Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Perioperative Effects Of The Quadratus Lumborum Block In Percutaneous Biliary Drainage: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study ​, Seyyi̇d Furkan Kina, Can Ozan Yazar, Cem Koray Çataroğlu, Erdi̇ Tangobay, Sadik Ahmet Uyanik, Savaş Altinsoy, Reyhan Polat, Jüli̇de Ergi̇l

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the quadratus lumborum block (QLB) on intraoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD).

Materials and methods: A total of 57 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups: the sedation group (Group 1, n = 26) and the sedation with QLB group (Group 2, n = 26). The groups were compared in terms of intraoperative anesthetic consumption, vital parameters, postanesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery times, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores, postoperative analgesic consumption, and clinician and patient satisfaction. The study was …

Measurement Of Resection Volume Using Computed Tomography 3d Modeling In Lung Cancer Patients And Survival Analysis ​, Aykut Kankoç, Muhammet Tarik Aslan, Muhammet Sayan, Ali̇ Çeli̇k, Cüneyt İsmai̇l Kurul, Abdullah İrfan Taştepe

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The prognostic significance of the volumetric extent of lung resection in nonsmall cell lung cancer remains uncertain. Three-dimensional computed tomography allows quantitative assessment of resected lung parenchyma, but the relationship between resection volume ratios and oncologic outcomes has not been clearly established. The aim in this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of three-dimensional computed tomography-derived resection volume ratios for disease-free survival after surgery for nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Materials and methods: This single-center retrospective study included 141 patients who underwent anatomical resection with systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection between 2010 and 2021. Resection volume, ipsilateral lung volume, …

Lactate Dehydrogenase-To-Albumin Ratio As A Novel Prognostic Biomarker For 28-Day Mortality In Thoracic Trauma: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study ​, Özgür Ömer Yildiz, Şükrü Yorulmaz, Eray Çinar, Hüseyi̇n Mutlu, Rami̇z Yazici, Ayşenur Gür, Medi̇ne Akkan Öz, Bensu Bulut, Mustafa Sirri Kotanoğlu, Hakan Güner

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Thoracic trauma accounts for approximately 25% of all trauma-related deaths and remains a significant public health challenge. Early identification of high-risk patients is essential for improving clinical outcomes. The present study evaluates the prognostic value of the lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio (LDAR) in predicting 28-day mortality in patients with thoracic trauma.

Materials and methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at a Level 1 trauma center between September 2022 and February 2025, and included adult patients presenting with thoracic trauma who underwent thoracic computed tomography. Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, laboratory values, and 28-day mortality were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) …

Molecular Characterization Of Pasteurella Multocida Capsular Type A Strains Isolated From Different Regions Of Anatolia, Türkiye​, Adam Bashir Tawor, Osman Ergani̇ş, Asli Balevi̇, Suliman Mohamed Yousof Sadam

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Pasteurella multocida serotype A is an important pathogen that causes respiratory illness in both farm animals and poultry, leading to severe economic losses worldwide. This study aimed to isolate P. multocida capsular type A (capA) as well as investigate the virulence-associated genes (VAGs) within the isolates. Samples (n = 250) were collected in the Anatolia region from cattle (n = 130), sheep (n = 70), goats (n = 45), and pet birds (n = 5) with clinical respiratory signs. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were conducted using kmt1 and capA primers for P. multocida species identification and capsular serogroup A …

Trace Elements In Complete Feeds Used In Intensive Rearing Of Cattle, Poultry, And Pigs: Occurrence And Predicted Transferred Concentrations In Animal-Derived Food, Elizabeta Dimitrieska Stojkovikj, Vangelica Enimiteva, Aleksandra Angjeleska, Risto Uzunov

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study investigated the concentrations of essential (Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, and Mo) and toxic (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) trace elements in complete feeds used for the intensive rearing of cattle, poultry, and pigs in North Macedonia and predicted their transfer into animal-derived foods. A total of 107 feed samples were collected from 40 farms between May 2023 and April 2024 and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results revealed that while most essential elements were within the regulatory limits, Co exceeded the maximum level in two cattle feed samples. Zn, Cu, and Mn levels were generally …

