articles+ search results

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Food Science

Background: The Ketogenic diet has gained popularity, especially among college students in the past few years, mainly as a strategy for fast weight losse but due to lack of appropriate knowledge of ketogenic diet plan might affect their overall health. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate knowledge and perception about ketogenic diet among students of three different faculties of Northern Border University, Arar, KSA. Methods: The present study had a cross sectional study design and a total of 303 (214 female and 89 males) students were contacted between 15 February and 20 March, 2021. A self-administered online (Google form) questionnaire was used to investigate socio-demographic data as well as student’s knowledge and perception about the ketogenic diet. Results: The majority of the participants, 197 (65%) know that ketogenic diet compise of high fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrate. The main therapeutic aim for adopting a ketogenic diet was weight loss for 153 participants (50.3%), whereas 115 (38%) of them adopted it for treating poly cystic ovary (PCOD) and only 84 (27. 7%) for controlling diabetes. The source of knowledge about the ketogenic diet was primarily social media 199 (65.9%), and only 82 (27.2%) adopted it after consultation from a dietitian. However, 72 particiants (23.8%) believed that the ketogenic diet did not have any adverse effects on the human body. Conclusion: The result of the present study indicates that students had convincing knowledge and perception about the ketogenic diet as well as its therapeutic uses. However, pre-diet counseling is imperative for everyone to know every aspect and correct technique for carrying out this diet.

removable partial dentures, complete dentures, phonetics, awareness, dental students, and dental education

Phonetics plays a major role in the fabrication of prostheses. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of students regarding the role of phonetics in denture fabrication and to improve the educational process and the clinical application. The study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, and involved a survey of 344 dental students and interns. The questionnaire contained 20 questions and was divided into three sections: general knowledge, clinical correlations, and clinical evaluations. The data were collected and analyzed statistically using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post hoc tests. The response rate was 100%. Male and female students only differed significantly in terms of their scores for answers to general knowledge questions, with females achieving better results (p = 0.023). General knowledge varied significantly between fourth-year students and all other levels (p < 0.001), and fifth-year students and interns (p = 0.027). The clinical correlations varied significantly between fourth-year students and interns (p = 0.01), whereas the clinical evaluations varied between all the academic years and interns (fourth-year, p < 0.001; fifth-year, p = 0.003; and sixth-year, p = 0.017). The interns obtained the highest scores in all sections. There was a lack of awareness among dental students of some aspects of the role of phonetics in denture fabrication. The study highlights the deficiencies that need to be addressed and the need for adjustments to the curriculum related to removable prosthodontics in order to improve the knowledge of students regarding the role of speech in denture fabrication.

Ophthalmology and General Medicine

Background Acute annular outer retinopathy (AAOR) is an uncommon disease. To date, there are few documented cases in the literature. Our case report is the first to describe a case of acute annular outer retinopathy in a patient with invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Case presentation The patient presented with photopsias and visual loss approximately 3 weeks prior to a diagnosis of invasive ductal breast carcinoma. We have documented the outer annular white ring seen in the acute phase of this disease and correlate it anatomically with Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging. We identified RPE atrophy with nodular hyperreflectivity and loss of ellipsoid layer within the white annular ring with corresponding visual field loss. Fundus autofluorescence correlated with structural alterations seen on SD-OCT and showed both presumed active hyperautofluorescent zones with patchy hypoautofluorescent zones of atrophy and a classic annular hyperautofluorescent border. This case provides additional information about the natural history of this rare entity and its prognosis and varied presentation. Conclusions The authors report a single case of acute annular outer retinopathy in a patient with invasive ductal breast carcinoma with the corresponding SD-OCT, fundus autofluorescence and visual field findings, during the acute phase of the disease. These findings provide new insight into the characteristic features, etiology and progression of this rare disease.

General Medicine

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

History and Philosophy of Science and Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Background: Several studies have demonstrated gender influence on asthma prevalence, being higher among males during early childhood. Little is known about the impact of gender and age on asthma exacerbation characteristics in pediatrics. This study aimed to determine the differences in acute asthma between males and females in three different age groups regarding perinatal characteristics of asthmatic patients, comorbidities, medication adherence, level of blood eosinophils, and pattern of hospitalization.Methods: The medical records of 130 pediatric patients with asthma, who presented to the emergency department at Jordan University hospital with asthma exacerbations, were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information and clinical characteristics were collected.Results: The mean age of patients was 10.7±4.7 years. The age at diagnosis and gestational age were significantly higher in older children. Furthermore, younger children were significantly more likely to experience winter exacerbations and more emergency presentations. Male patients were considerably younger than their female counterparts and were diagnosed younger. In addition, male patients were more likely to have eosinophil levels higher than 3% than female patients.Conclusion: Gender plays a role in the development and outcome of asthma exacerbations at different ages of pediatrics. A better understanding of gender-based and age-based differences in asthma dictates a personalized approach to treatment.

