Recent Publications

In plants, RNA interference (RNAi) serves as a critical defense mechanism against viral infections by regulating gene expression. However, viruses have developed RNA silencing suppressor (RSS) proteins to evade this defense mechanism....Our study focuses on P8, an RSS protein from HPWMoV. Understanding its structure and assembly is a crucial step toward comprehending how these viruses counteract host defenses, aiding in combatting malnutrition.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of viral hepatitis. We examined HEV seroprevalence and associations of sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics with HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity in the Arab population.

Assess LLMs' proficiency, clarity, and objectivity regarding COVID-19 impacts in pregnancy.

Among the various factors implicated in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), visceral hypersensitivity and mucosal resistance have been recently re-evaluated in relation to the increasing phenomenon of proton pump inhibitor failure, particularly in patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). Intensive research has allowed us to understand that noxious substances contained in the refluxate are able to interact with esophageal epithelium and to induce the elicitation of symptoms.

Autoimmune diseases are complex conditions characterized by immune-mediated tissue damage and chronic inflammation. Protease-activated receptor 2 (Par2) has been implicated in these diseases, exhibiting dual roles that complicate its therapeutic potential. This review examines the perplexing functions of Par2, which promotes inflammation through immune cell activation while facilitating tissue healing in damaged organs. 

Post-cesarean delivery (CD) acute pain may progress to chronic pain, which may impair maternal bonding and child development.^1,2 In 2013, we compared the efficacy of versus on-demand oral analgesia for post-caesarean pain in a randomized-controlled-trial.³ The fixed-time-interval group had received scheduled paracetamol, tramadol, and diclofenac regardless of pain level, and the on-demand group received medication as needed, with oxycodone reserved for unrelieved pain in both groups. We found that The 'fixed-time-interval' group had lower pain scores, higher satisfaction rate and more breastfeeds.⁴ We aimed to assess the long-term effects of the study protocols on maternal chronic pain and child development.

Limited whole genome sequencing (WGS) studies in Asian populations result in a lack of representative reference panels, thus hindering the discovery of ancestry-specific variants. Here, we present the South and East Asian reference Database (SEAD) panel ( https://imputationserver.westlake.edu.cn/ ), which integrates WGS data for 11,067 individuals from various sources across 17 Asian countries. 

Maternal colonization by Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL-E) has risen, and the antimicrobial resistance of ESBL-E is significant. We aimed to evaluate the rates of ESBL-E colonization among women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and of maternal-neonatal vertical transmission. We also aimed to compare obstetrical and neonatal complications among ESBL-E positive versus negative maternal colonization in pregnancies complicated by PPROM.

The within-subject variability (WSV) of pain-intensity reports has gained attention as a predictor of the placebo response but has demonstrated mixed results. We hypothesized that participants' inward- and outward-directed attention will moderate WSV's prediction of the analgesic placebo response. 

Species host diverse microbial communities that can impact their digestion and health, which has led to much interest in understanding the factors that influence their microbiota. We studied the developmental, environmental, and social factors that influence the microbiota of nestling barn owls (Tyto alba) through a partial cross-fostering experiment that manipulated the social and nest environment of the nestlings.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 3 artificial intelligence language models-GPT-3.5, GPT-4o, and Gemini, in delivering patient-centered information about thyroid eye disease (TED). 

Ethnocultural differences between Jewish and Arab communities in Northern Israel may contribute to disparities in type 2 diabetes prevalence. Widespread screening strategies, including hospital-based initiatives, are crucial for early detection of hyperglycemia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of postprandial hyperglycemia and identify its associated factors in a diverse population of non-diabetic adults visiting the Galilee Medical Center, a tertiary care hospital in Northern Israel. 

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of oral probiotic supplementation in preventing vulvovaginal infections (VVIs) in pregnant women, specifically focusing on abnormal vaginal flora (AVF), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).

This study compared the performance of molecular vs stool culture assays for gastrointestinal infection (GII) detection, with focus on defining cycle threshold (Ct) cut-off values for positive culture results. 

Several cannabis plant-derived compounds, especially cannabinoids, exhibit therapeutic potential in numerous diseases and conditions. In particular, THC and CBD impart palliative, antiemetic, as well as anticancer effects. The antitumor effects include inhibition of cancerous cell growth and metastasis and induction of cell death, all mediated by cannabinoid interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). However, the exact molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. In addition, their effects on leukemia have scarcely been investigated.