{"title":"Impaired phagocytosis and oxidative respiratory burst activity in sickle cell anemia leukocytes","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.07.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.07.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>This case-control study investigated the mode of leukocyte function in sickle cell anemia (SCA) to delineate the underlying immunopathology for early diagnosis and mitigate the increased bacterial infection risk in this patient population.</p></div><div><h3>Method</h3><p>In total, 90 participants comprising 24 hemoglobin (Hb)-AA, 22 Hb-AS, 23 steady state Hb-SS and 21 vaso-occlusive crisis state Hb-SS subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were further divided into the following six groups: Hb-AA and Hb-AS subjects as control groups, Hb-SS subjects at steady state, Hb-SS subjects in a vaso-occlusive crisis state, Hb-SS subjects undergoing medication (Meds), and Hb-SS subjects undergoing medication plus blood transfusion (Meds/BT) group, respectively. Hematological analysis, Hb electrophoresis, leukocyte ratios, and leukocyte functional assays were assessed with standard methods, and interleukin 8 (IL-8) and L-selectin levels were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Total leukocyte and monocyte counts were increased in the Hb-SS groups compared to the control groups. However, the Hb-SS groups had lower lymphocyte counts than the other groups (p < 0.005). Leukocyte viability was increased in the SCA groups, while phagocytic activities and oxidative respiratory burst were both reduced in the SCA groups (p < 0.005). Increased IL-8 levels were observed in all SCA groups (p < 0.05), whereas L-selectin levels of the Hb-SS steady and Hb-SS on Meds groups were decreased compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were higher in the SCA groups than the control groups (p < 0.05).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Impaired leukocyte phagocytic and oxidative respiratory burst activities constitute altered leukocyte function in SCA, which can increase their susceptibility to infections and the risk of mortality, especially during the crisis state. Novel therapeutic approaches can be tailored specifically to enhance these leukocyte functions and mitigate the increased infection risk in SCA.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658361224000726/pdfft?md5=a76d6a8937fd2774df903f9c1c2071dd&pid=1-s2.0-S1658361224000726-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141997970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Women's access to healthcare services in the Jazan region of the KSA","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Our study investigated women's access to governmental healthcare in the Jazan region of the KSA. Our purpose is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the determinates of women's perceptions of their own access to healthcare, considering various demographic factors, family life, and gender role beliefs.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We conducted a hierarchical regression analysis using data from a sample of 494 women. The first model included nationality, education, age, rurality, and other sociodemographic factors. The second model included the variables from the first model as well as self-ratings of physical and mental health and regular exercise. The third model included the variables from the first two models in addition to satisfaction with family life and gender role beliefs.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Our analysis revealed that age, nationality, employment, and having good physical and mental health, and satisfaction with family life positively predicted women's perceptions of their access to healthcare. Adherence to traditional gender roles, however, predicted less accessibility.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Policymakers could use the outcomes of our study to enhance women's healthcare accessibility in Jazan region. The results could enhance the development and transformation of healthcare and women's health issues, particularly in understudied rural Saudi regions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658361224000635/pdfft?md5=3546e345b2d95c20721962f9f28426b8&pid=1-s2.0-S1658361224000635-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141638764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alex Boye PhD , Victor A. Barku PhD , Justice K. Addo PhD , Orleans Martey PhD , Ernest A. Asiamah PhD , Mainprice A. Essuman PhD , Dennis Doe PhD
{"title":"Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) B. Zepernick & Timler alkaloidal extract exerts hepatoprotective effects in rats with a CCl4/olive oil-induced hepatocellular carcinoma-like phenotype","authors":"Alex Boye PhD , Victor A. Barku PhD , Justice K. Addo PhD , Orleans Martey PhD , Ernest A. Asiamah PhD , Mainprice A. Essuman PhD , Dennis Doe PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658361224000623/pdfft?md5=e9eb597a6acf5253a948cd0b1820a86f&pid=1-s2.0-S1658361224000623-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141607713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"In silico and in vitro analyses to investigate the effects of vitamin C on VEGF protein","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on apoptotic and proliferative genes in injured HepG2 cells.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p><em>In silico</em> analysis was performed using molecular docking of chemical compounds with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The different computational tools used were AutoDock Vina, BIOVIA DISCOVERY studio, and PyMOL. Drug likeness and toxicity were analyzed by SWISS ADMET. Cells that were 60–70% confluent were treated with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) (100–2000 μM) and ascorbic acid (30, 60, 90 μg/mL). The MTT cell proliferation assay was performed to compare the proliferative potential of HepG2 cells treated with H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> or ascorbic acid with untreated HepG2 cells using 96-well plates.