Ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy: A review of what operators need to know.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy (UG-PLB) is a commonly performed procedure for the diagnosis and monitoring of various liver diseases. The objective of this article is to present the most important information relating to UG-PLB from the perspective of interventional radiologists in a clear and concise fashion, referencing the most influential papers in current literature. This paper gives a brief overview of the history of the procedure and its conception, as well as the most common indications, contraindications, complications, and a technical overview of the most common techniques and equipment that are used by UG-PLB operators.

Depression and anxiety among patients with epilepsy: A cross-sectional study from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: It is well established that epileptic disorders are associated with a wide range of psychosocial issues that overburden the affected individuals and limit their lifestyle. This study aimed to determine the commonalities between depression and anxiety symptoms among patients with epilepsy (PWE). In addition, we assessed whether depression and anxiety rates varied depending on factors related to the disease.

The Role of Clinical Pharmacists in Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs): A Systematic Review.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, increasing deaths and healthcare costs. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been implemented to optimize antibiotic use and curb resistance. This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence on the role and impact of pharmacists in hospital ASPs.

Sleeve gastrectomy on a patient with situs Inversus: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Bariatric surgery is one of the methods used to treat obesity. Performing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) on patients with Situs Inversus Totals (SIT) could be very challenging and has no standard protocol yet. The aim of this case report is to describe our experience in performing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in situs inversus patients.

Small bowel obstruction secondary to gastric balloon migration: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that carries significant morbidity and mortality. It is considered a major risk factor for many serious diseases. Therefore, different invasive and noninvasive therapeutic modalities are being used to help obese individuals to return to a healthy life.

Cost of cardiovascular diseases and renal complications in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A retrospective analysis of claims database.

Background: The burden of macro- and microvascular complications in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is substantial in Middle East countries. The current study assessed the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs related to cardiovascular and renal complications among patients with T2DM.

Methodology: This non-interventional, longitudinal, retrospective, cohort study collected secondary data from three insurance claims databases across Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) of patients diagnosed with T2DM.

The Effect of Different Light-curing Units and Tip Distances on the Polymerization Efficiency of Bulk-fill Materials.

Problem Statement: In an average class II posterior preparation, the curing light tip is placed at a distance from the restoration surface that far exceeds the 1-mm manufacturer's recommendation. This distance can have potentially detrimental effects on the curing efficiency of the light-curing unit as well as the properties of the resin-based composite restoration, especially at the bottom of the cavity preparation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of various types of light-curing units (LCUs) and the different curing distances on the degree of conversion (DC) and the surface hardness of bulk-fill composite materials.

Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Adults in Saudi Arabia: Consensus Recommendations from the Dermatological Expert Group.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a long-term, pruritic, recurrent, systemic, inflammatory skin disorder. In the Middle East region, the burden of AD is understudied, and there is a dearth of AD guideline documents for practitioners.

Methods: An expert panel meeting, encompassing 12 dermatologists from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), was congregated to develop evidence- and experience-based consensus recommendations for AD management, especially in adults in KSA.

Processing Decision Tree Data Using Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence Technologies with Special Reference to Medical Application.

Alternative methods are available for a wide range of medical conditions. Idealistically, doctors would have a tool that would analyse their patients' symptoms and suggest the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Artificial intelligence uses decision trees to predict and classify large datasets.

Prevalence of discharge against medical advice and its associated demographic predictors among pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) occurs when the patient or their caretaker leaves the hospital against the recommendation of their treating physician. DAMA may expose the children to a high risk of inadequate treatment, which may result in readmission, prolonged morbidity, and mortality. The study aimed to identify the predictors of DAMA in the emergency department (ED) within the pediatric age group.

Fear of Nurses During COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Assessment.

We aimed to assess the level of fear among nurses in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted from June to August 2020. All nurses currently working in public and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic were invited to complete an online survey.

Influenza co-infection associated with severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Background: In COVID-19 patients, undetected co-infections may have severe clinical implications associated with increased hospitalization, varied treatment approaches and mortality. Therefore, we investigated the implications of viral and bacterial co-infection in COVID-19 clinical outcomes.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal samples were obtained from 48 COVID-19 patients (29% ICU and 71% non-ICU) and screened for the presence of 24 respiratory pathogens using six multiplex PCR panels.

Benefits of conservative management of a retained appendicolith after laparoscopic appendectomy: A case series.

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is a disease with multifactorial etiology and frequently includes lumen obstruction. Appendicoliths can pose a challenge during the appendectomy procedure if not identified.

