The Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness and Practice Regarding Diverticulitis and Its Risk Factors Among the Population of Saudi Arabia.

Background The term "diverticula" refers to the existence of diverticula in the gastrointestinal tract but is mainly located in the sigmoid colon and is used to describe colonic diverticulosis. Diverticula, which are sac-like protrusions in the wall of the large bowel, are becoming more prevalent globally, in both developed and developing nations. This increase in occurrence is primarily attributed to changes in dietary and lifestyle patterns. Raising public awareness can potentially contribute to a decrease in the incidence of the disease and its associated complications. Aim This study aims to assess knowledge and awareness levels among the Saudi Arabian population regarding diverticulitis and its risk factors. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between 1st January 2024 to 1st April 2024 using an online questionnaire for data collection. The target population consists of individuals who are between 18 years and 45, in Saudi Arabia without a history of diverticulitis. The study questionnaire covered participants' demographic (Western, Central, Southern, Eastern, Northern) regions, knowledge, awareness and practice of diverticulitis. Results A total of 548 eligible participants completed the study questionnaire, most of them (80.3%; 395) were from the Western region including Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to more than 40 years with a mean age of 30.5 ± 11.9 years old. A greater percentage (72.3%) of the participants were males compared to the percentage of females, which was 27.7%. The vast majority of the study participants had an inadequate knowledge level about diverticulitis (85.9%; 471) while only 31 (5.7%) had adequate knowledge and awareness about the disease. The most reported sources of information included study courses (6.4%), media (5.3%), and physicians (4.7%) while most respondents (83.6%) had no source. Conclusion In conclusion, aside from preventive strategies, the current study found that the public knew very little about diverticulitis, including its risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnostic process. The two significant predictors of public awareness level were age and doctors as information sources.

Designing of a Recombinant Multi-Epitopes Based Vaccine against Enterococcus mundtii Using Bioinformatics and Immunoinformatics Approaches.

Enterococcus species are an emerging group of bacterial pathogens that have a significant role in hospital-associated infections and are associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates. Among these pathogens, Enterococcus mundtii is one of the causative agents of multiple hospital associated infections. Currently, no commercially available licensed vaccine is present, and multi-drug resistant strains of the pathogen are prominent. Due to several limitations of experimental vaccinology, computational vaccine designing proved to be helpful in vaccine designing against several bacterial pathogens. Herein, we designed a multi-epitope-based vaccine against E. mundtii using in silico approaches. After an in-depth analysis of the core genome, three probable antigenic proteins (lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase, siderophore ABC transporter substrate-binding protein, and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase) were shortlisted for epitope prediction. Among predicted epitopes, ten epitopes-GPADGRIAS, TTINHGGAQA, SERTALSVTT, GDGGNGGGEV, GIKEPDLEK, KQADDRIEA, QAIGGDTSN, EPLDEQTASR, AQWEPQSIEA, QPLKFSDFEL-were selected for multi-epitope vaccine construct designing. The screened B- and T-cell epitopes were joined with each other via specific linkers and linked to the cholera toxin B subunit as an adjuvant to enhance vaccine immune protection efficacy. The designed vaccine construct induced cellular and humoral immune responses. Blind docking with immune cell receptors, followed by molecular dynamic simulation results confirms the good binding potency and stability of the vaccine in providing protection against the pathogen.

Saudi teachers' confidence and attitude about their role in anaphylaxis management.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anaphylaxis is a common emergency and life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction defined as a rapid generalized allergic reaction. Prior international studies have shown that school personnel is often not familiar with the signs of hypersensitivity or with appropriate management strategies that should be initiated at school for children with an anaphylactic reaction. Moreover, no studies have evaluated the awareness of anaphylaxis by school teachers in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward anaphylaxis in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a public school in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia via a validated fourteen items questionnaire aimed to survey teacher knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward anaphylaxis. The questionnaires were disseminated using a multistage random sampling technique to Saudi national's teachers from different regions in Al-Qassim. RESULTS: Most teachers had a low level of knowledge (85.3%) of anaphylaxis and positive attitudes (72.9%), and the level of practice was reported as low (48.9%) to moderate (47.5%). The most common sources of information regarding anaphylaxis were the internet and social media. When considering significant factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), we found that sex, years of experience in teaching and witnessing students suffering from anaphylaxis were all positively associated with KAP. CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge and practices of teachers regarding anaphylactic reactions were poor, although teachers' attitudes toward learning this information were positive. Thus, teachers need further education regarding the management of allergic reaction.

The relationship between femoral neck fracture in adult and avascular necrosis and nonunion: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: One of the most serious sequelae of femoral neck fractures (FNFs) is avascular necrosis (AVN), and this complication translates to significant morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the etiologies and management of FNFs at our institution and the development of AVN or nonunion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective medical chart review of all adult patients admitted and managed for FNF. RESULTS: There were a total of 69 FNF patients reviewed. FNF was caused by a fall in 37 patients (53.6%), a road traffic accident in 16 (23.2%), motorcycle and motorbike accidents in 8 (11.6%), and heavy exercise in 8 (11.6%). Twenty-four patients (34.8%) had fixation within 24 h of injury, and 45 (65.2%) went more than 24 h before fixation. The mean RUSH score at 6 months was 21.4 ±â€¯5.1. There were 4 patients (5.8%) with a collapsed FNF and 4 patients (5.8%) had a nonunion FNF. AVN was documented in 12 patients (17.4%). Of the 12 patients who had AVN, 8 (66.7%) received fixation within 24 h from the time of the injury, whereas only 4 (33.3%) received fixation more than 24 h after the injury. There was a significant negative correlation between the time of fixation and AVN. CONCLUSION: We report a 17.4% incidence of AVN over 10 years in patients managed with FNF. AVN was found to be significantly correlated with the mode of injury (fall and RTA among younger male patients).