Assessment of left atrial function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in cryptogenic stroke patients.

Background: Cryptogenic cerebrovascular stroke can be defined as an ischemic stroke that lacks a clear cause, even after a thorough evaluation. It should be distinguished from the embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), a subgroup that includes cardio-embolic sources. This study aims to assess left atrial function through two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to determine its potential association with cryptogenic stroke and its predictive value for subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF).

Endoscopic Outcomes Before and Five Years After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Is There a Significant Impact?

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a popular bariatric procedure with significant effects on weight and metabolic health. However, its impact on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal symptoms remains debated. This study aims to evaluate the endoscopic changes five years post-LSG.

Impact of LASER activated irrigation on the retrievability of Guttaflow bioseal (in-vitro study).

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of diode LASER activated irrigation in the removal of GuttaFlow Bioseal root canal filling material during retreatment.

Materials And Subjects: Root canals of forty-five single-rooted human mandibular premolar teeth were prepared with ProTaper Universal rotary system and obturated with lateral condensation obturation technique using Gutta Percha and Roeko GuttaFlow Bioseal root canal sealer. All specimens were retreated with ProTaper Universal Retreatment System files then divided to three different groups according to the technique of activation of irrigation.

Novel Approaches to Identification and Arachidonic Acid Production Optimization.

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is an integral constituent of cell structures and is instrumental for the nervous, muscular, and immune systems' functions. The sore need for this nutrient may be fulfilled via production based on the fungus . The identity of the culture obtained from Assiut University, Egypt, was confirmed based on internal transcribed spacer DNA barcoding and elongation enzyme RNA sequencing.

Biodegradation of chemical contamination by lactic acid bacteria: A biological tool for food safety.

Chemical pollutants such as mycotoxins and pesticides exert harmful effects on human health such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer. Several strategies were applied for food decontamination, including physicochemical and biological strategies. The present review comprehensively discussed the recent efforts related to the biodegradation of eight food chemical contaminants, including mycotoxins, acrylamide, biogenic amines, N-nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bisphenol A, pesticides, and heavy metals by lactic acid bacteria (LAB).

Sarcopenia versus clinical frailty scale in predicting the risk of postoperative mortality after emergency laparotomy: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To compare predictive significance of sarcopenia and clinical frailty scale (CFS) in terms of postoperative mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy METHODS: In compliance with STROCSS statement standards, a retrospective cohort study with prospective data collection approach was conducted. The study period was between January 2017 and January 2022. All adult patients with non-traumatic acute abdominal pathology who underwent emergency laparotomy in our centre were included.

Creation of a pandemic memory by tracing COVID-19 infections and immunity in Luxembourg (CON-VINCE).

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic swift implementation of research cohorts was key. While many studies focused exclusively on infected individuals, population based cohorts are essential for the follow-up of SARS-CoV-2 impact on public health. Here we present the CON-VINCE cohort, estimate the point and period prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, reflect on the spread within the Luxembourgish population, examine immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, and ascertain the impact of the pandemic on population psychological wellbeing at a nationwide level.

Unexpected Positive Cultures in Hip and Knee Periprosthetic Fractures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of unexpected positive cultures noted at the time of revision surgery for periprosthetic fracture (PPF) after total hip or knee arthroplasty. Moreover, we evaluated whether this finding should be considered clinically significant and what type of treatment, if any, was required.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective review of 270 patients undergoing surgery for PPFs from December 2010 to December 2021.

Acceptance, Awareness, Attitude, and Practices Toward Heart Transplantation: A Saudi Based Survey.

Introductions: The awareness of brain death and heart donation (HD) among the Saudi population remains limited, coupled with negative attitudes toward heart donation, resulting in a significant gap between the demand for donor hearts and the available supply. This study aimed to comprehensively understand the current perceptions, attitudes, and practices of the Saudi population regarding HD, as well as identify the obstacles. The ultimate goal was to strengthen the local donor pool.

SBRT vs. Y90: HCC Treatment Outcomes and Costs.

Objectives: Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) and Yttrium-90 (Y90) are among the ablative therapies used as treatment options for localized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To date, direct comparisons of the 2 modalities' outcomes and costs are lacking. This study aimed to analyze demographic, treatment, and cost information for patients with HCC treated with SBRT and Y90.

Effect of intraoperative botulinum toxin injection on delayed gastric emptying and need for endoscopic pyloric intervention following esophagectomy: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative botulinum toxin (BT) injection on delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and need for endoscopic pyloric intervention (NEPI) following esophagectomy. In compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement standards, a systematic review of studies reporting the outcomes of intraoperative BT injection in patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer was conducted. Proportion meta-analysis model was constructed to quantify the risk of the outcomes and direct comparison meta-analysis model was constructed to compare the outcomes between BT injection and no BT injection or surgical pyloroplasty.

The Health Impacts, Prevalence, and Acceptance Level of Cosmetics Interventions Among Females in Saudi Arabia.

Background: With the rising global desire for beauty, cosmetic interventions have increased. Saudi Arabia ranked 29 among the top 30 fastest growing countries for cosmetic procedures.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence, acceptance level, and health impacts of cosmetic interventions among females in Saudi Arabia.

