Parental Attitudes and Hesitancy About COVID-19 Vaccination Versus Routine Childhood Vaccination in a Selected Hospital in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: A complex interplay of social and political influences, cultural and religious beliefs, the availability and interpretation of health and scientific information, individual and population experiences with health systems, and government policies contributes to the anxiety about vaccines and their programs that results in vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy is becoming a serious threat to vaccination programs; in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed it as one of the top ten global health threats. The negative impacts of antivaccination movements are blamed for the major portion of the global resistance to vaccination.

Inflammatory bowel disease burden in the Middle East and North Africa Region: a comprehensive analysis of incidence, prevalence, and mortality from 1990-2019.

Background: The epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has changed rapidly in recent years. Objective data concerning the IBD burden in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is limited. We aimed to provide a systematic report on the IBD burden in the MENA region.

Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder affecting 1:1,000,000 children. It results from pathogenic variants in the PLA2G6 gene located on chromosome 22q13.1.

Extracellular NAD response to post-hepatectomy liver failure: bridging preclinical and clinical findings.

Liver fibrosis progressing to cirrhosis is a major risk factor for liver cancer, impacting surgical treatment and survival. Our study focuses on the role of extracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (eNAD) in liver fibrosis, analyzing liver disease patients undergoing surgery. Additionally, we explore NAD's therapeutic potential in a mouse model of extended liver resection and in vitro using 3D hepatocyte spheroids.

A case report of extremely rare case of fishbone penetration from stomach into spleen, causing splenic abscess, managed by spleen preserving surgery.

Introduction: Fishbone penetrating from the stomach into the spleen, causing a splenic abscess, is an extremely rare condition.

Case Presentation: We report a case of fishbone penetration from the stomach into the spleen, presenting as a splenic abscess and acute peritonitis, diagnosed pre-operatively with a contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and subsequently managed with spleen-preserving surgery.

Discussion: Fishbone penetration from the stomach into the spleen, causing a splenic abscess, which is an extremely rare occurrence.

The neuroma map: A systematic review of the anatomic distribution, etiologies, and surgical treatment of painful traumatic neuromas.

Background: This study analyzed all reported cases of painful traumatic neuromas to better understand their anatomic distribution, etiologies, and surgical treatment.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched in October 2023 for articles describing painful traumatic neuromas.

Results: In total, 414 articles reporting 5,562 neuromas were included and categorized into head/neck, trunk, upper extremity, lower extremity, and autonomic nerves.

Impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial stewardship program: Study protocol.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affects the healthcare system worldwide and challenges many governments and institutions. Antimicrobial stewardship program advocating the wise use of antimicrobial agents. Its metrics include antimicrobial use measures, process, and outcome performance indications.

No drains versus drains after perforated peptic ulcer repair: A randomized controlled trail.

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate safety of omitting the intraabdominal drains after perforated peptic ulcer repairs.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial from January 2022 to January 2024 at the Emergency surgery department. Patients with perforated peptic ulcers were evaluated for eligibility.

Subtypes of Venous Thromboembolism in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nationwide Assessment.

Background: Data detailing the risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) subtypes among individuals with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain limited. We looked to assess the odds of VTE subtypes among hospitalized individuals with IBD as compared to those without IBD.

Materials & Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, we applied a multivariable regression analysis to compare the odds of primary VTE-related hospitalizations among individuals with and without IBD from 2016 to 2020, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), portal vein thrombosis (PVT), Budd Chiari syndrome (BCS), renal vein thrombosis (RVT), and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).

Arteriovenous Length Ratio: A Novel Method for Evaluating Retinal Vasculature Morphology and Its Diagnostic Potential in Eye-Related Diseases.

Retinal imaging is a non-invasive technique used to scan the back of the eye, enabling the extraction of potential biomarkers like the artery and vein ratio (AVR). This ratio is known for its association with various diseases, such as hypertensive retinopathy (HR) or diabetic retinopathy, and is crucial in assessing retinal health. HR refers to the morphological changes in retinal vessels caused by persistent high blood pressure.

WBC Count vs. CRP Level in Laboratory Markers and USG vs. CT Abdomen in Imaging Modalities: A Retrospective Study in the United Arab Emirates to Determine Which Are the Better Diagnostic Tools for Acute Appendicitis.

Introduction Acute Appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical emergency. Despite the use of various diagnostic parameters, the rate of negative appendectomy remains high (30%). Thus, through our retrospective study, we aim to analyse whether white blood cell (WBC) count or C-reactive protein (CRP) level is more indicative in the confirmation of AA.

Effectiveness and Role of Using Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Gluteal Augmentation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Techniques and Outcomes.

Introduction: There has been a rapid increase in the number of patients undergoing non-surgical gluteal augmentation in recent years, leading to an increase in the number of articles in the literature regarding the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) for gluteal augmentation. No systematic review has been published on the effectiveness of HA for gluteal augmentation. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive review regarding the effectiveness and role of using HA for gluteal augmentation.

The effectiveness of simulation-based training on KAU hospital housekeeping staff performance.

