Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death worldwide. Dyslipidemia is a cardiometabolic risk factor of CVD, yet it can be modifiable. Walnuts have been suggested as a dietary intervention to improve the lipid profile. Therefore, we reviewed the literature to assess the evidence linking walnut intake to the improvement of blood lipids, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG). PubMed and Embase databases were searched from 2010 up to March 2022. We limited our search to randomized controlled trials conducted on humans and published in English during the specified period. Cochrane’s risk of bias tool for interventional studies was used. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis, and weighted mean differences were obtained (WMD) Thirteen trials from the U.S., Europe, and Asia were included. Walnut intake was associated with significant reductions in TC (WMD: −8.58 mg/dL), LDL-C (WMD: −5.68 mg/dL), and TG (WMD: −10.94 mg/dL). Walnut consumption was not associated with HDL-C. Subgroup analysis showed that overweight/obese and those with comorbidities had more lipid improvement. A longer trial duration did result in further improvements. However, our results may be prone to bias due to extraneous confounding factors. Additionally, levels of heterogeneity were considerable for some outcomes of interest. Results from this meta-analysis provide evidence for the health benefits of walnuts on blood lipids. Walnuts possibly reduce the risk of CVD; thus, they can be successfully added to a dietary pattern to enhance health benefits.

This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) staff at Ministry of Defence hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia regarding sterilization protocols. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire distributed to 54 CSSD staff members. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sterilization. KAP scores were categorized as poor, moderate, or good. Results: The findings indicated that 57.4% of participants had adequate knowledge, 55.6% adhered to good sterilization practices, and 24.1% displayed a positive attitude toward sterilization. A positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude (rs=0.348, p=0.010) and practice scores (rs=0.302, p=0.027). However, some knowledge gaps were identified in areas such as spill kit use and the distinction between scopes. While the majority of CSSD staff demonstrated adequate knowledge and practice, there is a need for targeted training to address knowledge gaps and improve attitudes, particularly regarding specific sterilization practices. Hospitals should prioritize continuous education and targeted training programs for CSSD staff to enhance sterilization protocols, thereby improving infection prevention and control measures. Further research is needed across a broader range of hospitals to assess national trends.

Dental floss is essential for removing interproximal plaque and preventing periodontal disease. Despite its proven benefits, flossing is often underutilize

Objective: Individuals affected with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are always at higher risk for developing oral diseases. The current scoping review was undertaken to map the extent, range and nature of the recent evidence on oral-health promotion and prevention in adults with T2DM, focusing on patient awareness, provider practices, barriers to care, and preventive strategies. Methods: The review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework as refined by Levac et al. and is reported in line with the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, ProQuest and Google Scholar) were searched for peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2015 and 2025. Records were screened independently by two reviewers against pre-defined eligibility criteria; data were charted and synthesized narratively into themes aligned to the research questions. Results: Of 412 records identified, nine peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. Three themes were identified: (i) associations between oral-hygiene practices, glycemic control and oral-health outcomes; (ii) patient knowledge and awareness of the diabetes–oral-health link; and (iii) healthcare-provider awareness and interprofessional collaboration. The evidence indicated that many patients are unaware of their increased oral-health risk and that oral-health guidance is inconsistently delivered by healthcare professionals however, where guidance was provided, oral-hygiene behaviors and outcomes were improved. Conclusions: Within the limits of the current study, it could be concluded that oral health is under-addressed in T2DM care and that patient awareness and interprofessional referral pathways are frequently inadequate. These findings support the need for coordinated, evidence-based oral-health promotion within diabetes management and for higher-quality primary studies.

National Health Policies have adopted fluoridation-based programmes for the prevention of dental caries in many communities. Assessing their economic value across different settings is important for informing health policy and optimising resource allocation. To synthesise evidence of the economic efficiency of population-level public health interventions that use fluoride to prevent dental caries, compared with no fluoride policy or with alternative dental preventive interventions. Five electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Global Health and EconLit) were searched for English-published studies on economic evaluations conducted in any country or population, without time restrictions. Eligible studies compared fluoridated water with no fluoridation, fluoridation cessation or alternative fluoride delivery strategies. Data were extracted on study design, perspective, time horizon, cost components, outcome measures and economic results. Given heterogeneity in settings, methods and outcomes, qualitative synthesis was conducted without pooling of the estimates. The review included 15 economic evaluations from high- and middle-income settings. Most studies reported that fluoridation was cost-effective or cost-saving compared with no fluoridation. More favourable economic results were generally observed in larger populations, those with a higher baseline caries risk and in studies focused on children. The evidence suggests cost-effectiveness and favourable budget impact of public fluoridation programmes compared with no fluoridation across diverse settings. However, the magnitude of economic benefit likely varies by population characteristics, study design and analytic assumptions. Therefore, careful interpretation is warranted when applying these findings to policy decisions. These findings provide clinicians and policymakers with robust economic evidence to support the continuation or implementation of fluoridation programmes as a primary preventive measure against dental caries.

Background: Dental veneers have gained growing interest recently as an aesthetic dental treatment. However, the public’s understanding of veneers’ benefits and risks is unclear. Aim: To assess the awareness and knowledge of the public about dental veneers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed an Arabic questionnaire, which consisted of three sections: demographic information, awareness about oral hygiene, and awareness about dental veneers. Correct responses to knowledge questions were assigned one point, and all points were summed to calculate the total knowledge score. Results: The study included 340 eligible respondents, out of whom 51 (15%) used veneers. Most responses to knowledge questions were correct. However, more than half of the participants wrongly thought that dental veneers are indicated for the correction of severely crowded teeth or to replace missing teeth, and 40.3% did not know that they require the removal of tooth structure. A low knowledge score about dental veneers was significantly related to male gender (p < 0.001), non-Saudi nationality (p = 0.005), attending medium/high schools only (0.014), and working in jobs outside the dental field (p = 0.036). Conclusions: The public’s knowledge regarding dental veneers in Saudi Arabia is fair but requires improvement to correct some misconceptions regarding the benefits and risks associated with the installation of veneers. The defects in knowledge identified by the present study should be addressed in patient education initiatives to improve patients’ understanding, align patients’ expectations, and help informed decision-making.