http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7028 799 - 955 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:42:34 GMT 2026-04-12T11:42:34Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7072 Title: Treatment response among asthmatic patients with and without reversible airflow limitations Authors: Albanna, Amr S.; Atiah, Abdulqader K.; Alamoudi, Saeed M.; Khojah, Osama M.; Alajmi, Rakan S.; Dabroom, Albara A. Abstract: Objectives: Asthma is a chronic airway disorder associated with variable airflow limitations, which are triggered by different stimuli. The reversibility of airflow limitations reflects patients’ responses to the therapy with bronchodilators and improvements in airflow. This study aims to determine the treatment outcomes (improvements in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the number of asthma exacerbations) associated with the presence of airflow reversibility. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 154 adults (>18 years) who were diagnosed with asthma and had pulmonary function testing (PFT) at a tertiary care centre in KSA between January 1st, 2014 and May 31st, 2019. Smokers and patients with comorbidities or medications that could affect PFT were excluded from the analysis. Patients were classified as having a reversible airflow limitation when they exhibited a postbronchodilator FEV1 increase of 12% and 200 mL. Exacerbations were defined as the need to use oral corticosteroids. Chi-square tests were used for comparative analyses. Results: From our cohort, 42 patients exhibited reversibility. In contrast, 112 patients did not show any sign of reversibility. Asthmatics with baseline reversible airflow limitations experienced significant worsening of FEV1 during the follow-up period compared with those with no reversibility, showing a mean difference of 19.96 mL (p ¼ 0.0206). There was no significant association between asthma reversibility and exacerbations (p ¼ 0.23). Conclusion: In our study, during the follow-up of patients with asthma, we found that the reversibility of airflow was associated with significantly worse FEV1, although this did not have a significant effect on exacerbations. Therefore, we recommend regular spirometry follow-ups, particularly for patients with significant airway reversibility. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7072 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7069 Title: Molecular and computational research in low- and middle-income countries: Development is close at hand Authors: Pe´rez-Fontalvo, Nathalie Marina; Arco-Aragon, Mayra Alejandra De; Jimenez-Garcıa, Juranis del Carmen; Lozada-Martinez, Ivan D. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7069 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7067 Title: Primary osteosarcoma of the sphenoid wing in a middle-aged woman with extensive intracranial extension: A case report Authors: Ong, Wenn F.; Musa, Ahmad T.; Ooi, Lin-Wei; Karim, Noor Khairiah A. Abstract: Primary osteosarcomas involving the base of the skull in middle-aged patients are rare. We describe the case of a 59-year-old Asian woman presenting with lethargy, epistaxis, left maxillary and mandibular pain, and headache. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large left greater sphenoid wing tumour with extensive local infiltration and intracranial extension. The tumour was diagnosed as osteosarcoma based on histological examination. In this report, we discuss the clinical presentations, radiological features, and imaging differential diagnoses of this case. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7067 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7066 Title: Escitalopram-induced epistaxis: A case report Authors: AlJhani, Sumayah A. Abstract: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a group of drugs used to treat various psychiatric disorders such as major depression, generalised anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive syndrome. Although generally safe, SSRIs can lead to various adverse effects, including an increased risk of bleeding due to their effect on platelet activation and aggregation. Unexpected bleeding can occur at different sites, in people of different age groups, and in combination with other medications. The commonly reported risk factors associated with medication-induced bleeding in patients with mental disorders include co-administration of other drugs and liver cirrhosis or failure. We report a relatively less common adverse effect of SSRIs. This is the case of a Middle Eastern man, known to have seasonal allergic rhinitis, who developed self-limiting epistaxis following the use of escitalopram for a depressive disorder. Since a history of seasonal allergy can precipitate bleeding when using SSRIs, risk factors for bleeding associated with SSRIs, excluding the common causes, should be explored for better management and prevention. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7066 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z