Neuronal plasticity and its role in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Neuronal plasticity, the brain's ability to adapt structurally and functionally, Is essential for learning, memory, and recovery from injuries. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, this plasticity is disrupted, leading to cognitive and motor deficits. This review explores the mechanisms of neuronal plasticity and its effect on Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Efficacy and Safety of Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy in Treatment of Patients Suffering From Discogenic Low Back Pain in Kenya.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a globally prevalent condition, often attributed to lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (TPED) is a minimally invasive surgical approach for LDH, offering distinct advantages. This study aimed to assess the progression of pain in patients who underwent TPED in Kenya, with a focus on the impact of pre-existing factors.

How Does an Eating Disorder Affect Your Physical and Mental Health and How It Is Related to Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Background Obesity is the pandemic of this era. At the same time, the commercialisation of thinness has also increased its adversity. Dissatisfaction with body shape is leading to many eating disorders.

Assessing the Burden of Osteoarthritis in Africa and the Middle East: A Rapid Evidence Assessment.

Introduction/objectives: This rapid evidence assessment (REA) was conducted to assess the burden of weight-bearing joint osteoarthritis in the developing countries of Africa and the Middle East.

Methods: Our REA methodology used a standardized search strategy to identify observational studies, published between January 1, 2010, and April 23, 2020, reporting on outcomes pertaining to the epidemiology and humanistic or economic burden of weight-bearing osteoarthritis. Relevant data from the included studies were used for qualitative analysis.

Pain Management in the Post-COVID Era-An Update: A Narrative Review.

An extensive computer search (from January 2020 to January 2023) was conducted including literature from the PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. According to preset criteria, a total of 58 articles were included in this review article. Generally, any patient who becomes infected with COVID-19 can develop post-COVID-19 conditions.

Efficacy of bupivacaine injection after pulsed radiofrequency ablation in the management of trigeminal facial pain: A prospective, randomized, and double-blind study.

Objectives: To assess the effect of bupivacaine application following pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) ablation on trigeminal facial pain.

Methods: A total of 73 patients with trigeminal facial pain refractory to conservative therapy were randomized into 2 groups. Group I subjects underwent PRF ablation procedure, followed by the injection of 1 ml of bupivacaine.

Post-amputation pain among lower limb amputees in a tertiary care hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of post- amputation pain among lower-limb amputees and its burden on their lives.

Methods: A retrospective patients record review of lower limb amputation surgeries was carried out at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2008-2019. e collected data included: patients demographics, surgical operations, chronic pain characteristics, functional impairment, and treatment.

Saudi Heart Association, National Heart Center and National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Committee taskforce statement on CPR and resuscitation during COVID-19 pandemic.

Corona virus disease 2019 is a global pandemic, which affects around 2million individuals with a high death rate that exceeds 90,000 death cases across the globe. The Saudi Heart Association and the national cardiopulmonary resuscitation committee developed a taskforce to discuss the magnitude of clinical situation and CPR management on COVID-19 patients in a prehospital and in-hospital settings. Meanwhile, the taskforce aims to develop a nation-wide clinical guidance to be used by health care workers and untrained laypersons to resuscitate COVID-19 suspected and diagnosed patients.

Knowledge of Signs, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Dental Interns.

Unlabelled: Dentists are uniquely positioned to identify patients at risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its complications. However, previous reports have shown that the average general dentist possesses insufficient knowledge about the clinical manifestations and complications of OSA.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine Saudi dental interns' knowledge related to the clinical manifestations and impact of OSA.

Wet Cupping Reduces Pain and Improves Health-related Quality of Life Among Patients with Migraine: A Prospective Observational Study.

Objectives: To determine the benefits of wet cupping on pain and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adult patients with migraine headaches.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of wet cupping in 128 patients referred to the cupping clinic at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January 2013 and December 2015. Bloodletting was performed at the base of the head and between the shoulders monthly four times.

Assessment of medical practitioners' knowledge of fibromyalgia in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM), a relatively common disease, is difficult to diagnose owing to its subjective symptoms and poor knowledge among medical practitioners. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge regarding FM among medical practitioners in Saudi Arabia and the need for educational programs at the undergraduate level.

Subjects And Methods: An online survey was administered to physicians, nurses, and technologist/technicians in different regions of the country.

An audit of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study.

Objectives: Data reflecting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts in Saudi Arabia are limited. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics, and estimated the outcome, of in-hospital CPR in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia over 4 years.

Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted between January 2009 and December 2012 and included 4361 patients with sudden cardiopulmonary arrest.

