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Taghreed A Hafiz,1 Ghadi S Alghamdi,1 Zeina S Alkudmani,1 Ahmed S Alyami,2 Abeer AlMazyed,2 Ohoud S Alhumaidan,1 Murad A Mubaraki,1 Fawzia E Alotaibi3 1Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12372, Saudi Arabia; 2Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, 11525, Saudi Arabia; 3Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12372, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Taghreed A Hafiz, Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12372, Saudi Arabia, Email thafiz@ksu.edu.saBackground: Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) is known to cause various infections, most commonly urinary tract infections, and is a threat to hospitalized patients, especially in long-stay departments that utilize invasive devices. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding P. mirabilis epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance in Saudi Arabia. It investigates epidemiological patterns, resistance characteristics, and clinical outcomes among P. mirabilis patients at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh from 2019 to 2021.Methods: A total of 598 P. mirabilis isolated from diverse clinical specimens, including the clinical information of 78 intensive care unit (ICU) patients, were included in the current study. The Phoenix BD instrument was used for complete identification and sensitivity testing of Proteus spp. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were reported and compared using statistical analysis.Results: Pan-drug-resistant isolates were identified in 2019 (n = 6), although multi- and extensively drug-resistant isolate frequencies were greatest among all patients in 2019. The highest susceptibility levels were observed for piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenems, and cephalosporins antibiotics. In contrast, Cephalothin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ampicillin had the lowest susceptibilities. Urine infections with a positive culture of P. mirabilis were significantly higher in females and non-ICU patients (p < 0.001), but respiratory infections were significantly higher in ICU patients (p < 0.001). Moreover, ICU patients infected with P. mirabilis and undergoing renal dialysis have a 7.2-fold (P 0.034) higher risk of death than those not receiving dialysis.Conclusion: Hospitalized patients are at risk of fatal consequences due to P. mirabilis infection. It is crucial to conduct further investigation to fully understand the severity of this issue and take necessary measures to prevent it.Keywords: Proteus mirabilis, ICU, nosocomial infection, multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant, pan-drug-resistant, risk factors, mortality

Background: Saudi and Turkish coffee consumption in Saudi Arabia is increasing considerably, and the nationwide consumption patterns need elucidation to determine the contributions of Saudi and Turkish coffee toward nutrition and health., Aim: To describe the frequency and quantity of Saudi and Turkish coffee consumption and assess their association with sociodemographic factors., Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,030 participants (Saudi Arabia) recruited via an online questionnaire study that collected information on general characteristics and coffee consumption. The caffeine content in Saudi and Turkish coffees was quantified using a standard laboratory technique. The total caffeine intake and exposure were calculated. Associations between the different parameters were assessed., Results: Significant differences were observed in several demographic and sociodemographic factors according to the frequency of coffee intake. Specifically, individuals who consumed Saudi coffee almost every day (approximately 40% of respondents) were more likely to differ in age, body mass index, marital status, work status, monthly income, and region compared to those who consumed it less frequently. Additionally, one-third of the respondents consumed Turkish coffee, and the frequency of its consumption showed significant differences according to age, nationality, marital status, educational level, and region. Notably, the highest caffeine exposures were 0.95 mg/kg/d for Saudi coffee, 1.31 mg/kg/d for Turkish coffee, and 2.07 mg/kg/d for both coffees combined. The mean contribution to the 400 mg daily caffeine intake limit was significantly higher for Saudi coffee compared to Turkish coffee ( p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Saudi and Turkish coffee consumption patterns vary across sociodemographic characteristics, where Saudi coffee is generally more consumed. Our study may form a basis for nutrient education in terms of coffee consumption to promote a healthy lifestyle., 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 Bawazeer, Binsunaid, Alraqea, Al Fayez, Alhumaidan, Fallata, Aldahash and Benajiba.)

