Objective: This study provides histological evidence of the combined effects of L-Carnitine, and Coenzyme Q10 on gliosis and anhedonia in a rat model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 was the control group. The rest of the groups were disease models and were given 0.2% cuprizone w/w to induce MS. After 4 weeks, Group 3 started receiving L-Carnitine, Group 4 was given Coenzyme Q10, and Group 5 received both, while cuprizone poisoning continued. After 12 weeks sucrose preference test and tail suspension test were performed for anhedonia. Rats were euthanized and brains were dissected, and assessed for astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglial count. Results: A significant increase in oligodendrocyte count, while a reduction in astrocyte and microglial count was seen in the synergistic group (p ＜ 0.05). Synergism could not be proved in anhedonia. Conclusion The combination of Coenzyme Q10 and L-Carnitine has a synergistic effect in controlling gliosis in a rat model of MS, but synergism could not be demonstrated on anhedonia.

OCCUPATIONAL STRESS, COPING STRATEGIES, AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG NURSES IN ABHA CITY Background: The nursing profession is inherently stressful, and nurses in Abha City face unique challenges due to rapid population growth and evolving healthcare needs. Objective: The purpose of the present study is to identify the correlation between “Occupational stress, coping strategies and quality of life” among nurses in Abha city. Method: The present study utilized a cross-sectional, descriptive survey, and correlational research design. A convenience sampling throughout an online questionnaire was used to recruit 411 nurses from three hospitals in Abha city, and data was collected using three validated instruments: The Expanded Nursing Stress Scale, the Brief Cope Scale, and the World Health Organization-Quality of Life Scale. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis, including descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Findings revealed a moderate level of occupational stress (mean score 2.31 ± 0.56 on the ENSS-59 scale), with the main sources being dealing with patients and their families (2.35 ± 0.65), uncertainty concerning treatment (2.33 ± 0.66), and discrimination (2.32 ± 0.88). Nurses employed coping strategies such as planning (2.49 ± 0.75), religion (2.47 ± 0.72), and substance use (2.45 ± 0.77), while the least adopted strategies were self-blame (2.40 ± 0.71), self-distraction (2.37 ± 0.73), and behavioral disengagement (2.32 ± 0.73). Significant associations were found between sources of occupational stress and coping strategies, such as death and dying stress source correlating with self-distraction (r=0.202), use of instrumental support (r=0.111), positive reframing (r=0.154), humor (r=0.111), religion (r=0.142), and self-blame (r=0.141). Conflict with peers as a stress source was significantly correlated with self-distraction (r=0.157), denial (r=0.158), substance use (r=0.183), use of instrumental support (r=0.130), behavioral disengagement (r=0.106), venting (r=0.121), humor (r=0.203), religion (r=0.106), and self-blame (r=0.152). A significantly negative association between occupational stress and quality of life was also identified (r=-0.451). Conclusion: Significant correlation were found between sources of occupational stress and coping strategies. The study also demonstrated a significant negative association between occupational stress and quality of life, emphasizing the need for interventions to reduce occupational stress and enhance nurses’ well-being. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 25 (2) February, 2024; 1-14.

Objective: Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is a rare pathological vascular lesion with variable clinical manifestations. Since 1968, several articles have been published to address spinal and cranial DAVFs. The aim of this study is to identify, analyse, and review the pertinent literature of the top-100 most cited articles on DAVFs published to date. Methods: A title-specific, keyword-based search with no time restriction was performed in June 2020. The Scopus database was used to identify the top-100 most cited articles on DAVFs. The term “dural arteriovenous fistula” was used as a search keyword. The search results were arranged in descending order based on the total citation count. The top-100 articles were categorized into ten categories. Results: Between 1968 and 2020, a total of 2298 articles were published on DAVFs. The top-100 most cited articles were published between 1983 and 2012. The total number of citations for the top-100 articles was 12393 (123 citations/article). Most articles (34%) were investigating the clinical aspect of DAVFs. The country contributing to the most impactful and highest volume of publications (46%) was the United States. The Mayo Clinic was the most active institute in contribution. Most articles (29%) were published by the Journal of Neurosurgery. Conclusions In the top-100 most cited articles on DAVF, most studies were published in neurosurgeryeuroradiology-dedicated journals. This bibliometric analysis identifies the publication trends and provides a comprehensive overview of the most influential articles addressing DAVFs.

Objective: Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is a rare pathological vascular lesion with variable clinical manifestations. Since 1968, several articles have been published to address spinal and cranial DAVFs. The aim of this study is to identify, analyse, and review the pertinent literature of the top-100 most cited articles on DAVFs published to date. Methods: A title-specific, keyword-based search with no time restriction was performed in June 2020. The Scopus database was used to identify the top-100 most cited articles on DAVFs. The term “dural arteriovenous fistula” was used as a search keyword. The search results were arranged in descending order based on the total citation count. The top-100 articles were categorized into ten categories. Results: Between 1968 and 2020, a total of 2298 articles were published on DAVFs. The top-100 most cited articles were published between 1983 and 2012. The total number of citations for the top-100 articles was 12393 (123 citations/article). Most articles (34%) were investigating the clinical aspect of DAVFs. The country contributing to the most impactful and highest volume of publications (46%) was the United States. The Mayo Clinic was the most active institute in contribution. Most articles (29%) were published by the Journal of Neurosurgery. Conclusions In the top-100 most cited articles on DAVF, most studies were published in neurosurgeryeuroradiology-dedicated journals. This bibliometric analysis identifies the publication trends and provides a comprehensive overview of the most influential articles addressing DAVFs.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly integrating into modern technology and clinical practice. Although in its nascency, AI has become a hot topic of investigation for applications in clinical practice. Multiple fields of medicine have embraced the possibility of a future with AI assisting in diagnosis and pathology applications.
In the field of gastroenterology, AI has been studied as a tool to assist in risk stratification, diagnosis, and pathologic identification. Specifically, AI has become of great interest in endoscopy as a technology with substantial potential to revolutionize the practice of a modern gastroenterologist. From cancer screening to automated report generation, AI has touched upon all aspects of modern endoscopy.
Here, we review landmark AI developments in endoscopy. Starting with broad definitions to develop understanding, we will summarize the current state of AI research and its potential applications. With innovation developing rapidly, this article touches upon the remarkable advances in AI-assisted endoscopy since its initial evaluation at the turn of the millennium, and the potential impact these AI models may have on the modern clinical practice. As with any discussion of new technology, its limitations must also be understood to apply clinical AI tools successfully.

Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is the main component in hot peppers, including red chili peppers, jalapenos, and habanero, belonging to the genus Capsicum. Capsaicin is a potent antioxidant that interferes with free radical activities. In the present study, the possible protective effect of capsaicin was studied against methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) induced toxicity in third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg. The third instar was allowed to feed on the diet having different doses of capsaicin and MMS separately and in combination. The results suggested that the exposure of third instar larvae to the diet having MMS alone showed significant hsp70 expression as well as tissue DNA and oxidative damage, whereas the larvae feed on the diet having MMS and capsaicin showed a decrease in the toxic effects for 48-h of exposure. In conclusion, capsaicin showed a dose-dependent decrease in the toxic effects induced by MMS in the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster.
Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; pharmacology ; Capsaicin ; pharmacology ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Drosophila melanogaster ; drug effects ; Larva ; drug effects ; Methyl Methanesulfonate ; antagonists & inhibitors

In the present study, we studied the effect of Genistein against the hepatotoxicity induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). NDEA is present in almost all kinds of food stuff and has been reported to be a hepatocarcinogen. The male rats were exposed to NDEA (0.1 mg/mL) dissolved in drinking water separately and along with 25, 50, 100 mg/mL of Genistein for 21 days. The activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in blood serum. Lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content, micronucleus frequency and DNA damage (Comet assay) were performed on rat hepatocytes. The results of the study reveal that the treatment of NDEA along with Genistein showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the levels of blood serum enzymes i.e., SGOT, SGPT, ALP and LDH (Po0.05). The HE staining of histological sections of the liver also revealed a protective effect of Genistein. A significant dose-dependent reduction in the lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content was observed in rats exposed to NDEA (0.1 mg/mL) along with Genistein (Po0.05). The results obtained for the comet assay in rat hepatocytes showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the mean tail length (Po0.05). Thus the present study supports the hepatoprotective role of Genistein.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Approximately one-third of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients are refractory to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and face a therapeutic challenge. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between pathological and non-pathological reflux utilizing multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) to analyze symptom-reflux association and diagnose true NERD versus hyper-sensitive esophagus (HE) and functional heartburn (FH). Herein, we evaluated the diagnostic yield of MII-pH in refractory NERD and sub-classified it based on quantity and quality of acid/non-acid reflux and reflux-symptom association. METHODS: Sixty symptomatic NERD patients on twice daily PPI for > 2 months were prospectively evaluated by MII-pH. Distal and proximal refluxes, bolus exposure time (BET), esophageal acid exposure time, symptom index (SI) and symptom association probability (SAP) were measured. RESULTS: Thirty-two (53%) patients had BET > 1.4% (MII-pH positive-true NERD), while 28 (47%) had BET < 1.4% (MII-pH negative NERD) where SI and SAP were negative in 15/60 (25%; categorized as FH) and SI or SAP were positive in 13/60 (22%; identified as HE). Thirty-eight (63%) patients reported significant SI or SAP parameters where > 80% of symptoms were associated with non-acid reflux. The number of distal refluxes in true NERD versus FH or HE were significantly different, but not between FH and HE. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 60% of refractory PPI NERD patients had positive reflux-symptom association, primarily due to non-acid reflux. Nearly half of NERD patients on PPI had normal MII-pH monitoring, sub-divided further into FH and HE equally.
Esophagus ; Heartburn ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Proton Pump Inhibitors

BACKGROUND: GeneXpert MTB/RIF is a real-time PCR assay with established diagnostic performance in pulmonary and extra-pulmonary forms of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay to the management of patients with any form of active tuberculosis in a single large tertiary center in Saudi Arabia, with a special focus on the impact on time to start of antituberculous therapy compared with Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) smears and mycobacterial cultures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical, radiological and laboratory records for all patients who were commenced on antituberculous therapy between March 2011 and February 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were included, 38.6% of which had pulmonary tuberculosis. GeneXpert MTB/RIF was requested for only 39.2% of patients and was the only reason for starting antituberculous therapy for only 12.1%. The median time to a positive GeneXpert MTB/RIF result was 0 days (IQR 3) compared with 0 day (IQR 1) for smear microscopy (P > 0.999) and 22 days (IQR 21) for mycobacterial cultures (P < 0.001). No patients discontinued antituberculous therapy because of a negative GeneXpert MTB/RIF result. CONCLUSIONS: In a setting wherein physicians are highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, GeneXpert MTB/RIF was remarkably under-utilized and had only a limited impact on decisions related to starting or stopping antituberculous therapy. Cost-effectiveness and clinical utility of routine testing of all smear-negative clinical samples submitted for tuberculosis investigations by GeneXpert MTB/RIF warrant further study.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Life Change Events* ; Microscopy ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Saudi Arabia* ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary