Mental Illnesses and Quality of Sleep Among Nurses Working at a Tertiary Hospital in Riyadh During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives This study primarily aimed to estimate the prevalence of mental illnesses (depression, anxiety, and stress) along with the poor quality of sleep, with a secondary focus on determining whether there was an association between mental health and quality of sleep among nurses working at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic on 309 nurses from different departments at King Khalid University Hospital. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21), and sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) via an online survey. Results The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 30.4%, 43.7%, and 16.5%, respectively, while 61.5% showed poor sleep quality. The association between poor quality of sleep and the other outcome variables of mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) was highly significant (p<0.0001). Conclusion Nurses have reported an increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and poor quality of sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic, making them particularly vulnerable to mental illnesses and sleep difficulties in the event of future pandemics. There is a clear link between mental health issues and poor quality of sleep, necessitating the provision of psychological support for nurses. Enhancing sleep quality is recommended as a way to decrease the prevalence of mental health concerns.

Extensor indicis brevis muscle: report of a rare muscular variant and classification proposal / Músculo extensor corto del índice: reporte de una rara variante muscular y propuesta de clasificación

SUMMARY: The current report presented a rare variant of extensor indicis brevis muscle, replacing extensor indicis, in the left hand of an adult male cadaver. The origin of the muscle was reported, for the first time, to be from the distal margins of radius and ulna. The muscle is inserted into the extensor expansion of the index. A new classification for extensor indicis brevis muscle was proposed based on its origin. Awareness of rare anatomical variations would help clinicians and surgeons in accurately managing suspected cases and planning surgical procedures.

RESUMEN: Este informe presenta una variante rara del músculo extensor corto del índice, que reemplaza al extensor del índice en la mano izquierda de un cadáver masculino adulto. Se informó por primera vez, que el origen del músculo se realiza en la parte distal de los márgenes del radio y la ulna. El músculo se insertaba en la expansión extensora del índice. Se propuso una nueva clasificación para el músculo extensor corto del índice basada en su origen. El conocimiento de las variaciones anatómicas raras es útil para los médicos y cirujanos al abordar los casos sospechosos y planificar los procedimientos quirúrgicos.

Lisinopril has a cardio-protective effect on experimental acute autoimmune myocarditis in rats.

PURPOSE: The present study investigated the effect of lisinopril on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in rats, a histologically similar model to human acute myocarditis. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Twenty four, six week-old male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received no treatment. Group II received lisinopril at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day suspended in 1 ml of 2% gum acacia daily, from day 1 to day 21. To induce myocarditis, animals of groups III and IV were injected by 1 mg of porcine cardiac myosin on days 1 and 8. In addition, animals of group IV received lisinopril in gum acacia daily, from day 1 to day 21. All rats were sacrificed on day 21. Serum levels of creatine phosphokinase, troponin-T, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were estimated. Hearts were processed for histopathological, as well as immunohistochemical study for thioredoxin (TRX) immunoreactivity. RESULTS: The wall of hearts from rats of myocarditis-lisinopril group showed mild focal myocarditis and a significant decrease of the mean percentage of pyknotic nuclei in cardiomyocytes, coincident with a significant decrease in serum biomarkers levels and TRX immunoreactivity, compared to myocarditis group. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested a cardio-protective effect of lisinopril on acute EAM in rats, probably through a mechanism related to its suppressive effect on angiotensin II formation.

Hypoglycemic effects of date seed extract. Possible mechanism of action, and potential therapeutic implications.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible mechanism, by which an extract from date seeds exert its hypoglycemic effect. METHODS: This study was performed at the Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May to December 2012. Eighty rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 received no treatment. Group 2 received daily ingestions of 10 ml of date seed extract for 8 weeks. Animals of groups 3 and 4 were made diabetic by streptozotocin injection, and were given daily subcutaneous injections of 3 IU/day of insulin for 8 weeks. Group 4 received, in addition, daily ingestions of 10 ml of seed extracts. Rats were sacrificed, and the sera were separated for estimation of serum C-peptide levels. Pancreatic tissues were processed for histological study of the islet cells, immunohistochemical study for insulin secretion and image analysis for insulin quantification. RESULTS: Mean serum C-peptide level was significantly higher in group 4 compared to group 3. Pancreatic islets from rats of group 3 showed weak immunoreactivity for insulin, while those of group 4 showed strong immunoreactivity in some hypertrophied beta cells. Immunopositive cells were detected in the wall of interlobular ducts and in centroacinar cells of pancreas only in group 4. Quantification of insulin immunoreactivity showed a marked reduction in islet size and extent of insulin immunoreactivity in diabetic compared to control groups. CONCLUSION: Date seed extracts may stimulate endogenous insulin secretion through extra-islet sources.

