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Since the beginning of the global pandemic in early 2020, online learning has largely replaced face-to-face learning worldwide. In Jordan, online learning has been implemented using various online tools and platforms. The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the attitudes of 579 undergraduate students in Jordan toward online learning, measure their willingness to adopt it, and investigate their perceptions of the challenges they encountered during the learning process. To recruit eligible individuals from five Jordanian government universities the researchers used a cross-sectional, correlational web-based survey approach via social media sites, primarily the Facebook pages. The study's primary findings indicate that the majority of students (82.2%) preferred face-to-face education over online learning environments, despite the fact that almost half of respondents (55.6%) indicated that their institutions were prepared to offer lectures online. According to the majority of participants, the most significant impediments to online learning were an unreliable or non-existent internet connection (87.6%), a lack of motivation (75.3%), and an unsatisfactory home environment for learning (75.6%). The participants offered a variety of opinions regarding the effectiveness and usefulness of online learning at Jordanian universities. Additional research is required to confirm and consolidate these findings.

The concentration level of urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an oxidative stress biomarker for various diseases especially cancer, has been attracted as a pathway suitable for diagnostic purposes. Determination of urinary 8-OHdG is challenging due to its low level within a complex matrix. In this study, a new approach of solid/liquid phase microextraction technique prior to high-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis was developed for the determination of trace levels of 8-OHdG in urine samples. The solid/liquid phase microextraction device was constructed by reinforcement of multi-walled carbon nanotubes into the pores of a short segment 2.5 cm of hollow fiber microtube with two ends heat sealed. Based on the optimized procedure, the selected analyte was extracted from an acidic sample solution (10 mL adjusted at pH = 5) into the five extraction devices. After the extraction period (30 min), the 8-OHdG was eluted from the extraction device using methanol (350 µL) under ultrasonication for 5 min. The analytical performance of the method in synthetic urine samples showed good linearity (R 2 > 0.999) with the limits of detection of 0.85 ng mL−1, and extraction recovery > 92.36%. The developed microextraction technique exhibited a confident sensitivity, feasible operation, and simplicity in comparison with other published methods and was valid to determinate trace 8-OHdG in urine cancer patients' samples by using a cheap and commonly available HPLC-DAD instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Although physical health is always studied for women with diabetes, the mental health aspect is generally overlooked for this chronic disease. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of psychosomatic symptoms, namely, fibromyalgia syndrome, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and how these symptoms related to the medications used in a cohort of women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (DM) in Jordan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and validated scales (PSRS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and ISI-A) for fibromyalgia syndrome, depression, anxiety, and insomnia were used. The associations between the different medications used and the dependent variables were examined using four separate multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Data were analyzed from 213 participants. Of them, 27.2% met the threshold for fibromyalgia syndrome diagnosis, 38% met the threshold for severe depression, 36.2% met the threshold for severe anxiety, and 39.9% met the threshold for severe insomnia. Fibromyalgia syndrome symptoms were significantly associated with glimepiride (OR = 1.92, CI = 1.00–3.68), β-blockers (OR = 2.21, CI = 1.03–4.70), diuretics (OR = 3.13, CI = 1.26–7.78), herbal remedies (OR = 2.12, CI = 0.98–4.55), and prescriptions for centrally acting medication (OR = 2.78, CI = 1.24–6.29). Significant associations were found between depression and diuretics (OR = 2.62, CI = 1.05–6.67), over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (OR = 3.49, CI = 1.69–7.23), and herbal remedies (OR = 5.07, CI = 2.40–10.69). In addition, anxiety was significantly related to diuretics (OR = 2.48, CI = 1.02–6.02), and OTC NSAIDs (OR = 2.60, CI = 1.29–5.21). Significant associations were evident between insomnia and β-blockers (OR = 3.23, CI = 1.51–6.95), acetaminophen (OR = 2.09, CI = 1.06–4.08), NSAIDs (OR = 4.61, CI = 2.18–9.76), and herbal remedies (OR = 5.95, CI = 2.71–13.07). Conclusions: Medications are associated with high burden of fibromyalgia syndrome, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. These findings underscore the importance of revising and optimizing the pharmacotherapy of these vulnerable patients, performing close mental health monitoring and the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions by integrating mental health services for women with chronic diseases such as diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined whether antihypertensive medications and other patient characteristics are associated with severe depressive symptoms in patients with hypertension. Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of hypertension were recruited from the internal medicine outpatient clinics of a hospital in Amman, Jordan, into this cross-sectional study. Depression severity was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); anxiety by the General Anxiety Disorder-7; sleep quality by the Insomnia Severity Index; and psychological stress by the Perceived Stress Scale. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between the different classes of antihypertensive medication and depressive symptoms. Results: Of the 431 participants, 282 (65.4%) were men; 240 (55.7%) reported having type 2 diabetes; 359 (83.3%) had dyslipidemia; 142 (32.9%) were on beta-blockers; 197 (45.2%) were on ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers; 203 (47.1%) were on metformin; and 133 (30.9%) were taking sulfonylurea. Severe depressive symptoms, indicated by scoring above the cut-off of 14 on the PHQ-9, were present in 165 (38.3%) patients. Severe depression was associated with younger age (<55 years) (OR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.83-5.41, P < 0.001), unemployment (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.15-4.00, P = 0.01), diabetes (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.09-3.02, P = 0.02), severe anxiety (OR = 6.40, 95% CI = 3.64-11.28, P < 0.001), and severe insomnia (OR = 4.73, 95% CI = 2.85-7.82, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Severe depressive symptoms were not associated with antihypertensive medications or other drugs used by hypertensive patients. Younger age, diabetes, anxiety, and insomnia were the primary correlates of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study aims to investigate the association between type 2 diabetes and adipokines, particularly resistin and adiponectin, in insulin resistance. It also explores the potential of the resistin to adiponectin ratio as an indicator for these conditions Methods: This research involved 198 participants, including 100 patients with type 2 diabetes and 98 controls. It focused on measuring various biochemical parameters like HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profiles (low-density lipoprotein, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol), and adipokines (resistin and adiponectin). The study utilized the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance and Triglyceride-Glucose index to evaluate insulin resistance. Results: Type 2 diabetic patients exhibited higher levels of HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profiles, and resistin, but lower adiponectin levels compared to controls. Adiponectin showed a negative correlation with insulin resistance, while resistin demonstrated a positive correlation. Both adipokines significantly related to atherogenic markers, with adiponectin offering protection against atherosclerosis and resistin augmenting it. Conclusion: The findings underscore the complex roles of resistin and adiponectin in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance. The resistin to adiponectin ratio could be a useful biomarker for insulin resistance. These insights suggest potential therapeutic strategies for treating diabetes and preventing its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dysmenorrhea is wide spread gynecological disorder among that affect the quality of life of women world wide. The current study aims to examine whether war displacement, mental health symptoms, and other clinical factors are associated with dysmenorrhea s everity. Methods: This is a cross-sectional case-control study recruiting two groups: displaced Syrian women and un-displaced local Jordanian women. Demographics and clinical details were recorded. The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed using WaLIDD scale, the PHQ-9 scale was emplyed to assess depressive symptoms, anxiety was assessed using the GAD-7 scale, and insomnia was assessed using the ISI-A scale. Predictors of severe dysmenorrhea in females using multivariate binary logistic regression. Results: Out of 808 of the total participants, 396 (49%) were Syrian displaced war refugees, 424 (42.5%) reported using paracetamol, 232 (23.2%) were using NSAIDs, and 257 (25.9%) using herbal remedies. Severe dysmenorrhea was associated with war displacement (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.49-3.08, p < 0.001), not using NSAIDs (OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.91-3.95, p < 0.001), not using herbal remedies (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.13-3.60, p = 0.01), depression (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.40-3.29, p < 0.001), and insomnia (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.14-2.42, p = 0.009). Conclusions: War displacement, type of analgesic, depression, and insomnia are risk factors for severe dysmenorrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]