Dysfunction in nitric oxide synthesis in streptozotocin treated rat aorta and role of methylglyoxal.

Diabetic vascular dysfunction is a major complication of diabetes. Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a dicarbonyl metabolite elevated in diabetic plasma that reacts with interstitial molecules to form advanced glycation end products (AGE). We investigated whether MGO affects the release of nitric oxide (NO) from rat aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), and if L-arginine can prevent these effects of MGO.

Identifying Prognostic Factors That Influence Outcome of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia in First Relapse in Saudi Arabia: Results of the Multicenter SAPHOS Study.

Background: The outcome of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first relapse (rAML) remains poor. Reported overall survival (OS) rates vary between high-income developed countries and those with fewer resources. The OS of rAML in high-income developing countries (HIDCs) has not been reported.

Effect of Water Sorption and Solubility on Color Stability of Bulk-Fill Resin Composite.

Aim: The objective of this study is to compare the bulk-fill resin composite to a conventional one, as regards; water sorption, solubility, and their effect on color stability.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted using two types of composites: Bulk-fill composite (Filtek Bulk-Fill) and nanohybrid composite for control (Filtek Z250 XT). Specimens were prepared using a ring mold, 10 from each material.

Awareness, understanding, attitude and barriers toward prescribing modern cancer immunotherapies in the Arabian Gulf countries.

Introduction: The use of modern immunotherapy has been evolving over the past few years, and various new agents have been developed for new indications at multiple primary sites in oncology. It is important for physicians who are involved in cancer care to be aware and updated about new therapeutic agents and their indications, potential benefits, and side effects.

Patients And Methods: From October to November 2017, we conducted a survey on the awareness, understanding, attitude, and barriers associated with prescribing modern cancer immunotherapies among physicians in the Arabian Gulf countries.

Current status of robot-assisted urologic surgery in Saudi Arabia: Trends and opinions from an Internet-based survey.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the current status of urologic robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in Saudi Arabia and evaluate perceptions of its importance and utility.

Methods: A 59-item questionnaire was E-mailed to urologists and trainees in Saudi Arabia to assess the demographics and individual and institutional surgical practices of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with a focus on RAS and urologic subtypes.

Results: Ninety-five surveys were completed.

Correction to: Assessment of tumor necrosis factor alpha polymorphism TNF-α (rs 361525) as a risk factor for development of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients.

The title of the original article has been corrected to: Assessment of tumor necrosis factor alpha polymorphism TNF-α (rs 361525) as a risk factor for development of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients. The original article has been corrected to reflect the correct title.

Assessment of tumor necrosis factor alpha polymorphism TNF-α (rs 361525) as a risk factor for development of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients.

Unlabelled: Critically ill patients revealed significant adverse outcomes (sepsis, septic shock, organ dysfunction/failure, and mortality) despite variable effort.

Aim: this study evaluated the association of TNF-a (rs 361525) with adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. TNF-α (rs 361525) SNP was performed by RT-PCR on 200 critically-ill patients (112 had severe sepsis and septic shock and 88 were septic), 127 of them had AKI.

Barriers to special care patients with mental illness receiving oral healthcare. A cross sectional study in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

To assess barriers to patients with mental illness receiving oral healthcare in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a 3-month cross-sectional study from the Department of Psychiatry at Al-Noor, Specialist Hospital in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia, between January 2017 and April 2017. A structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions was considered.

Biosimilars in rheumatology: recommendations for regulation and use in Middle Eastern countries.

The increasing availability of biosimilar medicines in Middle Eastern regions may provide an opportunity to increase the number of rheumatology patients who have access to traditionally more expensive biologic medicines. However, as well as a lack of real-world data on the use of biosimilar medicines in practice, the availability of intended copies in the region may undermine physician confidence in prescribing legitimate biosimilar medicines. There is a need for regional recommendations for healthcare professionals to ensure that biosimilar drugs can be used safely.

Challenges in the management of childhood low-grade glioma in a developing country.

Background: Treatment modality impacts outcome of childhood low-grade glioma (LGG). Optimizing management in developing countries can be challenging. This study evaluates the clinical characteristics, treatment, and factors influencing outcome of childhood LGG in Saudi Arabia.

Effect of melatonin versus vitamin D as antioxidant and Hepatoprotective agents in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic disease, with multiple complications including hepatopathy associated with imbalance of the oxidative status. The purpose of this study is to observe possible protective effects of vitamin-D and melatonin on glucose profile, antioxidant-oxidant status, lipid peroxidation, and histopathological protection of the liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Eighty three male albino rats were divided into nine groups as follows: ( = 10) Normal control rats; ( = 8) were normal rats treated with melatonin only; ( = 10) were normal rats treated with vitamin D only; ( = 9) were diabetic rats, which received no medications; ( = 8) were diabetic rat treated with insulin only; ( = 10) were diabetic rats treated with melatonin only; ( = 9) were diabetic rats treated with melatonin and insulin; ( = 9) were diabetic rats treated with vitamin D only; ( = 10) were diabetic rats treated with vitamin D and insulin.

