Clinical and biochemical assessments of circulating High Mobility Group Box Protein1 in children with epilepsy: relation to cognitive function and drug responsiveness.

Background: Childhood epilepsy is a major health concern posing a significant burden and having disastrous consequences for cognitive function. High Mobility Group Box1 (HMGB1) is an activator of neuroinflammation, and it is possibly involved in the initiation and progression of epilepsy. We aimed to investigate circulating HMGB1 in children with epilepsy and its connection to cognitive function and drug responsiveness.

A Comparative Analysis of the Quality of Root Canal Fillings of In Vivo Studies Conducted in Saudi Arabia and Worldwide: A Systematic Review.

Aim: Root canal treatment (RCT) is a common procedure practiced daily by dentists worldwide. The current systematic review aimed to evaluate and compare clinical studies on the quality of root canal fillings (RCFs) carried out by dentists with different levels of experience conducted worldwide with those conducted specifically in Saudi Arabia (SA).

Materials And Methods: A full literature search was conducted in Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Elsevier's Scopus, Embase, CINHAL, and PubMed, without a restriction to studies published before January 2015.

Dysregulated Apoptosis and Autophagy in Childhood Epilepsy: Correlation to Clinical and Pharmacological Patterns.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the serum levels of caspase-3 as a marker of apoptosis and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (MAP1-LC3) as an autophagy marker in epileptic children with various clinical and pharmacological types.

Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 90 participants (50 pediatric patients with epilepsy and 40 healthy matched children), the patients were categorized into three groups: Group (A): 25 pharmacosensitive epilepsy, Group (B): 25 pharmacoresistant epilepsy, and Group (C): 40 (age, sex, and body mass index) matched healthy children selected as controls. Serum caspase-3 and MAP1-LC3 were measured in all study groups, using commercially available ELISA kits.

Global 30-day morbidity and mortality of surgery for perforated peptic ulcer: GRACE study.

Background: There is little international data on morbidity and mortality of surgery for perforated peptic ulcer (PPU). This study aimed to understand the global 30-day morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing surgery for PPU and to identify variables associated with these.

Method: We performed an international study of adults (≥ 18 years) who underwent surgery for PPU from 1st January 2022 to 30th June 2022.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors as treatment for erectile dysfunction: a webinar-based poll unveiling perceptions of healthcare professionals.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is marked by a recurring incapacity to achieve or uphold a satisfactory erection during sexual activities. The study aims to increase awareness about male reproductive health, dispel misconceptions about ED and encourage physician-patient discussions. A live online poll was conducted during a 3-day webinar titled "Turning the Tide of Men's Health" organized by Viatris™ in collaboration with the Saudi Society of Family and Community Medicine and attended by healthcare professionals (HCPs) from diverse specialties.

Studying Microbial Ecology of Diabetic Foot Infections: Significance of PCR Analysis for Prudent Antimicrobial Stewardship.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the microbial ecology of diabetic foot infections (DFIs), using molecular-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to accurately identify the causative agents. One hundred DFI patients were recruited and classified using the Depth Extent Phase and Associated Etiology (DEPA) score according to their severity. Results revealed polymicrobial infections in 75% of cases, predominantly featuring (83%) and (63%).

Awareness and practice of airway pressure release ventilation mode in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients among nurses in Saudi Arabia.

Background: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and current practice of using the airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) mode with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients and identify barriers to not using this mode of ventilation among nurses who work in critical areas in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Between December 2022 and April 2023, a cross-sectional online survey was disseminated to nurses working in critical care areas in Saudi Arabia. The characteristics of the respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Parental experience with an ocular genetic counseling services in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: This study reports parental attitudes towards preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and their satisfaction with genetic counseling services offered by a territory eye care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 30 parents (either father or mother) of children affected by recessive genetic ocular disorders. Their basic knowledge of recessive genetic disorders, attitude toward PGD, and satisfaction with counseling services were assessed using structured telephonic interviews.

Validity of Serum Zinc/Copper Ratio as a Potential Novel Biomarker in Childhood Epilepsy.

Background: Alterations in zinc and copper homeostasis may contribute to seizure susceptibility, development, termination, and response to antiepileptic medications. The current study examined the profile of zinc, copper, and their ratio in childhood epilepsy and its pharmacological variants (pharmacoresistant and pharmacoresponsive).

Methods: The study included 100 epileptic children (50 pharmacoresistant and 50 pharmacoresponsive) and 50 healthy, age- and gender-matched controls.

Reporting on the Status of Nutrition Programs of Higher Education in the Syrian Arab Republic: A Current Snapshot.

Background: The Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) is experiencing high rates of malnutrition. While many adults experience overweight and obesity, as a direct result of the continuing conflict, SAR is also noted as one of the most food-insecure regions in the Arab world. To combat the health impacts and outcomes related to diet and dietary behaviors, trained nutrition professionals are needed.

Bactericidal effect of Iberin combined with photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm cultured on ex vivo wound model.

Wounds infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilms are characterized by poor healing and by being long lasting. Pyocyanin and pyoverdine are exotoxins that contribute to P.

