Recent Publications

Smad4, a critical tumor suppressor gene, plays a significant role in pancreatic biology and tumorigenesis. Genetic background and sex are known to influence phenotypic outcomes, but their impact on pancreatic weight in Smad4-deficient mice remains unclear. This study investigates the impact of Smad4 deficiency on pancreatic weight in first-generation (F1) mice from diverse collaborative cross (CC) lines, focusing on the influence of genetic background and sex. 

Systemic alterations in the oral cavity can be reflected in skin disorders like psoriasis. However, data about oral health factors that are affected and controlled mainly by oral microbiota in atopic dermatitis (AD) are sparse. This study compared the oral status and oral microbiota of AD patients and healthy controls.

Sorafenib and lenvatinib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. This study investigates how hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects their efficacy in HepG2 hepatoma cells.

Time-resolved 3D cine phase-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (4D flow CMR) enables the characterization of blood flow using basic and advanced hemodynamic parameters. However, different confounders, e.g., different field strength, scanner configurations, or sequences, might impact 4D flow CMR measurements. This study aimed to analyze the inter-site reproducibility of 4D flow CMR to determine the influence of said confounders.

Numerous diseases associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccination have been reported, including conditions such as the autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) pemphigus and pemphigoid. However, robust evidence supporting these associations is lacking. Objective: To investigate the risk of developing AIBD following COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the thickness of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and maternal infectious morbidity.

The T2NOW study was a clinical trial which tested the use of two different blood sugar-reducing drugs (dapagliflozin or saxagliptin) in young people aged between 10 and 17 years with type 2 diabetes. Each drug was compared with a placebo to see to what extent the treatment can control blood sugar levels, and to observe any side effects.

Lymphoma growth, progression, and dissemination require tumor cell interaction with supporting vessels and are facilitated through tumor-promoted angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and/or lymphoma vessel co-option. Vessel co-option has been shown to be responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis, and resistance to anti-angiogenic treatment but is largely uncharacterized in the setting of lymphoma. We developed an in vitro model to study lymphoma-vessel interactions and found that mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells co-cultured on Matrigel with human umbilical vein (HUVEC) or human lymphatic (HLEC) endothelial cells migrate to and anneal with newly formed capillary-like (CLS) or lymphatic-like (LLS) structures, consistent with lymphoma-vessel co-option.

Vaginal hysterectomy combined with uterosacral suspension (USLS) is a technique for treating pelvic organ prolapse. Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) has been described as an alternative minimal invasive approachfor treating various gynecological and non-gynecological pathologies. The aim was to compare the surgical time between conventional vaginal hysterectomy combined with USLS and vNOTES hysterectomy combined with USLS.

Safety of dupilumab in atopic dermatitis (AD) was investigated in randomized controlled trials (RCT). However, head-to-head trials comparing with conventional systemic drugs are lacking and large real-world data on the long-term safety profile as compared are scarce. Objective: To compare long-term safety profile of dupilumab with conventional systemic drugs used in the management of moderate to severe AD.

The development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has proved to be a highly successful strategy. In this work, the aim is to study the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the production of inflammatory markers and how this affect morbidity and mortality. 

Military medicine has evolved significantly over the past 50 years, advancing from basic treatments and limited evacuations to sophisticated combat casualty care. Innovations such as hemorrhage control, early blood product administration, and telemedicine have greatly improved battlefield care. Rapid evacuation systems and skilled medical teams have reduced mortality and morbidity rates. Objectives: To review the transformation of the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps (IDF-MC) in combat casualty care over the past 50 years, focusing on recent applications during the Iron Swords war.

Parvovirus B19 infection has been associated with various clinical entities including musculoskeletal manifestations and the development of different autoimmune diseases. The aim of our study is to examine the musculoskeletal manifestations associated with acute parvovirus B19 infection and the possible development of chronic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common debilitating chronic disease presenting in two main forms based on esophageal mucosal appearance, the erosive reflux disease (ERD) and the non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). Acid secretion is a key factor in the disease pathogenesis and management. Potent acid-suppressant drugs have been manufactured since the mid of 1970s, initially with histamine-H2-receptors antagonists, and later, inhibitors of the proton pump (H+-K+-ATPase). More recently, potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), particularly Vonoprazan, have been introduced. Vonoprazan has shown high efficacy and safety profiles and exhibits several advantages that allow to overcome shortcomings of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

In this review, we provide an updated summary of Vonoprazan pharmacodynamics and its role in clinical practice for the management of erosive esophagitis and GERD related heartburn. 

Primary hyperoxaluria type 3 (PH3) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by bi-allelic genetic variants in the 4 hydroxy-2 oxoglutarate aldolase (HOGA-1) gene. We report the natural history of PH3 in a 16-patient cohort, 15 from a unique genetically isolated population.