Medical Sciences Commons^™

Clinical, Hormonal, And Metabolic Characteristics Of Kurdish Women With Pcos In Duhok, Iraq: Influence Of Body Mass Index, Suzan Omer Rasool, Zana Sabri Qasim

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive problems, and obesity exacerbates these symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metabolic, hormonal, and reproductive profiles of women with PCOS, as well as to investigate how body mass index (BMI) influences these variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 113 PCOS-diagnosed women at Azadi Teaching Hospital's Gynaecology Department in Duhok, Iraq. Clinical, biochemical, and hormonal data were gathered, and individuals were divided into two groups depending on their BMI: normal and elevated. Results: Elevated prolactin (>23.4 ng/mL) was observed in 38.9% …

Cytotoxicity Of Dimethyl Sulphoxide On Viability Of Peripheral Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Rana Nidhamaldeen Al-Nuri, Francesco Ipsevich, Lazim Subhi Sheet

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are cells that can differentiate according to the tissue they are lying in. The transplantation of such cells is either autologous or allogeneic. Autologous storage is required until the patient finishes his intensive chemotherapy. Whilst allogenic storage is required until finding the suitable matched recipient for this cellular therapy. Storage is in deep frozen state (–80° C) with cryoprotectant compound. Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) has been used as cryoprotectant due to its electrophilic property that makes H-bond between DMSO and H₂O, which is 2.6 times stronger than the H bond between two water molecules. …

Evaluation The Attitudes Toward Prevention Of Communicable Diseases On Health Care Workers At Al-Sadr Hospital In Iraq's Najaf Governorate, Ahmed Ali Mohammed Alshamarti, Wisam Abdul Ameer Ali Farid, Atheer Kadhim Ibadi, Sabreen Ali Hassoni

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Communicable diseases are responsible for a heavy burden on human health. Health workers were the front line in preventing these diseases. Wrong or positive attitudes of health workers can reflect negatively or positively on infection control efforts. The primary objective of study evaluating attitudes levels between health care workers towards transferable diseases. The secondary objective, assessing association with social-demographic characteristics of health workers. Materials and Methods: The data from Al-Sadr Hospital, by use a frequency study started from the 1^st of December 2021 to the 30^th of May in 2022. The sample from 384 health care workers …

Grated Green Apple And Its Therapeutic Role In Gastrointestinal Disorders: An Analytical Study Of The Effect Of Pectin In Alleviating Diarrhea, Hamza A Saadallah, Mohammed. Ahb. Al-Krdoshi, Noor M Sultan, Farah Y Gaddawi, Marwa R. S Al Shaaban, Abd Al-Bar Al-Farha, Safa M Salim

BioMed Visions Journal

Gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea, represent a significant global health burden, necessitating the exploration of effective and accessible therapeutic strategies. Dietary interventions, particularly those containing soluble fibers such as pectin, have emerged as promising solutions due to their profound impact on gut health and its microbiota. This meta-analysis systematically reviews the current scientific understanding of the multifaceted role of pectin in alleviating diarrhea, with a particular focus on the unique contribution of grated green apple. The analysis delves into pectin's physicochemical properties and mechanisms of action—including water binding, modulation of the gut microbiota, production of short-chain fatty acids, and support of …

Evaluation Of Antifungal Properties Of Shiitake And The Effects Of Its Extracts On Some Pathogenic Fungi, Asal Faiz Hameed Aldabbgh, Abdalkarim S. Hasan Alnuaimi, Inaam Jasim Mohamad

BioMed Visions Journal

The present study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of shiitake mushrooms on some common fungi found in the soil of Mosul City. The fungal extract from Shiitake was prepared using ethanol or water. Different concentrations of the extract were prepared to analyze the antifungal properties of the mushroom by first making a stock solution and then adding specific amounts to the plates containing (Potato Dextrose Agar) PDA medium to achieve the desired concentrations. The active components found in Shiitake were pinpointed through the use of HPLC. The findings revealed how the aqueous extract of Shiitake affected Trichoderma sp. Penicillium …

Pharmacy Students' Perceptions And Attitudes Toward Online Learning: Insights From A Cross-Sectional Study In Iraq, Heba M. Attash, Luma M. Al-Obaidy, Harith Kh. Al-Qazaz, Fahad Saleem

