חדשות המחקר

Computational psychiatry is an area of scientific knowledge which lies at the intersection of neuroscience, psychiatry, and computer science. It employs mathematical models and computational simulations to shed light on the complexities inherent to mental disorders. Aim: The aim of this narrative review is to offer insight into the current landscape of computational psychiatry, to discuss its significant challenges, as well as the potential opportunities for the fields growth.

The diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection (UTI) in young children continues to stimulate discussion and research. And rightly so! UTI is not only an important cause of bacterial infection in children, which may be associated with renal tract abnormalities and is a risk factor for renal scarring and hypertension, but also because of the morbidity associated with the infection. It is thus imperative to not only make a correct diagnosis both to initiate appropriate and timely treatment, plus further investigation where indicated, but to also avoid unnecessary treatment and investigation.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a Gram-positive beneficial bacterium that resides in the human intestinal tract and belongs to the family of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This bacterium is a widely used probiotic and was suggested to provide numerous benefits for human health. However, as in most LAB strains, the molecular mechanisms that mediate the competitiveness of probiotics under different diets remain unknown. Fermentation is a fundamental process in LAB, allowing the oxidation of simple carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, mannose) for energy production under oxygen limitation, as in the human gut. Our results indicate that fermentation reshapes the metabolome, volatilome, and proteome architecture of LGG.

Currently, the rate of bile duct injury and leak following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is still higher than for open surgery. Diverse investigative algorithms were suggested for bile leak, shifting from hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) toward invasive and more sophisticated means. We aimed to analyze the use of biliary scan as the initial modality to investigate significant bile leak in the drain following LC, attempting to avoid potential unnecessary invasive means when the scan demonstrate fair passage of nuclear substance to the intestine, without leak.

Surgery with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is the mainstay in treatment for advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; however, locoregional recurrences are frequent. Salvage surgery could be proposed in selected patients to improve local control, disease-free, and overall survival. Factors for improved disease-free and overall survival in patients treated with salvage surgery include age, tumor location, the initial T stage, HPV status, resection margins, and the time elapsing from the initial treatment. Clinical trials with adjuvant therapies have shown promise after salvage surgery in terms of tolerance and response, but clinical guidelines for using these adjuvant treatments are currently lacking. The aim of this review is to present current knowledge concerning the incidence and management of recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and current data concerning survival and morbidity after salvage surgery

The sinonasal structures and their adjacent organs host several functions including vision, olfaction, nasal respiration and filtration, secretory immunity, facial expression, articulation, and oral deglutition. We reviewed the current evidence supporting functional preservation in sinonasal cancer treatment.

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a potentially life-threatening complication that develops rapidly following acute upper airway obstruction. The condition is rare, dramatic but resolves quickly. Prompt recognition and appropriate supportive treatment may prevent unnecessary investigations and iatrogenic complications.

We determined whether COVID-19 vaccination was associated with Quality of Life (QoL) changes among individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Israel.

(Paul Kuodi, Yanay Gorelik, Hiba Zayyad, Ofir Wertheim, Karine Beiruti Wiegler, Kamal Abu Jabal, Amiel A Dror, Jelte Elsinga, Saleh Nazzal, Daniel Glikman, Michael Edelstein)

Prenatal diagnosis of cleft palate is challenging. Numerous 2D and 3D methods have been proposed to assess the integrity of the fetal palate, yet detection rate remains relatively low. We propose the "Hard Palate Sweep", a novel 2D method which enables a clear demonstration of the entire fetal palate throughout pregnancy, in a single sweep, avoiding acoustic shadows cast by surrounding bones. Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and performance of the "Hard Palate Sweep", performed throughout pregnancy.

Cancer risk after long-term exposure to interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors (IL-23i) and IL-17 inhibitors (IL-17i) remains to be delineated. Objective: To evaluate the risk of malignancies in patients with psoriasis treated with IL-23i and IL-17i relative to those prescribed tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) during the first 5 years following drug initiation.

DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000774

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune skin disease which occurs independently and in conjunction with systemic lupus erythematosus. Drug development for CLE is severely lacking. Anandamide (AEA) is a primary endocannabinoid which exhibits immunomodulatory effects through mixed cannabinoid receptor agonism. We evaluated AEA as topical treatment for CLE and assessed benefits of nanoparticle encapsulation (AEA-NP) on cutaneous drug penetration, delivery and biological activity. 

Genetic etiologies have been identified among approximately 10% of adults with chronic kidney disease. However, data are lacking regarding the prevalence of monogenic etiologies especially among members of minority groups. The objective of this study was to characterize the genetic markers among members of an Israeli minority group with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).

Several studies showed ethnic disparities in multiple myeloma (MM) incidence and prognosis. In order to compare prognosis and overall survival between different ethnic groups, a multicenter retrospective study was conducted in Northern Israel. 

(Najib Dally, Myriam Baranes, Luiza Akria, Marat Kashlikov, Khalil Tarabia, Adi Sharabi-Nov, Celia Suriu, Andrei Braester)

The diagnostic yield of TORCH screening for obstetrical indications is unclear. We evaluated TORCH testing results among women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios; and associations with congenital infections in neonates.

(Raneen Abu Shqara, Shany Or, Abdallah Abu Zraki, Jeries Rizik, Daniel Glikman, Hagai Rechnitzer, Lior Lowenstein, Maya Frank Wolf )