Digital Commons Network^™

Staff Education To Prevent Falls Among Older Adults In Primary Care, Chioma Nwosu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls are a significant health concern for the elderly population and a major cause of injury and functional decline among older adults, yet fall prevention practices are inconsistently applied in primary care. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact of staff education on fall risk screening and prevention for adults aged 65 years and older using the CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) framework. This project employs a pre–post quality improvement design in a primary care clinic. Clinical staff received education on STEADI-based fall risk assessment, documentation, and evidence-based interventions. Data were collected through chart …

2026 February 17 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Expectant Management Vs Medication For Patent Ductus Arteriosus In Preterm Infants: The Pda Randomized Clinical Trial, Matthew M Laughon, Sonia M Thomas, Kristi L Watterberg, Kathleen A Kennedy, Martin Keszler, Namisavayam Ambalavanan, Alexis S Davis, Jonathan L Slaughter, Ronnie Guillet, Tarah T Colaizy, C Michael Cotten, Megan A Dhawan, Carl L Bose, Jennifer Talbert, Sarah Smucny, William E Benitz, Matthew A Rysavy, Robin K Ohls, Mariana C Baserga, Sara B Demauro, Mambarambath Jaleel, Wesley M Jackson, Waldemar A Carlo, Karen M Puopolo, Anna Maria Hibbs, Anup Katheria, Pablo J Sánchez, Carl T D'Angio, Ravi M Patel, Beth Ann Johnson, Valerie Y Chock, Abhay J Bhatt, Stephanie L Merhar, Ryan Moore, Abbot R Laptook, Sarvin Ghavam, Janell Fuller, Shilpa Vyas-Read, Stephen D Kicklighter, Baiba Steinbrekera, Kathryn Anderson, Praveen K Chandrasekharan, Myra H Wyckoff, Cassandra Montoya, Abhik Das, Barbara Do, Samantha Chang, Rosemary D Higgins, Michele C Walsh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: The management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants is controversial.

Objective: To determine whether expectant management compared with active treatment of a protocol-defined PDA in preterm infants decreases the incidence of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Design, setting, and participants: A randomized clinical trial including infants born at 22 to 28 weeks' gestation and diagnosed with a protocol-defined PDA between the age of 48 hours and 21 days at screening. The trial was conducted from December 2018 to December 2024 at 33 hospitals within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. The …

When Nutrition Fails: Modeling Protein Malnutrition-Driven Vulnerability In Hepatic Drug Metabolism And Inflammatory Stress, Vijitha D. Kantety, Victor Jiminez Jr.

Annual Research Symposium

Background

Protein malnutrition remains a major global health problem and frequently co-occurs with alcohol use, opioid exposure, and infectious disease, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. The liver is central to both metabolism and inflammatory regulation, yet the effects of a malnutrition-like nutrient environment on hepatic responses to combined metabolic and inflammatory insults are not well defined. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), a key enzyme involved in opioid metabolism, is highly sensitive to inflammatory signaling and may be especially vulnerable under conditions of nutritional deficiency. This project aims to 1) develop an in vitro model of nutritionally competent versus amino acid–restricted …

Could Dietary Zinc Protect Your Gums? Insights From Non-Diabetic Adults, Jacob R. Kelly, Hayden Dehoyos, Man Hung Phd, Amir Mohajeri Phd

Annual Research Symposium

Background:
Zinc plays an important role in enzymatic and inflammatory processes that may influence periodontal health. The relationship between zinc intake and periodontitis remains insufficiently characterized in adults without diabetes.
Methods:
A population-based adult sample was analyzed to examine the association between zinc intake from dietary and supplemental sources and periodontal disease, adjusting for relevant demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health-related factors.
Results:
Zinc intake patterns varied across population subgroups and were associated with periodontal outcomes after accounting for potential confounders. Adequate zinc intake was consistently linked to more favorable periodontal status.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that sufficient zinc intake may …

Efektivitas Pertemuan Tim Multidisiplin Dalam Meningkatkan Outcome Tata Laksana Kanker Di Rumah Sakit: Literature Review, Ngakan Putu Daksa Ganapati, Wahyu Sulistiadi

Jurnal ARSI : Administrasi Rumah Sakit Indonesia

Optimal cancer management requires a multidisciplinary approach to improve the quality of patient care. Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) enable interprofessional collaboration in designing comprehensive, patient-centered care. However, the implementation of MDTs in Indonesia still faces various challenges, necessitating a systematic review to understand their effectiveness in improving cancer management outcomes. This systematic review employed the PRISMA method, searching articles from the ScienceDirect, Semantic Scholar, and PubMed databases, published between 2014 and 2024. Ten scientific articles were analyzed from 745 articles retrieved to understand the effectiveness of MDTs in improving cancer management outcomes. The results indicate that MDTs improve the quality of …

