Arnon D. Cohen

Bio: Arnon D. Cohen is an academic researcher from Clalit Health Services. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Odds ratio. The author has an hindex of 41, co-authored 374 publications receiving 7913 citations. Previous affiliations of Arnon D. Cohen include University of Milan & University of Connecticut.

Physicians' knowledge and attitudes regarding periconceptional folic acid supplementation: a survey in Southern Israel.

Abstract: Background Pre-conceptional folic acid supplementation is an effective way to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs). Primary care providers are an important source of information to promote folic acid intake. This study aimed at evaluating primary care physicians' knowledge and attitudes regarding folic acid supplementation for childbearing women. Material/methods A questionnaire on physicians' knowledge and attitudes, mostly including multiple-choice questions, was delivered by mail to all physicians (n=370) in a large health provider organization in southern Israel in 2006. Data regarding demographics as well as type of specialty, experience, and place of work were collected. Results Eighty-seven physicians were included in the study (response rate: 24%). Seventy physicians out of 81 (94%) reported routine recommendation of folic acid for their patients. Most physicians admitted that they needed more information regarding folic acid supplementation. Knowledge about folic acid's role in preventing congenital anomalies was suboptimal, with 2% of the physicians correctly estimating the efficacy of folic acid in decreasing the risk of NTDs and 8% recognizing the association between folic acid supplementation and decreased prevalence of malformations other than NTDs. Knowledge about the correct timing (12%) and dosage (47%) of folic acid preparations for average-risk women was also lacking. Conclusions Primary care physicians report that they routinely prescribe folic acid to women in childbearing age in order to prevent congenital anomalies, but their knowledge about folic acid supplementation is insufficient.

Psoriasis in Israel: demographic, epidemiology, and healthcare services utilization

Abstract: BACKGROUND Updated data regarding the epidemiology of psoriasis and related healthcare utilization are lacking OBJECTIVE To investigate the epidemiology, comorbidities, healthcare services utilization, and drug use in a large group of patients with psoriasis from Clalit Health Services (CHS) database METHODS A controlled cross-sectional study was performed Case patients were defined when there was at least one documented diagnosis of psoriasis registered by a CHS dermatologist between the years 1998-2016 The extracted data included metabolic, cardiovascular and psychiatric comorbidities; community clinic visits; in- and outpatient services utilization profiles and drug use data, which included pharmacy claims of topical and systemic treatments, including phototherapy and climatotherapy Comparative analysis was performed by a univariate and multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, gender, obesity, and smoking RESULTS The study included 118,680 patients with psoriasis (prevalence of 269%) and 118,680 age- and gender-matched controls Patients with psoriasis had increased prevalence of metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychiatric illnesses Psoriasis was significantly associated with an increased healthcare utilization The mean (SD) number of annual dermatologist clinic visits and emergency room visits was 72 ± 124 and 29 ± 77 in psoriasis patients as compared to 29 ± 79 and 27 ± 74 in the control group (P < 0001) Topical steroids were the most applied treatment in psoriasis patients (155%), and topical vitamin D analogs were second in use (146%) Traditional systemic treatment for psoriasis was used in 38% of the patients, and biologic treatments were used in 16% of the patients CONCLUSIONS Our study quantifies healthcare services utilization and drug use in patients with psoriasis

An independent comparison of terbinafine and itraconazole in the treatment of toenail onychomycosis.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previously, sponsored publications have shown that either terbinafine or itraconazole (pulse regimen) are effective for patients with toenail onychomycosis. However, independent comparative studies are lacking.OBJECTIVES: To objectively compare treatment with terbinafine and itraconazole in patients with toenail onychomycosis.METHODS: The effectiveness of terbinafine (250 mg/day 3 months) versus itraconazole pulse regimen (400 mg/day for the first week of each month, for three cycles) was retrospectively evaluated in patients with toenail onychomycosis using mycological tests and subjective outcome measures. Statistical analyses were performed using one‐way analyses of variance (ANOVA) for continuous variables and Fisher exact tests for categorical variables.RESULTS: Included in the study were 117 patients (74 patients treated by terbinafine and 43 patients treated with itraconazole). Patients were examined at an average period of 20 months after the end of therapy. Mycological cure was observ...

Coexistent malignant conditions in rheumatoid arthritis - A population-based cross-sectional study.

