Application of Machine Learning to Predict COVID-19 Spread via an Optimized BPSO Model.

During the pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), statistics showed that the number of affected cases differed from one country to another and also from one city to another. Therefore, in this paper, we provide an enhanced model for predicting COVID-19 samples in different regions of Saudi Arabia (high-altitude and sea-level areas). The model is developed using several stages and was successfully trained and tested using two datasets that were collected from Taif city (high-altitude area) and Jeddah city (sea-level area) in Saudi Arabia.

Clinical and Laboratory Findings of COVID-19 in High-Altitude Inhabitants of Saudi Arabia.

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, continues to cause a worldwide pandemic, with more than 147 million being affected globally as of this writing. People's responses to COVID-19 range from asymptomatic to severe, and the disease is sometimes fatal. Its severity is affected by different factors and comorbidities of the infected patients.

Successful Use of Virtual Microscopy in the Assessment of Practical Histology during Pandemic COVID-19: A Descriptive Study.

Background: Practical knowledge and skills of microscopy has classically been delivered for medical students using conventional microscopes (CMs). Using virtual microscopy (VM) in teaching practical histology was established during distance learning for Taif medical students during COVID 19 pandemic period. However, the suitable assessment methods for student performance during distance learning are still debatable.

Association between cytokine genes polymorphisms and type 1 diabetes: a case-control study on Saudi population.

Background: Association studies of genes encoding cytokines that play an important role in inflammatory response represent one approach to finding type 1 diabetes (T1D) disease genes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within cytokine genes with T1D in a cohort of Saudi subjects.

Methods: A total of 300 well-characterized type 1 diabetic patients and 300 T1D-free control subjects were enrolled in this investigation.

Competency assessment in laboratory medicine: Standardization and utility for technical staff assessment and recertification in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: The assessment of technical staff members' competency has been a challenge for laboratory workers, to ensure patient safety and high quality services. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate awareness on best ways to assess lab competencies; (2) identify existing institutional methods of competency assessment and how staff perceptions; and (3) gather opinions of respondents about a proposed program for competency assessment in laboratory medicine.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, followed by an interview and discussion with laboratory stakeholders about a proposed competency assessment program that included all the six procedural elements of laboratory personnel competency assessment.

Efficacy of pentoxifylline as an antifibrotic drug in experimental murine schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.

This study evaluated the possible antifibrotic effect of pentoxifylline on experimentally induced schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and its effect on serum leptin and transforming growth factor-β1 levels as possible antifibrotic mechanisms in correlation with the hepatic fibrosis indices. A total of ninety clean laboratories bred, males Swiss, albino mice were included, of which ten mice served as a control non-infected, non-treated group and sacrificed at one time. Eighty mice, each was subcutaneously infected with 50 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and classified into groups: GI (infected & non-treated), GII (infected & treated with Mirazid), GIII (infected & treated with Pentoxifylline) and GIV (infected & treated with a combination of Mirazid and Pentoxifylline).

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and steroid receptor status among Saudi women with breast cancer.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a mediator for the cellular effects of vitamin D and interacts with other cell signaling pathways that influence cancer development. We evaluated the associations of the FOK1 and Taq1 VDR polymorphisms and breast cancer risk and possible effect modification by steroid receptor status of the tumor. This case-control study includes 95 breast cancer patients and 100 age-matched controls.

Ovarian angiosarcoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Sarcomas of the ovary can either be histologically pure or can represent components of a more complex tumor. Ovarian angiosarcomas are rare, and probably arise from carcinosarcomas, teratomas or the rich ovarian vasculature. To date, only two small case series have been published, one with four cases and the other with seven.

Histopathological features of an incidental case of cytomegalovirus salpingitis in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease.

Ovarian and fallopian tube cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a rare finding, reported mostly in autopsy studies of immunocompromised patients. We report here a case of CMV salpingitis in a 22-year-old female, with Crohn's disease and on immunosuppressive drugs. The fallopian tube involvement by CMV infection was an incidental finding during resection of a large, matted mass involving the appendix, right ovary and right fallopian tube with bowel perforation and abscess formation.

Antiproliferative properties of methanolic extract of Nigella sativa against the MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the world and is one of the leading causes of death due to cancer. Health benefits have been linked to additive and synergistic combinations of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables. Nigella sativa has been shown to possess anti-carcinogenic activity, inhibiting growth of several cancer cell lines in vitro.

Neonatal meningitis caused by Elizabethkingia meningoseptica in Saudi Arabia.

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is a multi-drug resistant organism that can cause meningitis in premature neonates. We report a case of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica meningitis that was detected early in an extremely premature low birth weight infant. He was successfully treated with a combination of ciprofloxacin and piperacillin-tazobactam.

Leiomyosarcoma metastatic to the thyroid diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology.

The thyroid gland is a known but an unusual site for metastatic tumours from various primary sites. Primary smooth muscle tumours of thyroid are rare. Leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid gland whether of primary or metastatic origin should be distinguished from anaplastic carcinoma.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberance of the oral cavity: does it exist?

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberance (DFSP) is a low grade spindle cell malignant tumour that is locally aggressive especially it incompletely excised. A 64-year-old man presented with intra-oral buccal mass of 34 year duration with accelerated increase in size in the last two years. CT scan showed well-circumscribed tumour with no relation to the overlying skin.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of granulomatous mastitis with special emphasis on microbiologic correlation.

Objective: To describe the cytomorphology of granulomatous mastitis (GM) and to evaluate the causative agents involved, proven on the basis of microbiologic culture results and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies.

Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed the inflammatory breast aspirates reported at King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital and Al Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 2000 until March 2008. The pathology reports, clinical information, slides, microbiologic culture results and tuberculosis (TB)/PCR were reviewed.

Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis: an unusual fungal infection mimicking colon cancer.

Context: -Basidiobolomycosis is a rare disease caused by the fungus Basidiobolus ranarum, an environmental saprophyte found worldwide. Patients with B ranarum infection may present with subcutaneous, gastrointestinal, or systemic lesions. Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis poses diagnostic difficulties, as its clinical presentation is nonspecific, with no identifiable risk factors.

Breast brucellosis in Taif, Saudi Arabia: cluster of six cases with emphasis on FNA evaluation.

Background: Brucellosis is an endemic zoonosis seen in a variety of geographical locations such as the Middle East and Latin American and Mediterranean countries. Brucellosis is hyper-endemic in Saudi Arabia with an incidence of 5.4 per 1000 per year.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of inflammatory breast lesions.

Objective: To study the characteristics of inflammatory breast aspirate by Fine Needle Aspiration, performed by pathologist.

Methods: Inflammatory breast aspirates reported at two hospitals in Taif area (King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital and Al Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from January 2000 till September 2007 were reviewed. The cytopathology reports, slides, clinical information, microbiology culture results, Tuberculosis; Polymerase Chain Reaction (TB; PCR) and histology were reviewed.