Motivations and Barriers for Saudi Nurses to Pursue a Doctoral Degree

Background/ Purpose: A shortage of Saudi PhD prepared nursing school faculty and a limited number of advanced degree programs in Saudi Arabia, are preventing the education of enough nurses to meet growing healthcare demands and the preparation of nurses for faculty roles. The purpose of this study was to identify motivating and barrier factors that may influence the decision of a nurse to seek further education at the doctorate level. Theoretical Framework: Cross’s (1981) Chain-of-Response Model was used as to guide this study and the interpretation of findings. Methods: A mixed method design was used for this study. A questionnaire was distributed to four groups of nurses using email and social media methods. A total of 161 responses were obtained from nurses working in Saudi Arabia and internationally. The analysis strategy included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, ANCOVA, and factor analysis methods. Qualitative data analysis involved creating codes and themes to create categories of responses that could be compared with the quantitative data. Findings: There was a statistically significant difference between group membership (decided and undecided PhD study) and dispositional barriers, but no statistical difference between motivation scores and gender for either group. Analysis indicated institutional barriers were more important for female nurses in pursuing higher education. The length of time in practice or experience did not statistically impact the decision to pursue a doctoral degree, nor was it associated with motivation or barrier scores, or group membership. Analysis of the qualitative data identified important motivation and barriers factors including prior success in study or work, the need to advance nursing knowledge, personal and work aspirations, and a belief in the importance of improving professional nursing and care outcomes. Support from family members, work colleagues and fellow students were important in deciding to study for a PhD. Conclusions: This study identified motivation and barrier factors that were unique to Saudi Arabian nursing students. Knowledge of these can be used to inform policy and practice aimed at increasing the number of nursing faculty necessary to grow the Saudi nursing workforce

Neuroimaging der neuroanatomischen Veränderungen bei Kindern mit Down-Syndrom und deren Beziehung zu Merkmalen des kognitiven Verhaltensphänotyps

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Children and adults with DS show deficits in language performance and explicit memory. Here, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on children and adults with DS to characterize changes in the volume of specific brain structures involved in memory and language and their relationship to features of cognitive-behavioral phenotypes. Methods: Thirteen children and adults with the DS phenotype and 12 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (age range 4-25) underwent an assessment by MRI and a psychological evaluation for language and cognitive abilities. Results: The cognitive profile of people with DS showed deficits in different cognition and language domains correlating with reduced volumes of specific regional and subregional brain structures, confirming previous related studies. Interestingly, in our study, people with DS also showed more significant parahippocampal gyrus volumes, in agreement with the results found in earlier reports. Conclusions: The memory functions and language skills affected in studied individuals with DS correlate significantly with the reduced volume of specific brain regions, allowing us to understand DS's cognitive-behavioral phenotype. Our results provide an essential basis for early intervention and the design of rehabilitation management protocols

Reliability of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry as alternative method for trace analysis of arsenic in natural medicinal products

Purpose: To evaluate the comparative efficiency of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) for trace analysis of arsenic (As) in natural herbal products (NHPs).Method: Arsenic analysis in natural herbal products and standard reference material was conducted using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), namely, hydride generation ASSAAS (HGAAS) and graphite furnace (GFAAS). The samples were digested with HNO3–H2O2 in a ratio of 4:1 using microwave-assisted acid digestion. The methods were validated with the aid of the standard reference material 1515 Apple Leaves (SRM) from NISTResults: Mean recovery of three different samples of NHPs, using HGAAS and GFAAS, ranged from 89.3 - 91.4 %, and 91.7 - 93.0 %, respectively. The difference between the two methods was insignificant. A (P= 0.5), B (P=0.4) and C (P=0.88) Relative standard deviation (RSD) RSD, i.e., precision was 2.5 - 6.5 % and 2.3 - 6.7 % using HGAAS and GFAAS techniques, respectively. Recovery of arsenic in SRM was 98 and 102 % by GFAAS and HGAAS, respectively.Conclusion: GFAAS demonstrates acceptable levels of precision and accuracy. Both techniques possess comparable accuracy and repeatability. Thus, the two methods are recommended as an alternative approach for trace analysis of arsenic in natural herbal products.Keywords: Arsenic, Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS), Hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometer (HGAAS), Natural herbal product

