Explore the vast range of titles available.

Neurological sequelae after COVID-19 vaccination are rare. We investigated the possible pathogenesis behind the development of neurological complications within a short period after Saudi residents received a COVID-19 vaccine. We evaluated 18 patients who recently received a COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty and Vaxzevria vaccines) and presented with neurological complications to the Saudi German Hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Neurologists assessed the patients' clinical presentation, radiological investigations, and laboratory findings. Three patients who received the first dose of the Vaxzevria vaccine experienced severe cerebral venous thrombosis, two of them were complicated by intracranial hemorrhage. Their laboratory investigations showed very high d-dimers and severe thrombocytopenia, which have been linked to higher mortality and poor outcome. Ischemic stroke occurred in eight cases (44.4%) with a predominance in older male patients. Three patients presented with seizures, two had optic neuritis. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) occurred in two male patients following vaccination with Comirnaty. Neurological complications after COVID-19 vaccinations are very rare, and only a few cases have been reported worldwide. The shared pathophysiological basis between COVID-19 viral infection and COVID-19 vaccines stands behind the very rare neurological complications resulting from the hypercoagulable state triggered by the general inflammatory condition. We suspect some differences in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke caused by COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccines, which render COVID-19 vaccine-associated ischemic stroke more responsive to treatment. To date, no definitive association between the vaccine and GBS has been proven by any strong evidence, but it has recently been added as a very rare side effect of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. No possible links of Miller Fisher syndrome to COVID-19 vaccines have been reported before the one reported in this study.

Congenital chloride losing diarrhoea (CCLD) is a rare disease caused by mutations in an intestinal chloride/bicarbonate ion exchange channel. Few reports describe CCLD in adults and none has described the impact of a parasitic infection on CCLD. Severe diarrhoea may result in hypokalaemia with QT interval prolongation. Treatment with antiemetics may further increase the QT interval. To raise awareness of this preventable complication, we describe the course of a woman in her 20s with CCLD who developed COVID-19 and a Blastocystis hominis infestation. Treatment with antiemetics and hypokalaemia resulted in prolongation of the QT interval to 640 ms. While, the QT interval normalised with discontinuation of antiemetics and electrolyte replacement, patients with CCLD must take precautions to prevent gastrointestinal infections. Regardless, whenever patients with CCLD present to hospital, the authors recommend monitoring the QT interval and avoiding medications that predispose to torsade de pointes.

This systematic review evaluates the impact of standalone urgent care clinics (UCCs) on reducing emergency department (ED) congestion by assessing their influence on patient volumes, wait times, and length of stay. Additionally, it examines UCCs' role in improving patient satisfaction, optimizing healthcare resource utilization, and enhancing cost-effectiveness. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five major databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and Directory of Open Access Journals {DOAJ}) using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and relevant keywords. Twelve peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria, focusing on the relationship between UCC implementation and ED performance metrics. The findings indicate that UCCs significantly reduce ED visits, particularly for non-urgent cases, leading to shorter wait times and improved resource allocation. UCCs also enhance healthcare accessibility for underserved populations and are associated with higher patient satisfaction. Cost-effectiveness analyses suggest that UCCs lower overall healthcare expenditures by reducing unnecessary ED visits. However, challenges such as workforce redistribution and regional disparities in UCC effectiveness remain. Integrating UCCs into healthcare systems reduces ED congestion, improves operational efficiency, lowers costs, and enhances patient satisfaction. Future research should explore long-term patient outcomes and strategies for better integration of UCCs within broader healthcare networks.

BackgroundCeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition marked by intestinal mucosa inflammation due to gluten. Currently, the sole effective treatment for CD is a gluten-free diet. knowledge and attitudes towards CD are essential for timely diagnosis and management. This research seeks to explore the knowledge and attitudes of blood donors regarding CD and gluten-free products in Yemen.MethodsA cross-sectional study was executed involving 216 healthy male blood donors in Sana’a, Yemen. The questionnaire used in the study was a reliable survey instrument (with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.71) employed for the purpose of data collection. Demographic information, knowledge, and attitudes regarding CD were gathered through direct questionnaire administration. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: (1) demographic questions on age, sex, marital status, education level, blood groups, and body mass index (BMI); (2) knowledge assessment with 10 items; and (3) an attitude section with 4 questions. Statistical analysis utilized SPSS version 24 (IBM Chicago, IL, USA).ResultsA total of 216 blood donors were analysed. All participants were male, aged between 20 and 52 years. Among the participants, 14.8% exhibited familiarity with CD and gluten-free products. A comprehensive analysis revealed that 3.7% of participants possessed sufficient knowledge, 11.1% exhibited moderate knowledge, whereas 85.2% indicated a lack of knowledge regarding CD and gluten-free products. The vast majority 99.1% of participants demonstrated unfavourable attitudes towards CD and gluten-free products. A significant weak positive correlation was identified between knowledge scores and attitudes towards CD and gluten-free products (r = 0.370, P < 0.001). No correlation was found between socio-demographic factors and blood donors’ knowledge and attitudes regarding CD and gluten-free products.ConclusionThe research revealed a significant lack of awareness and ongoing misconceptions regarding CD within the Yemeni population. These results highlight the critical necessity for focused educational initiatives and enhanced availability of gluten-free products to promote timely diagnosis and efficient disease management.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a prevalent condition among women in Saudi Arabia, characterized by involuntary urine leakage during physical activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing or sneezing. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SUI and identify its key risk factors. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted for studies published up to July 2024, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Results: Ten observational studies involving 18,245 participants met the inclusion criteria, and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model was employed for meta-analysis, with subgroup and sensitivity analyses performed to address heterogeneity. The pooled prevalence of SUI was 26% (95% CI: 14–41%, I2 = 99%, p < 0.001), with rates ranging from 3.3% to 50%. Subgroup analysis showed a prevalence of 17% (95% CI: 1–42%, I2 = 99%, p < 0.001) in the general population and 33% (95% CI: 19–48%, I2 = 99%, p < 0.001) in specific groups, such as postpartum women and those with low back pain. Significant risk factors included age, obesity, high parity, and chronic conditions like diabetes. Despite high heterogeneity, sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for public health strategies focused on weight management, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and increased awareness about SUI. Effective preventive measures could significantly reduce the burden of SUI and improve the quality of life for women in Saudi Arabia.

Background Both obesity and depression pose significant public health challenges. Understanding the age-gender differences in the BMI-depression associations is crucial, especially in the Saudi context, where cultural norms, lifestyle factors, and socio-economic conditions may significantly influence these associations. We aimed to explore and elucidate these associations in Saudi adults, considering age and gender as crucial factors. Methods The research utilized a cross-sectional web-based survey to examine the impact of age and gender on the associations between BMI and depression. The study included 4,683 Saudi adults aged 18–60 years. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, chronic illnesses, and self-reported height and weight to calculate BMI. Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), a self-reported scale, was used to evaluate depression, categorizing participants into depression and non-depression groups. A snowball convenience sampling was utilized, with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria established to mitigate potential biases. Data analysis was stratified by age and gender, and binary logistic regression was utilized to determine the associations between depression and BMI, incorporating odds ratios (ORs) in both crude and adjusted forms, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The prevalence of depression was found to be 43.3%, while 21% of participants were classified as obese. Notably, individuals in the depression group were significantly older, predominantly female, and more likely to reside in the Western and Southern regions of Saudi Arabia. They had lower family income, were more frequently non-smokers, had a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, and had higher BMI. Moreover, obese individuals had significantly higher depression scores (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, OR for depression was significantly higher among obese individuals (1.92 [1.56–3.36]). Stratified analysis by age and gender revealed higher ORs for depression among obese participants in older age and among women. Conclusion This study highlights a significant association between obesity and increased prevalence of depression, with notable age and gender differences in this association. The findings suggest that older adults and women, particularly those with obesity, are at a higher risk for depression. These insights emphasize the importance of tailoring public health strategies and mental health interventions to address the specific needs of these vulnerable groups in Saudi Arabia.

