Objective: To estimate serum zinc level among patients and a normal healthy control group, and to find out if it\'s related to the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) or not. Methodology: A total of 108 patients participated in this study; 54 of them had AD, and the remaining were healthy control individuals. The patients with QAD were consulting Al-Sader Teaching Hospital and two private dermatology clinics. All were interviewed, and a detailed history and clinical examination were done. Serum zinc levels were estimated from all study samples at the same laboratory. Results: Serum zinc was found to be lower in patients with AD (63.44±23.60 µg/dl) in comparison to the control group (96.93±20.33 µg/dl). Most patients (85.1%) with AD had moderate to severe AD. The serum level was correlated with the severity of the disease. Conclusion: Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in AD patients and showed a strong correlation with disease severity, being lower in those with moderate to severe forms. Regular intake of zinc-rich foods with fewer chelating agents is linked to less frequent and milder AD.

Objective: To assess the impact of implant-prosthetic rehabilitation on OHRQoL using the OHIP-14 and QoLIP-10 indices. Methodology: This quasi-experimental (pre–post) study was conducted at a tertiary care center over nine months. Fifty-seven patients aged 18-70 years, each missing at least five teeth for over one year, were recruited through convenience sampling. The OHIP-14 and QoLIP-10 questionnaires were administered before treatment and three months after implantation. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare pre- and post-treatment scores. Results: Significant improvements in OHRQoL were observed following implant rehabilitation. OHIP-14 scores showed reductions in functional limitations (9.58 to 6.17; p=0.001), physical pain (10.67 to 6.11; p=0.001), psychological distress (6.47 to 4.95; p=0.017), and social disability (5.72 to 3.16; p=0.001). QoLIP-10 results revealed enhanced satisfaction with appearance (16.86), daily activities (13.68), and social relations (12.87). While mastication difficulty (10.89) and oral pain (11.78) persisted to some extent, overall post-treatment improvement was significant. Conclusion: Implant-prosthetic rehabilitation significantly enhances OHRQoL by addressing functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial domains, underscoring the role of implants in improving patient satisfaction and overall well-being.

Objective: To synthesize the results of several studies evaluating the effectiveness of Intra-articular laser therapy (IALT) in improving pain, function, and overall joint health. Methodology: Large medical databases and relevant websites were searched without a time limit. After assessing the quality of the studies, only English-language articles were selected, and all study designs were included in the review. We examined different outcomes: pain, joint function. Results: The analysis highlights key findings from various clinical studies, including significant reductions in pain severity, improvements in joint function, and improvements in quality of life in patients undergoing IALT. Studies have demonstrated that the combination of IALT with other treatment modalities, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and exosome therapy, further amplifies these positive effects, providing a comprehensive approach to non-inflammatory surgical management of joint disorders. Conclusion: Intra-articular laser therapy (IALT) appears to be a safe and potentially effective treatment for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee and other degenerative joint diseases. Further studies are needed to determine its efficacy in other joints and severe disease.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of two standardized systemic antifungal treatment protocols. Methodology: In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 48 patients with clinically and microbiologically confirmed dermatophyte infections were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups from August 1, 2023, to February 1, 2024. Group 1 (n=24) was administered clotrimazole cream applied twice daily, along with oral terbinafine 250 mg once daily for four weeks. Group 2 received the same topical regimen alongside oral itraconazole 200 mg once daily for the same duration. Clinical outcomes were measured using a symptom scoring system that assessed erythema, scaling, papules, and pruritus. Results: A majority of patients (77.1%) presented with both tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Trichophyton tonsurans was the most frequently isolated species, accounting for 33.4% of the cultures. After two weeks, 35.4% of participants showed a satisfactory response, while 6.3% exhibited poor improvement. By the sixth week, 79.2% had achieved excellent results, with poor outcomes persisting in 6.3% of cases. After the trial, the cure rate was 64.6%, while 16.7% remained active cases; recurrence was observed in 14.6%, and resistance or lack of response in 4.2%. Conclusion: No significant difference was identified between the two systemic antifungal regimens in treating superficial dermatophytosis. Although treatment outcomes were not ideal, the findings suggest that higher dosages or extended therapy durations may yield better clinical responses.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and practices of nurses regarding the transfer of critically ill surgical patients in university hospitals in Khartoum. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from May to October 2022 and included 173 critical care surgical nurses at Soba, Ribat, and Bashair Teaching Hospitals. Data were collected using an interview-based questionnaire and an observation checklist developed from literature and nursing guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 to evaluate knowledge, practices, and the influence of socio-demographic factors. Results: Most nurses demonstrated inadequate knowledge (63.6%), while only 36.4% showed good knowledge. Regarding practice, 71.9% performed poorly, and 28.1% demonstrated satisfactory practice. Documentation of nursing procedures was low (18.5%), and only 29.5% identified transport-related complications. Notably, 82.4% of nurses who performed well had received formal training. Conclusion: The findings highlight significant gaps in nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding the safe transfer of critically ill surgical patients. Training, standardized protocols, adequate resources, and structured handover systems are crucial for enhancing patient outcomes and ensuring safety during transfers.