General Engineering

Education

In this special issue of the Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, we take a step back from the events of the last 2 years and the changes that we have seen in the education arena, to remember that which has remained constant – how students learn best. Developing teaching and learning pedagogy based on lasting education theory and practice makes the past of education relevant to the present and future and creates a context where innovation can be scaled and taken further, from a single instance of impact to many. In this editorial, we present an argument for going back to our roots and present examples of the effective use of established theories of learning that continue to advance online education practice. We discuss the scaling of educational best practice to more students and more institutions, and we provide recommendations for creating sustainable and lasting future practice.

Neurology (clinical)

ImportancePatients with dementia may be at an increased suicide risk. Identifying groups at greatest risk of suicide would support targeted risk reduction efforts by clinical dementia services.ObjectivesTo examine the association between a dementia diagnosis and suicide risk in the general population and to identify high-risk subgroups.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis was a population-based case-control study in England conducted from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2019. Data were obtained from multiple linked electronic records from primary care, secondary care, and the Office for National Statistics. Included participants were all patients 15 years or older and registered in the Office for National Statistics in England with a death coded as suicide or open verdict from 2001 to 2019. Up to 40 live control participants per suicide case were randomly matched on primary care practice and suicide date.ExposuresPatients with codes referring to a dementia diagnosis were identified in primary care and secondary care databases.Main Outcomes and MeasuresOdds ratios (ORs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression and adjusted for sex and age at suicide/index date.ResultsFrom the total sample of 594 674 patients, 580 159 (97.6%) were controls (median [IQR] age at death, 81.6[72.0-88.4] years; 289 769 male patients [50.0%]), and 14 515 (2.4%) died by suicide (median [IQR] age at death, 47.4 [36.0-59.7] years; 10 850 male patients [74.8%]). Among those who died by suicide, 95 patients (1.9%) had a recorded dementia diagnosis (median [IQR] age at death, 79.5 [67.1-85.5] years; median [IQR] duration of follow-up, 2.3 [1.0-4.4] years). There was no overall significant association between a dementia diagnosis and suicide risk (adjusted OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85-1.29). However, suicide risk was significantly increased in patients diagnosed with dementia before age 65 years (adjusted OR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.84-4.33), in the first 3 months after diagnosis (adjusted OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.49-4.09), and in patients with dementia and psychiatric comorbidity (adjusted OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.21-1.93). In patients younger than 65 years and within 3 months of diagnosis, suicide risk was 6.69 times (95% CI, 1.49-30.12) higher than in patients without dementia.Conclusions and RelevanceDiagnostic and management services for dementia, in both primary and secondary care settings, should target suicide risk assessment to the identified high-risk groups.

Surfaces, Coatings and Films, General Physics and Astronomy, Condensed Matter Physics, Surfaces and Interfaces, and General Chemistry

