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Ayad Mohammed Salem,1 Noor Al Khathlan,2 Abdulelah Fawzi Alharbi,3 Turki Alghamdi,3 Saleh AlDuilej,3 Mohammed Alghamdi,3 Majed Alfudhaili,3 Ahmed Alsunni,1 Talay Yar,1 Rabia Latif,1 Nazish Rafique,1 Lubna Al Asoom,1 Hussein Sabit4 1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of respiratory care, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 3College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Genetics, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ayad Mohammed SalemDepartment of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, PO Box 2114, Dammam, 31451, Saudi ArabiaEmail ayadsalem@iau.edu.saBackground: The sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia on pulmonary function and airways inflammation are still an area of active research.Objective: This research aimed to explore the long-term impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on the lung function after three months from recovery.Methods: Fifty subjects (age 18– 60 years) were recruited and classified into two groups: the control group (30 subjects) and the post-COVID-19 pneumonia group (20 patients). Pulmonary function tests, spirometry, body plethysmography [lung volumes and airway resistance (Raw)], diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), were measured after at least 3 months post-recovery.Results: Significant reduction in total lung capacity (TLC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), FEV1/FEV, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was observed in post-COVID-19 subjects compared to controls. Restrictive lung impairment was observed in 50% of post-COVID-19 cases (n = 10) compared to 20% in the control group (n = 6, P = 0.026). In addition, mild diffusion defect was detected in 35% (n = 7) of the post-COVID-19 group compared to 23.3% (n = 7) in the controls (P = 0.012).Conclusion: COVID-19 pneumonia has an impact on the lung functions in terms of restrictive lung impairment and mild diffusion defect after three months from recovery. Therefore, a long-term follow-up of the lung function in post-COVID-19 survivors is recommended.Keywords: COVID-19, pneumonia, PFT, DLCO, FeNO

The surveillance of mosquitoes is the primary method for protecting humans from the spread of dangerous diseases such as malaria and dengue fever transmitted by certain mosquito species. The present study aimed to survey and identify mosquito species in the Taif governorate to determine their medical importance and monitor their distribution across seasons. A black hole light trap was used to collect adult mosquitoes, with four readings per month over an entire year recorded. A total of 3796 adult mosquitoes were collected, and 12 species were identified. All species belonged to the following genera: Culex, Aedes, Anopheles, Culiseta, and Lutzia; however, mosquito genera of medical importance (i.e., Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles) were examined in the present study. Adult mosquito species occurred throughout the entire year, with peaks of density and activity during summer and autumn (24-30°C), confirming that environmental temperature plays a key role in mosquito existence and distribution. This study might provide evidence regarding the spread of mosquitoes and creates a database of the mosquito species in the Taif governorate, which would assist in pest control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meshari A Alzahrani,1 Mishal M Alasmari,2 Moataz I Altokhais,3 Fawaz W Alkeraithe,4 Talal A Alghamdi,4 Abdulaziz S Aldaham,5 Alwaleed H Hakami,6 Saud Alomair,7 Basel O Hakami8 1Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Urology, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Urology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al Gurayat, Saudi Arabia; 6College of Medicine and Surgery, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 7College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Urology, King Faisal Medical City for Southern Region (KFMC), Abha, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Meshari A Alzahrani, Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966569990693, Fax +966164042500, Email ma.alzahrani@mu.edu.saAbstract: Testicular torsion is a serious urologic emergency that can present with unusual or atypical history and examination. Classical pain from testicular torsion is of sudden onset, significantly severe, and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. However, in some patients, the initial scrotal pain appears to considerably subside within the next few hours. In others, testicular torsion tends to occur while sleeping, and many patients recount a history of being woken up from sleep by intense pain. Furthermore, some patients in this subset can resume normal activities and even sleep through the night with little or no discomfort, without a perceived need for pain medications. Other patients initially experience mild pain, which worsens over time. Consequently, these patients are less likely to be evaluated immediately. In view of these atypical cases, the question remains unanswered regarding sleep as a predisposing factor for testicular torsion. This narrative review focuses on exploring the association between sleep and testicular torsion.Keywords: testicular torsion, torsion of the spermatic cord, acute scrotum, sleep, sleeping, literature review

