Association between the inflammatory potential of diet and stress among female college students

A pro-inflammatory diet may have an adverse influence on stress and inflammatory biomarker levels among college students. The dietary inflammatory index (DII®) is a tool used to assess the inflammatory potential of a diet. However, evidence for the association between DII and stress is limited. We examined the association between energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM), high sensitivity-C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], and stress among female college students. This cross-sectional study included 401 randomly selected female students, aged 19-35 years. Data collection included blood, anthropometric measurements, a healthy-history questionnaire, the perceived stress scale (PSS-10), the Saudi food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and E-DII. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between FFQ-derived E-DII score, hs-CRP, and PSS. A higher E-DII score per 1SD (1.8) was associated with a 2.4-times higher PSS score (95% CI: 1.8, 3.1). Higher hs-CRP per 1SD (3.3 mg/L) was associated with a 0.9 (95% CI: 0.7-1.1) times higher PSS score, independent of lifestyle and dietary factors. Our findings indicate that pro-inflammatory diets were highly prevalent among Saudi college students and were associated with higher stress levels. Consideration of the role of stress and focusing on anti-inflammatory foods may be key for healthier dietary habits

Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine on the Menstrual Cycle among Females in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: The number of reports of menstrual changes after COVID-19 vaccination in the Saudi population is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine(Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna) on the menstrual cycle among females in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) from August 2021 to February 2022. Data was collected through a previously validated online questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 2338 participants who received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine participated in this study; 1606 (68.7%) of them received the second dose in addition to the first. The mean age of the study participants was 35.4±9.5 years. No significant associations were found between the type of COVID-19 vaccine and the impact on the menstrual cycle, either for the first or second dose (P-values > 0.05). A significant association was found only between the first dose vaccination day and the impact on the menstrual cycle in the second question of “After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, your next period was” (P-value ≤ 0.05). Significant associations were found between the second dose vaccination day and the impact on the menstrual cycle in the first and second questions of “After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, your next period was”, and “After receiving the first dose, your next period was," respectively (P-values ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study found a potential association between the COVID-19 vaccine and menstrual cycle irregularities, which could impact females' quality of life

Citicoline induces angiogenesis improving survival of vascular/human brain microvessel endothelial cells through pathways involving ERK1/2 and insulin receptor substrate-1.

BACKGROUND: Citicoline is one of the neuroprotective agents that have been used as a therapy in stroke patients. There is limited published data describing the mechanisms through which it acts. METHODS: We used in vitro angiogenesis assays: migration, proliferation, differentiation into tube-like structures in Matrigel™ and spheroid development assays in human brain microvessel endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3). Western blotting was performed on protein extraction from hCMEC/D3 stimulated with citicoline. An analysis of citicoline signalling pathways was previously studied using a Kinexus phospho-protein screening array. A staurosporin/calcium ionophore-induced apoptosis assay was performed by seeding hCMEC/D3 on to glass coverslips in serum poor medium. In a pilot in vivo study, transient MCAO in rats was carried out with and without citicoline treatment (1000 mg/Kg) applied at the time of occlusion and subsequently every 3 days until euthanasia (21 days). Vascularity of the stroke-affected regions was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Citicoline presented no mitogenic and chemotactic effects on hCMEC/D3; however, it significantly increased wound recovery, the formation of tube-like structures in Matrigel™ and enhanced spheroid development and sprouting. Citicoline induced the expression of phospho-extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2. Kinexus assays showed an over-expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). Knock-down of IRS-1 with targeted siRNA in our hCMEC/D3 inhibited the pro-angiogenic effects of citicoline. The percentage of surviving cells was higher in the presence of citicoline. Citicoline treatment significantly increased the numbers of new, active CD105-positive microvessels following MCAO. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate both a pro-angiogenic and protective effect of citicoline on hCMEC/D3 in vitro and following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in vivo

Computer Vision Syndrome among Undergraduate Medical Students in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Introduction. Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is “a complex of eye and vision problems related to near work experienced during computer use.” It is one of the rising health concerns related to technology (cell phones and tablets) due to continuous use of computers among students. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CVS, associated risk factors, and commonly associated symptoms and to assess the awareness and proper practice of using computers for studying. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 651 undergraduate medical students in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. An electronic survey was conducted to collect the data. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21. The chi-square test (Fisher’s exact test when required) was used to study the significance of associations. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. High prevalence of CVS was observed, in which 95% (558) reported at least one symptom during studying using computers. Most frequently reported symptoms were excessive tearing and neck, shoulder, or back pain. Female students had a higher risk of CVS (P=0.003). Students who are myopic or hyperopic showed no association. Astigmatism was associated significantly with CVS (P=0.03). Using spectacles or contact lens showed no association. Students with dry eye disease revealed a significant association with CVS (P=0.01). The most significant risk factors related to the daily usage of computer were longer duration of studying (P<0.001), short distance from the screen (P<0.05), and high brightness of the screen (P<0.05). The most significant preventive measure taken to relieve the symptoms was applying the 20-20-20 rule. Conclusion. CVS is common among medical students; significant risk factors need to be addressed to reduce the symptom and to ensure a better productivity of work. It is a necessity to raise awareness among medical students regarding computer-related health problems

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective role of selenium against silver nanoparticles [Corrigendum]

Ansar S, Alshehri SM, Abudawood M, Hamed SS, Ahamad T. Antioxidant and hepatoprotective role of sele-nium against silver nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine. 2017;12:7789&ndash;7797.&nbsp;On page 7796, the Acknowledgment is incorrect, it should have been:&nbsp;The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, for funding this work through the Undergraduate Student Research Support Program.&nbsp;Read the original article.&nbsp

Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Incidence Patterns in Saudi Arabia

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the commonest cancer in Saudi males and the third most common in Saudi females. Although CRC represents a major public health challenge, the resources to evaluate its burden are inadequate. This study aims to elucidate the magnitude of CRC incidence trends in the Saudi population by age, gender, and administrative region. Data for multiple incidence measures were analyzed from the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) retrospectively from 2001 to 2018. Temporal trends were further analyzed by age group, gender, administrative region, and globally using joinpoint regression analysis. The number of CRC cases climbed by 335.6% and the disease increased by 56.4% to comprise 12.2% of all cancers cases. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) increased by 152% overall, and the median age at diagnosis peaked at 60 and 58 years for males and females, respectively. Riyadh and the Eastern Region had the highest ASR for both genders, peaking at 21.8 and 19.2 for males and 17.4 and 16.5 for females per 100 K population. Our prediction model identified growing trends with annual percentage changes (APCs) of 4.59% in males (CI: 3.1–6.1) and 3.91% among females (CI: 2.4–5.5). Males above 75 years had the highest APC (7.9%, CI: 5.3–10.7), whereas the highest APC among females was found in the age group 70–74 (5.4%, CI: 2.8–8). Globally, APC was the highest for both genders compared to selected countries. CRC incidence is increasing alarmingly in Saudi Arabia and is projected to continue. There is a need for better screening strategies, preventative measures, and awareness-building