A Study of the Epidemiology, Clinical, and Phenotypic Characteristics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Northen-Central Region of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is becoming increasingly prevalent in Saudi Arabia. However, there is limited data on the characteristics and manifestations of IBD in this population. This study aimed to establish a multi-center database of patients with IBD in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia to better understand the demographics, prevalence, and manifestations of IBD in this population. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with IBD at three healthcare facilities in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. The patient's demographic and clinical characteristics, disease location and behavior, age at diagnosis, medication use, related surgeries, and extraintestinal manifestations were recorded based on the Montreal classification. A total of 257 patients with IBD were included in the study, of which 126 had UC and 131 had CD. RESULTS: Of the 257 patients with IBD, 134 (52.2%) were male and 123 (47.8%) were female. The mean age of patients with CD and UC were 28.74 (range 15-67) and 38.79 (range 15-75) years, respectively. There was a significant difference between all age groups (p < 0.005), with more patients aged over 40 years being diagnosed with UC. UC was most commonly classified as left-sided UC (E2) (60; 47.6%), while the most common location of CD was the ileocolon (L3) (76; 58%). Non-stricturing and non-penetrating CD was the most common behavior (B1) (70; 53.8%). Approximately one-third of the patients with Crohn's disease developed perianal disease (70; 27.2%), with fistulizing Crohn's being the most prevalent manifestation (40; 30.5%), followed by abscess formation (10; 7.6%) and fissures (9; 6.8%). The most common extraintestinal manifestation was arthropathy (15; 5.8%). Significant p-values were detected for UC and CD (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides crucial insights into the demographics, patterns, and manifestations of IBD in Saudi Arabia. The findings highlight the need for improved diagnosis, management, and treatment strategies for IBD in this population. The establishment of a multi-center database will help to facilitate future research and improve patient care in Saudi Arabia.

Profiling of circRNA expressions in radiation-treated head and neck cancer cells and the potential role of circPVT1.

OBJECTIVE: Radiotherapy is an indispensable treatment modality for head and neck cancers (HNCs). Due to their stable structure, circular RNAs (circRNA) have been implicated as potential biomarkers for clinical use in cancers. The purpose of this study was profiling the circRNA in radiation-treated head and neck cancer cells to identify potential differentially expressed circRNAs. DESIGN: The effects of radiation on the expression level of circRNAs were investigated in HNCs cells, compared to healthy cell lines. To predict the potential role of circRNAs in HNC patients, tissue expression levels, survival analyses of circRNAs, and circRNA-miRNA network were evaluated using TCGA/CPTAC datasets. Based on expression level in irradiated cells, circPVT1 (plasmacytoma variant translocation 1) was further investigated by sequence analysis. RESULTS: The study revealed the characterization of differentially expressed circRNAs in cancer cells and that irradiation made significant changes in the expression of circRNAs. These findings suggest that certain circRNAs, especially circPVT1, may be potential biomarkers to monitor radiotherapy effects in patients with HNCs. CONCLUSIONS: CircRNAs may be promising molecules for improving and understanding radiotherapy efficacy in HNCs.

Cone beam computed tomography for evaluation of impacted supernumerary teeth: a case report / Tomografía computarizada con haz de cono para evaluación de dientes supernumerarios impactados: reporte de caso

Supernumerary paramolars are the rare anomalies of the maxillofacial complex. These are more common in the maxilla than in the mandible. Supernumerary teeth are an infrequent developmental alteration that can appear in any area of the dental arches and which are often associated with several syndromes such as cleidocranial dysplasia or Gardner syndrome. Multiple supernumerary teeth in individuals with no other associated diseases or syndromes are very uncommon. Objective: To evaluate the value of cone-beam CT (CBCT) in the diagnosis and orientation of supernumerary teeth in the dental arches. Treatment: After taking a cone beam computed tomograph (CBCT), surgical extraction was performed under local anaesthesia. Conclusion: The position of the supernumerary teeth is varied in the maxilla, and often causes permanent dentition complications. CBCT imaging yields accurate 3-dimensional pictures of supernumerary teeth, local dental and bony structures, which is helpful for diagnosis and orientation of supernumerary teeth. Cone beam computed tomography is crucial for exact localization, for treatment planning, and for the surgical approach in cases of multiple supernumerary teeth.

