scholarly journals Fatality in a body packer: the first reported case in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia Alsaif ◽  
Salah Ali Almoghannam ◽  
Osama M. Almadani ◽  
Magdi Kharoshah
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Body Packer ◽  
Lowering Drug ◽  
Body Packers ◽  
Successful Transfer ◽  
Drug Leakage

Abstract Background Body packers use different methods and materials to pack drugs inside their bodies. These could be simple or sophisticated to ensure a successful transfer or concealment of the drug with minimal risk to the packer. Different drugs were reported with cocaine and heroin being the most common. The packer presents to health facilities whenever they develop complications like drug leakage or intestinal obstruction, or they can be detected after a fatal event as an incidental finding in autopsy. Case presentation A body packer who was in detention suffered pain and died shortly after that. The autopsy not only revealed severe coronary atherosclerosis but also unveiled 10 rubber packages filled with methamphetamine and cannabis, and one package was found ruptured in the mouth. Toxicological analysis showed a blood level of methamphetamine 3.66 mg/L which was considered a cause of death. While methamphetamine was reported in cases of body packers, cannabis is rarely concealed by body packers for several reasons including its cost compared to the risk of packing. Conclusions This is the first reported case of fatality in body packers in Saudi Arabia and Arab countries. This should put into consideration the need for screening suspicious cases who are involved or suspected to be involved with drugs. Effective screening in specific facilities is needed to reduce fatalities and at the same time lowering drug smuggling.

scholarly journals The Arab region’s contribution to global COVID-19 research: Bibliometric and visualization analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sa’ed H. Zyoud
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Arab World ◽  
The United States ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Global Research

Abstract Background At the global level and in the Arab world, particularly in low-income countries, COVID-19 remains a major public health issue. As demonstrated by an incredible number of COVID-19-related publications, the research science community responded rapidly. Therefore, this study was intended to assess the growing contribution of the Arab world to global research on COVID-19. Methods For the period between December 2019 and March 2021, the search for publications was conducted via the Scopus database using terms linked to COVID-19. VOSviewer 1.6.16 software was applied to generate a network map to assess hot topics in this area and determine the collaboration patterns between different countries. Furthermore, the research output of Arab countries was adjusted in relation to population size and gross domestic product (GDP). Results A total of 143,975 publications reflecting the global overall COVID-19 research output were retrieved. By restricting analysis to the publications published by the Arab countries, the research production was 6131 documents, representing 4.26% of the global research output regarding COVID-19. Of all these publications, 3990 (65.08%) were original journal articles, 980 (15.98%) were review articles, 514 (8.38%) were letters and 647 (10.55%) were others, such as editorials or notes. The highest number of COVID-19 publications was published by Saudi Arabia (n = 2186, 35.65%), followed by Egypt (n = 1281, 20.78%) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), (n = 719, 11.73%). After standardization by population size and GDP, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Lebanon had the highest publication productivity. The collaborations were mostly with researchers from the United States (n = 968), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 661). The main research lines identified in COVID-19 from the Arab world are related to: public health and epidemiology; immunological and pharmaceutical research; signs, symptoms and clinical diagnosis; and virus detection. Conclusions A novel analysis of the latest Arab COVID-19-related studies is discussed in the current study and how these findings are connected to global production. Continuing and improving future collaboration between developing and developed countries will also help to facilitate the sharing of responsibilities for COVID-19 in research results and the implementation of policies for COVID-19.

scholarly journals Hoarseness of Voice as a Rare Presentation of Tuberculosis: A Case Report Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (19) ◽  
pp. 3262-3264
Author(s):  
Taher Felemban ◽  
Abdullah Ashi ◽  
Abdullah Sindi ◽  
Mohannad Rajab ◽  
Zuhair Al Jehani
Keyword(s):  
Laryngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Rare Presentation ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Laryngeal Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Having hoarseness of voice as the first clinical manifestation of tuberculosis is rare. This atypical presentation causes some confusion since other more common conditions, such as laryngeal carcinoma, present similarly and might require more invasive tests to confirm the diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old male presented to the otorhinolaryngology clinic with a four-month history of change in voice. Laryngoscopy demonstrated a right glottic mass, raising suspicion of laryngeal cancer. The computed tomography showed a mass and incidental finding of opacities in lung apices. Chest x-ray demonstrated findings suggestive of tuberculosis. Polymerase chain reaction and culture of sputum samples confirmed the diagnosis and the patient was started on anti-tuberculosis treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite accounting for only 1% of pulmonary tuberculosis cases and having a similar presentation to laryngeal carcinoma, we recommend considering laryngeal tuberculosis when evaluating hoarseness of voice in endemic areas.