Background: Hospital Housekeeping staff play a key role in maintaining safe and clean environments to prevent infection and its spread in hospital. Innovative training approaches are necessary for this category; especially since their educational level is below average. Simulation based training can be a valuable tool for them in health care sector.

Point prevalence survey of antibiotic utilization in secondary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates.

Objectives: The present study was carried out to identify and report the pattern of antibiotics prescribing to determine the adherence to the international empirical and therapeutic guidelines of antibiotic use.

Methods: A point prevalence survey took place at a selected date of January 26, 2020, in which data collection was performed to all the patients present in the hospital who used at least one systemic antibiotic agent as an inpatient from 00:00 am until midnight of that day. This was performed using European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC - audit tool).

Elective surgery system strengthening: development, measurement, and validation of the surgical preparedness index across 1632 hospitals in 119 countries.

Background: The 2015 Lancet Commission on global surgery identified surgery and anaesthesia as indispensable parts of holistic health-care systems. However, COVID-19 exposed the fragility of planned surgical services around the world, which have also been neglected in pandemic recovery planning. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel index to support local elective surgical system strengthening and address growing backlogs.

Four Severity Levels for Grading the Tortuosity of a Retinal Fundus Image.

Hypertensive retinopathy severity classification is proportionally related to tortuosity severity grading. No tortuosity severity scale enables a computer-aided system to classify the tortuosity severity of a retinal image. This work aimed to introduce a machine learning model that can identify the severity of a retinal image automatically and hence contribute to developing a hypertensive retinopathy or diabetic retinopathy automated grading system.

The Pharmacist's Role in Managing COVID-19 in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Review of Existing Strategies and Future Implications.

The global burden of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only disrupted healthcare delivery but has also compromised patients' access to healthcare on account of the scarcity of medications and trained healthcare professionals. COVID-19 has been particularly challenging for patient subpopulations constituting immunocompromised individuals, geriatric patients, and those afflicted by chronic ailments. Reports indicate that diminished kidney function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) renders patients highly susceptible to complications during COVID-19 treatment.

Infantile Sandhoff disease with ventricular septal defect: a case report.

Background: Infantile Sandhoff disease is a rare inherited disorder that progressively destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and is classified under lysosomal storage disorder. It is an autosomal recessive disorder of sphingolipid metabolism that results from deficiency of the lysosomal enzymes β-hexosaminidase A and B. The resultant accumulation of GM2 ganglioside within both gray matter nuclei and myelin sheaths of the white matter results in eventual severe neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration.

Posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation in post-adenoidectomy velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation using septal or conchal cartilages with other bulks-according to the persistent gap and the individual anatomy of each patient-in improving velopharyngeal function in patients who acquired persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) post-adenoidectomy.

Methods: Observational descriptive prospective case series of 24 patients (their ages ranged between 3 and 26 years) who developed persistent VPI post-adenoidectomy (more than 3 months) although they had normal speech resonance before adenoidectomy.

Results: The present study demonstrated that statistically significant improvement in auditory perceptual assessment (APA) was found regarding all obligatory speech disorders and unintelligibility of speech.

Reduced Enterohepatic Recirculation of Mycophenolate and Lower Blood Concentrations Are Associated with the Stool Bacterial Microbiome after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an important immunosuppressant used after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). MMF has a narrow therapeutic index, and blood concentrations of mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active component of MMF, are highly variable. Low MPA concentrations are associated with the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), whereas high concentrations are associated with toxicity.

Implementation of virtual clinical pharmacy services by incorporating medical professionals and pharmacy students: A novel patient-oriented system to advance healthcare in India.

The healthcare sector is continuously evolving in pace to meet the medical needs of the society. Even though therapeutic reforms are happening, medication discrepancies are the prime cause of hospitalization. This has generated an invincible demand for clinical pharmacy services.

A cross-sectional study on the use of near-visual display devices in the Middle-Eastern children population.

Purpose: The objective of the study is to highlight the demographics, awareness of hazards, ocular symptoms, and healthy practices associated with the use of near-visual display devices (NVDD) in the Middle-Eastern children population.

Methods: Two hundred and sixty participants aged 4-16 years responded to a questionnaire on demographic aspects, symptoms, awareness of hazards, and healthy practices associated with the use of NVDD.

Results: Daily use, prolonged viewing (for 3 h or more), and the use of multiple NVDD (2 or more) were seen in the majority (79.

A Quantitative Synthesis of Eight Decades of Global Multiple Sclerosis Research Using Bibliometrics.

Bibliometric studies on the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) research are scarce. The aim of this study is to offer an overarching view of the body of knowledge about MS research over eight decades-from 1945 to 2021-by means of a bibliometric analysis. We performed a quantitative analysis of a massive dataset based on Web of Science.

CFTR Modulators Restore Acidification of Autophago-Lysosomes and Bacterial Clearance in Cystic Fibrosis Macrophages.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) human and mouse macrophages are defective in their ability to clear bacteria such as . The autophagy process in CF (F508del) macrophages is halted, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Furthermore, the role of CFTR in maintaining the acidification of endosomal and lysosomal compartments in CF cells has been a subject of debate.