Knowledge & Misconceptions about ADHD among Female Primary School Teachers in Aseer, Saudi Arabia

Background: Attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) defined as physical movements which exceed the normal limit or the acceptable limit, and it shows in the form of a group of behavioral disorders arise as a result of many psychological and organic causes. Hyperactivity includes random, involuntary and unsuitable movements appear as a result of organic or psychological causes, and it is accompanied with an attention deficit. The Ministry of Health in the United States showed that males are more susceptible to this disorder than females four times. Despite the importance of the teacher's knowledge in the symptoms of the ADHD and the ways to deal with it; a small number of previous studies have examined this area. Past studies have shown that teachers did not have enough knowledge of ADHD and they often have fundamental misperceptions about the nature, causes and results of ADHD. Objective: to reveal the level of the teachers' knowledge & misconceptions about ADHD among primary school female teachers in Aseer, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a descriptive research using self-reported questionnaire method. It is quantitative in nature. It was done on randomly selected Saudi females teachers of primary schools in Aseer region. Results: Nearly twenty eight (27.6%) of the teachers responded correctly, while (36.5%) responded incorrectly, and (35.9%) responded “don’t know” to the first subscale which include 15 items assessing general knowledge about the nature, causes and outcome of ADHD. Fifty nine and three-tenth percent (59.3%) of the teachers responded correctly, while (17.7%) responded incorrectly, and (23%) responded “don’t know” to the second subscale of KADDS which include 9 items assessing symptoms/diagnosis of ADHD. Thirty three and two-tenth percent (33.2%) of the teachers responded correctly, while (24.5%) responded incorrectly, and (42.3%) responded “don’t know” to the third subscale of KADDS which include 12 items assessing the treatment of ADHD. Conclusion: Teachers have a major role in the identification and assessment of students with ADHD. This study was intended to examine teachers’ knowledge and misperceptions of ADHD. Teachers’ scores on KADDS were fairly good, pointing to relatively lack of knowledge about ADHD. Moreover, teachers’ level of knowledge of ADHD was positively related to their prior training and experience with ADHD. Results from this study concur with the findings of previous studies

Adherence to antidiabetic medication during the month of Ramadan among diabetes mellitus patients in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Ramadan may lead to reduced adherence to antidiabetic medications among Saudi diabetes patients due to fasting, changes in daily routine, social and cultural influences, health risks, and inadequate awareness. This study aimed to assess the Saudi population adherence to the diabetes management medication in Ramadan. Methodology: A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants for the study. Participants were sourced from social media platforms, diabetes mellitus patient groups, and healthcare providers groups. The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), a tool, was used to assess medication compliance. Results: A total of 384 individuals were included in this study, 20.3% were from Riyadh, 52.3% were males, 35% aged 31-50 years, and 64.1% had type 2 diabetes mellitus of participants. Age between 31-50 years was negatively associated with compliance (β = -1.06, p = 0.002), while age between 51-65 years is positively associated ((β= 1.00, p = 0.003). Being male was negatively associated with compliance (β= -0.72, p = 0.001). Different fasting behaviors like non-fasting one day or more (β = -2.92, p < 0.001) and fasting all month (β = -2.90, p < 0.001), significantly affect compliance scores with negative associations indicating lower compliance during fasting periods. Various HbA1c levels were significant predictors of compliance. Higher HbA1c levels were associated with increased compliance. Conclusions: The study reveals that age, gender, fasting behaviors and HbA1c levels significantly impact medication compliance among patients with diabetes mellitus during Ramadan

Social anxiety disorder in Saudi adolescent boys: Prevalence, subtypes, and parenting style as a risk factor

Background: Available information on social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescents in Saudi Arabia is limited. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence, severity, and subtypes of SAD, and parenting style risk factors associated with SAD in the adolescent. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two secondary schools for boys in Abha, Saudi Arabia during the Academic year 2013. To collect the data, a questionnaire eliciting information on background characteristics and parenting style as well as the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Test (LSAS), for the evaluation of SAD, were used. Results: A total of 454 students participated in the study. The age of the participants ranged between 15 and 20 years with a mean of 17.4 years. The prevalence of SAD was 11.7%. Around 36% and 11.4% of the students respectively had severe and more severe forms of SAD. Parenting style such as parental anger, criticism particularly in front of others, exaggerated protection, maltreatment and family provocation emerged as a significant risk factor for SAD. The independent predictors of SAD were a parental provocation and physical or emotional maltreatment by the parent (odds ratio [OR] = 3.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.90-8.31 and OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 3.17-5.19, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of SAD in secondary school students at Abha is high. Parenting style risk factors for SAD are modifiable. In this context, a national program to improve mental health in this age group is crucial

