The association of medical, social, and normative factors with the implementation of end-of-life care practices.

Background: End-of-life (EoL) care practices (EoLCP) are procedures carried out at the EoL and bear directly on this stage in the patient's life. Public support of these practices in Israel is far from uniform. Previous studies show that while ∼30% of participants support artificial respiration or feeding of terminally ill patients, 66% support analgesic treatment, even at the risk of shortening life.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Importance: Concerns have been raised that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Objective: To investigate the association of GLP-1RA treatment with pancreatic cancer incidence over 9 years of follow-up.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this population-based historical cohort study, adult patients (aged 21 to 89 years) with type 2 diabetes insured by Clalit Healthcare Services, the largest state-mandated health organization in Israel, were followed up from 2009, when GLP-1RA became available in Israel, until pancreatic cancer diagnosis, death, reaching age 90 years, or end of follow-up (December 2017).

Age-dependent seasonality in the incidence of stroke: A 21-year population-based study.

Introduction: Seasonality in the incidence of stroke has been examined in numerous studies, yet data on whether it differs with age are limited. To fill this gap, we utilized a largescale dataset from Israel.

Patients And Methods: We retrieved data of all hospitalizations for ischemic stroke (IS), transient ischemic attack (TIA) and intra cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) from 2000 to 2020.

Advancing acceptance: assessing acceptance of the ESR iGuide clinical decision support system for improved computed tomography test justification.

Background: A clinical decision support system (CDSS), the European Society of Radiologists (ESR) iGuide, was developed to address gaps in the availability and use of effective imaging referral guidelines.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of computed tomography (CT) exams with and without ESR iGuide use, as well as the usability and acceptance of the physician systems.

Methods: A retrospective single-center study was conducted in which data from 278 consecutive CT tests referred by physicians were collected in the first phase (T1), and physicians used the ESR iGuide system for imaging referrals in the second phase (T2; = 85).

A feasibility study of the combination of intranasal insulin with oral semaglutide for cognition in older adults with metabolic syndrome at high dementia risk- Study rationale and design.

Introduction: We present the rationale and design of a double-blind placebo-controlled feasibility trial combining intranasal insulin (INI) with semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, to improve cognition in older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Since both INI and dulaglutide have beneficial effects on the cerebrovascular disease (CVD), we anticipate that improved CVD will underlie the hypothesized cognitive benefits.

Methods: This 12-months trial will include 80 older adults aged > 60 with MetS and MCI, randomized to 4 groups: INI/oral semaglutide, intranasal placebo/oral semaglutide, INI/oral placebo, and intranasal placebo/oral placebo.

[EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE FETAL SUPRATENTORIAL BRAIN VOLUME AND THE SUBARACHNOID SPACE IN VARIOUS FETAL PATHOLOGIES USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING].

Introduction: The subarachnoid space (SAS) is a potential space surrounding the brain where the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows. Previous work demonstrated how the SAS width changes during pregnancy and measured the normal values per gestational week.

Objectives: Studying the ratio between the fetal brain volume (STV) and the SAS width (SS ratio), as measured via fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in different fetal pathologies - macrocephaly and microcephaly, and studying the correlation between this ratio and the gestational week.

[ARROW PROGRAM: THE SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER'S YOUNG RESEARCHERS PROGRAM - A NATIONAL EXCELLENCE PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH EDUCATION].

The Arrow Program for Young Researchers is a unique excellence program of its kind in Israel established at the Sheba - Tel Hashomer Medical Center - which trains Israel's next generation of researchers, and combines veteran doctors and researchers with outstanding medical, nursing and high school students, using research methods and advanced technologies.

Association between parental smoking and child exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in Israel.

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in children can cause delayed lung development and lifelong cardiovascular damage. The aim of this study was to measure ETS exposure in children in Israel in 2020-2021 using urinary cotinine (UC) measurements and to assess correlates of ETS exposure, including parental smoking.

Methods: In the framework of the National Human Biomonitoring Program, spot urine samples and questionnaire data were collected from 166 children aged 4-12 years, during the years 2020-2021.

Development and Functionality of a Parsimonious Digital Food Frequency Questionnaire for a Clinical Intervention among an Indigenous Population.

Nutrition-related chronic diseases are a major problem among Indigenous populations. Appropriate dietary intake assessment tools are needed for nutritional surveillance and intervention; however, tools designed to measure the habitual dietary intake of Indigenous persons are largely lacking. We developed a digital food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to measure habitual consumption among Australian Aboriginal adults and support personalized nutrition counseling.

Pregnancy After Breast Cancer in Young BRCA Carriers: An International Hospital-Based Cohort Study.

Importance: Young women with breast cancer who have germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 face unique challenges regarding fertility. Previous studies demonstrating the feasibility and safety of pregnancy in breast cancer survivors included limited data regarding BRCA carriers.

