Liver Cancer and Risk Factors in the MENA Region: Epidemiology and Temporal Trends Based on the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Data.

Background: Liver cancer (LivCa) is a growing concern in the MENA region, driven by diverse factors, including viral hepatitis, lifestyle-related risks, and other causes.

Methods: Utilizing GBD 2019 data, we assessed LivCa patterns, emphasizing chronic viral hepatitis, non-viral factors, and health care disparities across the MENA region.

Results: Rising LivCa rates, particularly related to chronic viral hepatitis, highlight the region's health challenges.

Percutaneous closure of multiple atrial septal defects in a child utilizing three Occlutech Figulla septal occluders: A bailout.

We describe a unique report of percutaneous closure of multiple secundum atrial septal defects in a child utilizing three Occlutech Figulla septal occluders deployed sequentially. The procedure was performed under live three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography guidance.

The Lebanese percreta group: A retrospective cohort study of both radical and conservative management outcomes of abnormally invasive placenta.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to illustrate the outcomes of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) cases managed in three leading centers in Lebanon.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study. Patients managed conservatively (cesarean delivery with successful placental separation) or radically (cesarean hysterectomy) were included in the study.

Sitting versus standing work postures during simulated laparoscopic surgery: in terms of user preferences, comfort, performance and biomechanics.

Prolonged standing in surgery has been linked to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether sitting could serve as an alternative work posture in laparoscopic procedures. Twenty medical students in their third and fourth years were recruited.

Hybrid stage 1 palliation for HLHS: the experience of a tertiary center in a developing country.

Background: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) accounts for 2.6% of congenital heart disease and is an invariably fatal cardiac anomaly if left untreated. Approximately 33,750 babies are born annually with HLHS in developing countries.

Tips and Tricks to Safely Perform an Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-Sphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: A Surgeon's Checklist.

The authors aimed to develop an extensive preoperative checklist of CT scan findings during endoscopic access to the ventral skull base and implement it in clinical practice. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the radiological landmarks crucial to endoscopic skull base surgery. Four electronic databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar using search terms/keywords such as "radiological landmarks," "endoscopic skull base surgery," "CT scan," "pituitary surgery," "anatomical variations," "internal carotid," "optic nerve," "sphenoid sinus," "pneumatization," "dehiscence," and "protrusion".

Psychosocial characteristics are associated with adherence to dietary, drugs and physical activity recommendations amongst cardiovascular disease patients in Lebanon.

Cardiovascular diseases are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, reaching epidemic proportions in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, including Lebanon. Despite the growing number of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases in Lebanon, there is scarce data on whether cardiac patients adhere to therapeutic dietary guidelines, drug prescriptions, and physical activity recommendations and whether such adherence differs according to sociodemographic, lifestyle, or psychosocial characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 367 Lebanese adult cardiovascular disease patients admitted for hospitalization at various hospital sites in Lebanon.

Salmonella typhimurium necrotizing fasciitis: a case report.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive disease that causes necrosis in the muscular fascia and subcutaneous tissues. The infection spreads rapidly along the fascia and perifascial planes, followed by extension of the infection to nearby soft tissues and muscles. Necrotizing fasciitis can be attributed to different pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus, group A streptococci, and Clostridium perfringes.

[Vaccination of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: Guidelines from the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC)].

During immune reconstitution following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), (re)vaccination of allo-HSCT recipients is recommended. Herein, we propose an update of practical recommendations regarding vaccination of allo-HSCT recipients. These recommendations, based on data from the literature, national and international guidelines and the consensus of the participants when no formally proven data are available, were elaborated during the workshop of practice harmonization organized by the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC) in Lille in September 2022.

The challenges of international collaboration in conflict and health research: experience from the Research for Health in Conflict-Middle East and North Africa (R4HC-MENA) partnership.

Background: Healthcare is a basic human right extending across all humanitarian contexts, including conflict. Globally, two billion people are living under conditions of insecurity and violent armed conflict with a consequent impact on public health. Health research in conflict-affected regions has been recognised as important to gain more understanding of the actual needs of such populations, to optimise healthcare delivery, as well as to inform advocacy and policy change.

Lung Cancer and Risk Factors in Lebanon: Epidemiology, Temporal Trends, and Comparison to Countries From Different Regions in the World.

Background: Lung cancer (Lca) is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study examines the Lca incidence and trends in Lebanon and compares them to regional and global ones. It also discusses Lca risk factors in Lebanon.

University students' intentions to seek psychological counseling, attitudes toward seeking psychological help, and stigma.

Background: Mental health problems are prevalent among university students worldwide. Studies have shown that most students do not disclose and do not get the psychological help and support they need.

Objectives: This survey aims to investigate the intentions to seek psychological counseling (ISC) among university students, their attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH), and the predictors of those intentions and attitudes including stigma.

