Association between obesity during different age periods and multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether body size in different age periods is associated with an increased risk of MS in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This study included 307 MS patients and 307 healthy controls from clinics and hospital wards in three cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam) in Saudi Arabia (2016-2017). We used Stunkard's standard body silhouettes to determine the participants' body sizes (from 1 to 9) during different age periods (school levels). We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and performed multivariable analysis adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: Large body sizes (silhouettes 6-9) and body size 5 during intermediate school were associated with an increased risk of MS (AOR: 3.75, 95% CI: 1.10-12.78 and AOR: 3.75, 95% CI: 1.41-10, respectively). The smallest body size (1) during intermediate school was associated with a lower risk of MS (AOR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17-0.90) compared to body size 3. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity during the intermediate school period (ages 13-15 years) are associated with an increased risk of MS, particularly among females.

Registry of patients with multiple sclerosis and COVID-19 infection in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread and developed as a pandemic threatening global health. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)-an autoimmune demyelinating inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS)-are predominantly treated with immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), which can increase the risk of infection. Therefore, there is concern that these patients may have a higher risk of COVID-19. In response to growing concerns of neurologists and patients, this study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and possible complications of COVID-19 infection in patients with MS in Saudi Arabia (SA). METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, demographic and clinical data were obtained from patients residing in SA with MS who had a positive result for COVID-19 per reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test or viral gene sequencing, using respiratory or plasma samples. Comparison of COVID-19 severity groups was performed using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test for numerical variables and Chi-squared test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Seventy patients with MS and COVID-19 (71% female) were included in this analysis. Of the 53 (75.7%) patients receiving a DMT at the time of COVID-19 infection, the most frequently used DMTs were fingolimod (25%) and interferon-beta (25%). Nine (13%) patients had MS relapse and were treated with intravenous methylprednisolone in the four weeks before COVID-19 infection. The most common symptoms at the peak of COVID-19 infection were fever (46%), fatigue (37%), and headache (36%). Symptoms lasted for a mean duration of 8.7 days; all symptomatic patients recovered and no deaths were reported. COVID-19 severity was categorized in three groups: asymptomatic (n = 12), mild-not requiring hospitalization (n = 48), and requiring hospitalization (n = 10; two of whom were admitted to the intensive care unit [ICU]). Between the three groups, comparison of age, body mass index , Expanded Disability Severity Score , MS disease duration, and DMT use at the time of infection showed no significant differences. A higher percentage of patients who were admitted to hospital or the ICU (40%; p = 0.026) presented with an MS relapse within the prior four weeks compared with those who were asymptomatic or had a mild infection (both 8.3%). CONCLUSION: These findings present a reassuring picture regarding COVID-19 infection in patients with MS. However, patients with MS who have had a relapse in the preceding four weeks (requiring glucocorticoid treatment) may have an increased risk of severe COVID-19.

A Comparative Study on the Strategies Adopted by the United Kingdom, India, China, Italy, and Saudi Arabia to Contain the Spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the strategies adopted by the United Kingdom, Italy, China, India, and Saudi Arabia to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the literature was carried out to collect data on the strategies used by China, Italy, India, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The global analysis of 65 published literature references allowed observing the effectiveness and efficiency of the strategies used by these countries to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. RESULTS: Both mitigation and suppression strategies were adopted by the United Kingdom, India, Italy, China, and Saudi Arabia to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was observed that China has achieved a greater success in flattening the curve compared to the other countries. In China, few new daily cases have occurred since March, and it has been the only country that has managed to keep the COVID-19 pandemic under control. On the other hand, reductions in the number of daily cases (since May 2020) were detected in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Saudi Arabia (since July 2020). Also, during the last 3 months (June, July and August) India has shown the highest growth in the total number of confirmed cases and in the number of new daily cases, compared to the mentioned countries. CONCLUSION: The review of the strategies adopted by China, India, the United Kingdom, Italy and Saudi Arabia to combat the COVID-19 pandemic can guide countries in the design and development of mitigation and suppression approaches to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Containment strategies such as lockdowns cannot continue in the long term. Therefore, countries must adopt mitigation and prevention strategies to protect people from infection and learn to live with the virus.

Strong Coherent Light Amplification with Double Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Coherences.

We experimentally demonstrate coherent amplification of probe field in a tripod-type atoms driven by strong coupling, signal and weak probe fields. We suppress linear and nonlinear atomic absorptions for resonant and near resonant probe via double electromagnetically induced transparency (DEIT). Combining these advantages of suppressed absorption along with temperature- or atomic-density-controlled transfer of population(ToP) between hyperfine ground states, we can induce near-resonant amplification of probe through stimulated Raman scattering(SRS) pumped by low-intensity signal field. The increased population difference of initial and final states of SRS due to increased ToP rate, together with reduced absorption at the second EIT window in an optically thick Cesium vapor, gives rise to highly effective coherent amplification.

Prevalence of Self-reported Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Saudi Physicians: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. CVD-related mortality can be substantially reduced by modifying risk factors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, we estimated and compared prevalence of self-reported risk factors for CVD among physicians and a comparative group of non-physician health workers. We postulated that prevalence of CVD risk factors would be significantly lower in physicians. Participants filled in a structured self-administered questionnaire on CVD risk factors. RESULTS: The study included 200 participants (100 respondents each group). Participants in the two groups were of similar age (P = 0.46) and Body Mass Index (BMI) P = 0.11. There was no statistical difference in smoking, frequency and length of physical exercise per week (P = 0.53, 0.57, 0.47 respectively). Diet habits showed daily intake of more protein, less fat and highly processed food, and similar vegetables, fruit and carbohydrate among physicians. Health status (presence of hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia, or other diseases) didn't differ between the two groups. Physicians showed a significantly higher familial cardiovascular risk, with mothers and siblings having more dyslipidemia, but there was no significant difference in parental dyslipidemia, diabetes or hypertension. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that high awareness of CVD and associated risk factors alone is not enough to prevent their occurrence. Programs to routinely screen these risk factors and improve the lifestyle of physicians are needed.