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Ideas For Learning Newsletter: Mid March ‘26, Iwasaki Library

IDEAS for Learning Newsletters

This IDEAS for Learning Newsletter reached the faculty of Emerson College on March 23rd, 2026. This is the only published issue of March 2026. This is the thirteenth issue of the third volume. It includes event reminders like Research and Creative Scholarship Breakfast Roundtable, Alternative Grading Community of Practice: Open to All Faculty, an ORCS workshop, Let’s Talk Teaching, University of Rhode Island’s Innovative Education Conference, Co-Writing and Coffee Returns this spring, spotlight features on Paul Turano’s Mind Mapping Written Assignments into Visual Art and Dr. Danielle Drees’s Verbal Midterm Exam, and opportunities for faculty like Affiliated Faculty Professional Development …

Can A Slot Machine’S Allocation Of Pay Table Variance Affect A Gambler’S Time On Device?, Anthony F. Lucas, A.K. Singh

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

Modified pay tables from a licensed reel slot machine were altered to examine whether two games with equal variance and par could produce meaningful differences in the duration of play, at the level of the individual gambler. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to examine this possibility. Industry executives consider time on device (TOD) to be a critical measure of gaming value, especially for losing players. Additionally, TOD experiences are theorized to produce knock-on effects related to loyalty behaviors. The results of 18 simulations featuring six different player engagement protocols supported the ability of differences …

4-Aminoquinolines Block Heme Iron Reactivity And Interfere With Artemisinin Action, Melissa Rosenthal, Daniel E Goldberg

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain the mainstay of treatment for

Seasonal Variation And Spatial Distribution Of Heavy Metals In Groundwater: Implications For Water Quality And Health Risks, Muzhda Qasim Qader, Shevan Jamel Jirjees, Masoud H. Hameed, Chiyai Maroof Sharif

Baghdad Science Journal

Background: This study evaluated the seasonal and spatial distribution of twelve heavy metals in the groundwater samples collected in fifty wells with the aim of assessing the quality of water and health hazards associated with it. The data were analyzed to compare the wet and dry seasons were the analytical data using pollution indices, the Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), and the Single-Factor Pollution Index (SFPI). The results revealed that the water quality was mainly excellent (NPI < 0.01) even though in some areas, lead, vanadium, and copper were contaminated. Arsenic (0.0008–0.0145 μg/L), chromium (0.0009–0.0096 μg/L), and nickel (

Exploring The Impact Of Education On Cardiovascular Health In Women: Sex Disparities, Symptom Recognition And Attribution, And Preventive Measures, Sydney Totten

Best Integrated Writing

Totten examines sex disparities in cardiovascular disease among women, emphasizing gaps in symptom recognition, treatment, and health education. Through a literature review and educational intervention, it demonstrates that targeted, nurse-led education can significantly improve women’s understanding of risk factors, symptoms, and disease management, ultimately supporting better health outcomes.

Antimicrobial Activity Of Sulbactam-Durlobactam Against Acinetobacter Baumannii-Calcoaceticus Complex Strains Causing Non-Respiratory And Non-Bloodstream Infections From The United States (2023–2025), Elizabeth Cyr, Jill Argotsinger, Eric T. Beck, Robin R. Chamberland, Andrew E. Clark, Anne R. Daniels, Rachael Liesman, Mark Fisher, Philip Gialanella, Jonathan Hand, Amanda T. Harrington, Romney M. Humphries, Holly Huse, Robert Hamilton-Seth, Julia D. Hankins, Wesley D. Kufel, Scott W. Riddell, Meera Mehta, Ryan Demkowicz, Brian Mochon, Hossein Salimnia, Ayesha Khan, Virginia M. Pierce, Raghava Potula, Tsigereda Tekle, Patricia J. Simmer, Robert J. Tibbetts, Christine Vu, Lilian M. Abbo, Octavio Martinez, Rebekah E. Dumm, Manohar B. Mutnal, Timothy C. Jenkins, Violeta Chávez, Paulette Pinargote, Jennifer Bowling, Erik Munson, Daniel V. Zurawski, David P. Nicolau, Tomefa E. Asempa, Acinetobacter Baumannii Complex National Biorepository (Acnbio) Study Group

Pharmacy Faculty Scholarship

Acinetobacter baumannii most often causes pneumonia in critically ill patients. However, A. baumannii is also an important cause of a broader range of infections, including skin/wound and urinary tract infections. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro activity of sulbactam-durlobactam and comparator antibiotics, including meropenem and cefiderocol against A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates from non-respiratory and non-bloodstream sources. Samples included 285 A. baumannii-cal coaceticus complex isolates enriched for carbapenem resistance collected across 17 states in the United States (January 2023–May 2025). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted by manual broth microdilution and interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) …