Effect Of Rangeland Quality On Rumen Development Of Angora (Mohair) Goat Kids And Bucks, Betül Zehra Sariçi̇çek

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was conducted to determine the effect of rangeland quality on the rumen development of Angora goat kids and bucks. Twenty male singleton Angora goat kids with similar birth dates and birth weights were selected from each farm in an area with three different rangeland quality levels (good, medium, or poor) in Ankara Province. The kids were weaned at 60 days of age and then grazed completely on rangeland until slaughter. Rumen volumetric and papillary development of animals slaughtered at 4 and 7 months of age were determined. Empty rumen length, width, and weight were affected by rangeland quality …

Arterial Architecture Of The Goat Spleen (Capra Hircus) Revealed By Corrosion Casting And Scanning Electron Microscopy, Baran Erdem, Sevi̇nç Ateş, Meryem Karan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The spleen is an essential organ involved in hematopoietic and immune functions. A comprehensive understanding of its anatomy, including vascular topography and segmentation, is essential for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of splenic diseases, and the minimization of complications during surgical procedures. Detailed knowledge of the vascular architecture also supports the accurate prediction and management of hemorrhage severity in cases of splenic rupture. The spleen’s microvascular system has a unique and complex organization that is distinct from other organs, and its elucidation is critical for understanding splenic function. In the present study, the spleens of 20 hair goats were examined. …

Hard Palate Morphology In The Anatolian Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis), Mehmet Can, Şükrü Hakan Atalgin, Mehmet Faruk Aydin, Soner Bekmezci̇

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study aimed to examine the morphological and histological features of the hard palate in the Anatolian water buffalo through light and scanning electron microscopy, complemented by gross and morphometric evaluations. Eight hard palates were used in the study. A total of eight Anatolian water buffalo heads from healthy adult female water buffaloes were collected immediately after slaughter from various slaughterhouses in Balıkesir, Türkiye. After analyzing and identifying the obtained hard palate samples, measurements were taken and documented through photography. The papilla incisiva, located in the middle of the caudal concave edge on the ventral surface of the pulvinus dentalis, …

Full Issue, Volume 14, Number 1., Donna J. Peterson Dr., Scott Cummings, Elizabeth Gregory North

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

Radiographic Evaluation Of Kidney Size In Cats: Effects Of Sex And Gonadal Status, Somchin Sutthigran, Auraiwan Klaengkaew, Chutimon Thanaboonnipat, Suppawiwat Ponglowhapan, Nan Choisunirachon

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Radiographic evaluation of kidney size using the kidney-to-second lumbar vertebral body length (K/L2) ratio is a standard method for assessing kidney size in cats. However, current reference values underdetermine biological factors such as sex and gonadal status, which may influence kidney and lumbar length. Reproductive hormones are known to influence kidney and vertebral development, but their specific effects on radiographic kidney and vertebral measurements in cats are unclear. This retrospective study aimed to assess the effects of gonadal status on kidney length, L2 vertebral length, and the K/L2 ratio in clinically healthy cats. A total of 285 cats were included …

The Chameleon Experience: Queer Identity, Mental Health, And Transformation, Cameron Penny

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

In this autoethnographic piece, I examine the correlation between queer identity and mental health through reflective analysis of my own experiences within a Western socio-cultural setting. I expand external perspectives on the queer experience by highlighting the normalization of queer prejudice and its adverse impact on self-image. I share how the religious praxis of Catholicism enforces binary conformity by promoting dichotomous thinking that simultaneously constricts queer expression and subjugates implicit biases. In tandem, I utilize autoethnography as my medium because it provides a unique outlet to raise awareness for chronically stigmatized identities by centering marginalized voices (Atay, 2011; Chavez, 2013). …

Shared Equity Leadership In An Offshore Medical School: Distributing Responsibility For Equity, Vishal B. Surender, Sreekrishna Penna, Oluwabusola Osimosu

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This essay applies the Shared Equity Leadership (SEL) framework to an offshore MD program at a private Caribbean medical school where students complete basic sciences on an island and clinical clerkships across multiple international sites. Using SEL scholarship and de-identified institutional data, we ask how equity work is currently distributed, where gaps emerge in assessment, remediation, and mobility for historically underrepresented students in medicine, and how responsibility for equity might be more deliberately shared. The Woven model of SEL provides a lens to map existing structures like curriculum committees, CQI dashboards, advising systems, and clinical site partnerships. We propose a …

