Prevalence of Varicose Veins Among Surgeons: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Extended periods of standing, obesity, female sex, and older age are risk factors associated with a higher probability of developing varicose veins (VV). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of VV among surgeons in public hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and to identify the risk factors associated with this condition.  Methodology This is a descriptive cross-sectional study based on a validated online questionnaire distributed via hospital WhatsApp (Meta Platforms Inc., Menlo Park, CA) groups conducted between January and June 2024. The inclusion criteria of this study were surgeons of both sexes and any age group working in the selected hospitals in Makkah City, who agreed to participate in the study. The exclusion criteria were any other healthcare workers from outside the surgical field. We included 192 participants, and Epi Info software (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) was used to calculate the sample size. The data were collected, reviewed, and then fed into IBM SPSS Statistics software for Windows version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Every participant filled out a consent form. The university ethics committee of Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, granted ethical permission. Result This study comprised 192 surgeons in Makkah hospitals. Twenty-eight surgeons were either diagnosed with VV or had signs of VV. Varicose veins were detected among 50% of thoracic surgeons, 42.9% of pediatric surgeons, and 26.3% of orthopedic surgeons. The most reported risk factors were a family history of VV (17%), hypertension (16%), and diabetes mellitus (14%). Surgeons aged 40 years or older had a higher prevalence of VV than younger ones. Also, 55.6% of obese surgeons had VV compared to 7.8% of others with average weight. Conclusion We found that VV is a common problem, particularly among individuals with predisposing factors, such as long standing hours, smoking, pregnancy, and obesity. We found that surgeons specializing in thoracic and pediatric specialties and female surgeons were more likely to be affected by VV. Preventive measures, such as avoiding prolonged standing, wearing compression stockings, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, are recommended.

Lumbosacral plexus and pudendal nerve magnetic resonance tractography: A systematic review of the clinical applications for pudendal neuralgia.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is commonly used to establish three-dimensional mapping of white-matter bundles in the supraspinal central nervous system. DTI has also been the subject of many studies on cranial and peripheral nerves. This non-invasive imaging technique enables virtual dissection of nerves in vivo and provides specific measurements of microstructural integrity. Adverse effects on the lumbosacral plexus may be traumatic, compressive, tumoral, or malformative and thus require dedicated treatment. DTI could lead to new perspectives in pudendal neuralgia diagnosis and management. We performed a systematic review of all articles or posters reporting results and protocols for lumbosacral plexus mapping using the DTI technique between January 2011 and December 2023. Twenty-nine articles published were included. Ten studies with a total of 351 participants were able to track the lumbosacral plexus in a physiological context and 19 studies with a total of 402 subjects tracked lumbosacral plexus in a pathological context. Tractography was performed on a 1.5T or 3T MRI system. DTI applied to the lumbosacral plexus and pudendal nerve is feasible but no microstructural normative value has been proposed for the pudendal nerve. The most frequently tracking parameters used in our review are: 3T MRI, b-value of 800 s/mm2, 33 directions, 3 × 3 × 3 mm3, AF threshold of 0.1, minimum fiber length of 10 mm, bending angle of 30°, and 3DT2 TSE anatomical resolution. Increased use of DTI could lead to new perspectives in the management of pudendal neuralgia due to entrapment syndrome, whether at the diagnostic, prognostic, or preoperative planning level. Prospective studies of healthy subjects and patients with the optimal acquisition parameters described above are needed to establish the accuracy of MR tractography for diagnosing pudendal neuralgia and other intrapelvic nerve entrapments.

Types of Variants Among Increased Cases of COVID-19 in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia in June 2021.

Background The western region of Saudi Arabia is the most populous and diverse. This study aimed to identify the types and distribution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants causing cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this region in June 2021. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study. All genetically tested COVID-19 patients were included. We investigated the types, distribution, and magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 variants among cases of COVID-19 in June 2021. We gathered patient demographic data, clinical profiles, and epidemiology data. Results Of 115 COVID-19 confirmed patients (mean age, 40 years), 56.5% were males and 43.5% were females. Of those vaccinated, 47.1% had received a one-dose vaccination; 52.9% had received two-dose vaccinations, and 23.6% were unvaccinated. Of those vaccinated, 72.1% had received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, and 16.5% had received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 was prevalent in most (87.8%) patients. Among those infected, 28.8% reported contact with another COVID-19 case, and 19.8% reported a travel history. Most cases (68.6%) were moderate, 99.4% of patients recovered, and one patient died from COVID-19. Conclusion Most of the cases were primary infections, and the Delta variant was predominant and highly transmissible. Most COVID-19 patients were mild to moderately ill. A better understanding of the transmission and diagnosis of these variants will help in early detection and reduction of infection by application of the best preventive measures.

