Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Unveiling Post-Pericardial Resection: Magnificent Imaging Of Extensive Residual Pericardial Calcification And Impressive Mitral Valve Thickening, Omar Al Taei, Abdullah Al Ismaili

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Clinical And Autoimmune Profiles Of Omani Patients With True Versus False Positive Autoimmune Encephalitis Antibodies Panels, Ahmed Al-Qassabi, Haifa Al-Abri, Mahmood Al Kindi, Abdullah Al-Asmi, Jalila Alshekaili, Said Al Farsi, Rawan Al Hinai, Ikram Al Lawati, Arunodaya R. Gujjar

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objective: This study aimed to explore the clinical profiles of Omani patients with true-positive autoimmune encephalitis (AE) autoantibodies and compare them with those having false-positive autoantibodies. The incidence of AE is rising due to growing awareness and the detection of new autoantibodies. Coinciding with this rise are false positive autoantibodies without clinical correlates. Methods: The medical records of all patients who tested positive for AE antibodies in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, from May 2016 to December 2022 were reviewed. Cases were verified by three neurologists based on the existing criteria for AE. Results: The participants comprised …

Epidemiology, Risk Factors And Clinical Outcome Of Candidaemia: A Decade-Long Experience At A University Hospital In Oman, Tasneem Al Salmani, Asmaa S. Mahdi, Abdullah Balkhair, Turkiya Al Siyabi, Hashim Ba Wazir

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to examine a decade-long epidemiology of candidaemia to explore the risk factors associated with it, and describe its clinical outcomes in hospitalised adult patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Adult patients with candidaemia hospitalised between January 2007 and December 2016 were included. The hospital infection control department surveillance registry on bloodstream infections (BSIs) was used to identify Candida BSIs. Patients' electronic medical records were searched for demographic characteristics, clinical risk factors and outcomes. Results: Candida albicans was the most common Candida species among 152 …

Incidence And Predictors Of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Two-Centre Experience From Oman, Mohamed N. Al Rawahi, Adil Al Kindi, Ahmed Al Yarubi, Ahmed Shams, Adil Al Riyami, Hatim Al Lawati, Ahmed El Said, Mohamed Al Riyami, Khalid Al Saidi, Ismail Al Abri, Najib Al Rawahi, Abdullah Al Ismaili, Fahad Al Kindi, Muhammad A. Sadiq, Sunil K. Nadar

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the predictors and rate of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at two institutions in Oman. TAVR has become the standard of care for patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk for surgery. However, it is associated with a high PPM implantation rate. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving all patients undergoing TAVR at two leading cardiac centres in Oman over seven years, from May 2013 to September 2020. We included patients who survived the procedure to discharge and those who were followed-up for …

Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Central And Peripheral Nervous System Vasculitis, Abel T. Oommen, Arunodaya R. Gujjar, Suad Al-Jahdhami, Abdullah R. Al-Asmi, Ali Sajjad

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

The anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) usually manifests as systemic vasculitis. AAV with central nervous system involvement in the form of mesenrhombencephalitis and peripheral neuropathy is extremely rare. We report a 59-year-old male patient who presented to a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman, in 2024. He had a subacute presentation of altered sensorium, multiple cranial nerve palsy and ataxia with 3 months history of bilateral foot drop. Brain imaging was suggestive of mesenrhombencephalitis with subarachnoid and intraparenchymal haemorrhage. Nerve conduction studies revealed sensorimotor axonal neuropathy. Vasculitis profile showed perinuclear-ANCA positivity and the nerve biopsy was suggestive of vasculitic …

Haemothorax As An Unusual Presentation Of Osteochondroma: A Case Report And Brief Literature Review, Jawahar H. Al Noumani, Shathra S. Al Rawahi, Abdullah G. Alshaharli, Hatem Al Farhan, Adil H. Al Kindi, Abdullah M. Al Alawi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Exostosis, or osteochondroma, is an irregular bone growth commonly occurring near the femur, scapula, humerus and ribs. It can be a single isolated lesion or multiple lesions as in hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) which is a genetic autosomal dominant disorder. Although often asymptomatic, complications such as haemothorax are rare and have serious implications if not promptly recognised. We report a 15-year-old male patient who presented to a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman, in 2023 who presented with progressive chest pain and dyspnoea. The patient had a family history of HME. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) confirmed the osteochondromatous lesions on …

