Riyadh Elm University

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly integrated into healthcare systems worldwide. However, successful implementation depends largely on public trust and acceptance. Limited evidence is available regarding public perceptions of AI-based medical consultation in Saudi Arabia.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess public knowledge and acceptance of artificial intelligence doctors as a partial alternative to human physicians in Saudi Arabia and identify demographic factors influencing these perceptions.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among members of the general public in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, awareness of AI technologies, knowledge of AI healthcare applications, perceptions of AI doctors, and willingness to use AI-assisted medical consultation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses, and Chi-square tests were performed to examine associations between demographic factors and participants’ acceptance levels.ResultsA total of 303 participants completed the survey. Most respondents reported prior awareness of artificial intelligence applications in healthcare. However, acceptance of AI as a partial substitute for human physicians remained cautious. Participants acknowledged potential benefits such as efficiency and diagnostic support but expressed concerns regarding trust, reliability, and ethical considerations.ConclusionWhile awareness of AI technologies in healthcare appears relatively widespread among the Saudi public, acceptance of AI-based medical consultation remains moderate. Educational initiatives and transparent regulatory frameworks may enhance public trust and facilitate responsible integration of AI technologies into healthcare systems.

Background/Objectives: Bariatric surgery has emerged as an effective intervention for severe obesity; however, post-operative dizziness remains poorly characterized in the literature. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dizziness, imbalance, and hearing problems following bariatric surgery and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at multiple centers in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, surgical details, and post-operative vestibular symptoms. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of dizziness. Results: The prevalence of post-operative dizziness was 77.3% (95% CI: 70.0-83.3%), imbalance was 38.0% (95% CI: 30.6-46.0%), and hearing problems were 10.7% (95% CI: 6.7-16.6%). Bivariate logistic regression identified weight loss was significantly associated with dizziness (OR = 1.063, 95% CI: 1.024-1.103, p = 0.001). In the multivariate model, each percentage point increase in weight loss was associated with a 6.1% increased dizziness (adjusted OR = 1.061, 95% CI: 1.017-1.107, p = 0.006). Dizziness was strongly associated with imbalance (chi-square = 14.325, p < 0.001) and falls (chi-square = 7.085, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Vestibular complications, particularly dizziness, are highly prevalent following bariatric surgery and demonstrate a significant dose-response relationship with the magnitude of weight loss. Enhanced awareness and systematic screening for dizziness in post-bariatric patients are warranted.

Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. Ex Poir. (Capparaceae) is an important local famine food plant in Africa and is widely exploited by healers in the Sahelian region for its seeds, which are used to reduce hyperglycemia. We studied the efficacy of the commercial dosage form of Boscia senegalensis, namely Boscisucrophage (BSP), in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients with resistance to oral antihyperglycemic drugs. The clinical benefits of BSP were in a prospective, single-center, open-label, single-arm interventional study involving 43 naïve patients and 289 diabetic patients resistant to oral antidiabetic drugs. All patients received capsules containing a fixed dose of 350 mg of BSP, taken three times daily for 12 weeks. Outcomes were monitored through venous blood glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urine glucose excretion (UGE), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine levels, and clinical examination of functional symptoms. In the clinical study, BSP significantly reduced glycemia and HbA1c levels, increased urine glucose excretion (UGE), and alleviated the side effects and functional symptoms of T2DM. Our clinical findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the potential use of BSP to reduce glycemia and HbA1c in T2DM patients resistant to oral antihyperglycemic drugs, with no significant adverse effects observed in this study. These results highlight BSP's potential as a dual SGLT1/SGLT2 inhibitor, suggesting a novel mechanism of action. However, further validation through randomized controlled trials is necessary to confirm these findings. Trial Registration: National Ethics Committee (N°679/PR/PM/MSP/SE/SG/DHATC/SGH/SRH/13).

Clinically node-negative (cN0) neck management in cT1-T2 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma continues to be a subject of controversy. The eighth edition AJCC has incorporated depth of invasion (DOI) as a significant factor in staging and consideration for possible neck dissection. Establishment of accurate DOI thresholds and their clinical relevance is crucial to maximize oncological outcomes with reduced unnecessary morbidity. A comprehensive analysis of clinical research assessing elective neck dissection (END) techniques in oral cavity cancers classified by DOI in cT1-T2N0 patients was carried out. The included studies reported occult nodal metastasis rates, overall survival, disease-specific survival, disease-free survival, and regional control. With hazard ratios favoring END for overall survival (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.45-0.92) and disease-free survival (HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.34-0.59), elective neck dissection provided advantages in both survival and regional control. In a national registry, DOI ≥ 5 mm independently raised the risk of nodal failure (HR 2.099; 95% CI 1.346-3.271), while END enhanced neck control in comparison to observation (HR 1.749; 95% CI 1.141-2.680). With ROC-derived cut-offs like 4.59 mm producing positive predictive values for nodal metastasis up to 41.7%, diagnostic thresholds clustered around 4 mm. Under DOI guidance, elective neck dissection consistently showed oncologic benefit, with practical thresholds convergent around 4 mm for sites in the mixed oral cavity and 3 mm for high-risk subsites. The synthesized results confirmed that DOI is the primary determinant of END when combined with histopathologic and subsite-specific risk factors.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common chronic conditions that significantly impact patients’ quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the potential association between khat chewing and TMDs. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted by two independent investigators on May 26, 2025, to identify all relevant studies. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata/MP v17 (StataCorp, TX, USA). Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Additionally, GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) system was used to assess the certainty of evidence. Thirteen studies, comprising 3526 subjects, met the inclusion criteria. Of these, only six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Qualitative findings indicated a significant association between khat chewing and the clinical and radiographic signs of TMDs. The pooled analysis demonstrated a significant association between khat chewing and TMDs (OR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.20–5.09; p = 0.01; heterogeneity: I² = 84.68%). According to GRADE analysis, the overall quality of evidence was very low. The available evidence indicates a possible association between long-term khat chewing and TMDs. However, given the low quality of evidence and the considerable heterogeneity among the studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Further well-designed longitudinal studies are strongly recommended to clarify the potential detrimental effects of khat chewing on the temporomandibular joint and the masticatory system.

