A cross sectional survey on the effect of COVID-19 related restrictions on undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has affected all dimensions of day to day life across the world and medical education was no exception. With this study, we aimed to understand the effect of nationwide restrictions on medical education in Qatar, the models of education adopted during this period and perceptions of participants to the same. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing an online questionnaire distributed via convenience sampling between April-October 2020. Study participants were faculty and trainees in governmental undergraduate and postgraduate medical education institutes. Two sets of questionnaires were designed for each group. They were asked a series of questions to assess pre- and post-COVID pandemic educational practices, their preferred teaching methods, and their familiarity with electronic teaching platforms. Faculty respondents were asked about their perceived barriers to delivery of medical education during the pandemic and their agreement on a 5-point Likert scale on specific elements. Trainees were asked a series of multiple-choice questions to characterize their pre- and post-COVID pandemic educational experiences. Both groups were asked open-ended questions to provide qualitative insights into their answers. Data were analysed using STATA software version 12.0. RESULTS: Majority of trainees (58.5%) responded that the pandemic has adversely affected medical education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Trainees (58.5%) and faculty (35.7%) reported an increased reliance on e-learning. Trainees preferred face-to-face education, while faculty preferred a combination of models of education delivery (33.5% versus 37.1%, p = 0.38). Although 52.5% of the faculty had no previous experience of delivering education through e-learning modalities, 58.9% however felt confident in using e-learning software. CONCLUSIONS: Faculty and trainees agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the provision of medical education and training in Qatar, with an increased dependence on e-learning. As trainee's prefer face-to-face models of education, we may have to consider restructuring of medical curricula in order to ensure that optimum learning is achieved via e-learning, while at the same time enhancing our use, knowledge and understanding of the e -learning methods. Further research is warranted to assess if these changes have influenced objective educational outcomes like graduation rates or board scores.

Uptake of hematite nanoparticles in maize and their role in cell cycle dynamics, PCNA expression and mitigation of cadmium stress.

Cadmium toxicity is considered a major threat to several crops worldwide. Hematite nanoparticles (NPs), due to their small size and large specific surface area, could be applied as an adsorbent for toxic heavy metals in soil. Also, they serve as an efficient nano-fertilizer, promoting Fe availability and biomass production in plants, thus enabling Cd2+ -induced stress tolerance. The phytotoxicity of five different concentrations of hematite NPs, ranging from 500 to 8,000 mg·kg-1 , and Cd2+ concentrations (110 or 130 mg·kg-1 Cd2+ ) alone or combined with 500 mg·kg-1 NPs was evaluated in maize. The changes in fresh weight, element analysis, cell cycle regulation, DNA banding patterns and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were used as biomarkers. The results revealed that increased fresh weight and fewest polymorphic DNA bands were detectable after treatment with 500 mg·kg-1 NPs. However, at 8,000 mg·kg-1 NPs, PCNA expression increased significantly, which resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G1/S checkpoint in roots. Significant reductions in fresh weight, altered nutrient profiles and cell cycle perturbations are considered symptoms of Cd2+ toxicity in maize. Conversely, amending 500 mg·kg-1 NPs with 130 mg·kg-1 Cd2+ increased fresh weight, Fe concentration and genomic template stability, while reducing Cd2+ uptake and PCNA1 expression. Overall, 8,000 mg·kg-1 hematite NPs interfered with the cellular homeostatic balance of maize, resulting in a cascade of genotoxic events, leading to growth inhibition. Although 500 mg·kg-1 hematite NPs alleviated Cd2+ -induced DNA damage to a certain extent, their impact on cell cycle progression requires further verification.

