Future Science OA最新文献

Background: Body shape concerns (BSC) and body dissatisfaction represent emerging public health issues, yet evidence from Middle Eastern contexts, including Jordan, remains limited. These concerns adversely affect psychological health and are shaped by sociocultural pressures and digital media exposure.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 418 undergraduate university students in Northern Jordan. Participants completed the Body Shape Questionnaire-8D (BSQ-8D) to assess BSC. Demographic, behavioral, and media use variables were analyzed to identify correlations.

Results: Among 418 respondents (96% aged 17-24; 53% female), 73% reported no BSC. Higher levels of BSC were significantly associated with increased body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001). Compared to normal-weight peers, overweight students had higher odds of reporting mild [adjusted odds ratio (AOR: 3.7)]and moderate to marked (AOR: 2.56) BSC. Parental education and social media use were also significant factors. Students who did not use Snapchat (AOR = 2.05), did not use TikTok (AOR = 2.15), and cigarette smokers (AOR = 2.75) had higher odds of reporting elevated BSC levels.

Conclusions: BSC among Jordanian university students is shaped by multiple psychosocial and behavioral factors, with BMI emerging as the strongest predictor. Findings underscore the need for culturally informed strategies addressing weight stigma, smoking, parental influences, and media engagement. Integrating BSC screening into routine healthcare may support early detection of at-risk groups.

Background: The Beirut pager explosions on September 17, 2024 resulted in mass casualties with severe upper limb trauma admitted to Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH), Lebanon's national war trauma referral center. Initial opioid-based anesthesia was associated with postoperative respiratory complications and high opioid requirements. Ketamine became available the following day through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This study evaluates the transition to ketamine as a primary anesthetic and its effects on pain control, hemodynamics, respiration, and opioid use.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 100 hand and finger amputation surgeries. Patients initially received fentanyl intraoperatively and opioids postoperatively. Ketamine was subsequently introduced as the primary anesthetic. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while respiratory and hemodynamic parameters were monitored perioperatively.

Results: Ketamine was associated with significantly lower VAS scores (3.2 vs 7.8; p < 0.001), no respiratory complications (0 vs 18 cases), stable mean arterial pressure in 94% of patients, and reduced postoperative opioid use (5% vs 65%).

Conclusion: Ketamine is a safe, effective, opioid-sparing anesthetic and should be prioritized in conflict and resource-limited trauma settings.

Objective: To evaluate the awareness and understanding of breast cancer (BC) etiology among Jordanian women and identify associated demographic factors.

Materials and methods: A multiregional cross-sectional survey of 381 women was conducted via online snowball sampling. BC knowledge was assessed using a translated version of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure. Statistical analyses included univariate and bivariate tests, followed by a multivariate ordinal logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders.

Results: Only 39.9% of participants demonstrated proficient comprehension of BC etiology. Knowledge correlated significantly with age, marital status, and expertise (p < 0.05). Awareness was highest among single pharmacy students; notably, 64.8% were single pharmacy students, potentially inflating overall scores. A misconception was identified: 66.1% believed a diagnosis in one breast reduces risk in the other. Age 41-50 (OR = 5.23) and holding a diploma (OR = 0.09) were significant predictors of knowledge compared to postgraduates, while marital status was not significant in the model.

Conclusions: Educational backgrounds significantly influence breast cancer awareness among Jordanian women. There is an urgent need for targeted, community-based training programs to address persistent clinical misconceptions and knowledge gaps, specifically focusing on married women and individuals working or studying in non-medical fields, to improve overall public health standards nationwide.

Background: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a chronic inflammatory condition with limited range of motion (ROM) in the glenohumeral joint. The main goals in managing AC are pain reduction and returning joint function. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) has been considered a safe modality in AC. This study compared the effectiveness of intra-articular injection of low molecular weight (LMW) with high molecular weight (HMW) HA in patients with AC.

Methods: Fifty-six patients with AC were randomized in this triple-blinded clinical trial. All underwent standard physical therapy. The outcomes were visual analog scale (VAS), Oxford shoulder score (OSS), active ROM, and patient satisfaction at 4, 12, and 24 weeks.

Results: No significant differences were detected in between-group variables at baseline. Both groups showed marked improvement in VAS, OSS, and ROM over time. At four weeks LMW-HA group had lower pain (P = 0.049). Conversely, the trend of VAS at 12-week and 24-week endpoints favors HMW-HA (Baseline to endpoint: -5.48 ± 1.68 and -3.91 ± 1.31 reduction in VAS as the primary outcome, P < 0.001). Satisfaction had significantly improved in both groups.

Conclusion: HMW-HA was associated with greater pain reduction and functional improvement compared with LMW-HA.

Trial registration: The trial protocol was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), a WHO Primary Register setup (registration No: IRCT20170608034390N4; First registration date: 01/01/2020).

Background and objectives: Targeting macro-autophagy (MAut) through Nano-medicine can be more prospective than traditional medicine subjected to resistance in atrophic arthritis (RA). MAut is a degenerative process that restores healthy chondrocytes it plays a vital role in RA onset and cell homeostasis this opened Novel Avenue in targeting RA via liposomal drug delivery system. The insufficient response to existing therapies or systemic toxicity and poor bioavailability, are quiet unsettled problems lying across the full retardation of RA treatment. Various Nano-carriers with sustained drug release, improved physicochemical properties, and active targeting were designed to promote the drug delivery efficiency.

