METHODS: We collected data for this cross-sectional study from 1040 participants via online self-reported questionnaire from July 5th, 2022, to August 1st, 2022. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 29 items in four sections, assessing socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding MPXV. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS V.25, and factors associated with MPXV knowledge, attitude, and practices were identified by using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: A total of 1040 participants were included. 61.4% were male, and 57.2% had graduation level education. Only 34.4% had good knowledge about MPXV, and 30% knew the effectiveness of the smallpox vaccine against MPXV. 41.7% had a positive attitude, 48.6% agreed that it is a fatal disease, and 44.6% were in favour of banning travel from endemic to non-endemic regions. 57.7% had good practices, and 69.9% would use protective measures if MPXV became an epidemic. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that gender and education significantly impacted knowledge (p<0.05). While monthly income status had a significant impact on attitudes (p<0.05). The practices were positively correlated with gender and education (p<0.05).

METHODS: The authors electronically assessed published studies from January, 2000 to December, 2022, including studies that investigated the odds of HIV in imprisoned PWIDs. We extensively searched PubMed, ERIC, and Cochrane Central and Google Scholar with no constraints in language or time. All the observational studies evaluating the chances of HIV in Asian prisoners with an exposure group of PWIDs and a control group of non-injecting-drug users were included in our analysis.

RESULTS: The databases search yielded 254 potential studies, 10 observational studies of which having a total of 17 333 participants were included. A low or moderate risk of bias was reported in all the studies except one case-control. The pooled analysis showed a significant association between PWIDs and the chances of contracting HIV infection (Odds ratio=6.40; 95% CI=3.89-10.52; P<0.00001; I2=53%).

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 27 May 2020 to 17 June 2020 using the convenient sampling technique in the general population of Pakistan. Data were collected by designing an online questionnaire consisting of demographic information, knowledge, attitude perceptions, barriers, utilization, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telemedicine.

RESULTS: Of the 602 participants included in the study, 70.1% had heard about telemedicine, 54.3% had a good understanding of the definition of "telemedicine," 81.4% had not used telemedicine in the past, 29.9% did not know that telemedicine was available before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 70.4% responded that the COVID-19 pandemic had changed their attitudes toward telemedicine. Gender (p = 0.017) and family income (p = 0.027) had a significant association with the perception of the benefits of telemedicine.

METHODS: CBCT images were scanned retrospectively and the ones including bilateral M1Ms were included in the study. The evaluation was performed by 1 researcher in each country, trained with CBCT technology. A written and video instruction program explaining the protocol to be followed step-by-step was provided to all observers to calibrate them. The CBCT imaging screening procedure consisted of evaluating axial sections from coronal to apical. The presence of DLC and RE in M1Ms (yes/no) was identified and recorded.

RESULTS: Six thousand three hundred four CBCTs, representing 12,608 M1Ms, were evaluated. A significant difference was found between countries regarding the prevalence of both RE and DLC (P  .05).

OBJECTIVE: This umbrella review synthesizes findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to provide insights into global perceptions on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy across diverse populations and regions.

METHODS: We conducted a literature search across major databases to identify systematic reviews and meta-analysis that reported COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy. The AMSTAR-2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) criteria were used to assess the methodological quality of included systematic reviews. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA 17 with a random effect model. The data synthesis is presented in a table format and via a narrative.

RESULTS: Our inclusion criteria were met by 78 meta-analyses published between 2021 and 2023. Our analysis revealed a moderate vaccine acceptance rate of 63% (95% CI 0.60%-0.67%) in the general population, with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 97.59%). Higher acceptance rates were observed among health care workers and individuals with chronic diseases, at 64% (95% CI 0.57%-0.71%) and 69% (95% CI 0.61%-0.76%), respectively. However, lower acceptance was noted among pregnant women, at 48% (95% CI 0.42%-0.53%), and parents consenting for their children, at 61.29% (95% CI 0.56%-0.67%). The pooled vaccine hesitancy rate was 32% (95% CI 0.25%-0.39%) in the general population. The quality assessment revealed 19 high-quality, 38 moderate-quality, 15 low-quality, and 6 critically low-quality meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONS: This review revealed the presence of vaccine hesitancy globally, emphasizing the necessity for population-specific, culturally sensitive interventions and clear, credible information dissemination to foster vaccine acceptance. The observed disparities accentuate the need for continuous research to understand evolving vaccine perceptions and to address the unique concerns and needs of diverse populations, thereby aiding in the formulation of effective and inclusive vaccination strategies.

METHOD: An 11-question survey was distributed to dentists across 21 countries via different platforms. The survey comprised two sections: the first included five questions aimed at gathering demographic information, while the second consisted of six questions focusing on participants' practices related to the repair of composite or amalgam restorations A meta-analysis was employed to ascertain the pooled odds ratio of repairing versus replacement. The statistical analysis was carried out using the RevMan 5.3 program and forest plots were generated using the same program to visualize the results.

