1
Name: Dr. Shira Zelber-Sagi Date: December 2014
CURRICULUM VITAE
1. Personal Details
Name: Shira Zelber-Sagi
Date of Birth: March 9, 1974
Country of Birth: Israel
Identity Card Number: 02728738-2
Marital Status: Married and mother to Tom and Idan
Permanent Home Address: 5 Mosinson St. Tel Aviv 62965, Israel
Home Telephone Number: Tel: 972-3-5446086
Office Telephone Number: Tel: 972-3-5446086
Electronic Address: [email protected]
Fax Number: Tel: 972-3-5446086
2. Higher Education
A. Under graduate and Graduate Studies
Date of Degree Degree Name of Institution and Department Period of Study
September 1998 B.Sc Nutrition Sciences in the Agriculture Faculty,
Hebrew University
1995- 1998
August 2007 Ph.D
Direct
course
Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine,
Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv
University
2001- 2007
B. Post-Doctoral Studies
Year of Completion Name of Institution, Department and Host Period of Study
2008 Tel-Aviv Sourasky
Medical Center, Department of Gastroenterology
and Hepatology.
Prof. Ran Oren
2008
2009 Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris, France.
Prof. Vlad Ratziu
2009
2
3. Academic Ranks and Tenure in Institutes of Higher Education
Rank/Position Name of Institution and Department Dates
Lecturer School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and
Health Sciences, University of Haifa
2009-2013
Senior Lecturer School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and
Health Sciences, University of Haifa
2013-present
Note: * represent activities since last appointment.
4. Offices in University Academic Administration
* 2011-
present
Responsible for research committee at the School of Public Health,
Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa.
2013-
present
Head of nutrition and behavior stream (starting on March 2013) at
the School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health
Sciences, University of Haifa.
2013-
present
A member at the department of Nutrition, Law and Ethics, Center
for Health, Law and Ethics, University of Haifa.
* 2013-
present
Responsible for the PhD forum at the School of Public Health,
Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa.
* 2014-
present
A member at the PhD committee of the school of public health
Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa.
5. Scholarly Positions and Activities outside the University
a. Professional Experience
1999- present Dietitian and Researcher. Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical
Center
1999- 2009 Dietitian and Group manager. Clalit Healthcare Services.
1999-2001 Manager of the nutrition field in "Mishan" Givataim
3
geriatric institute.
2006-2007 Manager of internet nutrition forum for Clalit Health
Services.
2009-2010 Researcher responsible for the construction of a long
term health promotion program for low socioeconomic
population. The Samuel Neaman Institute, the Technion.
2012- present A member of the editorial board of "Liver International".
2012- present A member at the National Committee for Nutrition,
Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, the Ministry of
Health.
2012-2013 A member at the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) Public
health committee.
2013-present A member of the editorial board of "World journal of
Gastroenterology".
*2014 A member at the scientific team writing position
statement with guidelines on nutrition for cardiovascular
disease prevention on behalf of the Israel heart society.
*2014 Guest Editor of a special topic "Non-Alcoholic
Steatohepatitis: Pathogenesis and Clinical
Management", BioMed Research International.
b. Membership in Professional Associations
2000- present The Israeli Nutrition Association – ATID.
2002- present The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver.
2010- present The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).
2012- present The American Association for the Study of the Liver (AASLD).
4
6. Participation in Scholarly Conferences
a. Active Participation- Abroad
Role Subject of Lecture/ Discussion /Comments /poster
Place of Conference
Name of Conference
Date No.
Poster The prevalence of primary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the Israeli population and the association with biochemical and anthropometric measures.
Lisbon European Association for the Study of the Liver
09/04 1.
Oral presentation
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of Orlistat for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Boston American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
10/04 2.
Poster Does weight loss improve liver histopathology in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?
Paris European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/05 3.
Poster 1) Increased prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with acute myocardial infarction independent of BMI.
San Francisco
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
11/05 4.
Poster 2) Is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease an independent predictor of the metabolic syndrome?
5.
Poster 3) Hyperinsulinemia is a predictor of elevated serum ALT levels even after adjustment to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver histology.
6.
Poster Serum ALT is not a reliable screening tool for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the general population.
Vienna European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/06 7.
5
Role Subject of Lecture/ Discussion /Comments /poster
Place of Conference
Name of Conference
Date No.
Poster Long term nutritional intake and the risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; A population based study.
Barcelona European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/07 8.
Poster Role of physical activity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A population based study.
Boston American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
11/07 9.
Poster A comparison between the hepatorenal ultrasound index and steatotest for the non-invasive quantification of liver steatosis.
Milan European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/08 10.
Poster Can serum leptin and adiponectin predict liver injury in patients with NAFLD? A study in the general population.
Copenhagen European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/09 11.
Poster Discordance between three successive Fibroscan measurements mirrors the variability of liver fibrosis.
Copenhagen European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/09 12.
6
Role Subject of Lecture/ Discussion /Comments /poster
Place of Conference
Name of Conference
Date No.
Keynote speaker and a speaker in a panel discussion
Effect of diet, exercise and anti-obesity drugs on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Bologna European Association for the Study of the Liver
09/09 13.
Poster 1) A comparison of fatty liver index with three non-invasive methods for the detection and quantification of liver steatosis: regular ultrasound, hepatorenal ultrasound index and steatotest.
Vienna European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/10 14.
Poster 2) The hepatorenal ultrasound index is correlated with obesity, ALT, insulin and adipocytokines.
15.
Invited speaker
Case study: lifestyle modification in a patient with fatty liver.
Torino European Association for the Study of the Liver Clinical School of Hepatology
05/10 16.
Poster 1) Comparison of FibroTest to other calculated scores for liver fibrosis as a screening for advanced NAFLD in the general population.
Nice European Association for the Study of the Liver
01/11 17.
Poster 2) Is there an association between coffee consumption and NAFLD or presumed NASH and fibrosis in a general adult population?
18.
Poster Incidence and regression rates of NAFLD in seven years follow up of a cohort from the general population.
Berlin European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/11 19.
Keynote speaker
Metabolic and clinical aspects of fructose, soft drinks, and obesity-related disorders.
