Utilization of dental care and dentate status in diabetic and nondiabetic patients across US states: An analysis using the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the differences, by state, in dental care utilization and tooth retention between adults with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an annual, state-based, random telephone survey of noninstitutionalized US civilian adults. The predictor variable was DM status. The outcome variables were time since the last dental appointment and tooth loss. We utilized multiple multinomial logistic regression models followed by postestimation procedures to determine state-level adjusted proportions for dental visits within the last year and complete teeth retention among DM and non-DM adults. RESULTS: Among adults with DM, 60.0% reported dentist visits within a year of survey participation, while 53.6% had complete tooth retention. As education and income levels increased, dental attendance and tooth retention increased among adults with DM. Most Southern states had a higher prevalence of DM, a lower proportion of dentist visits, and worse tooth retention among DM adults. Nationally, DM individuals were 4.3 percentage points less likely to visit a dentist and were 7 percent less likely to have complete teeth retention than non-DM adults. Compared with the national average, 25/50 states had greater disparities in dental visits between DM and non-DM adults, and 27/50 states had greater disparities in tooth loss between DM and non-DM adults. CONCLUSION: State-level variations indicate geographical and dental coverage influences on DM and dental outcomes. There is a need for state-specific interventions to improve dental access and outcomes for adults with DM.

Feasibility of Point Shear Wave Elastography for Evaluating Renal Cortical Thickness: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Kidney Disease [CKD] affects individuals of different age groups worldwide. Moreover, CKD is associated with several risk factors, including obesity, lifestyle, and hypertension, which are common in the Middle East. Ultrasonography is the examination of choice for CKD. In recent years, Shear Wave Elastography [SWE] has developed through the continued development of ultrasound and received substantial attention ;therefore, it can be used to measure tissue stiffness. The study aimed to use point Shear Wave Elastography [p-SWE] to determine the correlation between diabetes and cortical renal thickness in detecting pathologies. METHODS: This study was performed at the King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital. We examined 61 patients who underwent SWE. The patients were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [DM]. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a significant correlation between cortical stiffness and DM duration [p<0.005]. In addition, there was a negative correlation between cortical stiffness and cortical thickness [p=0.147] in patients with DM. Moreover, the eGFR decreased with an increase in cortical stiffness [p=0.499]. The cortical thickness in patients with and without DM was 0.750 ± 0.2 kPa and 0.788 ± 0.4 kPa, respectively. The kidney stiffness in patients with DM and control patients was 8.5 ± 8.6 cm and 14.0 ± 25.16 cm, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that kidney p-SWE measurements were reliable. Therefore, further studies assessing kidney stiffness in patients with and without people with diabetes are recommended.

Irritational Fibroma Mimicking an Odontogenic Infection: A Case Report of a Misdiagnosed Extraoral Fibroma.

Fibroma is a benign fibrous tissue growth that develops in response to injury or irritation. It is usually firm, painless, nodular, and merging in color with the surrounding tissue. Commonly located in areas such as the buccal mucosa, tongue, and lip, the usual treatment involves surgical removal. In this case report, we present a rare instance of misdiagnosed extraoral irritational fibroma that emerged following the surgical extractions of the lower left third molar.

Knowledge and Attitude of Parents Regarding the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine as a New Component in the Saudi Vaccination Schedule.

Background The most frequent gynecologic cancer in women is cervical cancer. The majority of incidents take place in less developed nations without access to reliable screening tools. Human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure, smoking, and immune system dysfunction are risk factors. As a result of effective screening, its incidence and death have significantly decreased in many nations. Hence, this study aims to assess the level of knowledge and awareness among parents regarding HPV, including its associated health risks and the benefits of vaccination. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia from September to November 2023. The main tool used for gathering data was an online, self-administered survey via Google Forms. Collected data was analysed using SPSS v. 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), where all applicable statistical tests were used. Results Females exhibited higher levels of confidence and agreement with COVID-19 and HPV vaccination recommendations compared to males. A substantial percentage of males expressed strong disagreement and reduced confidence in HPV vaccination, contributing to the gender-based divergence. Individuals with higher education levels, such as university degree graduates, showed greater support for compulsory vaccines and a preference for natural immunity development in their children. Marital status played a role in vaccine-related decisions, with variations in vaccine refusal rates and difficulty discussing the HPV vaccine noted among individuals based on their marital status. Conclusion The study highlights the value of medical experts and specifically created training programs to close knowledge gaps and boost HPV vaccination rates. Demographic factors have an impact on attitudes, which highlights the need for targeted interventions.

