LIVIVO - The Search Portal for Life Sciences

zur deutschen Oberfläche wechseln
Advanced search

Search results

Result 1 - 10 of total 170

Search options

  1. Article ; Online: Effectiveness of COVID-19 diagnosis and management tools: A review.

    Alsharif, W / Qurashi, A

    Radiography (London, England : 1995)

    2020  Volume 27, Issue 2, Page(s) 682–687

    Abstract: Objective: To review the available literature concerning the effectiveness of the COVID-19 diagnostic tools.: Background: With the absence of specific treatment/vaccines for the coronavirus COVID-19, the most appropriate approach to control this ... ...

    Abstract Objective: To review the available literature concerning the effectiveness of the COVID-19 diagnostic tools.
    Background: With the absence of specific treatment/vaccines for the coronavirus COVID-19, the most appropriate approach to control this infection is to quarantine people and isolate symptomatic people and suspected or infected cases. Although real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay is considered the first tool to make a definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 disease, the high false negative rate, low sensitivity, limited supplies and strict requirements for laboratory settings might delay accurate diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) has been reported as an important tool to identify and investigate suspected patients with COVID-19 disease at early stage.
    Key findings: RT-PCR shows low sensitivity (60-71%) in diagnosing patients with COVID-19 infection compared to the CT chest. Several studies reported that chest CT scans show typical imaging features in all patients with COVID-19. This high sensitivity and initial presentation in CT chest can be helpful in rectifying false negative results obtained from RT-PCR. As COVID-19 has similar manifestations to other pneumonia diseases, artificial intelligence (AI) might help radiologists to differentiate COVID-19 from other pneumonia diseases.
    Conclusion: Although CT scan is a powerful tool in COVID-19 diagnosis, it is not sufficient to detect COVID-19 alone due to the low specificity (25%), and challenges that radiologists might face in differentiating COVID-19 from other viral pneumonia on chest CT scans. AI might help radiologists to differentiate COVID-19 from other pneumonia diseases.
    Implication for practice: Both RT-PCR and CT tests together would increase sensitivity and improve quarantine efficacy, an impact neither could achieve alone.
    MeSH term(s) Artificial Intelligence ; COVID-19/diagnosis ; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing ; COVID-19 Testing/methods ; Humans ; Lung/diagnostic imaging ; Radiography, Thoracic/methods ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
    Keywords covid19
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-09-21
    Publishing country Netherlands
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 1289102-2
    ISSN 1532-2831 ; 1078-8174
    ISSN (online) 1532-2831
    ISSN 1078-8174
    DOI 10.1016/j.radi.2020.09.010
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  2. Article ; Online: Effectiveness of COVID-19 diagnosis and management tools

    Alsharif, W. / Qurashi, A.

    Radiography ; ISSN 1078-8174

    A review

    2020  

    Keywords Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging ; covid19
    Language English
    Publisher Elsevier BV
    Publishing country us
    Document type Article ; Online
    DOI 10.1016/j.radi.2020.09.010
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  3. Article: COVID-19 Vaccine Impacts in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

    Mohammedsaeed, Walaa / Alrashidi, Hanan / Alsharif, Sultan M / Aljardi, Omaymah / Al-Sehli, Asmaa

    Cureus

    2023  Volume 15, Issue 6, Page(s) e40460

    Abstract: Background and purpose Vaccinations provide disease protection through a variety of mechanisms; however, vaccines can occasionally cause adverse effects. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to assess the short- and long-term adverse ... ...

