Assessing the Factors Affecting the Use of the Precast Concrete Systems in Saudi Arabia Based on Stakeholders Survey.

The construction industry in Saudi Arabia (SA) is improving and growing rapidly. The use of precast concrete systems (PCS) proposes numerous advantages such as rapid construction, high-quality construction, sustainability, and efficient associated costs, which are all aligned with the Saudi Arabia 2030 vision. These advantages could be the most important factors in deciding to use PCS as a construction system. However, other factors could adversely affect the use of PCS in SA. These factors are not identified in the existing literature and this study addresses this gap. The study investigates the factors affecting the use of PCS in SA. These factors are identified through an online industry survey, and 171 responses were recorded from various stakeholders. The results present the positive and negative factors affecting the use of PCS in SA from the industry perspective. Recommendations are proposed to overcome the negative factors and increase the use of PCS in SA.

Pepsin assay: a marker for reflux in pediatric glue ear.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if analysis of pepsin/pepsinogen in middle ear effusions can be considered a diagnostic marker for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ambulatory 24-hour dual-probe pH monitoring was carried out on 31 children with OME. Middle ear effusions were collected from 17 children during myringotomy. Total pepsin/pepsinogen concentrations in effusions were measured by ELISA using antipepsin antibody. RESULTS: Dual-probe pH monitoring showed that 22/31 (71%) of the studied children had significant LPR. The concentrations of pepsin/pepsinogen in middle ear effusions, ranged from 0.085 to 5.02 microg/ml, were found to be up to 4.5 to 231.44 times higher than the serum levels. There was a significant positive correlation between the level of pepsin/pepsinogen assayed in the effusions of the 17 children and the number of pharyngeal reflux episodes measured by pH monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Control of LPR may be an essential component in the successful management of OME in pediatric patients. Pepsin/pepsinogen analysis in effusions of children, using ELISA, can be considered a reliable marker for assessment of reflux in children with OME.