Effect of medication adherence on quality of life, activation measures, and health imagine in the elderly people: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Usually, old age brings a poor quality of life due to illness and frailty. To prolong their lives and ensure their survival, all elderly patients with chronic diseases must adhere to their medications. In our study, we investigate medication adherence for elderly patients and its impact on the general health of the patient. METHODS: We implemented a cross-sectional survey-based study with four sections in April 2022 in Saudi Arabia. Data about the participants' demographic characteristics, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, Patient Activation Measure (PAM) 13, and EQ-5D-5 L. RESULTS: A total of 421 patients participated in this study, their mean age was 60.4 years, and most of them were males. Most of our population is living independently 87.9%. The vast majority of people have a low adherence record in the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (8-MMAS) classes (score = < 6). Moreover, the average PAM13 score is 51.93 (Level2) indicating a low level of confidence and sufficient knowledge to take action. Our analysis showed a significant correlation between socioeconomic status and medication adherence. Also, there was an association between housing status and medication adherence. On the other hand, we found no correlation between medication adherence and quality of life (QOL) by EQ-5D-5 L. CONCLUSION: Medication adherence is directly affected by living arrangements, as patients who live with a caretaker who can remind them to take their medications at the appropriate times have better medication adherence than those who live alone. Medication adherence was also significantly influenced by socioeconomic status, perhaps as a result of psychological effects and the belief of the lower-salaried population that they would be unable to afford the additional money required to cure any comorbidities that arose as a result of the disease. On the other hand, we did not find any correlation between medication adherence and quality of life. Finally, awareness of the necessity of adherence to medication for the elderly is essential.

Prevalence and Species Distribution of Neonatal Candidiasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Candida infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) globally. We aimed to conduct a systematic review to investigate the prevalence of candida among causative organisms of neonatal sepsis and identify the distribution of candida species infecting Saudi neonates. METHODS: We comprehensively searched Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library from their inception till November 2023. After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, we ultimately included 21 eligible studies. The designs of the included studies were randomized clinical trials, cohorts, case-control, and case reports; the methodological quality was appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool, NIH tool for observational studies, and Murad tool for assessing case reports. RESULTS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data reported in 21 studies in the Saudi populations, which provided data on different types of candidal infections in 2346 neonates. The pooled data of ten retrospective studies enrolling 1823 neonates revealed that candida species resembled 4.2% of the causative organisms of neonatal sepsis among Saudi neonates (95%CI [2.5%; 5.9%], p = 0.000). Additionally, out of a total of 402 candida species that were identified among the included studies, C. albicans prevailed mostly among Saudi neonates, followed by C. parapsilosis, NS candida, and C. tropicalis (50.25%, 21.40%, 12.44%, and 9.45%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found that candida species prevailed in 4.2% of 1823 cases of neonatal sepsis; the most common candida species was C. albicans. We could not pool data regarding risk factors or susceptibility of candida species to different treatment modalities due to insufficient data, requiring future large-scale, high-quality studies to be conducted.

Mediating role of physician's empathy between physician's communication and patient's satisfaction.

Introduction: Physician communication is vital for an effective physician-patient relationship. Physician empathy is crucial to patient communication. The relationship between physician empathy, physician communication, and patient satisfaction is not very clear. This study aims to study the mediating role of physician's empathy between physician's communication, physician's empathy, and patient's satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Psychology, Quaid-i-Azam University, during the time period of December 2018 to February 2019. Employing the technique of purposive convenience sampling, data were collected (N = 238) from psychiatric, cardiology, and dermatology wards of public and private sector hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Communication Assessment Tool, specifically the Patient's Perception of Physician's Empathy and Patient Satisfaction Scale, was used to assess study variables. The measures used in the research assess the patient's perception of the physician's communication, empathy, and patient's satisfaction. Formal permission for the research was taken from the hospital administration with approval from the institutional review boards. Participants were briefed about the purpose of the research. Both verbal and written informed consent was taken from them. Results: The result shows that a physician's empathy plays a mediating role between the physician's communication skills and patient satisfaction. Moreover, Pearson product-moment correlation indicated a significant positive relationship between doctors' communication skills, doctors' empathy, and patients' satisfaction. Conclusion: Building a positive doctor-patient relationship would not only lead to improved patient satisfaction but also reduce the likelihood of medical malpractice. Therefore, steps should be taken to enforce trust, interaction, and empathy in doctor-patient relationships, with patient-centered services. Physician's empathy plays a mediating role between physician's communication skills and patient's satisfaction.

