Assessment of maternal phthalate exposure in urine across three trimesters and at delivery (umbilical cord blood and placenta) and its influence on birth anthropometric measures.

Phthalates, commonly used in plastic manufacturing, have been linked to adverse reproductive effects. Our research from the Saudi Early Autism and Environment Study (2019-2022), involving 672 participants, focused on the impacts of maternal phthalate exposure on birth anthropometric measures. We measured urinary phthalate metabolites in 390 maternal samples collected during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy and in cord serum and placental samples obtained at delivery.

Phthalate exposure during pregnancy and its association with thyroid hormones: A prospective cohort study.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) possess endocrine-disrupting properties. Studies in humans have indicated that in utero phthalate exposure affects maternal thyroid hormones, which are essential for fetal growth and development. However, these studies also reported inconsistent results on the relationship between phthalates and thyroid hormones.

Essential metals, vitamins and antioxidant enzyme activities in COVID-19 patients and their potential associations with the disease severity.

The role of micronutrient deficiency in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 has been reviewed in the literature; however, the data are limited and conflicting. This study investigated the association between the status of essential metals, vitamins, and antioxidant enzyme activities in COVID-19 patients and disease severity. We recruited 155 patients, who were grouped into four classes based on the Adults guideline for the Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 at King Faisal Specialist & Research Centre (KFSH&RC): asymptomatic (N = 16), mild (N = 49), moderate (N = 68), and severe (N = 22).

Potential health risks of maternal phthalate exposure during the first trimester - The Saudi Early Autism and Environment Study (SEAES).

Phthalates are the most ubiquitous contaminants that we are exposed to daily due to their wide use as plasticizers in various consumer products. A few studies have suggested that in utero exposure to phthalates can disturb fetal growth and development in humans, because phthalates can interfere with endocrine function. We collected spot urine samples from 291 pregnant women in their first trimester (9.

Safety and tolerability of moxifloxacin for the treatment of disseminated BCGitis in children.

Background And Objective: Disseminated BCGitis is a rare but serious complication of BCG vaccine in patients with underlying primary immunodeficiency. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics containing antimycobacterial regimen have been considered in the treatment of disseminated BCGitis, but there are limited data about the dosing, safety, and tolerability of fluoroquinolone such as moxifloxacin in children. The aim of this study was to report the experience with the dosing, safety, and tolerability of moxifloxacin in children with disseminated BCGitis.

ABO incompatible kidney transplantation: the Saudi experience.

Although the outcomes of ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplant recipients are quite favorable, these patients are at increased risk of early antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and graft loss. Some studies have also shown high mortality in the ABOi group mainly due to increased risk of infections. The AMR rates have been reported anywhere from <10% to >50% in the literature.

Benefits of adding coronary calcium score scan to stress myocardial perfusion positron emission tomography imaging.

There have been little and conflicting data regarding the relationship between coronary artery calcification score (CACS) and myocardial ischemia on positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (PET MPI). The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between myocardial ischemia on PET MPI and CACS, the frequency and severity of CACS in patients with normal PET MPI, and to determine the optimal CACS cutoff point for abnormal PET. This retrospective study included 363 patients who underwent same-setting stress PET perfusion imaging and CACS scan because of clinically suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Association between breast arterial calcifications found on mammography and coronary artery calcifications in asymptomatic Saudi women.

Background: Currently, there are no data on the prevalence of breast arterial calcification (BAC) in Saudi women. Furthermore, there are no data on the relationship between BAC and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) as a coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor in Saudi women who undergo mammography.

Objective: Examine the role of BAC as a potential female-specific risk factor for CAD in Saudi women in order to investigate the relationship between BAC and CACS in women who undergo a screening mammography, and study the relationship between BAC and CAD risk factors, including age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), dyslipidemia, and family history of CAD.

Retraction Note: SNPs in genes implicated in radiation response are associated with radiotoxicity and evoke roles as predictive and prognostic biomarkers.

The authors are retracting this article [1] because the data have already been published in [2] making this a redundant publication. Ghazi Alsbeih, Najla Al-Harbi, Khaled Al-Hadyan, Mohamed Shoukri and Nasser Al-Rajhi agree with this retraction. Medhat El-Sebaie did not respond to our correspondence.

Increases in Heart Rate Variability Signal Improved Outcomes in Rapid Response Team Consultations: A Cohort Study.

Background: Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) indicates dominance of the sympathetic system and a state of "physiologic stress." We postulated that, in patients with critical illness, increases in HRV might signal successful resuscitation and improved prognosis.

Methods: We carried out a prospective observational study of HRV on all patients referred to the rapid response team (RRT) and correlated with serial vital signs, lactate clearance, ICU admission, and mortality.

Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Implantation Without Defibrillation Threshold Testing: A Single Center Experience.

