Saudi Med J
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To compare the primary patency and restenosis rates in treatment naieve dialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) after drug-coated balloons (DCB) versus plain balloon angioplasty (PTA). ⋯ Arteriovenous fistula angioplasty was done in 28 patients using DCB and in 129 patients using PTA. A total of 108 patients presented with a single stenosis, 42 with 2 stenoses, and 7 with 3 stenoses. The location of these stenoses was in the venous outflow (57%), the juxta anastomotic segment (31%), and cephalic arch (12%). The median time to re-intervention for the PTA was 216 days compared to 304 days for the DCB (p=0.079). Primary patency at 6 months was 60.4% for PTA and 75% for DCB (p=0.141) CONCLUSION: Although DCB angioplasty of treatmentnaïve dysfunctional AVF tends to improve the time to intervention and 6-month primary patency compared to PTA, this difference did not reach statistical significance.
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To describe how people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) make decisions using the diffusion of innovation theory model. Decisions occur when individual decision makers engage in activities that guide choices to adopt or reject a particular innovation. ⋯ Knowledge of HIV/AIDS sufferers is at a good level, their decision making is mostly accepted and there is a meaningful relationship between knowledge and decision making in using a chatbot innovation. The suggestion from the research is that this chatbot innovation can be a source of further research and help provide education for PLWHA patients in everyday life.
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To evaluate cytokine profiles and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for their diagnostic capabilities in the differentiation of tuberculosis (TB) from non-TB conditions, as well as smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPT) from smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (SPPT). ⋯ A multi-biomarker approach combining these cytokines demonstrates enhanced diagnostic accuracy for tuberculosis.
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To ascertain the prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) across diverse donor groups in the Najran province. Additionally, to establish a potential association between the development of TTI and the donors' blood group, as determined by the ABO/Rh blood grouping system. ⋯ Emphasis on implementing robust screening measures for donated blood is underscored by this study. There is the need for future study to extensively evaluate TTI status to enhance our understanding of the trend in TTI.