Towards a unified regional surveillance system: the Gulf CDC's first initiatives.

In January 2021, the Gulf Health Council (GHC), established the Gulf Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Gulf CDC) in Riyadh, marking a pivotal step in harmonizing health strategies, enhancing knowledge generation, and promoting evidence-based approaches to both communicable (CD) and non-communicable diseases (NCD). The Gulf CDC's mission includes consolidating the region's health information systems, crucial for monitoring disease burden and shaping effective public health policies. An initial assessment of public health surveillance systems across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states was conducted by the Gulf CDC.

Pharmacological activities and phytochemical evaluation of coconut crude oil and upon exposure to ozone.

Coconut oil is eatable oil with many nutritional and cosmetic applications. In this investigation coconut oil was subjected to 0 to 5 L/min of ozone for 3 h and the chemical composition of both crude and ozonized oil was valued via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Some biological tests were done including antibacterial action versus Helicobacter pylori, anti-biofilm activity versus H.

The Endoscopic L-Shape Approach for Anterior Skull Base Meningiomas with Olfactory Preservation: A Technical Note.

Background: The preservation of olfaction during the surgical resection of anterior skull base meningiomas presents a significant challenge. This study presents a modified endonasal endoscopic L-shaped approach designed to maximize tumor resection while preserving olfaction, a vital function that profoundly impacts the quality of life.

Methods: A cadaveric dissection was conducted to refine the surgical technique, and this approach was subsequently applied to a 34-year-old female patient presenting with a large planum sphenoidale meningioma.

Platysma Myocutaneous Flap for Skull Base Reconstruction: A Cadaveric Feasibility Study.

As skull base defects become increasingly complex, necessitating more extensive repairs, alternative strategies are needed to address challenging reconstructions and rescue cases of failed primary reconstruction. In this study, we aimed to validate the surgical technique and assess the feasibility of using the platysma myocutaneous flap for skull base reconstruction, using cadaveric specimens in a preclinical setting. This descriptive anatomical study was conducted on 2 fresh human cadavers (4 sides).

Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin in Treating Gram-Negative Infections: Does Obesity Matter?

Background: Obesity is considered a health issue associated with increased morbidity and a risk factor for multiple conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and infections. It may affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many drugs, including antimicrobials like ciprofloxacin. Regrettably, data on ciprofloxacin's efficacy in obese patients remain scarce.

Symptomatic Bilateral Aberrant Course of the Internal Carotid Arteries Presented as a Non-pulsatile Mass in the Posterior Pharynx: A Case Report and Literature Review.

The atypical congenital pathway of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is an uncommon anatomical variation with a very low prevalence. The medialization of the internal carotid artery is regarded as an infrequent manifestation. The internal carotid artery may be displaced at the level of the pharyngeal wall, leading to the enlargement of connective tissue in the lateral pharynx and retropharyngeal areas.

The severity of dry eye symptoms and risk factors among university students in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a tear film disorder caused by increased tear evaporation or decreased production. The heavy workload on the eye and the increased usage of digital screens may decrease blink frequency, leading to an increased evaporation rate and an upsurge in the incidence and severity of DES. This study aims to assess the severity of DES symptoms and the risk factors among university students.

Ensuring radiation safety: Evaluating dose and compliance among medical staff at King Faisal Medical Complex, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Radiation is an integral part of routine medical practice, but it carries a risk to the health of medical staff. Hence, it should be assessed periodically. The study's goal was to quantify the levels of radiation exposure for medical staff at King Faisal Medical Complex (KFMC), Taif City Saudi Arabia, and to assess their radiation protective procedures in practice.

A 55-Year-Old Woman Presenting with a Second Diagnosis of Craniopharyngioma Following Diagnosis and Successful Treatment of Craniopharyngioma as a 5-Year-Old Child.

BACKGROUND Craniopharyngioma is a rare, partly cystic embryonic malformation of the sellar and parasellar region and is usually benign. This report is of a 55-year-old woman presenting with a second diagnosis of craniopharyngioma following diagnosis and successful treatment of craniopharyngioma as a 5-year-old child. CASE REPORT Our patient was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma at age 5 when she presented with headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting, decreased visual acuity, polyurea, and polydipsia for 6 months.

The synergistic potential of orange peel extract: A comprehensive investigation into its phenolic composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and functional fortification properties in yogurt.

The study explores the potential of orange peel extract (OPE) as a versatile natural resource, focusing on its phenolic composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, as well as its application in fortifying yogurt. Analysis revealed significant concentrations of phenolic compounds in OPE. OPE exhibited notable antibacterial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria, particularly marine , with synergistic effects observed when combined with Amikacin.

Impact of packaging atmosphere, oregano essential oil, and storage temperature on cold-adapted Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium on ready-to-eat smoked turkey.

The hazard of diseases created by S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium is relatively high in turkey meat products.

Advances in the Optimization of Fe Nanoparticles: Unlocking Antifungal Properties for Biomedical Applications.