Mohammad Saeed Al-Shahrani,1,2 Faisal Ahmad Katbi,1,2 Abdulaziz Mohammad Al-Sharydah,3 Saad Dhafer AlShahrani,4 Talal Mosfer Alghamdi,5 Mohammad Adnan Al-Sharidah1 1Department of Emergency, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar City, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Critical Care, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar City, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar City, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Emergency, Royal Commission Hospital, Jubail City, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Anesthesia, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar City, Eastern Province, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohammad Saeed Al-Shahrani Email msshahrani@iau.edu.saPurpose: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a life-threatening cardiac disease identified by acute, regional reductions in coronary blood flow, resulting in myocardial ischemia, or infarction, and manifesting as discomfort in the chest area, neck, or arms. Frequently, ACS is provoked by an atherosclerotic plaque; therefore, coronary atherosclerosis is converted into a chronic disease to an acute medical emergency. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences among these variables in patients less than 45 years of age suffering from this major health problem compared to older adults admitted with an ACS diagnosis, and to adopt an optimized temporary management.Patients and Methods: A retrospective chart review study was conducted on a total of 652 ACS patients admitted at King Fahad Hospital of the University (KFHU) between 2015 and 2020. The patients’ medical records were utilized for obtaining demographic data, presenting symptoms, risk factors, and clinical outcomes.Results: Overall, 652 patients were enrolled. Of these, 109 patients (16.7%) were under 45, with a mean age of 38 ± 7. Younger patients showed a higher rate of palpitation (23.9% versus. 13.6%; P = 0.019). A positive smoking history and a family history of CAD were seen more often in younger patients (42.2% vs 27.3%, P < 0.001; 22.9% vs 9.4%, P < 0.001, respectively). Older patients had greater renal impairment with higher creatinine (median = 1.10 mg/dl (range, 0.3– 13.0) vs 1.0 (0.3– 19.0; p = 0. 001), BUN (median = 16.0 (mange, 0.9– 141.0) vs 12.0 (0.9– 49.0); P < 0.001)). Younger patients had higher levels of LDL and total cholesterol (median 138c. 115; p < 0.001) and cholesterol (median 209 vs 178.5; p < 0.001). Hospital mortality was 0.9% in younger patients versus 7.4% in older patients (P = 0.004).Conclusion: Palpitations, smoking, family history, higher LDL levels, and total cholesterol levels were more prevalent in adults younger than 45 years old with ACS. Impaired renal function, hypertension, and diabetes were more in older patients with ACS.Keywords: acute coronary syndrome, young adults, clinical features, in-hospital outcome

Database model is an essential topic in software engineering. This paper highlights the technical and commercial differences between object oriented database management system OODBMS and relational database management system RDBMS and follows up some of these differences on a part of ISO 9001:2000 system's database. We apply both models, object oriented database model OODBM and relational database model RDBM, on the same part of ISO 9001:2000 system's database to study how each model represents and accesses the data. This paper provides comprehensive information about OODB and specially guides the students and worker in software engineering to select database model which is matching with their application's requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture sustainability plays an essential role in country development. This paper aims to examine whether sustainable agriculture is beneficial to economic development in Indonesia. The empirical analysis employs the autoregressive distributed lag model over the data from 1961-2016. The results show that sustainable agriculture significantly contributes to economic development in the long run for both models. The gross fixed capital and rural population as endogenous variables show the positive relationship in the long run, but technical assistance shows negative results. In the short run, all variables show mixed results in different lags. These findings conclude that agricultural policies are broadly on the right track. However, the government needs to focus more on the agricultural bureaucracy and strengthen its infrastructure.

