bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Gene Polymorphisms with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Abinaya G. P. , Iyshwarya B K , Veerabathiran Ramakrishnan 
Published: September 2024

Objectives:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting reproductive-aged women. Genetic factors play a significant role in its development. This meta-analysis assesses the associations between specific gene polymorphisms (Vitamin D receptor [VDR] and adiponectin [ADIPOQ]) and PCOS susceptibility.

Materials and Methods:
We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, Collecting data from published articles between 2013 to 2013. Eligible studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, with quality assessment performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Data were extracted, and statistical analyses included odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for gene polymorphisms. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I
2 tests, and publication bias was assessed using Begg’s and Egger’s tests.

Results:
A total of 33 articles involving 5677 cases and 5257 controls were included in the analysis. Significant associations were observed for VDR TaqI rs731236 polymorphism in the dominant and recessive models and VDR BsmI rs1544410 polymorphism in the dominant and recessive models. For ADIPOQ T45G rs2241766, a significant association was found in the heterozygous model. The results did not reveal any significant associations for ADIPOQ G276T rs1501299.

Conclusion:
This meta-analysis suggests associations between specific gene polymorphisms (VDR and ADIPOQ) and PCOS susceptibility. Further research is needed to validate these findings and unravel the complex genetic factors contributing to PCOS, potentially leading to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Comparison of the Percentage of Umbilical Cord Nucleated Red Blood Cells in Preterm Neonates during Vaginal Delivery and Emergency Cesarean Section
Authors: Zakerihamidi Maryam , Heidari Elahe , Boskabadi Hassan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
There are insufficient and contradictory reports regarding the effect of delivery method on the rate of umbilical cord Nucleated Red Blood Cell (NRBC). Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the percentages of umbilical cord NRBC in vaginal delivery and emergency cesarean section (C-section) in preterm neonates.

Materials and Methods:
The present cross-sectional study was performed on mothers with vaginal delivery and C-section, from 2020 to 2021. The samples (n = 221) were preterm neonates selected using the convenience sampling method. The percentages of NRBC in neonates born by natural childbirth and by emergency C-section were measured and compared in this research. A researcher-made checklist, which included maternal and neonatal characteristics and laboratory evaluation, was used as a data collection tool.

Results:
The statistical population of thisresearch included 93 (42.10%) and 128 (57.90%) neonates born by vaginal delivery and by C-section, respectively.The mean (SD) score of gestational ages at birth was 30.75 (2.81) weeks. The mean (SD) score of umbilical cord NRBC level were estimated at 8.01 (5.93) and 25.64 (22.61) for the neonates born by natural childbirth and by emergency C-section, respectively (t=-8.43, df = 150, p<0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed in the gestational age (t=-3.36, df = 218, p = 0.001), fifth-minute Apgar score (t=-2.32, df = 200, p = 0.021), umbilical cord NRBC (t=-8.43, df = 160, p<0.001), and short-term prognosis (p = 0.032) between the two groups. It was also revealed that the number of NRBCs in the dead neonates was about 1.5 times higher than that in the discharged neonates.

Conclusions:
Based on the results of the present study, emergency C-section increased the mean of umbilical cord NRBC by three times, compared to that of normal delivery. Since an increase in the NRBC raises the risk of infant death, it is advisable to take steps to maintain the health of children by identifying high-risk neonates through umbilical cord NRBC measurement immediately after delivery and special care.
A Comparison of the Effects of Chlorhexidine and Sodium Bicarbonate Mouthwashes on COVID-19–Related Symptoms
Authors: Karami Hanieh , Aarabi Akram , Hayrabedian Aygineh , Hajhashemi Valiollah 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
Some studies have reported that mouthwashes can decrease the viral load in the mouth, but there is not much information about the effectiveness of mouthwashes on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study was conducted to compare the impact of using two types of mouthwash, chlorhexidine and sodium bicarbonate, on COVID-19 symptoms and infection.

Materials and Methods:
The present three-group, double-blind clinical trial examined 116 operating room nurses and anesthesia personnel of certain hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: intervention group 1 (chlorhexidine mouthwash), intervention group 2 (sodium bicarbonate mouthwash), and the control group (placebo). Mouthwash was used twice a day (morning and night) for 2 weeks. The participants were monitored in terms of COVID-19–related symptoms for 4 weeks, from the first day of mouthwash use.

