Smartphone addiction and associated factors among postgraduate students in an Arabic sample: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone addiction, as with other behavioral addictions, is associated with social, physical, and mental health issues. In this article, we investigated the prevalence of smartphone addiction among postgraduate students and evaluated its correlation with social demographics, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and nicotine dependence. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of smartphone addiction among Middle Eastern postgraduate students, determine the factors associated with smartphone addiction, and estimate the incidence rate of major depressive disorder (MDD), ADHD, insomnia, and nicotine addiction among postgraduate students with smartphone addiction. METHODS: As part of a cross-sectional online survey, participants were given a self-questionnaire divided into six sections: Socio-demographics, Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) for Depression, Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire (FTCd), and the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1). RESULTS: Of the 506 patients, 51.0% of the participants demonstrated smartphone addiction. A significant association was also observed between extensive smartphone use and MDD (P = 0.001). Of the smokers in this study, 41.5% were addicted to smartphones (P = 0.039). Smartphone addicts had approximately two times the chance of having insomnia (OR = 2.113) (P = 0.013). In addition, they showcased more ADHD symptoms (OR = 2.712) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive association among insomnia, depression, adult ADHD, and smartphone addiction, which confirms the findings reported in the previous studies. Therefore, we encourage the scientific community to further study the impacts of smartphone addiction on the mental health of postgraduate students.

Urolithin A and B Alter Cellular Metabolism and Induce Metabolites Associated with Apoptosis in Leukemic Cells.

Leukemia is persistently a significant cause of illness and mortality worldwide. Urolithins, metabolites of ellagic acid and ellagitannins produced by gut microbiota, showed better bioactive compounds liable for the health benefits exerted by ellagic acid and ellagitannins containing pomegranate and walnuts. Here, we assessed the potential antileukemic activities of both urolithin A and urolithin B. Results showed that both urolithin A and B significantly inhibited the proliferation of leukemic cell lines Jurkat and K562, among which urolithin A showed the more prominent antiproliferative capability. Further, urolithin treatment alters leukemic cell metabolism, as evidenced by increased metabolic rate and notable changes in glutamine metabolism, one-carbon metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Next, we evidenced that both urolithins equally promoted apoptosis in leukemic cell lines. Based on these observations, we concluded that both urolithin A and B alter leukemic cell metabolome, resulting in a halt of proliferation, followed by apoptosis. The data can be used for designing new combinational therapies to eradicate leukemic cells.

Poly-beta-amino-ester licofelone conjugates development for osteoarthritis treatment.

Disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) are a new therapeutic class for osteoarthritis (OA) prevention or inhibition of the disease development. Unfortunately, none of the DMOADs have been clinically approved due to their poor therapeutic performances in clinical trials. The joint environment has played a role in this process by limiting the amount of drug effectively delivered as well as the time that the drug stays within the joint space. The current study aimed to improve the delivery of the DMOADs into cartilage tissue by increasing uptake and retention time of the DMOADs within the tissue. Licofelone was used a model DMOAD due to its significant therapeutic effect against OA progression as shown in the recent phase III clinical trial. For this purpose licofelone was covalently conjugated to the two different A16 and A87 poly-beta-amino-ester (PBAEs) polymers taking advantage of their hydrolysable, cytocompatible, and cationic nature. We have shown cartilage uptake of the licofelone-PBAE conjugates increased 18 times and retention in tissues was prolonged by 37 times compared to the equivalent dose of the free licofelone. Additionally, these licofelone conjugates showed no detrimental effect on the chondrocyte viability. In conclusion, the cationic A87 and A16 PBAE polymers increased the amount of licofelone within the cartilage, which could potentially enhance the therapeutic effect and pharmacokinetic performance of this drug and other DMOADs clinically.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Performance of Undergraduate Healthcare Students During Their Internship in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that has rapidly spread on a global scale. The entire world has fought tirelessly to combat this disease, which has had a significant impact on humanity. This study examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of undergraduate healthcare students during internship, focusing on the leadership, social, and mental aspects. Methodology: A cross-sectional national survey was conducted among Saudi Arabia's undergraduate health care students. From August to December of 2021, non-probability convenient sampling was employed in the study. Online-questionnaire was used to administer the three survey dimensions-mental health, social life, and leadership-as well as the demographic profiles. Correlation coefficients were utilized to establish a meaningful connection between the independent variables and the study's domains. Moreover, the Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed to efficiently compare the medians among the independent groups. Results: Two hundred and forty-one undergraduate healthcare students from a variety of backgrounds participated in this study. Mental health issues such as difficulty relaxing and increased irritability were prominent. From a sociological perspective, the majority of participants expressed a strong desire for more social interaction. Lastly, most participants in the leadership domain revealed satisfaction with their professional relationships. However, 50.7% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their incentives. Conclusion: The study concludes that addressing problems in the mental, social, and leadership domains is crucial to enhancing the resilience and overall well-being of undergraduate healthcare students during their internships. Anxiety and stress emerged as the most prevalent factors affecting these students. However, the presence of a positive relationship with their supervisors, as well as the support provided by healthcare organizations, played a vital role in helping them overcome these challenges.

