Background: The restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with people’s avoidance of hospital exposure, led to a reduction in medical consultations and delays in care seeking. Numerous reports have shown a decrease in the number of appendectomies performed and an increased incidence of complicated appendicitis during the pandemic. We aimed to investigate these findings during and after the cessation of COVID-19-related restrictions. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a single centre, including consecutive adult patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis during three different periods: the pandemic cohort (7 March–30 June 2020), the post-pandemic cohort (7 March–30 June 2022) and the pre-pandemic control cohort (7 March–30 June 2019). A total of 103 patients were included and divided into the three cohorts. The patients’ demographics, clinical presentation, investigations, and operative data were compared. Results: The three groups did not differ significantly regarding demographics, clinical characteristics, or the number of appendectomies. However, a duration of symptoms at presentation of less than 2 days was significantly more frequent in the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic groups than the pandemic group (p = 0.001). The interval between admission and operation was significantly shorter in the post-pandemic group than in the pandemic group. The pandemic group also showed a higher incidence of complicated appendicitis compared to the others (p = 0.025). Conclusions: The termination of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions promoted the earlier presentation of acute appendicitis cases and lowered the incidence of complicated appendicitis. This emphasises the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute appendicitis.

Background and Objectives: On a local and national scale, genitourinary malformations (GUMs) are the second most encountered congenital anomaly in children. GUMs are linked to several risk factors, including maternal co-morbidities and insufficient folic acid. They may also be related to maternal health and care during pregnancy. Expanding our knowledge about these factors is necessary for the development of preventative measures, which could reduce GUM incidence. This study evaluated the local youth’s understanding and perceptions of genitourinary anomalies. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, qualitative, anonymous, questionnaire-based study involved members of the local population, aged 18 years or over. Based on a 5% type I error rate (α = 0.05) and an 80% response rate, a sample size of 481 was determined. The questionnaire was completed by 902 people. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 (IBM). Results: Over half (57%) of respondents believed that hormonal therapy during pregnancy could increase GUM risk. Moreover, 46% thought that maternal chronic diseases could be another risk factor, while 43% believed that pregnancy-related conditions, such as pre-eclampsia, increased GUM risk. Women had higher odds of high perception scores than men, according to the univariate and multivariate analyses. Most participants (74%) strongly agreed that proper and ongoing prenatal follow-ups are necessary, 69% agreed that premarital medical check-ups are necessary, and 67% believed that optimal nutrition throughout pregnancy is necessary to reduce GUM risk. Conclusions: The results emphasize the necessity of developing healthcare strategies specifically designed to increase knowledge about GUMs and overcome incorrect community perceptions of risk factors that could also help improve attitudes towards prevention and ultimately reduce the incidence of GUMs.

The incorporation of artificial intelligence into medical pedagogy necessitates a thorough appraisal, especially within fundamental disciplines like anatomy, where accurate understanding is paramount. The efficacy of advanced AI systems, specifically Large Language Models like ChatGPT, in the acquisition and retention of specialized medical knowledge continues to be an active area of research and evaluation. This cross-sectional study was undertaken in August 2025, to evaluate the proficiency of ChatGPT in responding to multiple-choice questions within basic medical sciences, with a particular emphasis on the domain of anatomy. A compilation of 124 meticulously selected multiple choice questions from the mid-term and final examinations administered to first-year medical students, was utilized; Anatomy (28), Histology (23), Microbiology (21), Pathology (33) and Physiology (19). Strict criteria applied to ensure questions were unambiguously framed as single-best-answer items. Paper of each discipline was submitted to ChatGPT, and initial response considered definitive. Performance was scored on a binary scale and analyzed descriptively. Results revealed high accuracy, with ChatGPT answering 96% Anatomy questions correctly, 100% Histology and Physiology, Pathology 97% and Microbiology 95%, achieving an overall accuracy of 98%. The results indicate a substantial capacity for ChatGPT to serve as a valuable pedagogical resource for reinforcing knowledge and facilitating self-evaluation.

(1) Background: Functional habitual constipation (FC) in children is a common gastrointestinal problem. This study aimed to explore the local community’s view on this problem, emphasising the challenges that parents face in managing the condition and its impact on the child’s quality of life. (2) Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted between March and July 2023. The survey received 933 responses. The target population was adults over 18 years of age living in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. An electronically distributed questionnaire was designed in the Arabic language. (3) Results: The mean knowledge scores were significantly higher in females than males, with t (931) = −2.701 and p = 0.007. The Bonferroni post hoc test results indicated that participants between 20 and 29 years exhibited significantly higher levels of knowledge scores compared to those between 30 and 39 years. Furthermore, the results revealed that those with three or more children had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to those with only one child. (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrated that parents in the local community have a good perceived knowledge of FC, but it needs to be linked with practice. They tended to report high levels of perception and demonstrated better practices. These results emphasise the importance of exploring the local community’s view on constipation among children.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus and a significant contributor to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study investigates the relationship between serum trace elements (Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe) and nephrotoxic elements (As, Pb, Cd, Hg) with renal function in diabetic patients with nephropathy, diabetic patients without nephropathy and non-diabetic chronic kidney disease patients, in addition to controls.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Air Base Hospital, Dhahran, from December 2021 to May 2022, involving 123 participants divided into four groups: diabetic nephropathy, diabetes without nephropathy, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and healthy controls. Serum levels of trace and nephrotoxic elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Renal function tests and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were also measured. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationships between these element levels and renal function.Results: The mean (SD) serum levels of Zn 85 (25) μg/dL and Cu 110 (35) μg/dL were significantly higher in the diabetic nephropathy group, while Fe 17.3 (6.9) μmol/L, As 0.33 (0.74) μg/dL, and Pb 7.7 (2.3) μg/dL were significantly higher in the diabetes without nephropathy group. Only serum magnesium levels were significantly higher in the chronic kidney disease group. Interestingly, mercury was highest in the control group at 1.14 (0.81) μg/dL. Serum creatinine showed direct correlations with trace elements Zn (r = 0.406) and Cu (r = 0.358), and with nephrotoxic elements As (r = 0.328), Pb (r = 0.384), and Hg (r = 0.287). HbA1c was positively correlated with Zn (r = 0.307), As (r = 0.309), and Pb (r = 0.365), while it was inversely correlated with Mg (r = -0.308) and Fe (r = -0.359).Conclusion: In this study, trace elements Zn and Cu, as well as toxic elements As and Pb, were positively correlated with serum creatinine and negatively impacted renal function. Glycated hemoglobin was positively correlated with Zn, As, and Pb, while it was inversely correlated with Mg and Fe. Both trace and toxic elements are associated with renal function and HbA1c, highlighting the need for further research.