Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Three Versus Six Sessions Of Problem-Solving Training With Or Without Boosters For Care Partners Of Adults With Dementia (Cades): A Randomised Controlled Optimization Trial, Shannon B. Juengst, Alexandra Holland, Kristin Wilmoth, Matthew Lee Smith, Gang Han, Charlene Supnet-Bell, Chung Lin (Novelle) Kew, Alka Khera, Gladys Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Problem-Solving Training/Descubriendo Soluciones Juntos (PST/DSJ) can improve emotional consequences of caregiving. We assessed the number of sessions and boosters needed for reducing caregiver burden and depressive symptoms among Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) care partners.

Methods: We conducted a randomised factorial-design trial of bilingual PST/DSJ among ADRD care partners (NCT04748666). Participants were randomly assigned (blocks of 8 stratified by language) to 3 PST/DSJ sessions with (n = 19) or without (n = 21) boosters or 6 PST/DSJ sessions with (n = 28) or without (n = 29) boosters. The Zarit Burden Interview measured caregiver burden and …

Systematic Review And Evidence Gap Mapping Of Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Studies In Those With Intellectual And Developmental Disability, Lubnaa B. Abdullah, Ney Alex Alliey, Emma Elizondo, Ney Alliey Rodriguez, Gladys Maestre, James Hall

School of Medicine Publications

There are a relatively small number of investigations into brain aging in those with intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD). This project seeks to (1) characterize the internationally available multi-omics Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker studies including those with I/DD, and (2) discuss future research directions. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched under the following criteria: cross-sectional or longitudinal AD-omics studies on adults (18 +) with I/DD. 532 studies were identified, 186 studies were evaluated for full-text, 79 studies were excluded, and 117 studies were extracted. Most biological specimens were analyzed in blood, plasma, or serum. Metabolomics, hormonomics, and transcriptomics …

Systematic Review And Evidence Gap Mapping Of Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Studies In Those With Intellectual And Developmental Disability, Lubnaa B. Abdullah, Ney Alex Alliey, Emma Elizondo, Ney Alliey Rodriguez, Gladys Maestre, James Hall

School of Medicine Publications

There are a relatively small number of investigations into brain aging in those with intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD). This project seeks to (1) characterize the internationally available multi-omics Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker studies including those with I/DD, and (2) discuss future research directions. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched under the following criteria: cross-sectional or longitudinal AD-omics studies on adults (18 +) with I/DD. 532 studies were identified, 186 studies were evaluated for full-text, 79 studies were excluded, and 117 studies were extracted. Most biological specimens were analyzed in blood, plasma, or serum. Metabolomics, hormonomics, and transcriptomics …

High-Resolution Mapping Of Alcohol-Related Brain Connectivity In Adults Using 7t Fmri And Multivoxel Pattern Classification, Alan N. Francis, Ihsan Salloum

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that alcohol use disrupts large-scale brain network interactions, particularly within the triple network model-comprising the Salience Network (SN), Default Mode Network (DMN), and Frontoparietal Network (FPN). However, few studies have examined how these connectivity alterations vary across the full spectrum of alcohol consumption, especially using ultra-high-field imaging and data-driven approaches. This study leverages 7 Tesla resting-state fMRI and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to characterize distinct brain connectivity patterns across heavy, moderate, and non-drinking adults, aiming to identify neural signatures that differentiate alcohol use severity levels.

Methods: We analyzed resting-state functional connectivity data from 69 adults (Mean …

Clinical Outcomes And Independently Adjudicated Results Of M2 Aspiration Thrombectomy: A Subgroup Analysis From The Imperative Trial, Justin R. Mascitelli, Reade Andrew De Leacy, William Mack, Raul G. Nogueira, Shahram Majidi, Robert Dana Tomalty, Maxim Mokin, Jan Vargas, Brett L. Cucchiara, Victoria Parada