Athens, Georgia
University of Georgia global health symposium
09/11 20.
7
Role Subject of Lecture/ Discussion /Comments /poster
Place of Conference
Name of Conference
Date No.
Keynote speaker and a judge in poster competition
Lifestyle and diet: What evidence for impact on NAFLD progression?
Stockholm United European Gastroenterology Week
10/11 21.
Oral presentation
1) The effect of resistance training on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease a randomized clinical trial.
Barcelona European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/12 22.
Poster 2) Depression is independently associated with elevated liver enzymes in employees undergoing health screening examinations.
23.
Poster 3) NAFLD independently predicts type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetes during 1 seven-year prospective follow-up.
24.
Poster 4) A phase-2, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of Aramchol for the treatment of non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
25.
Poster Elevated Alanine transaminase predicts new onset of depression in employees undergoing health screening examinations.
Boston American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
11/12 26.
Poster oral presentation
Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol independently predicts new onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a 7 year prospective follow-up
Amsterdam European Association for the Study of the Liver
04/13 27.
Keynote speaker
Lifestyle as a treatment for non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Barcelona 10th International Liver Therapy Meeting
09/13
28.
Chair a symposium and a speaker
Future prospective in the treatment of obesity
London European Association for the Study of the Liver
*04/14 29.
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Role Subject of Lecture/ Discussion /Comments /poster
Place of Conference
Name of Conference
Date No.
Poster oral presentation
Coffee does not prevent development of NAFLD but may delay fibrosis progression: A prospective cohort study in the general population
London European Association for the Study of the Liver
*04/14 30.
Active Participation- In Israel
Oral presentation
Role of noninvasive tests in the classification of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Eilat The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
12/02 1.
Oral presentation
Factors modulating serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Haifa The Israeli Gastroenterology Association
02/03 2.
Oral presentation
Double blind randomized placebo-control trial of Orlistat, for the treatment of primary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Herzliya The Israeli Gastroenterology Association
06/04 3.
Oral presentation
Double blind randomized placebo-control trial of Orlistat, for the treatment of primary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Tel-Aviv The Israeli Association for the Research and Treatment of Obesity
06/04 4.
Oral presentation
Is NAFLD an independent predictor of the metabolic syndrome?
Eilat The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
02/05 5.
Oral presentation
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hyperinsulinemia are major determinants of serum ferritin levels.
Eilat The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
03/06 6.
9
Role Subject of Lecture/ Discussion /Comments /poster
Place of Conference
Name of Conference
Date No.
Oral presentation
Role of physical activity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A population based study.
Tiberias The Israeli Gastroenterology Association
12/07 7.
Oral presentation
A comparison between the hepatorenal ultrasound index and steatotest for the non-invasive quantification of liver steatosis.
Eilat The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
03/08 8.
Oral presentation
Discordance between three successive Fibroscan measurements mirrors the variability of liver fibrosis.
Kfar Blum The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
03/09 9.
Oral presentation
A comparison of fatty liver index with three non-invasive methods for the detection and quantification of liver steatosis.
Kfar Blum The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
03/10 10.
Oral presentation
1) The effect of resistance training on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease a randomized clinical trial.
Kfar Blum The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
03/12 11.
Oral presentation
2) NAFLD independently predicts pre-diabetes during 1 seven-year prospective follow-up.
12.
Poster The effect of resistance training on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease a randomized clinical trial.
Tel-Aviv Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University
05/12 13.
Oral presentation
Non-HDL cholesterol as an independent predictor for NAFLD.
Eilat The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
06/13 14.
Poster Coffee does not prevent the development of NAFLD in a prospective cohort but may decrease fibrosis
Eilat The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
06/14 15.
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b. Organization of Conferences or Sessions
Subject of Conference/ Role at Conference/ Comments
Place of Conference
Name of Conference
Date
Updates in nutrition/ chairperson, organizer and head of committee assembling position statement on behalf of ATID.
Herzliya, Israel The Israeli dietitians Association – ATID professional conference
11/08 1.
Nutritional treatment for liver diseases/ chairperson and organizer.
Tel-Aviv, Israel Nutrition Medical Conference
01/10 2.
Olive oil and health, scientific session/ chairperson and organizer.
Jerusalem, Israel
International Olive oil conference TERRAOLIVO
05/11 3.
Updates in nutrition/ chairperson and a member on the steering committee.
Shfaim, Israel
The Israeli dietitians Association – ATID professional conference
09/12 4.
Childhood obesity, ethical and research aspects/ chairperson and a member on the steering committee.
Haifa, Israel
School of Public Health, University of Haifa
12/12 5.
Microbiota and gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
Tel-Aviv, Israel Nutrition Medical Conference
*01/14 6.
Gastroenterology forum. Ramat-Gan, Israel
The Israeli dietitians Association – ATID professional conference
*09/14
7. Invited Addresses
Presentation/Comments Name of Forum Place of Lecture Date
Physical activity and nutrition for the elderly.
Geriatric medical Conference
Tel-Aviv, Israel 09/00 1.
Biochemical aspects and pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
The Israeli Organization of Medical Laboratories
Tel-Aviv, Israel 01/03
2.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease- a new old disease.
Nutrition Medical Conference
Tel-Aviv, Israel 02/03 3.
11
Presentation/Comments Name of Forum Place of Lecture Date
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The Israeli family physicians association conference
Eilat, Israel 04/03 4.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children.
A pediatric conference in the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Tel-Aviv, Israel 07/03
5.
The epidemiology of primary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Israel.
The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
Herzliya, Israel 09/04 6.
The metabolic syndrome, MABAT from the liver.
Nutrition Medical Conference
Tel-Aviv, Israel 01/05 7.
The nutritional treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Nutrition Medical Conference of Clalit Health Services
Tel-Aviv, Israel 11/05 8.
Vitamins and minerals in human health.
Nutrition Medical Conference
Ramat-Gan, Israel 02/06 9.
Pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Nutrition Medical Conference of Clalit Health Services
Raanana, Israel 08/07 10.
Nutritional management In liver diseases.
