Ibm

INTRODUCTION: Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have been introduced to Neurosurgery with the goal of improving the experience of human visualization. In recent years, the application of remote AR and VR has opened new horizons for neurosurgical collaboration across diverse domains of education and patient treatment. Herein, we aimed to systematically review the literature about the feasibility of this technology and discuss the technical aspects, current limitations, and future perspectives...

BACKGROUND: Disability is a serious health issue that can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health. This study attempted to investigate the relationship between depression, quality of life (QOL), and COVID-19 challenges faced by people with disabilities (PwD) from Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A structured interview questionnaire to measure QOL (WHOQOL-BREF) and depression (PHQ-9) was used to conduct a cross-sectional study among PwDs in Saudi Arabia...

BACKGROUND: The continuous advancement in medical and surgical techniques has led to a rise in the frequency of abdominal operations, subsequently increasing the incidence of intra-abdominal adhesions. Over 90% of laparotomies result in postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. This study investigates the effect of a 5% boric acid solution on the development of intra-abdominal adhesions in rats, using an adhesion model. METHODS: This study was conducted with two groups: a control group, in which the adhesion model was applied without any treatment, and a boric acid group, which was treated with a 5% boric acid solution...

BACKGROUND: The morphology of the distal femur's intercondylar notch has been implicated in the susceptibility to and severity of cruciate ligament injuries. While previous research has primarily focused on isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries, the relationship between notch morphology and combined cruciate injuries remains less understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between femoral notch morphology and the severity of combined cruciate ligament injuries in adult males...

AIM: This study aims to quantitatively assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extract of Phoenix dactylifera seeds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Around 30 seeds of Phoenix dactylifera were collected, crushed, and powdered; 10 gm of powder was added to 100 ml of ethanolic extract and boiled for further analysis. Egg albumin denaturation assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay were done to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, respectively...

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma and astrocytoma, grade 4, are the most common and aggressive brain tumors. Several biomarkers, such as the isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation (IDH-1), alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation, and the X-linked mutation (ATRX), enable more accurate glioma classification and facilitate patient management. This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of clinical and molecular factors (IDH, TP53, and ATRX mutations). We also studied the relationship between these molecular markers and the overall survival (OS) of 126 patients with grade 4 glioblastoma/astrocytoma...

BACKGROUND: Electronic-prescribing (e-prescribing) is the most recent technological advancement in the medication use process. Its adoption and consequent realization of its potential benefits, however, mainly depend on the healthcare professionals' perception, willingness to accept, and engagement with the technology. OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at assessing the perception of healthcare professionals towards e-prescribing at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, from June 1 to August 30, 2021...

Objective: To examine claims for reversible prescription contraceptives and chlamydia and gonorrhea testing among commercially and Medicaid-insured adolescent and young adult (AYA) females in the United States. Methods: Using IBM MarketScan Research Databases, we identified sexually active, nonpregnant AYA (15- to 24-year-old) females enrolled in 2018. We examined claims for reversible prescription contraceptives and chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, using drug names and diagnosis/procedure codes, by age-group in commercially and Medicaid-insured separately and by race/ethnicity in Medicaid-insured...

Background The tumor microenvironment comprises stromal cells, a few immune cells, vascular channels, and an extracellular matrix. The immune cells play a pivotal role in arresting the development of various tumors by identifying and killing the abnormal tumor cells. These immune cells with cytotoxic function include the natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Human NK cells express the cell surface marker CD57 and can be identified by using monoclonal antibodies. CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are a critical subpopulation of T cells and are important mediators of adaptive immunity...

Background Herpes zoster (HZ) or shingles, arises from the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), mainly affecting older and immunocompromised individuals. Despite the efficacy of vaccines, vaccination rates in Saudi Arabia are low. Thus, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the Saudi Arabian population toward HZ and its vaccination. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the public perception in Saudi Arabia toward HZ and its vaccination, during the period from January to March 2024...