BACKGROUND A congenital defect known as intestinal malrotation, which has only rarely been described in adults, is most frequently identified in children. For life-threatening consequences, such as intestinal ischemia and death, to be avoided, prompt detection is essential. We report a rare case of adult intestinal malrotation to emphasize the difficulty in diagnosis and surgical treatment. CASE REPORT An 18-year-old Saudi woman presented with generalized, gradually intermittent abdominal pain accompanied by nausea, and non-bilious vomiting. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed that the small-bowel loops were identified at the right side of the abdomen with the duodenojejunal junction at the right side or just right paramedian level as well, the superior mesenteric artery and vein had an inverted relationship, and the cecum was observed in the left lumber region. She was treated by open exploratory laparotomy adhesiolysis, the cecum was mobilized, the small-bowel adhesion under the liver was released, and an appendectomy was carried out. Postoperatively, she was managed with a double antibiotic regimen of ceftriaxone and metronidazole for 7 days. CONCLUSIONS Although intestinal malrotation is uncommon in adults and very difficult to identify, it is frequently encountered in young populations. Adults with long history of vague or unexplained abdominal pain should undergo radiological studies to assess findings of intestinal malrotation. In our case, the result of a CT scan helped to make the diagnosis preoperatively.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. High-income countries have a greater incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer than low-income countries. As a result, raising awareness about breast cancer is crucial in increasing the chances of early detection and treatment. Social media has evolved into an essential tool for Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaigns, allowing people to share their breast cancer stories and experiences while also providing a venue for education and support., Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of public interest in searches linked to breast cancer among a sample of high-income nations with a sizable internet user base from 2012 to 2022. We also sought to compare the proportional search volume for breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month with that during other months of the year., Methods: Google Trends was used to retrieve data on internet user search behaviors in the context of breast cancer from 2012 to 2022. Seven countries were evaluated in this study: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, in addition to global data. Breast cancer relative search volume trends were analyzed annually, monthly, and weekly from 2012 to 2022. The annual percent change (APC) was calculated for each country and worldwide. Monthly and weekly data were used to identify potential trends., Results: A fluctuating pattern in APC rates was observed, with a notable increase in 2018 and a significant decrease in 2020, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Monthly analysis revealed a consistent peak in search volume during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) each year. Weekly trends over a 20-year period indicated significant decreases in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, while increases were noted in Ireland. Heatmap analysis further highlighted a consistent elevation in median search volume during October across all countries., Conclusions: These findings underscore the impact of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and suggest potential influences of governmental COVID-19 pandemic control measures in 2020 on internet search behavior., (©Majed Ramadan, Doaa Aboalola, Sihem Aouabdi, Tariq Alghamdi, Mona Alsolami, Alaa Samkari, Rawiah Alsiary. Originally published in JMIR Cancer (https://cancer.jmir.org), 12.08.2024.)

This paper proposes a new contribution in the field of optimizing control techniques for wind systems to enhance the quality of the energy produced in the grid. Although the Sliding Mode control technique, whether classical or involving the use of artificial intelligence, has shown interesting results, its main drawback lies in the oscillation phenomenon commonly referred to as "chattering." This phenomenon affects the accuracy and robustness of the system, as well as the parametric variation of the system. In this work, we propose a solution that combines two nonlinear techniques based on the Lyapunov theorem to eliminate the chattering phenomenon. It is a hybrid approach between the Backstepping strategy and the Sliding Mode, aiming to control the active and reactive powers of the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) connected to the electrical grid by two converters (grid side and machine side). This hybrid technique aims to improve the performance of the wind system in terms of precision errors, stability, as well as active and reactive power. The proposed solution has been validated in the Matlab & Simulink environment to assess the performance and robustness of the proposed model, as well as experimentally validated on a test bench using the DSPACE 1104 card. The obtained results are then compared with other techniques, demonstrating a significant improvement in performance., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Badre BOSSOUFI reports financial support was provided by Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz. Badre BOSSOUFI reports a relationship with Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz that includes: employment. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

With the rapid growth of information and communication technologies, governments worldwide are embracing digital transformation to enhance service delivery and governance practices. In the rapidly evolving landscape of information technology (IT), secure data management stands as a cornerstone for organizations aiming to safeguard sensitive information. Robust data modeling techniques are pivotal in structuring and organizing data, ensuring its integrity, and facilitating efficient retrieval and analysis. As the world increasingly emphasizes sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices into data management processes becomes imperative. This study focuses on the specific context of Pakistan and investigates the potential of cloud computing in advancing e-governance capabilities. Cloud computing offers scalability, cost efficiency, and enhanced data security, making it an ideal technology for digital transformation. Through an extensive literature review, analysis of case studies, and interviews with stakeholders, this research explores the current state of e-governance in Pakistan, identifies the challenges faced, and proposes a framework for leveraging cloud computing to overcome these challenges. The findings reveal that cloud computing can significantly enhance the accessibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of e-governance services, thereby improving citizen engagement and satisfaction. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, government agencies, and researchers interested in the digital transformation of e-governance in Pakistan and offers a roadmap for leveraging cloud computing technologies in similar contexts. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on e-governance and cloud computing, supporting the advancement of digital governance practices globally. This research identifies monitoring parameters necessary to establish a sustainable e-governance system incorporating big data and cloud computing. The proposed framework, Monitoring and Assessment System using Cloud (MASC), is validated through secondary data analysis and successfully fulfills the research objectives. By leveraging big data and cloud computing, governments can revolutionize their digital governance practices, driving transformative changes and enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in public administration., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Abbas, Alyas, Alghamdi, Alkhodre, Albouq, Niazi and Tabassum.)

