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Byline: Mohamed. Al-Moamary, Sami. Alhaider, Riyad. Allehebi, Majdy. Idrees, Mohammed. Zeitouni, Mohammed. Al Ghobain, Abdullah. Alanazi, Adel. Al-Harbi, Abdullah. Yousef, Hassan. Alorainy, Mohamed. Al-Hajjaj The Saudi Initiative for Asthma 2024 [...]

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of bronchiolitis among children under 5 years of age worldwide, accounting for a prevalence of 25%--88% in Saudi Arabia. Although no effective treatment for the virus exists, passive immunoprophylaxis reduced RSV hospitalizations in high-risk children. With recent advances in immunization, the Saudi Initiative of Bronchiolitis Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention panel screened recent relevant international guidelines, locally published data, and expert consensus to update guidelines for RSV prevention, taking into consideration the resources, timing, varying health profiles, and RSV burden in Saudi Arabia. The panel updated its recommendations to include immunization of infants, mothers, and older adults. Practical guidelines were prepared to facilitate the administration of the short-acting and newly developed long-acting RSV monoclonal antibodies (mAb) during the regular follow-ups of high-risk infants in specialized clinics. In addition, long-acting mAb was highlighted as all-infant protection in the routine immunization calendar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Abdullah. Yousef, Hwazen. Shash, Ali. Almajid, Ammar. Binammar, Hamza. Almusabeh, Hassan. Alshaqaq, Mohammad. Al-Qahtani, Waleed. Albuali INTRODUCTION: The most common cause of death among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients [...]

Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infections [UTIs] are considered the third most known risk of infection in human health around the world. There is increasing appreciation for the pathogenicity of Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains in UTIs, aside from fungal infection, as they have numerous virulence factors. Materials and Methods: In this study, fifty urine samples were collected from patients suffering from UTI. Among the isolates of UTI microbes, six isolates were described as MDR isolates after an antibiotic susceptibility test carried out using ten different antibiotics. An alternative treatment for microbial elimination involved the use of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from Solanum lycopersicum [S. cumin]. Results: The sizes and shapes of AgNPs were characterized through TEM imaging, which showed spherical particles in a size range of 35–80 nm, of which the average size was 53 nm. Additionally, the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) demonstrated inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (OR648079), exhibiting a 31 mm zone of inhibition at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 8 mg/mL. This was followed by Aspergillus niger (OR648075), which showed a 30 mm inhibition zone at an MIC of 16 mg/mL and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 32 mg/mL. Then, Enterococcus faecalis (OR648078), Klebsiella pneumoniae (OR648081), and Acinetobacter baumannii (OR648080) each displayed a 29 mm zone of inhibition at an MIC of 8 mg/mL and an MBC of 16 mg/mL. The least inhibition was observed against Candida auris (OR648076), with a 25 mm inhibition zone at an MIC of 16 mg/mL and an MFC of 32 mg/mL. Furthermore, AgNPs at different concentrations removed DPPH and H2O2 at an IC50 value of 13.54 μg/mL. Also, AgNPs at 3 mg/mL showed remarkable DNA fragmentation in all bacterial strains except Enterococcus faecalis. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of different active organic components in the plant extract, which concluded that rutin was 88.3 mg/g, garlic acid was 70.4 mg/g, and tannic acid was 23.7 mg/g. Finally, AgNPs concentrations in the range of 3–6 mg/mL showed decreased expression of two of the fundamental genes necessary for biofilm formation within Staphylococcus aureus, fnbA (6 folds), and Cna (12.5 folds) when compared with the RecA gene, which decreased by one-fold when compared with the control sample. These two genes were submitted with NCBI accession numbers [OR682119] and [OR682118], respectively. Conclusions: The findings from this study indicate that biosynthesized AgNPs from Solanum lycopersicum exhibit promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties against UTI pathogens, including strains resistant to multiple antibiotics. This suggests their potential as an effective alternative treatment for UTIs. Further research is warranted to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to explore the therapeutic applications of these nanoparticles in combating UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children are more exposed to harm and have a higher risk. Teachers are facing many circumstances of students in schools, and this needs medical attention and perception of what to do. Aim: To assess the levels of knowledge of teachers and school instructors that live in the city of Riyadh related to basic first-aid practices and some variables which influenced these levels of information. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study which was conducted on teachers and school instructors in Riyadh, a questionnaire containing sociodemographic properties and the level of knowledge related to first-aid practices was applied under supervision. The level of perception was evaluated on a 25-point scale. This study was approved by the King Saud University School of Medicine. Results: The mean score of knowledge about the first aid of the population was found to be 10.36. It was found that teachers who have good knowledge of first aid (≥15 out of 25 points) are 14.9% (N = 65). Also, it was found that first-aid scores of knowledge showed a significant difference in age and having received first-aid training. Conclusions: We concluded that most of the teachers show weak knowledge of first aid and inappropriate response for common emergency scenarios. Also, the teachers who have training for first aid has a higher likelihood to respond better in those given scenarios, but the majority of the sample have not received any training to deal with those scenarios. We recommend that teachers must undergo a first-aid training program.

