The Scientific Knowledge of Bard and ChatGPT in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Diabetes Technology: Multiple-Choice Questions Examination-Based Performance.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the knowledge level of Bard and ChatGPT in the areas of endocrinology, diabetes, and diabetes technology through a multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination format. METHODS: Initially, a 100-MCQ bank was established based on MCQs in endocrinology, diabetes, and diabetes technology. The MCQs were created from physiology, medical textbooks, and academic examination pools in the areas of endocrinology, diabetes, and diabetes technology and academic examination pools. The study team members analyzed the MCQ contents to ensure that they were related to the endocrinology, diabetes, and diabetes technology. The number of MCQs from endocrinology was 50, and that from diabetes and science technology was also 50. The knowledge level of Google's Bard and ChatGPT was assessed with an MCQ-based examination. RESULTS: In the endocrinology examination section, ChatGPT obtained 29 marks (correct responses) of 50 (58%), and Bard obtained a similar score of 29 of 50 (58%). However, in the diabetes technology examination section, ChatGPT obtained 23 marks of 50 (46%), and Bard obtained 20 marks of 50 (40%). Overall, in the entire three-part examination, ChatGPT obtained 52 marks of 100 (52%), and Bard obtained 49 marks of 100 (49%). ChatGPT obtained slightly more marks than Bard. However, both ChatGPT and Bard did not achieve satisfactory scores in endocrinology or diabetes/technology of at least 60%. CONCLUSIONS: The overall MCQ-based performance of ChatGPT was slightly better than that of Google's Bard. However, both ChatGPT and Bard did not achieve appropriate scores in endocrinology and diabetes/diabetes technology. The study indicates that Bard and ChatGPT have the potential to facilitate medical students and faculty in academic medical education settings, but both artificial intelligence tools need more updated information in the fields of endocrinology, diabetes, and diabetes technology.

Effect of Green Space Environment on Air Pollutants PM2.5, PM10, CO, O3, and Incidence and Mortality of SARS-CoV-2 in Highly Green and Less-Green Countries.

Worldwide, over half of the global population is living in urban areas. The metropolitan areas are highly populated and environmentally non-green regions on the planet. In green space regions, plants, grass, and green vegetation prevent soil erosion, absorb air pollutants, provide fresh and clean air, and minimize the burden of diseases. Presently, the entire world is facing a turmoil situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the effect of the green space environment on air pollutants particulate matter PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), incidence and mortality of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in environmentally highly green and less-green countries. We randomly selected 17 countries based on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) data. The 60% of the EPI score is based on seven categories: "biodiversity and habitat, ecosystem, fisheries, climate change, pollution emissions, agriculture, and water resources". However, 40% of the score is based on four categories: "air quality, sanitation and drinking water, heavy metals, and waste management". The air pollutants and SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths were recorded from 25 January 2020, to 11 July 2021. The air pollutants "PM2.5, PM10, CO, and O3" were recorded from the metrological websites, Air Quality Index-AQI, 2021. The COVID-19 daily cases and deaths were obtained from the World Health Organization. The result reveals that air pollutants mean values for PM2.5 110.73 ± 1.09 vs. 31.35 ± 0.29; PM10 80.43 ± 1.11 vs. 17.78 ± 0.15; CO 7.92 ± 0.14 vs. 2.35 ± 0.03 were significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) in environmentally highly green space countries compared to less-green countries. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 cases 15,713.61 ± 702.42 vs. 3445.59 ± 108.09; and deaths 297.56 ± 11.27 vs. 72.54 ± 2.61 were also significantly decreased in highly green countries compared to less-green countries. The green environment positively impacts human wellbeing. The policymakers must implement policies to keep the living areas, surroundings, towns, and cities clean and green to minimize air pollution and combat the present pandemic of COVID-19.

Effect of Environmental Pollutants PM2.5, CO, NO2, and O3 on the Incidence and Mortality of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Five Regions of the USA.

In recent decades, environmental pollution has become a significant international public problem in developing and developed nations. Various regions of the USA are experiencing illnesses related to environmental pollution. This study aims to investigate the association of four environmental pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and Ozone (O3), with daily cases and deaths resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection in five regions of the USA, Los Angeles, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, and Florida. The daily basis concentrations of PM2.5, CO, NO2, and O3 were documented from two metrological websites. Data were obtained from the date of the appearance of the first case of (SARS-CoV-2) in the five regions of the USA from 13 March to 31 December 2020. Regionally (Los Angeles, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, and Florida), the number of cases and deaths increased significantly along with increasing levels of PM2.5, CO, NO2 and O3 (p < 0.05), respectively. The Poisson regression results further depicted that, for each 1 unit increase in PM2.5, CO, NO2 and O3 levels, the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections significantly increased by 0.1%, 14.8%, 1.1%, and 0.1%, respectively; for each 1 unit increase in CO, NO2, and O3 levels, the number of deaths significantly increased by 4.2%, 3.4%, and 1.5%, respectively. These empirical estimates demonstrate an association between the environmental pollutants PM2.5, CO, NO2, and O3 and SARS-CoV-2 infections, showing that they contribute to the incidence of daily cases and daily deaths in the five different regions of the USA. These findings can inform health policy decisions about combatting the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in these USA regions and internationally by supporting a reduction in environmental pollution.

