Recent Publications
Impact of age, ethnicity, sex and prior infection status on immunogenicity following a single dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: real-world evidence from healthcare workers, Israel, December 2020 to January 2021 (Euro Surveill .)
The BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine showed high efficacy in clinical trials but observational data from populations not included in trials are needed. We describe immunogenicity 21 days post-dose 1 among 514 Israeli healthcare workers by age, ethnicity, sex and prior COVID-19 infection. Immunogenicity was similar by ethnicity and sex but decreased with age. Those with prior infection had antibody titres one magnitude order higher than naïve individuals regardless of the presence of detectable IgG antibodies pre-vaccination. (Kamal Abu Jabal, Hila Ben-Amram, Karine Beiruti, Yunis Batheesh, Christian Sussan, Salman Zarka, Michael Edelstein)
Michal Werbner, Joel Alter, Moshe Dessau, Meital Gal-Tanamy: Multi-clonal SARS-CoV-2 neutralization by antibodies isolated from severe COVID-19 convalescent donors (PLoS Pathog . )
The interactions between antibodies, SARS-CoV-2 and immune cells contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and protective immunity. To understand the differences between antibody responses in mild versus severe cases of COVID-19, we analyzed the B cell responses in patients 1.5 months post SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Ola Jahshan-Doukhy, Jacob Bornstein: Long-Term Efficacy of Physical Therapy for Localized Provoked Vulvodynia (Int J Womens Health . )
The origin of provoked vulvodynia (PV), the main cause of entry dyspareunia, remains unclear, and the treatment is empiric. In this study, we aimed to investigate the long-term effects of physical therapy on PV in subjects using questionnaire concerning PV symptoms immediately after physical therapy and at least 10 years later.
COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Dental Professionals Based on Employment Status During the Pandemic (Front Med (Lausanne) .)
The COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly across the globe, leading governments to impose prolonged lockdowns on both movement and commerce. Although lockdowns decrease the rates of novel infections, they can have devastating consequences on the economy and employment levels. One of the most severely affected sectors during this crisis has been dental medicine. Dental professionals are uniquely exposed to environments with high levels of occupational hazards, conferring additional risks of viral exposure and transmission. We analyzed 506 anonymous questionnaires completed by dentists and residents regarding acceptance of a future potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. (Asaf Zigron, Amiel A Dror, Tali Shani, Tharwat Haj Khalil, Netanel Eisenbach, Doaa Rayan, Amani Daoud, Fares Kablan, Eyal Sela, Samer Srouji_
Younis, Issawy, Ben-Shlomo, Soltsman, Perlitz, Ben-Ami: Protein C global assay evaluation in naturally conceived vs. assisted reproduction-achieved twin pregnancies: a prospective longitudinal study (Arch Gynecol Obstet .)
Protein C global assay tests the global function of the protein C pathway, the most clinically significant anticoagulant pathway in humans. The objective of this study is to assess the difference in protein C global assay levels, throughout twin gestation, in naturally conceiving and ART-treated women. (Johnny S Younis, Mariana Issawy, Izhar Ben-Shlomo, Sofia Soltsman, Yuri Perlitz, Moshe Ben-Ami)
Michael Edelstein: Tracking COVID-19 using online search (NPJ Digit Med .)
Previous research has demonstrated that various properties of infectious diseases can be inferred from online search behaviour. In this work we use time series of online search query frequencies to gain insights about the prevalence of COVID-19 in multiple countries.
Assaf Adar, Hiba Zayyad, Orna Nitzan, Avi Peretz: Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Patients With a New Diagnosis of Carriage or Clinical Infection With Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales: A Retrospective Study (Front Public Health .)
Examines the clinical, demographic, and microbiologic characteristics of new rectal carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CP-CRE) carriers vs. those with a clinical infection, hospitalized at Padeh-Poriya Medical Center between 2014 and 2017 and to examine the susceptibility profiles of isolates from clinical infections.
Karl Skorecki: A COVID-19 jab in the right direction (Lancet. )
While we believe that Israel should indeed offer the Palestinian Authority supplies of vaccine, the calumny by the Lancet Palestinian Health Alliance (LPHA) in The Lancet takes the cake. First, under international law and according to the Oslo Accords, Israel is actually under no legal obligation to offer medical aid to the Palestinian Authority, which is the statutory body responsible for the health of Palestinians. Certainly, not any more than the UK owes Ireland....We ask for a little perspective and fairness, please.
Limor Meoded Danon: The Parental Struggle With the Israeli Genital Socialization Process (Qual Health Res . )
The focus of this article is on how parents of children with "nonnormative" genitalia cope with the conflict between the genital socialization process and their children's genital autonomy in the Israeli medical-sociocultural context.
Tom Domovitz, Meital Gal-Tanamy: Tracking Down the Epigenetic Footprint of HCV-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis (J Clin Med . )
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of death and morbidity globally and is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Incidence of HCV infections, as well as HCV-related liver diseases, are increasing. Although now, with new direct acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy available, HCV is a curable cancer-associated infectious agent, HCC prevalence is expected to continue to rise because HCC risk still persists after HCV cure. Understanding the factors that lead from HCV infection to HCC pre- and post-cure may open-up opportunities to novel strategies for HCC prevention. Herein, we provide an overview of the reported evidence for the induction of alterations in the transcriptome of host cells via epigenetic dysregulation by HCV infection and describe recent reports linking the residual risk for HCC post-cure with a persistent HCV-induced epigenetic signature.
Gassan Moady, Shelly Vons, Shaul Atar: A Comparative Retrospective Study of Patients with Takotsubo Syndrome and Acute Coronary Syndrome (Isr Med Assoc J . )
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy characterized by an acute reversible left ventricular dysfunction with typical apical ballooning, usually with subsequent complete spontaneous recovery. TTS shares several features with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including clinical presentation, ECG changes, and elevated troponin. This study identifies different features that may help differentiate between TTS and ACS with presentation based on presenting symptoms and physical examination.
Amir Mari, Tawfik Khoury, Mahamid Baker, Halel Said Ahmad, Fadi Abu Baker, Mahmud Mahamid: The Impact of Ramadan Fasting on Fatty Liver Disease Severity: A Retrospective Case Control Study from Israel (Isr Med Assoc J . )
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as an important public health condition. The effect of Ramadan fasting on several metabolic conditions has been previously assessed. Assess the impact of Ramadan fasting on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) severity scores.
Alexander Lerner: COVID-19 Crisis Effect: Experience at Two Orthopedic Trauma Units (Isr Med Assoc J . )
The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) crisis has affected how hospitals work and has had an effect on orthopedic surgery. Compares patient management and low-energy and high-energy trauma treatment at two orthopedic trauma units during the COVID-19 crisis and to clarify resource demands and preparedness in orthopedic clinics during the state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soboh Soboh, Arnon Blum: Effect of Telemedicine Dietary Intervention for Endothelial Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Mediterranean Diet (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a high rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Mediterranean diet is preferred for CVD prevention. Endothelial dysfunction is demonstrated early in T2DM. Studies the effects of dietary intervention of T2DM patients without known CVD on endothelial function and vascular inflammation.