In recent years, nanotechnology has achieved a remarkable status in shaping the future of biological applications, especially in combating fungal diseases. Owing to excellence in nanotechnology, iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) have gained enormous attention in recent years. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive overview of Fe NPs covering key synthesis approaches and underlying working principles, the factors that influence their properties, essential characterization techniques, and the optimization of their antifungal potential.

Forecasting cryptocurrency's buy signal with a bagged tree learning approach to enhance purchase decisions.

Introduction: The cryptocurrency market is captivating the attention of both retail and institutional investors. While this highly volatile market offers investors substantial profit opportunities, it also entails risks due to its sensitivity to speculative news and the erratic behavior of major investors, both of which can provoke unexpected price fluctuations.

Methods: In this study, we contend that extreme and sudden price changes and atypical patterns might compromise the performance of technical signals utilized as the basis for feature extraction in a machine learning-based trading system by either augmenting or diminishing the model's generalization capability.

Results of Modified Stenströms Technique Otoplasty and Patients' Satisfaction at King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital (KFAFH).

Background Globally, the prevalence of protruding ears is relatively frequent. Ear deformities manifest due to underdevelopment of the antihelical fold, conchal hypertrophy, and/or an obtuse conchoscaphal angle. The availability of multiple approaches proves that there isn't a single optimal accepted procedure.

Atypical meningiomas compared to other WHO Grade 2 meningiomas: Histological features and prognosis.

Objectives: To study each atypical feature in atypical meningioma versus other grade 2 meningiomas and its possible relation to recurrence.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with WHO grade 2 meningioma operated in our institution between 01/2008 and 12/2020. The rate of recurrence, reoperation and readmission were recorded during the follow-up period.

Association between receiving Covid-19 vaccine and menstrual cycle patterns among childbearing women: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Many women reported experiencing abnormalities in their cycle after being vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccination. To understand this issue further, our study aimed to evaluate the menstrual cycle patterns among women of childbearing age after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the impact of COVID-19 vaccine on women aged 18 years and above in Saudi Arabia.

The Predictors and Risk Factors of 2-Year Rejection in Renal Transplant Patients: A Multicenter Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is a definitive treatment for end-stage renal disease. It is associated with improved life expectancy and quality of life. One of the most common complications following kidney transplantation is graft rejection.

A New Sarcoma Shortly after Treatment for High-Grade Glioma with Adjuvant Chemoradiation: A Case Report.

Introduction: High-grade gliomas are central nervous system tumors conventionally treated with surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Secondary cancer due to radiation therapy is a rare yet established phenomenon that typically occurs years after radiation therapy.

Case Presentation: In this case, we discuss an early presentation of a second cancer adjacent to the radiation field.

Prevalence of Acute Tonsillitis and Its Association With Oral Hygiene Among the Population of Taif City, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction  Dental surfaces have dense bacterial deposits, and poor oral hygiene can exacerbate bacterial infections, causing acute tonsillitis. The study aims to quantify acute tonsillitis prevalence and assess its association with oral hygiene practices. Methods  A descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of acute tonsillitis and its association with oral hygiene was conducted among adults aged 20 and above in Taif City, Saudi Arabia.

Postharvest melatonin and chitosan treatments retain quality of 'Williams' bananas during ripening.

The effect of postharvest dipping treatments with 0.5 mM melatonin (MT) and 1% chitosan (CT) either alone or in combination on quality of pre-climacteric 'Williams' bananas during ripening at ambient conditions were investigated. MT or CT treatments delayed ripening by retaining greener peel, higher firmness, titratable acidity (TA), but lower total soluble solids (TSS) and TSS/TA, weight loss, browning and electrolyte leakage than the control.

Beliefs About the Use of Herbs Before and After COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization on March 12, 2020. Natural products and herbal medicine have been used since ancient times to relieve and treat disorders and infections, as well as increase immunity. Despite the beneficial effects of herbal medications, there are many side effects or interactions with other medications or foods that might occur.

Effects of and/or on Antioxidant Status, Immune Response, Gut Morphology, and Intestinal Lactobacilli and Coliforms of Heat-Stressed Broiler Chicken.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the dietary addition of (SP) and/or garlic powder (GP) on heat-stressed broiler chickens. For this purpose, 600 Ross-308 broiler chicks were allocated at 22 days of age into five groups (G1-G5), each comprising six groups of 20 birds each. Chickens kept in G1 (negative control) were fed a basal diet and raised at 26 ± 1 °C.

A preliminary investigation of rabbit carcass decomposition and attracted ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on the seaward coastal beach of Al-Jubail City, Saudi Arabia.

The current study was carried out in the seaward coastal beach environment of Al-Jubail City, Saudi Arabia, to analyze the rabbit carcass decomposition process, the succession pattern of associated ants, and their potential utility in forensic investigation. Experiments were conducted over a 4-season course (from autumn 2018 to summer 2019). A total of 9 species belonging to the 2 subfamilies, Myrmicinae and Formicinae, were recorded.