Correlation of iron levels with glycemia and microvascular complications among type II diabetes mellitus patients in Najran university hospital

Background: Diabetes is influenced by changes in the body's iron levels. Because iron deficiency anemia is common in diabetes, this study examines the link between iron, glycemic control, and complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study conducted from October 2019 to June 2020 at Najran university hospital in the Najran area, Saudi Arabia. All T2DM patients (N = 201) during the study were recruited by simple random sampling. A checklist was completed to extract the study variables from each patient's medical record. Results: There is a positive poor correlation between hemoglobin (Hb) and diabetic foot (r = 0.186, P < 0.05), but not with other diabetic microvascular complications (i.e., retinopathy, nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy) or glycemic indicators fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C (i.e., FBS, RBS, and HbA1C). No link is found between ferritin and glycemic indicators or diabetic microvascular complications. Conclusion: The study suggests that particular attention be paid to regular monitoring of iron levels before modifying the treatment plans for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. It raises critical inquiry about the reality of iron role in diabetes mellitus either in pathogenesis or treatment. It recommends accurately assessing body iron status with careful interpretation for better clinical judgment, encouraging large-scale and long-term epidemiological as well as interventional trials examining the effect of lowering iron in controlling glycemia

Bilateral same session renal stone surgery tolerance and complications

Altres ajuts: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (RC18/318/R).Introduction: The prevalence rate of upper urinary tract calculi in Saudi Arabia is one of the highest globally. Bilateral renal stone management is an option but is still controversial. Methodology: The study was a retrospective study, including 31 patients with bilateral renal or ureteric stones who underwent bilateral same-session ureterorenoscopy (BSS-URS). The data collected included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), stone burden bilaterally, operative time bilaterally, hospital stay, stone location, type of anesthesia, stone history, renal anomaly as well as pre- and postoperative JJ stenting. In addition, data related to complications (ureteric injury, renal failure, urinary tract infection, pain requiring an emergency department visit within 1 week of the procedure), the stone-free rate (defined as £ 3 mm asymptomatic stone fragment identified with computed tomography Kidney, Ureter and Bladder 3 months after surgery was also collected. The data were collected from the electronic patient record system, entered in an Excel spreadsheet, and descriptive analysis was done. Results: In total, 31 patients were included, with the majority (80.6%, n = 25) male. The mean age was 41.6 years, the mean BMI 28.7 ± 5.59, the mean operative time for each renal unit 46.53 ± 25.69 min, and the mean hospital stay 17.87 ± 8.43 h. The majority (96.7%, n = 30) received general anesthesia. Less than half (40.3%, n = 25) of the renal units had stones in multiple calyces and the majority (90.3%, n = 56) of the renal units were stone free at the 3-month follow-up. A small proportion (3.2%, n = 2) of the renal units were polycystic. Prestenting was documented in 40.3% (n = 25) of the renal units and the majority (95.2%, n = 59) were stented postoperatively. Conclusion: BSS-URS is a safe and a highly effective management option for bilateral renal stones

POTENTIAL ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF CUMINUM CYMINUM AND BORAGO OFFICINALIS IN RATS AND MICE

Objective: Our research aimed to study the potential therapeutic effect of Cuminum cyminum and Borago officinalis seed oil against inflammation induced by carrageenan as well as its central and peripheral analgesic effect. Methods: The anti-inflammatory effect was determined by measuring the edema rate and inhibition rate using Plethysmometer. Writhing test and hot plate test were used to determine the peripheral and central analgesic effect, respectively. Key Findings: Significant anti-inflammatory effects were witnessed for all the drugs at different dose levels in the results. Substantial analgesic effect against both peripheral and central pain induction was also incurred on administration of all doses of C. cyminum and B. officinalis seed oil. Conclusion: The C. cyminum and B. officinalis seed oil has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects

Tectal glioma as a distinct diagnostic entity: a comprehensive clinical, imaging, histologic and molecular analysis

