The Structural Characterization and Bioactivity Assessment of Nonspecific Lipid Transfer Protein 1 (nsLTP1) from Caraway (\u3cem\u3eCarum carvi\u3c/em\u3e) Seeds

Background Carum carvi (caraway) of the Apiaceae family has been used in many cultures as a cooking spice and part of the folk medicine. Previous reports primarily focus on the medicinal properties of caraway seed essential oil and the whole seeds extract. However, no effort has been made to study caraway proteins and their potential pharmacological properties, including nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP), necessitating further research. The current study aimed to characterize nonspecific lipid transfer protein 1 (nsLTP1) from caraway seed, determine its three-dimensional structure, and analyze protein–ligand complex interactions through docking studies. We also evaluated nsLTP1 in vitro cytotoxic effect and antioxidant capacity. Additionally, nsLTP1 thermal- and pH- stability were investigated. Methods Caraway nsLTP1 was purified using two-dimensional chromatography. The complete amino acid sequence of nsLTP1 was achieved by intact protein sequence for the first 20 residues and the overlapping digested peptides. The three-dimensional structure was predicted using MODELLER. Autodock Vina software was employed for docking fatty acids against caraway nsLTP1. Assessment of nsLTP1 cytotoxic activity was achieved by MTS assay, and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TAC) was determined. Thermal and pH stability of the nsLTP1 was examined by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Results Caraway nsLTP1 is composed of 91 residues and weighs 9652 Da. The three-dimensional structure of caraway nsLTP1 sequence was constructed based on searching known structures in the PDB. We chose nsLTP of Solanum melongena (PDB ID: 5TVI) as the modeling template with the highest identity among all other homologous proteins. Docking linolenic acid with caraway protein showed a maximum binding score of -3.6 kcal/mol. A preliminary screening of caraway nsLTP1 suppressed the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 in a dose‑dependent manner with an IC50 value of 52.93 and 44.76 μM, respectively. Also, nsLTP1 (41.4 μM) showed TAC up to 750.4 μM Trolox equivalent. Assessment of nsLTP1 demonstrated high thermal/pH stability. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out on nsLTP1 from caraway seeds. We hereby report the sequence of nsLTP1 from caraway seeds and its possible interaction with respective fatty acids using in silico approach. Our data indicated that the protein had anticancer and antioxidant activities and was thermally stable

The influence of social support on sleep and fatigue level among patients receiving hemodialysis in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional correlational design

Background: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) are more likely to experience sleep problems and fatigue that may affect their health outcomes. Management of these patients with social support may improve their sleep quality and fatigue as well as their health. Aim: This study aimed to assess the influence of social support on sleep quality and fatigue levels among HD patients. Methods: A cross-correlational study was conducted among 260 conveniently sampled HD patients from four dialysis centers in Hail and Al-Qassim cities of Saudi Arabia from Jun 2022 to January 2023. Besides sociodemographic data, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) and the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3) were used to assess sleep quality, fatigue levels and social support, respectively. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between categorical variables, while Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between sleep quality, fatigue, and social support. Results: Poor sleep and high fatigue were significantly higher in older patients compared to younger patients (p <0.001), while strong social support was significantly lower in older patients than younger and middle-aged ones (p = 0.001). On the other hand, poor sleep and high fatigue were significantly higher in males than females (p = 0.022 and p <0.001, respectively), while strong social support was significantly higher in females than males (p <0.001). Married patients showed significantly poorer sleep than single ones (p = 0.019), but single patients received significantly stronger social support. Retired patients showed significantly poorer sleep, higher fatigue and weaker social support than other groups (p <0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between fatigue and sleep quality among HD patients, where patients with more fatigue had poorer sleep (r = −0.510, p <0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between social support and sleep quality, where patients with stronger social support had more normal sleep (r = 0.415, p <0.001). However, a significant negative correlation was found between social support and fatigue, where patients with stronger social support had lower levels of fatigue (r = −0.479, p <0.001). Conclusion: Saudi patients on HD who have stronger social support have better sleep quality and reduced fatigue levels than those with less social support. There is a need to design and implement intervention studies with structured social support programs, and to evaluate their effectiveness on improving sleep and reducing fatigue among HD patients

