Medical Journals

Book Essay: Modern Drive TheoryDriven to Survive: Selected Papers on Psychoanalysis. By Cordelia Schmidt-Hellerau. New York: International Psychoanalytic Books, 2018, 458 pp., $35 paperback.Life Drive & Death Drive, Libido & Lethe: A Clear Road Through Freud's Metapsychology Leading to Helpful Findings and New Concepts. By Cordelia Schmidt-Hellerau. New York: International Psychoanalytic Books, 2024, 310 pp., $29.50 paperback.

Authors: Eric R Marcus

Effort and control of pain: a dilemma for patients and providers.

Authors: John A Sturgeon, Matthew B Jennings, Zina Trost

Commentary on: Habermann MB, Christian MB. Uncontrollability of experimental pain decreases pain intensity and relief pleasantness ratings in a between- group design. PAIN Rep 2026;11:e1448.

Maize Yield and Economic Response to Integrated Organic and Nitrogen Fertilization in Gaza Province, Mozambique.

Authors: Manuel Mulhuli Sitoe, Hercidio Jaime Tandane, Ivo Marino Domingos, Olga Mário Chaguala

Low maize yields in Mozambique remain a major constraint to food security, primarily due to soil nutrient depletion and limited access to affordable fertilizers among smallholder farmers. Integrated nutrient management, combining organic and mineral inputs, offers a promising approach to improve both productivity and soil health. This study evaluated the...

A Sequential Quadratic Hamiltonian-Based Estimation Method for Box-Cox Transformation Cure Model.

Authors: Phuong Bui, Varun Jadhav, Suvra Pal, Souvik Roy

We propose an enhanced estimation method for the Box-Cox transformation (BCT) cure rate model parameters by introducing a generic maximum likelihood estimation algorithm, the sequential quadratic Hamiltonian (SQH) scheme, which is based on a gradient-free approach. We apply the SQH algorithm to the BCT cure model and, through an extensive simulation study,...

Using a translational data platform to create clinical-grade genome-informed risk assessments.

Authors: Jennifer L Morse, Megan He, Hana Bangash, Wendy K Chung, Joshua Cortopassi, Sophie Forman, Adam S Gordon, Marwan Hamed, Paul A Harris, Elizabeth W Karlson, Eimear E Kenny, Krzysztof Kiryluk, Iftikhar J Kullo, Adam Lewis, Nita Limdi, Cong...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development and implementation of an automated platform for genomic risk prediction that integrates multiple data types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the REDCap infrastructure, we constructed the R4 (Recruitment, Results, and Risk Reduction) platform to intake data from clinical sites, partner laboratories, participant surveys,...

Develop and validate a fair machine learning model to identify patients with high data-continuity in electronic health records data.

Authors: Yao An Lee, Tiange Tang, Yu Huang, Jiang Bian, Lizheng Shi, Jingchuan Guo

OBJECTIVES: Electronic health record (EHR) data discontinuity, defined as receiving care outside of a particular EHR system, may cause misclassification of study variables. We aimed to: (1) quantify misclassification across levels of EHR data discontinuity and identify an optimal continuity threshold, (2) develop a machine learning (ML) model to predict...

A Case of Silicone Allergy Induced by a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

Authors: Wataru Shinkai, Jun Kishihara, Megumi Toraiwa, Yuki Arakawa, Shuhei Kobayashi, Hironori Nakamura, Naruya Ishizue, Jun Oikawa, Hidehira Fukaya, Junya Ako

BACKGROUND: Allergic reactions associated with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) are extremely rare, and silicone-related cases are scarcely reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 54-year-old man with a transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (TV-ICD) for idiopathic ventricular fibrillation underwent removal of an infected...

Introduction of Low-Voltage Bridge Mapping for Radiofrequency Ablation of AVNRT in Children: One-Year Follow-Up Results.

Authors: Tomasz M Książczyk, Klaudia Obsznajczyk, Radosław Pietrzak

BACKGROUND: Low-voltage bridge mapping (LVBM) is a recently introduced approach to atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) ablation that may facilitate precise slow-pathway targeting. Our center implemented LVBM for radiofrequency (RF) AVNRT ablation in children in April 2023. Early results demonstrated procedural advantages without prolonging...

SRY-positive 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development in adult monozygotic twins.