    Abstract Background and purpose Vaccinations provide disease protection through a variety of mechanisms; however, vaccines can occasionally cause adverse effects. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to assess the short- and long-term adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccinations in Saudi Arabia. Methods In Saudi Arabia, between October 2021 and October 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted. A validated Arabic and English dual-language online questionnaire were utilized to collect data. Results This investigation included 492 participants who were all immunized against the COVID-19 virus. There were 152 (30.9%) male participants and 340 (69.1%) female participants, with a mean age of 35±10.7 years. About 72.2% of study participants received three doses of vaccine, with 75.6% receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, 22.2% receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and 2.2% receiving the Moderna vaccine. Fever was observed in 66.3% (326/492) of the participants following vaccination, headache in 57.3% (282/492) of the participants, fatigue in 54.7% (269/492) of the participants, and influenza-like symptoms in 51% (251/492) of the participants. Younger participants (18-29 years old) exhibited influenza-like symptoms and fever after vaccination in comparison to older participants (P=0.03, P=0.02, respectively). In contrast, older participants reported more immobilization of the hands or legs, difficulty breathing, and chest pain than younger participants (P=0.04, P=0.02, and P=0.03, respectively). There was a significant correlation between gender and injection-site pain, headache, lethargy or convulsions, and flu-like symptoms. In addition, the participants' clinical history of chronic diseases was significantly associated with the occurrence of post-vaccination adverse effects. Conclusion The majority of the documented adverse reactions are of a temporary and minimal nature. Additional research is required to assess the enduring adverse reactions and efficacy of the vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 reoccurrence.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-06-15
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2747273-5
    ISSN 2168-8184
    ISSN 2168-8184
    DOI 10.7759/cureus.40460
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  4. Article: Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression and Their Association With Migraine Among PHC Center Visitors in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

    Qarah, Mohammed / Alshammari, Noura / Alsharif, Rafa / Albalawi, Manal / Fida, Moufag / Alshehri, Khalid / Qarah, Baraa / Elrahim, Baraa / Asiri, Khaled / Alhawti, Waad

    Cureus

    2024  Volume 16, Issue 3, Page(s) e55404

    Abstract: Introduction: This cross-sectional study addresses the global rise in mental health disorders, emphasizing the bidirectional relationship between migraines and conditions such as depression and anxiety. This study seeks to bridge a crucial gap by ... ...

    Abstract Introduction: This cross-sectional study addresses the global rise in mental health disorders, emphasizing the bidirectional relationship between migraines and conditions such as depression and anxiety. This study seeks to bridge a crucial gap by examining the prevalence of depression and anxiety and their potential role as predictors of migraine.
    Methods: This study included 407 participants aged 16 and above, attending one of the major PHC centers in Madinah city between August 1, 2023, and October 1, 2023. The study employed the Migraine Screening Questionnaire (MS-Q) for migraine screening and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) for identifying anxiety and depression.
    Results: Among the 407 participants included in our study, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 9.1% and 5.9%, respectively. The prevalence of individuals experiencing both anxiety and depression was 3.7%. Anxiety exhibited a robust and statistically significant prediction of having migraines (OR: 4, P<0.05), while depression showed no statistically significant association. Gender, working frequency, and a higher level of education emerged as significant predictors of anxiety. Conversely, working multiple shifts and increased coffee consumption were found to be protective against anxiety. Regarding depression, spending more screen time and a higher education level were identified as significant predictors, while higher coffee intake and current smoking status were protective against depression.
    Conclusions: This cross-sectional study concluded that anxiety significantly predicts having migraines, while depression did not emerge as a statistically significant predictor. The study's outcomes underscore the imperative for mental health screening and management in individuals with migraines in PHC settings. However, comprehensive efforts are warranted to be applied across diverse cities and demographics to attain a more nuanced understanding of this association.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2024-03-02
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2747273-5
    ISSN 2168-8184
    ISSN 2168-8184
    DOI 10.7759/cureus.55404
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  5. Article: Effectiveness of COVID-19 diagnosis and management tools: A review

    Alsharif, W / Qurashi, A

    Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To review the available literature concerning the effectiveness of the COVID-19 diagnostic tools. BACKGROUND: With the absence of specific treatment/vaccines for the coronavirus COVID-19, the most appropriate approach to control this infection ...