Some Biological Activities of Malaysian Leech Saliva Extract

Leeches were fed on the phagostimulatory solution through parafilm membrane. The satiated leeches were forced to regurgitate the solution by soaking them in an ice-container. The anticoagulant activity was ascertained using thrombin time assay (TT). The result revealed that the saliva concentration which increases TT by 100% (IC100) is 43.205µg/ml plasma. The antimicrobial activity of the saliva was tested against several bacterial spp. (E.coli, P.aeruginosa, B.cereus, Sal.typhi and S.aureus)  and fungi spp. (C.albicans and C.neoformans). It was found that saliva has an inhibition activity against Sal.typhi (minimal inhibitory concentration MIC 78.253µg/ml), S.aureus (MIC 78.253µg/ml) and E.coli (MIC 121.256µg/ml). ABSTRAK: Pacat-pacat diberi makan larutan phagostimulatory menerusi membran parafilem. Pacat-pacat yang kekenyangan itu dipaksa memuntahkan larutan tersebut dengan direndam di dalam bekas berisi ais. Aktiviti antigumpal ditentukan menggunakan cerakin masa trombin (TT). Keputusan menunjukkan kepekatan air liur pacat menyebabkan pertambahan TT sebanyak 100% (IC100) iaitu 43.205µg/ml plasma. Aktiviti antimikrob air liur telah diuji dengan pelbagai jenis bakteria (E.coli, P.aeruginosa, B.cereus, Sal.typhi dan S.aureus) dan pelbagai jenis kulat (C.albicans and C.neoformans). Didapati air liur menghasilkan aktiviti perencatan terhadap Sal.typhi (kepekatan perencat minima (Minimal inhibitory concentration - MIC) 78.253µg/ml), S.aureus (MIC 78.253µg/ml) dan E.coli (MIC 121.256µg/ml)

Application of group-based QSAR and molecular docking in the design of insulin-like growth factor antagonists

Purpose: To identify the structural requirements for designing a lead key for insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1R) inhibition using group-based quantitative structure activity relationship (GQSAR) and molecular docking. Methods: GQSAR method requires fragmentation of molecules. The molecules in the current dataset were fragmented into three (R1, R2 and R3) by applying common fragmentation pattern, and fragment- based 2D descriptors were then calculated. GQSAR models were derived by applying various methods including multiple linear regressions and partial least square or k-nearest neighbour. Results: Four generated GQSAR models were selected based on the statistical significance of the model. It was found that the presence of flexible and non-aromatic groups on fragment R1 was conducive for inhibition. Additionally, the existence of amino groups as hydrogen bond donors at fragments R2 and R3 was fruitful for inhibition. Docking studies revealed the binding orientation adopted by the active compounds at several amino acid residues, including Met 1126, Arg, 1128, Met 1052, GLU 1050, Met 1112, Leu 1051, Met 1049, Val 1033, and Val 983 at ATP binding sites of IGF-1R kinase domain. Conclusion: The generated models provide a site-specific insight into the structural requirements for IGF-1R inhibition which can be used to design and develop potent inhibitors. Keywords: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor, Quantitative structure-activity relationship, Adenosine triphosphate, Competitive inhibitors, Electrotopological state index

2013 年 9 月 第 11 卷 第 5 期 Chin

[ABSTRACT] The anticoagulant effect of leech saliva was traditionally employed in the treatment of diabetes mellitus complications such as peripheral vascular complications. This study was carried out to examine the effect of leech saliva extract (LSE) on blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. First, LSE was collected from leeches which were fed on a phagostimulatory solution. Second, total protein concentration was estimated using the Bradford assay. Third, diabetic rats were injected subcutaneously (sc) with LSE at doses of 500 and 1 000 µg·kg 1 body weight (bw). Other diabetic rats were injected sc with insulin at doses of 10 and 20 U·kg 1 bw. Another group was injected simultaneously with LSE (250 µg·kg 1 bw) and insulin (10 U·kg 1 bw). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations were monitored during a study period of eight hours at regular intervals. Findings showed that both doses of LSE resulted in a significant and gradual decrease in FBG starting from 10%−18% downfall after two hours of injection reaching the maximal reduction activity of 58% after eight hours. Remarkably, LSE was sufficient to bring the rats to a near norm-glycemic state. The high dose of insulin induced a severe hypoglycemic condition after 2−4 h of injection. The lower dose was able to decline FBG for 2−6 h in rats which became diabetic again after 8 h. On the other hand, the concurrent injection of low doses of LSE and insulin produced a hypoglycemic effect with all rats showing normal FBG levels. Taken together, these findings indicated that the subcutaneous injection of LSE of the medicinal Malaysian leech was able to provide better glycemic control compared with insulin. Moreover, the synergism between LSE and insulin suggests that LSE could be utilized as an adjuvant medication in order to reduce insulin dosage or to achieve better control of blood glucose

The patterns of abdominal trauma and factors associated with ICU admission in a major trauma center in Medina

