Ant-waist surgery adversely affects lung function: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Body contouring surgery for the removal of the 11th and 12th ribs is undertaken for aesthetic appeal in female and transgender populations. The potential adverse effects of the surgery on lung function and respiratory muscle strength have not been previously studied. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of 'Ant-waist' surgery on lung function and respiratory muscle strength in individuals who had undergone surgery.

The Application of Robotics in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review.

: Robotics is commonly used in the rehabilitation of neuro-musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. While in these conditions, robotics has clear benefits, it is unknown whether robotics will also enhance the outcome of cardiac rehabilitation. This systematic review evaluates the use of robotics in cardiac rehabilitation.

The Effects of Digital Health Interventions for Pulmonary Rehabilitation in People with COPD: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third most common cause of death globally. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes are important to reduce COPD symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with COPD. Digital health interventions have recently been adopted in PR programmes, which allow people with COPD to participate in such programmes with low barriers.

Attitudes toward colorectal cancer and colonoscopy in Palestine: a questionnaire-based study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a frequent cause of cancer-related mortality in the Palestinian population. This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020 and examined attitudes toward CRC and colonoscopy, as well as the interplay between both. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from public spaces, governmental hospitals, and primary healthcare centers across 11 governorates in Palestine.

Understanding the interplay of colorectal cancer awareness and attitudes among Palestinians: a national cross-sectional study.

Background: In Palestine, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality after lung cancer. No studies have examined the relationship between CRC awareness and attitudes. This study aimed to investigate the interplay between CRC awareness and attitudes among the Palestinian population.

Differences in colorectal cancer awareness between screening eligible vs. ineligible Palestinians: a national cross-sectional study.

Background: This study aimed to compare colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness between screening-eligible and ineligible individuals in Palestine.

Methods: Convenience sampling was utilized to recruit Palestinian adults from diverse settings, including hospitals, primary healthcare centers and public spaces across 11 governorates. The evaluation of CRC awareness in terms of signs/symptoms, risk factors and causation myths was conducted using Arabic-translated, modified versions of the validated instruments, the Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure and the Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale.

The effect of irisin on the ultrastructure of the thoracic aorta in rat: A morphometric study.

Background: One of the most recent hormones to be identified and isolated is irisin, extracted from mouse skeletal muscle in 2012. Irisin has been proven to alter blood pressure, which has an impact on blood vessels, enhance endothelial functions, and prevent injury to endothelial cells. The current study aimed to study the effect of irisin on the ultrastructure of the rat thoracic aorta using the transmission electron microscope (TEM).

Screening Perspectives: The Role of Colorectal Cancer Awareness in Shaping Attitudes Toward Colonoscopy in Palestine.

Purpose: To assess colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness and its influence on attitudes toward colonoscopy in Palestine.

Materials And Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit Palestinian adults from hospitals, primary health care centers, and public spaces across 11 governorates. To evaluate the awareness of CRC signs/symptoms, risk factors, and mythical causes, the Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure and Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale were used after translation into Arabic.

Differences in Colorectal Cancer Awareness Between Vegetarians and Nonvegetarians: A National Cross-Sectional Study From Palestine.

Purpose: To compare colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness between vegetarians and nonvegetarians in Palestine.

Materials And Methods: The validated Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure and Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale were translated into Arabic and used to assess awareness of CRC signs/symptoms, risk factors, and mythical causes. The total awareness score of each domain was calculated and categorized into tertiles; the top tertile was considered as good awareness.

Myths and Common Misbeliefs About Colorectal Cancer Causation in Palestine: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To explore public awareness of myths around colorectal cancer (CRC) causation in Palestine and to examine factors associated with good awareness.

Materials And Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit adult Palestinians from governmental hospitals, primary health care centers, and public spaces. Recognizing 13 myths around CRC causation was assessed using a translated-into-Arabic version of the Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale.

Perceived barriers to early presentation and symptom-specific time to seek medical advice for possible colorectal cancer symptoms among Palestinians.

This study explored the anticipated time to seek medical advice for possible colorectal cancer (CRC) signs/symptoms and its association with CRC symptom awareness. In addition, it examined perceived barriers that may delay seeking medical advice. Palestinian adults were recruited from hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces in 11 governorates.

National response to the COVID-19 Omicron variant crisis in the ambulatory hemodialysis service in the State of Qatar.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant worldwide impact since its emergence in 2019. End-stage kidney disease patients have been among the most vulnerable population affected and have a higher risk of acquiring infection and developing more severe disease. We have encountered three major COVID-19 waves in Qatar and they have required different strategies to overcome.

Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors in Palestine: Where Do We Stand?

Purpose: To assess the public awareness level of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factors in Palestine and identify factors associated with the good awareness level.

Materials And Methods: Adult Palestinians were recruited using convenience sampling from hospitals, primary health care centers, and public locations in 11 governorates. The recognition of 11 CRC risk factors was evaluated using a translated-into-Arabic version of the validated bowel cancer awareness measure.

Awareness of colorectal cancer signs and symptoms: a national cross-sectional study from Palestine.

Background: In low-resource settings, the awareness level of colorectal cancer (CRC) signs and symptoms plays a crucial role in early detection and treatment. This study examined the public awareness level of CRC signs and symptoms in Palestine and investigated the factors associated with good awareness.

Methods: This was a national cross-sectional study conducted at hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces in 11 governorates across Palestine between July 2019 and March 2020.

Effect of a Quality Improvement Program to Improve Guideline Adherence and Attainment of Clinical Standards in Dialysis Care: Report of Outcomes in Year 1.

Background: Best practice in dialysis is synthesised in clear international guidelines. However, a large gap remains between the international guidelines and the actual delivery of care. In this paper, we report outcomes for the first year of a multifaceted dialysis improvement programme in our network.

Rituximab for rescue and maintenance therapy in rapidly progressive life-threatening antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated systemic vasculitis.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitides (AASV) consists of small-vessel systemic inflammatory disorders which commonly affect the kidneys and without treatment have a poor prognosis. Rituximab is a novel biological agent which is being used experimentally in the management of AASV. This report presents the case of a young woman with rapidly progressive life-threatening AASV.

Low risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in nondialysis patients who have chronic kidney disease and are investigated with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Background And Objectives: During the past decade, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) has been reported in patients who have severe renal impairment and have been exposed to a gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agent during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As a result of positive reporting bias, many suitable patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are being denied a highly important form of investigation that can be safely undertaken. We analyzed the safety of Gd-MRI in patients with CKD and varying levels of estimated GFR (eGFR).

Effects of renal volume and single-kidney glomerular filtration rate on renal functional outcome in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

Background: Renal functional outcome is unpredictable after revascularization of high-grade atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS). 'Hibernating' parenchyma describes acute parenchymal injury where renal dysfunction is potentially reversible with treatment of the stenosis. We analysed renal parenchymal volume (PV) and single-kidney glomerular filtration rate (SK-GFR) characteristics to identify kidneys with hibernating parenchyma and hence determine renal functional outcome after revascularization.

Progression of cardiac dysfunction in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Background: Patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) are at increased risk of heart disease because of the association with hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiac failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). A previous echocardiographic cross-sectional study showed that only 5% of patients with ARVD had normal cardiac structure and function at baseline. In this longitudinal study of the same patient cohort the progression of cardiac dysfunction and factors which predict declining cardiac function in patients with ARVD were delineated.

Measurement of single kidney function using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: comparison of two models in human subjects.

Purpose: To compare two methods for assessing the single kidney glomerular filtration rate (SK-GFR) in humans using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI.

Materials And Methods: Images were acquired from 39 separate MR studies of patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD). Data from the kidneys and descending aorta were analyzed using both a Rutland-Patlak plot and a compartmental model.

MR-derived renal morphology and renal function in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Appropriate selection of patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) for revascularization might be improved if accurate non-invasive investigations were used to assess severity of pre-existing parenchymal damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-measured renal morphological parameters and single-kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in ARVD. Three-dimensional (3D)-MRI was performed on 35 ARVD patients.

Left ventricular morphology and function in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) is associated with heart disease. There has been no systematic study of cardiac structure and function in patients with this condition. In this study, the epidemiology of cardiac changes and their relationship to renal function, renovascular anatomy, and BP are delineated.

The importance of associated extra-renal vascular disease on the outcome of patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) is a disease of ageing. It is usually a manifestation of widespread vascular disease and although it may be symptomless, many patients with ARVD present with the effects of extra-renal vascular disease, such as peripheral vascular (PVD), coronary heart (CHD) and cerebrovascular disease. ARVD is a common cause of hypertension and chronic renal failure (CRF), and it is one of the most common renal diagnoses in elderly patients accepted on to dialysis programmes with end-stage renal failure (ESRF).

A prospective study of the determinants of renal functional outcome and mortality in atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) commonly causes renal failure and hypertension and is accompanied by high cardiovascular comorbidity and mortality. Interrelationships between these factors remain poorly understood. Patients with ARVD presenting to a single center between 1995 and 1999 were followed up, with prospective collection of clinical and biochemical data.