The clinical importance and correlations of post-partum changes in the clinical findings, reproductive cyclicity, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidant parameters as a stress indicator in female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and their effect on milk palatability.

Dramatic metabolic changes during pregnancy and post-partum period resulted in alteration of the biochemical parameters in dromedary she-camels. The current study focused on assessment of stress indicators in post-partum dromedary she-camels on days 14, 28 and 42 post-calving through monitoring the clinical findings, serum steroid hormones, serum or milk oxidant/antioxidant indicators, and milk somatic cell count (SCC) status with reference to serum lipid profile changes. The study also stated several correlations between reproductive cyclicity parameters, stress biomarkers and serum-milk oxidant/antioxidant indicators. The study was conducted on clinically healthy recently calved she-camels (n = 25). They were subjected to clinical and laboratory assays including lipid profiles, serum steroid hormones [Progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2)], serum or milk oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers [Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and cortisol], and milk SCC on days 14, 21 and 28 post-calving. The study concluded the influence of stress as a result of lactation in post-partum period in recently calved she-camels and its relationship with reproductive cyclicity as well as changes in serum steroids, lipid profiles, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidants parameters, and milk SCC that was reflected through significant elevations in serum levels of P4, E2, cortisol, MDA and glucose, and milk values of MDA, cortisol and SCC as well as significant drop in serum levels of GSH, TPs, albumins and globulins on day 14 post-calving comparing with their values particularly on day 42. The study stated variable correlation relationships between reproductive cyclicity parameters, lipid profiles, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidants parameters and milk SCC.

Spinoglenoid Notch Ganglion Cyst: A Case Report.

Suprascapular nerve dysfunction caused by ganglion cysts is a rare condition that can cause significant pain and weakness in the shoulder. The suprascapular nerve is a branch of the brachial plexus that innervates the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. It is most commonly compressed at the suprascapular notch or the spinoglenoid notch. A 40-year-old male presented with a two-year history of left shoulder pain that was aggravated by overhead activities. Physical examination revealed mild tenderness along the infraspinatus with noticeable atrophy, full range of motion, and mild external rotation weakness. MRI was obtained and confirmed the suspected diagnosis of suprascapular nerve dysfunction caused by a ganglion cyst at the spinoglenoid notch. The patient was initially treated conservatively with physical therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but after completing nine months of conservative management, he showed no improvement. The patient elected to undergo open ganglion cyst excision and decompression of the spinoglenoid notch. Postoperatively, the patient's pain resolved gradually and he regained the full power of external rotation. The patient was followed for one year postoperatively and was satisfied with the outcome with a full range of motion, full power, and a complete return to his baseline level of activity. In conclusion, this case report demonstrates the successful treatment of suprascapular nerve dysfunction caused by a ganglion cyst at the spinoglenoid notch with open ganglion cyst excision and decompression. This procedure is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with this condition who have failed to respond to conservative treatment and emphasizes and signifies the role of eliciting a detailed patient history, conducting a thorough radiographic examination including MRI scans, and planning optimum surgical interventions.

Experience of Sudden Shift from Traditional to Virtual Problem-Based Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic at a Medical College in Saudi Arabia.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a sudden shift to online education. PBL was one of the components that was transformed to online. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the sudden shift to virtual PBL during COVID-19 pandemic in achieving the intended learning objectives of the PBL and to explore the students' perception of the virtual versus traditional PBL. Methods: This is a retrospective study that was conducted in the college of medicine, King Saud University. We compared the perception of third year students who participated in traditional face-to-face PBL in 2019-2020 and in the virtual PBL in 2020-2021. We compared the performance of the students in the traditional face-to-face and in virtual PBL. An online survey was distributed from October to December 2021. The survey contained 7 sections. Each section included several questions comparing virtual and traditional PBL in that aspect. Results: Out of 284 third year medical students, 124 students responded with a response rate of 43.66%. More than half of the students (n = 77, 63%) felt significantly motivated to actively participate in PBL sessions in a virtual learning environment, motivated to learn and support group work and gained critical thinking skills (mean = 3.54 ± 0.12 versus 3.59 ± 0.14, p < 0.001). The majority of students (n = 82, 66%) felt significantly more satisfied about their learning during the virtual PBL versus traditional PBL (mean = 3.48 ± 0.42 versus 3.91 ± 0.59, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the students' performance in traditional versus virtual PBL (mean = 4.77 ± 0.22 versus 4.79 ± 0.29, p = 0.2). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that students were significantly more satisfied with the experience in the virtual versus traditional PBL. Medical students' performances in virtual PBL were comparable to the traditional face-to-face approach.

