Detecting Coronary Artery Disease from Computed Tomography Images Using a Deep Learning Technique.

In recent times, coronary artery disease (CAD) has become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Diagnosing the presence and severity of CAD in individuals is essential for choosing the best course of treatment. Presently, computed tomography (CT) provides high spatial resolution images of the heart and coronary arteries in a short period.

Status of nutrition care process implementation in hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background And Aims: The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and Nutrition Care Process Terminology (NCPT) are currently implemented by dietetics practitioners worldwide, with various advantages, including ensuring consistency and clarity of dietetics-related healthcare records and the possibility to collect and analyse patient outcomes; however, how Saudi dietitians experience the implementation process is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Saudi dietitians of NCP implementation in hospitals in Jeddah.

Methods: In this quantitative, cross-sectional study, 56 dietitians were recruited from six principal hospitals in Jeddah.

Efficacy of different modes of vitamin D supplementation strategies in Saudi adolescents.

Unlabelled: Vitamin D deficiency is rampant in the Middle East, even in children and adolescents. This study was designed to investigate the effects of different vitamin D repletion strategies commonly used on serum vitamin D levels of Saudi adolescents.

Study Design: A 6-month multi-center, controlled, clinical study, involving 34 schools in the central region of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A weekly 35,000 IU vitamin D supplementation improves bone turnover markers in vitamin D deficient Saudi adolescent females.

Unlabelled: This study examined the effects of weekly 35,000 IU vitamin D supplementation for 4 weeks on bone turnover markers (BTMs). There was improvement in the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin, and carboxy-terminal telopeptides of crosslinks of type 1 collagen (βCTX) which paralleled the increase in vitamin D levels.

Purpose: The effects of vitamin D supplementation on bone turnover markers (BTMs) have been inconsistent.

Vitamin D status correction in Saudi Arabia: an experts' consensus under the auspices of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO).

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common in the Middle East and in Saudi Arabia, in particular. While several international recommendations on the management of vitamin D deficiency have been documented and practiced globally, these recommendations should be adapted to the conditions of the Middle Eastern region. To address this challenge, the Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis (PMCO) in King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, KSA, together with local experts and in cooperation with the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO), organized a panel that formulated unified recommendations in the diagnosis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency in the region.

Vitamin D deficiency and biochemical variations among urban Saudi adolescent girls according to season.

Objectives: To determine seasonal variations in the vitamin D status of Saudi adolescent girls in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and its effect in biochemical and clinical characteristics. 

Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 2000 Saudi females aged 12-18 years from different schools in Riyadh, KSA participated and submitted a generalized questionnaire with clinical information. Fasting blood samples were obtained in 1618 subjects for the winter season (December to February) and only 499 subjects returned to submit fasting blood samples for the summer season (June-August).

Sun exposure, skin color and vitamin D status in Arab children and adults.

Accumulating evidence suggests an increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Middle East and North African countries. Sunlight has long been recognized as a major provider of vitamin D and lighter skin color has been associated with better vitamin D status. In this context, we aimed to determine whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25-(OH)D] concentrations are related to skin color, sun exposure and gender among healthy Saudi children and adults.

Effects of 12-month, 2000IU/day vitamin D supplementation on treatment naïve and vitamin D deficient Saudi type 2 diabetic patients.

Objectives: To determine whether 12-month, 2000IU/day vitamin D supplementation cardiometabolically improves treatment naïve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Saudi patients with vitamin D deficiency. 

Methods: This 12-month interventional study was conducted at primary health centers in 5 different residential areas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2013 and January 2014. Forty-five Saudi  T2DM  patients were enrolled.

Vitamin D status in Saudi school children based on knowledge.

Background: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rising unexpectedly in every age group. Apart from several risk factors, the lack of awareness is posing a serious threat for low vitamin D levels in children as well. The aim of our study was to compare the knowledge and status of vitamin D in Saudi school children.

Strong associations between the pesticide hexachlorocyclohexane and type 2 diabetes in Saudi adults.

Pesticide exposure has been implicated as an environmental risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the body burden of the pesticide hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) with the risk of T2DM in a sample of adults from Saudi Arabia. Serum samples were obtained from 280 adult subjects.

DDT and its metabolites are linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes among Saudi adults: a cross-sectional study.

Organochlorine (OC) pesticides have recently been associated with type 2 diabetes in several non-Asian general populations. As there is currently an epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asia. The prevalence and incidence of diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide including many Arab Gulf countries.

Stress and cardiometabolic manifestations among Saudi students entering universities: a cross-sectional observational study.

Background: In this observational study, we aimed to see whether transition in Saudi students entering university life could be a breeding stage for cardiometabolic risk factor emergence and clustering.

Methods: A total of 1878 apparently healthy Saudi students of the Preparatory Year, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA (1112 men and 766 women) spanning 2 academic years were included. They were divided into 2 groups based on the validated perceived stress test (PST).