scholarly journals SYRIA'S POSITION ON IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT IN 1990

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (08) ◽  
pp. 387-407
Author(s):  
Ohood Abbas Ohood Abbas
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Security Council ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Strategic Changes ◽  
Arab League ◽  
The Difference

At the beginning of the nineties of the last century, one of the most prominent Arab problems appeared ‎in the Middle East, which was represented by Iraq‏’‏s invasion of Kuwait, which was the most prominent ‎event at all levels, regional and international, given the great political and strategic changes that the ‎invasion provoked in the region and the difference in attitudes and consensus at other times, ‎including‏ ‏It was necessary for us to study and analyze the position of one of the most important Arab ‎countries in the region, which is the Syrian position on the issue of Iraq‏’‏s invasion of Kuwait and its ‎repercussions, and the Syrian government‏’‏s attempt to settle that conflict by adopting various effective ‎ways to contain the crisis and prevent the dispersal of the Arab nation with its focus on finding a ‎peaceful solution to avoid the countries of the region from possible future dangers‏. ‏It cannot be ‎controlled later, which is what prompted it to go along with all the Arab and international resolutions ‎that condemned that invasion. That is why it sought to announce its position on the issue of the ‎invasion clearly and transparently, and on several occasions, it did not deviate from its national and ‎Arab principles until the date of the liberation of Kuwait and the resolution of the crisis and its end‎‎. Keywords: Iraq, Syria, Invasion, Security Council, Saudi Arabia, Arab League, Kuwait

scholarly journals Tuberculosis in Saudi Arabia: Prevalence between Saudis and Non-Saudis from 2013 to 2018 with a special concern about regions of the KSA

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
The Impact

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the largest Arab countries with a moderate annual problem of tuberculosis that is either pulmonary or extra-pulmonary. TB is still one of the most significant health troubles in the KSA, affecting different nationalities (Saudis, non-Saudis), ages, provinces, and genders. The control of TB still faces some challenges in different provinces of the KSA. Data were collected, arranged, analyzed and presented in tables and figures. In this retrospective study, we appraised TB surveillance data for the period between 2013 (1434H) and 2018 (1439H). Data were handled using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 23. Data were checked for normality using Shapiro-Wilk normality test at 0.05 levels to determine whether they are parametric or nonparametric. Chi-squared, Kruskal Wallis, and analysis of variance tests were used to evaluate trends at a significance level of p< 0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM-SPSS version 23 for Mac OS. We appraised TB surveillance data for the period between 2013 (1434H) and 2018 (1439H). The data included the region of the country (province), age, sex, and nationality (Saudis, non-Saudis). The study evaluated the impact of TB on various nationalities (Saudis and non-Saudis), age groups (0-14, 15-34, 35-55, more than 55 years old), and genders (males and females). Non-Saudis had a higher incidence rate than Saudis in 2013-2018. The number of cases and incidence rates of TB recorded in males between 2013 to 2018 were about two to three times greater than estimates for females. The Makkah, Riyadh, and Jeddah regions attract enormous numbers of non-Saudi migrant workers, who account for ~60% of all TB cases in the KSA. Assessing the main TB risk factors contributing to high TB rates in non-Saudi workers is essential. Furthermore, periodical accurate studies, including evidence-based studies for optimum surveillance, avoidance, spread risk, inspection, control procedures and treatment of TB, should be conducted. These assessments would lead to evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of KSA-NTP’s TB action plan.

The Arabs and Gabriel García Márquez

2021 ◽  
pp. 231-245
Author(s):  
Heba El Attar
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Gabriel Garcia Marquez ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
South American ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
The Third ◽  
American Author

In 2014, newspapers across the Spanish-speaking world covered how the international press paid tribute to García Márquez. Particular attention was given to the extensive eulogies in the Arab press. A special homage was paid to the author’s memory in Saudi Arabia, where the Third South American-Arab Countries Summit was being held at the time. This was not Naguib Mahfuz; this was García Márquez. How was it possible for a Latin American author to become that popular across the Arab world? How was it possible for his novels to be referenced naturally in popular Arab films such as The Embassy in the Building (2005)? Was all this simply due to the fact that in postindependence Latin America, particularly since the 1940s, there has been a growing de-orientalist discourse? Or did García Márquez craft a particular dialogue with the internal and external Arabs? With all this in mind, and by drawing on Latin American (de)orientalism in the works of Kushigian, Nagy-Zekmi, and Tyutina, among others, this article analyzes the dimensions and implications of García Márquez’s depiction of the internal Arab (immigrant in Latin America) in some of his novels as well as his dialogue with the external Arab (the Arab world) in some of his press articles.

scholarly journals Repair of a type B aortic dissection with a re-vascularization of the aberrant right subclavian artery in an adult patient