Awareness of Interventional Radiology Among Medical Students at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical specialty that employs imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI to guide minimally invasive procedures for diagnosing and treating a variety of medical disorders. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the level of IR awareness among medical students at Majmaah University. METHODS: The cross-sectional investigation was carried out among the medical students at Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire that had been pretested was used to gather the data. SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp) was used to analyze the data. The chi-square test was used to compare qualitative data, and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were 202 students who participated in this study, and among them, the majority were males, 126 (62.4%), and the majority of them were pre-clinical students, 105 (52.0%). Knowledge of routinely performed procedures by IR (only by a radiologist) was assessed; 116 (57.4%) of them responded with paracontinuous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 105 (52.0%) with central venous access, and 100 (49.5%) with lower arterial limp percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which are routinely performed procedures by the radiologists. There was no significant difference in knowledge levels between genders. CONCLUSION: Increasing awareness of IR among medical students is essential to improving patient outcomes and addressing healthcare challenges. Efforts to educate and expand access to IR services must be prioritized to ensure that medical students receive a comprehensive education and that patients receive the highest quality care possible.

Incidence and characteristics of developmental dysplasia of the hip in a Saudi population: A comprehensive retrospective analysis.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common hip disorder in infants. Ultrasonographic screening is considered the most reliable method for early detection of DDH in newborn infants. This study aimed to determine the incidence of DDH at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. From January 2017 to December 2018, this retrospective study analyzed the data of 8031 infants who underwent an early clinical examination of the hips. At the initial evaluation, 212 infants referred to the ultrasound department had risk factors for DDH and/or clinical instability. Different well-known risk factors of DDH have been identified including breech position, skeletal deformities, positive family history, hip side, sex and clicky hip. The findings revealed an incidence rate of 93 cases of DDH among 8031 infants (11.58 per 1000) births. Among the infants diagnosed with DDH, 55 were females (59.14 %), and 38 were males (40.86%). The results of the current study revealed that 45% of infants with DDH exhibited bilateral involvement. Moreover, results showed that the IIa hip joint was more prevalent in female than in male newborns, but without any significant difference. The incidence rate of DDH in this study was 11.58 per 1000 live births, and it was more prevalent among female than male newborns. Ultrasonography (US) should be used as a complementary imaging modality for clinical examination of DDH. Infants with breech presentation, clicky hip, and skeletal deformity should be scanned by US. Further prospective studies are recommended.

Retraction: Spontaneous Rupture of Large Angiomyolipoma of the Kidney: A Rare Case.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19908.].

Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Regarding Basic Life Support Among the General Population in the Al-Majma'ah Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest is a critical medical emergency that can strike individuals of any age or background, often occurring suddenly and unpredictably. The administration of Basic Life Support (BLS) techniques by laypersons in the first few crucial minutes following a cardiac arrest can substantially increase the chances of survival and minimize potential neurological damage. Despite the vital role of BLS in saving lives, there remains a gap in public awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding BLS among the general population in many regions worldwide, including Saudi Arabia. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of community-based interventions to enhance cardiac arrest survival rates. Public involvement in the early stages of cardiac arrest management is a key component of the chain of survival, and improving BLS awareness and knowledge among the general population is central to this effort. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes with regard to BLS among the general population in the Al-Majma'ah region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study adopted among the population living in the Al-Majma'ah region of Saudi Arabia. The data was collected by a pre-tested and self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). The questions included information on social demographic information, awareness and knowledge, and attitudes related to BLS. RESULTS: More than half the participants (n=352; 52.5%) understand that during cardiac arrest, the heart is still beating and pumping blood, but the person is not breathing normally. This is an important understanding for providing proper care during a cardiac arrest situation. On the other hand, the study found that 384 (57.2%) had various reasons for their lack of knowledge about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The biggest reason was lack of interest (n=98; 14.6%). This highlights a need for increased awareness and education about the importance of CPR. The findings from the Pearson correlation conducted in this study show that age has a significant influence on the level of awareness and knowledge of cardiac arrest BLS. The p-value obtained for the test was 0.014, indicating that there is a significant relationship between age and awareness and knowledge of BLS. Similarly, the study findings also show that gender has a significant influence on the attitude of cardiac arrest BLS. CONCLUSION: The participants had a decent understanding of BLS, particularly regarding concepts like cardiac arrest and the role of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). However, they showed confusion or gaps in awareness, especially concerning the correct initial steps when encountering a collapsed person. Many participants felt uncomfortable performing Hands-Only CPR in a real-life situation due to a lack of knowledge and skills, which acted as a significant barrier to public CPR performance.

Magnetic biopolymers' nanocomposites from chitosan, lignin and phycosynthesized iron nanoparticles to remediate water from polluting oil.

Targeting the remediation of oil pollution in water, the construction of super magnetic adsorbent nanocomposites (NCs) was achieved using the nanoparticles of chitosan (Cht), lignin (Lg) and phycosynthesized iron nanoparticles (Fe MNPs) using Gelidium amansii extract. The syntheses and conjugations of nanomaterials were authenticated via infrared spectral analysis and the structural physiognomies of them were appraised via electron microscopy and zeta analysis. The Lg NPs, Cht NPs, Fe MNPs and their composites (Lg/Cht MNCs) had mean particles' sizes of 42.3, 76.4, 14.2 and 108.3 nm, and were charged with - 32.7, + 41.2, + 28.4 and +37.5 mV, respectively. The magnetometer revealed the high magnetic properties of both Fe MNPs and Lg/Cht MNCs; the maximum swelling of Lg/Cht NPs (46.3 %), and Lg/Cht MNPs (33.8 %) was detected after 175 min. The diesel oil adsorption experiments with Lg/Cht MNPs, using batch adsorption practices, revealed the powerful potentiality of magnetic NCs to remove oil pollution in water; the maximum adsorption capacity (qt) was achieved with the conditions of pH = 7.5, adsorption period = 90 min and adsorbent dose = 200 mg/L. The magnetic Lg/Cht MNCs exhibited excellent recovery/reusability attributes for five adsorption cycles; the qt differences were negligible after the entire oil-adsorption cycles, with oil removal of >90 %. The innovative fabricated Lg/Cht MNCs could provide an effectual, sustainable and eco-friendly approach for the removal of pollutant oil in water resources.

A Systematic Review of Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Inhaled Antiviral.

Background and Objectives: The study of clinical pharmacokinetics of inhaled antivirals is particularly important as it helps one to understand the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs and how best to use them in the treatment of respiratory viral infections such as influenza and the current COVID-19 pandemic. The article presents a systematic review of the available pharmacokinetic data of inhaled antivirals in humans, which could be beneficial for clinicians in adjusting doses for diseased populations. Materials and Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases, and studies were screened by two independent reviewers to assess their eligibility. Data were extracted from the eligible studies and assessed for quality using appropriate tools. Results: This systematic review evaluated the pharmacokinetic parameters of inhaled antiviral drugs. The review analyzed 17 studies, which included Zanamivir, Laninamivir, and Ribavirin with 901 participants, and found that the non-compartmental approach was used in most studies for the pharmacokinetic analysis. The outcomes of most studies were to assess clinical pharmacokinetic parameters such as the Cmax, AUC, and t1/2 of inhaled antivirals. Conclusions: Overall, the studies found that the inhaled antiviral drugs were well tolerated and exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic profiles. The review provides valuable information on the use of these drugs for the treatment of influenza and other viral respiratory infections.

