Al-Quds University
  • East Jerusalem, Palestinian Territory
Recent publications
Purpose Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder affecting approximately 1% of the global population. Traditional antipsychotic treatments, while effective for positive symptoms, often have significant side effects and fail to address cognitive and negative symptoms. Novel pharmacological treatments targeting muscarinic receptors, TAAR1 agonists, serotonergic pathways, and glutamate modulation have emerged as promising alternatives. Aim This systematic literature review aims to critically evaluate the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action of novel pharmacological agents in the treatment of schizophrenia. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical trials published between April 2014 and March 2024. Studies evaluating novel treatments targeting muscarinic receptors, TAAR1 agonists, serotonergic agents, and glutamate modulation were included. Primary outcomes focused on symptom reduction and quality of life, while secondary outcomes included cognitive function and adverse events. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was used for quality assessment. Results Eleven studies involving 4614 participants (mean age 37–43 years, predominantly male) were included. Drugs evaluated included xanomeline-trospium (KarXT), pimavanserin, ulotaront, emraclidine, and bitopertin. Significant improvements in PANSS and CGI-S scores were observed, with xanomeline-trospium showing a mean reduction of 17.4 points (p < 0.001). Adverse events were mostly mild and transient, with nausea, constipation, and somnolence being common. Conclusion Novel treatments for schizophrenia show promise in managing both positive and negative symptoms, with generally favorable safety profiles. Future studies should focus on large-scale, long-term trials to refine their efficacy, safety, and clinical applicability.
Background Medial Subperiosteal Abscess is a rare but serious life-threatening complication of orbital cellulitis. Although it often results from a sinus infection, its association with odontogenic infection is rare and underreported. This article highlights the importance of recognizing dental origins in orbital infections to avoid delays in treatment. Case presentation This is a case of a 6-year-old female who presented with a rare Medial Subperiosteal Abscess due to an odontogenic infection. Symptoms began with toothache, headache, and progressive swelling around the right eye, which persisted despite initial antibiotic therapy. A CT scan revealed a Medial Subperiosteal Abscess that required urgent surgical intervention using the modified Lynch approach, followed by odontogenic surgery and antrostomy to extract the infected teeth and remove the antral polyps. Conclusion This case demonstrates one of the rare complications of dental infections in a paediatric patient, which highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention, as well as comprehensive multidisciplinary care, in order to prevent irreversible complications such as vision loss in paediatric orbital infections secondary to dental origin.
This case report presents an innovative approach to managing severe isolated gingival recession associated with root protrusion beyond bone boundaries in a 28-year-old female patient. The patient, who had a history of orthodontic treatment for a 5-year-period, displayed significant gingival recession at the lower right central incisor. Conventional orthodontic repositioning was declined by the patient, leading to the adoption of an alternative treatment strategy. A combination of odontoplasty to trim the protruding root (~1 mm) and a connective tissue graft was employed. The procedure involved meticulous flap creation, root surface biomodification, and precise graft placement to achieve optimal functional and esthetic outcomes. Follow-up over 3 months revealed increased keratinized tissue thickness and complete root coverage, with high patient satisfaction. This novel technique demonstrates the potential to address complex recession cases effectively, preserving root structure and enhancing graft vascularization. Further research is warranted to validate these findings across broader clinical scenarios.
Introduction: Awake thoracic surgery is an old procedure still being used to this day for various indications, utilizing many different techniques for local analgesia. Case Presentation: We described the case of a 60-year-old obese heavy smoker, with significant respiratory and cardiac morbidity, who presented with signs of cardiac tamponade secondary to hypothyroidism. Our patient was treated with a pericardial window, using serratus anterior and parasternal blocks. Discussion: We presented the first case to our knowledge that employed parasternal and serratus anterior blocks as local analgesia for an awake thoracotomy, we also discussed different techniques, indications, benefits, and complications.
As a common cause of liver cirrhosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is regarded as a target of therapeutic intervention. However, a successful therapy has not yet been found, partly because the molecular pathogenesis is largely elusive. Here we show that KIF12 kinesin suppresses MASH development by accelerating the breakdown of two lipid biosynthesis enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and pyruvate carboxylase (PC), in hepatocytes. We report three familial early-onset liver cirrhosis pedigrees with homozygous KIF12 mutations, accompanying MASH-like steatosis and cholestasis. The mouse genetic model carrying the corresponding Kif12 nonsense mutation faithfully reproduced the phenotypes as early as between 8 and 10 weeks of age. Furthermore, KIF12-deficient HepG2 cells exhibited significant steatosis, which was ameliorated by overexpressing a proline-rich domain (PRD) of KIF12. We found that KIF12-PRD promotes the degradation of ACC1 and PC, and this effect is likely to be through its direct interaction with these enzymes. Interestingly, KIF12 enhanced the ubiquitination of ACC1 by the E3 ligase COP1 and colocalized with these proteins as seen by super-resolution microscopy imaging. These data propose a role for KIF12 in suppressing MASH by accelerating turnover of lipogenic enzymes.
Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) comprises the majority of lung cancer cases, characterized by a complex interplay of genetic alterations, environmental factors, and molecular pathways contributing to its pathogenesis. This article highlights the multifaceted pathogenesis of NSCLC and discusses screening and integrated strategies for current treatment options. NSCLC is an evolving field with various aspects including the underlying molecular alterations, oncogenic driver mutations, and immune microenvironment interactions that influence tumor progression and response to therapy. Surgical treatment remains the most applicable curative option, especially in the early stages of the disease, adjuvant chemotherapy may add benefits to previously resected patients. Combined Radio-chemotherapy can also be used for palliative purposes. There are various future perspectives and advancing horizons in NSCLC management, encompassing novel therapeutic modalities and their applications, such as CAR-T cell therapy, antibody-drug conjugates, and gene therapies. On the other hand, it’s crucial to highlight the efficacy of innovative modalities of Immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors that are nowadays widely used in treatment of NSCLC. Moreover, the latest advancements in molecular profiling techniques and the development of targeted therapies designed for specific molecular alterations in NSCLC play a significant role in its treatment. In conclusion, personalized approaches are a cornerstone of successful treatment, and they are based on a patient’s unique molecular profile, tumor characteristics, and host factors. Entitling the concept of individualized treatment strategies requires proper patient selection, taking into consideration mechanisms of resistance, and investigating potential combination therapies, to achieve the optimal impact on long-term survival.
The paper presents the most comprehensive and large-scale global study to date on how higher education students perceived the use of ChatGPT in early 2024. With a sample of 23,218 students from 109 countries and territories, the study reveals that students primarily used ChatGPT for brainstorming, summarizing texts, and finding research articles, with a few using it for professional and creative writing. They found it useful for simplifying complex information and summarizing content, but less reliable for providing information and supporting classroom learning, though some considered its information clearer than that from peers and teachers. Moreover, students agreed on the need for AI regulations at all levels due to concerns about ChatGPT promoting cheating, plagiarism, and social isolation. However, they believed ChatGPT could potentially enhance their access to knowledge and improve their learning experience, study efficiency, and chances of achieving good grades. While ChatGPT was perceived as effective in potentially improving AI literacy, digital communication, and content creation skills, it was less useful for interpersonal communication, decision-making, numeracy, native language proficiency, and the development of critical thinking skills. Students also felt that ChatGPT would boost demand for AI-related skills and facilitate remote work without significantly impacting unemployment. Emotionally, students mostly felt positive using ChatGPT, with curiosity and calmness being the most common emotions. Further examinations reveal variations in students’ perceptions across different socio-demographic and geographic factors, with key factors influencing students’ use of ChatGPT also being identified. Higher education institutions’ managers and teachers may benefit from these findings while formulating the curricula and instructions/regulations for ChatGPT use, as well as when designing the teaching methods and assessment tools. Moreover, policymakers may also consider the findings when formulating strategies for secondary and higher education system development, especially in light of changing labor market needs and related digital skills development.
Purpose To compare the diagnostic value of MRA in different shoulder lesions using arthroscopy as gold standard. Methods We performed a comprehensive search in Cochrane, Scopus, PubMed, and WOS databases for articles that reported the diagnostic value of MRA in diagnosing labral tears, rotator cuff tears (RCT), Hill-Sachs, and Bankart injuries. We used arthroscopic surgery as a reference standard for comparison. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. We pooled the collected data and used Stata/MP17 to generate summary statistics. Results We identified a total of 53 articles compromising 5487 patients. The sensitivity and specificity for Hill Sachs lesions were 0.94 [95% CI 0.80, 0.99] and 0.89 [95% CI 0.77, 0.95], bankart lesions were 0.94 [95% CI 0.89,0.97] and 0.99 [95% CI 0.90,1.00], anterior labral tears were 0.91 [95% CI 0.82,0.96] and 0.96 [95% CI 0.90, 0.99]posterior labral tears were 0.74 [ 95% CI 0.58, 0.86] and 0.98 [ 95% CI 0.86, 1.00] superior labral tears were 0.77 [95% CI 0.62,0.88] and 0.83 [95% CI 0.54,0.95] SLAP lesions were 0.86 [ 95% CI 0.80,0.90] and 0.91 [95% CI 0.83,0.96], partial-thickness RCTs were 0.67 [ 95% CI 0.45,0.83] and 0.92 [ 95% CI 0.78,0.97], while full-thickness RCTs were 0.97 [ 95% CI 0.91,0.99] and 0.99 [ 95% CI 0.93,1]. Conclusion In conclusion, MRA is a sensitive and specific imaging method for identifying anterior labrum lesions, full-thickness rotator cuff tears, bankart, SLAP and Hill-Sachs lesions, with lower accuracy in partial rotator cuff tears posterior and superior labrum.