Implementation Of Artificial Intelligence In Retinoblastoma Diagnosis, Zana Moldavsky

inSIGHT

The retina is essential for vision. It is composed of 10 distinct layers and contains specialized photoreceptor cells, rods, and cones that are responsible for converting photons of light into electrical signals through a process called phototransduction.¹ These electrical signals are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve where they are interpreted as a visual picture.¹

Retinoblastoma is a rare but aggressive malignant tumor of the retina and represents the most common intraocular malignancy in the pediatric populabon.² The disease follows Knudson's two-hit hypothesis and occurs due to biallelic inactivation of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene …

Home-Use Oct For Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Rapid Review, Sneh S. Shah

inSIGHT

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) requires frequent monitoring to identify recurrent exudation and guide treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.1 Clinic-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) plays a central role in management but provides only intermittent assessments of a disease that changes over time. Home-use OCT technologies have recently been developed as a possible solution, allowing patients to perform self-imaging with remote clinician review and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted analysis. This rapid review summarizes current evidence on home-use OCT for nAMD, including feasibility, diagnostic performance, clinical usefulness, and challenges related to implementation. Findings from feasibility studies, AI validation analyses, observational …

Glp-1 Receptor Agonists And Ocular Risk, Saharsh Satheesh

inSIGHT

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have moved from second-line diabetes medications toward the frontline of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic care.¹ A meta-analysis of 10 randomized cardiovascular outcomes trials (n = 71,351) demonstrated that longacting GLP-1 RAs reduce major adverse cardiovascular events by 14%, all-cause mortality by 12%, and composite kidney outcomes by 17%.² With GLP-1 RAs usage increasing, ophthalmology is also increasingly encountering patients who have recently started GLP-1 RAs therapy, often alongside substantial improvements in glycemic control.

In the context of GLP-1 RAs ocular complications, two specific topics currently dominate conversations: (1) worsening diabetic …

Dichoptic Therapy Versus Patching – State Of Literature Review, Eve Miller

inSIGHT

Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision loss in children. A meta-analysis performed by Hu et al. 2022 estimated the global prevalence of amblyopia to be 1.36%.¹ Amblyopia is defined as a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of one or both eyes caused by abnormal neurologic development in the critical period of visual development. Amblyopia may result from unequal refractive error, strabismus or ocular pathology.² Despite treatment of these inciting factors, suppression of one eye remains, resulting in unequal vision. The clinical consequences of untreated amblyopia include permanent reduction in vision in the affected eye and …

Novel Advancements In Glaucoma Surgery, Eshani Ragam

inSIGHT

Glaucoma is a degenerative ocular condition characterized by irreversible vision loss from damage to the optic nerve. This is usually secondary to increased aqueous production or impaired aqueous outflow, resulting in increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Aqueous outflow is managed by the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal, although secondary pathways may also be involved.¹ Injury to the nerve is permanent, and interventions are primarily aimed at slowing the rate of progression. While eye drops and laser procedures are first-line measures to lower IOP, more persistent or severe etiologies require surgical treatment to preserve sight.² In recent years, advancements in …

Novel Treatments For Keratoconus, Caroline Paik

inSIGHT

Keratoconus is a progressive condition in which the cornea gradually thins and bulges outward, causing it to become steep and irregular. This leads to irregular astigmatism and worsening vision, most often beginning in adolescence or early adulthood.¹ The management of keratoconus has evolved significantly over the past two decades, with novel therapeutic approaches emerging across three critical domains: halting disease progression, improving visual function, and providing surgical alternatives when conservative measures fail. This review examines the latest advances in keratoconus treatment, focusing on innovative approaches that are reshaping clinical practice.

