Internship preparedness among students in healthcare-related fields in the COVID-19 era: Exploring the attitude and knowledge in Saudi Arabia

Background: In the COVID-19 era, efforts are being made to increase awareness among students and enhance best practices to mitigate the outbreak. To that end, the overarching aims of this study were to understand students’ attitude toward and knowledge of COVID-19 and examine the predictors of their attitude toward hand hygiene.Design and Methods: This cross-sectional survey study, conducted in Saudi Arabia, enrolled interns from diverse healthcare-related fields. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: sociodemographic data, knowledge of COVID-19, and attitude toward hand hygiene. The data was expressed as median and interquartile range (IQR).Results: In all, 371 responses were analyzed. The median knowledge score was 20, which was considered good. There were no statistically significant differences across age, hospital setting, or gender. Of the 254 respondents who had attended an educational session, 167 (65%) had a good knowledge score and 83 (33%) had a moderate score, compared with only four (2%) who had a poor score. The cumulative median score of the respondents’ attitudes was 6 (IQR [2]), which reflects a suboptimal attitude—only 38 (22%) reported a good attitude. The predicted effect of knowledge on attitude (good/suboptimal) was statistically significant (p = 0.02) using univariate logistic regression.Conclusions: The results suggest a strong need to encourage the current training program that targets hand hygiene practices among students in healthcare-related fields, especially prior to the internship year

Radiographic assessment of endodontic mishaps in an undergraduate student clinic: a 2-year retrospective study

Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of instrumentation and obturation related endodontic procedural mishaps following the use of either, stainless steel hand or engine-driven rotary instrumentation techniques. Methods. From a computerized hospital database, a total of 730 dental patient records who had received endodontic treatment by undergraduate dental students between August 2018 to September 2020 were retrieved. The inclusion criteria were primary (non-surgical) endodontic treatment on permanent teeth with complete radiographic records. Following record screening, a final sample of n = 475 dental records were included. Radiographic records were evaluated for both instrumentation and obturation related mishaps. The data was analysed using multiple logistic regression analysis (α = 0.05). Results. Engine-driven rotary instrumentation resulted in a significant decrease in the overall occurrence of instrumentation related endodontic mishaps by 40% compared to hand instrumentation (Odds Ratio = 0.59 [0.36–0.97], p = 0.04). In particular, rotary instrumentation decreased ledge formation, perforation and obturation related mishaps, with minimal effect on the limitation of zipping. Conclusion. The use of rotary instrumentation techniques may reduce the incidence of instrumentation and obturation endodontic mishaps in the undergraduate dental clinic.Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2022R162), Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Effect of Coronal Pre-flaring and Type of Root Canal Irrigation on Working Length Accuracy Using Electronic Apex Locators [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Successful root canal treatment is influenced by the apical extent of root canal preparation and the eventual root canal filling. Achieving the full working length until the apical constriction, which is usually 0.5 – 1 mm shorter than the anatomical apex, is crucial. Electronic apex locators were used to detect the working length more accurately. There are six generations of electronic apex locators in the market. The selection of the appropriate irrigation with each apex locator for accurate working length determination is not fully investigated. Methods: The actual working lengths of 120 freshly extracted human single-rooted teeth were measured and compared with their working lengths using 3rd generation (Root ZX) followed by 6th generation (Raypex 6) apex locators in dry medium, presence of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, and 2% chlorhexidine, without coronal pre-flaring and after coronal pre-flaring using the same irrigating media. Data were collected, tabulated, and afterward analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc to evaluate the significant difference in average working length between actual working length, Root ZX, and Raypex 6 apex locator working lengths accuracy. Results: The significant results were shown in roots that were coronally pre-flared and their working lengths were measured in a dry medium using Raypex 6 apex locator. While using the Root ZX apex locator, the most accurate results were shown in roots that were coronally pre-flared and their working lengths were measured while using a chlorhexidine irrigating solution. Conclusions: It is concluded that it is very important to know the specific irrigating medium to be used with each specific electronic apex locator to achieve the most accurate working length results

