Digital Commons Network^™

Seizing The Moment: Post-Covid-19 Enrollment Trends Among Nontraditional Honors Students, Solomon Aleph

Anthós

This article investigates the motivations behind the rising enrollment of nontraditional students at Portland State University’s Honors College, which nearly doubled from 2019 to 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic. Aleph argues that nontraditional students viewed education as a means of reclaiming agency and reshaping their futures. Through interviews and a focus group with four nontraditional students, Aleph explores how the pandemic created disruption and opportunities. The study finds that while economic instability and isolation were factors, intrinsic motivations—especially a desire for self-improvement, intellectual challenge, and rewriting personal narratives—were more prominent factors shaping enrollment decisions. Drawing from this qualitative analysis, Aleph …

Structural And Functional Changes In The Hippocampus Induced By Environmental Exposures, Emad A. Albadawi

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT The hippocampus, noted as (HC), plays a crucial role in the processes of learning, memory formation, and spatial navigation. Recent research reveals that this brain region can undergo structural and functional changes due to environmental exposures, including stress, noise pollution, sleep deprivation, and microgravity. This review synthesizes findings from animal and human studies, emphasizing the HC’s plasticity in response to these factors. It examines changes in volume, architecture, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and gene expression and highlights critical periods of vulnerability to environmental influences impacting cognition and behavior. It also investigates underlying mechanisms such as glucocorticoid signaling, epigenetic alterations, and …

Analysis Of Key Lncrna Related To Parkinson’S Disease Based On Gene Co-Expression Weight Networks, Wenwen Liang, Wei Zhao, Binghan Li, Jiaying Luo, Xuemei Li, Weihua Jia

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To identify a key Long chain non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) related to PD and provide a new perspective on the role of LncRNAs in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathophysiology. Methods: Our study involved analyzing gene chips from the substantia nigra and white blood cells, both normal and PD-inclusive, in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, utilizing a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The technique of WGCNA facilitated the examination of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the substantia nigra and the white blood cells of individuals with PD. When merged with clinical data, gene modules containing crucial clinical details were …

Understanding The Stroke Burden In Saudi Arabia: Trends From 1990 To 2019 And Forecasting Through Time Series Analysis, Ahmed A. Mahfouz, Shaimaa A. Abdelmoneim, Shymaa M. M. Abdu, Hoda A. A. Shiba, Asmaa M. Aboelela, Ramy M. Ghazy, Adel A. Alhazzani

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe age-standardized incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from 1990 to 2019 and forecast these variables using the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) data over the next years (2020–2030). Methods: Poisson regression models were employed to identify significant changes in incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and DALY rates for different stroke types. For time series models, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and exponential smoothing state space (ETS) models were used for forecasting. Results: The study demonstrated an increasing trend …

Study Reveals Links Between Many Pesticides And Prostate Cancer

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Does Work-Related Stress Compromise Cardiovascular Health?

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Who Adds Lc16m8 Mpox Vaccine To Emergency Use Listing

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Exploring Physiotherapist’S Ability To Identify Cauda Equina Syndrome Early, Khalid F. Althobaiti, Joshua R. Zadro, Fahad A. Alzhrani, Hosam A. Alzahrani

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To explore the ability of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia to identify cauda equina syndrome (CES) in a timely manner, and to identify the methods used by physiotherapists to manage patients with suspected CES. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional research design and was conducted in the period May-October 2023. It included licensed physiotherapists working in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected using a survey that aimed to assess physiotherapists’ ability to identify CES early, using 12 statements. Based on the participants response to these statements, all responders were categorized into the following groups based on their ability to …

Ranking The Difficulty Of The Cognitive Tasks In Dual-Tasks During Walking In Healthy Adults, Jaser S. Almutairi, Shady A. Alshewier, Abdulaziz A. Alkathiry

