The Role of RIN3 Gene in Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis: a Comprehensive Review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a globally prevalent form of dementia that impacts diverse populations and is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and impairments in executive memory. Although the exact mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis remain unclear, it is commonly accepted that the aggregation of misfolded proteins, such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles, plays a critical role. Additionally, AD is a multifactorial condition influenced by various genetic factors and can manifest as either early-onset AD (EOAD) or late-onset AD (LOAD), each associated with specific gene variants. One gene of particular interest in both EOAD and LOAD is RIN3, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor. This gene plays a multifaceted role in AD pathogenesis. Firstly, upregulation of RIN3 can result in endosomal enlargement and dysfunction, thereby facilitating the accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aß) peptides in the brain. Secondly, RIN3 has been shown to impact the PICLAM pathway, affecting transcytosis across the blood-brain barrier. Lastly, RIN3 has implications for immune-mediated responses, notably through its influence on the PTK2B gene. This review aims to provide a concise overview of AD and delve into the role of the RIN3 gene in its pathogenesis.

Internet addiction and sleep quality among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of many people, including medical students. The present study explored internet addiction and changes in sleep patterns among medical students during the pandemic and assessed the relationship between them. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in seven countries, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guyana, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Sudan, using a convenience sampling technique, an online survey comprising demographic details, information regarding COVID-19, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). RESULTS: In total, 2749 participants completed the questionnaire. Of the total, 67.6% scored above 30 in the IAT, suggesting the presence of an Internet addiction, and 73.5% scored equal and above 5 in the PSQI, suggesting poor sleep quality. Internet addiction was found to be significant predictors of poor sleep quality, causing 13.2% of the variance in poor sleep quality. Participants who reported COVID-19 related symptoms had disturbed sleep and higher internet addiction levels when compared with those who did not. Participants who reported a diagnosis of COVID-19 reported poor sleep quality. Those living with a COVID-19 diagnosed patient reported higher internet addiction and worse sleep quality compared with those who did not have any COVID-19 patients in their surroundings. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that internet addiction and poor sleep quality are two issues that require addressing amongst medical students. Medical training institutions should do their best to minimize their negative impact, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Cross-cultural prevalence of sleep quality and psychological distress in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Poor quality sleep and emotional disturbances are expected in times of crisis. COVID-19 has severely impacted healthcare worldwide and with that comes the concern about its effects on healthcare workers. The purpose of the present study was to assess sleep quality and psychological distress in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The present work is a multi-centric cross-sectional study targeting healthcare workers from India, Pakistan, and Nepal. It used an online version of the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and the General Health Questionnaire, and data were analyzed using SPSS V.24. RESULTS: A total of 1790 participants completed the questionnaire. Of the 1790 participants, 57% reported poor sleep quality, and 10% reported a high level of psychological distress. A cross-cultural comparison found some differences between the different groups of participants. The details of the differences were further explored in the article. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights that a significant proportion of healthcare workers are affected by poor sleep quality and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also emphasizes the imperative to provide them with psychosocial support to avoid potential short- and long-term psychological consequences of these troubling times.