Jurassic Gas Field Development Group (GFDJ) of Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) completed the first ever CO2 foamed acid frac pilot campaign in three Jurassic sour HTHP wells. This innovative technology was utilized first time ever in the KOC history safely and effectively with exemplary well performances. GFDJ had been pursuing the CO2-foamed acid fracturing technology since 2019 with the objective of improving the stimulation and hydraulic fracturing efficiency in the Jurassic Middle Marrat formation. CO2-foamed acid fracs have several advantages over other stimulation techniques:CO2 is a miscible and non-damaging fluid blends in water and also mixes with hydrocarbons.Pumped as a liquid and slightly heavier than water, leading to lower treating pressures due to heavier hydrostatic head.Effective in treating lower-pressured/partially-depleted good KH carbonate reservoirs.Reduces water-based gels and overall frac-load volume by the percentage of CO2 pumped in the frac fluid system (40% by volume is utilized in this pilot).Energizes the frac fluid and stays in solution until it heats up to gas. This property ensures the frac load recovery is achieved throughout the flowback.Eliminates the need to activate the well after the frac with CT/N2 applications potentially saving time and money to KOC.Has potential to lighten up the heavier ends of the hydrocarbons due to its miscible properties, hence may help with better hydrocarbon inflow.Creates stable foam structure with the frac fluid, increasing the frac fluid viscosity hence has the potential to generate better frac geometry and higher "stimulated rock volume" or SRV. A three-well campaign was completed between September 2021 and February 2022. Three different monobore completion wells were fracture-treated using an average of 40% downhole quality CO2-foam pumped at an average rate of 30 bpm. Different service companies and their fluid systems, as well as their operational capabilities were utilized in operations with exemplary clean up and production test results that surpassed the expectations of the asset. Additionally, pumping cryogenic CO2 at high ambient desert temperatures of September in Kuwait, safely, and operationally effectively is a major milestone and achievement in itself. This paper summarizes the design, operational, well clean-up and production performance details of the CO2 campaign. Learnings of the GFDJ asset will be shared in order to benefit from the learning curve that KOC went through in implementing this strategic application. Success of novel CO2 stimulation technique is critical for the GFDJ asset to continue expanding its production capacity in next 2-3 years while maintaining the strong production plateau achieved in 2021. Future plans of the assets will also be discussed to ensure cross-boundary opportunity realization can be possible in the industry for the region.

This paper demonstrates the production optimization methodology being used by Kuwait Oil Company Jurassic gas that added significant contribution of approximately 37% of total field incremental production gain in 2021. Production optimization is a continuous iterative process to improve production, especially in mature fields. The North Kuwait Jurassic Gas field’s team has adopted an integrated enhanced and structured process to identify opportunities for production optimization with a pro-active approach focusing on flowing wells and rig-less interventions to tackle production challenges and achieve production targets. The Jurassic gas asset has unique mature-field challenges. It produces mainly from deep (up to 19,000 ft MD) high pressure and temperature, conventional and unconventional tight carbonate reservoirs, highly deviated to horizontal wells, different completion configurations (4.5in monobore, 3.5in × 5in liner, and 4.5in Multi-stages completions), wellbore cleaning and accessibility, scaling and flow assurance, high heterogeneity and permeability contrast among different flow units and dual permeability effect (matrix and natural fractures), production decline due to pressure depletion, liquid loading, high H2S (up to 13 mol%), surface production facilities limitations (e.g. limited MP and H2S handling capacity). effectiveness of subsequent stimulation treatments of such complex heterogeneous reservoir to improve well productivity and connect the natural fractures. The recovery from such complex heterogeneous reservoirs is extremely challenging if conventional development strategies are applied and need for appropriate production optimization methodology outlined here. The Heterogeneity Index process is utilized to rapidly demonstrate production gain opportunities via quick screening method of identifying preliminary candidate wells with anomalous behavior (over/under performance) for further analysis. The results from this screening tool were utilized to identify the families of type productivity problems at field and well levels with solution categories for production enhancement. Representative wells were selected for detailed diagnostics based on the relevance and size of productivity impact and the potential of its well deliverability. Once a few "top potential" wells were identified, production engineering workflows were implemented to assess and forecast the potential of production increase and to determine and evaluate the best solution design and intervention action. Detailed production optimization process provided recommendations of various remedial intervention solutions to improve well production potential via productivity enhancement ranging from complex matrix and fracturing stimulation, additional and/or re-perforations, wellbore cleaning, flow assurance solutions, to choke management. Other advanced technologies were applied to improve various strategies, including completions, perforation, stimulation, and production control. The executions of recommended interventions added significant contribution of approximately 37% of total field incremental production gain in 2021. Such production optimization process, experience and lessons learned will be shared where it can be used in analog fields.

Purpose: To investigates if there is an association between demographic characteristics with sleep quality and general health. Also, to measure the association between lack of sleep and mental health, and to determine the relationship between sleep problems and social health. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 270 students at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in Dammam. Data was collected by using primary data collection method through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality and General Health Questionnaire – 28 (GHQ-28) to assess general health. Chi-square was used to find the relationship between sleep quality, general health, and demographic characteristics, then logistic regression was used to observe the association between sleep quality and general health. Results: About 51.5% of students had poor sleep quality, 47.8% had poor general health, and a total of 48.82% of students had both poor sleep quality and general health. Demographic factors among males showed a significant association with sleep quality and general health. Female participants had a higher percentage of poor sleep quality and poor general health compared to male counterparts. Also, sleep quality showed a significant association with mental and social health. Finally, poor sleep increases the chance of having poor health by 2.7 times (95% CI: 1.672 - 4.486). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the quality of sleep significantly affects the quality of health among college students. Also, sleep quality was observed to have a stronger effect on mental health than social health.

