The Effect of Interpersonal Communication on Prevention Behavior of Early Hypertension among Student at SMAN 6 and SMAN 19 Bone

Background: Hypertension is a health issue that is not only experienced by adults but can also develop during adolescence. This condition often continues into adulthood, with essential hypertension in adults frequently stemming from habits and risk factors that emerge during adolescence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2023 revealed that one in every 25 adolescents aged between 12 to 19 years old is diagnosed with hypertension. Among adolescents diagnosed with hypertension, 10% were found to have a prior history of prehypertension. Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of interpersonal communication on early hypertension prevention behavior among students of SMAN 6 and SMAN 19 Bone. Materials and Methods: The research design used was Quasi Experiment with pretest-posttest control group design. 110 grade 11 students made up the study population. They were split into two groups: the experimental group, which got an interpersonal communication intervention (n=55), and the control group, which received counseling (n=55). This study was carried out at SMAN 6 and SMAN 19 Bone. Simple random sampling was the method of sampling employed in this study, and a questionnaire was utilized as the research tool to gauge students' knowledge, attitudes, and action both before and after they received the intervention, which had been validated and proven to be reliable. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used for both univariate and bivariate data analysis. Results: This study showed significant differences in knowledge, attitudes, and actions in the experimental group regarding hypertension prevention behaviors, with p-values for knowledge (p=0.017), attitude (p=0.000), and action (p=0.002). Conclusion: The interpersonal communication approach applied in the intervention proved to have an influence on hypertension prevention behavior, including knowledge, attitudes, and actions in students of SMAN 6 and SMAN 19 Bone

Compositional Study of Polymer Blend PVA, Pectin, Sodium Alginate, and Gelatin Electrospun Nanofiber for Wound Dressing Application

Electrospun nanofibers are a biomaterial effective for wound healing due to their high surface area, tunable properties, and resemblance to the extracellular matrix. Nanofibers from the mixture of polymeric materials like gelatin, sodium alginate, pectin, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were investigated in this study. Pectin, sodium alginate, and gelatin are selected for their nature of being applied as tissue carriers, and they have the properties of being biocompatible and biodegradable while inducing cell proliferation. Unfortunately, these polymers have some drawbacks: most of them have poor mechanical strength or poor processing ability through electrospinning. To enhance these properties, PVA was incorporated. The result showed that an optimal blend ratio of 20% PVA, 40% pectin, 25% sodium alginate, and 15% gelatin yielded a fibrous structure with an average diameter of the fibers equal to 174.82 ± 13 nm, surface tension of 33.29 mN/m, and viscosity at 7,378 cP, which facilitated the uniform fiber formation and a porous structure for enhanced gas exchange and moisture retention, significantly aiding wound healing

Effect of Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Stress Level of Mothers of Children Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case-Control Study

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder that affects children’s ability to function and could be carried into adolescence and adulthood with a prevalence of approximately 66-85%. However, few studies have assessed the association between prenatal maternal stress and ADHD in children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the impact of adverse childhood experiences on parents of children with ADHD. This was a case-control study with a sample size of 180 mothers of children with ADHD diagnosed in a child psychiatric clinic at King Abdulaziz University Hospital from 2015 to 2020. We recruited 94 mothers of non-ADHD children for the control group. We investigated stress with a validated questionnaire using the Perceived Stress Scale and Adverse Childhood Experience questionnaire and considered ADHD symptoms as determined using the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale–revised (CPRS-R). The one-way ANOVA revealed a significant association (p=0.002) between multiple early-life traumas and elevated adult stress. Mothers with ADHD children affected severely by past traumas displayed significantly higher stress (p<0.05), unlike the control group, which showed no notable link between PSS levels, ACE questionnaire scores, or the effect of past experiences on maternal health (p>0.05). Of note, mothers of children with ADHD had higher levels of stress than control participants. Boys had a higher prevalence (67.8%) of ADHD than girls

