M. Friger | Ben Gurion University of the Negev (original) (raw)

Papers by M. Friger

Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 2013

Archives of Environmental Health, Nov 1, 2004

This study investigated the effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air on hospital ... more This study investigated the effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air on hospital admissions and emergency room (ER) visits among young children (0-3 yr) residing in 4 communities in southern Israel, within an area 5-25 km from the 2 power plants, which operate within 25 km of each other. Daily records of hospitalizations and ER visits for respiratory diseases at the 3 hospitals serving the region were examined for 9 mo, October 1, 2000-June 30, 2001. Mean PM2.5 concentrations for the four communities ranged from 11.6 to 28.1 microg/m3. Time series analysis revealed a statistically significant association (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) between the numbers of hospitalizations and ER visits for respiratory symptoms and concentrations of PM2.5. This effect was evaluated for 0-3 lag days, directly, and for interactions with temperatures and seasonal parameters. The respiratory health of young children may be affected by 24 hr concentrations of PM2.5 &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 60 microg/m3, the threshold proposed by both Israel and the United States.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2012

Background-Clinical factors predicting pulmonary complications after lung resection have been wel... more Background-Clinical factors predicting pulmonary complications after lung resection have been well described, whereas the role of genetics is unknown. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway has been linked to acute lung injury. We hypothesized that genetic variations in this pathway may be associated with postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection. Methods-One hundred ninety-six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 17 genes in the VEGF pathway were genotyped in a discovery set of 264 patients and a replication set of 264 patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer. Multivariable analysis adjusting for baseline clinical factors was used to identify SNPs associated with pulmonary complications. Cumulative and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses were used to further stratify risk groups. Results-The overall number of pulmonary complications was 164/528 (31%). The effects of 6 SNPs were consistent in the discovery and replication sets (pooled p value < 0.05). The rs9319425 SNP in the VEGF receptor gene FLT1 resulted in a 1.50-fold increased risk (1.15-1.96; p = 0.003). A cumulative effect for the number of risk genotypes and complications was also evident (p < 0.01). Patients carrying 5 risk genotypes had a 5.76-fold increase in risk (2.73-12.16; p = 4.44 × 10 −6). Regression tree analysis identified potential gene-gene interactions between FLT1:rs9319425 and RAF1:rs713178. The addition of the 6 SNPs to the clinical model increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve by 6.8%. Conclusions-Genetic variations in the VEGF pathway are associated with risk of pulmonary complications after lobectomy. This may offer insight into the underlying biological mechanisms of pulmonary complications. Since Graham's [1] report of the first successful pneumonectomy in 1933, thoracic surgeons have attempted to identify patients at higher risk for complications after lung resection. A variety of clinical models have been created to help predict postoperative complications and aid in patient selection [2-5]. These models have included factors such as patient smoking history, spirometry, diffusion capacity, and exercise testing. These clinical models, however, often fail to identify patients who have postoperative complications. Modern series still report morbidity rates of 15% to 50% and mortality rates of 3% to 6% [5, 6]. Many patients

Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2018

The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles ended by miscarriage... more The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles ended by miscarriage with subsequent IVF cycles in relation to various IVF cycle parameters and pregnancy termination modalities. Comparison of pre-miscarriage to post-miscarriage IVF cycles parameters demonstrated that lower peak E 2 levels (1087 ± 593 versus 1237 ± 676 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.05) were achieved in the post miscarriage cycles despite higher total gonadotropin consumption (2341 ± 1488 versus 2115 ± 1101 IU; p <0.05). A greater endometrial thickness (10.4 ± 2.16 versus 9.98 ± 1.74 mm, respectively; p < 0.05) and a higher number of embryos (4.62 ± 2.63 versus 3.78 ± 2.54, respectively; p < 0.05) were observed in the pre-miscarriage cycles. A comparison of IVF parameters between the first and second IVF cycles following miscarriage showed an increase in peak estradiol level (954 ± 800 and 1257 ± 838 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.05), an increased number of retrieved oocytes (7.38 ± 4.2 and 10.49 ± 4.99, respectively; p < 0.05), more fertilized embryos (3.87 ± 2.38 and 5.66 ± 3.64, respectively; p < 0.05), and an increase in the conception rate (34.7% versus 42.2%, respectively) at the second post-miscarriage IVF cycle.