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: The rapid shift to online learning during the pandemic has reshaped pharmacy education in Iraq, yet student perceptions remain underexplored. This study examines how pharmacy students view online and hybrid models, with attention to gender, location, and access to technology. Method: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October 2024 and January 2025 with 386 fourth- and fifth-year pharmacy students from differrent universities across Iraq. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from validated tools, assessing demographics, learning preferences, and attitudes toward digital education. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Most participants were …

Strategies To Increase Attendance In Substance Use Disorder Group Treatment: Results From A Randomized Controlled Trial, Liliane Cambraia Windsor, Heather A Jones, Carla Ellis, Kennya Hooper, Andrea Rucker, Salma Musaad, Moses Okumu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Attendance in substance-use-disorder group-treatment is challenging with only 32% of patients attending at least one session (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS): 2023 admissions to and discharges from substance use treatment services reported by single state agencies, Bethesda, 2025). The present study tested a set of strategies to increase group session attendance in Community Wise, an innovative evidence-based group-intervention delivered in harm-reduction-community-based agencies and designed to reduce alcohol and substance use among people with substance-use-disorders living in predominantly Black and disinvested communities. We examined: (1) …

A Systematic Literature Review Of Cvid Reveals Pervasive Detrimental Noninfectious Manifestations, Robert B Lindell, Samir U Sayed, Jose S Campos Duran, Sydney A Sheetz, Apoorva Babu, Montana S Knight, Andrea A Mauracher, Ceire A Hay, Peyton E Conrey, Julie C Fitzgerald, Nadir Yehya, Stephen T Famularo, Teresa Arroyo, Richard Tustin, Hossein Fazelinia, Edward M Behrens, David T Teachey, Lisa R Forbes Satter, Alexandra F Freeman, Jenna Re Bergerson, Steven M Holland, Jennifer W Leiding, Scott L Weiss, Mark W Hall, Deanne M Taylor, Rui Feng, E John Wherry, Nuala J Meyer, Sarah E Henrickson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill children, yet heterogeneous immune responses complicate the development of targeted therapies and the host immune factors driving sepsis pathobiology remain unclear.

METHODS

We integrated deep immune phenotyping, plasma proteomics, single-cell transcriptomics, and phosphoflow cytometry in a prospective cohort of 88 critically ill children to elucidate the mechanisms underlying immune heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Unsupervised clustering of plasma cytokines identified 3 immunologic subgroups, including a high-severity group (“Group C”) characterized by hypercytokinemia driven by IL-6 and IFN-γ. Group C exhibited distinct alterations in immune cell frequency and activation, with a …

High Burden Of Elevated Fib-4 In Metabolically At-Risk Primary Care Patients: Simple Predictors To Guide Hepatic Fibrosis Triage, Ridwan Ademola Lawal, Fatimah Bello, Rashmee Patil, Juliana Yang

Research Symposium

Background: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), including metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH), is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Current guidelines recommend fibrosis-based risk stratification using noninvasive tools such as the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index in patients with metabolic risk factors, followed by secondary assessment (e.g., transient elastography or enhanced liver fibrosis(ELF) testing) for those with elevated scores. However, data on the real-world prevalence of elevated FIB-4 in U.S. primary care populations, particularly in safety-net settings, and the downstream implications for fibrosis evaluation remain limited. We aimed to quantify the burden of elevated FIB-4 in a primary care setting …

Llm-As-A-Judge For Infection Prevention And Control And Antimicrobial Resistance Impact: Comparing Three Main Llms Vs. Human Experts' Assessment, Marcello Di Pumpo, Leonardo Villani, Maria Rosaria Gualano, Danilo Buonsenso, Francesca Raffaelli, Daniele Donà, Patrizia Laurenti, Vittorio Maio, Stefania Boccia, Walter Ricciardi

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used to generate health information, yet their reliability as evaluators remains unclear. This study investigated the feasibility of an LLM-as-a-judge methodology in the context of infection prevention and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), comparing automated ratings with human expert benchmarks.

METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of an expert-annotated dataset of health messages. Three leading LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) independently evaluated the same messages using an adapted DISCERN tool across five domains: information reliability, quality, AMR impact, persuasiveness, and overall score. We utilized descriptive statistics, intra-rater reliability tests, and mixed-effects ordinal regression to analyze divergence …

Uncovering Phenotypic Expansion In Axin2-Related Disorders Through Precision Animal Modeling, Nathalie M Aceves-Ewing, Denise G Lanza, Paul C Marcogliese, Di Lu, Chih-Wei Hsu, Hirokazu Hashimoto, Matthew Gonzalez, Audrey E Christiansen, Tara L Rasmussen, Alex J Ho, Angelina Gaspero, Cher Sha, Mary E Dickinson, Bo Yuan, Brian J Shayota, Stephanie Pachter, Xiaolin Hu, Debra Lynn Day-Salvatore, Laura Mackay, Oguz Kanca, Michael F Wangler, Lorraine Potocki, Jill A Rosenfeld, Richard Alan Lewis, Hsiao-Tuan Chao, Brendan Lee, Lauren Blieden, Barry N Wasserman, Dorine A Bax, Nicola K Ragge, Sukyeong Lee, Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Baylor College Of Medicine Center For Precision Medicine Models, Shinya Yamamoto, Hugo J Bellen, Lindsay C Burrage, Jason D Heaney

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: Heterozygous pathogenic variants in AXIN2 (HGNC 904) cause oligodontia-colorectal cancer syndrome (ODCRCS). We identified five individuals with de novo, heterozygous variants (NM_004655.4:c.196G>A p.(Glu66Lys), c.197A>G p.(Glu66Gly), and c.199G>A p.(Gly67Arg)) in AXIN2. Common phenotypes among these individuals included ectodermal dysplasia, global developmental delay, microcephaly, and limb, ophthalmologic, and genitourinary abnormalities.

Methods: Structural modeling was performed to predict the impact of these variants on AXIN2. A prime editing N1 screen of mouse embryos was performed to test whether the p.Glu66Lys variant produces a phenotype. Drosophila models were used to test the effect of this variant on Wnt signaling.

Results: …

Unbiased Avidity-Based Isolation Of Antigen-Specific T Cells, Amanda Montoya, Meredith L Frank, Peixin Jiang, Hui Nie, Minying Zhang, Emily Bontekoe, Jared K Slone, Ludovica L Posta, Sofia Rosy Caterina Sorice, Tina Cascone, Maura Gillison, Don L Gibbons, Jianjun Zhang, Eleonora Dondossola, Lydia Kavraki, Pamela L Wenzel, John V Heymach, Alexandre Reuben

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Background: Cancer immunotherapies have significantly improved treatment efficacy and patient survival by exploiting antigen-specific T cells to eliminate cancer cells. However, current approaches for identifying and isolating antigen-specific T cells typically require prior knowledge of target antigens, limiting discovery, and reducing the ability to consistently detect rare tumor-reactive T cells. We therefore sought to develop an unbiased platform for the identification and enrichment of antigen-specific T cells using naturally processed and presented tumor antigens.

Methods: We developed ATTACH (Assessment of T cells Tethered to Antigen Class I Histocompatibility), a microfluidic platform that applies controlled shear stress and leverages tumor cells …

Thanks For The Signal-Now What? Program Director Perspectives On How Preference Signals Are Shaping General Surgery Residency Recruitment, John M Woodward, Connie Y Gan, Darci C Foote, Tasha Posid, Nicole M Santucci, Noosha D Deravi, Caitlin Silvestri, Kirstyn E Brownson, Erika Simmerman Mabes, Rondi Gelbard, Milanie Milan, Nina Zhao, Dylan R Nieman, Martha Godfrey, Benjamin D Ferguson, Joseph C L'Huillier, Colleen Mcdermott, Prajjwol Luitel, Olabisi Sheppard, Jennifer H Chen, Emma G Burke, Jenny M Guido, Ladonna Kearse, Jonathan Davies, Trenton Foster, Sarah Lund

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: We aimed to explore general surgery program director (PD) experiences with and perspectives on preference signaling in a 15-signal system.

Design: We performed qualitative analysis of de-identified transcripts from semi-structured interviews of general surgery PDs.

Setting: General surgery PDs across the United States.

Participants: All general surgery PDs in the spring of 2025 were invited to participate. Fifteen PDs volunteered to participate in semi-structured interviews (73% university-based, 53% programs with < 8 residents/class).

