Bioequivalence trials for the approval of generic drugs in Saudi Arabia: a descriptive analysis of design aspects.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective analysis aimed to comprehensively review the design and regulatory aspects of bioequivalence trials submitted to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) since 2017. METHODS: This was a retrospective, comprehensive analysis study. The Data extracted from the SFDA bioequivalence assessment reports were analyzed for reviewing the overall design and regulatory aspects of the successful bioequivalence trials, exploring the impact of the coefficient of variation of within-subject variability (CVw) on some design aspects, and providing an in-depth assessment of bioequivalence trial submissions that were deemed insufficient in demonstrating bioequivalence. RESULTS: A total of 590 bioequivalence trials were included of which 521 demonstrated bioequivalence (440 single active pharmaceutical ingredients [APIs] and 81 fixed combinations). Most of the successful trials were for cardiovascular drugs (84 out of 521 [16.1%]), and the 2 × 2 crossover design was used in 455 (87.3%) trials. The sample size tended to increase with the increase in the CVw in trials of single APIs. Biopharmaceutics Classification System Class II and IV drugs accounted for the majority of highly variable drugs (58 out of 82 [70.7%]) in the study. Most of the 51 rejected trials were rejected due to concerns related to the study center (n = 21 [41.2%]). CONCLUSION: This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the regulatory and design aspects of bioequivalence trials and can inform future research and assist in identifying opportunities for improvement in conducting bioequivalence trials in Saudi Arabia.

Evaluating the impact of virtual reality game training on upper limb motor performance in children and adolescents with developmental coordination disorder: a scoping review using the ICF framework.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to explore published literature testing Virtual Reality (VR) interventions for improving upper limb motor performance in children and adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Our primary focus was on the types of VR systems used and the measurement tools employed within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY) domains in these studies. METHODS: A comprehensive search of six electronic databases up to 11th January 2024 was conducted using predefined terms. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to determine study eligibility, with two authors independently assessing titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. RESULTS: Out of 788 potential studies, 14 met the eligibility criteria. Studies predominantly utilized non-immersive VR (nVR) systems, for example, commercial platforms such as Nintendo Wii. Most interventions targeted general motor coordination or balance, with only four studies specifically focusing on upper limb motor performance. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 was the predominant assessment tool. However, the use of game scores and trial durations raised concerns about the accuracy of assessments. The majority of studies reported no significant improvement in upper limb motor performance following VR interventions, though some noted improvements in specific tasks or overall outcomes. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that, while nVR interventions are being explored for paediatric motor rehabilitation, their impact on enhancing upper limb motor performance in children with DCD is unclear. The variability in intervention designs, outcome measures, and the predominant focus on general motor skills rather than specific upper limb improvements highlight the need for more targeted research in this area. IMPACT: This review underscores the importance of developing precise and clinically relevant measurement tools in a broader range of VR technologies to optimize the use of VR in therapy for children with DCD. Future research should aim for more rigorous study designs and emerging immersive technologies to maximize therapeutic benefits.

A Novel Approach for Orthodontic Extrusion Prior to Intentional Replantation: A Case Report.

AIM: This case report aimed to present a novel surgical technique involving orthodontics luxation of the offended tooth using miniscrew prior to performing intentional replantation (IR) to remove an extruded separated instrument that injured the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). BACKGROUND: Intentional replantation is a dental procedure that involves extracting a tooth, managing the root canal, and then reinserting the tooth back into its socket. This procedure is typically used as a last resort when other treatment options have failed or are not possible. Intentional replantation can be successful in preserving the tooth and preventing tooth loss, but it is important to note that there are risks involved. Maintaining the viability of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is a pivotal step to achieve a favorable outcome. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 15-year-old female patient came to the clinic complaining of electric-like pain in the left mandibular posterior area that radiated to the left ear and sometimes caused a headache. Upon clinical and radiographic evaluation, extruded endodontic file from the mesial root of the left first molar that penetrated the IAN canal was noticed. Nonsurgical root canal retreatment was performed, which failed to retrieve the separated file. Orthodontics luxation of the offended tooth was done 2 weeks before the surgical intervention using a miniscrew to induce PDL inflammation, which increased the tooth mobility and PDL volume, facilitating the atraumatic extraction and reduced the risk of complications, such as root resorption and ankylosis. Then, IR was performed, and the extruded file was successfully retrieved. Three months follow-up showed complete recovery of the endodontics-related IAN injury symptoms. Preapical radiographic evaluation and cone-beam computed tomography scan showed complete healing of the periapical radiolucency/area of low density and complete formation of the PDL space and lamina dura around the resected roots. CONCLUSION: This novel approach using a miniscrew suggests a noninvasive technique that minimizes the damage to the offended tooth surrounding tissues as well as minimizing the morbidity of the adjacent teeth and the vital anatomical structures. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Multidisciplinary comprehensive preplanning of complicated cases is essential to maximize treatment efficiency. The orthodontic extrusion facilitates the extraction process that helps in preserving the PDL, and ultimately increases the survivability of the teeth. How to cite this article: Alharbi MA, Alghamdi BA, Alswajy WA, et al. A Novel Approach for Orthodontic Extrusion Prior to Intentional Replantation: A Case Report. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(11):895-901.

