The assessment of juvenile offenders : learning lessons for Saudi Arabia from a contextual comparison with Scotland

The diversity in systems and procedures for treating juvenile offenders who commit similar offences under similar circumstances around the world raises a number of questions. These questions concern the organisational and procedural structures, the value orientation, and the historical, political and legal factors, that determine the works and outcome of a juvenile justice system. While both claiming to uphold a 'welfare' approach, with the best interests of the child at their core, Saudi Arabia and Scotland apply dissimilar procedures when dealing with juvenile offenders.;Employing comparative study techniques, this research aims to unravel the similarities and differences between the juvenile justice systems in both countries, discover strengthens and weaknesses, and learn from the experience of both systems as to how to ultimately strengthen and make more effective a juvenile justice system.;The research question posed is: How does the Saudi juvenile justice system assess young offenders once the juvenile offender is referred to the system, and how does this affect the decisions regarding the response, compared with the Scottish system? This issue was examined and addressed by implementing a qualitative approach which focuses on the meanings and interpretations given to the practice and purpose of assessment. It applies empirical study techniques in the form of in-depth semi-structured interviews with social workers, judges and children's panel members.;The research findings explored the considerations taken into account by juvenile judges and the children's hearing panel when making a decision regarding juveniles who commit offences, and also illustrated how the social worker's report influences the decision made, and its relative importance in each country. It also illustrated the assessment methods applied, to display the strengths and weaknesses in practice in both countries.The diversity in systems and procedures for treating juvenile offenders who commit similar offences under similar circumstances around the world raises a number of questions. These questions concern the organisational and procedural structures, the value orientation, and the historical, political and legal factors, that determine the works and outcome of a juvenile justice system. While both claiming to uphold a 'welfare' approach, with the best interests of the child at their core, Saudi Arabia and Scotland apply dissimilar procedures when dealing with juvenile offenders.;Employing comparative study techniques, this research aims to unravel the similarities and differences between the juvenile justice systems in both countries, discover strengthens and weaknesses, and learn from the experience of both systems as to how to ultimately strengthen and make more effective a juvenile justice system.;The research question posed is: How does the Saudi juvenile justice system assess young offenders once the juvenile offender is referred to the system, and how does this affect the decisions regarding the response, compared with the Scottish system? This issue was examined and addressed by implementing a qualitative approach which focuses on the meanings and interpretations given to the practice and purpose of assessment. It applies empirical study techniques in the form of in-depth semi-structured interviews with social workers, judges and children's panel members.;The research findings explored the considerations taken into account by juvenile judges and the children's hearing panel when making a decision regarding juveniles who commit offences, and also illustrated how the social worker's report influences the decision made, and its relative importance in each country. It also illustrated the assessment methods applied, to display the strengths and weaknesses in practice in both countries

Assessment of Respiratory Complications Associated with End Stage Renal Disease in Northern Saudi Arabia

Background. The prevalence of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is increasing in different parts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), particularly Hail Region. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the respiratory complications that associated with ESRD

Pilomatrixoma of the right cheek in a young girl

Objective: We report a case of pilomatrixoma of the right cheek in a healthy 4 years old girl. Method: Case report and review of the English language literature (using PubMed, Ovid and Proquest databases). Results: Case of right cheek pilomatrixoma occurred in a young girl to be reported in the English language literature. Conclusion: Pilomatrixoma is a cutaneous neoplasm that is one of most common causes of superficial head and neck masses in children. Although the presurgical diagnosis may be difficult in some cases, pilomatrixoma must be kept in the differential of superficial head and neck masses in children. The present case highlights the importance of considering pilomatrixoma in the clinical and pathologic differential diagnosis of dermal or subcutaneous nodule even in locations other than head and neck region. Surgical excision is almost always curative

The knowledge and attitude towards prostate cancer and screening practices among males in Saudi Arabia

Background: Early-stage prostate cancer can be asymptomatic. The digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test are usually used for prostate cancer screening. This study aims to assess knowledge and attitudes towards prostate cancer screening among males in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on Saudi males above the age of 40. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed online. Results: A total of 368 males completed the questionnaire. In the studied group, 64.5% had heard about prostate cancer through social media (46.7%), the internet (40.1%), or healthcare providers (18.6%). In addition, around 20.3% of the participants had heard about the PSA screening test. Moreover, 55.2% of participants had an inadequate level of knowledge about prostate cancer and the PSA test, while 53.1% had a negative attitude. Conclusion: There was a poor level of knowledge and attitude towards screening for prostate cancer among males in Saudi Arabia. This could be due to the lack of education on the risks of prostate cancer by healthcare providers

Greener Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Characterization and Multifaceted Applications

Nanoparticles (NPs) have unique properties compared to their bulk counterparts, and they have potentials for various applications in many fields of life science. Green-synthesized NPs have garnered considerable interest due to their inherent features such as rapidity, eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana as a reducing agent. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The antimicrobial potential of the synthesized ZnO NPs against bacterial and fungal strains was examined by the disk diffusion method, and they showed a promising antibacterial and antifungal potential. The catalytic activity of the synthesized ZnO NPs in reducing methylene blue (MB) and eosin was studied via UV-Vis spectroscopy. The decolorization percentages of the MB and Eosin Y dyes were 84% and 94%, respectively, which indicate an efficient degradation of the ZnO NPs. In addition, the cytotoxic activity of the ZnO NPs on the HeLa cell line was evaluated via in vitro assay. The MTT assay results demonstrate a potent cytotoxic effect of the ZnO NPs against the HeLa cancer cell line

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population