Objective: To investigate cumulative incidence of pregnancy and disease-free survival in young women who are BRCA carriers.

Disparities Between Prenatal Ultrasound and Autopsy Findings in Pregnancies Resulting in Fetal Loss.

Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to assess disparities between prenatal ultrasound and autopsy findings in pregnancies that resulted in fetal loss, and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of prenatal ultrasound using postmortem examinations as a gold standard.

Methods: Our study included 136 autopsy cases following a fetal loss that occurred at our tertiary medical center for 8 years. A comparison between the prenatal ultrasound and autopsy findings was made, and all cases were classified according to the degree of agreement.

The new face of cystic fibrosis in the era of population genetic carrier screening.

Background: Population genetic carrier screening (PGCS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) has been offered to couples in Israel since 1999 and was included in a fully subsidized national program in 2008. We evaluated the impact of PGCS on CF incidence, genetic and clinical features.

Methods: This was a retrospective national study.

Factors associated with attempting and succeeding in smoking cessation following a National Tobacco Control Plan: Analysis of two nationwide surveys (2010 and 2017).

Introduction: Lower rates of smoking cessation among disadvantaged groups contribute to widening health-disparities. With this recognition, in 2010 free-of-charge/subsidized smoking cessation services became available to all Israeli residents through the not-for-profit health plans.

Methods: Based on two cross-sectional National Social Surveys, data on adult ever-smokers were used (n = 2,998 in 2010 and 2,859 in 2017).

The Association Between Glasgow Coma Scale Scores and PTSD in Military Trauma Casualties: Does Mental Status Following Injury Play a Role in PTSD Development?

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among military personnel and may arise following a wide range of traumatic exposures. Consciousness level following traumatic injury may play a role in the development of PTSD, but its effects have been primarily investigated in the context of traumatic brain injury.

Methods: Registry-based study surveying three databases documenting care from point of injury to long-term rehabilitation of traumatic injuries among military personnel.

Pharmaceutical Agents as Potential Drivers in the Development of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Case-Control Study.

Background: The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) rose abruptly in the mid 1990s, is continuing to increase, and has now been noted in many countries. By 2030, 25% of American patients diagnosed with rectal cancer will be 49 years or younger. The large majority of EOCRC cases are not found in patients with germline cancer susceptibility mutations (eg, Lynch syndrome) or inflammatory bowel disease.

Priority setting for health technology adoption at the national level: Lessons learned over 25 years' experience.

Background: Limited health budgets and continual advancement of health technologies require mechanisms for prioritization. Israel, with a publicly funded health service basket, has implemented and optimized such a health technology assessment process since 1999.We describe the process of evaluating technologies according to the Israeli model, analyze its outputs and benefits over two decades of implementation, and compare its key features with international experience.

Perinatal and neonatal risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in very low birthweight, very preterm twins: a population-based study.

Objective: To determine the effect of perinatal and neonatal risk factors on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to examine the association of fertility treatments on the risk for ROP in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm twins.

Methods: The population-based observational study consisted of VLBW twins born at 24-29 weeks gestational age (GA). Data from the Israel national database (1995-2020) were applied.

High BMI and the risk for incident type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of aggregated cohort studies.

Background: There is uncertainty regarding the role of obesity in type 1 diabetes development. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to collect and synthesize evidence regarding BMI and the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the association between BMI and incident type 1 diabetes.

Body mass index and migraine in adolescence: A nationwide study.

Background: The association between body mass index (BMI) and migraine in adults has been well established. However, studies in children and adolescents are inconclusive. We aimed to study the association between BMI and migraine using a national dataset that comprises the electronic medical records of more than two million adolescents.

Blepharoptosis and cognitive performance: a population-based study of 1.4 million adolescents.

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between blepharoptosis and cognitive performance in late adolescence. This population-based, retrospective, cross-sectional study included 1,411,570 Israeli-born adolescents (620,107 women, 43.9%) aged 16-19 years who were medically examined before compulsory military service between 1993 and 2017.

The benefit of pancreatic cancer surveillance in carriers of germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants.

Background: Surveillance of high-risk individuals for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is recommended. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and outcomes of PDAC and its precursor lesions in BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs) carriers undergoing pancreatic surveillance.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study of pancreatic surveillance outcomes in Israeli BRCA1/2 carriers preferably with a family history of PDAC.

Fetal brain volumes and neurodevelopmental outcome of intrauterine growth restricted fetuses.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the correlation of MRI measured fetal brain volumetrics with long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, among intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) and apparently healthy fetuses.

Study Design: A historical cohort study at a single tertiary referral medical center during 6 years period, of fetuses diagnosed with IUGR due to placental insufficiency, and apparently healthy fetuses, who had fetal brain MRI scan. The volumes of the supratentorial brain region, both hemispheres and the cerebellum were measured by 3D MRI semi-automated volume measurements.