Anthropomorphic Carotid Artery Phantom for Ultrasound Flow and Vessel Wall Elastography Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Shear wave elastography imaging (SWE) is a non-invasive US technique that has been developed to provide quantitative information about tissue elasticity. This technique might be useful in the identification of vascular risk factors. Arterial wall thickness and inner diameter vary with age and disease, which may impact shear wave propagation. The effect of arterial geometry on SWE has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of different wall thickness, pulsation and imaging planes on YM estimates, to gain more information about the source of variability associated with SWE. METHODS: Poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel (PVA-c) fabrication has been used for phantom design and construction. The agar-based TMM was used to surround the tubes. The inlet and outlet of the phantom were connected to a programmable gear pump using c-flex tubing to form a closed loop. Image J profiling was used to clarify the anomalies further detected using SWE. RESULTS: The 4 F/T cycle vessel phantom has shown less YM variability than in the 6 F/T cycle. YM ranged from 8 kPa for a 1 mm thickness tube to 53 kPa for the thickest 6 mm wall thickness for the softer 4 F/T cycle tube. Vessel phantoms embedded in TMM show higher variability than vessel phantoms submerged in water. YM ranged from 32 kPa for a 1 mm thickness tube to 117 kPa for the thickest 6 mm wall thickness for the softer 4 F/T cycle tube. CONCLUSION: SWE variability in measurements was higher in phantoms embedded in TMM compared to those submerged in water. It is recommended that combine the transverse and longitudinal imaging planes to provide a better understanding of disease over the full vessel circumference.

Preliminary Investigation of Normal Pancreas Elasticity using Point Shear Wave Elastography.

BACKGROUND: Point shear wave elastography (pSWE) is used to provide quantitative information about the elasticity of the tissues. It has been used in many clinical applications to identify diseases early. This study aims to assess the suitability of pSWE to evaluate pancreas tissue stiffness and provide normal reference values for healthy pancreas tissues. METHODS: This study was conducted in the diagnostic department at a tertiary care hospital between October and December 2021. Sixteen healthy volunteers (eight men and eight women) participated. Pancreas elasticity measurements were obtained in different regions of interest (head, body, and tail). Scanning was performed by a certified sonographer using Philips EPIC7 ultrasound systems (Philips Ultrasound; Bothel, WA, USA). RESULTS: The mean velocity of the head of the pancreas was 1.3 ± 0.3 m/s (median: 1.2 m/s), the body was 1.4 ± 0.3 m/s (median: 1.4 m/s), and the tail was 1.4 ± 0.4 m/s (median: 1.2 m/s). The mean dimension was 17 ± 3 mm, 14 ± 4 mm, and 14 ± 6 mm for the head, body, and tail. The correlation of pancreas velocity across different segments and dimensions shows no significant difference with p values of 0.39 and 0.11, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows that assessing the elasticity of the pancreas using pSWE is possible. A combination of SWVs measurements and dimensions could provide an early evaluation of pancreas status. Further studies including pancreatic disease patients are recommended.

