NobleBlocks

King Khaled Hospital

Hospital / health systemNajrān, Saudi Arabia

Research output, citation impact, and the most-cited recent papers from King Khaled Hospital (Saudi Arabia). Aggregated across the NobleBlocks index of 300M+ scholarly works.

Total works
2.1K
Citations
27.7K
h-index
62
i10-index
694
Also known as
King Khaled Hospitalمستشفى الملك خالد

Top-cited papers from King Khaled Hospital

The importance of vocabulary in language learning and how to be taught
Mofareh Alqahtani
2015· International Journal of Teaching and Education776doi:10.20472/te.2015.3.3.002

Vocabulary learning is an essential part in foreign language learning as the meanings of new words are very often emphasized, whether in books or in classrooms.It is also central to language teaching and is of paramount importance to a language learner.Recent research indicate that teaching vocabulary may be problematic because many teachers are not confident about best practice in vocabulary teaching and at times don't know where to begin to form an instructional emphasis on word learning (Berne & Blachowicz, 2008) In this article, I summarizes important research on the impotence of vocabulary and explaining many techniques used by English teachers when teaching English, as well as my own personal view of these issues.

Attitudes, satisfaction and usage: Factors contributing to each in the acceptance of information technology
Said S. Al‐Gahtani, Malcolm King
1999· Behaviour and Information Technology520doi:10.1080/014492999119020

This research tests and develops the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), introduced by Davis (1986), which attempts to explain end users' attitudes to computing technologies. It introduces several new variables, including compatibility, user characteristics, system rating and the enduser computing satisfaction (EUCS) construct, a surrogate measure for IT success and acceptance. A questionnaire with over seventy items was completed by a large number of users and LISREL, a technique for modelling a system of structural equations, was used to analyse the responses. The output shows the model as a whole fits the data very well and indicates significant relationships between variables in the model. These results confirm that TAM is a valuable tool for predicting attitudes, satisfaction, and usage from beliefs and external variables. They also show that relative advantage of the system contributed most to attitudes and satisfaction. Compatibility (of the system to the task performed) contributed most to usage and was the most important antecedent of the belief variables, including relative advantage.

CD44 as a potential diagnostic tumor marker
Nawwaf S. Basakran
2015· Saudi Medical Journal179doi:10.15537/smj.2015.3.9622

CD44 is a cellular protein that has been intensively studied in relation to carcinogenesis over the last decade. It is altered during inflammatory responses and cellular malfunctioning during tumor progression. Tumors of epithelial origin express CD44 in multiple isoforms called variants; some isoforms are related to specific cancer cells. An increase of CD44 specific isoforms is detected in certain leukemic proliferations. Most published data indicates a partial involvement of CD44 in cancer cells, either in invasiveness or self-renewability. However, there is still uncertainty regarding the exact mechanism by which CD44 participates in growth of cancer or the inflammatory response. This review focuses on CD44 prevalence in cancer cell. It considers tumorigenic behavior of cells that highly express CD44 as an early marker for neoplastic stem cell proliferation. We will discuss multiple examples of tumor in this paper, with an emphasis of 2 solid tumors; namely, breast and colon cancer.

Contamination of common spices in Saudi Arabia markets with potential mycotoxin-producing fungi
Mohamed Hashem, Saad Alamri
2010· Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences144doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2010.02.011

Fifteen spices obtained from common markets were examined for their mould profile. A total of 520 fungal isolates, representing 57 species, were recovered and identified from dried and ground spice samples on three different media using standard dilution plate method. The most heavily contaminated spice samples examined were observed in ginger in order of magnitude of 5325-6800 cfu/g. The most predominant fungal genera encountered were Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus. Relative occurrence values of taxa disclosed ranged between 80% for Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium arenicola, and 10% for some species. Samples obtained from sumac encountered very rare colony counts indicating its antifungal prosperities. The present magnitude of contamination and spectra of mycobiota approximate those reported for similar spice samples. Several potentially mycotoxigenic fungi were isolated from the majority of samples. The present study attracts the attention to potential risk for mycotoxins contamination may be caused as a result of using these spices, especially in great quantities. The study strongly recommends reduction in application of heavily contaminated spices like ginger in food processing and using some others like clove and sumac due to their antimicrobial properties.

