חדשות המחקר

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. 

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion is used for enteral nutrition. Each manufacturer has its own instructions for planned tube replacement. Accordingly, caregivers have adopted the policy of elective change at a fixed period of time (3-6 months). The current study aimed to assess whether retained PEG for more than 6 months was associated with a higher rate of PEG-related complications.

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.

Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young (HENRY) is a UK community-based early childhood obesity prevention intervention that was adopted and implemented in Israel between 2013 and 2018. The aim of this study was to explore the implementation process in Israel and compare it with that of the 'parent' programme in the UK, in order to throw light on the challenges of introducing complex interventions into different countries and cultures. 

Despite some common pathogenic themes, the association of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been poorly investigated. We aimed to evaluate the bidirectional association between HS and RA. 

This national Israeli multicenter retrospective study aimed to characterize the clinical course of COVID-19 infection among patients with hematological malignancies, with special emphasis on treatment efficacy and outcome.

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.

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasms are a group of trophoblastic tumors that include choriocarcinoma (CC), epithelioid trophoblastic tumors (ETTs), and placental site trophoblastic tumors (PSTTs). Mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasms include combinations of CCs with ETTs and/or PSTTs; combinations of ETTs and PSTTs have also been described. This report describes the case of a 49-yr-old female with mixed ETT and PSTT discovered due to menstrual delay and a positive beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in serum 11 yr after normal pregnancy; it is an asymptomatic recurrence of the neoplasm after 2 yr. 

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.

 The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education has been felt worldwide. There are many lessons to be learned about teaching and learning in the digital age. While we evaluate the full impact and prepare ourselves for the new normal, it is worth reflecting on some of the positive aspects of online teaching and learning and understanding how students, teachers and the wider faculty have been able to support each other through the challenges of the pandemic. In this article, we offer a perspective on teaching an online Global Health course to engineering students.

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.