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Dive into the research topics where Shimon Pollack is active.

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Featured researches published by Shimon Pollack.


International Journal of Dermatology | 2006

Treatment of severe chronic idiopathic urticaria with oral mycophenolate mofetil in patients not responding to antihistamines and/or corticosteroids.

Eduardo Shahar; Reuven Bergman; Emma Guttman-Yassky; Shimon Pollack

Background  Urticarial patients are usually treated with oral antihistamines and 50% respond well to this treatment; however, the other 50% do not respond to antihistamines and need a more aggressive approach, such as short or prolonged courses of oral corticosteroids or cyclosporine. Potential adverse effects, however, limit this regimen.


International Journal of Cancer | 2002

Increased emotional distress in daughters of breast cancer patients is associated with decreased natural cytotoxic activity, elevated levels of stress hormones and decreased secretion of Th1 cytokines

Miri Cohen; Ehud Klein; Abraham Kuten; Geta Fried; Oren Zinder; Shimon Pollack

DBCP who are aware of their increased risk of developing breast cancer may suffer from high emotional distress. Chronic stress may interfere with NCA and low NCA is associated with increased cancer risk. We studied 80 DBCP and 47 age‐ and education‐matched healthy females (controls). Heparinized venous blood (30 ml) was drawn from all subjects between 8 and 9 A.M., and each participant answered a set of psychologic questionnaires. In addition, the first‐morning urine sample was collected. DBCP scored significantly higher in emotional distress compared to controls. Levels of stress hormones in DBCP were higher and in vitro secretion of IL‐2, IL‐12 and IFN‐γ lower compared to controls. NCA against NK‐resistant (MCF‐7, COLO‐205, U937) and NK‐sensitive (K562) cell lines was significantly lower in DBCP and much less augmented by in vitro preincubation with IL‐2 or IL‐12 compared to controls. NCA and in vitro Th1 cytokine secretion were inversely correlated with the degree of emotional distress and the level of stress hormones in blood or urine. High emotional distress and elevated levels of stress hormones are associated with impaired immune surveillance functions in DBCP. This may contribute to the increased risk of DBCP to develop breast cancer. An interventional trial to enhance coping and reduce stress levels may help to decrease the risk for breast cancer onset in DBCP.


Psychosomatic Medicine | 2005

Mothers with breast cancer and their adult daughters: The relationship between mothers' reaction to breast cancer and their daughters' emotional and neuroimmune status

Miri Cohen; Shimon Pollack

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the associations between psychologic distress of patients with breast cancer and of their adult daughters; and to assess the associations between mothers’ psychologic distress and daughters’ psychologic distress, stress hormone levels, natural cytotoxic activity (NCA), and Th1 cytokine secretion. Methods: Eighty mothers with breast cancer and 80 adult daughters participated in the study. They completed the Symptom Check List (SCL-90R) questionnaire. In addition, daughters completed a set of questions on their health status and habits and on the effects of their mothers’ disease on their own lives. Thirty milliliters of heparinized venous blood and a first early-morning urine sample were collected from daughters between 8:00 and 9:00am. Spontaneous and interleukin-2 (IL-2)-induced NCA, in vitro IL-2 and IL-12 secretion, and levels of plasma cortisol and urinary catecholamines were tested in daughters. Forty-seven healthy women, age- and education- matched to daughters, completed the psychologic, immunologic, and hormonal tests, and served as a control group. Results: Psychologic distress of mothers and daughters was highly correlated. However, mothers experienced a higher level of distress than daughters. Mothers with advanced disease and their daughters were more distressed than mothers with primary disease and their daughters. Daughters’ distress was also related to their subjective caregiving burden and the frequency of meetings with mothers. Higher distressed daughters had lower IL-2-induced NCA and decreased in vitro IL-2 and IL-12 secretion. Norepinephrine secretion level mediated the relationship between daughters’ level of distress and their immune functions. Cortisol mediated only the relationship between daughters’ distress and IL-2 secretion. Conclusions: This initial study shows that the psychologic distress of mothers with breast cancer and that of their adult daughters are similar. Stress hormone secretions and immune functions of daughters are related to both their own and their mothers’ psychologic distress. GSI= Global Severity Index; IL-2 = interleukin 2; IL-12 = interleukin 12; NCA = natural cytotoxic activity; SCL = symptom checklist; SD = standard deviation.


Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | 2007

The autologous serum skin test in a cohort of chronic idiopathic urticaria patients compared to respiratory allergy patients and healthy individuals.

