"What can I do? fight him?" Perceptions and Experiences in Reducing Secondhand Smoke Exposure during Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study among Israeli Women.

Introduction: Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy is associated with negative health outcomes. We aimed to explore Israeli pregnant women's perspectives on SHS exposure, with a focus on barriers and enablers to reducing SHS exposure at home and in the car.

Methods: Qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews with 68 women - 54 Jewish and 14 Arab.

[INTEGRATING SEX AND GENDER DIFFERENCES/GENDER MEDICINE INTO THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE CURRICULUM].

In recent decades, the recognition of the importance of sex, gender and their interrelationship for health research and for the practice of medicine has grown. Accordingly, the move to include gender medicine in medical school curricula has gained momentum in many countries. This article reviews the challenges of integrating this subject into medical school curricula and details the recent initiative to mainstream gender medicine into the six-year curriculum of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School in Jerusalem, Israel.

Unraveling the relationship among insulin resistance, IGF-1, and amyloid-beta 1-40: Is the definition of type 3 diabetes applicable in the cardiovascular field?

The concept of "type 3 diabetes" has emerged to define alterations in glucose metabolism that predispose individuals to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Novel evidence suggests that changes in the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/growth hormone (GH) axis, which are characteristic of Diabetes Mellitus, are one of the major factors contributing to excessive amyloid-beta (Aβ) production and neurodegenerative processes in AD. Moreover, molecular findings suggest that insulin resistance and dysregulated IGF-1 signaling promote atherosclerosis via endothelial dysfunction and a pro-inflammatory state.

Cardiac Left Ventricular miRNA-26a Is Downregulated in Ovariectomized Mice, Upregulated upon 17-Beta Estradiol Replacement, and Inversely Correlated with Collagen Type 1 Gene Expression.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is more prevalent in post- compared to pre-menopausal women. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Data in humans is confounded by age and co-morbidities.

Intra-hospital variation of gut microbiota product, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), predicts future major adverse cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction.

Objective: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) has been associated with atherosclerosis and poor outcome. We evaluated the prognostic impact of intra-hospital TMAO variation on patient outcome.

Methods And Results: Blood samples from 149 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were taken on admission and discharge.

Sustained insulin treatment restoring metabolic status, body weight, and cognition in an anorexia nervosa-like animal model in mice.

Introduction: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a psycho-socio-biological disease characterized by severe weight loss as result of dieting and hyperactivity. Effective treatments are scarce, despite its significant prevalence and mortality. AN patients show lower basal insulin levels and increased metabolic clearance, leading to weight loss, cognitive deficits, and hormonal imbalances.

Successful Reversal of Late, Severe Thrombotic Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve Stenosis With Anticoagulation Therapy.

Late bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (bPVT) is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication following valve replacement with thrombus formation leading mostly to valvular stenosis or embolic phenomena. Clinically, it manifests as symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea, or reduced exercise capacity. The existing treatment guidelines lack clear recommendations for managing this specific presentation.

Persistence of vitamin D deficiency among Italian patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background And Aims: Vitamin D deficiency is a common cardiovascular risk factor associated with the development of atherosclerosis. We evaluated changes in 25(OH)D concentrations in 1510 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) over a long observation period, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods And Results: Patients were separated into four groups according to the year of enrolment, group 1 (2009-2010), group 2 (2014-2016), group 3 (2017-2019), and group 4 (2020-2022).

Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to Reducing Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in the Home: A Qualitative Study With Palestinian-Arab Women in Israel.

Introduction: Smoking is a collective and complex problem in the Palestinian-Arab community in Israel, where women and children are particularly vulnerable to exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), especially in the home.

Aims And Methods: We undertook this study to better understand women's experiences with SHS exposure in the home and to identify pathways for intervention. Using the grounded theory approach, seven focus groups were conducted with 66 women in different localities across Israel.

Novel N-Acylethanolamide Derivatives Affect Body Weight and Energy Balance.

Introduction - The obesity pandemic is multifactorial. Nutritional, pharmacologic and surgical interventions are limited in reach and efficacy, raising need for new therapeutics. Aims - Characterization of anorexigenic and cognitive effect and central mechanism of action of novel N-acylethanolamide derivatives.

Development and usage of a health recommendation web tool (HeaRT) designed to inform women of personalized preventive health recommendations.

Background: Implementation of guidelines for evidence-based screening and disease prevention remains a core challenge in health care. The lack of access to accurate and personalized health recommendations may contribute to sub-optimal performance of medical screening, and ultimately increased risk for communicable and non-communicable disease. Many women do not monitor their cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk or receive regular medical screenings.

The effect of statins exposure during pregnancy on congenital anomalies and spontaneous abortions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess the effect of statin exposure during pregnancy on congenital anomalies and spontaneous abortions. Electronic databases were searched from inception to January 2022. Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluate the effect of treatment with statins on congenital anomalies in general and cardiac malformations in particular.

Municipal community centers as healthy settings: evaluation of a real-world health promotion intervention in Jerusalem.