Sitagliptin ameliorates L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis via modulating inflammatory cytokines expression and combating oxidative stress.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition that resolves spontaneously, but occasionally, develops into systemic inflammation, organ failure and mortality. Oxidative stress and activation of inflammatory pathways represent major players in AP pathogenesis. Current management of AP relies on attenuating injuries to the pancreas and putting the inflammatory process under control. In this study, we investigated the role of sitagliptin in modulating L-arginine-induced AP in rats. Methods: Swiss rats were subdivided into a healthy control group, AP group (a single dose of L-arginine 250 mg/100 g, intraperitoneal), and sitagliptin + L-arginine-treated group (10 mg sitagliptin/kg body weight/day, orally). Sitagliptin treatment started 1 hour after L-arginine injection and continued for 3days. Biochemical and histopathological investigations were performed on serum and tissue samples collected from test animals. Results: L-arginine increased pancreatic meyloperoxidase and serum amylase- and lipase activities and serum levels of TNF-α, LT-α, IFN-γ, IL-1α/ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-15. AP animals showed elevated MDA and NO and decreased GSH and serum calcium levels. Histopathological changes were observed by H&E staining. Sitagliptin treatment significantly ameliorated these biochemical and histological changes diminishing the signs of AP. Conclusion: Sitagliptin treatment was effective in ameliorating L-arginine-induced AP which can be regarded to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect.

Knowledge and Awareness of Adults towards Nocturnal Enuresis in Children among the Medina Population.

Background: Nocturnal Enuresis (NE) is a common problem among children that is stressful for both the child and adults. There is a lack of adults' knowledge and awareness of the NE condition. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the adults' knowledge and awareness of NE in Medina City, Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among adults in Medina through September and October 2023, using a questionnaire composed of socio-demographic characteristics and adults' knowledge and awareness of NE. A statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: The study was conducted among 553 adults in Medina, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 37.69 (10.775). Most participants (94.8%) were Saudi nationals, of which 84.4% were females, 76.3% were married, and 97.1% were urban residents with university degrees (80.3%). The mean (SD) total score of knowledge and awareness was 4.69 (1.783) out of 9 and 6.49 (2.167) out of 12, respectively. Being female (p < 0.001), with a university degree (p = 0.002), and knowing about enuresis in children (p = 0.011) are significant factors affecting adults' knowledge with higher scores than others. Conclusions: An inadequate knowledge and awareness level of NE in children was revealed among adults living in Medina City, Saudi Arabia. These results emphasize the need for targeted educational campaigns to enhance adults' knowledge and awareness of enuresis.

Decomposing the inequalities in the catastrophic health expenditures on the hospitalization in India: empirical evidence from national sample survey data.

