Stress is a psychological shift that negatively affects student achievement. We sought to investigate the extent of stress in the medical students at our university.
A total of 337 medical students ...representing three program phases were represented. Stress was measured using a questionnaire divided into three main parts: 10-question Kessler instruments, 10-questions specific to identifying the causes of stress, and a qualitative component to report additional information. For the Kessler questionnaire, a score of less than 20 was considered negative for stress of any level (alert) and scores of 20-24 were considered mild stress (resistance phase), 25-29 moderate stress (near exhaustion), and 30-50 severe stress (exhaustion). Descriptive studies in the form of mean, standard deviation, and confidence interval (CI) were used in addition to the chi-squared test for estimate significant differences between variables. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
The prevalence of stress was 85.5%, with a slight male predominance. The prevalence of stress was seen among the male students during Phase I (88.25%), followed by male students during Phase III (87.7%), female students during phase II (86.5%), male students during phase II (84.5%), female students during phase I (83.3%) and female students during phase III (80.4%). Stress was uniformly high during phase I (86.2%) followed by phase II (85.4%) and phase III (85.1%), and 85% of stress was obtained from the number and content of assessments.
There is a high level of stress throughout the curriculum. The number of assessments and the number of modules and their content are the primary sources of stress. Student mentorship, including academic, psychic, and social counseling, may help predict and manage stress and improve student performance. Detection of stress among the students is a major issue for program monitoring and development.
Breast cancer represents the leading cause of mortality among women worldwide. Since the complexity of breast cancer as a disease resides in its heterogeneity as it consists of several subtypes such ...as hormone receptor-positive subtypes: Luminal A, Luminal B, Her2- overexpressed, basal-like and hormone receptor-negative subtype: TNBC. Among all the subtypes, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most lethal and complex subtype. Moreover, the available treatment options like surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are not sufficient because of the associated side effects and drug resistance development. Therefore, discovery of new effective natural compounds with anti-tumor activity is required. In this pursuit, marine organisms provide a plentiful supply of such chemicals compounds. A marine compound Brugine found in the bark and stem of mangrove species
Bruguiera sexangula
is a potential anti-cancer compound. It has shown its cytotoxic activity against sarcoma 180 and lewis lung cancer. The molecular processes, however, are currently unknown. So, in order to research the molecular pathways this compound utilizes, we sought to apply a network pharmacology approach. The network pharmacology strategy we used in this investigation to identify and evaluate possible molecular pathways involved in the treatment of breast cancer with brugine was supported by simulation and molecular docking experiments. The study was conducted using various databases such as the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) for the genetic profile study of breast cancer, Swiss ADME for studying the pharmacodynamic study of brugine, Gene cards for collection of information of genes, STRING was used to study the interaction among proteins, AutoDock vina was to study the binding efficacy of brugine with the best fit protein. The results showed that the compound and breast cancer target network shared 90 common targets. According to the functional enrichment analysis brugine exhibited its effects in breast cancer via modulating certain pathways such as cAMP signaling pathway, JAK/STAT pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway PI3K-Akt pathway, calcium signaling pathway, and Necroptosis. Molecular docking investigations demonstrated that the investigated marine compound has a high affinity for the key target, protein kinase A (PKA). A stable protein–ligand combination was created by the best hit molecule, according to molecular dynamics modeling. The purpose of this research was to examine the importance of brugine as a potentially effective treatment for breast cancer and to obtain knowledge of the molecular mechanism used by this substance in breast cancer.
Graphical abstract
Chromium (Cr) is an environmental pollutant, has high redox potential, and can exist in various oxidation states, possibly leading to nephrotoxicity. As a potential treatment option, Fagonia indica ...(F. indica) is an herb remedy traditionally used as a phytomedicine to cure ailments. However, efficient validation of its protective effect and molecular mechanisms has not yet been established. As such, this study aims to investigate the protective effect of F. indica against Cr-induced nephrotoxicity in Swiss mice. Mice were divided into five groups: group I (negative control), group II (F. indica), group III (potassium dichromate PDC-treated), group IV (PDC + saline), and group V (PDC + F. indica). Our results demonstrate that group III exhibited decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione s-transferases (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and thioredoxin peroxidase (TPX) levels. Meanwhile, protein carbonyl (PCO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased in kidney homogenates, increasing the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). This was followed by elevated NF-κB, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine serum levels in group III compared with group I. Moreover, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated severe damage to the renal tubular epithelial cells, as well as marked congestion and expressions of caspase-3 and NF-κB. Further, group V showed an improvement in antioxidant activity parameters and reductions in the IL-6, caspase-3, and NF-κB expressions, followed by significant decreases in NF-κB, BUN, and creatinine serum levels. Furthermore, fewer histopathological disturbances were observed compared with untreated group III. Such alterations may be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of F. indica. Therefore, our exploration reveals that F. indica is effective in protecting against Cr-induced nephrotoxicity, and it could be applied in the future to human kidney diseases caused by environmental pollutants.