Introduction: Although stem cell research and therapeutic applications hold great promise for medical advancements, and have rapidly progressed globally, there remains a lack of genuine public awareness of the status of this subject in Saudi Arabia. Successful integration of stem cell therapy into healthcare relies on public awareness, understanding, and trust. Therefore, we aimed in this cross-sectional study to assess the public's knowledge, awareness, trust, support, participation, and confidence in stem cell treatments and centers involved in it., Materials and Methods: A voluntary questionnaire of 20 questions was distributed randomly via social media outlets., Results: Three thousand five hundred eighty four individuals participated in the survey, with approximately half of them falling within the age range of 35-50 years (46.71%). Majority of the participants, 90.71%, would like to know more about stem cell therapy and more than half of the participants (56.94%) were unfamiliar with the idea, and a comparable proportion (50.41%) expressed concerns about the safety of stem cell therapy. A lower level of awareness, indicated by a score of 5, was evenly distributed across all age groups and genders. However, regardless of gender, older participants-especially those 50 years of age or older-tended to report higher levels of confidence, trust, and support than participants in other age groups. Moreover, trust, support, participation, and confidence score for those attained high school or less was statistically significantly lower than those attained master's or PhD degree. Of the participants, 33.57% had either received stem cell therapy themselves or known someone who had; about 24.07% of them reported that it was a cosmetic type of treatment., Conclusion: The study emphasizes the persistent need for awareness and educational initiatives to minimize the lack of public awareness and understanding of approved stem cell treatments in Saudi Arabia. It advocates for increased education, transparency, and communication to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance public trust to ensure the understanding of successful treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Aboalola, Ramadan, Baadhaim, Alsiary, Badraiq, Alghamdi, Zakri, Aboulola, Falatah and Malibari.)

In a world grappling with escalating energy demand and pressing environmental concerns, microgrids have risen as a promising solution to bolster energy efficiency, alleviate costs, and mitigate carbon emissions. This article delves into the dynamic realm of microgrids, emphasizing their indispensable role in addressing today's energy needs while navigating the hazards of pollution. Microgrid operations are intricately shaped by a web of constraints, categorized into two essential domains: those inherent to the microgrid itself and those dictated by the external environment. These constraints, stemming from component limitations, environmental factors, and grid connections, exert substantial influence over the microgrid's operational capabilities. Of particular significance is the three-tiered control framework, encompassing primary, secondary, and energy management controls. This framework guarantees the microgrid's optimal function, regulating power quality, frequency, and voltage within predefined parameters. Central to these operations is the energy management control, the third tier, which warrants in-depth exploration. This facet unveils the art of fine-tuning parameters within the microgrid's components, seamlessly connecting them with their surroundings to streamline energy flow and safeguard uninterrupted operation. In essence, this article scrutinizes the intricate interplay between microgrid constraints and energy management parameters, illuminating how the nuanced adjustment of these parameters is instrumental in achieving the dual objectives of cost reduction and Carbon Dioxide emission minimization, thereby shaping a more sustainable and eco-conscious energy landscape. This study investigates microgrid dynamics, focusing on the nuanced interplay between constraints and energy management for cost reduction and Carbon Dioxide minimization. We employ a three-tiered control framework-primary, secondary, and energy management controls-to regulate microgrid function, exploring fine-tuned parameter adjustments for optimal performance., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Alopecia is comorbid with several illnesses, including various autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease. Leukocyte-mediated inflammation of hair follicles in alopecia was first described over a century ago. However, the high prevalence of the role of thyroid autoimmune disease in the pathogenesis of alopecia has only recently come to light, together with a strong association between the two. Therefore, this review focuses on articles published between 2011 and 2022 on alopecia's association with thyroid autoimmune disease, and the mechanism behind it. In addition, it highlights the link between alopecia and thyroid cancer, as patients with alopecia have increased risk of thyroid cancer. In conclusion, this comprehensive, focused, scoping review will serve as a reference highlighting recent information on alopecia, exploring its association with thyroid autoimmune diseases., Competing Interests: Disclosures: Doaa Aboalola, Sihem Aouabdi, Majed Ramadan, Tariq Alghamdi, Mona Alsolami, Dalal Malibari and Rawiah Alsiary have no financial or non-financial relationships or activities to declare in relation to this article., (© Touch Medical Media 2023.)

