Knowledge of and Attitude Toward Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Among Psychiatrists in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess psychiatrists' knowledge of and attitudes toward repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Saudi Arabia and to determine the contributing factors. METHODS: A quantitative observational cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey. The sample consisted of 96 psychiatrists in Saudi Arabia. A new valid and reliable questionnaire was developed. RESULTS: A total of 96 psychiatrists enrolled in the study, 81% of whom were men. Half of the participants were consultants. The sample mainly consisted of general psychiatrists (65%). The mean age of the participants was 37 years. The results showed that 80% of the psychiatrists had a sufficient level of knowledge about rTMS. Consultants had greater knowledge than residents. Training abroad was not significantly associated with the level of knowledge or the type of attitude. Most psychiatrists (79%) had a positive attitude toward rTMS. Only 53% of the psychiatrists said they would agree to receive rTMS if they experienced a psychotic depressive condition. A minority of psychiatrists (7%) said they would not refer their patients for rTMS. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the psychiatrists surveyed had good knowledge of and a positive attitude toward rTMS. Those who had a high level of training and experience showed higher levels of knowledge. Articles were reported to be a better source for improving physician knowledge than textbooks. Having a family member or relative who was treated with rTMS positively affected psychiatrists' attitudes toward rTMS.

High performance p-type molecular electron donors for OPV applications via alkylthiophene catenation chromophore extension.

The synthesis of key 4-alkyl-substituted 5-(trimethylsilyl)thiophene-2-boronic acid pinacol esters 3 allowed a simplified alkylthiophene catenation process to access bis-, ter-, quater-, and quinquethiophene π-bridges for the synthesis of acceptor-π-bridge-donor- π-bridge-acceptor (A-π-D-π-A) electron donor molecules. Based on the known benzodithiophene-terthiophene-rhodanine (BTR) material, the BXR series of materials, BMR (X = M, monothiophene), BBR (X = B, bithiophene), known BTR (X = T, terthiophene), BQR (X = Q, quaterthiophene), and BPR (X = P(penta), quinquethiophene) were synthesised to examine the influence of chromophore extension on the device performance and stability for OPV applications. The BTxR (x = 4, butyl, and x = 8, octyl) series of materials were synthesised by varying the oligothiophene π-bridge alkyl substituent to examine structure-property relationships in OPV device performance. The devices assembled using electron donors with an extended chromophore (BQR and BPR) are shown to be more thermally stable than the BTR containing devices, with un-optimized efficiencies up to 9.0% PCE. BQR has been incorporated as a secondary donor in ternary blend devices with PTB7-Th resulting in high-performance OPV devices with up to 10.7% PCE.

Enhanced Photovoltaic Efficiency via Control of Self-Assembly in Cyanopyridone-Based Oligothiophene Donors.

The optoelectronic properties of functional π-conjugated organic materials are affected by their ability to self-assemble within thin films of devices. There are limited reports that demonstrate the positive impact of self-assembly on the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells. Here, we demonstrate that hydrogen-bonded supramolecular arrays of a cyanopyridone-based oligothiophene donor, CP6, show notable improvement in photovoltaic performance upon self-assembly into a nanofibrous network. The honeycomb-like blend network exhibited higher hole mobility, leading to efficient charge generation and transport. The photovoltaic performance of CP6 was superior to that of two structural analogues, CP5 and CP1, and was attributed to the enhanced capability of CP6 to self-assemble into a film morphology favorable for BHJ devices. The BHJ devices comprising CP6 and the conventional fullerene acceptor (PC71BM) exhibited an efficiency of 7.26%, which is greater than that of CP5 (5.19%) and CP1 (3.11%) and is among the best-performing, cyanopyridone-based oligothiophene donors described to date.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in Zenker's Diverticulum: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

The occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising in a Zenker's diverticulum is a very rare incident. Complete excision of the diverticulum is considered as the procedure of choice for SCC in the pharyngeal pouch. Histopathological assessment of the pouch is the only modality to rule out SCC. Here, we report a case of a 71-year-old male with 20 years of history of Zenker's diverticulum, who recently presented with a history of weight and appetite loss. A barium swallow confirmed Zenker's pouch, the patient underwent diver-ticulectomy and cricopharyngeal myotomy; a histopathological examination of the specimen revealed a fungating mass of SCC within the pouch. This report highlights the suggestion of considering SCC not only in patients with a long history of Zenker's diverticulum but also when there is a clinical suspicion with new symptoms for a more aggressive management for diagnosis and complete excision of the pouch.

Pulmonary Nodular Amyloidosis Mimicking Metastatic Lung Lesion in a Patient with Colon Cancer.

Amyloidosis is defined as abnormal aggregation of amyloid proteins. Amyloidosis can be localised or systemic affecting the lung, heart, spleen, liver and kidneys. The most common form of pulmonary amyloidosis is the nodular type. The disease is idiopathic and linked to many systemic diseases. The clinical manifestations and prognosis of respiratory tract amyloidosis depends on its etiology and anatomical location. Radiologically, the nodular pulmonary amyloidosis may appear as single or multiple nodules in any lobe, and, therefore, may mimic as primary pulmonary or metastatic neoplasms. Here, we report a case of 70-year female who was diagnosed with colon cancer, which was treated by surgery. During metastatic follow-up, her CT chest showed right lung nodule highly suspicious for metastatic lesion from the colon. Thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung nodule done after micro-coil localisation technique under CT guidance. The histopathology report showed pulmonary nodular amyloidosis. This case indicates that histological examination is necessary to differentiate a benign pulmonary nodule from a metastatic lung nodule, especially in a patient with underlying malignancy.

Relation between ABO blood groups and obesity in a Saudi Arabian population.

OBJECTIVES: ABO blood groups have been shown to be associated with different diseases. Very few studies have attempted to detect the association of ABO blood groups with obesity. The goal of this study is to find any potential relation between ABO blood groups and high body mass index (BMI) among a Saudi population, which may contribute to underlying genetic disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire that contained general demographic data, including weight, height, type of ABO blood group and the participants' opinion, to determine the association between the ABO blood groups and obesity. RESULTS: Our study included 1171 participants, including 596 (50.9%) women. A plurality of participants' ages (47%) was between 15 and 25 years. The prevalence of obesity was 35.7% in men and 20.3% in women, while the prevalence of overweight was 30% in men and 25.3% in women. Blood group O was reported to be the most common blood group (46%), followed by blood group A (31.4%), while blood groups B and AB were found in 16.1% and 6.5% of participants, respectively. The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) among participants based on blood group O, A, B, and AB was 13.7%, 9%, 4.8%, and 2.2%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of obesity or high BMI and ABO blood groups. CONCLUSION: Overall, our study did not show a significant relation between overweight and obesity and ABO blood groups. However, the elevation of the prevalence of overweight and obesity, mainly among the younger generations of the Saudi population, requires more awareness and educational programs.