Rituximab Therapy in Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis: A Case Report.

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung condition characterized by the accumulation of surfactant proteins within the alveoli, leading to respiratory distress. We describe a 49-year-old female homemaker with a history of passive smoking and exposure to wood smoke and pigeon droppings. She presented with a dry cough and progressive dyspnea, experiencing significant deterioration in her condition over one year.

Elucidating the dynamics of carbamazepine uptake using date pit-derived activated carbon: A comprehensive kinetic and thermodynamic analysis.

Water contamination with pharmaceuticals such as Carbamazepine (CBZ) presents a significant environmental challenge. This study investigates the use of activated carbon derived from waste date pits (DPAC) for the removal of CBZ from water. The impact of several parameters such as pH, temperature, CBZ concentration, and flow rate on the adsorption were assessed.

The Efficacy of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in Infants Born to HBsAg-Positive Mothers: A Single Center Experience in Saudi Arabia.

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with the hepatitis B vaccine (HBVac) in combination with HBV immunoglobulins (HBIG) significantly minimizes the odds of vertical transmission of HBV to newborn infants. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the compliance and efficacy of PEP in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia. Infants were tested with HBV serological markers at 7 months of age to assess their PEP protection rate.

From Oncogenesis to Theranostics: The Transformative Role of PSMA in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men, is characterized by complex genetic and epigenetic alterations, dysregulation of oncogenic pathways, and a dynamic tumor microenvironment. Advances in molecular diagnostics and targeted therapies have significantly transformed the management of this disease. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has emerged as a critical biomarker, enhancing the precision of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Saudi Initiative of Bronchiolitis Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention 2024 updated consensus on the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of bronchiolitis among children under 5 years of age worldwide, accounting for a prevalence of 25%-88% in Saudi Arabia. Although no effective treatment for the virus exists, passive immunoprophylaxis reduced RSV hospitalizations in high-risk children. With recent advances in immunization, the Saudi Initiative of Bronchiolitis Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention panel screened recent relevant international guidelines, locally published data, and expert consensus to update guidelines for RSV prevention, taking into consideration the resources, timing, varying health profiles, and RSV burden in Saudi Arabia.

Acquired Zinc Deficiency in Preterm Infant Post-Surgery for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) on Prolonged Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN).

Zinc (Zn) is a vital trace element that plays a pivotal role in protein synthesis, cellular growth, and differentiation and is involved as a cofactor of metalloenzymes, performing a wide variety of metabolic, immune, and synthesis roles. Zn is required at all stages of an infant's and child's development, and severe Zn deficiency has been reported to lead to slower physical, cognitive, and sexual growth. Preterm neonates are at a higher risk of developing zinc deficiency for a variety of reasons, including low Zn intake from enteral feeds containing breast milk, relative malabsorption due to immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract with limited absorptive capacity, increased urinary loss of zinc, and increased demand during the early developmental stages.

Ventilation practices in the neonatal intensive care units in Saudi Arabia, survey of the utilization of volume-targeted ventilation among practicing neonatologists.

Objective: To assess the current practice in using volume-targeted ventilation among neonatologists working at the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The questionnaire was provided electronically to 153 practicing Neonatologists working in 39 NICUs. The survey's results were received and statistically analyzed.

Accuracy of Umbilical Cord Complete Blood Count in Detecting Early-Onset Neonatal Thrombocytopenia.

Background: Neonatal thrombocytopenia (NTCP) is a common hematological disorder whose platelet count falls below the normal limit of 150 x 10/L. NTCP can cause late complications if left untreated. The current study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the umbilical cord complete blood count (UC CBC) in detecting early-onset neonatal thrombocytopenia (EO-NTCP).

The residency levels' effect on pediatric dental rehabilitation operation time.

Background: Postgraduate pediatric dental residents' competency, to perform dental rehabilitation procedures under General anesthesia (GA), at different levels of training is challenging for operation time control. An adequate operation time (OT) for children decreases morbidity risk and improves hospital time utilization efficiency. The aim of the study is to assess the effect of pediatric dental resident training level on OT for pediatric dental rehabilitation procedures under GA at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC).

