Sexually transmitted diseases knowledge assessment and associated factors among university students in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDIs) remain a serious public health menace with over 350 million cases each year. Poor knowledge of STDIs has been identified as one of the bottlenecks in their control and prevention. Hence, assessment of knowledge, both general and domain-specific, is key to the prevention and control of these diseases. This study assessed the knowledge of STDIs and identified factors associated with STDI knowledge among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among 778 UAE University students across all colleges. An online data collection tool was used to collect data regarding the participants' demographics and their level of knowledge of STDIs across different domains including general STDI pathogens knowledge (8 items), signs and symptoms (9 items), mode of transmission (5 items), and prevention (5 items). Knowledge was presented both as absolute and percentage scores. Differences in STDI knowledge were statistically assessed using Mann-Whitney U and Chi-squared tests. Logistic regression models were further used to identify factors associated with STDI knowledge. Results: A total of 778 students participated in the study with a median age of 21 years (IQR = 19, 23). The overall median STDI knowledge score of the participants was 7 (out of 27), with some differences within STDI domains-signs & symptoms (1 out of 9), modes of transmission (2 out of 5), general STDI pathogens (2 out of 8), and prevention (1 out of 5). Higher STDI knowledge was significantly associated with being non-Emirati (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.24-2.75), being married (OR = 2.89, 95% CI = 1.50-5.56), residing in emirates other than Abu Dhabi (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.16-2.25), and being a student of health sciences (OR = 4.45, 95% CI = 3.07-6.45). Conclusion: In general, STDI knowledge was low among the students. Having good knowledge of STDIs is essential for their prevention and control. Therefore, there is a need for informed interventions to address the knowledge gap among students, youths, and the general population at large.

A state of the art review on electrochemical technique for the remediation of pharmaceuticals containing wastewater.

Pharmaceutical wastewater is a frequent kind of wastewater with high quantities of organic pollutants, although little research has been done in the area. Pharmaceutical wastewaters containing antibiotics and high salinity may impair traditional biological treatment, resulting in the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes. The potential for advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to break down hazardous substances instead of present techniques that essentially transfer contaminants from wastewater to sludge, a membrane filter, or an adsorbent has attracted interest. Among a variety of AOPs, electrochemical systems are a feasible choice for treating pharmaceutical wastewater. Many electrochemical approaches exist now to remediate rivers polluted by refractory organic contaminants, like pharmaceutical micro-pollutants, which have become a severe environmental problem. The first part of this investigation provides the bibliometric analysis of the title search from 1970 to 2021 for keywords such as wastewater and electrochemical. We have provided information on relations between keywords, countries, and journals based on three fields plot, inter-country co-authorship network analysis, and co-occurrence network visualization. The second part introduces electrochemical water treatment approaches customized to these very distinct discarded flows, containing how processes, electrode materials, and operating conditions influence the results (with selective highlighting cathode reduction and anodic oxidation). This section looks at how electrochemistry may be utilized with typical treatment approaches to improve the integrated system's overall efficiency. We discuss how electrochemical cells might be beneficial and what compromises to consider when putting them into practice. We wrap up our analysis with a discussion of known technical obstacles and suggestions for further research.

COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of United Arab Emirates Medical and Health Sciences Students: A Cross Sectional Study

COVID-19 pandemic is the largest unprecedented viral pandemic of the 21st century. We aimed to study the COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among medical and health sciences students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We performed a cross-sectional study between 2nd June and 19th August 2020. The survey was developed using online Survey Monkey. The link was distributed via UAE University to all students and via WhatsApp(C) groups. The self-administered questionnaire was conducted in English and comprised of two parts: socio-demographic characteristics and KAP towards COVID-19. A total of 712 responses to the questionnaire were collected. 90% (n=695) were under-graduate, while 10% (n=81) were post-graduate students. Majority (87%, n=647) stated that they obtained COVID-19 information from multiple reliable sources. They were highly knowledgeable about COVID-19 pandemic but 76% (n=539) did not recognize its routes of transmission. 63% (n=431) were worried of getting COVID-19, while 92% (n=633)) were worried that a family member could get infected with the virus. 97% (n=655) took precautions when accepting home deliveries, 94% (n=637) had been washing their hands more frequently, and 95% (n=643) had been wearing face masks. In conclusion, participants showed high levels of knowledge and awareness about COVID-19. They were worried about getting infected themselves or their family members, and had good practices against COVID-19.

