Digital Commons Network^™

Antibiotic Administration After Previable Preterm Prelabor Rupture Of Membranes Is Associated With Prolonged Latency, Alexandra L Hammerquist, Alexander M Saucedo, Selina L Bowler, Mohan Pammi, Catherine Eppes, Ignatia Van Den Veyver, Michael D Jochum, Enrico R Barrozo

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Introduction: While antibiotics have been shown to increase the interval to delivery between rupture of membranes and delivery (latency) and improve neonatal outcomes after viable preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), this has not been well investigated in the previable PPROM population. We aimed to investigate the association between antenatal antibiotics and latency following previable PPROM. Secondarily, we examined various maternal and neonatal outcomes. We hypothesized that the administration of antibiotics would prolong latency in pregnancies with previable PPROM.

Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study that included pregnancies diagnosed with previable PPROM between 140/7 and 216/7 and delivered between 2012 and …

Nuclear-Specific Reductive Carboxylation Of Alpha-Ketoglutarate Fuels Histone Acetylation To Induce Chromatin Accessibility And Gene Activation, Abhisha Sawant Dessai, Nadya A Elhalawany, Tao Dai, Justine J Jacobi, Christian Prechtl, Alphonse N Dimeck, Sierra R Morton, Mark D Long, Prashant K Singh, Nagireddy Putluri, Mariana Lopes, Song Liu, Dominic J Smiraglia, Katerina V Gurova, Peder J Lund, Leah A Gates, Sung Yun Jung, Subhamoy Dasgupta

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mitochondria remain at the core of cell metabolism, whereas the nucleus integrates cellular and environmental signals to activate genes. However, the mechanisms that directly link cellular metabolism to gene regulation are not well understood. Here we show, a metabolic pathway in the nucleus controls acetylation of histones by nuclear localization of mitochondrial enzymes aconitase (ACO2) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH2). Metabolic tracing studies show that IDH2 and ACO2 catalyze reductive carboxylation of α-ketoglutarate to rapidly synthesize citrate to increase nuclear acetyl-CoA pool. Genetic and proteomic analyses reveal nuclear IDH2 and ACO2 form a complex with KAT2A/GCN5 for acetylation of histones to …

Asynchronous Transitions From High-Risk Hepatoblastoma To Carcinoma, Xinjian Yu, Stephen Sarabia, Martin Urbicain, Sonal Somvanshi, Roma Patel, Priyanka Rao, Tuan M Tran, Yen-Ping Yeh, Keng-Shih Chang, Yi-Tzu Lo, Jessica Epps, Kathleen A Scorsone, Hua-Sheng Chiu, Emporia Faith Hollingsworth, Cintia R Perez, Mohammad Javad Najaf Panah, Barry Zorman, Jordan Muscal, Milton J Finegold, John A Goss, Rita Alaggio, Angshumoy Roy, Kevin E Fisher, Andras Heczey, Sarah Woodfield, Sanjeev Vasudevan, Kalyani Patel, Ting-Wen Chen, Dolores Lopez-Terrada, Pavel Sumazin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background & aims: Most pediatric hepatocellular tumors are classified as hepatoblastoma (HB) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet a subset exhibits mixed histological and molecular features. These hepatoblastomas with carcinoma features (HBCs) include cases provisionally designated as hepatocellular neoplasm-not otherwise specified (HCN-NOS). Their biology remains poorly understood, with unresolved questions about their cellular composition and outcomes. It is unclear whether HBCs comprise hybrid cells with combined HB and HCC characteristics (HBC cells) or admixtures of distinct HB and HCC cells. We characterized the biology, etiology, cellular composition, and evolutionary dynamics of HBCs.