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Yousef Ibrahim Abuharb ◽  
Bian Xiao Ming ◽  
He Jian
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Subclavian Artery ◽  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery ◽  
Uneventful Recovery ◽  
Type B ◽  
Type B Aortic Dissection ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Aortic Branch

Abstract Background An aberrant right subclavian artery which arises from the proximal descending aorta may result in aortic dissection. The dissection may occur at either the site of the primary intimal tear or from an aortic branch. These conditions may lead to blood flow limitation and possible aneurysmal degeneration in the future. Case presentation We described the clinical presentation and management of a 54-year old patient diagnosed with a rare case of an aberrant right subclavian artery with Stanford Type B aortic dissection. A hybrid surgical approach was successfully performed and the patient had an uneventful recovery. Conclusion Even though aortic dissection is often an incidental finding, this case highlighted that in rare situations, it can be associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery. It is important to disseminate this association as it has profound diagnostic and therapeutic implications in safeguarding the clinical outcomes of patients with such condition.

scholarly journals Enhancing Elementary Level EFL Students’ Reading Comprehension and Writing Skills through Extensive Reading Enrichment Program

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Rania Adel Ibrahim Ahmed ◽  
Hussam Rajab
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The Impact

<p>This quasi-experimental, longitudinal, quantitative study investigated the impact of Extensive Reading (ER) on developing second language (L2) reading comprehension and writing skills among primary school EFL learners in two Arab countries, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The study is based on an experiment conducted over a nine-month period on a convenience sample of 112 primary school students <em>(n=112</em>) divided into five groups, three experimental groups and two control group, where the students belonged to two different private schools in Egypt and two different international schools in two cities in Saudi Arabia. The experiment, in the form of an enrichment ER program, used graded readers for young learners and was designed to foster ER for pleasure. The study, guided by three hypotheses, incorporated two types of statistical analysis tests, paired samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The statistical analysis tests performed indicated marked improvement in English proficiency in the two experimental groups, with particular reference to reading comprehension and writing. A number of pedagogical implications and recommendations for future research are given. Additionally, the study highlights the issue related to insufficient exposure to English for young Arab EFL learners in their daily lives, which, unfortunately, seems to cause relapses in their L2 intake, despite having an age advantage.</p>

Foreign Policy of Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Nuruzzaman
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Purchasing Power Parity ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
The United States ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Power Parity ◽  
Military Support

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a major actor in Middle Eastern as well as global politics. Founded in 1932 by King Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, commonly known as Ibn Saud, the kingdom rests on an alliance between the Al Saud royal family and the followers of 18th-century Islamic revivalist Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. The strategic and geo-economic significance of the kingdom originates from its location and possession of huge oil resources. It borders the world’s two immensely significant strategic sea trade routes—the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, boasts of being the world’s largest oil exporter, and is home to Islam’s two holiest sites—Mecca and Medina. Though not a militarily significant power, the kingdom’s vast oil wealth has gradually and greatly elevated its status as an influential global economic and financial power. Currently, it is the world’s seventeenth largest economy ($1.774 trillion, 2017 estimate based on purchasing power parity, or PPP) and a member of the elite G20 club of world economic powers. The economic good fortune notwithstanding, the Saudis have traditionally depended on the United States, especially after World War II, for security guarantees and pursued a foreign policy of restraint guided by preferences for soft power tools like mediation in regional conflicts, financial aid and investments, and diplomatic influence. Relations with the United States, mostly smooth but occasionally rocky (for example, the 1973 Saudi-led oil embargo on the West and the 9/11 attacks), has remained the cornerstone of Saudi foreign policy. A series of recent developments, most notably the rise of regional rival Iran following the 2003 American invasion of Iraq, the contagious effects of Arab pro-democracy movements, and the proclamation of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the summer of 2014 forced a major overhaul in Saudi foreign policy. A fundamental shift from the traditional policy of restraint to a proactive foreign policy took root from the early 2010s. King Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz sent troops to Bahrain in March 2011 to stifle the Shiʿa -led pro-democracy movements; incumbent King Salman bin Abd al-Aziz, soon after ascending the throne in January 2015, launched a massive air attack on Yemen to punish the allegedly pro-Iran Houthi rebels, and doubled down financial and military support for the pro-Saudi rebel groups fighting against the Iran- and Russia-backed Bashar Al-Assad government in Syria. The kingdom has justified this proactive foreign policy approach as a necessary response to force Shiʿa powerhouse Iran to scale back its presence in Arab countries and to keep Iranian power under check. Lately, the kingdom is pursuing policies to court Israel to jointly square off with their common enemy Iran and weaken pro-Iran Lebanese militia group Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

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