Conference by "Hets"–The Israeli association for patients with liver diseases
Tel-Aviv, Israel 11/07 11.
The association between viral hepatitis B & C and insulin resistance.
Nurses conference by "Schering-Plough"
Tel-Aviv, Israel 05/08 12.
What's between probiotics and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Nutrition Medical Conference
Tel-Aviv, Israel 05/08 13.
The association between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease - Evidence Based Medicine.
Nutrition Medical Conference
Herzliya, Israel 11/08 14.
The association between soft drinks and fructose consumption and obesity, fatty liver and diabetes.
Nutrition Medical Conference of Clalit Health Services
Raanana, Israel 05/09 15.
Effect of diet, exercise and anti-obesity drugs on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The Israeli Association for the Study of the Liver
Ramat-Gan, Israel 09/09 16.
Update in diet and physical activity for the treatment of NAFLD.
Tel-Aviv, Israel Nutrition Medical Conference
01/10 17.
12
Presentation/Comments Name of Forum Place of Lecture Date
Nutrition in viral liver disease and cirrhosis.
Nutrition Medical Conference of Carmel Hospital
Haifa, Israel 02/10 18.
Effect of olive oil in the Liver.
International Olive oil conference TERRAOLIVO
Jerusalem, Israel 05/11 19.
The association between probiotics and liver diseases.
The Israeli dietitians Association – ATID professional conference
Shfaim Israel
09/12 20.
The nutritional treatment of liver diseases.
Nutrition Medical Conference of Clalit Health Services
Wohl-center Israel
10/12 21.
Metabolic and clinical aspects of sugar and fructose.
Tnuva Research institute
Herzliya, Israel *10/13 22.
The nutritional treatment of liver diseases.
The Israeli family physicians association conference
Ramat-Gan, Israel *06/14 23.
The dual association between type-2 diabetes and NAFLD
The Israeli dietitians Association – ATID professional conference
Ramat-Gan, Israel *09/14 24.
8. Colloquium Talks
Presentation/Comments Name of Forum Place of Lecture
Date
Clinical and nutritional aspects of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Dept. of Nursing, Tel Aviv University
Tel-Aviv, Israel
11/02 1.
Case studies in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Maccabi Healthcare course for Family Physicians
Ramat-Gan, Israel
06/04 2.
Nutritional management in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Nutrition trainee's course, National Training Center, Ministry of Health
Tel-Hashomer, Israel
05/06 3.
Nutritional treatment for cirrhosis. Nutrition seminar of Clalit Health Services
Tel-Aviv, Israel
10/08 4.
Nutrition in the pathogenesis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
A conference for physicians from eastern Europe, Tel Aviv Sourasky medical center
Tel-Aviv, Israel
12/08 5.
Soft drinks consumption and obesity and fatty liver.
Nutrition conference, Clalit Health Services
Raanana, Israel
05/09 6.
13
Presentation/Comments Name of Forum Place of Lecture
Date
Nutrition in the pathogenesis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Gastroenterology course for medical students at the Tel-Aviv University (the 4 years program)
Tel-Aviv, Israel
03/10 7.
Nutrition in the pathogenesis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
A conference for physicians from Kazakhstan at the Tel Aviv Sourasky medical center
Tel-Aviv, Israel
07/10 8.
Role of nutrition in liver And cardiovascular diseases.
Nutrition seminar of Maccabi Healthcare
Ramat-Hasharon, Israel
07/10 9.
Nutrition and obesity in view of public health and primary prevention.
Health promotion course for 6th year medical students at the Tel-Aviv University
Tel-Aviv, Israel
10/10 10.
Nutrition in the pathogenesis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Gastroenterology course for medical students at the Tel-Aviv University (the 4 years program)
Tel-Aviv, Israel
03/11 11.
Nutrition in the pathogenesis and treatment of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, at Schneider Children’s Medical Center
Petah Tikva, Israel
02/13 12.
Nutritional treatment of liver disease and cirrhosis.
The Israeli Nutrition Association – ATID gastroenterology course
Rehovot, Israel
06/13 13.
Advances in the research of obesity.
The annual conference of the School of Public Health
Haifa, Israel 06/13 14.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus.
Nutritional treatment of diabetes course
Tel-Aviv, Israel
07/13
15.
Nutritional epidemiology. Health promotion seminar of Maccabi Healthcare
Tel-Aviv, Israel
*02/14 16.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus.
Nutritional treatment of diabetes course
Tel-Aviv, Israel
*02/14
17.
Nutritional treatment of liver disease and cirrhosis.
The Israeli Nutrition Association – ATID gastroenterology course
Rehovot, Israel
*03/14 18.
Supportive nutritional treatment in viral hepatitis
MSD workers Tel-Aviv, Israel
*03/14 19.
Epidemiological research in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
The Weizmann Institute of Science- metabolic seminar
Rehovot, Israel
*06/14 20.
14
Presentation/Comments Name of Forum Place of Lecture
Date
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus.
Nutritional treatment of diabetes course
Tel-Aviv, Israel
*07/14
21.
9. Research Grants
a. Grants Awarded
In all grants awarded the entire fund amount was assigned to me.
Publications Year Award NIS
Funded by Topic Co-Researchers
Role in Research
D#2, D#5 2002
40,000 Tnuva Research Fund.
Calcium intake and the metabolic syndrome
Prof. Ran Oren
Co-PI
D#2 2005 20,000 Research fund of the Institute for the Research of the Influence of Food on Human Health and Quality of Life.
The Prevalence of primary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the Israeli population and the association with biochemical and anthropometric measures
Prof. Ran Oren
PI
_ 2009 25,000 Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health, feasibility study.
The association between treatment with drugs inhibiting the renin-angiotensin (RAS) system and NAFLD in type-2 diabetic patients
Prof. Ran Oren Dr. Hanny Yeshua
Co-PI
_ 2010 10,000 Pfizer research grant.
Screening policy for cardiovascular disease in Israel: should Non-HDL cholesterol be routinely included in risk assessment?
Dr. Hanny Yeshua Samah Haiek
PI
_ 2011 10,000 Pfizer research grant.