    Abstract OBJECTIVE: To review the available literature concerning the effectiveness of the COVID-19 diagnostic tools. BACKGROUND: With the absence of specific treatment/vaccines for the coronavirus COVID-19, the most appropriate approach to control this infection is to quarantine people and isolate symptomatic people and suspected or infected cases. Although real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay is considered the first tool to make a definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 disease, the high false negative rate, low sensitivity, limited supplies and strict requirements for laboratory settings might delay accurate diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) has been reported as an important tool to identify and investigate suspected patients with COVID-19 disease at early stage. KEY FINDINGS: RT-PCR shows low sensitivity (60-71%) in diagnosing patients with COVID-19 infection compared to the CT chest. Several studies reported that chest CT scans show typical imaging features in all patients with COVID-19. This high sensitivity and initial presentation in CT chest can be helpful in rectifying false negative results obtained from RT-PCR. As COVID-19 has similar manifestations to other pneumonia diseases, artificial intelligence (AI) might help radiologists to differentiate COVID-19 from other pneumonia diseases. CONCLUSION: Although CT scan is a powerful tool in COVID-19 diagnosis, it is not sufficient to detect COVID-19 alone due to the low specificity (25%), and challenges that radiologists might face in differentiating COVID-19 from other viral pneumonia on chest CT scans. AI might help radiologists to differentiate COVID-19 from other pneumonia diseases. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Both RT-PCR and CT tests together would increase sensitivity and improve quarantine efficacy, an impact neither could achieve alone.
    Keywords covid19
    Publisher WHO
    Document type Article
    Note WHO #Covidence: #779577
    Database COVID19

    Kategorien

  6. Article: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ophthalmic Outpatient Care in a Tertiary Care Center in Riyadh.

    Alkharashi, Majed S / Alsharif, Heba M / Altahan, Faisal A / Alrashed, Ahmad W / Abdulghani, Moath

    Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)

    2022  Volume 10, Issue 9

    Abstract: In this paper, we measured the impact of a full COVID-19 lockdown on ophthalmic patients after a period of lockdown in Saudi Arabia, from March to September 2020. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on 180 patients who had their ... ...

    Abstract In this paper, we measured the impact of a full COVID-19 lockdown on ophthalmic patients after a period of lockdown in Saudi Arabia, from March to September 2020. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on 180 patients who had their appointments delayed or canceled due to the lockdown. Data was collected from electronic medical records and patients via voice calls using a validated questionnaire that were analyzed using a multivariable binary regression analysis. The results show no statistically significant mean difference in visual acuity when comparing pre- and post-lockdown measurements. The median number of appointment cancellations/delays per patient was two, and the estimated delay for the first canceled appointments was equal to 178.8 days. Of the cohort studied, 15.4% of patients faced delays in necessary surgical and therapeutic interventions; 22.1% of patients sought eye care at other institutions due to the delay, and 15% of those were seen by doctors unspecialized in ophthalmology. The odds of dissatisfaction with care were higher in patients who experienced cancellations in a surgical procedure and patients who experienced difficulty in obtaining medications. In conclusion, the pandemic hampered ophthalmic patients' access to medications. Subjective visual outcomes of patients were also negatively affected; however, the change in objective visual parameters was not statistically significant.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-08-30
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2721009-1
    ISSN 2227-9032
    ISSN 2227-9032
    DOI 10.3390/healthcare10091654
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  7. Article: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Saudi Medical, Nursing, and Pharmacy Students and Interns Regarding Antidepressant Drugs and Drug-Induced Serotonin Syndrome.

    Elashmony, Sahar M / Sheikh, Bashar W / Brashi, Rafal A / Almalki, Ziyad / Alharthi, Atheer / Alghuraybi, Shaima / Bakhshwaen, Saja / Alsharif, Mohammad H

    Cureus

    2023  Volume 15, Issue 12, Page(s) e51335

    Abstract: Background and aim Antidepressant drugs are commonly used to treat depressive disorders and anxiety. However, they can cause side effects, including drug-induced serotonin syndrome, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. It is essential to ... ...

