חדשות המחקר

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is well established as a regulator of cell migration, but whether and how the closely related proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) regulates fibroblast motility is still under debate. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from Pyk2^-/- mice, we show here, for the first time, that lack of Pyk2 significantly impairs both random and directed fibroblast motility. 

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe drug reactions associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. There is no consensus on the treatment strategy.

Objective: To explore treatment approaches across Europe and outcomes associated with the SJS/TEN disease course, as well as risk factors and culprit drugs.

Inflammatory bowel disease significantly impacts patient's well-being. Patients' preferences regarding treatment outcomes do not necessarily fit physicians' goals. We aimed to examine patient's priorities and expectations from treatment.

The composition of the gut microbiome is greatly influenced by nutrition and dietary alterations which can also induce large temporary microbial shifts. However, the molecular mechanisms that promote these changes remain to be determined. Species of the family Lactobacillaceae and Bacillus species are genetically manipulatable bacteria that are naturally found in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are often considered models of beneficial microbiota. Here, we identify specific conserved molecular pathways that play a key role in host colonization by beneficial members of the microbiota. 

Microvascular dysfunction is a key contributor to vascular hypertension, one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Microvascular dysfunction leads to the loss of nitric oxide-mediated endothelial dilation and the subsequent compensatory function of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing (EDH) factors in the regulation of vascular tone. Previously, we showed that lactone metabolite derived from arachidonic acid induces endothelial-dependent vasodilation in isolated human microvessels. Based on structural similarities, we hypothesize that additional lactone metabolites formed from eicosapentaenoic fatty acid (EPA) may bear EDH properties.

This case report presents a patient who had difficulty eradicating the corona virus due to being treated with Rituximab, which depletes B lymphocyte cells and therefore disables the production of neutralizing antibodies. 

מדדנו באופן סדרתי את תגובת הנגד של רמות IgG בקבוצת עובדים מחוסנים במערכת הבריאות על פי מצב הידבקות ב- SARS-CoV2 (מעולם לא נדבקו או נדבקו לפני או אחרי החיסון) על מנת לעדכן את מדיניות החיסון.

(כמאל אבו ג'בל, הילה בן עמרם, קארין ביירותי, אירה ברימט, אשרף אבו סעדה, יונס בטחיש, כריסטיאן סוזאן, סלמאן זרקא, מיכאל אדלשטיין)

ניתוח שרוול קיבה (SG, Sleeve Gastrectomy) הוא טיפול יעיל להשמנה קיצונית; עם זאת, תוצאות הירידה במשקל לטווח הארוך נותרו לא מובנות במידה רבה. מטרתנו הייתה לבחון את שינויי המשקל לאורך זמן בעקבות ניתוח SG, מאפייני חולה ודפוסים של אורח חיים הקשורים לתוצאות ירידה במשקל.

Musculoskeletal research has been enriched in the past ten years with a great wealth of new discoveries arising from genome wide association studies (GWAS). In addition to the novel factors identified by GWAS, the advent of whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing efforts in family based studies has also identified new genes and pathways. However, the function and the mechanisms by which such genes influence clinical traits remain largely unknown. There is imperative need to bring multidisciplinary expertise together that will allow translating these genomic discoveries into useful clinical applications with the potential of improving patient care. Therefore "GEnomics of MusculoSkeletal traits TranslatiOnal NEtwork" (GEMSTONE) aims to set the ground for the: 1) functional characterization of discovered genes and pathways; 2) understanding of the correspondence between molecular and clinical assessments; and 3) implementation of novel methodological approaches. 

The aim of the current review is to provide a practical clinical approach to dysphagia and to shed light on the most recent improvements in diagnostics and treatment of achalasia over the last two years.

Hypoxemia is a hallmark of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. We sought to determine predictors of hypoxemia and related adverse outcomes among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the two largest hospitals in Jerusalem, Israel, from 9 March through 16 July 2020.

Heart failure is a major public health problem, which is associated with significant mortality, morbidity, and healthcare expenditures. A substantial amount of the morbidity is attributed to volume overload, for which loop diuretics are a mandatory treatment. However, the variability in response to diuretics and development of diuretic resistance adversely affect the clinical outcomes. Morevoer, there exists a marked intra- and inter-patient variability in response to diuretics that affects the clinical course and related adverse outcomes. In the present article, we review the mechanisms underlying the development of diuretic resistance. 

Non-receptor tyrosine kinases (NRTKs) are crucial mediators of intracellular signaling and control a wide variety of processes such as cell division, morphogenesis, and motility. Aberrant NRTK-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation has been linked to various human disorders and diseases, among them cancer metastasis, to which no treatment presently exists. Invasive cancer cells leaving the primary tumor use invadopodia, feet-like structures which facilitate extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and intravasation, to escape the primary tumor and disseminate into distant tissues and organs during metastasis. A major challenge in metastasis research is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying invadopodia regulation, as the general belief is that targeting these structures can potentially lead to the eradication of cancer metastasis. Non-receptor tyrosine kinases (NRTKs) play a central role in regulating invadopodia formation and function, but how they coordinate the signaling leading to these processes was not clear until recently. Here, we describe the major NRTKs that rule invadopodia and how they work in concert while keeping an accurate hierarchy to control tumor cell invasiveness and dissemination.

Hanahan and Weinberg introduced the "hallmarks of cancer" and typified essential biological abilities acquired by human cancer. Since then, a growing understanding of hallmark principles associated with breast cancer has assisted knowledge-based therapeutics development; however, despite the rapidly increasing number of targeted therapeutics, enduring disease-free responses for most forms of breast cancer is rare. Invasion and metastasis are the most defining feature of breast cancer malignancy and the leading cause of patient mortality. Hence, we propose a modified hallmarks model adapted to breast cancer, in which invasion and metastasis are shifted to the center of attention, thereby emphasizing it as a potentially superior therapeutic target.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare, chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder requiring life-long care. Patients with CTX often experience a diagnostic delay. Although early diagnosis and treatment initiation can improve symptoms and prognosis, a standardised approach to diagnosis, treatment and management of patients is not yet established. Aim: To assess expert opinion on best care practices for patients with CTX using a modified Delphi method.