Search

Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a key tool for the acceleration of scientific discovery, from accelerated drug discovery through automatic-robotic lab to the discovery of new materials that can help reduce air pollution. Israel is blessed with a unique combination of strong expertise in health and biological sciences, as well as advanced AI technologies. Hence, Israel can potentially become a leader in AI based biomedical scientific discovery. This article compares Israel's achievements in AI and in biomedical scientific discovery with the achievements of selected leading nations. It also highlights opportunities and barriers that Israel encounters in its path to becoming a world-wide leader in AI-based biomedical scientific discovery.

Introduction: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become increasingly popular in most Western countries. As a result, safety-related issues associated with these practices have become more apparent, including adverse effects and negative interactions with conventional medical therapies. The potential dangers associated with CAM are further exacerbated by the absence of high-quality clinical research on the subject; a lack of a basic understanding of the principles of CAM among physicians; and a reluctance of patients to disclose their use of CAM, including those modalities being used in parallel with conventional medical treatments. The increase in CAM use by their patients and the increased potential for harmful effects and interactions are central to the increasing interest among physicians and other healthcare professionals in learning more about CAM paradigms and practices of care. In light of this increasing interest in CAM, the majority of medical schools in the U.S. and Canada and a large number in Europe are providing their students with compulsory or elective courses on this subject. A similar process is taking place in Israel, with the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem having completed its first compulsory course in CAM at the Hadassah University Medical Center, Ein Karem. The increased use of CAM presents a number of challenges to the conventional medical profession. Medical schools can and should provide students with the knowledge and skills which will enable them to discuss CAM use with their patients, providing evidence-based guidance on the safe and effective use of these modalities.

Splenectomy is effective in treating immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Recent advances in laparoscopic technique and technology have made laparoscopic splenectomy feasible. We performed it in 8 cases of ITP (16-34 years old, and 2-24 months after the diagnosis was made and appropriate treatment started). Indications for splenectomy were no response to corticosteroid therapy (2 patients), decrease in platelet count when attempting to taper off therapy (3), or severe side-effects of the treatment (3). 4-5 ports were used. The splenic artery was first double-clipped through an opening in the gastrocolic ligament and then the lower splenic pole and the posterolateral attachments were dissected using endoclips and electrocautery. The hilum and short gastric vessels were separated using an endostapler. The spleen was placed in a plastic bag whose open end was pulled out through an umbilical incision and the spleen fragmented and aspirated out of the bag, while it was still inside the abdomen. Blood or platelet transfusions were not needed and the postoperative course was uneventful in all, with early return to full normal activity. Postoperatively, platelets increased to more than 150,000/mm3 in all patients, and there was no further need for corticosteroids during a follow-up of 2-12 months. We recommend laparoscopic splenectomy for ITP because of the reduced operative trauma, better recovery and rehabilitation, less postoperative pain, cosmetic advantage, and possibly fewer postoperative complications.