Head and Neck Surgery: A Differential Diagnosis in Otolaryngology

Introduction: In otolaryngology of the head and neck surgery; differential diagnosis is a practical and comprehensive guide that is organized uniquely by signs and symptoms instead of by diseases. Aim: This study will describe the keys to diagnostic evaluation and differential diagnosis of presenting symptoms for problems affecting each otolaryngology organ system.Methods: Each symptom opens with the patient’s presentation followed by an easily accessible list of potential diagnoses and supplementary data on the features of the different diseases to help correctly identify the problem. And identify features labeled by signs and symptoms, not by disease, and then enable quick clinical reference In-depth coverage of the diagnostic and treatment evaluation of all ENT disorders.

Joining Federated Learning to Blockchain for Digital Forensics in IoT

In present times, the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming the new era in technology by including smart devices in every aspect of our lives. Smart devices in IoT environments are increasing and storing large amounts of sensitive data, which attracts a lot of cybersecurity threats. With these attacks, digital forensics is needed to conduct investigations to identify when and where the attacks happened and acquire information to identify the persons responsible for the attacks. However, digital forensics in an IoT environment is a challenging area of research due to the multiple locations that contain data, traceability of the collected evidence, ensuring integrity, difficulty accessing data from multiple sources, and transparency in the process of collecting evidence. For this reason, we proposed combining two promising technologies to provide a sufficient solution. We used federated learning to train models locally based on data stored on the IoT devices using a dataset designed to represent attacks on the IoT environment. Afterward, we performed aggregation via blockchain by collecting the parameters from the IoT gateway to make the blockchain lightweight. The results of our framework are promising in terms of consumed gas in the blockchain and an accuracy of over 98% using MLP in the federated learning phase

Is It Mum or the Dad? Parental Factors That Influence the Use and Acceptance of Fluoride Varnish among Parents in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Objective. To investigate parental factors that influence knowledge, use, and acceptance of fluoride varnish (FLV) application. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted during December 2021. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit parents with children aged 3 to 6 years and residing in Eastern Saudi Arabia, excluding those working in the dental field. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: demographics, knowledge, previous experience, and acceptance of FLV and was pilot-tested and distributed online using social media. Results. A total of 623 parents responded to the survey. Only 36.9% of parents had good FLV knowledge with dentists being the main source of information. Gender, educational level, family income, being in the medical field, and source of knowledge were factors that significantly (P<0.05) influenced parental knowledge. Only 24.6% of the parents applied fluoride varnish to their children before, of whom only 29% were satisfied with the experience. Parent’s FLV knowledge, view of dental visits, satisfaction with previous experience, perception of children’s oral health, and willingness to reapply FLV were factors that significantly (P<0.05) influenced FLV use. Working in the medical field, perception of dental visits, and the source of knowledge were factors that significantly (P<0.05) influenced the parent’s acceptance to apply FLV. While lack of knowledge about fluoride benefits (15%) was the main reason for parental refusal to apply FLV. Conclusions. The current study highlights the lack of knowledge and application of FLV among parents. There were more factors influencing mothers’ acceptance of FLV application compared to fathers. Age, educational level, working in the medical field, perception, and patterns of dental visits were some of the identified factors. Dentists played a major role in parental knowledge and FLV acceptance. In a country with high caries prevalence, preventive programs such as FLV education and application are crucial

Qualitative modeling of solar panel cooling by nanofluid jets: Heat transfer and second law analysis