BackgroundTrauma is a significant health problem in Saudi Arabia. In polytrauma victims, the abdomen is the second most affected body region following the head. In the Middle East, abdominal trauma prevalence ranges from 15 per cent to 82 per cent. AimsThis study aims to assess the patterns of blunt and penetrating abdominal traumas and to assess the factors associated with ICU admission.MethodsThis is a retrospective analytical study conducted at a major trauma centre in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Admitted abdominal trauma patients from 2015 to 2018 were included. Paediatric and isolated extra-abdominal traumas were excluded. Descriptive analysis was used to identify patterns of abdominal trauma. Chi-squared test and independent t-test were applied to evaluate the association of the mechanism of injury, solid abdominal organs, associated extra-abdominal injuries, and type of injury. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess factors associated with ICU admission in abdominal trauma. ResultsWe included a total of 218 patients with a mean age of 32.7±13.9 years. Males (78.4 per cent) were predominantly greater in number than females (21.6 per cent). The primary mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) (76.6 per cent), followed by stab wounds (12.4 per cent) and falls (7 per cent). The liver and spleen were the most injured organs (31 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively). Chest injuries were the most associated extra-abdominal trauma (47.2 per cent). The majority of MVC patients (88.6 per cent) had BTA, while stab wound was the main mechanism of injury in penetrating trauma (12 per cent) (P < 0.001). Penetrating trauma patients required laparotomy more than BTA patients (52.9 per cent and 8 per cent; P < 0.05). Eighteen percent of patients needed ICU admission. Factors positively associated with ICU admission (P < 0.05) were head and neck, musculoskeletal, and thoracic injuries and a moderate Revised Trauma Score (RTS).ConclusionBlunt abdominal trauma was the dominant type of abdominal injury in this study. The majority of patients were young adult males. MVCs and stab wounds were the predominant mechanisms of injury. The most affected organs were the liver and spleen. Chest injuries were the most associated extra-abdominal trauma. Factors positively associated with ICU admission were head and neck, chest, and musculoskeletal injuries and a moderate RTS

Spirituality and Spiritual Care Competence among Expatriate Nurses Working in Saudi Arabia

Background: In Saudi Arabia, where the majority of the nursing workforce are foreigners, little is known about perceptions of spirituality and spiritual caregiving among foreign nurses who provide nursing care to patients with varied spiritual and religious beliefs. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the spirituality and spiritual care competence and its predictors among expatriate Christian nurses in Saudi Arabia, who provide care for Muslim patients. Methods: A convenience sample of 302 nurses was surveyed in this descriptive cross-sectional study using the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale and the Spiritual Care Competence Scale. Results: Results revealed high values on three domains, namely, spiritual care, personal care, and existential spirituality. The majority of the respondents reported competence in all six subscales of spiritual care. The participants&#8217; age, educational level, perception of existential spirituality, and personal care were found to be relevant predictors of their spiritual care competence. Conclusions: The findings suggest that existential spirituality and personal care dimensions of Christian nurses&#8217; spirituality and spiritual care perceptions play critical roles in the provision of competent spiritual care to Muslim patients

Characterisation of the bZIP Transcription Factor Hac1 Key Domains in Transcriptional Repression of Early Meiotic Genes

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum promotes HAC1 mRNA splicing by the transmembrane kinase-endoribonuclease Ire1. Spliced Hac1 consists of 238 amino acids (Hac1i), compared to its unspliced form of 230 amino acids (Hac1u). Hac1i negatively regulates differentiation in response to nitrogen starvation, such as meiosis. Hac1i represses transcription of early meiotic genes (EMGs) under the control of URS1 promoter element. URS1 sites act as repressor sequences during mitosis and function as activator sites during meiosis. Recruitment of Rpd3L histone deacetylase complex by Ume6-Ime1 to URS1 facilitates repression of EMGs by Hac1i in response to nitrogen starvation, interfering with sporulation. The bZIP transcription factor Hac1i consists of a DNA-binding domain, leucine zipper domain, and a C-terminal transactivation domain. These domains share highly conserved residues with other well studied bZIP transcription factors, such as Gcn4. Here we observe the effect of different Hac1 constructs in regulating EMGs transcription through USR1 in nitrogen sensing. We constructed and characterised Hac1u, and three classes of point mutants in the different domains of the Hac1i transcription factor, Hac1i-N49L mutation in the DNA-binding domain, Hac1i-L67P/L74P/V81P mutants in the leucine zipper, and a S238A mutation in the transactivation domain requirement. Experiments with URS1-lacZ reporter genes demonstrated that Hac1i has higher repression potential than Hac1u and requires its transactivation domain for repression of EMGs in response to nitrogen starvation. Hac1i bZIP mutant residues partially disrupt repression of EMGs transcription by Hac1i; consequently, these point mutations interfere with binding of Hac1 to DNA, dimerisation of Hac1, and transcriptional activation by Hac1. Data from these T4C-URS1-lacZ reporter experiments were confirmed using northern analysis of EMGs such as IME2, HOP1, and SPO13. Further northern analysis eliminated several known constituents of Rpd3L histone deacetylase complex (DEP1, CTI6, RXT2, RXT3, PHO23, SDS3, SAP30), as transcriptional targets of Hac1i. In summary, Hac1i, its bZIP domain key residues, and its transactivation domain are required to repress transcription of EMG via URS1 in response to nutrient sensing. Overall, the findings provided novel insights into how Hac1 represses early meiotic genes via the bZIP characteristics in S. cerevisiae. Future work will investigate and develop methods to screen and identify Hac1i potential targets involved in negatively regulating EMGs in response to nitrogen starvation, and characterisation whether Hac1 inhibits nucleosomal acetylation in the promoters of EMGs