Cost-benefit analysis of a multicomponent breastfeeding promotion and support intervention in a developing country.

Background: Studies on breastfeeding promotion and support interventions suggest some economic benefits. This study assessed the direct and indirect costs of a multicomponent breastfeeding promotion and support intervention during the first two years of the infant's life.

Methods: This is a cost-benefit analysis of data generated from a randomized controlled trial that investigated whether provision of a multicomponent breastfeeding promotion and support intervention to Lebanese mothers in the first six months postpartum would improve breastfeeding rates compared to standard obstetric and pediatric care.

Paths to improve voluntary blood donation in mixed public/private blood donation systems such as in Lebanon?

Background: The World Health Organization advocates for the achievement of 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRD) globally by the year 2020. However, until today, little was known in Lebanon regarding its actual rate or influencing factors, particularly donor motivations and behaviors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of blood donors in Lebanon.

Cost-benefit analysis of a multicomponent breastfeeding promotion and support intervention in a developing country.

Background: Studies evaluating breastfeeding promotion and support interventions suggest some economic benefits. This study assessed the direct and indirect costs of a multicomponent breastfeeding promotion and support intervention during the first two years of the infant's life.

Methods: This is a cost-benefit analysis of data generated from a randomized controlled trial that aimed at investigating whether provision of a multicomponent breastfeeding promotion and support intervention to Lebanese mothers in the first six months postpartum would improve breastfeeding rates compared to standard obstetric and pediatric care.

Validation of the Arabic Maternal postpartum quality of life questionnaire among Lebanese women: A cohort study.

Background: The postpartum period is an important phase in a woman's life. Yet, there is a paucity of validated instruments that assess maternal postpartum quality of life issues. The aim of this study is to describe the adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the Maternal Postpartum Quality of Life (MAPP-QOL) questionnaire.

Chronic kidney disease awareness among the general population: tool validation and knowledge assessment in a developing country.

Introduction: Good knowledge and early identification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can help in preventing disease progression in its early stages and reducing undesired outcomes. The aim of the current study was to assess the level of public knowledge about CKD, determine predictors of better knowledge, and to construct and validate a CKD knowledge scale for public health assessment and research use.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic self-administered questionnaire.

Clinical characteristics and liver profiles of Dubin-Johnson syndrome in neonates: Multicenter retrospective study.

Objectives: Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) is a rare benign autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cholestasis in neonates. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical characteristics, hepatic profiles, histopathology, gene mutations, and treatment outcomes of neonatal DJS.

Material And Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was undertaken with patients who had DJS.

The inverted syringe technique for management of inverted nipples in breastfeeding women: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Women with inverted nipples may struggle with breastfeeding and may stop exclusive breastfeeding before six months. The use of an inverted syringe to evert the nipples was successful in achieving high rates of infant latching and exclusive breastfeeding in case series but has not been tested in clinical trials. This open label, parallel group, randomized clinical trial investigated whether the use of the inverted syringe technique in women with inverted nipples would increase exclusive breastfeeding rate at one month, as compared to standard care.

Teaching critical appraisal to large classes of undergraduate medical students using team-based learning versus group discussions: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Evidence on the effectiveness of team-based learning in teaching critical appraisal to large classes of preclinical medical students is scarce. This study investigated whether team-based learning is effective in teaching critical appraisal to large classes of preclinical medical students.

Methods: Between April 2018 and May 2019, 107 first-year medical students were randomly allocated to receive instruction in critical appraisal using team-based learning or traditional group discussions as teaching methods.

COVID-19 in Saudi Patients With Sickle Cell Disease: A Retrospective Multi-Center Study.

Background The prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) within Saudi Arabia is relatively high, with an estimated 145/10,000 cases. There is an urgent need for researching many aspects of the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) due to the widespread of the virus among SCD patients in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study is to determine how COVID-19 affects SCD patients in order to reach the best strategy for their management protocols.

Validation of the Arabic Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale (MBFES-A) among Lebanese women.

Background: Maternal satisfaction with the breastfeeding experience is an important determinant of breastfeeding success. There is currently no valid tool to measure perceived maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding in the Arab context.

Methods: This cohort study tested the Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale (MBFES) on 450 healthy Lebanese mothers for internal consistency reliability and construct validity.

The Emergence of Invasive Serotype 24F in Lebanon: Complete Genome Sequencing Reveals High Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Characteristics.

Background: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) remains a global health problem. IPD incidence has significantly decreased by the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV). Nevertheless, non-PCV serotypes remain a matter of concern.

Sustaining compliance with hand hygiene when resources are low: A quality improvement report.

Background: Sustainability of hand hygiene is challenging in low resource settings. Adding ownership and goal setting to the WHO-5 multimodal intervention may help sustain high compliance.

Aim: To increase and sustain compliance of nursing and medical staff with hand hygiene in a tertiary referral center with limited resources.

Exploring Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Scler osis (ALS) as Neurodegenerative Diseases and their Treatments: A Review Study.

