Emotional intelligence and perceived stress among female dental students at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the emotional intelligence and identify the perceived sources of stress among female dental students and interns at King Khalid University College of Dentistry (KKUCOD), to investigate whether specific stressors were related to the year of study and gender, and to evaluate the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived stress (PS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 150 female undergraduates from 5th and 6th years and dental interns were invited to complete a questionnaire using face-to-face interview. Data on EI was collected using a scale developed by Schutte et al. while a modified version of the Dental Environment Stress (DES) was applied to assess the stress perceived by dental students. RESULTS: 120 students agreed to join the study with a response rate of 84%. Mean EI score for the sample was 120 (SD = 11.56), and the mean PS score was 70.37 (SD = 16.19). One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference between different age groups and the educational, environmental score (P < 0.05). Correlational analysis showed that the PS scale and its factors correlated positively with each other (P < 0.01) and directly with the total EI score (P > 0.01); except for the living accommodation factor, negative correlations with overall EI score were significant. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that female interns and undergraduate students in clinical years of study at College of Dentistry reported higher EI and PS. The educational environmental score was found to be significantly different among different age groups. In contrary to most published literature, a direct association between EI and PS scores was found, except for the living accommodation factor. This might be attributed to the fact that the study was conducted 1 month prior to final exams. Living accommodation, personal factors, educational environment, academic work and clinical factors were identified as significant predictors of PS.

Association between obesity and sperm quality.

There is awareness of likelihood of abnormal spermatozoa in obese men; however, results from previous studies are inconclusive. Advances in computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) enable precise evaluation of sperm quality and include assessment of several parameters. We studied a retrospective cohort of 1285 men with CASA data from our infertility clinic during 2016. Obesity (BMI ≥30) was associated with lower (mean ± SE) volume (-0.28 ± 0.12, p-value = .04), sperm count (48.36 ± 16.51, p-value = .002), concentration (-15.83 ± 5.40, p-value = .01), progressive motility (-4.45 ± 1.92, p-value = .001), total motility (-5.50 ± 2.12, p-value = .002), average curve velocity (µm/s) (-2.09 ± 0.85, p-value = .001), average path velocity (µm/s) (-1.59 ± 0.75, p-value = .006), and higher per cent head defects (0.92 ± 0.81, p-value = .02), thin heads (1.12 ± 0.39, p-value = .007) and pyriform heads (1.36 ± 0.65, p-value = .02). Obese men were also more likely to have (odds ratio, 95% CI) oligospermia (1.67, 1.15-2.41, p-value = .007) and asthenospermia (1.82, 1.20-2.77, p-value = .005). This is the first report of abnormal sperm parameters in obese men based on CASA. Clinicians may need to factor in paternal obesity prior to assisted reproduction.

Epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhoea in Albania.

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of rotavirus disease in children<5 years old in Tirana, Albania, and to monitor and characterize the rotavirus genotypes. Rotavirus was detected in 21% of samples, more frequently in children under 2 years of age, which accounted for 80.8% of all positive cases. Among all rotavirus-positive samples collected, G4P[8] was the most prevalent genotype (38%), followed by G1P[8] (36.6%). The use of safe and effective rotavirus vaccines for the prevention of severe diarrhoea and the reduction of treatment costs will be of great importance for Albania.

First outbreak of norovirus in Albania.

AIMS: Noroviruses (NoVs) represent the most important enteric viruses responsible for acute gastroenteritis world-wide. This study objective is to characterize the first outbreak of NoV that occurred in Ballsh, a small city in Albania. METHODS AND RESULTS: Stool specimens were collected from people attending to the hospital. Samples were also collected from the aqueduct for bacteriological and virological tests. Overall 33 stools and five drinking water samples were collected, respectively, from the hospital in Ballsh and from the municipal aqueduct. No water samples were scored positive whereas ten stool samples (30.3%) were scored GGII NoV positive. All the GGII isolates were identified as GGII·4 genotype, and no GGI was identified. The alignment and protein analysis were performed using, respectively, ClustalV and the mega 4 software. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of NoV GGII·4 in Albania causing an outbreak. The genetic analysis showed several point mutations and amino acid substitutions with respect to the international strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: Over the last decades, Albania has suffered from different outbreaks as cholera, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and now, for the first time, it has been documented an outbreak of NoV.

