Study of bodyweight and eating attitude among female university members in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A comparison between different methods of weight assessment.

BACKGROUND: The economic transition in Saudi Arabia imposed negative consequences leading to an increase in the prevalence of obesity and its sequelae. Despite the commitment of high authorities in KSA to combat obesity, so far 25% of Saudis are still obese. The association between obesity, disordered eating attitude, and body image needs to be addressed. AIM: To explore the relationship between obesity, eating attitude, and body image satisfaction among students and employees at Princess Nourah University (PNU) and to compare the different modalities of assessing body weight. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling technique comprised of 550 participants. Obesity was assessed by anthropometric measurements and body composition monitor (BF511). Eating attitude test (EAT26) was used to determine eating attitude while body image satisfaction score was determined using body shape questionnaire (BSQ). RESULTS: Around 382 (69.5%) students and 168 employees participated in the study. Obesity was significantly higher among employees (48.2%) vs students (27.7%) (P < 0.001). Body fat composition showed significant positive correlations ranging from weak-to-moderate (0.13 to 0.44) with other body measurements for students and employees. The disordered eating attitude was maximized among obese compared to other BMI groups (P < 0.05). Percentage of disordered eating attitude score correlated positively with BMI: 35.2% vs 52.3% among underweight and obese, respectively (P = 0.001). There was no statistical difference in eating attitudes between students and employees. BSQ score correlates positively with BMI (P < 0.001), it was 36.73 ± 18.68 vs 57.92 ± 18.50 for underweight and obese, respectively. The effect of BMI on body image score was 19.1%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Obesity remains a significant health problem among Saudi females. Increased BMI is associated with increased disordered food attitude and the effect of BMI on body image score was minimal.

Simulation-Based Learning Versus Didactic Lecture in Teaching Bronchial Asthma for Undergraduate Medical Students: a Step Toward Improvement of Clinical Competencies.

BACKGROUND: Simulation-based learning (SBL), an effective teaching strategy, is still questionable on whether it can be an alternative to didactic lectures in medical education. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SBL versus traditional lectures in retention of knowledge. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among medical students who were divided in two groups (36 students each). Each group received the same information about diagnosis and management of bronchial asthma, but with a different teaching method: didactic lecture or simulation. Knowledge level was tested before, immediately after the teaching sessions and 3 months later using multiple-choice questions. Student's satisfaction was evaluated using feedback questionnaire. RESULTS: The simulation group scored higher than the lecture group in the post-test and the late test. However, these differences were not significant. Additionally, students' satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the simulation group than in the lecture group (p < 0.01). Students ranked simulation significantly better regarding motivation (71.9%), comfort (59.4%), understanding (59.4%), and effective communication (59.4%) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Simulation is as effective as lecture in retention of medical knowledge. Nonetheless, students agree that it is more satisfactory and interesting. SBL integration in medical programs is recommended to overcome obstacles in clinical training.

Expression of CD163 in hereditary gingival fibromatosis: A possible association with TGF-ß1.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have discussed some of the molecular and cellular changes associated with hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF), its pathogenesis is still largely unclear. This study was directed to detect and outline the degree of relationship between the immunophenotyped macrophages (M2) expressing CD163 and TGF-ß1 in patients with gingival overgrowth due to HGF. METHODS: Biopsies from 20 patients suffering from HGF and 20 normal control subjects were harvested, histologically and immunohistochemically stained then, analyzed and statistically compared and correlated for CD163 immunoexpression and TGF-ß1. RESULTS: All HGF specimens expressed TGF-ß1 by most of the connective tissue fibroblasts, with statistically high significant mean of area % (2.61 ± 0.41) compared to normal controls (0.11 ± 0.06; P = .001). All control specimens revealed negligible CD163 immunostaining of the few inflammatory cells found with a mean area of % (0.69 ± 0.12), while the specimens of HGF cases showed statistically significant higher CD163 expression (3.39 ± 0.75) at (P = .007). A statistically significant higher mean % of M2 cells expressing CD163 in relation to the total number of the inflammatory cells was revealed in HGF (34.46 ± 2.04) compared to the control group (16.36 ± 2.39; P-value ≤ .05). Moderate correlation between CD163 and TGF-ß1 was detected in HGF (r = .451; P-value < .05). CONCLUSIONS: CD163 and TGF-ß1 were clearly expressed in HGF cases compared to healthy control patients, with significant correlation. In HGF, the increase in CD 163-positive cells was specific and not dependent on the chronic gingival inflammation.

A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Intervention with ß-Glucan in the Treatment of Localized Aggressive Periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The success of any surgical procedure is predominately influenced by the pattern of its wound healing. The objective of the present study was to assess gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels during the early healing phase of root coverage procedures. MMP-8 levels on days four and seven were correlated with the wound healing index (WHI) to evaluate the presence of MMP-8 during early post-surgical wound healing after root coverage procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen isolated maxillary Miller's Class I/Class II recession defects in systemically and periodontally healthy patients in the age range of 25 - 57 years were treated with coronally advanced flap and sub-epithelial connective tissue graft (CAF + SCTG). GCF and serum samples were collected at baseline, day four, day seven and six months after surgery from the gingival sulcus of the recession defect. A contralateral tooth with clinically healthy gingiva was used as control and samples were collected from this site too at the same time intervals. MMP-8 levels in GCF and serum were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Wound Healing Index was assessed on days four and seven. Mean root coverage (MRC) and complete root coverage (CRC) were assessed six months post-operatively. RESULTS: Statistically signifi cant reduction in recession depth was observed with MRC of 88.67%. GCF and serum MMP-8 levels were significantly elevated on days four and seven post-surgery (p less than 0.001) in the test site and reduced to baseline levels after six months. Weak positive correlation was observed between wound healing index and GCF MMP-8 levels on days four and seven. Moderate positive correlation was noted between serum MMP-8 levels and root coverage outcomes. However, this correlation was not statistically signifi cant (p greater than 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present prospective study showed satisfactory post-surgical healing and root coverage outcome. MMP-8 levels and its increase/decrease during the early wound healing follows the expected temporal pattern. No significant correlation was noted between MMP-8 levels during early wound healing and root coverage outcomes.