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Little is known about the reading habits and interests of college students in the post-pandemic environment, especially those of the understudied student populations of the Middle East. Thus, a convenient sample of female undergraduate students of Saudi Arabian descent was asked to report reading habits and interests. First, the study asked whether the responses of students organized by field of study (STEM versus non-STEM) differed. Then, it assessed the extent to which reading habits (as indexing reading comprehension skills) predicted college attainment (as measured by GPA) in each of the selected subsamples. Although habits and attitudes did not differ between STEM and non-STEM students, attitudes predicted reading habits differently for the two groups. Furthermore, habits and attitudes were better predictors of academic attainment for STEM than non-STEM learners. These findings underscored the need for institutions of higher education to carry out periodical assessments of their students' reading habits and interests. Results can then inform library policies and instructional interventions that will benefit STEM students the most.

The purple-spotted bigeye, Priacanthus tayenus, is a marine benthic fish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia. This study identified a myxozoan parasite infecting wild P. tayenus from the Saudi Arabian Gulf. These parasites produced spherical to ovoid-shaped, white plasmodia enclosed within pseudocysts in the fish musculature. The annual infection rate was 5.1%, with the highest prevalence in summer (7.6%), followed by spring (6%), and autumn (2.5%), while no infections were observed in winter. The number of plasmodia per fish ranged from 100 to 150 (135.1 ± 16.2). Their dimensions were 4–4.7 mm (4.3 ± 0.3 mm) in length and 4.5–7 mm (6 ± 1.1 mm) in width. Milky-colored exudates within the plasmodia contained mature spores measuring 8–9 μm (8.6 ± 0.4 μm) x 6–7.5 μm (6.9 ± 0.5 μm). The polar capsules of the spores exhibited dimensions of 2–5 μm (3.5 ± 0.5 μm) x 2.5–4.5 μm (3 ± 0.45 μm). Both morphological and genetic analyses confirmed these plasmodia as a novel Kudoa species. Histopathological examination revealed atrophy in the surrounding muscles without an inflammatory response. This study documents the first occurrence of a novel Kudoa sp. in P. tayenus at the Jubail landing site in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for further surveillance and investigations to elucidate its pathogenesis and implications for wild fish stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with chronic kidney disease, especially those undergoing hemodialysis (HD), have a higher risk of fragility fractures. However, the magnitude of the problem and risk factors associated with fracture incidence have not been well studied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This multicenter retrospective study involved HD centers in Jeddah from 2015 to 2021. This study included all adult HD patients. Patient demographics, medication usage, and clinical and biochemical parameters were collected from the registry records. The study included 328 patients on HD, with a mean age of 53 years. The median duration of HD was 47 months. Osteoporosis was found in 9% of the patients, and 8% had a previous parathyroidectomy. Over the observation period, fractures occurred in 32 patients, with an incidence rate of 20 case/1000 end stage kidney disease patients-year. Patients with fractures had a higher rate of osteoporosis, underwent more parathyroidectomy, had longer HD vintage, and higher bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) levels. BSAP was the most significant predictor of fracture incidence in the regression analysis. Using a BSAP cutoff value of 96.6 µg/L, the sensitivity and specificity to predict fractures were 81.8% and 49%, respectively. The main risk factors for incident fractures were osteoporosis, previous parathyroidectomy, longer HD vintage, and higher BSAP level. A higher BSAP score was the most significant predictor of incident fractures. This may highlight the importance of monitoring bone turnover markers and the negative impact of high bone turnover on patient health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of bedside removal of tunnelled hemodialysis catheter (TDC) by noninterventional nephrologists among adult patients. It is a retrospective study that involved 53 patients from March 2020 to February 2022 at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) Hemodialysis Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Of the 53 participants, 60.4% were male and 40.6% female, and their mean age was 50.94 ± 18.89 years. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (HTN) in 47 (88.7%), diabetes mellitus (DM) in 24 (45.3%), and DM and HTN together in 23 (43.4%) patients. The most common site of TDC removal was the right internal jugular vein (77.4%). In 84.9% of the cases, the TDC was removed as an inpatient procedure, and in the majority of the cases (64.2%), the TDC was removed by a noninterventional nephrologist. The most common reasons for TDC removal were sepsis or clinical concerns for infection (64.2%) and TDC not needed (20.8%) due to recovery of the renal function or access maturation. Most patients (96.2%) suffered no complications; only one of 34 (%) patients with catheter removal by a noninterventional nephrologist had bleeding, which required more observation and monitoring before discharge on the same day. Our study revealed that the bedside TDC removal was well tolerated with a minimal complication rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) poses a significant morbidity and