RESULTS: The survey was completed by 3680 dental practitioners. The results indicated a strong tendency to repair defective composite restorations (OR: 14.23; 95 % CI: 7.40, 27.35, p < 0.001). In terms of amalgam, there was a significant tendency to replace the restorations (OR: 0.19; 95 % CI: 0.12, 0.30, p < 0.001). When repairing restorations, the most common protocols were etching with orthophosphoric acid and creating an enamel bevel, regardless of the restorative material used.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that there exists a knowledge gap among dental practitioners regarding restoration repair. It is imperative that dental practitioners receive proper education and training on restoration repair, to ensure the usage of adequate protocols and restoration survival.

METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted on 551 participants from five local government areas in Kano State. Blood samples were collected and examined for the presence of Plasmodium species by rapid diagnostic test (RDT), Giemsa-stained thin and thick blood films, and PCR. Moreover, demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental information as well as KAP data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire.

METHODS: AMS programme team members within 349 hospitals from 10 countries (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam) completed a questionnaire via a web-based survey link. The survey contained questions as to whether 12 core components deemed essential for AMS programmes were implemented.

RESULTS: Overall, 47 (13.5%) hospitals fulfilled all core AMS programme components. There was a mean positive response rate (PRR) of 85.6% for the responding countries in relation to a formal hospital leadership statement of support for AMS activities, but this was not matched by budgeted financial support for AMS activities (mean PRR 57.1%). Mean PRRs were ≥80.0% for the core AMS team comprising a physician or other leader responsible for AMS activities, a pharmacist and infection control and microbiology personnel. Most hospitals had access to a timely and reliable microbiology service (mean PRR 90.4%). Facility-specific antibiotic treatment guidelines for common infections (mean PRR 78.7%) were in place more often than pre-authorization and/or prospective audit and feedback systems (mean PRR 66.5%). In terms of AMS monitoring and reporting, PRRs of monitoring specific antibiotic use, regularly publishing AMS outcome measures, and the existence of a hospital antibiogram were 75.1%, 64.4% and 77.9%, respectively.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 866 patients from the Gulf Left Main Registry who presented between 2015 and 2019. The study outcome was hospital all-cause mortality. Various machine learning models [logistic regression, random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, naïve Bayes, multilayer perception, boosting] were used to predict mortality, and their performance was measured using accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS: Nonsurvivors had significantly greater EuroSCORE II values (1.84 (10.08-3.67) vs. 4.75 (2.54-9.53) %, P <0.001 for survivors and nonsurvivors, respectively). The EuroSCORE II score significantly predicted hospital mortality (OR: 1.13 (95% CI: 1.09-1.18), P <0.001), with an AUC of 0.736. RF achieved the best ML performance (accuracy=98, precision=100, recall=97, and F1 score=98). Explainable artificial intelligence using SHAP demonstrated the most important features as follows: preoperative lactate level, emergency surgery, chronic kidney disease (CKD), NSTEMI, nonsmoking status, and sex. QLattice identified lactate and CKD as the most important factors for predicting hospital mortality this patient group.

METHODS: Data from the Gulf Cardiogenic Shock (Gulf-CS) registry-a multicenter registry of CS-AMI patients from six Gulf countries-were analyzed to compare in-hospital and long-term outcomes for patients with and without RVD. RVD was defined by echocardiographic criteria: TAPSE <17 mm, S' wave <12 cm/s, and TAPSE/PASP ratio < 0.34. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression models were used to identify in-hospital and follow-up mortality predictors.

RESULTS: Among 1,513 CS-AMI patients, RVD was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality (55.87% vs. 42.89%, p < 0.001) and lower survival at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months (58%, 35%, 18%, and 6% vs. 73%, 53%, 38%, and 30%; p < 0.001). Predictors of in-hospital mortality included advanced SCAI shock stage, cardiac arrest, age, NSTEMI, number of vessels affected, and elevated creatinine, while follow-up mortality was associated with advanced SCAI stage, reduced LVEF, elevated BUN, history of CABG and comorbidities including COPD and prior CVA.

METHODS: The Gulf-CS registry included 1,513 patients with AMI-CS diagnosed between January 2020 and December 2022.

RESULTS: The incidence of AMI-CS was 4.1% (1513/37379). The median age was 60 years. The most common presentation was ST-elevation MI (73.83%). In-hospital mortality was 45.5%. Majority of patients were in SCAI stage D and E (68.94%). Factors associated with hospital mortality were previous coronary artery bypass graft (OR:2.49; 95%CI: 1.321-4.693), cerebrovascular accident (OR:1.621, 95%CI: 1.032-2.547), chronic kidney disease (OR:1.572; 95%CI1.158-2.136), non-ST-elevation MI (OR:1.744; 95%CI: 1.058-2.873), cardiac arrest (OR:5.702; 95%CI: 3.640-8.933), SCAI stage D and E (OR:19.146; 95CI%: 9.902-37.017), prolonged QRS (OR:10.012; 95%CI: 1.006-1.019), right ventricular dysfunction (OR:1.679; 95%CI: 1.267-2.226) and ventricular septal rupture (OR:6.008; 95%CI: 2.256-15.998). Forty percent had invasive hemodynamic monitoring, 90.02% underwent revascularization, and 45.80% received mechanical circulatory support (41.31% had Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and 14.21% had Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/Impella devices). Survival at 12 months was 51.49% (95% CI: 46.44- 56.29%).