Introduction: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.8.2 entails financial protection against catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) by reducing out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare. India is characterized by one of the highest OOPE on healthcare, in conjunction with the pervasive socio-economic disparities entrenched in the population. As a corollary, India has embarked on the trajectory of ensuring financial risk protection, particularly for the poor, with the launch of various flagship initiatives. Overall, the evidence on wealth-related inequities in the incidence of CHE in low- and middle-Income countries has been heterogenous. Thus, this study was conducted to estimate the income-related inequalities in the incidence of CHE on hospitalization and glean the individual contributions of wider socio-economic determinants in influencing these inequalities in India. Methods: The study employed cross-sectional data from the nationally represented survey on morbidity and healthcare (75th round of National Sample Survey Organization) conducted during 2017-2018, which circumscribed a sample size of 1,13,823 households and 5,57,887 individuals. The inequalities and need-adjusted inequities in the incidence of CHE on hospitalization care were assessed via the Erreygers corrected concentration index. Need-standardized concentration indices were further used to unravel the inter- and intra-regional income-related inequities in the outcome of interest. The factors associated with the incidence of CHE were explored using multivariate logistic regression within the framework of Andersen's model of behavioral health. Additionally, regression-based decomposition was performed to delineate the individual contributions of legitimate and illegitimate factors in the measured inequalities of CHE. Results: Our findings revealed pervasive wealth-related inequalities in the CHE for hospitalization care in India, with a profound gap between the poorest and richest income quintiles. The negative value of the concentration index (EI: -0.19) indicated that the inequalities were significantly concentrated among the poor. Furthermore, the need-adjusted inequalities also demonstrated the pro-poor concentration (EI: -0.26), denoting the unfair systemic inequalities in the CHE, which are disadvantageous to the poor. Multivariate logistic results indicated that households with older adult, smaller size, vulnerable caste affiliation, poorest income quintile, no insurance cover, hospitalization in a private facility, longer stay duration in the hospital, and residence in the region at a lower level of epidemiological transition level were associated with increased likelihood of incurring CHE on hospitalization. The decomposition analysis unraveled that the contribution of non-need/illegitimate factors (127.1%) in driving the inequality was positive and relatively high vis-à-vis negative low contribution of need/legitimate factors (35.3%). However, most of the unfair inequalities were accounted for by socio-structural factors such as the size of the household and enabling factors such as income group and utilization pattern. Conclusion: The study underscored the skewed distribution of CHE as the poor were found to incur more CHE on hospitalization care despite the targeted programs by the government. Concomitantly, most of the inequality was driven by illegitimate factors amenable to policy change. Thus, policy interventions such as increasing the awareness, enrollment, and utilization of Publicly Financed Health Insurance schemes, strengthening the public hospitals to provide improved quality of specialized care and referral mechanisms, and increasing the overall budgetary share of healthcare to improve the institutional capacities are suggested.

Do hospitalizations push households into poverty in India: evidence from national data.

Introduction: High percentage of OOP (Out-of-Pocket) costs can lead to poverty and exacerbate existing poverty, with 21.9% of India's 1.324 billion people living below the poverty line. Factors such as increased patient cost-sharing, high-deductible health plans, and expensive medications contribute to high OOP costs. Understanding the poverty-inducing impact of healthcare payments is essential for formulating effective measures to alleviate it. Methods: The study used data from the 75th round of the National Sample Survey Organization (Household Social Consumption in India: Health) from July 2017-June 2018, focusing on demographic-socio-economic characteristics, morbidity status, healthcare utilization, and expenditure. The analysis included 66,237 hospitalized individuals in the last 365 days. Logistic regression model was used to examine the impact of OOP expenditures on impoverishment. Results: Logistic regression analysis shows that there is 0.2868 lower odds of experiencing poverty due to OOP expenditures in households where there is the presence of at least one child aged 5 years and less present in the household compared to households who do not have any children. There is 0.601 higher odds of experiencing poverty due to OOP expenditures in urban areas compared to households in rural areas. With an increasing duration of stay in the hospital, there is a higher odds of experiencing poverty due to OOP health expenditures. There is 1.9013 higher odds of experiencing poverty due to OOP expenditures if at least one member in the household used private healthcare facility compared to households who never used private healthcare facilities. Conclusion: In order to transfer demand from private to public hospitals and reduce OOPHE, policymakers should restructure the current inefficient public hospitals. More crucially, there needs to be significant investment in rural areas, where more than 70% of the poorest people reside and who are more vulnerable to OOP expenditures because they lack coping skills.

Assessing the toxicity of pesticides exposure on hepatic miRNA-target gene alterations in rat liver tissues via molecular and integrated network bioinformatics analysis.