Trends in serum 25(OH)D distribution in the Israeli population in the last decade
Prof. Tamar Shohat
PI
15
Publications Year Award NIS
Funded by Topic Co-Researchers
Role in Research
_ 2013 37,000 Pfizer research grant
Comparing Physician Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Management in Israel and the United States
Dr. Richard J Schuster, Dr. Hanny Yeshua, Dr. Colleen O’Brien Cherry
Co-PI
_ 2013 12,000 Pfizer research grant
Estimation of liver disease burden in Israel by postmortem material for the establishment of a screening policy in children and adults
Dr. Salman Zarka
PI
_ 2014 600,000 Fund on Food and Nutrition with Implications on Public Health. Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health
A cross sectional study on nutrients intake, diet pattern and the microbiota profile among bariatric surgery candidates
Dr. Oren Shibolet Dr. Eran Elinav
Co-PI
b. Submission of Research Proposals – Pending
Year Funded by Topic Co-Researchers Role in Research
2013 Weizmann Institute of Science – Tel Aviv Medical Center Collaborative Grant $100,000
A step towards personalized drug treatment-elucidating the role of gut pharmaco-microbiomics in drug induced liver injury
Dr. Oren Shibolet Dr. Eran Elinav
*Researcher
16
c. Submission of Research Proposals – Not Funded
Score Year Funded by Topic Co-Researchers Role in Research
- 2010 Pre-proposal for the Middle East Regional Cooperation Program (MERC). $ 598,000
Detection and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as a means of controlling the epidemic of diabetes mellitus in the Israeli and Palestinian populations
Dr. Arafeh Nabil Dr. Raed Titi Prof. Manfred Green Prof. Ran Oren
PI
- 2010 Pre-proposal for the MINERVA Center. € 150,000 per year
Establishment of a center on biological, clinical and public health aspects of liver diseases and obesity
Prof. Manfred Green Prof. Heiner Wedemeyer Prof. Ran Oren
Co-PI
- 2010 Pfizer research grant. 10,000 NIS
Building evidence to public health policy aimed at reduction of soft drinks consumption
Hala Nseir Dr. Assy Nimer
PI
- 2010 Research fund of the Institute for the Research of the Influence of Food on Human Health and Quality of Life. 20,000 NIS
Fatty liver, adipocytokines and nutrition in the prediction of metabolic disorders in the general Israeli population
Prof. Ran Oren Roni Lotan
PI
- 2010 Dr. Sima Lior Fund. 140,000 NIS
The Role of resistance training in non alcoholic fatty liver disease, randomized clinical trial
Prof. Ran Oren Co-PI
- 2010 Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health. 317,680 NIS
The influence of soft drinks on serum levels of Advanced Glycation End Products and metabolic and inflammatory markers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver
Dr. Assy Nimer Co-PI
- 2010 Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health, feasibility study. 40,000 NIS
The Role of resistance training in non alcoholic fatty liver disease, randomized clinical trial
Prof. Ran Oren Co-PI
17
Score Year Funded by Topic Co-Researchers Role in Research
- 2010 Clalit Healthcare Services research fund. 130,000 NIS.
The prevalence of primary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in low socio-economic Israeli population, and the association with obesity, nutritional intake and susceptibility to diabetes
Prof. Ran Oren and Dr. Hanny Yeshua
Co-PI
- 2011 The Israel National Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research. 150,000 NIS
Trends in serum 25(OH)D distribution in the Israeli population in the last decade
Prof. Manfred Green
PI
- 2011 Israel Ministry of Defence grant
97,500 NIS
Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as predictor of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and advanced liver disease in staff members of the Israeli army- long term prospective follow-up
Dr. Oren Shibolet PI
- 2011 Italy-Israel Cooperation Scientific grant € 40,000
Association among Advanced Glycation End Products, Cytokines and dietary habits in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Prof. Fabio Galvano Co-PI
- 2011 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Trilateral Projects. € 1,000,000
Ethnic and clinical differences in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A prospective study in three diverse populations
Dr. Oren Shibolet Prof. Ziad Abdeen Prof. Manfred Green Prof. Michael Manns Prof. Heiner Wedemeyer
Co-PI
- 2012 Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health 200,000 NIS
The association between dietary consumption of milk and dairy, with colorectal polyps and their neoplastic potential
Dr. Revital Kariv Naomi Fliss Prof. Zamir Halpern
*Co-PI
- 2012 Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health200,000 NIS
The association between dietary consumption, with colorectal polyps and their neoplastic potential
Dr. Revital Kariv Naomi Fliss Prof. Zamir Halpern
Co-PI
18
Score Year Funded by Topic Co-Researchers Role in Research
- 2013 The Israel Science Foundation (ISF) $311,000
Discriminatory metabolic, inflammatory and lifestyle parameters between the "metabolically healthy" and the "metabolically unhealthy" obese individuals
_ PI
10. Scholarships, Awards and Prizes
2007 Young investigator award for the best poster, The European Association
for the Study of the Liver.
11. Teaching
a. Courses Taught in Recent Years
Number of Students
Degree B.A./M.A./M.Sc/Ph.D.