Introduction: Hyperlactatemia, a problem reported in up to 30% of cardiac surgery patients, results from excessive production of or decreased clearance of lactate. It is typically a symptom of tissue hypoperfusion and may be associated with the prevalence of postoperative acute mesenteric ischemia and renal failure, or prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, and increased 30-day mortality., Methods and Measurements: Eighty cardiac surgery patients using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly assigned into either a placebo (n = 39) or norepinephrine 0.05-0.2 µg/kg/min (n = 41) as well as norepinephrine boluses during CPB to maintain mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) at 65 to 80 mm Hg. Patient assignments were done after receiving ethical approval to proceed. The primary result was the perioperative changes in lactic acid level. Secondary findings were also recorded, including hemodynamic variables, the incidence of vasoplegia, intraoperative hypotension, myocardial ischemia, the need for vasopressor support, postoperative complications, and mortality., Results: The peak levels and perioperative changes in blood lactate during the first 24 postoperative hours, the number of patients who experienced early hyperlactatemia on admission to the ICU (Placebo: 46.2%, Norepinephrine: 51.2%, p = .650), vasoplegia, hemodynamic changes, incidences of intraoperative hypotension, myocardial ischemia, postoperative complications, and mortality rates were similar in the two groups. Patients in the norepinephrine group received lower intraoperative rescue norepinephrine boluses to maintain the target MAP (p = .039) and had higher MAP values during the CPB and intraoperative blood loss [mean difference [95% confidence interval]; 177 [20.9-334.3] ml, p = .027]., Conclusion: norepinephrine and placebo infusions during the CPB with the maintenance of MAP from 65 to 80 mmHg had comparative effects on the changes in blood lactate and incidence of vasoplegia after cardiac surgery. Norepinephrine infusion maintained higher MAP values during the CPB., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Smart cities have emerged as a specialized domain encompassing various technologies, transitioning from civil engineering to technology-driven solutions. The accelerated development of technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), software-defined networks (SDN), 5G, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and analytics, has played a crucial role in providing solutions for smart cities. Smart cities heavily rely on devices, ad hoc networks, and cloud computing to integrate and streamline various activities towards common goals. However, the complexity arising from multiple cloud service providers offering myriad services necessitates a stable and coherent platform for sustainable operations. The Smart City Operational Platform Ecology (SCOPE) model has been developed to address the growing demands, and incorporates machine learning, cognitive correlates, ecosystem management, and security. SCOPE provides an ecosystem that establishes a balance for achieving sustainability and progress. In the context of smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT) devices play a significant role in enabling automation and data capture. This research paper focuses on a specific module of SCOPE, which deals with data processing and learning mechanisms for object identification in smart cities. Specifically, it presents a car parking system that utilizes smart identification techniques to identify vacant slots. The learning controller in SCOPE employs a two-tier approach, and utilizes two different models, namely Alex Net and YOLO, to ensure procedural stability and improvement.