Results: PDs highlighted that signals saved time when utilized as a screening tool, which gave PDs more time for holistic review of applications. PDs also felt signaling increased equity …

Online Decoding Of Rat Self-Paced Locomotion Speed From Eeg Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Alejandro De Miguel, Nelson Totah, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective. Accurate and reliable neural decoding of locomotion holds promise for advancing clinical applications such as rehabilitation and prosthetic control, as well as for understanding neural correlates of action. Recent studies have demonstrated successful decoding of locomotion kinematics across species in motorized treadmill settings. However, efforts to decode locomotion speed directly and continuously in more natural contexts—where pace is self-selected rather than externally imposed—are scarce, and those that exist generally achieve only modest accuracy and require intracranial implants. Here, we aim to decode self-paced locomotion speed non-invasively and continuously using cortex-wide electroencephalography (EEG) recordings from rats. Approach. We introduce an …

Food As Medicine: Effects Of A Culinary Medicine Food-Demonstration On Medical Students' Nutrition Knowledge, Confidence, And Satisfaction: An Exploratory Pilot Non-Randomized Pre-Post Intervention Study., Niayesh Mardmomen, Cyrus Fatemi, Olivia K Smith, Michael B. Roberts, Farzaneh Daghigh

PCOM Scholarly Works

Background: Diet plays a central role in the development of chronic diseases, making nutrition-focused interventions a powerful tool for improving population health. However, substantial gaps in nutrition education persist in the U.S. medical education, and medical students frequently report receiving limited nutrition training despite its importance in patient care. Methods: A non-randomized pre-post intervention study with a one-month follow-up was conducted among osteopathic medical students. Participants attended a culinary medicine food-demonstration featuring five case-based topics and three chef-prepared recipes. Nutrition knowledge, satisfaction with nutrition education, confidence in nutrition counseling, and personal nutrition-related behaviors were assessed at baseline, immediately …

Pneumococcal Colonization In Pediatric Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Liset Olarte, Jennifer E Schuster, Ibrahim Ahmed, Kristina G Hulten

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Despite the increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease among pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, pneumococcal colonization has not been evaluated in this population. We prospectively assessed longitudinal pneumococcal colonization in 22 pediatric HCT recipients from conditioning therapy to 100 days post-HCT. A higher likelihood of pneumococcal colonization was observed in the late post-HCT period (weeks 9-14) compared with the early post-HCT period (weeks 1-8), with odds increasing with each additional week after conditioning.IMPORTANCEThis is the first study to longitudinally evaluate pneumococcal colonization in pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients from the onset of conditioning therapy to 100 days post-HCT. …

Tau Pathology In Epilepsy: Emerging Mechanisms And Translational Opportunities, Arjune Sen, Xin You Tai, Aristea Galanopoulou, Maria Thom, Eleonora Aronica, Lucy Vivash, Martin Hardmeier, Action Amos, Stephan Rueegg, Matthias Koepp, Yaroslav Winter, Christoph Helmstaedter, Jeffrey L Noebels, Hilal A Lashuel, Terence J O'Brien

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The onset of epilepsy in adulthood occurs most commonly after 55 years of age. Given the ageing global population, this disorder represents an increasing burden on healthcare and society. The bidirectional link between epilepsy and dementia is a focus of intense research with underlying tau pathology highlighted as a potential mechanistic link. In this review, we examine the evidence for tau-related neurodegenerative processes in epilepsy beginning with how changes in biochemical and structural properties of the tau protein can lead to abnormal phosphorylation and pathological aggregation. We consider the role of tau in seizure occurrence and cognitive difficulties in experimental …

Al Kuwait Hospital Dubai, Emirates Health Services 1st Research Week 2025: Research Abstracts Of Clinical And Scientific Advances, Suad Hannawi, Linda Saf Eldin, Alaa Abuquta, Yusra Abdulrahman, Maryam Yaslam, Sabaa Saleh Al-Hemyari, Maimouneh Qazi, Noor Majed Al Mheiri, Ahmed Alamadi, Alia Aljasmi, Sondos Al Salmi, Maria Al-Salmi, Moza Aljamri, Ahmed Ibrahim Abdulrahman, Sharifa Alamadi, Haifa Hannawi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

The Outcome Of Thrombectomy Can Be Improved By Shortening The Door-To-Needle And The Onset-To-Door Time, Sounira Mehri, Josef Finsterer

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Provider-Reported Readiness Of Chronic Healthcare Services In Saudi Arabia Under The Health Sector Transformation Program, Aseel Aldhwaihi, Saad Alghanim

