Al-Baath University (Arabic: جامعة البعث), founded in 1979, is a public university located in the city of Homs, Syria, 180 km north of Damascus. It is Syria's fourth largest university.
This study provides a comparative analysis of concentrations and spatial distribution patterns of DDT (including its metabolites) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in bottom sediments from three rivers with contrasting environmental and anthropogenic settings: the Salgir (Russia), the Asi (Orontes, Syrian Arab Republic), and the Fatala (Republic of Guinea). Surface and sediment-core samples collected in 2023 revealed substantial spatial heterogeneity in POPs contamination. In the Salgir River, ∑DDT concentrations reached up to 562 ng/g, with DDT/DDE ratios > 0.79 indicating recent inputs, likely from legacy pesticide storage sites. ∑6PCB concentrations (sum of six indicator congeners) reached 252 ng/g, with evidence of ongoing inputs in industrial zones. The Asi River exhibited the highest ∑6PCB levels (up to 863 ng/g), particularly near industrial facilities, with a congener profile dominated by highly chlorinated forms (hexa- to octachlorobiphenyls), consistent with technical PCB mixtures. The distribution of these contaminants is primarily associated with long-term significant anthropogenic loads of various nature in the Asi River region, although identifying direct sources of PCBs entering the ecosystem of the river requires additional research. The Fatala River showed minimal contamination (∑6PCB < 2.6 ng/g; DDTs below detection limits), reflecting background conditions. Sediment-core profiles confirmed historical PCB contamination peaks in the Salgir River corresponding to the 1960s–1990s, based on established geochronology, and indicated continued PCB accumulation in surface layers of both the Salgir and Asi rivers. Comparison with national and international sediment quality guidelines indicates that the observed contamination levels in the Salgir and Asi rivers substantially exceed ecologically safe values, highlighting their potential impact on the ecosystem.
The global impact of COVID-19 was devastating, particularly in low-income countries. Conflict zones like Syria, already plagued by political and socioeconomic instability, faced additional hardships, resulting in a fast collapse of the healthcare system. The overwhelmed system necessitated the implementation of home-based management as a practical solution to alleviate strain on hospitals. This study documents the efforts of a volunteer team during the initial COVID-19 wave in Damascus, Syria (August-September 2020) in implementing management through home visits and evaluates its outcomes in terms of recovery, hospitalization, and mortality. Out of the managed 770 moderate and severe cases, approximately 80% reported full or partial recovery from COVID-19, with only 6.6% experiencing persistently low peripheral blood oxygen levels at follow-up. Nonetheless, 28.6% of patients necessitated hospitalization, 14.5% were admitted to intensive care units, and 15.3% died. Age, masculinity, and cardiac comorbidities were associated with a higher need for oxygen support and led to higher hospitalization and mortality rates. This approach effectively steered most patients toward recovery and facilitated the timely identification and management of critical cases until their transition to hospital care when capacities allowed, proving to be a pivotal asset to the healthcare system in the face of such challenging circumstances.
Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rebamipide 1% and 2% in the management of dry eye disease (DED) compared to placebo or artificial tears (My Tears, Sodium Hyaluronate, or Diquafosol). Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods This meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of rebamipide, a medication known for gastric ulcer treatment, as an treatment for DED. A comprehensive literature search encompassed various databases. Inclusion criteria focused on high-quality evidence, namely RCTs, with a primary focus on outcomes such as tear film break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein staining score (FCS), and lissamine green conjunctival staining (LGCS) score. Results Thirteen studies were included, with diverse outcomes reported at 2, 4, and 8-12 weeks. Rebamipide demonstrated significant improvement compared to the control group in TBUT (MD = 0.47, 95% CI [0.15 to 0.79]), FCS (MD = -1.17, 95% CI [-1.81 to -0.53]), LGCS (MD = -1.73, 95% CI [-2.53 to -0.93]), and Schirmer’s test (MD = 1.05, 95% CI [0.16 to 1.95]). The overall risk ratio for adverse events favored the control group (RR = 1.39, 95% CI [1.10 to 1.77], P = 0.21). Conclusion Rebamipide is emerging as an effective treatment for DED, demonstrating improvements in various outcome measures. This meta-analysis provides valuable insights for all clinicians and researchers supporting informed decision-making and guiding future research endeavors in the management of DED.
Neuropsychiatric manifestations are common in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Psychosis is rarely seen in adolescent patients. Here, we report a case of adolescent Sjögren’s syndrome that presented with psychotic symptoms. Azathioprine treatment improved the psychosis. Fifteen-year-old female presented to the Psychiatric Department with 1 week of headaches, abnormal behavior, insomnia, tremors, and suicidal ideation. She was treated with Azathioprine. Psychosis, characterized by delusions and hallucinations, can be idiopathic or secondary, particularly in autoimmune diseases like pSS. Adolescent cases show psychosis without lupus criteria, often linked to trauma or substance abuse, responding positively to immunosuppressive treatment for pSS. pSS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adolescents with new-onset psychiatric manifestations, even in the absence of sicca symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms improved with Azathioprine treatment, suggesting that it is an effective treatment for these cases.
Our goal is to conduct an investigation into the safety and efficacy of 𝛽3 agonist (Mirabegron) in patients with heart failure (HF) comparing it to placebo. We searched internet databases for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 1st, 2024. Heart rate, stroke volume, systolic blood pressure, cardiac index, and adverse events were the primary outcomes that were analyzed. Inverse variance was used to compute the risk ratio (RR) and pooled mean differences (MD), along with their 95