Abstract Tamoxifen (TAM) is a key player in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC); however, ∼30% of patients experience relapse and a lower survival rate due to TAM resistance. TAM ...resistance was related to the over expression of SOX-2 gene, which is regulated by the E2F3 transcription factor in the Wnt signaling pathway. It was suggested that SOX-2 overexpression was suppressed by dexamethasone (DEX), a glucocorticoid commonly prescribed to BC patients. The aim of the present study is to explore the effect of combining DEX and TAM on the inhibition of TAM-resistant LCC-2 cells (TAMR-1) through modulating the E2F3/SOX-2-mediated Wnt signaling pathway. The effect of the combination therapy on MCF-7 and TAMR-1 cell viability was assessed. Drug interactions were analyzed using CompuSyn and SynergyFinder softwares. Cell cycle distribution, apoptotic protein expression, gene expression levels of SOX-2 and E2F3, and cell migration were also assessed. Combining DEX with TAM led to synergistic inhibition of TAMR-1 cell proliferation and migration, induced apoptosis, reduced SOX-2 and E2F3 expression and was also associated with S and G2-M phase arrest. Therefore, combining DEX with TAM may present an effective therapeutic option to overcome TAM resistance, by targeting the E2F3/SOX-2/Wnt signaling pathway, in addition to its anti-inflammatory effect.
Excessive smartphone use leads to several physical and psychological disorders, particularly among young adults. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the associated factors of ...problematic smartphone use (PSU) among health sciences students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. During the 2019 academic year, a cross-sectional analytic study randomly recruited 408 health sciences students (67.5% were females), with a mean age of 20.5 ± 1.42. Data on sociodemographic and health profiles, smartphone usage patterns, and overuse symptoms were collected for each participant. The Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale were used to assess PSU and anxiety levels. PSU was detected in 66.9% of the study participants. The prevalence is high among both females and males (69.5 and 61.7%, respectively). PSU was found to be associated with more years of use and frequent smartphone upgrading (aOR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.97) and (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.65), respectively (p = 0.021 and 0.021, respectively). Participants with moderate and severe anxiety levels were found to be more likely to have PSU (aOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.21, 4.05) and (aOR = 5.97, 95% CI: 2.41, 14.78), respectively. (p = 0.010 and < 0.001, respectively). PSU is an emerging problem among health sciences students in Saudi Arabia with a high prevalence in both genders. Longer years of use, more frequent smartphone upgrades, and higher anxiety levels are associated with PSU among health sciences students. Special health education and psychological support programs are recommended to guide and support future healthcare providers against the consequences of PSU.
