Physiology (medical), Medicine, General Medicine, Rehabilitation
24
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Osteoarthritis-Related Pain and Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Mohammed Mana Mohammed Alqahtani, António Raposo, Abdullah Mohammed Saeed Alshalaan, Saeed Mohammed Saad Asiri, Jaber Salman Yazeed Alfaifi, et al. World Journal of Surgery, 2026 Aim This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to synthesize current evidence on the effect of metabolic and bariatric surgery on osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis, pain, stiffness, and functional outcomes. Method A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 2000 and July 2025. Eligible studies included adult patients undergoing any form of bariatric surgery who had either a documented diagnosis of OA before and after surgery or a quantitative assessment of OA‐related symptoms using validated instruments such as the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Data were pooled using random‐effects models, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic. Results Twelve studies published between 2007 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 12,000 participants across prospective and retrospective cohorts. The pooled odds ratio for OA diagnosis after surgery compared with preoperative status was 0.21 (95% CI: 0.11–0.41), indicating a 79% reduction in OA likelihood. Significant improvements were observed in WOMAC pain, stiffness, and physical function scores at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, with overall pooled mean differences of −20.80 (95% CI: −32.74 to −8.86) and −17.12 (95% CI: −25.28 to −8.96), respectively. Heterogeneity was substantial across studies (I 2 > 75%). Conclusions Metabolic and bariatric surgery is associated with significant reductions in osteoarthritis diagnosis and improvements in OA‐related pain and physical function. These findings suggest that surgical weight loss may provide meaningful benefits for joint health in patients with obesity.
PIK3R1 as the Hidden Hand in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Inflammation: Weaving Transcriptomic Signatures with Structural Therapeutic Insights Nazia Azim, Ashwag Saleh Alsharidah, Mansour Alsharidah, Nadeem Khan, Sajjad Ahmad Pharmaceuticals, 2025 Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a congenital cardiac disorder, but its severity has been increasingly linked to inflammatory processes. This study aimed to investigate gene expression profiles in ARVC to identify genes potentially driving inflammation in affected individuals. Methods: Publicly available gene expression datasets comprising 12 ventricular tissue samples from six clinically confirmed ARVC patients (paired left and right ventricular biopsies) and 12 ventricular samples from six non-failing donor hearts were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes. Immune infiltration was assessed to determine the proportions of immune cells in the ARVC condition. Correlation analysis between immune cell proportions and gene expression profiles was further performed to identify genes linked with inflammation-specific immune cells. Functional enrichment analysis of associated genes was performed to pinpoint the key involvement of genes in different inflammatory-specific pathways. Finally, the key gene associated with inflammation-specific immune cells and its active involvement in inflammatory pathways was further subjected to molecular docking against a curated library of marine-derived phytochemicals, followed by 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate ligand stability. Results: A total of 141 significantly upregulated genes were identified in ARVC. Immune infiltration analysis revealed elevated proportions of regulatory T cells, CD8+ T cells, plasma cells, M2 macrophages, resting mast cells, and activated NK cells in the ARVC phenotype, indicating an immunologically active microenvironment. Correlation analysis identified four genes—LIFR, SCN2B, RGCC, and PIK3R1—showing significant positive associations with these immune cells. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted PIK3R1 (LogFC > 2.00) as a central regulator in the PI3K/AKT and mTOR pathways, which govern immune activation, cell survival, and fibrosis. Molecular docking identified two marine compounds, CMNPD18967 and CMNPD756, with strong binding affinities (−5.9 and −5.7 kcal/mol, respectively). Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable ligand binding within the PIK3R1 active site. Conclusions: PIK3R1 emerges as a key inflammation-associated gene in ARVC, with strong involvement in immune-regulatory pathways. Marine-derived phytochemicals CMNPD18967 and CMNPD756 demonstrate promising inhibitory potential through stable interaction with PIK3R1. While these findings present potential anti-inflammatory leads, validation in larger clinical cohorts and experimental models is essential to confirm translational applicability.