Environmental health perspectives, Sep 19, 2013

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 2021

Background Medical and psychological factors contribute to the heightened psychological distress ... more Background Medical and psychological factors contribute to the heightened psychological distress and reduced health-related quality of life in patients with Crohn’s disease. Whether Social Support plays a role in this scenario is unknown. We used the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to investigate whether Social Support associates with psychological distress and quality of life in Crohn’s disease. Methods Consecutive adult patients with Crohn’s disease, presenting at specialist gastroenterology services or recruited by advertising, with mild to moderate disease activity by the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), were enrolled into the study. Patients completed the 12-item MSPSS questionnaire that measures psychological support in three categories: Family, Friends and Significant Other, and provides individual category scores and a total score (range of all scores 1–7; a higher score indicates more social support). Patients also completed the following questionnair...

European Heart Journal, 2019

Background Following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), both short and long terms ischemi... more Background Following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), both short and long terms ischemic outcomes are worse in patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) compared to those without DM. Methods We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients undergoing PCI. Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were assessed during the index hospitalization and newly diagnosed DM was defined as HbA1c≥6.5% in the absence of the previous diagnosis. The primary outcome was Major Adverse Cerebro and Cardiovascular Events (MACCE) defined as death, stroke, PCI or acute myocardial infarction at five years. Results Diabetes was previously diagnosed in 391 (34%) patients (DM group), 221 (19%) had newly diagnosed DM based on the HbA1c level and 539 (47%) did not have diabetes (Non-DM). In DM group HbA1c was 7.80±1.36% as compared with 7.62±1.30% in patients with newly diagnosed DM (p<0.001). These patients were younger (62.0±11.3 years) compared to DM (67.9±10.4 years) and non-DM (63.7±13.0) patients, p<0...

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 2019

Osteoporosis International, 2018

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The role of primar... more Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The role of primary lactase deficiency (PLD) in its development is not clear. This meta-analysis showed that PLD is a risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. These women need special attention in terms of screening for osteoporosis and its prevention. Introduction Postmenopausal osteoporosis is an important predictor of bone fractures. The purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of association of PLD and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Methods The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched over the course of July 2017 for any date of publication without language limitation. Studies were included in the meta-analysis if the diagnosis of PLD was made by genetic testing or H-2 breath tests and the diagnosis of osteoporosis was made by a modern reliable method for BMD measurement. Two investigators conducted a comprehensive, independent review of all the papers. Five of the studies initially identified met the inclusion criteria. We used MOOSE guidelines for abstracting data and assessing data quality and validity. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model. Results Five case-control studies with 2223 participants and 763 lactase-deficient cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Metaanalysis showed a significantly higher bone density Z-score in absorbers (mean difference 0.20, CI (0.14-0.27), P = 0.000), with no significant heterogeneity among the studies. Moreover, the Z-score in the vast majority of the measured sites (femoral head, femoral neck, lumbar spine, radius, and Ward's triangle) was significantly higher in absorbers. There was no significant overall difference in BMD in g/cm 2 between absorbers and non-absorbers, but a significantly higher BMD using g/cm 2 was observed in absorbers in the total hip site. Conclusions Postmenopausal women with PLD had lower Z-scores at most anatomic sites compared to healthy controls.

British Journal of Cancer, 2007

Recent reports demonstrated that neovasculature of certain murine tumours inhibits migration of l... more Recent reports demonstrated that neovasculature of certain murine tumours inhibits migration of lymphocytes to malignant tissues. We examined the possible existence of this phenomenon in human prostate adenocarcinoma by relating extent, patterns and composition of leucocyte infiltrates in adenocarinoma specimens (N ¼ 28) to microvessel density and percentages of these vessels expressing adhesion molecules CD54, CD106 and CD62E. Specimens of nodular hyperplasia (N ¼ 30) were used as a control for nonmalignant prostate. Increased microvessel density was detected in foci of adenocarcinoma, as compared with adjacent benign areas (P ¼ 0.004) or hyperplastic specimens (P ¼ 0.001). Only CD54 was detected on prostate vasculature; percentages of CD54expressing vessels in adenocarcinoma lesions and adjacent areas were higher than in hyperplasia (P ¼ 0.041 and P ¼ 0.014, respectively). Infiltrating leucocytes were either scattered diffusely in tissue or organised into clusters mainly composed of CD4positive lymphocytes; smaller percentage of tissue was occupied by clustered infiltrates in adenocarcinoma foci (mean ¼ 0.7; median ¼ 0; range ¼ 0-5) than in adjacent tissue (mean ¼ 2.5; median ¼ 1; range ¼ 0-15; P ¼ .021) and hyperplasia (mean ¼ 1.9; median ¼ 2; range ¼ 0-5; P ¼ .006). In adenocarcinoma foci, microvessel density tended to negatively correlate with percentage of tissue occupied by an overall leucocyte infiltrate (mean ¼ 8.6; median ¼ 7.5; range ¼ 30) and negatively correlated with percentage of tissue occupied by clustered infiltrate (P ¼ 0.045). Percentage of CD54-expressing vessels positively correlated with percentage of tissue occupied by an overall (mean ¼ 12; median ¼ 10; range ¼ 30; P ¼ 0.01) and clustered (P ¼ 0.023) infiltrate in hyperplasia, whereas in carcinoma-adjacent benign areas, correlation was detected only for clustered infiltrates (P ¼ 0.02). The results indicate that impaired access of lymphocytes to malignant lesions is associated with increased numbers of newly formed blood vessels, whereas vascular CD54 likely contributes to extravasation of lymphocytes only in benign prostate tissue.

