Digital Commons Network^™

Position Statement By The Saudi Heart Failure Working Group Of The Saudi Heart Association On The Management Of Advanced Heart Failure In Saudi Arabia, Ibrahim Jelaidan, Abeer Bakhsh, Ammar G. Chaudhary, Ebtisam Alkhattaby, Fahmi Alkaf, Feras Khaliel, Ismail Raslan, Mohammed Alreshidan, Mosaad Alhussein, Waleed Alhabeeb

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Saudi Arabia. Despite remarkable progress in guideline-directed medical therapy, a significant proportion of patients progress to advanced HF and require evaluation for heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support (MCS). In response to this growing burden, the Saudi Heart Association (SHA) developed recommendations to guide identification, timely referral, and optimal management of candidates for advanced HF therapies in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of 10 HF experts from Saudi Arabia convened for a series of structured virtual meetings to review local and international evidence. The panel integrated …

Functional Divergence Of Capicua Isoforms Explains Differential Tissue Vulnerability In Neurological Disease, Hamin Lee, Esmeralda Villavicencio Gonzalez, Elias M Rivera, Mark A Durham, Ronald Richman, Elizabeth H-Y Chu, Kailey Xia, Hu Chen, Zhandong Liu, Surabi Veeraragavan, Binoy Shivanna, Huda Y Zoghbi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Many neurological diseases impact specific brain regions despite widespread expression of the disease-related protein. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) primarily affects the cerebellum, though Ataxin-1 (ATXN1) is widely expressed. We previously showed that intensified interaction between mutant ATXN1 and Capicua (CIC) drives SCA1 pathogenesis in the cerebellum, whereas ATXN1 loss augments amyloid β production in the hippocampus and cortex. CIC, however, forms a complex with ATXN1 and its paralog, Ataxin-1-like (ATXN1L), yet knockout of either yields completely different phenotypes. To determine whether this could be due to CIC having two isoforms, we generated mice bearing either the long (CIC-L) or …

Intravenous Versus Oral Tranexamic Acid In Shoulder Arthroplasty, Tarishi Parmar, Akin Adio, Mohammad Daher, Adam Khan, John Horneff, Joseph A. Abboud

Rothman Institute Papers

PURPOSE: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is used in shoulder arthroplasty to reduce blood loss. While intravenous (IV) TXA is standard, oral TXA offers advantages in cost and administration. This study compares 90-day complications and postoperative laboratory values between IV and oral TXA in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using TriNetX identified adults undergoing primary TSA (2005-2025) receiving TXA on the day of surgery, stratified by route (IV vs. oral). One-to-one propensity score matching was performed. Ninety-day outcomes included transfusion, thromboembolic events, cardiac and renal complications, neurologic events, infection, wound dehiscence, readmissions, emergency department visits, opioid utilization, and …

Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy As A Chronic Cancer Pain Syndrome: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Limitations, And Future Directions, Reed Firestone, Jamin Morrison

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, dose-limiting complication of cancer therapy and a major contributor to chronic neuropathic pain among cancer survivors. Although traditionally managed as a treatment-related toxicity, persistent CIPN frequently persists long after chemotherapy completion and is increasingly recognized as a major survivorship and palliative care challenge. This review synthesizes current mechanistic, clinical, and translational evidence and reframes persistent CIPN as a chronic neuropathic cancer pain syndrome. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by manual review of key references and clinical guidelines. Emphasis was placed …

Left Atrial Appendage Mimicking Coronary Aneurysm And Thrombus On Echocardiography In A Child With Kawasaki Disease, Anhar Ali Baeshen, Riad Abouzahr, Jameel Alata

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: The left atrial appendage (LAA) is an embryologically distinct structure with anatomical features that may mimic pathological findings on echocardiography. In Kawasaki disease, this resemblance can cause diagnostic confusion with coronary artery aneurysm or thrombus.

