The multifaceted effects of semaglutide: exploring its broad therapeutic applications.

Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is FDA-approved for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and reducing cardiovascular risk. Its off-label use in weight management and other conditions has grown, prompting a review of its benefits and risks. This review evaluates evidence on semaglutide's effects, highlighting its therapeutic potential beyond approved indications.

Juvenile ossifying fibroma in a 24-year-old female with systemic comorbidities: a rare case report.

Introduction: Juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is a rare, benign, fibro-osseous lesion characterized by aggressive growth and potential for recurrence. It primarily affects children and adolescents, with two histopathological subtypes: trabecular JOF (TrJOF) and psammomatoid JOF (PsJOF). TrJOF typically presents in the jaws of younger individuals, often before the age of 15.

A rare presentation of subcutaneous granuloma annulare: a case report of bilateral palmar and dorsal hand nodules with successful management.

Introduction And Importance: Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, self-limited, chronic inflammatory dermatosis predominantly affecting children and young adults. Subcutaneous granuloma annulare (SGA) is a rare variant, chiefly observed in children, characterized by firm, asymptomatic nodules typically located on the lower extremities, buttocks, or scalp. Involvement of the palms or soles is exceptionally rare.

Sturge-Weber syndrome Type I: a rare case report.

Introduction And Importance: To document a rare case of Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) Type I with acute neurological symptoms.

Case Presentation: An 11-year-old boy, previously diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) Type I, presented to the emergency department with acute neurological symptoms that included vomiting, headaches, left-sided hemiparesis, and right-sided deviation of the labial commissure.

Clinical Discussion: Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by facial port-wine stains, leptomeningeal angiomas, and ocular involvement.

Endobronchial solitary fibrous tumor: A case report with comprehensive literature review.

Introduction And Importance: Endobronchial solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that account for less than 2 % of all SFTs. Diagnosis and treatment are major challenges because of their rarity and varied presentation. We present a case of endobronchial SFT that was successfully treated with minimally invasive bronchoscopic excision and review the literature to highlight the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment.

Evaluating large language models in patient education on facial plastic surgery: a standardized protocol.

Background: Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used in healthcare settings to provide patient education and answer medical inquiries. However, their reliability in delivering accurate, clear, and unbiased information remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the quality of responses generated by LLMs to common patient questions regarding facial plastic surgery.

Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction in prepectoral versus subpectoral planes: a meta-analysis framework for comparing complication rates and patient-reported outcomes.

Background: Direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction has become a widely accepted approach for postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Traditionally, implants were placed in the subpectoral (SP) plane to maximize soft tissue coverage; however, recent advances in surgical technique and implant materials, such as acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) and meshes, have led to a resurgence in the prepectoral (PP) approach. Recent studies have shown conflicting evidence regarding their respective complication profiles and patient-reported outcomes.

Epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics of ovarian cancer in Syria during the war years: a national multicenter retrospective study (2017-2021).

Background: Despite the high burden and regional variability of ovarian cancer (OC), data on its status in Syria, a country impacted by long-standing conflict, remain scarce. This study aimed to provide the first nationwide analysis of OC epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics.

Methods: In this national, multicenter, retrospective cross-sectional study, we collected data from three tertiary referral university hospitals in Syria: Tishreen University Hospital, Al-Bairouni University Hospital, and Ibn Rushd Hospital.

Bathing suit ichthyosis: a case report of a 13-year-old boy with unique clinical features and genetic insights from Syria.

Introduction: Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis comprises a group of disorders characterized by defects in skin barrier function, including subtypes such as bathing suit ichthyosis (BSI). This condition is linked to the temperature-sensitive variants in transglutaminase 1 (TGM1), leading to distinctive scaling patterns.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 13-year-old boy born to consanguineous parents, who initially presented at birth with a collodion membrane.

Omental splenosis causing small bowel obstruction in a pediatric patient: A case report.

Introduction: Splenosis, the autotransplantation of splenic tissue post-trauma/splenectomy, is typically benign and asymptomatic. We report the first reported case of omental splenosis in a pediatric patient causing bowel obstruction via adhesions/internal herniation, highlighting diagnostic challenges.

Case Presentation: A 10-year-old post-splenectomy male presented with bowel obstruction.

Chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma.

Background: Small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that usually originates in the lungs but can also arise from extrapulmonary sites. Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (EPSCCs) are aggressive and rare, with limited data guiding their management. This case report contributes to the literature by presenting the diagnosis and treatment of primary peritoneal SCC.

Personalized survival predictions in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: development of a machine learning-based web tool.

Purpose: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is a rare subtype of renal cancer, characterized by distinct clinical and genetic features. Existing studies on ChRCC are limited, and there is a critical need to explore the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in this patient population. We used machine learning (ML) to build prognostic models and developed the first predictive web-based tool for survival.

Unravelling Sex Disparities in the Pathophysiology of Atrial Fibrillation: Review of the Current Evidence.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia associated with increased risks of stroke, heart failure, and mortality. Men experience AF more frequently than women, but women are more likely to suffer greater symptoms and reduced quality of life as a consequence of AF onset. Its pathophysiology is complex, influenced by hormonal, structural, electrophysiological, and genetic factors.

