Damascus University

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and patient comfort levels after gingival depigmentation using ablative and non-ablative 450 nm diode lasers. Gingival pigmentation is a common esthetic concern that affects patients' self-confidence. Laser-assisted depigmentation has emerged as a popular treatment, with both ablative and non-ablative techniques showing promising results. However, limited comparative data exist regarding their relative efficacy and patient experience. A split-mouth, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 20 patients with physiological gingival pigmentation scores of ≥2, based on the Dummett Oral Pigmentation Index (OPI). Each participant received ablative laser treatment on one side of the mouth and non-ablative treatment on the contralateral side. Outcome measures included changes in OPI and Melanin Pigmentation Index at baseline, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. Patient-reported pain and discomfort were assessed using a modified McGill Pain Questionnaire. Both techniques achieved successful depigmentation. Ablative laser treatment resulted in immediate pigment removal with lower repigmentation rates but was associated with higher intraoperative discomfort. Non-ablative treatment caused less pain and faster healing but required multiple sessions to achieve comparable results. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in repigmentation rates and patient comfort levels between the two modalities. Both ablative and non-ablative 450 nm diode lasers are effective for gingival depigmentation. The choice of technique should be tailored to patient preferences, with ablative lasers favored for immediate results and non-ablative lasers preferred for enhanced comfort and faster recovery.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) constitutes a formidable global health threat, spanning bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Within this broader context, antibiotic resistance (ABR)—specifically the resistance of bacterial pathogens to antibiotic agents—is the primary focus of this investigation, as it is most directly influenced by community-level knowledge and practices (KP). This study employed a cross-sectional survey of 200 participants in Damascus, Syria, to explore the relationships between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use. However, given the cross-sectional nature of the study, the observed relationships are interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. The findings highlight patterns of antibiotic-related KP among surveyed residents in Damascus and suggest areas where educational and public health initiatives may be beneficial. Our data reveal generally high adherence to prescribed antibiotic courses alongside ongoing behaviors such as self-medication and antibiotic reuse, reflecting persistent gaps in awareness and access barriers. Observed associations between education level, gender, and age with responsible antibiotic behaviors suggest that social determinants may serve as important correlates of health practices within this sample. By exploring community-level factors associated with antibiotic use in a Damascus-based sample, this research provides descriptive data that may help inform the development of local educational initiatives tailored to this specific context. This exploratory study provides preliminary evidence connecting social and demographic variables to self-reported antibiotic misuse, contributing to the available data regarding antibiotic use behaviors within a specific urban context in Syria and highlighting the utility of behavioral science frameworks as conceptual lenses for future public health interventions to combat AMR effectively.

Abstract Background Alveolar ridge resorption following tooth extraction may compromise subsequent restorative procedures. Electrospun chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) nanofibrous membranes exhibit favorable biological and mechanical properties; however, high-quality clinical evidence supporting their use as standalone barriers under open-healing conditions is limited. Objectives This protocol describes a randomized split-mouth clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of CS/PVA nanofibrous membrane for ridge preservation following mandibular premolar extraction. Methods Eligible participants requiring bilateral mandibular premolar extraction will be enrolled. Test sites will receive CS/PVA membrane, while control sites will heal naturally. Primary outcomes include horizontal and vertical ridge dimensional changes, keratinized tissue width, and histomorphometric parameters. Secondary outcomes include soft tissue healing, soft tissue thickness gain, and adverse events. Outcomes will be assessed over a 4-month healing period using blinded evaluation and paired statistical analysis. Discussion This trial is designed to address current evidence gaps by isolating the barrier effect of CS/PVA nanofibrous membranes in intact sockets under open-healing conditions. Trial Registration Thailand Clinical Trial Registry (TCTR). Registration number (ID: TCTR20251001001), Registered on 01/10/2025 (prospective registration). Trial Registration Prospective registration (TCTR20251001001).

This study examined the long-term outcomes of the Future Centre's Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (FC-EIBI) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a conflict-affected, low-resource setting in Syria. Sixty-six participants were assessed at baseline (2008), post-treatment (2010), early follow-up (2013), and long-term follow-up (2019) using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Autism Behaviour Checklist-Arabic (ABC), and the Adaptive Behaviour Scale-Arabic (ABS-Arabic). Longitudinal change was examined using nonparametric repeated-measures analyses, with additional analyses of subdomains across six ABS-Arabic domains. Significant improvements were observed across all measures from baseline to post-treatment and early follow-up (all ps < 0.001), indicating substantial reductions in autism symptom severity and marked gains in adaptive functioning. By 2019, small but significant attenuation of earlier gains was detected; however, outcomes remained significantly improved relative to baseline. Improvements in adaptive functioning were most pronounced between 2008 and 2013, particularly in Social Interaction and Communication/Language, whereas later declines were most evident in Communication/Language and Personal-Emotional Adaptation. Overall, FC-EIBI was associated with considerable and durable developmental benefits over more than a decade, despite prolonged sociopolitical instability and service disruptions. These findings underscore the feasibility of sustaining meaningful developmental outcomes for children with ASD in conflict-affected, low-resource contexts.

