Universal Multiplex Panel Testing of Donor Lungs as a Strategy to Optimize Antibiotic Prophylaxis Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.

Background: Twenty percent of lung donors in our transplant program carry respiratory carbapenem-resistant (CR) gram-negative bacteria (GNB), most commonly CR Acinetobacter baumannii. Universal multiplex panel testing of lung transplant donors was introduced in June 2022 as a strategy to expedite CR-GNB detection and optimize perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. We herein describe our experiences with this approach.

The spectrum of clinical, hormonal findings in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Isfahan province; a 20-year review.

Objectives: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by complete or partial defects in one of the several steroidogenic enzymes involved in synthesizing of cortisol from cholesterol in the adrenal gland. Prompt and proper treatment of the disease would reduce symptoms and the level of androgens in patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and clinical findings of these patients.

Intravenous Immunoglobulins Alone for the Desensitization of Lung Transplant Recipients with Preformed Donor Specific Antibodies and Negative Flow Cytometry Crossmatch.

Background: The lack of evidence regarding optimal desensitization strategies for lung transplant candidates with preformed donor specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (DSAs) has led to varying approaches among centers towards this patient group. Our institution's desensitization protocol for recipients with preformed DSAs and negative flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) consists of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as the sole therapy. The study aimed to determine outcomes using this approach.

Breastmilk calcium concentrations in Palestinian lactating women.

Aim: Breastmilk calcium concentrations can vary between lactating women and over the lactation period. This study assessed breastmilk calcium concentrations among Palestinian lactating women.

Methods: The demographic and dietary variables of the lactating women were collected using a questionnaire.

Donor respiratory multidrug-resistant bacteria and lung transplantation outcomes.

Rationale: Respiratory culture screening is mandatory for all potential lung transplant donors. There is limited evidence on the significance of donor multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria on transplant outcomes. Establishing the safety of allografts colonized with MDR bacteria has implications for widening an already limited donor pool.

Donor blood cultures and outcomes after lung transplantation: a single-center report.

Background: Transplanting lungs from donors with positive blood cultures has not been shown to adversely affect survival. There is limited evidence for potential effects on other outcomes, such as hospital course, graft function, and transmission of infection.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent lung-only transplantation for the first time between March 2010 and December 2022.

Acute neurological symptoms in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A case series.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection mostly involves pediatrics lesser than adults; however, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is shown to be the following condition in children infected with SARS-CoV-2, even asymptomatic ones. To date, there is few evidence of the association of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with acute neurological symptoms.

Case Presentations: This case series was recorded demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiographic and EEG data of patients with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children who diagnosed simultaneously with acute neurological symptoms.

Breastmilk cadmium levels and estimated infant exposure: a multicenter study of associated factors in a resource-limited country.

Background: Despite the undisputed benefits of breastfeeding, infants might become exposed to xenobiotics that could be excreted into breast milk following maternal exposure. This study was conducted to assess breastmilk cadmium levels among lactating women in Palestine, a resource-limited country. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of cadmium via breastmilk was also calculated and predictors of high breastmilk cadmium levels and high infant exposure via breastmilk were identified.

Lung transplantation outcomes in underweight recipients: A single center experience.

Background: Current guidelines recommend a body mass index (BMI) of 16 kg/m as the minimum threshold for lung transplantation, despite mixed evidence on outcomes in underweight patients. The current study aimed to describe survival outcomes of underweight patients who underwent lung transplantation at a single center.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included adult lung transplant recipients who underwent transplantation for the first time between March 2010 and March 2022 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and excluded patients with obesity.

Viral aetiology of acute central nervous system infections in children, Iran.

Viral infections are increasingly an important cause of central nervous system (CNS) complications. There is no comprehensive insight about CNS infections due to viral agents among Iranian children. This study aimed to investigate the viral aetiology, clinical and epidemiological profile of children with acute infections of the CNS.

Assessment of an intensive education program for pharmacists on treatment of tobacco use disorder using an objective structured clinical examination: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Tobacco use is one of the major public health threats globally. Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to offer tobacco cessation services owing to their easy accessibility by the public. To prepare Qatar community pharmacists to develop the competencies and skills required to offer smoking cessation services, an intensive tobacco control education program was designed and implemented.