Subcutaneous Splenosis Presenting 37 years post-traumatic splenectomy; A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: The term splenosis refers to autotransplantation of splenic tissue in ectopic sites. Ectopic splenic tissue may be found in the liver, thorax, pelvis and subcutaneous tissues following traumatic splenectomy. Although clinically insignificant, local symptoms such as abdominal pain may arise. In this paper we report a case of subcutaneous splenosis presenting 37 years post-traumatic splenectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old medically free lady presented to our institution with a surgical history of post-traumatic splenectomy at the age of three and two cesarean sections. She complained for nonpainful right upper quadrant soft mass that has been stable in size over the years. Her laboratory results, including peripheral blood smear, were all within normal limits and no asplenic changes were detected. SPECT scan confirmed extraperitoneal splenosis in right upper quadrant. DISCUSSION: Splenosis is an acquired form of ectopic splenic tissue that is defined as an auto-transplantation of a viable splenic tissue. It commonly occurs after traumatic rupture of the spleen.5 Splenosis has been widely reported around the world with an incidence of 16-67% after traumatic splenic rupture or splenectomy. Subcutaneous splenosis is an extremely rare condition, mostly observed in abdominal surgical scars. It is believed to follow laparotomy for splenectomy where splenic cells auto-implant or spread hematogenously at different locations. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous splenosis is a rare consequence of post-traumatic splenectomy that can manifest itself up to three decades after. Although concerning to the patient and alarming to the surgeon as it may resemble more serious entities such as abdominal wall sarcoma, surgical removal of asymptomatic splenosis is subject to the location of mass and patients' wishes.

Bronchoscopic resection of typical carcinoid tumors: literature review and case series.

Carcinoid tumors have been treated with formal oncological surgical resection, which is considered the gold standard approach. In the past two decades, bronchoscopic has gained popularity for treatment of carcinoid tumors. A 34-year-old female with an unresolving chronic cough, underwent a chest CT that showed right endobronchial lesion. Bronchoscopy and a biopsy were taken from the lesion; pathology confirmed the diagnosis to be a typical carcinoid tumor. Forty-six-year-old male, who was a smoker, suffered from hemoptysis. Pathology revealed it to be an endotracheal typical carcinoid tumor at the carina. Uncertainties, such as chances of recurrence, cost-effectiveness and the inability to achieve formal oncological resection have been discussed and challenged in the literature. With gaining use of this treatment approach, tissue-sparing surgery for carcinoids can improve patient quality of life both in the short and long term.

Compound C, a Broad Kinase Inhibitor Alters Metabolic Fingerprinting of Extra Cellular Matrix Detached Cancer Cells.

Most of the cancer related deaths are caused mainly by metastasis. Therefore, it is highly important to unfold the major mechanisms governing metastasis process in cancer. Throughout the metastatic cascade, cells need the ability to survive without attachment to neighboring cells and the original Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM). Recent reports showed that loss of ECM attachment shifts cancer cell metabolism towards glycolysis mostly through hypoxia. However, AMPK, a master metabolic regulator was also found to be upregulated under ECM detached conditions. Therefore, in this work we aimed to understand the consequences of targeting AMPK and other metabolic kinases by a broad kinase inhibitor namely Compound C in ECM detached cancer cells. Results showed that Compound C impacts glycolysis as evident by increased levels of pyruvate, but reduces its conversion to lactate thereby negatively regulating the Warburg effect. Simultaneously, Compound C induces block at multiple levels in TCA cycle as evident from accumulation of various TCA metabolites. Interestingly Compound C significantly reduces glutamine and reduced glutathione levels, suggesting loss of antioxidant potential of ECM detached cancer cells. Further, we found increased in metabolites associated with nucleotide synthesis, one carbon metabolism and PPP pathway during Compound C treatment of ECM detached cells. Finally, we also found induction in metabolites associated with DNA damage in ECM detached cancer cells during Compound C treatment, suggesting DNA damage regulatory role of metabolic kinases. Overall, our results showed that Compound C represses pyruvate to lactate conversion, reduces antioxidant potential and invokes DNA damage in ECM detached cancer cells. Our data provides a comprehensive metabolic map of ECM detached cancer cells that can be targeted with a broad kinase inhibitor, is Compound C. The data can be used for designing new combinational therapies to eradicate ECM detached cancer cells.

Empirical Modeling of Zn/ZnO Nanoparticles Decorated/Conjugated with Fotolon (Chlorine e6) Based Photodynamic Therapy towards Liver Cancer Treatment.

The current study is based on Zn/ZnO nanoparticles photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated effects on healthy liver cells and cancerous cells. The synthesis of Zn/ZnO nanoparticles was accomplished using chemical and hydrothermal methods. The characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles was carried out using manifold techniques (e.g., transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)). In order to study the biotoxicity of the grown nanoparticles, they were applied individually and in conjunction with the third generation photosensitiser Fotolon (Chlorine e6) in the in vivo model of the normal liver of the Wister rat, and in the in vitro cancerous liver (HepG2) model both in the dark and under a variety of laser exposures (630 nm, Ultraviolet (UV) light). The localization of ZnO nanoparticles was observed by applying fluorescence spectroscopy on a 1 cm² selected area of normal liver, whereas the in vitro cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection were carried out by calculating the loss in the cell viability of the hepatocellular model by applying a neutral red assay (NRA). Furthermore, a statistical analysis is carried out and it is ensured that the p value is less than 0.05. Thus, the current study has highlighted the potential for applying Zn/ZnO nanoparticles in photodynamic therapy that would lead to wider medical applications to improve the efficiency of cancer treatment and its biological aspect study.