Type of Course Lecture/Seminar/Workshop
Name of Course Year
80 B.A Workshop Nutrition in liver diseases
2006-2011
50 None (Ridman" natural medicine college)
Lectures Medical nutrition 2007-2009
8 M.A./M.Sc/Ph.D. Lectures Meta analysis 2008- present
20 M.A./M.Sc/Ph.D. Lectures Making sense of data 2009- present
23 M.A./M.Sc/Ph.D. Lectures Nutritional Epidemiology
2009- present
30 M.A./M.Sc/Ph.D. Lectures Construction of a research proposal
2009- present
10 M.A./M.Sc/Ph.D. Lectures Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease
2010- present
8 M.A./M.Sc/Ph.D. Lectures Applied research 2010- present
25 Pre-med students Lectures Epidemiology 2013- present
12 M.Sc/Ph.D. Lectures Advanced clinical nutrition
2014
19
b. Supervision of Graduate Students
Student's Achievements
Date of Completion /in Progress
Degree Title of Thesis Name of Student
See D#14, D#20, D#22
Completion
2012 (score 89)
M.Sc
Incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and the metabolic syndrome components, a follow up study
Lotan Roni Co-supervisor
Prof. Oren Ran
- Completion
2011 (score 90)
MD research adviser
Hepato-renal index (HRI) and anthropometric and biochemical measures among patients of the fatty liver clinic
Isaak Winocur Michal
See K#1 Completion
2013 (score 93)
M.Sc
Physical activity as a treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Buch Assaf Co-supervisor Dr. Shibolet Oren
- in Progress M.Sc
Knowledge attitudes and practice of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with regard to lifestyle modification as compared to diabetic patients
Dror-Lavi Gali
See M#1 Completion
2013 (score 88)
M.Sc
Factors associated with adherence to weight reduction and physical activity program in obese children
Ben Abu Maya
See M#2 Completion
2013 (score 94)
M.Sc
Exposure to passive smoking among Arab women with acute MI as compared to controls
Awawdi Khaled†
See M#3 Completion
2013 (score 92)
M.Sc
The association between viral hepatitis and the metabolic syndrome
Yair-Sabag Shira
- in Progress M.Sc
Knowledge, attitudes and practice towards soft drinks consumption among adult Arab population
Jamal Asuan
- in Progress M.Sc
Non-HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular mortality
Abed Petra
See M#4 Completion 2013 (score 93)
M.Sc
Physical activity at work and at leisure time and all cause and cardiovascular mortality
Harari Gil Co-supervisor Prof. Green Manfred
- in Progress M.Sc
Nutritional pattern and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Solomon Esti
- in Progress M.Sc
The association between non alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD)
Schlesinger Dalit
20
Student's Achievements
Date of Completion /in Progress
Degree Title of Thesis Name of Student
and quality of life (QOL) parameters and utilization of health service in Israeli Jewish population
- in Progress M.Sc
Disordered eating (night and binge eating) among morbid obese patients and the association with hepatic fibrosis
Shoham Dafna
- in Progress M.Sc
The association between state and trait anxieties, dietary patterns and non alcoholic fatty liver disease
Goldshmidt Moyal Reut
- in Progress M.Sc
Anxiety from eating and eating patterns among inflammatory bowel disease patients
Moria Damari
- in Progress Ph.D
The association between adenomas and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Phlis Naumi Co-supervisor Dr. Kariv Revital
- in Progress Ph.D
Probiotics vs. antibiotic as a treatment for fatty liver patients, randomized double blind clinical trial
Sherf Shiri Co-supervisor Dr. Shibolet Oren
- in Progress Ph.D
Development of a risk prediction model for cardiovascular mortality in the CORDIS cohort
Harari Gil Co-supervisor Prof. Green Manfred
PUBLICATIONS
Note: In accordance with accepted procedure for medical and science authorship
order, first or last placement of name indicates that author played the major role in
the reported study, unless mentioned otherwise.
A. Ph.D. Dissertation
Title: The prevalence of primary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
in Israeli population, and the association with biochemical,
anthropometric and nutritional measures.
Date: May 2007
No of pages: 168
21
Language: English
University: Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University.
Names of supervisors (Ph.D):
Prof Ran Oren, M.D. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University.
Prof Zamir Halpern, M.D. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel
Aviv University.
Dorit Nizan Kaluski, M.D., MPH, R.D. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv
University.
See publication list: D#2, 4, 5, 8.
B. Scientific Books (Refereed)
None
C. Monographs
None
22
D. Articles in Refereed Journals
Published
* Denotes activities & publications since last appointment # My student + Corresponding author
1. +Zelber-Sagi, S., Kessler, A., Brazowsky, E., Webb, M., Lurie, Y, Santo, M.,
Leshno, M., Blendis, L., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2006). A double-blind randomized
placebo-controlled trial of Orlistat for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. (4) 639-44.
IF 5.63
2. +Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kaluski, D., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2006).
Prevalence of primary NAFLD in a population-based study and its association with
biochemical and anthropometric measures. Liver International. (26) 856-63.
IF 3.824
3. Kariv, R., Leshno, M., Beth-Or, A., Strul, H., Blendis, L., Kokia, E., Noff, D., Zelber-
Sagi, S., Sheinberg, B. Oren, R., Halpern, Z. (2006). Re-evaluation of serum alanine
aminotransferase upper normal limit and its modulating factors in a large-scale
population study. Liver International. (26) 445–50.
IF 3.824
23
4. +Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kaluski, D., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2007).
NAFLD and serum insulin are major determinants of serum ferritin levels.
Journal of Hepatology. (46) 700-7.
IF 9.264
Related editorial:
Trombini, P., Piperno, A. Ferritin, metabolic syndrome and NAFLD: Elective
attractions and dangerous liaisons. (2007) Journal of Hepatology. (46) 549-52.
5. +Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kalusky, D., Goldsmith, R., Webb, M., Blendis, L., Halpern,
Z., Oren, R. (2007). The association between NAFLD and long term nutritional
intake, a population based study. Journal of Hepatology. (47) 711-7.
IF 9.264
6. Lurie, Y., Landau, DA., Kanevsky, A., Pel, S., Zelber-Sagi, S., Oren, R. (2007). Medex
test, a novel modality for liver disease diagnosis: a pilot study. Journal of Clinical
Gastroenterology. (41) 700-5.
IF 3.159
7. Lurie, Y., Landau, DA., Blendis, L., Baruch, Y., Veitsman, E., Ackermann, Z., Zelber-
Sagi, S., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2007). Acute hepatitis C in Israel: a predominantly
iatrogenic disease? Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. (22) 158-64.
IF 2.865
24
8. +Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kaluski, D., Goldsmith, R., Webb, M., Zvibel, I., Goldiner,
I., Blendis, L., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2008). Role of leisure-time physical activity in
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A population based study. Hepatology.
(48) 1791-8.
IF 11.665
9. +Webb, M., Yeshua, H., Zelber-Sagi, S., Santo, M., Brazowski, E., Halpern, Z.,
Oren, R. (2009). The Diagnostic Value of a Computerized Hepatorenal Index for
Ultrasonographic Quantification of Liver Steatosis. American Journal of
Roentgenology. (192) 909-14.