Acute Renal Graft-Versus-Host Disease in a Murine Model of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a very common complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and is associated with a poor prognosis. Generally, the kidneys are assumed to not be no direct targets of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and renal impairment is often attributed to several other factors occurring in the early phase after BMT. Our study aimed to prove the existence of renal GvHD in a fully major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched model of BALB/c mice conditioned and transplanted according to 2 different intensity protocols.

The journey of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a review of reported lag times from the onset of symptoms.

Background: Even after achieving tremendous advances in diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), many of the patients undergo delays in diagnosis and initiation of treatment, which leads to worsening of the condition and poor prognosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to perform a literature review to quantify the lag times in diagnosis and treatment of RA and study the reported factors associated with it.

Methods: The authors searched literature published until September 2016 in electronic full-text and abstract databases and hand-searched the suitable articles.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Tacrine Analogues under Microwave Irradiation.

Efficient routes to various kinds of heterocycles incorporating the p-halophenyl moiety have been synthesized. Different pyrrole derivatives have been synthesized, as well, by Thorpe-Ziegler cyclization. Therefore, we synthesized different analogues of tacrine by Friedländer reaction of o-amino nitriles (pyrazolo, furano and pyrrolo) with different cycloalkanones.

Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: In contrast to most regions of the world where a decline of the HIV epidemic can be seen, data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suggests increasing incidence among key populations in the region. Accurate data collection has long been limited by social, cultural, and religious taboos. Understanding knowledge levels and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS is an important component to design adequate and culturally appropriate awareness and prevention programs.

Determining early referral criteria for patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis presenting to primary care physicians: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment for inflammatory arthritis can greatly improve patient outcome. We aimed to provide standardized and validated criteria for use by primary care physicians (PCPs) in the identification of individuals requiring referral to a rheumatologist.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed the predictive value of a wide variety of demographic variables, patient-reported complaints, physical examination results, and biomarkers in order to identify the most useful factors for indicating a requirement for referral.

Complications During Maxillary Sinus Augmentation Associated with Interfering Septa: A New Classification of Septa.

Purpose: A new classification of maxillary sinus interfering septa based on its orientation is presented along with its relationship to the prevalence and severity of sinus membrane perforations. Additionally, the impact of membrane perforation on post-operative complications and marginal bone loss during the first year of loading is evaluated.

Materials & Methods: Retrospective chart review of 79 consecutive sinus lift procedures with lateral window technique and 107 implants.

Treatment results in children with myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter SAPHOS leukemia group study.

Despite the high incidence of Down syndrome (DS) in Arab countires, the incidence and outcomes of myeloid leukemia of DS (ML-DS) have not been studied. We evaluated 206 pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2012 and identified 31 (15%) ML-DS. The incidence of ML-DS was 48 per 100,000 compared to 0.

Successful treatment of mature B-cell lymphoma with rituximab-based chemotherapy in a patient with Bloom syndrome.

This report presents a case of Bloom syndrome (BS) in a consanguineous Saudi family. The patient, an 11-year-old male with mature B-cell lymphoma, had minimal therapeutic response and significant dose-limiting toxicity with standard chemotherapy treatment. He later responded successfully to a rituximab-based chemotherapy protocol.

A Case of in an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Patient with a Suspected Paradoxical Response to Antituberculosis Therapy.

A 30-year-old male patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) presented with clinical picture suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. He was commenced on antituberculosis therapy (ATT) with signs of improvement. Then he developed cervical lymph node abscess which was drained.

Severe Primary Raynaud's Disease Treated with Rituximab.

Raynaud's phenomenon refers to reversible spasms of the peripheral arterioles that can be primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) or secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (SRP) to underlying connective tissue disease, both of which are characterized by a triphasic color response triggered by cold exposure or stress. PRP is typically a benign disease, whereas SRP may progress into digital ulcers and/or gangrene. Here, we report a case of a 55-year-old female diagnosed with PRP 7 years ago.

Prognostic significance of platelet count in SLE patients.

Hematological abnormalities, especially thrombocytopenia (TCP), are highly prevalent among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and at the same time it has been reported as a significant prognostic factor of SLE course. We further investigate the correlation between platelet count and the clinical manifestations and disease activity of SLE, in a cohort of Saudi Arabian female patients. A retrospective analysis was done for the medical records of 100 SLE female patients, selected from all patients diagnosed and treated for SLE at the Rheumatology outpatient clinics in Hera'a General Hospital, Holly Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

On Reliable and Efficient Data Gathering Based Routing in Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks.

This paper presents cooperative routing scheme to improve data reliability. The proposed protocol achieves its objective, however, at the cost of surplus energy consumption. Thus sink mobility is introduced to minimize the energy consumption cost of nodes as it directly collects data from the network nodes at minimized communication distance.