First case report of a unique combination of congenital limb and skeletal anomalies mimicking VACTERL and Gollop-Wolfgang syndromes.

Introduction And Importance: Congenital anomalies remain a significant global health challenge, affecting 6 %-8 % of newborns worldwide and contributing to high rates of infant mortality and disability. This case report presents a unique constellation of congenital malformations in a six-year-old male born to consanguineous parents with a family history of metabolic disorders, including maternal diabetes and paternal smoking-both known risk factors for birth defects.

Case Presentation: The patient exhibited a complex phenotype including rib agenesis, hydrocephalus, sacral agenesis, atrial septal defect, and severe lower limb deformities characterized by complete tibial absence on the right and a 180-degree rotational malalignment of the left tibia and fibula.

Efficacy and safety of microneedling with topical insulin compared with placebo in the treatment of atrophic scars: a prospective study and literature review.

Background: Atrophic scars, which affect many individuals and arise from various causes, currently lack a standardized treatment protocol. Recent studies suggest that combining microneedling with topical insulin (TI) may offer a promising new approach to improving the appearance of these scars.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of microneedling combined with TI for treating atrophic scars caused by acne, cutaneous leishmaniasis, striae alba and postoperative wounds.

The Effect of Age on 1-Year Readmissions in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: Trends and Insights From a Conflict-Stricken Country.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and hospitalization worldwide. However, limited data exist on AF readmissions in low-resource and conflict-affected settings. This study investigates the impact of age on 1-year readmission rates among AF patients in a Syrian tertiary hospital.

A case report of cutaneous Langerhans cell Histiocytosis in an infant: a therapeutic challenge.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare clonal disorder of immature CD1a-positive dendritic cells, most commonly affecting children, with peak incidence between ages 1 and 3. This report presents a unique case of multifocal cutaneous LCH with cervical lymphadenopathy in a 7-month-old infant. The patient exhibited an unusual pattern of treatment resistance, failing to respond adequately to corticosteroids and vinblastine-prednisone, before achieving remission with methotrexate.

Exploring the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and psychosocial, demographic, and health factors in Syrian hospital settings.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent and complex gastrointestinal disorder that profoundly affects patients' quality of life. This study, the first of its kind in Syria, explores the intricate relationship between IBS and demographic factors, with a focus on gender, age, socioeconomic status, the presence of chronic diseases, and psychological status.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 562 participants was conducted in Damascus to investigate the prevalence of IBS and its association with psychological distress.

Hemodialysis and minerals in end stage renal disease.

Background-aim: Hemodialysis is the most common reliable therapy of renal replacement in Kidney Disease, especially, the end stage renal disease (ESRD), characterized with the complete loss of kidney function, including excretion of wastes and fluids, control of blood acid-base and mineral concentrations. During hemodialysis, kidney roles are restored, by the balance of substances between the dialysis fluid and patients' blood. However, it may cause serious disturbances of some minerals concentrations in patients' blood, like (Zn, Cu, Mg, etc.

The Comparative Effectiveness and Tolerability of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Modulators in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators (S1PRM) are used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Each drug has a different S1PR-subtype selectivity. They target the G-protein coupled S1P receptors and exert significant immunomodulatory effects, such as preventing the formation of new CNS lesions and the reactivation of pre-existing lesions.

A comparative study of total quality management in healthcare from provider and patient perspectives at Al-Mouwasat University Hospital.

The Total Quality Management (TQM) is a strategic approach that aims to improve healthcare services by enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring patient satisfaction. Despite its widespread application in developed countries, TQM's implementation in developing nations, particularly in the healthcare sector, has been limited. This study aims to evaluate TQM awareness, its application, and the effectiveness of scientific methods in improving healthcare services at Al-Mouwasat University Hospital, Syria.

Comparative efficacy and safety of irreversible (rasagiline) and reversible (safinamide) monoamine oxidase inhibitors as add-on therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative condition caused by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. Safinamide and rasagiline are both novel medications that are indicated for PD. Safinamide (reversible) and rasagiline (Irreversible) are selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors which work by decreasing the degradation of dopamine in the brain.

Root resorption associated with minimally invasive surgical acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement: a systematic review.

Background: Root resorption (RR) is a critical concern in orthodontics. It is influenced by treatment duration and techniques. Minimally invasive surgically accelerated orthodontics (MISAO) aims to reduce treatment time but may impact RR, necessitating a systematic evaluation of its effects.

Retrospective analysis of disparities and excess mental health, opioid and alcohol mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a devastating increase in morbidity and mortality; however there is limited understanding of the continued toll of COVID-19 on mental health, opioid and alcohol related deaths.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective study designed using the Wide Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database from the United States (US) Center for Disease Control. This database contains all death certificate information on US residents.

A 17-year-old female with bilateral congenital trigger thumb diagnosed in late adolescence: a rare case report.

Introduction And Importance: Congenital trigger thumb, affecting approximately 0.3% of children, is characterized by a locked interphalangeal joint and can result from a mismatch between the flexor tendon and thumb pulley system. Though typically diagnosed in early childhood, late diagnosis can occur, as demonstrated in this case.