mortality risk to critically ill COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of AKI in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with critically ill COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study in Saudi Arabia of adult patients aged at least 18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia and admitted to the intensive care unit between May 2020 and May 2021 was conducted. The occurrence of AKI and associated risk factors, the need for continous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and the outcome were reported. Results: The study included 340 patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Their mean age was 66.7±13.4 years, ranging from 49 to 84 years, and most of them were men (63.8%). The most common concomitant diseases were hypertension (71.5%), diabetes (62.4%), IHD (37.6%), CKD (20%), heart failure (19.4%), and 81.2% suffered from ARDS. AKI occurred in 60.3% of patients, 38% were stage 1, 16.6% were stage 2, and 45.4% were stage 3. Approximately, 39% of patients required CRRT, out of which 76.2% were stage 3, which was significantly higher than the other stages (p<0.001). AKI patients suffered significantly from asthma and had lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and higher creatinine levels than patients without AKI (p<0.05 all). The overall mortality rate was 39.4%, and the mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with AKI than in patients without AKI (48.3% versus 25.9%; p<0.001). Conclusion: AKI is common in adults admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 and is associated with an increased risk of death. Early detection of AKI and appropriate treatment can positively impact COVID-19 outcome. CRRT is the preferred dialysis method in critically ill ICU patients with AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is associated with catastrophic effects on the world with high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of physiological shock index (SIPF) (shock index and hypoxemia), CURB − 65, acute physiology, and chronic health assessment II (APACHE II) as predictors of prognosis and in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: In Saudi Arabia, a multicenter retrospective study was conducted on hospitalized adult patients confirmed to have COVID-19 pneumonia. Information needed to calculate SIPF, CURB-65, and APACHE II scores were obtained from medical records within 24 hours of admission. Results: The study included 1131 COVID-19 patients who met the inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups: (A) the ICU group (n=340; 30.1%) and (B) the ward group (n=791; 69.9%). The most common concomitant diseases of patients at initial ICU admission were hypertension (71.5%) and diabetes (62.4%), and most of them were men (63.8%). The overall mortality was 18.7%, and the mortality rate was higher in the ICU group than in the ward group (39.4% vs 9.6%; p < 0.001). The SIPF score showed a significantly higher ability to predict both ICU admission and mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia compared with APACHE II and CURB − 65; (AUC 0.89 vs 0.87; p < 0.001) and (AUC 0.89 vs 0.84; p < 0.001) for ICU admission and (AUC 0.90 vs 0.65; p < 0.001) and (AUC 0.90 vs 0.80; p < 0.001) for mortality, respectively. Conclusion: The ability of the SIPF score to predict ICU admission and mortality in COVID-19 pneumonia is higher than that of APACHE II and CURB-65. The overall mortality was 18.7%, and the mortality rate was higher in the ICU group than in the ward group (39.4% vs 9.6%; p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel hybrid solar chimney power plant (HSCPP) design. The HSCPP preserves the typical solar chimney power plant (SCPP), with an additional seawater pool at the base and water sprinklers at the top. This new and novel design configuration offers an opportunity to run the system during the daytime as a traditional SCPP and as a downdraft cooling tower at night. The performance of the HSCPP was analyzed in 16 cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) that span the entire geographical area of the country to select the optimal location for installation. The results showed that the highest annual electrical energy production of 676.20 MWh was achieved in the southern city of Shahrurah. However, the lowest annual electrical energy production of 347.59 MWh was found at Wajh, in the west. The highest annual freshwater production was 143,898 tons at Riyadh, in the center. However, the lowest annual freshwater production was 77,868 tons at Muwayh, in the west. Furthermore, the results showed that the proposed HSCPP increased electrical power production by 55% and freshwater production by 20% when compared to traditional SCPP. In addition, an outstanding reduction in CO2 emissions by approximately 56% was associated with such an application of HSCPP. The performance of the HSCPP is very promising, however, the geographical location to install the HSCPP is performance‐critical. Hence, the optimal locations were found to be from the center to the southern part of the KSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemodiafiltration (HDF) is not associated with lower mortality risk compared to standard hemodialysis (HD). However, there are many critical clinical outcomes in dialysis patients in addition to mortality; the impact of HDF on these other outcomes is not clear. This retrospective study included all patients referred to DaVita Clinics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. High‐flux HD was the initial modality in all patients. Those who did not achieve adequacy targets or those with poorly controlled phosphorus were switched to postdilution