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To rank the cognitive tasks commonly used in clinical practices based on their difficulties in healthy adults while walking. Dual tasks have been widely used in clinical settings for different purposes such as detecting early cognitive impairments and identifying fall risk factors among the population of neurological diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted from January to March 2021, included a sample of 26 healthy adults who were asked to demonstrate six different cognitive tasks at random while performing a gait speed test. An accelerometer positioned on the lower back at the umbilical level was used to measure participants’ …

Does The Severity Of Facet Joint Osteoarthritis Affect Facet Medial Branch Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation Results?, Kaya S. Sancar, Çelik Şeref, Göksu Hamit, Akçaboy E. Yavuz, Şahin Şaziye

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess how facet medial branch radiofrequency thermocoagulation (FMB-RFT) outcomes are affected by severe facet joint osteoarthritis (FJO). Methods: This retrospective study involved 91 individuals with lumbar facet joint disease-related chronic lower back pain (CLBP), all of whom underwent FMB-RFT. The patients were assigned to 3 groups using the Weishaupt facet grading system (WFGS). Pain scores were assessed prior to treatment, as well as at the 1-, 6-, and 12-month marks. Results: Based on the WFGS, 38 of the 91 patients were assigned a grade 1 FJO, 28 a grade 2 FJO, and 25 a grade 3 FJO. …

Motherhood And Pregnancy Concerns Of Saudi Females With Multiple Sclerosis In Riyadh City: A Quantitative Analysis, Abdullah S. Alshehri, May H. Alqahtani, Hana A. Alzuabi, Waad S. Alshahrani, Halah O. Alamawi, Aseel A. Almandeel, Faisal A. Al-Suwaidan, Ahmed Saleh

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To explore the concerns among females in Riyadh city with multiple sclerosis (MS) regarding motherhood and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected using an online questionnaire. Women who were aged 18–50 years and diagnosed with MS by a neurologist and had a disease duration of at least one year were included. The questionnaire consisted of 7 sections designed to collect information on the respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics; past and current medical history; pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum concerns; physical and psychological concerns about parenthood; and psychological and social support. Results: A total of 176 women were …

Study Reveals Links Between Many Pesticides And Prostate Cancer

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors: Allosteric Structural Modulation And New Treatments For Anxiety Disorders, Madaniah O. Zakari

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Anxiety disorders are psychiatric ailments that affect people throughout the world. Several studies have revealed that the development of anxiety is affected by changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission. Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) can be allosterically modified, offering a new strategy for developing specific therapeutic agents that affect the cell membrane. Allosteric modulators have many advantages over other therapeutic options. In the field of stress treatment modulation, they can maintain the properties of natural glutamatergic neurotransmission. This review describes the design of allosteric modulators and the advantages of this class of compounds over current stress drugs.

Beyond Seizures: The Hidden Burden Of Fatigue In Epilepsy, Alia Mr. Fallatah, Malak R. Albadrani, Sarah A. Alsalman, Weam K. Almasuad, Abdulrahim M. Hamhom, Sumayah M. Almarshedy, Faisal A. Alsallom, Fawzya A. Bamogaddam, Majed H. Alhameed, Mubarak M. Aldosari

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the prevalence of fatigue and depression in patients with epilepsy (PWE), explore their relationship, and identify the factors associated with fatigue in this population. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study involved adult PWE at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from April to July 2023. The Arabic version of the Fatigue Severity Scale questionnaire was used to estimate the presence and severity of fatigue. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used for screening depression. The demographic and clinical data of the patients were analyzed. Results: In total, 259 PWE were enrolled. Of these, 66.8% had focal epilepsy …

An Observational Study On The Clinical Profile, Management Approaches, And Outcomes Of Adult Patients Admitted To The Intensive Care Unit For Status Epilepticus, Hasan M. Al-Dorzi, Eman Balahmar, Razan A. Almulhem, Raghad A. Almutairi, Danah H. Aleesa, Dareen S. Ashgar, Nazish Masud