Abstract: SummaryObjectives The aim of this study was to evaluate if association exist between rheumatoid arthritis and malignant diseases. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted comparing rheumatoid arthritis patients with age and gender matched controls regarding the proportion of patients with comorbid malignant conditions. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used for univariate analysis. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilising the medical database of Clalit Health Services. Results The study group included 11 782 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 57 973 controls. The total proportion of malignancies was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (21.4% vs 11.2%; P<.001). The disease for which there was the strongest association among patients with rheumatoid arthritis was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (1.1% vs 0.6%; P<.01). After multivariate analysis, lung cancer was not found to be significantly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with several malignant disorders, in particular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Appropriate measures for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma screening in this patient population should be considered.

A diagnostic meaningful distortion measure for ECG compression

Abstract: A new distortion measure for ECG signal compression is introduced. This diagnostic distortion measure, called the Weighted Diagnostic Distortion (WDD), is based on comparing the PQRST complex features (such as: P wave duration, P wave amplitude, P wave shape, QT duration, ST elevation, etc.) between two signals (original ECG signal and reconstructed ECG signal). Also in this article, a new compression algorithm is introduced, based on analysis by synthesis coding. In our compression system the encoder consists of a long term and a short term predictors and a quantizer with an adaptive number and values of levels, which are depended on the definition of maximum permitted distortion for each segment in the signal. The algorithm exhibits better results than other known compression algorithms.

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine

Abstract: The 11th edition of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine welcomes Anthony Fauci to its editorial staff, in addition to more than 85 new contributors. While the organization of the book is similar to previous editions, major emphasis has been placed on disorders that affect multiple organ systems. Important advances in genetics, immunology, and oncology are emphasized. Many chapters of the book have been rewritten and describe major advances in internal medicine. Subjects that received only a paragraph or two of attention in previous editions are now covered in entire chapters. Among the chapters that have been extensively revised are the chapters on infections in the compromised host, on skin rashes in infections, on many of the viral infections, including cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, on sexually transmitted diseases, on diabetes mellitus, on disorders of bone and mineral metabolism, and on lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. The major revisions in these chapters and many

The Self-Organizing Map

Abstract: An overview of the self-organizing map algorithm, on which the papers in this issue are based, is presented in this article.

The Geometry of Algorithms with Orthogonality Constraints

Abstract: In this paper we develop new Newton and conjugate gradient algorithms on the Grassmann and Stiefel manifolds. These manifolds represent the constraints that arise in such areas as the symmetric eigenvalue problem, nonlinear eigenvalue problems, electronic structures computations, and signal processing. In addition to the new algorithms, we show how the geometrical framework gives penetrating new insights allowing us to create, understand, and compare algorithms. The theory proposed here provides a taxonomy for numerical linear algebra algorithms that provide a top level mathematical view of previously unrelated algorithms. It is our hope that developers of new algorithms and perturbation theories will benefit from the theory, methods, and examples in this paper.

Sarcoidosis

Abstract: 结节病易误诊,据王洪武等~([1])收集国内18篇关于此病误诊的文献,误诊率高达63.2%,当然有误诊就会有误治,如孙永昌等~([2])报道26例结节病在影像学检查诊断的第一印象中拟诊结核5例,其中就有2例完成规范的抗结核治疗,为此应引起临床对本病诊治的重视。

Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an expanding global health problem, closely linked to the epidemic of obesity. Individuals with T2DM are at high risk for both microvascular complications (including retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular complications (such as cardiovascular comorbidities), owing to hyperglycaemia and individual components of the insulin resistance (metabolic) syndrome. Environmental factors (for example, obesity, an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity) and genetic factors contribute to the multiple pathophysiological disturbances that are responsible for impaired glucose homeostasis in T2DM. Insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion remain the core defects in T2DM, but at least six other pathophysiological abnormalities contribute to the dysregulation of glucose metabolism. The multiple pathogenetic disturbances present in T2DM dictate that multiple antidiabetic agents, used in combination, will be required to maintain normoglycaemia. The treatment must not only be effective and safe but also improve the quality of life. Several novel medications are in development, but the greatest need is for agents that enhance insulin sensitivity, halt the progressive pancreatic β-cell failure that is characteristic of T2DM and prevent or reverse the microvascular complications. For an illustrated summary of this Primer, visit: http://go.nature.com/V2eGfN.