Comparison between colloid preload and crystalloid co-load in cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension is a common problem during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Intravenous fluid loading is used to correct preoperative dehydration and reduce the incidence and severity of hypotension. Different fluid regimens have been studied but colloid preload and crystalloid co-load have not been compared. METHODS: In this randomized double-blind study, 210 patients scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 500 mL before spinal anesthesia (colloid preload) or Ringer's acetate solution 1000 mL administered rapidly starting with intrathecal injection (crystalloid co-load). Maternal hypotension (systolic blood pressure <80% of baseline or <90 mmHg) and severe hypotension (systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg) were treated with 5 and 10mg ephedrine boluses, respectively. The primary outcome was the incidence of hypotension. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of severe hypotension, total ephedrine dose, nausea and vomiting and neonatal outcome assessed by Apgar scores and umbilical artery blood gas analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis was performed on 205 patients; 103 in the colloid preload group and 102 in the crystalloid co-load group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of hypotension (52.4% vs. 42.2%; P=0.18) or severe hypotension (15.5% vs. 9.8%; P=0.31) between colloid preload and crystalloid co-load groups, respectively. The median [range] ephedrine dose was 5 [0-45]mg in the colloid preload group and 0 [0-35]mg in the crystalloid co-load group (P=0.065). There were no significant differences in maternal nausea or vomiting or neonatal outcomes between groups. CONCLUSION: The use of 1000 mL crystalloid co-load has similar effect to 500 mL colloid preload in reducing the incidence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery. Neither technique can totally prevent hypotension and should be combined with vasopressor use.

Silica coating and photocatalytic activities of ZnO nanoparticles: effect of operational parameters and kinetic study.

Silica-coating ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using the hydrothermal method. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). It was found that ultrafine core/shell structured silica-coating ZnO nanoparticles were successfully obtained. TEM analysis revealed a continuous and uniform silica coating layer of about 8nm in thickness on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic performance of silica-coating ZnO core/shell nanoparticles in methylene blue aqueous solution was investigated. The effects of some operational parameters such as pH value, nanocatalyst loading and initial MB concentration on the degradation efficiency were discussed. Kinetic parameters were experimentally determined and a pseudo-first-order kinetic was observed. Thus, the main advantage of the coating is the stability of the photocatalysts and the better performance in acidic or alkaline solutions. Compared to ZnO the maximum apparent rate constant is obtained at pH 8.5 (pH 11.5 in case of bare ZnO). Moreover, the Langmuir adsorption model was applied to describe the equilibrium isotherm at different MB concentration. The applicability of the Langmuir isotherm suggests monolayer coverage of the MB onto surface of silica-coating ZnO nanoparticles. The kinetics of the adsorption with respect to the initial dye concentration, were also investigated. The pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetic models were used and the rate constants were evaluated. The kinetic studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model better represented the adsorption kinetics, suggesting that the adsorption process may be chemisorption.

Effects of a soybean protein diet on ovariectomised female albino rats subjected to myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among menopausal women in developed countries, mostly due to the loss of endogenous oestrogen protection. Soybean protein (SP) is rich in isoflavone phytoestrogens. This study aimed to determine the effect of SP on ovariectomised rats subjected to myocardial infarction and its possible cardio-protection. METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 adult female albino rats, which were divided into three groups: Group I comprised the sham-operated rats; Group II, the ovariectomised (OVX) rats fed a standard diet; and Group III, OVX rats fed a standard diet supplemented with SP (OVX plus SP). The rats were anaesthetised, and electrocardiograms were conducted. The rats were then sacrificed, after which their hearts and livers were removed, weighed and subjected to histopathological examination. Blood was collected to determine the lipid profile, and the levels of total triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonedialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS: The biochemical studies showed a significant increase in plasma CPK (Group II), MDA and triacylglycerol (Groups II and III) levels compared to Group I. The plasma SOD showed a significant decrease in Group II compared to Group I. Total cholesterol, low and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels showed a significant increase in Group II, and a significant decrease compared to Group I. Significant increases in T4 and TSH were found in Group III compared to Group II. CONCLUSION: SP intake can be valuable in protecting the heart against an attack of acute myocardial infarction.

Schizophrenia in ICD-10: a field trial of suggested diagnostic guidelines.

A tenth version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) is currently being prepared by the World Health Organization, who called for field trials of suggested guidelines. A field trial of the guidelines for the diagnosis of schizophrenia is presented. There is a consistency with ICD-9-based diagnosis. Schneider's First-Rank Symptoms (FRS) acquire special importance in the suggested guidelines, but caution is necessary in detecting these symptoms in cultures in which socioculturally shared beliefs bear a resemblance to FRS.