The medical and biochemical knowledge of health care professionals regarding the management of MERS-CoV: lessons from 2019 pilgrimage season in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) epidemic was a serious healthcare concern not responding to conventional anti-viral therapies between 2012 and 2017 with high fatality rates. Saudi Arabia is still among the best world examples in combating both MERS-CoV and COVID-19 pandemics. Objectives: Investigating the medical and biochemical knowledge of healthcare professionals in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia on preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures against MERS-CoV epidemic. Subjects and methods: In 2019, this cross-sectional study included 416 healthcare personnel of which 402 participants answered the questions with a response rate of 96.7%. Specialties of participants were medical students (1.4%), physicians (64.4%), nurses (23.6%) and others (10.7%). Results: The vast majority of the investigated healthcare personnel gave the right answers. 96.7% of the participants answered that washing hands using water helps prevent MERS-CoV. 90.8% of the participants answered that wearing a clean non-sterile long-sleeved gown and gloves does helps prevent MERS-CoV infection. 94.7% of participants answered that using alcohol-based hand rub helps prevent MERS-CoV infection. 92.03% of the participants thought that wearing protective equipment does help preventing MERS-CoV infection. 86.1% answered that there is no vaccine available against MERS-CoV infection and 86.1% answered that taking vaccines is suitable for preventing MERS-CoV infection. 90.04% of the participants answered that MERS-CoV patients should be diagnosed using PCR and 84.3% thought that the highest levels of anti-CoV antibodies are in abattoir workers while 87.8% thought that isolation of suspected cases helps preventing MERS-CoV infection. Conclusion: The investigated healthcare workers had a satisfactory knowledge on the preventive and therapeutic measures and biochemical knowledge against MERS-CoV epidemic at mass gatherings as pilgrimage season

Age-related protein and mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidases (GPx) and Hsp-70 in different regions of rat kidney with and without stressor

Small molecular weight oxygen free radical species (ROS) involved in oxidative stress can cause damage to cellular macromolecules including proteins, DNA and lipids. One of the most important enzymes involved in ROS detoxification is glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Here we study the age-related expression of GPx isoenzymes in various parts of the rat kidney with and without exposure to external oxidative stress. These results are correlated to the age dependent changes in the expression of the chaperone, 'Hsp-70'. Protein and mRNA expression of GPx1 and GPx4 was studied in different regions of the kidney in ageing rats in the presence and absence of the external stressor 0.2 mM H₂O₂. Protein levels were examined by Western blot analysis following detection with appropriate antibodies and mRNA levels were analysed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using appropriate primer sequences. mRNA expression for the chaperone 'Hsp70' was investigated in parallel. After reaching a peak at maturity (12 weeks), GPx1 protein and mRNA levels decreased with age under both control and stress conditions, and were higher in the cortex than in the outer and inner medulla. GPx4 protein and mRNA levels showed few comparable age-related changes. By contrast with the observed age-related decrease in GPx1 expression, chaperone 'Hsp-70' mRNA expression greatly increased with age. These findings suggest that the age-related decline in GPx1 expression in the cortex may be partly offset by a reciprocal change in 'Hsp-70' expression. These results are consistent with the oxidative stress theory of ageing

64. Evaluation of cardiovascular anomalies in conjoined twins: A single-centre experience from King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center

A Stanford Type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening surgical emergency that requires emergent surgery. The mortality after repair is high especially if the aortic dissection is complicated by visceral or peripheral malperfusion. We describe a case of a male patient who presented with an aortic dissection involving the ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic and the abdominal aorta up to the iliac bifurcation. The dissection also involved the visceral and renal arteries with evidence of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion. Successful outcome was achieved by endovascular stenting of his SMA, followed by Bental procedure. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case report in English literature of SMA stenting followed by Bental procedure to treat acute type A aortic dissection complicated by SMA occlusion