Evaluation of chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose as ecofriendly corrosion inhibitors for steel

The study was aimed at establishing the possibility of using eco-friendly natural polymers to formulate corrosion inhibitors for sweet oil field environment. Against this background, the performance of two natural polymers; chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as single component corrosion inhibitors in comparison with a commercial inhibitor formulations, on API 5L X60 pipeline steel in CO2 saturated 3.5% NaCl solution were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) techniques; complemented with surface morphology characterization of the corroded steel samples without and with inhibitors using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicate that there is a remarkable difference in inhibition efficiency of each inhibitor on the API 5L X60 steel and the commercial inhibitor formulations. Inhibition efficiency increasedwith the increase of inhibitors' concentrations. Immersion timewas found to have a profound effect on the corrosion inhibition performance of all the inhibitors. Also the inhibition efficiency was found to decreasewith the increase in temperature. Potentiodynamic polarization results reveal amixed-type inhibition for all inhibitors. The adsorption of each inhibitor on the steel surface obeys Langmuir's isotherm

Acute Appendicitis among Saudi and Non-Saudi Patients: A Cross-Sectional Based Study

Objective: We conduct this study to discuss the differences between Saudi and non- Saudi patients with acute appendicitis.Background: Acute appendicitis is one of emergency surgeries in developing and developed countries. Its symptoms are vomiting, lower abdominal pain and decreased appetite. Appendicitis needs urgent surgical prouder to avoid its perforation and associated complications which may lead to death. Method: We conduct cross-sectional based study in one of khamis Mushayt, Saudi Araba. 136 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis were included and their medical records were reviewed after getting their informed consent.Results: We included 136 patients, 90 were non-Saudi and 46 were Saudi. There were no statistically differences in their diagnosis but the distribution of the diagnosis was different.Conclusion: Acute appendicitis was more prevalent among non-Saudi patients, the diagnosis between both was with no significant differences. Keywords: acute appendicitis, Saudi, non-Saudi, diagnosis, cross-sectional, Saudi Arabia and khamis Mushayt

Heat Stroke in Emergency Department: Diagnosis and Management

Background: Heat stroke is a severe health concern with the potential for multi-organ failure, necessitating rapid and effective management. With rising global temperatures, there is increasing concern regarding the vulnerability of populations in high-heat areas, notably in Saudi Arabia, especially during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Objective: This paper aims to review the epidemiology, evaluation and management techniques of heat stroke, emphasizing the situation during Hajj pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia, and to outline the best practices for emergency management. Methodology: A comprehensive review of literature and studies related to heat stroke, both globally and specific to Saudi Arabia, was undertaken. An in-depth analysis of emergency management, including initial assessment, cooling methods, organ support, medication, and prevention strategies, was conducted. Results: Heat stroke remains a significant cause of emergency department visits, with specific groups, such as men and the elderly, being more susceptible. During the Hajj in 2016, 267 patients were diagnosed with heat-related illnesses, with heatstroke accounting for 29% of these cases. With the threat of global warming, studies indicate a potential tenfold increase in heat stroke risk with a 2°C rise in temperatures. Swift and comprehensive cooling is pivotal for recovery. Management emphasizes rapid recognition, assessment, and varied cooling methods, along with targeted treatments for organ dysfunctions. Prevention strategies play a vital role, given the higher efficacy and practicality over treating organ dysfunctions. Conclusion: Heat stroke is a pressing health challenge, particularly in high-risk environments like Saudi Arabia during the Hajj pilgrimage. While effective emergency management protocols exist, an emphasis on prevention is crucial. It is imperative to incorporate a comprehensive approach to address both the immediate threat and long-term risks of heat stroke, especially with the looming challenge of global warming

Psychometric Properties of the Moore Index of Nutrition Self-Care in Arabic: A Study among Saudi Adolescents at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background and Objective. The Moore Index of Nutrition Self-Care (MIN-SC) questionnaire has been used widely in both English and Spanish languages. The purpose of this study is to convert MIN-SC into the Arabic language and to test the translated tool for validity and reliability among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Method. The psychometric characteristics of MIN-SC were assessed using college freshman students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The validity and reliability were examined using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The construct validity was examined through principal component analysis. Results. The MIN-SC instrument was shown to be internally consistent with reliable scoring (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.910). Exploratory factor analysis resulted in 42 items loading on three main components: estimative, production, and transitional, with a factor loading of eigenvalues >2. The final model explained 38% of the variance. Conclusion. The Arabic version of MIN-SC was shown to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing attitude toward nutrition among adolescent students

The effects of FES cycling combined with virtual reality racing biofeedback on voluntary function after incomplete SCI: A pilot study

