initiation of antibiotic therapy, and drainage of pus collections. We present our experience with percutaneous CT-guided drain insertion into the disc space itself as a one-step procedure for both culturing and subsequent continuous drainage of the infected disc space.

The Incidence of Road Traffic Crashes Among Young People Aged 15-20 Years: Differences in Behavior, Lifestyle and Sociodemographic Indices in the Galilee and the Golan.

Adolescent injuries and fatalities constitute a world health concern and present a major public health burden. Of all childhood injuries in Israel 61.8% occur during road traffic crashes.

Use of the Combined First-Trimester Screen in High- and Low-Risk Patient Populations After Introduction of Noninvasive Prenatal Testing.

Objectives: To report changes in the use of the combined first-trimester screen (FTS) in patients classified as high and low risk for fetal aneuploidy, including after introduction of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT).

Methods: A prospectively collected database was reviewed to investigate changes in FTS use before and after American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Practice Bulletin No. 77 (Obstet Gynecol 2007; 109:217-227), which recommended that all patients be offered aneuploidy screening, and after NIPT introduction.

The impact of Ramadan fast on patients with gout.

Backgrounds: Ramadan fast is a religious custom in Islam. Increased serum uric acid level during this month had been reported in past studies of nongout patients.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of Ramadan fast on patients with gout.

Association of combined first-trimester screen and noninvasive prenatal testing on diagnostic procedures.

Objective: To describe the changes over a 9-year period in the number and rate of diagnostic testing after the introduction of the combined first-trimester screen and subsequent noninvasive prenatal testing.

Methods: The number of prenatal screening and diagnostic tests was recorded over a 9-year period from billing records. Three time intervals were considered: 1) 20 months before a combined first-trimester screen was offered; 2) 72 months after a combined first-trimester screen was offered; and 3) 16 months after noninvasive prenatal testing introduction.