The present paper highlights heat transfer and entropy generation due to mixed convection for an inclined channel. The channel is heated by its upper wall and cooled by two jets of nanofluids penetrating through its lower wall. The studied configuration is chosen to model, in qualitative way, a cooling system for photovoltaic panel. The set of partial differential equations that governing the flow was numerically solved using COMSOL software. Effects of the inclination angle of the channel, Reynolds number and nanoparticles fraction, on heat transfer, hydrodynamic and created entropy are examined. The inclination angle, the Reynolds number and the nanoparticle fraction are ranging from 0° to 30°, from 50 to 150 and from 0% to 8% respectively. It was found that the effect of the angle of inclination, on heat transfer and thermal irreversibility, is weak and that it cannot exceed 2%. Whereas the nanofluid concentration and the Reynolds numbers alter at once the created entropy and the heat transfer. Results show an increase of nearly 15% of Nusselt number and thermal irreversibility when the nanoparticle concentration reaches 8%. The local irreversibility maps reveal that the created entropy is significantly localized at the impact locations of the cooling jets. Since irreversibility is synonymous with the aging of the system, which naturally leads to usury, it can be concluded that the channel may be damaged at these locations

Optimized Polyethylene Glycolylated Polymer–Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles as a Potential Breast Cancer Treatment

Purpose: The aim of this work is to optimize a polyethylene glycolated (PEGylated) polymer&ndash;lipid hybrid nanoparticulate system for the delivery of anastrozole (ANS) to enhance its biopharmaceutical attributes and overall efficacy. Methods: ANS loaded PEGylated polymer&ndash;lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLNPs) were prepared by a direct emulsification solvent evaporation method. The physical incorporation of PEG was optimized using variable ratios. The produced particles were evaluated to discern their particle size and shape, zeta-potential, entrapment efficiency, and physical stability. The drug-release profiles were studied, and the kinetic model was analyzed. The anticancer activity of the ANS PLNPs on estrogen-positive breast cancer cell lines was determined using flow cytometry. Results: The prepared ANS-PLNPs showed particle sizes in the range of 193.6 &plusmn; 2.9 to 218.2 &plusmn; 1.9 nm, with good particle size uniformity (i.e., poly-dispersity index of around 0.1). Furthermore, they exhibited relatively low zeta-potential values ranging from &minus;0.50 &plusmn; 0.52 to 6.01 &plusmn; 4.74. The transmission electron microscopy images showed spherical shape of ANS-PLNPs and the compliance with the sizes were revealed by light scattering. The differential scanning calorimetry DSC patterns of the ANS PLNPs revealed a disappearance of the characteristic sharp melting peak of pure ANS, supporting the incorporation of the drug into the polymeric matrices of the nanoparticles. Flow cytometry showed the apoptosis of MCF-7 cell lines in the presence of ANS-PLNPs. Conclusion: PEGylated polymeric nanoparticles presented a stable encapsulated system with which to incorporate an anticancer drug (ANS) with a high percentage of entrapment efficiency (around 80%), good size uniformity, and induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells

Exploring interprofessional communication and collaboration among pharmacists, nurses, and laboratories enhancing patient safety and healthcare outcomes

Background: The efficiency of healthcare delivery is closely connected to the quality of interprofessional communication and cooperation among healthcare workers. The purpose of this research is to examine the diverse effects of interprofessional cooperation including pharmacists, nurses, and laboratory experts on patient safety and healthcare outcomes. Aim: This extensive study aims to consolidate current literature, empirical data, and theoretical models to provide a clear comprehension of the importance of efficient interprofessional communication and cooperation in healthcare environments. The objective of the evaluation is to assess the influence of cohesive teamwork, communication, and cooperation among healthcare professionals on several aspects of healthcare, including patient safety, medication management, care coordination, diagnostic accuracy, and overall healthcare quality. Method: A methodical search technique was used to locate relevant studies in electronic databases, such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library. The inclusion criteria include research that provide insights into the influence of interprofessional cooperation on patient safety, healthcare outcomes, and the involvement of pharmacists, nurses, and laboratory experts in improving healthcare delivery. Results: The analysis emphasizes the crucial significance of pharmacists, nurses, and laboratory experts in improving patient safety and healthcare results by means of efficient interprofessional communication and cooperation.