Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in 2014 was associated with high public anxiety in the affected countries. Media speculations may have increased this psychological ...distress. The healthcare community was the most distressed because they were at the highest risk of infection. This study is the first to explore MERS-CoV epidemic impact on medical students’ perception and determinants of their psychological distress during this outbreak.
We randomly selected and surveyed 200 students from the College of Medicine at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A predesigned questionnaire was answered by participants, and the collected data were statistically analyzed.
One hundred and seventy-four (87%) responded. Female students had a significantly higher mean stress level than males (P < 0.001). Participants had a mean GAD score of 2.7 ± 3.1 and a median of 2. Perceived sufficiency of information score was the highest mean and median (17.4 ± 4.2 and 18 respectively). College and hospital announcements were the most common source of information (25.4%). One hundred and thirty-four (77%) reported minimal anxiety, thirty-two (18.4%) reported mild anxiety, 8 (4.6%) reported moderate anxiety, and none of them reported severe anxiety (score >14). The stress level (as reported on 1–10 scale) shows significant correlation with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) score. We found in this study that significant predictors in our model, in terms of more significant to the least, were: an increased self-report on hygienic habits, self-reported social avoidance, the generalized anxiety score and finally being female gander while other variables including numbers of resources access, agreeing with public fear and knowledge score on MERS-CoV all were found to be non-significant. However, the number of accessed resources, as per students, has borderline significant correlation with higher self-reported anxiety from MERS-CoV.
Medical students’ psychological needs during the MERS-CoV outbreak should be addressed appropriately. Our results highlight the need to establish psychological support programs for medical students during an infectious disease outbreak.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) continues to cause frequent outbreaks in hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Since healthcare workers (HCWs) have a higher risk of acquiring and ...spreading MERS-CoV, we aimed to evaluate the perceived risk and anxiety level of HCWs in Saudi Arabia regarding MERS.
An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was sent online to HCWs at King Khalid University Hospital in Saudi Arabia. The total knowledge and anxiety scores were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of high anxiety scores.
Of 591 (70%) HCWs that responded, 284 (55%), 164 (32%), and 68 (13.2%) were physicians, nurses, and technicians, respectively. Physicians obtained a lower median knowledge score (6/9) compared to other professions (7/9). The mean anxiety score was similar for physicians and other HCWs (3/5); however, non-physicians expressed higher levels of anxiety toward the risk of transmitting MERS-CoV to their families, with an anxiety score of 4/5. The ability of the virus to cause severe disease or death was the most frequently reported reason for worry by physicians (89.7%) and non-physicians (87.2%). Overall, 80% of physicians and 90% of non-physicians reported improvement in adherence to hand hygiene and standard precautions while in hospital (p = 0.002). Concern over transmitting MERS-CoV to family members was the most predictive factor for anxiety among non-physician HCWs.
A significant proportion of HCWs expressed anxiety about the risk of acquiring MERS-CoV infection. Healthcare institutions need to develop an integrated psychological response for HCWs to the occupational and psychological challenge of MERS-CoV outbreaks.
Deficiency of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18) is a severe type I interferonopathy. USP18 down-regulates type I interferon signaling by blocking the access of Janus-associated kinase 1 (JAK1) ...to the type I interferon receptor. The absence of USP18 results in unmitigated interferon-mediated inflammation and is lethal during the perinatal period. We describe a neonate who presented with hydrocephalus, necrotizing cellulitis, systemic inflammation, and respiratory failure. Exome sequencing identified a homozygous mutation at an essential splice site on
. The encoded protein was expressed but devoid of negative regulatory ability. Treatment with ruxolitinib was followed by a prompt and sustained recovery. (Funded by King Saud University and others.).
This work aims to investigate the effect of different cyclic voltammetry scan rates on silver nanoparticles deposition on ITO-coated glass aiming to obtain improve its optical and electrical ...properties. The deposition was evaluated using different physical, chemical and optical characterization techniques, such as SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-visible and electrochemical tests. Cyclic voltammetry was used to measure the Ag deposition at two different scan rates (20 CV at 10 mV/s and 100 CV at 30 mV/s). The characterization results have confirmed the formation of a homogeneous crystal layer of silver on ITO, which exhibited high transmittance in the visible light region. According to the cyclic voltammetry measurements, the outer spheres of the Ag NPs associated with the redox reaction illustrate the typical reduction and oxidation waves of Ag in the range of (−100 to +700) mV. The quantification using Cyclic voltammetry measurements has shown that the Ag nanoparticles deposition on ITO thin films are inversely proportional to the scan rates; in other words, higher deposition is obtained at lower scan rates.