The structural and electrical properties of double perovskite compounds SrLaFe1−xMnxTiO6−δ (x = 0, 0.33, 0.67, and 1.0) were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dielectric impedance measurements. The reparation of perovskite compounds was successfully achieved through the precursor solid-state reaction in air at 1250 °C. The purity phase and crystal structures of perovskite compounds were determined by means of the standard Rietveld refinement method using the FullProf suite. The best fitting results showed that SrLaFeTiO6−δ was orthorhombic with space group Pnma, and both SrLaFe0.67Mn0.33TiO6−δ and SrLaFe0.33Mn0.67TiO6−δ were cubic structures with space group Fm3m, while SrLaMnTiO6−δ was tetragonal with a I/4m space group. The charge density maps obtained for these structures indicated that the compounds show an ionic and mixed ionic–electronic conduction. The dielectric impedance measurements were carried out in the range of 20 Hz to 1 MHz, and the analysis showed that there is more than one relaxation mechanism of Debye type. Doping with Mn was found to reduce the dielectric impedance of the samples, and the major contribution to the dielectric impedance was established to change from a capacitive for SrLaFeTiO6−δ to a resistive for SrLaMnTiO6−δ. The fall in values of electrical resistance may be related to the possible occurrence of the double exchange (DEX) mechanism among the Mn ions, provided there is oxygen deficiency in the samples. DC-resistivity measurements revealed that SrLaFeTiO6−δ was an insulator while SrLaMnTiO6−δ was showing a semiconductor–metallic transition at ~250 K, which is in support of the DEX interaction. The dielectric impedance of SrLaFe0.67Mn0.33TiO6−δ was found to be similar to that of (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3-δ, the mixed ionic–electronic conductor (MIEC) model. The occurrence of a mixed ionic–electronic state in these compounds may qualify them to be used in free lead solar cells and energy storage technology.

Underserved communities often face significant healthcare disparities due to limited access to medical services, inadequate infrastructure, and social determinants of health. This paper explores the critical roles played by nurses, pharmacists, radiologists, epidemiologists, and medical secretaries in addressing these gaps, with an emphasis on technology integration, collaboration, and healthcare system navigation. Drawing from public health and sociological perspectives, we analyze how these healthcare professionals contribute to improving access, quality, and equity in healthcare delivery. Through their unique skills and collaborative efforts, they help mitigate health inequities, enhance patient outcomes, and support the sustainability of healthcare systems in marginalized communities.

This study looks into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can change Knowledge Management (KM) systems in healthcare settings. As healthcare systems get more complicated and it's harder to keep track of all the data, we need new ideas to make patient care better and operations run more smoothly. AI has become a game-changing tool for dealing with these problems. It automates repetitive processes, makes real-time decision support better, and lets you analyze data in more complex ways. The study looks at how adding AI to hospital departments makes it easier to share information, helps with clinical decision-making, and makes operations run more smoothly. The main results show that AI-powered tools make diagnoses more accurate, lower the number of people who have to go back to the hospital, and make it easier to create individualized treatment plans, all of which lead to better health outcomes. Even with these improvements, there are still problems including worries about data privacy, reluctance to accept them, and problems with integrating them with older systems. The study also shows how AI could help healthcare workers work together and break down information silos. AI has the potential to improve customized treatment, telemedicine, and data security by working with new technologies like blockchain. This research underscores the importance of strategic planning for AI deployment in healthcare to fully harness its potential while mitigating associated challenges. The outcomes of this study have big effects on both the healthcare industry and society as a whole. Hospitals can run more smoothly, make fewer mistakes, and give better care to patients by adding AI to their healthcare KM systems. Not only do higher diagnostic accuracy and individualized treatment lead to better health outcomes, but they also make the patient experience better overall. Using AI in healthcare in the right way can save money, make healthcare more equal, and make it easier for more people to get high-quality care, especially in areas that don't have enough of it. This study gives researchers a clear path for future AI uses in healthcare and points out important issues that need to be addressed, like ethical considerations, integration problems, and educating the workforce. As AI continues to develop, it becomes clearer that it might change healthcare systems all around the world. This makes it a key player in defining the future of medical care.