Objective To assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers to skin cancer screening among the general population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods In this cross-sectional study, an online-based questionnaire was distributed via online social media sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and others to the residents of the UAE. The questionnaire evaluated socio-demographics, knowledge (8 items), attitudes (10 items), practices (14 items), and barriers (9 items) in the context of skin cancer screening. A binary logistic regression was conducted to assess variables associated with practice levels. Results The study included 924 participants (51.9% females), with a median (IQR) age of 32 (22–44) years. Results showed a window for knowledge improvement [median = 4 (3–6) out of a maximum potential score of 8], unfavourable attitudes [median = 37 (33–39) out of a maximum potential score of 50], inadequate practices [median = 41 (31–45) out of a maximum possible score of 70]. The most common barriers to skin cancer screening were lack of knowledge about skin cancer (74.1%), lack of awareness of the need for skin cancer screening (72.2%), and absence of symptoms (54.1%). Older age (OR = 0.985, 95%CI: 0.971–0.998) and lack of health insurance (OR = 0.478, 95%CI: 0.301–0.758) were associated with lower screening practices. Female gender (OR = 1.833, 95%CI: 1.361–2.469), being married (OR = 1.415, 95%CI: 1.006–1.992), being a non-smoker (OR = 1.568, 95%CI: 1.045–2.352) or a former smoker (OR = 2.555, 95% CI: 1.082–6.034), and more favourable attitudes (OR = 1.071, 95%CI: 1.044–1.096) were associated with higher screening practices. Conclusion The UAE population exhibited moderate knowledge, unfavourable attitudes, and inadequate practices regarding skin cancer screening, with several barriers identified. Targeted online and in-person awareness campaigns are crucial for improving public understanding and attitudes, thereby enhancing screening practices, especially among older adults, males, smokers, and those without health insurance.
Introduction and importance Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is an uncommon disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. PFIC type 3 (PFIC-3) results from mutations in the ABCB4 gene. This type typically advances from chronic cholestasis, which may occur with or without jaundice. Case presentation A 16-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, later developing liver complications. Genetic testing revealed a novel ABCB4 gene mutation linked to cholestasis. Diagnosed with PFIC-3, she was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and vitamins, leading to improved liver function. Despite uncertain clinical significance of the mutation, predictions suggested it was damaging. Her liver function fully recovered, and she remained in remission during follow-up visits. Clinical discussion PFIC3 is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder causing cholestasis and liver damage. Our study reported a young female with a novel ABCB4 mutation who responded well to UDCA. Diagnosis relies on comprehensive evaluation, and treatment options include UDCA, surgery, and liver transplantation. Conclusion PFIC-3 gene must be considered while evaluating a young female with symptoms of cholestasis.
Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a rare monogenic syndrome that is associated with chronic respiratory disease, infertility, and laterality defects. Although more than 50 genes causative of primary ciliary dyskinesia have been identified, variants in the genes encoding coiled-coil domain-containing 39 (CCDC39) and CCDC40 in particular cause severe disease that is not explained by loss of ciliary motility alone. Here, we sought to understand the consequences of these variants on cellular functions beyond impaired motility. We used human cells with pathogenic variants in CCDC39 and CCDC40 , Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genetics, cryo–electron microscopy, and proteomics to define perturbations in ciliary assembly and cilia stability, as well as multiple motility-independent pathways. Analysis of proteomics of cilia from patient cells identified that the absence of the axonemal CCDC39/CCDC40 heterodimer resulted in the loss of a network of more than 90 ciliary structural proteins, including 14 that were defined as ciliary address recognition proteins, which provide docking for the missing structures. The absence of the network impaired microtubule architecture, activated cell quality control pathways, switched multiciliated cell fate to mucus-producing cells and resulted in a defective periciliary barrier. In CCDC39 variant cells, these phenotypes were reversed through expression of a normal CCDC39 transgene. These findings indicate that the CCDC39/CCDC40 heterodimer functions as a scaffold to support the assembly of an extensive network of ciliary proteins, whose loss results in both motility-dependent and motility-independent phenotypes that may explain the severity of disease. Gene therapy might be a potential treatment option to be explored in future studies.
