Outcomes of Free Muscle Flaps versus Free Fasciocutaneous Flaps for Lower Limb Reconstruction following Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background:  Free flap reconstruction of the lower limb following trauma often suffers higher complication rates than other areas of the body. The choice of muscle or fasciocutaneous free flap is an area of active debate.

Methods:  A systematic review of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane Register from inception to April 1, 2022 was performed.

Predictors of early death risk among untransplanted patients with combined immunodeficiencies affecting cellular and humoral immunity: A multicenter report.

Background: There is an increased demand for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) to treat various diseases including combined immunodeficiencies (CID), with limited worldwide availability. Variables affecting the decision regarding CID patients' prioritization for HSCT are not known. We aimed to determine general, clinical, and immunologic factors associated with the higher risk of early death (≤6 months after diagnosis) in untransplanted CID patients.

The Variation in Outcomes of Septic Patients: A Dual-Centre Comparative Study.

Introduction Despite significant advances in the field of medicine, sepsis is constantly growing as a major public health concern. The global epidemic of sepsis imposes a significant economic burden on healthcare systems world-over. Furthermore, its high prevalence in society is inevitably paralleled by an excessive mortality rate, with approximately six million deaths reported every year.

Intestinal -fused spindle cell neoplasm with S100 and CD34 coexpression: a new case.

Recurrent fusions involving neurotrophin tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) genes have been increasingly recognised in spindle cell tumours of somatic soft tissues due to the widespread use of RNA-based sequencing techniques. This heterogeneous group of neoplasms is included as an emerging entity in the current A subset of these tumours, associated with NTRK1 fusions, displays a distinctive phenotype in the form of monomorphic cytomorphology, patternless arrangement, perivascular and stromal hyalinisation, and CD34+/S100+/SOX10- immunoprofile. Gastrointestinal tract counterparts have been recently described with emphasis on distinction from wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST).

Identification of a novel founder variant in cause primary ciliary dyskinesia in five consanguineous families derived from a single tribe descendant of Arabian Peninsula.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is caused by dysfunction of motile cilia resulting in insufficient mucociliary clearance of the lungs. The overall aim of this study is to identify disease causing genetic variants for PCD patients in the Kuwaiti population. A cohort of multiple consanguineous PCD families was identified from Kuwaiti patients and genomic DNA from the family members was analysed for variant screening.

The Middle East and North Africa Diagnosis and Management Guidelines for Inborn Errors of Immunity.

Human inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a group of 485 distinct genetic disorders affecting children and adults. Signs and symptoms of IEI are heterogeneous, and accurate diagnosis can be challenging and depends on the available human expertise and laboratory resources. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has an increased prevalence of IEI because of the high rate of consanguinity with a predominance of autosomal recessive disorders.

Gene Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Unlocking the Opportunities in Countries in the Middle East and Beyond.

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe neuromuscular disorder which leads to progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Most patients die from cardiac or respiratory failure. Gene transfer therapy offers a promising approach to treating this disorder.

Clinical, immunological, molecular and therapeutic findings in monogenic immune dysregulation diseases: Middle East and North Africa registry.

Monogenic immune dysregulation diseases (MIDD) are caused by defective immunotolerance. This study was designed to increase knowledge on the prevalence and spectrum of MIDDs, genetic patterns, and outcomes in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). MIDD patients from 11 MENA countries (Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Jordan, Qatar, and Azerbaijan) were retrospectively evaluated.

An experimental vignette study to assess stigmatized attitudes towards tobacco smokers in Kuwait.

Introduction: Smoking is the most common method to consume tobacco. Although the prevalence of smoking is on the increase among females, it is still shown to be lower when compared with males, as there is a buildup of stigma towards tobacco smokers, with structural discrimination beginning to emerge. This study explored the effect of gender on stigmatizing attitude and behavior towards tobacco smokers.

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Healing Time in Patients Following Pilonidal Sinus Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background:  Pilonidal disease (PD) is a debilitating condition characterised by the infection of subcutaneous tissue in the sacrococcygeal area. It is associated with a high risk of recurrence, pain, infection, and purulent discharge. The two main surgical methods of pilonidal sinus disease include excision with primary closure/flap repair or excision of the sinus with healing by secondary intent.

BCG Vaccine-associated Complications in a Large Cohort of Children With Combined Immunodeficiencies Affecting Cellular and Humoral Immunity.

Aims: To present the details of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccine associated complications (VACs) in combined immunodeficiencies (CID) patients.

Methods: Five centers participated in this retrospective study and completed a data form, which included general patients' information, clinical and laboratory data.

Results: Among 236 CID patients, 127 were BCG vaccinated.

Clinical outcomes of single-stage versus two-stage laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass in the management of obesity (BMI ≥ 50 kg/m): a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in patients with obesity, BMI ≥ 50 kg/m, can be a challenging operation. Weight loss with intra-gastric balloon (IGB) insertion prior to LRYGB may improve operative outcomes.

Methods: Between June 2000 and June 2020, patients with a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m underwent either IGB insertion followed by LRYGB (two-stage group), or LRYGB as the definitive bariatric procedure (single-stage group) in our institution.

Digital Contact Tracing Applications against COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered public anxiety around the world. So far, the evidence suggests that prevention on a public scale is the most effective health measure for thwarting the progress of COVID-19. Another critical aspect of preventing COVID-19 is contact tracing.

The Utilization of Three-Dimensional Printing in Creating a Surgical Instrument: An Areola Cookie Cutter.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a rapidly evolving technology with many applications in the medical field. It involves printing solid objects from a digital file. In this paper, we describe our experience with the use of 3D printing in creating an areola cookie cutter that is compatible with sterilization.

In-hospital mortality in SARS-CoV-2 stratified by the use of corticosteroid.

Objective: To investigate COVID-19 related mоrtаlity according to the use of corticosteroid therapy.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Two tertiary hospitals in Kuwait.

A Low-cost, Sterile System for Fat Collection Using a Syringe Tube as a Reservoir.

Fat grafting is a widely performed procedure in the field of plastic surgery. It involves fat extraction, processing, and injection into a recipient site. It is imperative that the fat is collected and processed in a sterile system.

In-hospital mortality in SARS-CoV-2 stratified by sex diffrences: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine in-hospital mortality in patients presenting with severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to evaluate for any differences in outcome according to sex differences.

Methods: Patients with SRS-CoV-2 infection were recruited into this retrospective cohort study between February 26 and September 8, 2020 and strаtified ассоrding tо the sex differences.

Results: In tоtаl оf 3360 раtients (meаn аge 44 ± 17 years) were included, of whom 2221 (66%) were mаle.

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.

Challenges and recommendations for the management of asthma in the Middle East and Africa.

Clinical presentation of asthma is variable, and its diagnosis can be a major challenge in routine health-care practice, especially in low-and-middle-income countries. The aim of asthma management is to achieve optimal asthma control and to reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations and mortality. In the Middle East and in Africa (MEA), several patient- and physician-related factors lead to misdiagnosis and suboptimal management of asthma.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy: a national prospective study in Kuwait.

Background: An increasing proportion of women are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during pregnancy. Intrauterine viral infections induce an increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which inhibit the proliferation of neuronal precursor cells and stimulate oligodendrocyte cell death, leading to abnormal neurodevelopment. Whether a maternal cytokine storm can affect neonatal brain development is unclear.