Alcohol Drinking Sex-Dependently Regulates Interleukin-1 Pro-Inflammatory Signaling In The Prefrontal Cortex Of Mice And Rhesus Macaques, Andrea Liss, Clara Lowe, Mahum T. Siddiqi, Dhruba Podder, Marcis V. Scroger, Gianna Vessey, Kenna Martin, Noah M. Paperny, David M. Lam, Allison E. Martin, Jariel N. Bacar, Katie T. Vo, Amy Astefanous, Nolawit Belachew, Eghosa Idahor, April T. Davenport, James B. Daunais, William M. Hayes, Rita Cervera-Juanes, Tony D. Davis, Florence P. Varodayan

Pharmacy Faculty Scholarship

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes executive dysfunction, leading to reduced treatment adherence, worse clinical outcomes, and relapse. Current medications do not address these symptoms. Targeting the neuroimmune interleukin-1 (IL-1) system has potential, but its mechanistic role in prefrontal cortex (PFC) dysfunction is unclear. Here we investigated how chronic alcohol consumption shifts IL-1 regulation of the rodent and non-human primate PFC. We found that alcohol drinking decreased reference memory and shifted the search strategy in mice of both sexes, and this deficit correlated with altered IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) mRNA levels in the medial PFC (mPFC) of male mice. Notably, …

Role Of Na⁺/K⁺-Atpase And Sodium–Calcium Exchanger In Digitoxin-Induced Cytotoxicity In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Alyson Sotomayor Quispe, Marilyn Odom Phd

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, limiting targeted treatment options. Digitoxin, a drug used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation through Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibition, has demonstrated anticancer effects in TNBC cells, including apoptosis via the NF-κB pathway. This study investigates whether the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and sodium–calcium exchanger contribute to the mechanism of action of digitoxin in TNBC cells. We hypothesize that these transporters mediate digitoxin-induced cytotoxic effects. To test this, MDA-MB-468 cells were treated with digitoxin, and protein localization and expression were analyzed using immunofluorescence and Western blot. Digitoxin treatment resulted …

Assembly And Testing Of A De-202 Closed-Cycle Cryostat, Chris Maguire

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Closed-cycle cryostats, such as the Advanced Research Systems DE-202 model are commonly used in laboratories as they provide long-term, low-cost, low-maintenance operation. We will outline the assembly, testing processes, and benchmarking experiments associated with the setup of this instrumental accessory. Further, a technical manual was written for future students and faculty in undergraduate research. Assembly involved constructing a custom frame, and integrating vacuum, water, gas, and electrical systems. Testing confirmed the system did not leak gas. Thermal response was recorded during cooling and heating phases to verify functionality; a base temperature of 7.5 K was achieved in 65 minutes, surpassing …

Language Development In Military-Affiliated Children: The Role Of Parental Absence, Jenna K. Walton

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Jenna K. Walton on March 23, 2026.

An Age-Structured Model For The Effects Of Time Delay On The Dynamics Of Malaria In The Presence Of Temperature And Rainfall, Alanus Mapunda, Eunice Mureithi, Nyimvua Shaban

Tanzania Journal of Science

An age-structured model with a class of pregnant women that captures the impact of time-delay on the dynamics of malaria is established in this work. The main goal is to explore the transmission dynamics of malaria in natural setting which is comprised of pregnant women and other individuals. Some weather conditions are also considered in the model. The main importance is to investigate the evolution of various states involved in the transmission of malaria in the community. The model equilibria are analyzed to study their stability, and numerical solution of the system is presented and discussed. The result shows that …

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund Ph.D., Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Chris Rorden, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

State Of Deep-Sea Science And Conservation In The Northeast Pacific: Implications For Policy And Management, Fanny Girard, Joan M. Alfaro-Lucas, Amy R. Baco, James P. Barry, Katharine T. Bigham, Lara M. Beckmann, Angelika Brandt, Lindsay Clark, Megan A. Davies, Jeffrey C. Drazen, Anya Dunham, Cherisse Du Preez, Elva Escobar Briones, Heidi Gartner, Moronke K. Harris, Kristen N. Johannes, Amanda Kahn, Stefanie Kaiser, Brian R.C. Kennedy