Though patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), clear estimates of its incidence and predisposing factors in hospitalized SCD patients are not available. Therefore, this issue was addressed to facilitate an early diagnosis and initiate appropriate prophylactic and treatment strategies. A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients with SCD who were admitted to an academic center in Saudi Arabia over a 10-year period. We identified 1054 admissions of 394 patients with SCD. Of the 3% of patients identified with VTE, 50% experienced pulmonary embolism (PE), 34.3% exhibited deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 6.3% exhibited cerebral vein thrombosis, and 9.4% showed other forms of VTE. In pregnant SCD patients, 6.4% developed a VTE event during their hospital admission. Of the risk factors, high white blood cell count, length of stay, and presence of any additional risk factor for VTE was associated significantly with higher risk of VTE. In our study, this risk seems to be much lower, which is likely attributed to the use of VTE prophylactic strategies implemented in our center. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to establish the ideal prophylactic strategy in patients with SCD.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) often exhibit an exceptional adsorption-based separation performance for a variety of gases, ions, and liquids. While most radioactive iodine removal studies focus on the capture of radioactive iodine from off-gas streams, few studies have systematically investigated the effect of structure-property relationships of MOFs on iodine removal performance in the presence of interfering ions in liquid solutions. Herein, we investigated the iodide ion (I - ) adsorption performance of two model MOFs (e.g., Ni-MOF-74 and Zr-UiO-66) in liquid phase as a function of iodine concentration (e.g., 0.125 to 0.25 and 0.50 mmol/L) and adsorption temperature (e.g., 25 to 40 and 60 °C), and in the presence of interfering ions such as Cl - and CO 3 2- through batch-mode experiments. Under identical experimental conditions, Ni-MOF-74 outperformed Zr-UiO-66 in immobilizing iodine from the solution by achieving a maximum iodine removal efficiency of 97% at 60 °C. The results showed that the presence of other interfering ions marginally affects the iodine removal efficiency (e.g., capacity and rate of iodine capture) over both MOF adsorbents. The adsorption kinetics was found to be controlled by multiple transport processes encompassing external surface adsorption, intraparticle diffusion, and final equilibrium. Moreover, the leach test results revealed 8 and 12% iodine release from Ni-MOF-74 and Zr-UiO-66, respectively, at 25 °C after 48 h aging. This study establishes guiding principles for sustainable removal of iodine in the presence of Cl - and CO 3 2- species in cyclohexane.

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent helminthic infections worldwide. Praziquantel (PZQ) resistance poses a possible danger to the disease's ability to be controlled. Little is known about the role of Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract (ZLE) in the treatment of hepatic schistosomiasis. However, no study has explored ZLE's anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative activity as a possible mechanism for reducing hepatic injury in this context. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of ZLE as an anti-angiogenic, and anti-proliferative agent in hamsters infected with S. mansoni., Methods: Fifty hamsters were used and divided into 5 groups (10 hamsters each); noninfected untreated (controls), noninfected treated with ZLE, infected untreated, infected treated with PZQ- and infected treated with ZLE. Anti-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic effects of the drugs were assessed pathologically through the immunohistochemical expression of VEGF, Ki-67, and TGF β1 in liver sections. Some oxidative stress parameters were measured in hepatic homogenates (NO, GSH, GST, and SOD), and serum liver enzymes were also assessed., Results: A significant decrease in worm burden, granuloma size, granuloma area, and numbers in the ZLE- and PZQ-treated groups compared to the infected untreated group, and the decrease in granulomas number and tissue egg load was significantly lower in PZQ treated group compared to ZLE treated group (p<0.05). ZLE exhibited significant anti-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic effects on granulomas, illustrated by significantly lower expression of VEGF and TGF-β1 than infected untreated and PZQ-treated groups. ZLE exhibits antiproliferative activity evidenced by a significant reduction of positive Ki-67 hepatocytes percentage compared to the infected untreated group. Moreover, ZLE exhibits potent antioxidant effects evidenced by a significantly lowered NO and conservation of hepatic GSH, GST, and SOD in hepatic homogenates compared to infected untreated and PZQ-treated groups (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Our results point to ZLE as a promising hepatoprotective therapeutic tool in the treatment of schistosome hepatic fibrosis as it has anti-angiogenic, anti-proliferative, anti-fibrotic, and antioxidant effects in hamsters infected with S. mansoni, providing scientific support for its use in conventional medicine., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Alghamdi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Purpose: To describe the feasibility and technique of percutaneous image-guided combined treatment of bone cyst (BC) using cryoablation and bone graft substitute injection., Materials and Methods: Between July 2019 and January 2022, six consecutive patients (ages between 16 and 33 years) with symptomatic BC in pelvic and lower extremity bones underwent percutaneous image-guided combined treatment using cryoablation and bone graft substitute. To induce bone mineralization as early as possible, the cyst cavity was filled with bone graft substitute. Technical success of the procedure was evaluated, and clinical success was defined as satisfactory clinical symptom relief using visual analogue scale (VAS). Radiologic success was defined as early BC remineralization on radiographic studies. Detailed demographic data with lesion location, size, time to and degree of BC mineralization, complications, clinical outcomes, and radiological follow-up were retrospectively assessed., Results: Technical success was 100% achieved in all patients. BC mineralization was observed in all patients, with a median time to reach 80% mineralization at 6 months, with one patient reaching 80% at 5 months and another reaching 100% at 3 months. A significant drop in VAS was observed in all patients, reflecting significant pain relief. There were no major complications. The median follow-up period was 31.5 months, with a minimum follow-up of 5 months and a maximum follow-up of 3 years., Conclusion: Percutaneous image-guided combined treatment with cryoablation and bone graft substitute for symptomatic BC is technically feasible and was safe in this limited series., (© 2023. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE).)

