The role of ethanol in fatalities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi Arabia, alcohol consumption is prohibited by law, but interpreting postmortem ethanol can be complicated by its postmortem production. This study developed and validated a method using headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy to detect ethanol and its polar metabolites (ethyl glucuronide [EtG] and ethyl sulfate [EtS]) in postmortem blood and urine specimens, respectively. All calibration curves were linear with coefficients of determination greater than 0.

Obesity, gestational weight gain, and polyunsaturated fatty acids profile in pregnant Saudi women.

Obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) are associated with a deficiency of essential fatty acids, affecting maternal health during and after pregnancy. Therefore, it is of interest to identify the associations of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and GWG with lipid profiles in Saudi women after giving birth. Hence, a cross-sectional study of 238 pregnant women aged 20-40 years was conducted at the King Abdul Aziz Hospital, in Al-Ahsa Governorate-Saudi Arabia.

Method for Postmortem Tissue Quantification of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Metabolites Using LC-MS-MS.

A method for analyzing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC (THC-OH) and 11-nor-Δ9-THC-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in postmortem solid specimens using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. A Stomacher instrument was used to prepare these tissues before extraction. Prior to solid phase extraction, liver, kidney, stomach, lung, brain, muscle, bladder and intestine tissues were pretreated with alkaline hydrolysis.

Rising prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia, a descriptive study.

Background: In 2015, the first nationwide, multicenter Multiple Sclerosis (MS) registry was initiated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) mainly with an objective to describe current epidemiology, disease patterns, and clinical characteristics of MS in Saudi Arabia. This article aimed to report initial findings of the registry and regional prevalence of MS.

Method: In 2015, a national MS registry was launched in KSA to register all MS patient with confirmed diagnosis according to the 2010 McDonald Criteria.

Punctate Palmoplantar Keratoderma: A Case Report of Type 1 (Buschke-Fischer-Brauer Disease).

Punctate palmoplantar keratoderma is a rare hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma. Herein we report a 59-year-old male, otherwise healthy, who presented with a 25-year history of asymptomatic persistent slowly progressing skin lesions on both hands. The parents are non-consanguineous and none of his family members had similar lesions.

Method for Postmortem Quantification of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Metabolites Using LC-MS-MS.

A specific, sensitive, fast and simple method for analysis of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC (THC-OH) and 11-nor-Δ9-THC-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in routine postmortem cases using LC-MS-MS was developed and validated. Prior to solid phase extraction, urine, stomach contents and bile were pretreated using alkaline hydrolysis, while blood and vitreous humor were pretreated with protein precipitation. The distribution of THC, THC-OH and THC-COOH were investigated in 31 postmortem cases that tested positive for cannabinoids.

Prospective comparative study between the effect of CIDEX OPA and STERRAD NX on the durability of digital flexible ureteroscope.

Purpose: We compared the effect of chemical disinfection (CIDEX OPA) and low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (STERRAD NX) on two brand new digital flexible ureteroscope (DFU) (Flex-Xc) using subjective and objective parameters.

Methods: Over 11-month period, all flexible ureteroscopic procedures that fulfill the inclusion criteria were done by two brand new flexible ureteroscopes and were prospectively evaluated. Intraoperative data included total operative time, laser power and duration, stone criteria and subjective evaluation of the procedure as well as visibility and maneuverability scores were reported.

Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum is a very rare, benign adnexal tumor that originates from the apocrine sweat glands. Herein, we report a 25-year-old male who presented with a 10-year history of an asymptomatic slowly growing skin lesion on his face. Skin examination revealed a solitary rounded 3 × 3 cm erythematous plaque with central crustation on the right side of his face.

Reliability of sonoelastography in predicting pediatric cervical lymph node malignancy.

Purpose: Controversy exists as regards the best non-invasive diagnostic tool for pediatric cervical lymphadenopathy. The current work aimed to evaluate the reliability, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of sonoelastography in diagnosing benign and/or malignant pediatric cervical lymphadenopathy.

Methods: Prospective study took place over a period of 4 years from January 2013 to December 2016.

Histological and biochemical study of the superficial abdominal fascia and its implication in obesity.

The advancement of liposculpturing and fascial flaps in reconstructive surgery has renewed interest in the superficial fascia of abdomen. Its histological and biochemical composition may play a vital role in maintaining strength and elasticity of the fascia. Hence, study of abdominal fascia for the elastic, collagen, and hydroxyproline contents is desirable to understand asymmetrical bulges and skin folds and in improving surgical treatment of obesity.

A Study of Physicochemical Properties of Subcutaneous Fat of the Abdomen and its Implication in Abdominal Obesity.

