King Abdullah University Research Articles

Prevalence of electronic smoking exposure and tonsillectomy surgery in children.

The hypothesis tested was the negative impact of electronic smoke exposure on the developing of respiratory infection, specifically in the upper tract. In this study, we aimed to investigate if smoke exposure increased the number of tonsillectomy surgery in children compared to the hernia repair control group. The design of our study was retrospective case-control. We retrospectively reviewed medical records or children of up to 12 years of age that were admitted for tonsillectomy at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) from January 2019 to December 2023 to determine exposure to both electronic and tobacco smoking. Records of hernia repair surgery children aged 12 and less at this facility were also retrospectively reviewed for both electronic and tobacco smoke exposure during the same period. Data was collected from medical records and phone call interviews with the patients and their families. A total of 743 children were included, 64% were males. The participants were divided into two groups: 439 had recurrent tonsillitis and needed tonsillectomy, the other 304 underwent hernia repair surgery (control group). Overall, 28% of children were exposed to electronic smoking, 29% to tobacco smoking, and 5.9% to both. Electronic and tobacco smoke exposure was significantly evident among the tonsillectomy group compared to the hernia group. Logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to electronic smoking (OR: 2.74) and tobacco smoking (OR: 2.47) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of undergoing tonsillectomy. However, patients with exposure to both smoking types did not show a significant link, while the absence of any smoking exposure was significantly associated to lower odds of tonsillectomy. Children who underwent tonsillectomy had a higher likelihood of being exposed to tobacco or electronic smoking compared to children in the hernia repair surgery group.

The Impact of Listening to Quran Recitation during Pain-Inducing Procedure among Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation Support: An Interventional Study

Background: Pain experienced by intubated patients is caused by several extrinsic sources, including nursing care procedures such as endotracheal suctioning. Several nonpharmacological therapies, including listening to Quran recitation, have never been tested for their pain relief effects among intubated patients, despite these therapies being cost-effective, easy to implement, and free of adverse effects. This study aimed to examine the pain-relieving effect of listening to Quran recitation during pain-inducing procedures in patients receiving mechanical ventilation support. Materials and Methods: This pilot study used an experimental design with 32 intubated patients at King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan. The Behavioral Pain Scale and Ramsay Sedation Scale were used to assess pain levels and sedation, and physiologic parameters were monitored before and during endotracheal suctioning. Results: The findings showed significant differences in Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) scores and heart rate measures between the intervention and control groups after controlling for the level of sedation. The patients in the intervention group scored lower pain and HR measures than those in the control group (F5,26 = 11.47, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings showed significant improvement in the levels of pain and heart rate measures among intubated patients who are exposed to Quran recitation. Complementary medicine is essential to the healthcare plans of critically ill patients and their families. Holy Quran recitation has been reported to be a useful nonpharmacological intervention for critically ill Muslim patients.

Seasonal Variations in Testicular Torsion: A Retrospective Study.

Testicular torsion (TT) is a urological emergency requiring prompt intervention to prevent irreversible damage to the testicle. This study aims to assess trends in men's TT referrals, diagnostic evaluation through Doppler sonography (DS) scan, symptoms before surgery, orchidectomy rates, and TT laterality in relation to age and seasons of the year. This observational retrospective cohort study included all patients treated for TT at King Abdullah University Hospital between 2009 and 2021. Patients underwent DS, scrotal exploration, orchidopexy, or orchidectomy. Data collected encompassed patient demographics, admission date, duration of symptoms, laterality, and surgical intervention. Our study consisted of 308 TT patients between the ages of 10 and 33. Approximately 194 (63%) patients who were taken to the hospital for an average of 47 hours got an orchidectomy. Although the majority of patients received orchidopexy within 72 hours of detorsion and orchidopexy, five patients (3.6%) required reperfusion following detorsion and orchidopexy. A total of 112 individuals (36.4%) underwent bilateral orchidopexy, which lasted anywhere from 9 to 26 hours, whereas 194 (63%) patients underwent orchidectomy, which lasted anything from 40 to 264 hours (p < 0.001). The prevalence of right-sided TT increases by 6% per year with age (p = 0.047). This study found a high association between the amount of recoverable testicular tissue and the duration of symptoms before surgery. Even after 72 hours, it is still possible to salvage the testicles, even though the success rate reduces from 75% within 24 hours to 3.6% beyond that. Additionally, elderly individuals are more likely to experience right-sided torsion.Seasonal variation was evident, with the highest incidence of TT occurring during winter months, suggesting potential environmental or physiological triggers.