The MCPH1 gene, also known as BRCT-repeat inhibitor of hTERT expression (BRIT1), has three BRCA1 carboxyl-terminal domains which is an important regulator of DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoints and chromosome condensation. MCPH1/BRIT1 is also known as a tumour suppressor in different types of human cancer. The expression level of the MCPH1/BRIT1 gene is decreased at the DNA, RNA or protein level in a number of types of cancers including breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer compared to normal tissue. This review also showed that deregulation of MCPH1/BRIT1 is significantly associated with reduced overall survival in 57% (12/21) and relapsed free survival in 33% (7/21) of cancer types especially in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and renal clear cell carcinoma. A common finding of this study is that the loss of MCPH1/BRIT1 gene expression plays a key role in promoting genome instability and mutations supporting its function as a tumour suppressor gene., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Alsolami, Aboalola, Malibari, Alghamdi, Alshekhi, Jad, Rumbold-Hall, Altowairqi, Bell and Alsiary.)

Background Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective interventions for morbid obesity. Despite its benefits, unwanted consequences such as dumping syndrome (DS) have been reported following the procedure. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of DS and identify the factors associated with it in Saudi Arabia. Methodology This cross-sectional study collected data from patients who underwent bariatric surgery at King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2019-2020. A validated questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire included demographic items such as age and sex and items relating to DS such as nausea, vomiting, and palpitations. A modified version of the Sigstad diagnostic scoring system was used to confirm the diagnosis. Results Of the 240 investigated cases, two-thirds (67.5%) were females. The most reported symptoms were nausea (37.9%), vomiting (36.7%), desire to lie down (25.5%), restlessness (25.5%), and abdominal fullness (23.7%). Based on the modified Sigstad diagnostic scoring system, 75 (31.4%) patients met the criteria for DS. The bivariate analysis showed the prevalence was significantly higher in females (36.4%), those with university qualifications (40.3%), and those with high monthly income (62.5%) (p<0.05). Also, dietary behaviors in terms of frequency, size of meals, and drinking liquids with meals were significantly associated with the prevalence of DS, where the lowest prevalence was recorded among those who ate more than one small meal (10.9%), while the highest prevalence was found in those who ate more than one large meal (81.8%); also, the prevalence was significantly higher in patients who drank liquids with meals (40.8%) than those who drank liquids between meals (26.8%) (p<0.05). Conclusion In this single institutional study, we report a 31.4% prevalence of DS among our cohort. The predictors of the syndrome include gender, education level, monthly income, eating more than one large meal per day, and drinking liquids with meals. In the future, these predictors will be explained to patients before and after bariatric surgery to reduce the prevalence of such inconvenient syndromes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Alsulami et al.)

