Background:
Recently, social media use has been rising among dental students and practitioners.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the usage, attitudes, and professionalism on social ...media among dental students and dentists in Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study investigated 779 dental students, interns, and dentists recruited from university hospitals and private clinics in three major cities (Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam), representing the eastern, central, and western regions of Saudi Arabia. Validated questionnaires were distributed to the participants asking about the use of social media for general purposes and professional purposes, attitudes on the social media, professionalism on social media, and the use of social media for marketing purposes. This study was ethically reviewed and approved by the Faculty of Dentistry Institutional Review Board, Umm Al-Qura University with application number (102-18).
Results:
Among the participants, the social media platforms most frequently used on a weekly basis are WhatsApp (m = 6.13 days/week, SD = 2.10), Snapchat (m = 5.33, SD = 2.65), and Instagram (m = 4.63, SD = 2.84). LinkedIn was the least frequently used platform. The most common professional uses were to watch clinical procedures (80.49%), find new information (79.59%), learn from peers (61.1%), and communicate with patients (5.76%). Only 47.75% followed their university or workplace professionalism guidelines, and 31.74% do not have any professionalism guidelines for using social media. There were 28.75% of participants who had considered posting information/photos about a patient without the patient’s permission, those who had criticized a dental colleague numbered 49.04%, and 59.69% had criticized a dental organization. However, only a few items had statistically significant differences between dental students and dentists.
Conclusion:
More stringent guidelines regarding proper conduct online should be implemented and included in the dental continuous education material.
Pseudonronas aeruginosa is a major causative agent of hospital- and community-acquired infections including pneumonia, urinary-tract, bloodstream, and burn infections. Antibacterial treatment of the ...infections is often difficult due to the presence of antibiotic resistant P. aeruginosa. A number of intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance mechanisms are currently reported in P. aeruginosa such as enzymatic inactivation of drug, target alterations, impermeability of drug, and efflux pumps. Recently, scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species has been also suggested as an intrinsic resistance mechanism to all bacterial species since antibiotics induce oxidative stress. However, the antibiotic-induced oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species are currently controversial and further study requires. Glutathione is a sulfuhydryl (-SH)-containing tri-peptide intracellular antioxidant and serves as a scavenger of the intracellular reactive oxygen species. In this study, a mutant P. aeruginosa knocked-out a gene (gshA) encoding glutathione synthetase, a gshA-complemented mutant P. aeruginosa, and their parental wild type strain MPAO I were used to understand the role of glutathione in the neutralization of oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide) and antibiotic susceptibility. Bacterial killing assays showed that the mutant strain ( gshA::Tn-Tc) was completely killed at 0.005% of hydrogen peroxide while the gshA complemented and their parental strains were both completely killed at 0.01% of hydrogen peroxide. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that the mutant strain was at least 2-fold more susceptible to all tested antibiotics than that of its parental strain. The gshA -complemented strain fully restored the susceptibility to the same antibiotics as the same levels of the parental strain. The results indicate that i) glutathione is associated with neutralization of oxidative stress, ii) antibiotics induce the oxidative stress, and in) the antibiotic-induced oxidative stress in the mutant strain may have more reactive oxygen species than its parental strain which results in the increased-susceptibility to antibiotics. Overall, the results suggest that glutathione is one of the intrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms and may be a possible drug target to treat multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa.
Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare type of myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by abnormal proliferation and infiltration of different tissue by clonal mast cells. The uncontrolled ...proliferation and activation of mast cells trigger the release of vasoactive and inflammatory mediators, resulting in a cascade of systemic symptoms. Around 95% of SM arise from a gain-of-function mutation at the
KIT
gene, specifically at codon 816, which highlights its essential role in SM and makes it an attractive target for therapy. Although
KIT
-negative SM is exceptionally rare, the increased number of cases documented in the literature makes it an intriguing dimension of this disorder. The reported clinical manifestations of
KIT
-negative SM are widely variable, but many are similar to
KIT
-positive SM. KIT-targeted therapeutic options have been a game-changer in
KIT
-positive SM, however their role in
KIT
-negative SM remains controversial. This report aimed to further understand
KIT
-negative SM by presenting two cases of
KIT
-negative SM, one of which was responsive to KIT-targeted therapy, and analyzing reported cases in the existing literature.