Demographic and clinical features of rosacea in North Jordan: a 10-year university hospital retrospective study

Background/Objectives This study aims to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of rosacea within the North Jordan population, focusing on Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV. The intent is to address gaps in dermatological research concerning ethnic and racial variations in rosacea’s presentation and impact. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis at the dermatology department of King Abdullah University Hospital, North Jordan, reviewing medical records of patients diagnosed with rosacea from January 2013 to December 2023. Data collection focused on demographics, rosacea subtypes and environmental factors exacerbating the condition. Statistical analysis utilized Jamovi and GraphPad Prism software. Results The study included 610 patients, revealing a rosacea prevalence of 1.5% within the hospital’s catchment area. Most patients were female (84.4%), with a median age of 44. The majority had Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV. The erythematotelangiectatic subtype was most common (73.6%), followed by papulopustular (23.4%) and phymatous (3%). Environmental triggers like sun exposure and temperature changes were nearly universally reported as exacerbating factors. Conclusions Rosacea shows significant gender disparities and is influenced by environmental factors. The study underscores the need for targeted research and treatment strategies that consider ethnic and racial variations, along with gender-specific presentations of the disease.

The Transformative Patent Landscape in Saudi Arabia Since the Saudi Vision 2030 Announcement

This study analyzes the patent landscape of Saudi Arabia from the announcement of Saudi Vision 2030 in late April 2016 to September 2024, utilizing the Patsnap database to evaluate patent grants across various organizations. The findings reveal a gradual increase in patent registrations, with Saudi Aramco leading in patent grants, followed by King Faisal University (KFU), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and King Abdulaziz University (KAU). SABIC, a prominent industry player in Saudi Arabia, has registered most of its patents using its European Head Office address and holds extensive collaborations with international partners, generating numerous patents. The analysis identifies the top patent offices where KSA organizations seek protection, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), European Patent Office (EPO), the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), and the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. However, the limited number of registrations at the SAIP highlights a need for improvement. The primary application domains encompass borehole/well accessories, measurement devices, organic chemistry, computing, and chemical/physical processes. The landscape reveals that Saudi Aramco and KFUPM focus predominantly on upstream and downstream technologies, while KAU, KFU, and KAUST concentrate on life sciences. Key findings indicate a significant increase in patent activity since the vision announcement, suggesting a growing focus on innovation within Saudi Arabia. However, the concentration of patents among a few major players (Saudi Aramco and SABIC) and the underrepresentation of patents filed with the Saudi Authority of Intellectual Property (SAIP) highlight areas for improvement. This study emphasizes the necessity to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and healthcare research institutions to foster broader participation in innovation and protect novel technologies. This research contributes valuable insights into the current state of patenting activities in Saudi Arabia and outlines opportunities for enhancing the country’s innovation ecosystem.

Fostering Sustainability through Educational and Research Initiatives at ETUT

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of sustainability-focused educational initiatives at Oguz Han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan (ETUT) alongside other young universities, including Duke Kunshan University (China), Ashoka University (India), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia). The study examines how these institutions integrate sustainability into their curricula, student engagement, and community outreach efforts, emphasizing the role of emerging universities in advancing sustainability education. Through an in-depth case study of ETUT and a comparative review of global trends, the research highlights innovative approaches aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper illustrates how young universities leverage their agility to embed sustainability into their operations, curricula, and community interactions, preparing students to address pressing environmental and social challenges in the 21st century.

A Fifteen‐Year Journey of Groundbreaking Research and Innovation at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) (Adv. Mater. 51/2024)

A Fifteen‐Year Journey of Groundbreaking Research and Innovation at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) (Adv. Mater. 51/2024)

The Association Between the rs2200733 SNP and Atrial Fibrillation Among Arabs: A Study from Jordan.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common disorder featured by an irregular and fast heartbeat. The etiology of AFib is complex and involves genetic and environmental factors. The rs2200733 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is located in close proximity to the promoter of paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) which plays a role in heart development. In this study, the association between the rs2200733 SNP and AFib was examined in the Jordanian population. The study included 450 subjects (274 controls and 176 patients with AFib). Patients were recruited from King Abdullah University Hospital based on the European Society of Cardiology criteria. The rs2200733 SNP was genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) technique. The mutant T allele of the rs2200733 SNP was common in the studied population with a frequency of 19%. The T allele and CT/TT genotypes were prevalent among patients with AFib compared with the controls (P<0.05, OR [CI]: 1.65 [1.12-2.43]). In addition, body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension were found to be associated with AFib risk. The rs2200733 SNP was associated with AFib among Jordanian patients. The mutant T allele of the rs2200733 SNP might increase the risk of AFib.