Ethnicity & disease, 2013

To examine the relationship between acculturation and obesity among low socioeconomic status (LSE... more To examine the relationship between acculturation and obesity among low socioeconomic status (LSES) children. Cross-sectional study. Children from 12 preschools in LSES neighborhoods were recruited. Anthropometric measurements were obtained from 238 children (aged 4-7 years) and 224 mothers. Sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of child's weight were collected from mothers. We compared native Israelis and immigrants for risk factors for obesity, using a 9-year cut-off to define new and acculturated immigrants. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity (OWOB) among children was 29.8% (71/238) using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth standard. Mean age, sleeping hours, sex distribution and poverty level were similar between immigrants and natives. Prevalence of OWOB and current parental smoking were significantly lower among children of new immigrants (P = .02). More than 82% of mothers underestimated their child's weight status, 74.2% of OWOB child...

Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology, 2007

Being close to the big deserts of the Sahara and Saudi Arabia, the Negev desert in the south of I... more Being close to the big deserts of the Sahara and Saudi Arabia, the Negev desert in the south of Israel is meteorologically defined as a semi-arid area. To investigate the influence of meteorological factors typical for the semi-arid areas on the incidence of preeclampsia (PE) and placental abruption (PA). The hospital records of women in confinement who had PE and/or PA between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. The current meteorological state was described by temperature, humidity, their overall differences and winds. Multivariate analysis, time series approach and Poisson regression are used. The incidence of PE and PA was increased during the periods of unstable weather. Strong winds were associated with increased frequency of PE (p < 0.002); desert wind of Sharav (specific atmospheric state and motion of big desert air volumes) increased incidence of PA (p < 0.033). Daily overall differences of temperature and humidity were correlated wit...

European journal of gynaecological oncology, 2006

To report the number and distribution of pelvic lymph nodes and to identify surgical pathologic f... more To report the number and distribution of pelvic lymph nodes and to identify surgical pathologic factors that best predict positive pelvic lymph nodes in patients with early-stage cervical carcinoma treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (RHND). Data from the files of 126 patients with cervical carcinoma treated by RHND at the Soroka Medical Center from 1962 through 2005 were analyzed. The status of pelvic lymph nodes was known in 114 patients. The exact number of lymph nodes removed from the pelvis of each patient was known in 111 patients. The mean number of lymph nodes removed from the pelvis per patient was 26.6 (median 23; range 1-62). Positive pelvic lymph nodes were found in 35 (30.7%) of the patients with a mean of 3.4 (median 2; range, 1-15) positive pelvic lymph nodes per patient. In a univariate analysis, positive lymph vascular space invasion and positive parametrial and/or paracervical involvement were significant predictors of positive pelvic...

The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ, 2000

First-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients are the largest groups of individuals at inc... more First-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients are the largest groups of individuals at increased risk for colorectal cancer. To assess the knowledge, attitudes and behavior to disease prevention and colorectal cancer screening among first-degree relatives of colon cancer patients. A descriptive, point-prevalence epidemiological study was conducted among 215 first-degree relatives of survivors of colorectal cancer in the southern (Negev) region of Israel. Variables included perceived health status, knowledge about cancer screening, compliance rates with colorectal cancer screening, and interest in participation in early detection programs in the future. The mean age of the respondents was 47.9 +/- 11.2 years, and 54% were males. Only 58 (27%) remembered having been encouraged to undergo an early detection test. In the previous year only 15% underwent fecal occult blood tests, while 9% had a barium enema and 14% an endoscopic examination of the colon by sigmoidoscopy or colonos...

