The effect of open-label placebo on allergic rhinitis symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The evidence regarding the open-label placebo effect on allergic rhinitis symptoms remains uncertain. Open-label placebo significantly reduced the frequency of symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients with similar safety profiles; however, there was no effect on the severity of symptoms and impairment due to symptoms. The statistically significant impact on symptom frequency can be considered not clinically significant.

Psychiatrists' Insights on Integrating Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Care: A Multisite Middle Eastern Study.

: The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, perception, attitude, and self-efficacy of psychiatrists regarding the role of occupational therapy in mental health practice. : This study utilized a cross-sectional design to examine the perspectives of psychiatrists from various Middle Eastern countries on occupational therapy practice. A self-developed tool was mainly used to assess occupational therapy knowledge, autonomy, attitude, and self-efficacy.

Healthcare personnel acceptance and recommendations for influenza vaccine in twelve low- and middle-income countries: A pooled analysis from 2018 to 2020.

Background: Although healthcare personnel (HCP) are targeted for influenza vaccination they typically underutilize vaccines especially in low- and middle-income countries. We explored knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCP about seasonal influenza vaccines (SIV) to identify factors associated with and modifiable barriers to SIV uptake.

Methods: We pooled individual-level data from cross-sectional surveys about SIV conducted among health workers in 12 low- and middle- income countries during 2018-2020 (i.

Factors Affecting Length of Stay of Patients in a General Psychiatric Hospital in Bahrain: A Retrospective Study.

Background:  Length of stay (LOS) in a psychiatric facility can be used as a measurement of the quality of healthcare. Prolonged stays impact the quality of life of psychiatric patients as well as have a huge burden on healthcare expenditures.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study targeting 153 patients admitted to a general adult ward in a psychiatric hospital in Bahrain, with the final diagnosis based on ICD-10 criteria.

Ramadan fasting observance is associated with decreased sleep duration, increased daytime sleepiness and insomnia symptoms among student-athletes.

Objective: To examine the relationships between Ramadan fasting observance (RFO) and sleep-wake patterns, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia levels in student-athletes.

Methods: Sleep was measured using wrist-actigraphy in 25 semi-professional student-athletes (mean ± SD; age = 22 ± 2 years, height = 182.0 ± 5.

Prevalence and Awareness of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Among Full-Contact, Semi-contact, and Non-contact Sports Athletes in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Background The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a crucial connective tissue that links the femur to the tibia, playing a vital role in stabilizing the knee by resisting forward and rotational movements. ACL tears can occur due to both contact and non-contact sports injuries. Diagnosis and assessment typically involve the Lachman test and magnetic resonance imaging.

Willingness and self-confidence of healthcare workers in Bahrain in assisting with in-flight emergencies.

Background: In-flight medical emergency (IFE) impose considerable challenges on healthcare workers (HCWs) because of limited resources, constrained environment, and medico-legal issues. This study assessed HCWs knowledge, willingness, and confidence in addressing in-flight medical emergencies.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2023 among nurses and physicians working in primary healthcare centers and governmental hospitals in Bahrain.

Biogenic silver nanomaterials synthesized from leaf extract exhibiting robust antimicrobial and anticancer activities: Exploring the therapeutic potential.

There is a surge in antibiotic consumption because of the emergence of resistance among microbial pathogens. In the escalating challenge of antibiotic resistance in microbial pathogens, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-mediated therapy has proven to be the most effective and alternative therapeutic strategy for bacterial infections and cancer treatment. This study aims to explore the potential of OsAgNPs derived from aqueous leaf extract as antimicrobial agents and anticancer drug delivery modalities.

Impact of Soccer-Based Training Interventions on Anthropometric Measures Among Children and Adolescents With Overweight/Obesity: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Assessment of Certainty of Evidence.

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically examine and summarize recent evidence on the effects of soccer-based training (SBT) on anthropometric measures in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.

Methods: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines, a thorough literature search across 7 electronic databases was conducted on October 11, 2023. The studies' methodological quality was evaluated using the QualSyst tool, followed by conducting a meta-analysis with a random-effects model, and the certainty of evidence was assessed.

Gerascophobia or Excessive Fear of Aging Scale (GEFAS): Development, validation, and exploration of psychometric properties of a brief instrument using classical testing theory and item response theory.

Background: Gerascophobia, or excessive fear of aging, is thought to be caused by a mixture of cognitive, experiential, and physiological factors acting on a person at particular time points. Measurement tools for evaluating geraschophobia remain insufficiently developed, despite this commonplace fear's distress.

