Current Issue (Volume 4, Issue 1), 2026

The Original Article was published on March 19, 2025

“Renaming the problem: Why ‘non-recommended journals’ is preferable to ‘predatory’ in academic publishing” Barw Medical Journal. 2025;3(5):33-41.

Following correspondence received by the editorial office regarding authorship confirmation and reference accuracy, the journal conducted an editorial review in accordance with the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Authorship correction

During this process, two individuals listed as authors informed the journal that they had not approved the final version of the manuscript prior to submission. After communication with the corresponding author and available co-authors, the authorship list has been revised accordingly. The corrected author list is provided below.

Corrected author list:

Frederick M. Tiesenga, Daniel Rodger, Benjamin Saracco, Baichang Zhong,  Andrea Cortegiani, Sjaak Pouwels, Rawezh Qadir M. Salih, Ayman M. Mustafa, Michele Meoli, Svitlana Fiialka, Khritish Swargiary, Purvi Raj Bhagat, Suad Kunosic, Rosa Rodriguez-Sánchez, Kaushik Bhattacharya, Marco Cascella, Mohmedhanif Nashipudi, Bharat Gurnani, Kirandeep Kaur, P. Paramashivaiah, B.T Sampath Kuma, Givheart Dano, Mallikarjun Dora, Bolaji David Oladokun, Manzoor V. Babu, AR. Saravanakumar, Usman Muhammed Song, Vemma Mae R. Guinto, Karthik N. Rao, Alireza Akbari, Arslan Sheikh, Punnya Angadi, Johnkennedy Nnodim, Jafaru Aliyu Shinkafi, Sanjeev Rastogi, Kunle Oparinde, Klimis Ntalianis, Saeeda Abdullah, Atanu Chandra, Collence Chisita, Mohd Amzari Tumiran,  Haneen Ali Haleem, Harsh Deora

Reference correction

Reference number 28 cited an article that has since been deleted as it was a duplicate (not retracted). This reference has been replaced by its original one:  Kakamad F. H., Mohammed S. H., Najar K. A., Qadr G. A., Ahmed J. O., Mohammed K. K., et al. Kscien's list; a new strategy to discourage predatory journals and publishers. International Journal of Surgery Open. 2019, 23, 54-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijso.2019.11.001

These corrections do not affect the scientific content or conclusions of the article. The original article remains unchanged, and readers are advised to consult this notice for the corrected information.

Introduction

Sigmoid volvulus is an underrecognized diagnosis with potentially fatal outcomes in adolescents; the current study aims to present an adolescent with mild symptoms but was found to have extensive ischemic sigmoid volvulus.

Case presentation

An 18-year-old male complained of three days of moderate colicky abdominal pain, with decreased appetite and diarrhea. Physical examination revealed diffuse abdominal tenderness and exaggerated bowel sounds without abdominal distension. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan demonstrated evidence of twisting the sigmoid and a part of the left colon around each other but without signs of ischemia and perforation. Sigmoidoscopy showed volvulus with dusky ischemic mucosa. An immediate surgical intervention through Hartmann's procedure was performed. After three months of the operation, colostomy closure and colorectal re-anastomosis were performed.

Literature review

In a review of the literature, adolescents presented with symptoms of abdominal pain, swelling, vomiting, dehydration, and even shock in more severe cases. Despite the lack of data regarding the optimal long-term approach for sigmoid volvulus in adolescents, in a review of 63 cases, 77% of them received operative treatment, with sigmoidectomy being the predominant procedure. The total mortality rate was 6%, with an operative mortality rate of 8.1%.

Conclusion

Strangulated sigmoid volvulus should be considered in adolescents with abdominal pain despite having diarrhea and no clinically evident abdominal distention. Hartman’s procedure may result in a good outcome.

The Original Article was published on February 10, 2025
This article has been retracted at the request of the publisher (Barw Publisher) following an internal investigation. After publication, the journal was informed that the manuscript had been submitted without the final approval of all listed authors, which constitutes a breach of the journal’s authorship and publication ethics policies. Multiple attempts were made to contact the corresponding author to clarify this issue; however, no response was received. Following discussion between the publisher and the Editor-in-Chief, a decision was made to retract the article in order to maintain the integrity of the scientific record.