The improved thermal efficiency of Maxwell hybrid nanofluid comprising of graphene oxide plus silver / kerosene oil over stretching sheet
Farooq Ahmad, Sohaib Abdal, Hela Ayed, Sajjad Hussain +2 more
2021· Case Studies in Thermal Engineering130doi:10.1016/j.csite.2021.101257

An analysis for heat transfer enhancement of Graphene oxide (Go)/Kerosene oil and Go + silver (Ag)/Kerosene oil hybrid nanofluid is made theoretically when the fluids flow through a porous medium over a stretching sheet in the presence of an applied magnetic field. The heat energy is augmented with thermal dissipation, heat source, and convective boundary conditions. The mass transpiration at the wall of the sheet is taken into account. The model equations are transmuted to ordinary differential form. The roles of controlling parameters are observed numerically by hiring Runge-Kutta method in Matlab coding. The flow speed becomes faster with Maxwell fluid parameter. The growing strengths of magnetic field and porosity resistance make the flow slower but cause to raise in temperature. Further, the additive volume fraction of silver with Graphene oxide becomes responsible to decelerate the flow and enhance heat transportation. The skin friction factor declines in magnitude against exceeding inputs of magnetic characteristic parameter M and porosity parameter Kp.

Importance of early precautionary actions in avoiding the spread of COVID-19: Saudi Arabia as an Example
Thamir M. Alshammari, Ali F. Altebainawi, Khalidah A. Alenzi
2020· Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal127doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2020.05.005

Late in 2019, several cases of infection with a new strain of coronavirus were reported in China. This new strain was later officially named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by the World Health Organization (WHO). This new virus (SARS-CoV2-) mainly affects the respiratory system and causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first case of COVID-19 was reported to the WHO on December 31st, 2019, and the virus has spread dramatically in many countries worldwide. On March 11th, 2020, the WHO declared that COVID-19 had affected most of the world, and many deaths were linked to COVID-19. Unfortunately, there is no available treatment for COVID-19, and there is no available vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, preventive methods are the only way to limit the spread of the virus. Preventive actions have been taken by many countries, such as travel bans, closing borders and working from home. Saudi Arabia was one of the countries that took very early precautionary actions in the belief that these actions are the best way to fight the virus. Therefore, we present the actions that were taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to fight the new viral pandemic.

The Use of Technology in English Language Teaching
Alqahtani Mofareh A
2019· Frontiers in Education Technology120doi:10.22158/fet.v2n3p168

The application of modern technology represents a significant advance in contemporary English language teaching methods. Indeed, Mohammad Reza Ahmadi (2018) maintains that electronic teaching programmes have become the predominant preference of instructors since they arguably boost positive student engagement with teachers and incentivize overall English language learning. Most contemporary English language teachers now actively incorporate a range of technological aids designed to facilitate optimum teaching delivery. The current research therefore addresses various elements of the technology used in English teaching by devising innovative curricula which harnesses recent scientific and technical developments, equip instructors with the technological skills to ensure effective and quality subject delivery, provide technical media such as audio-visual and modern technical programmes, and create student-teacher platforms which maximize positive language learning outcomes. For the purposes of this study, the relevant literature has been reviewed, technology defined linguistically and conventionally, and correlation with modern teaching skills fully evaluated. In light of this, the researcher outlines the fundamental research problem, elucidates the significance of the research objectives and hypotheses, and presents the findings. The paper concludes by offering a number of recommendations which may further contribute to the improvement of teaching methods by advancing the widespread application of modern technology.

Emergency and disaster management training; knowledge and attitude of Yemeni health professionals- a cross-sectional study
Waheeb Nasr Naser, Huda Ba Saleem
2018· BMC Emergency Medicine113doi:10.1186/s12873-018-0174-5