Insight, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2026

inSIGHT

Contents

7 - Novel Treatments for Keratoconus
By Caroline Paik

12 - Novel Advancements in Glaucoma Surgery
By Eshani Ragam

16 - Dichoptic Therapy versus Patching – State of Literature Review
By Eve Miller

24 - GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Ocular Risk
By Saharsh Satheesh

33 - Home-use OCT for Neovascular Age- Related Macular Degeneration
By Sneh Shah

40 - Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Retinoblastoma Diagnosis
By Zana Moldavsky

Transfemoral Approach To Patent Ductus Arteriosus Occlusion Using Acdo In A Dog With Complex Surgical History, Nawat Sannamwong, Hataichon Owatdhumma, Kornrawee Tharavanij, Thitinan Tangarsasilp, Nardtiwa Chaivoravitsakul, Kongthit Horoongruang, Patmanachatr Bunnag, Nakkawee Saengklub, Krishaporn Kradangnga, Sirilak Disatian Surachetpong, Anusak Kijtawornrat

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

A five-year-old spayed female Welsh Corgi weighing 12.4 kg presented with exercise intolerance and was diagnosed with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Due to signs of left-sided volume overload, the dog was initially managed with oral pimobendan and was subsequently referred to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital at Chulalongkorn University for further evaluation and intervention. Upon presentation, the patient was bright, alert, and responsive, with a body condition score of 6 out of 9 and normal muscle condition. The mucous membranes were pink and moist, with a capillary refill time of 1 to 2 seconds. A continuous heart murmur was …

What Do Children Think About Bouncy Bands: A Mixed Methods Examination Of Bouncy Bands' Influence On Attention And Physical Activity, Ken Murfay, Sarah Collins

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: To examine how bouncy bands put onto elementary students’ classroom desks influenced students’ physical activity and attention/concentration, in addition to exploring students’/teachers’ opinions of the bands. Methods: Students within both experimental and control groups wore pedometers to assess movement during instruction and completed the d2 test for attention. Results: The group with bouncy bands on the desks had significantly more movement compared to the control group. For d2 scores, there was no significant difference between the two groups, nor was there a significant linear relationship between movement and d2 scores. Interviews were conducted with the students in the experimental …

Gender Disparities In Sheltered Status And Systemic Drivers Of Homelessness In Johnson City, Tennessee, Preet Patel, Dr. Opal Frye-Clark

Journal of Appalachian Health

The article examines the homelessness crisis in Johnson City, Tennessee, a mid-sized Appalachian city. First, analysis of Point-in-Time (PIT) counts from 2023 to 2025, conducted in 2025, showed persistently high unsheltered rates (35.88% – 47.17%), with men comprising 60 – 65% of the unhoused population. Men experiencing homelessness also had approximately half the odds of being counted as sheltered compared with women, indicating a gender disparity in sheltered status. Second, an interview with an experienced public health practitioner from the Appalachian Region contextualized these findings by identifying systemic drivers, including the regional housing crisis and policy restrictions, and supporting equitable …

Improving Diabetes Self-Management Through A Partnership Between Clinical Providers And Community Educators In Appalachian Communities, Soghra Jarvandi, Lydia Hoskins, Karen Carver, Andrew May

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The burden of diabetes is an increasing public health challenge, especially in the Appalachian Region.

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of a community-based diabetes education program on glycemic control.

Methods: Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) is a 4-month diabetes education program offered by Extension educators in collaboration with clinical providers. Participants’ data were collected via phone interviews at baseline and after completing the program. Assessments included self-reported HbA1c, socio-demographics, diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors. Data were analyzed by SAS software using paired analyses.

Results: Of the 105 participants in the program, 87 (83%) completed the post-assessment. Among …

School-Centered Tobacco Retailer Exposure And Neighborhood Opportunity Across Urban And Rural Tennessee, Sima Namin Dr, Jacob Black, Jennifer Ferris, Robert E. Heidel Dr

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Tobacco retailer availability contributes to youth tobacco use, and retailers are concentrated in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. However, few studies have examined how school-centered retailer exposure intersects with neighborhood opportunity in a predominantly rural Appalachian state.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the association between neighborhood opportunity and school-centered tobacco retailer exposure across Tennessee (TN), including differences by rurality and Appalachian status.

Methods: We constructed a tract-level, school-centered youth tobacco exposure index for TN using tobacco retailer locations and public and private K-12 school data. The index incorporated retailer proximity, density, and distance-decay accessibility measures. Child Opportunity …

Deaths Of Despair Among Cancer Survivors In Rural/Urban Appalachia (2000-2022), Jason Semprini, Anders Erickson, Nosa Osazuwa-Peters

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Rising deaths of despair (premature deaths from suicide, overdose, alcohol, and violence) in adults under age 65 persist across the United States, especially in Appalachia. People diagnosed with cancer may face elevated risks of such deaths due to pain, psychosocial distress, and financial hardship.