Background Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) cycling can benefit health and may lead to neuroplastic changes following incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Our theory is that greater neurological recovery occurs when electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves is combined with voluntary effort. In this pilot study, we investigated the effects of a one-month training programme using a novel device, the iCycle, in which voluntary effort is encouraged by virtual reality biofeedback during FES cycling. Methods Eleven participants (C1-T12) with incomplete SCI (5 sub-acute; 6 chronic) were recruited and completed 12-sessions of iCycle training. Function was assessed before and after training using the bilateral International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNC-SCI) motor score, Oxford power grading, Modified Ashworth Score, Spinal Cord Independence Measure, the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury and 10 m-walk test. Power output (PO) was measured during all training sessions. Results Two of the 6 participants with chronic injuries, and 4 of the 5 participants with sub-acute injuries, showed improvements in ISNC-SCI motor score > 8 points. Median (IQR) improvements were 3.5 (6.8) points for participants with a chronic SCI, and 8.0 (6.0) points for those with sub-acute SCI. Improvements were unrelated to other measured variables (age, time since injury, baseline ISNC-SCI motor score, baseline voluntary PO, time spent training and stimulation amplitude; p > 0.05 for all variables). Five out of 11 participants showed moderate improvements in voluntary cycling PO, which did not correlate with changes in ISNC-SCI motor score. Improvement in PO during cycling was positively correlated with baseline voluntary PO (R2 = 0.50; p < 0.05), but was unrelated to all other variables (p > 0.05). The iCycle was not suitable for participants who were too weak to generate a detectable voluntary torque or whose effort resulted in a negative torque. Conclusions Improved ISNC-SCI motor scores in chronic participants may be attributable to the iCycle training. In sub-acute participants, early spontaneous recovery and changes due to iCycle training could not be distinguished. The iCycle is an innovative progression from existing FES cycling systems, and positive results should be verified in an adequately powered controlled trial

The Epidemiology of Celiac Disease in the General Population and High-Risk Groups in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review

Background and Aims. Celiac disease (CD) is possibly the most common autoimmune disorder, which may lead to dietary problems in the Arab region. This paper is aimed at exploring the epidemiology of the celiac disease in Arab countries, including its prevalence, associated risk factors, and clinical patterns. Methods. An extensive search of the literature was conducted from electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. In total, 134 research papers were retrieved. We extracted studies published from January 1996 to December 2019. Our search was limited to studies published in English. Findings. The review included 35 studies with 22,340 participants from 12 countries and demonstrated a wide variation in the prevalence of CD. The highest prevalence among the general population (3.2%) was reported in Saudi Arabia, and the lowest (0.1%) was reported in Tunisia. Women demonstrated a higher prevalence of celiac disease relative to men. The peak age at diagnosis fell between 1 and 3 years and 9-10 years. Most studies focused on type 1 diabetes. Children with type 1 diabetes have a higher prevalence of CD (range from 5.5% to 20%), while the prevalence of CD in Down’s syndrome patients was 1.1% and 10.7% in UAE and Saudi Arabia, respectively. Other autoimmune diseases associated with CD are thyroid disease and irritable bowel disease. The most widely recognized clinical presentation was an inability to flourish and poor weight gain, followed by short stature, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, bloating, and chronic diarrhea. Conclusion. The prevalence of the celiac disease in Arab countries varies with sex and age. However, we found that celiac disease presented similar clinical characteristics independent of the geographic region. Longitudinal population-based studies are needed to better identify the true burden and determinants of celiac disease

The Epidemiology of Migraine Headache in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review

Background. Recurring migraine disorders are a common medical problem, standing among the top causes of disability and sufferings. This study aimed to evaluate epidemiological evidence to report updated estimates on prevalence, risk factors, and associated comorbidities of migraine headache in the Arab countries. Design and Setting. A systematic review was conducted at the College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods. A systematic search in electronic databases, such as PubMed and Embase, as well as manual searches with cross-referencing was performed from 1990 up to 2019. Overall, 23 included papers were rated independently by two reviewers. Studies were eligible for inclusion only if they investigated migraine headache epidemiology in any Arab country and were published in English. Results. Migraine prevalence among the general population ranged between 2.6% and 32%. The estimated prevalence of migraine headache among medical university students ranged between 12.2% and 27.9% and between 7.1% and 13.7% in schoolchildren (6 to 18 years). Females were found more likely to have migraine than males. The duration of migraine attacks became shorter with increasing age, while chronic (daily) migraine showed increasing prevalence with age. The most commonly reported comorbidities with migraine included anxiety, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression. Most common headache-triggering factors included stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, prolonged exposure to excessive sunlight or heat, and hunger. Conclusion. The prevalence and risk factors of migraine headache in Arab countries are comparable to reports from western countries. Longitudinal studies are still needed to investigate the prognosis and predictors of chronicity in the arab countries

Association between Chronic Pain and Diabetes/Prediabetes: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia

Background. Diabetes is a debilitating chronic health condition that is associated with certain pain syndromes. The present study sought to evaluate chronic pain and its association with diabetes mellitus at a population level. Methods. A population-based cross-sectional questionnaire survey study was conducted in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, from January 2016 to June 2016. Participants from both private and governmental institutions were selected following a multistage sampling technique and using a cluster sampling method. Anthropometric measurements were taken, including body weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. A blood sample was also drawn from each respondent for fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, and fasting lipid profile. A P value of less than 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results. A total of 1003 subjects were included for final analysis. Compared to prediabetic and nondiabetic individuals, diabetic subjects had a higher prevalence of lower limb pain (11.1%), back pain (8.9%), abdominal pain (6.7%), and neck pain (4.4%) (X2 = 27.792, P=0.015). In a multiple logistic regression model, after adjusting for age, gender, education level, cholesterol, and smoking status, diabetic/prediabetic patients had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic pain ((OR) = 1.931 (95% CI = 1.536–2.362), P=0.037). Increased age was also significantly associated with chronic pain ((OR) = 1.032 (95% CI = 1.010–1.054, P=0.004). Conclusion. Results of this study found a significant association between diabetes and prediabetes and chronic pain symptoms. Prospective studies are needed to explore temporality of such association