BACKGROUND: Medical professionals together with other first responder teams are the first to attend an emergency or disaster. Knowledge and training in emergency and disaster preparedness are important in responding effectively. This study aims to assess the current knowledge, attitude and training in emergency and disaster preparedness among Yemeni health professionals. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional, non-probability based study was conducted in Yemen using self-reported on-line and paper surveys in 2017. A total of 531 health professionals responded. The Chi-Square test was used to identify any significant difference in the knowledge and attitude of the professional categories. The p-value of <0.05 was used as a statistical significant. RESULTS: The overall knowledge status of Yemeni health professionals was insufficient with regards to emergency and disaster preparedness. Of all respondents, 32.0% had good knowledge, 53.5% had fair and 14.5% exhibited poor knowledge. The educational level was a key factor in the knowledge gap amongst respondents. Regardless of the period of experience, postgraduate staff were more knowledgeable than graduates. Physicians were better in knowledge than other subgroups of health specialties. Health administrators seemed insufficiently qualified in emergency and disaster planning. Medical teachers performed better in responding to knowledge test than managers. However, the majority of study respondents appeared in the 'positive attitudes' level to emergency and disaster preparedness. 41.0% of all respondents had received no courses in disaster preparedness. The trained staff used NGOs, and online-related programs more frequently for learning disaster planning (15.7%, and 13.6%) respectively. In contrast, formal resources such as MoPHP, health facility, medical schooling programs were used by (10.2%, 9.6, and 7.3%) of respondents, respectively. 58.9% of respondents had not participated in any exercise in emergency and disaster preparedness. Of all respondents, triage and mass causality response exercises were attended by only (13.5%, and 9.7%) respectively. CONCLUSION: The absence of teaching programs is a major issue in the lack of knowledge of health professionals regarding disaster preparedness. Thus, emergency and disaster preparedness has to be included in the primary medical school curricula and continuing medical education programs of the health facilities. Long-term formal training such as undergraduate and postgraduate programs is necessary. Operational simulations enrolled key personnel of multi-agencies focus on an organizational training rather than individual based training are recommended.

Treatment of metastatic Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor of bone: Evaluation of increasing the dose intensity of chemotherapy—a report from the Children's Oncology Group
James S Miser, Robert E. Goldsby, Zhengjia Chen, Mark Krailo +4 more
2007· Pediatric Blood & Cancer102doi:10.1002/pbc.21233

BACKGROUND: The outcome for patients with Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFTs) of bone with metastases at diagnosis remains poor despite new approaches to treatment. We evaluated whether a dose-intensity chemotherapy regimen improved survival for patients with ESFTs of bone with metastases at diagnosis. METHODS: We entered 60 patients with metastatic ESFTs of bone onto a single arm trial of a new intensive therapy. Treatment consisted of 51-weeks of chemotherapy and local control of the primary with radiation, surgery, or both. The chemotherapeutic protocol included two alternating blocks: one with vincristine (2 mg/m(2)), doxorubicin (90 mg/m(2)), and cyclophosphamide (2,200 mg/m(2)); and the second with ifosfamide (2,800 mg/m(2)/day x 5 days) and etoposide (100 mg/m(2)/day x 5 days). RESULTS: Of the 60 patients with metastatic ESFTs of bone enrolled onto this single arm trial, 12 had metastasis to lung only, 7 to bone marrow or bone only, 38 to multiple sites, 2 in other sites and 3 not specified. There were three toxic deaths. Six patients (6-year cumulative incidence: 9%) developed second malignant neoplasms and died. The 6-year overall event-free survival (EFS) was 28% (standard error (SE) 6%) and survival (S) was 29% (SE 6%). CONCLUSION: An intensified treatment regimen using higher doses of cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and doxorubicin increased toxicity and risk of second malignancy without improving EFS and S.

Natural History of Patients With Ischemia and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Harmony R. Reynolds, Michael H. Picard, John A. Spertus, Jesús Peteiro +4 more
2021· Circulation100doi:10.1161/circulationaha.120.046791

