The long-term impact of neck scar satisfaction among thyroid surgery patients.

This study evaluated scar satisfaction in Arabic patients who underwent thyroidectomy surgery using validated assessment tools. We aimed to assess the relationship between scar length and scar satisfaction, and validate Arabic versions of the universally used scar satisfaction questionnaires. In this retrospective cohort study, 60 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital were enrolled. Scars were evaluated in two stages: firstly, by a clinician, and secondly, by a naïve observer. Ratings of disfigurement were measured using the validated Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) that was translated into Arabic. Results: The Arabic version of the POSAS showed good or excellent reliability. Average POSAS scores were 12.88, 18.02, and 7.53, respectively, indicating that most patients were satisfied. Incision size and POSAS scores (but not Patient and Naïve Observer scores) were positively correlated, and larger incisions resulted in greater dissatisfaction. Fitzpatrick Skin Type score and Observer scores were positively correlated, but there were no significant correlations between Patient and Naïve Observer scores with skin type. In conclusion, this study validated the Arabic version of universally used questionnaires for scar satisfaction. Most patients were satisfied with their neck scars regardless of scar length. Our findings pave the way for further research into patient postoperative scar satisfaction in Arabic-speaking populations.

Genetic relationship between Hashimoto`s thyroiditis and papillary thyroid carcinoma with coexisting Hashimoto`s thyroiditis.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is present in the background of around 30% of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). The genetic predisposition effect of this autoimmune condition is not thoroughly understood. We analyzed the microarray expression profiles of 13 HT, eight PTCs with (w/) coexisting HT, six PTCs without (w/o) coexisting HT, six micro PTCs (mPTCs), and three normal thyroid (TN) samples. Based on a false discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05 and a fold change (FC) > 2, four comparison groups were defined, which were HT vs. TN; PTC w/ HT vs. TN; PTC w/o HT vs. TN; and mPTC vs. TN. A Venn diagram displayed 15 different intersecting and non-intersecting differentially expressed gene (DEG) sets, of which a set of 71 DEGs, shared between the two comparison groups HT vs. TN ∩ PTC w/ HT vs. TN, harbored the relatively largest number of genes related to immune and inflammatory functions; oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS); DNA damage and DNA repair; cell cycle; and apoptosis. The majority of the 71 DEGs were upregulated and the most upregulated DEGs included a number of immunoglobulin kappa variable genes, and other immune-related genes, e.g., CD86 molecule (CD86), interleukin 2 receptor gamma (IL2RG), and interferon, alpha-inducible protein 6 (IFI6). Upregulated genes preferentially associated with other gene ontologies (GO) were, e.g., STAT1, MMP9, TOP2A, and BRCA2. Biofunctional analysis revealed pathways related to immunogenic functions. Further data analysis focused on the set of non-intersecting 358 DEGs derived from the comparison group of HT vs. TN, and on the set of 950 DEGs from the intersection of all four comparison groups. In conclusion, this study indicates that, besides immune/inflammation-related genes, also genes associated with oxidative stress, ROS, DNA damage, DNA repair, cell cycle, and apoptosis are comparably more deregulated in a data set shared between HT and PTC w/ HT. These findings are compatible with the conception of a genetic sequence where chronic inflammatory response is accompanied by deregulation of genes and biofunctions associated with oncogenic transformation. The generated data set may serve as a source for identifying candidate genes and biomarkers that are practical for clinical application.

Antimicrobial effect of different types of honey on Staphylococcus aureus.

Honey exhibits antimicrobial activities against a wide range of bacteria in different milieu. This study aims to compare the effects of five types of honey (both imported and local Saudi honey) against Staphylococcus aureus. The five types of honey (Manuka Honey UMF +20, Manuka Honey UMF +16, Active +10 Manuka Honey, Sidr honey and Nigella sativa honey) were evaluated for their bactericidal/bacteriostatic activities against both methicillin resistant and sensitive S. aureus. The inhibitory effect of honey on bacterial growth was evident at concentrations of 20% and 10% (v/v). Manuka Honey showed the best results. Manuka Honey UMF +20 had a bactericidal effect on both methicillin resistant and sensitive S. aureus. However, Sidr and N. sativa honey exerted only a bacteriostatic effect. The efficacy of different types of honey against S. aureus was dependent on the type of honey and the concentration at which it was administered. Manuka Honey had the best bactericidal activity. Future experiments should be conducted to evaluate the effects of honey on bacterial resistance.

