Recent Publications

Human serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a lactonase that plays a significant role in anti-atherosclerotic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) activity. PON1 is also localized in endothelial cell membranes, where it is enzymatically active and regulates endothelial signals. PON1 has a high specificity for lipophilic lactones and has been shown to hydrolyze and regulate lactone lipid mediators derived from arachidonic polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Previously, we showed that an arachidonic acid lactone metabolite (AA-L) dose-dependently dilates PON1 gene deletion (PON1KO) mouse mesenteric arteries significantly more than wild-type arteries. In contrast, preincubation with HDL or rePON1 reduced AA-L-dependent vasodilation. Recently we showed that an additional δ-lactone metabolite derived from the eicosapentaenoic acid lactone, 5,6-δ-DiHETE lactone (EPA-L) reduced blood pressure by dilating microvessels of hypertensive rats. However, whether PON1 regulates the activity of the EPA-L lipid mediator is unknown.

 To demonstrate that PON1 hydrolyzes EPA-L and to reveal the effect of this hydrolysis on endothelial-dependent vascular dilation.

In this commentary, it will be demonstrated that the results of the recently published randomized controlled trials (RCT) that investigated the effects of prehospital transfusion are not necessarily conflicting, but rather they help to establish the nature of the patients who might benefit from prehospital transfusion.

Rapid decline in antibody-titres after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was reported; thus, a booster dose, and recently a second booster were approved. The study aims to discuss immunogenicity throughout the pandemic, especially after booster dose.

(Johad Khoury, Ronza Najjar-Debbiny, Ameer Elemy, Adel Jabbour, Juliana Haj, Rabah Yasin, Mohammad Amin, Elias Hellou, Najib Nasrallah, Amer Saffouri, Fahed Hakim)

Absent contractility (AC) is an esophageal motility disorder defined as a normal integrated relaxation pressure with 100% failed peristalsis. We sought to clarify the natural history of this disorder and its relationship with rheumatologic diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). 

While it is common practice to use intravenous (IV) iron in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and iron deficiency, there is insufficient evidence regarding outcomes in this patient population. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of IV iron therapy in patients supported by LVADs with iron deficiency.

Severe pain is prevalent in cardiac surgery patients and can increase cardiac complications, morbidity and mortality. The objectives of the study were to assess perioperative pain intensity and to assess predictors of pain post-cardiac surgery, including clinical characteristics and depression.

(Liza Grosman-Rimon, Noa Caspi-Avissar, Dina Granot, Sagi Gleitman, Jawdat Badarny, Alla Lubovich, Doron Sudarsky, Jordan Rimon, Shemy Carasso, Edo Y Birati, Erez Kachel)

National registries for acromegaly and population-based data make an important contribution to disease understanding and management. Data concerning the epidemiology of acromegaly in Israel is scanty.  Evaluates the epidemiology of acromegaly in different industrial areas in northern Israel.

Personal reflection

Full title: The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD) and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) Consensus Statements on Pre-invasive Vulvar Lesions (J Low Genit Tract Dis .)

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vulvar squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, vulvar Paget disease in situ, and melanoma in situ. For differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), an excisional procedure must always be adopted....

The following perspective examines contemporary clinical evidence available to evaluate oocyte quality in patients with endometriosis undergoing ART treatment.

The present work dealt with the development of physically cross-linked injectable hydrogels with potential applications in tissue engineering.

In the original version of the article, the first and last names of the authors were interchanged. The correct author names are given above. The original article has been corrected.

Letter to editor

HIV/AIDS still imposes a high epidemiological and societal burden. Together with antiretroviral therapy, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) represents a fundamental tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS. PrEP is considered effective and safe, even though it may affect organs like the kidney, bone, and liver, as shown by randomized clinical trials (RCTs). These side effects may be mediated by alterations of the gut microbiome. Whilst the impact of the human rectal and vaginal microbiome on HIV prevention has been highly investigated among women, less is known about its effect among men having sex with men (MSM), a vulnerable population at high risk for HIV and disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. In the present paper, we will overview the effects of PrEP on the gut microbiota in MSM.

Patients with acromegaly usually present with the classical signs of acromegaly, whereas patients without the specific signs or symptoms are rarely diagnosed. This unique entity can be named "subclinical acromegaly". This was a retrospective study.