Background: Ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is common and has an adverse prognosis. We set out to describe the natural history of symptoms and ischemia in INOCA. Methods: CIAO-ISCHEMIA (Changes in Ischemia and Angina over One Year in ISCHEMIA Trial Screen Failures With INOCA) was an international cohort study conducted from 2014 to 2019 involving angina assessments (Seattle Angina Questionnaire) and stress echocardiograms 1 year apart. This was an ancillary study that included patients with a history of angina who were not randomly assigned in the ISCHEMIA trial. Stress-induced wall motion abnormalities were determined by an echocardiographic core laboratory blinded to symptoms, coronary artery disease status, and test timing. Medical therapy was at the discretion of treating physicians. The primary outcome was the correlation between the changes in the Seattle Angina Questionnaire angina frequency score and changes in echocardiographic ischemia. We also analyzed predictors of 1-year changes in both angina and ischemia, and we compared CIAO participants with ISCHEMIA participants with obstructive coronary artery disease who had stress echocardiography before enrollment, as CIAO participants did. Results: INOCA participants in CIAO were more often female (66% of 208 versus 26% of 865 ISCHEMIA participants with obstructive coronary artery disease, P <0.001), but the magnitude of ischemia was similar (median 4 ischemic segments [interquartile range, 3–5] both groups). Ischemia and angina were not significantly correlated at enrollment in CIAO ( P =0.46) or ISCHEMIA stress echocardiography participants ( P =0.35). At 1 year, the stress echocardiogram was normal in half of CIAO participants, and 23% had moderate or severe ischemia (≥3 ischemic segments). Angina improved in 43% and worsened in 14%. Change in ischemia over 1 year was not significantly correlated with change in angina (ρ=0.029). Conclusions: Improvement in ischemia and angina were common in INOCA but not correlated. Our INOCA cohort had a degree of inducible wall motion abnormalities similar to concurrently enrolled ISCHEMIA participants with obstructive coronary artery disease. Our results highlight the complex nature of INOCA pathophysiology and the multifactorial nature of angina. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02347215.

Serum cholinesterase activity helps to distinguish between liver disease and non-liver disease aberration in liver function tests
O. O. Ogunkeye, A. I. Roluga
2006· Pathophysiology97doi:10.1016/j.pathophys.2006.01.002

The diagnostic usefulness of a single determination of serum cholinesterase activity to distinguish between overt liver disease and non-liver disease clinical problems in which a few of the traditional liver function tests are abnormal was assessed. Using three groups of subjects comprising liver disease, non-liver disease, and healthy controls, we have shown that serum cholinesterase activity helped to distinguish between liver disease and non-liver disease in subjects who had abnormality of a few liver function tests. Serum cholinesterase activity helped also to distinguish between the liver disease subjects and healthy controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean serum cholinesterase activities of non-liver disease subjects and healthy controls. We suggest that determination of serum cholinesterase activity is a cost-effective diagnostic means of differentiating between overt liver disease and non-liver diseases where there may be aberration of some liver function tests.

Advances in the management of peritoneal malignancies
Vahan Képénékian, Aditi Bhatt, Julien Péron, Mohammad Alyami +4 more
2022· Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology87doi:10.1038/s41571-022-00675-5

Peritoneal surface malignancies (PSMs) are usually associated with a poor prognosis. Nonetheless, in line with advances in the management of most abdominopelvic metastatic diseases, considerable progress has been made over the past decade. An improved understanding of disease biology has led to the more accurate prediction of neoplasia aggressiveness and the treatment response and has been reflected in the proposal of new classification systems. Achieving complete cytoreductive surgery remains the cornerstone of curative-intent treatment of PSMs. Alongside centralization in expert centres, enabling the delivery of multimodal and multidisciplinary strategies, preoperative management is a crucial step in order to select patients who are most likely to benefit from surgery. Depending on the specific PSM, the role of intraperitoneal chemotherapy and of perioperative systemic chemotherapy, in particular, in the neoadjuvant setting, is established in certain scenarios but questioned in several others, although more prospective data are required. In this Review, we describe advances in all aspects of the management of PSMs including disease biology, assessment and improvement of disease resectability, perioperative management, systemic therapy and pre-emptive management, and we speculate on future research directions. Peritoneal surface malignancies (PSMs) typically have a poor prognosis, although considerable advances in the understanding and management of these malignancies have been made over the past decade. This Review comprehensively describes the improvements in knowledge of the biology, assessment and classification, perioperative and surgical management, systemic treatment and pre-emptive management of PSMs. The authors also outline future directions for research in this field.

