Treated wastewater reuse and its impact on soil properties and potato and corn growth.

Water scarcity is a growing challenge in semi-arid regions. Many farmers have resorted to treated wastewater (TWW) as an available and low-cost water source. This study investigated the impact of irrigating potato (Solanum Tuberosum) and corn (Zea mays) with tertiary-treated (TW) and secondary-treated (SW) wastewater compared to freshwater, over two years.

Community health assessment of needs and continuous empowerment (CHANCE): a quantitative cross-sectional survey targeting primary health care nurses in Lebanon.

Background: Primary Health Care (PHC) is the cornerstone of any healthcare system, with nurses forming the largest workforce involved in care. This study aimed to assess the current use of core competencies among community-based nurses, identify their learning needs, and assess factors associated with training needs within PHC centers.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used, targeting community health nurses working within primary healthcare centers.

Social connections related to health and well-being needs identified by children and adolescents affected by displacement in Lebanon: a participatory research study.

Introduction: The social connections surrounding children and adolescents support them in facing challenges and seeking help, ultimately acting as a protective factor in their mental, physical, and behavioral health outcomes across the life course. In complex contexts of political instability and dislocation, these social resources are often fractured, strained, or altogether unavailable, which restricts access to essential services and affects outcomes for these populations. This study aims to identify, characterize, and visually depict social connections related to the health and well-being needs of children and adolescents affected by displacement in Lebanon, by pilot testing the Participatory Assessment Tool for Mapping Social Connections (PATMSC).

Challenges in accessing health care services for women and girls with disabilities using a humanitarian physical rehabilitation program in Lebanon: a mixed method study.

Background: Achieving equitable healthcare access for persons with disabilities is vital, as they often face various barriers that impact their health and well-being. Recognizing the importance of gender equity, this study aims to explore the specific barriers faced by women and girls with disabilities in accessing quality healthcare services in Lebanon.

Methods: A mixed-method sequential explanatory approach was employed.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of bacillary layer detachment in central serous chorioretinopathy: a comparative multicenter study.

Background: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is marked by serous retinal detachments caused by fluid leakage from the retinal pigment epithelium, often associated with stress, psychiatric disorders and the use of corticosteroids. This study aims to investigate the clinical and systemic characteristics associated with BALAD in patients with CSC, comparing those with and without BALAD to clarify its function as a biomarker of CSC severity and improve diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Purpose: Compare the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in patients with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC) with and without Bacillary Layer Detachment (BALAD), and to identify the distinguishing features and associated conditions of CSC with BALAD.

Long-term follow-up of patients with a first clinical demyelinating event (clinically isolated syndrome) who received cladribine tablets in CLASSIC-MS: Findings for the ORACLE-MS cohort.

Background: CLASSIC-MS explored long-term outcomes of patients treated with cladribine tablets.

Objective: Assess long-term efficacy in patients previously enrolled in ORACLE-MS, a Phase III parent trial.

Methods: ORACLE-MS included patients with a first clinical demyelinating event (FCDE or clinically isolated syndrome) who received ⩾1 course of cladribine tablets or placebo.

A Prospective Evaluation of Chemokine Receptor-4 (CXCR4) Overexpression in High-grade Glioma Using Ga-Pentixafor (Pars-Cixafor™) PET/CT Imaging.

Background: While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the gold standard for morphological imaging, its ability to differentiate between tumor tissue and treatment-induced changes on the cellular level is insufficient. Notably, glioma cells, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), demonstrate overexpression of chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4). This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of non-invasive Ga-Cixafor™ PET/CT as a tool to improve diagnostic accuracy in patients with high-grade glioma.

Syndecan-1: a key player in health and disease.

Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) is a transmembrane protein localized on the basolateral surface of epithelial cells, encompassing a core protein with heparin sulfate and chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan side chains. SDC-1 is involved in a panoply of cellular mechanisms including cell-to-cell adhesion, extracellular matrix interactions, cell cycle modulation, and lipid clearance. Alterations in the expression and function of SDC-1 are implicated in numerous disease entities, making it an attractive diagnostic and therapeutic target.

Adult anterior sacral myelomeningocele associated with a didelphys uterus: A rare case report presentation.

Anterior spinal myelomeningocele (ASM) is a rare congenital anomaly which may remain asymptomatic until adulthood. This anomaly may reveal in different presentations causing in its turn a diagnostic dilemma. Definitive diagnosis is usually made through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and when an association with other abnormalities can be found, especially ones including the genitourinary system.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease: review of data from the Arab world.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) are common, underrecognized, and impact patients' quality of life. Research around this topic is scarce in the Arab world. The aim of this comprehensive narrative review was to examine available evidence and discusses its strengths and limitations.

