Blood Donor Serological Screening in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A 7-Year Retrospective Study on Transfusion-Transmitted Infections.

Screening donated blood for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) is a critical component of transfusion safety, particularly in high-demand regions such as Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. This study is aimed at assessing the seroprevalence of TTI markers among blood donors at King Abdulaziz Hospital-Makkah (KAHM) over a 7-year period. In this retrospective study, 17,661 individuals who donated blood at the KAHM, Saudi Arabia, from January 2017 to December 2023, were included.

Exploring the links between functional activation and hallucination proneness.

Hallucinations are often associated with alterations in brain activation, particularly in language-related and sensory processing areas. Existing models suggest different frameworks for understanding the relationship between brain activation and hallucination proneness, yet practical evidence supporting these models remains limited. This study investigates the neural correlates of hallucination proneness in healthy individuals through functional MRI (fMRI) tasks focusing on both auditory and visual processing, including voice and text comprehension, face recognition, and audio-visual stimuli.

Exploring the relationship between hallucination proneness and brain morphology.

Background: Hallucinations, including both auditory and visual forms, are often associated with alterations in brain structure, particularly in specific language-related cortical areas. Existing models propose different frameworks for understanding the relationship between brain volume and hallucination proneness, but practical evidence supporting these models is limited.

Methods: This study investigated the relationship between hallucination proneness and brain volume in language-related cortical regions, specifically the superior temporal gyrus and Broca's area.

Role of Morphology on Zinc Oxide Nanostructures for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Activity and Hydrogen Production.

Energy generation today heavily relies on the field of photocatalysis, with many conventional energy generation strategies now superseded by the conversion of solar energy into chemical or thermal energy for a variety of energy-related applications. Global warming has pointed to the urgent necessity of moving away from non-renewable energy sources, with a resulting emphasis on creating the best photocatalysts for effective solar conversion by investigating a variety of material systems and material combinations. The present study explores the influence of morphological changes on the photoelectrochemical activity of zinc oxide nanostructures by exploiting electrodeposition and capping agents to control the growth rates of different ZnO facets and obtain well-defined nanostructures and orientations.

Associations between oxygen saturation Index and oxygenation index in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Objective: To explore the relationship between Oxygenation Index (OI) and Oxygen Saturation Index (OSI) among infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), both within the first 24 h after birth and in extended observations in those who survived until their surgical intervention.

Methods: Seven- years retrospective review of CDH cases at a single Level III neonatal intensive care unit. The correlations of various combinations of OI-OSI pairs were assessed using the Spearman's rho Correlation Coefficient.

Nursing Students' Perspectives on Academic Dishonesty During Examinations and Assignments: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objective Academic dishonesty or misconduct among nursing students is a crucial concern within educational institutions. In nursing education, academic dishonesty hinders the development of knowledge and skills among students, thereby jeopardizing both patient safety and the effectiveness of clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and forms of academic dishonesty among nursing students in Saudi Arabia.

Oxidative stress and ion channels in neurodegenerative diseases.

Numerous neurodegenerative diseases result from altered ion channel function and mutations. The intracellular redox status can significantly alter the gating characteristics of ion channels. Abundant neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress have been documented, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease.

Investigating the Feasibility of Predicting KRAS Status, Tumor Staging, and Extramural Venous Invasion in Colorectal Cancer Using Inter-Platform Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiomic Features.

(1) Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. The accurate prediction of key genetic mutations, such as the KRAS status, tumor staging, and extramural venous invasion (EMVI), is crucial for guiding personalized treatment decisions and improving patients' outcomes. MRI radiomics was assessed to predict the KRAS status and tumor staging in colorectal cancer patients across different imaging platforms to improve the personalized treatment decisions and outcomes.

Surgical Treatment of Irreducible AcuteTraumatic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation in an Adult.

Traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS) is a condition that is extremely rare in adults when compared to the pediatric population. The most common symptoms of this condition are torticollis and post-traumatic neck pain. Our patient is a 41-year-old male who presented to the emergency room within hours of the injury.

First report of SYNE1 arthrogryposis multiplex congenita from Saudi Arabia with a novel mutation: a case report.

Background: Myogenic Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita type 3 (AMC-3), is a rare congenital condition characterized by severe hypotonia, club feet, and multiple joint contractures often affecting both arms and legs which start prior to birth.

Case Presentation: We report a full-term neonate born to first-degree cousins from fourth-generation consanguineous families, who had with antenatal history of reduced fetal movements. At birth, he was noticed to have bilateral club feet, arthrogryposis, severe hypotonia, and absent deep tendon reflexes.

