Deadly Aspiration Pneumonia Secondary to Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare and unusual disease, suspected clinically and confirmed radiologically. It represents a duodenal obstruction secondary to the impingement of the third portion of the duodenum between the abdominal aorta (AA) and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) due to decreased intraabdominal fat. High morbidity and mortality rates are linked to missed or late diagnosis that can lead to complications, such as gastric perforation and gastric hemorrhage.

A closer look at the international health regulations capacities in Lebanon: a mixed method study.

Background: Lebanon ratified the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) in 2007, and since then, it has been facing complex political deadlocks, financial deterioration, and infectious disease emergencies. We aimed to understand the IHR capacities' scores of Lebanon in comparison to other countries, the IHR milestones and activities in Lebanon, the challenges of maintaining the IHR capacities, the refugee crisis's impact on the development of these capacities; and the possible recommendations to support the IHR performance in Lebanon.

Methods: We used a mixed-method design.

Mode of Presentation of Hypertension in a Group of Hypertensive Patients in Erbil.

Background Hypertension is a major public health problem, and it remains the major preventable cause of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality worldwide. Most cases are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. Objectives The objective of this study is to identify (i) the proportion of hypertensive patients diagnosed incidentally and those diagnosed due to symptoms, (ii) the most common symptoms among patients that present with symptoms, (iii) the presentation of acute elevations of blood pressure in hypertensive patients, and (iv) hypertension-related symptoms affect compliance with medications.

An Assessment of the Public's Perceptions of Radiation Exposure and Risk Associated With Dental Radiographs: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Ionizing radiation exposure is an ever-present part of the dental diagnostic process. A public concern often exists due to the misunderstanding of the stochastic effects of dental X-rays. This information can be difficult to explain to the patient since many patients are apprehensive about the subject matter.

Human Papillomavirus 16 E2 as an Apoptosis-Inducing Protein for Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review.

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) is a well-known etiological factor for cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. The E2 protein, the product of an early-transcribed gene in HPV-16, is postulated to cause the death of cancerous cells via p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways. The main aim of the present systematic review was to study the HPV 16-E2 protein as an apoptosis-inducer agent.

Baseline Assessment of Health Research Systems in Saudi Arabia: Harnessing Efforts and Mobilizing Actions.

Major transformations are taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to achieve the 2030 vision for the health sector. A key component in strengthening the health system is a strong research governance strategy that can support the decision-making process by providing timely and accurate evidence that reflects local context and needs. This paper sought to better understand governance structures and policies for health research systems and support clusters so that they function effectively.

A post-COVID-19 posterior mediastinitis: Case report.

Invasive aspergillosis is a life-threatening condition of the immunocompromised, with a low occurrence reported in the immunocompetent. Although usually made by invasive methods, its early diagnosis is the cornerstone of a better prognosis as it yields a timely management and thus a lower mortality risk. Mediastinal invasion by is, like any fungal mediastinitis, uncommon and usually results from a hematogeneous or a contiguous spread, a postoperative fungal infection, a complication of a descending necrotizing fasciitis, or from an esophageal perforation.

Ketogenic Diet in Cancer Prevention and Therapy: Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Although cancer is still one of the most significant global challenges facing public health, the world still lacks complementary approaches that would significantly enhance the efficacy of standard anticancer therapies. One of the essential strategies during cancer treatment is following a healthy diet program. The ketogenic diet (KD) has recently emerged as a metabolic therapy in cancer treatment, targeting cancer cell metabolism rather than a conventional dietary approach.

Staying ahead of the curve: avigating changes and maintaining gains in patient safety culture - a mixed-methods study.

Objectives: This study examines how the results of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture changed between 2012 and 2019 and identifies organisational factors affecting these changes.

Design: The study combined the use of quantitative surveys of staff and qualitative interviews with hospital leadership. Secondary data analysis was performed for previous surveys.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on blood supplies and transfusion services in Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spurred a global health crisis. The safety and supply of blood during this pandemic has been a concern of blood banks and transfusion services as it is expected to adversely affect blood system activities. We aim to assess the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) during the first months of the pandemic.