Methods: We performed multi-omics profiling - including single-nucleus RNA …

Age-Appropriate Low Dosing For Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome Oral Food Challenges: Proposing A Standardized Approach, Sara Anvari, Mary Grace Baker, Theresa Bingemann, J Andrew Bird, Terri Brown-Whitehorn, Antonella Cianferoni, Raquel Durban, Malika Gupta, Erin Hosein, George Konstantinou, Stephanie Leonard, Melanie A Ruffner, Allison Schaible, Amy M Scurlock, Pooja Varshney, Antonella Muraro, Alessandro Fiocchi, Alexandra F Santos, Stefania Arasi, Marta Vazquez-Ortiz, Hideaki Morita, Ichiro Nomura, Julia E M Upton, Michael Levin, Eric Lee, Cesar Galvan, Rodrigo Hoyos-Bachiloglu, Pantipa Chatchatee, Kirsten Beyer, George Du Toit, Purificacion Gonzalez-Delgado, Lydia Su Yin Wong, Marion Groetch, Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Current oral food challenge (OFC) protocols for food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) exhibit significant variability, creating potential for inconsistent diagnostic outcomes and severe reactions. Based on the published evidence and our clinical experience, we propose a practical, standardized OFC dosing protocol that emphasizes patient safety, goals based on age-appropriate servings (AASs), and clinical monitoring. A recent systematic review reported that most patients with persistent FPIES who underwent OFCs reacted to just 25% of an AAS, with low rates of severe reactions. Thus, we recommend that most patients undergoing a medically supervised FPIES OFC receive a cumulative dose of 25% AAS, …

Ebneo Commentary: The Lakana Trial: Mass Administration Of Azithromycin To Infants In Mali Did Not Reduce Mortality, Maya I Brasher, Monika S Patil

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The LAKANA trial: a randomized control trial evaluating the impact of mass administration of azithromycin to infants 1 to 11 months of age in Mali showed no reduction in mortality.

Human Exposure To Spirochete-Infected Ornithodoros Turicata In A Residential Setting In The Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area, Serhii Filatov, Bonny Mayes, Sarah M Gunter, Alexander R Kneubehl, Job E Lopez

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

A central Texas resident found an engorged Ornithodoros turicata tick attached to their ankle while at home. The tick tested positive for Borrelia turicatae, an agent for soft tick-borne relapsing fever. Three weeks earlier, the patient started experiencing febrile episodes, rash, and nausea, yet the etiological agent went undiagnosed.

Homework Adherence In Exposure-Based Cbt For Youth With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Clinical Outcomes And Predictors Across Treatment, Abigail E Pine, Qimin Liu, Eric A Storch, Daniel A Geller, Brent J Small, Sabine Wilhelm, Joseph F Mcguire

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the frontline treatment for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but not all youth fully respond to this treatment. While multiple factors may influence CBT response, homework adherence in CBT is a modifiable target that can improve treatment outcomes. This report examines the relationship between homework adherence and clinical outcomes in a large sample of youth with OCD who received exposure-based CBT. Here, 137 youth with OCD between 7 and 17 years old (M = 12.42, SD = 2.88) participated in a randomized controlled trial of exposure-based CBT. Homework adherence was monitored weekly, and OCD severity …

Altered Glr-1 Expression After Etoh Withdrawal Is Linked To Associative Behavior Deficits In C. Elegans, Katie Brandel-Ankrapp, Rachel N Arey

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure and withdrawal are linked to worsened memory and cognitive outcomes. One target of EtOH is the glutamatergic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR). Both EtOH exposure and withdrawal influences AMPAR expression, function, and broad glutamate signaling. Previous work suggests that EtOH regulation of AMPARs drives behaviors related to dependence and memory phenotypes. However, due to the complexity of the mammalian brain, it is difficult to unravel the precise mechanism by which EtOH regulates AMPARs in mammals to modify specific memory behaviors. In Caenorhabditis elegans, GLR-1, an AMPAR ortholog, has tightly defined expression in relatively few neurons, conserved …

Incidence And Outcomes Of Treatment-Associated Hepatotoxicity During Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Induction Therapy: A Reducing Ethnic Disparities In Acute Leukemia (Redial) Consortium Report, Ashley N Chavana, Emily J Mason, John P Woodhouse, Olga A Taylor, Monica M Gramatges, Joanna S Yi, Sandi Pruitt, M Brooke Bernhardt, Kathleen Ludwig, Laura Klesse, Kenneth Heym, Timothy Griffin, Marley Roberts, Rodrigo Erana, Juan Carlos Bernini, Hong Zhu, Philip J Lupo, Karen R Rabin, Michael E Scheurer, Steven D Mittelman, Van Huynh, Etan Orgel, Austin L Brown