    Abstract Background and aim Antidepressant drugs are commonly used to treat depressive disorders and anxiety. However, they can cause side effects, including drug-induced serotonin syndrome, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. It is essential to understand the level of knowledge of healthcare professionals who are likely to prescribe and administer these medications. This article aims to assess the knowledge of Saudi medical, nursing, and pharmacy students and interns regarding antidepressant drugs and drug-induced serotonin syndrome. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical, nursing, and pharmacy students and interns in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic information, knowledge about antidepressants, and knowledge about serotonin syndrome. Results A total of 425 participants were included in the study. The median knowledge score for antidepressants and serotonin syndrome was moderate to good, with median scores of 18 out of 23 (IQR: 16-20) and eight out of 12 (IQR: 6-10), respectively. However, more than half of the participants had sufficient knowledge about these topics, with only 227 (53.4%) and 264 (62.1%) having sufficient knowledge about antidepressants and serotonin syndrome, respectively. Regarding serotonin syndrome, males had a significantly higher proportion of sufficient knowledge compared to females, 86 (70.5%) out of 122 vs. 178 (58.7%) out of 303 (p=0.024), respectively. Medical students/interns had a significantly higher proportion of sufficient knowledge about antidepressants compared to nursing students/interns. According to the academic year, interns had the highest proportion of sufficient knowledge. Conclusion The current study revealed that Saudi medical, nursing, and pharmacy students and interns had moderate to good levels of knowledge about antidepressants and serotonin syndrome. The participating students had slightly better knowledge about serotonin syndrome in comparison to knowledge about antidepressants. Further research is needed to identify the causes of the knowledge gap and develop targeted interventions to address these causes. Educational efforts to ensure the safe and effective use of antidepressants are needed.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-12-30
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2747273-5
    ISSN 2168-8184
    ISSN 2168-8184
    DOI 10.7759/cureus.51335
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  8. Article: Desert Microbes for Boosting Sustainable Agriculture in Extreme Environments.

    Alsharif, Wiam / Saad, Maged M / Hirt, Heribert

    Frontiers in microbiology

    2020  Volume 11, Page(s) 1666

    Abstract: A large portion of the earth's surface consists of arid, semi-arid and hyper-arid lands. Life in these regions is profoundly challenged by harsh environmental conditions of water limitation, high levels of solar radiation and temperature fluctuations, ... ...

    Abstract A large portion of the earth's surface consists of arid, semi-arid and hyper-arid lands. Life in these regions is profoundly challenged by harsh environmental conditions of water limitation, high levels of solar radiation and temperature fluctuations, along with soil salinity and nutrient deficiency, which have serious consequences on plant growth and survival. In recent years, plants that grow in such extreme environments and their naturally associated beneficial microbes have attracted increased interest. The rhizosphere, rhizosheath, endosphere, and phyllosphere of desert plants display a perfect niche for isolating novel microbes. They are well adapted to extreme environments and offer an unexploited reservoir for bio-fertilizers and bio-control agents against a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses that endanger diverse agricultural ecosystems. Their properties can be used to improve soil fertility, increase plant tolerance to various environmental stresses and crop productivity as well as benefit human health and provide enough food for a growing human population in an environment-friendly manner. Several initiatives were launched to discover the possibility of using beneficial microbes. In this review, we will be describing the efforts to explore the bacterial diversity associated with desert plants in the arid, semi-arid, and hyper-arid regions, highlighting the latest discoveries and applications of plant growth promoting bacteria from the most studied deserts around the world.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-07-22
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2587354-4
    ISSN 1664-302X
    ISSN 1664-302X
    DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01666
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  9. Article ; Online: Design and Modeling of Modified Interleaved Phase-Shifted Semi-Bridgeless Boost Converter for EV Battery Charging Applications

    Kanchana Kadirvel / Raju Kannadasan / Mohammed H. Alsharif / Zong Woo Geem

    Sustainability, Vol 15, Iss 2712, p

    2023  Volume 2712

    Abstract: ... load capacity of 5000 W, which is relatively less than the conventional method. In a nutshell, compared ...

