Cochlear implantation in post-lingual adults: A 25-year experience at King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To demonstrate the efficacy of cochlear implants (CI) in post-lingual adults, including surgical and auditory outcomes based on a 25-year experience at a tertiary referral hospital.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, descriptive chart review of post-lingual adults, aged ≥18 years, implanted at King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center (KAESC), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), between September 1994 and March 2020. The study included 176 cochlear implantations performed in 144 patients.

The inhibitory mechanisms of losartan and vitamin D on amiodarone-induced lung inflammation in rats: Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases/activator protein-1.

Amiodarone (AMD), an antiarrhythmic drug, is used cautiously due to its lung toxicity that is characterized by alveolar inflammation followed by fatal fibrosis. AMD induces lung inflammation via increasing the alveolar macrophages and disturbing the balance of T-helper-1 (Th1) and Th2 cells cytokines. In this study, the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway in AMD-induced lung inflammation was evaluated.

Pharmacy practice in hospital settings in GCC countries: Prescribing and transcribing.

Purpose: To outline hospital pharmacy practices across the Gulf Cooperation Councils (GCC) countries' hospitals.

Methods: A modified survey questionnaire was prepared from the original 2019 American Society of Health-System Pharmacist (ASHP) survey questions. Survey details were discussed with some pharmacy directors for clarity and relevance.

Value drivers for pharmaceutical products in health technology assessment (HTA) in Saudi Arabia: Results from a capacity Building, Multi-Stakeholder workshop.

Objectives: Capacity building exercises are important to increase understanding of healthcare processes by key stakeholders, and to facilitate open discussions to build consensus. This study explored the views of a multi-stakeholder group of local Saudi experts on possible value elements that could be important for health technology assessment (HTA) processes and methods regarding pharmaceutical products in Saudi Arabia ('value drivers').

Methods: A diversified group of local experts were invited to a two-day capacity building workshop from 18 to 19 December 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Role of Digital Technology in Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic: Saudi Arabia's Experience.

Introduction: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a single-chain ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus. As of March 25, 2021, the total number of positive cases and fatalities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) had reached 386,300 and 6624, respectively, with a case fatality rate of 1.71%.

Misoprostol plus isosorbide mononitrate versus misoprostol alone for cervical ripening during labor induction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aim: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the maternal and neonatal outcomes of misoprostol+isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) versus misoprostol alone (control) in promoting cervical ripening during labor induction.

Methods: We searched five databases from inception until 05-May-2021. We assessed risk of bias of RCTs, meta-analyzed 23 endpoints, and pooled them as mean difference or risk ratio with 95% confidence interval.

Curcumin and Nano-Curcumin Mitigate Copper Neurotoxicity by Modulating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Akt/GSK-3β Signaling.

Copper (Cu) is essential for multiple biochemical processes, and copper sulphate (CuSO) is a pesticide used for repelling pests. Accidental or intentional intoxication can induce multiorgan toxicity and could be fatal. Curcumin (CUR) is a potent antioxidant, but its poor systemic bioavailability is the main drawback in its therapeutic uses.

Nano-Curcumin Prevents Cardiac Injury, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, and Modulates TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK Signaling in Copper Sulfate-Intoxicated Rats.

Copper (Cu) is essential for a plethora of biological processes; however, its high redox reactivity renders it potentially toxic. This study investigated the protective effect of curcumin (CUR) and nano-CUR (N-CUR) against Cu cardiotoxicity, emphasizing the role of oxidative stress, TLR4/NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and cell death in rats. Rats received 100 mg/kg copper sulfate (CuSO), a pesticide used for repelling pests, and were concurrently treated with CUR or N-CUR for 7 days.

Clinical Application of a Two-Step Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in a Patient With Severe Kyphoscoliosis and a Malrotated Kidney.

This case report describes a two-step percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in a 22-year-old male who had severe kyphoscoliosis and a malrotated kidney. The operation was performed with the patient under general anesthesia and in the left lateral decubitus position. All stones were successfully removed.

Association of blood groups with hepatitis C viremia.

Hepatitis C virus remained a public health problem with approximately half of the patients untreated and undiagnosed. Chronic HCV is a leading cause of cirrhosis, fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and other hepatic morbidities. Active HCV has a prevalence rate of about 1% (71 million).

Genomics-guided identification of potential modulators of SARS-CoV-2 entry proteases, TMPRSS2 and Cathepsins B/L.

SARS-CoV-2 requires serine protease, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), and cysteine proteases, cathepsins B, L (CTSB/L) for entry into host cells. These host proteases activate the spike protein and enable SARS-CoV-2 entry. We herein performed genomic-guided gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to identify upstream regulatory elements altering the expression of TMPRSS2 and CTSB/L.

Morphological Redescription and Phylogenetical Position of Ceratomyxa truncata Thelohan (1895) and Coccomyxa morovi Léger and Hesse, 1907 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) Infecting the Gall Bladder of Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum) from Tunisian Coast.

Purpose: Two myxosporean species have been, so far, independently reported from the gallbladder of the European pilchard, Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum) (synonym Clupea pilchardus) in the Northern shore of the Mediterranean Sea; Ceratomyxa truncata Thélohan, and Coccomyxa morovi Léger and Hesse, 1907. The two species were described with incomplete morphological data and based only on line drawings of their mature myxospores.

