Prevalence of Comorbidities Associated With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Ksa: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To determine the prevalence of comorbidities associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus among the Saudi adult population. Methods: A cross-sectional study design will be employed to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) population. This design allows for the collection of data at a single point in time, providing insights into the existing relationship between T2DM and comorbidities.Results: The study included 601 participants. The most frequent body mass index BMI value among study participants was overweight 25-29.9 kg/m2 (n= 196, 33%), followed by Normal 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (n= 177, 29%). The frequent gender among study participants was male years (n= 356, 59%) and female (n= 245, 41%). The most frequent age among study participants was 40-50 years (n= 145, 24%), followed by 18-28 years (n= 140, 23%). The most frequent marital status among study participants was married (n= 360, 60%), followed by single (n= 160, 27%). The perceived physical activity per week among study participants, most of whom did not do any activity (n=231,38%) followed one-time activity (n=98,16%). Conclusion: The results showed that most of the study participants were overweight according to their BMI. The majority of patients had normal blood pressure. Most of the participants suffer from diabetes. In addition, most of the participants do not do any activity, and the majority of participants are non-smokers

Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study)

Background: This study provides a global overview of the management of patients with acute cholecystitis during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: CHOLECOVID is an international, multicentre, observational comparative study of patients admitted to hospital with acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on management were collected for a 2-month study interval coincident with the WHO declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared with an equivalent pre-pandemic time interval. Mediation analysis examined the influence of SARS-COV-2 infection on 30-day mortality. Results: This study collected data on 9783 patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to 247 hospitals across the world. The pandemic was associated with reduced availability of surgical workforce and operating facilities globally, a significant shift to worse severity of disease, and increased use of conservative management. There was a reduction (both absolute and proportionate) in the number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 3095 patients (56.2 per cent) pre-pandemic to 1998 patients (46.2 per cent) during the pandemic but there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality after cholecystectomy comparing the pre-pandemic interval with the pandemic (13 patients (0.4 per cent) pre-pandemic to 13 patients (0.6 per cent) pandemic; P = 0.355). In mediation analysis, an admission with acute cholecystitis during the pandemic was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 0.93 to 1.79, P = 0.121). Conclusion: CHOLECOVID provides a unique overview of the treatment of patients with cholecystitis across the globe during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study highlights the need for system resilience in retention of elective surgical activity. Cholecystectomy was associated with a low risk of mortality and deferral of treatment results in an increase in avoidable morbidity that represents the non-COVID cost of this pandemic

Traffic signal control implemented by PLC and SCADA system

PLC control programs for a few traffic lamp systems were developed. Manual and remote control (touch screen, web-visualization, SCADA) were carried out. Developed programs were tested in simulation and real environment.BSc/BAElectrical Engineeringg

Aplastic Anemia in Triple X Syndrome

Triple X syndrome is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA) in females. Still, it is underdiagnosed because patients are usually without clear dysmorphism, and the syndrome is not associated with any significant congenital anomalies. We are reporting a case of a 5-year-old girl who presented with aplastic anemia, confirmed by a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Her complete workup showed that she has three copies of chromosome X, which, given the diagnosis of triple X syndrome, requires a supportive treatment but not a bone marrow transplant. Few cases of aplastic anemia with sex chromosome abnormalities have been reported. We are reviewing the triple X syndrome in different aspects of the presentation

Design and Fabrication of Low-Cost Microfluidic Chips and Microfluidic Routing System for Reconfigurable Multi-(Organ-on-a-Chip) Assembly

A low-cost, versatile, and reconfigurable fluidic routing system and chip assembly have been fabricated and tested. The platform and its accessories were fabricated in-house without the need for costly and specialized equipment nor specific expertise. An agarose-based artificial membrane was integrated into the chips and employed to test the chip-to-chip communication in various configurations. Various chip assemblies were constructed and tested which demonstrate the versatile utility of the fluidic routing system that enables the custom design of the chip-to-chip communication and the possibility of fitting a variety of (organ-on-a-chip)-based biological models with multicell architectures. The reconfigurable chip assembly would enable selective linking/isolating the desired chip/compartment, hence allowing the study of the contribution of specific cell/tissue within the in vitro models

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: Prevention and management: The Australasian experience