Abstract Tectal glioma (TG) is a rare low-grade tumor occurring predominantly in the pediatric population. There has been no detailed analysis of molecular alterations in TG. Risk factors associated with inferior outcome and long-term sequelae of TG have not been well-documented. We retrospectively studied TGs treated or referred for review at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH) between 1986 and 2013. Longitudinal clinical data were summarized, imaging and pathology specimen centrally reviewed, and tumor material analyzed with targeted molecular testing and genome-wide DNA methylation profiling. Forty-five patients with TG were included. Twenty-six (57.8%) were male. Median age at diagnosis was 9.9 years (range, 0.01–20.5). Median follow-up was 7.6 years (range, 0.5–17.0). The most common presenting symptoms were related to increased intracranial pressure. Of the 22 patients treated at SJCRH, 19 (86%) required cerebrospinal fluid diversion and seven (32%) underwent tumor-directed surgery. Five patients (23%) received radiation therapy and four (18%) systemic therapy. Ten-year overall and progression-free survival were 83.9 ± 10.4% and 48.7 ± 14.2%, respectively. Long-term morbidities included chronic headaches, visual symptoms and neurocognitive impairment. Lesion ≥3cm2, contrast enhancement and cystic changes at presentation were risk factors for progression. Among those with tumor tissue available, 83% showed growth patterns similar to pilocytic astrocytoma and 17% aligned best with diffuse astrocytoma. BRAF duplication (a marker of KIAA1549-BRAF fusion) and BRAF V600E mutation were detected in 25% and 7.7%, respectively. No case had histone H3 K27M mutation. DNA methylation profile of TG was distinct from other brain tumors. In summary, TG is an indolent, chronic disease with unique clinical and molecular profiles and associated with long term morbidities. Large size, contrast enhancement and cystic changes are risk factors for progression

Pharmacological Means of Pain Control during Separator Placement:A Systematic Review

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of adjuvant analgesics/anesthetics in pain control after separator placement compared with no medication. BACKGROUND: Separator placement to create space for cementing bands is the first clinical procedure done in orthodontics. Pain in this stage can negatively affect patient compliance and trust in the clinician. To date, there is no universally accepted regimen for pain control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. One hundred and thirty-two potentially relevant studies were found. A total of eight randomized clinical trials including 642 subjects were selected. Data were extracted into customized forms, and selected studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute. RESULTS: Results showed the use of analgesics led to lower reported pain scores at almost all time intervals. NSAIDs resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pain compared to a control group. CONCLUSION: According to the available literature, the use of analgesics is effective in controlling orthodontic pain due to separators. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen show a stable analgesic effect. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Acetaminophen 650 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg taken 1 hour prior to separator placement can reduce pain associated with the procedure

Geranylgeranylacetone attenuates fibrogenic activity and induces apoptosis in cultured human hepatic stellate cells and reduces liver fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride-treated mice

Background: Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), an anti-ulcer drug widely used in Japan, has attracted interest because of its various therapeutic effects. Therefore, we investigated the effects of GGA on human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and in a mouse model of liver fibrosis. Methods: LX2, an immortalized human HSC line, was cultured and treated with GGA at concentrations up to 0.5 mM. After GGA treatment, changes in cellular morphology, apoptosis, and fibrosis-related gene expression were assessed. Male C57BL/6 J mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis was treated with GGA. Liver fibrosis was evaluated using Sirius red staining and immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Results: GGA decreased the density of LX2 and primary human hepatic stellate cells but not that of HepG2 cells (a human hepatoma cell line), which was employed as control. In addition, GGA decreased the expression of fibrogenic genes and increased that of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). It also induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and increased apoptosis. CHOP knockdown, however, failed to suppress the GGA-induced decrease in LX2 cell density, suggesting the involvement of additional molecules in ER stress-associated apoptosis. Expression of death receptor 5, mitogen-activated protein kinase, heat shock protein 70, and Akt, all of which affect the activity of stellate cells, was unchanged in relation to LX2 cell fibrogenic activity. In the mouse model of liver fibrosis, GGA decreased the extent of Sirius red staining and SMA expression. Conclusions: GGA attenuated fibrogenic activity and induced apoptosis in cultured human HSCs, and suppressed liver fibrosis in mice, suggesting its potential as an agent for treating liver fibrosis