The Incidence of Devitalization of Vital Teeth Associated with Pathologies of the Jaws Following Surgical Intervention: A Mixed-case Study.

AIM: The purpose of this mixed-case study is to explore the incidence of pulp necrosis of vital teeth after surgical treatment of adjacent lesions of the jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 341 biopsies submitted to the institute's histopathology laboratory were reviewed to include cases that met the inclusion criteria. About 84 biopsies collected from patients during surgical enucleation of lesions in proximity to healthy vital teeth were included of which 22 patients were recalled. Adjacent teeth were examined clinically and radiographically to assess their pulpal and periapical status after at least 8 months of follow-up. RESULTS: There were 7 different pathological lesions diagnosed histologically. The follow-up period ranged between 8 and 72 months; 12 cases (54.6%) have developed pulpal necrosis for at least one tooth after surgical enucleation of the lesion. The other 10 cases (45.4%) showed normal responses to sensibility testing for all the teeth adjacent to the lesion. Ten out of the 12 cases (83%) that underwent pulpal necrosis were associated with odontogenic cysts, whereas the remaining 2 were associated with periapical granuloma and fibrous dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Pulp necrosis is high in vital teeth associated with lesions without pulpal involvement. These teeth may benefit from root canal treatment prior to surgical enucleation of the lesion, which may prevent impaired healing or recurrence of infection. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Careful treatment planning and thorough discussion should take place between the surgeons, endodontists, and patients prior to executing the treatment. The patient should be aware that there is a possibility that they may need root canal treatment as a preventative measure to enhance the chances of healing following the surgical procedures and in case the patients opted not to perform root canal treatment beforehand, close follow-up in the future should take place to monitor the vitality of the teeth in the follow-up visits.

Effect of Apremilast on LPS-induced immunomodulation and inflammation via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathways in rat lungs.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the lipid component of gram-negative bacterial cell wall, is recognized as the key factor in acute lung inflammation and is found to exhibit severe immunologic reactions. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor: "apremilast (AP)" is an immune suppressant and anti-inflammatory drug which introduced to treat psoriatic arthritis. The contemporary experiment designed to study the protective influences of AP against LPS induced lung injury in rodents. Twenty-four (24) male experimental Wistar rats selected, acclimatized, and administered with normal saline, LPS, or AP + LPS respectively from 1 to 4 groups. The lung tissues were evaluated for biochemical parameters (MPO), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), flowcytometry assay, gene expressions, proteins expression and histopathological examination. AP ameliorates the lung injuries by attenuating immunomodulation and inflammation. LPS exposure upregulated IL-6, TNF-α, and MPO while downregulating IL-4 which were restored in AP pretreated rats. The changes in immunomodulation markers by LPS were reduced by AP treatment. Furthermore, results from the qPCR analysis represented an upregulation in IL-1ß, MPO, TNF-α, and p38 whereas downregulated in IL-10 and p53 gene expressions in disease control animals while AP pretreated rats exhibited significant reversal in these expressions. Western blot analysis suggested an upregulation of MCP-1, and NOS-2, whereas HO-1, and Nrf-2 expression were suppressed in LPS exposed animals, while pretreatment with AP showed down regulation in the expression MCP-1, NOS-2, and upregulation of HO-1, and Nrf-2 expression of the mentioned intracellular proteins. Histological studies further affirmed the toxic influences of LPS on the pulmonary tissues. It is concluded that, LPS exposure causes pulmonary toxicities via up regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and stimulation of IL-1ß, MPO, TNF-α, p38, MCP-1, and NOS-2 while downregulation of IL-4, IL-10, p53, HO-1, and Nrf-2 at different expression level. Pretreatment with AP controlled the toxic influences of LPS by modulating these signaling pathways.