IF 2.47
10. *Ratziu, V., Zelber-Sagi, S. (2009). Pharmacologic therapy of non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis. Review. Clinics in Liver Disease. (13) 667-88.
IF 3.180
11. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., Ratziu, V., Oren, R. (2011). Nutrition and physical activity in
NAFLD – an overview of the epidemiological evidence. Review. World Journal of
Gastroenterology. (17) 3377-89.
IF 2.471
Related "Topic highlight":
Nimer, A. (2011). Nutritional recommendations for patients with non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease. World Journal of Gastroenterology. (17) 3375–6.
25
12. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., Yeshua, H., Shlomai, A., Blendis, L., Leshno, M., Levit, S., Halpern,
Z., Oren, R. (2011). Sampling variability of transient elastography according to
probe location. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. (23) 507-14.
IF 1.757
13. *Maharshak, N., Halfon, P., Deutsch, V., Peretz, H., Berliner, S., Fishman, S., Zelber-
Sagi, S., Rozovski, U., Leshno, M., Oren, R. (2011). Increased fibrosis progression
rates in hepatitis C patients who carry the PTG20210A mutation. World Journal of
Gastroenterology. (17) 5007-13.
IF 2.471
14. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., #Lotan, R., Shlomai, A., Webb, M., Harrari, G., Buch, A., Nitzan-
Kaluski, D., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2012). Predictors for incidence and remission of
NAFLD in the general population during a seven-year prospective follow-up. Journal
of Hepatology. (56) 1145-51.
(The first and the second authors contributed equally to the paper).
IF 9.264
15. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., Ratziu, V., Zvibel, I., Goldiner, I., Blendis, L., Morali, G., Halpern,
Z., Oren, R (2012). The association between adipocytokines and biomarkers for
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-induced liver injury: a study in the general
population. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. (24) 262-9.
IF 1.757
26
16. *Salamone, F., Volti, GL., Titta, L., Barbagallo, I., Puzzo, L., Zelber-Sagi, S., Pelicci,
PG., Giorgio, M., Galvano, F. (2012). Moro orange juice prevents fatty liver in mice.
World Journal of Gastroenterology. (18) 3862-8.
IF 2.471
17. *Shlomai, A., Halfon, P., Goldiner, I., Zelber-Sagi, S., Halpern, Z., Oren, R., Bruck,
R. (2013). Serum Bile acid levels as a predictor for the severity of liver fibrosis in
patients with chronic hepatitis C. Journal of Viral Hepatitis. (20) 95-102.
IF 3.502
18. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., Webb, M., Assy, N., Blendis, L., Yeshua, H., Leshno, M., Ratziu,
V., Halpern, Z., Oren, R., Santo, E. (2013). Comparison of fatty liver-index with
non-invasive methods for steatosis detection and quantification. World Journal
of Gastroenterology. (19) 57-64.
IF 2.471
19. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., Toker, S., Armon, G., Melamed, S., Berliner, S., Shapira, I.,
Halpern, Z., Santo, E., Shibolet O. (2013). Elevated alanine transaminase
independently predicts new onset of depression in employees undergoing health
screening examinations. Psychological Medicine. (22) 1-11.
(The first and the second authors contributed equally to the paper).
IF 6.159
27
20. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., #Lotan, R., Shibolet, O., Webb, M., Buch, A., Nitzan-Kaluski, D.,
Halpern, Z., Santo, E., Oren, R. (2013). NAFLD independently predicts type-2
diabetes and pre-diabetes during a seven-year prospective follow-up. Liver
international. (33) 1406-12.
IF 3.824
21. *Safadi, R., Konikoff, F.M., Mahamid, M., Zelber-Sagi, S., Halpern, M., Gilat, T.,
Oren R; FLORA group. (2014). The fatty acid-bile acid conjugate Aramchol reduces
liver fat content in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clinical
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 12(12) 2085-91.
22. *+Zelber-Sagi S., Buch A., Yeshua H., Vaisman N., Webb M., Harari G., Kis O., Fliss-
Isakov N., Izkhakov E., Halpern Z., Santo E., Oren R., Shibolet O. (2014). Effect of
resistance training on non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease a randomized-clinical trial.
World Journal of Gastroenterology. 20(15) 4382-92.
23. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., Salamone, F., Yeshua, H., #Lotan, R., Webb, M., Halpern, Z.,
Santo, E., Oren, R., Shibolet, O. (2014). Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol
independently predicts new onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver
international. 34(6) e128-35.
IF 3.824
28
Accepted for Publication
1. *+Endevelt, R., Ben-Assuli, O., Klain, E., Zelber Sagi, S. The role of the dietitian
follow-up in the success of bariatric surgery. Surgery for Obesity and Related
Diseases. Pages: 20.
IF 3.929
2. Khatib, M., Zvibel, I., Zelber-Sagi, S., Varol, C., Lahat, G., Abu-Abeid, S., Klausner, J.
M., Halpern, Z., & Fishman, S. (2014). Discriminatory metabolic and inflammatory
parameters in serum and omental adipose tissue of obese patients with different
insulin sensitivity. Journal of Clinical & Translational Endocrinology.
3. Zelber-Sagi, S., Salomone, F., Webb, M., Lotan, R., Yeshua, H., Halpern, Z., Santo,
E., Oren, R., Shibolet, O. (2014). Coffee consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver
onset: a prospective study in the general population. Translational Research.
E. Articles or Chapters in Scientific Books
(which are not Conference Proceedings)
Accepted for Publication
1. *Zelber-Sagi, S. Diet and Lifestyle changes as treatment for NAFLD. In: Liver
metabolism and fatty liver disease. Florida: Taylor & Francis Group 2013.
Pages: 12.
29
2. *Zelber-Sagi, S., Yeshua, C., Shibolet, O., & Oren R. (2014). The fatty liver:
association with type 2 Diabetes and methods of treatment. In: A. Choen., O.
