Yousra Sharif

Dr. Yousra Sharif


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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26 July 2025 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MSMohamad Suki
Mohamad Suki
AIAshraf Imam
Ashraf Imam
JAJohnny Amer
Johnny Amer
YMYael Milgrom
Yael Milgrom
MMMuhammad Massarwa
Muhammad Massarwa
RSRifaat Safadi
Rifaat Safadi
Background and Aims: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown promise in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This large real-world study aimed to evaluate the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on MASLD patients’ clinical outcomes and liver-related complications over extended follow-up. Patients and Method: Data were sourced from TriNetX, a global health research platform with de-identified electronic medical records spanning 135 million patients across 112 healthcare organizations worldwide. We included MASLD adults diagnosed according to ICD9/10 criteria. Following propensity score matching based on 34 variables (demographics, comorbidities, laboratory tests and medication history), SGLT2 inhibitor-treated (n = 19,922) patients were compared with non-SGLT2 inhibitor (n = 19,922) cases. Exclusion criteria included baseline improved alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels > 4 upper normal limit (UNL), baseline advanced liver disease, liver transplant and cancer, past anticoagulation and non-MASLD etiologies. Assessed outcomes included survival, biochemical, hematologic, AFP, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters, progression to advanced liver disease (ALD), synthetic function, and metabolic markers over 1, 5, and 10 years. Results: Following matching, both cohorts were well-balanced across baseline characteristics. After one year, the SGLT2 inhibitor group demonstrated significantly reduced BMI (33.2 ± 6.2 vs. 34.1 ± 6.5 kg/m2, p < 0.001), improved ALT (40.3 ± 31.5 vs. 48.3 ± 41.2 U/L, p < 0.001), and better glycemic control (HbA1c 7.35 ± 1.51% vs. 7.93 ± 1.72%, p < 0.001). The SGLT2 inhibitor group showed higher 10-year survival rates (95.00% vs. 88.69%, p < 0.001), fewer cardiovascular events (10.19% vs. 11.80%, p < 0.001), and markedly reduced progression to advanced liver disease (6.90% vs. 14.15%, p < 0.001). These benefits were consistent across clinical, laboratory, and medication-defined ALD categories. Notably, rates of hepatic decompensation events were significantly lower with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy. Conclusions: In this large real-world cohort, SGLT2 inhibitor use in MASLD patients was associated with significantly improved long-term survival, cardiovascular, and liver-related outcomes over 10 years of follow-up. These benefits likely result from combined metabolic improvements, anti-inflammatory effects, and direct hepatoprotective mechanisms. SGLT2 inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in MASLD.

29 November 2023 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KSKassem Sharif
Kassem Sharif
PDPaula David
Paula David
MOMahmud Omar
Mahmud Omar
YSYousra Sharif
Yousra Sharif
YPYonatan Shneor Patt
Yonatan Shneor Patt
Adi LahatAdi Lahat
Adi Lahat
Background: Coeliac disease affects approximately 1% of the global population with the diagnosis often relying on invasive and time-demanding methods. Deep learning, a powerful tool in medical science, shows potential for non-invasive, accurate coeliac disease diagnosis, though challenges remain. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current state of deep-learning applications in coeliac disease diagnosis and identify potential areas for future research that could enhance diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. PRISMA guidelines were applied. Two independent reviewers identified research articles using deep learning for coeliac disease diagnosis and severity assessment. Only original research articles with performance metrics data were included. The quality of the diagnostic accuracy studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool, categorizing studies based on risk of bias and concerns about applicability. Due to heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was conducted to describe the applications and efficacy of the deep-learning techniques (DLT) in coeliac disease diagnosis. Results: The initial search across four databases yielded 417 studies with 195 being removed due to duplicity. Finally, eight studies were found to be suitable for inclusion after rigorous evaluation. They were all published between 2017 and 2023 and focused on using DLT for coeliac disease diagnosis or assessing disease severity. Different deep-learning architectures were applied. Accuracy levels ranged from 84% to 95.94% with the GoogLeNet model achieving 100% sensitivity and specificity for video capsule endoscopy images. Conclusions: DLT hold substantial potential in coeliac disease diagnosis. They offer improved accuracy and the prospect of mitigating clinician bias. However, key challenges persist, notably the requirement for more extensive and diverse datasets, especially to detect milder forms of coeliac disease. These methods are in their nascent stages, underscoring the need of integrating multiple data sources to achieve comprehensive coeliac disease diagnosis.

21 July 2025 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MSMohamad Suki
Mohamad Suki
JAJohnny Amer
Johnny Amer
YMYael Milgrom
Yael Milgrom
MMMuhammad Massarwa
Muhammad Massarwa
WHWadi Hazou
Wadi Hazou
RSRifaat Safadi
Rifaat Safadi
Introduction: Semaglutide (SEMA) has shown potential benefits in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This large real-world study aimed to evaluate the effects of SEMA on MASLD patients’ clinical outcomes and liver-related complications. Results: Following propensity score matching based on 34 variables (demographics, comorbidities, laboratory tests, and medication history), SEMA-treated (n = 19,112) patients were compared with non-SEMA (n = 19,112) cases. Both cohorts were well-balanced, except for higher BMI in the SEMA group (36.60 ± 6.25 vs. 34.89 ± 6.84 kg/m2). After one year, the SEMA group demonstrated ~one BMI point reduction but maintained significantly higher BMI (35.51 ± 6.34 vs. 34.11 ± 6.64, p < 0.001). LDL, triglycerides, and HbA1c levels significantly improved with SEMA, as evidenced by decreased rates of poor metabolic markers (31.13% vs. 34.32%, p < 0.001). The SEMA-treated patients demonstrated significantly higher survival, lower cardiovascular risk, and reduced progression to advanced liver disease compared to controls. Discussion: In this large real-world cohort, SEMA use in MASLD patients was associated with significantly improved 1-year survival, cardiovascular, and liver-related outcomes. These benefits appear to result primarily from metabolic improvements and anti-inflammatory effects. Materials and Methods: Data were sourced from TriNetX, a global health research platform with de-identified electronic medical records spanning 135 million patients across 112 healthcare organizations worldwide. We included MASLD adults diagnosed according to ICD9 criteria. Assessed outcomes included survival, biochemical, hematologic, AFP, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters, advanced liver disease (ALD), synthetic function, and metabolic markers. Conclusions: Semaglutide may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes in MASLD.