Methods: This is a prospective case series at our academic institution involving two medically free patients with intra-abdominal abscess formation secondary to an overlooked appendicolith who were treated conservatively with a follow up period of one year for each patient.

The Prevalence of Headache and Associated Factors in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Only few studies have investigated the prevalence and risk factors of headaches among the Saudi population. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of headache and to explore its associated risk factors Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The multistage sampling technique was used to enroll 1200 population-based participants who were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire about headaches, demographics, and several other parameters such as smoking status and different chronic and psychological illnesses.

Investigating the learning approaches of students in nursing education.

Objectives: This study investigates the differences between nursing students' surface and deep approaches to learning across their demographic profiles. Further, this study explores the association between the participants' ages, year levels, and learning approaches.

Methods: From December 2019 to February 2020, we used a quantitative-comparative- correlational study design at the University of Hail KSA.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip and associated risk factors in Saudi children: A retrospective study.

Background: Studies investigating the association between developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and risk factors in Saudi Arabia are rare.

Objective: Investigate the association between DDH and several risk factors among Saudi children.

Methods: The medical records of 82 children born in or admitted to King Abdul Aziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with clinical suspicion of hip dislocation (HD) were included.

Evaluation of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in lipoabdominoplasty surgical procedure: a comparative study.

Background: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a well-known regional nerve block, used for the pain control in various surgeries. There are only few studies in the literature, which have evaluated analgesic efficacy of TAP block in Abdominoplasty; A surgery in which post-operative pain is of major concern for both patient and operating surgeon.

Objectives: We conducted randomized control trial, to assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block in Abdominoplasty patients for controlling post-operative pain.

Non-invasive Cardiac Imaging During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Statement from the Cardiac Imaging Working Group of the Saudi Heart Association.

COVID-19 pandemic has led to major changes in the delivery of medical care around the globe. Many investigations and elective procedures had to be rescheduled to decrease the risk of spreading the infection. Non-invasive cardiac imaging studies are requested to guide appropriate cardiac care in a variety of urgent, semi-urgent, and elective procedures.

A prospective cohort study comparing achieved anti-factor Xa peak levels in pregnant and non-pregnant patients receiving therapeutic-dose low-molecular-weight heparin.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin used during pregnancy to treat or prevent VTE. In this study, we compare anti-factor Xa peak levels in pregnant and non-pregnant women, and explore the association between anti-factor Xa (AFXa) peak levels and possible predictive parameters.

Recommendations to prevent nursing errors: Content analysis of semi-structured interviews with intensive care unit nurses in a developing country.

Aim: To elicit intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' recommendations to prevent nursing errors.

Background: Errors are usually induced by faulty systems, and managers play a key role in building a safe health care system.

Method: A qualitative research design was used.

Prevalence of Nocturnal Enuresis among Saudi Children Population.

Background Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is the involuntary urination that occurs while asleep after an age when bladder control at night is expected. It has a global incidence of 1.4%-28% among 6-12 years old children.

Discharge against Medical Advice (DAMA) from an Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The discharge against medical advice (DAMA) in the Emergency Department (ED) is an issue of great concern because it may result in adverse consequences at a later stage. The reported worldwide prevalence of DAMA ranges from 0.07 to 20% for emergency admissions.

Heterogeneous Cubic Multidimensional Integrated Circuit for Water and Food Security in Fish Farming Ponds.

Among major food production sectors, world aquaculture shows the highest growth rate, providing more than 50% of the global seafood market. However, water pollution in fish farming ponds is regarded as the leading cause of fish death and financial losses in the market. Here, an Internet of Things system based on a cubic multidimensional integration of circuit (MD-IC) is demonstrated for water and food security applications in fish farming ponds.

A Novel Digital Score for Abundance of Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes Predicts Disease Free Survival in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of head and neck (H&N) cancers with an increasing worldwide incidence and a worsening prognosis. The abundance of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has been shown to be a key prognostic indicator in a range of cancers with emerging evidence of its role in OSCC progression and treatment response. However, the current methods of TIL analysis are subjective and open to variability in interpretation.

Vitamin D Receptor Signaling Regulates Craniofacial Cartilage Development in Zebrafish.

Vitamin D plays essential roles in supporting the skeletal system. The active form of vitamin D functions through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). A hereditary vitamin-D-resistant rickets with facial dysmorphism has been reported, but the involvement of VDR signaling during early stages of craniofacial development remains to be elucidated.