ß-1,3-Glucan binding protein-based silver nanoparticles enhance the wound healing potential and disease resistance in Oreochromis mossambicus against Aeromonas hydrophilla.

Here we attempted to synthesize ß-1,3-glucan binding protein-based silver nanoparticles (Phß-GBP-AgNPs) and evaluate its wound healing and disease resistance prompting ability in Oreochromis mossambicus. Using a column chromatography technique, an immune molecule, Phß-GBP was purified from the haemolymph of rice field crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromus. Phß-GBP-AgNPs were synthesized and described through SDS-PAGE, UV-vis spectroscopy, HR-TEM, XRD and FTIR analysis. HR-TEM revealed that the synthesized Phß-GBP-AgNPs were spherical with a 20-40 nm size range and the particles were not aggregated. Wound and infection were experimentally generated in O. mossambicus and treated with Phß-GBP, chem-AgNPs and Phß-GBP-AgNPs for 20 days. The immune parameters (peroxidase, lysozyme and protease) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase) were examined in the serum of experimental fish. Phß-GBP-AgNPs elevated the immune and antioxidant enzymes during the healing process and enhanced the wound healing percentage in fish than Phß-GBP and chem-AgNPs. The immune parameters and antioxidant enzymes were declined in the serum of fish (treated with Phß-GBP-AgNPs) after the mid-period of wound healing. Compared to others, relative percentage survival was increased in experimentally wounded and infected fish treated with Phß-GBP-AgNPs against Aeromonas hydrophila. Moreover, Phß-GBP-AgNPs exhibited less toxicity towards Artemia salina than chem-AgNPs during 24 h exposure period. As a result, Phß-GBP-AgNPs may act as an alternative to commercial antibiotics and be considered an effective immunostimulant in treating skin lesions in intensive farming.

Antiglycation potential of plant based TiO2 nanoparticle in D-ribose glycated BSA in vitro.

Biosynthetic procedure is one of the best alternatives, inexpensive and ecologically sound for the synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanoparticles using a methanolic extract of medicinal plant. The main prospect of this study was to investigate the antiglycation activity of the TiO2 nanoparticles (TNP) prepared by ethanolic leaf extract of the Coleus scutellarioides. In this study, biosynthesized TNP characterized with UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. These TNP were further investigated with respect to their antiglycation property and it was checked in the mixture of d-ribose glycated bovine serum albumin (BSA) by measuring ketoamine, carbonyl content, Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and aggregation of protein instigated by glycation process. The inhibitory effect of TNP to restore the structure of BSA in presence of d-ribose were also characterize by biophysical techniques mentioned above. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest repurposing of TNP for its antiglycation property that could be helpful in prevention of glycation instigated AGEs formation and structural loss of proteins.

Metformin encapsulated gold nanoparticles (MTF-GNPs): A promising antiglycation agent.

The generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) through nonenzymatic protein glycation contributes to the pathogenesis of long-lived diabetic problems. Metformin (MTF) is the very first drug having antihyperglycemic effects on type II diabetes mellitus which also possess interaction with dicarbonyl compounds and blocks the formation of AGEs. In the current study, MTF is bioconjugated with glycation-derived synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) of significant size. Additionally, using various biophysical and biochemical approaches, we investigated the antiglycating capacity MTF-GNPs in contrast to MTF against d-ribose-derived glycation of bovine serum albumin. Our key findings via utilizing various assays demonstrated that MTF-GNPs were able to inhibit AGEs development by reducing hyperchromicity, early glycation products, carbonyl content, hydxoxymethylfurfural content, production of fluorescent AGEs, normalizing the loss of secondary structure (i.e., α-helix and ß-sheets) of proteins, elevating the levels of free lysine and free arginine more efficiently compared to pure MTF. Based on these results, we concluded that MTF-GNPs possess a considerable antiglycation property and may be developed as an outstanding anti-AGEs treatment drug. Further in vivo and clinical research are necessary to determine the therapeutic effects of MTF-GNPs against AGE-related and metabolic disorders.

How influenza vaccination and virus interference may impact combined influenza-coronavirus disease burden.