The influence of sulindac on diabetic cardiomyopathy: a non-invasive evaluation by Doppler echocardiography in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardioprotective activity of sulindac as an aldose reductase inhibitor in the development of cardiomyopathy by non-invasive techniques; M-mode and Doppler echocardiography. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg, iv) in the Sprague-Dawley rats. Echocardiography, biochemical and histological studies were carried out in normal control, diabetic untreated, diabetic vehicle (sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, 1%, po) and sulindac (6 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, po) treated animals at varying time intervals. In the diabetic untreated and vehicle treated rats at 12 weeks after induction of diabetes, there was a significant decrease in the E-wave, an increase in the A-wave and corresponding decrease in the E/A ratio was observed. Significant decrease in the Eat was found after 12 weeks (P < 0.05). Whereas systolic function variables; ejection fraction and fractional shortening were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) after 12 weeks compared to their baseline data. In the sulindac treated animals, there were no significant alterations in the systolic and diastolic parameters were found throughout the study period. Myocardial fructose levels were significantly increased in the diabetic untreated animals compared to normal control rats (P < 0.05), whereas these were significantly decreased in the sulindac (6 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) treated animals (301.11+/-37.98, 214.11+/-25.31, vs. 914.88+/-56.01 nmol/g) compared to diabetic vehicle treated group (P < 0.05). Extensive focal ischemic myocyte degeneration was observed in the diabetic untreated and vehicle treated rats, whereas in the sulindac (6 mg/kg) treated rats, minimal necrosis was found, with no evidence of necrosis in sulindac (20 mg/kg) group. Our results show for the first time that sulindac has a cardioprotective activity as this agent prevented the development of left ventricular dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic rats in the 12-week chronic study.

Partial reversal by rutin and quercetin of impaired cardiac function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of the cyclodextrin complexes quercetin and rutin on left ventricle dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body mass, i.v.) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Echocardiography and biochemical and histological studies were carried out under normal control, diabetic untreated, normal and diabetic vehicle (beta-cyclodextrin, p.o.), quercetin- (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.), and rutin- (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) treated normal and diabetic animals at varying time intervals (1 and 12 weeks). The increase in the serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels was attenuated in the cyclo dextrin complexes of rutin-treated animals significantly more than in the quercetin-treated and diabetic vehicle-treated animals. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was observed in diabetic vehicle-treated animals after 12 weeks of the study as determined by a significant decrease in E-wave (45.91%), an increase in the A-wave (75.55%), and a decrease in the E/A ratio (70.14%). However, the percent decrease (after 12 weeks) in the E-wave, increase in the A-wave, and decrease in the E/A ratio were less in the cyclodextrin complexes of rutin-treated animals (100 and 300 mg/kg), which had the following values: E-wave, 12.22% and 13.80%; A-wave, 25.90% and 10.40%; and E/A ratio, 31.01% and 20.52%. In the quercetin-treated animals (100 and 300 mg/kg), which had the following values: E-wave, 40.44% and 36.44%; A-wave, 52.98% and 29.28%; and E/A ratio, 61.70% and 51.11%. Histopathological studies revealed that the degree of myocardial necrosis was less in rutin-treated animals compared with quercetin and diabetic vehicle-treated animals: rutin < quercetin < beta-cyclodextrin. Myocardial fructose levels were significantly increased in the diabetic vehicle-treated animals after 12 weeks of the study, suggesting an increment in the myocardial polyol pathway activity. However, myocardial fructose levels were significantly decreased in the rutin- and quercetin-treated animals compared with the vehicle-treated animals, possibly owing to their aldose reductase inhibitory activity. Quercetin and rutin treatment did not influence the echocardiographical and histo logical parameters in normal animals. Results from the present investigation demonstrated that rutin has a cardioprotective activity, and we conclude that the observed cardioprotection with rutin may be due to its aldose reductase inhibitory activity, as the enhanced aldose reductase pathway is implicated in the development of left ventricle dysfunction by several studies.

Evaluation of hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects of Datura metel (Linn.) seeds in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The seed powder of Datura metel was tested for its hypoglycemic activity in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Graded doses (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg, p.o.) of the seed powder when given to both normal and diabetic rats produced significant reduction in blood glucose at the 8 h. The effect was found to be dose dependent with all treatments at the doses administered.

Infarct size limiting effect of apstatin alone and in combination with enalapril, lisinopril and ramipril in rats with experimental myocardial infarction.

Bradykinin is a potent vasoactive peptide that is known to elicit a number of biological responses. A number of peptidases have been identified to possess kininase activity, the inhibition of which increases the availability and effectiveness of kinins. We wished to determine the cardioprotective actions of an aminopeptidase P inhibitor, apstatin alone and in combination with enalapril/lisinopril/ramipril in an in vivo rat model of acute ischemia (30 min) and reperfusion (4 h). Myocardial infarction was produced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was measured by using the staining agent 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC). Lipid peroxide levels in serum and in heart tissue were estimated spectrophotometrically. A lead II electrocardiogram was monitored at various intervals throughout the experiment. Infarct size was reduced to a greater extent with apstatin and with combined inhibition it was further reduced. Infarct size reduction obtained with the combined inhibition came to normal with the prior administration of B2 bradykinin antagonist HOE140 suggests the involvement of bradykinin in the cardioprotective actions of apstatin.

