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Cervical cancer is a significant cause of female mortality worldwide, and early detection through regular screening is crucial for reducing mortality rates. However, in developing countries, the uptake of Pap smear tests (PST) is low, mostly due to cultural and social factors and a lack of knowledge. This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice of cervical cancer screening among practitioners working at primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the study aimed to identify the potential barriers that prevent female physicians from performing cervical cancer screening tests. A self-administrated, well-structured questionnaire was used to survey 95 female physicians, including residents, specialists, and consultants in several primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Jeddah managed by the Ministry of Health during September 2019. The results showed that 80% of participants knew about cervical cancer, and 97.8% were aware that PST is a screening tool. However, only 47% advised female patients to get tested for cervical cancer. The factors identified as barriers to test uptake included asymptomatic females (34%), lack of time on the part of the practitioner (24%), and a lack of evidence for risk factors (23%). Additionally, only 42.2% of the participating physicians had undergone a Pap smear test themselves. The study highlights the need for further research to assess HPV status in the population and explore the correlation between circumcision and cervical cancer, as well as polygamy and cervical cancer. The findings suggest that while a good level of knowledge about cervical cancer exists, there is a need to improve compliance with cervical cancer screening guidelines among female physicians in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombophilia, where multiple genetic and acquired risk factors interact synergistically, are associated with thrombosis and pregnancy-related complications. Despite being studied profusely, an inconsistent association exists between thrombophilia and pregnancy complications. Between 2018 and 2020, ninety-three women with pregnancy complications were enrolled in the study. Twenty-five healthy pregnant women without pregnancy complications reported to the same hospital were also recruited as controls. Blood samples were tested for homocysteine, coagulation studies, and molecular diagnosis included FVL, PTH and MTHFR genes amplified using PCR strip assay (Vienna Lab Diagnostics, Austria). Other thrombophilia screening, including testing for AT, PC, and LA, were done by chromogenic assays (Dade Diagnostica, Munich, Germany). Homocysteine level was determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay technology (Axsym, Abbot company, Germany). Overall, 29.03% of women with pregnancy complications had thrombophilia relative to 16% in the control group. However, the difference between the case and control groups did not reach a significant level (p=0.1175). Additionally, combined thrombophilia was more prevalent among cases (10.75%) than in the control group (4%). However, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.1046). Our study demonstrated that the frequency of thrombophilia among healthy women was 16%, and among women with pregnancy-related complications, 29%. Relative to control, all measured thrombophilia markers were more frequent in women with pregnancy-related complications except for LA. Including all the studies on the Saudi population in a meta-analysis study could reveal more information about thrombophilia and pregnancy-related complications in our population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The preparatory year programme (PYP) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is a one-year programme for students preparing for a full multi-year degree curriculum at a university. It offers a bridge between high-school and university-level studies of the students. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the King Abdulaziz University PYP on students of the health professions education colleges from the viewpoints of the students and the faculty. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between May 2019 and January 2020 at King Abdulaziz University, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and was based on data collected from both students and faculty to assess their perceptions. The data were collected from students through self-administered questionnaires and from faculty members through structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results: A total of 633 students responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 88.3%), of which almost half agreed that the PYP made them self-confident and reinforced their discipline (49.2% and 46.9%, respectively). Less than two-thirds agreed that the preparatory year reinforced their sense of responsibility and helped them adapt to the university educational environment (60.6% and 64.3%, respectively). Conversely, more than half (58.5%) disagreed that the preparatory year classes helped them select their majors as well as that the preparatory year prepared them for their major classes (57.2%). A total of 24 faculty members who taught PYP students claimed that there should be careful consideration of the contents of the courses offered to the students in the preparatory year programme, especially the content related to the healthcare profession education. They argued that it is better to have a separate track in the PYP that includes subjects directly related to the study of health professions (such as molecular sciences, genetics, medical terminology, English for medical