The hidden cost of digital learning: a cross-sectional study assessing the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) among medical students in Jordan.

Objective: Increased screen time has resulted in widespread computer vision syndrome (CVS) in the digital era. Medical students, who rely heavily on digital screens, are particularly at risk. Our study aims to evaluate the prevalence of CVS among Jordanian medical students, which is a gap in existing knowledge.

Anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of subclinical leaflet thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A comprehensive literature review and future directions.

Leaflet thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) presents a significant challenge, leading to adverse clinical outcomes. Subclinical leaflet thrombosis (SLT) is increasingly recognized, and there is a growing concern about its role in clinical events and hemodynamic valve deterioration. Current recommendations for prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy following TAVR are primarily based on expert consensus rather than definitive evidence from randomized trials, resulting in a variety of antithrombotic strategies in clinical practice.

Clinical Features and Hormonal Profile of Macroprolactinomas Presenting With the Hook Effect: A Systematic Review.

Objective: An assay artifact known as the "hook effect" causes spuriously low serum prolactin levels. This systematic review aimed to examine clinical reports on the "hook effect" in patients with macroprolactinomas to describe associated clinical features.

Methods: We systematically searched multiple databases from database inception to April 16, 2024 for case reports, case series, or observational studies of macroprolactinomas presenting with the hook effect.

"Publish or Perish" Paradigm and Medical Research: Replication Crisis in the Context of Artificial Intelligence Trend.

The "publish or perish" culture in academia has intensified trends in medical research, particularly around artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This letter highlights how the pressure to publish positive findings during research trends, such as artificial intelligence in medicine, exacerbates the replication crisis. Issues like data leakage and lack of cross-institutional validation in AI models, particularly in clinical radiology, raise concerns about their reliability.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Novel and Traditional Risk Factors in Middle Eastern Young Women. The ANCORS-YW Study.

Background: There is paucity of data on the prevalence of novel and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in young women with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the Middle East. We sought to evaluate clinical profiles and prevalence of novel and traditional risk factors in Middle Eastern young women with ASCVD compared with age-matched controls.

Methods: Women 18-50 years of age who have ASCVD were enrolled and each was aged-matched with two women with no ASCVD.

Safety and potential efficacy of expanded mesenchymal stromal cells of bone marrow and umbilical cord origins in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries: a phase I/II study.

Background Aims: Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects patients' physical, psychological, and social well-being. Presently, treatment modalities for chronic SCI have restricted clinical effectiveness. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) demonstrate promise in addressing nervous tissue damage.

Neuroprotection: Surgical approaches in traumatic brain injury.

Background: This review is centered on the pivotal role of surgical interventions within the comprehensive management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Surgical strategies are indispensable components of TBI care, encompassing primary injury management and the alleviation of secondary injury processes, including the handling of intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs), contusions, and mass lesions.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out by searching databases including PubMed, Embase, and Scopus.

Neuroprotection strategies in traumatic brain injury: Studying the effectiveness of different clinical approaches.

Background: This review delves into clinical strategies aimed at addressing the complexities of traumatic brain injury (TBI), specifically focusing on pharmaceutical interventions and stem cell therapies as potential avenues for enhancing TBI outcomes.

Methods: A thorough review of clinical strategies for TBI management, encompassing pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical interventions, was performed. PubMed, MEDLINE and clinical trial databases were searched to identify relevant studies and clinical trials.

The importance of behavioral interventions in traumatic brain injury.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses a significant public health concern, profoundly impacting individuals and society. In this context, behavioral interventions have gained prominence as crucial elements in TBI management, addressing the diverse needs of TBI-affected individuals.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Scopus.

Analysis of definitive chemo-radiation outcomes in anal cancer: insights from a tertiary cancer center in the MENA Region.

Background: Outcomes of chemo-radiation (CRT) for anal cancer in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are scarce. We aim to report treatment outcomes for anal cancer treated at tertiary cancer center, with a particular focus on patients managed with non-oncological surgery prior definitive CRT.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with locally advanced anal carcinoma, who underwent definitive CRT King Hussein Cancer Center, from January 2007 till January 2020.

