Effect of genetic polymorphisms in SREBF-SCAP pathway on therapeutic response to rosuvastatin in Saudi metabolic syndrome patients.

Aim: Genetic variants contribute to statins' therapeutic variability. SREBF-SCAP pathway is a key player in lipid homeostasis. Hence, effect of SREBF-SCAP polymorphisms on therapeutic response was studied.

Co-inhalation of roflumilast, rather than formoterol, with fluticasone more effectively improves asthma in asthmatic mice.

Roflumilast is approved as an add-on therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is mainly neutrophilic, while in asthma it is mainly eosinophilic, studies addressing role of roflumilast in eosinophilic inflammation are recommended. Also in severe asthma, the dominant inflammatory cells are neutrophils.

Cytokine and eicosanoid profiles of phosphate mine workers.

Professional exposures to respirable dusts from phosphate mines are associated with the development of an inflammatory response and airways diseases. This study was performed on 12 phosphate workers versus 8 unexposed controls, including smokers and non-smokers. It consisted of assessing the incidence of phosphate dusts exposure associated or not with smoking on the plasmatic inflammatory status of phosphate mine workers versus controls.

Unique features and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection at the main children's intermediate school in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: This study was conducted to determine characters and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection and its relationship with recurrent abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms at the main children's intermediate school in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a boys' intermediate school. A questionnaire for the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and relevant personal and socioeconomic risk factors related to H.

Knowledge, Misconceptions and Motivations Towards Blood Donation Among University Students in KSA.

Objective: To determine the knowledge, misconceptions and motivations towards blood donation among university students in KSA.

Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out at the King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh campus, Jeddah, KSA. A total of 326 adult males were interviewed and each individual completed a questionnaire in Arabic language on various aspects of blood donation.

Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis among Saudi children.

Background And Objectives: Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most frequent chronic inflammatory rheumatic condition in children. We aimed to describe the clinical and serological profile of Saudi patients with oligoarticular JIA.

Design And Settings: Hospital-based retrospective chart review of all children diagnosed with oligoarticular JIA and followed up at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between 1998 and 2012.

Impact of discharge timings of healthy newborns on the rates and etiology of neonatal hospital readmissions.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of early hospital discharge after initial birth hospitalization on the rate and etiology of hospital readmissions during the neonatal period.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place And Duration Of Study: King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from October 2008 to September 2011.

Pannexin channels: the emerging therapeutic targets.

Intercellular communication plays a pivotal role in various physiological functions. This is mainly done through gap junctions and trans-membrane channels. The structural proteins forming these channels are different in vertebrates and invertebrates namely connexins and innexins respectively.

Pediatrician knowledge, perception, and experience on child abuse and neglect in Saudi Arabia.

Background And Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, perception, and professional experience of pediatricians in Saudi Arabia regarding child abuse and neglect.

Design And Setting: Descriptive study during a one day pediatric conference held on King King Abdulaziz University Hospital , a tertiary care teaching hospital in western Saudi Arabia.

Patients And Methods: The study targeted 198 attendees who were invited from different healthcare sectors in the country.

Benchmarking the post-accreditation patient safety culture at King Abdulaziz University Hospital.

Background And Objectives: Accreditation is an internationally recognized evaluation process used to assess, promote, and guarantee efficient and effective patient care and safety. Saudi Arabia is one of the first countries in the eastern Mediterranean region to implement health care accreditation standards. This study provides valuable information pertaining to the impact of accreditation in the unique multicultural, multilingual competitive environment at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus: Evaluating the effect of the learning curve on the outcome.

Background And Objectives: Initial experience with transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) using detachable coils and Amplatzer duct occluder devices is reported. We evaluated the outcome, complications, and influence of the learning curve, and also assessed the need of surgical backup for such interventional procedures.

Methods: From January 2000 to December 2004, 121 patients underwent transcatheter closure of PDA.

Progress towards early detection services for infants with hearing loss in developing countries.

Background: Early detection of infants with permanent hearing loss through infant hearing screening is recognised and routinely offered as a vital component of early childhood care in developed countries. This article investigates the initiatives and progress towards early detection of infants with hearing loss in developing countries against the backdrop of the dearth of epidemiological data from this region.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study based on responses to a structured questionnaire eliciting information on the nature and scope of early hearing detection services; strategies for financing services; parental and professional attitudes towards screening; and the performance of screening programmes.

Clinical characteristics and responsiveness to treatment in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. A retrospective hospital audit.

Objective: To describe the clinical profile of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) patients and to assess the best antiepileptic drug combination.

Methods: Patient files of all children diagnosed with LGS at King Abdul-Aziz University (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January 2000 to January 2005 were retrieved and analyzed. Details on clinical data, and disease related variables were collected.

Frequency and clinical characteristics of ketoacidosis at onset of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in Northwest Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To determine the frequency, and to describe the clinical characteristics of ketoacidosis at initial diagnosis of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Al-Madina region of the Northwest province of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the hospital records of 311 (152 males and 159 females) children diagnosed with childhood T1DM in Al-Madina region, Saudi Arabia between January 1992 and December 2004.

Results: At diagnosis 172 (55.

Normal values of pulse oximetry in newborns at high altitude.

The aim of the study was to establish normal values of pulse oximetry saturation, respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure in healthy newborns at high altitude. Vital signs and oximetry saturation readings were collected from healthy term newborns at birth, at 1 h, and at 24 h of life. These were analyzed and compared with reference ranges at sea level.

Clinical presentation of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Al-Madina region of Saudi Arabia.

Aim: To describe the clinical pattern and the laboratory characteristics at presentation of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Al-Madina region of the north-west province of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The clinical and laboratory data of a total of 230 children who presented with diabetes during a 10-year period (1992-2001) were retrospectively analyzed based on hospital records.

Results: Polyuria and polydipsia were by far the most frequent symptoms at presentation (96%); three quarters of the children (76.