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BackgroundYouTube is considered one of the most popular sources of information among college students. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the use of YouTube as a pathology learning tool and its relationship with pathology scores among medical students at Jordanian public universities. MethodsThis cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study included second-year to sixth-year medical students from 6 schools of medicine in Jordan. The questionnaire was distributed among the students using social platforms over a period of 2 months extending from August 2022 to October 2022. The questionnaire included 6 attributes. The first section collected demographic data, and the second section investigated the general use of YouTube and recorded material. The remaining 4 sections targeted the participants who used YouTube to learn pathology including using YouTube for pathology-related content. ResultsAs of October 2022, 699 students were enrolled in the study. More than 60% (422/699, 60.4%) of the participants were women, and approximately 50% (354/699, 50.6%) were second-year students. The results showed that 96.5% (675/699) of medical students in Jordan were using YouTube in general and 89.1% (623/699) were using it as a source of general information. YouTube use was associated with good and very good scores among the users. In addition, 82.3% (575/699) of medical students in Jordan used YouTube as a learning tool for pathology in particular. These students achieved high scores, with 428 of 699 (61.2%) students scoring above 70%. Most participants (484/699, 69.2%) reported that lectures on YouTube were more interesting than classic teaching and the lectures could enhance the quality of learning (533/699, 76.3%). Studying via YouTube videos was associated with higher odds (odds ratio [OR] 3.86, 95% CI 1.33-11.18) and lower odds (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.09-0.8) of achieving higher scores in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system courses, respectively. Watching pathology lectures on YouTube was related to a better chance of attaining higher scores (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.08-3.57). Surprisingly, spending more time watching pathology videos on YouTube while studying for examinations corresponded with lower performance, with an OR of 0.46 (95% CI 0.26-0.82). ConclusionsYouTube may play a role in enhancing pathology learning, and aiding in understanding, memorization, recalling information, and obtaining higher scores. Many medical students in Jordan have positive attitudes toward using YouTube as a supplementary pathology learning tool. Based on this, it is recommended that pathology instructors should explore the use of YouTube and other emerging educational tools as potential supplementary learning resources.

Abstract Background Spontaneous idiopathic testicular hemorrhage is an extremely rare entity with few published reports in the literature. Case presentation We report a case of a 15-year-old boy who had been experiencing intense, left scrotal pain for the previous twelve hours. No previous history of trauma or bleeding disorders. The left testis was enlarged and tender. Left orchiectomy was performed. The entire testis was dusty and dark grossly. Microscopic sections show diffuse intratesticular bleeding with intact seminiferous tubules and spermatogenesis. Conclusions Spontaneous idiopathic testicular hemorrhage should be considered when evaluating patients with acute scrotal pain. Clinical and ultrasonographic findings and histopathologic evaluation are mandatory to diagnose it.

This study aims to review the available data regarding the central role of immunity in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection and in the generation of protection by vaccination against COVID-19 in different age groups. Physiologically, the immune response and the components involved in it are variable, both functionally and quantitatively, in neonates, infants, children, adolescents, and adults. These immunological differences are mirrored during COVID-19 infection and in the post-vaccination period. The outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection is greatly dependent on the reaction orchestrated by the immune system. This is clearly obvious in relation to the clinical status of COVID-19 infection, which can be symptomless, mild, moderate, or severe. Even the complications of the disease show a proportional pattern in relation to the immune response. On the contrary, the commonly used anti-COVID-19 vaccines generate protective humoral and cellular immunity. The magnitude of this immunity and the components involved in it are discussed in detail. Furthermore, many of the adverse effects of these vaccines can be explained on the basis of immune reactions against the different components of the vaccines. Regarding the appropriate choice of vaccine for different age groups, many factors have to be considered. This is a cornerstone, particularly in the following age groups: 1 day to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, and 12 to 17 years. Many factors are involved in deciding the route, doses, and schedule of vaccination for children. Another important issue in this dilemma is the hesitancy of families in making the decision about whether to vaccinate their children. Added to these difficulties is the choice by health authorities and governments concerning whether to make children’s vaccination compulsory. In this respect, although rare and limited, adverse effects of vaccines in children have been detected, some of which, unfortunately, have been serious or even fatal. However, to achieve comprehensive control over COVID-19 in communities, both children and adults have to be vaccinated, as the former group represents a reservoir for viral transmission. The understanding of the various immunological mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection and in the preparation and application of its vaccines has given the sciences a great opportunity to further deepen and expand immunological knowledge. This will hopefully be reflected positively on other diseases through gaining an immunological background that may aid in diagnosis and therapy. Humanity is still in continuous conflict with SARS-CoV-2 infection and will be for a while, but the future is expected to be in favor of the prevention and control of this disease.

