Advanced Lung Imaging with Photon-counting Detectors: Insights from Thermoluminescence Dosimetry.

Rationale And Objectives: This study investigates the dose burden of photon-counting detector (PCD) lung CT with ultra-high-resolution (UHR) and standard mode using organ-based tube current modulation (OBTCM).

Materials And Methods: An anthropomorphic Alderson-Rando phantom was scanned in UHR and standard mode with and without OBTCM on three dose levels (IQ 5, 20, 50). Effective radiation dose was determined by thermoluminescent dosimetry in 13 measurement sites and compared with the calculated effective dose derived from the dose-length product.

Long-term follow-up of treatment outcomes in Graves' disease and toxic nodular disease.

Purpose: Hyperthyroidism guidelines have not been updated over the past five years, despite numerous data on the subject, and recent studies providing a wide variation in treatment success rates. We aim to compare the effectiveness and safety of treatment modalities in patients with Graves' disease or toxic nodular disease.

Methods: Single center retrospective cohort study of Graves' disease and toxic nodular disease patients treated between 1983 and 2023.

High prevalence of carbapenem-resistant (CRE) in human samples from Nigeria: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The rise in Carbapenem-resistant (CRE) is perturbing. To curb the menace of CRE, a comprehensive understanding of its prevalence and epidemiology is crucial. As varying reports abound, the true prevalence of CRE in Nigeria remains unknown.

A Pediatric Bench Model of Continuous Albuterol Delivery Using Heliox.

Background: The optimal setup for continuously administering albuterol with heliox remains unclear, especially for pediatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of continuous albuterol delivery with heliox using different nebulizer setups in a pediatric model.

Methods: A pediatric manikin with simulated spontaneous breathing was used to receive continuous albuterol (20 mg/h) with heliox (80/20) in 3 setups: (1) The MiniHEART nebulizer, driven by oxygen at 3 L/min, was attached to a Y-piece, linking to a non-rebreather mask and a valved reservoir with 11 L/min heliox; (2) a vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN) placed at the humidifier inlet of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) with 11 L/min heliox and the manikin's mouth sealed; and (3) a VMN placed between a valved reservoir with 11 L/min heliox and a non-rebreather mask.

Video Documentation in Thyroidectomy and an Evaluation of Operative Notes.

Introduction Accurate and detailed documentation of surgical operation notes is crucial for post-operative care, research and academic purposes, and medico-legal clarity. Several studies have shown their defiency and inaccuracy sometimes, and some methods have been proposed to make them more objective. This study aimed to evaluate the completeness of thyroidectomy operative notes in a tertiary center and to assess the adequacy of video documentation by comparing it to the corresponding operative notes.

Role of Natural Antioxidants in Cancer.

The oxidative stress defined as an event caused by an imbalance between production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which lead to a damage in the structure of proteins, lipids, and DNA. Therefore, the production of ROS may alter the normal physiological process by provoking damage to multiple cellular organelles and processes. Oxidative stress has been linked to heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, immune deficiency, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other inflammatory or ischemic conditions.

Leveraging machine learning to enhance postoperative risk assessment in coronary artery bypass grafting patients with unprotected left main disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Risk stratification for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) for left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease is essential for informed decision-making. This study explored the potential of machine learning (ML) methods to identify key risk factors associated with mortality in this patient group.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 866 patients from the Gulf Left Main Registry who presented between 2015 and 2019.

Opioid and benzodiazepine requirements in critically ill post-surgical children with down syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Down syndrome (DS), or Trisomy 21, is defined by the existence of an additional chromosome 21. Various physiological considerations in DS patients might lead to challenges in adequate pain management and sedation after surgery. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the variations of the requirement needed for pain management and sedation in patients with DS who have undergone surgery compared to patients without DS.

[Care for Seriously Injured People in Military Conflicts].

The current war in Ukraine has drawn public attention to the treatment of war injuries. Follow-up treatment in Germany is portrayed the clover leaf of the TraumaNetzwerke DGU, is largely based on the demands of the Federal Ministries for Defence and Health and is intended to enhance resilience in war.The present article presents the special features of the care of severely injured patients during hostilities and should provide insights into the expected results of treatment and the actual procedures.

Evaluating the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy in critically ill smokers: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: The effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in critically ill patients remains uncertain, as conflicting research results have been reported. Despite potential side effects and inconsistent data on safety and efficacy, NRT is still prescribed in intensive care units (ICUs) to prevent withdrawal symptoms and manage agitation in patients who are smokers. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy in critically ill smoking patients.