Intensive care units (ICU) rely on multiple technical resources with extensive use of different medical devices, such as ventilators, vital sign monitors, infusion, and injection pumps. This study ...explored how ICU nurses approach adverse events related to medical devices in a single tertiary center and identify their level of awareness of the national reporting system for adverse events related to medical devices beside their source for risk information updates. Totally, 297 nurses working in the ICU at King Saud University Medical City completed a survey on medical devices and adverse events reporting and 198 reported experiencing an adverse event related to equipment failure. However, 195 nurses were unaware of an official national reporting system for reporting such events. It is important to develop a framework of safe operation of medical devices based on international standards. This reporting system should include the national patients' safety authorities, and should be anonymous, confidential, and non-punitive.
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•A novel Thin film of N-ferrocenylmethylaniline have been deposited by electrodeposition and Immersion technique.•The electrical behaviour of the semiconductors films was evaluated.•A ...Novel Electrochemical detector of H2O2.•N-ferrocenylmethylaniline/FTO as a catalytic for methylene Blue degradation under sunlight irradiation.
Surface-confined electroactive nanoscale materials (organometallic semiconductors) are being explored as promising alternatives to traditional inorganic semiconductors for redox processes. In response to widespread non-biodegradable dye pollution causing severe environmental threats, urgent and effective methods for dye elimination or conversion are crucially needed. In this study, we successfully fabricated an electrochemical thin film of N-(ferrocenylmethyl) aniline (NFMA) on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode using immersion and electrochemical deposition techniques. To characterize the NFMA/FTO electrode, we employed XRD, SEM, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Our results revealed that the deposited NFMA/FTO films exhibited an amorphous structure, as confirmed by XRD analysis. SEM images demonstrated a uniform distribution of small particles on the FTO surface. UV–Vis spectroscopy showed favorable optical properties, indicating a direct band gap of 2.4 eV for electrodeposition film. The NFMA/FTO thin film outperformed FTO electrodes, exhibiting hydrophobic surfaces with contact angles of 73.89° and 78° for immersion and electrodeposition, respectively. The NFMA/FTO electrode exhibited effective electrochemical catalysis for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) utilizing ferrocene/ferricenium (Fc/Fc+) as an electron-transfer mediator. Under sunlight irradiation, the NFMA/FTO thin film exhibited remarkable degradation efficiency of Methylene Blue (MB), achieving 78% degradation within a reaction duration of 180 min at a concentration of 1 ppm in a 500 mL. The degradation kinetics were found to follow the pseudo-first-order reaction model, yielding rate constant (k) values of 0.0078 min−1. Our findings highlight the potential of surface-confined electroactive nanoscale materials, particularly the NFMA/FTO system, as a promising avenue for various electrochemical and photocatalytic applications.
Semiconductor films are crucial in photocatalysis applications, yet their controlled production remains challenging. Previous studies have mainly focused on deposition processes, heating rates, and ...doping of semiconductor oxides. In this paper, we introduce a novel method for fabricating tenorite (CuO) semiconductor films with varying precursor concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.1 g/ml) using a dip-coating technique. We explore the impact of contact angles, 3D surface topography, and film thickness on photoactivation properties, areas with limited previous research focus. The results demonstrate that higher-concentration tenorite films (0.1 g/ml) exhibit rougher surfaces (77.3 nm), increased hydrophobicity (65.61°), improved light-harvesting ability, enhanced charge separation, and higher active oxygen output. The crystal sizes were within the range of 7.3-44.1 nm. Wettability tests show a 21.47% improvement in the 0.1 g/ml film surface under indirect sunlight compared to darkness. Transmittance rates in the 600 nm range were from 0.02 to 90.94%. The direct optical band gaps were 1.21-2.74 eV, while the indirect band gaps remained unaffected (0.9-1.11 eV). Surface morphology analysis reveals an increased presence of grains with higher concentrations. Regarding photocatalysis's impact on film morphology and copper content, SEM images reveal minimal changes in film structure, while copper content remains stable with slight variations. This suggests strong adhesion of tenorite to the film after photocatalysis. Tenorite thin films display exceptional photocatalytic efficiency, making them suitable for practical applications.