Bilateral Arteriovenous Shunting Through Pial and Perforating Vessels With Multiple Strokes in a Patient With Hepatopulmonary Syndrome.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a condition characterized by chronic liver disease, intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting, and increased alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient. This case report presents a 54-year-old male patient with a history of stroke, liver cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis, hypertension, diabetes, and bladder cancer, who presented with worsening headaches and confusion over the course of five years. Digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) revealed multiple bilateral arteriovenous shunts, suggesting a shunting mechanism similar to that observed in HPS.

Initial behaviors and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine in sarcoidosis patients: results of a self-reporting questionnaire.

Background: Individuals with self-declared sarcoidosis are at increased risk of COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality for which vaccination can be lifesaving. Despite this, vaccine hesitancy remains a large barrier to global acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19. We aimed to identify individuals with sarcoidosis who had and had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 vaccine to 1) establish a safety profile of COVID-19 vaccination in those with sarcoidosis and 2) to elucidate factors that contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Prediction of Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis Based on Clinical Variables Using a Large National Survey Database.

Background: Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTA) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) are used more frequently to diagnose liver fibrosis and steatosis among nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. However, limited robust data are available on the clinical variables strongly related to these disorders and who needs to be referred for screening.

Methods: We used the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2017-2018 database to identify the clinical predictors strongly related to liver steatosis and advanced fibrosis.

Safe Reversal of Motor and Sensory Deficits by Repeated High Doses of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Patient with Chronic Complete Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND Spinal cord injuries (SCI) resulting from various types of accidents have a known onset, unlike other progressive neurological diseases. Nonetheless, in most cases, the resulting disability permanently affects the individual's quality of life due to the limited outcome of available treatment options. The neurological deficit associated with SCI results from primary injury induced by the physical trauma and secondary injury involving inflammation, spinal tissue degeneration, and scar formation.

Geographic variation in the association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Papillary thyroid carcinoma, a meta-analysis.

Purpose: The association between papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) remains a matter of debate. Several genetic and environmental factors have been found to influence this association. Because of the variation in these factors among different populations, we conducted a country- and region-based meta-analysis to examine whether the geographic area influences this association.

Frequency, Clinical Characteristics and Predictors of Ketoacidosis at Diagnosis of Type One Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents from Jordan.

Objective: Data regarding diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of type one diabetes (T1D) in developing countries are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of DKA at the onset of T1D in children and adolescents in Jordan and to compare the clinical and biochemical characteristics between the group that presented with DKA and the group that did not.

Methods: The records of 341 children and adolescents, less than sixteen years of age, who were diagnosed with T1D between 2015 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively.

Serum IGF-1 to IGFBP-3 Molar Ratio: A Promising Diagnostic Tool for Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children.

Background: The serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) ratio has various potential applications in growth hormone-related disorders. This study aimed to investigate the performance of the IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio, independently and in combination with serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3, in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children with short stature (SS).

Methods: A 7-year cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 235 children with SS.

Impact of Digoxin Use on Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Digoxin was one of the first agents used in the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Concerns over its safety, efficacy, and the introduction of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) have relegated it to a secondary role. The efficacy of digoxin is still under debate, and its use in patients on GDMT remains unclear.

Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and seasonality of acute respiratory infection associated with single and codetected rhinovirus species among hospitalized children in Amman, Jordan.

Rhinovirus (RV)-specific surveillance studies in the Middle East are limited. Therefore, we aimed to study the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and seasonality of RV-associated acute respiratory infection among hospitalized young children in Jordan. We conducted a prospective viral surveillance study and enrolled children <2 years old admitted to a large public hospital in Amman, Jordan (2010-2013).

The Predictive Value of Peripheral Immune Cell Counts for the Presence of Brain Metastases in Stage IV Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

 High neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with poor survival in lung cancer. This study evaluates whether NLR is associated with baseline brain metastasis in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).  Medical records of stage IV NSCLC patients treated at King Hussein Cancer Center (Amman-Jordan) between 2006 and 2016 were reviewed.

Risk factors for miscarriage in Syrian refugee women living in non-camp settings in Jordan: results from the Women ASPIRE cross-sectional study.

Background: Syrian refugee women face health care disparities and experience worse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage. We investigated risk factors for miscarriage in Syrian refugee women living in non-camp settings in Jordan to identify targets for interventions.

Methods: We analyzed data from Women ASPIRE, a cross-sectional study of gendered physical and mental health concerns of 507 Syrian refugee women (≥ 18 years old) living in non-camp settings in Jordan.