The prevalent use of pesticides, including pirimiphos-methyl (PPM) and bifenthrin (BF), poses a serious health risk, particularly to workers who encounter these chemicals daily. Despite the recognized hepatotoxic effects, the specific molecular mechanisms, especially those involving miRNAs in liver damage caused by PPM and BF, are not fully elucidated. Prior studies have not exhaustively analyzed the hepatic miRNA-target gene dynamics following exposure to these pesticides; thus, this research aims to fill that gap through an extensive miRNA analysis to discern their regulation in PPM or BF-induced hepatic toxicity. In this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to BF or PPM for 28 days through oral gavage, simulating the chronic exposure faced by humans. We conducted a thorough assessment of the hepatotoxicity induced by PPM and BF, employing multiple evaluation levels, including histological analysis, liver enzyme measurements, and real-time PCR to detect changes in hepatic miRNA-target gene expressions. Additionally, we utilized DIANA-miRPath prediction tools to delineate the functional implications of these hepatic miRNA target genes. Our findings reveal a significant modulation in the expression of rno-miR-155-5p and rno-miR-122-5p, along with their target genes, following PPM and BF treatment. In contrast, rno-miR-21-5p levels remained unaltered. These observations suggest potential utility of these specific hepatic miRNAs as biomarkers for liver injury resulting from pesticide exposure. Subsequent GO enrichment analysis linked target genes to functions like molecular activity, protein binding, and cellular processes. Additionally, KEGG pathway analysis showed these genes, influenced by varied miRNA expressions, play significant roles in metabolic and signaling pathways In conclusion, this study enhances our comprehension of the biological roles of miRNAs in hepatic toxicity induced by PPM and BF. The insights gained here not only shed light on molecular mechanisms but also open avenues for considering these miRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers in conditions of pesticide-induced hepatotoxicity, thereby guiding future therapeutic strategies.

The role of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) in the management of rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in rats.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative conditions. Alpha-synuclein deposition, Lewy bodies (LBs) formation, disruption of the autophagic machinery, apoptosis of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation are all pathologic hallmarks of PD. The leaves of the stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) have a long history as an herbal cure with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective properties. The current study aims for the first time to investigate the role of Nettle supplementation on Rotenone-induced PD. Rats were divided into five groups; a Saline control, Nettle control (100 mg/kg/day), Rotenone control (2 mg/kg/day), Rotenone + Nettle (50 mg /kg/day), and Rotenone + Nettle (100 mg/kg). After four weeks, the rats were examined for behavioral tests. The midbrains were investigated for histopathological alteration and immunohistochemical reaction for Tyrosine hydroxylase in the dopaminergic neurons, α-synuclein for Lewy bodies, caspase 3 for apoptotic neurons, LC3 and P62 for autophagic activity. Midbrain homogenates were examined for oxidative stress markers. mRNA expression of TNFα and Il6; inflammatory markers, Bcl-2, BAX and Caspase 3; apoptosis markers, were detected in midbrains. The results showed that Nettle caused recovery of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, by inhibiting apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress and by restoring the autophagic machinery with clearance of α-synuclein deposits. We can conclude that Nettle is a potentially effective adjuvant in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

How to Differentiate between Resistant and Susceptible Wheat Cultivars for Leaf Rust Fungi Using Antioxidant Enzymes and Histological and Molecular Studies?

Eight wheat cultivars, Sakha-94, Giza-171, Sids-1, Sids-12, Sids-13, Shandweel-1, Misr-1, and Misr-2, were evaluated for leaf rust at the seedling and adult stages in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Biochemical, histological, and genetic analyses were performed to determine the link between cultivars that were either sensitive or resistant to the disease. Misr-2 and Giza-171 cultivars had the highest levels of resistance to leaf rust races in 2021 (LTCGT, STSJT, and TTTST) and 2022 (MBGJT, TTTKS, and TTTTT) at the seedling stage. However, at the adult stage, Sakha-94, Giza-171, Misr-1, and Misr-2 cultivars had the highest levels of resistance; consequently, they had the lowest final disease severity and the lowest values of AUDPC. The correlation between the seedling reaction and adult reaction was non-significant, with values of 0.4401 and 0.4793 in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, respectively. Throughout the biochemical, histological, and genetic analyses, it was observed that catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activities significantly increased in the resistant cultivars. The discoloration of superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) significantly decreased in resistant and moderately resistant wheat cultivars (Sakha-94, Giza-171, Misr-1, and Misr-2); higher hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2-) levels were recorded for the susceptible cultivars compared to the resistant cultivars. Molecular markers proved that the Lr50 gene was detected in the resistant cultivars. Puccinia triticina infections negatively affected most histological characteristics of flag leaves, especially in susceptible cultivars. The thickness of the blade (µ), the thickness of the upper and lower epidermis (UE and LE), the thickness of mesophyll tissue (MT), and bundle length and width in the midrib were decreased in susceptible cultivars such as Sids-1, Sids-13, and Shandwel-1 compared with resistant cultivars.