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Spanning from the North American continent to the Hawaiian Ridge and from the Aleutian Ridge to the tip of the Baja California Peninsula, the deep Northeast Pacific (>200 m depth) hosts a high diversity of species and habitats. While relatively well studied in comparison to other regions, deep-sea ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific still hold many unknowns. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of deep pelagic and benthic ecosystems in the Northeast Pacific in the context of climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures. Regional trends in biodiversity, area-based management measures and research effort are …

Γδ T Cells At The Interface Of Innate And Adaptive Immunity In Cancer, Arnau Solé Casaramona, Martin F Bachmann, Eva Sevick-Muraca, Mona O Mohsen

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

γδ T cells are unconventional lymphocytes that bridge innate and adaptive immunity by combining recognition of stress-induced ligands independently of classical major histocompatibility complex molecules with the capacity to undergo clonal expansion and long-term adaptation. Their unusual ability to detect malignant transformation using semi-invariant T-cell receptors, butyrophilin recognition and natural killer-like receptors positions them as powerful effector cells in tumors that evade classical immune escape mechanisms. Furthermore, distinct γδ subsets have distinct phenotyping and specific tissue-residencies, which could be leveraged to modulate immunological responses. We evaluate engineered therapies and different experimental platforms for studying γδ T cell biology. We conclude …

Autistic Traits And Mind Wandering: A Correlational Study Of Themes, Intentionality, And Temporal Focus, Leilani Forby, Farid Pazhoohi, Alan Kingstone

School of Psychology

There is abundant research on the nature and content of mind wandering (MW) in neurotypical individuals, yet little research in these areas on individuals high in autistic traits. The current study explored the relationship between autistic traits and several aspects of MW: themes, intentionality, temporal dimensions, and attitudes towards MW. A total of 1,477 participants completed measures of autistic traits, MW, and stress. Autistic trait level was positively correlated with the MW theme of guilt and fear of failure (GFF), spontaneous MW (MW-S), poor attentional control (PAC), and stress, and negatively correlated with appreciation for MW’s benefits. Participants were then …

Modern Dna Detection Via Traditional Methods: Conforming Algal Species In Soran Independent Administration, Kurdistan Region Of Iraq, Balkes Haje Rasul, Farhad Hassan Aziz, Janan Jabbar Toma

Baghdad Science Journal

This investigation was conducted on five genetically identified algal species at five sites in the Soran administration, with sampling monthly from March 2024 to January 2025. Accurate species identification is essential for understanding biodiversity, assessing ecosystems, and managing water quality. Traditional morphological identification is standard practice for algal characterization, but these methods are time-consuming and error-prone, especially when dealing with similar-looking species or mixed populations. Modern DNA detection methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA barcoding, improve specificity and sensitivity. This study compares the effectiveness of DNA detection methods with traditional morphological techniques to confirm the presence of five …

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund, Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Christopher Rorden, Julius Fridriksson

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

Human Services Administrators’ Perceptions Of Youth In Acute Crisis Needs, Carey Alvord

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of acute crisis services for youth in the United States. In San Luis Obispo County, California, there are no designated facilities with crisis stabilization services near family homes for children in acute crisis. Grounded in Stroul et al.’s system of care approach for children and families, the purpose of this qualitative force field analysis study was to explore human service administrators’ perceptions of the services youth in acute crisis need to stabilize within San Luis Obispo County. Directors at youth human services county departments and nonprofits were contacted to help recruit a purposeful sample of 11 …

Circulating Levels Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (Igf-I) And Risk Of Multiple Myeloma: An Observational And Mendelian Randomisation Study, Yolanda Benavente, Sara Hermosa, Nikos Papadimitriou, Alyssa I. Clay-Gilmour Ph.D., Elizabeth E. Brown, Jonathan N. Hofmann, Nathaniel Rothman, Qin Lan, Sonja I. Berndt, Demetrius Albanes, Mark Purdue, Mitchell J. Machiela, Stephen J. Chanock, Parveen Bhatti, Wendy Cozen, Aaron Norman, Susan L. Slager, James R. Cerhan, Vincent Rajkumar, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Social Determinants Of Health And Treatment Outcomes In Black And White Men With Early-Stage Prostate Cancer, Laurel Cannon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black men are disproportionately affected in diagnosis and death rates from prostate cancer compared to White men. Although prior research established links between race, sociodemographic factors, and prostate cancer outcomes, longitudinal analyses examining multiple social determinants of health simultaneously were limited. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether race, marital status, and education impact how long patients live who were diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. Social impact theory framed how social forces such as race, education, and marital status influence health outcomes. A non-experimental correlational design was employed, drawing on archival data from 4,407 participants in the …

