ABSTRACT
Background: The Middle East respiratory syndrome [MERS] is a virus-like respiratory disease generated by a coronavirus [Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS-CoV]. Coronaviruses are capable of causing severe transmittable infection to humans, and was primarily found in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Consequently, similar cases showed up in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, other Middle Eastern countries, Europe, and the United States. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia remains the epicenter of this dangerous respiratory infection which is also associated with high mortality rate. Research and investigation regarding this unusual coronavirus started as more death related cases were reported
Objective: The goal of this research was to understand the knowledge and attitude of people of Saudi Arabia belonging to various age groups regarding Middle East respiratory disorder and MERS-CoV
Participants and methods: A structured close-ended set of questions about MERS-CoV was distributed manually and electronically to the visitors of King Abdulaziz University Outpatient Clinic which included men and women of different ages. The questionnaire comprised items concerning methods of the transmission of MERS-CoV infection, medical components, outcome of infection, techniques of protection and prevention, and the accessibility of information
Results: Out of 1000 distributed questionnaires, 876 completed ones were received and were analyzed. The majority of respondents were of 45-65-year age group [36%]. With regards to knowledge of coronavirus and disease caused by it, the majority of respondents had sufficient knowledge about the disease [52%] and the majority of respondents were also aware of the mode of its transmission [72%]. However, most of them [58%] were not aware that this disease is transmitted by camel and that this infection can be treated by supportive treatment approach alone [55%]. However, a large number of respondents had less knowledge with respect to common time of disease transmission [45%], the incubation period [41%], and indication of Corona virus antibodies as medical finding [32%]. Between the two genders, the males were more informed than females. Additionally the married and the youth had much more information about the infection as compared to the singles and older adults. The difference of knowledge was statistically significant [p<0.05]. The major sources of information among majority of respondents were social media [58%]
Conclusion: At the end of this study, it was found that the amount of knowledge about MERS-Corona Virus amongst the Saudi population was relatively low and needs to improvement. Different kinds of awareness seminars and consulting camps should be conducted at local level. Also, direct communication with the physicians and doctors should be made more accessible and easy in order to increase authentic knowledge between general populations
ABSTRACT
Background: Recently, the outbreak of MERS-CoV infections caused worldwide attention to Saudi Arabia. The novel virus belongs to the corona viruses family, which is responsible for causing mild to moderate colds. The control and command center of Saudi Ministry of Health issues a daily report on MERS-CoV infection cases. The infection with MERS-CoV can lead to fatal complications, however little information is known about this novel virus. In this paper, we apply two data mining techniques in order to better understand the stability and the possibility of recovery from MERS-CoV infections
Method: The Naive Bayes classifier and J48 decision tree algorithm were used to build our models. The dataset used consists of 1082 records of cases reported between 2013 and 2015. In order to build our prediction models, we split the dataset into two groups. The first group combined recovery and death records. A new attribute was created to indicate the record type, such that the dataset can be used to predict the recovery from MERS-CoV. The second group contained the new case records to be used to predict the stability of the infection based on the current status attribute
Results: The resulting recovery models indicate that healthcare workers are more likely to survive. This could be due to the vaccinations that healthcare workers are required to get on regular basis. As for the stability models using J48, two attributes were found to be important for predicting stability: symptomatic and age. Old patients are at high risk of developing MERS-CoV complications. Finally, the performance of all the models was evaluated using three measures: accuracy, precision, and recall. In general, the accuracy of the models is between 53.6% and 71.58%
Conclusion: We believe that the performance of the prediction models can be enhanced with the use of more patient data. As future work, we plan to directly contact hospitals in Riyadh in order to collect more information related to patients with MERS-CoV infections
ABSTRACT
Sporadic cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome caused by a novel corona virus [MERS-CoV] were first detected in Saudi Arabia in June 2012. The number of cases was highest during April and May 2014. To assess determinants of psychobehavioural responses among the general population in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at the end of June 2014. Data included sociodemographic characteristics, level of anxiety, protective measures and social avoidance responses. A total of 358 participants completed the questionnaire; 58.4% were female, and the age range was 18-72 years. None of the participants was diagnosed with MERS-CoV. More than half [57.7%] recorded a moderate anxiety score using a visual analogue scale. Anxiety level was significantly associated with increased perception of susceptibility to infection and social avoidance behaviours related to travel and being in public places