Prevalence of Prediabetes and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in Cricket Players: Multi-Cricket Clubs Cross Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Sports activities are highly beneficial for improving the human health and reducing the risk of diseases. This cross sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of prediabetes and Type-2 diabetes mellitus in cricket players compared to population based non-elite athlete control subjects. METHODS: The present matched cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period October 2019 to February 2020. Initially, 700 volunteer males, (300) cricket players and (400) population based non-elite athlete control subjects were interviewed. After socio-demographic and medical history, (200) nonsmoker cricket players and (300) nonsmoker control subjects were recruited. The age of cricket players was 34 (32-37) years, weight 81 (76-84) kg, height 1.79 (1.74-1.84) meters, and body mass index (BMI) was 25.09 (23.66-26.76) kg/m2. The cricket players have been playing cricket for 4 (3-4) hours per day; 3.50 (3-4) days per week; for the total period of 24 (12-36) months. American Diabetes Association (ADA) based criteria on Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) was used to investigate the prediabetes and Type-2 diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: In cricket players, the prevalence of prediabetes was 23 (11.5%) and Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was 7 (3.5%) compared to population based matched non-elite athlete control subjects the prediabetes was 73 (24.34%) and T2DM was 63 (21.1%) (p=0.001). Among cricket players, there was a 6-folds decrease in T2DM compared to control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The cricket sports activities decrease the prevalence of prediabetes and Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among the cricket players compared to population based matched non-elite athlete control subjects. The study findings demonstrate the urgent need for promoting sports activities, more cricket grounds as a physiological preventive strategy against the global growing diabetes epidemic.

Sandstorm and its effect on particulate matter PM 2.5, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone pollutants and SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths.

Sandstorms are a natural metrological phenomenon, frequently occurring in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The sandstorm dust contains environmental pollutants, microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These events are the primary sources of air pollution and its long-distance transport. Thus, sandstorms are becoming a greater concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this novel study aimed to investigate the effect of a sandstorm on "environmental pollutants particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and day-to-day new cases and deaths due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection" in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On March 12, 2021, a sandstorm occurred in the Riyadh region, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The data on PM 2.5, CO, NO2, and O3 were recorded three weeks before and three weeks after the onset of the sandstorm, from February 20, 2021, to March 12, 2021, and from March 13 to April 2, 2021. The daily PM2.5, CO, NO2, and O3 levels were documented from the metrological websites, and Air Quality Index-AQI, COVID-19 daily cases, and deaths were obtained from Saudi Arabia's official coronavirus website. After sandstorm, the air pollutants, CO level increased by 84.25%; PM2.5: 76.71%; O3: 40.41%; NO2: 12.03%; and SARS-CoV-2 cases increased by 33.87%. However, the number of deaths decreased by 22.39%. The sandstorm event significantly increased the air pollutants, PM2.5, CO, and O3, which were temporally associated with increased SARS-COV-2 cases. However, no significant difference was noticed in NO2 and the number of deaths after the sandstorm. The findings have an important message to health authorities to timely provide information to the public about the sandstorm and its associated health problems, including SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths.

Prevalence of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Football Players: A Novel Multi Football Clubs Cross Sectional Study.

Sports offer great benefits, improving health and reducing the risk of illnesses. This study's aim was to investigate the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus in football players compared to population based non-elite athlete control subjects. Initially 1100 male volunteers, (550) football players, and (550) population based non-elite athlete control subjects were interviewed. After socio-demographic and medical history analysis, 756 (378) nonsmoker male football players and (378) nonsmoker male control subjects were recruited. The control subjects were not involved in regular sports activities such as football, volleyball, badminton, cricket, hockey, and swimming. Participants with a known history of anemia, blood diseases, diabetes mellitus, and malignancy were excluded from the study. The mean age of football players was 31.80 ± 5.46 years, Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.40 ± 2.08 (kg/m2), and the mean age of control subjects was 32.32 ± 4.37 years, and BMI was 26.66 ± 1.87 (kg/m2). The selected football players have been playing football for about 2 h a day, 3 days per week, and so the total mean duration of playing football was 1.08 years. American Diabetes Association (ADA) based criteria on Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) was used to investigate prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In football players the prevalence of prediabetes was 30 (7.93%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was 6 (1.59%) compared to population based matched non-elite athlete control subjects where the prediabetes was 71 (18.78%) and T2DM was 89 (23.54%) (p = 0.001). Among football players there was a 7-fold decrease in T2DM compared to control subjects. Football recreational activities markedly reduce the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM. The study findings demonstrate the benefits of football and other such sport activities and emphasize the urgent need for promoting football based physical activities as a physiological preventive strategy against the globally growing diabetes epidemic.