Tlr3 Mediated Type I Interferon Response In Mammalian Cell Defense Against Cryptosporidium Parvum Infection., Anjelica Matias

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of a diarrheal disease which affects many children in the USA as well as the rest of the world, yet the contribution of its double stranded RNA (dsRNA) viral symbiont, Cryspovirus (CSpV1) to host innate immunity remains unclear. This study investigated whether CSpV1 activates Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling pathways and downstream Interferon type I (IFN I) responses in mammalian intestinal epithelial cells. Confluent Human Ileocecal Colorectal Adenocarcinoma cells (HCT8) were exposed to CSpV1, and the expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 3 (TRAF3), Nuclear Factor-𝜅-light chain enhancer of activated B-cells …

Diversity Of Sporous Plants (Bryophyta And Pteridophyta) And Lichens In The Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve Area, West Java, Yusuf Ibrahim, Gurnita Gurnita, Elfina Karima, Iwan Setia Kurniawan

Baghdad Science Journal

The study aims to determine the diversity of terrestrial fern species (pteridophyta) and mosses (bryophyta) in the Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve, West Java. The method used in this study is a qualitative description of the design of the transmission belt. Collected samples were conducted with a purposive sampling method. A lengthy transect line extends approximately 110 meters and comprises up to six quadrants, each measuring 10 by10 meters. The research identified eight types of terrestrial fern, including two in three orders and six families; seven species have been identified with a total of 437 individuals in the form of moss …

Immune Checkpoint Inhibition In Relapsed Or Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma: A U.S. Cohort Analysis, Daniel R. Whitman, Emily K. Patterson, Jonathan M. Reyes, Laura B. Chen

Muthanna Medical Journal

Background: Relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) remains a therapeutic challenge, particularly in patients who progress after multiple lines of therapy or autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway have demonstrated substantial activity in clinical trials; however, real-world outcomes in routine clinical practice across heterogeneous patient populations in the United States remain limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of PD-1 blockade in patients with relapsed or refractory cHL treated in a U.S. cohort. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study including adult patients (≥ 18 years) with histologically confirmed …

A Mitochondrial Plasma Proteomic Signature Identifies Metastatic Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Clara Steiner, Tiegang Han, Steven Safi, Wafaa Bzeih, Hadi Mansour, Eddy Saad, Jessica F. Williams, Vinay K. Giri, Liliana Ascione, Yehonatan Elon, Adam P. Dicker, Yan Tang, Toni K. Choueiri, Elizabeth P. Henske, Wenxin Xu

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria, a high rate of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, and altered oxidative metabolism. There are no existing circulating biomarkers to distinguish metastatic ChRCC from clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

METHODS: High-throughput plasma proteomic profiling using the SomaScan platform was performed in 18 ChRCC (including 16 metastatic ChRCC) and 197 metastatic ccRCC patients. Data were harmonized to generate a unified 7K-protein matrix.

RESULTS: Differential expression analysis was performed using limma (version 3.62.2). Of 7272 quantified human plasma proteins, 209 were differentially expressed between ChRCC and ccRCC. Upregulated …

Sars-Cov-2 Nonspike Structural Proteins Hijack Mucosa Epithelial Cell Fate, Yan Gao, Lucas Lacerda Souza, Hong Soon Kang, Zehan Li, Juan Carlos Hernandez-Guerrero, Fábio Abreu Alves, Wei Zhang, Vikram Sharma, Sally Hanks, Jinhua Yu, Christopher Tredwin, Anton M. Jetten, Ciro Dantas Soares, Bing Hu

Peninsula Dental School

COVID-19 patients readily present with severe epithelial damage, such as tissue ulceration and erosion, along with disrupted tissue repair, in multiple organs. The mucous membranes of the lung alveoli [1, 2], gastrointestinal tract [3, 4], nasal [5] and oral cavity [6, 7] are the primary targets of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infected epithelium triggers a dysregulated immune response that further damages tissues and organs [8, 9–10]. Increasing evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause direct damage to epithelial cells and fibroblasts [11, 12–13]. Here, we report that the mucosa epithelia of COVID-19 patients can undergo cellular dedifferentiation before any …

Early Nodal Metastasis In An 81-Year-Old Woman With Subcentimeter Retroareolar Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: A Case That Defies Indolence Expectations, Christopher M. Ahmad, Rachana Tadakamalla, Rae-Anne Kastle, Andrea Weitoschova, Amer Abboud