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Young Adult , Adult , Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/pathogenicity , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Anxiety/complications , Behavior Therapy/trendsABSTRACT
Since June 2012, Saudi Arabia reported 946 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome corona-virus [MERS-CoV] including at least 370 related deaths [CFR 39%]. This represent over 88% of all MERS-CoV cases reported globally. During the current year since 01 January till date, a total of 117 laboratory-confirmed cases including 48 related deaths [CFR: 41%] were reported from Saudi Arabia. At-least four small scale hospital outbreaks have also been reported from MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia during the first two months of the current year
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus , Disease Outbreaks , HospitalsABSTRACT
Zoos unintentionally provide pathogens with a high diversity of species of different origins. Zoo practices of mixing reservoir species with other susceptible species can provide opportunities for pathogens to spread beyond normal hosts. This paper describes some pathogens of bacterial, parasitological and viral origin that were identified in some bovines [five species], caprines [two species], cervids [two species], primates [two species] and felines [two species] groups. Bacterial examination of fecal samples revealed the detection of E.coli, Salmonella spp., Pasteurella spp., Klebseilla spp., Campylobacter spp. Streptococci spp., and Staphylococci spp., with 52% overall prevalence of infection. Parasitological investigation using floatation and sedimentation technique of fecal samples indicated the occurrence of Isopora spp., Trichuris spp., Ascarids spp., Toxocara spp., Trichostrongyloid spp., and Nematodirus spp. with 19% prevalence of infection of the examined samples. Sarcoptic mange was only identified in olive baboon, Papio anubis through examination of skin scrapings. Antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea [BVD] and bovine herpes virus-1 [BHV-1] in antelopes and feline corona virus [FCoV] in felines were detected using specific Enzyme-linked immune assay [ELISA test]. The seroprevalence of BVD and BHV-1 in the examined antelopes was 5.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Antibodies against FCoV were detected in both lions and cheetahs where cheetahs had higher seroprevalence rate [100%] than lions [50%]. There is a need for zoo veterinarians to review and update the current preventive and management policies to identify sources of infection and control diseases of exotic species in future
Subject(s)
Animals , Animals, Zoo/parasitology , Veterinarians , Animal Diseases/epidemiology , Animal Diseases/prevention & control , Prevalence , TrichurisABSTRACT
Analysis of raw materials and final products need reliable methods for the standardization of natural product drugs. Legal guideline also emphasizes on the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the plant constituents in an herbal product. In this study, thin layer chromatography [TLC] and amino acid analyzer was used for the determination of amino acids in plant extracts. Samples for this study were standards and aqueous extracts from Althaea officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla and Taraxacum officinale. Different amino acids in the extracts were detected through TLC. An automatic amino acid analyzer was used for the quantification of amino acids in the plant extracts under study.
Subject(s)
Plants, Medicinal , Quality Control , Althaea , Matricaria , Chromatography, Thin Layer , Plant ExtractsABSTRACT
To investigate 15 respiratory viruses in children with acute respiratory tract infections [ARTIs] using multiplex reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR], and to analyze the clinical and epidemiological features of these viruses. In a cross-sectional study, 135 children, = 5 years of age who presented with ARTIs in Najran Maternity and Children Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia between October 2012 and July 2013 were included. The clinical and sociodemographic data, and the laboratory results were recorded using a standardized questionnaire. Two nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from each child: one for bacteriological examination, and the second for viral detection using multiplex RT-PCR. A single viral pathogen was detected in 76 patients, viral coinfections in 9, and mixed viral and bacterial pathogens in 15. Respiratory syncytial virus was isolated in 33 patients, human rhinovirus [hRV] in 22, adenovirus [AdV] in 19, human metapneumovirus in 13, influenza virus in 10, parainfluenza virus in 7, human corona virus [hCoV] in 4, and human bocavirus in one. Respiratory syncytial virus, hRV, and AdV were the most frequent viruses, accounting for more than two-thirds of the cases. Other viruses, such as MPV, hCoV NL63, and hCoV OC43, may play a role in pediatric ARTIs. Of significance is the potential use of multiplex RT-PCR to provide epidemiological and virological data for early detection of the emergence of novel respiratory viruses in the era of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
Subject(s)
Humans , Respiratory Tract Infections/etiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/pathology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , ChildABSTRACT