Genetic diversity and deletion of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 and 3: a threat to diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria.

BACKGROUND: PfHRP2-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), based on the recognition of the Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2, are currently the most used tests in malaria detection. Most of the antibodies used in RDTs also detect PfHRP3. However, false-negative results were reported. Significant variation in the pfhrp2 gene could lead to the expression of a modified protein that would no longer be recognized by the antibodies used in PfHRP2-based RDTs. Additionally, parasites lacking the PfHRP2 do not express the protein and are, therefore, not identifiable. AIMS: This review aims to assess the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genetic variation or the prevalence of gene deletion in areas where malaria is endemic and describe its implications on RDT use. SOURCES: Publications of interest were identified using PubMed, Google Scholar and Google. CONTENT: More than 18 types of amino acid repeats were identified from the PfHRP2 sequences. Sequencing analysis revealed high-level genetic variation in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes (>90% of variation in Madagascar, Nigeria or Senegal) both within and between countries. However, genetic variation of PfHRP2 and PfHRP3 does not seem to be a major cause of false-negative results. The countries that showed the highest proportions of pfhrp2-negative parasites were Peru (20%-100%) and Guyana (41%) in South America, Ghana (36%) and Rwanda (23%) in Africa. High prevalence of pfhrp2 deletion causes a high rate of false-negatives results. IMPLICATIONS: Presence of parasites lacking the pfhrp2 gene may pose a major threat to malaria control programmes because P. falciparum-infected individuals are not diagnosed and properly treated.

Cytokeratin 7 and 20 expression in cholangiocarcinomas varies along the biliary tract but still differs from that in colorectal carcinoma metastasis.

In the liver, the immunostaining of cytokeratins (CK) 7 and 20 has been used to distinguish usual peripheral cholangiocarcinomas (CC) and colorectal carcinoma metastasis (CRM). However, other subtypes of CC are not infrequent and may be particularly difficult to distinguish from CRM by histology and even immunohistochemistry. Therefore, 48 CC from different locations, either peripheral (n = 19), or nonperipheral, that is, from the large intrahepatic bile ducts, the hilum, and the extrahepatic bile ducts (n = 29), and with different cytoarchitectural patterns were tested for CK7 and CK20 and compared with 31 CRM. CC were positive for CK7 and CK20 in 96% and 70%, respectively, whatever the architecture and differentiation of the tumor. The labeling index (LI) of CK7 in CC was always high, whereas it was low or moderate for CK20. CK20-positive phenotype was significantly more frequent in nonperipheral than in peripheral CC (82% vs 47%; p = 0.007). CRM were all positive for CK20 with a high LI, and mostly negative (81%) for CK7. In conclusion, (1) the CK immunoprofile of CC varies according to the location of the tumor in the biliary tract, peripheral CC being more often CK7+/CK20-, and nonperipheral ones CK7+/CK20+; and (2) a decision tree based on CK20 LI and CK7 positivity allows the distinction of CRM and CC, even for the nonperipheral type.

Real-time control of focused ultrasound heating based on rapid MR thermometry.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Real-time control of the heating procedure is essential for hyperthermia applications of focused ultrasound (FUS). The objective of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of MRI-controlled FUS. METHODS: An automatic control system was developed using a dedicated interface between the MR system control computer and the FUS wave generator. Two algorithms were used to regulate FUS power to maintain the focal point temperature at a desired level. RESULTS: Automatic control of FUS power level was demonstrated ex vivo at three target temperature levels (increase of 5 degrees C, 10 degrees C, and 30 degrees C above room temperature) during 30-minute hyperthermic periods. Preliminary in vivo results on rat leg muscle confirm that necrosis estimate, calculated on-line during FUS sonication, allows prediction of tissue damage. CONCLUSIONS. The feasibility of fully automatic FUS control based on MRI thermometry has been demonstrated.

Morphology of hepatic stellate cells in patients with fulminant or subfulminant hepatitis requiring liver transplantation.

