Predictors of renal outcomes and mortality in patients with renal vein thrombosis: a retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Studies on renal vein thrombosis have been conducted as case reports or case series. The renal outcomes and mortality risk of renal vein thrombosis have not been fully established. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and predictors of renal outcomes and mortality in patients with renal vein thrombosis in a large multicenter cohort.

The Relationship of Fetuin-A with Coronary Calcification, Carotid Atherosclerosis, and Mortality Risk in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective: This study investigated the relationship of fetuin-A with coronary calcification, carotid atherosclerosis, and mortality risk in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: The study included 135 adult patients with CKD at stages 3-5, who were divided into coronary artery calcification (CAC) and non-CAC groups. We excluded current smokers and individuals with diabetes mellitus, inflammatory conditions, liver diseases, acute kidney failure, chronic hemodialysis, and cancer.

Does Speckle Tracking Transthoracic Echocardiography Indicate Subtle Changes in Left Ventricular Function in Heart Failure Patients with Reduced Ejection Fraction Treated by Sacubitril-valsartan?

Background: In heart failure patients and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), assessing subtle changes in left ventricle (LV) function is crucial for monitoring treatment efficacy. This study aims to determine the effect of valsartan/sacubitril on LV ejection fraction (EF) assessed by two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in comparison to that assessed by 2D TTE speckle tracking in patients with HFrEF ≤35% after 6 months of treatment.

Patients And Methods: A prospective study will be conducted on 200 heart failure patients with reduced EF (HFrEF) undergoing sacubitril-valsartan treatment.

Clinicopathological characteristics and predictors of outcome of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis: a retrospective study.

Background: Globally, there are regional and time-based variations in the prevalence, etiology, and prognosis of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). Prognosis of RPGN is poor, with a higher risk of death and end stage renal disease (ESRD) even with immunosuppressive medications. In the Middle East and North Africa, the studies on this disease are very limited.

The relationship between asymptomatic atherosclerosis and hepcidin-25 in chronic kidney disease patients.

Background: The most common and lethal consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The persistent inflammation present in CKD increases hepcidin levels. Iron accumulates in the arterial wall in atherosclerosis.

Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the effect of tea extracts on isolates.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage among patients, healthcare workers (HCWs), and community individuals, as well as to test the effect of tea extracts on detected S. aureus isolates.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study that was followed by an experimental study included a total of 1021 nasal swab samples that were collected from 470 community cases, 191 HCWs, and 360 patients.

Health care workers' knowledge and practices regarding the prevention of central venous catheter-related infection.

Background: Central venous catheter-related infection (CVC-RI) is considered a common cause of increased morbidity, mortality, and medical care costs in intensive care units (ICUs). The objective in this descriptive study was to assess the knowledge of health care workers in ICUs about guidelines for the prevention of CVC-RI and their adherence to these guidelines in practices.

Methods: Health care workers were assessed for their actual practices during central venous catheter (CVC) insertion and care.

Illumination of dense urban areas by light redirecting panels.

With the high population growth rate, especially in developing countries, and the scarcity of land resources, buildings are becoming so close to each other, depriving the lower floors and the alleys from sunlight and consequently causing health problems. Therefore, there is an urgent need for cost-effective efficient light redirecting panels that guide sun rays into those dim places. In this paper, we address this problem.

The utility of lactoferrin in differentiating parasitic from bacterial infections.

Lactoferrin is an iron binding glycoprotein found in the 2ry granules of PMN. In order to determine the usefulness of such marker for neutrophilic activity in differentiating cases suffering from amoebic and bacillary dysentery, Schistosoma and bacterial UTI infections, we examined stool and urine specimens using anti-lactoferrin antibodies (lactoferrin latex agglutination test: LFLA), compared with different standard gold techniques. Our results demonstrated that cases with either shigllosis or UTI revealed a high lactoferrin titer which was positively correllated with the number of PMN.

Management of postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy major bile duct injury: comparison of MRCP with conventional methods.

Background: Postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy bile duct injury remains one of the devastating complications seen in current surgical practice.

Aim Of Study: This study describes the diagnostic role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in such injuries compared with conventional methods.

Patients And Methods: Eighteen patients referred to the Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, King Khalid University Hospital from July 1998 to September 2000 were retrospectively studied.