Sex Differences in Recognition of Face Expressions

الملخص: القدرة على قراءة تعابير الوجه من المهارات الأساسية في التفاعل الإنساني. اهتمت الدراسة الحالية بدراسة تأثير نوع المفحوص: ذكرا أم أنثى على التعرف على تعابير الوجه الانفعالية المختلفة. 125 مشارك أكمل أداء مهمة التعرف على الوجوه أون لاين. من خلال تصميم تجريبي تم من خلاله عرض صور لوجوه تُظهر انفعالات مختلفة وعلى المشارك اكمال التجربة من خلال تحديد الانفعال الصحيح المناسب لصورة الوجه المعروض. أظهرت النتائج في المجمل أن الذكور كانوا أسرع من الأناث في التعرف على الوجوه بالانفعالات المختلفة، ولكن ذلك لم يمتد إلى درجة الدقة في التعرف على هذه الانفعالات، كما لم تظهر النتائج أية تفاعلات محتملة بين جنس المشارك ونوع الجنس المعروض في الصورة. نوقشت هذه النتائج في ضوء الأدبيات المتاحة، كما نوقشت بعض جوانب القصور في الدراسة الحالية لأخذها بعين الاعتبار في الدراسات اللاحقة ذات الصلة.Abstract: Emotional facial expressions are a crucial non-verbal communication skill for humans’ interactions. The current study assessed the impact of sex on emotional face recognition. A total of 125 individuals per-formed an online emotional face recognition task. The stimuli were created recutting male and female Saudi volunteers. Results showed that, except of the male participants having faster responses compared to females in general, no main significant differences between the sex group in accuracy nor any significant interaction between participant sex and the sex of the faces. Our findings suggests that the effect of sex on emotional face recognition needs further investigation with well calibrated stimuli. Limitations and the direction of future research in this area were discussed

Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus capitis: An Emerging Challenge in Clinical Settings Found in Adult Patients in Saudi Arabia

The study reveals crucial information on S. capitis, a potentially dangerous bacterium that can cause sepsis in hospitalized adult patients, including its frequency and patterns of drug resistance which could significantly contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this field. This retrospective study was conducted in the King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from June 2019 to November 2022. The comprehensive data collection and analysis provide valuable information on the prevalence of S. capitis in different infection sites, antibiotic sensitivity profiles, and the association with patient demographics. A total of 219 S. capitis isolates from hospitalized patients with sepsis tested positive. Infection was most common in venous blood (139 patients, 63.5%), followed by central blood (24 patients, 11%). Other locations included venipuncture (48 patients, 21.9%) and cerebrospinal fluid (three patients, 1.4%). The results highlight the clinical significance of S. capitis as a major contributor to sepsis, especially in male patients, and emphasize the need for appropriate antibiotic selection for effective treatment. Furthermore, this study raises concerns about the high rates of methicillin resistance observed in S. capitis isolates, emphasizing the urgency in tackling antibiotic resistance and promoting judicious antibiotic prescription practices. Moreover, the identification of a decreased susceptibility to vancomycin as a potential explanation for its reduced effectiveness in treating S. capitis infections adds a crucial aspect to the discussion of treatment options and underscores the need for alternative therapeutic strategies

Effect of Natural Commiphora myrrha Extract against Hepatotoxicity Induced by Alcohol Intake in Rat Model

The oral intake of alcohol has become a widespread concern due to its high risk to body health. Therefore, our purpose in this study was to reveal the antioxidant efficacies of natural Commiphora myrrha on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by ethanol in adult male rats, especially because these were not adequately revealed by previous studies. We examined the impacts of C. myrrha in male Sprague Dawley rats orally treated with C. myrrha (500 mg/kg) alone or in combination with 40% ethanol (3 g/kg), daily for 30 days. The results showed that treatment with C. myrrha after the oral consumption of ethanol caused a reduction in serum liver function parameters (alanine transferases, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin), hepatic tumor markers (α-L-flucosidase and arginase), and hepatic lipid peroxidation indicator (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), as well as a slight restoration (not significant) in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione; and total antioxidant capacity. In addition, it alleviated histopathological changes in the liver, as revealed by decreased areas of inflammatory infiltrate, milder necrosis, and noticeably reduced periportal fibrosis and hemorrhage. The therapeutic efficiency of C. myrrha could be due to its rich sesquiterpenoids content which possesses anti-inflammatory properties and ROS-scavenging activities. Our findings provide evidence that the attenuation of oxidative stress by C. myrrha enables hepatic tissue to suppress inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms, resulting in enhanced liver structure and function. Therefore, C. myrrha extract shows promise as a protective and therapeutic supplement against toxic agents

The ameliorative effects of ceftriaxone and vitamin E against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

International audienceNephrotoxicity is a common adverse effect of treatment with cisplatin (CDDP). This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant and nephroprotective efficacy of ceftriaxone (CTX) and vitamin E (Vit.E), alone and in combination against CDDP-induced acute renal injury. Fifty-six male albino rats were equally divided into seven groups, receiving (I) normal saline, (II) CTX (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p] injection), (III) Vit.E (100 mg/kg orally), (IV) CDDP (5 mg/kg i.p injection), (V) CDDP plus CTX, (VI) CDDP plus Vit.E, and (VII) CDDP plus CTX in combination with Vit.E. All treatments were administered daily for 10 days except CDDP, which was given as a single dose at the sixth day of the study. Compared to normal control rats, CDDP-injected rats showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher serum levels of renal injury biomarkers (uric acid, urea, and creatinine) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as increased renal tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and TNF-α. Moreover, CDDP administration was associated with significantly lower (p < 0.05) renal tissue levels of reduced glutathione and activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) and total antioxidant capacity. All these alterations were significantly ameliorated in CDDP-injected rats, receiving CTX and/or Vit.E, compared to rats receiving CDDP alone. Interestingly, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were more marked in the CTX-Vit.E combination group, compared to groups receivingeither drug alone. In conclusion, CTX and Vit.E (especially in combination) could counteract the nephrotoxic effect of CDDP, probably through their antioxidant activities

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population