Introduction: The prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases has increased. A low-carbohydrate diet (LCDs) is one of the most popular interventions. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs have linked LCDs to the management of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, and cancer. However, there has been limited appraisal of the strength and quality of this evidence., Objective: To systematically appraise existing meta-analyses and systematic reviews of RCTs and non-RCTs on the effects of LCDs on different health conditions. To understand their potential efficacy, we summarised the studies' findings and assessed the strength of the evidence., Methods: A search was conducted using the PubMed database from inception to October 2021 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs and non-RCTs investigating the association between LCDs and multiple health outcomes in humans. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria was used for the quality assessment. In addition, the evolution of heterogeneity, strength of the included studies, and effect sizes were extracted from each systematic review and meta-analysis., Results: Ten systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. Of the included reviews, 70% were of positive quality, 30% were neutral, and none were negative. The majority of the studies included strength in each systematic review, and the meta-analyses were of low to medium strength. The existing literature indicates that LCDs may help promote weight reduction in adults who are obese or overweight. This conclusion is supported by the findings of studies included in the analysis, which were of low to moderate strength. Furthermore, compelling data indicates a significant association between low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) and a reduction in haemoglobin A1c levels among those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In contrast, there was a lack of evidence of this correlation in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients or those with cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, there was limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of LCDs in epilepsy and adult cancer patients., Conclusion: This review thoroughly examines the current body of information on how LCDs affect various health outcomes. Studies have presented evidence to support the idea that incorporating LCDs can positively influence weight management and HbA1c levels. However, there is a lack of information regarding the association between LCDs and individuals with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, there is limited empirical evidence to substantiate the effectiveness of LCDs in the treatment of epilepsy and adult cancer patients. The long-term effects of LCDs on mortality and other chronic diseases that account for different carbohydrate subtypes is unclear. Further longitudinal cohort studies are required to reach definitive conclusions., 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 Alkhunein, Alawad, Alhumaidan, Fatani, Alolayan, Alfelyeh, Alakeel and Almuhtadi.)

Background: The use of online food ordering applications is widespread; however, to date, there have been no studies on the effect of the menu calorie labeling in online food ordering applications on the consumers' dietary habits and food choices in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the response of the consumers to the menu energy-labeling on online food ordering applications in Saudi Arabia by exploring: (a) the consumers' preference and frequency of ordering from online food applications; (b) the consumers' self-reported knowledge, awareness, and interest towards menu calorie information on online food ordering applications; (c) the impact of menu calorie information on online food ordering applications on consumers' food choices., Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted between October and November of 2022. A total of 419 participants were recruited using an online questionnaire., Results: The findings showed that most participants (59%) preferred to order using online food ordering applications. Saving time and effort are the main reasons for using online food ordering applications (61%). Nearly half of the participants (45%) were interested in viewing calorie information on online food ordering applications menus and (47%) did notice calorie information displayed on the menu when ordering from an online food ordering application. Calorie information in online food ordering applications menus is primarily utilized to monitor intake for weight maintenance (19%). The ability to calculate energy requirements and interest in viewing calorie information on online food ordering applications menus were linked to younger age and a higher level of education (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Overall, consumers showed limited awareness and interest towards the menu calorie information displayed in the online food ordering applications. These findings highlight the importance of developing public health programs to increase public awareness about calorie labeling on menus to aid in the success and effectiveness of the calorie labeling in online food ordering applications as a tool to promote balanced energy intake. Further research is needed to understand the most effective way to deliver calorie information to consumers on an online food ordering application., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Live kidney donation is used to treat end-stage renal disease, but it poses risks and decision-making challenges for donors. This study examines kidney donors' long-term quality of life (QOL)., Methods:  We conducted a cross-sectional survey on kidney donors between 1982 and 2018. We used the Short Form-36 (SF-36) (Arabic version) to measure the donors' QOL. Out of 60 donors contacted, 44 agreed to participate and responded. Demographic information, donor-recipient relationships, and specific questions about the donation were collected and analyzed., Results: The mean age of the donors was 50.1 ± 11.7 years at follow-up, and 26 (59.1%) were males. Most donors were siblings and parents, accounting for 36.4% (n=16) each. The time since the donation was 111.5 ± 97.1 months. All donors decided voluntarily to donate and all of them would do it again if given a chance. However, one donor (2.3%) complained that the donation had caused problems in his marriage, while six donors (13.4%) experienced clinically relevant distress, and two donors (4.5%) experienced financial disadvantages. Donors had high QOL scores, with a mean score of 73.1 and 96.9 (on a scale of 1-100) for the eight subscales. The highest score was for role social functioning, while the lowest was for energy/fatigue. The mean scores for the four fatigue subscales were low, ranging from 61.8 to 86.8. The lowest score was for feeling calm and reassured, while the highest was for feeling frustrated. In social functioning, the highest score was for the effect of mental health on work performance (97.2). We analyzed various demographic factors and their correlation with QOL and found no significant correlation in most domains regarding sociodemographic characteristics., Conclusions: Our research indicates that most kidney donors have had a positive experience over the past four decades. Both male and female donors of all ages reported good long-term QOL, further enhanced by recognition and support from their families and friends. These findings provide further support for our current policy on organ donation., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Alayoobi et al.)

The growing significance of membrane proteins inspires continuous development and improvement of methods for robust membrane proteomics. Here, we developed a very simple and efficient method for membrane protein digestion using an ionic detergent, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), at high temperature, conditions where trypsin is normally inactivated. Our results suggest that trypsin can be stabilized by a combination of calcium ions and sodium chloride, which enables protein digestion at elevated temperature in the presence of strong ionic detergents such as SDS. Finding the conditions for stabilization of trypsin offers novel opportunities for the application of detergents for the investigation of membrane proteins.