Development of carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel and nanosilver composite as antimicrobial agents for UTI pathogens.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) containing hydrogel composite were first synthesized by preparing a new hydrogel from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the cross-linker ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE), followed by the incorporation of AgNPs by microwave radiation. The resulting neat hydrogels and AgNPs-hydrogel composites were characterized using spectral, thermal, microscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The SEM and TEM results demonstrated that the synthesized AgNPs were spherical with diameters ranging from 8 to 14nm.

Expression and Polymorphism of Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Effect on NF-κB Mediated Inflammation in Colon Cancer Patients.

Our aim was to evaluate the association between the expression and the polymorphism of TLR4/NF-κB pathways and colon cancer. TLR4 (rs4986790, rs10759932, rs10759931 and rs2770150) were genotyped in blood samples from Colorectal patients and healthy controls. TLR4 and cytokines inflammatory expression were evaluated by real time PCR on 40 matching normal and colon tissues and the protein level by Immunohistochemistry.

The prevalence of psychological impact on caregivers of hospitalized patients: The forgotten part of the equation.

Introduction: Despite the large number of caregivers suffering from various psychiatric disorders, research on psychological symptoms among caregivers of hospitalized patients is lacking in Saudi populations.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among caregivers of hospitalized Saudi patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of depression, anxiety and stress among caregivers of hospitalized patients was conducted.

Expanding the clinical, allelic, and locus heterogeneity of retinal dystrophies.

Purpose: Retinal dystrophies (RD) are heterogeneous hereditary disorders of the retina that are usually progressive in nature. The aim of this study was to clinically and molecularly characterize a large cohort of RD patients.

Methods: We have developed a next-generation sequencing assay that allows known RD genes to be sequenced simultaneously.

Geographic Variation in the Quality of Secondary Prevention for Nephrolithiasis.

Objective: To examine the variation in the quality of secondary prevention for nephrolithiasis across health care markets.

Methods: Using analytical files from Litholink Corporation (2003-2012), we identified adults with nephrolithiasis and abnormal urine biochemistries on 24-hour urine collection. After assigning all patients to a hospital referral region (HRR), we determined the proportion of patients in each HRR who underwent on-treatment follow-up testing (our measure of quality).

Automatic Clustering Using Multi-objective Particle Swarm and Simulated Annealing.

This paper puts forward a new automatic clustering algorithm based on Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization and Simulated Annealing, "MOPSOSA". The proposed algorithm is capable of automatic clustering which is appropriate for partitioning datasets to a suitable number of clusters. MOPSOSA combines the features of the multi-objective based particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the Multi-Objective Simulated Annealing (MOSA).

Expression and new exon mutations of the human Beta defensins and their association on colon cancer development.

The development of cancer involves genetic predisposition and a variety of environmental exposures. Genome-wide linkage analyses provide evidence for the significant linkage of many diseases to susceptibility loci on chromosome 8p23, the location of the human defensin gene cluster. Human β-defensins (hBDs) are important molecules of innate immunity.

Statin Use and Risk of Sepsis After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: To examine the association between statin medication use and sepsis risk after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Materials And Methods: Using medical claims data, we identified working-age adults with urinary stone disease who were treated with PCNL. Among this cohort, we determined which patients had a prescription fill for a statin agent that encompassed their surgery date.

A learning skills course for the 1st year medical students: an experience at a Saudi medical school.

Background: Every year nearly 1,500 students enter into medical program after passing high school and national aptitude exams. However, many students experience frustration, failure, and psychological morbidities like stress, depression, and anxiety because they are not aware of their learning styles or do not have effective learning skills and strategies. The College of Medicine of Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University has adopted the outcome based, community oriented, Spiral Curriculum.

Evaluation and diagnosis of the hair loss patient: part II. Trichoscopic and laboratory evaluations.

The use of trichoscopy for evaluating a number of hair and scalp disorders is gaining popularity. It is a simple and noninvasive in vivo tool for visualizing hair shafts and the scalp. Recently, alopecias have been classified according to their trichoscopic findings.

Evaluation and diagnosis of the hair loss patient: part I. History and clinical examination.

Hair loss (alopecia) is a common problem and is often a major source of distress for patients. The differential diagnosis of alopecia includes both scarring and nonscarring alopecias. In addition, many hair shaft disorders can produce hair shaft fragility, resulting in different patterns of alopecia.

Ramadan fasting ameliorates oxidative stress and improves glycemic control and lipid profile in diabetic patients.

Purpose: The effects of Ramadan fasting on public health are important. The present study characterized the metabolic effects of Ramadan fasting and evaluated its influence on oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

Methods: The current study was carried out in the city of Benha, Egypt, during the period from July 12, 2012 to October 4, 2012.

Ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques are important diagnostic tools during the progression of atherosclerosis: diet zinc supplementation retarded or delayed atherosclerosis.

Background: In this study, we examined whether UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques detect the progression of atherosclerosis in serum of rabbits fed on high-cholesterol diet (HCD) and HCD supplemented with zinc (HCD + Zn) compared with the control.

Methods: The control rabbits group was fed on 100 g/day of normal diet. The HCD group was fed on Purina Certified Rabbit Chow supplemented with 1.

Effects of Roselle on arterial pulse pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients.

Objective: To characterize the effects of regular Roselle ingestion on blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with established moderate essential hypertension.

Methods: This non-randomized quasi-experimental study was conducted in Kafr El-Shaikh, Egypt, for 8 weeks, from September 2012 to November 2012. The effects of a 4-week period of regular Roselle ingestion followed by a 4-week recovery period on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and heart rates (HR) was studied in 2 equal, gender- and age-matched groups (n=50 each; average age - 50+/-5 years) of normotensive subjects, and patients with moderate essential hypertension.

Topical agents for hair growth promotion: what is out there?

Hair loss is a widespread complaint that carries a significant psychosocial burden for affected individuals. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the predominant cause of hair loss seen in the dermatology clinic. Although a range of therapies are available, minoxidil remains the only approved topical treatment for AGA.

Ramadan fasting ameliorates arterial pulse pressure and lipid profile, and alleviates oxidative stress in hypertensive patients.

Background And Aim: Effects of Ramadan fasting on health are important. Its effects on arterial pulse pressure (PP), lipid profile and oxidative stress were characterized in hypertensives.

Methods: PP, indices of lipid profile and oxidative stress were measured pre-, during and post-fasting in equal (40 each), sex- and age-matched groups (age 55 ± 5 years) of hypertensives (HT) and controls (C).

Association of pulsatility index in the middle cerebral artery with intelligence quotient in children with sickle cell disease.

The aim of this study was to explore whether intellectual performance in children with Sickle Cell Disease and with low risk of stroke as determined with conventional transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) criteria was associated with hemodynamic parameters in imaging TCD, when controlling for hematological and socio-economical variables and presence of silent infarcts. We performed neuropsychological testing with Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT-IQ) and imaging TCD examinations to measure blood flow velocities and pulsatility indexes (PI) in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) In 46 children with homozygous HbSS (mean age 108±34 months, range limits: 47-166 months; 24 females), without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, with no stenosis on magnetic resonance angiography and with velocities below 170 cm/s in screening conventional TCD. Mean K-BIT IQ Composite and Vocabulary scores (91±13 and 86±14 respectively) were significantly below the average scores of 100 for the age-matched population (one sample t-test=5.