Knowledge and Attitudes toward First Aid among Medical and Nursing Students at Taibah University in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the first aid (FA) knowledge, practice, and attitude of medical and nursing students at Taibah University in Madinah. METHODS: The study involved a cross-sectional online survey of 359 students from different academic years, using a revised and validated questionnaire on FA procedures, which were assessed utilizing a revised iteration of a questionnaire that had been previously validated. RESULTS: Regarding the knowledge score outcomes, the median score was 4, with an interquartile range of (3,5). Approximately 32.3% of participants demonstrated an excellent level of knowledge in first aid. Age exhibited a substantial and positive correlation with knowledge scores (p < 0.001), no significant correlation was observed between age and practice scores (p = 0.782), whereas age exhibited a significant and positive relationship with attitude scores (p < 0.001). Switching to the practice score results, the median practice score was 3, with an interquartile range of 2 to 3. A considerable 39.6% of participants displayed a good level of practice, representing the highest percentage among students. In the context of attitude score findings, the median attitude score was 4, and the interquartile range was 3 to 4, this suggests that the majority of the participants had a positive attitude towards first aid and its importance. Around 27.6% of participants portrayed a good attitude level, followed by 27% who demonstrated an acceptable attitude level. In addition, gender emerged as a differentiating factor in the three primary outcomes, as females achieved superior results across all aspects. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of medical and nursing students at Taibah University have solid FA knowledge, practice, and attitude. Age and education level reflect the impact of FA training and certification, which should be mandatory for all medical students. Further studies are needed to generalize the findings to other contexts.

Application of Virtual Reality-Assisted Exergaming on the Rehabilitation of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation programs for children with cerebral palsy (CP) aim to improve their motor and cognitive skills through repeated and progressively challenging exercises. However, these exercises can be tedious and demotivating, which can affect the effectiveness and feasibility of the programs. To overcome this problem, virtual reality VR-assisted exergaming has emerged as a novel modality of physiotherapy that combines fun and motivation with physical activity. VR exergaming allows children with CP to perform complex movements in a secure and immersive environment, where they can interact with virtual objects and scenarios. This enhances their active engagement and learning, as well as their self-confidence and enjoyment. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on VR exergaming for CP rehabilitation. The specific objectives are: To identify and describe the existing studies that have investigated the effects of VR exergaming on motor function and participation outcomes in children with CP. In addition, we aim to identify and discuss the main gaps, challenges, and limitations in the current research on VR exergaming for CP rehabilitation. Finally, we aim to provide recommendations and suggestions for future research and practice in this field. METHODS: In June 2023, we conducted a systematic search on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase for randomized trials and cohort studies that applied VR-assisted exergaming to rehabilitating patients with CP. The inclusion criteria encompassed the following: (1) Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies involving the rehabilitation of children with CP; (2) the application of VR-based exergaming on the rehabilitation; (3) in comparison with conventional rehabilitation/usual care. The quality of the selected RCTs was evaluated using Cochrane's tool for risk of bias assessment bias includes. Whereas the quality of cohort studies was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) tool. RESULTS: The systematic search of databases retrieved a total of 2576 studies. After removing 863 duplicates, 1713 studies underwent title and abstract screening, and 68 studies were then selected as eligible for full-text screening. Finally, 45 studies were involved in this review (n = 1580), and 24 of those were included in the quantitative analysis. The majority of the included RCTs had a low risk of bias regarding study reporting, participants' attrition, and generating a random sequence. Nearly half of the RCTs ensured good blinding of outcomes assessors. However, almost all the RCTs were unclear regarding the blinding of the participants and the study personnel. The 2020 retrospective cohort study conducted at Samsung Changwon Hospital, investigating the effects of virtual reality-based rehabilitation on upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy, demonstrated fair quality in its methodology and findings. VR-assisted exergaming was more effective than conventional physiotherapy in improving the Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM)-88 score (MD = 0.81; 95% CI [0.15, 1.47], p-value = 0.02) and the GMFM walking and standing dimensions (MD = 1.45; 95% CI [0.48, 2.24], p-value = 0.003 and MD = 3.15; 95% CI [0.87, 5.42], p-value = 0.007), respectively. The mobility and cognitive domains of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory score (MD = 1.32; 95% CI [1.11, 1.52], p-value < 0.001) and (MD = 0.81; 95% CI [0.50, 1.13], p-value < 0.0001) were also improved. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure performance domain (MD = 1.30; 95% CI [1.04, 1.56], p-value < 0.001), the WeeFunctional Independence Measure total score (MD = 6.67; 95% CI [6.36, 6.99], p-value < 0.0001), and the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function-2 score (p-value < 0.001) improved as well. This new intervention is similarly beneficial as conventional therapy in improving other efficacy measures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that VR-assisted exergaming may have some advantages over conventional rehabilitation in improving CP children's functioning and performance in daily life activities, upper and lower limb mobility, and cognition. VR-assisted exergaming seems to be as effective as conventional physiotherapy in the other studied function measures. With its potential efficacy, better feasibility, no reported side effects, and entertaining experience, VR-assisted exergaming may be a viable complementary approach to conventional physiotherapy in rehabilitating children with CP.

Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Healthcare Centers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Saudi Arabia is among the highest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. Various complications of DM can cause problems in the long term. One of the most prevalent microvascular problems and the primary cause of blindness is diabetic retinopathy (DR), and a significant proportion of the population with diabetes eventually develop diabetes retinopathy. Recognizing and understanding DR may be crucial for patients in identifying and averting this complication.  Objectives The objective of this atudy is to assess the awareness of DR among patients with type 2 DM at primary healthcare centers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.  Methods This cross-sectional study involved a survey of patients with diabetes who attended Madinah primary care clinics between August and September 2023. The study was conducted in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from May to November 2023.  Results A total of 240 patients participated with a median age of 49.7 years and a gender distribution of 121 (50.4%) men. Overall, less than half of patients had a fair level of knowledge (47.1%) and a good level of knowledge (42.1%) about DR, whereas 10.8% had poor knowledge. Physicians were the primary source of information for patients, followed by the internet, family, and friends. Higher levels of education, diabetes that had been present for a longer period, and regular eye exams were associated with better understanding. This study emphasizes the importance of improving patient knowledge and awareness of DR.  Conclusions We observed a high level of awareness of DR among participants. Furthermore, higher awareness was associated with longer disease duration and compliance with diabetes treatment.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward the Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Medical Students in Medina City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: This study focuses on assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevention among medical students in Medina, Saudi Arabia. HBV is a significant global health concern, with a high prevalence in Saudi Arabia. Medical students due to their field, are at higher risk of exposure. Prior studies in Saudi Arabia show varied levels of awareness. This research aims to provide insights that can inform educational initiatives for this specific population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from June 2023 to September 2023 by using a pre-designed online questionnaire that was distributed among medical students in Medina. Data was analyzed using IBM Corp. Released 2020. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. RESULTS: This study included 307 participants. 67.8% of the participants correctly identified the link between HBV and liver cancer, and 77.5% recognized the transmission risk from carriers. 91.9% acknowledged the transmission via contaminated blood and fluids, and 88.9% recognized the risk from unsterilized instruments. Positive attitudes were observed, with 92.2% agreeing that following infection control guidelines would protect them at work. Practice scores were generally positive, including high rates of screening (57.3%) and adherence to infection control measures (90.2%). Knowledge scores correlated positively with attitude (rho = 0.204) and practice scores (rho = 0.390). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of participants had a strong understanding of HBV transmission and the importance of infection control measures. Positive attitudes towards infection control were prevalent, although some reluctance to provide care to HBV-infected individuals was noted.

Exploring the Impact of Silicosis Incidence on Tuberculosis Mortality and Morbidity: A Multi-Country Study.

