Predictors of Dental Misconceptions Among Taif Population, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: Health education programmes play a crucial role in enhancing oral health literacy and improving treatment outcomes. However, myths and misconceptions about oral health are widespread, affecting individuals' behaviours and their willingness to seek appropriate treatment. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of oral health myths and misconceptions among adults in Taif, Saudi Arabia, and to explore potential associations with demographic factors.

Total Knee Replacement Among Elderly: The Role of Tranexamic Acid.

Background Tranexamic acid (TXA) administration in total knee replacement (TKR) surgery has been shown to reduce blood loss and transfusion requirements. However, its efficacy and safety in elderly patients undergoing arthroplasty remain under investigation. This study aimed to assess the impact of TXA on blood loss and post-operative outcomes in TKR patients among a local elderly population.

Pitfalls in measurements of R relaxation rates of protein backbone N nuclei.

The dynamics of the backbone and side-chains of protein are routinely studied by interpreting experimentally determined N spin relaxation rates. R(N), the longitudinal relaxation rate, reports on fast motions and encodes, together with the transverse relaxation R, structural information about the shape of the molecule and the orientation of the amide bond vectors in the internal diffusion frame. Determining error-free N longitudinal relaxation rates remains a challenge for small, disordered, and medium-sized proteins.

Core and surface structure and magnetic properties of mechano-synthesized LaFeO nanoparticles and their Eu-doped and Eu/Cr-co-doped variants.

The core and surface structure, and magnetism of mechano-synthesized LaFeO nanoparticles (30-40 nm), Eu-doped (LaEuFeO), and Eu/Cr co-doped (LaEuFeCrO) are reported. Doping results in a transition from the O'-type to the O-type distorted structure. Traces of reactants, intermediate phases, and a small amount of Eu ions were detected on the surfaces of the nanoparticles.

Current interventional options for palliative care for patients with advanced-stage cholangiocarcinoma.

Primary biliary tract tumors are malignancies that originate in the liver, bile ducts, or gallbladder. These tumors often present with jaundice of unknown etiology, leading to delayed diagnosis and advanced disease. Currently, several palliative treatment options are available for primary biliary tract tumors.

Comparing the safety and effectiveness of various umbilical cord milking techniques and delayed cord clamping in full-term and preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We compare the hematocrit, hemoglobin, need for transfusion, recurrent phototherapy, serum bilirubin level, and serum ferritin at different time frames for the umbilical cord milking (UCM) and delayed cord clamping (DCC) in both full-term and preterm infants. A comprehensive search through various databases aimed to compare UCM and DCC studies until May 2nd, 2023. Cochrane and NIH tools assessed RCTs and cohorts, respectively.

Mucinous Adenocarcinoma and Carcinoid Tumor Arising Within an Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratoma: A Case Report.

The coexistence of both mucinous adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor within an ovarian mature cystic teratoma is extremely rare. We report a case of an 18-year-old Omani woman with a left ovarian cyst. After laparotomy with left salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and peritoneal washings, the excised cyst had the typical morphology of mature cystic teratoma with grade I mucinous adenocarcinoma and a focus of carcinoid tumor.

MRG15 activates histone methyltransferase activity of ASH1L by recruiting it to the nucleosomes.

ASH1L is a histone methyltransferase that regulates gene expression through methylation of histone H3 on lysine K36. While the catalytic SET domain of ASH1L has low intrinsic activity, several studies found that it can be vastly enhanced by the interaction with MRG15 protein and proposed allosteric mechanism of releasing its autoinhibited conformation. Here, we found that full-length MRG15, but not the MRG domain alone, can enhance the activity of the ASH1L SET domain.

Protein structural insights into a rare PCSK9 gain-of-function variant (R496W) causing familial hypercholesterolemia in a Saudi family: whole exome sequencing and computational analysis.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a globally underdiagnosed genetic condition associated with premature cardiovascular death. The genetic etiology data on Arab FH patients is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the genetic basis of FH in a Saudi family using whole exome sequencing (WES) and multidimensional bioinformatic analysis.

Malignant Gastrointestinal Neuroectodermal Tumor of Small Intestine Showing DOG1 Expression: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor (GNET), also referred to as clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the GI tract is a rare mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. It has to be distinguished from various mimickers including gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) due to its aggressive course and different natural history and therapeutic approach. Here we report a case of GNET arising in the small intestine with aberrant DOG1 expression posing a diagnostic challenge.

A case of clear cell-hepatocellular carcinoma accidentally found in the gallbladder wall after laparoscopic resection of gallbladder empyema: Beware of the liver bed.

Introduction And Importance: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invading the gallbladder is a rare scenario, even in the context of an advanced tumor. The clear cell variant of HCC (CC-HCC) is also rare. However, CC-HCC is more frequent in women and those with liver cirrhosis, and the standard definition is the presence of transparent cytoplasm in at least 50 % of tumor cells.

