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OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the awareness and attitudes about urolithiasis among the general population of Alahsa, Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2022 in Alahsa, Saudi Arabia, using a validated questionnaire that was distributed to the general population. Inclusion criteria include male and female citizens of Saudi Arabia who were living in Alahsa, older than 18 years old, and willing to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria include non-Saudi citizens or Saudi citizens who did not live in Alahsa. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics. RESULT: The results showed there were 1023 participants. The results showed the awareness level of symptoms associated with kidney stones at 29%, complications at 34%, diagnosis at 51%, and treatment at 16%. The results showed there was a significant association between a history of kidney stones and having no complications (p-value = 0.002) or inflammation (p-value = 0.009). However, there was no significant association between kidney stone symptoms and the participants' comorbidities. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, there was a low level of knowledge about the condition and the methods to prevent it, like dietary and lifestyle modifications. Regardless of the low level of general knowledge, there was some awareness of urolithiasis in some elements. Therefore, it is advised to increase health awareness campaigns.
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INTRODUCTION: A major cause of death globally is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn are common symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Chest pain is also the main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Therefore, the differential diagnosis of chest pain can become more challenging when GERD and AMI coincide. This study evaluated and compared the knowledge of the signs, symptoms, and immediate action that must be taken regarding AMI among GERD and non-GERD patients. METHODOLOGY: An observational cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was created and published between October and November 2022 to collect data from Saudi males and females 18 or older willing to participate in the study. Participants who were not Saudi had declined to complete the survey or had not fully completed it was excluded. The questionnaire contained three sections; after collecting informed consent, it made inquiries regarding respondents' GERD status, demographic information, and knowledge and attitudes regarding GERD. RESULTS: This study included 691 responses from 300 non-GERD participants and 391 GERD participants. The study showed a high level of awareness (75.5%) of GERD, with significant differences in the level of awareness according to marital status, education levels, and occupation status. There was no significant difference in the level of awareness according to gender and GERD diagnosis, where the p-value > 0.05. The most common source of information about AMI was the Internet, followed by health care professionals. The most commonly known symptoms of AMI were sudden pain or discomfort in the chest, followed by a sudden shortness of breath. Additionally, there was no significant association between the diagnosis of GERD and known risk factors. The association between GERD and other diseases (chi-square = 46.94, p-value 0.01). Obesity and smoking were the two main risk factors for heart attacks. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that there was no significant difference between GERD and non-GERD participants regarding the knowledge and awareness level of AMI. Moreover, it showed that there was a lack of general knowledge and awareness of AMI in Saudi Arabia. The authors recommend initiating more awareness programs in Saudi Arabia to inform people about AMI and cardiovascular disease. More research is required to determine whether other patients are aware of AMI.
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Three galactopoietic stimuli, frequent milking (4X), bovine somatotrophin (bST) and thyroxine (T4) were used in an additive stair-step design to achieve maximum output (metabolic capacity) in six peak-lactation cows of high genetic merit (HT) and six of low genetic merit (LT). A further six of each merit were untreated controls (HC, LC). Milk yield was increased significantly by 4X, increased further by the combination of 4X and bST and increased further still and significantly by the full combination of 4X, bST and T4. The magnitude of the yield response to the sequence of treatments did not differ significantly between HT and LT. The yield response to 4X and bST was sustainable without significant loss of body weight or body condition score for the 6 weeks during which these stimuli were administered. The response to the full combination, which included T4, was accompanied by significantly elevated heart rate and significant loss of body weight and condition compared with the combination of 4X and bST. As a result, treatments were discontinued, on an individual cow basis, before completion of this 6-week phase. Time on experiment did not differ between HT and LT. The results do not support the commonly held belief that selective breeding of dairy cows for high milk production has rendered them markedly more susceptible to metabolic disturbances.