INTRODUCTION: There are several risk factors attributed to tuberculosis (TB) mortality and morbidity. There are few studies and systematic reviews showing the association of silicosis and tuberculosis at a country level. Very limited studies have been conducted using multi-country data in studying the association of incidence of silicosis with TB mortality and morbidity. Hence, the aim of this research was to explore the association of incidence of silicosis and other important risk factors with TB mortality and morbidity using multi-country data. METHODS: Data from 217 WHO region countries were utilized, sourcing TB-related statistics from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation and additional risk factors from the Demographic and Health Survey, Global Burden of Disease, and World Bank for 2019. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between silicosis incidence and TB outcomes. RESULTS: The study found an average silicosis incidence of 121.92 per 100,000 population. Additionally, 62.69% of the sample population are exposed to air pollution from solid fuel cooking. Sanitation access stands at an average of 59.67%. Regression outcomes indicate that while alcohol consumption's influence on TB is not statistically significant, a unit increase in silicosis incidence significantly elevates TB deaths (235.9, p = 0.005), YLL (9399.3, p = 0.011), and YLD (910.8, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The burden of silicosis is found to be one of the important determinants of deaths, YLL, and YLD due to tuberculosis. Country-specific strategies to prevent and control silicosis is a need of the hour.

Safety and efficacy of combined ropivacaine and sufentanil compared with ropivacaine for cesarean sections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cesarean sections are the most common operations in the United States and one of the most common worldwide. Using the lowest possible dose of anesthetic that provides painless delivery with the lowest adverse events is a major concern. We investigated the efficacy and safety of combined ropivacaine and sufentanil by pooling data from relevant studies. We searched PubMed, Web of sciences, Scopus, and Cochrane Library until the end of December 2021 and included all records with data about combined ropivacaine and sufentanil. We used Review Manager to pool data as a mean difference for continuous outcomes or risk ratio for dichotomous outcomes with a 95% confidence interval. Methodological quality was appraised using version one of the Cochrane risks of bias tool. Seven Randomized clinical trials with a total sample size of 730 women were included; the mean age of enrolled parturients ranged from 28 to 35 years. We found that combined sufentanil and ropivacaine were significantly associated with decreased risk of being aware and nervous during CS (presented by Sedation level 1) (RR: 0.05, 95%CI [0.01,0.33], P=0.002), decreased risk of shivering (RR=0.29, 95%CI [0.19,0.44], P<0.00001), nausea (RR=0.62, 95%CI [0.41, 0.92], P=0.02), and vomiting (RR=0.27, 95% CI [0.12, 0.61], P=0.002). However, combined sufentanil and ropivacaine slightly were associated with late-onset of sensory blockade (MD=0.41, 95%CI [0.13, 0.68], P=0.004) and less motor blockade of leg flexion at hip joint presented by Bromage Scale 0 (RR=7.15 95%CI [2.71, 18.86], P<0.0001). Combined ropivacaine and sufentanil were associated with a reduction in visceral pain and lower risks of hypotension, shivering, nausea, and vomiting, compared to isolated ropivacaine, with no difference regarding the incidence of bradycardia. Although Combined ropivacaine and sufentanil were associated with a higher risk of pruritus, the incidence of pruritus was reportedly proportionate with the used dose of sufentanil. However, combined ropivacaine and sufentanil may slightly delay the onset of the sensory blockade to pinprick at T10 with less motor blockade but with a smaller probability for women to be aware and nervous during CS.

An evaluation of the efficacy and the safety of home blood pressure monitoring in the control of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in both pre and postpartum periods: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) can significantly impact maternal, neonatal, and fetal health. For controlling these disorders, frequent blood pressure measurements are required. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is a suggested alternative to conventional office monitoring that requires frequent visits. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HBPM in the control of HDP. METHODS: We systematically conducted databases search for relevant studies in June 2022. The relevant studies were identified, and qualitative synthesis was performed. An inverse variance quantitative synthesis was conducted using RevMan software. Continuous outcome data were pooled as means differences, whereas dichotomous ones were summarized as risk ratios. The 95% confidence interval was the measure of variance. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included in our review (n = 5335). Our analysis revealed a superiority of HBPM in reducing the risk of induction of labor, and postpartum readmission (P = 0.02, and 0.01 respectively). Moreover, the comparison of birth weights showed a significant variation in favor of HBPM (P = 0.02). In the analysis of other outcomes, HBPM was equally effective as office monitoring. Furthermore, HBPM did not result in an elevated risk of maternal, neonatal, and fetal adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: Home monitoring of blood pressure showed superiority over office monitoring in some outcomes and equal efficacy in other outcomes.