The Editor-in-Chief and the publisher regret any inconvenience caused to readers.

Introduction

Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is a type of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. It has a poorer prognosis, is more metastatic, and has characteristics different from papillary thyroid carcinoma. It tends to metastasize hematogenously, usually to the bones and lungs. This study aims to present a rare case of FTC metastasis to the peritoneum and thigh of a patient with a literature review.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old patient presented with a right thigh mass. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right thigh revealed an intramedullary lesion in the femoral diaphysis. The thyroid gland was firm, with no evidence of enlargement. A computed tomography scan showed several peritoneal nodules. A core biopsy of the right upper femoral lesion and peritoneal mass was performed. Histopathologic findings and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed metastatic FTC with thyroid origin.

Literature review

Unlike widely invasive FTC, minimally invasive FTC has a better prognosis and is less metastatic. Imaging, histopathologic examination, and immunohistochemistry can help in arriving at a diagnosis of FTC. Mutations of PPAR-γ and RAS are associated with FTC. Radioiodine treatment and suppressive therapy for the thyroid-stimulating hormone have been shown to improve survival rates of FTC, with postoperative follow-ups and treatment being important.

Conclusion

Metastasis of FTC to the peritoneum is rare and could lead to a late diagnosis. Proper diagnosis with confirmatory tools such as immunohistochemistry and adequate treatment are critical.

Introduction

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is a rare phenomenon that often goes undiagnosed and causes severe complications, including death. This report presents a case of CSSS with unexpectedly early presentation following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Case presentation

A 49-year-old male with diabetes, smoking history, and ischemic heart disease underwent CABG with a left internal mammary artery graft to the LAD and saphenous vein grafts. Three months later, he presented with exertional chest pain and left arm discomfort. Examination revealed a significant inter-arm blood pressure difference (right 140/90 mmHg, left 90/65 mmHg) and a diminished left radial pulse. Computed tomography angiography revealed complete proximal left subclavian artery occlusion with patent grafts. Percutaneous revascularization with balloon pre-dilatation and a 7.0 × 27 mm stent restored flow. The procedure was uneventful, and at 10-month follow-up, he remained asymptomatic with normalized arm pressures.

Literature review

A review of ten recent CSSS cases revealed a predominance of males (7/10), with ages ranging from 58 to 81 years. Comorbidities included cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disorders. Chest pain was the most frequent presenting symptom. The interval from CABG to CSSS onset ranged from two days to 13 years. Management strategies encompassed percutaneous coronary interventions, nitrates, antihypertensives, and statins, with all patients achieving favorable outcomes.

Conclusion

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome can present shortly after CABG. Percutaneous endovascular stenting via a dual approach might offer good long-term outcomes.

Introduction

Tarlatamab is a Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) -directed bispecific T-cell engager recently approved for use in patients with advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC) after progression on platinum-based therapy. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of tarlatamab as monotherapy and in combination regimens in the treatment of SCLC.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from inception through September 2025 to identify clinical trials evaluating tarlatamab in SCLC. Eligible studies reported quantifiable efficacy and/or safety outcomes. Random-effects models were used to pool objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR), and Kaplan–Meier methods were applied to assess survival outcomes.

Results

Seven clinical trials involving 1,247 patients with advanced SCLC were included. The pooled ORR was 0.42 (95% CI 0.31–0.54), with response rates ranging from 21–47% in monotherapy studies and up to 48% in combination regimens. Across six studies, pooled DCR was 0.48 (95% CI 0.31–0.66), with DCR reaching up to 87% in combination settings. Median progression-free survival ranged from 3.5 to 5.6 months, while median overall survival ranged from 13.2 to 25.3 months. Pooled time-to-event analyses demonstrated significant reductions in the risk of disease progression and death. Grade 3 and grade 4 adverse events occurred in 5.4% and 1.4% of patients, respectively, although safety reporting was incomplete in several studies.