Background: Studies regarding treatment of acute toxicity with diclofenac (ATD) are quite few. Diclofenac is commonly prescribed in neurology, psychiatry, and general medicine practice. This study ...investigated possible colon-protective effects exerted by Ajwa date fruit extract (ADFE), a prophetic medicine remedy native to Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia against ATD. Phytochemicals in ADFE as gallic acid and quercetin have reported protective effects against ATD. Methods: Total phenols and favonoids in ADFE were estimated as equivalents to gallic acid and quercetin. Four experimental groups were allocated each of six rats: control group, ATD group received a single dose of 150 mg diclofenac intraperitoneally, toxicity prevention group received a single dose of ADFE orally followed 4 hours later by diclofenac injection, and toxicity treatment group received a similar diclofenac dose followed 4 hours later by a single dose of ADFE. Four days later, animals were sacrificed. Histological and biochemical examinations were done. Results: ADFE has a total phenolic content of 331.7 gallic acid equivalent/gram extract and a total favonoid content of 70.23 quercetin equivalent/gram. ATD significantly increased oxidative stress markers as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2). Serum MDA and H.sub.2O.sub.2 were significantly scavenged by ADFE. ATD significantly (p<0.001) decreased antioxidant power as serum total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity. That was reversed by ADFE in both prevention and treatment groups. Histologically, ATD caused complete destruction of colonic crypts architecture, patchy loss of the crypts, loss of the surface epithelium, absent goblet cells and submucosal exudate, heavy infiltration of the lamina propria and submucosa with inflammatory cells, mainly lymphocytes and eosinophils. There were mucosal haemorrhages and submucosal dilated congested blood vessels. All that was prevented and treated using ADFE. Conclusion: ADFE is rich in quercetin and gallic acid equivalents that exert potent antitoxic effects. ADFE is strongly recommended for preventive and therapeutic colon effects against ATD. Keywords: diclofenac, acute toxicity, Ajwa date extract, colon, histology, polyphenols and favonoids
Gastrointestinal nematode infections cause morbidity and socioeconomic loss in the most deprived communities. The shift in the context of obesity has led to spatial overlap with endemic ...gastrointestinal nematode regions resulting in the emergence of a novel comorbidity. Despite this, the impact of a high-fat diet (HFD) on immune-regulated protection against gastrointestinal infections remains largely unknown. We employed the murine model of nematode infection, Trichuris muris, to investigate the effect of an HFD on the immune response against chronic infection. Surprisingly, diet-induced obesity drove parasite expulsion in both single and repeated trickle low doses of T. muris eggs. Mechanistically, an HFD increased the expression of the ST2 receptor on CD4+ T cells, priming an enhanced type 2 helper T (Th2) cell cytokine production following interleukin (IL)-33 stimulation ex vivo. Despite IL-33−/− mice demonstrating that IL-33 is not critical for host protective immunity to T. muris under a conventional diet, HFD-fed T-cell deplete mice adoptively transferred with ST2−/− CD4 T cells were unable to expel a T. muris infection unlike those transferred with ST2-sufficient cells. Collectively, this study demonstrates that an HFD primes CD4+ T cells to utilize the IL-33-ST2 axis in a novel induction of type 2 immunity, providing insights into the emerging comorbidities of obesity and nematode infection.
Background Despite recent progress in enhancing the accessibility of HIV-related health services worldwide, opportunities to diagnose patients are often missed due to genuine barriers at different ...levels. The aim of this study is to explore the factors that affect the uptake of HIV testing by young people in Saudi Arabia. Methods A sequential mixed methods design was used to reveal the factors that influenced HIV testing among young people aged 17-25 years. In terms of the quantitative strand of the study, a descriptive cross-sectional design was applied to identify the relevant and context-specific factors that influenced HIV testing among Umm- Al Qura University students. The students were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Self-completed online questionnaire was used. The questionnaire consisted of 52 items: 12 items for HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, 3 items for risk perception, and 37 items for attitudes toward HIV testing. For the qualitative strand of the study, semi-structured interviews were used to gather the perspectives of healthcare professionals working in the field of HIV/AIDS in the country. Results Three hundred and ninety four participants completed the questionnaire: 116 (29.4%) male and 278 (70%) female. 50.5% of the participants were aged from 20 to 22 years, 34.8% were 17-19 years and 14.7% were aged between 23-25 years. Only 20 (6%) participants had previously been tested for HIV. The main reasons for not being tested for HIV were: exposure to HIV was considered unlikely (48%), the HIV test was not offered (36%), and a lack of awareness of the locations of HIV testing centres (16%). With regard to HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, the male participants scored higher than the females as the mean score for males was (M = 6.4, SD = 2.4) while for females it was (M = 5.7, SD = 2.5); however, this difference was not significant. In terms of risk perception, female participants had lower levels of risk perception than male participants, with the mean score for males being (M = 11.7, SD = 2.5) and (M = 10.5, SD = 2.4) for females; this difference was statistically significant p < 0.01. The female participants showed slightly more positive attitudes towards HIV testing than male participants: the mean score for males was (M = 108.14, SD = 17.9) and was (M = 111.32, SD = 17.3) for females. However, this difference was not significant. Healthcare professionals who were interviewed indicated stigma, an HIV/AIDS knowledge gap and fear of the consequences of a positive result as the main factors hindering the uptake of the HIV test. Conclusions Knowledge, attitudes and HIV risk perception are critical factors that inform the decision to undertake HIV testing. However, socio-cultural constraints constitute a significant additional burden that hinders the efforts to scale up the HIV testing uptake in Saudi Arabia.
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