Clinical presentation: A 7-year-old boy presented with fever lasting more than five days and cervical lymphadenopathy following a viral illness. Kawasaki disease was suspected. Transthoracic echocardiography suggested an abnormality of the left coronary artery with possible thrombus, and the patient was started on aspirin, clopidogrel, and apixaban. Coronary computed tomography angiography demonstrated normal coronary origins, course, and caliber, confirming the suspected lesion to be …

Full Issue: Volume 4, Issue 1 - 2026

Bone Bulletin

i - Editors’ Note by Elijah Hoffman and Liam Gibbons

ii - Foreword by Dr. Alan Hilibrand

7 - Clinical Uncertainty in Digital Monitoring After Shoulder Arthroplasty by Abhi Pandey

10 - The Changing Value of Joint Arthroplasty Under the RVU System by Kiley Hamou

13 - SCALPEL TO ROBOT TO ALGORITHM: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Evolution of Spine Surgery by Mateja Stefanovic

18 - Suture-Free Nerve Repair in Upper-Extremity Surgery by Adam Gaughan

20 - The Impact of Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet Surgery on Distal Radius Fracture Plating by Michael Carey

23 - Unicompartmental Versus Total Knee …

Biologic Adjuncts In Hand Surgery: Current Evidence, Limitations, And Clinical Implications, Joseph Kelly

Bone Bulletin

Introduction Biologic therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) based treatments, have gained substantial attention across orthopaedics as agents that may enhance tissue healing and modulate inflammation.^1,4 Their use has expanded in the management of degenerative joint disease, tendinopathies, and fracture nonunion across multiple subspecialties within the field.^1,3,6 Despite the developing research base, prior hand-focused reviews have noted that orthobiologics in hand surgery remains an underdeveloped area, leaving limited guidance available to inform clinical decision making.^1-2

Hazards For The Female Athlete: Disparities In Acl Injury Risk And The Evolving Research Base, Abby Skiena

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

Sex plays a significant role in sports medicine risk factors, but historically, there has been a lack of research involving female participants and investigating physiologic factors unique to female athletes.^1–4 Male athletes face a 2.26 times higher risk of hip and groin injuries, a 2.4 times higher risk of hamstring injuries, and a 1.8-2.8 times higher risk of acute fractures, especially in competitive situations.² Alternatively, female athletes experience a 2-8 times higher rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, a 3.4 times higher risk of bone stress injuries, a 1.25 times higher rate of foot and ankle …

The Impact Of Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet Surgery On Distal Radius Fracture Plating, Michael Carey

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

The surgical technique known as wideawake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) has been widely used in soft tissue hand procedures since 2005.1 A local surgical field block using lidocaine with epinephrine provides local anesthesia and hemostasis via alpha-1 adrenergic agonism without the need for general anesthesia with a tourniquet. In addition to reducing costs related to general anesthesia (GA), WALANT procedures are suitable for American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification 4 (ASA 4) high-risk patients, specifically by eliminating anesthesia risks such as nausea, aspiration, pneumonia, and thromboembolism, all while maintaining or improving clinical outcomes compared with the current …

Clinical Uncertainty In Digital Monitoring After Shoulder Arthroplasty, Abhimaneu Pandey

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

Wearable sensor technology and smartphone based care platforms have been identified as promising technologies for postoperative care after joint arthroplasties.^1,2 In fact, in lower extremity arthroplasty, these technologies have already demonstrated their effectiveness in a multitude of randomized trials.^1,2 One recent multicenter RCT with 401 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) showed that self-directed rehabilitation using a smartwatch and mobile application (mymobility with Apple Watch, Zimmer Biomet) achieved comparable range of motion and patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) to standard post-operative rehab without increasing adverse events.¹ Related evidence also indicates that “episode of care” smartphone applications …

From Villi To Alveoli: Lung Involvement In Celiac Disease – A Narrative Review, Mateusz Marzec, Patrycja Cecha

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background:

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten that affects about 1% of the population and may present with extraintestinal manifestations. Pulmonary complications are considered rare and are poorly characterized. Lane-Hamilton syndrome is the best described lung manifestation, but data suggests a broader spectrum of respiratory involvement.

Methods:

We performed a narrative review with structured search strategy of PubMed and Embase (January 1, 1970 – December 1, 2025) using the terms celiac/coeliac and lung, pulmonary, respiratory, hemoptysis, hemosiderosis, alveolar hemorrhage, interstitial lung disease, alveolitis, bronchiectasis …

Comparison Of Methods For Defatted Human Milk And Nutrient Composition: An Experimental Study, Kristin Cheng, Gina O'Toole, Stephanie Chang, Richard Chang, John Miklavcic

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Human milk is considered the gold standard for infant nutrition; however, it is often discontinued in chylothorax and severe very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency. As an alternative to complete human milk restriction, defatted human milk may be fed, though it may not fully support optimal infant growth and development. This study aimed to assess the micronutrient profile of defatted human milk.