Background: Social anxiety is a common disorder that characterized by fear of social situations. Social anxiety disorder causes several problems including alcohol abuse. Its prevalence is high, and it affects work and education. Self-efficacy influences any action the individual takes. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of social anxiety disorder and its effect on self-efficacy on family medicine residents. Materials and Methods: This study included 200 participants of family medicine residents; two validated scales were incorporated in one questionnaire to investigate the social anxiety and self-efficacy. Results: The prevalence rate of social anxiety was low among family medicine residents, and there was no difference between the levels of anxiety and other demographics, there was a negative correlation between social anxiety levels and self-efficacy. Conclusion: There was a negative correlation between social anxiety and self-efficacy, where high levels of social anxiety were related to low levels of self-efficacy.

Byline: Adel. Alharbi, Abdullah. Yousef, Saleh. Alharbi, Abdullah. Al-Shamrani, Mansour. Alqwaiee, Mohammed. Almeziny, Yazan. Said, Saleh. Alshehri, Faisal. Alotaibi, Rafat. Mosalli, Khaled. Alawam, Muslim. Alsaadi The Saudi Pediatric Pulmonology Association [...]

Introduction: Breast milk is the best natural essential nutrition to newborns and infants. However, the practice of breastfeeding (BF) has declined in Saudi Arabia. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of BF with their determinants among mothers in Riyadh. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 252 mothers attending the well-baby clinics in Riyadh from March 2016 to May 2017 were selected randomly with their consent and studied by a standardized questionnaire. Results: Of the 252 women, 69.4% were 25–35 years of age and 56.7% with a bachelor degree or higher education. Nearly 75% mothers had education on BF before our study. Mixed feeding was the most preferred method (51.6%) followed by artificial milk (29.4%). The most reported reason for discontinuing BF was breast milk insufficiency (37.3%) and of breastfeed continuation was their perceived benefit (36.6%). Excellent knowledge was observed among 12.7%, good knowledge in 57.1%, and unsatisfactory level in 30.2% mothers. The regression model shows that high school education improved the knowledge by 10.9 points (P = 0.024) and undergraduate by 18.7 points (P value = 0.001) when compared to women who were literate. Women with parity> 5 improved knowledge score by 17.3 points (P < 0.001). Conclusion: We observed that majority (57.1%) of Saudi mothers had a moderate level of knowledge on BF benefits and 19% had practiced exclusive BF. There is a need for better educational programs to increase awareness on its benefits for the health situation in the country on the long term.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194963.].

Byline: Mohamed. Al-Moamary, Sami. Alhaider, Abdullah. Alangari, Majdy. Idrees, Mohammed. Zeitouni, Mohammed. Al Ghobain, Abdullah. Alanazi, Adel. Al-Harbi, Abdullah. Yousef, Hassan. Alorainy, Mohamed. Al-Hajjaj The Saudi Initiative for Asthma 2021 [...]

Two new 1:2 supramolecular H-bonded liquid crystalline complexes (SMHBCs) were prepared through double H-bond interactions between either isophthalic acid (A) or terephthalic acid (B) and a nicotinate Schiff base (I6). The formed complexes were thermally investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and their phases were identified by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and UV-spectroscopy. The formation of 1:2 hydrogen-bonded complexes was confirmed through their Fermi-bands observed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The first system (I6/A) was found to possess enantiotropic smectic A and nematic mesophases. Induced broad range of smectic A phase was observed in I6/A complex which is not shown by their individual components. The second complex system (I6/B) was purely nematogenic. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were applied to predict their geometrical parameters. Theoretical studies revealed that the isophthalic complex adopted the W-shape; while the U-shape was adopted by the terephthalic acid complex (I6/B). The linear geometry of the complex based on the isophthalic acid enhanced the mesomorphic behavior observed by the terephthalic complex; I6/B. Actually; the orientation of the two carboxylic groups was shown to highly affect the softness of the derived complex. On the other hand; the mapping orientation of the charge distribution can be used to explain the mesophase behavior. The photophysical characterization of isophthalic complex (I6/A) is also discussed

Academic misconduct/dishonesty has become widespread behavior among many university students across the globe, and medical education is not an exception. Until recently, few efforts have been made to study the dishonest behavior in Middle-Eastern universities. This study examined the prevalence and predisposing factors of cheating among medical students in Saudi Arabia and suggests suitable preventive measures. A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted at a government medical college during the 2014-2015 academic year. The response rate was 58.5% (421/720). The overall cheating behavior practiced by the participants was 29%, predominantly by male students. High GPA scoring students were the least likely to cheat. The participants living with their families were more likely to cheat compared to those who were living apart from their families. The reasons participants gave to justify their cheating behavior included getting better grades, passing the course, and lacking preparation while still recognizing that cheating is a 'mistake.' Overall, significant academic misconduct concerning cheating was found among the Saudi medical students; this misconduct is alarming in a reputable government institution. The implementation of strict punishments, requiring ethical courses and creating ethical awareness by exploiting the potential of Islamic religious belief might help to control this problem.

In this research a predator–prey model involving disease in a prey and prey refuge has been proposed and analyzed. It is assumed that only the prey species is divided into two classes infected and susceptible and disease transmitted by contact between a prey species. The existence, boundedness , permanence of the model has been investigated. The local and global stability conditions of all possible equilibrium points are established. Finally, numerical simulation is carried out to study the global dynamics of the model.