Authors: Veljko Pantović, Milina Tančić-Gajić, Marija Miletić, Taisa Bojović, Svetlana Vujović

46,XX testicular disorder of sex development (DSD), also known as De la Chapelle syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by a male phenotype in individuals with a 46,XX karyotype, most commonly caused by translocation of the sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene. Diagnosis is frequently delayed until adulthood because external genitalia are typically...

Lipoprotein lipase deficiency presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding and compensated shock.

Authors: Joseph Kates Rose, Jeffrey Do, Vesa Basha, Andrea Evans

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder causing hypertriglyceridemia. Presentations are heterogenous and there are no standardized acute treatment protocols. Long-term management consists of strict dietary control. We report a case of LPL deficiency in an infant presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding and compensated shock,...

Metabolic Mechanisms of Modified Lingguizhugan Decoction in Obesity and Lipid Metabolism Disorders: A Multi-Omics Approach.

Authors: Fufu Li, Xiaoyan Liu, Ji Li, Haiyan Sun, Qingyang Han, Dong Liu, Ran Liu, Jieyu Chen, Zijun Ouyang, Mengting Liu

BACKGROUND: Obesity and related metabolic disorders, including metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes, are pressing global health concerns. Traditional Chinese medicine, specifically modified Lingguizhugan decoction (MLGZGD), has shown promise for managing these conditions. MLGZGD contains bioactive...

Long-Term Obesity Trends in Northern Sweden: Cross-Sectional Data From the MONICA Study (1986-2022).

Authors: Mari Modig, Albin Dahlin Almevall, Maria Brännholm Syrjälä, Anna-Karin Lindqvist, Maria Nordendahl, Stefan Söderberg, Viktor Oskarsson, Anna Bengtsson

BACKGROUND: Elevated BMI and central adiposity increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and several cancers. Obesity has risen in recent decades, with Northern Sweden exceeding the national average. Anthropometric trends in the Northern Sweden MONICA study have not been updated since 2004. OBJECTIVE: To describe overweight and obesity...

Temporal coupling between papillary muscle strain and left ventricular untwisting during diastole.

Authors: Nidhal Bouchahda, Fabian Scheipl, Haithem Hbid, Mohamed Yessine Kallela, Meriem Hentati, Mejdi Ben Messaoud, Mezri Maatouk, Aymen Najjar

AIMS: Left ventricular (LV) untwisting is classically considered a passive recoil phenomenon. However, during conditions of shortened diastole, passive mechanisms alone may be insufficient to ensure effective diastolic suction. We hypothesized that both anterolateral papillary muscle (APM) and posteromedial papillary muscle (PPM) contribute actively,...

Spontaneous Acute Left-Sided Abdominal Pain in a Patient With AL Amyloidosis.

Authors: Shahzil Abdur Rehman Malik, Utkarsh Goel, Jason Valent, Faiz Anwer

A Delphi Consensus on Optimising the Care Pathway for Adult Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML): Strategies to Enhance Transplant Accessibility and Feasibility in the United Kingdom.

Authors: Priyanka Mehta, Francesca A M Kinsella, Thomas P Coats, Anjum B Khan, Anne-Louise Latif, Victoria T Potter

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) is a curative option for a large proportion of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients, but availability remains challenging and transplantation is underutilised in the United Kingdom. This consensus aimed to define an optimal UK care pathway for AML and develop recommendations to...

Clinical Outcomes of Decompression Versus Decompression With Instrumented Fusion for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Secondary to Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Authors: Lama N Alqahtani, Ahmed K Alzahrani, Razan A Almutairi, Abdulaziz M Salah, Shahad F Khan, Mohammad G Sindi, Khalid E Fassi, Abdulrahman M Alshami, Ibrahim A Hakami

OBJECTIVE: To compare decompression alone with decompression with fusion in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. METHODS: PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid, and Web of Science databases were searched up to March 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcomes were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale...

Investigating Medical Radiation Awareness of Saudi Arabian Cardiologists in Catheterization Labs: A Survey Study.

Authors: 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,...

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...

Emerging Strategies for Cardio-Renal Protection Beyond RAAS Blockade: Emphasis on Non-diabetic CKD and Resistant Hypertension.

Authors: Fahad S Alrashidi

Non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) complicated by resistant hypertension remains a high-risk phenotype even when renin-angiotensin system blockade is optimized. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence for cardio-renal protection beyond traditional renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition (RAASi), with emphasis on mechanisms, clinical...

