Intention to use e-government services among the academic staff in Saudi universities

E-government diffusion and usage is a global topic that concerns many countries worldwide. E-government is a way for providing services of government over online channels of communication to its citizens. Saudi Arabia has implemented a program of e-government in 2005 to encourage performance of public sectors through acquiring the benefits of Information Communication Technology (ICT) advances. This study focuses on the factors that influence intention to use e-government among the academic staff in Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study is to identify the mediating role of e-government awareness on the relationships between social influence, trust of internet and trust in intermediaries and intention to use e-government and the mediating role of perceived risk on the relationships between trust of internet and trust in intermediaries and intention to use e-government. Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), this study integrated these factors to examine their influences on intention to use e-government. This study utilized a quantitative approach using a survey to reflect consumers’ perspectives towards e-government usage. To examine the hypothesized model, the data were collected from the academic staff working in Saudi public universities. This study employed Partial Least Squares techniques to confirm the validity and reliability of the measurement model and to examine the structural relationships. The findings of the study confirmed the influences of social influence, e-government awareness, trust in intermediary and perceived risk on intention to use e-government. Further, awareness of e-government is influenced by social influence, trust in Internet and trust in intermediary and mediates the relationship between these factors and intention to use e-government. Trust in Internet factor emerged as significant predictor of consumers’ risk perceptions and mediates the relationship between this factor and intention to use e-government. This study has important implications for e-government practitioners, researchers and policy decision makers interested in the implementation of e-governmen

Critical success factors for health transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Healthcare transformation programs generally aim at enhancing quality of care, promoting patient safety, equitability, accessibility, and feasibility of healthcare services. Although the transformation process is gradual, and may often fail to achieve the desired outcomes, nations such as KSA have made substantial public health developments over the last two decades. Particularly, KSA has made tremendous progress in healthcare transformation by emphasizing on healthcare transformation as part of its efforts to achieve its Vision 2030 goals. This paper aims at investigating the critical success factors of healthcare transformation in KSA to find out how focusing on the goals outlined in its Vison 2030 may help KSA restructure and reimagine its healthcare systems and practice to improve overall health quality, accessibility, affordability, and universality

Development and validation of a UPLC method for quantification of antiviral agent, Acyclovir in lipid-based formulations

AbstractPurposeThe objective of the current study is to evaluate the Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) method for quantification of Acyclovir in lipid-based formulations.MethodA simple, rapid, reliable and precise reversed phase UPLC method has been developed and validated according to the regulatory guidelines, which composed of isocratic mobile phase; 0.25% formic acid (FA) in Milli-Q water with a flow rate of 0.5ml/min, and column BEH C18 (2.1×50mm, 1.7μm). The detection was carried out at 254nm.ResultsThe developed UPLC method was found to be rapid (1.2min run time), selective with well resoluted Acyclovir peak (0.89min) from different lipid matrices and sensitive (Limit of Detection (LOD) was 0.3ppm and Lower Limit of Quantification (LLOQ) was 1ppm). The accuracy and precision were determined and were perfectly matching with the standard FDA limits.ConclusionThe study showed that the proposed UPLC method can be used for the assessment of drug purity, stability, solubility and lipid-formulation release profile with no interference of excipients or related substances of active pharmaceutical ingredient

Integrating Complementary and Alternative Medicine into Family Medicine Practice: Narrative Review

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has witnessed a significant surge in usage across various populations and regions in recent decades. This review article delves into the prevalence and patterns of CAM usage, from cancer patients to cultural practices in Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. In Saudi Arabia, CAM practices, especially spiritual ones like prayer and reciting the Quran, are widely adopted, with herbs, honey, and dietary products also being popular. New Zealand healthcare professionals, including general practitioners and midwives, generally hold a positive view towards CAM, with acupuncture being particularly favored. However, concerns about CAM's scientific evidence, safety, and costs persist. In the U.S., while CAM is popular, many family physicians feel inadequately trained to address CAM-related patient queries. In Germany, a significant number of family physicians use CAM in their practices, emphasizing the need for increased CAM education and research. The data underscores the global trend of CAM adoption and the need for its effective integration into mainstream healthcare. Despite its popularity, the integration of CAM in medical education remains limited in many regions, including Saudi Arabia. However, there's a noticeable shift with some medical schools beginning to incorporate CAM into their curriculum. The article underscores the importance of evidence-based practice, education, training, open communication, regulation, interdisciplinary collaboration, a patient-centered approach, thorough documentation, continuous research, cultural sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness evaluation when considering the integration of CAM into mainstream healthcare. The recommendations provided aim to ensure that patients receive holistic care that is both safe and effective. The overarching theme is the need for a balanced, informed, and collaborative approach to integrating CAM into family medicine practice

