Patient Safety Attitudes Among Saudi Medical Students and Interns: Insights for Improving Medical Education.

Purpose: Patient safety (PS) is a basic principle of healthcare worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, medical colleges have integrated PS modules into their regular curricula. This study investigated undergraduate medical students' and interns' attitudes regarding PS at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah.

Targeting the ubiquitin proteasome system in cancer stem cells.

Over the past few years there has been an alarming burst of cancer burden worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) act as hidden devils within tumors, rendering cancer therapy a strenuous goal. Recently, the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) was proved to be an essential contributor to the CSC phenotype.

Cognitive performance and brain volume among survivors of pediatric hematological malignancies: a case-control study.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction may be one of the hazardous late effects among survivors of pediatric hematological malignancies. Our study aimed to explore cognitive performance and assess the global and regional brain volume changes in survivors of hematological malignancies.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 68 survivors of hematological malignancies, with a median follow-up period of 2 years (ranging from 1 to 6.

Development of a large animal orthotopic intestinal transplantation model with long-term survival for study of immunologic outcomes.

Introduction: Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is the last remaining therapy for patients with intestinal failure once parenteral nutrition is no longer an option, however its use is limited by immunological complications, including high rates of rejection and morbidity associated with immunosuppression, such as infection and malignancy. We aimed to develop a large animal model of ITx with which to study the immune response to ITx and to design and test tolerance induction regimens.

Methods: Learning from prior complications, we developed and progressively improved both surgical methods for the donor and recipient as well as postoperative management strategies.

Commitment, partnerships and operational research: three priorities for 11 EMR countries to achieve TB elimination.

Background: In 2022, 11 of 22 Member States of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) had an estimated TB incidence of <20 cases per 100,000 population. We assessed preparedness for elimination and provided recommendations to pursue the process.

Methods: We surveyed 11 EMR national TB programme managers and collected information on eight TB elimination framework domains using a close-ended data collection tool.

Correlation between positron annihilation lifetime and photoluminescence measurements for calcined Hydroxyapatite.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) Ca(PO)(OH) is a compound that has stable chemical properties, composition, and an affinity for human bone. As a result, it can be used in odontology, cancer treatment, and orthopedic grafts to repair damaged bone. To produce calcined HAp at 600 °C with different pH values, a wet chemical precipitation method was employed.

Integrated omics analysis unveils a DNA damage response to neurogenic injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) evokes profound bladder dysfunction. Current treatments are limited by a lack of molecular data to inform novel therapeutic avenues. Previously, we showed systemic inosine treatment improved bladder function following SCI in rats.

Synthesis, Optimization, and Characterization of Cellulase Enzyme Obtained from Thermotolerant F3: An Insight into Cotton Fabric Polishing Activity.

The efficacy of 40 bacterial isolates obtained from hot spring water samples to produce cellulase enzymes was investigated. As a result, the strain F3, which was identified using traditional and molecular methods, was selected as the most potent for cellulase production. Optimization was carried out using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and BOX-Behnken Design to detect the best conditions for the highest cellulase activity.

Preparations for sustainability and transition from Global Fund support in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Background: HIV, tuberculosis and malaria (HTM) services receive financial support from the Global Fund and need to plan for sustainability and transition from external funding.

Aim: To recommend actions for addressing key sustainability and transition issues in 15 countries receiving Global Fund grants in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean (EMR) Region.

Methods: We reviewed documents, interviewed key informants, and conducted case studies in Sudan and Tunisia to highlight key considerations for sustainability and transition from Global Fund that is tailored to the EMR and the health system building blocks.

Myco-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles using harnessing metabolites of endophytic fungal strain Aspergillus terreus: an insight into antibacterial, anti-Candida, biocompatibility, anticancer, and antioxidant activities.

Background: The overuse of antibiotics leads to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant microbes which causes high mortality worldwide. Therefore, the synthesis of new active compounds has multifunctional activities are the main challenge. Nanotechnology provides a solution for this issue.

Exploring the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, biocompatibility, and larvicidal activities of selenium nanoparticles fabricated by endophytic fungal strain Penicillium verhagenii.

Herein, four endophytic fungal strains living in healthy roots of garlic were used to produce selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) via green synthesis. Penicillium verhagenii was found to be the most efficient Se-NPs producer with a ruby red color that showed maximum surface plasmon resonance at 270 nm. The as-formed Se-NPs were crystalline, spherical, and well-arranged without aggregation, and ranged from 25 to 75 nm in size with a zeta potential value of -32 mV, indicating high stability.

Total hip arthroplasty for post-firearm hip arthritis complicated by coloarticular fistula: A case report.

Hip firearm injuries are rare injuries that could lead to serious complications, such as posttraumatic hip arthritis and coloarticular fistula. We report a case of a 25-year-old male who sustained a pelvic injury caused by a single bullet which led to a bilateral acetabular fracture, concomitant with a colon injury treated on an emergency basis by a diverting colostomy; acetabular fractures were treated conservatively by traction. After the patient recovered from the abdominal injury, he was presented with bilateral hip pain and limited motion; plain radiographs showed bilateral hip arthritis with proximal migration of the femoral head and bilateral acetabular defect classified as Paprosky type ⅢA.

Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Lawsonia inermis Against Common Pathogens from Urinary Tract Infection.