Determination of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in kidney urinary bladder x-ray films in the Saudi population.

To investigated the rate of occurrence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spinal variant, in kidney urinary bladder (KUB) plain radiographs in a Saudi population.  Methods: Between January 2012 to January 2015, KUB plain films obtained from patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were reviewed, and the presence or absence of LSTV was documented and classified as incomplete or complete. Patients who had evidence of spinal surgery that would obscure the view were excluded.

The effect of wet cupping on quality of life of adult patients with chronic medical conditions in King Abdulaziz University Hospital.

To assess the effect of wet cupping on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adult patients with chronic medical conditions, who were referred to the Cupping Clinic of King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A controlled, quasi-experimental study design was carried out among 629 patients referred for cupping from the KAUH Specialty Clinics, during the period from January to December 2014. Patients in the intervention group (309 patients) completed a pre-test included WHO quality of life-BREF, received one wet-cupping session, and filled-out the post-test (1 month later).

Potential Relevance of Melatonin Against Some Infectious Agents: A Review and Assessment of Recent Research.

Melatonin, a tryptophan-derived neurohormone found in animals, plants, and microbes, participates in various biological and physiological functions. Among other properties, numerous in vitro or in vivo studies have reported its therapeutic potential against many parasites, bacteria and viruses. In this concern, melatonin was found to be effective against many parasites such as Plasmodium, Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypansoma cruzi, via various mechanisms such as modulation of calcium level and/or host immune system.

Tracheal tube cuff inflation guided by pressure volume loop closure associated with lower postoperative cuff-related complications: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Background: The main function of an endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff is to prevent aspiration. High cuff pressure is usually associated with postoperative complications. We tried to compare cuff inflation guided by pressure volume loop closure (PV-L) with those by just to seal technique (JS) and assess the postoperative incidence of sore throat, cough and hoarseness.

Addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block potentiates post-operative pain relief among abdominal hysterectomy patients: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dexmedetomidine is an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, prolongs analgesia when used in neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks. We studied the effect of addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine to perform transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block.

Materials And Methods: A total of 50 patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy were divided into two equal groups in a randomized double-blinded way.

Melatonin administration in diabetes: regulation of plasma Cr, V, and Mg in young male Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

The use of melatonin, a neurohormone present in plants, represents an exciting approach for the maintenance of optimum health conditions. Melatonin administration ameliorates glucose homeostasis in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin in diabetes in relation to the levels and regulation of plasma chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), and magnesium (Mg) in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and Zucker lean (ZL) rats.

A survey of the practice of regional anesthesia in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: This survey aimed to assess both the extent of practice and need for training in regional anesthesia among anesthesiologists in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Methods: We distributed an electronic survey among 382 anesthesiologists attending the bi-annual meetings of the Saudi Anesthetic Association, enquiring about their practice in regional anesthesia. Questions concerned the practice of regional anesthesia, use of ultrasound guidance, and the need for training workshops.

Use of pressure volume loop closure to check for endotracheal tube cuff function. Randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of pressure volume loop (PV-L) closure as an indicator of adequate endotracheal tube cuff (ETTc) function, and to compare this with commonly used methods of checking cuff pressure.

Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial at the Department of Anesthesia, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 2011 to February 2012. One hundred and forty patients were intubated, and the ETTc was inflated using one of 3 techniques.

The use of botulinum toxin and epidural analgesia for the treatment of spasticity and pain in a patient with maple syrup urine disease.

A 7-year-old boy, weighing 18 kg, was diagnosed with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). He suffered from spasticity of the lower limbs and pain that did not respond to oral medications. Injections of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) at 10 sites and epidural analgesia with 0.

Adding a conduit to GlideScope blade facilitates tracheal intubation. Prospective randomized study.

Objective: To determine the effect of modifying the GlideScope (GVL) blade on the intubation time.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the Department of Anesthesia, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between June 2011 and October 2011. Sixty patients requiring endotracheal tube (ETT) intubation for elective surgery in whom airway was anticipated normal were randomly allocated to one of 2 groups.

Use of Airtraq, C-Mac, and Glidescope laryngoscope is better than Macintosh in novice medical students' hands: A manikin study.

Background And Aim: Obtaining patent airway is a crucial task for many physicians. When opportunities to practice intubations on patients are really limited, skill gaining methods are needed. We conducted a study among novice 6(th) year medical students to assess their ability to intubate the trachea in normal airway in manikin using four airway tools.