Renal diseases have always remained a major area of concern for physicians and researchers since long time. It is the ninth leading cause of death in developed countries. Renal diseases leading to renal failure has increased up to two folds over the last two decades. This is due to the over use of drugs and adulteration of food items by heavy metals and aflotoxins. Heavy metals are proven to be renal toxics. Several studies have been carried out to establish the efficacy of Nephroprotective medicinal plants. A review of the work already undertaken has been carried out and summarized here. This paper will provide a base line for researchers in this field for further studies. In this review, a summary on pharmacologically active nephroprotective medicinal plants such as, Moringa oleifera Linn., Smilax china Linn. and Euphorbia hirta etc. have been included. Since a review was already available till 2005, so in this paper the experimental studies which have been conducted from 2005 to 2012 have been included
Subject(s)
Kidney Diseases/prevention & control , Euphorbia , Moringa oleifera , Metals, Heavy/toxicityABSTRACT
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus MERS-CoV is a newly emerging respiratory virus with a high case fatality rate among identified cases. The virus is thought to cause a severe disease in patients with underlying Co-morbidities. The identification of asymptomatic patients and mild cases among family and healthcare worker contacts of confirmed cases indicates a wider spectrum of clinical manifestation of the disease. The majority of patients presented with fever [98%], fever with cough [83%], and shortness of breath [72%]. Radiographic manifestations range from unilateral infiltrate [43%], to increased bronchovascular markings [17%], and diffuse reticulonodular pattern [4%]. Our understanding of the epidemiology and clinical presentation of the disease is increasing overtime. It is still not known what the source of the virus is and what the best treatment modality should be
Subject(s)
Humans , Respiratory Tract Infections , Coronavirus , Syndrome , Fever , Cough , DyspneaABSTRACT
Euphorbia peplus L. belongs to Family Euphorbiaceae which includes about 283 genera with almost 7500 species. They are distributed all over the world mainly tropical countries. Some species of the genus Euphorbia showed antiviral and anticancer activities. It was reported to be used in folkloric medicine as purgative and in treatment of skin diseases, gonorrhea, liver disorders, chest diseases, and gout. Some phytochemical studies have been carried out abroad on different species. The authors carried out phytochemical and biological studies on the studied plant and here in we undertake macro- and micromorphological studies with the aim of finding out the diagnostic features by which the plant could be identified in both entire and powdered forms
Subject(s)
Euphorbia/growth & development , Plant Structures , Seeds/cytology , Plant Roots/cytology , Plant Stems/cytology , Medicine, Traditional , Fruit , Antineoplastic AgentsABSTRACT
The success of endodontic surgery depends on the histocompatibility of the root-end filling material. Applications of nanotechnology improve their performance. Aim of the work was to compare the effect of a mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA]and a bioceramic nanoparticulate bioaggregate [BNB] on the histological structure of draining axillary lymph nodes of adult male albino rats after their surgical implantation into the skin. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into control and experimental groups.The latter was subdivided into MTA and BNB surgically implanted subgroups. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed. Paraffin sections from both the proximal part of the dorsal skin and draining axillary lymph nodes were processed for H and E staining.Lymph node sections were further subjected to silver reticulin, Verhoeff's Van Gieson stains as well as kappa light chains. Quantitative assessments and statistical analysis of the results were carried out. There was an increase in mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltrating the skin in the MTA subgroup. Lymph nodes of the MTA subgroup showed a marked decrease in the lymphocyte content of lymphatic nodules, wide lymph sinuses, multinucleate giant cells, and many macrophages. In the BNB-treated subgroup, lymphatic nodules had wide corona and small germinal centers. Reticular and collagen fibers were increased in the MTA subgroup. Kappa light chains' immunoreactions were strong positive in MTA and mild positive in BNB subgroups. A highly significant increase in the mean area% of all fibers and kappa light chain immunoexpression of lymph nodes of the MTA subgroup were observed. MTA had less biocompatibility. BNB showed limited signs of acute inflammation. BNB is an up-to-date alternative to the currently used root-end filling materials. The chronic effects caused by BNB may require further study
Subject(s)
Male , Animals, Laboratory , Lymph Nodes , Root Canal Filling Materials , Dental Materials/adverse effects , Ceramics/adverse effectsABSTRACT
A new corona virus [nCoV] causing severe acute respiratory illness [SARI] in humans have been reported from Saudi Arabia and Qatar since 22 September 2012. As of 21 November a total of six laboratory confirmed were reported to WHO [four from Saudi Arabia including two deaths, and two from Qatar with no death]. WHO working with the two governments to investigate the source of this outbreak, identify control measures and enhance surveillance
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Respiratory Tract DiseasesABSTRACT