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: Status epilepticus (SE) is a serious neurological condition with a high risk of complications and mortality. We described adult patients who required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for SE and assessed their prognosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive adult ICU admissions for SE between 2016 and 2021. We performed multivariable logistic regression to determine the predictors of an unfavorable outcome (discharge Glasgow Coma Scale <14 or death). Results: We studied 115 patients (median age 38 years; males 62.6%; prior antiepileptic therapy 59.1%; median presenting Glasgow Coma Scale 7; median Status Epilepticus Severity Score 4). Brain computed tomography revealed acute/sub-acute stroke in 5.2% of cases, intracranial hemorrhage in 2.6%, and brain tumors in 5.2%. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 41 patients detected bacteria or herpes simplex virus in 4. Intravenous lorazepam was used to abort seizures in 80.0% of patients (median dose 3 mg). Mechanical ventilation was needed for 87 patients for a median of 4 days. Thirty-five patients (30.4%) experienced an unfavorable outcome, and hospital mortality was 5.2%. Infections present on admission were associated with an unfavorable outcome (odds ratio 3.61, 95% confidence interval 1.35-9.63). Conclusion: Most ICU admissions for SE involved young patients with few having abnormalities on brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid and most needing intubation. Hospital mortality was 5.2% with the presence of an infection on admission linked to an unfavorable outcome.

Quality Of Life, Depression, And Anxiety In Brain Tumor Patients Following Surgical Resection At A Tertiary Care Center, Mohammed H. Bogari, Jalal A. Zahhar, Alwaleed K. Aloufi, Omar H. Algahtani, Yossef A. Zahhar, Hussin M. Kheshaifati, Abdulhadi Y. Algahtani

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To address the gap in understanding post-surgical quality of life, depression, and anxiety among brain tumor patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 160 adult brain tumor patients who underwent surgical resection between January 2021 and October 2024 were included. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) questionnaire, and anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Among the 160 patients, high-grade gliomas were the most common …

Genetic Profile Of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease In The Saudi Population: A Retrospective Study Highlighting The Role Of Consanguinity, Aiman S. Alhazmi, Areej A. Alhareeri, Ali S. Alhawas, Essam W. Jameel, Faisal S. Aleisa, Muteb M. Alqahtani, Mutrik J. Almughni, Mohammed A. Almuqbil

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To identify the genetic landscape of CMT in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 43 patients diagnosed with CMT between 2016 and 2022 at National Guard Health Affairs hospitals in three cities. All CMT cases with a genetic diagnosis were included. Results: Genetic testing was conducted in 23 out of 43 CMT cases (53%), and clinically relevant genetic variants associated with CMT were identified in 17 of 23 patients (73.9%). The most common genes in the cohort were MTMR2 , PMP22 , and FGD4 , with notable intra-tribe mutations suggesting a strong influence of consanguinity. The …

Who Urges Action On Hepatitis, Announcing Hepatitis D As Carcinogenic

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

The Landscape Of Cyclin‑Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitors In Solid Malignancies: Emphasis On Immunotherapy Combinatorial Strategies, Maha R.A. Abdollah, Sara A. Hussein, Ahmed H. Saadawy, Eman Badr, Neamtullah Wael, Rasha M. Allam, Ahmed M. Al‑Abd, Ana Maria Roncero Sanchez, Mai Tolba

Pharmacy

Given the pivotal role of CDK4/6 deregulation in the pathogenesis of various malignancies, CDK4/6 inhibitors have been incorporated into cancer treatment protocols. Beyond their antiproliferative effects, these inhibitors exhibit prominent immunomodulatory properties. Preclinical data indicated that CDK4/6 inhibitors enhance the tumor cell antigen presentation capacity and restrict the proliferation of immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells. Furthermore, studies showed that CDK4/6 inhibitors could enhance the development of memory T-cell in vivo in melanoma mouse models and in the clinical setting in breast cancer (BC) patients. In silico analysis identified 225 protein targets for CDK4/6 inhibitors involved in 57 immune-related pathways which further supported …

Taiwanese Attitudes On The Formosan Black Bear And Potential Impacts On Conservation Outcomes, Madison Lin