Unveiling The Marvels Of 3d Echo: Illuminating Prosthetic Mitral Valve Dehiscence Through 3d Transillumination, Sheeraz Ahmad, Muhammad A. Sadiq, Jai Parkash, Ahmad Kamal, Abdullah Al Ismaili, Fahad Al Kindi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

The Multifaceted Nature Of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Saif A. Khan, Amanullah Baig, Dawood Riyami

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence In Infectious Diseases: Hopes And Hurdles, Hawra Al-Lawati, Abdullah Balkhair

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Genomic Characterization Of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma Reveals Distinct Somatic Features In Black Individuals, Katherine A Lawson-Michod, Jeffrey R Marks, Lindsay J Collin, David A Nix, Natalie R Davidson, Chad D Huff, Yao Yu, Aaron Atkinson, Courtney E Johnson, Lucas A Salas, Lauren C Peres, Casey S Greene, Joellen M Schildkraut, Jennifer A Doherty

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Black individuals experience worse survival after a diagnosis of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) than White individuals and are underrepresented in ovarian cancer research. To date, the understanding of the molecular and genomic heterogeneity of HGSC is based primarily on the evaluation of tumors from White individuals. In the present study, we performed whole-exome sequencing on HGSC samples from 211 Black patients to identify significantly mutated genes and characterize mutational signatures, assessing their distributions by gene expression subtypes. The occurrence and frequency of somatic mutations and signatures by self-reported race were compared with historic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas …

Correlation Between Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection And Cancer Development: A Comprehensive Analysis, Fernando Cisneros, Blake Martin, Shizue Mito

School of Medicine Publications

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly prevalent pathogen primarily recognized for causing chickenpox during primary infection, and herpes zoster (HZ), also known as shingles, upon reactivation. While post-infectious complications of VZV, such as encephalitis, pneumonia, and post-herpetic neuralgia, are well-established, recent large population-based studies suggest that HZ may increase the risk of occult cancers. This has sparked discussions on the need for cancer screening in patients with HZ to improve early diagnosis and prognosis. However, the specific types of cancers most strongly associated with VZV reactivation have not been systematically identified, and the subsequent cancer risk remains inconclusive. Emerging evidence …

Optimising Non-Cycloplegic Screening Strategies For Early Detection Of Pre-Myopia And Myopia In Young Children, Síofra Harrington, Michael Moore, James Loughman, Ian Flitcroft, Veronica O'Dwyer

Articles

Purpose: Early detection of myopia is essential to delay its onset and progression. Pre-myopia, defined by an inadequate hyperopic reserve, increases myopia risk in childhood. However, effective screening methods remain limited. This study aimed to develop practical non-cycloplegic screening methods for pre-myopia and myopia in 6- to 7-year-olds to support earlier interventions.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of 621 Irish schoolchildren (mean age: 7.12 ± 0.45 years; 51.8% boys) assessed uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA). Cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (SER) classified refractive status (myopia: SER ≤ −0.50D; pre-myopia: SER > −0.50 ≤ 0.75D). Pre- and post-cycloplegic SER were measured using the Welch …

Selection Of Therapeutically Effective T-Cell Receptors From The Diverse Tumor-Bearing Repertoire, Leonie Rosenberger, Naresha Saligrama, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The development of T-cell receptor (TCR)-based T-cell therapies is hampered by the difficulties in identifying therapeutically effective tumor-specific TCRs from the natural repertoire of a patient's cancer-specific T cells.