Towards cleaner desalination systems utilizing waste heat: A bibliometric analysis

Towards cleaner desalination systems utilizing waste heat: A bibliometric analysis

Exploring the Connection Between Family History of Seizures and Post-traumatic Brain Injury Seizure Types: A Retrospective Study

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common presentations to emergency departments and is associated with seizures carrying different significance at different stages following injury. The occurrence of seizures after head injury is a recognized complication of TBI and has been demonstrated to worsen functional outcomes significantly. Despite previous studies identifying various PTS risk factors, our understanding remains limited, particularly regarding familial seizure history. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH), Jordan, examining 1934 TBI cases from 2017 to 2023, identifying 118 patients with confirmed post-traumatic seizures. Results: This study involved 118 TBI patients, aged between 2 and 86 years (median 21.5 years), with 74.6% male and 25.4% female. A family history of seizures was reported by 23.7% of patients. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (52.5%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (38.1%) were the predominant trauma types. Generalized tonicclonic (GTCs) seizures (69.5%) and focal seizures (30.5%) were observed post-TBI. Among 28 patients with a family history of seizures, no evidence of association was observed between the family history and post-traumatic seizure types (GTCs or focal seizures), this was confirmed by performing Chi-square tests (p = 0.9841) and logistic regression analysis (p = 0.79). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there is no evidence of the association between family history and post-traumatic seizure types, implying that a specialized approach for patients with positive family histories may not be warranted. Larger studies are recommended for further validation.

A Framework for Detecting Pulmonary Diseases from Lung Sound Signals Using a Hybrid Multi-Task Autoencoder-SVM Model

Research focuses on the efficacy of Multi-Task Autoencoder (MTAE) models in signal classification due to their ability to handle many tasks while improving feature extraction. However, researchers have not thoroughly investigated the study of lung sounds (LSs) for pulmonary disease detection. This paper introduces a new framework that utilizes an MTAE model to detect lung diseases based on LS signals. The model integrates an autoencoder and a supervised classifier, simultaneously optimizing both classification accuracy and signal reconstruction. Furthermore, we propose a hybrid approach that combines an MTAE and a Support Vector Machine (MTAE-SVM) to enhance performance. We evaluated our model using LS signals from a publicly available database from King Abdullah University Hospital. The model attained an accuracy of 89.47% for four classes (normal, pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and 90.22% for three classes (normal, pneumonia, and asthma cases). Using the MTAE-SVM, the accuracy was further improved to 91.49% for four classes and 93.08% for three classes, respectively. The results indicate that the MTAE and MTAE-SVM have a considerable potential for detecting pulmonary diseases from lung sound signals. This could aid in the creation of more user-friendly and effective diagnostic tools.

Medications Associated with Geriatric Syndromes and Prescribing Patterns: The Impact of Excessive Polypharmacy in Older Adult Patients.

To assess the prescribing patterns of medications associated with geriatric syndromes (MAGS) in older adult patients with multiple comorbidities and to identify factors that may increase the risk of MAGS prescribing in the same population. This study involved a retrospective analysis of the electronic medical records of older adult patients (≥ 65 years) who visited outpatient clinics at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) in Jordan between January 1, 2019, and June 1, 2024. The collected data included patient demographics, medical history, and medications, focusing on those associated with geriatric syndromes. Descriptive and logistic regression statistical analyses were performed using SPSS with the significance level set at p < 0.05. The study included 1087 older adult patients (52.7% female), with a median age of 71 years. The common conditions existed were peptic ulcer disease (57.1%), hypertension (54.65%), and uncomplicated diabetes (50%). Polypharmacy was presented in 94.8% of total patients number, with 41.6% experiencing excessive polypharmacy. Antihypertensives (78.4%), non-opioid analgesics (56.5%), and antidiabetics (51.8%) were the most frequently prescribed MAGS, which frequently resulted in falls (96%), urinary incontinence (87.6%), and depression (87.3%). Patients with excessive polypharmacy had significantly higher MAGS scores than those with moderate or mild polypharmacy (95% CI: -2.230 to -1.770 and -3.322 to -2.678, respectively, P < 0.001). The findings demonstrate a high prevalence of excessive polypharmacy among older adult patients, significantly contributing to the elevated prescription level of medications associated with geriatric syndrome occurrence, particularly falls, urinary incontinence, and depression.