Methods

Human milk was obtained from UCSD Human Milk Research Biorepository (San Diego, CA). Thirty samples representing 10 independent expressions in the morning, afternoon, and evening were pooled for analysis. Fat removal was performed by centrifugation at …

Injuries In Children Undergoing Subspecialty Abuse Evaluations Because Of Intimate Partner Violence., M Katherine Henry, Gunjan Tiyyagura, Joanne N. Wood, Jan Leonard, Kristine A. Campbell, Daniel M. Lindberg, Angela N. Bachim, Farah W. Brink, Lori D. Frasier, Nancy S. Harper, Claire Hickey, Natalie Laub, John D. Melville, Hannah Sahud, Philip V. Scribano

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and child physical abuse often co-occur, but the frequency and risk factors for abusive injuries in IPV-exposed children remain unknown. Our objectives were to (1) determine frequency of skeletal surveys (SSs) and neuroimaging use because of IPV and their diagnostic value in children aged less than 24 months evaluated by a child abuse pediatrics specialist (CAP) and (2) identify factors associated with performance of and findings on SS and neuroimaging.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of children aged less than 24 months undergoing CAP consultations because of IPV exposure from February 2021 …

Less Frequent Versus More Frequent Cervical Examinations In Labor: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Alessandro Petrecca, Benedetta Bina, Chiara Tersigni, Tullio Ghi, Vincenzo Berghella

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Digital cervical examinations are central to intrapartum care, yet their optimal frequency remains uncertain and is largely based on consensus rather than high-quality evidence.

OBJECTIVES: To compare less frequent versus more frequent cervical examinations during labor in terms of obstetrical, maternal and neonatal outcomes.

SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed Central, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to August 2025, without language or geographic restrictions. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251033729).

SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing different frequencies of cervical examinations in term singleton pregnancies during labor were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers …

Continuous 1:1 Sitter Observation Versus Standard Safety Interventions To Reduce Falls In Hospitalized Adults At Risk, Zainab Williams

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Patient falls remain a significant patient safety concern among hospitalized adults, particularly those at high risk. Traditional fall-prevention strategies, including continuous 1:1 sitter observation, require evaluation to determine their effectiveness in reducing falls and fall-related injuries.

PICOT: In hospitalized adult patients at high risk for falls (P), does continuous 1:1 sitter observation (I), compared to standard safety interventions (C), reduce fall rates (O) as measured by reported falls per 1,000 patient days during hospitalization over 12 weeks (T)?

Evidence: Current evidence supports multifactorial fall-prevention programs that combine patient assessment, staff engagement, and proactive nursing interventions through intentional rounding. …

Assessing Current Non-Pharmacologic Pain Management Practices For Sickle Cell Disease In Adults, Shreya Kolipaka, Michelle Axe, Charmaine Wright, Stephanie Guarino

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

OBJECTIVES: Both acute and chronic pain caused by sickle cell disease (SCD) is often managed with opioid therapy despite limited evidence for long-term efficacy. Adequately managing SCD pain requires a comprehensive approach, incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. In other conditions, peer-mentored group programs are effective in managing chronic pain; however, their role in SCD is not yet described. Our objective is to understand patients' current pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic SCD management practices as well as further exploring perspectives of pain related to SCD.

METHODS: Participants were interviewed using semi-structured format. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed. Descriptive statistics and pain management modality …

Epilepsy-Associated Digenic Variants Affecting An Actin-Mitochondria-Glutamate Pathway Promote Seizure Susceptibility, Shenzhao Lu, Mengqi Ma, Shabab B Hannan, Mingxi Deng, Hu Chen, Zhijian Yu, Lindsey D Goodman, Haein Kim, Yun Zhao, Sandeep Kumar Dubey, Wen-Wen Lin, Xueyang Pan, Debdeep Dutta, Vishnu Anand Cuddapah, Jill A Rosenfeld, Xi Luo, Zhandong Liu, Joshua M Shulman, Hugo J Bellen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, yet more than half of individuals with a presumed genetic cause still lack a molecular diagnosis despite the identification of over 1,000 monogenic epilepsy genes. This diagnostic gap is unlikely to be resolved by improved variant detection alone, suggesting that variants affecting the same biological pathway may combine to cause disease. By studying epilepsy-associated actin regulatory genes, we identified a conserved "actin-mitochondria-glutamate (AMG) pathway". We demonstrate that reduced actin polymerization promotes DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission, increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and enhances glutamatergic transmission, leading to seizures. The glial innate immune pathway, a …

