Haifa Medical Center

People with bronchiectasis often seek answers to patients on the internet, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). The AIR-BE study evaluated AI-generated responses to bronchiectasis management questions formulated by European Lung Foundation (ELF) patient representatives. Three AI models - Chat-GPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot - were tested. Experts from ERS Assemblies, the ERS CONNECT CRC, and ELF patients assessed answers for accuracy (experts), comprehensiveness (experts), and understandability (patients) using a 0-10 scale. Reliability was assessed by investigators through multiple submissions of the same question. Fifteen questions of varying complexity were submitted to each AI. Responses were evaluated by 28 bronchiectasis experts and 33 patient representatives. Reliable answers were 14 for Chat-GPT, 10 for Bard, 13 for Copilot. Median accuracy scores ranged between 7.0-9.0 for Chat-GPT, 6.0-8.0 for Bard, and 6.0-8.0 for Copilot, with Chat-GPT scoring highest (8, IQR [7-9] vs 7, IQR [6-8] for both Bard and Copilot, P < 0.0001). Median comprehensiveness scores ranged from 7.5-9.0 for Chat-GPT, 6.5-9.0 for Bard, and 6.0-8.0 for Copilot, with Chat-GPT scoring highest overall (8 [7-9] vs 8 [6-9] vs 7 [6-8], P < 0.0001). Median understandability scores ranged from 8.0-9.0 for Chat-GPT, 8.0-10.0 for Bard, and 7.0-9.0 for Copilot, with both Chat-GPT and Bard (median 9, IQR [8-10] for both) outperforming Copilot (median 9, IQR [7-10]) (P = 0.0002). Despite not being a substitute for medical consultation, AI, and particularly Chat-GPT, delivers accurate, comprehensive, and understandable responses to bronchiectasis-related questions.

Infertility affects up to 17.5% of couples of reproductive age, which significantly increases the demand for assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Despite various transformations and modernisation of programmes, the live birth rate with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) remains low, resulting in the need for several protocols to achieve live births. An important factor in the success of IVF is the qualification of specialists, but despite its high level, the human factor and a certain amount of subjectivity in the work of reproductologists and embryologists cannot be avoided. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities to improve various aspects of IVF, for example, AI models can accurately predict hormone doses, and automate ultrasound monitoring, reducing examination time. AI also improves sperm selection for intracytoplasmic injection and helps select embryos with the best chance of implantation, improving accuracy and reducing subjective evaluation. In addition, AI can play an important role in training professionals, improving their skills and increasing the accuracy of decision-making. The introduction of AI into clinical practice is a promising area for improving IVF outcomes

Acute acoustic trauma (AAT) is a sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) due to exposure to high intensity impulse noise. There are no acceptable treatment guidelines, although several studies showed steroids could be effective in restoring hearing levels. A recent report suggested that steroids combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) are a superior regiment for AAT. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of steroids and HBOT for AAT treatment. the medical records 90 patients (118 ears) afflicted with AAT and treated with steroids and HBOT were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were sensorineural hearing loss of at least 30 dB at the high frequency range (> 3,000Hz) following exposure to intense sound. Patients who started treatment within 7 days were classified as "Early treatment" group whereas patients who started treatment ≥ 8 days after AAT were classified as "Late treatment". The high frequency (3-8kHz) Pure Tone Average (hPTA) of the entire study population (n = 118) was 40.26 ± 15.42 dB pretreatment vs. 24.99 ± 15.83 dB post treatment (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, P < 0.0001). Pre-treatment hPTA was not statistically different between early and late study groups, 39.87 ± 16.00 vs. 40.86 ± 14.35 dB in the early vs. late group, respectively (ANOVA, F[3,232] = 22.574, P > 0.05). The post-treatment hPTA on the other hand, was significantly lower in the early vs. late treatment groups (21.93 ± 15.38 vs.31.19 ± 15.09 dB, respectively; ANOVA, F[3,232] = 22.574, P < 0.05). Combination treatment with corticosteroids and HBOT is highly beneficial in improving hearing outcomes following AAT, when initiated within 7 days. This study was retrospectively registered on July 19th 2020 and assigned the identifier number NCT04482998.

Long-term outcomes of congenital diarrheas and enteropathies (CODE) are poorly described. We evaluated the morbidity and mortality of children with CODE followed by an intestinal rehabilitation program (IRP) compared to children with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Matched case-control study of children with intestinal failure (IF) due to CODE (diagnosed between 2006 and 2020; N = 15) and SBS (N = 42), matched 1:3, based on age at diagnosis and duration of parenteral nutrition (PN). Nutritional status, growth, and IF-related complications were compared. Survival and enteral autonomy were compared to a nonmatched SBS cohort (N = 177). Fifteen CODE patients (five males, median age 3.2years) were followed for a median of 2.9years. Eleven children were alive at the end of the follow-up, and two achieved enteral autonomy. The CODE group had higher median PN fluid and calorie requirements than their matched SBS controls at the end of the follow-up (83 vs. 45 mL/kg/day, p = 0.01; 54 vs. 30.5 kcal/kg/day, p < 0.01), but had similar rates of growth parameters, intestinal failure associated liver disease, central venous catheter complications and nephrocalcinosis. Kaplan-Meier analyses of 10-year survival and enteral autonomy were significantly lower in CODE patients compared to the nonmatched SBS population (60% vs. 89% and 30% vs. 87%, respectively; log-rank p < 0.008). Despite higher PN needs in CODE, rates of IF complications were similar to matched children with SBS. Enteral autonomy and survival rates were lower in CODE patients. Treatment by IRP can mitigate IF-relatedcomplications and improve CODE patient's outcome.