Social Media Marketing, Brand Equity, Entrepreneurship, Buying Intentions, Jordanian Context

The current research aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the effect of social media marketing on customer buying intention. Furthermore, the study explores empirically and explains the mediating influences of brand equity, particularly the role of brand image and awareness, on customer buying intention. The research was explored using a quantitative approach. A convenience sampling technique was adopted. The valid responses received were 237. The hypothesis testing followed Structural Equation Modelling. The findings concede that all social media marketing sub-constructs significantly affect buying intention, whereby accessibility has the strongest influence. Brand equity mediates the relationship between social media marketing and purchase intention. The findings concede that all social media marketing sub-constructs significantly affect buying intention, mediated by brand equity, particularly by building brand image and brand awareness. The proposed model provides new insights into the social media marketing drivers affecting buying intentions and engagement with an entrepreneurial brand. This research reaffirms that social media marketing can hugely influence the success of Jordanian entrepreneurial firms.

General Engineering

Computer Science Applications and Education

Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Aims In response to pro-fibrotic signals, scleraxis regulates cardiac fibroblast activation in vitro via transcriptional control of key fibrosis genes such as collagen and fibronectin; however, its role in vivo is unknown. The present study assessed the impact of scleraxis loss on fibroblast activation, cardiac fibrosis, and dysfunction in pressure overload-induced heart failure. Methods and results Scleraxis expression was upregulated in the hearts of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients, and in mice subjected to pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Tamoxifen-inducible fibroblast-specific scleraxis knockout (Scx-fKO) completely attenuated cardiac fibrosis, and significantly improved cardiac systolic function and ventricular remodelling, following TAC compared to Scx+/+ TAC mice, concomitant with attenuation of fibroblast activation. Scleraxis deletion, after the establishment of cardiac fibrosis, attenuated the further functional decline observed in Scx+/+ mice, with a reduction in cardiac myofibroblasts. Notably, scleraxis knockout reduced pressure overload-induced mortality from 33% to zero, without affecting the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. Scleraxis directly regulated transcription of the myofibroblast marker periostin, and cardiac fibroblasts lacking scleraxis failed to upregulate periostin synthesis and secretion in response to pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor β. Conclusion Scleraxis governs fibroblast activation in pressure overload-induced heart failure, and scleraxis knockout attenuated fibrosis and improved cardiac function and survival. These findings identify scleraxis as a viable target for the development of novel anti-fibrotic treatments.

Psychiatry and Mental health, Geriatrics and Gerontology, Clinical Psychology, General Medicine, and General Neuroscience

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) differ in their memory, attention, and visuoconstructional characteristics. The subscales of the well-known Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) provide an opportunity to assess these characteristics. Previous research has shown that analysis of the MMSE subscale performance of AD and DLB patients helps to differentiate them. Objective: Study the MMSE scores of AD and DLB patients to see if the ability of previously reported analyses to differentiate them could be improved. Include other dementia patients for perspective. Methods: We studied the MMSEs of all patients seen in our clinics during an 18-month period. Different equations were studied, derived from the subscales of Memory (M, 3 points maximum), Attention (A, 5 points maximum), and Pentagon-copying (P, 1 point maximum). Results: We obtained 400 MMSEs, 136 from AD patients and 24 from DLB patients, scoring range 1–30. The equation P minus M provided the best discrimination between AD and DLB. Using a P-M score = 1 to identify AD, the positive predictive value was 0.97, negative predictive value 0.22, specificity 0.92, and sensitivity 0.43. As a secondary finding, the P-M = 1 equation was also helpful to differentiate AD from Parkinson’s disease dementia. Conclusion: Considering AD versus DLB in our clinic population, a demented patient who was unable to recall the three memory words on the MMSE but able to copy the intersecting pentagons had a 97% likelihood of having AD. Additional work is needed to improve the sensitivity of the P-M = 1 equation.

Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacy

Pedagogy, Blueprint, Hyperloop, Formative assessment, Visual arts, Sketch, Creativity, media_common.quotation_subject, media_common, Jargon, The Internet, business.industry, business, Transformative learning, and Psychology

Late in the summer of 2013, Elon Musk set the Internet ablaze with a “napkin sketch” of the Hyperloop Alpha, his futuristic vision for mass transit (Christensen, 2013). Musk backed his rudimentary doodle with a 57-page memo where he aimed to keep “numbers to a minimum and avoid formulas and jargon” and apologized, “in advance for [his] loose use of the language and imperfect analogies” (Musk, 2013). The memo is a thorough, visually stunning and inspiring proposal for a high-speed mass transit line between Los Angeles and San Francisco wherein passengers travel at speeds up to 800 miles per hour above already existing highways. As The New Yorker magazine noted, “Musk has put forth a plausible idea that doesn’t require yet-to-be-developed technologies” (Friend, 2013). The memo and it’s 25+ visual sketches, drawings, and figures is, however, the blueprint for something much more impressive than a regional transit line. Instead, the memo presents a promising, innovative, and potentially transformative model that may completely redefine mass transit in the twenty-first century (Figs. 7.1 and 7.2).

Surgery

Lipoid proteinosis (LP) is a rare autosomal-recessive disease characterized by the deposition of hyaline material infiltrating multiple body organs, including the larynx. The possible clinical presentations are wide-ranging. Laryngeal involvement results in dysphonia that is noted at birth or infantile years. The diagnosis is based on histological findings, and the management options vary depending on the severity of the symptoms. In this paper, we report an unusual case of LP with laryngeal involvement in an adult patient, along with a review of current literature.

Assessment, Filipino Immunizing Pharmacist, Engagement, COVID-19, KAP Model, and General Medicine

The immunization practice of pharmacists has only been recently approved in the Philippines; thus, it is imperative to assess their engagement using the Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices (KAP) model. A descriptive quantitative-correlational study that utilized a convenience sampling technique was conducted with 90 respondents. A 49-item self-made questionnaire was employed through Google forms. The data collected was subjected to various statistical treatments for descriptive and correlational analysis. Results showed that respondents have a high level of knowledge regarding the prevention of Adverse Events Following Immunization (3.81), and critical thinking and decision-making upon its occurrence (3.92). The respondents' attitudes also showed high levels of agreement toward the promotion of immunization (3.89) and patient counseling (3.97). Moreover, the majority of the respondents administered vaccines (87.78%) and COVID-19 was the vaccine given the most (77.78%). Their responses showed a high level of practice in the immunization process (3.95), documentation and record-keeping (3.80), and addressing misconceptions (3.94). Most of their sociodemographic profiles do not have a significant relationship with their KAP except for the area of practice that had a correlation to knowledge. Thus, this study proves that Filipino immunizing pharmacists have a high level of engagement amidst the pandemic and continuous training and certification are needed to further strengthen this, especially during public health emergencies.

General Medicine, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Embryology, and Anatomy

Computer Science Applications and Education

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Ophthalmology and General Medicine

Multidisciplinary

Pollution, Waste Management and Disposal, Environmental Chemistry, and Environmental Engineering

General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, General Medicine, and General Neuroscience

Background The study’s objective was to analyze the influence of an 8-week neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with a plyometric (PT) and strength training (ST) program on muscular, sprint, and functional performances in collegiate male football players. Methods Sixty collegiate male football players participated in this randomized controlled trial single-blind study. All the participants were randomly divided into two groups: (1) NMES group (Experimental, n = 30) who received NMES assisted ST and (2) sham NMES group (Control, n = 30) who received sham NMES assisted ST. In addition, participants from both groups received a PT program; both groups received intervention on three days a week for 8-weeks. The study’s outcomes, such as muscular, sprint, and functional performances, were assessed using a strength test (STN) for quadriceps muscle, sprint test (ST), and single-leg triple hop test (SLTHT), respectively, at baseline pre-intervention and 8-week post-intervention. The interaction between group and time was identified using a mixed design (2 × 2) ANOVA. Results Significant difference found across the two time points for the scores of STN: F (1.58) = 5,479.70, p < 0.05; SLTHT: F (1.58) = 118.17, p < 0.05; and ST: F (1.58) = 201.63, p < 0.05. Similarly, the significant differences were found between groups averaged across time for the scores of STN: F (1.58) = 759.62, p < 0.05 and ST: F (1.58) = 10.08, p < 0.05. In addition, after 8-week of training, Cohen’s d observed between two groups a large to medium treatment’s effect size for the outcome STN (d = 10.84) and ST (d = 1.31). However, a small effect size was observed only for the SLTHT (d = 0.613). Conclusions Findings suggest that the effect of PT and ST with either NMES or sham NMES are equally capable of enhancing muscular, sprint, and functional performances in collegiate male football players. However, PT and ST with NMES have shown an advantage over PT and ST with sham NMES in improving muscular performance and sprint performance among the same participants.