    Abstract Electric vehicles (EVs) are set to become one of the domestic transportation systems that are highly preferred over conventional vehicles. Due to the huge demand for and cost of fuel, many people are switching over to EVs. Companies such as Tesla, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes have started marketing EVs. These EVs need charging stations to charge the batteries. The challenges for EV batteries require the implementation of features such as fast charging, long-run utilization, reduced heat emission, a light weight, and a small size. However, fast charging using conventional converters generates an imbalance in current injection due to the passive component selection. In this study, a converter is proposed that uses an interleaved network that provides a balanced current injection; i.e., an improved interleaved phase-shifted semi-bridgeless boost converter (IIPSSBBC) is designed for EV battery charging applications. The suggested approach is mathematically designed using MATLAB/Simulink (2021) software. The result shows that the battery charging current achieves about 16.5 A, which is relatively more than conventional systems. Moreover, the charging time of the proposed converter is about 6 hrs for a 50 Ah battery with a discharge load capacity of 5000 W, which is relatively less than the conventional method. In a nutshell, compared with conventional converters, the IIPSSBBC performs better, and, notably, the charging speed and current injection are increased by two times the amount. Further, a prototype hardware model is developed to assess the performance of the proposed converter.
    Keywords modified interleaved phase-shifted semi-bridgeless boost converter ; battery charging ; electric vehicle ; zero emissions ; Environmental effects of industries and plants ; TD194-195 ; Renewable energy sources ; TJ807-830 ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350
    Subject code 600
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-02-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  10. Article: Fatigue and Sleep Disturbance among Breast Cancer Patients during Treatment in Saudi Arabia.

    Alsharif, Fatmah / Shibily, Faygah / Almutairi, Wedad / Alsaedi, Ahlam / Alsubaie, Tahani / Alshuaibi, Bashayer / Turkistani, Arwa

    Nursing research and practice

    2022  Volume 2022, Page(s) 1832346

    Abstract: Background: Fatigue and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent side effects encountered during treatment by patients with breast cancer, and they affect women's quality of life. Most studies investigating sleep and exhaustion in cancer patients provide ...

    Abstract Background: Fatigue and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent side effects encountered during treatment by patients with breast cancer, and they affect women's quality of life. Most studies investigating sleep and exhaustion in cancer patients provide evidence that supports a strong connection between different sleep parameters and fatigue associated with cancer.
    Objective: This study was to assess the level of fatigue and sleep disturbance in breast cancer patients during treatment in Saudi Arabia.
    Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted on breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in Saudi Arabia. The data were collected through convenience sampling of patients. The study involved self-administered questionnaires comprising three categories: demographic data, perceived Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F). A total of 101 participants took part in this study. The significant statistical test was determined at a 95% confidence interval and at
    Results: Half of the study participants were aged between 30 and 50 years. Significant differences were found in fatigue and sleep disturbance among BC patients during treatment in Saudi Arabia. A high prevalence of fatigue was found at 21.8%, and 5% of participants experienced sleep disturbance.
    Conclusions: Breast cancer patients in Saudi Arabia have a low overall global quality of life. The patients experience poor sleep quality and fatigue, which suggests that during treatment, patients need to be assessed routinely for these symptoms to prevent or reduce fatigue and sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance might be correlated with fatigue.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-09-05
    Publishing country Egypt
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2621482-9
    ISSN 2090-1437 ; 2090-1429
    ISSN (online) 2090-1437
    ISSN 2090-1429
    DOI 10.1155/2022/1832346
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

To top