Radiate ligament shortening and idiopathic scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible role of radiate ligament in idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: This study was designed as a case-control study adapted to cadavers. Eighteen human cadavers, 12 males and 6 females of Caucasian race, with a mean age of 55 years were studied at the Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from November 2010 to February 2012. Among the studied subjects, 15 were with normal spines, and 3 were scoliotic. The upper and lower bands of radiate ligaments were identified and measured. All cadavers were examined grossly. Scoliotic cadavers were also examined radiologically. RESULTS: The present study revealed that the mean of the lengths of the upper bands of radiate ligaments, on the concave side, in each scoliotic cadaver showed a highly significant shortening compared with that of the upper bands of the corresponding segments in cadavers with normal spines, while no significant change was detected when comparing those of the lower bands to normal values. CONCLUSION: The study suggested a possible relationship between radiate ligament shortening and the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis.

Normal knee angles in the adult Saudi population.

OBJECTIVE: To study knee angles in the adult Saudi population and compare their values to the published data from other populations. METHODS: Antero-posterior bilateral radiographs of 333 normal knees of 120 males and 213 females, with age range of 18-65 years, were studied retrospectively at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2009 to December 2009. Tibiofemoral (TFA), lateral distal femoral (LDFA), and lateral proximal tibial (LPTA) angles were measured and the mean of each angle was calculated. The relationship between each angle and age, gender, and side of the body was tested, and compared with the international figures. RESULTS: The mean for TFA in Saudis was 174.41°, LDFA was 90.07° and LPTA was 89.42°. All angles were not significantly related to gender. Significant relations existed between TFA and side of the body, and between LDFA and age. Variations in means and ranges of knee angles between the Saudi and other populations were determined. A significant difference existed between means of TFA, LDFA, and LPTA of Saudis and those of Caucasians, between mean of TFA of Saudis and that of Chinese, and between mean of LPTA of Saudi males and that of Chinese males. The means of TFA of selected age groups in Saudis differed significantly when compared to those in the corresponding age groups in Japanese and Australian Caucasians. CONCLUSION: Knee angles are like many other skeletal angles that may have ethnic variation between different populations. The study reinforces the need for reference values of knee angles in a given population.

An extract from date seeds having a hypoglycemic effect. Is it safe to use?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety of date seed extract administration, and to compare between toxic effects of diabetes on rats treated with insulin versus rats treated with insulin-seed extract. METHODS: This study was performed in the Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from August to December 2010. One hundred rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 served as control. Group 2 was given daily ingestions of 10 ml of date seed extract. Animals of groups 3 and 4 were made diabetic by streptozotocin injection, and were given daily subcutaneous injections of 3 IU/day of insulin for 8 weeks. Group 4 received, in addition, daily ingestions of 10 ml of seed extract. Group 5 were made diabetic with streptozotocin and then given the seed extract only. At the end of experiment, rats were decapitated, and the sera were separated for estimation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine levels. Livers and kidneys were processed for light microscopic study. RESULTS: The mean values of all tested serum levels were significantly higher in Group 3 compared to Groups 1, 2 and 4 (with the exception of ALT in the case of Group 4). There was no significant change when comparing the mean values of Groups 1, 2, and 4. Livers and kidneys of rats in Groups 1, 2, and 4 showed normal histology, while those of Group 3 showed histopathological changes. CONCLUSION: Date seed extract administration is safe on the liver and kidney. In addition, insulin-date seed extract combination minimizes the toxic effects of diabetes on these organs.

Hypoglycemic effect of an extract from date seeds on diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of an aqueous extract from date seeds on diabetic rats. METHODS: The study was performed in the Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between November 2008 and December 2009. Eighty adult albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was used as healthy control. Group 2 was given daily ingestions of 10 ml of the date seed extract. Animals of groups 3 and 4 were made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats of group 3 received daily subcutaneous injections of 3 IU/day of insulin for 8 weeks while group 4 received ingestions of 10 ml of extract in addition to insulin. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured once weekly. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was also estimated. RESULTS: There is a significant change in the mean blood glucose levels between group 3 and group 4 from week 2. The mean blood glucose levels of group 4, every 2 consecutive weeks, showed a significant decrease until week 6. The HbA1c was significantly lower in group 4 compared to group 3. CONCLUSION: The hypoglycemic effect of date seed extract combined with insulin, decreases the blood glucose level significantly toward normal when compared to the effect of insulin administered as a single drug for treatment of diabetes.