The use of alpha-adrenergic antagonists in pediatric nephrolithiasis: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate existing clinical evidence for the efficacy of alpha blockers in the management of pediatric stone disease.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Cohort and randomized control trials of patients less than 18 years old with kidney stones managed with alpha-adrenergic antagonists were included.

CircRNAs and miRNAs: Key Player Duo in Breast Cancer Dynamics and Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Early Detection and Prevention.

Breast cancer (BC) remains a significant global health issue, necessitating advanced molecular approaches for early detection and prevention. This review delves into the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in BC, highlighting their potential as non-invasive biomarkers. Utilizing in silico tools and databases, we propose a novel methodology to establish mRNA/circRNA/miRNA axes possibly indicative of early detection and possible prevention.

Dietary Nutrition: The Friend or the Foe to Gastrointestinal Health.

Over the years and even centuries, instincts, habits, cultures, social determinants, wars, and health needs were, and still are, factors that have shaped our dietary nutrition [...

Direct Interaction Between CD34 Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reciprocally Preserves Stemness.

Background/objectives: A specialized microenvironment in the bone marrow, composed of stromal cells including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), supports hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal, and differentiation bands play an important role in leukemia development and progression. The reciprocal direct interaction between MSCs and CD34 HSCs under physiological and pathological conditions is yet to be fully characterized.

Methods: Here, we established a direct co-culture model between MSCs and CD34 HSCs or MSCs and acute myeloid leukemia cells (THP-1, Molm-13, and primary cells from patients) to study heterocellular communication.

History of Corneal Cross-Linking.

Corneal cross-linking (CXL) has profoundly changed the management of keratoconus and other ectatic corneal diseases. Introduced in the late 1990s, CXL marked the first effective intervention to halt disease progression. This chapter describes the history of CXL, beginning with its conceptual foundations and preclinical studies conducted at the University of Dresden.

The role of older antibiotics in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections: current perspectives.

Purpose Of Review: The aim is to discuss the evidence and recent literature on the role of older antibiotics in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs).

Recent Findings: The choice of therapy for SSTIs is complicated in view of the rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the availability of new antibiotics. SSTIs are predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococci, but other organisms can be involved in patients with comorbidities or post trauma.

Faith, Friends, and Humor: How Medical Students Cope with Academic Stress in a Private Medical University in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to assess the various coping strategies that medical students at Alfaisal College of Medicine use to adapt to stressors and adversities faced in a medical school environment.

Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an online questionnaire distributed to medical students (aged 18+) at Alfaisal University from March 15 to April 30, 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on College of Medicine students from Years 1 to 5.

Reframing thalassaemia syndrome as a benign haematopoietic stem cell disorder.

Thalassaemia, caused by over 250 mutations in the beta globin gene, changes the haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis. This Wider Perspective article overlooks its underlying nature as a benign HSC disorder with a significant impact on the erythroid cell lineage. The simplicity of managing symptoms through transfusions and iron chelation therapy has shifted the focus away from the development of cell-based treatments.

Prevalence of incomplete atypical femoral fractures using single energy absorptiometry after long term anti-resorptive therapy.

Atypical femur fractures (AFFs) have been reported with long term use of anti-resorptive drugs. Early identification is crucial because it allows early intervention to stop the progression to complete fracture, thus potentially reducing the ensuing burden. It has been shown that extending the scan image to take a full-length image of the femur (FFI) using single energy (SE) X-rays at the time of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan can detect findings in the spectrum of AFF.

Acute Hemorrhagic Rectal Ulcer Presenting With Severe Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Report of an Emerging Entity.

Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. We present the case of a 74-year-old man who developed sudden massive hematochezia and hypotension during hospitalization for fever of unknown origin. He was known to have alcohol-related liver cirrhosis, hypoalbuminemia and coronary artery disease (CAD) and was on daily aspirin.

Radiation-induced nephrotoxicity: Role of SMPDL3b.

Background: Radiation nephropathy (RN) can be a significant late complication after radiotherapy for abdominal and paraspinal tumors. The mechanisms for the development of RN are thought to involve disruption of podocyte function, leading to podocyte cell death and, finally, impaired renal function. This study investigated the mechanistic role of SMPDL3b in regulating podocyte injury and renal function after irradiation.

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma from the clinic to genomics: Insights for pathologists.

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) is a mature aggressive B-cell lymphoma that arises in the anterior mediastinum, likely originating from thymic B cells. Initially considered a subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, PMBL has since been established as a distinct clinicopathologic entity due to its unique clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic and genetic characteristics. PMBL primarily affects young adults, especially women, and manifests as a bulky mediastinal mass that can invade adjacent structures, often causing respiratory symptoms.