Small Cell Lung Cancer In A Never-Smoking Patient: A Case Highlighting Diagnostic And Screening Gaps In Primary Care, Edward Hamilton, Alexandra She, Francis Jenney

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is best known in relation to tobacco exposure and tends to be seen in advanced disease. Contemporary guidelines in lung cancer screening demonstrate a strong emphasis on smoking exposure, which may serve as a barrier to recognition in never-smokers who lack conventional risk factors. As a result, SCLC in never-smokers remains an important but underrecognized consideration in general and primary care settings. The current case involves a 65-year-old African American man who has never been a smoker but who presented with progressive thoracic pain, shortness of breath, and unintended weight loss, leading to the discovery …

Lig1 Loss In Tp53-Mutant Triple Negative Breast Cancer Rewires Dna Repair And Confers Sensitivity To Parp-Atr Inhibitor Combinations, Anh Minh Tran Huynh, Jonathan T Lei, Rachel Brough, Christina Sallas, Jun Xu, Jacob B Pilcher, Xuxu Gou, Junkai Wang, Lacey E Dobrolecki, Diana M Fandino, Mariah J Berner, Allison Greer, Fei Fei Song, Sarah Latka, Hugo Villanueva, Sumimasa Arimura, Sufeng Mao, Zhongqiu Guo, Sofía I Aramburu, Anran Chen, Thanh Nguyen, Carolina Gutierrez, Dolores H Lopez-Terrada, Bora Lim, Susan G Hilsenbeck, Michael T Lewis, George Miles, Jason C Mills, Gloria V Echeverria, Stephen J Pettitt, Simon N Powell, Susan M Rosenberg, Andrew N J Tutt, Christopher J Lord, Matthew J Ellis, Meenakshi Anurag

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Proteogenomic analyses have identified an association between LIG1 (DNA Ligase I) loss and chemotherapy resistance in a subset of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) enriched for TP53 mutations. Here, we demonstrate that co-occurrence of TP53 mutations and LIG1 loss is associated with upregulated DDR activity, including homologous recombination, likely contributing to reduced platinum sensitivity. Unbiased genetic and monotherapy drug screens identified PARP inhibitors (PARPi) as a potential treatment for LIG1-depleted tumors; however, the increase in sensitivity was modest and lower than that observed in TNBC models with homologous recombination deficiency. Subsequently, a screen of PARP inhibition in combination with each …

Prevalence Of Cerebrovascular Disease In Patients With Coronary Artery Disease After Pharmacological Stress Test, Eman Mahmoud Abdelfattah, Muhammad Salem Muhammad Hagrass, Khalid Ahmed Elkhashab, Sameh Emil, Hassan Mohamed Ebeid, Lamya Salih, Najah Makhbout Al-Amri, Mostafa Sayed, Haytham Soliman Ghareeb

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) share common atherosclerotic pathways. However, the clinical significance of headache absence during stress testing remains unexplored. We investigated whether the absence of headache during pharmacological stress testing reflects the presence of subtle cerebrovascular atherosclerosis detectable by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD).

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 225 patients with CAD undergoing pharmacological stress testing with TCD and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) at centers in Egypt (Cardiology Department, Fayoum University). Patients were stratified by headache status during stress testing. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified independent predictors of abnormal TCD …

Combining Menin And Mek Inhibition To Target Poor Prognosis Kmt2a-Rearranged Ras Pathway-Mutant Acute Myeloid Leukemia., Nastassja Scheidegger, Constanze Schneider, Gabriela Alexe, Yi-Cheng Wang, Todd A. Alonzo, Allen Basanthakumar, Wallace A. Bourgeois, Julia Dudkiewicz-Garbicz, Delan Khalid, Lucy A. Merickel, Jennifer A. Perry, Rhonda E. Ries, Silvi Salhotra, Audrey Taillon, Alan S. Gamis, Richard Aplenc, Marian H. Harris, Mark Wunderlich, Scott A. Armstrong, Jessica A. Pollard, Soheil Meshinchi, Yana Pikman, Kimberly Stegmaier

