Faculty Members' Perception, Implementation, and Challenges of Formative Assessment in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Medical curriculum reform requires quality assurance in all curricular activities including assessment. Such reform necessitates a shift of focus from summative assessment (SA) to formative assessment (FA). However, the implementation of FA confronts several challenges that hinder its proper application, especially with the increased number of students and the diversity of activities required from faculty members.

Obstetrics and gynecology patients' perceptions about bedside teaching at a Saudi teaching hospital.

Background: Bedside teaching (BST) is a crucial component of medical education. It entails the interaction of students with patients in outpatient clinics and inpatient wards under the supervision of their tutors in order to improve the clinical skills of the students and, ultimately, patient outcomes. This teaching relies heavily on patients' willingness and cooperation.

Dietary assessment of type 2 diabetic patients using healthful plant-based diet score in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by a wide range of metabolic problems. The current study sought to assess nutritional habits of Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to propose recommendations to improve these patients' dietary habits and delay possible disease complications.

Methods: Over a period of three years, (2017-2019) 577 patients with T2D attending the outpatient's diabetic clinics at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia were invited to participate in this study.

The Effects of Various Teaching Methods on Chest X-ray Interpretation Skills Among Medical Students and Interns: A Systematic Review.

Chest X-ray (CXR) is a common tool used in medical practice. Medical students and interns should acquire knowledge of CXR interpretation, as it is an essential diagnostic tool for a large spectrum of diseases. This systematic review aimed to compare the effect of different intervention techniques on the competency of medical students and interns to demonstrate the level of confidence and competence in interpreting common presentations of CXRs.

Beneficial effects of adding magnesium to desalinated drinking water on metabolic and insulin resistance parameters among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

There is evidence that increasing the consumption of water containing magnesium can improve glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This trial was undertaken with the objective of evaluating the effect of adding different concentrations of magnesium chloride to the desalinated drinking water on the glycemic, metabolic, and insulin resistance parameters among patients with T2DM. A randomized cross-sectional controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding magnesium chloride supplement to desalinated drinking water consumed by patients with T2DM on the glycemic and metabolic parameters and indicators of insulin sensitivity.

The Impact of Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 Virus on the Outcome of COVID-19 Disease.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading infection that is on the rise. New variants are continuously appearing with variable degrees of lethality and infectivity. The extensive work since the start of the pandemic has led to the evolution of COVID-19 vaccines with varying mechanisms.

The impact of obesity on hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

This study aimed to assess the association of obesity with the severity and outcome of COVID-19 infection. A retrospective observational study was performed from March to September 2020 in Saudi Arabia. Baseline and laboratory data were collected from the inpatient health record system.

The Impact of Vitamin D Level on the Severity and Outcome of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Disease.

Purpose: The world is experiencing a life-altering and extraordinary situation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are limited data and controversies regarding the relationship between vitamin D (Vit D) status and COVID-19 disease. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the association between Vit D levels and the severity or outcomes of COVID-19 disease.

The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus and Hyperglycemia on the Severity and Outcome of Patients with COVID-19 Disease: A Single-Center Experience.

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported to be associated with a  worse outcome of COVID-19 infection. The evidence is scarce in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia. We aimed to evaluate the impact of diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia in non-diabetic individuals on the severity and outcome of COVID-19 infection.

Tuberculosis-associated Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report.

Various hematological manifestations are known to occur with tuberculosis (TB), but its association with immune thrombocytopenia is uncommon and not well recognized. Here, the case of a 39-year-old male who presented with a history of epistaxis and hematuria is described. The patient was found to have diffuse lymphadenopathy both clinically and radiologically.

Type 2 diabetes associated variants of KCNQ1 strongly confer the risk of cardiovascular disease among the Saudi Arabian population.

Genome-wide association studies have identified several loci associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Polymorphisms within the KCNQ1 (potassium voltage-gated channel, KQT-like subfamily, member 1) gene are consistently associated with T2D in a number of populations. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the association of 3 polymorphisms of KCNQ1 (rs2237892, rs151290 and rs2237895) with T2D and/or CVD.

Health education to diabetic patients before the start of Ramadan: Experience from a teaching hospital in Dammam.