General Medicine, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Embryology, and Anatomy

Background Healthcare workers are at the risk of developing weakness in core muscles and balance disturbance due to stress at the workplace. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between core muscle strength measured with a plank test and dynamic balance assessed with the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (MSEBT) among hospital staff. A convenience sample of 27 healthy male employees at Rabigh General Hospital participated in the study; participants performed MSEBT and plank tests in the gym of the physical therapy department at the hospital. Results The mean age of the 27 participants was 32.19, standard deviation (SD) 4.16 years; mean height was 171.15, SD 6.39 cm; mean weight was 72.37, SD 11 kg; and body mass index was 24.73, SD 3.62 kg/m2. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a positive significant correlation between scores on the plank test with leg reach scores on MSEBT. The data showed a highest correlation between scores on plank test with dominant anterior leg reach scores on MSEBT (r = 0.446, p = 0.010), and lowest with non-dominant anterior leg reach scores on MSEBT (r = 0.335, p = 0.044). Conclusion Weak to moderate positive significant correlation between the plank test of isometric core muscle strength and both the right and dominant of the anterior, posteromedial, and composite score on the MSEBT of the lower limb and significantly with non-dominant anterior reach. There was no significant difference between the administrative and health practitioner on the plank test or MSEBT.

Education

BackgroundGlobally, there is a rising interest in the concept of social accountability (SA). The literature evaluating SA of medical schools is limited; however, some international studies have revealed a lack of understanding of SA by medical students. This study evaluated the perception of SA among medical students at a governmental university in Saudi Arabia.MethodA cross-sectional study with 336 currently enrolled medical students was conducted from September 2020 to May 2021. The data were collected using an electronic survey comprised of the THEnet questionnaire that included 12 items to assess the perception of SA and some demographic variables. The total score was categorized into four groups and compared with the demographic profile of students.ResultsOut of the 336 participants, the mean age was 21.26 ± 0.5 years, with most students in the 19–21 age group (n = 154, 46%), and 189 (56.3%) were males. In addition, preclinical and clinical students had similar representation: 170 (51%) and 166 (49%), respectively. Most participants (173, 52%) scored in the 18–36 range, reflecting good perceived SA. The demographic profile of students (i.e., age, GPA, and year of study) was significantly associated with perceived SA (p = 0.003, 0.002, and < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionThe study concludes that most medical students had a good level of perceived SA about their institution. The preclinical year students exhibited a better perception of SA. The final-year students were more critical about the SA of the institution compared to other students.

General Medicine

La valorisation des déchets recyclables dans les matériaux cimentaires favorise l’écoconstruction. Elle permet d’éviter l’épuisement des ressources naturelles tout en donnant une nouvelle vie aux déchets recyclables qui se trouvent en grande quantité tel que le polyuréthane (PU). Ce travail étudie la faisabilité d’incorporation du PU sous forme de granulé (PUG) dans un mortier cimentaire. Les propriétés du mortier de PUG à l’état frais (teneur en air occlus, masse volumique, affaissement) et à l’état durci (résistance à la flexion et à la compression) sont comparées à un mortier normalisé. Les résultats obtenus montrent la nécessité d’utilisation de 1,5% en masse du ciment de superplastifiant pour une meilleure ouvrabilité du mortier incorporant 5% en masse de PUG. Pour ce taux d’incorporation, une diminution de 6% de la masse volumique à l’état frais, de 42% de la résistance à la compression et de 30% de la résistance à la flexion a été obtenue en raison notamment de la légèreté et de la fragilité du PUG comparé au sable.
Academic Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol 40 No 1 (2022): Special Issue - RUGC 2022