Synthesis, Molecular Docking, c-Met Inhibitions of 2,2,2-Trichloroethylidene- cyclohexane-1, 3-dione Derivatives Together with their Application as Target SARS-CoV-2 main Protease (Mpro) and as Potential anti-COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The lack of anti-COVID-19 treatment to date warrants urgent research into potential therapeutic targets. Virtual drug screening techniques enable the identification of novel compounds that target the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Main Protease (Mpro). OBJECTIVE: The binding of the halogenated compounds to Mpro may inhibit the replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2 and, ultimately, stop the viral life cycle. In times of dire need for anti- COVID-19 treatment, this study lays the groundwork for further experimental research to investigate these compounds' efficacy and potential medical uses to treat COVID-19. METHODS: New heterocyclic compounds were synthesized through the first reaction of cyclohexane- 1, 3-dione (1a) or dimedone (1b) with trichloroacetonitrile (2) to give the 2,2,2-trichloroethylidene) cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives 3a and 3b, respectively. The latter compounds underwent a series of heterocyclization reactions to produce biologically active compounds. RESULTS: Novel compounds, including fused thiophene, pyrimidine and pyran derivatives, were synthesized and tested against human RNA N7-MTase (hRNMT) and selected viral N7-MTases such as SARS-CoV nsp14 and Vaccinia D1-D12 complex to evaluate their specificity and their molecular modeling was also studied in the aim of producing anti-COVID-19 target molecules. CONCLUSION: The results showed that compounds 10a, 10b, 10c, 10e, 10f, 10g and 10h showed high % inhibitions against SARs-Covnsp 14. Whereas compounds 5a, 7a, 8b, 10a, 10b, 10c and 10i showed high inhibitions against hRNMT. This study explored the binding affinity of twenty-two halogenated compounds to the SARS-CoV-2 MPro and discovered fifteen compounds with higher binding affinity than Nelfinavir, of which three showed remarkable results. c-Met kinase inhibitions of 10a, 10f, 10g and 10h showed that all compounds exhibited higher inhibitions than the reference Foretinib.

Phytochemical Analysis and Binding Interaction of Cotton Seed Cake Derived Compounds with Target Protein of Meloidogyne incognita for Nematicidal Evaluation.

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most damaging plant-parasitic nematodes and is responsible for significant crop losses worldwide. Rising human health and environmental concerns have led to the withdrawal of commonly used chemical nematicides. There has been a tremendous demand for eco-friendly bio-nematicides with beneficial properties to the nematode hosting plants, which encourages the need for alternative nematode management practices. The current study was undertaken to determine the nematicidal potential of cotton seed cake (CSC) against second-stage juvenile (J2) hatching, J2 mortality, and J2 penetration of M. incognita in tomato plants in vitro. J2s and egg masses of M. incognita were exposed to four concentrations (250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/L) of CSC extracts. The higher J2 mortality and inhibition of J2 hatching were found at 1000 mg/L, while the least effective result was observed at 250 mg/L of the CSC extract. The CSC extract applied with the concentrations mentioned above also showed inhibition of J2 penetration in tomato roots; 1000 mg/L showed the highest inhibition of penetration, while 250 mg/L displayed the least inhibition. Using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, we identified 11 compounds, out of which 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, and Tetradecanoic acid were found as major compounds. Subsequently, in silico molecular docking was conducted to confirm the nematicidal behavior of CSC based on binding interactions of the above three major compounds with the targeted protein acetylcholine esterase (AChE) of M. incognita. The values of binding free energy are -5.3, -4.5, and -4.9 kcal/mol, observed for 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, and Tetradecanoic acid, respectively, suggesting that 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid binds with the receptor AChE more efficiently than the other two ligands. This study indicates that CSC has nematicidal potential that can be used to control M. incognita for sustainable agriculture.

Enhancement of the Protective Activity of Vanillic Acid against Tetrachloro-Carbon (CCl4) Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats by the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs).

In the current study, the hepatoprotective activity of vanillic acid, silymarin, and vanillic acid-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was tested in male rats for four weeks. Thirty male rats were divided into five groups (n = 6). The 1st group was a negative control, the 2nd group was a positive control, the 3rd group was treated with 100 mg/kg b.w. of vanillic acid, the 4th group was treated with 100 mg/kg b.w. of vanillic acid-AgNPs, and the 5th group was treated with 50 mg/kg b.w. of silymarin. The CCl4-induced hepatic toxicity in the 2nd group was revealed by the liver function and all other biochemical tests. Liver enzymes, bilirubin, lipid peroxidation, lactate dehydrogenase, and interleukin-6 were elevated, whereas, total protein, antioxidant enzymes, and irisin were decreased compared to the negative control. The hepatic tissues were also injured as a result of the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Treating the hepatotoxic rats with vanillic acid moderately protected the rats of the 3rd group, whereas treatment with vanillic AgNPs and silymarin in G4 and G5, respectively, greatly protected the rats against the CCl4 hepatotoxicity, approaching the normal biochemical levels and liver tissue appearance. The biochemical tests were confirmed by the histological investigations of liver tissue.