Mosenzone., & I. Raz (Eds.), The Guide for the treatment of diabetes (pp. 185-
196). Medical Group, The National Council of Diabetes and The Ministry of
Health: Tel – Aviv.
F. Articles in Conference Proceedings
Published
1. *Zelber Sagi S. Diet and Lifestyle changes as treatment for NAFLD. In: The 10th
Liver Therapy meeting. Barcelona: Elsevier Doyma 2013. 71-76.
G. Entries in Encyclopedias
None
H. Other Scientific Publications
Published
Abstracts
1. Zelber-Sagi, S., Kessler, A., Brazowsky, E., Webb, M., Lurie, Y, Santo, M.,
Leshno, M., Blendis, L., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2004). A double-blind randomized
placebo-controlled trial of Orlistat for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease. Hepatology. (40) 1069.
30
2. Zelber-Sagi, S., Kessler, A., Brazowsky, E., Webb, M., Lurie, Y, Santo, M.,
Leshno, M., Blendis, L., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2005). Does weight loss improve
liver histopathology in patients with NAFLD? Journal of Hepatology. Sup. (42)
705.
3. Kessler, A., Levy, Y., Roth, A., Zelber-Sagi, S., Leshno, M., Blendis, L., Halpern, Z.,
Oren, R. (2005).
Increased prevalence of NAFLD in patients with acute myocardial infarction
independent of BMI. Hepatology (42) 1084.
4. Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kalusky, D., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2005).
Is NAFLD an independent predictor of the metabolic syndrome?
Hepatology (42) 1069.
5. Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kalusky, D., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2005).
Hyperinsulinemia is an independent predictor of elevated serum ALT levels even
after adjustment to NAFLD and liver histology. Hepatology (42) 1081.
6. Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kalusky, D., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2006).
Serum ALT is not a reliable screening tool for NAFLD in the general population.
Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 2(44) 727.
31
7. Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kalusky, D., Goldsmith, R., Webb, M., Blendis, M., Halpern,
Z., Oren, R. (2007). The association between NAFLD and long term nutritional
intake, a population based study. Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 1(46) 291.
8. Zelber-Sagi, S., Nitzan-Kalusky, D., Goldsmith, R., Webb, M., Blendis, M., Halpern,
Z., Oren, R. (2007). Role of physical activity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD): A population based study. Hepatology (46) 1150.
9. Zelber-Sagi, S., Webb, M., Ratziu, V., Poynard, T., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2008). A
comparison between the hepatorenal ultrasound index and steatotest for the
non-invasive quantification of liver steatosis. Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 2(48)
368.
10. Zelber-Sagi, S., Yeshua, H., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2009).
Discordance between three successive Fibroscan measurements mirrors the
variability of liver fibrosis. Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 1(50) 375.
11. Zelber-Sagi, S., Ratziu, V., Zvibel, I., Goldiner, I., Nitzan-Kaluski , D., Blendis, L.,
Gilles, M., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2009).
Can serum leptin and adiponectin predict liver injury in patients with NAFLD? A
study in the general population. Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 1(50) 375.
12. Zelber-Sagi, S., Webb, M., Leshno, M., Blendis, L., Yeshua, H., Ratziu, V., Halpern,
Z., Oren, R. (2010). A comparison of fatty liver index with three non-invasive
methods for the detection and Quantification of liver steatosis: Regular
32
ultrasound, hepatorenal ultrasound index and steatotest. Journal of Hepatology.
Sup. 1(52) 158.
13. Zelber-Sagi, S., Webb, M., Leshno, M., Blendis, L., Isaak Winocur, M., Yeshua, H.,
Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2010). The hepatorenal ultrasound index is correlated with
obesity, ALT, insulin and adipocytokines. Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 1(52) 158.
14. Zelber-Sagi, S., Lotan, R., Webb, M., Halpern, Z., Oren, R. (2011). Incidence and
regression rates of NAFLD in seven years follow up of a cohort from the general
population. Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 1(54) 351.
15. Zelber-Sagi, S., Lotan, R., Shibolet, O., Webb, M, Buch, A., Nitzan-Kaluski, D.,
Halpern Z., Santo, E., Oren R. (2012). NAFLD independently predicts type-2
diabetes and pre-diabetes during a seven-year prospective follow-up. Journal of
Hepatology. Sup. 2(56) 526.
16. Zelber-Sagi, S., Toker, S., Shirom, A., Melamed, S., Berliner, S., Shapira, I.,
Halpern, Z., Santo, E., Shibolet O. (2012). Elevated Alanine transaminase
independently predicts new onset of depression in employees undergoing health
screening examinations. Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 2(56) 526.
17. Zelber-Sagi, S., Buch A., Yeshua H., Vaisman N., Harari, G., kiss O., Webb, M., Fliss,
N., Halpern, Z., Santo, E., Oren, R., Shibolet O. (2012). The effect of resistance
training on NAFLD a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Hepatology. Sup. 2(56)
33
526-7.
18. Zelber-Sagi, S., Toker, S., Shirom, A., Melamed, S., Berliner, S., Shapira, I.,
Halpern, Z., Santo, E., Shibolet O. (2012). Elevated alanine transaminase
independently predicts new onset of depression in employees undergoing health
screening examinations. Hepatology. Sup. 1(56) 1489.
(The first and the second authors contributed equally to the paper)
19. *+Zelber-Sagi, S., Buch, A., Yeshua, H., Vaisman, N., Harari, G., kiss, O., Webb, M.,
Fliss, N., Halpern, Z., Santo, E., Oren, R., Shibolet, O. (2012). The effect of
resistance training on NAFLD a randomized clinical trial. American journal of
Gastroenterology. Pages: 25. IF 7.282
(The first and the second authors contributed equally to the paper)
I. Other Publications
1. Zelber-Sagi, S., Oren, R. Non alcoholic fatty liver the hepatic manifestation of
the metabolic syndrome. Israeli journal of medicine. 8:25-30, 2007.
2. Zelber-Sagi, S., Oren, R. Non alcoholic fatty liver disease. In: Liver diseases.
Israel: Prolog publishing 2006.