Assessing the effectiveness of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles in controlling multidrug-resistant clinical bacteria.

Unlabelled: Multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria are life threaten agent associated with the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. The biological synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles is a promising alternative treatment. The current study reported the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using different plants extracts of garlic (), ginger (), and lemon ().

Characterization and control of Rhizoctonia solani affecting lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana hort. ex. Mast.) using some bioagents.

In a survey conducted during the period of March-May 2019 in nurseries, warehouses, and shops at three governorates (Alexandria, El-Behera, and Giza governorates, Egypt), symptoms of root rot, basal stem rot, and wilt disease complex were observed in the lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana hort. ex. Mast.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Luxembourg.

Objective: Estimate the incidence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children (0-15 years), the role of SARS-CoV-2 variants during the first two years of COVID-19 pandemic in Luxembourg; and describe the demographic, biological and clinical characteristics of the patients.

Method: Observational retrospective cohort study. Cases between March 2020 and February 2022 were ascertained from the national registry of MIS-C cases by a retrospective review of medical records.

New RT-PCR Assay for the Detection of Current and Future SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Multiple lineages of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified featuring distinct sets of genetic changes that confer to the virus higher transmissibility and ability to evade existing immunity. The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 may pose challenges for current treatment options and diagnostic tools. In this study, we have first evaluated the performance of the 14 WHO-recommended real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assays currently in use for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and found that only one assay has reduced performance against Omicron.

Analyzing Factors Influencing Patient Selection of a Surgeon for Elective Surgery in Saudi Arabia: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Background: Nowadays patients are encouraged to partake in healthcare decision making and patient preferences are given increasing weight. Patient's choice is important to reduce waiting time and to encourage competition between providers, as most patients look for high-quality care while minimizing costs, according to different studies this may not be as simple as the attributes and factors that patients value when selecting a hospital or surgeon. Overall, Saudi Arabia has minimal research on how patients select surgeons or surgical facilities.

Genomic Characterization of Colistin-Resistant Isolates from the King Fahad Medical City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Whole-genome sequencing is one of the best ways to investigate resistance mechanisms of clinical isolates as well as to detect and identify circulating multi-drug-resistant (MDR) clones or sub-clones in a given hospital setting.

Methods: Here, we sequenced 37 isolates of , 10 , and 5 collected from the biobank of the hospital setting of the King Fahad Medical City. Complete phenotypic analyses were performed, including MALDI-TOF identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Safety of maintaining elective and emergency surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic with the introduction of a Protected Elective Surgical Unit (PESU): A cross-specialty evaluation of 30-day outcomes in 9,925 patients undergoing surgery in a University Health Board.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented health care challenges mandating surgical service reconfiguration. Within our hospital, emergency and elective streams were separated and self-contained Protected Elective Surgical Units were developed to mitigate against infection-related morbidity. Aims of this study were to determine the risk of COVID-19 transmission and mortality and whether the development of Protected Elective Surgical Units can result in significant reduction in risk.

Population Preference of Surgeon's Gender for Surgical Care and Their Attitudes Toward Female Surgeons in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction One contributing factor that has led to a reduction in the number of females entering the profession of surgery is discrimination against female surgeons. Little is known about the practices, attitudes, and perceptions of the Saudi population toward gender discrimination in the field of surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the practices, attitudes, and perceptions of the Taif population in choosing a surgeon based on their gender.

Comparison of tensile bond strength of ball attachments made of different materials to root canal dentin after chewing simulation.

Background: Debonding of ball attachments is one of the complications that annoy teeth supported overdenture wearers. The polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) polymers are widely applied in the dental field. The purpose of the current study was to compare the tensile bond strength of ball attachments made of such materials and the commonly used titanium ones after 5 years of overdenture insertion and removal (5000 cycles) in addition to chewing simulation (1,200,000 cycle).

Combinatorial analysis reveals highly coordinated early-stage immune reactions that predict later antiviral immunity in mild COVID-19 patients.

While immunopathology has been widely studied in patients with severe COVID-19, immune responses in non-hospitalized patients have remained largely elusive. We systematically analyze 484 peripheral cellular or soluble immune features in a longitudinal cohort of 63 mild and 15 hospitalized patients versus 14 asymptomatic and 26 household controls. We observe a transient increase of IP10/CXCL10 and interferon-β levels, coordinated responses of dominant SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 and fewer CD8 T cells, and various antigen-presenting and antibody-secreting cells in mild patients within 3 days of PCR diagnosis.

Construction of a magnetic solid-phase extraction method for the analysis of azole pesticides residue in medicinal plants.

In this work, a sensitive and cost-effective method for the quantitative analysis of azole pesticides residues in six medicinal plants was established based on magnetic cyclodextrin crosslinked with tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile (FeO@TFN-CDPs) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Through characterization analysis, the outer shell of FeO@TFN-CDPs has observed coating with a network of the polymer and forming a core-shell structure. Under the optimum conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) and limits of qualification (LOQs) of target pesticides were ranged from 0.