Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Recent Updates On Orally Disintegrating Films Regarding Design, Characterization, And Assessment, Asmaa Abdelaziz Mohamed, Firas Aziz Rahi

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Orally disintegrating films (ODFs) are a pharmaceutical dosage form that liquefies or disintegrates rapidly in the mouth without water, creating an attractive option for patients with difficulty swallowing. ODFs offer several advantages, including convenience, a faster onset of action, and enhanced patient compliance.The formulation of ODFs involves selecting suitable film-forming polymers, plasticizers, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and other excipients. Factors such as taste-masking, stability, and disintegration time are critical considerations in formulating ODFs. Characterization of Orally Disintegrating Films Characterization techniques such as thickness measurement, tensile strength testing, disintegration time determination, and surface morphology analysis are essential for assessing the physical …

Gc-Ms Analysis Of Bioactive Constituents From The Leaves Of Portulaca Afra Jacq. And Portulaca Grandiflora Hook, Sadeq S.K.Al-Taie, Noor F.M. Al-Kenane, Zaidon T. Al-Aqbi

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Portulaca afra and Portulaca grandiflora are traditional medicinal that grow as ornamental plants in Iraq. The present study was conducted for GC-MS analysis of the leaves of these plants to identify possible bioactive compounds. Seventy-nine compounds were recorded in the methanolic extract in Portulaca afra and ninety-two in Portulaca grandiflora. A literature survey revealed that some compounds 4-Vinylphenol, gamma-Sitosterol, Neophytadiene, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Octadecanoic acid, Phytol, Stigmasterol and Tetradecanoic acid possess a variety of biological qualities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer effects.

Can Coffee Combat Fatty Liver? A Review Of Emerging Evidence, Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack, Muhammad Arif, Vincenzo Tufarelli, Ayman A. Swelum

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is an increasingly spread metabolic status characterized by increasing fat accumulation in the liver, obesity closely associated with it, sedentary habits and insulin resistance. Since there is currently no recognized pharmaceutical treatment, lifestyle changes continue to be the mainstay of treatment. Coffee, a globally consumed beverage rich in bioactive and useful compounds like caffeine, cafestol, kahweol, and chlorogenic acids, has emerged as a potential hepatoprotective agent. Evidence from epidemiological experiments, animal studies, and human trials suggests that regular coffee drinking may help decrease hepatic fat levels, improve antioxidant defenses, prevent inflammatory pathways, and prevent or …

In Silico Evaluation Of Nigella Sativa Phytocompounds As Potential Modulators Of Estrogen Receptor Alpha: A Molecular Docking And Admet Study, Murtala Muhammad Jibril, Samuel Otokpa Ede, Ekwere O. Ekwere

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Background: Reproductive dysfunction among women remains a pressing global health issue, often linked to hormonal imbalances involving estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Nigella sativa has garnered scientific interest due to its diverse phytochemical composition and potential reproductive health benefits. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate selected bioactive compounds from Nigella sativa oil as potential modulators of ERα using advanced computational methods. Methods: A structure-based drug discovery approach was employed. Ten phytocompounds were identified through literature mining and subjected to molecular docking against ERα. Clomiphene citrate, a known selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), served as the reference ligand. Binding affinities were analyzed, …

Quality Of Life Among Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Duaa Dhia Hameed Al-Baghdadi, Rajha Abdul Hassan Hamza

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant public health concern Approximately 90% of people with diabetes worldwide have diabetes mellitus type 2. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 23, 2023, to March 2, 2025, in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf City to assess the quality of life among individuals with T2DM. A non-probability sampling technique (purposive sampling) was used to select 167 T2DM patients. Data were collected through a questionnaire, which consisted of three parts: Part I covered sociodemographic information, Part II focused on clinical data, and Part III addressed the quality of life among T2DM patients by using …

Advanced Database Searching, Sandra Y. Desjardins

Library Class: Lunch & Learn

Master the art of finding relevant research articles. This 30-minute class focuses on building strong search strategies using Medline, Web of Science, and Embase. Develop essential skills in concept building to uncover critical information for your research project.

Message In A Bottle, Saptarshi Biswas

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

The title of the image is inspired by a famous old song by the British rock band The Police. The song featured Sting’s evocative lyrics and captures a profound sense of isolation and longing. The song tells the story of a castaway who sends out a distress signal, only to discover that he is not alone in his feelings of loneliness. Through its haunting melody and rhythmic pulse, the track conveys themes of connection and the human experience, illustrating how, despite physical separation, people share similar struggles and emotions. The metaphor of the bottle serves as a poignant reminder of …

Multi-Center Survey Of Medicine Residents And Self-Assessment On Cardiac Complications In Obstetric Patients, Kevyn Niu, Christie A. Tran, Robert J. Subbiondo Md, Olubenga Oyesanmi

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Internal medicine (IM) residents receive significant cardiology training, and previous surveys have evaluated IM resident competency on obstetric (OB)-related subjects. However, there is minimal literature on self-reported competence of cardiac-specific complications in OB patients. Our study assessed self-reported comfort and competency regarding cardiovascular complications in OB patients with medical residents across several specialties.