The widespread recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has become a serious health issue. Reports of life-threatening intoxications related to SC consumption have markedly increased in recent years, including neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. We investigated the impact of acute administration of the synthetic cannabinoid XLR-11 (3 mg/kg, i.p. for 5 consecutive days) on the liver in BALB/c mouse animal model. Using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, MDA assay, and TUNEL assay, we found consistent up-regulation of a variety of genes involved in oxidative stress (NOX2, NOX4, and iNOS), inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and apoptosis (Bax) in the liver of XLR-11 treated mice compared to control mice. These finding were supported with an elevation of MDA levels and TUNEL positive cells in the liver of XLR-11 treated mice which further confirm increased oxidative stress and apoptosis, respectively. Histopathological analysis of the liver of XLR-11 treated mice confirmed pronounced hepatic necrosis associated with inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, elevated ALT and AST serum levels were also identified in XLR-11 treated mice indicating possible liver damage. Overall, SC-induced hepatotoxicity seems to be mainly mediated by activated oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in the liver, but the specific mechanisms involved require further investigations. However, the present study shed light on the potential deleterious role of acute administration of SCs in the progression to acute hepatic injury which enhances our understanding of the adverse effect of SC consumption.

Recent advances in genetic and molecular characterization of telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) highlighted their strong relationship with cancer pathogenesis; neoplastic cells rely on two mechanisms to maintain telomere length and escape from replicative senescence: (a) reactivation of telomerase expression and (b) activation of alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT). Our aims are to describe the role of telomere maintenance in the context of recently published literature regarding pediatric brain cancers and to discuss the emerging therapeutic strategies to target telomerase-positive and ALT-positive tumors. In this review, we illustrate the incidence of TMM via telomerase or ALT and discuss the importance of analyzing telomere length and ALT-associated genetic alterations in certain histological/molecular subtypes of pediatric brain tumors, as potential therapeutic biomarkers. Telomerase-dependent TMM is a common mechanism in SHH-medulloblastomas and ependymomas, which could potentially benefit from antitelomerase therapies, while ALT-dependent TMM is more frequently activated in α-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked/H3.3-mutated pediatric high-grade gliomas, metastatic medulloblastomas, and choroid plexus tumors, which could potentially be treated with ALT-targeted drugs. Conversely, pediatric low-grade gliomas lack both mechanisms of telomere maintenance, and anti-TMM therapies do not appear to be a promising strategy for these tumors.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a malignant CNS embryonal tumor that mostly occurs in childhood, adult cases are rare. We report a case of a 23-year-old male with an extra-axial dura-based lesion in the left frontal area, previously diagnosed as gliosarcoma. After 6 years, the patient had a recurrence and the previous slides were reviewed. Tumor was positive for vimentin and negative for INI1. The differential diagnosis for this extra-axial tumor with long survival was rhabdoid meningioma with INI1 loss or ATRT. DNA methylation profiling was performed to reach the final and the most definitive diagnosis; the result was ATRT. Our case suggests the usefulness of DNA methylation profiling for diagnosing challenging CNS tumors.