Background: This study presents an intervention designed to foster the implementation of health promotion programs within District Municipality Community Centers (DMCCs) in Jerusalem, and the creation of a peer network of healthy settings with a shared aspiration of collaborating and implementing health-promoting policies at the community level. We also present the evaluation strategy, based on the EQUIHP and RE-AIM frameworks.

Methods: Twenty DMCCs completed our program.

Do Patients Seek Women-Centered Cardiac Care? Patient Experience of an All-Female Multidisciplinary Heart Center for Women.

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease in women is frequently under-diagnosed and under-treated. Numerous heart centers for women have opened throughout the world to address these disparities; however, there is a paucity of data regarding participants' perspectives. The current study assesses motivation to participate and perceived benefits in attending a heart center for women (HCW) in Jerusalem, Israel.

Teacher Training and Engagement in Health Promotion Mediates Health Behavior Outcomes.

School-based health promotion interventions have been shown to lead to measurable changes in the nutrition and physical activity behaviors. This study examines whether the impact of an intervention program on students’ healthy eating and physical activity was mediated by teacher training and engagement in health promotion. The trial was conducted in three phases: needs assessment of the baseline survey of teachers, mothers’ and children; intervention among seven randomly selected schools that included teacher training in healthy eating and physical activity; and a post-intervention evaluation survey.

Insulin normalized brain metabolic status on a Model of Anorexia Nervosa in Mice.

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa is a psycho-socio-biological disease, characterized by self-starvation and distorted perception of body weight. Patients often over-exercise. Insulin is an anabolic hormone that increases food intake and restores body fat and is present in low levels in anorexia nervosa patients: thus may have therapeutic potential in treating anorexia nervosa.

Health ambassadors in the workplace: a health promotion intervention mobilizing middle managers and RE-AIM evaluation of outcomes.

Background: The workplace provides an ideal setting for health promotion, as adults spend most of their day at work. Middle managers hold a strategic position to lead workplace health promotion. This study evaluates the outcomes of an intensive intervention training middle managers to promote health in the workplace.

Beta-Carotene derivatives as novel therapy for the prevention and treatment of autistic symptoms.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction & communication as well as restricted and repetitive behavior. The currently reported incidence of ASD is 1-2%, and it increases dramatically to 10-20% in families predisposed to ASD. To date, there is no effective way to treat or prevent ASD, and only symptomatic treatment with limited efficacy is available.

Two-Phase Evaluation of a Community-Based Lifestyle Intervention for Palestinian Women in East Jerusalem: A Quasi-Experimental Study Followed by Dissemination.

Palestinian-Arab women are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to high prevalence of diabetes and other risk factors. The current study investigates the effectiveness of an intensive group-based intervention on lifestyle habits that can prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease. To that end, we conducted a group-based intervention based on the diabetes prevention program in two consecutive phases.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors and health behaviors of ultra-Orthodox Jewish women in Israel: a comparison study.

Women from low socio-economic, culturally insular populations are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The ultra-Orthodox Jewish (UOJ) community in Israel is a rapidly growing low socio-economic, insular, cultural-ethnic minority with numerous obstacles to health. The current cross-sectional study investigates CVD-related health behaviors and risk factors in a sample of UOJ females, comparing sample characteristics with the general population.

Psychosocial Functioning, BMI, and Nutritional Behaviors in Women at Cardiovascular Risk.

Psychosocial factors such as depression, anxiety, and stress are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Health behaviors may play a role in this relationship, as individuals experiencing elevated levels of anxiety, stress, and/or depression may be less likely to engage in risk-reducing behaviors such as diet and exercise. Some evidence suggests that this relationship is particularly relevant for women.

Integration of Mixed Methods in Community-Based Participatory Research: Development of a Disease Prevention Intervention for Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Women.

Purpose: To describe the development of the first disease prevention intervention with ultra-Orthodox Jewish (UOJ) women in Israel using mixed methods and community-based participatory research (CBPR).

Design: This collaborative, 7-staged development process used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design integrated into a community-based participatory approach.

Setting: The UOJ community in Israel, a high-risk, low socioeconomic, culturally insular minority that practices strict adherence to religious standards, maintains determined seclusion from mainstream culture and preserves traditional practices including extreme modesty and separation between the sexes.

Ghrelin Derangements in Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Impact of Myocardial Disease Duration and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Background: Ghrelin may exert positive effects on cardiac structure and function in heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods: We assessed ghrelin levels in 266 dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients and in 200 age, gender and body mass index (BMI) matched controls. Further, we evaluated the expression of ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue-receptor (GHSR) in the myocardium of 41 DCM patients and in 11 controls.

Cardiovascular health literacy and patient-physician communication intervention in women from disadvantaged communities.

Background: For many women in low socioeconomic status communities, limited health literacy is an obstacle to following medical guidance and engaging in health-promoting behaviours. Low health literacy skills are also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Design: A health literacy intervention was designed through focus groups with women in low socioeconomic status communities.