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) acute leukemias are especially prevalent in the pediatric population. KMT2A-fusion proteins drive leukemogenic gene expression through an interaction with a chromatin complex that includes the scaffold protein menin, giving rise to aggressive acute leukemias. RAS pathway mutations are also common in pediatric leukemia. In a cohort of 1750 patients enrolled on Children's Oncology Group (COG) trials, we identified RAS pathway mutations in 43% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases. The presence of RAS pathway mutations in KMT2A-r AML was associated with a lower complete remission rate, poor event-free survival and overall survival (OS), and early relapses. Given the …

The Primary Care Brief Intervention Competency Assessment Tool (Bi-Cat): Examining Reliability And Validity, Arielle Guillod

Dissertations

Within primary care, the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model integrates behavioral health services into medical settings through brief, population‑based interventions delivered by behavioral health consultants (BHCs). Although effective performance in this role requires competencies distinct from traditional mental health practice, few psychometrically sound tools exist to assess clinical skills in primary care. The Brief Intervention Competency Assessment Tool (BICAT) is commonly used for this purpose but lacks published evidence supporting its reliability and validity. This dissertation examined the psychometric properties of the BICAT across two studies. Study 1 evaluated factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity in a heterogeneous …

Expert Opinion: Management Of Intraocular Inflammation And Vasculitis After Intravitreal Pegcetacoplan For Geographic Atrophy, Thomas Albini, Steven Yeh, Carl Regillo, Roy Schwartz, Philip Ferrone, Caroline Baumal, Charles Wykoff

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This expert opinion review is intended to provide guidelines for diagnosis and management of intraocular inflammation (IOI) and vasculitis following pegcetacoplan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case series of all post-marketing reports classified by experts as definite or suspected vasculitis over an 18-month period was assessed.

RESULTS: A total of 306,000 pegcetacoplan intravit real injections were given in the real world between March 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024. Twenty-four eyes from 22 patients (mean age 76 years, 59% female) with definite or suspected vasculitis were evaluated. Comorbidities included hypertension (55%), hypo thyroidism (27%), and recent COVID-19 infection …

Bridging Pediatric To Adult Care In Cystinosis: A Scoping Review Of Healthcare Transition Of Care Protocols And A Roadmap For Future Practice., Sanat Subhash, Nicholas Pantelakis, Kyle Backston, Ruhaan Bajpai, Amir Safadi, Brandon Petrovich, Bradley A. Warady, Maria Diaz-Gonzalez De Ferris, Rupesh Raina

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Cystinosis is a rare lysosomal storage disorder that affects approximately 1 in 100,000 to 200,000 live births worldwide. Long-term graft success in cystinosis depends on cysteamine adherence and structured multidisciplinary transition, supported by protocols developed by both pediatric nephrologists and hospital organizations. This review explores institutional and regional care models, structured programs such as the RISE protocol and Got Transition's Six Core Elements, and major barriers including adult nephrology expertise, psychosocial stressors, and insurance coverage gaps. Additionally, we explore the impact of digital health tools for their role in supporting cysteamine adherence and maintaining continuity of care. Emerging technologies such …

Dabrafenib-Induced Cutaneous Eruptions In A Patient With Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, Jaanvi Mehta, Julianna Tolotta, Eleanor Matthews, Daniel Joffe, Safiyyah Bhatti, Lauren Banner, Jenna Mandel, Molly Wallace, Timothy G. Webster, Jason B. Lee, Neda Nikbakht

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare malignancy marked by clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells, with BRAF V600E mutations identified in over 50% of the cases. BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi), such as dabrafenib, have shown efficacy in treating BRAF V600E-mutant LCH. However, BRAFi therapy is associated with cutaneous adverse effects, including the development of new melanocytic nevi, verrucae, and keratinocyte carcinoma (KC). This case report describes a 78-year-old woman with BRAF V600E-mutant LCH who developed multiple dermatologic side effects following dabrafenib salvage therapy. Seven weeks into treatment, the patient presented with eruptive palmoplantar nevi, verrucae, and a basal cell carcinoma (BCC). …