Determining Internal and External Risks in a Medical Center

An enterprise stores information in the cloud providing virtual storage of data as virtual memory. Cloud increases the enterprise’s ability to offer data and service delivery, however it also increases the chances of a cybersecurity threat, and cyber risks, and increases the vulnerability of the enterprise to risks. It is important for the organization to perform risk management to determine cybersecurity risks. Cybersecurity is a key need for hospitals to manage threats of all types. Healthcare is notoriously vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to the valuable nature of patient information and the lack of updated medical equipment. In this paper, we discuss medical applications in cybersecurity, AI's role in cybersecurity, and risk management in medical cybersecurity

Effects of Birth Delivery Mode and Antibiotic Use on Gut Microbiota in Preterm Newborns: A Cohort Study

Background: The establishment of the gut microbiome begins very early in life. Bacterial colonization is influenced by several factors, especially the mode of delivery and antibiotic intake. In this study, we examined the composition of the neonatal gut microbiota within the first three weeks after birth, focusing on the impact of delivery mode and antibiotic use. Methods: This cohort study included 29 preterm newborns recruited between the first and second day of life at the National Reference Center for Neonatology and Nutrition. Stool samples were collected from diapers and stored at 4°C for up to 6 hours before being stored at -80°C until analysis. The gut microbiota was identified using RT-PCR targeting four phyla: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Results: The comparison of gut microbiota by delivery mode shows that the microbiota of newborns delivered by cesarean section was less diverse than that of those delivered vaginally. During the first 48 hours of life, Enterobacteriaceae, including Escherichia coli, were predominantly present in vaginal births, while Enterococcus spp. (25%), Staphylococcus spp. (20%) and Lactobacillus spp. (5%) were present only in vaginal births. From the second week onwards, Bacteroides fragilis (15%) and Bifidobacterium spp. (10%) were mainly present in vaginal births. By the end of the third week, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus spp. were present in all newborns. All newborns received empiric antibiotic therapy upon admission, with 41% receiving antibiotics for more than 5 days. Conclusion: This study made it clear that microbiota requires time to progress inside the newborn's intestine, depending on the birth mode, either natural or cesarean section

A Study on the Effect of Breakfast Habits on Blood Pressure and Academic Performance among University Students in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Skipping breakfast is becoming common and can significantly affect a person's physiological and psychological health. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with skipping breakfast among undergraduate students of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two regions of Saudi Arabia using a self-designed and validated questionnaire that included demographic and anthropometric measurements with both open-ended and closed-ended questions. The sample size was 236 students, both adult males and females of age ≥ 18 years of age. Breakfast consumption was assessed using the single-question item: "How often do you eat breakfast?" (Almost every day, sometimes, rarely, or never). Skipping breakfast was defined as respondents indicating that they "sometimes," "rarely," or "never" have breakfast. Results: Out of a total sample of 236, only 108 participants (45.8%) were consuming breakfast, and 128 participants (54.2%) skipped breakfast in the morning. Cereals were consumed daily by only approximately 20% of the participants. Toast or bread, eggs, and tea/coffee were the most consumed breakfast by more than 50% of the subjects. The highest recognized reason for skipping breakfast is no time to eat in the morning. Age, Systolic Blood pressure, and BMI were found to be significantly associated with breakfast skipping. Conclusions: Evidence from observational studies suggests that skipping breakfast in real-world settings may contribute to weight gain and the development of overweight and obesity. Future research should explore other anthropometric measures beyond BMI and account for potential confounding factors

Exploring the Future of Corpus Linguistics: Innovations in AI and Social Impact

This paper explores the evolving landscape of corpus linguistics, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and its social implications. Over the past two decades, the study of language through corpus linguistics has evolved significantly, prompting ongoing reflection on the field's transformation. These reflections naturally give rise to pressing questions related to how corpus linguistics will evolve in a world defined by rapid technological progress and changing societal priorities. To validate the suppositions and reflections addressed in this contribution, the study explores a corpus that comprises scholarly papers from scientific journals, and a collection of AI-related articles taken from the media. This dual corpus enables a comparative analysis of how AI-driven corpus linguistics is represented, in order to explore how the integration of artificial intelligence is transforming corpus linguistics, and hence the methodological, theoretical, and socio-political implications of this shift. The methodological framework combines quantitative corpus analysis with qualitative discourse analysis. Collocation and keyword frequency retrieval is applied to identify prevalent themes. As expected academic literature emphasizes methodological advancements and data-driven rigor, while media discourse highlights ethical concerns and societal implications. These findings support the overview and contribute to understanding how AI is shaping both the practice and perception of corpus linguistics in contemporary society