Results:
Fisher’s exact test indicated a significant difference between the chlorhexidine and control groups in terms of the onset of COVID-19–related symptoms (p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in the symptoms of COVID-19 between the groups, but the groups were significantly different in terms of all symptoms at a 4-week interval (p = 0.04). Furthermore, headache was less observed in the chlorhexidine (p = 0.007) and sodium bicarbonate (p = 0.03) groups compared to the control group.

Conclusions:
The use of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash can decrease the onset of COVID-19–related symptoms in health-care workers. In addition, this mouthwash can partially reduce the symptoms of this disease in comparison to the control and sodium bicarbonate groups.
Effects of Auriculotherapy on Gestational Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial Study
Authors: Keshtkar Ladan , Ranjkesh Fatemeh , Habibi Mohammad , Rashvand Farnoosh 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
This study aims to observe how auriculotherapy acts as a nonpharmacological treatment for pregnant women’s gestational hypertension.

Materials and Methods:
This study was a randomized controlled trial. Eighty patients were with gestational hypertension recruited and divided into control (n = 40) and intervention (n = 40) groups. The control group just received the usual perinatal care. The intervention group received one month of auriculotherapy in addition to the usual care. Blood pressure was measured before and 15 minutes after rest in both groups twice a week. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests.

Results:
The mean systolic blood pressure, based on the Mann-Whitney test, was not statistically significant between the two groups before the intervention and in the first two weeks after the intervention (p >0.05); however, after the third week of intervention, the mean systolic blood pressure in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p <0.001). As per the Mann-Whitney test, the mean diastolic blood pressure was not statistically significant between the two groups before the intervention and the first week after the intervention (p <0.05). However, after the second week of intervention, the mean diastolic blood pressure in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and this decrease was highest in the fourth week of the intervention (p <0.001).

Conclusions:
This study demonstrated that auriculotherapy would reduce blood pressure in pregnant women suffering from hypertension.
Evaluation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage Using Neutral Comet Assay for High Radiation Doses: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Raj Jose Solomon , Suganthy J. , Peace B. S. Timothy , Backianathan Selvamani , Singh I. Rabi Raja , Karuppusami Reka , Christudass Christhunesa Soundararajan , Solomon Raja 
Published: September 2024

Purpose:
This study aims to investigate the use of the neutral comet assay to assess deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in lymphocytes exposed to high doses of radiation.

Materials and Methods:
The research was conducted by obtaining informed consent, after which blood samples were taken from seven healthy individuals and this study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. At first, for the determination of dose-effect curves, samples obtained from the first five individuals were irradiated for doses ranging from 0 to 35 Gy after which they were processed under neutral comet assay. In order to verify the determined dose-effect curves, a test dose of 15 Gy was delivered to the samples obtained from the sixth and seventh individuals. The amount of DNA damage from the obtained comet assay images was analyzed using four comet assay parameters namely % tail DNA, tail length, tail moment (TM), and Olive TM (OTM). The most suitable comet assay parameter was evaluated based on the obtained dose-effect curves. Furthermore, the distribution of individual cells for each dose point was evaluated for all the four comet assay parameters to find the optimal parameter.

Results:
From our results, it was found that from 0 to 25 Gy all the four comet assay parameters fit well into a linear quadratic curve and above 25 Gy saturation was observed. Based on the individual cell distribution data, it was found that % tail DNA could be an optimal choice to evaluate DNA damage while using neutral comet assay for high-dose ionizing radiation.

Conclusion:
The neutral comet assay could be a potential tool to assess DNA damage from high doses of ionizing radiation greater than 5 Gy.
Use of Skin-Bleaching Products among Saudi Population
Authors: Alotaibi Hend M. , Alharthi Raghad M. , AlMutairi Hanadi M. , Alsuhibani Alanoud S. , Alenezi Rakan F. , Alodhayani Abdulaziz A. 
Published: September 2024

Background:
The application of skin-whitening products to have fairer and lighter skin tone has now become common practice worldwide. Research supports that even skin distribution and fairer skin are the symbol of attractiveness and superiority.

Objective:
This study aims to determine the belief and awareness about the composition and hazardous effects of skin-whitening products among Saudi population.

Design:
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods:
A total of 395 respondents participated in the study. This was a cross-sectional survey study that was carried out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two-part questionnaire was filled by a convenience sample of 395 Saudi participants. The survey questions were related to whitening creams effectiveness, reasons of use, and the safety of the whitening products. The survey data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Results:
The most representative age group who responded was 18–25 years (26%), 73% were female (n = 185), and 53.1% were married. Regarding the level of knowledge among respondents on skin-whitening cream-negative implications, it was found that there is an association between age and whitening cream side effects (<0.05). Ages between 18 and 25 (73.5% said yes) and between 31 and 35 (75.6%) suffer higher from side effects of whitening creams as compared to the other age groups.