The unusual fusion of splenic tissue with gonadal or mesonephric tissue remains is the hallmark of a rare congenital condition known as splenogonadal fusion (SGF). It arises during embryological development due to the proximity between the splenic anlage and gonadal mesoderm, typically between the 5th and 8th weeks of gestation. Even though SGF is typically asymptomatic, it is most commonly discovered by accident during imaging, surgery, or autopsy. Here, we present the case of a 17-year-old male who sustained pelvic fractures after a fall from height. Hemoperitoneum, right sacral ala and left iliac fractures, bilateral pubic rami fractures, and an incidental finding of continuous SGF were also discovered during imaging. Multidisciplinary review and imaging confirmed the congenital abnormality. Conservative treatment of pelvic fractures and follow-up assessment of SGF, including genetic counseling, were the main goals of management.
Background and Aims Even though aging is a known risk factor for prostate cancer incidence and mortality, there has been an increase in incidence among young men since the late 1980s with notably lower survival rates than those among older men. However, there is insufficient knowledge about recent trends in the incidence and survival of this disease. Methods We analyzed prostatic cancer incidence trends in men under 50 from 1975 to 2020 using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 8 registries data. We further studied frequency, incidence rate, and survival rates in this group across SEER 22 registries, which cover around 41.9% of the US population. We analyzed the data by age, stage, and race subgroups and identified potential risk factors affecting survival prognosis using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results Our results revealed that prostate cancer incidence rates in men under 50 have increased from 1975 to 2020. There was a significant decline from 2009 to 2014, followed by a gradual decrease. Between 2004 and 2020, 35,670 new cases were diagnosed. 76.10% of these cases were localized, 15.10% were regional, 4.20% were distant, and 4.60% were unstaged. Certain factors can negatively impact the prognosis, including age at diagnosis under 30, advanced stages of the disease, and non‐Hispanic black race. Conclusion Early‐onset prostate cancer has distinct epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and more research is required to gain a better understanding of the biological, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to its development. This understanding will assist in the creation of more suitable management plans that can enhance survival rates.
Purpose of Review This review examines the applications of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in pediatric emergency departments in low-resource settings (LRS), assesses implementation challenges, highlights successful programs, and explores future directions, such as training, policy support, and technological advancements. Recent Findings POCUS has proven highly effective in diagnosing various pediatric emergencies, including respiratory conditions like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and pleural effusions, as well as cardiac emergencies like pericardial effusion and left ventricular dysfunction. Successful POCUS programs in Pakistan, South Sudan, Uganda, Haiti, and Ghana underscore its feasibility and impact on patient care in LRS. These programs often involve focused training for healthcare providers, integration of POCUS into standard protocols, and ongoing mentorship. However, challenges remain, including inadequate infrastructure, training deficits, financial constraints, and cultural/institutional barriers. Summary POCUS has the potential to transform pediatric emergency care in LRS by enabling rapid and accurate diagnoses, facilitating timely interventions, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. To realize this potential, it is crucial to address implementation challenges through tailored training programs, sustainable funding models, supportive policies, and the integration of technologies like telemedicine and AI. By addressing these challenges, POCUS can become an indispensable tool for pediatric emergency care globally.
The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a widely used self-report measure of subjective well-being, but studies of its measurement invariance across a large number of nations remain limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset–with data collected between 2020 and 2022 –to assess measurement invariance of the SWLS across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups (N = 56,968). All participants completed the SWLS under largely uniform conditions. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated that configural and metric invariance was upheld across all nations, languages, gender identities, and age groups, suggesting that the unidimensional SWLS model has universal applicability. Full scalar invariance was achieved across gender identities and age groups. Based on alignment optimisation methods, partial scalar invariance was achieved across all but three national groups and across all languages represented in the BINS. There were large differences in latent SWLS means across nations and languages, but negligible-to-small differences across gender identities and age groups. Across nations, greater life satisfaction was significantly associated with greater financial security and being in a committed relationship or married. The results of this study suggest that the SWLS largely assesses a common unidimensional construct of life satisfaction irrespective of respondent characteristics (i.e., national group, gender identities, and age group) or survey presentation (i.e., survey language). This has important implications for the assessment of life satisfaction across nations and provides information that will be useful for practitioners aiming to promote subjective well-being internationally.