Understanding Thrombocytopenia in the Obstetric Population: A Study from a Tertiary Care Center

Background: Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is a common condition with diverse etiologies, ranging from benign causes such as gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) to more serious conditions like preeclampsia and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The clinical implications of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy include potential maternal and fetal complications, highlighting the importance of early detection and appropriate management. Objective: To evaluate the incidence, causes, clinical outcomes, and complications of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 130 pregnant women who were diagnosed with thrombocytopenia during their antenatal care between 2020 and 2021. Data on demographics, etiology, severity of thrombocytopenia, and maternal and fetal outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: The incidence of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy was found to be 3.85%. The most common causes were gestational thrombocytopenia (48.48%), preeclampsia (18.18%), and anemia (27.27%). Mild thrombocytopenia (<100,000/µL) was the most frequent severity (68.18%), with severe thrombocytopenia (<50,000/µL) observed in 6.06% of cases. Maternal complications included postpartum hemorrhage (10.60%) and incision site oozing (7.57%). Fetal outcomes included intrauterine growth restriction (12.12%) and birth asphyxia (7.57%). Most cases were diagnosed in the second trimester, and a significant proportion (56.06%) were in primigravida women. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is predominantly mild, with gestational thrombocytopenia being the most common cause. Although the condition generally carries a good prognosis, associated complications such as postpartum hemorrhage and adverse fetal outcomes underscore the need for careful monitoring. Early diagnosis and individualized management are essential to minimize risks for both mother and child

Children Allergies in Saudi Arabia: The Situation and Challenges‒ Narrative Review

Pediatric allergic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergies are highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia. This narrative review synthesizes diverse evidence on the prevalence, clinical presentation, and management of pediatric allergic diseases in Saudi Arabia, highlighting gaps in knowledge and practice to inform future healthcare strategies. Studies report allergy rates between 13-45% among Saudi children. Common medications used include antihistamines, nasal steroids, bronchodilators, and topical creams. While specific immunotherapy is growing in popularity for persistent IgE-mediated conditions. This paper reviews recent literature on the burden, management strategies, treatment options, and challenges regarding pediatric allergies in Saudi Arabia. Key challenges include a lack of awareness among families and even healthcare professionals, a shortage of pediatric allergy specialists, limited accessibility, high treatment costs, and a lack of standardized protocols. However, advancements in immunotherapy and oral food desensitization provide promising prospects. More research, public health initiatives, specialized workforce capacity building, improving affordability, and national guidelines will help address this major pediatric concern in the kingdom

Predictors of Type-2 Diabetes Self-Screening: The Impact of Health Beliefs Model, Knowledge, and Demographics

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health concern, and the intention to undergo diabetes self-screening among patients varies based on demographics and the Health Belief Model (HBM). Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the intention to engage in DM self-screening. Methods: This study included 404 participants with a 99% response rate. Saudi Arabian residents from the Jazan region, all diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, were enrolled. A validated, Arabic-translated, and structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, family history, chronic disease status, DM knowledge, HBM constructs, and DM screening behavior. The study methods adhered to the STROBE Checklist for clear and reliable reporting. Results: The study found that 24.5% of the participants were in the 35-44 age group and 67.3% were male. Regarding education, 52.2% had university-level education and 79.7% had no family history of DM. Among the participants, 62.1% reported no chronic disease. The mean knowledge score was 6.44 (SD = 2.01). The study revealed that 56.9% of the respondents intended to engage in DM screening. Factors associated with intention included age (65 and over had lower odds), gender (females had slightly higher odds), and education (school qualification had higher odds). Family history and chronic disease status did not significantly affect intention. Among the HBM constructs, higher perceived susceptibility increased the odds, higher perceived severity decreased the odds, and perceived benefits and barriers had no significant associations with intention. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing the intention to engage in DM self-screening among diabetic patients. This understanding can guide targeted interventions to promote DM self-screening and enhance diabetes care outcomes