Zinc ions prevent α-synuclein aggregation by enhancing chaperone function of human serum albumin.

Metal ions present in cellular microenvironment have been implicated as drivers of aggregation of amyloid forming proteins. Zinc (Zn) ions have been reported to directly interact with α-synuclein (AS), a causative agent of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, and promote its aggregation. AS is a small intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) i.

Lipoic Acid Restores Binding of Zinc Ions to Human Serum Albumin.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the main zinc(II) carrier in blood plasma. The HSA site with the strongest affinity for zinc(II), multi-metal binding site A, is disrupted by the presence of fatty acids (FAs). Therefore, the FA concentration in the blood influences zinc distribution, which may affect both normal physiological processes and a range of diseases.

Effects of crystallization temperature on the characteristics of sugar crystals in date fruit syrup as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized microscopy (PLM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Characteristics of sugar crystals are important for developing set-syrup due to their contribution to the desired mouth feel when consumed. Two types of set-syrup (i.e.

Distribution of international medical graduates across USA surgical training programs: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Background: International medical graduates (IMGs) have been a critical part of the USA healthcare in the past 30 years, especially in small rural and poor counties. However, little to no publications are present on the distribution of these IMGs across general surgery residency programs.

Methods: All freely accessible information on current residents in accredited general surgery residency programs within the USA with at least a 5-year history was explored for IMGs in the current roster using the AMA residency and fellowship database in 2020.

Hyperprolactinemia in Adults Treated With Anti-psychotic Drugs Attending Tertiary Hospitals in Oman: An Observational Study.

Introduction: Hyperprolactinemia is a common side effect associated with the use of anti-psychotic medications. This study aimed at exploring the rate of hyperprolactinemia induced by anti-psychotic drugs in adult patients admitted to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) and Al Masarra hospital (AMH). Additionally, factors associated with higher prolactin levels in anti-psychotic patients were explored.

The magnitude and effect of work-life imbalance on cognition and affective range among the non-western population: A study from Muscat.

The temporal relationship between work-life balance/imbalance, occupational burnout, and poor mental health outcomes have been widely explored. Little has been forthcoming on cognitive functioning among those with work-life imbalance. This study aimed to explore the rate of work-life imbalance and the variation in neuropsychological functioning.

Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancers: A Review of Definitions, Diagnostics, Strategies for Treatment, and Future Directions.

Locally advanced and borderline resectable pancreatic cancers are being increasingly recognized as a result of significant improvements in imaging modalities. The main tools used in diagnosis of these tumors include endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and diagnostic laparoscopy. The definition of what constitutes a locally advanced or borderline resectable tumor is still controversial to this day.

The robust NMR toolbox for metabolomics.

Here, we implemented and validated a suite of selective and non-selective CPMG-filtered 1D and 2D TOCSY/HSQC experiments for metabolomics research. They facilitated the unambiguous identification of metabolites embedded in broad lipid and protein signals. The 2D spectra improved non-targeted analysis by removing the background broad signals of macromolecules.

Clinical Characteristics of Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Admitted at Al Nahdha Hospital, Oman: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

Background and objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a public health emergency of international concern. Several characteristics of hospitalised cases, including variations in symptoms as well as radiological and laboratory findings, have been described. However, the exact clinical spectrum of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in Oman is currently unclear.

Tooth loss and radiographic bone loss in patients without regular supportive care: A retrospective study.

Background: Very few studies have investigated the effect of patient and site factors on periodontal progression and long-term tooth loss in populations with minimal dental care. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess tooth loss and radiographic bone loss over at least 5 years in patients attending a national-health service primary care practice in Sicily and undergoing no regular care.

Methods: Records of two hundred consecutive patients with at least 5 years follow-up were screened and demographic, clinical and radiographic data were retrieved.

Reporting at Least One Adverse Effect Post-COVID-19 Vaccination From Primary Health Care in Muscat.

Introduction Vaccinations against COVID-19 were licensed with limited testing assurances to the public triggering a widespread hesitancy around expected adverse reactions. Limited data was reported from Arabian Gulf countries on vaccine adverse effects. Objectives This study looked at the rate of reporting at least one side effect post-COVID-19 vaccination and its associated factors (sociodemographic characteristics, clinical condition, and type of vaccines).

Study protocol: behaviour change intervention to promote healthy diet and physical activity in overweight/obese adults with diabetes attending health care facilities in Muscat: a cluster rendomised control trial.

Background: Healthy behavior is an essential component in type 2 diabetes (T2D) management. Promoting healthy lifestyle is one of the priorities of primary health care in Oman. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention in promoting physical activity (PA) and healthy diet and its implications on body mass index and glycemic control in adults with diabetes attending primary care.