Burnout rates among Lebanese pre-final and final year medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-centered survey-based study.

Background: Burnout among medical students has always been a major concern.

Objective: To evaluate changes in the prevalence rates of burnout among Lebanese pre-final and final year medical students while taking into consideration the impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on both the academical and clinical experiences.

Methods: This is a multi-centered, survey-based, cross-sectional study conducted in October 2021.

Fibromyalgia: epidemiology and risk factors, a population-based case-control study in Damascus, Syria.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease with a high burden. We aim to be the first to investigate the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in Syria and assess its risk factors.

Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to the public to identify fibromyalgia patients using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 modified criteria.

Outcomes of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination in a Private Women Health Clinic in Lebanon.

Objectives: The study aims to report on the feasibility and associated adverse events of HPV-Vaccination (HPVV) in a private clinic setting in Lebanon and, when available, the results of subsequent cervical cancer screening.

Methods: Opportunistic HPV vaccination is offered at the Women's Health Center of the AUBMC. We retrospectively reviewed the patients' demographic data, the incidence of adverse events, and their cytological screening.

The effect of a patient informative leaflet on chronic use of proton pump inhibitors in a primary care center: a randomized control trial.

Background: Chronic non-medically indicated PPIs are highly prescribed worldwide. The long-term side effects of PPI must be wisely considered during an extended prescription duration. Our study purpose is to assess the impact of providing patients and physicians with educational guides on the rates of reducing or eliminating PPIs.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part III: Management strategies in primary and cough-specialty care. .

Background: Chronic cough management necessitates a clear integrated care pathway approach. Primary care physicians initially encounter the majority of chronic cough patients, yet their role in proper management can prove challenging due to limited access to advanced diagnostic testing. A multidisciplinary approach involving otolaryngologists and chest physicians, allergists, and gastroenterologists, among others, is central to the optimal diagnosis and treatment of conditions which underly or worsen cough.

Adjustable Gastric Banding Conversion to One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass: Data Analysis of a Multicenter Database.

Introduction: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) has been proposed as a rescue technique for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) poor responders.

Aim: We sought to analyze, complications, mortality, and medium-term weight loss results after LAGB conversion to OAGB.

Methods: Data analysis of an international multicenter database.

Music as an adjunct to combination analgesia for neonatal circumcision: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Neonatal circumcision is one of the most frequently performed procedures in male infants; it is also particularly painful. In a previous trial, we showed that the combination of Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) + Sucrose + Ring Block (RB) was significantly effective in reducing pain during circumcision.

Objective: In this study, we added music as an adjunct aiming to further reduce the pain scores.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part II: Phenotypes and mechanisms of abnormal cough presentation - .

Background: Chronic cough can be triggered by respiratory and non-respiratory tract illnesses originating mainly from the upper and lower airways, and the GI tract (ie, reflux). Recent findings suggest it can also be a prominent feature in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), laryngeal hyperresponsiveness, and COVID-19. The classification of chronic cough is constantly updated but lacks clear definition.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part 1: Role of TRP channels in neurogenic inflammation of cough neuronal pathways.

Background: Cough features a complex peripheral and central neuronal network. The function of the chemosensitive and stretch (afferent) cough receptors is well described but partly understood. It is speculated that chronic cough reflects a neurogenic inflammation of the cough reflex, which becomes hypersensitive.

Classification of early-stage colon cancer with Immunoscore: clinical evidence and case studies.

Immunoscore is a digital pathology diagnostic immunoassay used to complement tumor node metastasis staging for the prediction of recurrence risk in patients with early-stage colon cancer. In combination with standard clinicopathological features, Immunoscore informs adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making for patients with early-stage colon cancer. Immunoscore has been validated in patients with stage II/III colon cancer and demonstrated to be a stronger prognostic factor for survival than tumor node metastasis staging alone.

The Association Between Initial Serum Bicarbonate Levels and the Management of Dehydrated Children in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Review.

Objectives: There is no consensus in the current literature on the relevance of serum bicarbonate levels, cutoff benchmarks and the management of dehydration; therefore, this study aims to explore whether an association can be established between initial serum bicarbonate levels and the subsequent management of children between the ages of 0 to 36 months presenting to the emergency department (ED) with dehydration.

Methods: The study is a single center, retrospective review of 335 charts of children between 0 and 36 months of age presenting to the ED of an urban academic tertiary hospital between June 2014 and June 2016 with a medical history suggestive of dehydration and documented serum bicarbonate levels during their visits.

Results: A total of 310 charts were analyzed.

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

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men globally. This study aims at investigating the incidence rates and trends of prostate cancer in Lebanon, and to compare them to those of countries from different regions in the world.

Methods: Data on prostate cancer were obtained from the Lebanese national cancer registry for the years 2005 to 2016.