New and creative methodologies for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), which are exploited in a wide range of consumer items, are of significant interest. Hence, this research emphasizes the biological approach of Ag-NPs through Egyptian henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis Linn.) extracts and analysis of the prepared Ag-NPs.

Oral Delivery of Psoralidin by Mucoadhesive Surface-Modified Bilosomes Showed Boosted Apoptotic and Necrotic Effects against Breast and Lung Cancer Cells.

This study aims to design and optimize chitosan-coated bilosomal formulations loaded with psoralidin (Ps-CS/BLs) with improved physicochemical properties, oral bioavailability, and boosted apoptotic and necrotic effects. In this regard, uncoated bilosomes loaded with Ps (Ps/BLs) were nanoformulated using the thin-film hydration technique using different molar ratios of phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol (Ch), Span 60 (S60), and sodium deoxycholate (SDC) (1:0.4:0.

A new Gaussian curvature of the image surface based variational model for haze or fog removal.

Outdoor images are usually affected by haze which limits the visibility and reduces the contrast of the images. Removal of haze from real-world images is always a challenging task. Recently, many mathematical models have been proposed for the effective removal of haze from real-world images.

Accelerating the prevention, control and elimination of communicable diseases through integration and optimization of the support from Gavi and Global Fund: A vision for the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Over the years, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has faced a funding gap with respect to malaria, tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and vaccine-preventable diseases programmes. In the early 2000s, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and the Global Fund against AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) became important financial contributors to these programmes. In 2000-2015, funding support from these two global health initiatives allowed progress.

New trends in synthetic drugs and natural products targeting 20S proteasomes in cancers.

Cancer is a global health challenge that remains to be a field of extensive research aiming to find new anticancer therapeutics. The 20S proteasome complex is one of the targets of anticancerdrugs, as it is correlated with several cancer types. Herein, we aim to discuss the 20S proteasome subunits and investigatethe currently studied proteasome inhibitors targeting the catalytically active proteasome subunits.

Computed tomography independent quantitative determinants of CAD-RADS 4 versus CAD-RADS 3 for calcified coronary lesions.

Purpose: An investigation of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-derived quantitative parameters to determine CAD-RADS 4 versus CAD-RADS 3 of coronary lesions with moderate to severe calcification.

Material And Methods: The study included 150 coronary lesions proven to have moderate or severe stenosis by invasive coronary angiography and showing moderate to severe calcification in CCTA. Various CCTA-quantitative parameters were correlated to the degree of stenosis (moderately versus severely stenosed lesions).

Stem-Cell-Based Therapy: The Celestial Weapon against Neurological Disorders.

Stem cells are a versatile source for cell therapy. Their use is particularly significant for the treatment of neurological disorders for which no definitive conventional medical treatment is available. Neurological disorders are of diverse etiology and pathogenesis.

The effectiveness of a multimodal approach in the treatment of patients with upper crossed syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Considering the multitude of contributing factors to upper crossed syndrome (UCS), a multimodal treatment may be an effective therapeutic option. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the multimodal approach, including muscle energy technique (MET), cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises, and postural correction training with ergonomic advice, in the treatment of patients with UCS.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial randomly assigned 40 patients with UCS aged 30-55 years to either group A (intervention group, n = 20) who received the multimodal approach or group B (control group, n = 20) who received MET only.

Review of the neglected tropical diseases programme implementation during 2012-2019 in the WHO-Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Introduction: The 2012-2020 WHO NTD roadmap set targets for control, elimination, and eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It recommends 5 strategies, out of which preventive chemotherapy (PC) and intensified disease management were key to achieve targets. WHO estimated that globally, between 2012 and 2019, the number of persons affected by NTDs decreased from nearly 2.

Progress towards elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2019.

The WHO Global Health Sector Strategy and hepatitis regional action plan for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) proposed strategic directions for countries to progress towards the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. In 2019, we reviewed progress to gain a picture of current pressures and identify priority actions for member states to reach this goal. We collected data from country, regional, and global reports published in 2015-19, questionnaires completed by countries, and convened a regional consultation with programme managers and partners.

Association of Polymorphisms in Antioxidant Enzyme-Encoding Genes with Diabetic Nephropathy in a Group of Saudi Arabian Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: An imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the defence mechanisms underlying the activity of antioxidant enzymes has been demonstrated as the leading pathology in diabetes mellitus (DM)-related microvascular complications.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in antioxidant enzyme-encoding genes: catalase (CAT); manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD); glutathione S transferase M1 (GSTM1); and GSTT1 glutathione S transferase T1 (GSTT1), and the risk of type II diabetic nephropathy (DN) in the Saudi population.

Patients And Methods: The present study involved 64 type II DM patients with nephropathy and 64 type II diabetes patients without nephropathy from the King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Hospital.

Molecular Detection of Infection among Anophelinae Mosquitoes and Differentiation of Biological Forms of Collected from Malarious Areas of Afghanistan and Iran.

Background: Updated information on the vectorial capacity of vectors is required in each malarious areas as well in Iran and its neighboring countries such as Afghanistan. The aims of this study were to investigate the potential infection of about 800 specimens collected from malarious areas of Afghanistan and Iran, and to differentiate biological forms of Anopheles stephensi.

Method: Two molecular markers, 18S RNA gene subunit and AsteObp1 intron I, were used respectively for investigation Plasmodium infection and identifying the biological forms of An.