COVID-19-Related Pulmonary Embolism: Incidence, Characteristics, and Risk Factors.

Introduction:  The 2020 world pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was initially reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, which has since then spread globally. Several studies on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) describe a high risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). The majority of PEs in patients with COVID-19 were in the segmental arteries.

Pediatric appendicitis in times of COVID-19: Think MIS-C.

We report two cases of children presenting with clinical and radiological findings suggestive of acute appendicitis. Both patients underwent appendectomy and were subsequently diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Histopathology revealed reactive lymphoid follicle hyperplasia in one patient and acute appendicitis in the other.

Safety and Blood Loss Associated With Tourniquets in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Objective To measure total blood loss and safety of tourniquets, tourniquets during cementation, or no tourniquets during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods This retrospective cohort study included 75 patients from King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients were equally divided into three groups: tourniquets, no-tourniquets, and tourniquets during cementation.

Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and service utilization of young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a research center in Saudi Arabia: The road to autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

Objectives: To assess how clinical services are accessed and utilized by young children with suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and identifying factors that prevent the early identification of developmental concerns and diagnosis.

Methods: This retrospective study examined the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of a convenience sample of children diagnosed with ASD at the Center for Autism Research, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 2016 and 2018. The characteristics of ASD assessment and intervention service use were examined.

Coinfections with Bacteria, Fungi, and Respiratory Viruses in Patients with SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Coinfection with bacteria, fungi, and respiratory viruses in SARS-CoV-2 is of particular importance due to the possibility of increased morbidity and mortality. In this meta-analysis, we calculated the prevalence of such coinfections.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched from 1 December 2019 to 31 March 2021.

Zn and N Codoped TiO Thin Films: Photocatalytic and Bactericidal Activity.

We explore a series of Zn and N codoped TiO thin films grown using chemical vapor deposition. Films were prepared with various concentrations of Zn (0.4-2.

The Utilization of Spironolactone in Heart Failure Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) has high morbidity and mortality rates. Spironolactone has shown a 30% reduction in all-cause mortality, reduction in hospitalizations, and sudden death. However, data shows low use of spironolactone in HF patients.

Photobactericidal activity activated by thiolated gold nanoclusters at low flux levels of white light.

The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a major threat to the practice of modern medicine. Photobactericidal agents have obtained significant attention as promising candidates to kill bacteria, and they have been extensively studied. However, to obtain photobactericidal activity, an intense white light source or UV-activation is usually required.

Enhanced Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Ability of Cu-Doped Anatase TiO Thin Films: Theory and Experiment.

Multifunctional thin films which can display both photocatalytic and antibacterial activity are of great interest industrially. Here, for the first time, we have used aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition to deposit highly photoactive thin films of Cu-doped anatase TiO on glass substrates. The films displayed much enhanced photocatalytic activity relative to pure anatase and showed excellent antibacterial (vs and ) ability.

Internal Jugular and Subclavian Vein Thrombosis in a Post-liver Transplant Patient.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is an unusual case of vascular disease of the upper limb veins, that could result in multiple complications if left untreated. IJVT can be subdivided into primary and secondary. Primary IJVT is when the thrombosis happens to someone without known risk factors, while secondary IJVT is when it happens to a person with previous risk factors.

Heterojunction α-Fe O /ZnO Films with Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties Grown by Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition.

Type I heterojunction films of α-Fe O /ZnO are reported here as a non-titania based photocatalyst, which shows remarkable enhancement in the photocatalytic properties towards stearic acid degradation under UVA-light exposure (λ=365 nm), with a quantum efficiency of ξ=4.42±1.54×10 molecules degraded/photon, which was about 16 times greater than that of α-Fe O , and 2.

Utility of cardiac magnetic resonance in recurrent myocarditis.

We report a 26-year-old man who presented to the emergency department four times within a 4-year period with recurrent myocarditis. His presentations were characterized by chest pain, elevated troponin I, and normal coronary angiography. Endomyocardial biopsy showed nonspecific inflammatory process.

Antibacterial properties of Cu-ZrO thin films prepared via aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition.

The antibacterial properties of a Cu-ZrO film grown via aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition are presented. The composite film showed high activity against E. coli (Gram-negative) and S.

Quality of assessment and counselling offered by community pharmacists and medication sale without prescription to patients presenting with acute cardiac symptoms: a simulated client study.

Purpose: Self-medication is common worldwide. However, the prevalence of sale of prescription medications without prescription and the quality of assessment and counselling provided by community pharmacists to cardiac patients is unknown. We sought to determine the prevalence of prescription medication sales and explore how pharmacists assess and counsel patients with acute cardiac conditions.