Abstract Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a sophisticated tool for digital transformation in many countries, aiming to improve the quality and efficiency of engineering projects. Engineering supervision is the cornerstone for ensuring project quality and achieving its objectives in terms of time, effort, and cost. The concept of engineering supervision in the Syrian construction sector faces numerous challenges, including the complexity of modern projects, weak digital infrastructure, a shortage of qualified personnel, and reliance on traditional methods of monitoring and documenting work. These challenges have led to a decline in the efficiency of supervision, making it difficult to verify the quality of engineering projects in a timely and optimal manner. This research aims to identify criteria for implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the engineering supervision environment. This was achieved through a review of previous studies on the subject, an analysis of the current state of engineering supervision in Syria, and a review of the literature related to BIM. Twenty-four criteria were identified. These criteria were organized into a suitable questionnaire and distributed to a representative sample of (60) participants from the study population, which consisted of supervising engineers, project managers, and some contracting companies operating in the Syrian construction sector in the public, private, and joint sectors. Fifty-eight questionnaires were returned and statistically analyzed after excluding two due to their ineffectiveness. The Relative Importance Index (RII) method was then used to determine the relative importance of all the criteria included in the questionnaire, with the aim of assessing their significance and comparing them with the degree of application in the engineering supervision environment in Syria. The research results showed a relatively large gap between the importance of Building Information Modeling (BIM) criteria in the engineering supervision environment and the extent of their application in Syria. This is attributed to several reasons, most notably: the lack of reliance on visual inspection to evaluate the quality and progress of work (Application = 12% / Importance = 98.5%), the absence of an immediate link between the site and the model in managing supervision operations (18%/98%), and the failure to use the model as a basis for resolving technical disputes on-site (20%/92%), and other reasons. Several proposals and recommendations were presented to increase the adoption of BIM technologies in the Syrian construction sector in general, and in the engineering supervision environment in particular.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Felty's syndrome is a rare condition affecting 1&amp;ndash;3% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It typically arises after a prolonged course of RA. Although rheumatic fever and RA may share overlapping features, they are distinct entities; their co-occurrence in a patient is rare and considered coincidental.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Case presentation:&lt;/strong&gt; A 27-year-old woman with childhood rheumatic fever and mitral stenosis presented with low-grade fever and inflammatory arthritis. Three years earlier, she had developed pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly, and she was recently diagnosed with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Her earlier cytopenias and organomegaly were retrospectively attributed to Felty&amp;rsquo;s syndrome, likely preceding RA onset. Treatment with corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine led to significant improvement, and methotrexate was added for maintenance and relapse prevention.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; Careful medical history and clinical examination, as well as thorough other investigations, should be performed to exclude other causes of neutropenia.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Abstract Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in dental practice contributes significantly to antimicrobial resistance, yet data on dentists’ prescribing knowledge and behaviors in Damascus, Syria remain limited. This cross-sectional observational study assessed antibiotic-related knowledge and prescribing practices among dentists in Damascus. Conducted between January and March 2024, the study included 844 practicing dentists who completed a validated 48-item electronic questionnaire covering antibiotic indications, dosage, duration, prophylactic use, and management of antibiotic allergies. Knowledge scores (range: 0–48) were categorized as low, moderate, or high. Statistical analysis involved one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests and independent samples t-tests (P &lt; 0.05). Knowledge scores ranged from 10 to 44, with a mean of 28.11 ± 4.61. Low knowledge levels were observed in 46.4% of participants, while 28.6% demonstrated moderate knowledge and 25% high knowledge. Significant differences were found among dental specialties (P &lt; 0.05), with oral and maxillofacial surgeons scoring highest. General dentists were more likely to prescribe antibiotics in inappropriate clinical situations, including chronic periodontitis and localized gingival swelling. No significant associations were found between knowledge scores and years of experience or workplace sector. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions and standardized national guidelines to promote rational antibiotic use in dental practice.

Agricultural soils contamination of heavy metals is a growing concern due to food safety issues and potential health risks. Consuming crops that contain these minerals is one of the main ways elements enter the human body, then, they accumulate in human tissues and cause serious effects on health. This study aimed to monitor the levels of lead and cadmium accumulation in the edible parts of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) planted in several areas in Damascus and its countryside in accordance with the permissible levels according to FAO 2019. The dried samples were prepared using the open wet oxidation method using concentrated nitric acid HNO3 65% and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 50%, noting that the number of samples was (40) samples, finally they were analyzed using the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GFAAS).The results were compared with the Food and Agriculture Organization standard (FAO) 2019, and the results were as follows: For cadmium: in watercress all samples exceeded the acceptable upper limit of 0.2mg/ kg. In lettuce ten samples exceeded the acceptable upper limit of 0.2mg/kg. For lead: in watercress five samples exceeded the acceptable upper limit of 0.3mg /kg. In lettuce the results showed that the lead concentration in all studied samples didn’t exclude normal limits (0.3mg/kg). This study highlights the potential hazard for human health due to the uptake of high concentrations of heavy metals especially Cd and Pb by the studied vegetable crops. Vegetable consumers from these study areas are likely to be more susceptible to cadmium and lead toxicity as mentioned above. To avoid the harmful effects of the heavy metals accumulation on human health, consideration should be given to the constant examination to the edible parts of the vegetables grown in heavy metals contaminated soil.