3. Zelber-Sagi, S., Yeshua H., Oren, R. Fatty liver and diabetes. In: The guide for
the treatment of diabetes. Israel: The National Diabetes Committee, Ministry
of Health 2012.
34
4. *Zelber-Sagi, S., Yeshua H., Oren, R. Fatty liver and diabetes. In: The guide
for the treatment of diabetes. Israel: The National Diabetes Committee,
Ministry of Health 2014.
J. Other Works Connected with my Scholarly Field
None
K. Submitted Publications
L. Summary of my Activities and Future Plans
Field of Interest and Scientific Work
My research and publications address a wide spectrum of issues regarding non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) including its prevalence in the general population, screening
methods, independent risk factors and the dual association with the metabolic
syndrome, biochemical characteristics and the association with nutrition and physical
activity. I also address different issues in nutritional and behavioral epidemiology as soft
drinks and health consequences, obesity and physical activity and mortality, vitamin D
and health, passive smoking and cardiovascular disease and the place of dietary
counseling after bariatric surgery.
1. Demonstrating that NAFLD is a prevalent disease in adult Israeli population with
insulin resistance, abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia as independent
risk factors. These results emphasize the crucial role of central adiposity and the
mandatory use of fat distribution indices in metabolic disorders. Published.
35
2. Testing issues dealing with ALT, the most specific liver enzyme, including its
value as a screening tool for NAFLD. ALT was not an effective marker for NAFLD
at the population level. Published.
3. Since serum ferritin was suggested as one the components of the metabolic
syndrome and is closely associated with NAFLD, we further elaborated this
association by assembling, for the first time, all three variables into the equation.
According to our results, NAFLD may be considered as a possible mediator
between insulin resistance/ metabolic syndrome and serum ferritin levels.
Published.
4. Publishing one of the first epidemiological studies dealing with the
association of NAFLD with long term nutritional intake. Intake of soft drinks
and protein from all kinds of meat was found to be associated with increased
risk for NAFLD and intake of protein from fish rich in omega-3 tended to be
associated with a reduced risk for NAFLD. Published.
5. Publishing a paper demonstrating that higher leisure-time physical activity is
inversely associated with NAFLD. This association is independent of HOMA,
nutritional intake, adiponectin and resistin and for resistance physical activity
also of BMI. Published.
6. Quantification of liver steatosis is clinically relevant in various liver diseases,
but cannot be done by conventional ultrasound, which only provides a
qualitative assessment with significant observer variability. The aim of our
study was to test whether US can serve as an objective tool for the
quantification of hepatic steatosis by comparing computerized liver
echogenicity to that of the right kidney - hepatorenal ultrasound index (HRI).
36
We showed that HRI is a sensitive, reproducible, operator independent non-
invasive method for steatosis quantification. Published.
7. The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the metabolic
syndrome components. The aim of our study is to describe the incidence of
NAFLD and the metabolic syndrome components, based on a follow up of a
general Israeli population previously screened for NAFLD. Published.
8. Adipocytokines and FibroMax (a set of biochemical markers for liver steatosis,
inflammation and fibrosis). The aim of this study is to evaluate whether liver
injury in NAFLD can be predicted by serum leptin and adiponectin. Leptin and
adiponectin have been implicated in the development of hepatic steatosis,
inflammation and fibrosis in NAFLD. We found that Adiponectin and leptin are
among the variables most strongly associated with steatosis and NASH but not
with fibrosis. Published.
9. Discordance between three successive Fibroscan measurements mirrors the
sampling variability of liver fibrosis. Transient Elastography (Fibroscan), a
noninvasive technique, can assess liver fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness from
various liver sites and thus helpful in estimating fibrosis variability. Almost one
third of the patients had some level of discordance between the three successive
Fibroscan measurements. Adopting the maximal or the minimal score may
change dramatically the diagnosis. Published.
10. A comparison of fatty liver index with three non-invasive methods for the
detection and quantification of liver steatosis: Regular ultrasound, hepatorenal
ultrasound index and steatotest. The paper deals with the comparison of
different screening tools for fatty liver in the general population. Published
(ahead of print).
37
Current Scientific Projects
1. A collaboration with the University of Georgia, Center for Global Health and with
Clalit Healthcare Services, in a survey comparing physician cardiovascular
disease risk factor management in Israel and in the United States.
2. Publishing the results of a randomized clinical trial about physical activity as a
treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). The effect of different physical
activity regimens were tested in NAFLD patients with regard to liver enzymes,
metabolic status, body composition and steatosis.
3. The initiation of a controlled clinical trial testing the influence of soft drinks on
serum levels of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and metabolic and
inflammatory parameters in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Several patients have been recruited.
4. A case-control study testing the association between adenomas and
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Data collection is preformed prospectively since
June 2010.
5. Data analysis from the CORDIS (cohort of Israeli employees) data-base with
regard to: non-HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular mortality, risk factors for
hepatocellular carcinoma, obesity and mortality, physical activity and
mortality.
6. Data collection and analysis about vitamin D and metabolic parameters in the
Israeli population, in collaboration with Maccabi Healthcare Services. We focus
38
on the association with NAFLD and pre-diabetes and the effect of
supplementation.
7. Re-evaluation of the normal range of vitamin D with historical cohort of blood
donors with cooperation of the ICDC. Initiation, writing grants and establishing a
research team.
8. Analyzing the Macabi health services date base on bariatric surgeries and
dietary treatment.
9. Collaborating with investigators from the Weizmann Institute of Science on the
association between dietary composition and the human microbiota.
10. The initiation of a randomized controlled clinical trial on the effect of antibiotic
and probiotic treatment in fatty liver disease patients.
11. The initiation of a survey on knowledge, attitudes and practice towards soft
drinks consumption among adult Arab population.
M. Works in Preparation
1. Factors associated with adherence to weight reduction and physical
activity program in obese children.
2. Exposure to passive smoking among Arab women with acute MI as
compared to controls.
3. The association between viral hepatitis and the metabolic syndrome.
4. Physical activity at work and at leisure time and all cause and cardiovascular
mortality.
5. Serum uric acid and elevated liver enzymes in the general population.