Mixed dentition analysis is carried out to predict the size of unerupted canine and premolar in the developing occlusion. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of Tanaka and Johnston method of mixed dentition analysis in predicting the size of permanent canines and premolars in patients visiting Islamic International Dental Hospital, Islamabad. The sample consisted of 80 dental casts [40 male and 40 female], obtained from patients reporting at the department of orthodontics, Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad with the age range between 12 to 21 years. Mesiodistal tooth widths were measured with a digital vernier caliper. A paired student t test was used to compare the predicted and actual sum of the maxillary [PUCPM and AUCPM] and mandibular permanent Canines and Premolars [PLCM and ALCPM] for both genders combined and separately. Significant difference was found between PUCPM and AUCPM in maxilla for both male and female together [M + F: 0.000] and when both genders were compared separately [M: 0.032, F: 0.001]. Tanaka and Johnston method was only applicable in predicting the space for unerupted canine and premolars in mandible in both male and female sample
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Tooth, Unerupted/pathology , Tooth Crown/pathology , Dental Arch/pathology , Mandible , Maxilla , Space Maintenance, OrthodonticABSTRACT
Intrinsic tooth discolorations after endodontic treatment are principally attributed to the composition of necrotic pulp tissue, hemorrhage within the pulp cavity, endodontic medicaments and/or filling materials. Residual sealer left in pulp chamber after obturation can cause discoloration. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate coronal discoloration created by AH26 and ZOE sealers after four months. Fifty intact human extracted maxillary central incisors were employed. Access cavities were prepared in all samples and root canals were instrumented; coronal orifices were then sealed using self-cure glass ionomer. The teeth were divided into two experimental groups [n=20] according to utilized sealer in pulp chambers including AH26 and Dorifill [ZOE]. The remaining 10 teeth served as negative and positive controls [n=5]. The access cavities were sealed with self-cure glass ionomer. Teeth were kept in incubator for four month. Preliminary digital images of the teeth were taken and then compared with those related to 4-month follow-up. The images were assessed using Photoshop software. Data was analyzed using paired t-test and independent samples t-test. The teeth which were filled with AH26 sealer showed significantly greater discoloration than those filled with ZOE sealer [Dorifill] [P<0.05]. AH26 sealer causes greater discoloration of the crown compared to ZOE sealer. Despite the other disadvantage of AH26 sealer, it seems that Dorifill is more esthetically considerate
Subject(s)
Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement/adverse effects , Titanium/adverse effects , Silver/adverse effects , Epoxy Resins , Drug Combinations , Bismuth/adverse effects , Tooth CrownABSTRACT
Horizontal root fractures in permanent teeth are uncommon injuries among dental traumas. The principle of treating horizontal root fractures of permanent teeth is repositioning and fixation of fractured segment. Diagnosis of tooth fractures based on radiographic findings and the fracture healing process are affected by factors before and after injury. The present case reports the treatment of horizontal root fracture located at the apical-third of upper left and right central incisors. Healing was observed at 1 year follow-up examination
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Tooth Root/injuries , Tooth Crown/injuries , Incisor/injuries , Wound Healing , Tooth Fractures/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
The crown-root fracture is a common tooth injury which compromises the biological width and need proper endodontic and prosthodontic treatment to achieve acceptable clinical outcome. This case report describes clinical management of crown-root fracture in maxillary central incisors which was successfully treated by forceps eruption with 180 [degree sign] rotation to restore the biological width. The patient was followed-up for 18 months. Clinical and radiographic evaluation showed acceptable results, the replanted teeth have normal function and no obvious inflammatory root resorption was seen on radiographic examination
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Tooth Crown/injuries , Tooth Root/injuries , Root Canal Therapy , Incisor/injuries , Post and Core Technique , Tooth Replantation/methodsABSTRACT
This case report describes the management of an oblique crown-root fracture of maxillary left lateral incisor. After removal of the fractured fragment, endodontic treatment, the remaining tooth was provisionally restored. The tooth was then orthodontically extruded by 3 mm to raise the defect supraginigivally. Periondontal fibres were cut with a surgical blade. A metallic screw type post was inserted in the root and core was built with composite restoration. Porcelain fused to metal crown was fitted over the core built up. This case report demonstrates that a multidisciplinary treatment approach to an oblique subgingival crown-root fracture is a reliable and predictable option to save a tooth
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Tooth Root/injuries , Tooth Crown/injuries , Disease Management , Maxilla , Incisor , EndodonticsABSTRACT
Regenerative Endodontics is a new treatment modality that offers a predictable result in teeth with pulpal necrosis and open apex. This case report describes the treatment of a necrotic immature permanent central incisor with complicated crown fracture, in which a regenerative approach was used. Revascularization procedures may provide a more predicable outcome, while rendering mature root formation at the same time. This article describes an ongoing case of revascularization