Prevalence and Predictors of Burnout among Pharmacists at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of burnout among hospital pharmacists and to identify the relationship between certain variables and burnout levels. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study where a survey was distributed among hospital pharmacists during a one-month period. A non-probability consecutive sampling method was used, and the total sample size was 42 participants. Descriptive data were presented in frequencies, and an ANOVA test was used to assess the association between demographic variables and burnout levels. Results: Our results showed high levels of burnout among the studied population. While age, gender, years of experience, and number of night shifts were not associated with burnout levels, the number of working hours per week, number of sleeping hours per day, marital status, number of children, and outcome satisfaction were associated with burnout. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of burnout among pharmacists in Jordan. Factors associated with burnout can be modified to reduce its risk.

Analysis of IDH and EGFR as biomarkers in glioblastoma multiforme: A case-control study

Analysis of IDH and EGFR as biomarkers in glioblastoma multiforme: A case-control study

Prevalence and risk factors of osteopenia and osteoporosis among postmenopausal women: A cross-sectional study from Jordan.

Our aim was to predict the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis and their associated risk factors among postmenopausal women from Jordan. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 368 postmenopausal women were recruited from King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) in the North of Jordan between September 2022 and April 2023. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. T-score was used for osteoporosis diagnosis in accordance with the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) guidelines. Data about sociodemographic and lifestyle variables were collected using face-to-face interviews. Medical records were used to retrieve participants' BMD information. Predictors of osteoporosis were identified using logistic regression. Prevalence of osteoporosis was 40.5%, while 44.6% of participants were diagnosed with osteopenia. The lumbar spine had the highest frequency of osteoporosis (30.4%), while the left femoral neck had the highest prevalence of osteopenia (46.3%). Postmenopausal women's age (p-value=.024), and history of chronic diseases (p-value=.038) were significant factors associated with increased osteoporosis risk. Postmenopausal women from Jordan had high prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia. It is therefore necessary to target risk factors leading to osteoporosis and to improve patients' lifestyles through patient education. Healthcare systems should consider early screening approaches for osteoporosis at the age of menopause and thereafter. Supplements of calcium and vitamin D may be routinely considered for this age group depending on their serum levels.

Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19: Evidence From a Tertiary Healthcare Center in Irbid, Jordan.

Background Understanding parental knowledge and attitudes is crucial for effective public health interventions. This study aimed to explore knowledge and attitudes reagrding the COVID-19 crisis among parents who visited King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) in Irbid governorate, Jordan, during the second wave of the pandemic. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional design for the parents who frequently visit KAUH in the period December 2020-January 2021.A quantitative study design was used via an online survey questionnaire via WhatsApp. The data from the responses were analyzed to understand the participants' knowledge and attitudes toward COVID-19. Results A total of 600 parents sample participated in this study. The findings showed that around 57% of the parents had high awareness and knowledge of the different symptoms of COVID-19. Additionally, around 60% of the parents who visited the KAUH during the second wave of this crisis in December 2020 and aged from 40 to 50 years old had more awareness of the different symptoms of this virus.Knowledge and attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 were assessed, showing that high-education respondents (n = 425) identified sneezing (80%) and touching surfaces (90%) as common transmission routes, while low-education respondents (n = 153) emphasized sneezing (100%). Preventive actions such as wearing masks (high education: 80%, low education: 100%) and avoiding crowds (high education: 80%, low education: 83.3%) were widely recognized. Both groups believed in the benefits of vitamin C-rich foods (high education: 50%, low education: 25%), but not in alcohol, for treatment. They also rejected the idea that the virus could be transmitted from mothers to fetuses or through breastfeeding. Both education levels agreed that elderly individuals are at higher risk of severe complications, with high-education respondents (90%) and low-education respondents (100%) citing severe lung infection as a major risk. Conclusions Generally, the sample of different age groups was more concerned with the risks and threats that could happen because of this pandemic. New studies investigating similar issues in this crisis are necessary to expand the perceptions of managing and controlling this situation.

Enhancing mortality prediction after coronary artery bypass graft: a machine learning approach utilizing EuroScore.

Aim: We developed a machine learning model using EuroScore assumptions and preoperative and intraoperative risk factors to predict mortality after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Materials & methods: We retrospectively examined data from 108 CABG patients at King Abdullah University Hospital, classifying them into risk groups via EuroScore and predicting mortality through random forest classification. Results: High-risk patients displayed longer surgical times and significant factors such as age and surgery choice. The median EuroScore was 0.95 (0.5-6.4). The model yielded high AUC scores (0.98, 0.95) indicating strong predictive accuracy. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the machine learning models combined with the EuroScore significantly improve post-CABG mortality prediction. For further validation, larger datasets are needed.