BACKGROUND: Stigmatization and discrimination within healthcare settings deter key populations (KPs) from seeking mental health and psychosocial support (MHPS). Consequently, understanding the prevalence, associated factors, and impact of the MHPSS intervention on psychological distress among Nigeria's KPs is crucial. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study focused on KPs, including Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) enrolled in Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE across 17 One-Stop Shops (OSS) in six states of Nigeria...

BACKGROUND: Evidence Based Medicine Questionnaire (EBMQ) was developed to assess the knowledge, practice and barriers towards the implementation of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM). This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt and psychometrically validate the Persian version of EBMQ. METHODS: This was an analytical cross sectional study. The EBMQ underwent translation and cross-cultural adaptation following best practices. Face validity was assessed by a panel of five experts...

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a blunt cannula technique using hyaluronic acid fillers for achieving the Bratz doll lip aesthetic, characterized by enhanced volume and sharp definition. METHODS: Thirty volunteers, 22-40 years of age, were selected based on specific inclusion criteria at Albany Cosmetic and Laser Center for 6 months. The technique involved precise filler injections using a Steriglide blunt cannula. Pre- and postprocedure measurements of lip dimensions and angular changes were meticulously documented and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software...

Background Anogenital warts (AGWs) are a prevalent condition resulting from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is the most frequently encountered sexually transmitted infection (STI) on a global scale. Women who are HIV-positive experience a disproportionately high burden of AGWs compared to other populations. It is imperative to comprehend the epidemiological factors linked to the disease within this particular at-risk population. Objectives The objective of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of AGWs and its demographic and socio-biological epidemiological features among recently diagnosed HIV-positive women (HPW) in Lagos, Nigeria...

Introduction Dental school admissions in Pakistan traditionally rely on Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), University of Health Sciences (UHS), and National Testing Service (NTS) scores, with limited research available on their predictive validity for dental school performance. This study aims to investigate the correlation between a student's first-year dental school performance and their HSSC, UHS, and NTS scores. Methods A total of 282 records, spanning the years 2016 to 2020, were obtained from a single private dental institution...

AIM: Older people with sensory impairment are more likely to have smaller and weaker social network due to their reduced ability, which lowers their quality of life. However, there is little research on the social network in older people with sensory impairment, especially the related factors. The aim of the study was to explore the related factors of social network and to provide evidence for the improvement of social network to promote successful aging in older people with sensory impairment...

AIM: To investigate the relationship among emotional intelligence (EI), resilience and academic procrastination (AP), and provide suggestions for the development of targeted intervention strategies and lowering of AP level of nursing undergraduates. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Three provincial universities offering nursing courses in China were investigated in this study. A convenience sample of 256 nursing undergraduates from May 2021 to September 2021 were recruited, with a response rate of 91...

Background The COVID-19 disease continues to cause severe mortality and morbidity. Biochemical parameters are being used to predict the severity of the infection. This study aims to predict disease severity and mortality to help reduce mortality through timely intervention in a cost-effective way. Methods A total of 324 COVID-19 cases admitted at our hospital (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, BR, India) between June 2020 to December 2020 (phase 1: 190 patients) and April 2021 to May 2021 (phase 2: 134 patients) were recruited for this study...

Background Modern contraception plays a vital role in family planning and preventing unintended pregnancies. However, its uptake remains limited in many developing countries, including Pakistan. This study aimed to evaluate the barriers to modern contraception and identify strategies to enhance its adoption in the urban slums of Karachi. Methods A multi-site, cross-sectional study was conducted in 38 slum areas of Karachi, Pakistan. Women aged 15-49 years were interviewed using a comprehensive questionnaire...

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypothyroidism is high in Saudi Arabia and the contributing factors are iodine deficiency and lack of balanced nutrition. This study aims to correlate the gender, age, and presence of co-morbidities with the laboratory findings and clinical presentation. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was done in the hospitals of the Al-Jouf region. The files of the patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism from the last two years were retrieved by non-probability consecutive sampling technique...