Emma Guttman-Yassky; Reuven Bergman; Carcom Maor; Merav Mamorsky; Shimon Pollack; Eduardo Shahar

Background  A positive autologous serum skin test (ASST) is considered to reflect the presence of anti‐FceRI and/or anti‐IgE autoantibodies that are capable of activating mast and basophil cell degranulation. The ASST is regarded as a reliable in vivo test in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) patients, with diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic implications. However, positive ASST results have also occasionally been demonstrated in patients with other diseases and in healthy subjects.


American Journal of Nephrology | 2011

Absence of APOL1 Risk Variants Protects against HIV-Associated Nephropathy in the Ethiopian Population

Doron M. Behar; Eynat Kedem; Saharon Rosset; Yonas Haileselassie; Shay Tzur; Zipi Kra-Oz; Walter G. Wasser; Yotam Shenhar; Eduardo Shahar; Gamal Hassoun; Carcom Maor; Dawit Wolday; Shimon Pollack; Karl Skorecki

Background: Susceptibility to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) among HIV-infected Americans of African ancestral heritage has been attributed to APOL1 genetic variation. We determined the frequency of the APOL1 G1 and G2 risk variants together with the prevalence of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) among individuals of Ethiopian ancestry to determine whether the kidney disease genetic risk is PanAfrican or restricted to West Africa, and can explain the previously reported low risk of HIVAN among Ethiopians. Methods: We studied a cohort of 338 HIV-infected individuals of Ethiopian ancestry treated in one Israeli and one Ethiopian center. We sought clinical evidence for HIVAN (serum creatinine >1.4 mg/dl or proteinuria >30 mg/dl in a spot urine sample). Genetic analyses included the genotyping of the APOL1 G1 and G2 variants, and a panel of 33 genomic ancestry-informative markers. Statistical analysis compared clinical and genetic indices for HIV-infected individuals of Ethiopian ancestry and overall Ethiopians to those reported for HIV-infected African-Americans, overall African-Americans, West Africans and non-Africans. Findings: Three (0.8%) of 338 HIV-infected patients of Ethiopian ancestry showed clinical criteria compatible with renal impairment. Two of these 3 patients also have severe poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. The third nondiabetic patient underwent renal biopsy which ruled out HIVAN. This absence of clinically apparent HIVAN was significantly different from that reported for African-Americans. The APOL1 G1 and G2 risk variants were found, respectively, in 0 and 2 (heterozygote state) of the 338 HIV-infected individuals. Global ancestry and the frequencies of the APOL1 G1 and G2 variants are not statistically different from their frequencies in the general Ethiopian population, but are significantly and dramatically lower than those observed among HIV-infected African-Americans, African-Americans and West Africans. Interpretation: The coinciding absence of HIVAN and the APOL1 risk variants among HIV-infected individuals of Ethiopian ancestry support a Western rather than Pan-African ancestry risk for ESKD, and can readily explain the lack of HIVAN among individuals of Ethiopian ancestry.


International Journal of Dermatology | 2005

A comparison of anti-desmoglein antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence in the serodiagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris

Irena Zagorodniuk; Sara Weltfriend; Lily Shtruminger; Eli Sprecher; O Kogan; Shimon Pollack; Reuven Bergman

Background  Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) is the standard method for the detection of pemphigus autoantibodies. Commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have recently become available to measure serum antibodies (Abs) against desmoglein1 (Dsg1) and desmoglein3 (Dsg3). It has been suggested that patients with mucosal‐dominant pemphigus vulgaris (PV) have serum Abs against Dsg3 only, patients with mucocutaneous PV have Abs to both Dsg1 and Dsg3, and patients with pemphigus foliaceus (PF) have Abs against Dsg1 only.


The Journal of Infectious Diseases | 2004

Familial clustering of classic kaposi sarcoma

Emma Guttman-Yassky; Adina Cohen; Zippi Kra-Oz; Rachel Friedman-Birnbaum; Elli Sprecher; Neli Zaltzman; Eitan Friedman; Michael Silbermann; Dina Rubin; Shai Linn; Dennis Whitby; Osnat Gideoni; Shimon Pollack; Reuven Bergman; Ronit Sarid

It is widely accepted that there is a causal association between Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Kaposi sarcoma (KS). However, the majority of individuals infected with KSHV never develop KS. Here, we present a unique familial case of classic KS, in which the disease occurs in 4 siblings who have no recognized underlying immunodeficiency. We examine risk factors that could play a role in this condition, including KSHV infection, KSHV DNA load, genetic variants of KSHV, infection with additional viruses, interleukin-6-promoter polymorphism, and HLA genotype. We hypothesize that a genetic susceptibility to KS, in combination with KSHV infection, may play an important role in the presented familial case.


