Emerging Role of Gut Microbiota in Breast Cancer Development and Its Implications in Treatment.

The human digestive system contains approximately 100 trillion bacteria. The gut microbiota is an emerging field of research that is associated with specific biological processes in many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, brain disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiota affects the response to anticancer therapies by modulating the host immune system.

Flibanserin conquers murine depressive pseudodementia by amending HPA axis, maladaptive inflammation and AKT/GSK/STAT/BDNF trajectory: Center-staging of the serotonergic/adrenergic circuitry.

Depressive pseudodementia (DPD) is a debilitating cognitive dysfunction that accompanies major and/or frequent depressive attacks. DPD has gained significant research attention owing to its negative effects on the patients' quality of life and productivity. This study tested the procognitive potential of Flibanserin (FBN), the serotonin (5HT) receptor modulator, against propranolol (PRP), as β/5HT1A receptors blocker.

Exploring Clinical Remission in Moderate Asthma - Perspectives from Asia, the Middle East, and South America.

Introduction: Clinical remission is a relatively new concept in asthma but recent research initiatives suggest it could be an ambitious and achievable therapeutic target for patients with asthma.

Methods: In this modified Delphi study (comprising two online surveys, completed either side of a virtual scientific workshop), the opinions of a panel of respiratory physicians were evaluated to summarize perspective statements on key therapeutic outcomes and criteria for on-treatment clinical remission in patients with moderate asthma. An agreement threshold was pre-defined as agreement by ≥ 75% of participants.

Glomerulonephritis after Alemtuzumab Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis: A Report of Two Cases.

Introduction: Alemtuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), has been associated with increased risk of autoimmune adverse events, including thyroid disorders, immune thrombocytopenia, and renal diseases. Renal immune-mediated adverse events, which have been reported in 0.3% of patients treated with alemtuzumab in MS clinical trials, typically occur within 39 months after the last drug administration.

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for the Management of Weight Recurrence After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective treatment for obesity and improvement of obesity-associated comorbidities. However, a proportion of these patients may suffer from weight recurrence and recurrence of obesity-associated comorbidities.

Method: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent SG between January 2008 and August 2022 and sought treatment for weight recurrence with semaglutide or tirzepetide from January 2022 onwards.

Real-World Study on Effectiveness of Insulin Glargine U300 After Oral Antidiabetic Drug Failure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the Gulf Region.

Introduction: The effectiveness and safety of long-acting insulin glargine U300 (Gla-300), in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requiring insulin, has not been reported in the Gulf region.

Methods: Insulin-naïve patients with T2DM, uncontrolled on OADs, and prescribed Gla-300 were followed up in a 12-month prospective observational study. Gla-300 was titrated to glycemic targets.

Effectiveness and tolerability of liraglutide for the management of weight regain following sleeve gastrectomy.

Background: There is currently very little research evidence on the benefits and safety of liraglutide in the management of weight regain or inadequate weight loss following metabolic and bariatric surgery. This study aimed to determine the clinical effectiveness and tolerability of liraglutide as an adjunct therapy for managing weight regain and inadequate weight loss following sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of medical records conducted at a private clinic in Kuwait.

Intact non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy in a patient with a history of two cesarean sections: A case report.

This article reports a case of an unruptured rudimentary horn viable pregnancy at 18 weeks of gestation. The diagnosis was missed at two previous cesarean sections and on a second-trimester ultrasound scan of the index pregnancy. The condition is extremely rare, life-threatening and difficult to diagnose.

Health-related quality of life of Kuwaiti adults living with diabetes.

Diabetes is known to compromise patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It is important to understand the HRQoL of Kuwaiti nationals living with diabetes and identify factors that negatively affect it. This study included 1,182 Kuwaiti nationals with diabetes, aged 18-80 years.

Safety of Intravenous Iron in CKD Stage 3-5 Patients Not on Dialysis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Iron deficiency is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not on dialysis (ND). Restoring depleted iron stores through intravenous (IV) route is faster and associated with less side effects. There is conflicting data regarding intravenous iron use and its impact on clinical outcomes in this population.