Respiratory and functional benefits of manual diaphragmatic release for cleaning-laborers exposed to occupational hazards Alshimaa R. Azab, Ragab K. Elnaggar, Dalia G Hamouda, Ghfren S. Aloraini, Alaa S. Alhegaili, et al. Physiotherapy Research International, 2024 Background and Purpose:To examine the respiratory and functional benefits of manual diaphragmatic release for Cleaning‐Laborers Exposed to Occupational Hazards.MethodsA randomized controlled trial of 36 participants aged 35–45 years was randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group (n = 18); received manual diaphragm release along with respiratory training exercises, and the control group (n = 18); received respiratory training exercises only. Three times/week for 12 consecutive weeks. The serum immunoglobulin E level, pulmonary functions [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate (PEF)], chest wall mobility, and 6 min walk‐test performance were assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention.ResultsThere was a greater decline in serum immunoglobulin levels (p = 0.003; Partial η2 = 0.23) and enhancement in pulmonary functions [FEV1 (p = 0.025, Partial η2 = 0.14), FVC (p = 0.017, Partial η2 = 0.16), FEV1/FVC (p = 0.028, Partial η2 = 0.13), and PEF (p = 0.012, Partial η2 = 0.17) in the experimental group. Further, there was a greater increase in chest mobility at the xiphoid level (p = 0.002, Partial η2 = 0.25) in the experimental group, but this was not the case at the axillary level (p = 0.29, Partial η2 = 0.03). Still, the 6 min walk‐test performance improved more significantly in the experimental group (p = 0.002, Partial η2 = 0.24).ConclusionThe diaphragmatic release technique may offer a promising approach for mitigating distressing respiratory symptoms, enhancing immune function, and improving 6 min walk‐test performance among cleaning laborers with work‐related respiratory hazards.Trial registrationThe study was retrospectively registered at XXX (ID: NCT05802355).
Efficacy of gabapentin phonophoresis on post mastectomy intercostobrachial neuralgia Ashwag S. Alsharidah Fizjoterapia Polska, 2024 Aim. To investigate the efficacy of gabapentin phonophoresis for neuropathic pain management in intercostobrachial neuralgia cases. Material and methods. Fifty-seven females with intercostobrachial neuralgia were randomly collected then allocated into two groups, Study group (gabapentin phonophoresis) and Control group (gabapentin gel). Study group: received gabapentin phonophoresis 4 times/week for 4 weeks (a total of 16 sessions) using continuous ultrasound (1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm², for 5 minutes). Control group: received topical 6% w/w gabapentin gel three times per day for 4 weeks on the affected site. The methods of assessment included visual analogue scale (VAS) and Neuropathic pain scale (NPS). All measurements were collected before the beginning of the study and after the end of the treatment (after 4 weeks). Results. There was no significant difference between both groups in VAS (= 0.43) and NPS (= 0.46) pre-treatment. Comparison between groups post treatment revealed a significant decrease in VAS and NPS of study group compared with that of control group (p < 0.001). The percentage of decrease in VAS of study group and control group was 51.32% and 43.03% respectively while the percent of decrease in NPS was 50.79% and 45.05% respectively. Conclusion. It was concluded that conduction of gabapentin gel topically or by using phonophoresis is safe and effective method for neuropathic pain management and can alleviate pain intensity; however, phonophoresis achieved better results and was superior to traditional gel application.