Evolving Strategies In Prostate Cancer: Emerging Approaches And Unmet Needs From The Bridging The Gaps In Prostate Cancer Expert Panel, Rana Mckay, Benjamin Maughan, Alicia Morgans, Neal Shore, Evan Yu, Ravi Madan, Jacob Berchuck, Bradley Carthon, Steven Finkelstein, Leonard Gomella, Michael Gorin, Andrew Hahn, Stacy Loeb, Vivek Narayan, Daniel Petrylak, Charles Ryan, Karine Tawagi, Phuoc Tran, Tanya Dorff

Department of Urology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The expansion of treatment options for prostate cancer (PC) has improved disease-specific and overall survival outcomes but has also raised questions about the optimal level of treatment needed for patients based on their individual prognosis and accounting for potential toxicity, incorporating quality of life considerations.

METHODS: A panel of experts met to discuss current controversies in the care of patients with PC across the disease continuum. Multidisciplinary experts review advances and persistent uncertainties in biomarker-guided assessment, imaging, and systemic therapy for prostate cancer. The discussion outlines priority gaps in evidence that must be addressed to optimize individualized patient care. …

Self-Medication And Pharmaceutical Dispensing In Egypt: Practices, Policies, And Regulatory Challenges, Lobna Fawzy Ali Shaheen

Theses and Dissertations

Access to safe and appropriate medications is a critical component of public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Egypt, self-medication and informal pharmaceutical dispensing have become deeply embedded practices shaped by systemic, economic, and cultural factors. This research explores the complex interplay between self-medication behaviors, pharmaceutical regulation, and healthcare access in Egypt. Through qualitative interviews with policymakers, pharmacists, physicians, industry professionals, and citizens, the research uncovers widespread informal dispensing of prescription-only medicines, driven by high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and high public reliance on pharmacists as primary care providers. Despite the presence of regulatory frameworks, weak enforcement, …

Global Public Health Feasibility: Digital Dentistry In Geriatric Population, Merna Amr Saleh

Theses and Dissertations

Oral health is a critical yet often overlooked determinant of well-being among older adults in Egypt, where mobility limitations, geographic barriers, and low awareness of preventive practices exacerbate dental disparities. DentalPal, a teledentistry-based mobile application, was developed to provide older adults with remote dental consultations, oral hygiene advice, and triage guidance. The platform enables users to submit oral photographs or radiographs for assessment, seek second opinions, and initiate follow-up chats directly with the healthcare provider. This flexible design allows users to access dental consultations on demand while ensuring continuity of care The question that guided this study was how older …

Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Tissue Classification From Pathology Slide Images: Detecting Phenotypes Using Computer Vision, Chloe Martin-King, Ali Nael, Louis Ehwerhemuepha, Blake Calvo, Quinn Gates, Jamie Janchoi, Elisa Ornelas, Melissa Perez, Andrea Venderby, John Miklavcic, Peter Chang, Aaron Sassoon, Brian Rubio, Ghislaine Barrigan, Kenneth Grant

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background and Aims

Methods

Results …

Charting A New Era To Modernize United States Infant Formula Regulation, Douglas G Burrin, Amy B Hair, Sharon M Donovan

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Health Science Students’ Knowledge, Attitude, And Readiness Toward Health Management Learning In The Gulf Cooperation Council Region: A Multi-Institutional Study, Ali Artaman, Amjad Abu Elsamen, Hillani Tadesse Bekele, Heba Hijazi, Ghada Moh Samir Elhessewi, Fatima Al-Ghadban, Mohaimen Mansur

All Works

Background: Health management represents a core competency for healthcare professionals, especially in systems experiencing rapid reform and resource constraints. While traditionally overlooked in undergraduate curricula, it is vital for promoting efficiency, patient safety, and interprofessional collaboration. Methods: Four universities were partner sites for this classroom-based research: Zayed University (ZU), with two campuses, the University of Sharjah (US), Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University (PNU), and Kuwait University. A total of 307 health science students were recruited from each university through email and in-class invitations from August 2022 to January 2024. Following the data check, score variables were created for general …