A Homodimeric Aptamer Variant Generated from Ligand-Guided Selection Activates the T Cell Receptor Cluster of Differentiation 3 Complex.

Recently, immunotherapeutic modalities with engineered cells and monoclonal antibodies have been effective in treating several malignancies. Nucleic acid aptamers can serve as alternative molecules to design immunotherapeutic agents with high functional diversity. Here we report a synthetic prototype consisting of DNA aptamers that can activate the T cell receptor cluster of differentiation 3 (TCR-CD3) complex in cultured T cells.

Low vaccination in rural Sindh, Pakistan: A case of refusal, ignorance or access?

Introduction: Pakistan is suffering from low routine childhood immunization (RI) coverage, meriting a systematic examination of community acceptance and barriers towards vaccination with a view to inform responsive strategies. We examine community perspectives on RI for children 0-23 months of age, unveiling community beliefs, health systems barriers and willingness to actively seek immunization services.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in the rural under-resourced district of Tando Muhammad Khan of Pakistan's Sindh province.

The use of evidence in decision making by hospital managers in Lebanon: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Knowledge synthesis products have emerged as support agents for decision making in clinical practice and policy. However, their use for evidence-informed decision making remains limited in health care management especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study assesses the use of evidence by middle and senior managers in Lebanese hospitals.

Second breast-conserving therapy with interstitial brachytherapy (APBI) as a salvage treatment in ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence: a retrospective study of 40 patients.

Purpose: Breast-conserving treatment (BCT) have emerged as an alternative to mastectomy in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). We evaluated survival outcomes and treatment-related toxicity in a series of 40 patients with IBTR, who underwent tumorectomy plus interstitial brachytherapy (APBI) as a salvage treatment.

Material And Methods: Retrospective analysis included 40 patients diagnosed with IBTR and treated with intraoperative (26 patients) or post-operative (14 patients) multicatheter brachytherapy for APBI at our institution between June 2002 and October 2017.

Evaluating cognitive, metacognitive and social listening comprehension teaching strategies in Kuwaiti classrooms.

Listening comprehension strategies play an important role in the development of related language skills and process of language acquisition. These self-regulated strategies are focused to enhance learning comprehension and their consequences. The study aimed to evaluate the listening comprehension strategies covered by Kuwaiti ninth grade target English textbook with adherence to the teaching practices of EFL teachers.

Association between inflammatory bowel disease and uveal melanoma: case report of two young adults and a literature review.

Introduction: Uveal melanoma is a rare tumour caused by genetic factors and alterations in the immune response. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by an inappropriate or excessive immune response. The two main types of IBD are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Washout Duration of Prostaglandin Analogues: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Topic: Prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) are first-line medical therapy for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). Intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects in full responders are known to be 25-33% for this class; however, partial responders and nonresponders do exist. In clinical trials or prospective series, discontinuation and washout of PGAs is necessary to evaluate true change in IOP from novel surgeries and medical therapies.

The role of linguistic clues in medical students' reading comprehension.

Objective: This study has investigated the role of linguistic clues in medical students' reading comprehension. The association between medical students' reading comprehension and their use of linguistic contextual clues through a descriptive analytical procedure has been investigated.

Methods: Three intact sessions were conducted at the Jordanian University entailing 20 students in each session.

Engagement of health research institutions in knowledge translation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Background: Health research institutions in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) can play an integral role in promoting and supporting Knowledge Translation (KT). Assessing institutions' engagement in KT and bridging the "research- policy" gap is important in designing context-specific strategies to promote KT and informing funding efforts in the region.

Aims: The objective of this study was to explore the engagement of EMR institutions in KT activities.

Contractual health services performance agreements for responsive health systems: from conception to implementation in the case of Qatar.

Objective: Despite their use worldwide, strategy-based performance management is limited in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This article explores Qatar's experience, the first from the Region, in implementing contractual agreements between healthcare providers and the regulator-Ministry of Public Health-to align strategy, performance and accountabilities.

Design: mixed-methods including tools development and pilot-testing, guided by performance management cycle with a focus on knowledge translation and key principles: feasibility; mandatory participation; participatory approach through Steering Committee.