The Management of Esophageal Perforation: A Systematic Review.

Esophageal perforation, a rare and serious condition, has seen a reduction in mortality from 30% to 15% over the last three decades due to advancements such as gastrointestinal stents, minimally invasive surgeries, and improved interventional radiology techniques. This review analyzes management strategies for esophageal perforation based on 14 English-language articles published from 2009 to 2024, primarily utilizing surveys and national database analyses. The management of esophageal perforation is complex, with challenges in diagnosis and treatment strategy.

Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Values of Left Atrial Strain in Valvular Heart Disease.

There has been increasing evidence supporting the importance of left atrial (LA) functional analysis and measurement in various physiologic and pathologic cardiovascular conditions due to its high diagnostic and prognostic values. Assessment of LA strain (LAS) has emerged as an early marker of subclinical LA dysfunction. Using speckle-tracking echocardiography, LAS can be measured in all phases of LA function (reservoir, conduit, and booster pump).

Anthocyanins as Adjuvant Treatment for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Recent studies suggest a role for anthocyanins in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of the present review was to assess the effect of anthocyanins as an adjuvant treatment in patients with NAFLD. The literature search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Web of Science, and Scopus without language or time limits up to March 27, 2024.

Outcomes of inferior oblique muscle myectomy with tucking into Tenon's capsule, cohort prospective study.

: Inferior oblique muscle overaction (IOOA) is a prevalent ocular muscle motility disorder. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes and impact of IO muscle myectomy with and without tucking the proximal end of the muscle into Tenon's capsule in two surgical groups as a treatment for IOOA. : Randomized cohort study that involves two surgical groups.

A Study of the Effect of Treatment On the Clinical Profile, Pain, and Disability in Migraine Patients Seen in a Tertiary Hospital.

Background: Migraine is a disabling disease that poses a significant societal burden. Migraine is a major cause of disability. Migraine is the eighth leading disease-causing disability in the population.

Vitamin E for the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a serious condition that may develop in patients undergoing diagnostic radiologic procedures. Several treatments have been assessed to prevent CIN development. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of vitamin E in the prevention of CIN compared to intravenous (IV) saline hydration.

Morphological and functional assessment of the left atrial appendage in daily practice: a comprehensive approach using basic and advanced echocardiography with practical tips.

Cardioembolic stroke is the most serious and life-threatening complication of atrial fibrillation (AF), with an associated mortality up to 30% at 12 months. Approximately 47% of thrombi in valvular AF and 91% of thrombi in nonvalvular AF are localized in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Therefore, identification or exclusion of LAA thrombi is critical in many clinical situations.

Antimycobacterial and Anticancer Properties of Leaf Extract.

Background: Plant-derived products or extracts are widely used in folk/traditional medicine to treat several infections, ailments, or disorders. A well-known medicinal herb, is an evergreen fragrant plant native to the Mediterranean region that has been used for ages in traditional medicine around the world.

Materials And Methods: The microplate alamarBlue assay and the well diffusion method were used to evaluate the zone of inhibition and MIC, respectively.

Effect of sacubitril/valsartan on hospital readmissions in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Sacubitril/valsartan is an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) that has been shown in multiple clinical trials to have clinical benefits and is recommended by major clinical management guidelines as a first-line treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The most significant benefit that was observed in clinical trials is its effect in reducing hospital readmissions. However, little evidence supports its effectiveness in practice, especially in Saudi Arabia.

Sitosterolemia With Two Heterozygous Variants Including a Novel Mutation c.1800T>A in the ABCG5 Gene: A Case Report of a Rare Condition in a Young Saudi Girl.

Sitosterolemia is a rare autosomal recessively inherited lipid disorder characterized by an accumulation and deposition of phytosterols in various tissues with decreased biliary excretion leading to various complications. We report a case of a three-year-old Saudi girl who exhibited xanthomas and elevated cholesterol levels. Initially, she was misdiagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia, but subsequent testing of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene by next-generation sequencing ruled out this condition.

Urologists' proficiency in various donor nephrectomy approaches: a real-life survey, systematic review, and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Donor nephrectomy (DN) is a unique surgical procedure in urological practice, as it involves exposing a healthy individual to the potential risks of surgery. This type of surgery exhibits heterogeneity in terms of approach (open, laparoscopic, or robotic), each with its unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Consequently, there is currently a lack of universally agreed upon clear guidelines.