purposes, etc.). Conclusion: The impact of the PYP on students attending the health professions colleges was found to be weak as per the perceptions of both students and faculty members. In-depth studies are necessary for further investigation of this impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interprofessional education (IPE) is now regarded as an extremely important approach in the academic field for preparing healthcare students to provide patient care in a collaborative team environment. In this study, we examine the perceptions and attitudes toward IPE in a Saudi specialized health sciences university. This study is a cross-sectional survey at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The instruments used in this study were pre-designed self-administered questionnaires identified from the literature (The Nebraska Interprofessional Education Attitudes Scale (NIPEAS) and The Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education–Revised (SPICE-R). A total of 668 individuals participated in the study. The majority of the participants were between the ages of 18 and 25 (79.2%) and were students (77.1%) from medicine, nursing and applied medical science. The participants' responses were primarily positive for all items of the NIPEAS and most of the items of the SPICE-R. The results of this study indicate that students and healthcare professionals have positive perceptions and readiness toward IPE, and implementation of shared learning is highly encouraged. The integration of IPE in the curriculum is recommended to improve teamwork and patient care outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate health professions student's awareness, attitude, and perception towards the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and also to determine the influence of socio- demographic variables on the descriptive outcomes of this study. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted among Undergraduate Health Professions Students (n=398) at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences at Riyadh campus, through a validated questionnaire. Results: The results of the study revealed that among various modalities of CAM, most students were aware and used prayers/spirituality, followed by nutritional supplements, cupping, massage, herbal medicine and yoga. The least effective modality was aromatherapy, whereas the most harmful modality was acupuncture. The data showed that the students obtained more information from friends/relatives and media and less from formal CAM training/courses. Awareness/self-use and beliefs/attitudes were found to have significant associations (p < 0.05) in regard to gender, parent's educational level, and family income. Conclusion: The study shows that most of the healthcare students are aware of and demonstrate positive attitudes towards the effectiveness and safety of most CAM modalities. However, the lack of formal training or courses is a major barrier towards its use and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the possible hepatoprotective potential of Parthenium hysterophorus crude extract (Ph.Cr) against carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)- and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits. Methods: Twenty rabbits were divided into five groups of four rabbits each. Group 1 served as normal control and received normal saline (5 mL/kg). Group 2 received normal saline followed by CCL4 (0.75 mL/kg p.o dose) after 1 h. Groups 3 and 4 received Ph.Cr at doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg po, respectively, for 7 days followed by one dose of CCL4, 2 h after the last extract dose (0.75 mL/kg, sc). Group 5 received silymarin as reference standard at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally for 7 days followed by one dose of CCL4 (0.75 mL/kg, sc), 2 h after the last drug dose. The effect of the extract on potassium (K+)- induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejenum was also evaluated. At the end of the study, the animals were sacrificed and their liver architecture examined microscopically. Results: Pre-treatment of rabbits with Ph.Cr reduced ALT, ALP and TB levels (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) dose dependently. Hepatoprotective data indicate that Ph.Cr markedly reduced CCL4- and paracetamol-induced toxicity by preserving the histological architecture of the liver tissue at near normal. In isolated rabbit jejunum tissue, Ph.Cr relaxed high K+ (80 Mm)-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent (0.03 - 10 mg/mL) manner like that caused by silymarin. Conclusion: In the light of the results obtained, Parthenium hysterophorous possesses hepatoprotective activity against CCL4- and paracetamol-induced hepatic damage, possibly mediated via its antioxidant and Ca++ antagonist mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asiatic acid (AA) is a polyphenolic compound with potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities that make it a potential choice to attenuate inflammation and oxidative insults associated with ulcerative colitis (UC). Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate if AA can attenuate molecular, biochemical, and histological alterations in the acetic acid-induced UC model in rats. To perform the study, five groups were applied, including the control, acetic acid-induced UC, UC-treated with 40 mg/kg aminosalicylate (5-ASA), UC-treated with 20 mg/kg AA, and UC-treated with 40 mg/kg AA. Levels of different markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were studied along with histological approaches. The induction of UC increased the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO). Additionally, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream antioxidant proteins [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR)] were down-regulated in the colon tissue. Moreover, the inflammatory mediators [myeloperoxidase (MPO), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)] were increased in the colon tissue after the induction of UC. Notably, an apoptotic response was developed, as demonstrated by the increased caspase-3 and Bax and decreased Bcl2. Interestingly, AA administration at both doses lessened the molecular, biochemical, and histopathological changes following the induction in the colon tissue of UC. In conclusion, AA could improve the antioxidative status and attenuate the inflammatory and apoptotic challenges associated with UC., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Background The most common teaching method in science is the lecture-based approach. E-learning is one of the advanced teaching methodologies that have gained attention in recent decades. It was hypothesized that the intervention of e-learning improved students' scores and satisfaction in biology classes. The purpose of this study was to determine if e-learning combined with traditional learning methods of lectures would improve unified students' scores and satisfaction in biology classes. Methodology The study design was a quasi-experimental approach. This study was conducted at the College of Science and Health Professions Jeddah, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study subjects comprised first-year female students (pre-professional program) in two different classes. The total number of participants was 150 (75 students in each group). The systematic random sampling technique was used. Randomly, one class (experimental group) received e-learning in addition to traditional lectures, and the other group (control group) received traditional lecture. The "Biology for Health Sciences" course was selected for this purpose. Scientific pre-test and post-tests were performed, and a satisfaction questionnaire was filled in for both groups. Results We found that e-learning and traditional lecture improved students' scores (P<0.01). Learning progress in the e-learning group was significantly more than that in the control group (P<0.05). Lecture has been shown to increase learning gains by 33%, and the integration of e-learning increased learning gains by 62%. Analysis of questionnaire results showed improved student satisfaction with the course in the study group. Conclusion The integration of e-learning approach significantly improved the retention and students' scores and satisfactions. E-learning could be applied more in pre-professional year science courses. According to these advantages, the quality of science education can be improved with this approach., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Abuarab et al.)

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare serious neurological disorder that may cause vital or morbid consequences if not diagnosed and treated promptly. It is a unique cerebrovascular disorder that predominantly affects adults in their third and fourth decades. The incidence of CVST in adults is estimated to be 4 cases per million of the population, and 7 cases per million in children. In the last 2 decades, the awareness and prognosis of the disease have improved due to development of sophisticated neuroimaging techniques and effective treatment. This comprehensive review of the topic aims to improve knowledge among neurologists and internists who are involved in the management of these patients.

Dyke Davidoff Masson syndrome (DDMS) refers to atrophy or hypoplasia of one cerebral hemisphere following a prior fetal or childhood insult. It has characteristics of clinical and radiological changes. These changes include hemiparesis, seizures, facial-asymmetry, and mental retardation. We present a 25-year-old man with crossed cerebrocerebellar atrophy and DDMS. His seizures were well controlled using a combination of antiepileptic drugs.

Schistosomiasis affects over 200 million people worldwide. Involvement of the CNS is a rare occurrence. We report 2 young males who presented with rapidly progressing paraparesis associated with urinary incontinence. In both cases, MRI of the spine demonstrated a diffusely enhancing mass at the conus medullaris with extensive spinal cord edema. Laboratory investigations revealed mild peripheral eosinophilia and abnormal, but non-specific, CSF analysis. In one patient, the diagnosis was made based on a rising schistosomal titer with a positive rectal biopsy. In the other patient, spinal cord biopsy revealed a granuloma. Both cases were caused by Schistosoma mansoni and patients were treated with praziquantel and steroid therapy. They both made a remarkable neurological recovery. We emphasize that a high index of suspicion should be raised in the differential diagnosis of transverse myelitis in endemic areas.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon but serious disorder with highly variable clinical presentation. Over the past decade, more cases of CVST have been diagnosed more frequently and at an early stage of the disease process. This is mainly attributed to increased awareness by neurologists and the availability of sensitive non-invasive neuro-imaging techniques. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis often affects children, adolescents, and young adults with female preponderance. We report a case of Parkinsonism secondary to deep CVST (DCVST), which recovered completely following treatment. Recognition of DCVST as a cause for Parkinsonism is of paramount importance due to its reversibility and favorable outcome when appropriately managed.