Recent Publications
Ronit Ilouz: A mutation in the PRKAR1B gene drives pathological mechanisms of neurodegeneration across species (Brain .)
Protein Kinase A (PKA) neuronal function is controlled by the interaction of a regulatory (R) subunit dimer to two catalytic (C) subunits. Recently, the L50R variant in the gene encoding the RIβ subunit was identified in individuals with a novel neurodegenerative disease. However, the mechanisms driving the disease phenotype remained unknown. In this study, we generated a mouse model carrying the RIβ-L50R mutation to replicate the human disease phenotype and study its progression with age.
(Tal Benjamin-Zukerman, Gilat Shimon, Anwar Dakwar, Netta Peled, Mohammad Aboraya, Ashar Masri-Ismail, Rania Safadi-Safa, Meir Solomon, Ronit Ilouz)
Wisam Sbeit, Amir Shahin, Tawfik Khoury: Dilated common bile duct is commonly associated with main duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the pancreas (BMC Gastroenterol . )
Dilatation of common bile duct (CBD) is mostly pathological and mainly occurs secondary to mechanical causes. We aimed to explore the prevalence of CBD dilatation in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMN) among patients referred to EUS.
Inshirah Sgayer, Avishalom Sharon, Maya Wolf, Lior Lowenstein, Marwan Odeh: Interstitial heterotopic pregnancy after bilateral total salpingectomy in IVF patients: a case report and literature review (Ginekol Pol . )
Heterotopic pregnancy of an intrauterine pregnancy and an interstitial or stump pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy is a rare complication of in vitro fertilization (IVF) that can lead to severe hemorrhage; prompt identification and management are important. The aim of this paper was to present a case report and an updated literature review of women who had had combined interstitial/stump and intrauterine pregnancies during an in an IVF cycle after total bilateral salpingectomy.
Bassel Haj: Global 30-Day Morbidity and Mortality of Primary Bariatric Surgery Combined with Another Procedure: The BLEND Study (Obes Surg .)
No robust data are available on the safety of primary bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) alone compared to primary BMS combined with other procedures. The objective of this study is to collect a 30-day mortality and morbidity of primary BMS combined with cholecystectomy, ventral hernia repair, or hiatal hernia repair.
Raneen Abu Shqara, Yara Nakhleh Francis, Lior Lowenstein, Maya Frank Wolf: The relation between low-grade fever during prolonged rupture of membranes (>12 hours) at term and infectious outcomes: a retrospective cohort study (Am J Obstet Gynecol .)
Intrapartum fever (>38°C) is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, the correlation between low-grade fever (37.5-37.9°C) and adverse perinatal outcomes is controversial. Objective: To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with prolonged rupture of membranes (ROM) (>12h) at term, between those with low-grade fever and those with normal body temperature.
Naama Tova Cohen, Khalaf Kridin: A bidirectional autoimmune cluster between vitiligo and rheumatoid arthritis: a large-scale population-based study (Arch Dermatol Res . )
A knowledge gap exists regarding the association between vitiligo and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to the absence of large-scale cohort studies designed to investigate this association. To investigate the bidirectional epidemiological association between vitiligo and RA. A population-based study was conducted using Clalit Health Services (CHS) database (2002-2019) using both a cohort study and a case-control study design.
Hadar Nevo, Mohamad Hamoud, Wail Khuri, Shams-Eldin Mokari, Samih Zoabi, Nasser Sakran: Laparoscopic Conversion of Gastric Plication to One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (Obes Surg . )
Laparoscopic gastric plication (LPG) is a restrictive procedure to reduce the size of the stomach by folding and suturing the stomach to decrease its capacity. LGP has a high revision rate, mostly to sleeve gastrectomy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such report on the bariatric population that has been never described before.The purpose of this video was to show the feasibility and safety, as well as the main technical aspects, of a laparoscopic conversion of gastric plication to One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass.