Background: Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) system has been proven to be an effective therapy for prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in selected patients. Although the Shockless IMPLant Evaluation (SIMPLE) trial has shown that defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing is not necessary for transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) systems, it is still recommended for S-ICD systems. We aimed to study the efficacy and safety of S-ICD implantation without DFT in our Heart Center with the comparison of S-ICD patients' outcome to those with a single chamber TV-ICD without DFT in the same period.

Prevalence and predictors of myocardial ischemia by preoperative myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Background: The prevalence and predictors of myocardial ischemia before noncardiac surgery are unknown. In addition the predictive value of myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) before noncardiac in individual patients is uncertain.

Objective: Evaluate the prevalence and predictors of myocardial ischemia before noncardiac surgery, and determine the postoperative cardiac outcome based on results of myocardial perfusion SPECT.

Use of beta blockers is associated with hearing loss.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that patients using β-blockers will develop hearing loss.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Study Sample: A total of 125 patients completed the study.

Genetic Predisposition to Cervical Cancer and the Association With XRCC1 and TGFB1 Polymorphisms.

Objective: Cervical carcinoma (CC), a multifactorial cancer, is assumed to have a host genetic predisposition component that modulates its susceptibility in various populations. We investigated the association between CC risk in Saudi women and 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in hypothesis-driven candidate genes.

Methods: A total of 545 females were included, comprising 232 CC patients and 313 age-/sex-matched control subjects.

Reduced rate of human papillomavirus infection and genetic overtransmission of TP53 72C polymorphic variant lower cervical cancer incidence.

Background: Cervical cancer is a predominantly human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven disease worldwide. However, its incidence is unexplainably low in western Asia, including Saudi Arabia. Using this paradigm, we investigated the role of HPV infection rate and host genetic predisposition in TP53 G72C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) presumed to affect cancer incidence.

High prevalence of coronary artery calcification in Saudi patients with normal myocardial perfusion.

Background: Normal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has a high negative predictive value for ischemic heart disease. Thus, the presence of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis detected by coronary artery calcification (CAC) score in patients who have under-gone SPECT MPI is unknown.

Objectives: Determine the prevalence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients with normal SPECT MPI and examine the association of CAC with conventional coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis in solid organ transplantation: incidence before and after expanded isoniazid prophylaxis.

Background: The risk of tuberculosis is increased in solid organ transplantation. Rates remain high in developed and developing countries. We developed protocols to better identify transplant recipients at risk of tuberculosis and initiate interventions to prevent tuberculosis.

Predictors of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Valve Surgery in Adult Patients in Current Surgical Era.

Background: Permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation after cardiac surgery is required in 0.4-6% of patients depending on cardiac surgery type. PPM implantation in the early postoperative period may reduce morbidity and postoperative hospital stay.

Thromboembolic events in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background/aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) is characterized by a chronic inflammatory condition, and is accompanied by abnormalities in coagulation and a hyper-coagulable state. This study was conducted to examine the risk factors for developing Thromboembolic Events in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in a population with prevalent consanguinity.

Patients And Methods: Patients with a definitive diagnosis of IBD who were seen in the gastroenterology clinic of King Khalid University Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) from 2010- to 2012, were asked to participate in this prospective cohort study, and were followed for one 1 year.

New-onset diabetes after kidney transplantation: Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.

Many patients develop new-onset diabetes after kidney transplantation (NODAT). Its incidence and epidemiology are unknown in the Saudi population. We aimed to study the incidence, epidemiology, and outcomes of kidney transplant recipients who developed NODAT.

Pulmonary hydatid cysts: the naturally occurring models for rupture.

Background: Pulmonary hydatid cysts are recognized to have high rate of rupture compared to those in other affected organs. To identify risk factors associated with endobronchial rupture, we prospectively assessed 32 patients with hydatid cysts. There were 21 males and 11 females, with a mean age of 32 ± 15 years (range 9 to 65 years).

Systematic Analysis of AU-Rich Element Expression in Cancer Reveals Common Functional Clusters Regulated by Key RNA-Binding Proteins.

Defects in AU-rich elements (ARE)-mediated posttranscriptional control can lead to several abnormal processes that underlie carcinogenesis. Here, we performed a systematic analysis of ARE-mRNA expression across multiple cancer types. First, the ARE database (ARED) was intersected with The Cancer Genome Atlas databases and others.

Validation of an Arabic Questionnaire for Symptom Assessment.

Background: Impeccable assessment of symptoms is central to palliative care (PC) practice.

Objectives: The study objectives are (1) to test the validity of the Arabic Questionnaire for Symptom Assessment (AQSA) as a self-administered (SA) tool for assessing the severity of the listed symptoms among PC patients and (2) to test the validity of AQSA when completed by a proxy.

Methods: The AQSA is a tool for assessing the severity of 11 symptoms in addition to the overall suffering experience on a 0 to 10 numeric scale.

Coronary artery calcium score in high-risk asymptomatic women in Saudi Arabia.

Background And Objective: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is indicated by calcium deposits in the coronary artery wall. Calcification is a component of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Currently, there are no data on calcification in Saudi women at high risk of coronary artery disease.