Exposure to secondary traumatic stress and its related factors among emergency nurses in Saudi Arabia: a mixed method study

Background: Emergency department (ED) nurses are exposed to the risk of secondary traumatic stress (STS), which poses a threat not only to nurses’ health and psychological well-being but also adversely affects the execution of their professional duties. The quality and outcome of their nursing services are negatively affected by STS. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to comprehensively investigate the prevalence and intensity of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) among Emergency Department (ED) nurses. It aims to identify and analyze the socio-demographic, occupational, and psychological factors that influence the severity and variation of STS experienced by these nurses. Methods: The study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach, including two phases. Phase 1 employed a cross-sectional study design, utilizing a convenience sample of 181 nurses to explore the levels of STS and the factors associated with it. Following this, Phase 2 was structured as a qualitative descriptive study, which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with a purposefully selected group of ten ED nurses. Data collection took place at three major hospitals in Saudi Arabia during the period from January to June 2022. Results: A total of 181 participants were included in the study. The mean STSS score reported by the nurses was 51 (SD = 13.23) out of the maximum possible score of 85, indicating severe STS among ED nurses. Factors associated with an increase in the levels of STS among ED nurses included being female, older in age, married, possessing higher education and experience, having a positive relationship with colleagues, receiving organisational support, and dealing with a higher number of trauma cases. Several themes emerged from the qualitative interviews including: ED Characteristics: Dual Impact on STS, Emotional Resonance and Vulnerability, Personal Life Stressors, The Ability to Cope, and Social Support. Conclusion and implications for practice: Future strategies and interventions targeting STS should be prioritized to effectively manage its impact on ED nurses. It is crucial to develop targeted interventions that address the specific factors contributing to STS, as identified in this study. Additionally, these findings aim to enhance awareness among nursing administrators, managers, and supervisors about the critical factors associated with STS. This awareness is essential for accurately assessing and developing interventions that mitigate STS among nursing staff

Factors Associated with Burden in Caregivers of Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (A Systematic Review)

Background: Caring for a patient with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is highly stressful and can impact negatively on the physical and psychological well-being of caregivers. To accurately assess caregiver burden (CB), health care providers (HCPs) need to identify characteristics associated with an increase in CB. Aim: The aim of this review is to explore CB in caregivers of adult patients with ESKD and to identify characteristics associated with any increase in CB. Method: A comprehensive literature search was completed using five electronic databases. Medline, Embase, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and Scopus. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist (JBI) was used to quality appraise full text papers included in the review. No time limit for the date of publication of studies was employed, to enable the inclusion of more extensive literature. Results: A total of 38 relevant studies from 18 countries were identified and included in the review. A variety of patient and caregiver factors can impact positively or negatively on CB, including socio-demographic factors of patients and caregivers, disease-related factors, situational and relational factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors. Conclusion: This review provides awareness to HCPs of the important factors associated with CB, when assessing or targeting interventions for caregivers experiencing burden

Caregiver burden in informal caregivers of patients in Saudi Arabia receiving hemodialysis: a mixed-methods study