Screening for K13-Propeller Mutations Associated with Artemisinin Resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in Yambio County (Western Equatoria State, South Sudan).

Artemisinin-combined treatments are the recommended first-line treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but they are being threatened by emerging artemisinin resistance. Mutations in pfk13 are the principal molecular marker for artemisinin resistance. This study characterizes the presence of mutations in pfk13 in P.

Comparison of β-1-3-D-Glucan and Mannan Biomarker Assays with Serological Tests for the Diagnosis of Candidemia.

Invasive candidiasis, including bloodstream infection (candidemia), encompasses the most severe forms of infection. Several species-specific and non-specific serological assays are commercially available to aid in diagnosis. This study compared the performance of five such biomarker assays.

Safety of transurethral resection of large prostate.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common benign disease occurs in older men. Some patients can be treated medically but eventually, most of them will need a surgical intervention, and the most commonly applied procedure is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility and safety of performing transurethral resection of large prostate (80 g and more).

strains exhibit heterogenous tolerance to direct cold atmospheric plasma therapy.

The global clinical and socioeconomic impact of chronic wounds is substantial. The main difficulty that clinicians face during the treatment of chronic wounds is the risk of infection at the wound site. Infected wounds arise from an accumulation of microbial aggregates in the wound bed, leading to the formation of polymicrobial biofilms that can be largely resistant to antibiotic therapy.

Assessment of tumoral and peritumoral inflammatory reaction in cutaneous malignant melanomas.

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, with an increasing worldwide incidence in recent decades. The main risk factor for increasing the skin cancer incidence is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Of the two major forms of skin cancer (melanomas and non-melanotic cancers), the cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most aggressive form, causing about 80% of the deaths resulted from this type of tumor.

The impact of COVID-19 on primary health care services in Qatar: 2 years of response and coping 2020-2021.

Background: Health care systems worldwide have rapidly responded to manage the COVID-19 pandemic by providing screening tests, contact tracing, treatment, and vaccination. However, the long duration of the pandemic has had an enormous load on the health care systems, which disrupted continuity of the essential non-covid services, long waiting time for appointments, and increase in the utilization of telemedicine services. Primary health care was established as an essential foundation for the global response to the COVID-19.

Investigating the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum and the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides on Pseudomonas aeruginosa metabolome, virulence factors and biofilm formation as potential quorum sensing inhibitors.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) uses quorum sensing signaling (QS) molecules to control the expression of virulence factors and biofilm formation. In this study, the effects of the probiotic's (Lactobacillus plantarum (L.

Micafungin effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa metabolome, virulence and biofilm: potential quorum sensing inhibitor.

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa places a heavy burden on the health care sectors urging the need to find alternative, non-antibiotic strategies. The interference with the P. aeruginosa quorum sensing (QS) system represents a promising alternative strategy to attenuate the bacterial virulency and its ability to form biofilms.

Magnetic Domain Characterization and Physical Properties of Gd-Doped and (Gd, Al) Co-Doped ZnO Thin Films.

Undoped ZnO, Gd-doped ZnO with various doping concentration (1, 3, 5, and 7 at%), and 3 at% (Gd, Al) co-doped ZnO films were prepared on a glass substrate using the co-reactive sputtering method. The influence of the doping and co-doping process on the films was characterized using X-ray diffraction, FESEM, EDX, MFM, VSM, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and the Hall Effect measurement at room temperature. XRD study confirmed that the Gd and Al ions are incorporated into a ZnO lattice.

Synchrotron-Radiation-Based Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy as a Tool for the Differentiation between Staphylococcal Small Colony Variants.

Small colony variants (SCVs) are clinically significant and linked to persistent infections. In this study, synchrotron-radiation-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) is used to investigate the microspectroscopic differences between the SCVs of () and diabetic foot () in two main IR spectral regions: (3050-2800 cm), corresponding to the distribution of lipids, and (1855-1500 cm), corresponding to the distribution of protein amide I and amide II and carbonyl vibrations. SR-FTIR successfully discriminated between the two staphylococcal species and between the SCV and the non-SCV strains within the two IR spectral regions.

Implementation of a Morphological Filter for Removing Spikes from the Epileptic Brain Signals to Improve Identification Ripples.

Epilepsy is a very common disease affecting at least 1% of the population, comprising a number of over 50 million people. As many patients suffer from the drug-resistant version, the number of potential treatment methods is very small. However, since not only the treatment of epilepsy, but also its proper diagnosis or observation of brain signals from recordings are important research areas, in this paper, we address this very problem by developing a reliable technique for removing spikes and sharp transients from the baseline of the brain signal using a morphological filter.

Ciprofloxacin-loaded dissolving polymeric microneedles as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of skin infections.

Microneedles have been widely studied for many topical and transdermal therapeutics due to their ability to painlessly puncture the skin, thereby bypassing the stratum corneum, the main skin barrier. In this study, ciprofloxacin (CIP) was loaded into dissolving polymeric microneedles prepared by a two-layer centrifugation method as a potential treatment of skin infections such as cellulitis. The polymers used were polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).