Soft tissue changes after anterior maxillary osteotomy by using 3D CBCT scanning / Cambios en los tejidos blandos después de la osteotomía maxilar anterior mediante el uso de la exploración 3D CBCT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the soft tissue changes after anterior maxillary osteotomy using cone beam computed tomography. The study included twelve patients diagnosed as suffering from an excess of the anterior part of maxilla and required surgical correction by anterior maxillary osteotomy. Assessment of Cone beam computed tomography in evaluation the soft tissue changes. All cases subjected to anterior maxillary osteotomy using modified Cuper technique. Follow up of cases was does clinically and radio- graphically by cone beam computed tomography. The results of the study proved that the statistically significant increase in mean Nasolabial angle after 6 months was 5.2 degrees, the mean value of nasal width after 6 months was 0,9mm. The mean value of Philtrum length was 3.3mm. In conclusion, Cone Beam Computed Tomography can be used to obtain dimensionally accurate linear and angular measurement from bony maxillofacial structure and landmarks and allows accurate, three-dimensional imaging of hard and soft tissues

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los cambios en los tejidos blandos después de la osteotomía maxilar anterior mediante tomografía computarizada con haz cónico. El estudio incluyó a doce pacientes diagnosticados que sufrían un exceso de la parte anterior del maxilar y requirió corrección quirúrgica mediante osteotomía maxilar anterior. Evaluación de la tomografía computarizada del haz cónico en la evaluación de los cambios de tejidos blandos. Todos los casos sometidos a osteotomía maxilar anterior con la técnica de Cuper modificada. El seguimiento de los casos se realizó de forma clínica y radiográfica mediante tomografía computarizada de haz cónico. Los resultados del estudio demostraron que el aumento estadísticamente significativo en el ángulo Nasolabial medio después de 6 meses fue de 5,2 grados, el valor medio del ancho nasal después de 6 meses fue de 0,9mm. El valor medio de la longitud de Philtrum fue de 3,3mm. En conclusión, la tomografía computarizada Cone Beam se puede utilizar para obtener mediciones lineales y angulares dimensionales precisas a partir de la estructura ósea maxilofacial ósea y permite obtener imágenes precisas y tridimensionales de los tejidos duros y blandos

Body mass index in Saudi Arabian children and adolescents: a national reference and comparison with international standards.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Because there are no reference standards for body mass index (BMI) in Saudi children, we established BMI reference percentiles for normal Saudi Arabian children and adolescents and compared them with international standards. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from a stratified multistage probability sample were collected from the 13 health regions in Saudi Arabia, as part of a nationwide health profile survey of Saudi Arabian children and adolescents conducted to establish normal physical growth references. Selected households were visited by a trained team. Weight and length/height were measured and recorded following the WHO recommended procedures using the same equipment, which were subjected to both calibration and intra/interobserver variations. RESULTS: Survey of 11 874 eligible households yielded 35 275 full-term and healthy children and adolescents who were subjected to anthropometric measurements. Four BMI curves were produced, from birth to 36 months and 2 to 19 years for girls and boys. The 3rd , 5 th , 10th , 25th , 50th , 75th , 85th , 90th , 95th , and 97th percentiles were produced and compared with the WHO and CDC BMI charts. In the higher percentiles, the Saudi children differed from Western counterparts, indicating that Saudi children have equal or higher BMIs. CONCLUSION: The BMI curves reflect statistically representative BMI values for Saudi Arabian children and adolescents.

Prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabian children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus among 0-19 years old Saudi children and adolescents. METHODS: A nationwide Saudi Arabian project was conducted in the years 2001-2007 with the objective of establishing national growth charts, and defining the prevalence of some chronic childhood diseases such as diabetes mellitus. The 14,000 households were randomly selected based on a recent population statistic. The questionnaire used included demographic data and evidence of diabetes mellitus. The prevalence was estimated and expressed per 100,000. Breakdown of this figure per age and region was carried out. RESULTS: In the 11,874 out of the 14,000 84.9% selected households, 45,682 children and adolescents were surveyed. Fifty children and adolescents were identified to have type 1 diabetes mellitus with a prevalence rate of 109.5 per 100,000. The male to female ratio was almost equal (26 males and 24 females). The distribution of prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus by region shows that the highest was 162 in the central region, and the lowest was 48 in the eastern region. Children and adolescents were also grouped by age into 5-6 (prevalence 100), 7-12 (prevalence 109), 13-16 (prevalence 243), and 17-18 (prevalence 150). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabian children and adolescents is 109.5 per 100,000.

The electronic absorption spectra of some acyl azides molecular orbital treatment.

The electronic absorption spectra of benzoyl azide and its derivatives: p-methyl, p-methoxy, p-chloro and p-nitrobenzoyl azide were investigated in different solvents. The observed spectra differ basically from the electronic spectra of aryl azides or alkyl azides. Four intense pi-pi* transitions were observed in the accessible UV region of the spectrum of each of the studied compounds. The contribution of charge transfer configurations to the observed transitions is rather weak. Shift of band maximum with solvent polarity is minute. On the other hand, band intensity is highly dependent on the solvent used. The observed transitions are delocalized rather than localized ones as in the case with aryl and alkyl azides. The attachment of the CO group to the azide group in acyl azides has a significant effect on the electronic structure of the molecule. The arrangements as well as energies of the molecular orbitals are different in acyl azides from those in aryl azides. The first electronic transition in phenyl azide is at 276 nm, whereas that of bezoyle azide is at 251 nm. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations using both RHF/6-311G* and B3LYP/6-31+G* levels were carried out on the ground states of the studied compounds. The wave functions of the excited states were calculated using the CIS and the AM1-CI procedures.

Voluntary activation failure is detectable in some myositis patients with persisting quadriceps femoris weakness: an observational study.

This cross-sectional, observational study was undertaken to examine whether voluntary activation failure could contribute to the persisting weakness observed in some patients with treated idiopathic inflammatory myositis. In 20 patients with myositis of more than six months' duration (5 males, 15 females; mean [+/- 1 SD] age 53 11 years) and 102 normal subjects (44 males, 58 females; mean age 32 8 years), isometric maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the dominant quadriceps femoris (QF) were quantified. Absolute MVC results of normal subjects and patients were then normalised with respect to lean body mass (force per units of lean body mass), giving a result in Newtons per kilogram. Based on mass-normalised force data of normal subjects, patients were arbitrarily stratified into "weak" and "not weak" subgroups. During further MVC attempts, the "twitch interpolation" technique was used to assess whether the QF voluntary activation of patients was complete. This technique relies on the fact that, because muscle activation is incomplete during submaximal voluntary contractions, electrical stimulation of the muscle can induce force increments superimposed on the submaximal voluntary force being generated. No between-gender differences were seen in the mass-normalised MVC results of healthy subjects, so the gender-combined results of 6.6 (1.5) N/kg were used for patient stratification. No between-gender difference was found for mass-normalised MVCs in patients: males 5.4 (3.2) and females 3.0 (1.7) N/kg (p > 0.05). Mass-normalised MVCs of male patients were as great as those of normal subjects (p > 0.05), but mass-normalised MVCs of female patients were significantly smaller than those of the normal subjects (p < 0.001). Only one of the six "not weak" patients exhibited interpolated twitches during electrical stimulation, but six of the 14 "weak" patients did, the biggest twitches being seen in the weakest patient. That interpolated twitches can be induced in some myositis patients with ongoing QF weakness during supposed MVCs clearly suggests that voluntary activation failure does contribute to QF weakness in those patients.