Stress, anxiety, depression among medical undergraduate students at Benha University and their socio-demographic correlates

Background: Medical students display poorer mental health when compared to equivalent peers. Learning environment, educational debt, hard workload, and sleep disturbance make them more liable for mental disorders as anxiety and depression.Objective: The aim of the current work was to determine prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among medical students.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to students in the six grades at Benha Faculty of Medicine. Students were chosen by stratified random sample technique. The total participants were 597.Results: Out of included students; 88.8%, 82.6% & 82.7% experienced depression, anxiety, and stress respectively. A statistically significant difference between smokers and non-smokers (14.3±4.9&11.5±5.6 respectively) was found regarding depression score. The mean anxiety and stress scores were significantly higher between females (9.78±5.4 & 13.03±4.9 respectively) than males. The third grade had the highest mean of anxiety and stress score (10.1±4.8, p value =0.03 &14.02±3.9, p value =0.000 respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in depression and anxiety scores as regarding Personal income. There were statistically significant associations between student average achievement score, social activity, transportation and mean score of depression, anxiety, stress.Conclusion: It could be concluded that medical students experienced high degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress. Smoking, female gender, personal income, achievement score were significantly associated with mental problems

Damage index in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in Egypt

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To investigate the prevalence of cumulative organ damage among Egyptian children with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) and the relationships between the organ damage and the demographic data, clinical variables, and disease activity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 148 patients with jSLE have been followed in the pediatric rheumatology clinic and section at Cairo University. These patients were evaluated by retrospective chart review. The organ system damage due to SLE was measured using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Risk factors for damage were also studied including demographic criteria as well as clinical and laboratory manifestations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, 43.9% of the patients had damage within a mean of 6.57 ± 3.59 years of disease diagnosis. Neuropsychiatric (NPS-21%) and renal (16.9%) system involvement were observed most frequently, followed by cardiovascular (11.5%), skin (9.5%), pulmonary (6.1%), and ocular (4.8%), with a mean SDI score of 0.93 ± 1.37. In our study, the presence of neuropsychiatric manifestations at diagnosis showed the strongest association with the presence of later disease damage.</p> <p>The number of SLE diagnostic criteria at presentation was strongly associated with the total SDI score, and the renal damage was significantly more prevalent in patients with age at disease diagnosis below 10 years of age. A higher mean disease duration was found in patients with musculoskeletal damage.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We found that cumulative organ damage, as measured by the SDI, was present in 43.9% of Egyptian patients with juvenile-onset SLE. The damage was significantly more likely in patients who had more SLE diagnostic criteria at time of disease presentation and NPS manifestations at the time of diagnosis.</p

Effect of magnesium sulphate on emergence agitation in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy

Background: There is some evidence that intraoperative magnesium infusions prevent postoperative delirium in children.Objective: The aim of the work was to study the effects of intra-operative magnesium sulphate administration on the children's risk of post-adenotonsillectomy post-agitation.Patients and Methods: At Anesthesia &amp; Surgical Intensive Care Department, Zagazig University Hospitals, this randomized, double-blind clinical trial included 90 children with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classes I or II who were scheduled to undergo adenotonsillectomy. Patients were allocated randomly into two equal groups (45 for each group): Group C: received intraoperative 0.9% normal saline initial loading dose of 0.3ml/kg over 10 min as a bolus, then 0.1ml/kg/hr. of infusion for the length of the procedure. Group MG: Patients were given 30 mg/kg of a 10% solution of magnesium sulphate intraoperatively over the course of 10 minutes as an initial loading dose, then 0.1ml/kg/hr. of infusion for the length of the procedure.Results: Group MG was significantly lower than Group C regarding fentanyl needed and also total dose of fentanyl. As regard Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) score, we found that there was No significant difference regarding pre but at post group MG was significantly lower at post also agitation was significantly associated with Group C.Conclusion: It could be concluded that sevoflurane anesthesia using magnesium sulphate is used for adenotonsillectomy surgery in children. A 30-mg/kg loading dose is given intraoperatively, followed by a continuous infusion at 0.1ml/kg/hr. for the duration of surgery. This combination reduces the incidence of emergent anxiety and the need for postoperative fentanyl