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To assess provider-reported readiness of chronic healthcare services in Saudi Arabia within the context of the Health Sector Transformation Program (HSTP), using a validated, context-specific assessment instrument. Methods: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025 among 254 healthcare providers across 5 health regions and both public and private healthcare sectors. A 34-item instrument, informed by the Chronic Care Model (CCM) and adapted to the Saudi context, assessed 7 system readiness dimensions. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analyses were performed. Results: Overall system readiness was moderately positive. Health system …

Seasonal Variation Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis Among Children And Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: A Single-Center Tertiary Experience, Nour Gazzaz, Fajr A Saeedi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) seasonal variations among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have been widely studied; however, findings remain inconsistent. Although several studies reported a higher incidence during colder months, others showed no consistent patterns. This study investigated whether DKA frequency and severity vary across seasons, particularly in humid cities. Methods: This retrospective cohort analyzed children and adolescents with T1DM admitted to a tertiary hospital with DKA (2015–2025). Data included demographics, seasonal admission trends, clinical severity, and outcomes. Statistical analyses involved the Chi-square and ANOVA tests. Results: A total of 369 DKA cases …

Glp-1 Receptor Agonists And Sglt-2 Inhibitors In Diabetic Nephropathy: A Comparative Study, Sara Ghadeer Alghadeer, Sama Sami Kanfar, Zakiah Dheya Algallaf, Fatimah Mudhar Alfardan, Rana Alshammrany, Maha Farhat, Cyril Cyrus

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RAs) on renal function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and compared their efficacy to sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) in managing diabetic nephropathy. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at King Fahad University Hospital, including 115 adults (≥ 18 years) with T2DM and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m², treated with GLP-1RAs or SGLT-2i for over 1 year. Patients on renal replacement therapy, nephrotoxic drugs, or with incomplete records were excluded. Data were analyzed with Jeffrey's Amazing Statistics Program; the significant value …

Investigating Medical Radiation Awareness Of Saudi Arabian Cardiologists In Catheterization Labs: A Survey Study, Abdulmajeed Alotaibi, Raseel Alsallum, Reemas Alotaibi, Ali M. Aldhebaib, Noha Althubaity, Oinam Gokulchandra Singh, Zyad M. Almutlaq, Abdulaziz M. Albaraikan, Winnie Philip, Abrar M. Al-Mutairi, Mostafa Alqarras, Basma Alrowailli, Abdulrahman Alkhulaifi, Dhaifallah Ziyad Alanazi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of interventional cardiologists in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) regarding occupational radiation safety. Occupational radiation exposure poses significant long-term health risks for interventional cardiologists. Understanding current safety knowledge and practices is essential for guiding improvement strategies. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional survey was administered across several cardiac centers in KSA. The survey evaluated radiation safety awareness, use of dosimetry monitoring, and adherence to protective measures among practicing interventional cardiologists. Results: The study identified notable gaps in radiation safety knowledge and considerable inconsistencies in dosimetry monitoring. Despite these shortcomings, participants demonstrated high compliance …

Awareness Of The Mediterranean Diet And Its Perceived Effect On Cardiovascular Health In The Western Region, Saudi Arabia, Abdullah M. Alharbi, Mohammed S. Alsaedi, Mutaz S. Alharbi, Faisal F. Almutairi, Adeeb M. Aloufi, Azzam M. Alharbi, Rakan D. Alsaedi, Hatim F. Alhejaili, Motasem M. Alyamani

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To increase awareness of mediterranean diet (MD) and its perceived effects on cardiovascular health, enhance knowledge and inform public health efforts aimed at improving the population's health outcomes of. The MD comprises heart-healthy eating patterns high in vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and fruits. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved adult participants who were living in the Western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected online through social media platforms, then cleaned, coded, and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21 to generate key insights. Results: A total of 390 participants were included …

Early Initiation And Dual Patterns Of Cigarette And E-Cigarette Use Among Adults In The Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Haidar A. Alridha, Nora A. Alafif

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To explore the early initiation of cigarette and e-cigarette use and the dual patterns of usage among adults in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2024 to February 2025 among adults living in the Eastern Province. An online self-administered questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, smoking behaviors, age of initiation, dual-use patterns, and quit attempts. Convenience sampling was applied, and a total of 551 participants were included. Descriptive statistics summarized distributions of smoking behavior and initiation age. Pearson's Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between smoking status, age of initiation, …