Methods: Single subcutaneous dose of Norphytane (200 μL) induced Atrophic arthritis in rat model then rats were treated with Liposomal loaded-Isethione or Isethione.

Results: Liposomal-Isethione ameliorated autophagy biomarkers including Beclin-1, P62, and X-box binding protein-1 (XBP-1), cell survival, and oncogenic biomarkers including Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT-3A), Phosphoinisitol kinase-3 (PI3K), AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase-1 (AKT), and Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) post elevation via Norphytane. Moreover, rheumatoid factor biomarkers including Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α).

Conclusion: Liposomal-Isethione significantly targeted MAut signaling pathways, including Beclin-1/XBP/COMP/STAT-3A/PI3K/AKT/PTEN via increased bioavailability and targeting inflamed tissues, thus decreased drug resistance.

Aim: Upper airway anatomy is important in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study conducted a correlation analysis between the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) score and upper airway measurements obtained from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), arch measurements obtained from diagnostic casts, and subjective data from patients' records, including the Berlin Sleep Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Methods: Twenty-five subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of OSA via polysomnography with a mean AHI of 25.5 (SD18.5) were enrolled in this study.

Results: A significant correlation was found between the AHI score and the following factors: male sex, obesity categories, Berlin questionnaire category, sleep efficiency, and maxillary intermolar width measured between the mesiobuccal cusp tip of the right and left first molars. Airway measurements from CBCT, including anterior cranial base length, facial proportion, and the length of the soft palate in the mid-sagittal plane and the retroglossal area in the axial plane, were significantly correlated with the AHI score.

Conclusion: In addition to male gender and obesity, anatomic factors related to upper airway measurements on CBCT are significantly correlated with AHI, indicating upper airway limitations, OSA severity, and aiding early diagnosis.

Aims: This study aimed to examine surgical trainees' perceptions of perceived objectivity across clinical competency assessment methods and to integrate these findings into the design of a digital assessment platform.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 154 participants (47 senior medical students, 107 residents in postgraduate years 1-3). A validated questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81) assessed perceived objectivity for four formats: multiple-choice testing (MCQ), oral examinations, Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX), and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric criteria, regression models, and thematic review of open responses.

Results: Mini-CEX (Median = 1.35, IQR = 1-2) and OSCE (Median = 1.51, IQR = 1-2) were rated most objective, while multiple-choice testing (MCQ) was least (Median = 2, IQR = 2-3). No significant differences were found between 6th- and 7th-year students (p > 0.05). Third-year residents, however, reported lower perceived objectivity for multiple-choice testing (MCQ) (p = 0.001). Regression showed gender predicted perceptions of multiple-choice testing (MCQ) (B = 0.377, p = 0.005), whereas age and training level were not significant.

Conclusions: Practice-oriented assessments, particularly OSCE and Mini-CEX, were viewed as most objective. Findings support digital platforms that integrate varied, practice-based formats to ensure equitable and comprehensive evaluation of clinical competence.

Objective: This study sought to identify neurotransmitter receptor-related genes (NR-RGs) that are critically involved in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through bioinformatics approaches.

Methods: The TCGA-NSCLC dataset was utilized as the training cohort, while the GSE50081 dataset served as the validation cohort. NR-RGs were curated, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) scores were computed. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and functional enrichment analyses were conducted. A risk prediction model and a prognostic model were constructed based on identified gene signatures. Finally, a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was established, and gene expression levels were experimentally validated.

Results: 192 differentially expressed genes were identified as candidate NR-RGs. The risk model ultimately highlighted six genes: CPS1, CDH17, NIPAL4, SOX2, CALB2, and KREMEN2 as potential biomarkers. The prognostic model demonstrated robust predictive performance for patient outcomes. Immune infiltration analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between neutrophil abundance and the risk score. Expression analysis indicated that CPS1 and CALB2 were downregulated in NSCLC samples, whereas CDH17, NIPAL4, SOX2, and KREMEN2 were upregulated.

Conclusion: The genes CPS1, CDH17, NIPAL4, SOX2, CALB2, and KREMEN2 were identified as prognostic biomarkers in NSCLC, providing insights into their potential roles in disease progression and therapeutic targeting.

Background: Strongyloidiasis is a gastrointestinal parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis). Its autoinfection capability allows the parasite to persist lifelong in the absence of treatment, exposing patients to the risk of hyperinfection and fatal dissemination in cases of immunosuppression.

Results: A 33-year-old man, presented in December 2024 with severe acute colitis. Endoscopy and histopathology findings were consistent with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The patient was treated with intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics, then maintained on tapering oral corticosteroids. Three months later, while on 20 mg/day prednisone equivalent, he was readmitted for another episode of severe acute colitis. Stool parasitology, stool culture, tissue cytomegalovirus (CMV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Clostridium difficile toxin assays were all negative. Intravenous corticosteroids were restarted with partial response. The patient subsequently developed Enterococcus faecium meningitis, ileal obstruction requiring surgical resection, and hypoxemic respiratory distress. Gastric biopsies revealed numerous Strongyloides larvae. Stool parasitology confirmed disseminated strongyloidiasis. The clinical course rapidly deteriorated to septic shock and multiorgan failure, causing death.

Discussion: This case highlights the potential diagnostic confusion between IBD and strongyloidiasis. It underscores the potentially fatal consequences of unrecognized chronic strongyloidiasis and supports systematic screening prior to immunosuppressive therapy in at-risk populations.