Introduction: The third (Omicron) wave had caused significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases around the globe. The severity of the disease dependeds on the extent of the vaccination status., Methods: This is a retrospective study of infected COVID-19 patients during the third (Omicron) wave in a hospital in Saudi Arabia., Results: A total of 400 patients were included with 220 (55 %) males and 180 (45 %) females, and a mean age (+/- SD) of 36.34 + 16.47 years. The most common presenting symptoms were: sore throat 159 (39.8 %), cough 158 (39.5 %), fever 132 (33 %), headache 122 (30.5 %), and muscle ache 124 (31%). There was no difference in underlying conditions, signs and symptoms between males and females apart from the occurrence of sore throat with an OR of 2.014 (95 % CI: 1.103-3.677, P = 0.023) and need of hospitalization OR 2.457 (95 % CI: 1.168-5.167, P value =.018) in a binary logistic regression comparison. The need for hospitalization was inversely related to the number of COVID-19 vaccination doses. The rate of admission was 8 (72.7 %), 34 (12 %), 4 (5.4 %) for one, two, and three doses of COVID-19 vaccine, respectively (P < 0.0001). Of all the patients, 14 (3.5 %) and 8 (2 %) required intensive care (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation, respectively. The median Ct-value of SARS-CoV-2 was higher in those who had 2 or 3 doses compared to those who had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. None of the included patients died during the study period., Conclusion: Omicron variant symptoms among infected patients are generally milder compared to other variants. Prior COVID-19 vaccination may limit disease severity and need for hospitalization., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest All authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Securing telehealth IoT infrastructure is essential to provide high-level medical care and prevent cyberattacks. A vulnerable stage in IoT telehealth is while the patient is being transported to a healthcare facility, the transporter could be an ambulance or an air ambulance. In this paper, we propose a multifactor authentication scheme to secure the system when the patient is in transit to the healthcare facility. We apply this scheme to an ambulance, using physical unclonable functions (PUFs) embedded in the ambulance to facilitate authentication and secure key exchange. We validated the security of the proposed scheme using formal and informal security analysis. The analysis supports our claim that the proposed scheme protects against many types of attacks., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Turki Alghamdi et al.)

Laryngotracheal reconstruction is the most common and effective treatment in childhood subglottic stenosis (SGS). Our aim is to review the success rate of laryngotracheoplasty (LTP) in pediatric high grade SGS cases in our tertiary center. The retrospective review was conducted on children with high grade subglottic stenosis who had undergone laryngotracheoplasty over a 7-year period (2013-2020) in tertiary pediatric care. A total of 20 patients who had history of high grade SGS during the stipulated period were included. All of them had undergone LTP. Decannulation was considered the primary outcome measure of success. Surveillance bronchoscopy was performed one year post airway reconstruction to detect residual stenosis. From January 2013 to December 2020, 20 patients aged between 1 and 16 years old underwent LTP. Among them, 10 patients (50%) had Grade III SGS while 5 had Grade III SGS with glottis stenosis (25%). The remaining 5 (25%) had severe Grade IV stenosis. Decannulation was achieved in 14 patients overall (70%) including 1 with revision. These 14 patients who achieved decannulation included 7 out of the 10 patients (70%) with Grade III, 2 out of the 5 (40%) patients with Grade III with glottic involvement, and 4 out of the 5 patients (80%) with Grade IV SGS. Fifteen (80%) patients had double stage LTP while 5 patients had single stage LTP. The study suggests that LTP is a promising approach in the treatment of Complex SGS. Furthermore, pediatric SGS, which is inherently complicated, can be treated with LTP effectively., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestsAuthors declared that they have no conflict of interest.Competing interestsThe authors declare that there are no competing interests., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2021.)

This study was performed to appraise the biocompatibility of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-grafted polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites as potential materials for muscle tissue renewal. POSS nanoparticles demonstrate effectual nucleation and cause noteworthy enhancement in mechanical and thermal steadiness as well as biocompatibility of resultant composites. Electrospun, well-aligned, POSS-grafted PU nanofibers were prepared. Physicochemical investigation was conducted using several experimental techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction pattern. Adding POSS molecules to PU did not influence the processability and morphology of the nanocomposite; however, we observed an obvious mean reduction in fiber diameter, which amplified specific areas of the POSS-grafted PU. Prospective biomedical uses of nanocomposite were also appraised for myoblast cell differentiation in vitro. Little is known about C2C12 cellular responses to PU, and there is no information regarding their interaction with POSS-grafted PU. The antimicrobial potential, anchorage, proliferation, communication, and differentiation of C2C12 on PU and POSS-grafted PU were investigated in this study. In conclusion, preliminary nanocomposites depicted superior cell adhesion due to the elevated free energy of POSS molecules and anti-inflammatory potential. These nanofibers were non-hazardous, and, as such, biomimetic scaffolds show high potential for cellular studies and muscle regeneration.