Methods: During a parasitological survey in the Southern shores of the Mediterranean coast in the gulf of Gabès off Tunisia, two coelozoic myxosporean species were found in the European pilchard and described using morphological and molecular phylogenetic tools.

Reusable Nano-Zirconia-Catalyzed Synthesis of Benzimidazoles and Their Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities.

In this article, a zirconia-based nano-catalyst (Nano-ZrO), with intermolecular C-N bond formation for the synthesis of various benzimidazole-fused heterocycles in a concise method is reported. The robustness of this reaction is demonstrated by the synthesis of a series of benzimidazole drugs in a one-pot method. All synthesized materials were characterized using spectroscopy as well as microanalysis data.

Prevalence of Prediabetes and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in Cricket Players: Multi-Cricket Clubs Cross Sectional Study.

Background & Objectives: Sports activities are highly beneficial for improving the human health and reducing the risk of diseases. This cross sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of prediabetes and Type-2 diabetes mellitus in cricket players compared to population based non-elite athlete control subjects.

Methods: The present matched cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period October 2019 to February 2020.

Interference of quorum sensing regulated bacterial virulence factors and biofilms by Plumbago zeylanica extract.

There has been tremendous spread of antimicrobial resistance globally, mainly due to the excessive and unnecessary use of antibiotics, making the situation alarming. This has created a need for the development of alternative strategies to selectively target the bacterial pathogenicity without exerting selection pressure for the development of antimicrobial resistance. Targeting quorum sensing (QS)-mediated virulence and biofilms by nontoxic natural products is gaining importance as new control strategy to combat the virulence and biofilms of pathogenic bacteria.

Effects of a 2-Week 5000 IU versus 1000 IU Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Recovery of Symptoms in Patients with Mild to Moderate Covid-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 severity. This multi-center randomized clinical trial aims to determine the effects of 5000 IU versus 1000 IU daily oral vitamin D3 supplementation in the recovery of symptoms and other clinical parameters among mild to moderate COVID-19 patients with sub-optimal vitamin D status.

Study Design And Setting: A total of 69 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 positive adults who were hospitalized for mild to moderate COVID-19 disease were allocated to receive once daily for 2 weeks either 5000 IU oral vitamin D3 ( = 36, 21 males; 15 females) or 1000 IU oral vitamin D3 (standard control) ( = 33, 13 males; 20 females).

Nitric Oxide Synthase Potentiates the Resistance of Cancer Cell Lines to Anticancer Chemotherapeutics.

Background: Despite the advancement in the fields of medical science and molecular biology, cancer is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Chemotherapy is a choice for treatment; however, the acquisition of chemoresistance is a major impediment for cancer management. Many mechanisms have been postulated regarding the acquisition of chemo-resistance in breast cancer and the impact on cellular signalling and the induction of apoptosis in tumour cells.

Solitary submandibular soft tissue osteochondroma: A rare case report.

Introduction: Soft tissue osteochondromas are rare benign tumors containing bone and cartilage that form in mesenchymal tissues with no connection to adjacent bone, cartilage, or periosteum. They mimic endochondral ossification and are usually encased in a fibrous tissue capsule. The occurrence of the tumor is extremely rare in the maxillofacial region.

Confidence level, challenges, and obstacles faced by orthopedic residents in obtaining informed consent.

Objectives: The objective is to evaluate the opinions of orthopedic residents on current practices, experiences, training, confidence level, difficulties, and challenges faced when obtaining informed consent.

Design: This is a cross-sectional, multi-center, and questionnaire-based study.

Setting: The study was done in forty-four training centers across Saudi Arabia.

Antitumor Activity of Nitazoxanide against Colon Cancers: Molecular Docking and Experimental Studies Based on Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Inhibition.

In colon cancer, wingless (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling is frequently upregulated; however, the creation of a molecular therapeutic agent targeting this pathway is still under investigation. This research aimed to study how nitazoxanide can affect Wnt/β-catenin signaling in colon cancer cells (HCT-116) and a mouse colon cancer model. Our study included 2 experiments; the first was to test the cytotoxic activity of nitazoxanide in an in vitro study on a colon cancer cell line (HCT-116) versus normal colon cells (FHC) and to highlight the proapoptotic effect by MTT assay, flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Metabolic Syndrome: A Three-center Experience in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases in parallel with the increasing incidence of obesity. Hence, bariatric surgery is potentially curative in obese patients with MetS. We aim to measure the effect of bariatric surgery as well as the potential factors leading to MetS resolution in the Saudi population.

In silico modeling of the interaction between TEX19 and LIRE1, and analysis of TEX19 gene missense SNPs.

Background: Testis expressed 19 (TEX19) is a specific human stem cell gene identified as cancer-testis antigen (CTA), which emerged as a potential therapeutic drug target. TEX19.1, a mouse paralog of human TEX19, can interact with LINE-1 retrotransposable element ORF1 protein (LIRE1) and subsequently restrict mobilization of LINE-1 elements in the genome.

Leflunomide Induces Dose-Dependent Lung Injury in Mice via Stimulating Vimentin and NLRP3 Inflammasome Production.

Recently, the therapeutic importance of the anti-rheumatic drug, leflunomide, has been increased after the involvement of leflunomide in treating other autoimmune diseases and its promising role in retarding human malignancies. Few studies have focused on the safety in human or animals without clear outlining of the pathologic features on target organs. One clinical study related leflunomide with significant pulmonary complications in predisposed individuals.