Effects of high food prices on consumption pattern of Saudi consumers: A case study of Al Riyadh city

AbstractThis paper investigates how urban households in Riyadh city, capital of Saudi Arabia, coped with higher food prices depending on a survey for selected group of households. The primary data were obtained in a survey from a sample of 286 household heads. Before analysis, the collected data were first grouped and classified according to the income level of respondents and then descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were applied. The results showed that the consumption quantities of major food commodities decrease due to high prices and at the same time expenditure increases, which lead to erosion of some of the consumers’ savings. High food expenditure makes lower income group more fragile and sensitive for any future increase in food prices. The perception of consumers for price increase in the future is also registered which reflects the lower consumer confidence in the food markets. The respondents iterate the absence of the role of the government to control the food market that may reduce the impact of higher food prices. Therefore, the paper recommends that government should intervene through food policy to mitigate the effects of food price volatility

Gross renal morphology of the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) (Marsupialia : Myrmecobiidae)

There is a strong correlation between the structure of the mammalian kidney and its urinary concentrating ability. We examine here the kidney of an endangered termitivorous marsupial (Myrmecobius fasciatus) and use the measured kidney morphometrics to calculate maximal urinary concentration. The relative medullary area (1.34) of the kidney of M. fasciatus is typical of other dasyuromorph marsupials, as is its predicted maximal urinary concentration of 3617 mOsm kg–1 H2O, despite its historically semiarid/arid distribution. The termitivorous diet of M. fasciatus presumably provides it with sufficient water to limit selection for a high urinary concentrating capacity

Adjustable Intragastric Balloons: A 12-Month Pilot Trial in Endoscopic Weight Loss Management

Intragastric balloons are associated with (1) early period intolerance, (2) diminished effect within 3–4 months, and (3) bowel obstruction risk mandating removal at 6 months. The introduction of an adjustable balloon could improve comfort and offer greater efficacy. A migration prevention function, safely enabling prolonged implantation, could improve efficacy and weight maintenance post-extraction. The first implantations of an adjustable balloon with an attached migration prevention anchor are reported. The primary endpoint was the absence of bowel perforation, obstruction, or hemorrhage. Eighteen patients with mean BMI of 37.3 were implanted with the Spatz Adjustable Balloon system (ABS) for 12 months. Balloon volumes were adjusted for intolerance or weight loss plateau. Mean weight loss at 24 weeks was 15.6 kg with 26.4% EWL (percent of excess weight loss) and 24.4 kg with 48.8% EWL at 52 weeks. Sixteen adjustments were successfully performed. Six downward adjustments alleviated intolerance, yielding additional mean weight loss of 4.6 kg. Ten upward adjustments for weight loss plateau yielded a mean additional weight loss of 7 kg. Seven balloons were removed prematurely. Complications necessitating early removal included valve malfunction (1), gastritis (1), Mallory–Weiss tear (1), NSAID (2× dose/2 weeks) perforating ulcer (1), and balloon deflation (1). Two incidents of catheter shear from the chain: one passed uneventfully and one caused an esophageal laceration without perforation during extraction. The Spatz ABS has been successfully implanted in 18 patients. (1) Upward adjustments yielded additional weight loss. (2) Downward adjustments alleviated intolerance, with continued weight loss. (3) Preliminary 1-year implantation results are encouraging

Superficial extraconal blockade for vitreoretinal surgery

Context: Needle length plays an important role for the success of ophthalmic block. The standard practice is to use 25 mm needles length; however, unnecessarily long needles may increase the risk of complications especially in the presence of staphyloma or previous scleral buckle. Aims: This work was designed to compare the efficacy of using 15 and 25 mm needle in performing extraconal block for patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. Settings and Design: Prospective randomized double blinded study. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 patients were enrolled in this study and were divided in two groups. In group (1) extraconal block was performed using 25 mm needle, while in group (2) 15 mm needle was used. After primary injection, assessment of the block was done by an anesthesiologist who was unaware of the needle used. If satisfactory akinesia was not achieved a supplementation was provided. At the end of the procedures, patients and surgeons were asked to assess their pain and satisfaction with the anesthetic technique. Statistical Analysis Used : The sample size calculation using N-Quary version 4. Numerical and categorical data were analyzed using an independent sample, a two-tailed t-test, and chi-square test, respectively. Results: The volume of primary injectable was significantly higher in group 2. The two groups were comparable as regards total volume of local anesthetic, supplementation rate, akinesia, pain score, and surgeon satisfaction. Conclusions: Using 15 mm needle length to perform extraconal blockade for posterior segment procedures is equally effective to 25 mm needle

Estimating preference change in meat demand in Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the preference change in the demand for meat subject to random coefficients in Saudi Arabia. A Fortran 77 program has been designed to estimate the demand function for meat using Kalman filtering techniques and maximum likelihood approach. The initial values of the coefficient and covariance estimates are an essential prior information in the Kalman filtering techniques. Results provide substantial random coefficients in red meat, implying important structural change occurs in red meat more than poultry and fish demand

JHS475129.indd

Abstract Thumb reconstruction in mirror hands is usually done by pollicization. However, objective pinch strength and power grip data in mirror hands following pollicization are lacking. Alternative thumb reconstruction techniques include doing nothing, rotation osteotomy or syndactylization of the radial digits. In this article, we report a series of four cases of mirror hand deformity where the thumb was not reconstructed by formal pollicization. Two cases had non-classic mirror hand deformity (the forearm contained a radius and an ulna) and the other two had classic ulnar dimelia. In all cases, thumb reconstruction was done by keeping one of the radial fingers in place (without pollicization) as the new thumb; and then (if required) performing a secondary osteotomy procedure to rotate the new thumb into pronation. The four cases were recalled back to the clinic for functional assessment at ages 20 years, 5 years, 4 years and 2 years, respectively. The overall hand function was considered 'fair' in the case with concurrent unique features, and was considered 'excellent' in the other three cases. It was concluded that the technique of thumb reconstruction used in the current series is an acceptable option. However, objective measurements, especially with regards to pinch strength and power grip, need to be compared with the pollicization technique