Background: Prolonged screen time in the modern digital society, including television viewing, smartphone use, computer use, and video gaming, has emerged as a significant public health concern. Excessive screen exposure may reduce physical activity levels and contribute to obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the association between screen time, physical activity, and obesity among adults living in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a 26-item questionnaire assessing screen time behaviors, physical activity (Godin–Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire), and sociodemographic characteristics. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29. Results: A total of 1,282 participants completed the survey; 58% were female, and 57% were aged between 20 and 49 years. Overall, 36% of respondents were overweight, 27% were obese, and 64% were physically active. Screen time exceeding four hours per weekday was reported by 26% for television, 39% for computers, 7% for video games, and 77% for smartphones. Several demographic and socioeconomic factors were associated with increased computer and smartphone use. Smartphone use was significantly associated with insufficient physical activity or sedentary behavior, but not with overweight or obesity. Conclusions: High levels of screen time were observed among adults in Saudi Arabia. While prolonged screen exposure was not associated with obesity, excessive screen time, particularly smartphone use, was significantly associated with lower physical activity levels. These findings highlight the need for public health strategies that promote physical activity and address excessive screen use among adults.

Pediatric psychology is a specialized branch of psychology that focuses on the emotional, behavioral, and developmental well-being of children from infancy through adolescence. It bridges two worlds-medicine and psychology-to ensure that a child’s mental health is understood within the context of their physical health, family environment, and social experiences.

Nanoparticles used in enzyme immobilization offer a high surface area- to-volume ratio, high chemical and thermal stability, and resistance to microbial attack. The present investigation demonstrates the immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae β- galactosidase on silica nanoparticles via covalent binding. A greater yield of enzyme immobilization (89%) was attained on the developed nanobiocatalyst. It was observed that the immobilized and soluble enzymes had optimal pH and temperature values of 50°C and 4.5, respectively. It was monitored that at pH 4.0, soluble β- galactosidase (SβG) exhibited 59% activity. However, the immobilized enzyme showed 92% activity under identical conditions. Similarly, 41% enzyme activity was retained at 70 °C by the free enzyme. Conversely, immobilized β-galactosidase (IβG) retained 70% activity under similar experimental conditions. Additionally, it was observed that at 5% galactose concentration, IβG showed 55% activity under one hour of incubation. However, under comparable experimental conditions, SβG showed 24% activity. It was observed that the immobilized enzyme was reusable, maintaining 90% of its activity even after five uses. The soluble enzyme demonstrated 62% and 70% lactose hydrolysis under the same conditions after 8 hours, while IβG demonstrated 74% and 85% lactose hydrolysis at 40°C and 50°C, respectively, in a controlled batch reactor experiment that was run for 10 hours. Hence, owing to the greater reusability (90% after 5th repeated use) and excellent conversion of lactose at higher temperatures, the developed nanosupport may be used to produce lactose-free dairy products in continuous reactors on a large scale in biotechnology industries.

This cross-sectional survey investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia regarding antibiotic prescribing for pediatric dental pain, while also exploring digital readiness and financial influences. A nationally representative sample of 676 dentists completed a validated questionnaire. Results revealed a significant gap between knowledge and practice. While awareness of antimicrobial resistance was high (93.7%), adherence to specific guidelines was poor; for instance, only 27.1% correctly rejected antibiotics for uncomplicated pulpitis. Practice setting was a key influencer, with private practitioners reporting significantly higher parental pressure and being more likely to inappropriately prescribe antibiotics. Attitudinal barriers included fears of complications and medico-legal issues. Although digital support tools were viewed favorably (87.5%), major implementation barriers were time constraints (84.7%) and financial costs (67.9%). The study concludes that inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in Saudi pediatric dentistry is driven by a complex interplay of knowledge deficits, external pressures, and systemic barriers. Targeted interventions are urgently needed, including continuous education, antimicrobial stewardship programs, and the integration of user-friendly digital decision-support systems to bridge the knowledge-practice gap and combat antimicrobial resistance.