Protective Effect of Catharanthus roseus Extract on Cadmium-Induced Toxicity in Albino Rats: A Putative Mechanism of Detoxification.

Globally, people are highly affected by Cadmium (Cd), the most hazardous heavy metal. It has been implicated in various pathogeneses. Oxidative stress may be one the main reasons for Cd-induced disorders in the body. This article investigates the protective ability of Catharanthus roseus (CR) extract on oxidative stress in the kidney and liver of rats exposed to Cd. After 21 days, a significant increase in MDA concentration (6.81 ± 0.05), (6.64 ± 0.03) was observed in Cd-treated groups compared to the control (5.54 ± 0.02), (5.39 ± 0.04) for the kidney and liver, respectively, while significant changes were observed in the haematological parameters. Antioxidant enzymes, GPx, CAT, and SOD showed a significant decrease in their activity. We established that increasing the concentration of Cd in the presence of H2O2 was able to cause stand scission in pBR322 plasmid DNA, which may be due to the mediation of ROS generated in the process. The antioxidant ability of CR extract was tested in DPPH and H2O2 scavenging assay, depicted by the increase in the percentage inhibition. Upon treatment of CR extract to rats, MDA concentration was decreased for the kidney and liver compared to the Cd-treated groups. This was again confirmed by comet assay of both tissues, where the degree of cellular DNA breakage caused by Cd toxicity decreased significantly upon treatment with CR extract. Overall, the results suggest that Cd plays a major role as an effector metal ion, causing a decrease in the concentration and activity of AO enzymes and enhanced lipid peroxidation. ROS production resulted in oxidative DNA damage within the cell, whereas CR extract showed potential antioxidant activity against ROS-mediated DNA damage induced by Cd poisoning.

Interobserver variability in ultrasound assessment of thyroid nodules.

The first diagnostic tool for thyroid disease management is ultrasound. Despite its importance, ultrasound is an extremely subjective procedure that requires a high level of performance skill. Few studies have assessed thyroid ultrasound performance and its effectiveness, particularly the variability between observers in the assessment of ultrasound images. This study evaluated the variability in ultrasound assessments and diagnoses of thyroid nodules between 2 radiologists. In this retrospective study, 75 thyroid nodules in 39 patients were reviewed by 2 experienced radiologists. The nodule composition, margin, shape, calcification, and vasculitis were determined using echogenicity. The study evaluation included these 5 assessments and the final diagnosis. Interobserver variation was determined using Cohen kappa statistics. The interobserver agreements in the interpretation of echogenicity, shape, and margin were fair (κ = 0.21-0.40), whereas there were substantial agreements for vascularity and calcification (κ = 0.62-0.78). The agreements between the observers for individual ultrasound features in this study were the highest for vascularity and the presence/absence of calcification. The interobserver reproducibility for thyroid nodule ultrasound reporting was adequate, but the diagnostic evaluation ability of the observers was inconsistent. The variability in the interpretation of sonographic features could influence the level of suspicion of thyroid malignancy. This study emphasizes the need for consistency in the training of sonographic interpretation of thyroid nodules, particularly for echogenicity, shape, and margin.

Cloud Computing-Based Framework for Breast Tumor Image Classification Using Fusion of AlexNet and GLCM Texture Features with Ensemble Multi-Kernel Support Vector Machine (MK-SVM).