Public health reviews, 1994

Nephron, 2002

Background: Intradialytic (ID) decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) parallel to ultrafiltration... more Background: Intradialytic (ID) decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) parallel to ultrafiltration-induced hemoconcentration has been recently reported. However, exacerbation of glaucoma in hemodialysis (HD) patients during HD sessions is occasionally observed. Postdialysis urea rebound (PDUR) is induced by the lag in urea removal from the cells to urea removal from the extracellular fluid, which when increased can result in ID drag of water to intracellular compartment. It is our hypothesis that similar lag in urea removal from ocular compartments may also be reflected by PDUR, and may induce drag of water into ocular compartments counteracting the effect of hemoconcentration. Our assumption was, therefore, that PDUR might predict ID increase in IOP. Methods: IOP, serum urea and hematocrit levels were measured at the start, end and 1 h postdialysis, in 19 chronic HD patients with normal IOP. Results: PDUR was positively correlated with mean (both eyes) ID changes in IOP (MIDIOP) (r ...

The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Functional Bowel Disorder Severity I... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Functional Bowel Disorder Severity Index (FBDSI) as a measure of severity of disease among patients with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and matched controls. A total of 75 IBS patients and 69 matched controls completed questionnaires on bowel symptoms, health status, quality of life, psychological distress, concerns, anxiety, and sense of coherence. All participants also were tested for fibromyalgia (FS), a functional disorder of the musculoskeletal system. All participants were administered a questionnaire that included the FBDSI. On the basis of their responses to the questionnaire, the controls were subdivided as healthy controls (n = 48) or IBS nonpatients (n = 21). On the basis of the FS classification, 75 IBS patients were subdivided as IBS only (n = 50) or IBS and FS combined (n = 25). The mean FBDSI score was higher for the IBS patients than the controls (100.5+/-12.7 and 23.5+/-3.9, respectively; p &amp;lt; 0.001). IBS nonpatients had an intermediate score of 42.3+/-18.0. Patients with both IBS and fibromyalgia had the highest mean FBDSI score: 138.8+/-31.5. There was no association between FBDSI and age or gender, but FBDSI was significantly associated with other measures of health status. An association was found between the FBDSI and IBS patient status: IBS nonpatients, patients with IBS only, and patients with both IBS and fibromyalgia had increasingly severe scores. The results provide support for the validity of FBDSI as a measure of illness severity in functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Nephron, 2001

Background: Cuffed-tunneled hemodialysis (HD) catheters are recommended as a bridging therapy unt... more Background: Cuffed-tunneled hemodialysis (HD) catheters are recommended as a bridging therapy until peripheral access is available, but their long-term use is controversial. Aim: To evaluate the complications and lifetime of twin-tunneled HD catheters and to identify parameters which could predict their outcome. Methods: 29 chronic HD patients (19 female and 10 male) were inserted with twin hemodialysis catheters (28 Tesio, 1 Schon Duoflow), followed for up to 9 months or until catheter loss, and evaluated for severe catheter-related complications necessitating catheter removal. Since the most common severe complication was catheter-related infection, we retrospectively examined whether parameters such as age, gender, duration of end-stage renal disease, delivered dose of dialysis, nutrition, diabetes and indices of social support correlate with this outcome. Results: Severe catheter infection requiring catheter removal occurred in 11 patients (10 female). Of these infected female p...

Psychiatry Research, 2013

Increased homocysteine plasma levels were reported in patients with schizophrenia and Levine et a... more Increased homocysteine plasma levels were reported in patients with schizophrenia and Levine et al. (2002) suggested that such increase characterizes mainly males. In the following study we examined whether such increased levels also characterize male siblings of schizophrenia patients. Forty-four pairs of schizophrenia patients and their corresponding healthy male siblings were recruited and sampled for homocysteine. We also had age-matched controls for each of the sibling. The median homocysteine plasma level for patients was 13.0 mMol/L and 11.7 mMol/L for their male siblings compared with a median of 10.9 mMol/L for the siblings' controls. There was no significant difference between homocysteine plasma level in patients and their siblings. Significant difference was found for homocysteine plasma level between the siblings' group and their matched controls. A partial correlation of Ln plasma homocysteine level between patients and their siblings was found to be close to a zero correlation of À 0.089, p¼ 0.57 for the whole study group and À 0.15, p ¼0.38 in the male-male patient-sibling pairs. Our results show that elevated homocysteine plasma level may characterize schizophrenia patients' male siblings, a finding that seems to agree with previous studies suggesting elevated homocysteine level as a risk factor for developing schizophrenia.