Conclusion:
The analysis shows that cosmetic use of skin-whitening creams is more common among females. The people of all age groups were not aware of the deleterious effects of skin-whitening creams. From the study, it was found that people who suffer from the negative effects of creams were mostly of age less than 35.
Prevalence of Workplace-Related Violence among Otorhinolaryngology Residents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsaleh Ahmed Saleh , Almotairi Abdulrahman Ibrahim , Alim Bader Mohammed , Alroqi Ahmad Salman 
Published: September 2024

Background:
Violence is one of the prevalent public health concerns that healthcare staff face; a serious problem needs to be focused.

Objective:
The objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of workplace-related violence among ear, nose, and throat (ENT) residents in Riyadh, capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to identify the common types, perpetrators, and precipitating risk factors of workplace violence (WPV).

Design:
This was a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire study.

Settings:
The study was conducted at King Saud University Medical City.

Subjects:
The study subjects were Riyadh's ENT residents.

Intervention:
All Riyadh's ENT residents were invited to participate in the survey in which 80 out of 90 residents participated. Our questionnaire included two domains: one includes demographic data and other includes occupational characteristics and some details related to violence.

Main Outcome Measures:
(1) Prevalence of WPV among Riyadh's ENT residents. (2) Identification of types and risk factors of WPV.

Results:
More than half of our sample had been through a violent experience before, with 60% experiencing it at least once. Most of the violent experiences were with the adult age group of 25–55 years. Male and companions of the patients were found to the most common offenders, and the most leading factors for violence are misunderstanding and miscommunication being at the top of the list at 20%.

Conclusion:
As more than half of the sample has experienced violence, hence, this issues needs to be focused on through different ways, including improving resident's communication skills and improving the reporting system for violent behaviors.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Shisha Smoking in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khan Muhammad Anwar , Aga Syed Sameer , Noorwali Amro Abdulhaleem , Allaf Mohammad Faisal , Althagafi Waddah Adel , Bahashwan Adnan Adel 
Published: September 2024

Objectives:
Shisha smoking in the middle east especially in Saudi Arabia is one of the traditional ways to consume tobacco which nowadays has transformed beyond just smoking tobacco and has become a style statement among youth across all generations and genders. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practice of public about the shisha smoking.

Methodology:
This cross-sectional study was carried out among the public of all levels in Jeddah from September 2018 through March 2019. A predesigned and validated questionnaire about shisha smoking was adopted to achieve the purpose of the study.

Results:
A total of 500 public responded to this survey, of them, 284 (56.8%) were males, while 216 (43.2%) were female; in addition, 294 (58.8%) were single and 328 (66.4%) had bachelor's degree. Around 200 (41.2%) were regular cigarette smokers while 185 (47.1%) were shisha smokers and only 94 (19.2%) smoked both. Among shisha smoker's majority of 75 (59.5%) smoked with friends and 53 (50.0%) shared their hose. In addition, most of the public agreed to the addictive nature of smoking in both forms, however, only 78 (18.4%) believed that shisha to be more addictive than cigarettes. Significant differences were found in smoking status, income, and years of smoking in between genders (P < 0.05). In addition, higher income and higher educational status were significantly associated with the habit of shisha smoking.

Conclusions:
This study found out the prevalence of smoking to be higher among surveyed public, especially shisha in both males and females. However, around 57% of the participants identified the need to quit it.
Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Fatalities from COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alahmari Ahmed A. , Alowais Jalal , Khan Anas A. 
Published: September 2024

Background:
Although Saudi Arabia harbors a large number of confirmed cases with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Kingdom is characterized by a low case fatality rate, compared to that of other parts of the world. Patient-specific factors can play a role in this observation. Thus, we conducted the present retrospective study to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of all fatalities resulting from COVID-19 infection in Saudi Arabia as of April 27, 2020.

Materials and Methods:
The present study was a multicentric, retrospective study that retrieved the data of all confirmed COVID-19-related deaths in Saudi Arabia from March 2 to April 27, 2020. Only records of the cases who underwent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction laboratory tests to confirm the presence of COVID-19 were retrieved. The data of COVID-19 fatalities in Saudi Arabia were obtained from the Health Electronic Surveillance Network of the Ministry of Health.