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Mechanisms Coordinating Exit From The Stem Cell State In Mammals, Emily J Park, Florencia Levin-Ferreyra, Bruno Di Stefano

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Differentiation requires coordinated exit from the stem cell state, during which gene regulatory networks sustaining self-renewal are dismantled, while lineage-specific programs are activated. This transition is governed by chromatin modifications, transcriptional networks, RNA processing, translational control, and metabolic rewiring that must operate with temporal precision. Despite significant progress in identifying individual regulatory components, understanding how these layers integrate to orchestrate irreversible cell fate commitment remains a fundamental challenge. This review examines common and unique regulatory principles governing stem cell exit, from totipotency during early embryogenesis to tissue-specific stem cell differentiation in adults. We synthesize recent findings on regulatory mechanisms across …

Intimate Partner Violence And Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women Accessing Postnatal Care In A Tertiary Hospital In North-Central Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study, Paul E. Agbo, Lucky L. Changkat, Mary C. Momoh, Salihu O. Mohammed, Dogara B. Bawa, Adeola Olabamiji, Rashida Musa, Steve C. Okoro, Ene F. Agbo, Lawal A. Abdulmumuni

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a major public health concern associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite increasing recognition, evidence linking specific forms of IPV to pregnancy outcomes in Nigeria remains limited. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence and examine its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes among women attending postnatal care in a tertiary hospital in North-Central Nigeria. A hospital-based cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among 381 women attending postnatal care. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire that incorporated the Abuse Assessment Screen. …

Comprehensive Prediction Analysis Of Novel Noncoding Regulatory Variants Identified In The Microrna Binding Regions In Complement System Genes, Anthony Shadid, Haydn E Rich, Kathryn D Hok, Marie-Francoise Doursout, Marcos I Restrepo, Nirmal K Banda, Lavanya Gunamalai, Pooja Shivshankar

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

The complement system is a central component of innate immunity that coordinates host defense, immune surveillance, and inflammatory responses through tightly regulated proteolytic cascades. Genetic variation within complement genes contributes substantially to interindividual differences in complement activity and disease susceptibility. While coding variants directly alter complement protein structure and function, the microRNA (miRNA)-mediated control and post-transcriptional regulation is not fully understood in shaping complement gene expression across immune and inflammatory mechanisms. Complement pathway genes exhibit extensive and heterogeneous 3'-untranslated regions (3'UTRs), which serve as primary platforms for miRNA binding and RNA-binding protein interactions. Both common and rare single-nucleotide polymorphisms within …

Extended-Phase Anticoagulation For Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism After Einstein Jr, Nathan Wilken, Jun Teruya

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Fgfr3::Tacc3 Fusion And Notch1 Loss-Of-Function In A Case Of Hpv-Associated Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Diagnostic Challenge And Implications For Targeted Therapy, Xu Cao, Hong Yu, Reham Hamdy Abdulazim Soliman, Pei Ying, Songlin Zhang, Li Liang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) comprises a heterogeneous group of tumors with emerging molecular subtypes. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated SNSCC is a distinct entity, although actionable genomic alterations beyond HPV-driven pathways remain underexplored. Distinguishing HPV-associated SNSCC from carcinoma ex inverted papilloma can be particularly challenging in limited biopsy specimens, as these lesions may appear morphologically similar. We report a case of HPV-associated SNSCC with concurrent FGFR3::TACC3 fusion and NOTCH1 p.C1416 stop-gain mutation.

Effect Of Androgen Receptor Polymorphism On Hypogonadism Severity And Efficacy Of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Nelson W Mills, Beatriz S Hernandez, Peyton J Coady, Arnaav Walia, Gal Saffati, Daniela Orozco Rendon, Dalia Khera, Nadia Khera, Weitao Song, Mohit Khera

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: The preferred treatment for hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), has a varying efficacy that is currently not fully understood. This observation may be explained by polymorphism of the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-binding transcription factor whose polyglutamine tract length affects various health conditions and androgen sensitivity. It has been theorized that this polymorphism may also affect the severity of hypogonadism. This study sought to determine a correlation between hypogonadism severity, TRT efficacy, and number of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the AR gene.