Assessing the Impact of Oral Isotretinoin on the Menstrual Cycle: A Prospective Study on Predictors of Menstrual Irregularities.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the association between the use of oral isotretinoin and menstrual irregularities in acne patients with previously regular menstrual cycles. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 58,599 female patients aged 14 to 36 at King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan. The patients were followed for a period of 4.5 to 8 months during treatment and for 2 months post-treatment. Menstrual cycle changes were documented, and statistical analysis was performed to identify any significant associations. Results: A total of 111 (37.1%) patients, who were previously known to have regular menstrual cycles, complained of menstrual changes while using oral isotretinoin. Ninety-nine of those patients who complained of menstrual changes had their cycles back to normal post-treatment. There is a significant difference in the total accumulative dose between those with changes in menses and those without; p-value [0.008]. The most common change that occurred was amenorrhea (p < 0.001), followed by oligomenorrhea and menorrhagia (p < 0.001 and p = 0.050, respectively). The duration of treatment was a significant predictor of menstrual irregularities, with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.106 (95% CI: 1.371-19.020, p = 0.015), indicating a higher likelihood of menstrual changes with increased treatment duration. The total accumulative dose was also significantly associated with menstrual irregularities (OR = 0.964; 95% CI: 0.939-0.990; p = 0.006). Additionally, a family history of PCOS significantly increased the odds of menstrual irregularities (OR = 3.783; 95% CI: 1.314-10.892; p = 0.014). Conclusions: The study identified that 37.1% of the participants experienced changes in their menstrual cycles while undergoing isotretinoin therapy, with the vast majority (89.2%) returning to normal within two months post-treatment. Our logistic regression analysis pinpointed the duration of isotretinoin treatment, the total accumulative dose, and a family history of PCOS as significant predictors of menstrual irregularities.

Exploring the impact of built environment design on oncology inpatient rooms: a single-based study of King Abdullah University Hospital

ABSTRACT The recognized impact of healthcare facility design on patient well-being prompted this investigation into the influence of design variables on patient satisfaction and length of stay (LOS) within a single-center oncology unit. A survey-based methodology was employed at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) to gather data from 88 participants. The study focused on inpatient rooms on the 10th floor, comparing single and shared accommodations. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in LOS between the two room types, with patients in single rooms experiencing shorter stays and higher satisfaction. Privacy (PR) received the highest mean score in participant evaluations, followed by social support (SS) and physical support (PS) features. Visual appearance (VA) received the lowest mean score. The correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between privacy, visual appearance, and LOS (p < 0.01), indicating that greater privacy and better views (implicated by the visual appearance score) are associated with shorter LOS. Correlations between physical support, social support, and LOS were weak and not statistically significant. These findings underscore the importance of room configuration in shaping the patient experience within oncology units and highlight the pivotal role of design in influencing patient outcomes. They also stress the need for human-centric considerations in healthcare facility design. This knowledge can guide healthcare professionals, architects, and policymakers in optimizing spaces for oncology patients, illustrating how the interplay between the built environment and patient experiences can potentially reshape patient care.

Retrospective Cohort Angiographic Analysis of Vertebral Artery Dominance, Stenosis Patterns, and Demographic Correlations.

Differences in dominance and stenosis in the complex vertebral artery (VA) network pose challenges in diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular diseases crucial for brain nutrition. This research examines these intricacies, highlighting the importance of detailed diagnosis and treatment methods. To analyze the prevalence of the dominant VA, evaluate the influence of gender and age on steno-occlusion, and explore the correlation between the dominant VA and stenosed VA segments. A retrospective study of 249 angiograms from patients with VA stenosed at King Abdullah University Hospital between August 2019 and December 2022. The patients presenting symptoms of vertigo, migraines, headaches, or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) were included, 182 cases were classified based on VA dominance and stenosis severity. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 27. Out of the 182 participants, 64.8% were male, with an average age of 61.3 years and 35.2% were female. The prevalence of stenosis was distributed as follows: 26.4% mild, 44.0% moderate, and 29.7% severe. Statistically significant correlations were observed between hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, and the degree of stenosis (p < 0.05), but not with diabetes. The prevalence of left vertebral artery (VA) dominance was found to be 41.1%. Additionally, there was no gender connection observed in the distribution of steno-occlusion (p = 0.434). There is no notable correlation between the degree of stenosis and the dominant vertebral artery (p > 0.05). Angiographic findings reveal the complex relationship between the dominance of the VA, patterns of stenosis, and demographic factors. Individuals with a dominant VA had a greater likelihood of developing stenosis on the opposite non-dominant side. The high occurrence of severe stenosis highlights the need for tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches. Understanding vertebral stenosis as a multifaceted interaction of demographic, lifestyle, and anatomical variables is essential for enhancing treatment strategies.