Clinical, laboratory and imaging characteristics, and outcomes of hospitalized children with suspected COVID-19 infection: A report from Isfahan-Iran.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory and imaging characteristics, and outcomes of hospitalized children with suspected COVID-19 infection in Isfahan.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all children aged < 15 years, who hospitalized as suspected case of COVID-19 were enrolled. During this study, all demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics as well as follow-up data and outcomes of the hospitalized children were recorded by pediatric residents using a questionnaire.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children With COVID-19.

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) involves multiple organs and shows increased inflammatory markers. Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, several studies have reported the association between severe COVID-19 and MIS-C. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) presents with thunderclap headaches and multifocal reversible vasoconstriction on imaging.

Voluntary and non-voluntary blood donations among doctors.

Background: Physicians may be an important source of blood donations as they are more likely to be familiar with the importance of donating and the donation process. The aim of this study is to report physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards voluntary and non-voluntary blood donations.

Study Design And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Saudi Arabia.

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis as a sign of multisystem inflammatory syndrome following COVID-19 infection: A pediatric case report.

COVID-19 infection can cause inflammatory reactions that could involve several organs. In the pediatric population, Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) has been reported as one of the consequences of COVID-19. We report a unique pediatric COVID-19 patient with MIS-C, associated with paralysis of the extremities.

Voriconazole-Induced Hepatotoxicity Resolved after Switching to Amphotericin B in Fusarium dimerum Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection.

BACKGROUND Fusarium spp. is a rare cause of opportunistic life-threatening fungal infections. It has a remarkably high resistance profile with few effective antifungal agents, mostly limited to voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin B.

Employment and occupational safety among patients with seizure disorders - findings from a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Observational studies suggest that persons with seizure disorders are socially disadvantaged compared to the general population. There are scarce reports in the literature on the prevalence of employment and occupational safety among patients with seizure disorders in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to describe the occupational statuses of patients with seizure disorders and determine factors associated with unemployment.

Successful treatment of plasmapheresis followed by interferon beta-1a in a child with severe COVID-19.

COVID-19 outbreak has become a global health concern due to challenges in treatment and high mortality rate; therefore, its therapeutic approaches play an important role in reducing the mortality rate and resolving this concern. Different therapies have been introduced, including interferon beta-1a and purification methods, for instance, plasmapheresis. In this article, we reported a child with severe COVID-19 who fully recovered after receiving plasmapheresis and interferon beta-1a.

Case Report: Acute Intracardiac Thrombosis in Children With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

We herein describe a case series of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) complicated with acute intracardiac thrombosis. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed through the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Transthoracic echocardiography of patients revealed large intracardiac mobile masses resected successfully via cardiac surgery.

A pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program in Qatar: an exploration of pharmacists' and patients' perspectives of the program.

Background Tobacco use is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. An intensive pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program was implemented in eight primary care pharmacies in Qatar. Objective This study aimed to qualitatively explore the perspectives of pharmacists and patients regarding their experiences in the program and their recommendations for improving it.

Simulation-based curriculum development: lessons learnt in Global Health education.

Background: Simulation based medical education (SBME) allows learners to acquire clinical skills without exposing patients to unnecessary risk. This is especially applicable to Emergency Medicine training programs where residents are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the management of time critical, low frequency, and highly-morbidity conditions. This study aims to describe the process through which a SBME curriculum was created, in a limited simulation resource setting at a 4-year Emergency Medicine (EM) residency program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.

Right Atrial Thrombus in a COVID-19 Child Treated Through Cardiac Surgery.

We herein report a case of large intracardiac thrombus in a child with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed through HRCT and RT-PCR. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large thrombus in the right atrium treated successfully cardiac surgery.

The Impact of Ramadan on Patient Attendance Patterns in an Emergency Department at a Tertiary Care Center in Beirut, Lebanon.

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) worldwide experience substantial variability in hourly patient arrivals. The month of Ramadan represents a repetitive annual occurrence, which could be associated with distinct patient arrival patterns compared with other months of the year.

Objective: This study examined hourly patient arrival patterns and patient characteristics in an ED in a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon to determine whether there are significant changes in patient attendance patterns during the month of Ramadan.