Galantamine mitigates neurotoxicity caused by doxorubicin via reduced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rat model M. Aldubayan, A. S. Alsharidah, S. K. Alenezi, A. Alhowail European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2024 OBJECTIVE Doxorubicin (DXR) is commonly used as a drug for cancer treatment. However, there have been reports of neurotoxicity associated with chemotherapy. Galantamine (GLN) is a medication that inhibits cholinesterase activity, providing relief from the neurotoxic effects commonly seen in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. This study explored the potential ameliorative effect of GLN on brain neurotoxicity induced by DXR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty rats were allocated into four separate groups for a study that lasted for a period of fourteen days. The control group was given normal saline, DXR group was given 5 mg/kg DXR every three days (cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg) through intraperitoneal injection. The GLN group was given 5 mg/kg GLN through oral gavage daily, while the DXR+GLN group was given DXR+GLN simultaneously. An analysis of brain proteins using ELISA to assess apoptosis through the concentration of inflammation and oxidative injury markers. RESULTS The DXR treatment led to increased neuroinflammation by elevation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), oxidative stress by rise of malondialdehyde (MDA), and decline of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and no changes in catalase and glutathione (GSH), cell death by elevation of Bax and caspase-3 and reduced Bcl-2, and increase lipid peroxidation, impaired mitochondrial function. When GLN is administered alongside DXR, it has been observed to positively impact various biological markers, including COX-2, NF-κB, MDA, SOD, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 levels. Additionally, GLN improves lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial activity. CONCLUSIONS DXR therapy in rats results in the development of neurotoxicity, and a combination of GLN can recover these toxicities, suggesting GLN promising evidence for mitigating the neurotoxic effects induced by DXR.
A Pulmonary Telerehabilitation Program Improves Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Young Females Post-COVID-19 Patients Ashwag S. Alsharidah, FatmaAlzahraa H. Kamel, Afrah A. Alanazi, Enas A. Alhawsah, Hajar K. Alharbi, et al. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2023 Objective: To examine the impact of telerehabilitation training on exercise capacity, lung function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in comparison to no rehabilitation for post-COVID-19 symptoms in adult females.Methods: A randomized controlled trial of 48 females after mild to moderate COVID-19 survival were equally and randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention group or control group. Three sessions per week for 6 weeks of a telerehabilitation program provided via a smartphone to the intervention group. Spirometry was used to quantify lung function, a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) measured in meters to measure exercise capacity, and the Short Form Health Survey-36 was used to assess HRQOL.Results: After treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in forced vital capacity (FVC) or forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV<sub>1</sub>) between groups (p>0.05), but the 6MWT of the intervention group increased significantly more than that of the control group (p=0.001). The percent of change in 6MWT for the intervention group and control group was 14.22% and 4.21%, respectively. After therapy, the intervention group’s HRQOL significantly improved when compared to the control group’s (p=0.001).Conclusion: This study showed that a telerehabilitation programs improved exercise capacity and HRQOL in young females post-COVID-19 compared to no rehabilitation.
Virtual reality-based exercises’ effects on pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary capacity, functional performance, and quality of life in children with repaired congenital diaphragmatic hernia A. Azab, R. Elnaggar, W. K. Abdelbasset, M. Alghadier, A. S. Ahmed, et al. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2023 OBJECTIVE The long-term consequences of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), which include altered lung functions and compromised cardiopulmonary capacity, impact functional performance and quality of life. This study investigates the effects of virtual reality-based exercise programs on pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary capacity, functional performance, and quality of life in children with repaired CDH. PATIENTS AND METHODS A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed. Fifty-two children with repaired CDH (aged 6-10 years) were enrolled and randomly allocated to virtual reality-based exercises plus traditional physical therapy (VR-EX group, n = 26) or traditional physical therapy alone (control group, n = 26). Interventions were conducted three times a week for 12 weeks. Pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary capacity, functional performance, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS The VR-EX group demonstrated significantly enhanced post-treatment pulmonary functions and cardiopulmonary capacity compared to the control group after accounting for the pre-treatment values (p < 0.05). In addition, the values in functional performance and quality of life measures showed significantly larger improvements in the VR-EX group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with repaired CDH may benefit more from VR-based exercises when combined with traditional physical therapy than from traditional physical therapy alone regarding their pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary capacity, functional performance, and quality of life.
Neutrophil chemokines levels in different stages of nephrotic syndrome AshwagS Alsharidah, MohammadA Alzogaibi, NervanaM Bayoumy, Mohammed Alghonaim Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation an Official Publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation Saudi Arabia, 2017