Growing concern about neurodegenerative diseases is becoming a global issue. It is estimated that not only will their prevalence increase but also morbidity and health burden will be concerning. Scientists, researchers and clinicians share the responsibility of raising the awareness and knowledge about the restricting and handicapping health restrains related to these diseases.

Knowledge and attitudes of Lebanese women towards Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative practices.

Background: The World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund launched the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to encourage best infant breastfeeding practices immediately after birth. In Lebanon, few hospitals are currently accredited as Baby Friendly.

Aim: To assess the knowledge of Lebanese women of BFHI steps, and to explore their attitudes towards Baby Friendly Hospitals, Skin-to-Skin Contact and Kangaroo Care practices.

Assessing the impact of professional lactation support frequency, duration and delivery form on exclusive breastfeeding in Lebanese mothers.

Background: The optimal frequency, duration, and form of professional lactation support needed to continue exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months have not yet been specifically identified. This study investigates the association between six-month EBF and the frequency, duration, and form (face-to-face vs. telephone contact) of professional lactation support in a cohort of Lebanese mothers, and explores barriers to EBF during the first six months postpartum.

Preferences of Lebanese adults for the gender of their surgeons: a cross-sectional study.

Background: More females are specializing in surgery in Lebanon, but it is not known if a gender bias exists among Lebanese people in their preference of their surgeons.

Aims: This study investigated the preference of Lebanese men and women for the gender of surgeons and explored reasons for their preferences.

Methods: A convenience sample of 1000 Lebanese adults were asked about their preferences for the gender of surgeons of different specialties (paediatrics, cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ear nose and throat, plastic surgery and obstetrics/gynaecology).

Validation of the Arabic version of the breastfeeding behavior questionnaire among Lebanese women.

Background: The Breastfeeding Behavior Questionnaire (BBQ) assesses women's perceptions of their breastfeeding behavior. It was adapted to several languages and used in different settings, but has not been validated in Arabic-speaking populations. None of the previous studies that used the BBQ in other cultures examined its ability to predict the actual breastfeeding behaviors of mothers postpartum.

A Stroke Care Model at an Academic, Comprehensive Stroke Center During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background And Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has required the adaptation of hyperacute stroke care (including stroke code pathways) and hospital stroke management. There remains a need to provide rapid and comprehensive assessment to acute stroke patients while reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure, protecting healthcare providers, and preserving personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies. While the COVID infection is typically not a primary cerebrovascular condition, the downstream effects of this pandemic force adjustments to stroke care pathways to maintain optimal stroke patient outcomes.

Breastfeeding success with the use of the inverted syringe technique for management of inverted nipples in lactating women: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Breastfeeding provides ideal infant nutrition, conferring several health benefits to children and their mothers. Women with inverted nipples, however, face difficulties that force them to prematurely terminate breastfeeding. Whereas available conservative measures for the correction of inverted nipples are of limited success, the use of an inverted syringe may be effective in achieving high rates of infant latching and exclusive breastfeeding.

Experiences with peer support for breastfeeding in Beirut, Lebanon: A qualitative study.

Background: Despite the beneficial effects of peer support on breastfeeding, research on the process of peer support is scarce. In Lebanon, exclusive breastfeeding is only 15% in infants below six months. A multidisciplinary team launched a multi-component breastfeeding support intervention, with peer support, and professional lactation support provided by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLs) to target this decline.

Co-Blend Application Mode of Bulk Fill Composite Resin.

Unlabelled: To evaluate the effect of a new application method of bulk-fill flowable composite resin material on bond-strength, nanoleakage, and mechanical properties of dentine bonding agents.

Materials And Methods: Sound extracted human molars were randomly divided into: manufacturer's instructions (MI), manual blend 2 mm (MB2), and manual blend 4 mm (MB4). Occlusal enamel was removed and flattened, dentin surfaces were bonded by Prime & Bond universal (Dentsply and Optibond FL, Kerr).

Illness cognition and health anxiety in parents of children with cancer.

Health anxiety is a clinical entity characterized by a pathological fear of illness. Illness cognition refers to persistent positive or negative thoughts an individual has towards illness. Evidence has shown that patients with chronic conditions who possess negative illness cognitions experience greater social, emotional, and physical difficulties than patients with positive illness cognitions.

A multi-component intervention to support breastfeeding in Lebanon: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Effective evidence-based breastfeeding support interventions can bolster breastfeeding practices. This study investigated the effect of a multi-component breastfeeding support intervention delivered in hospital and home settings on six-month exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) relative to standard care.

Methods: This is a parallel group, randomized clinical trial, in which 362 healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancy were randomly allocated to a multi-component intervention that included antenatal breastfeeding education, professional, and peer support, delivered in hospital and home settings for six months (experimental, n = 174), or to standard care (control, n = 188).

Char Syndrome a novel mutation and new insights: A clinical report.

Transcription Factor AP-2 Beta (TFAP2B) functions in the differentiation of neural crest cell derivatives and contributes to the embryogenesis of the ductus arteriosus. Mutations of TFAP2B produces Char syndrome. Char syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder comprising facial dysmorphism, hand anomalies, and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).