Background And Objective: Studies have shown that pre-Ramadan structured educational program for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is beneficial. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the degree of adherence of treating physicians to such programs and their influence on the patient's knowledge and behavior.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on adult patients with DM attending a university hospital, who were observed while fasting during Ramadan 1436/2015.

Effect of Nigella sativa supplementation over a one-year period on lipid levels, blood pressure and heart rate in type-2 diabetic patients receiving oral hypoglycemic agents: nonrandomized clinical trial.

Background: Diabetic patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia are at a high risk of cardiovascular complications.

Objectives: To determine the effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on the lipid profile, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate in persons with type 2 diabetes on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA).

Design: Single-blind, nonrandomized.

Genetic influence on circulating vitamin D among Saudi Arabians.

Objectives:  To examine the effect of most common studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in Saudi Arabian population. 

Method: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out between July 2014 and October 2015, at King Fahd Hospital of the University (KFHU), Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After informed consent, blood samples from 283 subjects living in the Eastern province were collected for 25-OHD measurement and genetic analysis of SNPs in vitamin D receptor (VDR) [rs2228570 and rs1544410], Cytochrome, P450 family 2 (CYP2R1) [rs10741657 and rs1993116], and Group-specific components (GC) [rs2282679 and rs4588].

Nigella sativa: A potential natural protective agent against cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To study the effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on cardiac functions in Type 2 diabetic patients treated with oral hypoglycemic agents.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A number of reported beneficial effects of N.

Nigella sativa improves glycemic control and ameliorates oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: placebo controlled participant blinded clinical trial.

Background And Objective: Oxidative stress plays an important role in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Our previous study has shown glucose lowering effect produced by 3 months supplementation of Nigella sativa (NS) in combination with oral hypoglycemic drugs among type 2 diabetics. This study explored the long term glucose lowering effect (over one year) of NS in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on oral hypoglycemic drugs and to study its effect on redox status of such patients.

Assessment of low vitamin D among Saudi Arabians. Did we overshoot the runway?

Objectives: To compare the performance of 3 commonly used 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) assays among a sample of the Saudi population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between January 2011 and December 2012 at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. After informed consent, blood samples for measurement of 25-OHD level was extracted from 200 adults.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and low bone mass: A case-control study.

Background And Objective: Low bone mass (osteopenia and osteoporosis) is one of the effects associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is very little data from Saudi Arabia on COPD and low bone mass. This retrospective study was done to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in COPD patients attending King Fahd Hospital of the University (KFHU), Alkhobar.

Fortification with vitamin D: Comparative study in the Saudi Arabian and US markets.

Background And Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is common among Saudi Arabian population. To evaluate the current status of vitamin D fortification and calcium content of commonly consumed food items by the Saudi population and to compare it to US data.

Setting And Design: Cross-sectional market survey at markets of Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and State of Illinois, USA.

Symptomatic Hypocalcemia Associated with Zoledronic Acid Treatment for Osteoporosis: A Case Report.

Intravenous bisphosphonates are widely used in the management of solid tumors, metastatic bone disease, metabolic bone diseases and hypercalcemia of malignancies. Recently, yearly intravenous injections of zoledronic acid, one of the potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, have also been approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Although infrequently observed, asymptomatic hypocalcemia mainly due to intravenous bisphosphonates has been documented.

Favorable impact of Nigella sativa seeds on lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background And Aim: The atherogenic pattern of dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasingly discussed. We have recently reported a hypoglycemic effect of Nigella sativa (NS) seeds in patients with type 2 DM. In this study we sought to assess the impact of NS seeds on lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients.

The status of Vitamin D in medical students in the preclerkship years of a Saudi medical school.

Background: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has recently been recognized in different parts of the world, even affecting healthy populations. The deficiency of vitamin D can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Few studies have been done to evaluate the status of vitamin D in the medical community.

Topical application of Sadat-Habdan mesenchymal stimulating peptide (SHMSP) accelerates wound healing in diabetic rabbits.

Objective: Diminished wound healing is a common problem in diabetic patients due to diminished angiogenesis. SHMSP was found to promote angiogenesis. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of this peptide in healing of wounds in diabetic rabbits.