The relationship between serum osteopontin level and parameters of Chronic Kidney Disease – mineral bone disease in patients on regular hemodialysis

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is becoming a major health concern worldwide. For many patients, CKD is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Osteopontin (OPN) is an extracellular matrix protein first identified in bone tissue and has pleiotropic functions due to its common expression in the main organs and apparatuses. It is a phosphorylated glycophosphoprotein composed of 314 amino acids, involved in biomineralization and remodeling.Objective: This research aimed to assess the serum level of osteopontin in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on regular haemodialysis and to correlate osteopontin level in patients with ESRD on hemodialysis with other biomarkers CKD-MBD.Patients &amp; Methods: This Study was conducted on 160 participants that were divided into two groups. Control group included 80 healthy subjects of both sexes, and patients group that included 80 ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis of both sexes. All studied groups were subjected to osteopontin level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: Serum osteopontin levels were higher in ESRD patients on regular dialysis than in healthy individuals, where it might have a higher predictive value for CKD development. Also, they were positively correlated with serum phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum parathyroid hormone, which are parameters of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder.Conclusion: Osteopontin may be considered an early marker of chronic kidney disease

The use of nanomaterial's applications in buildings and their contribution to supporting green technology

Nanotechnology is one of the most active research areas in both field's novel science and useful applications which have gradually established great success in the past two decades. Recent researches on nanomaterial and nanotechnologies foxed on the potential use of these materials in various fields such as medicine, construction, automobile industry, energy, telecommunications and informatics. This is due to the special characteristics of materials at the nano scale. It has been demonstrated that nanotechnology generated products have many unique characteristics, and can significantly fix many field problems.Nanotechnology added changes to building material properties that can improve the current construction materials to be lighter, stronger structural composites, low maintenance coatings, better cementations materials, and thermal insulation. Because size of the particles is a critical factor, the material properties significantly differ at the Nano scale from the larger scales.Recently Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies play a major role in architectural design; building materials combined with nanotechnology became smaller, lighter, and work better than what is possible with conventional materials. Many distinguish applications have been established in architecture and construction industry , for example improving the performance of traditional building materials, both structural materials such as ( concrete, steel and wood ) and nonstructural materials such as (glass , coating, and Air purification ).This paper Presents number of study cases for Nonstructural Nanomaterial applications specially coating materials and air purifying applications (Lotus effect, Photo-catalysis self-cleaning, Easy to clean surfaces, and Air purifying applications). Demonstrating also the importance of Nanotechnology applications becoming green to enhance the Ecological performance of buildings, and to decrease energy consumption rates supporting continuity and Green Architecture.Key words:Nanotechnology, nanomaterial's, nan architecture, green technology, sustainability

A New Combination Formula for Treatment of Fungal Keratitis: An Experimental Study

Objective. To formulate and evaluate slow release ketoconazole and ketorolac to treat fungal keratitis and associated inflammation. Methods. Experimental study with the following outcome measures. Pharmaceutical Evaluation. Mucoadhesive gels containing ketoconazole and ketorolac were used. Microbiological in vitro evaluation was performed using cup method. In vivo evaluation was performed on 24 rabbits divided into 2 groups, 12 rabbits each, group A (fast release formula; 6 times daily) and group B (slow release formula; 3 times daily). Each group was divided into two subgroups (6 rabbits each). Both eyes of rabbits were inoculated with Candida albicans. The left eye of all rabbits received the combination formulae. The right eye for one subgroup received ketoconazole as control 1 while the other subgroup received placebo as control 2. Clinical follow-up was done and, finally, the corneas were used for microbiological and pathological evaluation. Results. Gels containing high polymer concentration showed both high viscosity and mucoadhesion properties with slower drug release. The infected eyes treated with slow release formula containing both drugs showed better curing of the cornea and pathologically less inflammation than eyes treated with fast release formula. Conclusion. Slow release formula containing ketoconazole and ketorolac showed higher activity than fast release formula against fungal keratitis and associated inflammation