Tarek Taha: PD1 ligand functionality a biomarker of response to anti PD1 treatment in patients with HNSCC (NPJ Precis Oncol .)
Therapies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have transformed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. However, predicting the response to anti-PD-1 therapy remains a clinical challenge. This study evaluated the functional binding of PD-1 ligands in 29 HNSCC patients and compared it to the standard PD-L1 Combined Positive Score (CPS). The assessment of PD-1 ligands' functionality advances the current ability to predict the response of HNSCC patients to anti-PD-1 therapy.
Mojahed Sakhnini: Hydraulic Polymethylmethacrylate Pressure Delivery System Versus Manual Balloon Tamp System in Balloon Kyphoplasty (Global Spine J . )
Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are prevalent among the elderly population, and Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a minimally invasive solution for these. However, Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) leakage is a significant complication with potentially severe consequences. This study compares the safety and efficacy of manual balloon tamp system (MTS) and hydraulic Polymethylmethacrylate pressure delivery system (HPDS) in BKP.
Elias Nasrallah, Hanna Farah: Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Associated Acute Appendicitis in Children (Isr Med Assoc J .)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA) is an infectious pathogen associated with acute appendicitis; however, it is not consistently addressed by empirical antibiotic therapy, despite potential complications. Objectives: To investigate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of PSA-associated acute appendicitis in children.
Amir Mari: Advances on Esophageal Measurements: High Resolution Manometry, Timed Barium Swallow, Endoflip and Ph Monitoring (Harefuah .)
Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms are very common in the general adult population. Dysphagia, heartburn, regurgitation and non-cardiac chest pain are the most common signs. The clinical approach in managing these symptoms starts with upper GI endoscopy in order to exclude inflammatory, neoplastic and fibrotic disorders that involve the esophagus. Upper GI endoscopy is mandatory especially when alarm signs exist. In patients with no structural abnormalities, physiological testing might aid to better understand the origin of the symptoms and to improve management.
Helana Jeries, Fadi Hassan, Wasim Khoury, Badarny Samih, Mohammad E Naffaa: Anti-TNF-α drug-induced lupus presenting with cutaneous vasculitis and mononeuritis multiplex (Int J Rheum Dis .)
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonists represent a major breakthrough in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases. However, a variety of potentially serious adverse events have been reported related to their use, including (but not limited to) neurological manifestations. Mononeuritis multiplex is considered a severe neurological sequela that should be treated promptly to ensure the best clinical outcomes. Herein, we report a case of a patient with ankylosing spondylitis who developed mononeuritis multiplex 2 weeks after her first infusion of infliximab, along with a pronounced vasculitic skin rash and highly positive anti-nuclear and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies.
Papaverine prior to catheter balloon insertion for labor induction: a randomized controlled trial (Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM )
Catheter-balloon insertion is a cervical ripening method of labor induction. Papaverine and its derivatives are musculotropic antispasmodic drugs that directly induce smooth muscle relaxation. Used during childbirth, these drugs have been suggested to shorten the duration of labor. We aimed to evaluate the effect of administering papaverine prior to catheter-balloon insertion on changes in Bishop-scores and on the induction-to-delivery interval.
(Raneen Abu Shqara, Yara Nakhleh Francis, Gabriela Goldinfeld, Yousef Haddad, Inshirah Sgayer, Miri Lavinsky, Lior Lowenstein, Maya Frank Wolf)
Gal Reches, Ron Piran: Par2-mediated responses in inflammation and regeneration: choosing between repair and damage (Inflamm Regen . )
The protease activated receptor 2 (Par2) plays a pivotal role in various damage models, influencing injury, proliferation, inflammation, and regeneration. Despite extensive studies, its binary roles- EITHER aggravating injury or promoting recovery-make a conclusive translational decision on its modulation strategy elusive. Analyzing two liver regeneration models, autoimmune hepatitis and direct hepatic damage, we discovered Par2's outcome depends on the injury's nature.