Honors Theses

The Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) is an endangered subspecies of the Asiatic black bear endemic to Taiwan. The largest mammal on the island, the Formosan black bear is also the country’s official tourism mascot and unofficial national animal. Sightings of the bear are rare, yet cartoon depictions of the bear in media, transportation, and advertisements are prevalent. Understanding how this media presence impacts public attitudes towards the bear, and subsequently, how these attitudes are impacting conservation outcomes, is an under-researched aspect of its conservation. I interviewed 36 people at three locations in Taiwan to understand Taiwanese …

Different Responses Involving Tfh Cells Delay Parasite-Specific Antibody Production In Trypanosoma Cruzi Acute Experimental Models, Ana Carolina Leão, Maria Jose Villar, Rakesh Adhikari, Cristina Poveda, Leroy Versteeg, Gregório Almeida, Peter J Hotez, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Kathryn M Jones

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Introduction: Chagas disease (CD), caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions globally. Despite treatment options in the acute phase, most infections progress to a chronic indeterminate form or develop severe cardiac/gastrointestinal complications. Understanding the immune response is crucial for the development of vaccines and more efficient drugs for the disease control.

Methods: This work investigates the immune response to T. cruzi H1 K68 strain infection in female BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice to characterize differences in Tfh and B cell responses that may be involved in the poor parasite-specific antibody production during acute infection. For this, mice were euthanized …

A Landscape Analysis Of Psychedelic Retreat Organizations Advertising Online, Logan Neitzke-Spruill, Caroline S Beit, Jill Oliver Robinson, Nikita Singh, Srijith Kambala, Rishi Ramesh, Amy L Mcguire

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Research into psychedelics' clinical potential has corresponded to a growth in public interest and adult use. One common pathway to accessing psychedelics is through psychedelic retreats. While individual retreats have been characterized in the anthropological literature, no systematic evaluation of the psychedelic retreat industry exists. Assessing the characteristics of the psychedelic retreat industry is critical to understanding the associated ethical, legal, and social implications and ensuring consumer safety. To this end, we conducted a landscape analysis of online, publicly available information to capture and characterize a broad range of organizations offering psychedelic retreats and marketing to English-speaking consumers. From July …

Accidental Left Ventricular Placement Of A Leadless Micra Pacemaker Through A Patent Foramen Ovale, Hamza Alkowatli, Mahmoud Kutmah, Adnan Shaik, Osama Hallak

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

The Micra device is a leadless pacemaker implanted in the right ventricle via a femoral vein transcatheter approach. There are several indications for and advantages to using a leadless pacemaker, and the device's role in the field of cardiology will probably continue to increase. This article presents the case of a rare complication probably due to inadvertent placement of the device in the left ventricle across an undiagnosed patent foramen ovale.

Midterm Outcomes Of Pediatric Mitral Valvuloplasty For Moderate To Severe Mitral Valve Regurgitation And Associated Risk Factors For Postoperative Deterioration, Hongyuan Fu, Aijun Liu, Ming Yang, Zeyu Liu, Junwu Su

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

BACKGROUND: Mitral valvuloplasty is considered the best treatment for pediatric mitral valve regurgitation. The objective of this analysis was to identify risk factors for postoperative mitral valve regurgitation progression and evaluate valvuloplasty effectiveness.

METHODS: This retrospective, single-center study investigated the clinical efficacy of mitral valvuloplasty and identified factors that affect prognosis. Pediatric patients with moderate or severe mitral valve regurgitation who had undergone mitral valvuloplasty between September 2016 and August 2023 were included. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess freedom from both mitral valve deterioration and cardiovascular death. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify potential …

Lyme Carditis And Inflammation-Driven Plaque Erosion Presenting As Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Marco Kaldas, Moneal Shah, Diana Pashaieva, Georgios Lygouris, Anita Radhakrishnan

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Lyme carditis represents a rare cardiac complication of Borrelia burgdorferi infection, often causing conduction disturbances but rarely causing malignant arrhythmias. Inflammatory acute coronary syndrome, driven by immune-mediated plaque erosion rather than rupture, represents a nontraditional ischemic mechanism. This case highlights their overlap. The case of a previously healthy man with Lyme disease who experienced cardiac arrest because of ventricular tachycardia is reported. Imaging showed myocardial inflammation together with coronary plaque erosion instead of plaque rupture. The patient underwent advanced diagnostic testing and received multidisciplinary medical care, which led to complete cardiac recovery and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement.