Effect of environmental pollutants PM-2.5, carbon monoxide, and ozone on the incidence and mortality of SARS-COV-2 infection in ten wildfire affected counties in California.

Various regions of California have experienced a large number of wildfires this year, at the same time the state has been experiencing a large number of cases of and deaths from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of wildfire allied pollutants, including particulate matter (PM-2.5 µm), carbon monoxide (CO), and Ozone (O3) with the dynamics of new daily cases and deaths due to SARS-COV 2 infection in 10 counties, which were affected by wildfire in California. The data on COVID-19 pertaining to daily new cases and deaths was recorded from Worldometer Web. The daily PM-2.5 µm, CO, and O3 concentrations were recorded from three metrological websites: BAAQMD- Air Quality Data; California Air Quality Index-AQI; and Environmental Protection Agency- EPA. The data recorded from the date of the appearance of first case of (SARS-CoV-2) in California region to the onset of wildfire, and from the onset of wildfire to September 22, 2020. After the wildfire, the PM2.5 concentration increased by 220.71%; O3 by 19.56%; and the CO concentration increased by 151.05%. After the wildfire, the numbers of cases and deaths due to COVID-19 both increased respectively by 56.9% and 148.2%. The California wildfire caused an increase in ambient concentrations of toxic pollutants which were temporally associated with an increase in the incidence and mortality of COVID-19.

Cost effectiveness of bariatric surgery in patients with obesity related comorbidities: A retrospective study.

Background and Aim: Bariatric surgery has been reported to be an effective but expensive method for obesity management. This study aimed to determine the economic benefit for patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent bariatric surgery and was on medications for obesity-related comorbidities at the Obesity Research Center in King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data on the use and cost of medications before and after bariatric surgery were collected. Results: A total of 266 patients, 107 males (40.23%), and 159 Females (59.77%) with a mean age of 41.06 years were included in the study. There was a reduction in the mean number of medications used by patients before and 1-year post-op (before: 1.84, after: 0.52), with a significant reduction in the cost of medications (SAR5152.24 before, and SAR1695.36 after, 67% reduction, P < 0.001). Patients < 32 years old had the most reduction in medications cost (76.64% reduction). No significant difference in the cost reduction after surgery between genders (P = 0.971). There were significant reductions in numbers of out-patient clinic visits (2.26 ± 2.43 to 1.57 ± 1.42) and in-patient hospitalizations (0.31 ± 0.57 to 0.10 ± 0.36) after surgery (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Bariatric surgery can be considered as a cost-effective treatment for patients with obesity-related comorbidities. A significant reduction has been found in post-operative medications cost, out-patient clinic visits and in-patient hospitalizations after bariatric surgery.

Impact of lockdown on COVID-19 prevalence and mortality during 2020 pandemic: observational analysis of 27 countries.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the impact of 15 days before, 15 days during, and 15 days after the lockdown on the trends in the prevalence and mortality in 27 countries during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Twenty-seven countries were randomly selected from the different continents. The information on the trends in the prevalence and mortality due to COVID-19 pandemic in 27 countries was obtained from World Health Organization and lockdown data were obtained from concerned countries and their ministries. The impact of lockdown for 15 days before, 15 days during, and 15 days after the lockdown on the prevalence and mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 27 countries was analyzed. RESULTS: The findings showed that 15 days after the lockdown there was a trend toward a decline, but no significant decline in the mean prevalence and mean mortality rate due to the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 15 days before, and 15 days during the lockdown in 27 countries. The mean growth factor for number of cases was 1.18 and for mortality rate was 1.16. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that 15 days after the lockdown, daily cases of COVID-19 and the growth factor of the disease showed a declined trend, but there was no significant decline in the prevalence and mortality.

Inappropriate use of beta-blockers among medical and dental students at King Saud University, Riyadh.