Student Publications

Retroareolar invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) represents an anatomically distinct subset of breast cancers that may evade early clinical detection. In elderly patients, small, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors with low proliferative indices are often presumed to follow an indolent course. We report the case of an 81-year-old woman diagnosed with a 0.6-cm Grade II/III retroareolar IDC exhibiting strong ER expression, low Ki-67 (~6%), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negativity, yet with synchronous axillary lymph node metastasis confirmed at initial biopsy. This case underscores the limitations of relying on tumor size, age, and proliferation markers alone to estimate metastatic …

Antimicrobial Activity Of Sulbactam-Durlobactam Against Acinetobacter Baumannii-Calcoaceticus Complex Strains Causing Non-Respiratory And Non-Bloodstream Infections From The United States (2023–2025), Elizabeth Cyr, Jill Argotsinger, Eric T Beck, Robin R Chamberland, Andrew E Clark, Anne R Daniels, Rachael Liesman, Mark Fisher, Philip Gialanella, Jonathan Hand, Amanda T Harrington, Romney M Humphries, Holly Huse, Robert Hamilton-Seth, Julia D Hankins, Wesley D Kufel, Scott W Riddell, Meera Mehta, Ryan Demkowicz, A Brian Mochon, Hossein Salimnia, Ayesha Khan, Virginia M Pierce, Raghava Potula, Tsigereda Tekle, Patricia J Simner, Robert J Tibbetts, Christine Vu, Lilian M Abbo, Octavio Martinez, Rebekah E Dumm, Manohar B Mutnal, Timothy C Jenkins, Violeta Chávez, Paulette Pinargote, Jennifer Bowling, Erik Munson, Daniel V Zurawski, David P Nicolau, Tomefa E Asempa, On Behalf Of The Acinetobacter Baumannii Complex National Biorepository (Acnbio) Study Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acinetobacter baumannii most often causes pneumonia in critically ill patients. However, A. baumannii is also an important cause of a broader range of infections, including skin/wound and urinary tract infections. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro activity of sulbactam-durlobactam and comparator antibiotics, including meropenem and cefiderocol against A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates from non-respiratory and non-bloodstream sources. Samples included 285 A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates enriched for carbapenem resistance collected across 17 states in the United States (January 2023–May 2025). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted by manual broth microdilution and interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Taxane-Based Chemotherapy In Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma, Mir Lim, Nikhil Grandhi, Preksha Shah, Kanwal Raghav, Victoria Serpas, Maria Pia Morelli, Katrina Pedersen, Aparna Kalyan, Mohamed Salem, Ryan Huey, John Paul Shen, Huamin Wang, Hua Wang, Anjali Vinocha, Jane Thomas, Robert Wolff, Michael J Overman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is molecularly distinct from colorectal and gastric cancers, yet treatment typically parallels colorectal cancer. We evaluated the activity of taxane-based therapy in the largest SBA cohort to date.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed SBA patients treated with taxane-based chemotherapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1994-2024. Eligible patients had pathologic confirmation, received >1 treatment cycle, and had tumor response evaluation. Survival analyses were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models.

Results: Seventy patients were identified. Median age was 57, and 59% were male. Primary sites were duodenum (44%), jejunum (34%), and Ileum (16%). Metastatic sites …

Evaluation Of Antibacterial Activity For Aqueous Exteracted Combination Of Triphala And Aloe-Vera Against Streptoccocus Oralis: (In Vitro Study), Abbas Hussein Irrihaim, Maha Abdul-Aziz Ahmed

Muthanna Medical Journal

Background: Streptoccocus Oralis is an early colonizer in dental biofilm and contributes to plaque formation and periodontal inflammation. The search for safe, natural antimicrobial alternatives has increased interest in herbal agents such as Triphala and Aloe vera. However, their combined activity against S. oralis has not been fully assessed alongside phytochemical profiling.

Aim: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous-extracted Triphala, Aloe vera, and their combination against S. oralis, including inhibition zone measurement, MIC, MBC, and HPLC characterization. Materials and Methods: Aloe vera gel and Triphala powder were extracted using aqueous extraction and freeze-drying. Antibacterial activity was assessed using …

Prognostic Factors In Her2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated With Targeted Therapy In Spain, María González, Carlos Martínez, Ana Rodríguez

Muthanna Medical Journal

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer represents an aggressive subtype of breast cancer historically associated with poor prognosis. The introduction of HER2-targeted therapies has significantly improved clinical outcomes; however, survival varies considerably among patients. Identifying prognostic factors that influence treatment response and survival is essential for optimizing patient management. This study aimed to evaluate clinical prognostic factors affecting survival outcomes in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with targeted therapy in Spain. Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted across several oncology centers in Spain. The study included women aged ≥ 18 years …