Satisfactory outcomes of post-operative subtalar extra-articular arthroereisis in juvenile flexible flat foot.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the surgical outcomes of subtalar extra-articular arthroereisis and the patient/parent satisfaction regarding the foot's shape, foot pain, ability to walk, ability to jump, and shoe wear. METHODS: Our retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out through an online-based questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction postoperatively at 3 hospitals (King Khalid University Hospital, Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, and Dallah Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) between the years 2014-2021. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients participated in our study. Approximately 86.1% of them had the operation bilaterally. The most important aspects where patients noticed the most improvement were the foot's shape (90.8%), pain (81.5%), and ability to walk (76.9%). CONCLUSION: Several studies have been carried out highlighting the surgical technique and complications of the procedure. However, a limited number of studies have been carried out to assess patient satisfaction with the procedure, especially in Saudi Arabia, as the procedure is considered relatively new in the region with insufficient data regarding it. Therefore, this study is considered one of the few articles regarding subtalar extra-articular arthroereisis in the region.

Cultured dissociated primary dorsal root ganglion neurons from adult horses enable study of axonal transport.

Neurological disorders are prevalent in horses, but their study is challenging due to anatomic constraints and the large body size; very few host-specific in vitro models have been established to study these types of diseases, particularly from adult donor tissue. Here we report the generation of primary neuronal dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cultures from adult horses: the mixed, dissociated cultures, containing neurons and glial cells, remained viable for at least 90 days. Similar to DRG neurons in vivo, cultured neurons varied in size, and they developed long neurites. The mitochondrial movement was detected in cultured cells and was significantly slower in glial cells compared to DRG-derived neurons. In addition, mitochondria were more elongated in glial cells than those in neurons. Our culture model will be a useful tool to study the contribution of axonal transport defects to specific neurodegenerative diseases in horses as well as comparative studies aimed at evaluating species-specific differences in axonal transport and survival.

Optimisation and validation of immunohistochemical axonal markers for morphological and functional characterisation of equine peripheral nerves.

BACKGROUND: Horses are affected by various peripheral nerve disorders but defining their aetiology and pathophysiology is hampered by limited understanding of associated morphological and pathological changes and involvement of specific axonal types. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the hypothesis that selected antibody markers, used in conjunction with various tissue processing methods, would enable identification of axons with different functional modalities within a range of equine peripheral nerves. STUDY DESIGN: Optimisation and validation study. METHODS: A range of antibodies were evaluated immunohistochemically via fluorescence confocal microscopy in cadaver equine nerve samples of primary motor, mixed or primary sensory functions (recurrent laryngeal, phrenic and plantar digital) within formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and formalin-fixed frozen (FFF) tissues subjected to different antigen retrieval protocols. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry of FFPE-derived nerve samples with selected antibodies and specific antigen retrieval methods enabled identification of myelinated and unmyelinated axons, cholinergic, sympathetic and peptidergic axons. The recurrent laryngeal and phrenic nerves are composed of myelinated cholinergic (motor), myelinated sensory fibres, unmyelinated adrenergic (sympathetic) axons and unmyelinated peptidergic (sensory) axons. In contrast, as expected, the plantar digital nerve had no myelinated motor fibres being mainly composed of myelinated sensory fibres, unmyelinated sympathetic and unmyelinated peptidergic sensory axons. MAIN LIMITATION: Attempts specifically to label parasympathetic fibres were unsuccessful in any nerve examined in both FFPE and FFF tissues. CONCLUSIONS: A panel of antibody markers can be used to reveal morphological and functional properties of equine nerves. Future work should enable better characterisation of morphological changes in equine neuropathies at various stages of disease development.

Challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorders Families Towards Oral Health Care in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding oral health care among parents of autistic children and also the challenges faced by them in providing dental care for their Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) children's in four regions of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: In total, 263 parents of autistic children participated in this cross-sectional study who were enrolled from 4 major regions of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire formulated in simple Arabic was distributed to parents of children diagnosed with autism or any form of ASD. The questionnaires consisted of demographic questions and also to assess their knowledge on oral health, child's oral hygiene practices and visits to their dentist, oral hygiene, experience and challenges in waiting room area before the dental treatment, acceptance of treatment or rejection, accessibility to find non-dental centers either government or private for treatment and their recommendations. Results: All the parents brushed their child's teeth using a toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. A total of 29.7% of the parents informed that their child never brushes teeth. A total of 41.4% of the parents visit the dental clinic when the child complains about dental problems and 54% find difficulty in locating appropriate dental clinic to deal with their ASD children. Most parents reported taking their child to a private office (38.8%). Only 3.8% of parents reported that their children had seizures during dental procedures. Conclusion: The knowledge toward oral health was found to be inadequate among the majority of the parents. Parents of ASD children need to be educated about the consequences of oral health neglect and the importance of regular check-ups.