The Prevalence and Risk Factors of COVID-Stress Syndrome.

Background COVID-19 is a serious disease causing negative psychological effects such as nervousness, isolation, depression, and suicide ideation. The COVID Stress Scale was developed to better understand and assess COVID-19-related distress. University students are predicted to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak due to their lack of psychological skills and high levels of academic stress. This study compares the prevalence of COVID stress syndrome (CSS) among university students in Syria and Jordan during the outbreak. The questionnaire used in the study covers multiple aspects and can be applied to future pandemics or infectious diseases. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Syria and Jordan between September 1 and December 1, 2021, to evaluate CSS among university students. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 2525 students using a structured, validated, and published questionnaire. Ethical considerations were taken, and informed consent was obtained from participants. The questionnaire had two parts: participant characteristics and CSS. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and the chi-square test was used to compare the CSS scale between the two countries. Result The study involved 2525 university students, mostly Syrian (63.6%) and Jordanian (36.4%), aged 18-24 (89.5%), and mostly single (95.6%). Over 50% of students lived in homes with three or more people. More than half reported good to excellent economic status; non-smokers accounted for over 50%. Regarding CSS, 39.8% had a high score, 28% average, 20% severe, and 12.2% low to mild. Jordanian male students and single Syrian students showed a higher probability of experiencing CSS symptoms. The number of people in the household, financial status, and field of study also played a significant role. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has negative impacts beyond physical health, including the economy, education, and mental health. A stress scale has been developed to measure COVID-19 stress syndrome, which includes Danger and Contamination Fears (DAN), Socioeconomic Consequences Fears (SEC), Xenophobic Fears (XEN), Traumatic Stress Symptoms (TSS), and Compulsive Checking and Reassurance Seeking (CHE). Non-medical faculty students are more likely to acquire CSS symptoms than medical faculty students.

Level of Depression and Anxiety on Quality of Life Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Background: Despite the growing concern worldwide regarding the quality of life (QoL) and mental well-being among chronic kidney disease (CKD), a few research has been done to address this issue. The study aims to measure depression, anxiety, and QoL prevalence among Jordanian patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis and how all of these variables are correlated. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, interview-based study on patients at the Jordan University Hospital (JUH) dialysis unit. Sociodemographic factors were collected, and the prevalence of depression, anxiety disorder, and QOL was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD7), and the WHOQOL-BREF, respectively. Results: In a study of 66 patients, 92.4% had depression, and 83.3% had generalised anxiety disorder. Females had significantly higher depression scores than males (mean = 6.2 ± 3.77 vs 2.9 ± 2.8, p < 0.001), and single patients had significantly higher anxiety scores than married patients (mean = 6.1 ± 6 vs 2.9 ± 3.5, p = 0.03). Age was positively correlated with depression scores (rs= 0.269, p = 0.03), and QOL domains showed an indirect correlation with GAD7 and PHQ9 scores. Males had higher physical functioning scores than females (mean = 64.82 vs 58.87, p = 0.016), and patients who studied in universities had higher physical functioning scores than those with only school education (mean of College/University = 78.81 vs mean of School Education = 66.46, p = 0.046). Patients taking <5 medications had higher scores in the environmental domain (p = 0.025). Conclusion: The high prevalence of depression, GAD, and low QOL in ESRD patients on dialysis highlights the need for caregivers to provide psychological support and counselling for these patients and their families. This can promote psychological health and prevent the onset of psychological disorders.

In silico prediction of potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant using molecular docking and dynamics simulation-based drug repurposing.

BACKGROUND: In November 2021, variant B.1.1.529 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and designated Omicron. Omicron is characterized by a high number of mutations, thirty-two in total, making it more transmissible than the original virus. More than half of those mutations were found in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that directly interacts with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This study aimed to discover potent drugs against Omicron, which were previously repurposed for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All repurposed anti-COVID-19 drugs were compiled from previous studies and tested against the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. METHODS: As a preliminary step, a molecular docking study was performed to investigate the potency of seventy-one compounds from four classes of inhibitors. The molecular characteristics of the best-performing five compounds were predicted by estimating the drug-likeness and drug score. Molecular dynamics simulations (MD) over 100 ns were performed to inspect the relative stability of the best compound within the Omicron receptor-binding site. RESULTS: The current findings point out the crucial roles of Q493R, G496S, Q498R, N501Y, and Y505H in the RBD region of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. Raltegravir, hesperidin, pyronaridine, and difloxacin achieved the highest drug scores compared with the other compounds in the four classes, with values of 81%, 57%, 18%, and 71%, respectively. The calculated results showed that raltegravir and hesperidin had high binding affinities and stabilities to Omicron with ΔGbinding of - 75.7304 ± 0.98324 and - 42.693536 ± 0.979056 kJ/mol, respectively. Further clinical studies should be performed for the two best compounds from this study.

Prevelance of depression and anxiety with their effect on quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients.

Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common chronic diseases globally. Many studies have shown it is strongly associated with increased social and psychological problems such as depression and anxiety which are considered as common psychiatric disorders that occur in patients with chronic kidney disease. We investigated the prevalence of depression, anxiety and perception of quality of life in a sample of chronic kidney disease patients at the Jordan University Hospital. We aimed to see any association of the mental health in these patients; mainly depression and anxiety with their quality of life and correlation to socio-demographics or laboratory and metabolic profile of this population. 103 chronic kidney disease patients were interviewed using a questionnaire in the Nephrology outpatient clinics of the Jordan University Hospital, the questionnaire included four sections, the first sections handled socio-demographic data. Also, it contains a brief Clinical and laboratory parameter of our patients. The second part consisted of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) that used to measure the severity of depression. The third part included the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) to evaluate the severity of anxiety, the fourth part assessed participants quality of life (QOL) using The World Health Organization Quality of Life, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. More than half of the participants have depression and anxiety with a percentage of 58.3% and 50.5%, respectively. There was a negative moderate to strong correlation between depression score and quality of life domains scores (p < 0.001).Only marital status had a significant relationship with depression (p < 0.001).Weak positive correlation between Glomerular Filtration Rate and anxiety score (p = 0.04),with significant positive correlation between lipid profile and anxiety score. There was a negative correlation between anxiety score and quality of life domains scores. Females had higher anxiety score than males (p = 0.27). Patients who do not work had a lower physical functioning score compared to others (p value = 0.024).Patients with higher serum Hemoglobin had higher physical and psychological scores. Anxiety, Depression are common among our chronic kidney disease patients, more interventions are needed to improve the mental health of our patients and their quality of life perception. This kind of study allows us to gain a deeper understanding regarding the effects of chronic kidney disease on psychosocial well-being of those patients, and helps health care providers to put depression, anxiety and Quality of life into consideration when treating patients.

Giant neglected hydronephrosis in an adult diagnosed after a blunt trauma: A case report.

Giant hydronephrosis is a rare urological condition which led to serious complication. We reported a rare case of giant hydronephrosis in a 21 years old male patient with no known medical issues diagnosed after a blunt trauma. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a right giant hydronephrosis with no renal parenchyma. Simple nephrectomy with open surgery was performed. Pathology report concluded that it is a neglected ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Follow-up for three months showed no complains.

Forgotten Double-J ureteral stent: An analysis of 25 cases in a tertiary hospital.

Introduction: Double-J (DJ) ureteral stents are considered basic and common in daily urological practice. We aim to share our experience of managing 25 cases of forgotten double-J (DJ) stents in our tertiary care center. Methods and materials: We did a retrospective analysis of cases with forgotten DJ stent for a period of one year spanning from February 2021 to February 2022. Detailed information like age, sex, the indication for insertion of the double-J, the period of insertion, presenting symptoms, and the definite procedure performed to remove the double-J. Results: The total number of cases was 25. We had 60% of patients underwent previous procedure in our hospital and the rest 40% were in other centers. The mean age was 38.44 years. The mean duration of the indwelling stent was 20.36 months, and the duration ranged from 13 months to 33 months.Most common indications for stenting were URS (64%). Presenting complaints were dysuria (n = 19; 76%), hematuria (n = 13, 52%), flank pain (n = 9; 36%), storage lower urinary tract symptoms (n = 8; 32%), and recurrent urinary tract infection (n = 5; 20%).Several complications were noted during or after forgotten stent removal like stent fragmentation (20%), fever (16%), sepsis (8%), and hematuria requiring transfusion (4%). Conclusion: Forgotten double-J ureteral stents are a source for morbidity. Patients should be educated about the complications of the forgotten double-J. Creating a scheduled program for notifying patients with double-J stent is another good way.

A 23 -year- old male with muscle-invasive bladder tumor: A rare case report.

•Bladder tumor is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer in males.•The peak incidence of bladder tumor is in the sixth decade of life.•Diagnosis of bladder tumor is rare in patients <30 years of age.•Muscle-invasive bladder tumor in young patients is considered extremely rare.

Stigma towards health care providers taking care of COVID-19 patients: A multi-country study.

Background: Health care providers (HCPs) have always been a common target of stigmatization during widespread infections and COVID-19 is not an exception. Aim: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of stigmatization during the COVID-19 pandemic among HCPs in seven different countries using the Stigma COVID-19 Healthcare Providers tool (S19-HCPs). Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: The S19-HCPs is a self-administered online survey (16-item) developed and validated by the research team. The participants were invited to complete an online survey. Data collection started from June-July 2020 using a convenience sample of HCPs from Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Kuwait. Results: A total number of 1726 participants were included in the final analysis. The majority of the study participants were Jordanians (22%), followed by Kuwaitis (19%), Filipinos (18%) and the lowest participants were Indonesians (6%). Other nationalities were Iraqis, Saudis, and Egyptians with 15%, 11% and 9% respectively. Among the respondents, 57% have worked either in a COVID-19 designated facility or in a quarantine center and 78% claimed that they had received training for COVID-19. Statistical significance between COVID-19 stigma and demographic variables were found in all aspect of the S19-HCPs. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrated high levels of stigmatization against HCPs in all the included seven countries. On the other hand, they are still perceived positively by their communities and in their utmost, highly motivated to care for COVID-19 patients. Educational and awareness programs could have a crucial role in the solution of stigmatization problems over the world.