Effects of Honey on Oral Mucositis among Pediatric Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemo/Radiotherapy Treatment at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

One of the most common complications of cancer chemotherapy is oral mucositis. This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of honey with the focus on grade III and IV oral mucositis, reduction of bacterial and fungal infections, duration of episodes of oral mucositis, and body weight in pediatric leukemic patients undergoing chemo/radiotherapy. This is an open labeled randomized controlled study conducted at our hospital on 40 pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemo/radiotherapy. All the 40 patients included in this study experienced a sum total of 390 episodes of fever and neutropenia associated with oral mucositis. A significant reduction of oral mucositis, associated Candida, and aerobic pathogenic bacterial infections was noted in patients in the honey treatment group. Also, there is a significant decrease in the duration of hospitalization for all those in the treatment group combined with a significant increase of body weight, delayed onset, and decreased severity of pain related to oral mucositis. Complications of oral mucositis can be tremendously reduced by the topical application of local Saudi honey and honey should be used as an integrative approach in prophylaxis and treatment of chemo/radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients. Further research is needed to elucidate and better understand the underlying mechanism.

Evaluating the therapeutic efficacy, tolerability, and safety of an aqueous extract of Costus speciosus rhizome in acute pharyngitis and acute tonsillitis. A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of an aqueous extract of Costus speciosus (C. speciosus) rhizome in pediatric and adult patients suffering from acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis as an alternative to antibiotics use. METHODS: This pilot cohort trial was conducted at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia between May and December 2014, among 15 patients with acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis who were administered nasal drops of aqueous extract of C. speciosus rhizome at a dose of 15-30 drops every 8 hours for 3 days. The primary outcome measure was the clinical improvement and remission rate within the first 5 days. RESULTS: The administration of C. speciosus resulted in an improvement in acute symptoms in 60% of the patients treated within the first 24 hours, and remission rate of 93% by day 5, without any recorded adverse effects. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a significant efficacy of the aqueous extract of C. speciosus rhizome in acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

Mutational screening of RET, HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, AKT1, and CTNNB1 in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Screening medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) for rearranged during transfection (RET) mutations becomes increasingly important for clinical assessment of the disease. The role of mutations in other genes including RAS (i.e. HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS), v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF), v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT1), and CTNNB1 (ß-catenin) is unknown or not fully explored yet for this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material was the primary source for screening 13 sporadic and inherited MTCs and matched non-tumor specimens. Multiplex PCR was included in the PCR protocol. Sequence analysis encompassed mutational hotspot regions in RET exons 5, 8, 10, 11, and 13 to 16; HRAS exons 1 and 2; KRAS exons 1 and 2; NRAS exons 1 and 2; BRAF exon 15; AKT1 exon 2, and CTNNB1 exon 3. RESULTS: We identified RET mutations in seven of 13 MTCs: five RET-positive cases revealed a mutation in exon 16 (M918T) and two a mutation in exon 10 (C618S and C620S). In four of the RET-positive cases, the mutation was inherited, out of which three were reportedly associated with a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome, i.e. MEN2A (C618S), MEN2A/familial MTC (FMTC) (C620S), and MEN2B (M918T). These cases reflect the known MEN2 genotype-phenotype correlation. Three of the five stage IVc MTCs were inherited RET-positive cases. Mutational screening in HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, AKT1, and CTNNB1 disclosed one sporadic RET-negative MTC (stage III) with mutation in HRAS codon 13 (G13R). CONCLUSION: Our study supports the clinical relevance of screening MTC patients for RET mutations. The role of RAS mutations, in particular HRAS mutations, in sporadic RET-negative MTC has not been fully explored yet. Mutations in BRAF, AKT1, and CTNNB1 are likely not to play a role in MTC.