Effects of Multivitamin-Mineral Supplementation on Chronic Stress-Induced Oxidative Damage in Swiss Albino Mice.

OBJECTIVE: Stress is a hazardous occurrence that causes a variety of physiological and behavioral responses in a person. It increases energy metabolism and enhances oxidative stress, both of which are implicated in the pathophysiology of several diseases. Numerous vitamins and minerals have the ability to modulate oxidative stress. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multivitamin-mineral (MM) supplement in addressing oxidative imbalances caused by chronic stress in the plasma, hepatic, and renal tissues of Swiss albino mice. METHODS: Thirty healthy male Swiss albino mice were randomly assigned to one of the three groups, with 10 animals each: control, unpredictable chronic stress (UCS), and MM + UCS. The experiment lasted for four weeks, after which all the animals underwent cervical decapitation, and samples of their blood, liver, and kidney were taken for biochemical studies. DNA damage analysis was performed on lymphocytes. RESULTS: Exposure to UCS negatively affected all biochemical markers, as indicated by reduced levels of antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and reduced glutathione) in the plasma, liver, and kidney tissues, along with enhanced levels of lipid peroxidation and marker enzymes. MM supplementation normalized the deranged biochemical markers in stress-exposed mice. The results of DNA damage supported the biochemical findings mentioned above. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that MM supplementation could help reduce oxidative disturbances caused by stress in both healthy and diseased conditions.

Knowledge About Cervical Cancer and Awareness About Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Medical Students at the Northern Border University, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Objectives To evaluate the knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among medical undergraduates at Northern Border University. Methods It was a cross-sectional study done on students selected conveniently from the College of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar. The data were collected regarding knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine awareness using a validated questionnaire. Results A total of 200 students responded to the questionnaires, with 104 (52%) being male students and 120 (60%) being clinical years of MBBS. The mean knowledge score was 17.12 ± 2.73 out of 24, which was labeled as moderate knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV. Almost two-thirds of the students responded correctly to the etiology and risk factors of cervical cancer, while only half of the students knew the correct screening intervals for cervical cancer. The awareness of students about the HPV vaccine was deficient, and the mean score was estimated to be 4.20 ± 0.79 out of nine. Female students and students in clinical years showed significantly better understanding and awareness about cervical cancer and its vaccine and showed greater vaccine acceptability as compared to male students and students in preclinical years. Conclusion The present study shows moderate knowledge about cervical cancer but deficient awareness of medical students about the HPV vaccine. However, the students were willing to get educated about cervical cancer and its vaccine and showed a favorable opinion towards vaccinating the schoolgirls and educating their patients as future physicians. The information can be considered a benchmark on knowledge and awareness levels and can be utilized to modify medical curricula and develop efficient awareness programs.

Smartphone addiction and its association with hypertension and quality of sleep among medical students of Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the smartphone addiction's prevalence and its relation to hypertension and sleep quality. METHODS: This study was carried out at the College of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 2022 to March 2023. A total of 200 medical students were selected using convenience sampling. Standard procedures were used to estimate the student's height, weight, body mass, and blood pressure. Smartphone addiction was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version and sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Relationships between smartphone addiction, sleep quality, hypertension, and obesity were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. A p<0.05 was viewed as statistically significant. RESULTS: Prevalence rate of smartphone addiction was 36% (39.8% in men and 30.5% in women) and prevalence rate of hypertension was 35.5% (42.4% in men and 25.6% in women). Hypertension showed a significant positive relationship with smartphone addiction (odds ratio [OR]=2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.034-4.36), poor sleep quality (OR=3.54, 95% CI=1.73-7.22), and obesity (OR=3.03, 95% CI=1.09-8.42). CONCLUSION: Smartphone addiction has been demonstrated to have a high prevalence among medical undergraduates and has been associated significantly with elevated blood pressure.