Revisiting the potential role of BCG and MMR vaccines in COVID-19.

Despite the development and deployment of effective COVID-19 vaccines, many regions remain poorly covered. Seeking alternative tools for achieving immunity against COVID-19 remains to be of high importance. "Trained immunity" is the nonspecific immune response usually established through administering live attenuated vaccines and is a potential preventive tool against unrelated infections.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings and brain volumetric differences in a large series of benign rolandic epilepsy.

Background: Several studies with a small sample size have investigated the relationship between structural and functional changes on MRI and the clinical and natural history of BRE. We aim to assess the frequency of incidental epileptogenic lesions on brain MRI in a large cohort of patients diagnosed with BRE and to assess the difference in volumetric brain measurements in BRE patients compared to healthy controls.

Methods: The case-control study includes 214 typical BRE cases and 197 control children with non-epileptic spells.

Descriptive epidemiology of soft tissue and bone sarcomas in Lebanon.

Objectives: Most epidemiologic studies on soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and bone sarcomas (BS) are performed in western countries, with few in the Middle East and North Africa region. We describe the epidemiology of sarcomas in Lebanon using the medical records database at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC).

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients with sarcomas registered in the database between 2015 and 2019.

Cervix Uteri Cancer in Lebanon: Incidence, Temporal Trends, and Comparison to Countries From Different Regions in the World.

Background: Invasive cervix uteri cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women globally. This study investigates the incidence and trends of cervix uteri cancer in Lebanon, a country in the Middle East, and compares these rates to regional and global ones.

Methods: Data on cervix uteri were obtained from the Lebanese national cancer registry for the currently available years 2005 to 2016.

Anticoagulation for COVID-19 Patients: A Bird's-Eye View.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic disease that can be life-threatening involving immune and inflammatory responses, and that can result in potentially lethal complications, including venous thrombo-embolism (VTE). Forming an integrative approach to thrombo-prophylaxis and coagulation treatment for COVID-19 patients ensues. We aim at reviewing the literature for anticoagulation in the setting of COVID-19 infection to provide a summary on anticoagulation for this patient population.

Overview in Breast Cancer Screening in Lebanon.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and men combined, and it is the second cause of cancer deaths in women after lung cancer. In Lebanon, the same epidemiological profile applies where BC is the leading cancer among Lebanese females, representing 38.2% of all cancer cases.

Placement of Labcor Pulmonary Conduit Results in a High Incidence of Postoperative Fever.

Background: Fever in the postoperative period in cardiac patients is common. The purpose of this study is to recognize the risk factors for prolonged postoperative fever in cardiac patients with pulmonary conduit insertion.

Methods: Patients were identified retrospectively by looking at the procedure code for pulmonary conduit insertion between June 2009 and December 2015 at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.

Long-term results of endovenous laser ablation of saphenous vein reflux: Up to nine years of follow-up.

Introduction: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) has become the gold standard for the treatment of saphenous vein reflux. We report the long-term clinical and ultrasound results of EVLA.

Methods: This study is a retrospective review of patients who underwent EVLA of saphenous vein over four years.

Unsedated Office-Based Thulium Laser Therapy in Patients With Vocal Fold Cysts.

The objective is to report 3 cases of vocal fold cysts treated with thulium laser in an office setting under local anesthesia. The surgical technique, which consists of surgical marsupialization, is described in detail with emphasis on the laser setting. All 3 patients had complete regression of the lesion and marked improvement in voice quality and good closure of the vocal folds during phonation.