Thrombocytosis as a Marker for Postoperative Complications in Colorectal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Blood platelet measurement is a widely available and inexpensive test that is performed routinely. Platelets are thought to act by inducing inflammation and play a role in clotting and antimicrobial defence. A postoperative rise in the platelet count (thrombocytosis) is often dismissed as an incidental finding, but there is growing evidence to suggest that it may act as an indicator to underlying pathology. It correlates with significant pyogenic infections as well as multiple malignancies. In addition to this, recent research indicates that thrombocytosis may be a useful prognostic indicator for postoperative outcomes in patients with malignancies. In patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer, a combination of platelet count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratio collected preoperatively was shown to correlate with postoperative survival. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there is a positive correlation between pre- and postoperative thrombocytosis and the risk of complications following colorectal surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study based in Morriston Hospital, Swansea. Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery for an 18-month period between 2014 and 2016 were included. Data on patient demographics, pre- and postoperative platelet count, the first date at which the highest platelet count was recorded, length of stay, type of operation, and postoperative complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification was obtained from the theatre booking software (TOMS) and Welsh Clinical Portal. Pearson's chi-square test was used for the analysis of the categorical variables. RESULTS: Of the 201 patients studied, 75 (37%) had postoperative thrombocytosis (platelets ≥ 500 × 109/L, range 501-1136), 120 (59%) had postoperative normocytosis (platelets < 500 × 109/L, range 107-499), and 6 (2.9%) patients were excluded due to insufficient data. Peak platelet level was seen at a median of 8 days postoperatively but ranged from days 1 to 49. In patients with thrombocytosis, the mean time to peak platelet count was 9.5 days and ranged 1 to 49 days. 101/195 (52%) patients had a Clavien-Dindo III/V postoperative complication: 63% patients with postoperative normocytosis and 24% with postoperative thrombocytosis. In the thrombocytosis group, 16/75 (21%) were found to have postoperative pelvic collections compared to 1/120 (0.8%) of the normocytic patients. The total percentage of medical complications (44% versus 20%, p = 0.006) and surgical complications (64% versus 15.8%, p = 0.0001) was higher in the thrombocytosis group compared to the normocytosis group. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, thrombocytosis was shown to have a positive correlation with postoperative medical and surgical complications. An elevated platelet count in the postoperative period should alert the clinician to a developing complication. We recommend that further studies with a larger sample size would test the specific associations with individual complications.

Tumour grade on core biopsy and evidence of axillary involvement on ultrasound predicts response in elderly co-morbid patients treated with primary hormone therapy for oestrogen receptor positive breast carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of women with oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer who are high risk for general anaesthetic remains controversial. Current guidance is based on studies pre-dating aromatase inhibitors (AIs) which may have also included hormone-receptor negative patients. Such studies have demonstrated improved disease-free survival and local disease control following surgery when compared with primary hormone therapy (PHT) alone. However uncertainty persists regarding benefit of surgery over optimal hormone treatment in patients with significant co-morbidity. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study comparing efficacy of PHT in oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer patients considered unsuitable for surgery. Co-morbidity was scored retrospectively using the Charlson Index. Overall survival and disease specific survival were noted and multivariate analysis performed to identify predictors of treatment failure. RESULTS: 106 patients treated for breast cancer at Southampton University Hospital with PHT without surgery were identified (Mean age 84.1 years, range 48-101). 94.3% had a probability of 10 year survival of 2.25% or less according to the age-weighted Charlson score. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a four-year survival of 30% and breast cancer specific survival of 60%. Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated high-grade disease (grade III vs. grade I/II: HR = 2.007; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.004-4.014. P = 0.049) and ultrasound axillary staging (indeterminate/definite lymphatic involvement vs. no involvement: HR = 1.944; 95% CI = 1.010-3.742. P = 0.047) independently predicted early failure of PHT. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of elderly and comorbid patients die with breast cancer rather than from breast cancer. Elderly comorbid patients who initially respond to primary hormone therapy have a less than 30% incidence of delayed treatment failure during their life time; however patients with grade III disease or an abnormal axillary ultrasound are twice as likely to fail first choice PHT.

