Publications by authors named "R A Belfer"

Introduction: We evaluated whether persistent-positive celiac serology is associated with the risk of hypothyroidism.

Methods: We extracted a cohort of subjects aged 1-80 years with a positive IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012, and a repeat anti-tissue transglutaminase test within 6-36 months from a large population-based electronic medical record database. Based on serology tests, we categorized the pediatric (age <21 years) and adult cohorts into normalized or persistent-positive serology groups.

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The current pandemic raises substantive ethical and legal challenges for inpatient psychiatric units striving simultaneously to contain COVID-19 and provide safe, high-quality psychiatric care. Among these challenges, psychiatric units need to consider their role in isolating and quarantining COVID-19 positive patients who are psychiatrically cleared for discharge. We examine this complex dilemma by evaluating mental health law, quarantine law, public health ethics, a case from an urban academic medical center's inpatient unit, and literature focused on treatment and isolation protocols during HIV and tuberculosis epidemics.

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Article Synopsis
  • Current guidelines vary on how to follow up with patients who have 1-2 diminutive non-advanced adenomas (DNAAs), leading to uncertainty about patient management.
  • A study analyzed two cohorts: one with normal colonoscopy and the other with 1-2 DNAAs to assess the risk of advanced neoplasia (potentially cancerous growths).
  • Results showed that patients with DNAAs face a significantly higher risk for advanced adenomas compared to those with normal colons, suggesting they should have more frequent follow-up screenings.
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Clarithromycin resistance is the most common cause of Helicobacter pylori treatment failure and it is attributed to three point mutations, A2142G, A2142C and A2143G, within the 23S rRNA gene. We aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori clarithromycin resistance using a novel high resolution melt assay.

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