Methods

We surveyed 207 residents across 3 specialties and 3 teaching hospitals on 10 questions regarding their self-reported confidence in managing cardiovascular complications in OB patients, including practice setting, specific cardiac issues, and stages of labor. We received 42 responses. Results were obtained using Google Sheets …

Nondominant Right Coronary Artery Occlusion Leading To An Anterior St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Taha Ahmed, Taylor Wood, Austin Harris, Rajan Desai, Garima Handa, Naoki Misumida, Amartya Kundu

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

A nondominant right coronary artery supplies a small portion of the myocardium. Albeit rare, an acute occlusion of a nondominant right coronary artery is believed to be inconsequential with minimal clinical relevance.

Case Presentation

We present a case of a middle-aged man who presented with chest pain and an electrocardiogram demonstrating anterior ST-segment elevation. An emergent coronary angiogram revealed acute thrombotic occlusion of the proximal nondominant right coronary artery with no significant obstructive atherosclerotic disease in the dominant left coronary circulation. Balloon angioplasty of the occluded vessel followed by implantation of a drug-eluting stent resulted in the resolution of …

Ovarian Dysgerminoma With Tubo-Ovarian Torsion In An 11-Year-Old Child: A Rare Occurrence But A Significant Differential Diagnosis In Acute Abdomen, Charu Chandra, Keeranmayee Mishra, Rahul Mangal, Chirag Doshi, Apurba Anshuman Mishra

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Ovarian tumors are quite uncommon in the premenarchal age group, with the majority being functional cysts. Malignant tumors are unusual in this age group, making the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy in children quite challenging. Dysgerminoma is the most common malignant ovarian germ cell tumor in females. The clinical symptoms often include abdominal pain, distension, a palpable mass, reduced appetite, nausea, and vomiting.

Case Presentation

We discuss the case of an 11-year-old premenarchal girl who was brought to the emergency department with abdominal pain persisting for 3-4 days, which had intensified over the 24 hours before she arrived at the …

Brown Umbilical Nodule: A Case Of Primary Cutaneous Endometriosis, Richard G. Bindernagel Jr., Aleia Boccardi, Taylor C. Jindia, Parth Patel, Jaimie Bryan, Addie Walker, Summer Moon, Richard Miller

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Endometriosis is a common condition in which endometrial glands and stroma are implanted outside the uterine cavity. Rarely, the skin can be involved.

Case Presentation

We describe a case of a 41-year-old woman who presented to the dermatology clinic complaining of a brown umbilical nodule with slight erythema. It was occasionally painful and hemorrhagic. She denied a history of endometriosis and abdominal surgeries. A shave biopsy of the nodule was consistent with a diagnosis of cutaneous endometriosis. The patient was referred to her gynecologist for further evaluation and treatment.

Conclusion

This unique case demonstrates primary cutaneous endometriosis in the …

Sevoflurane In Status Asthmaticus: A Case Report And Literature Review, Amelia L. Gurley, Thomas W. Church, Sana Hadyah, Brandon Abrajan, Julia Cheree Glavinic

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Sevoflurane and other inhaled anesthetics are gradually entering provider awareness as rescue therapies for patients in refractory status asthmaticus. This paper documents a case report and a literature review involving the use of sevoflurane to treat status asthmaticus.

Case Presentation

A 27-year-old man presented to the emergency room in acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to status asthmaticus, refractory to multiple therapies and requiring intubation. He was successfully extubated following sevoflurane administration in the operating room, and his care was complicated by transient hypotension. A multidisciplinary effort was critical in ensuring successful and timely therapy.

Methods

We performed a literature …

Educational Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Discovers Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma, A Case Report: Clinical Implications And Review Of The Literature, Minh Q. Nguyen, Moshe Bengio, Vu H. Tran

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an indispensable tool for emergency physicians in assessing intra-abdominal pathology due to its real-time visualization, portability, and cost-effectiveness. While POCUS is not traditionally focused on adrenal gland assessment, incidental findings of adrenal masses during examinations have been reported. Our patient presented with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation and was found to have a large adrenal mass, discovered incidentally, during thoracic ultrasound.