School of Medicine Publications

Background The ESCAPE-MeVO (Endovascular Treatment to Improve Outcomes for Medium Vessel Occlusions) and DISTAL (Endovascular Therapy plus Best Medical Treatment vs Best Medical Treatment Alone for Medium Vessel Occlusion Stroke) trials failed to demonstrate the superiority of endovascular thrombectomy over best medical management for medium and small vessel occlusions. Potential limitations of these trials include older patient populations, lower presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, higher rates of premorbid disability, delayed revascularization times, inclusion of both medium and small vessel occlusions, and widespread use of stent retrievers. Here we present M2 occlusion data from the Imperative Trial, …

Efficacy And Safety Of Bridging Intravenous Thrombolysis Before Mechanical Thrombectomy In Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Tallal Mushtaq Hashmi, Mushood Ahmed, Hadiah Ashraf, Muhammad Shakir, Ibrahim Ahmad Bhatti, Ahmad Alareed, Faizan Ahmed, Ali Hasan, Ameer E. Hassan

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke remain uncertain.

Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to May 30, 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing IVT before MT versus MT alone in acute ischemic stroke were included. The primary outcome was excellent functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–1 at 90 days) and good functional outcome (modif ied Rankin Scale score 0–2). Secondary outcomes included successful recanalization, all-cause death, symptomatic, and any intracranial hemorrhage. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using …

Silent Damage, Early Signals: A Narrative Review Of The Evolving Role Of Cardiac Biomarkers In Oncology-Driven Cardiotoxicity, Aura Calderon, Luis Salcedo, Jose Loayza, Catherine Matos, Ivan Mogollon, Francisco Arias, Everardo Cobos

School of Medicine Publications

Advancements in cancer therapy have led to improved patient survival but have also introduced an increasing risk of cardiotoxicity, particularly with agents such as anthracyclines, trastuzumab, and various targeted treatments. Cardiotoxic effects may present as myocardial injury, systolic or diastolic dysfunction, or heart failure (HF), often developing insidiously before clinical symptoms become evident. Early detection is therefore crucial to preserve cardiovascular health in oncology patients. This narrative review examines the expanding role of cardiac biomarkers; including high-sensitivity troponins, natriuretic peptides, Galectin-3, soluble ST2, and novel molecular markers like microRNAs, in identifying and monitoring chemotherapy-induced cardiac injury. It also highlights how …

Atypical Dengue Fever Presentation With Severe Leukopenia: A Case Report From An Endemic Border Region, Elias Arellano Villanueva, Alhasan Asaad, Jose E. Campo Maldonado

School of Medicine Publications

Dengue virus infection is increasingly recognized in South Texas, particularly in areas bordering Mexico. Although many cases are mild and self-limiting, dengue can present with atypical features, including hematological abnormalities and bleeding, even in the absence of plasma leakage. A 22-year-old Hispanic woman presented to a hospital in South Texas with hematemesis, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms following travel to northeastern Mexico (Monterrey, Nuevo Leon). Initial laboratory workup revealed severe leukopenia and neutropenia, mild thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes, but no evidence of plasma leakage. A bone marrow biopsy was performed due to persistent cytopenias, revealing a reactive process consistent with …

Staged Reconstruction And Salvage Of A Small Finger With A Corticocancellous Distal Radius Autograft: A Case Report, Emmanuel Franco, Zayd Ayas, Frank Gerold

School of Medicine Publications

Finger reconstruction in the aftermath of severe trauma poses significant challenges in restorative surgery, particularly when addressing extensive soft tissue damage, comminuted fractures, and simultaneous neurovascular complications. This study presents a case of a patient with a complicated proximal phalangeal fracture who pursued digit salvage.