Multidimensional Predictors Of Disease Severity And Health Outcomes In Patients With Sickle Cell Disease: A Data-Driven Clinical Insight, Hind A. Alzahrani, Ruba Omar Mohammed Almaghrabi, Raed Alharbi, Abdulaziz Saleh Alghamdi, Mohammad A. Albanghali, Hanan E. Alyahyawi, Abdulmohsen M. Alruwetei, Besma Garah, Mohammed Alzahrani, Samar Hassan Hjar, Sana Shaker

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To describe the clinical, hematologic, and therapeutic characteristics of hospitalized adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Al-Baha region and to identify factors that predict hospitalization as well as transfusion frequency. Methods: A retrospective observational analysis was conducted on 117 adults with confirmed SCD who were admitted to King Fahad Hospital-Al-Baha during 2022–2024. Demographic information, hematologic parameters, clinical features, hospitalization rate, transfusion history, and treatment protocols were collected from the electronic medical records. Statistical analyses (ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact Test) were performed to compare between groups where applicable. Results: The cohort had a mean …

Prevalence And Clinical Correlates Of Intraspinal And Vertebral Anomalies In Congenital, Adolescent Idiopathic, And New-Onset Scoliosis: A Comparative Study In Saudi Arabia, Faisal M Alkhunein, Mishari N Alanezi, Nwaf A Alshahir, Abdulkarim S Alsulimi, Abdulrahman H Salman, Habib Ullah Chaudhary, Abdulmajeed A Alzakri

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To explore the prevalence of and clinical associations between intraspinal and vertebral abnormalities in patients with congenital scoliosis (CS), adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and early-onset scoliosis in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective cohort investigation included patients aged 18 years or younger diagnosed with CS, AIS, or new-onset idiopathic scoliosis who underwent full-spine magnetic resonance imaging between 2015 and 2025 at a tertiary center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Clinical and radiological data were collected, and intraspinal and vertebral anomalies were classified. Statistical analyses included Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A …

Dietary Fat Intake And Its Influence On The Association Between Liver Fat And Brain Choline Metabolism In Young Saudi Women, Halima S. Hawesa, Mansour E. Shanawani, Haya A. Alshegri, Mahasin G. Hassan, Amal I. Alorainy, Nouf A. Alroqaiba, Shanoo G. A. Sheikh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: Fat-rich nutrition may influence the neurochemical consequences of hepatic lipid accumulation. This study examined whether percent energy from fat modifies the association between liver fat and the brain (Cho/Cr) ratio in healthy young women. Methods: A total of 109 healthy Saudi women aged 18–25 years underwent brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) to quantify Cho/Cr ratios. Liver fat was estimated using MRI-based proton density fat fraction (PDFF), and lipid intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable regression models tested the interaction between liver fat and fat-derived energy intake, followed by simple slopes analysis, regression …

Urinary Incontinence's Prevalence, Risk Factors, And Quality Of Life Impact On Working Women In Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Mansor, Hatim Tagalsir Osman Ali, Maha Ali, Arwa Abd Al Salam Ashry, Ghala Abdullah Alharbi, Khalid Albasheer, Omer Munder, Isam Mohamed Babbiker Ahmed

Saudi Medical Journal

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of Urinary incontinence (UI) among working women in Saudi Arabia (SA), identify the associated demographic, lifestyle, medical, and obstetric risk factors, and assess its effect on quality of life and work productivity. The UI is a common underreported condition that affects women's daily functioning and life quality, particularly in the workplace. Methods: During 2025, 390 working women in SA who were at least 18 years old and from various work sectors participated in a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Data were gathered using a validated, structured questionnaire; statistical analysis was carried out …

Artificial Intelligence In Pharmaceutical Care: Transforming Drug Discovery, Development, And Patient-Care Delivery, Abdulrahman G. Alharbi, Abdulrahman A. Aljabri

Saudi Medical Journal

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into pharmaceutical care represents a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery, offering unprecedented opportunities to revolutionize medication management, accelerate drug development, and enhance patient outcomes. This comprehensive review synthesized evidence from global literature (2021–2025) examining AI applications across drug discovery and development, clinical trials optimization, medication therapy management, and pharmacy operations. The AI demonstrated prediction accuracies of 86–98% in drug discovery, 80% improvement in clinical trial recruitment efficiency, and 32.7% increase in medication adherence over standard care. The global AI drug discovery market, valued at \$1.5 billion (2023), is projected to reach \$11.8 billion by …