Case Presentation

This case report presents the discovery of an adrenal mass in a patient with respiratory distress due to a COPD exacerbation, emphasizing the importance of sonographers’ ability to identify …

A Complex Case Of A Large Fibroid Uterus Compressing The Inferior Vena Cava Causing Recurrent Deep Vein Thrombosis And Pulmonary Embolisms, Jessica Gil, Jessica Klingensmith, Lauren Hendrix, Patrick J. Stocker, Olugbenga Oyesanmi

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Uterine fibroids have been found to increase the risk for venous thromboembolism. There have been other case reports linking large uterine fibroids, pulmonary embolisms, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) together due to compression of blood vessels and increased venous stasis. This case report will discuss a case of a large fibroid uterus compressing the inferior vena cava causing a patient with few risk factors to have recurrent DVTs and pulmonary embolisms.

Case Presentation

The patient was a 35-year-old woman who presented with repeated unprovoked thrombosis episodes. The patient had a full workup after the first episode of DVT and …

Using Dexcom G7 In Critically Ill Infant With Hyperinsulinemia On High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation Support, Chad E. Ward, Timothy Clark, Eric Velezquez

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Life threatening hypoglycemia can occur during critical illness in infants with underlying hyperinsulinemia or metabolic conditions, such as glycogen storage diseases. Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can provide insight into glycemic trends with this high-risk patient population in the intensive care setting. Barriers to usage of CGMs in the intensive care unit include familiarity with CGMs devices among staff, safety, and cost.

Case Presentation

We describe the first reported case of safely utilizing the newest Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor in an infant with hyperinsulinemia undergoing high frequency oscillatory ventilator (HFOV) support for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) …

A Case Report And Evaluation Of Intrauterine Gas Of Unknown Origin, Chrystal Stallworth, Diane Gilbertson, Michele L. Mccarroll, Timothy Kremer

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Most reports of intrauterine or endometrial gas have been reported in the setting of underlying gynecologic malignancy or infection. The significance of this case report is to give a presentation of a patient presenting with intrauterine gas who subsequently was identified as having neither an infectious nor malignant cause for such a finding.

Case Presentation

The patient is a 56-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with “hip pain” and was found to have incidental intrauterine gas on a pelvic computed tomography. She underwent in-office and outpatient hysteroscopies with resection of a submucosal fibroid. Her final pathology was returned as benign, …

Recurrent, Acute Limb Ischemia Secondary To Arterial Thrombosis: A Devastating Complication In The Setting Of Severe Covid-19 Infection, Shaikh Afaq, Kyle S. Strouse, Sini Saju, Olugbenga Oyesanmi, Mohamad Eid, Salman Muddassir

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

COVID-19 infection, particularly with the Delta variant, has been associated with a heightened risk of thromboembolic events due to a profound hypercoagulable state. While venous thrombosis is more commonly reported, arterial thrombosis—including acute limb ischemia—has emerged as a serious complication with significant morbidity and mortality.

Case Presentation

We report the case of a 53-year-old man with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who developed recurrent acute limb ischemia secondary to an aortic mural thrombus. Despite therapeutic anticoagulation and multiple surgical interventions—including thrombectomy, angioplasty, and stenting—the patient experienced repeated episodes of arterial thrombosis. His clinical course was further complicated by pneumothorax and hemothorax, …

Understanding Challenges Faced By Female Graduate Medical Education Trainees: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Physician Coaching Requests, Nathalie Dieujuste, Adrienne Mann, Kimiko Dunbar, Pari Shah Thibodeau, Tyra Fainstad, Brooke Dorsey Holliman

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Physician burnout, particularly among female graduate medical education (GME) trainees, is a growing concern that affects physician wellness and patient safety. Professional coaching has shown promise in improving physician wellness. The Better Together Physician Coaching program (BT) is a web-based, group-coaching program, piloted using female GME trainees, aimed at improving key indicators of well-being, including burnout and impostor syndrome. In this qualitative study, we aimed to understand the challenges faced by female physician trainees shared in the pilot of the BT coaching intervention.

Methods

A total of 101 female physician trainees participated in the BT pilot. A sample of …

Converting Usmle Step 1 To Pass Or Fail: The Potential Impact On Applicants Who Are Female Or From Underrepresented Groups, Haris Ahmed, Peter Yu, Brendan Rosamond, Jonathan Lall, Scott Zimmerle, Said Maldonado, Nicole Lyons, Ashlynn N. Mills, Yoolim Alex Seo, Angelica C. Rodriquez, Jacqueline E. Levesque, Oluwatunmininu A. Anwoju, Zuhair Ali, Rajeev Raghavan, Mike Liang

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

In January 2022, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 exam became pass/fail and the transition to using USMLE Step 2 scores for residency interview screening appeared imminent. While this change was intended to result in holistic reviews of residency applicants, the impact remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine how USMLE scoring changes might affect female candidates and applicants from underrepresented groups (URM).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of all applicants to a single institution. Data for applicants were extracted from their 2021-2022 residency applications and included age, race, sex, medical school, …