Conclusion

Tarlatamab demonstrates clinically meaningful antitumor activity with an acceptable safety profile in heavily pretreated SCLC. These findings support DLL3-targeted therapy as a promising treatment strategy and warrant further prospective studies to define its optimal role in the evolving SCLC treatment landscape.

Introduction

Vaginal bleeding is a common complication during pregnancy and may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of first trimester bleeding on newborns Apgar scores.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on pregnant women who delivered at Shahid Sadoughi hospital in Yazd, Iran, between 2022 and 2023. Only singleton, nulliparous, non-diabetic women were included. Participants were divided into two groups: the exposure group (Bleeding Group) and control Group (Non-Bleeding Group), based on archived records. Apgar scores recorded at the first and fifth minutes after birth in newborns file were compared between groups.

Results

A total of 992 women were included, with 218 in the exposure and 774 in the control groups. The incidence of a first-minute Apgar score <7 was significantly higher in the bleeding group compared to controls (22.5% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in five-minute Apgar scores between groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a positive association between first-trimester vaginal bleeding and a low first-minute Apgar score in newborns.

(on the original article) This article has a Corrigendum. Please see the Corrigendum at: https://doi.org/10.58742/bmj.v4i1.225

The term "predatory journals" is widely used to describe publishing practices that exploit authors, compromise research quality, and mislead readers. Its use, however, has frequently led to legal threats and professional conflicts for individuals and institutions who call out such deceptive practices.  Most notably, Jeffrey Beall, the creator of Beall’s List, faced legal threats and personal harassment, which ultimately led him to discontinue his work. To address these challenges, scholars have proposed replacing “predatory journals” with more neutral alternatives, such as “questionable journals”. This study recommends using the term “non-recommended journals,” which similarly avoids accusatory language while signaling the need for caution by scholars and institutions. By avoiding direct allegations of unethical conduct, the term "non-recommended" reduces the likelihood of legal repercussions and professional disputes. Adopting this terminology enables researchers and institutions to continue addressing concerns about low-quality or deceptive publishing practices while fostering a more constructive dialogue. This reframing encourages constructive dialogue, broader institutional engagement, and stronger collective efforts to uphold high ethical publishing standards and protect academic integrity.

Background

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (nTOS) is the most prevalent subtype of thoracic outlet syndrome and remains one of the most controversial conditions in peripheral nerve and thoracic disorders. Despite widespread recognition of conservative therapy as initial management, substantial variation exists across medical specialties regarding diagnosis, duration of nonoperative treatment, and indications for surgery. These discrepancies suggest underlying differences in how nTOS is conceptualized rather than disagreement over available treatment options.

Objectives
This study aimed to explore and compare the perspectives of different medical specialties on the management of confirmed nTOS, with particular attention to conservative therapy, surgical indications, and underlying explanatory models.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 40 physicians from five specialties involved in nTOS care: thoracic and vascular surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, neurology, and rheumatology (eight participants per specialty). Participants were recruited using purposive sampling based on clinical experience with nTOS. All interviews centered on a standardized question addressing management strategies following confirmation of nTOS. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Five overarching themes emerged. All specialties endorsed physiotherapy as first-line treatment, though recommended duration varied widely. Profound disagreement existed regarding the role of surgery, ranging from early operative intervention to complete rejection. Surgeons tended to frame nTOS as a mechanical compression disorder, whereas neurologists and rheumatologists frequently expressed diagnostic skepticism and favored prolonged conservative management. Orthopedic surgeons adopted selective surgical strategies focused on musculoskeletal contributors. Across specialties, variability was driven primarily by differing conceptual models of nTOS rather than by technical considerations.

Conclusion

Management variability in nTOS arises chiefly from divergent understandings of the condition itself. Without addressing these foundational differences, inconsistency in care is likely to persist. Interdisciplinary consensus-building that integrates anatomical, neurological, and pain-based frameworks is essential for developing coherent, patient-centered management pathways for nTOS.