Methods: One hundred sixty-two males presenting to a single institution with symptoms of hypogonadism were recruited for …

Leading Healthcare Improvement: An Implementation Strategy, Kelley Arredondo, Anthony Ecker, Lindsay Vaclavik, Jacquelene Shahin, Ashley Thompson, Molly Horstman, David Ramsey, Kyler M Godwin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Healthcare professionals often implement quality improvement (QI) initiatives but lack training to implement and sustain QI initiatives. Leading Healthcare Improvement (LHI) is a course that combines principles from change management, team science, and leadership effectiveness into an implementation strategy to enable clinicians to lead sustainable change.

Methods: LHI is a 6-session, 4-month interactive training. Learners work on an active QI project throughout the course. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to evaluate pre- and post-course changes in learners' self-reported confidence across five QI competencies.

Results: Veterans Healthcare Administration clinicians and fellows completed the LHI pre- (n = 111) and …

Oncocytic Intraductal Carcinoma Of The Parotid Gland With Strn::Alk Fusion, Reham H Soliman, Chris Shi, Kevin E Fisher, Hong Yu, Fouad El-Dana, Xu Cao, Li Liang, Pei Ying, Songlin Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Intraductal carcinoma (IDC) of the salivary gland is an uncommon epithelial neoplasm characterized by a predominantly intraductal or intracystic proliferation rimmed by a myoepithelial cell layer. Advances in molecular profiling have revealed recurrent gene fusions in IDC, most frequently involving RET, although fusions implicating other kinase genes have also been described. Among these, ALK rearrangements are rare and remain poorly characterized. Herein, we report a case of oncocytic IDC of the parotid gland harboring a STRN::ALK fusion, further expanding the molecular landscape of this tumor. Although this fusion has been previously reported in intercalated duct IDC, to our knowledge, this …

Reply To: A Lethal Progressive Neuroinflammation Disguised As Mogad Revealing A Final Diagnosis Of Griscelli Syndrome: Regarding: Mogad Is The Most Common Cause Of Isolated Optic Neuritis In Children, Chaitanya Aduru, Akansha Chandrasekar, Kyla Blasingame, Jonathan Rosen, Jesse M Levine, Karla Salazar, Madhuri Chilakapati, Rod Foroozan, Victoria Adeseye, Jonathan M Yarimi, Nikita Shukla, Timothy E Lotze, Kristen S Fisher, Alexander J Sandweiss

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Tusc3 Serves As A Rate-Limiting Gatekeeper Of A Glycan-Mediated Er Triage Checkpoint For Bmp4/Dpp, Antonio Galeone, Emilio Solazzo, Francesco Lavezzari, Seung Yeop Han, Gaia Consonni, Bruna My, Riccardo Rizzo, Giuseppe Gigli, Hamed Jafar-Nejad, Thomas Vaccari

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Trimming of the three glucose residues decorating nascent N-glycoproteins is a critical step for their entry into the endoplasmic reticulum quality control (ERQC) and recognition by ER chaperones. However, the functional relevance of the second glucose (G2) and the regulatory step upstream of its removal by glucosidase II (GCS2) remain poorly understood. Here, we report that TUSC3, a component of the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex, regulates G2 to G1 trimming on N-glycosylated bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and its Drosophila homolog Dpp to promote their ERQC entry. Loss- and gain-of-function genetic experiments and biochemical assays in mammalian cells and flies indicate …

Chemotherapeutic Induction Of Cytosolic Single-Stranded Dna Accumulation Sensitizes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer To Immunotherapy, Yong Du, Li Yang, Hui Dai, Jianli Zhou, Zhicheng Zhou, Ruoxi Yuan, Rui Ye, Anh Thai Quynh Nguyen, Kishor Bhatia, Shiaw-Yih Lin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Despite the widespread adoption of chemoimmunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the mechanisms by which cytotoxic chemotherapy engages antitumor immunity remain poorly defined. Identifying tumor-intrinsic immunogenic programs that predict and enhance responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is therefore of critical clinical importance.

