Unveiling the influences of prenatal and maternal factors on the journey of an autistic child.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder with a high and increasing global prevalence. Although the precise causes are unknown, both genetic and environmental factors, including maternal ones during pregnancy, significantly influence its development. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore the potential causes of autism, including maternal and paternal prenatal risk factors, as well as antenatal and natal maternal risk factors, and their associations with the severity of ASD in mothers of children with ASD, from February to May 2024.

An Advanced Cardiac Life Support Application Improves Performance during Simulated Cardiac Arrest.

Objectives:  Variability in cardiopulmonary arrest training and management leads to inconsistent outcomes during in-hospital cardiac arrest. Existing clinical decision aids, such as American Heart Association (AHA) advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) pocket cards and third-party mobile apps, often lack comprehensive management guidance. We developed a novel, guided ACLS mobile app and evaluated user performance during simulated cardiac arrest according to the 2020 AHA ACLS guidelines via randomized controlled trial.

Patients' experience of telehealth clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional study.

Globally, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in 2019 has accelerated the adoption of telehealth technologies. The implementation of the Saudi Telemedicine Network (STN) and other digital health initiatives, such as the telehealth clinic (THC) at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH), exemplifies this trend in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to explore the patients' experience of THC in KAAUH during the COVID-19 pandemic and their' beliefs about their readiness to replace the traditional onsite clinical visits with THC from March to September 2020.

Development and implementation of an in-hospital pharmacist emergency response simulation training curriculum.

Background: Medical simulation is an effective educational tool used to increase confidence, improve knowledge, and refine skills when responding to high-acuity situations. Despite established roles of the pharmacist on the hospital code team, most institutions lack formalized pharmacist training for code team responses.

Objective: This pre-post analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of a didactic and simulation-based code response training for pharmacists on self-perceived improvement and preparedness when responding to in-hospital medical emergencies.

Perceptions of portfolio assessment in family medicine graduates: a qualitative interview study.

Background: The use of the portfolio methodology in medical education can serve as a tool for learning, assessment, and reflection on practice. This study concentrates on perceptions of the portfolio assessment methodology among participants in the Saudi Diploma of Family Medicine program.

Methods: In this qualitative interview study, data were collected and analysed using a grounded theory approach.

Hajj 2021: Role of mitigation measures for health security.

Purpose: After the impressive results of the 2020 Hajj management, Saudi authorities decided to expand the quota to 60,000 pilgrims in 2021, which resulted in a convenient and successful experience.

Patients And Methods: This was a retrospective pre and post-study study conducted on all pilgrims attending the 2021 Hajj using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test surveillance with paired-swab samples (pre-Hajj and post-Hajj) to evaluate the risk potential of COVID-19 among Hajj pilgrims, the effectiveness of preventive measures and the potential effect of the Hajj ritual as a huge mass gathering on the epidemiological situation of the Saudi Arabian population.

Result: Forty-one cases had positive COVID-19 infections out of a total of 58,428 pilgrims who attended the 2021 Hajj season, as detected by nonmandatory pre- and post-Hajj PCR.

Independent Association of 25[OH]D Level on Reduced Glutathione and TNF-α in Patients ‎with Diabetes and/or Hypertension.

Purpose: Oxidative and inflammatory pathways play a significant role in the pathophysiology of a wide variety of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. However, the effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D ‎‎(25[OH]D) on these pathways is still controversial. To evaluate the association of 25[OH]D on ‎antioxidant and pro-inflammatory biomarkers, reduced glutathione (GSH) and tumor ‎necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in T2DM and hypertensive patients.

Measuring Readiness for Self-Directed Learning in Medical Undergraduates.

Purpose: To measure the readiness for self-directed learning in medical students for the evaluation of self-directed learning in the study population.

Materials And Methods: The survey was conducted in undergraduate students. The instrument used was Fisher's readiness scale comprising of self-management, desire for learning, and self-control domains.

Perceptions of primary health care physicians about the prescription of antibiotics in Saudi Arabia: Based on the model of Theory of planned behaviour.

Introduction: Knowledge of different factors that influence physician decision-making in general practice for prescribing antibiotics is vital for successfully implementing antimicrobial stewardship interventions. The Theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is an established model that describes how cognitions drive human behaviour.

Objectives: The present study was performed to identify the socio-cultural and behavioural determinants that affect antibiotics prescription behaviour among primary care physicians and estimate the awareness about antibiotic resistance of public health importance.

Prevalence of Over-the-Counter Cosmeceutical Usage and the Impact of a Health Education Intervention in Female Saudi University Students.

Background‎: The reckless use of over-‎the-‎counter (OTC) cosmeceuticals among females is alarming due to possible health hazards, ranging from allergy to fatal anaphylaxis and toxicity.

Methods‎: In the current study, we investigated the prevalence of cosmeceutical use among female students at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) and tested the effect of a pilot health education program in improving their knowledge. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed with 515 participants.

Relation between diabetes related distress and glycemic control: The mediating effect of adherence to treatment.

Aims: Diabetes related distress (DRD) is a negative emotional reaction to stresses associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and its management. This study estimated the burden of DRD and self-reported adherence to treatment (SRAT) among patients with DM and investigated their relationship with glycemic control.

Methods: A cross sectional study of consented 157 diabetics was conducted using the17-item Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS).

Inhibition of GSK3β protects against collagen type II-induced arthritis associated with a decrease in synovial leukocyte infiltration and inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy biomarkers.

We sought to determine whether TDZD-8, the inhibitor of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β), can protect the synovial membrane of the knee joint against injuries induced by collagen type II immunization (CIA) possibly via the downregulation of synovial leukocyte infiltration, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and autophagy. The model group of rats (CIA) were immunized over a period of 3 weeks with collagen type II, whereas the treated group of rats (CIA + TDZD-8) were treated with TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg) for 21 days after the completion of the immunization regimen. All rats were then killed at week 6.

Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β protects against collagen type II-induced arthritis associated with the inhibition of miR155/24 and inflammation and upregulation of apoptosis in rats.

MicroRNAs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their syntheses are modulated by glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Therefore, we hypothesised that the GSK-3β inhibitor, TDZD-8 can protect against collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) downregulating miR155 and miR-24 expression. Rats were randomly allocated into four groups ( = 6) as follows: Control, Control + TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg), CIA, and CIA + TDZD-8.