Abeer Gharaibeh

The journal retracts the article entitled “Liraglutide Has Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Amyloid Properties in Streptozotocin-Induced and 5xFAD Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease”

Periodontal health is connected to many systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular, diabetes mellitus, and neurodegenerative diseases. The oral–brain axis has gained increasing interest in the pathogenesis of diseases. Emerging studies have highlighted the potential role of periodontal disease in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. However, Alzheimer’s disease also affects periodontal disease and oral health. In this review, we address the correlation between the two diseases and the mechanisms by which one contributes to the other. Exploring the correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and periodontal disease will assist in better understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and pave the way for the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies.

Background and Objectives: Pneumothorax is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity, leading to lung collapse. While cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor, the role of electronic cigarettes is less understood. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the outcomes of vaping-associated pneumothorax, in addition to its clinical features and management strategies, by compiling published case reports and case series. Materials and Methods: The choice to use case reports and case series was due to the limited availability of other types of studies on this emerging condition, as vaping-associated pneumothorax is relatively rare and primarily reported in isolated cases. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of six databases for case reports and case series. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by multiple reviewers. Results: Seven case reports and four case series with a total number of 16 patients were included. Most patients were young, underweight men who presented with chest pain and shortness of breath. Conventional cigarette and cannabis use were commonly reported alongside vaping. The main treatment was the insertion of a chest tube, with surgical interventions reserved for severe cases. Patients who were treated non-surgically exhibited a higher recurrence rate. Additionally, specific symptoms such as chest pain radiating to the ipsilateral shoulder were associated with a higher recurrence rate. Conclusions: Clinicians should be vigilant for pneumothorax in at-risk individuals, consider targeted screening for symptomatic vapers, and prioritize early surgical intervention in recurrent cases to reduce complications. Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of vaping-associated spontaneous pneumothorax and optimal management strategies.

This review compares the efficacy of video laryngoscopy (VL) with that of direct laryngoscopy (DL) in adult patients with difficult airways who require emergency intubation. Intubation and laryngoscopy are critical in emergency settings, and VL has emerged as an alternative to DL, particularly in difficult airway cases and when performed by non-experienced practitioners. VL demonstrates advantages such as a wider field of view, enhanced glottic visibility, and higher first-pass success rates, particularly in difficult airway scenarios. However, it also presents limitations, including potential view obstruction and technical complexity. While the evidence points to the advantages of VL, particularly in achieving higher first-pass success rates and minimizing adverse events in adult patients with difficult airways, the inconclusive findings from randomized trials emphasize the importance of future research in refining practices and improving patient outcomes.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) represent a significant public health concern, with mild-to-moderate cases comprising a substantial portion of incidents. Understanding the predictors of mortality among adult patients with mild-to-moderate TBIs is crucial for optimizing clinical management and improving outcomes. This literature review examines the existing research to identify and analyze the mortality predictors in this patient population. Through a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed articles and clinical studies, key prognostic factors, such as age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, the presence of intracranial hemorrhage, pupillary reactivity, and coexisting medical conditions, are explored. Additionally, this review investigates the role of advanced imaging modalities, biomarkers, and scoring systems in predicting mortality following a mild-to-moderate TBI. By synthesizing the findings from diverse studies, this review aims to provide clinicians and researchers with valuable insights into the factors influencing mortality outcomes in adult patients with a mild-to-moderate TBI, thus facilitating more informed decision making and targeted interventions in clinical practice.

Background: Phantom limb syndrome is defined as the perception of intense pain or other sensations that are secondary to a neural lesion in a limb that does not exist. It can be treated using pharmacological and surgical interventions. Most medications are prescribed to improve patients’ lives; however, the response rate is low. In this case report, we present a case of phantom limb syndrome in a 42-year-old female with a history of transradial amputation of the left thoracic limb due to an accidental compression one year before. The patient underwent placement of a deep brain stimulator at the ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM) on the right side and removal secondary to loss of battery. The patient continued to have a burning pain throughout the limb with a sensation of still having the limb, which was subsequently diagnosed as phantom limb syndrome. After a thorough discussion with the patient, a right stereotactic centro-median thalamotomy was offered. An immediate response was reported with a reduction in pain severity on the visual analogue scale (VAS) from a value of 9–10 preoperative to a value of 2 postoperative, with no postoperative complications. Although phantom limb pain is one of the most difficult to treat conditions, centro-median thalamotomy may provide an effective stereotactic treatment procedure with adequate outcomes.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant genetic disease and a common tumor predisposition syndrome that affects 1 in 3000 to 4000 patients in the USA. Although studies have been conducted to better understand and manage this disease, the underlying pathogenesis of neurofibromatosis type 1 has not been completely elucidated, and this disease is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment options are limited to surgery with chemotherapy for tumors in cases of malignant transformation. In this review, we summarize the advances in the development of targeted pharmacological interventions for neurofibromatosis type 1 and related conditions.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive tumor that has a poor prognosis with a median survival of 15 months with treatment and 3-4 months without treatment. Subsets of patients are found to survive longer than two years, some survivors lived more than 10 years, and rare cases survived 20 years or more with treatment. Better prognosis has been found to be associated with many factors. Some of these factors are related to patients' characteristics, biological factors that impact tumor aggressiveness, and/or factors associated with treatment. However, the exact contribution for extended survival is still not known. Finding the factors that have a strong impact on the long survival is of high importance and can help give hope to better treat glioblastoma cases. In this report, we present a case of a glioblastoma patient who was diagnosed at the age of 47 years with more than 20-year survival. We further discuss the suggested factors that may have contributed to a better prognosis with a focus on the possible role of varicella-zoster infection in mediating long-term survival.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging global health emergency caused by the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection depends on the severity of the disease and may range from an asymptomatic infection to a severe and lethal illness. Fever, cough, and shortness of breath are among the most common symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Accumulating evidence indicates that COVID-19 patients commonly develop neurological symptoms, such as headache, altered mental status, anosmia, and myalgia. In this comprehensive literature review, we have summarized the most common neurological complications and reported neurological case studies associated with COVID-19, and neurological side effects associated with COVID-19 treatments. Additionally, the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and long-term neurological complications were discussed. We also explained the proposed mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis of these neurological complications.