Retraction: Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis: A Rare Variant of Chronic Cholecystitis.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21400.].

Prevalence of Highly Sensitive Personality and Its Relationship With Depression, and Anxiety in the Saudi General Population.

Background Highly sensitive personality (HSP) occurs in those who experience stronger processing of emotions and responses to both internal and external stimuli; this, in turn, could cause persons with highly sensitive personalities to suffer from affective disorders such as depression and anxiety at higher rates. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of highly sensitive personality and its relationship with depression and anxiety among the Saudi general population. Subject and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the target population using an online survey. The questionnaire includes sociodemographic data (i.e., age, gender, marital status, etc.), the Highly Sensitive Person Scale to measure the degree of sensitivity, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure anxiety and depression. Results Of the 438 participants, 72.6% were females, and 48.9% were aged between 18 to 25 years. The prevalence of HSP in this study was 29%. Abnormal levels of anxiety and depression were found in 29.5% and 19.9%, respectively. Significant relationships were observed between HSP in terms of anxiety (p<0.001) and depression (p=0.001). It is interesting to note that a previous diagnosis of mental disorder was identified as a significant risk factor for HSP, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of HSP in our population, which was significantly associated with anxiety and depression. Further, female participants were more likely to exhibit HSP and anxiety but not depression. These findings highlight the importance of prevention programs intended for highly sensitive persons with associated mental conditions.

Optimal design for a hybrid microgrid-hydrogen storage facility in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Sustainable development requires access to affordable, reliable, and efficient energy to lift billions of people out of poverty and improve their standard of living. The development of new and renewable forms of energy that emit less CO2 may not materialize quickly enough or at a price point that allows people to attain the standard of living they desire and deserve. As a result, a parallel path to sustainability must be developed that uses both renewable and clean carbon-based methods. Hybrid microgrids are promoted to solve various electrical and energy-related issues that incorporate renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics, wind, diesel generation, or a combination of these sources. Utilizing microgrids in electric power generation has several benefits including clean energy, increased grid stability, and reduced congestion. Despite these advantages, microgrids are not frequently deployed because of economic concerns. To address these financial concerns, it is necessary to explore the ideal configuration of microgrids based on the quantity, quality, and availability of sustainable energy sources used to install the microgrid and the optimal design of microgrid components. These considerations are reflected in net present value and levelized energy cost. Methods: HOMER was used to simulate numerous system configurations and select the most feasible solution according to the net present value, levelizied cost of energy and hydrogen, operating cost, and renewable fraction. HOMER performed a repeated algorithm process to determine the most feasible system configuration and parameters with the least economic costs and highest benefits to achieve a practically feasible system configuration. Results: This article aimed to construct a cost-effective microgrid system for Saudi Arabia's Yanbu city using five configurations using excess energy to generate hydrogen. The obtained results indicate that the optimal configuration for the specified area is a hybrid photovoltaic/wind/battery/generator/fuel cell/hydrogen electrolyzer microgrid with a net present value and levelized energy cost of $10.6 billion and $0.15/kWh. Conclusion: With solar photovoltaic and wind generation costs declining, building electrolyzers in locations with excellent renewable resource conditions, such as Saudi Arabia, could become a low-cost hydrogen supply option, even when accounting for the transmission and distribution costs of transporting hydrogen from renewable resource locations to end-users. The optimum configuration can generate up to 32,132 tons of hydrogen per year (tH2/year), and 380,824 tons per year of CO2 emissions can be avoided.

Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis: A Rare Variant of Chronic Cholecystitis.

Gallbladder disease is a very common condition that encompasses a heterogeneous group of diseases with a wide range of severity and clinical manifestations. Gallbladder disorders include biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, Mirizzi syndrome, and gallstone ileus. We report the case of a 70-year-old man who presented to the emergency department complaining of worsening abdominal pain, located in the right upper quadrant and radiating to the right shoulder. It was aggravated by food intake and relieved with the use of antacid medications. The medical history of the patient was significant for stable angina, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and sickle cell trait. Examination of the abdomen revealed generalized tenderness with guarding. Abdominal computed tomography scan demonstrated the presence of significant diffuse thickening of the gallbladder wall with poor contrast enhancement. Complete resection of the gallbladder was performed because of suspected gallbladder carcinoma. Histopathological examination revealed xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, which is a rare form of chronic cholecystitis. The differentiation between gallbladder carcinoma and xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis may not be easy and histopathological examination is the most accurate way to make the diagnosis.

Assessment of tear-evaporation rate in thyroid-gland patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the tear-evaporation rate in thyroid-gland patients using a VapoMeter. METHODS: Twenty thyroid gland patients aged 18-43 years (mean 34.3±6.3 years) completed the study. Additionally, an age-matched control group of 20 patients aged 18-43 years (32.2±5.1 years) was enrolled in the study for comparison purposes. An Ocular Surface Disease Index dry-eye questionnaire was completed, followed by a test to determine the tear-evaporation rate using the VapoMeter. The test was performed three times per subject by the same examiner. Two readings were obtained each time. RESULTS: Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between mean Ocular Surface Disease Index and tear-evaporation-rate scores within the study and control groups. The average tear-evaporation rate was much higher in the study group (median 41.2 [IQR 41.4] g/m2⋅h) than the control group (15.7 [13.7] g/m2⋅h). Moreover, the average Ocular Surface Disease Index score for thyroid-gland patients was much higher (15.6 [23.4]) compared to the control group (5.5 [7.50]). CONCLUSION: The tear-evaporation rate in thyroid-gland patients was found to be much higher than normal-eye subjects.