Perceived stress scores among Saudi students entering universities: a prospective study during the first year of university life.

In this prospective study we wanted to determine whether perceived stress over time among students in the Preparatory Year of King Saud University (KSU) predisposes them to cardiometabolic abnormalities. A total of 110 apparently healthy Saudi students (35 men and 75 women enrolled during the 2010-2011 academic year) were included. Perceived stress was determined at baseline and 1 year later.

Effect of non-pharmacologic vitamin D status correction on circulating bone markers in healthy overweight and obese Saudis.

While moderate to severe vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in Saudi Arabia, skeletal effects associated with this deficiency are not common in this population. In this interventional study we measured the effects of improving vitamin D status on bone biochemical markers in overweight and obese adult Saudis. A total of 47 volunteers (21 males, 26 females) out of the initial 95 subjects were given verbal advice to expose themselves to sunlight for 5-30 min twice weekly and were encouraged to increase their intake of vitamin D-rich foods.

Differences and associations of metabolic and vitamin D status among patients with and without sub-clinical hypothyroid dysfunction.

Background: Sub-clinical hypothyroid dysfunction, a relatively understudied disorder in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), has significant clinical implications if not properly monitored. Also from KSA, more than 50% of the population suffer from hypovitaminosis D (<50 nmol/l). In this cross-sectional case-control study, we described the differences and associations in the metabolic patterns of adult Saudis with and without hypothyroid dysfunction in relation to their vitamin D status, PTH, calcium and lipid profile.

Vitamin D supplementation in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 on different therapeutic regimens: a one-year prospective study.

Background: Little or no research has determined the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation in conjunction with pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches in the diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) patients. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation in a cohort of Saudi DMT2 population on diet, insulin and/or different oral hypoglycemic agents and compare them with a non-DMT2 control cohort.

Methods: A total of 499 randomly selected Saudi subjects divided into 8 groups [Non-DMT2 Control = 151; Rosiglitazone alone = 49; Diet = 15; Insulin alone = 55; Insulin + Orals = 12; Metformin alone = 121; Oral agents combination = 37; Sulphonylurea alone = 59] were included in this 12-month interventional study.

Pistagremic acid, a glucosidase inhibitor from Pistacia integerrima.

Pistacia integerrima Stewart in traditionally used as folk remedy for various pathological conditions including diabetes. In order to identify the bioactive compound responsible for its folk use in diabetes, a phytochemical and biological study was conducted. Pistagremic acid (PA) was isolated from the dried galls extract of P.

Tea and coffee consumption in relation to vitamin D and calcium levels in Saudi adolescents.

Background: Coffee and tea consumption was hypothesized to interact with variants of vitamin D-receptor polymorphisms, but limited evidence exists. Here we determine for the first time whether increased coffee and tea consumption affects circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in a cohort of Saudi adolescents.

Methods: A total of 330 randomly selected Saudi adolescents were included.

Assessment of selected nutrient intake and adipocytokine profile among Saudi children and adults.

We report the dietary intake of selected nutrients in apparently healthy adults and children and its correlation with circulating levels of serum leptin and resistin. In this observational study, 47 Saudi children (mean age 13.1 ± 2.

Vitamin D supplementation as an adjuvant therapy for patients with T2DM: an 18-month prospective interventional study.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with impaired human insulin action, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). In this prospective interventional study we investigated the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on the metabolic profiles of Saudi T2DM subjects pre- and post-vitamin D supplementation over an 18-month period.

Methods: T2DM Saudi subjects (men, N = 34: Age: 56.

Effect of gender, season, and vitamin D status on bone biochemical markers in Saudi diabetes patients.

Biochemical bone turnover markers (BTMs) provide important information on the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of metabolic bone diseases. They are evident before measurable changes in bone mineral density (BMD) take place. A total of 35 adult Saudi patients (23 males; 12 females) with type 2 diabetes and diagnosed to be vitamin D deficient were recruited in this prospective study.

Effect of physical activity and sun exposure on vitamin D status of Saudi children and adolescents.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests an increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Middle East. In this context, we aimed to determine whether the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is related to degree of physical activity and sun exposure among apparently healthy Saudi children and adolescents, a little studied population.

Methods: A total of 331 Saudi children aged 6-17 years (153 boys and 178 girls) were included in this cross sectional study.

Vitamin D deficiency and calcium intake in reference to increased body mass index in children and adolescents.

Unlabelled: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to several chronic diseases in adults. Studies focusing on children and adolescents, however, are limited. In this randomized cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relationship with childhood obesity and dietary calcium intake among a population of healthy urban Saudi children and adolescents.

Daily intake of selenium and concentrations in blood of residents of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Concentrations of selenium (Se) in food from local markets of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) were measured and daily intake calculated based on information from a questionnaire of foods eaten by healthy Saudis. The daily intake of Se was then compared to concentrations of Se in blood serum. Primary sources of Se in the diet of Saudis were as follows: meat and meat products (31%), egg (20.