Noninvasive Neurally Adjusted Ventilation versus Nasal Continuous or Intermittent Positive Airway Pressure for Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The noninvasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) is a newly developed noninvasive ventilation technique with promising clinical and ventilatory outcomes for preterm infants. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether NIV-NAVA has better clinical and ventilatory outcomes than nasal continuous airway pressure (NCPAP) or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPP) on premature infants. MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared NIV-NAVA with NCPAP or NIPP for preterm infants (gestational age: <37 weeks) were included.

Incidence of Inborn Errors of Metabolism in Newborn Infants: Five Years' Single-Center Experience, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are inherited biochemical/metabolic disorders that are commonly present in the immediate neonatal period. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence and distribution of IEMs in newborn infants delivered in our hospital and to evaluate its outcome. A total of 16 494 (99.

Antithrombotic Therapy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: An Overview.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established procedure for the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis. The optimal antithrombotic regimen following TAVR, currently unknown and inconsistently applied, is impacted by thromboembolic risk, frailty, bleeding risk, and comorbidities. There is a quickly growing body of literature examining the complex issues underlying antithrombotic regimens post-TAVR.

Epidemiology and Risk Factor Analysis of Children with Bronchiolitis Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia.

Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of hospitalization worldwide for children aged ≤2 years. Few studies have compared general ward and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with bronchiolitis admitted to the general ward with those admitted to the PICU.

Degenerative spinal conditions requiring emergency surgery: an evolving crisis in a publicly funded health care system.

Background: Surgery for degenerative spine pathologies is typically performed on a scheduled basis; however, worsening symptoms may warrant emergency surgery. An increasing number of patients requiring emergency surgery has been observed (22.6% in 2006 to 34.

Factors contributing to a longer length of stay in adults admitted to a quaternary spinal care center.

Background: Longer hospital length of stay (LOS) has been associated with worse outcomes and increased resource utilization. However, diagnostic and patient-level factors associated with LOS have not been well studied on a large scale. The goal was to identify patient, surgical and organizational factors associated with longer patient LOS for adult patients at a high-volume quaternary spinal care center.

Determinants of Acute Kidney Injury in Children Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Single-Center Experience in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a machine used in open cardiac surgeries and has been linked to many complications, one of which is acute kidney injury (AKI). Also, the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria are used to diagnose AKI in the pediatric population. The study aimed to investigate the association between cardiopulmonary bypass duration and renal function impairment in pediatric patients who had cardiac surgery.

Perception of the Saudi Population on Abortion Decisions in Congenital Fetal Anomalies.

Introduction Termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies is well reported in the literature and accepted by the western and other non-Muslim communities, but Muslim communities' perception is poorly reported and rarely mentioned. This study aims to evaluate the perception of the Saudi community on abortion decisions as a management option in congenital fetal anomalies. Methods This is an observational, descriptive cross-sectional study, where participants of Saudi nationality, living in Jeddah, and consenting to participate in the research filled up a self-administrated, structured, close-ended, validated questionnaire.

Transglutaminase Activities of Blood Coagulant Factor XIII Are Dependent on the Activation Pathways and on the Substrates.

Factor XIII (FXIII) catalyzes formation of γ-glutamyl-ε-lysyl crosslinks between reactive glutamines (Q) and lysines (K). In plasma, FXIII is activated proteolytically (FXIII-A*) by the concerted action of thrombin and Ca. Cellular FXIII is activated nonproteolytically (FXIII-A°) by elevation of physiological Ca concentrations.

Examining the Association Between Episiotomy and Severe Perineal Tears in a Tertiary Care Center Implementing a Restrictive Episiotomy Policy.

Background Perineal lacerations are feared complications of vaginal delivery, especially the severe types (third- and fourth-degree tears). World Health Organization (WHO) recommended restrictive episiotomy practice after alarming literature linked the increase in severe tears with routine episiotomy. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the association between episiotomy and the incidence of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears and infections in women who underwent episiotomy versus those who did not at a tertiary care center implementing the restrictive episiotomy policy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Plantar pressure alterations associated with increased BMI in young adults.

Background: Despite evidence suggesting that excess weight is linked to gait alterations and foot disorders, its effect on peak plantar pressure (PPP) variability and complexity during walking remains poorly understood.

Research Question: This study aimed to examine the influence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25) on the dynamic PPP distribution during gait using traditional and nonlinear dynamic measures in young college students.

Methods: Fifty-two overweight (BMI >25, average 29.