The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on University Faculty, Staff, and Students and Coping Strategies Used During the Lockdown in the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown instigated serious mental health conditions. So far, the UAE data on mental health problems due to this pandemic outbreak is still scarce. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalent psychological difficulties experienced by university students, faculty members, and staff during COVID-19 lockdown and the coping strategies used. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 737 participants using an online electronic survey. Participants included students, faculty members, and staff from universities in the UAE. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure general distress, Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ-16) was used to measure worry, and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS-48) was administered to measure coping strategies used by participants during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Data were collected during May to June 2020. Results: The results indicated that 60.4% of students, 57.4% of the faculty members, and 52.3% of the staff experienced mild psychiatric problems. About 32.9% of students, 33.7% of the faculty members, and 25% of the staff experienced high levels of worry during the COVID-19 lockdown. Changes in eating patterns, worsening chronic health problems, change in sleep patterns, and concentration difficulties were reported. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in worry and coping strategies among participants. Women use more avoidance and emotion-focused coping compared to men. Conclusion: It was concluded that COVID-19 lockdown has negatively impacted university faculty, staff, and students in terms of health behavior, psychological and physical health.

Aberrant right subclavian artery in a cadaver: a case report of an aortic arch anomaly.

In early embryogenesis, aortic anomalies occur as a consequence of disorders in the development of the primitive aortic arches system. Aberrant right subclavian artery, also known as arteria lusoria, is one of the important congenital anomalies of the aortic arch, in which the right subclavian artery arises from the arch of aorta instead of the brachiocephalic trunk. During routine dissection of a female cadaver, we observed retro-oesophageal aberrant right subclavian artery arising as the fourth branch from the aortic arch. In this case, the brachiocephalic trunk was absent. Early detection of aortic arch anomalies through diagnostic interventions is helpful to avoid complications during surgical procedures.

Apelin-13 promotes late endothelial progenitor cells differentiation by regulating Krüppel-like factor 4.

OBJECTIVE: The endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) differentiation plays an essential role in angiogenesis. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential mechanisms of apelin-13 in EPCs differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats EPCs were isolated from the bone marrow and identified by DIL-acLDL and FITC-UEA-1 staining. EPCs were divided into four groups: the negative control group, the Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) upregulation group, the KLF4 downregulation group, and the apelin-13 group. The EPCs differentiation was evaluated by cell migration, proliferation, and the expressions of surface markers CD31, CD34, CD133, and VEGFR-2 on mRNA and the protein levels, as well as immunofluorescence. RESULTS: In the KLF4 up-regulation and apelin-13 groups, the EPCs number of G1, S, and G2/M phases decreased and suggested that KLF4 and apelin-13 were closely related to the EPCs proliferation. EPCs showed stronger migration ability with the elevation of KLF4 and apelin-13 while declined migration was detected in KLF4 siRNA transfected EPCs. The surface markers expressions on mRNA and the protein levels increased in the KLF4 upregulation group, and in the apelin-13 group there were similar results, as well as increased KLF4 expression. CONCLUSIONS: The upregulation of apelin-13 significantly increased the expressions of EPCs surface markers, which were involved in early EPCs differentiated into late EPCs and influenced the cells migration and proliferation. Taking the elevation of KLF4 which performed similar effects of apelin-13, we believe that apelin-13 activates or synergizes with KLF4 to promote this process.

Rationale and design of the Pan-African Sudden Cardiac Death survey: the Pan-African SCD study.