HDF using 18 to 23 L exchange per treatment. Patients dialyzing with a central venous catheter, patients who dialyzed less than 90 days at DaVita, and those with interrupted HDF were excluded. Of the 1115 patients, 215 (19%) were on HDF and 900 on high‐flux HD; the median follow‐up was 6 months for all patients. The HDF group showed a significant reduction in serum phosphate (P <.001), a significant increase in serum calcium (P <.012) and a significant improvement in Kt/V (P <.0001). The HDF group had significantly higher hemoglobin levels than the HD group (P =.024), with a significant reduction in weekly erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent dose after starting HDF (P <.001). A modified protocol that included prolonged dialysis duration, larger‐sized dialyzer, faster blood flow rates, and adding hemofiltration fluid may be helpful in achieving the recommended targets. Thus, HDF can enable the achievement of adequate dialysis care in some patients. Randomized‐controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing dental curriculum is taught at the College of Dentistry since 2002. The aim of this research is to explore the satisfaction levels of faculty members and students with that curriculum. This information will justify a curriculum reformation plan that addresses the aspirations of both faculty members and students. In this cross-sectional study, a two-section survey was prepared. Section 1 investigated the level of satisfaction with the curriculum, and Section 2 sought reasons why participants were satisfied with the curriculum. The questionnaire was electronically mailed to faculty members, interns, and senior students. Data were analyzed to identify patterns and points of disagreement expressed by faculty and students. The overall response rate was 68.7%. The mean standard deviation (SD) score in the study sample from all respondents was 5.0 (+3.0). Faculty significantly registered higher satisfaction than students (mean (SD) = 5.9 (+2.9) and 4.1 (+2.8), P = 0.002). Results of multivariate analysis showed that faculty members were more satisfied with the curriculum than students because they thought the curriculum prepared competent graduates (regression coefficient = 1.76 and 0.69). Teaching staff and students' satisfaction levels with the curriculum were significantly associated with their perception that the curriculum produces competent graduates. Areas with low students' satisfaction levels were related to promotion of engagement with others and development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These areas should be the focus of future curriculum reformation to prepare competitive graduates with competences aligned with the recommendations of the Saudi Arabia Qualification Framework and of the international benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses how to strengthen the competitive competitiveness of the higher education sector in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom's ranking in the Global Competitiveness Index has declined due to the low quality of higher education, which has the greatest impact on the national labor market, despite the increase in expenditure on higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia. Based on this, the study aims at determining the competitive advantage and how this concept can be applied to the higher education sector in Saudi Arabia in order to achieve the most important determinants that contribute to the sustainable competitive advantage of universities in Saudi Arabia. On the success of universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the application of the determinants and criteria of the concept of sustainable competitiveness, and the most important obstacles to the application of these determinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 1425 ovine lungs were grossly examined at the local abattoir during a 6-month survey on the aetiology and pathology of pneumonia in slaughtered sheep at the Al-Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results of the survey demonstrated the occurrence of several types of pneumonic and related lesions in 140 specimens of condemned lungs. However, more detailed microscopic examination of the pneumonic lungs incidentally revealed the coexistence of some other significant pathological alterations indicative of sheep pulmonary adenomatosis (Jaagziekte), ovine syncytial virus infection, ovine progressive pneumonia (maedi) and verminous pneumonia. In addition, pulmonary corpora amylacea (PCA) were also detected in the bronchial lumen of some pneumonic lungs initially diagnosed as fibrinous pneumonia. It is worth mentioning that none of the abovementioned cases was previously recognized or diagnosed in the Al-Qassim region or in any other parts of the Saudi Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KRAS mutation is widely accepted as a key factor in colorectal tumorigenesis. Although KRAS mutation is widely studied in CRC limited data are available about mutation rates and spectrum in CRC from developing countries like Saudi Arabia where epidemiological features of the disease are different. We studied retrospectively tumor samples of 83 Saudi metastatic CRC patients for KRAS mutations in codon 12 and codon 13, to evaluate the relevance of KRAS mutation positive colorectal cancers with metastatic sites. KRAS mutation was observed in 42.2% (35/83) patients with CRC. The most common mutations were in codon 12 (p.G12D, 46%; 16/35, P<0.0001), codon 12 (pG12V, 31%; 11/35, P<0.0001), and codon 13 (p.G13D, 11%; 4/35, P<0.016). Of these 51% and 23% of the tumors are from the left hemicolon and rectum respectively, 83% were moderately differentiated and 