A 31-year-old Hispanic woman sustained severe injury to her right fifth digit during an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rollover resulting in an exposed, comminuted fracture of the proximal phalanx with extensive structural and neurovascular compromise. She pursued digit salvage despite a high risk of failure and complication. The patient underwent four operations over a six-month period, …

Editorial: Endocrine Imbalances Of Mineral Ions And Vitamins In Chronic Disease Pathogenesis, Mor-Li Hartman, Hosam G. Abdelhady, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

Does Valve-Sparing Repair Improve Outcomes In Tetralogy Of Fallot? A Systematic Review, Jabez David John, Tirath Patel, Monica Kharat, Jeet Hansalkumar Patel, Jubran Al Hooti, Zoya Riyaz Syeda, Rohit Anil Khare, Sonya Bhatia, Amin Ibrahim, Arjun Bellamkonda, Nikhilesh Anand, Bharathi Gadad

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The systematic review determines whether valve-sparing surgeries improve patient outcomes compared with non valve-sparing surgeries for tetralogy of Fallot. Although previous studies have reported superior outcomes in valve-sparing surgery, no systematic review has compared these outcomes with those of nonsurgical surgical methods.

Methods: In the present research, we address this gap in the literature by comparing valve-sparing and non valve-sparing surgery outcomes. PubMed, PubMed Central, and Medline served as the databases for data collection; following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search strategy identified relevant articles for the review; the search strategy included Medical Subject heading (MeSH) terms and important …

Exploring Neuropsychiatric Manifestations Of Vitamin B Complex Deficiencies, Anamaria Han, Leandro Almeida, Nikhilesh Anand, Ihsan Salloum, Salim Kanaan, Bharathi Gadad, João Paulo Lima Daher

School of Medicine Publications

B complex vitamins, a group of eight water-soluble vitamins, play interconnected roles in maintaining nervous system health. Thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and niacin (B3) are essential as co-enzymes in numerous metabolic reactions related to energy production. Thiamine is involved in the Krebs cycle, riboflavin in the electron transport chain, and niacin plays a key role in both glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. These metabolic processes are vital for sustaining the integrity of the nervous system, as the energy produced is critical for the functioning of nerve cells. Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to significant neurological and psychiatric conditions, including …

Asymmetric Fgf Receptor Dimerization: Implications For Fgf23 Biology And Drug Discovery, Mohammed S. Razzaque, Moosa Mohammadi

School of Medicine Publications

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) requires both αKlotho and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) as obligatory coreceptors to bind, dimerize, and activate its FGF receptors (FGFRs) in the kidney, thereby regulating mineral ion and vitamin D homeostasis. Cryogenic electron microscopy studies reveal that FGF23 signaling proceeds through an asymmetric 1:2:1:1 FGF23–FGFR–αKlotho–HS assembly. According to this structural model, αKlotho simultaneously anchors FGF23 and one FGFR chain, referred to as the primary receptor (FGFRP), to form a 1:1:1 FGF23-FGFRP-αKlotho triplex, which boosts FGF23-FGFRP interaction. Subsequently, the HS coreceptor aids the triplex in recruiting a second FGFR chain, or secondary receptor (FGFRS), leading to …

Oncoplastic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy And Immediate Reconstruction In Non-Ideal Candidates, Aaron Dadzie, Yossef Alsabawi, Sonia Y. Khan, Paul Berry

School of Medicine Publications

Mastectomies have long been used as a surgical treatment for malignant and benign disorders of the breast, both as a therapy and prophylaxis in high-risk patients. A nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) allows for the removal of most of the glandular and ductal tissues while preserving the surface architecture of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). This report summarizes the current mastectomy practices and suggests an expansion of the established surgical selection criteria for NSM in the context of immediate implant-based breast reconstruction. We present two cases in which a novel hybrid oncoplastic approach was used and discuss its safety and efficacy when performing …

Rna Gene Expression-Based Liquid Biopsies For Diagnosing Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Balvinder Bobbie Saarsal, Ila Chauhan, Jeevan Divakaran, Shizue Mito

School of Medicine Publications

The incidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a significant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is on the rise, highlighting the urgent need for improved diagnostic biomarkers. To date, no systematic analysis has evaluated international studies using liquid samples to assess the utilization of RNA species as biomarkers for HCC. Liquid biopsies based on RNA expression offer more specific and sensitive diagnostic biomarkers for HCC than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The inclusion criteria mandated English-language articles, freely available full texts, and primary research published between January 1, 2019, and May 15, 2024. Quantitative analysis was performed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic …

Vitamin D Deficiency And Its Role In Pathologies Of Oxidative Stress: A Literature Review, Philippe Dentino, Johanna Mora, Li Zuo