BACKGROUND: The estimated rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Western countries ranges from 300,000 to 400,000 annually, which represents 0.36 to 1.28 per 1 000 inhabitants in Europe and the United States. The burden of SCD in Africa is unknown. Our aim is to assess the epidemiology of SCD in Africa. METHODS: The Pan-Africa SCD study is a prospective, multicentre, community-based registry monitoring all cases of cardiac arrest occurring in victims over 15 years old. We will use the definition of SCD as 'witnessed natural death occurring within one hour of the onset of symptoms' or 'unwitnessed natural death within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms'. After approval from institutional boards, we will record demographic, clinical, electrocardiographic and biological variables of SCD victims (including survivors of cardiac arrest) in several African cities. All deaths occurring in residents of districts of interest will be checked for past medical history, circumstances of death, and autopsy report (if possible). We will also analyse the employment of resuscitation attempts during the time frame of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in various patient populations throughout African countries. CONCLUSION: This study will provide comprehensive, contemporary data on the epidemiology of SCD in Africa and will help in the development of strategies to prevent and manage cardiac arrest in this region of the world.

Correlates of ever-smoking habit among adolescents in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

A cross-sectional questionnaire study of the correlates of ever-smoking among adolescents was made in Tabuk government schools in Saudi Arabia. Of 1505 students aged 12-19 years, 657 (43.7%) were ever-smokers (i.e. ever tried cigarette smoking, even 1 or 2 puffs); 65.0% of males and 23.1% of females. In logistic regression analysis significant predictors for ever-smoking were: male sex, belief that smoking helps people feel comfortable in social situations, owning something with a cigarette logo, having pocket money > or = 20 riyals/day, poor school performance and having friends or parents who smoked.

Increased gastric epithelial cell apoptosis associated with colonization with cagA + Helicobacter pylori strains.

Gastric colonization by Helicobacter pylori is a risk factor for noncardia gastric cancer. The association between H. pylori and cancer may be attributable to increased epithelial cell turnover, possibly related to antigastric antibodies. Two previous studies reported a disproportionate increase in proliferation relative to apoptosis in patients with H. pylori strains expressing the virulence-related cagA gene. This has led to the hypothesis that an abrogation of apoptosis by cagA-positive strains may promote neoplasia. We, therefore, examined the effect of H. pylori on gastric epithelial proliferation, apoptosis, and the presence of serum antiparietal cell antibodies in a large prospective study. Proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated "blindly" using validated immunohistochemical methods in two antral and two gastric corpus biopsies from 60 patients with nonulcer dyspepsia, and results were correlated with the presence of serum antiparietal cell antibodies. H. pylori colonization was assessed by histology, biopsy urease test, and serology. Proliferation was increased 2-fold in both antrum and corpus in H. pylori-positive patients, was not related to H. pylori cagA status, and was positively correlated with histological gastritis. Apoptosis was increased in the antrum and body only in patients with cagA-positive H. pylori strains. Antiparietal cell antibodies were not more prevalent in H. pylori colonization, and their presence was inversely related to epithelial apoptosis scores we therefore conclude that in patients with nonulcer dyspepsia, H. pylori carriage is associated with increased proliferation. Futhermore the cag pathogenicity island is associated with increased apoptosis. Our results do not support the hypothesis that there is a relative deficiency of gastric epithelial cell apoptosis associated with the carriage of cagA-positive strains. Host factors may be more important than bacterial products in determining the long-term outcome of H. pylori colonization.

Tyrosine 50 at the subunit interface of dimeric human glutathione transferase P1-1 is a structural key residue for modulating protein stability and catalytic function.

The dimer interface in human GSTP1-1 has been altered by site-directed mutagenesis of Tyr50. It is shown that the effects of some mutations of this single amino acid residue are as detrimental for enzyme function as mutations of Tyr8 in the active site. The dimeric structure is a common feature of the soluble glutathione transferases and the structural lock-and-key motif contributing to the subunit-subunit interface is well conserved in classes alpha, mu, and pi. The key residue Tyr50 in GSTP1-1 was replaced with 5 different amino acids with divergent properties and the mutant proteins expressed and characterized. Mutant Y50F is an improved variant, with higher thermal stability and higher catalytic efficiency than the wild-type enzyme. The other mutants studied are also dimeric proteins, but have lower stabilities and catalytic activities that are reduced by a factor of 10(2)-10(4) from the wild-type value. Mutants Y50L and Y50T are characterized by a markedly increased K(M) value for GSH, while the effect is mainly due to decreased k(cat) values for mutants Y50A and Y50R. In conclusion, residue 50 in the interface governs both structural stability and catalytic function.