Common Serum Biomarkers And Combination Ratios In The Diagnosis Of Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Total Hip Arthroplasty, Jason M Dayan, Don H Le, Anzar Sarfraz, Theodor Di Pauli Von Treuheim, Farouk Khury, Sallie Yassin, Vinay K Aggarwal, Ran Schwarzkopf, Alan J Dayan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Accurate preoperative diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is difficult, complicating distinction between septic and aseptic failures. This study assessed the value of common serum biomarkers and three calculated ratios-albumin-globulin ratio (AGR), C-reactive protein-albumin ratio (CAR), and C-reactive protein-AGR ratio (CAGR)-in diagnosing PJI after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing revision THA for PJI or aseptic failure from 2011 to 2021 at a single institution. Inclusion required reported serum white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), albumin (Alb), and total protein (TP). Diagnostic performance was evaluated using areas under the curve …

Staff Education Using A Workplace Violence Reduction Bundle, Julla Panneh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project addressed the ongoing issue of workplace violence (WPV) among medical-surgical nurses in an acute care setting. WPV poses significant risks to staff safety, psychological well-being, and the overall care environment. Guided by current evidence and professional guidelines, the project implemented a structured educational intervention focused on the Workplace Violence Reduction Bundle, incorporating the Broset Violence Checklist (BVC) and evidence-based de-escalation strategies. Medical-surgical nursing staff participated in tailored educational sessions; knowledge was assessed through pre- and post-intervention surveys, and program acceptability was evaluated through staff feedback. Data analysis revealed modest improvements in …

Beyond "Place Matters": Making Spatial Analysis Accessible With Dashboard-Driven Geography, Stephen Borders

Public Health

This article presents an instructional module that uses Tableau to teach spatial thinking and policy geography through an analysis of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation. Tableau’s ability to integrate custom spatial files with demographic and health data makes it an accessible platform for introducing geographic inquiry without requiring specialized GIS expertise. The lesson guides instructors through building maps, bullet charts, and scatterplots that highlight gaps between eligibility and enrolment, while connecting food insecurity to health outcomes. By lowering technical barriers, Tableau provides a pedagogical bridge that helps educators foster spatial literacy in diverse classroom contexts.

This article was published …

Heavy Metals As Endocrine Disruptors, Arzu Or Koca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Heavy metals are widely recognized as endocrine-disrupting agents primarily originating from anthropogenic sources and persisting in soil, air, and water. This review aims to present an updated and comprehensive synthesis of current evidence regarding the endocrine-disrupting effects of heavy metals, with particular emphasis on their roles in the pathogenesis of common endocrine and metabolic disorders. The toxicological impact of these elements depends on the level and duration of exposure, their chemical form, and the biological susceptibility of target tissues. Chronic exposure, even at low doses, has been implicated in the development of diabetes mellitus, obesity, autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid cancer, pubertal …

Prevalence Of Gout In The Sincan District Of Ankara, Türkiye: A Primary Care-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Riza Can Kardaş, Yasemi̇n Ünsal, Derya Yildirim, Hakan Tüzün, Mustafa Necmi̇ İlhan, Hami̇t Küçük, Abdurrahman Tufan, M. Aki̇f Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Gout, the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, has shown a global increase in prevalence; however, data from Türkiye remain scarce, inconsistent, and largely confined to western regions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of gout among adults in the Sincan district of Ankara, Türkiye, and to provide updated data from a previously understudied region.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional, community-based study employed a multistage design. Adults aged ≥18 years who presented to selected family health centers in Sincan between February and June 2023 were screened using a structured questionnaire. Individuals with suspected gout underwent comprehensive clinical evaluation, …

Oleanolic Acid–Chitosan Compound Inhibits Mitochondrial Autophagy And Malignant Transformation Of Lung Cancer Through The Pten/Akt Pathway, Abuli̇mi̇ti̇ Abulai̇ti̇, Xi̇aohong Sun, Waresijiang Yibulayin, Dan He, Kemi̇ng Xu, Xi̇ayi̇mai̇erdan Yi̇bulayi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Oleanolic acid–chitosan compound (OAC) shows potent antinonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) activity, but its mechanisms remain unclear. This study elucidates how OAC modulates autophagy and apoptosis via the Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog/Protein Kinase B (PTEN/AKT) signaling pathway.

Materials and methods: Oleanolic acid was coupled with chitosan to synthesize OAC. A549 and MRC-5 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium and Minimum Essential Medium, respectively, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and penicillin–streptomycin. Cells were pretreated with chloroquine before OAC treatment. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK- 8 assay, while 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and colony formation tests were employed …

Preventing Spinal Muscular Atrophy Through The National Premarital Screening Program In Türkiye: An Economic Comparison With Treatment Costs, Gamze Dur, Gülcan Teci̇rli̇, Nurullah Okumuş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disorder with high treatment costs and significant psychosocial burden. In 2021, Türkiye launched a national premarital SMA carrier screening program integrated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) services for couples identified as carriers. This study aimed to compare the costs associated with the carrier screening and prevention program versus a no-screening (treatment-only) scenario.