School of Medicine Publications

Vitamin D (VD) is a key mineral providing critical modulation of reduction-oxidation homeostasis within biological systems. VD and the VD receptor coordinate essential cellular activities, including mitochondrial electron transport, respiration, antioxidation, gene regulation, and calcium transportation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a natural by-product of cellular metabolism, play a prominent role in the mechanisms of biological antioxidant systems and form the basis of antioxidant therapies. However, ROS may also perpetuate pathological processes when produced in excess secondary to inflammatory pathways. Aging processes within cells rely on this reduction-oxidation homeostasis. Thus, the interaction with VD, its receptor, mitochondria, and oxidative stress forms …

Approaches For Identifying Lncrna-Associated Proteins For Therapeutic Targets And Cancer Biomarker Discovery, Mohammad Shabir Hussain, Puneet Vij, Sudhir Kotnala, Shadab Ahmad, Subhash Chauhan, Manish Kumar Tripathi

School of Medicine Publications

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as key regulators of gene expression and cellular signaling in cancer. Their functions are primarily mediated through interactions with specific protein partners that modulate chromatin structure, epigenetic remodeling, transcription, and signal transduction. In this review, we explore reports and strategies for the proteomic characterization of lncRNA-associated proteins, particularly emphasizing high-throughput liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based techniques. Affinity-based methods such as RNA pull-down, ChIRP MS, RAP-MS, BioID-MS, and SILAC-MS enable sensitive and specific mapping of lncRNA and protein complexes. These approaches reveal cancer-specific proteomic signatures, post-translational modifications, and mechanistic insights into tumor biology. The use …

Exposotypes In Psychotic Disorders, Walid Yassin, Bryan Kromenacker, James B. Green, Carol A. Tamminga, Elisabetta C. Del Re, Pegah Seif, Cuihua Xia, Ney Alliey Rodriguez, Elliot S. Gershon, Brett A. Clementz

School of Medicine Publications

Psychiatry lags in adopting etiological approaches to diagnosis, prognosis, and outcome prediction compared to the rest of medicine. Etiological factors such as childhood trauma (CHT), substance use (SU), and socioeconomic status (SES) significantly affect psychotic disorder symptoms. This study applied an agnostic clustering approach to identify exposome clusters “Exposotypes (ETs)” and examine their relationship with clinical, cognitive, and functional outcomes. Using data from individuals with psychotic disorders (n = 1,350), and controls (n = 623), we assessed the relationship between the exposotypes and outcomes. Four exposotypes were identified: ET1 characterized by high CHT and SU; ET2, high CHT; …

Genetic Study Of Von Willebrand Factor Antigen Levels ≤ 50 Iu/Dl Identifies Variants Associated With Increased Risk Of Vwd And Bleeding, Rachel K. Friedman, Adam S. Heath, Jennifer E. Huffman, James T. Baker, Natalie R. Hasbani, Sarah A. Gagliano Taliun, Ming-Huei Chen, Tom Howard, Joanne E. Curran, John Blangero

School of Medicine Publications

Background: von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels or activity of circulating von Willebrand factor (VWF). Genetic susceptibility to VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) below normal (≤50 IU/dL) in the general population is underexplored.

Methods: To identify genetic variants influencing VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL, we performed a genome-wide association study in 926 cases with VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL and 12,846 controls from 7 studies from the TOPMed program. We then examined whether genome-wide significant findings were also associated with clinical diagnosis of VWD in 5 biobanks with 708 VWD cases and 1,286,069 controls, and with …

Changing The Perceived Pain Intensity In Populations With Spinal Cord Injury And With Health Disparities (Happiness): Protocol For A Feasibility Study, Ann Van De Winckel, Lin Zhang, Leslie R. Morse, Brianna Woodliff, Gladys Maestre, Kelsey Baker