OBJECTIVESTo measure the prevalence of viral infections, length of stay (LOS), and outcome in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during the period preceding the COVID-19 ...pandemic in a MERS-CoV endemic country. METHODSA retrospective chart review of children 0-14 years old admitted to PICU with a viral infection. RESULTSOf 1736 patients, 164 patients (9.45%) had a positive viral infection. The annual prevalence trended downward over a three-year period, from 11.7% to 7.3%. The median PICU LOS was 11.6 days. Viral infections were responsible for 1904.4 (21.94%) PICU patient-days. Mechanical ventilation was used in 91.5% of patients, including noninvasive and invasive modes. Comorbidities were significantly associated with intubation (P-value = 0.025). Patients infected with multiple viruses had median pediatric index of mortality 2 (PIM 2) scores of 4, as compared to 1 for patients with single virus infections (p < 0.001), and a median PICU LOS of 12 days, compared to 4 in the single-virus group (p < 0.001). Overall, mortality associated with viral infections in PICU was 7 (4.3%). Patients with viral infections having multiple organ failure were significantly more likely to die in the PICU (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONViral infections are responsible for one-fifth of PICU patient-days, with a high demand for mechanical ventilation. Patients with multiple viral infections had longer LOS, and higher PIM 2 scores. The downward trend in the yearly rate of PICU admissions for viral infections between the end of the MERS-CoV outbreak and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic may suggest viral interference that warrants further investigations.
Objectives: To identify the causes, modes, and timing of death in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: This is a retrospective data analysis of patients older than 48 hours and ...younger than 15 years who died in the PICU over a 5-year period from January 2012 until December 2016 at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: There were 101 deaths out of 2295 admissions, representing average crude mortality rate of 4.4%. Sepsis was the most common cause of death in 31 patients (30.7%), followed by lower respiratory tract infections in 19 (18.8%), and cardiac diseases in 12 (11.9%). Failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation was the most common mode of death in 51 patients (50.5%), followed by withholding life-sustaining treatment in 43 (42.6%), and brain death in 7 (6.9%). Although more deaths occurred during after hours (n=70; 69.3%), there was no significant correlation between mode of death and working hours vs. after hours (p>0.05). Among the cohort, 63 patients (62.4%) had an infection-attributed mortality, of which 43 (68.3%) were bacterial, 14 (22.2%) were viral, and 10 (15.9%) were fungal. Conclusion: Infections remain a significant cause of death in the PICU. Further improvement of prevention programs and early therapy of severe infections could lower pediatric mortality. This report highlights the need for enhancing palliative care programs. The low rate of brain death diagnoses warrants further investigation. Keywords: causes of death, infections, mode of death, pediatrics, Saudi phrase omitted
We aimed to describe Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (F-HLH) patients' clinical features, intensive care courses, and outcomes.
Multi-center retrospective cohort study of pediatric ...patients diagnosed with F-HLH from 2015 to 2020 in five tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia. Patients were classified as F-HLH based on their genetic confirmation of known mutation or on their clinical criteria, which include a constellation of abnormalities, early disease onset, recurrent HLH in the absence of other causes, or a family history of HLH.
Fifty-eight patients (28 male, 30 female), with a mean age of 21.0 ± 33.9 months, were included. The most common principal diagnosis was hematological or immune dysfunction (39.7%), followed by cardiovascular dysfunction in 13 (22.4%) patients. Fever was the most common clinical presentation in 27.6%, followed by convulsions (13.8%) and bleeding (13.8%). There were 20 patients (34.5%) who had splenomegaly, and more than 70% of patients had hyperferritinemia >500 mg/dl, hypertriglyceridemia >150 mg/dl and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow biopsy. Compared to deceased patients 18 (31%), survivors had significantly lower PT (
= 041), bilirubin level of <34.2 mmol/L (
= 0.042), higher serum triglyceride level (
= 0.036), and lesser bleeding within the initial 6 h of admission (
= 0.004). Risk factors for mortality included requirements of higher levels of hemodynamic (61.1% vs. 17.5%,
= 0.001) and respiratory (88.9% vs. 37.5%,
< 0.001) support, and positive fungal cultures (
= 0.046).
Familial HLH still represents a challenge in the pediatric critical care setting. Earlier diagnosis and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment could improve F-HLH survival.
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