Results:
Up to April 27, 2020, 147 cases of COVID-19-related deaths were reported in Saudi Arabia. Almost two-thirds of them were aged above 50 years and majority of them were male (83.7%). Health-care workers represented 3.1% of the dead cases (n = 4 cases). The vast majority of the cases were from Makkah (44.9%) and Madinah (21.8%). Among males, the number of Saudi cases was much lower than non-Saudi cases with 22 and 101 deaths, respectively. Over 80% of the included cases had reported signs and symptoms before death, mainly fever and cough. Out of the 129 cases who had available data regarding comorbidities, 104 cases (80.6%) had one or more comorbidities. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) time from the onset of symptoms till test result confirmation was 5.5 (5) days, while the median (IQR) time from sample collection till test result confirmation was 1 (2) day. On the other hand, the median time from symptom onset till hospitalization and that till death was 1 (3) and 7 (8) days, respectively.

Conclusion:
COVID-19 is a growing pandemic with unprecedented spread rate and profound impact on the health of specific subsets of affected patients. In the present report, we demonstrated that fatalities from COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia are more common in older age groups, male patients, and non-Saudi residents. Besides, the presence of comorbidities is highly prevalent among fatalities from COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi health-care system has the advantage of fast-track diagnosis, which, in return, could have contributed to the low case fatality rate observed in the Kingdom. Further studies are required to identify the independent predictors of mortality for patients with COVID-19.
Obstetric Danger Signs Experience and Medical Care Sought among Saudi Women
Authors: Abu-Shaheen Amani , AlFayyad Isamme , Heena Humariya , Nofal Abdullah , Riaz Muhammad 
Published: September 2024

Objective:
The objective of the study is to investigate the occurrence of obstetric danger signs and medical care sought during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum periods among Saudi women.

Study Design:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on women from the Riyadh community who had delivered during the past 2 years. Sociodemographic characteristics, the occurrence of danger signs during the antenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods were recorded.

Results:
A total of 1397 were included in the analysis. Around 35% of the women had a history of at least one of these three danger signs during pregnancy. Five hundred forty (38.7%) participants had a history of at least one of the obstetric danger signs during a delivery. Five hundred and four (36.1%) participants had a history of at least one of the obstetric danger signs during the postpartum period. The experience of at least one obstetric danger was statistically significant and associated with the northern region of Riyadh (odds ratio [OR] = 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39–2.97); a higher level of education (OR: 1.42, CI: 1.01–1.98); unemployment (OR: 0.67, CI: 0.48–0.93); and having hypertension (OR: 2.11, CI: 1.42–3.13).

Conclusions:
Although the coverage of ante and postnatal care is good in KSA, awareness programs regarding danger signs at grass root levels in antenatal and postnatal care are needed.
Persistent Symptoms of Severe and Critical COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study After more than 120 Days from Disease Onset
Authors: Alraddadi MA , Alyami HA , Alqahtani NT , Khalil NK , Alraddadi AA , Alotaibi NH 
Published: September 2024

Objective:
The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and predictors of symptom persistence associated with severe and critical coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) after more than 120 days from the onset of the disease.

Materials and Methods:
This is a single-center, cross-sectional study of 125 adults who were admitted to King Khalid University Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) with severe and critical COVID-19 between March 4 and December 1, 2020. Telephone interviews were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2021, to collect data on COVID-19 symptoms persisting after more than 120 days from the onset of the disease. All of the participants had been discharged from the hospital and had resumed their normal lives. Symptoms of COVID-19 that had not been present before the onset of the disease were considered to be persistent if participants confirmed their continued presence at the time of the interview. The impact of chronic disease on persistent symptoms was considered.

Results:
About 42.4% (53/125) of patients had at least one or more persistent symptoms; 27.2% (34/125) had breathlessness, 5.6% (7/125) cough, and 4.8% (6/125) chest pain. These three symptoms had been present from the first presentation. Hair loss was reported by 14.4% (18/125), forgetfulness by 8% (10/125), difficulty in concentrating by 6.4% (8/125), and lack of energy by 4% (5/125). Those had manifested after more than 120 days from the symptom’s onset. The major factors in suffering from persistent symptoms were intensive care unit (ICU) admission or/and fever (temperature >38°), or/and diarrhea. There was no correlation between persistent symptoms and chronic diseases.

Conclusions:
After more than 120 days from the confirmation of severe and critical COVID-19, more than one-third of discharged adults were found to have one or more persistent symptoms. These were mainly associated with the need for ICU admission, fever (temperature >38°), and diarrhea. More care needs to be given to COVID-19 patients in the presence of these factors and prolonged medical care would appear to be essential.