Materials and methods: A cost comparison model was developed using data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, the Ministry of Health, and the Social Security Institution. The annual costs of SMA treatment (with nusinersen and …

Contribution Of Adenosine A2a Receptor Agonist And Antagonist On Ovarian Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury In Rats, Azad Mammadov, Abdullah Tuncay Demi̇ryürek, Ahmet Saracaloğlu, Cahi̇t Demi̇rkiran, İsmai̇l Tuncer Deği̇m, Ömer Eronat, Şeni̇z Demi̇ryürek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To determine the effects of an A2A receptor agonist regadenoson, an A2A receptor antagonist istradefylline, and istradefylline nanosuspension on ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.

Materials and methods: A total of 80 female rats were divided into 10 groups: sham, ovarian I/R, blank nanosuspension + ovarian I/R, regadenoson (3 μg/kg) + ovarian I/R, regadenoson (30 μg/kg) + ovarian I/R, istradefylline (0.3 mg/kg) + ovarian I/R, istradefylline (3 mg/kg) + ovarian I/R, istradefylline-loaded nanosuspension (3 mg/kg) + ovarian I/R, istradefylline (3 mg/kg) + regadenoson (30 μg/kg) + ovarian I/R, and istradefylline-loaded nanosuspension (3 mg/kg) + regadenoson (30 μg/kg) + ovarian …

The Perk Signaling Pathway As A Marker Of The Unfolded Protein Response In Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Nergi̇z Erkut, Turhan Köksal, Seli̇m Demi̇r, Ahmet Menteşe, Özlen Balta, Mehmet Sönmez

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway plays a critical role in preventing the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum. In this study, the role of the PERK signaling pathway was evaluated in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Materials and methods: Plasma levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 3 (eIF2AK3), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and caspase 3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in peripheral blood samples obtained from AML patients and healthy …

Tumor-Immune-Neural Circuit Disrupts Energy Homeostasis In Cancer Cachexia, Xiuhui Shi, Alex X Arreola, Zhijun Zhou, Jingxuan Yang, Mingyang Liu, Yang Cai, Yu Ren, Hao Yuan, Qun Chen, Xinjie Chen, Xinyu Yang, Yimei Meng, Jingyi Wang, Wenyi Luo, Michael C Rudolph, Rohan Varshney, Kar-Ming Fung, Chao Xu, Wei R Chen, Michael S Bronze, Lei Zheng, Yi-Ping Li, Courtney W Houchen, Yuqing Zhang, Min Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia are debilitating complications across many cancers, yet effective treatments remain limited due to a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we identify an uncharacterized tumor-immune-neural circuit driving these syndromes, centered on growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). Using genetically engineered mouse models, we find that loss of GDF15 protects against appetite loss, muscle wasting, and fat loss in pancreatic, lung, and skin cancers. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals macrophages as a major source of GDF15, induced by tumor-derived colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1). GDF15 acts via the central nervous system to enhance β-adrenergic signaling in the tumor …

Mandibular Extension As A Trigger Of The Proprioceptive Trigeminocardiac Reflex, Massimo Conti, Giovanna Traina, Daniele Tonlorenzi

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a physiological response characterized by a reduction in heart rate and arterial blood pressure following stimulation of any branch of the fifth cranial nerve. This review presents a novel mechanism of TCR induction through proprioceptive activation of the trigeminal nerve via mandibular extension (ME). Accordingly, it is referred to as the “proprioceptive trigeminocardiac reflex” (pTCR). An overview of the existing literature on ME-evoked TCR in humans and animals is presented, with particular emphasis on evidence of cerebral microcirculatory alterations. The magnitude of cardiovascular responses appears to depend on the duration of ME, with repeated applications …

Validity Of The Turkish Version Of The Oral Frailty Index-8 And Its Relationship With Frailty, Malnutrition, And Sarcopenia In Older Adults, Süleyman Emre Koçyi̇ği̇t, Bi̇lal Kati̇poğlu, Yilmaz Önal, Kübra Bahar Baykan, İlknur Şeker Kaya, Fatma Sena Dost, Özge Dokuzlar, Esra Ateş Bulut, Ali̇ Ekrem Aydin, Derya Kaya, Ahmet Turan Işik

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8) is a reliable screening for oral frailty. In our study, while presenting the Turkish reliability and validity study of the OFI-8, we also aimed to establish a cut-off value for oral frailty in Turkish population.