Healthcare-Associated Infection Causes and Mitigation Strategies: A Systematic Review.

Authors: Mohammad Irfan, Nahed Alquwez

OBJECTIVE: To describe the landscape of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and, in particular, to pay attention to the types of infection that are usually seen, the most common infectious agents involved and the effective prevention strategies. METHODS: A detailed search was performed using Google and PubMed, and studies that exclusively addressed...

The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: A Systematic Review With Limited Meta-Analysis.

Authors: Abdullah W Abumadian, Mohanad I Binibrahim, Abdurrahman H Sultan, Mohammed A Addas, Hattan Y Bamagaus, Sultan K Alhaddad, Motasem O Bamabad, Bayan A Ghalimah

INTRODUCTION: De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQT) is a painful wrist condition that impairs daily activities. Corticosteroid (CS) injections are commonly used for symptom relief, but their effects may diminish over time. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a regenerative alternative that promotes tissue healing rather than merely suppressing...

Urinary Incontinence's Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Quality of Life Impact on Working Women in Saudi Arabia.

Authors: Ahmed Mansor, Hatim Tagalsir Osman Ali, Maha Ali, Arwa Abd Al Salam Ashry, Ghala Abdullah Alharbi, Khalid Albasheer, Omer Munder, Isam Mohamed Babbiker Ahmed

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...

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and SGLT-2 Inhibitors in Diabetic Nephropathy: A Comparative Study.

Authors: Sara Ghadeer Alghadeer, Sama Sami Kanfar, Zakiah Dheya Algallaf, Fatimah Mudhar Alfardan, Rana Alshammrany, Maha Farhat, Cyril Cyrus

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...

The Outcome of Thrombectomy can be Improved by Shortening the Door-To-Needle and the Onset-To-Door Time.

Authors: Sounira Mehri, Josef Finsterer

Al Kuwait Hospital Dubai, Emirates Health Services 1st Research Week 2025: Research Abstracts of Clinical and Scientific Advances.

Authors: 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...

Dietary Fat Intake and Its Influence on the Association Between Liver Fat and Brain Choline Metabolism in Young Saudi Women.

Authors: Halima S Hawesa, Mansour E Shanawani, Haya A Alshegri, Mahasin G Hassan, Amal I Alorainy, Nouf A Alroqaiba, Shanoo G A Sheikh

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...

Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Intraspinal and Vertebral Anomalies in Congenital, Adolescent Idiopathic, and New-Onset Scoliosis: A Comparative Study in Saudi Arabia.

Authors: Faisal M Alkhunein, Mishari N Alanezi, Nwaf A Alshahir, Abdulkarim S Alsulimi, Abdulrahman H Salman, Habib Ullah Chaudhary, Abdulmajeed A Alzakri

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...

Multidimensional Predictors of Disease Severity and Health Outcomes in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Data-Driven Clinical Insight.

Authors: 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

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...

Provider-Reported Readiness of Chronic Healthcare Services in Saudi Arabia Under the Health Sector Transformation Program.

Authors: Aseel Aldhwaihi, Saad Alghanim

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...

Seasonal Variation of Diabetic Ketoacidosis among Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Single-Center Tertiary Experience.

Authors: Nour Gazzaz, Fajr A Saeedi

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...

Artificial Intelligence in Pharmaceutical Care: Transforming Drug Discovery, Development, and Patient-care Delivery.

Authors: Abdulrahman G Alharbi, Abdulrahman A Aljabri

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...

Early Initiation and Dual Patterns of Cigarette and E-Cigarette Use among Adults in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Authors: Haidar A AlRidha, Nora A Alafif

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...

Awareness of the Mediterranean Diet and its Perceived Effect on Cardiovascular Health in the Western Region, Saudi Arabia.

Authors: 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

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...

Beyond the Cuff: Rethinking How We Monitor and Manage Intraoperative Hypotension.

Authors: Jochen Daniel Muehlschlegel, Laurent G Glance

Hemodynamic Management in Liver Transplantation: Searching for Signal in the Noise.

Authors: Nicholas J Douville, Dieter Adelmann

Gabapentin Prescribing in Adolescents: The Case for Deimplementation.

Authors: Lorraine I Kelley-Quon, Mark C Bicket

The Curious Case of Rebound Pain.

Authors: Benedict J Alter

Is Metastability Hiding in the Anesthetized Brain?

Authors: Jamie W Sleigh