Introduction: The lower abdominal obesity is more resistant to absorption as compared to that of upper abdomen. Differences in the physicochemical properties of the subcutaneous fat of the upper and lower abdomen may be responsible for this variation. There is paucity of the scientific literature on the physicochemical properties of the subcutaneous fat of abdomen.

Erythromelanosis Follicularis Faciei: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Erythromelanosis follicularis faciei is a rare sporadic condition of unknown etiology characterized by reddish-brownish patches and follicular papules that appear commonly on the face and rarely on the neck. Herein, we report a 16-year-old male who had asymptomatic facial skin lesions since early childhood. His family history revealed a similar case in his younger brother.

Workplace violence against nursing staff in a Saudi university hospital.

Background: Violence against nurses is a major challenge for healthcare administrators. It is gaining more attention because it has a negative impact on nurses, the quality of health care and health organization. Common types of violence include physical harassment, sexual abuse, aggression, mobbing and bullying.

Collagen and Elastic Fiber Content Correlation Analysis between Horizontal and Vertical Orientations of Skin Samples of Human Body.

Background. Unequal distribution of dermal collagen and elastic fibers in different orientations of skin is reported to be one of the multifocal causes of scar related complications. Present study is to understand the correlation pattern between collagen in horizontal (CH) and in vertical (CV) directions as well as that of elastic in horizontal (EH) and vertical (EV) directions.

An unusual case of a patient who lost his native kidneys and renal allograft from cholesterol crystal emboli.

Cholesterol crystal emboli (CCE) syndrome involving native kidneys is an underdiagnosed condition. CCE is rare in renal allografts. It may present with acute kidney injury, but usually not acute graft loss.

Mechanisms linking obesity to male infertility.

Introduction: Obesity in men is associated with infertility in numerous studies. The current trend for decline in semen parameters parallels the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide. In addition to impaired semen quality, fertility among obese men may be affected by sexual dysfunction, endocrinopathy, aromatization activity, psychological and thermal effects, sleep apnea, leptin and minor toxins, and possibly the inflammatory and obstructive elements of epididymitis pathology.

Surgical implications of asymmetric distribution of dermal collagen and elastic fibres in two orientations of skin samples from extremities.

Background. Clinically, scar related complications are observed to be dissimilar in different regions of the body. Unequal distribution of dermal collagen and elastic fibres in different orientations could be one of the multifocal causes of scar related complications, for which this evaluating study has been taken up.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and steroid receptor status among Saudi women with breast cancer.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a mediator for the cellular effects of vitamin D and interacts with other cell signaling pathways that influence cancer development. We evaluated the associations of the FOK1 and Taq1 VDR polymorphisms and breast cancer risk and possible effect modification by steroid receptor status of the tumor. This case-control study includes 95 breast cancer patients and 100 age-matched controls.

Iron deficiency anaemia in reproductive age women attending obstetrics and gynecology outpatient of university health centre in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. The aim of this questionnaire based survey study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in reproductive age women, and their relation to variables such as age, marital status, education with those attending obstetrics and gynecology outpatient of King Faisal University Health Centre in Al-Ahsa in eastern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted for the period of 6 month staring from September 2012 to February 2013.

Dosimetric analytic comparison of inverse and forward planned IMRT techniques in the treatment of head and neck cancer.

Purpose: Our aim was to investigate if, and to what degree, improvements of IMRT treatment plans generated by forward planning can be achieved with an inverse planning strategy for treatments of head and neck cancer.

Methods: Between June 2007 and April 2008, 19 patients with head-and-neck cancers were treated at KAAH and Oncology Center Jeddah, using forward planning intensity modulated radiation therapy (FP-IMRT). They received thirty fractions over six weeks, to simultaneously deliver 66 Gy to the gross tumor (CTV1), 60 Gy to the soft tissue and nodes adjacent to the previous volume (CTV2), and 54 Gy to elective nodes (CTV3).

Secondary infertility and the aging male, overview.

Introduction: Old men preparing themselves for marriage late in their lives might face infertility. Infertility in this group of men should be considered from a wider perspective, as they face any age-related health troubles that include, but are not limited to, androgen deficiency and psychological disorders that impede early conception. This review aims to shed light on the proper approach to this minority of secondarily infertile men.

Assessment of apparent diffusion coefficient values as predictor of aggressiveness in peripheral zone prostate cancer: comparison with Gleason score.

Purpose. To determine association between apparent diffusion coefficient value on diffusion-weighted imaging and Gleason score in patients with prostate cancer. Methods.