The use of an interferon-gamma release assay to screen for pediatric latent tuberculosis infection in the eastern region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

OBJECTIVES: Intense migration to the United Arab Emirates from tuberculosis (TB) high-endemic areas presents a particular risk to the population. Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) usually involves risk assessment, the tuberculin skin test (TST), and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). This study investigated the use of an IGRA to screen for LTBI and compared its performance with a risk assessment questionnaire. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at seven Ambulatory Healthcare Services facilities in Abu Dhabi. Participants (88% Emiratis) were pediatric patients presenting for routine care. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test was performed and the parents completed a questionnaire assessing TB risk factors. RESULTS: Six-hundred and ninety-nine subjects (median age 8.7 years, interquartile range 9.2 years) were enrolled; 669 (96%) agreed to testing. Four patients had a positive IGRA; one had previously been treated for TB, resulting in three patients with LTBI. The estimated LTBI prevalence was 0.45% (95% confidence interval 0.09-1.3). A household contact from a TB high-endemic area was reported in 44%, travel to a TB high-endemic area in 10%, and contact with someone with a chronic cough in 7%, a TB case in 3%, a TST-positive case in 2%, and an IGRA-positive case in 2%. Fifty percent of participants had at least one risk factor. The risk assessment did not predict a positive IGRA. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire yielded a risk of TB exposure of 50%, however the LTBI prevalence, as defined by the IGRA, was low (0.45%).

Carbamoylcholine analogs as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists--structural modifications of 3-(dimethylamino)butyl dimethylcarbamate (DMABC).

Compounds based on the 3-(dimethylamino)butyl dimethylcarbamate (DMABC) scaffold were synthesized and pharmacologically characterized at the alpha(4)beta(2), alpha(3)beta(4,) alpha(4)beta(4) and alpha(7) neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The carbamate functionality and a small hydrophobic substituent in the C-3 position were found to be vital for the binding affinity to the nAChRs, whereas the carbamate nitrogen substituents were important for nAChR subtype selectivity. Finally, the compounds were found to be agonists at the alpha(3)beta(4) nAChR.

Epidemiology of meningitis in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, 2000-2005.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiologic features of meningitis in Al-Ain Medical District, United Arab Emirates from January 2000 through June 2005. METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical records and notification forms for cases of meningitis reported to the Department of Preventive Medicine, Al-Ain. Data collected and compiled included demographic features, causative microbiologic agents, and annual incidence rates of meningitis, by etiology. RESULTS: Ninety-two cases of meningitis were reported during the study period; 53% were bacterial and 37% were viral in origin. Neisseria meningitidis was the leading bacterial pathogen (35%) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (16%). Ten percent of clinically diagnosed cases of meningitis had no causative microorganism recovered, and in 33% of patients with presumed pyogenic meningitis no specific bacterial pathogen could be identified. The peak occurrence of meningitis was in young children less than one year old. Most cases of meningococcal meningitis were seen among prison inmates and laborers, while viral meningitis occurred mainly in children and young adults attending school. The incidence rate of meningitis in Al-Ain ranged between 2.2/100,000 population in 2000 and 1/100,000 in 2005, with an overall downward trend by year. The incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b decreased significantly after implementation of the national immunization program in 1999. CONCLUSIONS: Improved methods of bacterial detection including isolate serotyping must be made available in order to further reduce mortality and morbidity from meningitis.

Reinfection of Somali children with Trichuris trichiura after chemotherapy: relevance of immunostimulation.

The intestinal helminth status of an age-stratified sample (6 to 20 years old) from a Somalian community has been assessed and the typical pattern of highly aggregated parasite distribution found. A reinfection study on a sample of 40 children (treated and untreated with a pentapeptide identical to the active site of the thymic hormone thymopoietin) seemed to indicate that immunological factors play a significant role in modulating the population dynamics of infection in endemic communities.

Haemophilia in Somalia.

As first step for the development of a programme of haemophilia care, the disease was diagnosed locally in 5 bleeders. These patients were all affected by severe haemophilia A. They were treated with fresh frozen plasma for bleedings. All of them were negative for antibodies to HIV. The potentialities of the Blood Transfusion Centre at Mogadishu are such that with little effort it could produce amounts of cryoprecipitate sufficient to treat most of the patients living in the central region of the country where the capital, Mogadishu, is located.