Saudi Med J
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To evaluate the relationship between the frequency of ED visits and outpatient department (OPD) follow-up in sickle cell disease (SCD) pediatric patients. ⋯ This study found that regular OPD visits could improve SCD management, as a directly proportional relationship between the frequency of ED visits and missed OPD appointments along with high ED reliance.
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To investigate the seroprevalence of influenza viruses (A and B) among blood donors in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The present investigation was conducted between April 2019 and July 2019. Participants were healthy adults recruited from the central blood bank Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against influenza A and B were measured in serum samples using ELISA. ⋯ Approximately one-third of Saudi Arabian adults presented significant levels of influenza A and B antibodies in our study. Demographic factors, including age and BMI, might contribute to influenza A antibody levels.
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Loxosceles reclusa (L.reclusa) is known to bite humans, and its venom includes several enzymes that cause clinical symptoms. Loxoscelism, a condition due to being bitten by Loxosceles spiders, commonly known as recluses, can involve a range of clinical conditions, from local cutaneous lesions to severe systemic involvement. The diagnosis of loxoscelism is usually made by anamnesis and clinical findings. ⋯ Treatment modalities are still controversial and there is no standardized treatment approach. Reported here, our case of loxoscelism involved a 24-year-old man presenting with a Loxosceles spider bite, dermonecrotic lesion, vomiting, diarrhea, acute renal injury, and rhabdomyolysis, who was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, therapeutic apheresis, hemodialysis, wound debridement, and cutaneous autografting. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach can be life-saving in spider bites that can cause systemic involvement. Loxoscelism should be considered in patients with skin necrosis, acute renal injury, and rhabdomyolysis.
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[No Available Abstract].
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To evaluate adipokine serum values of irisin, retinol-binding protein 4, and leptin in Saudi cases with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for providing markers of T2DM macrovascular complications. Methods: This case-control research was carried out at Erfan Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study included 138 subjects, classified into 3 groups: 46 T2DM patients with macrovascular complications, 46 T2DM without macrovascular complications, and 46 controls. Participants evaluated clinically and some biochemical parameters were measured. Results: Diabetic with and without macrovascular complications showed elevation of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and leptin; decreased irisin serum levels versus controls. ⋯ While RBP4 showed positive correlations with fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin, and HbA1c; but a negative association with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusion: Type 2 DM patients had raised RBP4 and leptin, but lower irisin levels versus controls. Irisin was lower, but RBP4 was higher in T2DM patients with macrovascular complications versus without, suggesting T2DM patients in pro-inflammatory conditions. These results suggested that irisin is protective, while RBP4 is a risk factor for T2DM macrovascular complications.