Assessing water quality and classifying trophic status for scientifically based managing the water resources of the Lake Timsah, the lake with salinity stratification along the Suez Canal
Hamed A. El‐Serehy, Hala S. Abdallah, F. Al‐Misned, Saleh Alfarraj +1 more
2018· Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences87doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.05.022

Lake Timsah is considered as the biggest water body at Ismailia City with a surface area of 14 km 2 . It is a saline shallow water basin lies approximately mid-way between the south city of Suez and the north city of Port Said at 30 o 35′46.55“N and 32 o 19′30.54″E. Because it receives water with high and low salinities, salinity stratification is producing in the Lake Timsah, with values of 14–40‰ for the surface water and over 40‰ for the bottom water. The temperature of the lake water decreased to below 19 °C in the winter and rose to above 29 °C in the summer; the concentration of dissolved oxygen ranged between 6.5 and 12.2 l −1 and the pH fluctuated between 7.9 in its lower value and 8.2 in its higher value. Water transparency was very low as indicated by Secchi disc readings recorded during this study and varied between 0.3 and 2.7 m. The main chemical nutrient (phosphorus) reached its highest levels of 96 µg l −1 in winter and their lowest values of 24 µg l −1 during summer. This nutrient concentration is high especially by comparing with those of unpolluted marine waters, but is typical of the more eutrophic coastal waters worldwide. The composition and abundance of phytoplankton with dominancy of diatoms and increased population density (20,986 cell l −1 ) reflect the eutrophic condition of the lake. The intensive growth of phytoplankton was enriched by high concentration of chlorophyll a with annual values ranged between 6.5 and 56 µg l −1 . The objective of the present work was quantitative assessment of the quality of the water of the Lake Timsah using different approaches. During the present study, three different approaches were applied for the quantitative assessment of Lake Timsah water quality: the trophic state index (TST); trophic level index (TLI) and water quality index (WQI). Application of the trophic state and trophic level indices (TSI & TLI) revealed that the Lake Timsah has trophic indices of 60 and 5.2 for TSI and TLI, respectively. Both indices reflected the eutrophic condition of the lake waters and confirmed that the eutrophication is a major threat in the Lake Timsah. On the other hand, the WQI calculated for the Lake Timsah during the present study with an average of 49 demonstrated that the water of the Lake Timsah is bad and unsuitable for main and/or several uses. Moreover, WQI allows accounting for several water resource uses and can serve a more robust than TSI and/or TLI and can be used effectively as a comprehensive tool for water quality quantification. In conclusion, the three subjective indices used for the assessment process for the lake water are more suitable and effective for needs of the sustainable water resources protection and management of the Lake Timsah.

Baseline characteristics, management practices, and in-hospital outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes: Results of the Saudi project for assessment of coronary events (SPACE) registry
Khalid F. AlHabib, Ahmad Hersi, Hussam AlFaleh, Khalid Alnemer +4 more
2011· Journal of the Saudi Heart Association86doi:10.1016/j.jsha.2011.05.004

OBJECTIVES: The Saudi Project for Assessment of Coronary Events (SPACE) registry is the first in Saudi Arabia to study the clinical features, management, and in-hospital outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective registry study in 17 hospitals in Saudi Arabia between December 2005 and December 2007. ACS patients included those with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina; both were reported collectively as NSTEACS (non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome). RESULTS: 5055 patients were enrolled with mean age ± SD of 58 ± 12.9 years; 77.4% men, 82.4% Saudi nationals; 41.5% had STEMI, and 5.1% arrived at the hospital by ambulance. History of diabetes mellitus was present in 58.1%, hypertension in 55.3%, hyperlipidemia in 41.1%, and 32.8% were current smokers; all these were more common in NSTEACS patients, except for smoking (all P < 0.0001). In-hospital medications were: aspirin (97.7%), clopidogrel (83.7%), beta-blockers (81.6%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (75.1%), and statins (93.3%). Median time from symptom onset to hospital arrival for STEMI patients was 150 min (IQR: 223), 17.5% had primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 69.1% had thrombolytic therapy, and 14.8% received it at less than 30 min of hospital arrival. In-hospital outcomes included recurrent myocardial infarction (1.5%), recurrent ischemia (12.6%), cardiogenic shock (4.3%), stroke (0.9%), major bleeding (1.3%). In-hospital mortality was 3.0%. CONCLUSION: ACS patients in Saudi Arabia present at a younger age, have much higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, less access to ambulance use, delayed treatment by thrombolytic therapy, and less primary PCI compared with patients in the developed countries. This is the first national ACS registry in our country and it demonstrated knowledge-care gaps that require further improvements.