Helicobacter pylori alters gastric epithelial cell cycle events and gastrin secretion in Mongolian gerbils.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Human colonization with Helicobacter pylori increases the risk for distal gastric adenocarcinoma, possibly by altering gastric epithelial cell cycle events and/or gastrin secretion. This study aimed to determine whether H. pylori virulence-related characteristics affect apoptosis, proliferation, and gastrin levels in a rodent model of gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Mongolian gerbils were challenged with H. pylori wild-type or isogenic cagA(-) and vacA(-) mutants, and apoptotic and proliferating cells were identified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry, respectively. Serum gastrin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Gastric epithelial cell turnover was no different after infection with the wild-type, cagA(-), or vacA(-) strains. H. pylori infection significantly increased antral apoptosis 2-4 weeks after challenge, before apoptotic indices decreased to baseline. In contrast, antral proliferation rates were significantly higher 16-20 weeks after inoculation, but then decreased by 40 weeks. Antral proliferation was significantly related to serum gastrin levels, whereas antral apoptosis was inversely related to acute inflammation and lymphoid follicles. CONCLUSIONS: In H. pylori-infected gerbils, enhanced antral apoptosis is an early and transient cell cycle event. Epithelial cell proliferation peaks later and is significantly related to increased gastrin levels, suggesting that epithelial cell growth in H. pylori-colonized mucosa may be mediated by gastrin-dependent mechanisms.

Gastric cellular turnover and the development of atrophy after 31 years of follow-up: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Why only some patients colonized with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) develop atrophy, a preneoplastic change, is not known. Because gastric mucosal mass is dependent upon a balance between epithelial proliferation and turnover, we hypothesized that atrophy may develop due to increased apoptosis relative to proliferation. METHODS: Gastric epithelial apoptosis was measured by terminal deoxyuridine nucleotide nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and proliferation by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry in gastric corpus biopsies in a unique cohort of patients followed for 31 yr (1952-1983). Sixteen patients who developed atrophy over this time were selected (cases), with two matched controls, who did not develop atrophy, for each. Apoptosis and proliferation were measured in the corpus biopsies taken in 1952. RESULTS: Cases (N = 16) and controls (N = 32) were well matched for age, sex, initial histology, and severity of H. pylori infection. In the initial (1952) biopsies, 4.3 +/- 1.7 cells (mean +/- SEM) per gland were Ki-67-positive in the cases, compared with 2.1 +/- 0.4 in controls (p = 0.48). 9.2 +/- 2.3 cells per gland were terminal deoxyuridine nucleotide nick end labeling-positive in cases, compared with 6.3 +/- 0.8 in controls (p = 0.29). Proliferation to apoptosis ratios were similar in both groups (cases, 0.38 +/- 0.16; controls 0.39 +/- 0.08, p = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who later developed atrophy, initially had mildly (but not statistically significant) increased gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis, compared with those patients who did not develop atrophy, suggesting increased cellular turnover in the atrophy group. However, in these patients with gastritis, the ratio of apoptosis to proliferation was not a determinant of risk for development of atrophy decades later.

[Malaria and pregnancy. Theoretical premises and practical behavior]. / Malaria e gravidanza. Premesse teoriche e comportamento pratico.

Although knowledge of mutual relations between malaria and pregnancy remain incomplete, malaria is a very real risk for both mothers and foetuses in tropical country obstetrics. On the basis of personal experience in Somalia, some theoretical premises are reported on relations between malaria and pregnancy and a consolidated therapeutic protocol is illustrated.

Coexistent rheumatoid arthritis and tophaceous gout: a case report.

Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are both common rheumatic diseases, but their coincidence is rare. We report the case of a 67-year-old Caucasian woman with rheumatoid arthritis who later developed tophaceous gout. The tophi disappeared with remarkable rapidity on treatment with allopurinol.