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Background In the face of the ongoing global health crisis posed by COVID-19, it becomes imperative to understand the disease's dynamics, particularly in specific regions. This study provides a detailed examination of the factors influencing mechanical ventilation (MV) duration among COVID-19 patients in an intensive care setting, focusing on a diverse patient cohort from the Al Hassa region of Saudi Arabia. The primary aim of this study was to identify key demographic factors, clinical outcomes, and comorbidities that affect the duration of MV among ICU patients with COVID-19. This understanding is crucial for enhancing patient care and informing healthcare strategies in the context of the pandemic. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to the ICU in the Al Hassa region. The total number of participants was 1,259. Using a systematic sampling method, these participants were chosen to create a representative sample that reflects the prevailing treatment protocols in ICUs across these hospitals. Data encompassed patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical outcomes, and MV duration. Statistical analyses were employed to explore the associations between these variables. Results Our findings reveal a total of 1,259 participants significant associations between MV duration and various factors, including nationality, legal status, travel history, and comorbidities like heart failure and immunocompromised status. These insights are instrumental in understanding the nuances of COVID-19 management in critical care. Conclusion The study provides valuable insights into the determinants of MV duration in severe COVID-19 cases, emphasizing the need for individualized patient care approaches. It highlights the complexity of managing COVID-19 in ICU settings and underscores the importance of tailored healthcare responses to this global health challenge, particularly in the Al Hassa region.
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The increased awareness of carbon management has prompted the scientific community towards delivering sustainable catalytic technologies, preferably from CO2. Copper-based multifunctional catalysts are the most frequently used for thermal hydrogenation and electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 (CO2R) processes. To improve the understanding and efficacy of these materials for the CO2R reaction, Cu-Zn oxides combined with Al2O3 and ZrO2 were synthesized by the coprecipitation method and annealed at 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C (i.e., Cu/ZnO/Al2O3-x and Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 systems-x, where x is the annealing temperature) to tune their multi-functionality. We demonstrate that the composition of Cu-Zn oxides and pretreatment temperature impact the electrocatalytic CO2R performance, where CuZnZr-600 and CuZnAl-700 materials are superior. Different characterization tools were employed to rationalize the results described in this work, which could provide a way to design an efficient catalytic system for the CO2R process.
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Tuberculosis is caused by an infectious bacterium and it has significant morbidity and mortality rates globally. It mostly affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of the body, like the lymph nodes (tuberculous lymphadenitis). The most common way to treat it is with the RIPE regimen, which includes rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. The drugs can be slowly or rapidly metabolized, resulting in either increased toxicity or subtherapeutic drug levels. In this paper, we discuss the case of a slow responder who was treated with increased rifampin and isoniazid doses and improved clinically and biochemically. It's the first case of a slow responder diagnosed with tuberculous lymphadenitis reported in the Gulf region.