The first survey of the Saudi Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry Program: Main results and long-term outcomes (STARS-1 Program)
Khalid F. AlHabib, Abdulhalim Jamal Kinsara, Saleh Alghamdi, Mushabab Al‐Murayeh +4 more
2019· PLoS ONE83doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216551

BACKGROUND: Prior acute coronary syndrome (ACS) registries in Saudi Arabia might not have accurately described the true demographics and cardiac care of patients with ACS. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of a representative sample of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: We conducted a 1-month snap-shot, prospective, multi-center registry study in 50 hospitals from various health care sectors in Saudi Arabia. We followed patients for 1 month and 1 year after hospital discharge. Patients with AMI included those with or without ST-segment elevation (STEMI or NSTEMI, respectively). This program survey will be repeated every 5 years. RESULTS: Between May 2015 and January 2017, we enrolled 2233 patients with ACS (mean age was 56 [standard deviation = 13] years; 55.6% were Saudi citizens, 85.7% were men, and 65.9% had STEMI). Coronary artery disease risk factors were high; 52.7% had diabetes mellitus and 51.2% had hypertension. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was utilized in only 5.2% of cases. Revascularization for patients with STEMI included thrombolytic therapy (29%), primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); (42.5%), neither (29%), or a pharmaco-invasive approach (3%). Non-Saudis with STEMI were less likely to undergo primary PCI compared to Saudis (35.8% vs. 48.7%; respectively, p <0.001), and women were less likely than men to achieve a door-to-balloon time of <90 min (42% vs. 65%; respectively, p = 0.003). Around half of the patients with NSTEMI did not undergo a coronary angiogram. All-cause mortality rates were 4%, 5.8%, and 8.1%, in-hospital, at 1 month, and at 1 year, respectively. These rates were significantly higher in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for primary prevention programs, improving the EMS infrastructure and utilization, and establishing organized ACS network programs. AMI care needs further improvement, particularly for women and non-Saudis.

Cucurbitacin D exhibits potent anti-cancer activity in cervical cancer
Mohammed Sikander, Bilal Bin Hafeez, Shabnam Malik, Abdulrhman Alsayari +4 more
2016· Scientific Reports82doi:10.1038/srep36594

In this study, we for the first time, investigated the potential anti-cancer effects of a novel analogue of cucurbitacin (Cucurbitacin D) against cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo. Cucurbitacin D inhibited viability and growth of cervical cancer cells (CaSki and SiHa) in a dose-dependent manner. IC50 of Cucurbitacin D was recorded at 400 nM and 250 nM in CaSki and SiHa cells, respectively. Induction of apoptosis was observed in Cucurbitacin D treated cervical cancer cells as measured by enhanced Annexin V staining and cleavage in PARP protein. Cucurbitacin D treatment of cervical cancer cells arrested the cell cycle in G1/S phase, inhibited constitutive expression of E6, Cyclin D1, CDK4, pRb, and Rb and induced the protein levels of p21 and p27. Cucurbitacin D also inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3 at Ser727 and Tyr705 residues as well as its downstream target genes c-Myc, and MMP9. Cucurbitacin D enhanced the expression of tumor suppressor microRNAs (miR-145, miRNA-143, and miRNA34a) in cervical cancer cells. Cucurbitacin D treatment (1 mg/kg body weight) effectively inhibited growth of cervical cancer cells derived orthotopic xenograft tumors in athymic nude mice. These results demonstrate the potential therapeutic efficacy of Cucurbitacin D against cervical cancer.

Multiple sclerosis in the Arabian Gulf countries: a consensus statement
Saeed Bohlega, Jihad Inshasi, Abdel Rahman Al Tahan, Abu Bakr Madani +2 more
2013· Journal of Neurology82doi:10.1007/s00415-013-6876-4

The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is rapidly changing in many parts of the world. Based on the Kurtzke classification, the Arabian Gulf Region is located in a low-risk zone for MS; however, recent studies suggest a moderate-to-high prevalence nearby (31-55 MS per 10,0000 individuals), with an increase in incidence in recent years. The relapsing-remitting disease course ratio is 2.5:1 versus the primary progressive type. In a geographic area that was previously associated with low prevalence; the recent high prevalence and fast rising incidence of MS in the gulf countries, encouraged the neurologists of this region to meet in a consensus panel, in order to share our latest findings in terms of MS epidemiology and consent on MS management in the Arabian Gulf. Therefore 20 key opinion leader neurologists and MS experts representing various countries of the Arabian Gulf have met in Dubai on the 2 and 3 February 2012, they shared their latest epidemiological findings, discussed recent MS aspects in the region, and consented on MS management relevantly to this geographic area.