METHODS: Here, we mimic experimentally near-patient conditions to analyze the T-cell repertoire in euthymic tumor-bearing mice responding to the H-2K

RESULTS: We found that mp68-specific TCRs isolated from either tumor-infiltrating T cells or spleens of mice immunized with mp68-expressing cancer cells are diverse and not inherently therapeutic when introduced into peripheral T cells and used for adoptive therapy of established tumors. While measuring short-term T-cell responses in vitro was unreliable …

A Tobacco Treatment Training Program Expands The Number Of Healthcare Providers Trained To Use Evidence-Based Practices And Methods, Alex Hurst, Maher Karam-Hage, Jennifer Cofer, Mehwish Javaid, Diane Beneventi, Janice Blalock, Tiffany Winter, Paul M. Cinciripini, Ernest Hawk

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Tobacco-use disorder remains a global health challenge, despite declining rates, and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among special populations that disproportionally do not have access to comprehensive treatment services. The lack of trained providers and slow dissemination of new tobacco treatment knowledge are obstacles to accessing comprehensive evidence-based treatments. Less is known about the impact of specialized training programs on healthcare professionals' ability to effectively treat tobacco use. This paper reports on the evaluation of the tobacco treatment training program, training methodology, and the demographics of the specialists trained.

MD Anderson’s Tobacco Treatment Training Program (TTTP) …

Impact Wv: Adapting Patient Navigation Models Of Care To Improve Services To Caregivers Of Infants Exposed To Substances In Utero, Charlotte S. Workman Bsms, Ccrp, Lesley Cottrell, Mawyah Bashatah, Aisha Hashmi, Kayla Richard, Poornima Murthy, Susan Harrison, Ashleigh Mckinsey, Amy Bott, Sydney Leary, Cody Smith, Melina Danko

Journal of Appalachian Health

Patient navigation (PN) is a healthcare service delivery model designed to partner clients with service providers to reduce challenges to health care, as well as to improve access to care by identifying opportunities to coordinate services for clients. The IMPACT WV project at the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (WVU CED) implemented PN models of care for caregivers of infants exposed to substances in utero. The purpose of this program was to reduce burden for potentially at-risk families and improve caregiver and infant outcomes as a result. To understand the processes that influence the implementation of PN …

Drive Time Analysis Of New Gynecologic Oncology Patients At West Virginia University, Kassandra Whitfield, Ariel Cohen, Krista Pfaendler, Kristy Ward

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: West Virginia is a rural mountain state; access to medical care, especially specialty care, can be difficult for patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the geographic status and transportation times of new gynecologic oncology patients.

Methods: Home zip codes for new patient gynecologic oncology patients were analyzed for drive times to the cancer center. Zip codes of oncology providers in the state were compared to the location of patients.

Results: A total of 1,097 new gynecologic oncology patients lived within a 240-minute drive of MBRCC; nearly half (48.9%) of them drove greater than 60 minutes. …

Tailoring Statewide Training For Local Impact: A Burke County Public Health Case Study, Miranda Smith, Ashley Jarrett, Danny Scalise, Samantha Simmons

Journal of Appalachian Health

Addressing health-related social needs is crucial for improving health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations. NCCARE360 is North Carolina’s statewide coordinated care platform powered by Unite Us.¹ Burke County Public Health (BCPH) identified gaps in the standardized NCCARE360 training, prompting a tailored approach. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, BCPH refined training materials with interactive guides, real-life scenarios, and one-on-one sessions. This adaptation led to increased staff engagement and improved referral outcomes. Recognized as a model for local implementation, BCPH’s approach signifies the importance of customizing statewide initiatives to meet local operational realities. This case highlights the value of iterative training improvements …

Patient-Clinician Communication In The Appalachian Region: A Scoping Review, Kawther Al Ksir, Hadii M. Mamudu, Chidiebube J. Ugwu, Emily K. Flores, Tracy Fasolino, Holly Wei, Rick L. Wallace, Florence M. Weierbach

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Effective communication between patients and clinicians is a critical component of quality health care, influencing disease prevention, management, and outcomes. In regions with unique socioeconomic and geographic challenges, communication barriers can further exacerbate health disparities. Understanding the factors that facilitate or hinder patient-clinician communication is essential for developing targeted interventions that improve health care delivery.

Purpose: This review explores the existing literature on patient-clinician communication concerning cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Appalachian Region with the aim to understand existing gaps and interventions.

Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were utilized to conduct a systematic search. The Population, Concept, …

Using Photovoice To Define The Experiences, Needs, Strengths, And Priorities Of Gay Men In South Central Appalachia, Ana D. Sucaldito, Lilli Mann-Jackson, Jorge Alonzo, John W. Chaffin, Scott D. Rhodes

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men and transgender and nonbinary persons living in rural Appalachia experience profound health disparities. Limited research, however, has focused on the needs, strengths, and priorities of these communities.

Purpose: This study sought to better understand the lived experiences of the vulnerable, underrepresented, and underserved Appalachian gay male community by working with a small group of self-identified gay Appalachian men.

Methods: As part of a larger community-based participatory research study (the Appalachian Access Project), four self-identified gay men participated in a photovoice project. Participants took photos based on …

Determinants Of Willingness To Share Wearable Health Data With Health Care Providers In Appalachian Populations: An Exploratory Study, Gilbert Munoz Cornejo, Joonghee Lee

Journal of Appalachian Health

Background: Wearable health devices capture metrics (e.g., physical activity, ECG, sleep) that can enhance care when shared with providers. Yet, willingness to share wearable data may differ in Appalachia, where chronic disease burdens, mistrust, and limited infrastructure pose unique challenges.

Objective: This study explored (1) which sociodemographic, health, and digital behaviors correlate with willingness to share wearable data and (2) how these insights can guide region-specific interventions in Appalachia.

Methods: We analyzed 320 Appalachian respondents from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models examined willingness to share wearable data. Because of small cell …

Heartache In The Heartland: Unraveling The Social Roots Of Deaths Of Despair In Kentucky, Lyndsey K. Blair, Madeline M. Tomlinson, Michele Abee-Biskis, Jessica Hume, Gabri Warren

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Deaths of despair (DoD), encompassing suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver diseases, have emerged as a critical public health crisis in the United States, with their rise particularly pronounced from 1995 to 2013 and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kentucky, grappling with high rates of substance use disorder, poor mental health, and economic hardship, is at the forefront of this issue, particularly in its rural and Appalachian regions.

Purpose: This study explores the social determinants contributing to DoD in Kentucky, focusing on economic and social factors that influence rising rates of suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related liver disease. The …

Finding Freedom In Appalachia: Evaluating A Mental Health Intervention In West Virginia, Elizabeth A. Claydon, Karen Haring, Jessica Haring, Kelsey Riggi, Beth Currence

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Rural areas have limited capacity to provide comprehensive mental health treatment and resources. This creates the need for interventions to ensure individuals with mental health concerns have access to resources to improve their mental health.

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods evaluation was to assess the effectiveness and impact of Libera, a mental health program tailored for girls and women within the Appalachian region.

Methods: Quantitative surveys, including validated measures for depression, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms, and life satisfaction, were collected pre- and post-Libera intervention for participants. Simultaneously, annual surveys were sent to Listeners in addition to qualitative …

Time And Location: Physical Activity Trends In Parents And Children In A Rural Region During Covid-19, Brooke C. Towner, Robert Broce, Rebecca A. Battista

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: COVID-19 restrictions altered the structure of the school and workday for families with children and led to changes in active transportation. Continued restrictions impacted access to many community locations and led to changes in physical activity (PA) behavior.

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to describe the changes in the 1) amount of PA time per day, 2) frequency of PA, and 3) sitting time. Information about how PA changed for parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic will have potential implications for education, public health, and recreation management.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enlisted participants via an online …

Children Living With Type 1 Diabetes In The Public School System, Madison M. Wilson

Kentucky Undergraduate Journal for the Health Humanities

Type 1 Diabetes is a worldwide chronic condition that typically develops during adolescence and requires life-long treatment and management. Management of this disease is extremely complicated for a child to manage on their own and requires a community of individuals to help them. With children spending most of their days at school, the school’s teachers and staff are vital to the care and management of their condition while attending public school. Children with Type 1 Diabetes in public school systems face many disparities and a reform is needed. Looking at this population through a holistic health science lens can help …

Exploring Metacognitive Interventions To Enhance Pre-Licensure Nursing Student Academic Performance: A Mixed-Methods Perspective, Angela Christian, Kara Delafosse

