The Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA) is a government-funded health system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, founded in 1983. It is affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard and the Saudi Arabian National Guard, consisting of medical cities spread in many regions (Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Ahsa, Dammam, and Medina)..
Kinematic alignment (KA) aims to restore patients’ native knee anatomy, while robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) enhances surgical precision in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Limited evidence exists regarding patient-centered outcomes following robotic-assisted KA-TKA. This study evaluates postoperative pain, functional recovery, and patient satisfaction. A retrospective study was conducted on 94 patients undergoing kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty with robotic assistance at a single tertiary referral hospital with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Demographic and operative data were collected. Postoperative pain and satisfaction were assessed across daily activities, and joint awareness was evaluated using the Forgotten Joint Score-12. The cohort included 79 females and 15 males with a mean age of 63.9 years. Mean operative time was 120.8 min, and mean hospital stay was 2.56 days. Postoperative complications were infrequent, with 11 patients experiencing pain and three had edema. Most patients reported high satisfaction regarding pain relief during rest, daily, and leisure activities. Pain during demanding tasks such as stair climbing, prolonged standing, or exercise occurred in a minority. Patients exhibited very low joint awareness during multiple activities, with a mean Forgotten Joint Score-12 score of 86.5. Robotic-assisted kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty is associated with high patient satisfaction, effective pain control, and favorable functional recovery, with low complication and revision rates. These findings support the precision and clinical reliability of robotic-assisted kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty. Prospective, comparative studies with extended follow-up are warranted to validate long-term outcomes and further optimize patient-centered care.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease and the most prevalent type of dementia characterized by pathological deposition of amyloid-β plaques/deposits and tau tangles within the brain parenchyma. This progressive ailment is featured by irreversible cognitive impairment and memory loss, often misdiagnosed as the consequence of old age in elderlies. Pathologically, synaptic dysfunction occurs at the early stages and then progresses into neurodegeneration with neuronal cell death in later stages. In this review, we aimed to critically discuss and highlight recent advances in the pathological footprints of amyloid-β and tau in AD. Specifically, we focused our attention on the interplay and synergistic effects of amyloid-β and tau in the pathogenesis of AD. We hope that our paper will provide new insights and perspectives on these pathological features of AD and spark new ideas and directions in AD research and treatment.
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE:Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), is increasingly used for glycemic control, weight loss, and cardiovascular risk reduction. While GLP-1 RAs are commonly associated with acute pancreatitis, emerging reports suggest a possible association with pancreatic cystic lesions, even in patients without typical risks factors such as alcohol, gallstones, or hereditary syndromes. CASE PRESENTATION:We present two cases of middle-age female patients without prior compline or pancreatic disease who developed large distal pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms following GLP-1 Ras use. Both underwent imaging and aspiration, which revealed elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Surgical management consisted of distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Pathology confirmed MCN with no malignancy. Both patients had uneventful recovery. DISCUSSION:These two cases suggest a possible association between GLP-1 receptor agonists, and the development of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) in patients without prior pancreatic disease or conventional risk factors. While causality cannot be established, the temporal relationship, absence of alternative etiologies, and supportive literature suggest a possible drug-related effect. Preclinical studies have implicated GLP-1 RAs in pancreatic ductal hyperplasia and cyst formation, and recent clinical reports reinforce these findings. As semaglutide use expands, clinicians should be vigilant for structural pancreatic changes, and further studies are warranted to elucidate underlying mechanisms and clinical implications. CONCLUSION:These cases raise concern regarding a potential association between semaglutide therapy and mucinous cystic neoplasms. Increased vigilance and further observational studies are warranted to evaluate this potential adverse effect.
Maternal infections remain a contributor to preventable adverse pregnancy outcomes worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, comprehensive data on the prevalence and impact of maternal infections are still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the association of maternal infections with adverse birth outcomes. A retrospective comparative cohort study was conducted among 10,761 pregnant women who delivered between 2019 and 2023. Women with clinically significant and medically treated maternal infections during pregnancy (n = 50) were compared to those without infections (n = 10,711). Outcomes assessed included preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, stillbirth, cesarean delivery, and length of hospital stay. Among the cohort, 50 women (0.46
Purpose:Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity among patients with neurological disorders. Post-stroke aspiration pneumonia (AP) represents a serious complication associated with high mortality. This study investigated the incidence and outcomes of AP at a tertiary care center. Patients and methods:Retrospectively, among 5921 adult patients admitted with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke between February 2016 and January 2024, 118 who developed post-stroke aspiration pneumonia within the same admission or at a 90-day period were identified and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done. Results:Among 5921 stroke patients, 118 developed post-stroke AP. The mean age was 69.5 ± 12.5 years, and 71 (60.2%) were male. Hypertension (72.9%) and diabetes mellitus (63.6%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. Ischemic stroke accounted for 79.7%, and the median NIHSS was 9 (IQR 4-15). The median pre-morbid mRS was 2 (IQR 0-5). Dysphagia was diagnosed in 54.2%, and a swallowing assessment was performed and documented in 73.5%. Common presenting features included fever (55.9%), altered consciousness (47.5%), and cough (43.2%). Median time from stroke to AP was 6 days (IQR 2-22). ICU admission was required in 46.6%, mechanical ventilation in 24.1%, and 58.5% were bedridden. In-hospital mortality was 22.0%. On multivariate logistic regression, lower GCS score was the only independent predictor of mortality (OR 0.777, 95% CI 0.629-0.959, p = 0.019). Conclusion:Post-stroke AP remains a significant complication, with a notable mortality rate. A lower GCS score independently predicted mortality, whereas ICU admission was significant only in the univariate analysis. The overall incidence of AP in our study was lower than rates reported in other populations, possibly reflecting differences in clinical practices, patient characteristics, or variability in diagnostic ascertainment rather than a true reduction in incidence.