Objective: To investigate the determinants of digital competence among nurse managers, focusing specifically on demographic and work-structure factors. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 120 nurse managers who worked in three governmental hospitals in Aswan Governorate, Egypt. Participants were selected using simple random sampling to ensure representativeness. Data were collected using the Digital Competence Scale, which measures stress across three domains. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The overall moderate level of digital competence, with a mean score of 72.6±17.9. Among the three domains, attitude toward digital technologies was the highest (40.0±10.7). Furthermore, the practical digital skills ranked second (21.8±6.9), indicating a reasonable level of operational capability, while digital knowledge was the lowest (10.8±3.1). Conclusion: The nurse managers’ years of experience in both the nursing field and their current work unit were strongly associated with higher digital competence, emphasizing the importance of career maturity and continuity in developing digital proficiency.

Objective: To assess the incidence, risk factors, and surgical indications related to recurrent lumbar disc herniation (rLDH) and persistent postoperative pain following lumbar discectomy. Methodology: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and large case series published between 2010 and 2025 was conducted. Searches were performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases following PRISMA guidelines. Studies involving adult patients with lumbar discectomy were included, focusing on recurrence, persistent pain, and indications for reoperation. Results: Recurrence rates ranged from 5-15%, typically occurring within 1-5 years. Persistent postoperative pain affected up to 27% of patients. Key risk factors included smoking, diabetes, obesity, Modic changes, disc extrusion, and incomplete disc removal. Reoperation rates varied between 0.5% at one year and up to 19% in long-term follow-up. Fusion surgery was indicated in selected cases with instability or repeated recurrence. Conclusion: Both recurrent herniation and persistent pain require a comprehensive, individualized approach. Early identification of risk factors and precise surgical execution are critical to minimizing complications. Future research should emphasize predictive modeling and evidence-based criteria for second surgery.

Objective: To assess knowledge, behavior and uses of HIV/AIDS prevention services among people in Khartoum, Sudan. Methodology: This descriptive study included people aged above 18 years residing in Khartoum (Sharg Elneel, Ombada, and Jabal Awlia), Sudan. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the localities then systematic sampling was used to select the houses. The data were collected using interview questionnaire and was analysed by SPSS program. Results: This study displayed a diverse range of ages of pregnant people, with the majority of participants aged between 18 and 20 (26%), 21–24 years (16%) and 25–29 years (15.5%). Most of respondent (56.75%) had good knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention, (60%) good behavior and 66% reported good use of these HIV/AIDS prevention services. Household and marriage ownership was more knowledgeable, behavioral and more used than (p<0.05) than the others. Conclusion: Majority of people had good level of knowledge, exhibited a good behavior and reported good utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention services in Khartoum, Sudan. The people who owned their own houses and married people demonstrated higher levels of knowledge, behavior and uses compared to others. It is recommended that educational interventions to be conducted to enhance people knowledge and to conduct further research to investigate the influencing factors of knowledge.

Objective: To explore implications of decentralizing psychiatric and mental health services to primary healthcare centers (PHCs) and community clinics on mental health stigma and community awareness. Methodology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Library of King Abdulaziz University and Google Scholar. The search strategy focused on articles related to the decentralization or integration of psychiatric and mental health services within PHCs. Initial searches yielded 2086 studies, which were then filtered based on pre-defined inclusion criteria, resulting in a final selection of 18 articles for review. Results: An analysis of 18 articles identified key themes, including the investigation of factors that facilitate or hinder access to mental health services, the significance of decentralizing and integrating mental health care within PHCs to reduce stigma and increase awareness, the impact of community support for mental health services in these centers, the crucial role played by psychological counselors in primary care and prevention, and the progress of mental health service initiatives within Saudi Arabian health centers. Conclusion: Decentralizing mental health services is crucial for reducing stigma and improving access to care. Community-based programs and their integration into primary healthcare settings promote understanding, support, and safe environments for individuals with mental health concerns.

Objective: To assess nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding urinary catheter insertion and maintenance at a government hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This quantitative, cross-sectional was carried out from March to June 2021. A sample of 94 registered nurses from medical, surgical, and critical unites were conveniently recruited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Half of the nurses demonstrated good knowledge (50%), while 69% had a positive attitude. A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude (r=0.848, p<0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for healthcare providers to enhance urinary catheter care practices. Healthcare organizations should establish clear protocols and policies to guide proper insertion and maintenance procedures. Continuous training and professional development are essential to keep nurses updated on best practices.