We report a 3-year-old patient with urethral cut injury and iatrogenic vesicovaginal fistula following a pelvic fracture; managed with Mitrofanoff procedure. Our patient presented with straining on urination with continuous colorless discharge on her diaper for the past 4 months. Investigations identified vesicovaginal fistulization making a definitive diagnosis of complete urethral injury. It was managed with the Mitrofanoff procedure to preserve the patient’s urinary continence. Our case is to our knowledge the youngest reported case of a complete traumatic urethral cut in a female; an already rare encounter in this population. This is also the first such case to be managed via the Mitrofanoff procedure. Although the management was delayed, it was successful.
The WHO blamed COVID-19, a new coronavirus. HDCT of the lung can assess COVID-19 severity and progression. HRCT's rapid development may affect patients’ dosimetry. HRCT's dosimetric effects on COVID-19 patients are examined using ICRP 103 2007 guidelines for effective dosage, tissue dose, and cancer risk assessment. 100 HRCT-treated people of both genders were examined. The effective dosage was determined using the chest CT tissue conversion coefficient (k) and VirtualDoseTM CT software. The liver, breast, lungs, thyroid, colon, and stomach were examined. Breast, lung, stomach, and thyroid were utilized to predict cancer risk in 100,000 surgeries. ED DLP has 6.62 mSv, ED virtual 8.57. Male and female ED virtual mean scores differed greatly (p = 0.002). DLP and ED virtual are strongly associated (r = 0.741, p < 0.001). Females received higher equivalent dosage mean scores. Lung risk was higher in women. Males had the lowest thyroid cancer risk. The Pearson correlation showed no gender-specific age-related breast, lung, stomach, or thyroid cancer risk. Effective dosages, organ doses, and cancer risks are higher in women. ED dose-BMI nonlinearity. Lung and thyroid cancer chances were highest and lowest. Age does not affect gender cancer risk. Men had lower effective organ and cancer dosages than women. BMI and ED dose were nonlinear. DLP and ED virtual were quite positive. Lung and thyroid cancers are most and least dangerous. Age does not impact gender-specific cancer risk.
Introduction and importance The PRUNE1 gene (prune exopolyphosphatase 1), situated on chromosome 1q21.3, encodes a protein crucial for early fetal brain development, regulating processes like the polymerization of microtubules, migration of cells, and proliferation. Common features of Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, hypotonia, and variable brain anomalies (NMIHBA) include progressive microcephaly, hypotonia, spastic quadriparesis, intellectual disability, and abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging findings. Case presentation A 4-month-old male infant, born at 39 weeks and 2 days via Cesarean, prenatal ultrasound findings were positive for ventricular dilation (hydrocephalus). Postnatally, the infant required admission for transient tachypnea of the newborn. Developmental delays and limb stiffness were evident by 2 months of age, prompting neurological evaluation. Examination at 4 months revealed dysmorphic features, including frontal bossing, low-set, malformed ears, and dolichocephaly, alongside axial hypotonia, spasticity, and knee contractures. Genetic testing confirmed a c.316G>A mutation in the PRUNE1 gene, establishing the diagnosis of NMIHBA. Clinical discussion PRUNE1-related NMIHBA is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by profound developmental delays, microcephaly, and variable neurological findings. This case emphasizes the importance of early recognition and genetic testing in infants with suggestive dysmorphic and neurological features. While management remains supportive, early diagnosis aids in family counseling and long-term care planning. Conclusion This report describes a rare presentation of NMIHBA in a Palestinian infant with a PRUNE1 gene mutation, contributing to the limited literature on this disorder. Further studies are required to understand the phenotypic spectrum and molecular mechanisms underlying PRUNE1-related disorders.
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2,683 members
Taisir Ali Abdallah
  • Department of Psychology & Child Center
Maher Khdour
  • Faculty of Pharmacy
Adnan Lahham
  • Center for Radiation Science and Technology
Yousef Najajreh
  • Faculty of Pharmacy
Farid Ghrayeb
  • Department of Nursing and Midwifery
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East Jerusalem, Palestinian Territory
Head of institution
Prof. Imad Abu Kisk