Demand for influenza vaccine rose as countries prepared for the second COVID-19 wave over the winter months of 2020-2021. High coverage of the influenza vaccine can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality of the burden of influenza. Natural influenza infection creates short-term non-specific immunity against respiratory viruses (virus interference). We model two viral diseases, both of the SEIR type, to investigate whether the influenza vaccine increases the combined disease burden of influenza and COVID-19 in a dual outbreak. We show that the combined disease burden's behavior depends on virus interference factors and the proportion of the population vaccinated against influenza. Our results indicate that influenza vaccination only lowers the overall disease burden when net virus interference is relatively low.

Rare-earth ions as antibacterial agents for woven wool fabric.

Woven fabrics were bestowed with antibacterial property by the simple adsorption of rare-earth metal ions, and the underlying mechanism was investigated using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The adsorption of Ce3+ ions on wool, silk, and cotton fabrics resulted in significant inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (a gram-positive bacterium), with maximum antibacterial activities (viable bacterial count compared to the reference) of 4.7, 5.8, and 5.2, respectively. Even after 50 wash cycles, the values remained at 3.9, 2.9, and 4.8, respectively. The adsorption of La3+ and Gd3+ ions on wool fabrics also resulted in antibacterial activities of 5.8 and 5.9, respectively. In addition, wool adsorbed with Ce3+ exhibits a satisfactory antibacterial activity of 6.2 against Escherichia coli (a gram-negative bacterium). Such bacterial inhibition is attributed to Fenton reactions between the adsorbed rare-earth ions and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced during bacterial metabolism, as determined from the ESR spectra collected using the spin trap method in the presence of H2O2. The safety of cerium nitrate was also investigated, and no significant issues arose, indicating that it was a safe antibacterial agent. This facile method of imparting antibacterial properties to natural fabrics may be useful for preventing infections in humans. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11696-021-01999-9.

A Mathematical Modeling Study: Assessing Impact of Mismatch Between Influenza Vaccine Strains and Circulating Strains in Hajj.

The influenza virus causes severe respiratory illnesses and deaths worldwide every year. It spreads quickly in an overcrowded area like the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Vaccination is the primary strategy for protection against influenza. Due to the occurrence of antigenic shift and drift of the influenza virus, a mismatch between vaccine strains and circulating strains of influenza may occur. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of mismatch between vaccine strains and circulating strains during Hajj, which brings together individuals from all over the globe. To this end, we develop deterministic mathematical models of influenza with different populations and strains from the northern and southern hemispheres. Our results show that the existence and duration of an influenza outbreak during Hajj depend on vaccine efficacy. In this concern, we discuss four scenarios: vaccine strains for both groups match/mismatch circulating strains, and vaccine strains match their target strains and mismatch the other strains. Further, there is a scenario where a novel pandemic strain arises. Our results show that as long as the influenza vaccines match their target strains, there will be no outbreak of strain H1N1 and only a small outbreak of strain H3N2. Mismatching for non-target strains causes about 10,000 new H3N2 cases, and mismatching for both strains causes about 2,000 more new H1N1 cases and 6,000 additional H3N2 cases during Hajj. Complete mismatch in a pandemic scenario may infect over 342,000 additional pilgrims (13.75%) and cause more cases in their home countries.

Myasthenia Gravis and Pregnancy: Toronto Specialty Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder that frequently affects young women of reproductive age. The multidirectional interplay between MG, pregnancy, and fetal health poses a complex scenario for pregnant women with MG and the healthcare team. Here, we reviewed our local experience with MG, pregnancy, and outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with MG attending the Prosserman Family Neuromuscular Clinic from 2001 to 2019 and who were referred to a high-risk pregnancy clinic. MG status was defined as stable, better, or worse. Information was collected on the delivery route, pregnancy, and neonatal complications. RESULTS: We identified 20 women with MG for a total of 28 pregnancies. Worsening was observed in 50% of pregnancies: 18% during pregnancy, 25% following delivery, and 7% during both. 66.7% of patients with MG duration of 2 years or less had worsening during pregnancy. Three patients who stopped immunosuppressive treatment during pregnancy worsened and one had a crisis. C-section was done in 29% of pregnancies. The rate of delivery complications was 7% and of neonatal MG was 7%. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of MG patients worsened during pregnancy, particularly those with disease duration less than 2 years, and those who discontinued immunosuppression during pregnancy. However, pregnancy was largely unaffected, rate of neonatal MG was low, frequencies of C-section, delivery complications, and premature births were similar to the general population. While the study has limitations due to the retrospective nature, these insights provide some guidance when counseling young myasthenic women about family planning.