Breast cancer is common among women all over the world. Early identification of breast cancer lowers death rates. However, it is difficult to determine whether these are cancerous or noncancerous lesions due to their inconsistencies in image appearance. Machine learning techniques are widely employed in imaging analysis as a diagnostic method for breast cancer classification. However, patients cannot take advantage of remote areas as these systems are unavailable on clouds. Thus, breast cancer detection for remote patients is indispensable, which can only be possible through cloud computing. The user is allowed to feed images into the cloud system, which is further investigated through the computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system. Such systems could also be used to track patients, older adults, especially with disabilities, particularly in remote areas of developing countries that do not have medical facilities and paramedic staff. In the proposed CAD system, a fusion of AlexNet architecture and GLCM (gray-level cooccurrence matrix) features are used to extract distinguishable texture features from breast tissues. Finally, to attain higher precision, an ensemble of MK-SVM is used. For testing purposes, the proposed model is applied to the MIAS dataset, a commonly used breast image database, and achieved 96.26% accuracy.

Investigating Confidence Levels of Saudi Clinical Supervisors in Radiology Departments.

Background: Effective teaching and supervision within hospitals play an essential role in training radiography students. However, inadequate preparation of teaching roles has been highlighted over the last three decades as a problem for many radiographers. This can lead to inadequate preparation and a lack of confidence in the supervisory role, which may affect the students' learning experience. Few studies in Saudi Arabia have investigated the skills and resources needed by radiographers to become effective and confident teachers. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences and confidence of clinical radiographers in teaching radiography students and establish the areas of support they require to be more effective in their clinical teaching role. Methods: An online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from radiographers working in Saudi Arabia's radiology departments. Radiographers who were involved in the supervision of students are included in the study. A total of 159 radiographers participated in the study. Results: The findings showed that radiographers were reasonably confident in four domains: introducing students and familiarizing them within the practice environment, supervision, facilitating students' learning, and assisting students to integrate into the practice environment while some areas required further development. The finding also indicated high number of students believed that providing an accurate perspective on the philosophy of the environment is not applicable to them. Conclusion: The article concludes with a recommendation for further support and guidance for radiographers in teaching roles from institutions. The study provided insights into the world of clinical supervisors in radiology departments. Informative feedback to students during their clinical training by clinical supervisors is a key strategy to fill the gap between theory and practice experienced by students. Additionally, the importance for implementation of ongoing professional development for radiographers is advised to ensure the quality of clinical placement for radiography students.

Moxifloxacin Disrupts and Attenuates Aß42 Fibril and Oligomer Formation: Plausibly Repositioning an Antibiotic as Therapeutic against Alzheimer's Disease.

The aggregation of Aß42 is established as a key factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consequently, molecules that inhibit aggregation of peptide may lead to therapies to prevent or control AD. Several studies suggest that oligomeric intermediates present during aggregation may be more cytotoxic than fibrils themselves. In this work, we examine the inhibitory activity of an antibiotic MXF on aggregation (fibrils and oligomers) and disaggregation of Aß42 using various biophysical and microscopic studies. Computational analysis was done to offer mechanistic insight. The amyloid formation of Aß42 is suppressed by MXF, as demonstrated by the decrease in both the corresponding ThT fluorescence intensity and other biophysical techniques. The lag phase of amyloid formation doubled from 4.53 to 9.66 h in the presence of MXF. The addition of MXF at the completion of the fibrillation reaction, as monitored by ThT, led to a rapid, concentration dependent, exponential decrease in fluorescence signal that was consistent with loss of fibrils. We used TEM to directly demonstrate that MXF caused fibrils to disassemble. Our docking results show that MXF binds to both monomeric and fibrillar forms of Aß42 with significant affinities. We also observed breaking of fibrils in the presence of MXF through molecular dynamics simulation. These findings suggest that antibiotic MXF could be a promising lead compound with dual role as fibril/oligomer inhibitor and disaggregase for further development as potential repurposed therapeutic against AD.