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been growing worldwide; hence, safe and effective antidiabetics are critically warranted. Recently, imeglimin, a novel tetrahydrotriazene compound, has ...been approved for use in T2D patients in Japan. It has shown promising glucose-lowering properties by improving pancreatic beta-cell function and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Nevertheless, it has several drawbacks, including suboptimal oral absorption and gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. Therefore, this study aimed to fabricate a novel formulation of imeglimin loaded into electrospun nanofibers to be delivered through the buccal cavity to overcome the current GI-related adverse events and to provide a convenient route of administration. The fabricated nanofibers were characterized for diameter, drug-loading (DL), disintegration, and drug release profiles. The data demonstrated that the imeglimin nanofibers had a diameter of 361 ± 54 nm and DL of 23.5 ± 0.2 μg/mg of fibers. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed the solid dispersion of imeglimin, favoring drug solubility, and release with improved bioavailability. The rate of drug-loaded nanofibers disintegration was recorded at 2 ± 1 s, indicating the rapid disintegration ability of this dosage form and its suitability for buccal delivery, with a complete drug release after 30 min. The findings of this study suggest that the developed imeglimin nanofibers have the potential to be given via the buccal route, thereby achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes and improving patient compliance.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEMInformation regarding the masking ability of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) resin-matrix ceramic materials with different compositions is scarce. ...PURPOSEThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of background color and thickness on the optical properties (color and translucency) of CAD-CAM resin-matrix ceramics. MATERIAL AND METHODSTwelve rectangular specimens were fabricated at a different thickness (1, 1.5, and 2 mm) (n=12) from each of the resin-matrix ceramic materials: Shofu block (SB), Lava Ultimate (LU), CERASMART (CS), VITA ENAMIC (VE), Crystal Ultra (CU), and the VITABLOCS Mark II feldspathic ceramic (VB). The color of the specimens over amalgam, titanium, enamel, and dentin backgrounds was measured with a spectrophotometer, and the color differences (ΔE∗ab) were calculated by using the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) 76 formula. The difference in color of the specimen over the black and white backgrounds was used to calculate the translucency parameter (TP). ANOVA was used to statistically test whether material, background, and thicknesses influenced ΔE∗ab and TP values. Post hoc comparisons were performed to determine the significant difference among the groups (α=.05). RESULTSThe interaction with 2 between factors demonstrated that the material was a factor that significantly influenced ΔE∗ab (P<.001). The highest mean ±standard deviation of ΔE∗ab was recorded in the combination of VB material and 2-mm thickness (1.84 ±0.37), and the lowest with CS material with 1.5-mm thickness (0.47 ±0.24). The type of material and specimen thickness significantly influenced TP (P<.001). The highest and lowest mean ±standard deviation of TP were recorded for the 1-mm-thick CS (14.20 ±0.90) and 2-mm-thick SB (4.91 ±0.42) specimens, respectively. CONCLUSIONSCERASMART resin-matrix ceramic and VITABLOCS Mark II feldspathic ceramic exhibited high and low masking abilities over the investigated background substrates, respectively. However, irrespective of the thickness, all study materials exhibited acceptable masking abilities.
The reconstruction technique and materials used for endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) are important factors in preventing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, a notable complication following this ...surgery. Visualizing the status of reconstruction early in the postoperative course can help determine the risk of postoperative CSF leak. Here, we aimed to determine if the radiological status of reconstruction post endonasal endoscopic surgery can predict postoperative CSF leak.
This retrospective study included patients who had undergone ESBS between 2015 and 2020. An early computed tomography (CT) scan (obtained within 24 hours of surgery) was utilized to evaluate the reconstruction and postoperative radiological changes, and its findings were correlated with the occurrence of postoperative CSF leaks.
Our study included 11 (12.7%) out of 86 patients with CSF leaks. The type of reconstruction, construction material, and type of nasal packing were not identified as significant risk factors for CSF leaks. The location of the fat graft (placed properly vs. displaced out of the surgical cavity) was significantly associated with CSF leak (P = 0.001). All patients with a displaced solid reconstruction (n = 5), displaced septal flap (n = 6), signs of air continuation (n = 2), or significantly increased amount of air (n = 5) presented with a CSF leak (P < 0.001).
Early postoperative CT scan is predictive of CSF leak. Displacement of the fat graft in early postoperative CT was the most important factor in predicting CSF leak. In this patient group, paying attention to radiological predictors of CSF leaks is important, supported by clinical findings.
The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 ...guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery. EPOS2020 also involves new stakeholders, including pharmacists and patients, and addresses new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestions for future research in this area and offers updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings. EPOS2020 contains chapters on definitions and classification where we have defined a large number of terms and indicated preferred terms. A new classification of CRS into primary and secondary CRS and further division into localized and diffuse disease, based on anatomic distribution is proposed. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, allergic rhinitis, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. All available evidence for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is systematically reviewed and integrated care pathways based on the evidence are proposed. Despite considerable increases in the amount of quality publications in recent years, a large number of practical clinical questions remain. It was agreed that the best way to address these was to conduct a Delphi exercise . The results have been integrated into the respective sections. Last but not least, advice for patients and pharmacists and a new list of research needs are included. The full document can be downloaded for free on the website of this journal: http://www.rhinologyjournal.com.
The accelerated growth of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery has led to an abundance of highly cited works that have helped shape the field into its current state. Highlighting these works can ...serve as a guide for trainees and facilitate evidence-based clinical decision making and operative techniques.
Elsevier's Scopus database was used to generate a list of the 100 most cited articles on endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery in September 2022. Results were categorized based on pathology, approach, study design, and study objective. A citation per year analysis was conducted to highlight later publications that may not have had the time to accumulate as many citations as older publications.
The average number of citations for the 100 most cited articles was 210 per article (range 104–1285). Publication dates ranged from 1997 to 2019, with the highest number of articles among the 100 most cited being published in 2008 (15 articles). The journal with the greatest number of publications was Neurosurgery (30 articles). Of the 100 most cited articles, 77 were published between 2000 and 2010. Moreover, 40 of the 100 articles reported surgical outcomes and related complications, and the most common pathology was pituitary adenoma (25 articles).
This article provides a list of highly influential articles in the field of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, highlighting its rapid evolution over the last 3 decades and demonstrating its leap from small descriptive series confined to certain pathologies to larger cohorts exploring possible boundaries and other pathologies.
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