Biochemical, histological and echocardiographic changes during experimental cardiomyopathy in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and it has been suggested that alterations in myocardial function may contribute to the development of diabetic cardiovascular complications. The objective of the present study is to examine the left ventricular (LV) function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats in a definite course of time by non-invasive methods, i.e. M-mode and Doppler echocardiography. From the results, it was found that treatment of animals with STZ resulted in increase in blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL) and decrease in serum total protein levels. Echocardiographic studies revealed that LV internal dimension (mm) during systole was significantly increased after 12 weeks of diabetes when compared to base line data of the same animals and with control animals 6.50+/-0.13 versus 4.25+/-0.17, versus 4.34+/-0.25 (P<0.05), however there was no significant change after 4-8 weeks of diabetes. Also LV internal dimension (mm) during end diastole increased significantly only after 12 weeks of diabetes than to base line data of the same animals and with control animals 7.71+/-0.34 versus 6.18+/-0.25, versus 6.25+/-0.18 (P<0.05). Fractional shortening (%), 15.69+/-5.1 versus 31.22+/-1.7, versus 30.56+/-2.1 (P<0.05), and ejection fraction (%) 37+/-2.31 versus 68.18+/-2.8, versus 60.32+/-3.5 (P<0.05), differ significantly after 12 weeks of diabetes when compared to base line data of the same animals and with control animals. E-wave (cm/s) was significantly decreased after 12 weeks of diabetes 21.11+/-1.5 versus 35.19+/-4.5, versus 32.75+/-3.0 (P<0.05), and A-wave (cm/s) was significantly increased after 12 weeks of diabetes 34.88+/-4.2 versus 19.21+/-2.8, versus 20.59+/-2.1 (P<0.05); thus, diabetic animals after 12 weeks had an inversed E/A ratio. Histological studies revealed that after 8 weeks of diabetes, necrosis was minimal, but after 12 weeks of diabetes extensive focal endomyocardial necrosis was observed. From this study, we conclude that overt LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction was fully visible at 12 weeks of diabetes on echocardiography and this non-invasive technique of echocardiography is useful in diagnosing LV dysfunction in diabetic rats without the need of invasive histopathological procedures.

Studies on the involvement of bradykinin using enalapril and 2-mercaptoethanol in ischemia-reperfusion induced myocardial infarction in albino rats.

The effects of bradykinin were evaluated using the ACE inhibitor enalapril and the APP inhibitor, 2-mercaptoethanol alone and in combination in rats with experimental myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction was produced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was measured by the TTC stain method. Lipid peroxide levels in serum and heart tissue were estimated by the methods developed by Yagi and Ohkawa et al., respectively. A lead II electrocardiogram was monitored throughout the experiment. With the combined inhibition of both the enzymes ACE and APP, a better cardioprotection was observed when compared to individual inhibition of the enzymes, suggesting the involvement of bradykinin during experimental myocardial infarction.

Studies on the signal cascade mechanism mediating the cardioprotective actions of bradykinin.

The cardioprotective involvement of bradykinin was evaluated using the ACE inhibitor, lisinopril, and the APP inhibitor, 2-mercaptoethanol alone and in combination in rats with experimental myocardial infarction. The signal cascade mechanism mediating the cardioprotective actions of bradykinin was evaluated by administering aspirin and methylene blue prior to lisinopril and 2-mercaptoethanol combined treatment. Myocardial infarction was produced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was measured by the TTC stain method. Serum free radical levels were estimated by the method developed by Yagi. A lead II electrocardiogram was monitored throughout the experiment. With the combined inhibition of both the enzymes ACE and APP, a better cardioprotection was observed. The observed cardioprotection was decreased with the prior administration of aspirin and methylene blue. The results suggest the cardioprotective role of bradykinin during experimental myocardial infarction. The results are further suggesting the involvement of both prostaglandins and nitric oxide pathways in the cardioprotective actions of bradykinin.

Overexpression of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry2Aa2 protein in chloroplasts confers resistance to plants against susceptible and Bt-resistant insects.

Evolving levels of resistance in insects to the bioinsecticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can be dramatically reduced through the genetic engineering of chloroplasts in plants. When transgenic tobacco leaves expressing Cry2Aa2 protoxin in chloroplasts were fed to susceptible, Cry1A-resistant (20,000- to 40,000-fold) and Cry2Aa2-resistant (330- to 393-fold) tobacco budworm Heliothis virescens, cotton bollworm Helicoverpa zea, and the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua, 100% mortality was observed against all insect species and strains. Cry2Aa2 was chosen for this study because of its toxicity to many economically important insect pests, relatively low levels of cross-resistance against Cry1A-resistant insects, and its expression as a protoxin instead of a toxin because of its relatively small size (65 kDa). Southern blot analysis confirmed stable integration of cry2Aa2 into all of the chloroplast genomes (5, 000-10,000 copies per cell) of transgenic plants. Transformed tobacco leaves expressed Cry2Aa2 protoxin at levels between 2% and 3% of total soluble protein, 20- to 30-fold higher levels than current commercial nuclear transgenic plants. These results suggest that plants expressing high levels of a nonhomologous Bt protein should be able to overcome or at the very least, significantly delay, broad spectrum Bt-resistance development in the field.