Methods: Transcriptomic signatures of TREX1 deficiency were generated from CRISPR-engineered TNBC models and applied to multiple independent TNBC cohorts treated with chemoimmunotherapy. Cytosolic single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) accumulation was quantified using a flow cytometry-based assay to functionally screen chemotherapeutic agents. Immune activation and therapeutic efficacy were evaluated using in vitro assays, syngeneic mouse tumor models, flow cytometry, …

Letter To The Editor: Hemodynamic Role In Hepatic Encephalopathy Pathogenesis Following Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement, John Halphen, Yash S Dayal, Cameron Laurie, Mohadese Ahmadzade, David Wynne, Mohammad Ghasemi-Rad

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement and is thought to result from reduced hepatic detoxification of neurotoxins. However, Zhuang et al in the World Journal of Radiology demonstrate that this understanding may be incomplete through exploration of the pathophysiology from a hemodynamic perspective. They found significant changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and spontaneous brain activity following TIPS. Initially, CBF increased in specific areas within the first month, followed by a return to baseline at three months. These CBF changes coincided with increased spontaneous brain activity that persisted in some areas, suggesting …

Long-Term Functional Synaptic Integration Of Genome-Edited Retinal Organoids In A Primate Model Of Macular Degeneration, Atsuta Ozaki, Akihiro Kawai, Ryutaro Akiba, Satoko Okayama, Nobuhiko Ohno, Keisuke Kajita, Tomohiro Masuda, Satoshi Yokota, Shin-Ichiro Ito, Du Peiyan, Kenta Onoue, Shigenobu Yonemura, Mineo Kondo, Yasuo Kurimoto, Yingbin Fu, Michiko Mandai

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Retinal organoids represent a promising regenerative strategy for restoring vision in retinal degenerative diseases, but the capacity of host cone bipolar cells in the primate macula to rewire with transplanted photoreceptors has not been established. In this study, we transplanted genome-edited ISL1-/- human retinal organoids lacking ON-bipolar cells into an acute laser-induced macular photoreceptor ablation non-human primate model. Using immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural imaging, and focal macular electroretinography, we demonstrate that host rod and cone bipolar cells actively extend dendrites toward grafted photoreceptors and form synaptic contacts, with evidence of functional signal transmission in a subset of transplanted eyes. Longitudinal, per-eye analyses …

Patient Activation Measures Among Individuals With Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Study Of An Arabic-Speaking Population, Ghada M. Abbas, Abeer A. Khoja, Haythum O. Tayeb, Nagham S. Alsolaimani, Ibrahim M. Aldurayhim, Saher F. Alqarni

Neurosciences

Objectives: To examine patient activation levels among Arabic-speaking adults with epilepsy and to explore their associations with selected clinical and sociodemographic variables.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 109 adult patients with confirmed epilepsy between December 2023 and October 2025. Data were collected during outpatient clinic visits, with additional information obtained through telephone contact when necessary. A sample size estimate indicated that at least 96 participants were required to achieve 80% statistical power. Patient activation was assessed using the validated Arabic version of the 13-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13). The variables examined included seizure type, medication regimen (monotherapy versus …

Antiseizure Drug Adherence In Pediatric Patients With Epilepsy And The Associated Factors In Saudi Arabia, Ola A Shawky, Shaima A Althoubaiti, Reham M Alkahtani, Amirah S Alharthi

Neurosciences

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of adherence to antiseizure medications and related factors in Saudi Arabia. Pediatric epilepsy presents significant challenges to the well-being and quality of life of children. Adherence to antiseizure medication is associated with better outcomes.

Methods: This study was carried out using a cross-sectional methodology to determine the prevalence of antiseizure medication adherence among children with epilepsy aged ≤ 17 years in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between July and September 2024 via an online self-administered questionnaire, using convenience sampling through social platforms (Telegram and WhatsApp). Medication adherence was assessed using the MMAS-8 and categorized as …

Cerebrovascular And Bleeding Outcomes Of Warfarin Versus Direct Oral Anticoagulants Therapy For Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Abeer A. Alomairi, Rana Alduhaysh, Alaa Samandar, Abeer Alshehri, Ghada Alabdullah, Saud Almutairi, Faisal Althekair

Neurosciences

Objectives: To compare the effects on cerebral health in atrial fibrillation patients receiving either warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Atrial fibrillation is linked to a higher likelihood of both stroke and cognitive impairment. While warfarin has historically served as the leading anticoagulant treatment, DOACs are now more frequently viewed as alternatives with an improved safety profile.