Shaping The Future Of "Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic" Health: Insights From The Texas Heart Institute's 2024 Cardiometabolic Syndrome Conference, Arjun Raghuram, Keri Sprung, Stephanie Coulter, Joseph G Rogers

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

At the Texas Heart Institute's 2024 Cardiometabolic Syndrome Conference, held on August 23, 2024, experts from diverse academic fields spoke about novel initiatives for addressing the worsening projections for cardiometabolic syndrome. Four major areas in which innovation is ongoing were highlighted: technology, policy, population health, and lifestyle and behavioral modification. This article presents a brief contextualization, summary, and analysis of the novel initiatives being implemented in each of these 4 areas to address cardiometabolic syndrome. Despite alarming projections, cardiometabolic syndrome presents a unique opportunity for innovators to drive change through collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts.

Contributions Of Pathobiological And Translational Science To Understanding And Managing Ischemic Heart Disease: Progress, Impediments, And Future Directions, L Maximilian Buja

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Key pathobiological components of ischemic heart disease have been identified as follows: (1) In 1970 to 1973, myocardial infarct size was found to be the primary determinant of prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI); (2) in 1973 to 1989, vulnerable coronary artery plaques were found to predispose individuals to coronary plaque disruption and thrombosis, causing major AMI; (3) in 1972, timely coronary reperfusion was demonstrated to limit the size of evolving AMI but with risk of reperfusion injury; and (4) in 1986, myocardial conditioning was found to be a clinically significant modulator capable of delaying AMI progression. Promising cardioprotective strategies …

Sequelae And Surgical Management Of Giant Cardiac Myxoma, Norvin Hernandez, Michael Dileo, Christopher K Wong, Mahboob Alam

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Cardiac myxomas are a rare phenomenon within the general population, and although there are reports of them, giant myxomas are not common in the medical literature. This report presents a case of a giant left atrial cardiac myxoma in a 57-year-old female patient who was largely asymptomatic until she presented with a diffuse thromboembolic stroke. This case report highlights the importance of surgical management of cardiac myxomas and discusses the difference in open vs minimally invasive surgical resection of giant cardiac myxomas.

Early Structural Valve Deterioration And Cusp Tear Leading To Acute Heart Failure In A Second-Generation Trifecta Glide Technology Heart Valve, Akiyoshi Yamamoto, Kenji Kuwaki, Hidekazu Furuya, Yasunori Cho

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

This report highlights a case of early structural valve deterioration with a cusp tear in a second-generation Abbott Trifecta Glide Technology bioprosthetic heart valve. A 70-year-old man had undergone aortic valve replacement with a Trifecta Glide Technology valve 30 months earlier for severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis. He suddenly developed acute heart failure with dyspnea resulting from severe aortic valve regurgitation, with a cusp tear in the Trifecta Glide Technology valve, as demonstrated by transthoracic echocardiography. The patient was successfully treated with urgent repeat aortic valve replacement.

Ethical Considerations For Teaching With Artificial Intelligence: A Scoping Review In Medical Education Settings, Amani Itani, Susie L Gronseth, Salma Musaad, Thuy Nguyen, Yiming Mirabile, Bettina M Beech

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

In the evolving realm of medical education, where artificial intelligence (AI) technologies play an increasingly pivotal role, embedding AI ethics within educational frameworks has become crucial. This scoping review explores the breadth of literature concerning ethical considerations for teaching with AI in medical education settings. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, the team analyzed 82 peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2018 and October 2023, sourced from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The review presents insights into the geographic distribution of studies, publication trends, article types, common keywords, areas of …