Recent Publications

The effectiveness of messenger RNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is yet to be delineated. It remains largely unknown how AD-related immunosuppressive medications affect the development of vaccine-induced immunity. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine among patients with AD and to assess its effectiveness in protecting against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, COVID-19-associated hospitalization, and mortality.

Review

Given the increasing prevalence of diabetes and obesity worldwide, the deleterious effects of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are becoming a growing challenge for public health. NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease in the Western world. NAFLD is closely associated with metabolic disorders, including central obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, hyperglycaemia and persistent abnormalities of liver function tests.... This review gives an overview of NAFLD and its treatment options.

We determined circulating anti-S SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titres in a vaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs) cohort from Northern Israel in the 11 months following primary vaccination according to age, ethnicity and previous infection status. (Michael Edelstein, Karine Wiegler Beiruti, Hila Ben-Amram, Christian Sussan, Hani Asulin, David Strauss, Younes Bathish, Salman Zarka, Kamal Abu Jabal)

Letter

Evaluates the effectiveness of the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in predicting poor outcomes in low-risk pregnancies with reduced fetal movements (RFMs).

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) and possibly vulvar lichen planus (VLP) are associated with an increased vulvar cancer (VC) risk. We analyzed the risk of VC and its precursors after a diagnosis of VLS or VLP.

To explore possible obstetrical history-related, modifiable risk factors of future type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with focus on characteristics of the index gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnancy and the consecutive pregnancy.

Previous studies have linked the Mediterranean diet (MED) with improved cardiometabolic health, showing preliminary evidence for a mediating role of the gut microbiome. We recently suggested the Green-Mediterranean (Green-MED) diet as an improved version of the healthy MED diet, with increased consumption of plant-based foods and reduced meat intake. Here, we investigated the effects of MED interventions on the gut microbiota and cardiometabolic markers, and the interplay between the two, during the initial weight loss phase of the DIRECT-PLUS trial.

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of intra-articular and three-point sub-synovial steroid injections.

(Daniel Oren, Amiel A Dror, Tharwat Haj Khalil, Adeeb Zoabi, Asaf Zigron, Fares Kablan, Samer Srouji)

Cat-scratch disease (CSD), caused primarily by Bartonella henselae, is a common etiology of infectious regional lymphadenopathy. Lymphadenopathy is preceded by a primary inoculation lesion and may progress to suppuration. Laboratory diagnosis of CSD is hampered by the limitations of available confirmatory tests. PCR, in general, is highly sensitive and specific; however, clinical sensitivity in CSD varies greatly between studies. We aimed to identify clinical specimens and PCR assays best suited for CSD diagnosis using a national CSD registry and a uniform case definition. 

The ideal duration of anticoagulation therapy in patients with autoimmune disorders and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is controversial. We used the Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) database to compare the incidence rate of major bleeding during anticoagulation versus the incidence rate of VTE recurrences after its discontinuation. 

The etiology of transient global amnesia (TGA) remains unclear in a large subset of patients. We aimed to determine the clinical and radiological characteristics of TGA-patients with suspected acute micro-embolic stroke on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Psoriasis is a systemic disease with associated comorbidities. An association between renal diseases and psoriasis has previously been reported in adult patients, but little is known about renal diseases in pediatric patients. This study determines whether there is an association between psoriasis and renal comorbidities in adult and pediatric patients.

To determine characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine coverage among individuals aged 50 years and above in England since the beginning of the programme

Cesarean delivery (CD) is one of the most common procedures performed in obstetrics, and although CD is a blissful occasion, it is commonly associated with fear and anxiety for the new mother. We aimed to study the impact of watching a detailed, informative video on maternal anxiety levels, childbirth experience, and patient satisfaction - in patients undergoing a primary CD.