Methods: The methodology involved an extensive search of multiple databases, completed up to June 2024. This search yielded randomized controlled trials, which together enrolled over 60,000 participants between the ages of 70 and 84. The DOACs studied were dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban, …

A Systematic Comparative Review Of Antipsychotic Efficacy And Safety In The Treatment Of Hiccups, Omar Alshargi, Samah Alzaid, Zainab Albahouth, Muradi Hassan Albanji, Hala Makki, Rawan. F. Alboqami, Maram Al Shammari, Huda Alruwaili, Fawaz Alruwaili, Rahmah Ali Algarni, Omar Ibrahim Albahouth

Neurosciences

Objective: To evaluate and compare the safety and effectiveness of antipsychotic medications for the treatment of hiccups, thereby guiding clinicians toward evidence-based treatment guidelines. Hiccups are often benign and self-limiting; however, they can become persistent and intractable, adversely affecting the quality of life. Antipsychotics have been identified as a therapeutic option for the management of hiccups; however, the available evidence supporting their safety and efficacy has not been synthesized.

Methods: This review utilized the revised Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was modified to evaluate the quality of the …

Subliminal Priming Effects On Motor And Cognitive Performance: Pilot Evidence With Implications For Neurorehabilitation, Rehab E Aljuhni, Ghader A Alqadhi, Saud A Alhassan, Sultan A Alanazi

Neurosciences

Objective: To investigate whether subliminal priming modalities (visual, auditory, or word-based) influence motor and cognitive performance in healthy young adults, and whether these effects vary by gender.

Methods: A total of 30 healthy adults were assigned to visual, auditory, or word-based priming using single-blind, stratified randomization. Subliminal stimuli were presented for 50 ms. Motor outcomes included reaction time on dominant (RT-R) and non-dominant (RT-L) sides, comfortable and maximal walking speeds measured by the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and functional mobility assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Cognitive performance assessed using the Trail Making Test (TMT). Outcomes were …

Sub-Regional Motor–Somatosensory Connectivity And Lifespan Plasticity In Functional Networks, Adnan A. S. Alahmadi

Neurosciences

Objectives: To determine how cytoarchitectonically defined subdivisions of the primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and supplementary motor area (SMA) reorganize their integration with large-scale brain networks during healthy aging. This study investigated the lifespan trajectories of functional connectivity within cytoarchitectonically defined subregions of the primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and supplementary motor area (SMA).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of resting-state fMRI data from 150 healthy individuals (aged 23–80 years), stratified into young, middle-aged, and older groups. Data were sourced from the Southwest University Adult Lifespan Dataset (SALD) and analyzed between June 2024 and June 2025. Using the Jülich …

Relationships Between The Corpus Callosum Index And Current Blood Parameters And Temporal Changes In These Parameters In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Oruç Şahin, Muzaffer Güneş

Neurosciences

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate changes in blood parameters and examine the relationships among the corpus callosum index (CCI), plaque characteristics, and blood parameters in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In MS, the CCI is associated with brain atrophy and disease progression.

Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, demographic data from 103 MS patients (38 males), along with blood parameters obtained five years earlier and current values, were analyzed in relation to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The CCI calculated from MRI scans was assessed in relation to plaque distribution and number. Statistical analyses included paired sample t tests, Wilcoxon …

Prevalence Of Depression Among Patients With Epilepsy In Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mothana Y. Al Jabr, Aryam M. Alenizi, Faisal S. Aleisa, Mazen A. Alghamdi, Noura I. Alfehaid, Muteb M. Alqahtani, Abbas S. Almutair

Neurosciences

Objective: To assess the pooled prevalence of depression among epilepsy patients and find the associated demographics and psychosocial factors. Mood disorders are significant comorbidity between patients diagnosed with epilepsy, adversely influencing quality of life and complicating disease management. However, the incidence, prevalence, and associated risk factors of depression in patients diagnosed with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia are not well elucidated.

Methods: This review was employed used studies retrieved from medical databases and the Saudi Digital Library. Observational and cross-sectional studies assessing depression between patients diagnosed with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia were included. Data were analyzed using the Freeman–Tukey double arcsine …