Qualitative and quantitative analysis of human nails to find correlation between nutrients and vitamin D deficiency using LIBS and ICP-AES.

In this work, we analysed human fingernails of people who suffer from vitamin D deficiency using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES)techniques. The measurements have been conducted on 71 nail samples collected randomly from volunteers of different genders and ages ranged between 20 and 50 years. The main aim of this study is to find the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the intensity of some dominated lines in the LIBS spectra.

Histologic characterization of cellular infiltration in autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Autoimmune subepidermal bullous dermatoses have similar clinical features to those of a spectrum of immune reactants at the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ). It is difficult to obtain a precise diagnosis without an immunofluorescence assay because of their similar clinical presentations. The aim of this study was to describe the cellular cutaneous infiltration among autoimmune subepidermal bullous dermatoses.

Synthesis, Surface Parameters, and Biodegradability of Water-soluble Surfactants for Various Applications.

The synthesis of water-soluble heterocyclic compounds was verified on the basis of nonionic surfactants for use as surface-active agents. Surface characteristics such as surface and interfacial tensions, cloud point, wetting time, emulsion stability, foaming height and foaming stability were measured for these surface factors in aqueous solutions. In addition, the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the surface pressure at CMC (π), the effectiveness of surface tension reduction (pC), the maximum surface concentration (Γ) and the minimum area/molecule at the aqueous solution/air interface (A) were calculated.

Association of psychological stress with skin symptoms among medical students.

To evaluate the association between psychological stress and skin symptoms among medical students.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between January and June 2015. Electronic survey consists of Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and Self-Reported Skin Complaints Questionnaire were distributed to all 1435 undergraduate students at College of Medicine, King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Direct Cytotoxic Effects of Different Hemostatic Agents on Human Gingival Fibroblasts.

Purpose: To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of different hemostatic agents (including Expasyl) on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in vitro.

Materials And Methods: HGFs were cultured and exposed to either no medicament treatment or 1:200 dilution of six different hemostatic agents (Hemox-A, Hemodent, Astringedent, Vicostat, Expasyl, 3M ESPE) for 2, 5, 10 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours. Toxicity to HGFs was determined by lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) and colorimetric (WST-1) assays.

Pituitary imaging in 129 children with growth hormone deficiency: A spectrum of findings.

Growth Hormone (GH) deficiency is the most common pituitary hormone deficiency in children. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain detects structural pituitary anomalies associated with GH deficiency. This retrospective hospital-based study was conducted at King Khalid University hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period (January 1995-June 2016).

Precocious puberty: An experience from a major teaching hospital in Central Saudi Arabia.

Precocious puberty is a developmental process that gives rise to secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. In general, precocious puberty can be classified as central or peripheral. This is a retrospective hospital-based study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period January 1990 and December 2016.

Survey of awareness of diabetes mellitus among the Arar population, Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most widely prevalent diseases in Saudi Arabia. Health education is considered an essential component to improve knowledge and change behavior. People affected by diabetes often have inadequate knowledge about the nature of diabetes, its risk factors and associated complication.

Deep venous thrombosis among diabetic patients in King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients worldwide and, simultaneously, the most preventable. Studies revealed several risk factors of deep venous thrombosis in hospitalized patients.

Objective: to identify frequency and factors associated with occurrence of deep venous thrombosis among diabetic patients referred to King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Effect of Listening to Holy Quran Recitation on Weaning Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) causes high level of stress in hospitalized patients. Weaning is the gradual process of decreasing ventilator support that in turn lead to termination of MV and increased respiratory effort, which may exacerbate symptoms and prolong MV. This study aimed to investigate the effect of listening to Holy Quran recitation (HQR) as a non-pharmacological intervention in patients during weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of antibiotic use and misuse among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antibiotics (ABs) use and misuse among adults living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to participants from  March 2016 to January 2017 in the outpatient department of King Khalid University Hospital and Dental Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was divided into 4 sections.

Assessment of the influence of gender and skin color on the preference of tooth shade in Saudi population.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of gender and skin color on the preference of different teeth shades in general population.

Materials And Methods: Two standardized frontal smile photographs of male and female subjects were manipulated using photoshop to represent 4 skin colors [(type II, III, IV, and V) (Fitzpatrick scale)]. The teeth shades under each skin color were digitally manipulated to represent one of 6 teeth shades (BL1, BL2, BL3, BL4, B1 and A1).

Strong Coherent Light Amplification with Double Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Coherences.

We experimentally demonstrate coherent amplification of probe field in a tripod-type atoms driven by strong coupling, signal and weak probe fields. We suppress linear and nonlinear atomic absorptions for resonant and near resonant probe via double electromagnetically induced transparency (DEIT). Combining these advantages of suppressed absorption along with temperature- or atomic-density-controlled transfer of population(ToP) between hyperfine ground states, we can induce near-resonant amplification of probe through stimulated Raman scattering(SRS) pumped by low-intensity signal field.

Validity, Usefulness and Cost of RET System for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening.

Purpose: We studied the validity, usefulness, and relative cost to detect diabetic retinopathy (DR) and sight-threatening DR (STDR) by using a hand-held electrophysiologic tool compared to digital fundus photography.

