International Journal of Health Sciences-IJHS最新文献

Angiokeratoma (AK) is an uncommon vascular cutaneous illness that is characterized by benign vascular ectasias of the papillary dermis combined with papillomatosis, acanthosis, and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis. It often presents as mainly asymptomatic. Here, we present a case of a 14-year-old Saudi male who presented to the dermatology clinic with red-to-black nodules of varying sizes on the palmar and dorsal surfaces of his left hand. Upon examination, the nodules were painless with no other constitutional symptoms. Laboratory investigations were unremarkable. A 4-mm skin punch biopsy showed dilated vascular channels at the papillary dermis and corneal layer with acanthotic epidermis with granulation tissue; these findings were suggestive of AKs of Mibelli. Timolol drops were prescribed twice daily for 1 month, and the patient was seen after a month with a 90% resolution of lesions. This case study describes an intriguing instance of eruptive AK of Mibelli that was treated with Timolol 0.5% drops and was localized unilaterally over the left hand in a youngster who had previously been in good health. To the best of our knowledge, no previously reported AK of Mibelli cases that responded to Timolol 0.5% drops.

Chromosomal structural variations (SVs) are linked to a wide range of phenotypes and arise due to disruptions during DNA replication, which can affect gene function within the SV regions. This case report details a patient diagnosed with neurodevelopmental delay. Detailed investigation through array comparative genomic hybridization revealed two pathogenic SVs on chromosome 1, which align with a 1p36 microdeletion, and a microduplication at 2p35.3, the latter being classified as a variant of unknown significance. The patient's clinical presentation is consistent with the 1p36 deletion syndrome, characterized by specific developmental delays and physical anomalies. Further genetic analysis suggests that these terminal rearrangements might stem from an unbalanced translocation between the short arms of chromosomes 1 and 2. This case underscores the complexity of interpreting multiple concurrent SVs and their cumulative effect on phenotype. Ongoing research into such chromosomal abnormalities will enhance our understanding of their clinical manifestations and guide more targeted therapeutic strategies.

Objective: Dasatinib-(DAS) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor usually used to treat leukemia. However, DAS is a poorly water-soluble drug. Therefore, oil-in-water emulsions were used for DAS to enhance its solubility and cancer treatment efficacy. This study aims to develop an appropriate DAS nanoemulsion (NE) that can overcome the issue of DAS solubility and provide an effective anticancer effect.

Methods: Spherical particles dispersed in an aqueous media approach within an oily phase (oleic acid, Kolliphor RH40, and dipropylene glycol) were used to formulate DAS-NE using high-energy methods. Different formulas were developed and an appropriate formula was analyzed to identify its physicochemical properties. Raw DAS and nonformula cytotoxicity were evaluated through MTT assay against three cancer cell lines, MCF7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), HT29, and SW480 (human colorectal carcinomas), in addition to MRC5 (Normal human fetal lung fibroblast).

Results: Different DAS-NEs (1-7) have been developed successfully. Formulas had a droplet size of a diameter ranging from 84.167 ± 10.178 nm to 273.433 ± 45.267 nm. The drug content of the appropriate formula (DAS-NE₃) was found to be 83.2%. The drug release result of DAS-NE₃ when compared to raw DAS was about 58%, falling to 13% after 24 h. The DAS-NE₃ showed cytotoxicity against the three cancer cells below 26.11 μM but showed 30-fold significantly increased selectivity against MRC5 normal cells compared to that of raw DAS.

Conclusion: This study shows that the DAS-NE₃ formula may provide a potentially effective and sustained drug delivery for cancer treatment. This provides valuable information to the scientific community and the pharmaceutical industry.

Objective: Hypoxia is one of the principal causes of renal diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa on dinitrophenol (DNP)-induced hypoxia renal damage in rats.

Methods: Forty adult male rats were incorporated in this study. The rats were divided into four groups: control group, N. sativa group, DNP hypoxic group, and DNP + N. sativa group receiving N. sativa (400 mg/kg body weight). Serum and renal tissue erythropoietin (EPO) hormone and hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) levels were measured. Renal oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory biomarkers, renal hemodynamics, and histopathological examination were evaluated.

Results: Administration of N. sativa highly significantly normalized serum EPO level, HIF-2α (P < 0.001 for each) in DNP + N. sativa treated rats as compared to DNP hypoxic rats. Furthermore, it highly significantly improved renal oxidative stress evident by decreased renal tissues malondialdehyde and increased superoxide dismutase, total thiol, and catalase activity (P < 0.001 for each). Furthermore, a highly significant decline of renal intercellular adhesion molecule-1, myeloperoxidase, and interleukin-6 was observed in DNP + N. sativa rats (P < 0.001 for each). Improvements in renal hemodynamics and kidney functions were also found after N. sativa administration (with P < 0.001 for all parameters). In addition, N. sativa treatment reduced renal histopathological changes of the DNP + N. sativa group. Our results were statistically analyzed using the Prism software package (GraphPad version 8.0).

Conclusion: N. sativa has an alleviating effect on DNP-induced hypoxia renal damage and can restore kidney functions in rats' animal models. These effects were through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hemodynamic mechanisms.