Purpose: Deaths of despair trends were compared among adults with cancer across Appalachian and non-Appalachian regions, stratified by sex and rurality.

Methods: Analyzing SEER-21 Incidence-Based Mortality data (2000–2022), deaths caused by suicide, cirrhosis of the liver, or accidents (includes overdose) were identified among adults aged 20–64 years. Annual mortality rates per 100,000 total population were …

Disparities In Access To Medicare-Approved Medical Specialists In Rural Kentucky, Logan Hurm, Jacob A. Welch, James Adkins

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Approximately 20% of the United States population resides in a rural community; however, only 10% of all healthcare resources and physicians are dedicated to these areas. Appalachia, and Kentucky (KY) in particular, have higher populations living in rural areas which leads to a greater number of individuals affected by medical access disparities. As of 2026, 21% of KY’s population is eligible for Medicare, making access to Medicare-accepting specialty physicians crucial for the state’s population.

Purpose: This research aims to quantify healthcare disparities among rural communities in KY through quantification of the potential distance required to travel to access specialty …

Breast Cancer Knowledge, Awareness And Screening Practices Among Female Healthcare Workers In Al-Mukalla, Yemen, Wafa Al Shoaeeb, Ahmed M. Badheeb, Faisal Ahmed, Amen Bawazir, Abdulla Bin Nabhan, Mohammed Badheeb, Abdulkader Bayazid

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women worldwide and represents a significant burden for Yemeni women. Early detection through breast self-examination (BSE) and knowledge of risk factors and symptoms are crucial. This study aimed to assess awareness, knowledge and practice regarding BC risk factors, symptoms and BSE among female healthcare workers (HCWs) in Al-Mukalla, Yemen. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2022 at three public hospitals in Al-Mukalla, Yemen. A census sampling approach was used to recruit HCWs. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire covering breast awareness practices, risk …

Effects Of Microalgae Supplementation On Broiler Meat Quality, Antioxidant Status, And Fatty Acid Profile, Ebrar Filizoğlu, Özlem Karadağoğlu

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study aimed to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of dietary supplementation with Schizochytrium limacinum, a microalga rich in omega-3 fatty acids and bioactive compounds, on the fatty acid composition and antioxidant status of broiler breast meat, as well as its potential effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. In a 42-day feeding trial, 192 day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatment groups (48 chicks per group): a control group fed the basal diet without S. limacinum supplementation (0 g/kg), and three treatment groups fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.25, 0.5, and 1 …

Bibliometric Analysis Of The Top 100 Most Cited Publications From Saudi Arabia Reveals The Predominance Of Medical Fields, Mahmoud Kandeel, Abdulla Al-Taher

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To explore the citation impact, journals, international collaborations, trends of research topics and gain more visibility for the Saudi contribution to the global scientific landscape. Methods: This bibliometric study analyzes the top 100 cited publications affiliated with Saudi Arabia in Scopus, from inception to January 2026. The extracted bibliometric indicators include total citation metrics, sources, collaboration maps, and co-occurrence networks of keywords and collaborations. Results: The results indicate a strong predominance for medicine and health sciences as the subjects of the most prolific and significant number of citations. A substantial proportion of the most cited papers originates from major …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Spinal Versus General Anesthesia On The Perioperative Intraocular Pressure: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial, Muzaffer Gencer, Mehmet Yalvaç

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of spinal and general anesthesia on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients, who had lumbar spine and lower extremity orthopedic surgeries Methods: Sixty adult were randomly classified into Group spinal anesthesia (SA) and Group general anesthesia (GA). The IOP, mean systemic arterial pressure, and heart rhythm were measured at 6 pre-determined timepoints (T0: Baseline, T1: Before spinal procedure or anesthesia induction, T2: After injection with intrathecal or anesthesia induction, T3: 5th minutes (min) after spinal procedure or tracheal intubation, T4: 30th min intraoperative, T5: At the end of surgery, T6: 5th min after surgery or …