Objective: The objective of the current study was to develop and validate the Gerascophobia or Excessive Fear of Aging Scale (GEFAS) and analyze its psychometric properties.

Therapeutic potential of a novel pyrazolyl-pyridine derivative in the treatment of experimental colitis.

Investigating a novel compound, DMPNP, for treating colitis in mice, a key issue in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Mice with induced colitis received DMPNP (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) or sulfasalazine (SUL), evaluated via tissue assessment, Disease Activity Index (DAI), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO) levels and cytokine analysis. DMPNP significantly reduced colitis symptoms, inflammation and oxidative stress at higher doses, with marked improvements in DAI, MPO, NO and cytokines, comparable to SUL results.

Interventions for great saphenous vein insufficiency: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Great saphenous vein insufficiency (GSVI) adversely affects the quality of life of affected individuals. Minimally invasive endo-venous ablation techniques have emerged as effective and safe treatments, despite the longstanding use of surgical interventions. We aim in our study to evaluate all the available interventions in the literature, either endo-venous or conventional approaches for the treatment of GSVI.

A pharmacovigilance study assessing risk of angioedema with angiotensin receptor blockers using the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System.

Background: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used for treating hypertension and heart failure. Angioedema has been reported as a controversial adverse effect of ARBs and the evidence on individual ARB risks is limited. This study aimed to assess signals of angioedema with different ARBs using the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database.

The Psychopathological Predictors and Effects of Death Anxiety.

Death anxiety has been linked to several psychopathological conditions. However, the causes, comorbidity, and differential diagnosis of death anxiety is unexplored. This paper stands out by identifying common predictors of death anxiety and exploring the potential of death anxiety as a predictor for other psychological conditions.

Efficacy and Safety of Anti-VEGF Injections and Surgery for Age-Related Macular Degeneration-Related Submacular Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Topic: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the efficacy and safety of anti-VEGF injections compared with surgical intervention in improving visual acuity (VA) and reducing complications for patients with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) due to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Clinical Relevance: Determining the optimal intervention for SMH in AMD is crucial for patient care.

Methods: We included studies on anti-VEGF injections or surgical interventions for SMH in AMD from 7 databases, searched up to May 2024.

RNA-based logic for selective protein expression in senescent cells.

Cellular senescence is a cellular state characterized by irreversible growth arrest, resistance to apoptosis and secretion of inflammatory molecules, which is causally linked to the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases. Besides, there is accumulating evidence that selective removal of senescent cells can benefit therapies for cancer and fibrosis by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment. While the field of so-called senolytics has spawned promising small molecules and peptides for the selective removal of senescent cells, there is still no effective means to detect senescent cells in vivo, a prerequisite for understanding the role of senescence in pathophysiology and to assess the effectiveness of treatments aimed at removing senescent cells.

Musculoskeletal Health Risks Associated With Smartphone Use: A Retrospective Study from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Smartphone usage has become ubiquitous in Saudi Arabia with concerns growing over its impact on musculoskeletal health. Globally, various musculoskeletal symptoms have been linked to smartphone use such as neck pain, headaches, and shoulder discomfort, often exacerbated by poor posture and prolonged screen time.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to investigate the impact of smartphone use on musculoskeletal health among adults aged 18 years and older.

Humoral and Innate Immunological Profile of Paediatric Recipients of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was one of the essential tools in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike conventional vaccines, this newly approved mRNA vaccine is taken up by cells, which leads to the synthesis of the specific viral Spike antigen. The vaccine was initially introduced for adults, and the immunological profile of adult recipients is well-characterized.

Effects of Different Caffeine Dosages on Maximal Physical Performance and Potential Side Effects in Low-Consumer Female Athletes: Morning vs. Evening Administration.

While previous studies have explored a range of factors governing the optimal use of caffeine (CAF) in athletes, limited research has explored how time of day (TOD) affects the ergogenic effects of various CAF dosages on physical performance. This study aimed to increase knowledge about how different recommended CAF doses (3 mg/kg vs. 6 mg/kg) ingested at different TODs affected maximal high-intensity physical performance and the perception of potential side effects in female athletes.

The Effectiveness of No or Low-Dose versus High-Dose Aspirin in Treating Acute Kawasaki Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the effectiveness of no or low-dose versus high-dose aspirin on the incidence of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance, hospital stay length, and fever duration during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease. Our review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were comprehensively searched to identify relevant studies in the literature, including observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Insulin Blood Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Relation to Ethnicity and Age in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It may be attributed to certain placental hormones during pregnancy which render insulin less effective. Our study aimed to focus on the levels of insulin in gestational diabetic women in the Kingdom of Bahrain as compared with non-diabetic pregnant women.