Efficacy of resveratrol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and hormonal condition affecting women of a reproductive age. It causes an abnormal menstrual cycle, anovulation, infertility, acne, hirsutism, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disorders. Because resveratrol decreases testosterone levels, it may be of value in treating PCOS. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of resveratrol in treating women with PCOS. We searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science. With 95% confidence intervals, the data was retrieved and analyzed as a mean difference (MD) or a standardized mean difference (SMD). Four RCTs with 218 women were included in the analysis. Resveratrol significantly reduced testosterone (SMD = -0.40; 95% CI [-0.71, -0.10], P = 0.009), luteinizing hormone (LH) (SMD = -0.32; 95% CI [-0.62, 0.01], P = 0.04), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (MD = -0.85; 95% CI [-1.25, -0.45], P < 0.0001) compared with the placebo. Resveratrol is effective in treating women with PCOS due to reducing the levels of testosterone, LH, and DHEAS. In combination with other treatments, especially for hyperlipidemia, resveratrol is beneficial for women diagnosed with PCOS.

Alpha-Mangostin ameliorates acute kidney injury via modifying levels of circulating TNF-α and IL-6 in glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis animal model.

Alpha mangostin (AM), isolated from G. mangostana, showed beneficial effects in several disorders due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Acute kidney injury (AKI) due to different etiologies can develop into severe complications, resulting in high mortality rates. In this work, AM is tested for its ability to alleviate AKI in glycerol-induced AKI rat model, where 30 Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to a healthy group, glycerol-treated group and AM-treated group. Glycerol- and AM groups received a single dose of glycerol (per IM, 50% glycerol in saline, 8 ml/kg), whereas control group was injected with saline. AM treatment (a single daily dose, per IP, 175mg/kg) was accomplished for three days. Animals were executed to collect blood samples and kidney tissue for biochemical and histological examination. It was found that glycerol induced increase in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lipid peroxidation, serum magnesium, TNF-α and IL-6. It also induced renal edema and hypocalcemia along with histopathological renal damage. AM treatment improved renal histological features and alleviated increase in serum creatinine, BUN, serum magnesium, TNF-α and IL-6 levels, as well as renal edema and lipid peroxidation but did not affect serum calcium levels. This suggests AM as a potential therapeutic agent for treating AKI mainly via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The degree of nicotine dependence among users of different tobacco and nicotine products in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Nicotine addiction has many consequences. The World Health Organization has classified nicotine dependence as a disorder of substance use. This study aimed to assess the dependence in users of different tobacco and/or nicotine-containing products (TNPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analytical, cross-sectional study involved 211 TNP users in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire that consisted of two main sections. The first section included sociodemographic domain, TNP status domain, and the Stages of Change model domain. The second section of the instrument included the ABOUT dependence construct comprising 12 items. Independent t-test, analysis of variance, and correlation analysis were used to assess the relationship between the study variables. RESULTS: Most users of TNPs exclusively used tobacco cigarettes (53.1%). Total dependence score was significantly associated with gender, marital status, age group, monthly income, nicotine concentration in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) liquid, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day (P < 0.05). Total dependence score was correlated with the duration of TNP usage (r = 0.24, P < 0.001), Switching attempts to another TNP (r = 0.16, P = 0.020), attempts of quitting TNPs (r = 0.25, P < 0.001), and willingness to quit (r = -0.37, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dependence was associated with gender, marital status, age group, monthly income, nicotine concentration in e-cigarette liquid, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. It was also associated with duration of TNP usage, Switching attempts to another TNP, attempts of quitting TNPs and the willingness to quit.