Method: Patients with diabetes attending the screening unit of King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were evaluated by "RET", Amsler grid, and digital dilated fundus photography. Fundus images were evaluated by a retina specialist to determine grade of DR.

Survey of the reptilian fauna of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. VI. The snake fauna of Turaif region.

A collection of snakes in Turaif region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an area that has been poorly documented for reptiles, consists of 28 specimens representing 11 species belonging to 4 families (Colubridae, Elapidae, Viperidae and Atractaspididae). This study presents the first comprehensive inventory of the herpetofauna of the Turaif province of Saudi Arabia. Co-ordinates: Latitude, longitude and altitude, of the collected specimens were mapped using GPS.

The Thyroid Na+/I- Symporter: Molecular Characterization and Genomic Regulation.

Iodide (I-) is an essential constituent of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and the iodide concentrating mechanism of the thyroid gland is essential for the synthesis of these hormones. In addition, differential uptake of iodine isotopes (radioiodine) is a key modality for the diagnosis and therapy of thyroid cancer. The sodium dependent iodide transport activity of the thyroid gland is mainly attributed to the functional expression of the Na+/I- Symporter (NIS) localized at the basolateral membrane of thyrocytes.

Autoimmune thyroiditis associated with Sanjad-Sakati syndrome: A call for regular thyroid screening.

Sanjad-Sakati Syndrome (SSS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital hypoparathyroidism, growth retardation and dysmorphism. Thyroid status of patients with SSS has not been widely explored. Therefore, we aimed to review the occurrence of autoimmune thyroiditis, which is commonly associated with other genetic disorders, in SSS.

Endophthalmitis in Boston Keratoprosthesis in a Patient with Steven-Johnson Syndrome.

A 25-year-old Syrian male with a previous episode of Stevens-Johnson syndrome with bilateral corneal cicatrization previously underwent surgery for Type 1 Boston Keratoprosthesis (K-Pro). Sixteen months after the K-Pro surgery, the patient presented with decreased vision to hand motion and microbial keratitis of the graft around the K-Pro with purulent discharge. Corneal scrapings were nonrevealing.

Intended and Achieved Torque of Implant Abutment's Screw using Manual Wrenches in Simulated Clinical Setting.

Objective: To measure the difference between the intended torque and the achieved torque by the operator using the spring-style mechanical torque-limiting device (MTLD).

Materials And Methods: Inexperienced and experienced clinicians used one spring-type MTLD to torque two abutment screws of each anterior and posterior implants, which were attached to two digital torque meters through a jaw model. The jaw model was part of a preclinical bench manikin attached to a dental chair.

Contribution of community pharmacists in educating the asthma patients.

Unlabelled: : In asthma, the preventive measures taken by patients play an important role in improving life span and quality of life. This can be done more efficiently by community pharmacist by providing patient counseling and improving knowledge of patient about disease, risk factors, medication management and preventive measures to control asthma. : The objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of community pharmacists in improvement of life span and quality of life of asthma patients.

The respiratory care profession in Saudi Arabia: Past and present.

The respiratory care (RC) profession in Saudi Arabia is over 40-year-old. Although there have been major advancements in the profession, no history and enough information are available about its development and evolvement at current. This paper describes the history and development of the field of RC and future prospects for the profession in Saudi Arabia.

Reasons for not using Implants to retain Complete Denture: Patients' Survey.

Objective: This study aimed to gain more information from complete denture (CD) wearers who did not receive dental implants, of the reasons preventing them from using implants to retain their CD in a selected sample of dental patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Materials And Methods: A paper-and-pencil questionnaire containing 20 direct questions of the possible reasons preventing CD wearers from receiving implants to retain their dentures was distributed in three different places in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results: A total of 270 subjects were included in this survey.

The Effect of Torque Application Technique on Screw Preload of Implant-Supported Prostheses.

Purpose: To examine the effect of different torque application techniques (torqued, retorqued once, and retorqued twice) on the removal torque of implant-supported fixed complete dental prostheses.

Materials And Methods: Four Nobel Biocare implants (4.3 × 13 + 3; 13-mm thread height + 3-mm collar height) were stabilized temporarily inside four holes made in an acrylic mandibular master model.

Survey of the reptilian fauna of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. V. The lizard fauna of Turaif region.

Turaif area located in the Northern border region of Saudi Arabia is one of the most important regions of the Kingdom. This work was proposed to throw light on the diversity of lizard fauna investigated through the collection and subsequent identification of specimens from different localities of Turaif region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sixteen species of lizards belonging to 5 families (Agamidae, Gekkonidae, Lacertidae, Scincidae and Varanidae) were recorded.

Retention practices and factors affecting retainer choice among orthodontists in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To identify the retention protocols practiced by orthodontists in Saudi Arabia, and the factors affecting retainer choice. 

Methods: This cross-sectional study took place between February and March of 2015 at the College of Dentistry, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A previously tested electronic survey of 34 items was sent to all 1,200 orthodontic members of the Saudi Orthodontic Society.