AIM: Self-medication and inappropriate beta-blocker use have been commonly reported among students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of inappropriate self-prescription of beta-blockers among medical and dental students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a validated self-administered questionnaire distributed via online Google document to all undergraduate medical and dental students, including interns, of King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Out of 1,240 emails sent, 885 students (627 [70.8%] medical students and 258 [59.2%] dental students) responded to the survey (response rate, 71.4%). Beta-blockers were used by 198 students (22.4%) during their college years, of which 147 (16.6%) used it ≤5 times. The most common reason of using beta-blockers was to relieve stress and anxiety. The most common sources of information for use were their colleagues/fellow students. Self-prescribed beta-blockers were used by 123 students (13.9%). The usual dose consumed was 20 mg in 84 students (9.5%), while 15 (1.7%) experienced side effects. Although male students used beta-blockers more than females, females used beta-blockers at significantly higher doses (>20 mg). Medical students consumed more beta-blockers than dental students did (33.7% versus 0%, P = 0.001). Students in their senior years continued self-prescription and beta-blocker use longer than their juniors. Continued use was associated with their current academic level, who prescribed the drug, their usual dose, and awareness of complications. CONCLUSION: Two in ten students inappropriately used beta-blockers to relieve their anxiety and stress during examinations, and most of them were self-prescribed.

The Nexus between Workplace Exposure for Wood, Welding, Motor Mechanic, and Oil Refinery Workers and the Prevalence of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Workplace exposure in various occupational and industrial sectors is an emerging health concern worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the nexus between workplace exposure for wood, welding, motor mechanic, and oil refinery workers and the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Initially, 2500 male volunteers who were wood, welding, motor mechanic, and oil refinery workers were interviewed. After an examination of their demographics and medical history, 1408 non-smoking wood (158), welding (560), motor mechanic (272), and oil refinery workers (217), along with 201 control subjects, were selected. The participants' mean age was 36.59 ± 0.29 years and the mean body mass index was 26.14 ± 0.11 kg/m2. The selected industry workers had been exposed to their respective wood, welding, motor mechanic, and oil refinery workplaces for 8 h per day, six days per week. The American Diabetic Association (ADA)-based glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) criterion was used to diagnose prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects with an HbA1c of less than 5.7% were regarded as non-diabetics, subjects with an HbA1c of 5.7%-6.4% were considered prediabetics, and subjects with an HbA1c of more than 6.4% were considered diabetics. In wood industry workers, the prevalence of prediabetes (PD) was 64 (40.50%) and in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), it was 21 (13.29%); in welding workers, the prevalence of prediabetes was 261 (46.60%), and for T2DM, it was 90 (16.07%); in motor mechanic workers, the prevalence of prediabetes was 110 (40.44%), and for T2DM, it was 126 (46.32%); and in oil refinery workers, the prevalence of prediabetes was 80 (36.86%), and for T2DM, it was 35 (16.12%). However; the combined prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM among wood, welding, motor mechanic, and oil refinery workers was 421 (34.79%) and 515 (42.66%), respectively. The prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM among workers increased with the duration of working exposure in the wood, welding, motor mechanic, and oil refinery industries. A one-year working exposure in these industries caused an increase of 0.03% in HbA1c. Workplace exposure in wood, welding, motor mechanic, and oil refinery industries increased the risk of prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM among the workers and affected the diabetes etiology.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact of Quarantine on Medical Students' Mental Wellbeing and Learning Behaviors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic causes great public health and socioeconomic harms. Worldwide many countries implemented quarantine policies to minimize the spread of this highly contagious disease. The present study aim was to investigate the impact of quarantine on the medical students' mental wellbeing and learning behaviors. METHODS: In this descriptive study, we used a questionnaire with a Five-Point Likert Scale to collect the information. The questionnaire was distributed among 625 medical students through their emails with a response rate of 530 (84.8%), majority 294 (55.47%) being female. The survey questionnaire consisted of total 20 items; 12 items were related to psychological wellbeing and stress-allied queries and 08 items were about learning behaviors. RESULTS: The findings encompass two important characteristics related to quarantine, psychological wellbeing, and learning behaviors. A combined cohort of 234 medical students, either female or male, (which was 44.1% of the total responders) showed a sense of being emotionally detached from family, friends and fellow students, 125/ 530 (23.5%) medical students felt disheartened. Both female and male medical students showed a marked decrease in their overall work performance. Moreover, 56.2% of the total students (61.5% of the females and 49.5% of the males) felt a decrease in the time they spent studying. CONCLUSIONS: Both female and male medical students have identified that quarantine has caused them to feel emotionally detached from family, fellows, and friends and decrease their overall work performance and study period. The findings also show that one fourth of the medical students who participated in this study felt disheartened during the quarantine period. The long-term quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemics may causes further worsening in the psychological and learning behaviors of these medical students.