Differentiation of beta thalassemia trait from iron deficiency anemia by hematological indices
Tahir Jameel, Mukhtar Baig, Ijaz Ahmed, Muhammad Barakat Hussain +1 more
2017· Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences80doi:10.12669/pjms.333.12098

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at finding out reliable parameter in the differentiation of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta-thalassemia trait (β-TT) in the adult population subjected to Saudi Arabian Premarital Screening Program. METHODS: A total of 620 adults (age range 21-36 years) reported during February 2012 to November 2012. Tests for serum iron and ferritin were carried out in individuals showing low hemoglobin (Hb). All the selected subjects' samples were subjected to blood morphology, comparison of MCV, RBC count. Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) was noted from the Coulter Report whereas Red Cell Distribution Width Index (RDWI) value was calculated for all the samples. RESULTS: A total of one hundred &thirty-five individuals with hypochromic microcytic anemia having normal hemoglobin F and hemoglobin A2 < 3.2% were inducted in the study. Ninety-three were diagnosed having IDA, whereas thirty-two were having βTT. Ten individuals revealed other causes of anemia. The RBC count was higher, and MCV was much lower in βTT as compared to IDA. Both groups were subjected to RDW and RDWI, however, RDWI which showed better sensitivity and specificity for βTT. CONCLUSION: RDWI is a reliable and useful index for differentiation among IDA and βTT, as compared to RDW.

Trauma care systems in Saudi Arabia: an agenda for action.
Mohammed Y. Al-Naami, Maria Arafah, Fatimah Alibrahim
2011· PubMed77doi:10.4103/0256-4947.59374

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a rapid population growth that along with improved socioeconomics has led many individuals to own a car or even a number of cars per family, resulting in a greater number of vehicles on the roads. The reduced focus on good public transportation systems and the dependence on cars for transportation have created a diversity of drivers who are unfamiliar with the local driving rules and lack the basic skills for safe driving. This is in addition to some young drivers who frequently violate traffic laws and tend to speed most of the time. This unplanned expansion in road traffic has resulted in more car accidents, injuries, disabilities, and deaths. Accompanying that is an increased socioeconomic burden, depletion of human resources, emotional and psychological stress on families, and a strain on healthcare facilities. If this continues without prompt intervention, it will lead to increased insurance premiums and may become unmanageable. To minimize this impact, a national or regional multidisciplinary trauma system has to be developed and implemented. A trauma system is a preplanned, comprehensive, and coordinated regional injury response network that includes all facilities with the capability to care for the injured. Essential components of the system include trauma prevention, prehospital care, hospital care, rehabilitation, system administration, trauma care education and training, trauma care evaluation and quality improvement, along with the participation of society. Research has documented a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality from trauma after the implementation of such systems, depending on their efficiency. The purpose of this review is to discuss the problem of road traffic accidents in this country and address the trauma care system as an effective solution.

Comparison of periodontal and peri-implant inflammatory parameters among patients with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic controls
Tariq Abduljabbar, Faisal Al-sahaly, Mohammed Al-kathami, Sibtain Afzal +1 more
2017· Acta Odontologica Scandinavica76doi:10.1080/00016357.2017.1303848

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare periodontal and periimplant inflammatory parameters (plaque index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP], probing depth [PD] and marginal bone loss [MBL]) among patients with prediabetes, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-diabetic controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with prediabetes (Group-1), 43 patients with T2DM (Group-2) and 42 controls (Group-3) were included. Demographic data was recorded using a questionnaire. Full mouth and periimplant clinical (PI, BOP and PD) were assessed and the radiographic MBL were measured on digital radiographs. In all groups, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were also measured. p values less than .05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean HbA1c levels of participants in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 6.1%, 8.4% and 4.8%, respectively. The mean duration of prediabetes and T2DM among patients in groups 1 and 2 were 1.9 ± 0.3 and 3.1 ± 0.5 years, respectively. Periodontal and periimplant PI, BOP, PD and MBL were higher in groups 1 (p < .05) and 2 (p < .05) than group 3. There was no difference in these parameters in groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal and periimplant inflammatory parameters were worse among patients with prediabetes and T2DM compared with controls; however, these parameters were comparable among patients with prediabetes and T2DM.