A Hard Problem: Managing Constipation In The Geriatric Population, William G. Jones, Veeraen Jonnalagadda, Alexandra E. Thomson, Victoria Grumbles, Chase Cottle, Christian Robertson, Maulikkumar Patel

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Constipation is a common condition among geriatric patients with different presenting symptoms and potential serious complications. Additionally, the condition causes a significant burden on our healthcare system. Here, we summarized recommendations from several societies, including the American College of Gastroenterology, American Geriatrics Society, and American Academy of Family Physicians to provide guidance on managing constipation with geriatric patients. Our aim was to emphasize the importance of prevention of constipation in this population and methods to do so. We also give recommendations on how to manage constipation when it does develop and how to manage it across different healthcare settings. These …

An Acknowledgement To The Hca Healthcare Journal Of Medicine's Reviewers And Editors For The First Half Of 2025, Juan A. Sanchez, Graig Donini

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

The HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine would like to thank those behind the scenes who make this publication possible. Our journal would not be possible without the assistance of our peer reviewers, authors, and board members.

Hurricane Katrina Archive: Faculty Publications Bibliography 2015-2019, Lsu Health Sciences Center - New Orleans Libraries, Sharon Duffy, Matthew Folse

LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive: Bibliographies

This bibliography includes 19 articles about Hurricane Katrina written by authors affiliated with LSU Health – New Orleans between January 2015 and December 2019.

Hurricane Katrina Archive: Faculty Publications Bibliography 2020-2025, Lsu Health Sciences Center - New Orleans Libraries, Sharon Duffy, Matthew Folse

LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive: Bibliographies

This bibliography includes 10 articles about Hurricane Katrina written by authors affiliated with LSU Health – New Orleans between January 2020 and August 2025.

Hurricane Katrina Archive: E-Books And E-Journals A To Z Bibliography 2020-2025, Lsu Health Sciences Center - New Orleans Libraries, Elizabeth H. Holt

LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive: Bibliographies

This bibliography includes 43 electronic books and edited collections created on the topic of Hurricane Katrina by authors and others affiliated with LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans between September 2005 and August 2025.

Staff Education To Reduce Alarm Fatigue And Enhance Patient Safety Through Nurse Education On Telemetry Optimization, Casey Alan Metcalf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This project was an evidence-based staff education initiative to reduce alarm fatigue and enhance patient safety through telemetry optimization in an acute care setting. The core issue involved the overuse of continuous cardiac monitoring, which contributed to nonactionable alarms, alarm fatigue, workflow inefficiencies, delayed throughput, and increased costs. The project was a structured intervention delivered to 171 telemetry nurses across three inpatient units. Pretests and posttests measured changes in knowledge, intent, and practice. Results showed a 22.9% increase in knowledge, a 92% agreement regarding intention to follow discontinuation protocols, and a 10% overall reduction in practice of telemetry use …

Need A Buddy? A Mentorship Program For New Graduate Nurses, Makenzie Smith, Clarissa Leal, Danae Jones, Tram Anh Tran, Serenity Helaire

2024

No abstract provided.

Hurricane Katrina Archive: Libraries Catalog Bibliography, Lsu Health Sciences Center - New Orleans Libraries, Elizabeth H. Holt

LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive: Bibliographies

This bibliography includes 15 books, videos, and edited collections created on the topic of Hurricane Katrina by authors and others affiliated with LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans between September 2005 and August 2025.

Understanding User Needs In Health Crisis Risk Monitoring Information System Development: A Lesson From Tasikmalaya District, Indonesia, Arief Tarmansyah Iman, Hari Kusnanto, Ariani Arista Putri Pertiwi

Kesmas

A health crisis risk monitoring information system needs to be developed, especially during the pre-disaster phase; therefore, understanding the needs of prospective users is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the needs of potential users regarding the development of this system. This study employed a qualitative, exploratory approach to gather user needs from stakeholders through interviews (n = 7) and one focus group discussion (n = 12). The data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then thematically analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The need for information was related to disaster preparedness and its preferred format. The system should be targeted, multiplatform, …

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, …

Barriers To Implementing Comprehensive Sexuality Education As A Strategy To Prevent Adolescent Pregnancy In Indramayu District, Indonesia, Een Kurnaesih, Chahya Kharin Herbawani, Nelly Febriani

Kesmas

The implementation of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is not optimal. This qualitative study aimed to identify and contextualize barriers to CSE implementation, specifically in Indramayu District, Indonesia. Conventional content analysis procedures were used. Seven participants, consisting of relevant authorities, were interviewed. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select participants. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. The barriers to CSE implementation in Indramayu District were identified across five themes: advocacy, technical considerations, coordination and collaboration, integration with other sexual and reproductive health projects, and …