Adsorption and inhibitive properties of Tryptophan on low alloy steel corrosion in acidic media

AbstractThe inhibition efficiency of Tryptophan (Trp) has been studied for the corrosion of low alloy steel ASTM A213 grade T22 in sulfamic (HSO3NH2) and hydrochloric (HCl) acid solutions.Corrosion inhibition was studied using electrochemical methods (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; EIS and the new technique electrochemical frequency modulation; EFM) and weight loss measurements. The influence of inhibitor concentration, solution temperature, and immersion time on the corrosion resistance of low alloy steel (LAS) has been investigated. Trp proved to be a very good inhibitor for low alloy steel acid corrosion. EFM measurements showed that Trp is a mixed type inhibitor. Trp behaved better in 0.6M HCl than in 0.6M HSO3NH2. Moreover, it was found that the inhibition efficiency increased with increasing inhibitor concentration, while a decrease was detected with the rise of temperature and immersion time. The associated activation energy (Ea) has been determined. The values of Ea indicate that the type of adsorption of Trp on the steel surface in both acids belongs to physical adsorption. The adsorption process was tested using Temkin adsorption isotherm

Serum Amyloid A Level in Egyptian Children with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Background and Objectives. SAA is an acute-phase reactant detected during an FMF attack or other inflammatory conditions. High SAA levels may increase the risk of amyloidosis. The aim of the study is to measure the serum amyloid A (SAA) level in a group of Egyptian children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and study its various correlates, if any. Methods. The study enrolled seventy-one children with FMF. Results. SAA level was high in 78.9% of the studied patients with a mean of 81.62±31.6 mg/L, and CRP was positive in 31% of patients. There was no significant releation between SAA level and any demographic or clinical manifestation. High SAA was more frequent in V726A allele (16.9%) followed by M694V allele (12.3%). Elevated SAA levels were more frequent in patients on low colchicine doses. Forty-five percent (45%) of patients have low adherence to colchicine therapy. Interpretation and Conclusion. High SAA levels were detected two weeks after last FMF attack in a large percentage of Egyptian FMF children. This indicates that subclinical inflammation continues during attack-free periods, and SAA could be used as a marker of it

PERCEPTION OF LEBANESE WOMEN ON PREFERRED MODE OFDELIVERY AND ITS ASSOCIATED COMPLICATIONS

Cesarean section, since ancient times, has been known to be an alternative mode to normal vaginal delivery. It is clinically indicated in certain situations. However, nowadays, Cesarean section rates are increased worldwide and in Lebanon, and instead of being an alternative, it has become the primary choice for certain women and physicians, who decide that their patients should go for that option. The purpose of our study was to investigate the perception of Lebanese women towards different modes of delivery in Lebanon. A cross- sectional study was conducted, where participants, aged 18 to 55, were selected in different regions across Lebanon, and were asked to fill a questionnaire with regards to their perception. Data were collected about preferred modes of delivery, women’s awareness towards vaginal and caesarean deliveries and their associated complications. 388 women agreed to participate. The majority were less than 25 years old (around 40%). The majority preferred vaginal delivery (79.5%) over Cesarean section. No significant association was found between age and preferred modes of delivery. The main reasons for preferring vaginal delivery were shorter hospital stay and faster postpartum recovery. 96.3% who underwent C-section stated that it was emergent rather than planned. Of those who preferred Caesarean delivery, main reasons were the fear of pain and believing that it is a safe procedure. As for perception on complications, 50% believed that neither vaginal delivery nor cesarean section increased maternal death. Short term fetal respiratory distress was believed to be less after vaginal delivery than after cesarean section