Impact of COVID-19 infection on the dialysis population prospective, observational, nationwide study.

Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection but infection rates vary. Our objectives are to describe COVID-19 positive HD patients' characteristics, infection rates, and factors associated with mortality in HD COVID-19 cases in Kuwait.

Methods: Data on demographics, comorbidities, and treatments received, as well as mortality for HD patients admitted to hospitals for COVID-19, from 1/March to 31/July 2020, prospectively collected and analyzed.

Utilization and cost of drugs for diabetes and its comorbidities and complications in Kuwait.

Background: Diabetes imposes a large burden on countries' healthcare expenditures. In Kuwait, diabetes prevalence in adults is estimated at 22.0%%-double the worldwide prevalence (9.

Reducing Radiation Exposure from PET Patients.

This study measured the typical emitted radiation rate from the urinary bladder of PET patients after their scan and investigated simple methods for reducing the emitted radiation before discharge. The study included 83 patients (63 F-FDG and 20 F-NaF patients). Emitted radiation from the patients' urinary bladder was measured with an ionization survey meter at a 1-m distance, presuming the urinary bladder to be the primary source of radiation.

Surgical management of scalp cirsoid aneurysms: Kuwait experience. (case series).

Background: Cirsoid aneurysms are arteriovenous malformations of the scalp region that usually manifest as a painless pulsatile mass. These are present in the younger age group and frequently associated with trauma.

Objectives: Several treatment algorithms have been proposed, and we report our experience with sole surgical management.

Use of Rituximab as an Off-Label Medication in Glomerular Diseases: Clinical Perspective.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the use rituximab (RTX) and outcomes in immune-mediated glomerular diseases (glomerulonephritis [GN]) and to compare it to the established literature.

Methods: Adult GN patients who received RTX between January 2014 and January 2018 in three public hospitals were reviewed. Membranous nephropathy (MN) and minimal change disease (MCD) were considered diseases with the literature supporting RTX use.

Response to and outcomes of the Pfizer BNT162B2 vaccine in hemodialysis patients-A prospective observational study.

Introduction: COVID-19 infection is associated with high mortality among hemodialysis patients. Standard vaccine response is generally lower among these patients. The adequate antibody titer response and the outcome of COVID-19 vaccine responders versus non-responders are unknown.

Trans-oral endoscopic endocrine surgery vestibular approach: Pioneering the technique in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries - A case series.

Background: We present our experience with the first five thyroidectomies and parathyroidectomy in Kuwait performed via the transoral endoscopic vestibular approach.

Methods: Retrospective data collection for all trans-oral endoscopic vestibular approach endocrine surgeries performed at a single institution in Kuwait between November 2019 and February 2021. Information on patient demographics, perioperative management and complications were collected and reviewed.

Can Tumour Volume Percentage in Radical Prostatectomy Predict Cancer Biochemical Recurrence? Determining a Cut-off Point and Composite Risk Factors Approach.

Background: Incidence of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy is relatively high and overall survival can be poor. Debate exists whether tumour volume predicts BCR and when treatments should be administered. In this study, we aimed to i) assess the impact of tumour volume percentage (TVP) as a predictor for BCR, ii) determine TVP cut-off point for BCR and iii) evaluate single and composite predictors of BCR.

Introduction of an Ambulatory Care Medication Reconciliation Service in Dialysis Patients: Positive Impact on Medication Prescribing and Economic Benefit.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the implementation of medication reconciliation (MedRec) and medication-related costs in dialysis-dependent patients.

Methods: Completed best possible medication history and reconciliation forms were collected within 6 months from 77 patients' file at the dialysis center. Outcome measures were number and types of medication discrepancies, medication-related problems (MRPs), and their potential to cause harm, in addition to the type and number of interventions conducted during MedRec and the resulted medication costs reduction.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma treatment of moderate and severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection: A multicenter interventional study.

Objective: To study the effectiveness of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) therapy for patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 disease.

Methods: This non-randomized prospective cohort study was conducted from May 21 to June 30, 2020, at four major tertiary hospitals in Kuwait. CCP was administered to 135 patients.