Journal of Asthma | 2010

Iatrogenic Cushing's Syndrome due to Coadministration of Ritonavir and Inhaled Budesonide in an Asthmatic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patient

Eynat Kedem; Eduardo Shahar; Gamal Hassoun; Shimon Pollack

Introduction. Iatrogenic Cushings syndrome (CS) is caused by exposure to glucocorticoids and may be promoted by interaction with additional drugs. It is well known in asthmatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients treated with inhaled fluticasone with ritonavir-containing antiretroviral regimen (cART). Case Report. The authors present an asthmatic HIV-infected Ethiopian woman, treated with fluticasone/salmeterol, commencing cART with tenofovir, emtricitabine, and lopinavir/ritonavir. During 7 months she gained 9 kg and hyperpigmentation, mild edema, marked abdominal striae, and increase in blood pressure were noted. Plasma am and urine free cortisol levels confirmed CS diagnosis and fluticasone was discontinued. Complete resolution of CS occurred within 2 months. However, frequent asthma symptoms required resumption of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment, and budesonide/formeterol was prescribed. Soon reemergence of symptomatic CS was noted. Ritonavir dose was halved, but CS symptoms continued to develop. Budesonide was stopped and montelukast initiated. Resolution of cushingoid symptoms was observed within weeks. Discussion. Corticosteroids are metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Fluticasone has the longest glucocorticoid receptor–binding half-life and is 300 times more lipophilic than budesonide. Inhaled fluticasone possesses a high suppression rate of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Ritonavir, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, may inhibit corticosteroid degradation and increase its accumulation. Inhaled budesonide is less likely to cause adrenal suppression. Diagnosing Cushings syndrome presents a clinical challenge due to similarities with clinical manifestations and side effects related to cART. In patients treated with inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids together with cART there may be a higher incidence of iatrogenic CS. CS should be looked for, and management considered carefully.


The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology | 2013

Continuous G-CSF therapy for isolated chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: complete clinical remission with restoration of IL-17 secretion.

Gizi Wildbaum; Eduardo Shahar; Rina Katz; Nathan Karin; Amos Etzioni; Shimon Pollack

know whether the colocalization we observed represents replicative infection of airway macrophages, or simple endocytosis of the virus. Finally, under specific conditions, airway epithelial cells may take on features of phagocytic cells, including CD68 expression. Nevertheless, based on costaining with CD11b and morphologic differences, RV-, CD68-double positive cells in the airway epithelium are likely to be monocytes. We conclude that RV is ingested by recruited CD68-positive and CD11b-positive macrophages in asthmatic humans, providing direct evidence that tissue macrophages in the lower airways contribute to anti-RV responses in vivo. A prospective study is needed to definitively characterize the role of monocytic infection in RV-induced asthma exacerbations. J. Kelley Bentley, PhD Uma S. Sajjan, PhD Marta B. Dzaman, MD Nizar N. Jarjour, MD Wai-Ming Lee, PhD James E. Gern, MD Marc B. Hershenson, MD


Journal of Clinical Immunology | 1995

No significant association between HLA antigens and classic Kaposi sarcoma : molecular analysis of 49 Jewish patients

Liora Strichman-Almashanu; Sara Weltfriend; Osnat Gideoni; Rachel Friedman-Birnbaum; Shimon Pollack

Because of the abundance of the classical form of Kaposi sarcoma (CKS) among Jews and people of Mediterranean origin, studies have been conducted to find an association between CKS and HLA antigens. No conclusive results have been drawn, although in a number of these investigations an increased incidence of HLA-DR5 was reported. In our study 49 CKS patients of Jewish origin were serologically analyzed for HLA class I and class II antigens. We found no significant deviation in serologically defined HLA antigens frequencies between patients and 99 ethnically matched controls. However, a nonsignificant decrease in the frequencies of HLA-DR4, HLA-DR12, and the combination of DR4/DR11 was observed. Then we determined in these patients HLA-DRB1, HLADQA1, and DQB1 allelic polymorphism by oligotyping on PCR-amplified DNA. In this molecular analysis the only notable finding was a decreased frequency of the combination HLA-DQA1*0301/DQB1*0301, which appeared in one (2%) patient compared to 13 (13%) of the controls. However, the decrease was not statistically significant. On the basis of both serological and molecular analysis done on a relatively large group of CKS patients, we conclude that there is no significant linkage between HLA antigens and CKS in Jewish population.

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Amos Etzioni

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

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Eduardo Shahar

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

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Reuven Bergman

Rambam Health Care Campus

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Rina Katz

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

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Eynat Kedem

Rappaport Faculty of Medicine

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Osnat Gideoni

Rappaport Faculty of Medicine

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Gamal Hassoun

Rambam Health Care Campus

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Rafael M. Nagler

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

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Rachel Friedman-Birnbaum

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

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