Objectives: Dental implant procedures are crucial for replacing missing teeth, with various surgical techniques impacting the outcome. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of flapped and flapless surgical techniques on implant survival and marginal bone loss (MBL).

Methods: We included clinical studies with at least ten subjects, excluding review articles, editorials, and conference abstracts. Studies were sourced from PubMed, Medline, ERIC, and Wiley, published between 2000 and 2022. Data were analyzed using random-effects models to compare implant survival and MBL between flapped and flapless techniques.

Results: The review identified 21 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Flapless techniques showed a higher implant survival rate with an approximate survival rate of 98.6% in prospective cohort studies and 95.9% in retrospective studies. MBL was consistently lower in the flapless group, averaging 0.6-2.1 mm, compared to 1.5-3 mm in the flapped group. Low-risk studies demonstrated more consistent and reliable results, supporting the efficacy of flapless procedures.

Conclusion: Flapless implant surgery offers a viable alternative to traditional flapped surgery, showing higher rates of implant survival and less MBL. However, successful outcomes depend on advanced imaging, precise surgical techniques, and adequate training. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and refine clinical recommendations.

Objective: The development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines was a crucial preventative measure toward controlling the pandemic. Several side effects have been reported. This study investigated the long-term side effects reported by the Saudi population. post-COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: The cross-sectional study involved Saudi participants of both genders, aged ≥16 years, and had received at least one dose of any of the available vaccines in Saudi Arabia. They were asked to fill out an online questionnaire divided into three sections: Demographics, medical history, and side effects that appeared post-COVID-19 vaccines.

Results: The findings indicated that the undesirable effects were reported by 82% of the participants. These side effects involve three categories: The most common, additional or reported, and persistent side effects. The most common side effects were pain at the site of injection (88.16%), bone pain/joint pain (68.7%), and fatigue (68.46%). Menstrual disorders (n = 46), hair loss (n = 34), and memory problems (n = 19) were reported by participants as additional side effects. Among all side effects, fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, and menstrual disorders were the most persistent side effects. Moreover, 190 participants reported that they were diagnosed with diseases soon after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine including COVID-19, thyroid gland disorder, and irritable bowel disease. The quality of life of some of the participants was affected by post-COVID-19 vaccines, as 25.28% had anxiety, 21.22% had depression, and 33.16% had discomfort.

Conclusion: These findings may contribute to understanding the effect of COVID-19 vaccines on the Saudi population's health and public opinion about these vaccines.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare healing outcomes, probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction, clinical attachment, and alveolar bone level following Modified Widman Flap (MWF) with and without 4× prismatic loupe in infrabony pockets.

Methods: Patients having at least one infrabony pocket with PPD ≥5 mm and angular bone loss ≥3 mm bilaterally were randomly assigned to a microsurgical (test) group with MWF using 4× magnifying loupes and conventional (control) group by MWF only. At baseline, 3 and 6 months plaque index, bleeding index, PPD, and relative clinical attachment level were taken. The healing outcome was evaluated with a healing index by Landry. Pain score was assessed with Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The percentage of defect depth (DD) reduction was assessed by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and periapical radiograph. Continuous data between groups were analyzed using an unpaired "t" test. Within-group comparison was done using repeated measures analysis of variance followed by multiple pairwise comparisons and paired "t" test.

Results: There was a statistically significant (P = 0.004) reduction in intrabony DD in each group evaluated through CBCT. The mean VAS score after 1 week of surgical procedure was 3.67 at the conventional site compared to 2.9 at the microsurgical site, which was statistically significant (P = 0.004). Statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) healing scores were observed for microsurgery group (84.6% after 1 week) compared to control group (15.4% after 1 week).

Conclusion: Although blinding of patients and surgeons was difficult and healing indices used are subjective, it can be concluded that microsurgery under 4× magnifying loupe is as effective as conventional MWF in the treatment of infrabony pockets but clinical parameters are greatly enhanced by microsurgery with improved healing and less patient discomfort.

Objective: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries around the world experienced an unprecedented increase in stress in the general population. Even after normal life has been reestablished, the new normal is punctuated by severely impacted vulnerable groups. Stress-associated symptoms display an intricate relationship with biochemical modulations, which coordinate the stress response. Identifying these biochemical factors is inherent to deciphering the mode of treatment needed to diminish the health-care gap resulting from the pandemic.

Methods: We applied psychological measures using the perceived stress (PS) and COVID-19 anxiety (CA) scales and preventive health behavior (PHB) to evaluate stress in the general population. Biochemical markers of stress, that is, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), cortisol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were tested in the serum samples of the participants. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 22.0.

Results: Stress scores for PS, CA, and PHB indicate the prevalence of moderate-to-high stress among participants, and a correlation between psychological stress and biochemical correlates, TAC, TBARS, cortisol, and CRP. Serum concentrations of TBARS, Cortisol, and CRP were found to be significantly increased, while the TAC was decreased across all stress types and levels. Our findings demonstrate a positive correlation between PS, CA, PHB TBARS, cortisol, and CRP and a strong negative correlation with TAC.

Conclusion: The results of this study will help in tailoring targeted interventions and preventive regimes to mitigate COVID-19-associated anxiety and stress disorders prevailing even after the actual pandemic has subsided.