(1) Background: Long-term caregiving for patients receiving hemodialysis (HD), is associated with physical and psychological stress, which may impact on the well-being and quality of life of caregivers. Due to a lack of understanding of the experiences of informal caregivers of patients receiving HD, especially in Saudi Arabia, this study aimed to measure burden in informal caregivers of patients receiving HD, examine the factors that predict caregiver burden (CB), and explore the experience of burden in caregivers of patients receiving HD. (2) Methods: This study used a mixed-methods, sequential, explanatory design, which consisted of two phases. Phase 1 involved a cross-sectional study design, with a convenience sample of 61 caregivers of patients on maintenance HD for at least 3 months. All caregivers in the study completed the Arabic version of the Zarit Burden Interview to identify caregiver burden. Phase 2 of the study involved a qualitative descriptive design involving semi-structured interviews with nine caregivers. (3) Results: Study findings indicate that caregivers did not experience severe burden. Being older, a female caregiver and having comorbidities was positively associated with increased levels of caregiver burden. In the qualitative phase of the study, a number of important factors emerged that may contribute to a reduction in caregiver burden, including social support, cultural acceptance, and religious influences. (4) Conclusion and impact: CB was found to be low when a comparison was made with other studies using similar populations. Understanding the factors that influence caregiver burden will contribute to the accurate assessment of caregiver burden and help reduce burden in informal caregivers, patients with renal failure, and others with chronic illnesses worldwide

Investigation of the Level and Factors Influencing Emergency Department Nurses Fatigue: A Case Study of the Saudi Arabian Context

Background: Work-related fatigue is a common health problem among nurses which can affect their performance and decision making. Significance and Aim: The study explores the levels of fatigue and its associated factors among emergency department (ED) nurses in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study was developed through a cross-sectional quantitative study design. This included the collection of primary quantitative data with a questionnaire prepared and published on REDCap. The study questionnaire was adapted from two tools, namely the OFER 15 and the Copenhagen II tools, respectively. Results: The study established that the Saudi Arabian ED nurses have high acute fatigue (OFER 15 score = 81.11), moderate-high chronic fatigue (OFER 15 score = 74.17), and a high inter-shift recovery index (OFER 15 score = 78.01). In terms of the predictor factors, the study established that for the demographic factors, gender has an impact on chronic and acute fatigue, while work experience impacted acute fatigue and the number of dependents impacted on inter-shift recovery index. On the psycho-social factors, chronic fatigue is influenced by emotional demand (which is a variable used to evaluate the levels to which the nurse is invested, gaining education/skills thus increases job satisfaction) (&minus;0.289), influence at work (&minus;0.310), commitment at the workplace (0.376), rewards (&minus;0.187), stress (0.420), and burnout (0.293), respectively. Acute fatigue is influenced by the emotional demands (0.336), role clarity (&minus;0.128), and the nurses&rsquo; well-being and health (&minus;0.034). Finally, the inter-shift recovery index is influenced by the ED nurses&rsquo; burnout levels (&minus;0.877). Conclusions: The study indicates a high level of nursing fatigue among the Saudi Arabian ED nurses

Etiologies of Acute Bronchiolitis in Children at Risk for Asthma, with Emphasis on the Human Rhinovirus Genotyping Protocol

This research aims to determine acute bronchiolitis’ causative virus(es) and establish a viable protocol to classify the Human Rhinovirus (HRV) species. During 2021–2022, we included children 1–24 months of age with acute bronchiolitis at risk for asthma. The nasopharyngeal samples were taken and subjected to a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in a viral panel. For HRV-positive samples, a high-throughput assay was applied, directing the VP4/VP2 and VP3/VP1 regions to confirm species. BLAST searching, phylogenetic analysis, and sequence divergence took place to identify the degree to which these regions were appropriate for identifying and differentiating HRV. HRV ranked second, following RSV, as the etiology of acute bronchiolitis in children. The conclusion of the investigation of all available data in this study distributed sequences into 7 HRV-A, 1 HRV-B, and 7 HRV-C types based on the VP4/VP2 and VP3/VP1 sequences. The nucleotide divergence between the clinical samples and the corresponding reference strains was lower in the VP4/VP2 region than in the VP3/VP1 region. The results demonstrated the potential utility of the VP4/VP2 region and the VP3/VP1 region for differentiating HRV genotypes. Confirmatory outcomes were yielded, indicating how nested and semi-nested PCR can establish practical ways to facilitate HRV sequencing and genotyping