Materials and methods: Patients who presented to the outpatient clinic between January 2024 and January 2025 were evaluated. The test’s internal consistency and test–retest reliability were assessed. Divergent validity was evaluated using frailty scores, muscle strength, and nutritional status. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine the optimal cut-off values for identifying frailty, malnutrition, and probable …

Sarcopenia In Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Study, Mehmet Aki̇f Topçuoğlu, Ezgi̇ Yilmaz, Di̇nç Doğan Öge, Ali̇ Nai̇m Ceren, Ridvan Muhammed Adin, Ethem Murat Arsava

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and lean body mass is unclear. This study presents the effects of AF on sarcopenia indices, including ultrasonographic muscle architecture.

Materials and methods: In this study conducted in neurology units, 72 subjects with AF (mean age: 71 ± 11years, 49% female) were compared with 538 without AF (mean age:66±12years; 53% female) in terms of sarcopenia indices [anthropometry; Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); hand grip strength (HGS); bioimpedance analysis (BIA) indices; skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) normalized to weight, height and body mass index (BMI); and phase angle (PhA)]; muscle ultrasonography [thickness, cross-section area …

Inflammation As A Harbinger Of Death: A Retrospective Cohort Study Of Preoperative Biomarker Risk Stratification In Orthopedic Trauma, Serkan Aydin, Burhan Kurtuluş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative inflammatory markers including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin in predicting 30-day and 1-year mortality in patients undergoing femur fracture surgery.

Materials and methods: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent surgical treatment for femur fractures between January 2018 and December 2024. Patients were stratified into survivor and nonsurvivor groups based on 30-day and 1-year outcomes. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and inflammatory indices were recorded and analyzed. Linear and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify …

Feeding Time Index And Mortality In Intensive Care Stroke Patients: An Exploratory Cohort Study, Nevzat Mehmet Mutlu, Duygu Karaköse Çalişkan, Tülay Tunçer Peker, Özlem Balkiz Soyal, Ayşe Pinar Ti̇ti̇z, Behi̇ye Deni̇z Kosovali, Göksal Günerhan, Büşra Tezcan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with especially high mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, whose prognosis is worsened by dysphagia, malnutrition, and aspiration risk. The Feeding Time Index (FTI)—defined as the ratio of feeding days to total ICU length of stay—quantified nutritional exposure. This exploratory cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between FTI and mortality in ICU patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS) or hemorrhagic stroke (HS) and to examine the potential role of FTI, together with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and oral feeding status, …

Neuroendocrine Effects Of Exogenous Adropin Administration On The Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis In Male Rats, Ersen Eraslan, Ayhan Tanyeli̇, Mustafa Can Güler, Asli Özbek Bi̇lgi̇n, Fazi̇le Nur Eki̇nci̇ Akdemi̇r, Eli̇f Polat, Seli̇m Çomakli, Nezahat Kurt, Tuğba Bal Taştan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Obesity impairs male fertility through metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and disruption of the hypothalamic– pituitary–testicular (HPT) axis. Adropin (ADR), a peptide hormone whose circulating levels are reduced in obesity, plays emerging roles in metabolic homeostasis; however, its involvement in reproductive endocrine regulation remains unclear. The present study was conducted in healthy, nonobese male rats and aimed to investigate the neuroendocrine and testicular effects of exogenous ADR administration, focusing on circulating reproductive hormones, hypothalamic regulatory peptides, and testicular antioxidant pathways.

Materials and methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into control, sham, low-dose ADR (4 μg/kg/day), and high-dose ADR (40 …

What Did We Learn About Vads In 2024-2025?, Maya Guglin

The VAD Journal

This is our 11th annual literature review on left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Our previous reports were well received by readers.^1-10 In prior years, we also included other forms of mechanical circulatory support (MCS); however, this year, we present a separate review focused exclusively on temporary MCS.

In this article, we summarize the most interesting, from our standpoint, publications from 2024 and 2025, with some inclusion of late 2023 studies that were initially released online before print. For the first time, we provide an independent review on short-term MSC devices, including the intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella (Abiomed), and extracorporeal …

Depression, Education, And Quality Of Life In Women With Endometriosis, Ria N. Gajar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecologic condition associated with substantial physical, psychological, and social burden, and depressive symptoms are consistently linked to poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among affected women. However, limited population-based research has examined how depressive symptoms intersect with social factors. Guided by Engel’s biopsychosocial model, nationally representative data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)—the most recent cycle to include an item on endometriosis diagnosis—were analyzed among U.S. women with self-reported endometriosis (N = 4,137). Complex samples logistic regression models were used to examine associations between depressive symptoms and HRQoL across general, physical, and …