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Chronic neuropathic pain affects 69% of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Medication, as a primary treatment, has insufficient benefits and significant risks for addiction and adverse effects. Of the available mind and body approaches, Qigong is the most accessible for adults with SCI, with evidence for effectiveness in reducing pain. Still, there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for adults with SCI. Thus, the feasibility of Qigong in SCI needs to be established. We previously demonstrated feasibility in a pilot study, in which 18 non-Hispanic White adults with SCI completed a 12-week remote Qigong program. However, three additional …

Digital Pathology In Tau Research: A Comparison Of Qupath And Halo, Angelique D. Gonzalez, Yannick Joel Wadop Ngouongo, Benjamin Danner, Kyra M. Clarke, Matthew B. Dopler, Ali Ghaseminejad-Bandpey, Sahana Babu, Julie Parker-Garza, Cole Corbett, Gladys Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

The application of digital pathology tools has expanded in recent years, but non-neoplastic human brain tissue presents unique challenges due to its complexity. This study evaluated HALO and QuPath tau quantification performance in the hippocampus and mid-frontal gyrus across various tauopathies. Percent positivity emerged as the most reliable measure, showing strong correlations with Braak stages and CERAD scores, outperforming object and optical densities. QuPath demonstrated superior correlations with Braak stages, while HALO excelled in aligning with CERAD scoring. However, HALO’s optical density was less consistent. Paired t-tests revealed significant differences in object and optical densities between platforms, though percent positivity …

Summit Max: A Randomized Trial Of The Super Large Bore Hipoint Reperfusion System Versus Vecta System For Aspiration Thrombectomy, Thanh N. Nguyen, Guilherme Dabus, Ben Mcguinness, James Caldwell, Ryan Priest, Ansaar T. Rai, Osama O. Zaidat, Bradley A. Gross, Ricardo Hanel, Ameer E. Hassan

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Rapid and complete recanalization is a primary goal in the endovascular treatment of large vessel occlusion stroke. The effectiveness and safety of super large bore aspiration catheters (0.088″ inner diameter) for the treatment of large vessel occlusion stroke have not been demonstrated in a randomized trial.

Methods: SUMMIT MAX (A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Interventional Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of the Route 92 Medical MonoPoint Reperfusion System for Aspiration Embolectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients) was a prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial of patients with internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery M1 occlusions, comparing …

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, European Guideline Targets, And Cardiovascular Outcomes: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis, Dong-Yan Zhang, De-Wei An, Yu-Ling Yu, Jesus D. Melgarejo, José Boggia, Dries S. Martens, Tine W. Hansen, Kei Asayama, Takayoshi Ohkubo, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Background and aims: Hypertension is the predominant modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. This cohort study assessed the association of risk with the percentage of time that the ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) is within the target range (PTTR) proposed by the 2024 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for blood pressure (BP) management.

Methods: In a person-level meta-analysis of 14 230 individuals enrolled in 14 population cohorts, systolic and diastolic ABPs were combined to assess 24-h, daytime, and nighttime PTTR with thresholds for non-elevated ABP set at < 115/65, < 120/70, and < 110/60 mmHg, respectively.

Results: Median 24-h PTTR was 18% (interquartile range 5-33) corresponding to 4.3 h (1.2-7.9). Over …

Cultural And Socioeconomic Determinants Of Hip And Knee Arthroplasty In The Medically Underserved Rio Grande Valley Community, Blake C. Martin, Juan C. Lopez Alvarenga, John M. Gaddis

School of Medicine Publications

Introduction: Joint arthroplasty is a common procedure that is increasing worldwide. In this study, we aimed to discover if there were differences in demographics and social factors associated with individuals undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). We hypothesized that older individuals and those with higher body mass index (BMI) would have an increased risk of TKA.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley UTHealth electronic database from January 1, 2018, to July 1, 2024. Individuals were selected using Current Procedural Terminology codes …

Car-Bp: Taking Hypertension Screening Beyond Clinics, Jesus Melgarejo, Gladys Maestre, Eron Manusov

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L3 (Mrpl3): An Early Diagnostic Biomarker And Potential Molecular Target In Pancreatic Cancer, Mudassier Ahmad, Sahir Sultan Alvi, Anupam Dhasmana, Jasmine Benavidez, Murali Yallapu, Dae Joon Kim, Subhash Chauhan, Bilal Hafeez