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery is a major health problem that is associated with a significant financial burden. This paper aims to highlight this problem and review the current guidelines in the prevention and management of AF after cardiac surgery, providing our experience in the Australasian centers. Methods: We conducted a literature review using mainly PubMed to compare the current practice with the available evidence. EMBASE and Cochrane library were also searched. We concurrently developed an online questionnaire to collect data from other Australasian centers regarding their approach to this problem. Results: We identified 194 studies that were considered relevant to our research. We did not find any formal protocols published in the literature. From our Australasian experience; seven centers (58%) had a protocol for AF prophylaxis. The protocols included electrolytes replacement, use of amiodarone and/or β-blockers. Other strategies were occasionally used but were not part of a structured protocol. Conclusion: The development of an integrated medical and surgical protocol for the prophylaxis of AF after cardiac surgery is an important aspect for the care of postoperative cardiac patients. Considerations of prophylactic strategies other than those routinely used should be included in the protocol. This area should receive considerable attention in order to reduce the postoperative complications and health costs

Lifetime of glass nanopores in a PDMS chip for single-molecule sensing

Nanopore sensing is an emerging technology that has many biosensing applications ranging from DNA sequencing using biological pores to biomolecular analysis using solid-state pores. Solid-state nanopores that are more stable are an attractive choice for biosensing applications. Still, biomolecule interactions with the nanopore surface reduce nanopore stability and increase usage costs. In this study, we investigated the biosensing capability for 102 quartz glass nanopores with a diameter of 11-18 nm that were fabricated using laser-assisted capillary pulling. Nanopores were assembled into multiple microfluidic chips that were repeatedly used for up to 19 weeks. We find that using vacuum storage combined with minimal washing steps improved the number of use cycles for nanopores. The single-molecule biosensing capability over repeated use cycles was demonstrated by quantitative analysis of a DNA carrier designed for detection of short single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides

Lifetime of glass nanopores in a PDMS chip for single-molecule sensing

Nanopore sensing is an emerging technology that has many biosensing applications ranging from DNA sequencing using biological pores to biomolecular analysis using solid-state pores. Solid-state nanopores that are more stable are an attractive choice for biosensing applications. Still, biomolecule interactions with the nanopore surface reduce nanopore stability and increase usage costs. In this study, we investigated the biosensing capability for 102 quartz glass nanopores with a diameter of 11-18 nm that were fabricated using laser-assisted capillary pulling. Nanopores were assembled into multiple microfluidic chips that were repeatedly used for up to 19 weeks. We find that using vacuum storage combined with minimal washing steps improved the number of use cycles for nanopores. The single-molecule biosensing capability over repeated use cycles was demonstrated by quantitative analysis of a DNA carrier designed for detection of short single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides

DNA Carrier-Assisted Molecular Ping-Pong in an Asymmetric Nanopore.

Publication status: PublishedNanopore analysis relies on ensemble averaging of translocation signals obtained from numerous molecules, requiring a relatively high sample concentration and a long turnaround time from the sample to results. The recapture and subsequent re-reading of the same molecule is a promising alternative that enriches the signal information from a single molecule. Here, we describe how an asymmetric nanopore improves molecular ping-pong by promoting the recapture of the molecule in the trans reservoir. We also demonstrate that the molecular recapture could be improved by linking the target molecule to a long DNA carrier to reduce the diffusion, thereby achieving over 100 recapture events. Using this ping-pong methodology, we demonstrate its use in accurately resolving nanostructure motifs along a DNA scaffold through repeated detection. Our method offers novel insights into the control of DNA polymer dynamics within nanopore confinement and opens avenues for the development of a high-fidelity DNA detection platform

EEFECTS OF DIETARY FLAVONOIDS INTAKE IN SAUDI PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the dietary intake of flavonoids and their effect on serum lipid levels in Saudi patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methodology: A cross-sectional study with a sample of 50 CHD patients and 50 controls. A 24-hour recall method was used to collect data on the dietary intake of macronutrients, flavonoids, and antioxidant vitamins. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect data on habitual consumption during the year preceding the interview. Baseline data collection included medical history, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, and smoking status. Results: CHD patients showed significantly less intake of fruits and vegetables compared to the controls. Serum lipids including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low density lipoproteins (LDL) were found to be significantly higher in CHD patients than in the controls. The main sources of flavonoids in a typical Saudi diet are tea, fruits (apples), vegetables (onions), and chocolate. The intake of flavonoids and antioxidant vitamins was significantly lower in CHD patients compared to the controls. A negative correlation between the dietary intake of different flavonoids and serum LDL was observed in CHD patients. Significant correlation was found between the intake of flavonol and waist to hip ratio Conclusions: The findings of the study support a potential protective effect of dietary flavonoids in relation to CHD. The study showed that consuming more Flavonoids may have positive effect on lowering blood lipids.King saud universit