86% were invasive adenocarcinoma. Observed mutations are 74% in patients with advanced stage CRC (P=0.006). Among patients with KRAS mutated CRC (CRC) isolated lung and liver metastases were 32% and 23% whereas in WT KRAS was 3% and 53.1% (P<0.005) respectively. The study revealed 69% and 81% of colorectal patients that responded to treatment with complete response (CR)/partial response (PR)/stable disease (SD) were KRAS mutated and WT KRAS respectively (P=0.182). In the mutated KRAS cohort 31% had disease progreßion compared to 19% in WT KRAS (P=0.182). Multivariate logistic regreßion analysis showed WT CRC aßociated with 3-fold increase in positive response to first-line treatment with an odds ratio of 2.83; 95% CI 0.910-8.832. The frequency of KRAS mutations appears higher in the Saudi population. KRAS mutated CRC patients had a higher propensity for lung metastases by paßing liver metastases indicating the need for more extensive chest imaging for effective staging. KRAS WT responds better to treatment compared to KRAS mutated colorectal cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report our experience with high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous SCT (ASCT) in 66 patients out of 113 (113 patients out of 153 had complete analysis) with primary refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma (PR-HL) who received salvage chemotherapy followed by BEAM as HDC. Median age at ASCT was 23 years. Before salvage chemotherapy, stages I:II:III:IV were 2:21:14:29, bulky disease 27%, involvement of mediastinum 79%, spleen 26% and extranodal site 47%; 92% had ESHAP (etoposide, methylprednisolone, high-dose cytarabine, cisplatin) as salvage. Post-ASCT evaluation showed response in 50 patients (76%), complete response (CR) in 37 (56%), partial response in 14 (21%), no response or stable disease in three (5%) and progressive disease in 10 (15%) patients. Six patients achieved CR after XRT (5) or surgery (1), making a total with CR of 43 (65%). From diagnosis and HDC, median follow-up is 38.5 and 22.8 months and median overall survival 78 and 57 months, respectively. EFS and overall survival (OS) are 36 and 64%, respectively. In all 47% patients are in CR. Twenty-two (33%) patients died of the disease. Multivariate analysis showed elevated lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) for EFS (P=0.041) and mediastinal involvement for OS (P=0.038) as negative prognostic factors. In conclusion, EFS and OS are only 36 and 64%, respectively. Elevated LDH and mediastinal involvement are poor prognostic factors.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2008) 42, S37–S40; doi:10.1038/bmt.2008.111 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, genetic studies have yielded great progress in elucidating causes of male infertility. This investigation aims to identify frequent genetic abnormalities, that is, sex chromosome aneuploidies and Y‐chromosome microdeletions among infertile men in Western Saudi Arabia. From a population of infertile patients, 88 male patients with either azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (sperm concentration <5 million/ml) were selected. In addition to a thorough clinical workup, karyotypes and Y‐chromosomal microdeletions were investigated. Among those 88 infertile patients, we detected six patients with Klinefelter syndrome, two with 47 XYY syndrome and two with Y‐chromosome microdeletions AZFb,c. While the prevalence of sex chromosome aneuploidies was in the range of globally investigated populations, the microdeletions appeared to be less frequent in Western Saudi Arabia compared to other regions of the world. All genetically abnormal cases showed sperm concentration <1 million/ml, and hence, this appears to be the threshold for warranting genetic investigations in Western Saudi Arabia. Since Klinefelter and 47 XYY syndromes were only discovered late in life, upon an infertility investigation, sex chromosome aneuploidies due to their many‐fold comorbidities require earlier medical attention. A neonatal screening programme is suggested for detection of these aneuploidies in Saudi Arabia for the general health benefit of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, genetic studies have yielded great progress in elucidating causes of male infertility. This investigation aims to identify frequent genetic abnormalities, that is, sex chromosome aneuploidies and Y-chromosome microdeletions among infertile men in Western Saudi Arabia. From a population of infertile patients, 88 male patients with either azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (sperm concentration <5 million/ml) were selected. In addition to a thorough clinical workup, karyotypes and Y-chromosomal microdeletions were investigated. Among those 88 infertile patients, we detected six patients with Klinefelter syndrome, two with 47 XYY syndrome and two with Y-chromosome microdeletions AZFb,c. While the prevalence of sex chromosome aneuploidies was in the range of globally investigated populations, the microdeletions appeared to be less frequent in Western Saudi Arabia compared to other regions of the world. All genetically abnormal cases showed sperm concentration <1 million/ml, and hence, this appears to be the threshold for warranting genetic investigations in Western Saudi Arabia. Since Klinefelter and 47 XYY syndromes were only discovered late in life, upon an infertility investigation, sex chromosome aneuploidies due to their many-fold comorbidities require earlier medical attention. A neonatal screening programme is suggested for detection of these aneuploidies in Saudi Arabia for the general health benefit of these patients., (© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)