General Medicine

ObjectiveSubsequent protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection in paediatrics is not well reported in the literature. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 PCR repositivity in children.DesignThis is a population-level retrospective cohort study.SettingPatients were identified through multiple national-level electronic COVID-19 databases that cover all primary, secondary and tertiary centres in Kuwait.ParticipantsThe study included children 12 years and younger between 28 February 2020 and 6 March 2021. SARS-CoV-2 reinfection was defined as having two or more positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests done on a respiratory sample, at least 45 days apart. Clinical data were obtained from the Pediatric COVID-19 Registry in Kuwait.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary measure is to estimate SARS-CoV-2 PCR repositivity rate. The secondary objective was to establish average duration between first and subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Descriptive statistics were used to present clinical data for each infection episode. Also, incidence-sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate 60-day and 90-day PCR repositivity intervals.ResultsThirty paediatric patients with COVID-19 had SARS-CoV-2 reinfection at an incidence of 1.02 (95% CI 0.71 to 1.45) infection per 100 000 person-days and a median time to reinfection of 83 (IQR 62–128.75) days. The incidence of reinfection decreased to 0.78 (95% CI 0.52 to 1.17) and 0.47 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.79) per person-day when the minimum interval between PCR repositivity was increased to 60 and 90 days, respectively. The mean age of reinfected subjects was 8.5 (IQR 3.7–10.3) years and the majority (70%) were girls. Most children (55.2%) had asymptomatic reinfection. Fever was the most common presentation in symptomatic patients. One immunocompromised experienced two reinfection episodes.ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 reinfection is uncommon in children. Previous confirmed COVID-19 in children seems to result in a milder reinfection.

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Internal Medicine

Background: Factors considered when selecting a diabetes medication for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in clinical practice may differ from those recommended by professional societies. Objective: To identify factors that play a major role in guiding the selection of diabetes medications in the real world. Method: We asked 135 physicians [67% Generalists (Internists and General Practitioners) and 33% Specialists (Endocrinologists and Diabetologists) ] in Saudi Arabia to select a diabetes medication they frequently prescribe in certain clinical scenarios. Then we asked them to rank a set of factors as (“Major,” “Minor,” or “Not” a consideration) according to the degree those factors would typically influence their selection of a particular medication. Results: Sulfonylurea is the most frequently prescribed second-line agent. Majority (89%) reported prescribing GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) to “50% of their patients with T2D and ischemic heart disease; and over 2/3 prescribe SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) to Conclusion: Despite the recent advances in diabetes therapy, medication cost and inadequate awareness of the cardiovascular and renal benefits of novel diabetes agents, particularly among non-specialists, remain major barriers to the wide adoption of recommendations from professional societies. Policies to improve access to novel diabetes medications and disseminate the awareness about the evidence-based benefits of these medications are needed Disclosure J.A.Abudahesh: None. J.A.Aijebreen: None. D.Z.Alhalees: None. G.Albraithen: None. G.S.Bamogaddam: None. M.Al-sofiani: None.

Otorhinolaryngology

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Background Public acceptance of governmental measures are key to controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems for high-income countries as well as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The ability of LMICs to respond to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic has been limited and may have affected the impact of governmental strategies to control the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate and compare public opinion on the governmental COVID-19 response of high and LMICs in the Middle East and benchmark it to international countries. Methods An online, self-administered questionnaire was distributed among different Middle Eastern Arab countries. Participants’ demographics and level of satisfaction with governmental responses to COVID-19 were analyzed and reported. Scores were benchmarked against 19 international values. Results A total of 7395 responses were included. Bahrain scored highest for satisfaction with the governmental response with 38.29 ± 2.93 on a scale of 40, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (37.13 ± 3.27), United Arab Emirates (36.56 ± 3.44), Kuwait (35.74 ± 4.85), Jordan (23.08 ± 6.41), and Lebanon (15.39 ± 5.28). Participants’ country of residence was a significant predictor of the satisfaction score (P < 0.001), and participants who suffered income reduction due to the pandemic, had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and held higher educational degrees had significantly lower satisfaction scores (P < 0.001). When benchmarked with other international publics, countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council had the highest satisfaction level, Jordan had an average score, and Lebanon had one of the lowest satisfaction scores. Conclusion The political crisis in Lebanon merged with the existing corruption were associated with the lowest public satisfaction score whereas the economical instability of Jordan placed the country just before the lowest position. On the other hand, the solid economy plus good planning and public trust in the government placed the other countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council on top of the scale. Further investigation is necessary to find out how the governments of other low-income countries may have handled the situation wisely and gained the trust of their publics. This may help convey a clearer picture to Arab governments that have suffered during the pandemic.

Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Vascular dysfunction underlies numerous significant diseases including diabetes, atherosclerosis and hypertension. Vascular dysfunction can be a result of altered smooth muscle contraction/relaxation, and impaired endothelial cell function within the vessel wall. Vascular fibrosis involves an increase in the thickness of vessel wall. This contributes to either an increase in extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis or induced vascular smooth muscle proliferation within the vessel wall, or both, causing stiffer vessels with impaired tone and reduced lumen diameter.Our lab identified the transcription factor scleraxis as a novel master regulator of fibrotic signaling in the myocardium, showing scleraxis is sufficient to induce fibroblast to myofibroblast phenotype conversion, a critical step in the development of fibrosis, and directly up-regulates ECM genes in cardiac fibroblasts. Angiotensin II (AngII) was reported to induce vascular fibrosis via activation of the transcription factor Smad3 in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Our lab has shown that Smad3 physically interacts with scleraxis, and critically requires scleraxis to drive TGFβ/Smad fibrotic signaling in cardiac fibroblasts.Our preliminary data has revealed that scleraxis is detectable in the arterial wall, and scleraxis expression is elevated in high pressure versus low pressure regions of vessels. Loss of scleraxis in the aortas of scleraxis knock-out mice reveals a discontinuation and disarrangement in the structure of vascular wall. We thus hypothesize that scleraxis is sufficient and necessary to induce vascular fibrosis.Pressure myography data reveals an increase in vascular stiffness and thickness of 3rd order mesenteric arteries of smooth muscle-specific scleraxis overexpression mice. Also, our data shows that vascular stiffness is significantly increased in AngII-induced scleraxis overexpression mice with a relative increase in telemetry blood pressure measurements and pulse wave velocity. Histological sections suggest a reduction of the translamellar ECM accumulations in AngII-induced scleraxis overexpression aortas. To summarize, scleraxis may contribute to vascular stiffness by inducing vascular smooth muscle proliferation.

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology

Biological Psychiatry and Psychiatry and Mental health

social identity, visibility, self-esteem, religiosity, Muslims, prosocial behaviour, adjustment, youth, discrimination, and anti-social behaviour

Previous research has often found religiosity in youth to be largely adaptive, predicting higher prosocial and lower problem behaviours, higher self-regulation, and higher self-esteem, among other outcomes (French et al., 2008). However, most of this research has been done with youth who were members of the majority faith (e.g., Christians in America, Muslims in Indonesia). Key social-psychological theories suggest that the experience of religiosity and an individual’s subsequent outcomes likely differ as a function of their minority status (Hogg & Reid, 2006; Tajfel et al., 1979). This thesis examines the role of religiosity in Muslim minority youth in Canada. Findings demonstrate that religiosity is still generally protective for religious minority youth, however, these relations are highly dependent upon the strength of an individual’s religious identification, the degree to which they believe they are identifiable as a Muslim, the influence of social norms, and their experiences with discrimination. SSRHC CGS-M, Dean's graduate research fund (UofGuelph)

Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology

Neurology (clinical) and Ophthalmology

General Medicine, cardiac fibrosis, energy metabolism, fibroblast, myofibroblast, glutaminolysis, transcription, and gene regulation

Fibrosis is an energy-intensive process requiring the activation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, resulting in the increased synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. Little is known about the transcriptional control of energy metabolism in cardiac fibroblast activation, but glutaminolysis has been implicated in liver and lung fibrosis. Here we explored how pro-fibrotic TGFβ and its effector scleraxis, which drive cardiac fibroblast activation, regulate genes involved in glutaminolysis, particularly the rate-limiting enzyme glutaminase (GLS1). The GLS1 inhibitor CB-839 attenuated TGFβ-induced fibroblast activation. Cardiac fibroblast activation to myofibroblasts by scleraxis overexpression increased glutaminolysis gene expression, including GLS1, while cardiac fibroblasts from scleraxis-null mice showed reduced expression. TGFβ induced GLS1 expression and increased intracellular glutamine and glutamate levels, indicative of increased glutaminolysis, but in scleraxis knockout cells, these measures were attenuated, and the response to TGFβ was lost. The knockdown of scleraxis in activated cardiac fibroblasts reduced GLS1 expression by 75%. Scleraxis transactivated the human GLS1 promoter in luciferase reporter assays, and this effect was dependent on a key scleraxis-binding E-box motif. These results implicate scleraxis-mediated GLS1 expression as a key regulator of glutaminolysis in cardiac fibroblast activation, and blocking scleraxis in this process may provide a means of starving fibroblasts of the energy required for fibrosis.