Subjective Sleep Disruption, Coping, And Anxiety And Related Symptoms In The Perinatal Period: Findings From A Longitudinal Study, Rebecca C Cox, Caroline P Hoyniak, Jack Samuels, Jonathan S Abramowitz, Gerald Nestadt, Eric A Storch, Rashelle Musci, Paul Nestadt, Lauren M Osborne, Mary Kimmel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Study objectives: Anxiety is common during the perinatal period and is associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes, highlighting a need to identify predictors of perinatal anxiety. Accumulating research implicates sleep disruption in perinatal anxiety and related symptoms, including obsessive-compulsive symptoms. We examined the associations among insomnia symptoms and sleep duration with perinatal anxiety, obsessive beliefs, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the moderating role of coping from pregnancy through postpartum.

Methods: A sample of 231 women (agemean = 32.97 ± 4.36 years; 74% white) completed interview and self-report measures of sleep, coping, perinatal anxiety, obsessive beliefs, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in early …

Depression And Anxiety In Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Congenital Heart Disease: Pathophysiology And Clinical Implications Of The Heart–Brain Axis, Nicodemus N. Triatmojo, Valerinna Y.S. Putri

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease or PH-CHD is an increasingly prevalent disorder in modern cardiology. It is characterized by progressive pulmonary vascular remodeling, chronic right ventricular (RV) pressure overload, and abnormal cardiopulmonary hemodynamic. Due to advances in congenital cardiology and treatments for pulmonary hypertension, survival rates have increased. As a result, the focus has switched to long-term functional status and quality of life. Depression and anxiety are currently recognized as prevalent and clinically significant manifestations in PH-CHD; nonetheless, they remain underdiagnosed and undertreated within cardiovascular care frameworks.

More study shows the disease's severity or symptom count cannot explain …

Feasibility Study Of An Artificial Intelligence Chatbot-Powered Cognitive-Behavioral Lifestyle Modification Program, Evans Forman, Charlotte Hagerman, Asher Hong, Zhuoran Huang, Hannah Mccausland, Jasmine Sun, Lauren Taylor, Meghan Butryn, Preetha Chatterjee, Ramtin Ehsani, Nawal Syed

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Approximately 2 billion adults seek lifestyle modification to improve their health and well-being. However, because of cost and access barriers, only a tiny fraction receive gold-standard lifestyle modification programs led by trained coaches. Digital programs without human coaches are more disseminable but have limited efficacy. Recent advances in large language model (LLM) AI chatbots have the potential to revolutionize digital programs by emulating human coaches, offering a safe, low-cost, and scalable lifestyle modification intervention. Yet, no studies have developed and tested such a program. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and user engagement of a new …

Specific Carbohydrate Diet Versus Mediterranean Diet In Adult Patients With Mild To Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Controlled-Feeding Trial, Albert Sheng-Yin Chen, Long Nguyen, Brianna Gray, Katherine Williams, Jenny Gurung, Lauren Canha, Jessica Mcgoldrick, Jane Hubbard, Hamed Khalili

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Background and aims: This pilot randomized controlled-feeding trial compared the effect of Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and Mediterranean diet (MeD) in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Seventeen adults were randomized to a 6-week SCD (n = 8) or MeD (n = 9) intervention. Primary outcome was change in partial Mayo Clinic score (pMCS).

Results: The study was discontinued early due to significant dropout (n = 9, 52.9%). There was no significant between-group differences observed for pMCS change (SCD, -0.8; MeD, -1.3; p = 0.499) or secondary outcomes. Exploratory metagenomic analysis revealed enrichment of Parasutterella excrementihominis …

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension With Negative Brain Mri Findings: A Systematic Review Of Diagnostic Strategies And Clinical Outcomes, Marina Romozzi, Giuseppe Garignano, Valid Rastegar, Francesco Onorati, Catello Vollono, Federico Tosto, Masahito Katsuki, Yasuhiko Matsumori, Francesco Signorelli

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a debilitating syndrome typically characterized by orthostatic headache and classic brain MRI findings. However, brain MRI abnormalities are indirect manifestations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume depletion rather than direct evidence of the leak, and some patients may present with unrevealing or absent typical brain MRI findings, posing a considerable diagnostic challenge.

METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted to perform a systematic review, according to PRISMA guidelines, analyzing the available evidence on MRI-negative SIH (patients without typical SIH findings on their initial brain MRI), including its clinical features, …