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

rigorous demands of nursing school and the high expectations for critical thinking. Situating students for success requires implementing effective study strategies. Metacognition is the ability of students to manage their studying and learning tactics, while recognizing how and when to employ various strategies to master content (Chang et al., 2021). Metacognition directly correlates with enhanced critical thinking, clinical judgment, effective communication skills, and problem-solving capabilities which are critical in the nursing profession (Chang et al., 2021). Incorporating these skills to assist students as they matriculate through their academic journey situates them for success in the nursing profession. Using metacognitive awareness …

Table Of Contents And Front Matter, Bjur Staff

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

In-Person And Virtual Adaptation Of An Interprofessional Palliative Care Communications Skills Training Course For Pediatric Oncology Clinicians, Karen Moody, Clark R. Andersen, Robert M. Arnold, Julie Bradley, Allie Carter, Lauren Draper, Timothy Garrington, Jonathan B. Gill, Douglas J. Harrison, Masanori Hayashi, Amy Heaton, Cynthia Holladay, Alex Lion, Alakh Rajan, Beatriz N. Rozo, Daniel V. Runco, Shermini Saini, Laura K. Salvador, Kathryn Sutton, Verna Ferguson

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Introduction

Empathic communication is crucial for clinicians when discussing palliative and end-of-life (PC/EOL) care with parents of children with cancer. Unfortunately, many parents report inadequate communication at these distressing times. This study evaluates the communication skills training (CST) clinicians received to deliver a PC/EOL communication intervention as part of a multi-site randomized-controlled trial (RCT). Training was provided using an in-person format and then adapted to a virtual platform to accommodate remote learners.

Methods

Clinicians were trained in dyads (one physician and one nurse [RN] or advanced practice provider [APP]) over 3 days (in-person or virtually). Four pediatric oncology cases were …

Rising Use Of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors And The Escalating Burden Of Gastrointestinal And Hepatic Toxicities: A Nine-Year Analysis, Donghyun Ko, Do Han Kim Md, Pedro Palacios Argueta Md, Wilhelm S. Basegoda Md, Jose A. Porres, Francis F. Fadi, Jana G. Hashash, Francis A. Farraye, Paul T. Kroner Md

Posters

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including programmed death 1 (PD-1), PD-L1, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, has revolutionized cancer therapeutics, markedly improving survival in various malignancies. However, their expanding utilization has been paralleled by the emergence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), particularly gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic toxicities, which pose significant challenges in clinical practice. These toxicities can manifest as a spectrum of conditions, from mild transient symptoms to severe, life-threatening complications, necessitating a better understanding of their prevalence and trends. This study aims to evaluate the temporal changes in ICI use and associated GI and hepatic …

Low Dose Aspirin Is Associated With Improved 30-And 92-Day Outcomes In Patients With Acute Pancreatitis: A Multinational Multicenter Analysis, Do Han Kim Md, Donghyun Ko Md, Pedro Palacios Argueta Md, Wilhelm S. Basegoda Md, Jose A. Porres, Frank J. Lukens Md, Paul T. Kroner Md

Posters

Currently, no medications are known to formally treat or prevent acute pancreatitis (AP). Significant attention has been devoted to aspirin (ASA), with rodent models showing that it is associated with decreased inflammatory cytokine levels and protects against acinar cell necrosis. Current human studies, which are limited to retrospective inpatient outcomes only on the index hospitalization for AP, do suggest that patients on ASA have improved outcomes. The aim of our study was to explore de 30- and 90- day outcomes of patients with AP on long-term ASA use.

Long-Term Use Of Oral Factor X(A) Inhibitors Is Associated With Increased Rates Of Pancreatic Necrosis At 30- And 90-Days In Patients With Acute Pancreatitis: A Multinational Multicenter Analysis, Do Han Kim Md, Donghyun Ko, Pedro Palacios Argueta Md, Wilhelm S. Basegoda Md, Jose A. Porres, Frank J. Lukens Md, Paul T. Kroner Md

Posters

The aim of this study is to explore the association between use of long-term anticoagulation with FXaI and the odds of pancreatic necrosis in patients with AP using a large multinational database.