Characteristics of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in Riyadh province, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionLittle work has been done on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Saudi Arabia. Our goal is to report the characteristics of OHCA patients and predictors of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study utilized data from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA), a governmental emergency medical service (EMS). A standardized data collection form based on the “Utstein-style” guidelines was developed. Data were retrieved from the electronic patient care reports that SRCA providers fill out for every case. OHCA cases that were attended by SRCA in Riyadh province between June 1st, 2020 and May 31st, 2021 were included. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess independent predictors of bystander CPR.ResultsA total of 1,023 OHCA cases were included. The mean age was 57.2 (±22.6). 95.7% (979/1,023) of cases were adults and 65.2% (667/1,023) were males. Home was the most common location of OHCA [784/1,011 (77.5%)]. The initial recorded rhythm was shockable in 131/742 (17.7%). The EMS mean response time was 15.9 min (±11.1). Bystander CPR was performed in 130/1,023 (12.7%) and was more commonly performed in children as compared to adults [12/44 (27.3%) vs. 118/979 (12.1%), p = 0.003]. Independent predictors of bystander CPR were being a child (OR = 3.26, 95% CI [1.21–8.82], p = 0.02) and having OHCA in a healthcare institution (OR = 6.35, 95% CI [2.15–18.72], p = 0.001).ConclusionOur study reported the characteristics of OHCA cases in Saudi Arabia using EMS data. We observed young age at presentation, low rates of bystander CPR, and long response time. These characteristics are distinctly different from other countries and call for urgent attention to OHCA care in Saudi Arabia. Lastly, being a child and having OHCA in a healthcare institution were found to be independent predictors of bystander CPR

Opportunities for recycling produced water in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Applied Science [Environmental Management] at Lincoln University

The demand for clean water is drastically increasing in many parts of the world especially in arid region's countries. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, the scarcity of rainfall coupled with extreme limitation of renewable water resources in a very arid region has greatly affected meeting their elevated demand for water. This demand comes mainly from the domestic, agricultural and industrial sectors in GCC countries. One of the most significant sectors that depend heavily on water resources comes from the oil industry for the purpose of oil recovery and reservoir pressure maintenance especially in mature oil fields. Produced water, which is considered the largest volume of waste generated during oil production, increases globally at a rate of 10% per year. Since GCC countries are considered the world top oil producers, it is significant to assess their current practices in dealing with the produced water to take a full advantage of it to reduce the impact of their water shortage. The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate if produced water in the GCC countries can be considered as a potential suitable water resource, which can be used as an advantage to meet the increasing demand for water in the region. Several favourable factors support the feasibility of using produced water as a potential water resource in the GCC countries. These include the presence of large amounts of produced water, relative good quality, treatment opportunities, cost effectiveness, and the high needs for it. However, there are other important elements that need to be considered to optimise the opportunity of using produced water in these countries. These include improving produced water management, integration of produced water with other water resources, and implementing produced water policy in the GCC countries

Diruthenium Naphthalene and Anthracene Complexes Containing a Doubly Linked Dicyclopentadienyl Ligand

The reaction of <i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(CO)₄Br₂ with naphthalene affords the <i>syn</i>-facial [<i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(μ-η⁶,η⁶-C₁₀H₈)]­[OTf]₂, (<b>2</b>^<b>2+</b>), a complex that appears to be two electrons short of the 18-electron rule. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the Ru atoms satisfy their missing valence by a combination of a weak metal–metal bond and sharing electrons from the central π bond of the naphthalene. The one-electron reduction of <b>2</b>^<b>2+</b> yields <b>2</b>^<b>+</b>, a Class II mixed-valence complex, while the two-electron reduction of <b>2</b>^<b>2+</b> causes a hapticity change from η⁶ to η⁴ on one of the naphthalene rings and yields <i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(μ-η⁶,η⁴-C₁₀H₈<b>)</b> (<b>2</b>^<b>0</b>), a zwitterionic complex. The DFT calculations predict that the <i>C</i>_<i>s</i> isomer of <b>2⁰</b> is 4.69 kcal/mol lower in energy than the <i>C</i>_2<i>v</i> isomer, which is a transition state. Reaction of <i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(CO)₄Br₂ with anthracene affords the analogous <i>syn</i>-facial anthracene complex, [<i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(μ-η⁶,η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)]­[OTf]₂, (<b>4</b>), and the tetranuclear dianthracene complex, [<i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(μ-η⁶,η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)]₂[OTf]₄, (<b>5</b>). <b>2</b>^<b>2+</b>, <b>2</b>^<b>0</b>, and <b>5</b> were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction

Diruthenium Naphthalene and Anthracene Complexes Containing a Doubly Linked Dicyclopentadienyl Ligand

The reaction of <i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(CO)₄Br₂ with naphthalene affords the <i>syn</i>-facial [<i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(μ-η⁶,η⁶-C₁₀H₈)]­[OTf]₂, (<b>2</b>^<b>2+</b>), a complex that appears to be two electrons short of the 18-electron rule. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the Ru atoms satisfy their missing valence by a combination of a weak metal–metal bond and sharing electrons from the central π bond of the naphthalene. The one-electron reduction of <b>2</b>^<b>2+</b> yields <b>2</b>^<b>+</b>, a Class II mixed-valence complex, while the two-electron reduction of <b>2</b>^<b>2+</b> causes a hapticity change from η⁶ to η⁴ on one of the naphthalene rings and yields <i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(μ-η⁶,η⁴-C₁₀H₈<b>)</b> (<b>2</b>^<b>0</b>), a zwitterionic complex. The DFT calculations predict that the <i>C</i>_<i>s</i> isomer of <b>2⁰</b> is 4.69 kcal/mol lower in energy than the <i>C</i>_2<i>v</i> isomer, which is a transition state. Reaction of <i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(CO)₄Br₂ with anthracene affords the analogous <i>syn</i>-facial anthracene complex, [<i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(μ-η⁶,η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)]­[OTf]₂, (<b>4</b>), and the tetranuclear dianthracene complex, [<i>cis</i>-{(η⁵-C₅H₃)₂(CMe₂)₂}­Ru₂(μ-η⁶,η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)]₂[OTf]₄, (<b>5</b>). <b>2</b>^<b>2+</b>, <b>2</b>^<b>0</b>, and <b>5</b> were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction

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