In Vitro Alpha-Amylase and Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity and In Vivo Antidiabetic Activity of Withania frutescens L. Foliar Extract.

Withania frutescens L. is a wild perennial woody plant used by the local population for diverse therapeutic purposes. This work aims to study for the first time the potential inhibitory effect of this plant hydroethanolic extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities using in vitro methods and its antidiabetic and antihyperglycemic activities using alloxan-induced diabetic mice as a model for experimental diabetes. Two doses were selected for the in vivo study (200 and 400 mg/kg) and glibenclamide, a well-known antidiabetic drug (positive control) in a subacute study (28 days) where the antihyperglycemic activity was also assessed over a period of 12 h on diabetic mice. The continuous treatment of diabetic mice with the extract of Withania frutescens for 4 weeks succeeded to slowly manage their high fasting blood glucose levels (after two weeks), while the antihyperglycemic test result revealed that the extract of this plant did not control hyperglycemia in the short term. No toxicity signs or death were noted for the groups treated with the plant extract, and it shows a protective effect on the liver and kidney. The in vitro assays demonstrated that the inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase might be one of the mechanisms of action exhibited by the extract of this plant to control and prevent postprandial hyperglycemia. This work indicates that W. frutescens have an important long term antidiabetic effect that can be well established to treat diabetes.

A Global Path Planner for Safe Navigation of Autonomous Vehicles in Uncertain Environments.

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are considered an emerging technology revolution. Planning paths that are safe to drive on contributes greatly to expediting AV adoption. However, the main barrier to this adoption is navigation under sensor uncertainty, with the understanding that there is no perfect sensing solution for all driving environments. In this paper, we propose a global safe path planner that analyzes sensor uncertainty and determines optimal paths. The path planner has two components: sensor analytics and path finder. The sensor analytics component combines the uncertainties of all sensors to evaluate the positioning and navigation performance of an AV at given locations and times. The path finder component then utilizes the acquired sensor performance and creates a weight based on safety for each road segment. The operation and quality of the proposed path finder are demonstrated through simulations. The simulation results reveal that the proposed safe path planner generates paths that significantly improve the navigation safety in complex dynamic environments when compared to the paths generated by conventional approaches.

Anatomical basis of the extended TDAP flap: study of its territories of vascularization and its volume.

INTRODUCTION: The concept of extended thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap was described in 2015 for breast reconstruction. Our anatomical study aims to identify the territories vascularised by the thoracodorsal artery perforator via the deep muscular fascial network. The second goal was to define the volume of the extended TDAP flap. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Ten extended TDAP flaps were dissected on 5 fresh human cadavers. Around the classical skin paddle of a TDAP flap, the dissections were performed in a subfascial level, including the muscular fascia and the adipose tissue compartments to increase the volume of the flap. After injection of methylene blue in the thoracodorsal artery, we measured the length and width, the surface and the volume of the coloured flap. RESULTS: The mean sizes of the extended TDAP flap were 24.9 cm × 20.1 cm. The mean surface of the total vascularization zone was 441 cm2. The mean volume of the vascularized flap was 193 ml. CONCLUSION: The thoracodorsal artery perforator via the deep muscular fascial network allows us to harvest a flap of 25 cm × 20 cm with a mean surface of 441 cm² and a mean volume of 193 ml. The extended TDAP flap is a credible option in breast reconstruction.

Impact of the Antioxidant Hydroxytyrosol on the Quality of Post-Thawed Stallion Semen.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of including hydroxytyrosol (HT) antioxidant on the viability of sperm after the processes of cooling and freezing. HT antioxidants were used in the HF-20 extender at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 µg/ml. The HF-20 extender was a basic extender and was used for the control group. The post-thawed semen exhibited significantly higher total motility in the 2.5 HT and 10 HT treatment groups than the control group. The straight line velocity (VSL) of the 2.5 HT group exhibited a significantly high value compared with the control group. However, the average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), straightness index (STR), and wobble (WOB) revealed identical findings across all groups. The findings of the analysis of HOST, normal morphology, major abnormalities, and minor abnormalities revealed that there were no significant differences between the HT groups and the control groups. Nevertheless, the use of HT antioxidant for freezing semen led to a notable enhancement (p < 0.05) in both acrosome integrity and vitality tests when compared to the control group. In this case, the lower quantities of HT (1.25 and 2.5 µg/ml; p < 0.05) preserve the DNA fragmentation compared with the 5 HT, 10 HT, and control groups. In conclusion, the HT antioxidant has shown the capacity to enhance the quality of frozen-thawed spermatozoa and positively influence the viability and integrity of DNA inside the frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Additional research should be conducted to assess the fertility potential of cryopreserved stallion semen.

Awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology services among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND:  Healthcare professionals are required to work effectively together to deliver the best healthcare services. Without awareness of other healthcare professionals' roles and responsibilities, interprofessional practice (IPP) cannot be optimally achieved. OBJECTIVES:  This study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals' awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP) services in Saudi Arabia. METHOD:  This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of two parts. The content of a 20-item paper questionnaire was firstly validated. The full-scale study addressed the aim through distributing questionnaire items among potential participants. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used. RESULTS:  A total of 403 participants completed the questionnaires for the main study. Most of the participants were Saudi citizens (84.1%), aged 18 years - 40 years (84.8%) years, and lived in Riyadh region (76.2%). Allied health professionals (40.2%), physicians (22.6%), nursing (15.4%) and dentistry (11.2%) were the main group of participants working mainly at governmental hospitals (69.2%). Of the total participants, 92.6% and 95.3% reported being fully aware of the services provided by audiologists and SLPs, respectively. No statistically significant association between the specialty of participants and their familiarity with the scope of practice for SLPs and audiologists was determined. CONCLUSION:  Our study examined healthcare professionals' awareness of audiology and SLP services and revealed a high level of awareness.Contribution: The existed level of awareness is expected to facilitate IPP and enhance the quality of care. Still, awareness campaigns about audiology and SLP services are needed to address the existing lack of knowledge among some healthcare professionals.

Beyond Rubik: The Embodiment-Presence-Interactivity Cube applied to exercise.

Evidence-based interventions are needed to promote engagement in physical activity. Audio-visual stimuli are frequently employed to enhance the exercise experience. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of research that examines the qualities of technological devices that are employed. Using the Embodiment-Presence-Interactivity Cube (Flavián et al., 2019) as a guiding conceptual framework, the aim of this registered report was to examine how each dimension of the cube (i.e., embodiment, presence and interactivity) influenced a range of exercise-related affective and perceptual variables. A counterbalanced within-subjects design was employed (N = 24). Participants completed 20-min exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer under four conditions: Television, augmented reality, 360° video and virtual reality. A repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a significant Condition × Timepoint interaction for affective valence (p = 0.046), with greater embodiment offered by technological devices leading to more positive responses. Analyses also indicated main effects of condition for exercise enjoyment, remembered pleasure and forecasted pleasure, with greater presence of technological devices leading to more positive responses. Technologies that combine high levels of embodiment, presence and interactivity (e.g., virtual reality) appear to yield several benefits in terms of in-task (e.g., affective valence) and post-task (e.g., remembered pleasure) responses for exercise conducted at ventilatory threshold.

Level of Knowledge and Attitude Toward Acute Abdomen Among the Public: A Nationwide Study.

Introduction Treatment of patients suffering from acute abdominal pain (AAP) is often challenging due to its wide range of associated illnesses, which could delay or prevent the identification of the correct diagnosis. Multiple diagnoses should be considered, particularly those in life-threatening situations needing urgent intervention. Aim This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge among the general population related to acute abdomen and which specialty should be sought for consultation in AAP situations. Subject and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population living in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the Saudi population through the Google survey. The questionnaire included basic demographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, etc.), perceived causes, barriers, the most common symptoms of AAP, and a five-item questionnaire to assess the general population's knowledge about AAP. Results Of the 2,703 respondents, 68.1% were females, and 42.4% were aged between 18 and 25 years old. The digestive system disorders (esophagus, stomach, intestine, and colon) were the most perceived causes that led to AAP (76.6%). The overall mean knowledge score was 1.35 (SD 1.07) out of five points. Accordingly, nearly all (87.2%) were considered to have poor knowledge, 9.5% were considered to have moderate knowledge, and only 3.3% were considered to have good knowledge. Being younger, being a male, and living in the Central Region were the factors associated with increased knowledge. Conclusion There was a lack of knowledge about AAP among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Younger age, gender males, and living in the Central Region were identified as the significant factors of increased knowledge. It is necessary to increase the knowledge of the population regarding acute abdomen. Media awareness campaigns may play a significant role in providing the necessary information to the general public.