Hepatic stellate cells were studied by immuno-cytochemistry with anti smooth muscle alpha-actin antibody (an activation marker for these cells) and electron microscopy, in eleven patients transplanted for fulminant or subfulminant hepatitis. Numerous smooth muscle alpha-actin positive cells were found in necrotic areas. In both fulminant and subfulminant hepatitis, hepatic stellate cells appeared enlarged, often irregular, with spikes. There were numerous signs of activation and many contained numerous small lipid droplets. In the cases of fulminant hepatitis, hepatic stellate cells presented, at times, some subcellular damage. Hepatic stellate cells processes, often in several layers, displayed numerous cytoplasmic microfilaments with conspicuous dense plaques below the plasma membrane. Hepatic stellate cells were never surrounded by a basement membrane. The extracellular matrix was loose and granulofibrillar. In areas of multiacinar nodules (in cases of map-like pattern), hepatic stellate cells were grossly normal. These results are in agreement with in vitro data showing that acutely damaged hepatocytes activate hepatic stellate cells but do not fully transform them into myofibroblasts.

Preservation of human liver grafts in UW solution. Ultrastructural evidence for endothelial and Kupffer cell activation during cold ischemia and after ischemia-reperfusion.

Biopsies taken from 13 human liver grafts at different stages of the transplantation process were used for study of the morphology of sinusoidal cells prior to harvesting (5 biopsies), after preservation in UW solution (10 biopsies), and after complete revascularization (13 biopsies). The mean cold ischemic period was 12 h 30. Immediate follow up was uneventful and the mean peak of post-operative transaminases below 1300 IU/l. Biopsies were perfusion-fixed by the transparenchymal route to ensure satisfactory ultrastructural results. There were no loose sinusoidal endothelial cells in the lumen and no signs of cellular death. Some endothelial cells presented signs of activation at the end of the preservation period, and even more after revascularization, with numerous lucent vacuoles resembling endosomes in the cytoplasm. Kupffer cells also presented signs of activation, particularly after reperfusion. The retraction of endothelial cell processes which formed large gaps during cold ischemia proved to be partly reversible after reperfusion. Signs of endothelial cell damage with gaps and partial rupture of the plasmic membrane were also observed, particularly after revascularization, in areas which contained numerous inflammatory cells adhering to the wall. The Disse space was not generally enlarged and contained no inflammatory cells. The sinusoidal pole of hepatocytes was occasionally damaged with the formation of blebs. These results strongly suggest that any drug or preservation solution that will inhibit endothelial and Kupffer cell activation could be beneficial in the prevention of preservation and reperfusion injury.

Ultrastructure of human liver grafts preserved with UW solution. Comparison between patients with low and high postoperative transaminases levels.

We studied the morphology of sinusoidal cells on 21 human liver grafts prior to harvesting, at the end of the preservation period in UW solution, and after complete revascularization. The mean cold ischemic period was 11 h 34 min. Immediate follow-up was uneventful in 20 of these cases; 13 showed a mean peak of postoperative transaminases below 1,300 IU/L (group A), and 7 above 1,500 IU/L (group B). In the case of one patient (group C) steatosis was severe (50%) and there was serious postoperative dysfunction (transaminases 18,000 IU/L). Biopsies were perfusion-fixed by the transparenchymal route to ensure satisfactory ultrastructural results. In group A, some sinusoidal endothelial cells presented signs of activation at the end of the preservation period, and even more after revascularization. Kupffer cells also presented signs of activation particularly after reperfusion. Signs of endothelial cell damage with gaps and partial rupture of the plasmic membrane were also observed, particularly after revascularization in areas which contained numerous inflammatory cells adhering to the wall. The sinusoidal pole of hepatocytes was occasionally damaged, with the formation of blebs. In group B, adhesion of inflammatory cells to the sinusoidal wall was increased. Furthermore, in some areas with endothelial cell damage, neutrophils and platelets infiltrated the Disse space, and hepatocytes were increasingly damaged. In the case of patient C, the most obvious signs after reperfusion were hepatocyte drop out and death but there was no evidence of any concomitant sinusoidal cell damage. It would appear that even in cases where immediate follow-up is eventful, endothelial and Kupffer cells show signs of activation. This can be associated with signs of microcirculatory disturbances as was seen in 4 cases in group B. In the only case of severe steatosis that we studied, the essential sign was death of hepatocytes.