School of Medicine Publications

Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is projected to become the second major cause of cancer-related mortality by 2030. The current diagnostic and treatment strategies offer only marginal benefits in overall survival. This highlights the need to discover new biomarkers and targets for the treatment of PanCa. Dysregulated mitochondrial ribosome biogenesis occurs in PanCa and can be utilized as a potential biomarker and molecular target for its management. In this study, we established MRPL3 (Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L3) as a potential biomarker and its role in expression of ETC (Electron Transport Chain) components. We employed an integrated approach combining the in silico and …

Precision Medicine And Beyond: Evolving Roles Of Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, And Artificial Intelligence In Oncology, Linwei Li, Anika Doppalapudi, Jennifer Escamilla, Annu Karithara, Christine Pham, Angel Phillip, Sriya Gullapalli, Lois Baldado, Arjun Bellamkonda, Daniela Gonzalez, Amin Ibrahim, David Sta. Maria, Kaitlyn Ybanez, Hugo Zamarron, Shizue Mito

School of Medicine Publications

Precision medicine in oncology is an evolving therapeutic approach that leverages genetic, clinical, and biomarker data to tailor treatments to individual patients. This review explores the three core pillars of modern precision oncology: targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice. Targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates, selectively inhibit molecular pathways involved in tumor growth. While conventional chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment and has improved remission rates, its cytotoxic nature limits broader applicability and increases the risk of comorbidities. Immunotherapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies, have transformed …

Transforming Cancer Care: A Narrative Review On Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Advance Immunotherapy In Underserved Communities, Victor M. Vasquez Jr., Molly Mccabe, Jack C. Mckee, Sharon Siby, Usman Hussain, Farah Faizuddin, Aadil Sheikh, Subramanian Dhandayuthapani, Shrikanth Gadad, Jessica Chacon

School of Medicine Publications

Purpose: Cancer immunotherapy has transformed oncology, but underserved populations face persistent disparities in access and outcomes. This review explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can help mitigate these barriers. Methods: We conducted a narrative review based on peer-reviewed literature selected for relevance to artificial intelligence, cancer immunotherapy, and healthcare challenges, without restrictions on publication date. We searched three major electronic databases: PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and arXiv, covering both biomedical and computational literature. The search included publications from January 2015 through April 2024 to capture contemporary developments in AI and cancer immunotherapy. Results: AI tools such as machine learning, …

Perception Of Quality Of Life, Brain Regions, And Cognitive Performance In Hispanic Adults: A Canonical Correlation Approach, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Jesus Rivera-Sanchez, Lorena Velazquez-Alvarez, Rosa V. Pirela, John Blangero, Jose E. Cavazos, Michael C. Mahaney, Joseph D. Terwilliger, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

The quality of life (QoL) perception has been studied in neurological diseases; however, there is limited information linking brain morphological characteristics, QoL, and cognition. Human behavior and perception are associated with specific brain areas that interact through diffuse electrochemical networking. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyze the brain region volume (BRV) correlation with the scores of Rand’s 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and cognitive domains (memory and dementia status). We analyzed data from 420 adult participants in the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS). Principal component analysis with oblimin axis rotation was used to gather redundant information from brain parcels …

Bridging The Mind And Body: Functional Neurologic Symptom Disorder Following Sexual Trauma In An Adolescent Girl, Ariel E. Sosa Gomez, Daniel Gutierrez

School of Medicine Publications

Functional neurologic symptom disorder (FNSD) is a multifaceted condition that can present with neurologic symptoms inconsistent with recognized neurological disease, often in the context of psychosocial stressors, though these are not required for diagnosis. We report the case of a 12-year-old Hispanic female who developed episodes of limb paralysis, motor unresponsiveness, and self-injurious behaviors following a history of sexual abuse by a family member. Despite the initial absence of depressive symptoms, the patient later met criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her neurological symptoms lacked identifiable medical findings, following unremarkable results from comprehensive blood work, …