Secondary antiphospholipid syndrome on oral anticoagulant presented with subdural hematoma

A 50-year-old female known case of systemic lupus erythematosus with positive antiphospholipid antibody warfarin, presented to hospital complaining of severe headache and vomiting for four days. CT brain showed bilateral chronic subdural haemorrhage more on the left side. Her laboratory investigation showed normal Platelet and INR of 3.10. Warfarin reversed and the patient treated conservatively. Later on, admission, she became drowsy again CT brain repeated and showed extensions of hematoma and increased effacement of brain parenchyma. She underwent left sided burr hole to evacuate hematoma. More studies are needed to guide the management of APLS with bleeding

Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Quality of Life

This study aimed at exploring the assessment of Quality of Life (QOL) in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and aiming at assessing the QOL of patients with stages 1–5 Chronic Kidney Disease CKD on conservative treatment in order to identify a possible association between Quality Of Life QOL and progression of kidney insufficiency. The results were compared with those obtained for patients on hemodialysis. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were also evaluated. And the study concluded that research efforts have expanded significantly to determine the state of pediatric CKD patient HRQOL and the factors that impact HRQOL across all stages of CKD and all modalities of renal replacement therapy. Data from all studies suggest that children with a renal transplant fare better with respect to HRQOL than those receiving dialysis.

Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy in the Arab World: A New Model of Advanced Practice

This study aimed at suggesting a new model for advanced practice in the diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy in the Arab World by presenting a comparative study between the different medical imaging techniques, the concepts, benefits, risks and medical applications of these techniques has been presented with details. Attempting For building a new model of advanced practice for the diagnostic role of  imaging and radiation therapy in the Arab World; by analyzing the current status of the imaging and radiation therapy in the Arab World, and then surveying the different medical imaging techniques. Then  to suggest a model of best practices upon the outcomes of the study

Brushite: Synthesis, Properties, and Biomedical Applications

In this chapter, besides its biomedical applications, the synthesis and properties of brushite were investigated. Brushite consists of two types of crystals, platy and needle-like, and their formation depends on the pH of the medium during precipitation. Platy crystals are formed in a slightly acidic medium, pH = 5, and needle-like crystals at a higher pH = 6.5–7. In this study, the monoclinic brushite crystals were synthesized using dissolution-precipitation reactions. It is found that the brushite crystal growth occurs mainly along the (020) crystallographic plane. The thermogravimetric analysis confirms the presence of the two structural water molecules, which decompose at a temperature range between 80 and 220°C. Brushite was used in the preparation of tetracalcium phosphate mineral, which is the powder component for calcium phosphate cement (CPC). CPC was subsequently prepared from TTCP and phosphate-based hardening solution. In vitro evaluation of the resultant CPC using Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution results in the growth of nanofibrous crystals of Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) layers on the surfaces of the CPC. The cultured CPC exhibits new connective tissues and throughout the CaP matrix

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Inflammation with No Toxicity in Rodent

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière is an endemic tree with spiritual value, and it was used since immemorial time in folk medicine. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin tests) and analgesic effects (hot plate and acetic acid writhing tests) of the cedarwood essential oil, as well as inspect any toxicity (acute toxicity), using several in vivo assays. Following the acetic acid writhing test and the hot plate test, the EO presented an excellent analgesic effect compared to the controls, especially with the dose of 50 mg/kg. Similar results were found while assessing the anti-inflammatory potential in the carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin assays. The acute toxicity assessment and the subsequent monitoring of the animals, the biochemical analysis, and the relative organ weight, demonstrated a total safety of the EO. The GC/MS analysis of the composition revealed that the major compounds contained in this EO are beta-himachalene (51.95%), followed by alpha-himachalene (15.82%), and gamma-himachalene (12.15%). This study supports the usage of this tree EO to alleviate pain and inflammation