Correction: Bar-Sela et al. Cannabis Consumption Used by Cancer Patients during Immunotherapy Correlates with Poor Clinical Outcome. Cancers 2020, 12, 2447.

In the original article [...].

The association between ABO blood groups and gestational diabetes mellitus: a retrospective population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: There is a lot of evidence that connects blood type to several diseases, including the development of diabetes mellitus type 2. The evidence for an association between ABO blood groups and the possibility of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is scant and inconclusive. We aimed to examine the link between ABO blood group types and GDM by the use of a large population-based cohort of pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using data collected from January 2013 to December 2017 from the Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. All pregnant women who underwent the two-step screening and diagnosed with GDM and delivered at >24 weeks were included. Women who had pre-gestational diabetes or whose pregnancies were terminated were excluded. The odds ratio (OR) were obtained through binary logistic regression analysis and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) by the use of both the univariable and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Of all 16,067 women included in the study cohort, 1712 (10.7%) had GDM. The incidence of GDM was 11.0%, 10.8%, 10.6%, and 8.8% in blood group A, B, O, and AB, respectively. After adjusting for maternal age, parity, and number of fetuses, AB blood group was associated with reduced risk for developing GDM compared to the other blood groups (p = .038; adjusted OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64-0.99). There was no difference in Rhesus factor between GDM and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Women with AB blood group have a lower risk for developing GDM compared to other blood group types.

Effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis at 30 versus 60 min before cesarean delivery.

This study aimed to examine the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) given within 30 compared to 30-60 min before skin incision on the incidence of infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery (CD). A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single institution on data between 2014 and 2018. Women who delivered by CD were divided into two groups according to AP timing before skin incision: group 1 within 30 min, and group 2 from 30 to 60 min. The primary outcome was the incidence of any infectious morbidity. Overall, 2989 women were eligible: 2791 in group 1 and 198 in group 2. The primary composite outcome occurred in 125 women (4.48%) in group 1 and 8 women (4.04%) in group 2 (OR, 1.11; 95% CI 0.54-2.31; P = 0.77). The rate of surgical site infection only, was 1.08% in group 1 and 0.51% in group 2 (OR, 2.13; 95% CI 0.29-15.70; P = 0.72). The incidence was comparable between the groups in a separate sub-analysis restricted to laboring CDs and obese women. The rate of infectious morbidity was similar among women who received AP within 30 min and from 30 to 60 min before skin incision.

Cannabis Consumption Used by Cancer Patients during Immunotherapy Correlates with Poor Clinical Outcome.

Cannabis or its derivatives are widely used by patients with cancer to help with cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. However, cannabis has potent immunomodulatory properties. To determine if cannabis consumption during immunotherapy affects therapy outcomes, we conducted a prospective observatory study including 102 (68 immunotherapy and 34 immunotherapy plus cannabis) consecutive patients with advanced cancers who initiated immunotherapy. Cannabis consumption correlated with a significant decrease in time to tumor progression and overall survival. On the other hand, the use of cannabis reduced therapy-related immune-related adverse events. We also tested the possibility that cannabis may affect the immune system or the tumor microenvironment through the alteration of the endocannabinoid system. We analyzed a panel of serum endocannabinoids (eCBs) and eCB-like lipids, measuring their levels before and after immunotherapy in both groups. Levels of serum eCBs and eCB-like lipids, before immunotherapy, showed no significant differences between cannabis users to nonusers. Nevertheless, the levels of four eCB and eCB-like compounds were associated with patients' overall survival time. Collectively, cannabis consumption has considerable immunomodulatory effects, and its use among cancer patients needs to be carefully considered due to its potential effects on the immune system, especially during treatment with immunotherapy.

Testosterone Management in Aging Males: Surveying Clinical Practices of Urologists and Endocrinologists in Israel.

INTRODUCTION: Although there is increased public concern about low testosterone levels in aging men, the diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadism in this growing population is controversial. AIM: To document the current practices of endocrinologists and urologists in the management of older men with low testosterone in Israel. METHODS: A 20-question survey of the management of hypogonadism was sent to members of the Israel Endocrine Society and the Israeli Urology Association MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were interviewed about their practice in diagnostic workup, prescription habits and monitoring of testosterone therapy. RESULTS: The response rate was low (range 8-12%). Significant differences were found between members of the 2 professional associations. Overall, endocrinologists take a more conservative approach to the diagnosis and initial workup, modes of treatment, and to concerns about the safety of testosterone therapy. A divergence from the published clinical guidelines was also noted in some aspects of the clinical practices in both groups. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Significant variances in the diagnosis and treatment approach of hypogonadism between endocrinologists and urologists, as well as divergences from clinical guidelines, may lead to misuse of testosterone therapy. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This is the first study undertaken in Israel among urologists and endocrinologists of this increasingly recognized health issue. In our country, these 2 groups of physicians comprise nearly all of the testosterone treatment providers. The limitation of this study is linked to bias of all surveys based on subjective reporting, the fact that it was performed in only 1 country, and that we did not control for the specific assay used to measure testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for the implementation of coordinated guidelines to facilitate the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of men who can benefit from testosterone therapy and to minimize the risks of this therapy. Ishay A, Tzemah S, Nitzan R, et al. Testosterone Management in Aging Males: Surveying Clinical Practices of Urologists and Endocrinologists in Israel. Sex Med 2019;7:409-417.