Kofodpham0416
Needle-based devices are evolving as a promising diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the field of medicine. They can be used for drug delivery, as well as extraction of fluids, for systemic and local effects. The conventional methods of drug delivery require repeated dosing in the oral cavity due to the presence of saliva. Hence delivery systems, such as needle-based devices that could provide sustained release of the drug in the oral cavity, are required. These devices could also be a useful adjunct in diagnosis and therapy of oral cancers, delivering anti-cariogenic and antiplaque agents, for remote monitoring of oral health, and for administering painless and fearless local anesthesia. Since they offer many advantages, such as increased compliance, absence of needle phobia, they are painless, safe, self-applicable and are minimally invasive, they will have a major impact in the field of dentistry. This paper summarizes the various types of needle-based devices and their manufacturing technologies. The manuscript aims to serve as a foundational review that highlights and proposes several current and prospective impactful applications of these devices in various fields of dentistry.
Certain routine pre-operative laboratory investigations are performed in all patients before elective surgeries. We conducted this study to assess the value of routine pre-operative tests in the ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) Grade I and II adults undergoing elective surgery and their influence in the conduct of anaesthesia together with the costs incurred on unwarranted tests.
A total of 1271 patients posted for elective surgery under anaesthesia were recruited. Each patient attended the Pre-Anaesthetic Checkup Clinic and underwent clinical evaluation and investigations according to institutional policy. Demographic data and other characteristics were recorded, along with the results of laboratory test, any peri-operative intervention done as a result of abnormality and the cost incurred on tests.
Majority of the patients belonged to ASA status I (74%) and underwent moderately invasive surgery (78%). The total number of routine investigations performed was 8015. Of these, 351 (4.37%) tests of the patient. Thus, pre-operative investigations should be judiciously advised to avoid inconvenience, surgical delays and escalation of the costs of surgical care.
The incidence of tests with abnormal results was very low in our study, and less than 1% of the patients with abnormal tests required changes in their peri-anaesthetic management. No major complications were seen in any patient with normal or abnormal test results. Most of the expenses (93%) were related to the normal test, which did not contribute to the perioperative management, safety and outcome of the patient. Thus, pre-operative investigations should be judiciously advised to avoid inconvenience, surgical delays and escalation of the costs of surgical care.Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in December 2019, more than 23 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. In response to this pandemic, a global mobilization of scientific, industrial and political support has ensued. However, more than 8 months later, as studies multiply and several governments are embarking on a resumption of their activities, the threat still remains. Our efforts to understand the evolution of the virus and the means to defeat it, at the dawn of a possible new wave, have raised more questions than provided clear and unequivocal answers. Compared to diseases caused by previously known human coronavirus, COVID-19 shows higher transmissibility, as a matter of fact "deeply concerning" cases continue to increase. Under these circumstances, and based on the information we have collected so far, this paper provides an overview of the epidemiological status of COVID-19 by considering, first through comparisons with other coronaviruses, similarities that may guide prevention measures and potentially effective therapies. From this starting point, we aimed to discuss the evidence around the efficacy of masks and respirators for different group of the population. Finally, we address therapeutic aspects including perspectives of vaccines and some antimicrobial agents such as remdesivir, favipiravir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine in combination with azithromycin and immunomodulators.
Cognitive impairment is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias. However, motor decline has been recently described as a prodromal state that can help to detect at-risk individuals. Similarly, sensory changes, sleep and behavior disturbances, and frailty have been associated with higher risk of developing dementia. These clinical findings, together with the recognition that AD pathology precedes the diagnosis by many years, raises the possibility that non-cognitive changes may be early and non-invasive markers for AD or, even more provocatively, that treating non-cognitive aspects may help to prevent or treat AD and related dementias.
A subcommittee of the Canadian Consensus Conference on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia reviewed areas of emerging evidence for non-cognitive markers of dementia. We examined the literature for five non-cognitive domains associated with future dementia motor, sensory (hearing, vision, olfaction), neuro-behavioral, frailty, and sleep. The Grading of ight delay the onset of cognitive decline.
Non-cognitive markers can assist in identifying people at risk for cognitive decline or dementia. These non-cognitive markers may represent prodromal symptoms and several of them are potentially amenable to treatment that might delay the onset of cognitive decline.We report a 9-year-old female child who presented with fever and focal seizures. The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) analysis was compatible with viral meningoencephalitis and Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) on same sample was positive for dengue virus RNA, serotype 2. The dengue IgM in blood sample was positive on the 8th day of the illness. This case demonstrates the emerging neurological manifestations of dengue infection and the first confirmed pediatric meningoencephalitis reported from Saudi Arabia. In areas where it does exist, dengue should be included in the differential diagnosis of cases of viral meningitis or meningoencephalitis.
Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have social and cognitive disabilities. For parents, these behaviors can lead to humiliation, social exclusion, and isolation. Stigma is a problem that not only may affect the individual with high functioning autism, but has the potential to extend to their family as well. Indeed, research indicates that the parents of children with disabilities (including ASD) commonly experience stigmatizing reactions from others.
To determine the prevalence of self and enacted stigma among parents of ASD children from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and recognize possible risk factors and causes of stigmatization.
An observational cross-sectional study involving the parents of ASD children from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. About 163 participants were included from the Centre for Autism Research (CFAR) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH & RC) in Riyadh. The primary material used for data collection was a five-point scale questionnaire developed by t in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 33.7% of them experienced stigmatization, and mothers felt more self- and enacted stigmatized when compared to fathers. Public awareness among people in Saudi Arabia have been increased and, thus, negative stigmatization has decreased among parents in the country. A high level of felt stigma suggests the need for psychological intervention for the family to help cope with this new situation. A higher level of enacted stigma suggests the need for their rights (individuals with ASD) and increased awareness in the society. It is recommended that further research is needed in different centers in Riyadh and other regions of Saudi Arabia to investigate the prevalence of stigma in parents of autistic children.
Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is a serious disease that continues to cause high morbidity and mortality. It is one of the leading cause of sepsis; particularly meningitis, in infants and young children all around the world. In this study, we aim to identify the incidence of GBS sepsis in Omani infants less than 3 months of age who were born at Royal Hospital and who presented with clinical sepsis and positive culture. In addition, we aim to describe the clinical presentation and complications noted on admission and then on follow-up visit.
This is an observational retrospective chart review study. It included all Omani infants (0-3 months) who were diagnosed to have GBS sepsis/meningitis from 2006 to 2016 at the Royal Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
There were 83,000 live births in the Royal Hospital over a period of 10 years. Thirty-eight babies had culture proven GBS infection, with an overall incidence rate of neonatal GBS of 0.46 per 1000 live births with 95% confidence intervals. There future prospective studies.
Our GBS incidence is comparable to that of screened population internationally. At the time being, with the best available results, maternal screening might not seem cost effective in our current settings. A cost effective study is required before implemented a national screening programme in the Country. However, this research will definitely help in the process of any future plans of implantation of new guidelines, as it can be used as leading point for future prospective studies.
Gomco or Plastibell devices are the most widely used method for circumcision. The present work was aimed to assess the incidence of complications in infants of ages up to six months in two used methods.
It was a prospective randomized study conducted at a pediatric surgery clinic in 3 hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Eight hundred and five children, their ages were less than 6 months were enrolled for the present work. Children were randomized into two groups Groups P and G using Plastibell and Gomco Circumcision methods, respectively. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using SPSS Version 17. Chi-square test and independent sample
-test was applied to compare both qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively.
-value was considered as significant difference at <0.05.
Seven hundred eighty three children were were enrolled in this investigation. Plastibell method was concomitant with low volume of bleeding in comparison with Gomco method (
< 0.001). Incidence of complications including infection, penile edema, proximal migration and redundant skin was higher in Plastibell device method (
<0.05).
Gomco circumcision is the safer method and is accompanied with lowest rate of complication.
Gomco circumcision is the safer method and is accompanied with lowest rate of complication.
Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are rare vascular malformations that can lead to severe complications. With advanced imaging techniques, diagnosis is becoming more feasible occurring in fetal life. Different approaches have been adopted to manage these cases, with an increased utilization of interventional therapy recently. This cohort aims to describe the course of children diagnosed with CPSS and the impact of interventional therapy on the outcome.
Retrospective chart review was done for all patients who were diagnosed with CPSS in our institution between January 2006 and December 2015.
Six patients were diagnosed with CPSS. During this period, 8,680 mothers carrying 9548 fetuses underwent fetal ultrasound examinations. Three patients were diagnosed antenatally at a median [IQ] gestational age of 33 [26-33] weeks, and three patients were diagnosed postnatally at 0, 2, and 43 months, respectively. At a median follow-up of 87 [74-110] months, 5 patients are alive; 4 of whom had received transcatheter closure for different indications, and one who had spontaneous resolution of her CPSS.