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The lowest binding energy of VEGF with vitamin C –5.2 kcal/mol and L-ascorbic acid-2 glycoside −4.7 kcal/mol was observed by <em>in silico</em> analysis. Vitamin C was selected because it exhibited a high interaction with VEGF and fulfilled Lipinski's rule, and had better oral viability and pharmacokinetics compared to L-ascorbic acid-2 glycoside. Cell viability assays showed that vitamin C had significant apoptotic effects (P < 0.0001). After treating HepG2 cells with ascorbic acid, reduced VEGF (angiogenesis) was observed as determined by apoptotic and proliferative gene expression. Ascorbic acid treatment of HepG2 cells led to downregulation of the proliferation markers, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Ki67, and DNA topoisomerase II alpha. Increased apoptosis after treatment with vitamin C was observed due to upregulation of p53 and annexin V.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The results of this study showed that vitamin C inhibited the growth of cancer cells, thus protecting HepG2 cells from oxidative stress. Vitamin C exhibited antiproliferative activity as observed <em>in silico</em> and <em>in vitro</em>, as well as by the inhibited expression of genes involved in protein synthesis.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658361224000611/pdfft?md5=0f881728eac8c7145ce2672c52de3035&pid=1-s2.0-S1658361224000611-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141693814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmad Syaify Ph.D , Rezmelia Sari M.Sc , Ananto A. Alhasyimi Ph.D
{"title":"Effects of Etlingera elatior flower extract on cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the gingival epithelium in a diabetic periodontitis rat model","authors":"Ahmad Syaify Ph.D , Rezmelia Sari M.Sc , Ananto A. Alhasyimi Ph.D","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>This research was aimed at investigating the effects of 70% ethanolic <em>Etlingera elatior</em> flower extract on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the gingival epithelium in rats with diabetic periodontitis.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Diabetes and periodontitis were induced in 32 male <em>Rattus norvegicus</em> individuals weighing 200–300 g each. Streptozotocin dissolved in 1 mL citrate buffer was injected intraperitoneally to elicit hyperglycemia. Three days after diabetes induction, the rats' fasting blood glucose levels were measured with a GCU EasyTouch® glucometer. Diabetes was confirmed by fasting blood glucose levels exceeding 200 mg/dL. After diagnosis of diabetic periodontitis, a daily injection of 70% ethanolic <em>E. elatior</em> extract (n = 16) and saline (n = 16) was intraperitoneally administered for 7 days. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect COX-2 expression in the gingival epithelium on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after injection, and the number of positively colored cells was expressed as a percentage. Brownish cytoplasm in the gingival epithelium was considered to indicate positive COX-2 expression, which extended from the basal layer to the corneum. The percentage of immunopositive cells was analyzed with two-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc LSD analysis at a 95% significance level.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Injection of 70% ethanolic extract of <em>E. elatior</em> flower, compared with saline, resulted in greater COX-2 expression on days 1–5. On day 7, however, the <em>E. elatior</em> group exhibited substantially lower COX-2 expression than the saline group (<em>p</em> < 0.05).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>In diabetic periodontitis, 70% ethanolic <em>E. elatior</em> extract was found to be a useful active component for host modulation therapy. The 70% ethanolic extract of <em>E. elatior</em> flower modulated COX-2 expression in the gingival epithelium in rats with diabetic periodontitis.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S165836122400060X/pdfft?md5=71a0008a6dc9cefdc084057e0013e951&pid=1-s2.0-S165836122400060X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141607712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The imperative of the child life profession in KSA in transforming the quality of pediatric healthcare","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S165836122400057X/pdfft?md5=51865d1e5f8fc5df822320078acade05&pid=1-s2.0-S165836122400057X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141702999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alaa A.A. Ashary MSc , Kamal El Sayed Shoukry PhD , Noran Hassan PhD , Amira F. Ibrahim PhD
{"title":"Effects of the thoracic block technique on vital signs, blood gases, and lung compliance in children with atelectasis","authors":"Alaa A.A. Ashary MSc , Kamal El Sayed Shoukry PhD , Noran Hassan PhD , Amira F. Ibrahim PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>This study was aimed at examining the effects of the thoracic block technique on vital signs, arterial blood gases, and lung compliance in children with unilateral atelectasis receiving mechanical ventilation.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Forty-four boys and girls with unilateral atelectasis and receiving mechanical ventilation, ranging in age from 4 months to 4 years, were recruited from the Abo El-Reesh Hospital intensive care unit at Cairo University. They were assigned to control and study groups: group A included 22 children receiving chest physical therapy, and group B included 22 children receiving the same chest physical therapy program as well as the thoracic block technique. Electrocardiography, mechanical ventilation, and blood gas analysis were conducted to assess the respiratory and heart rates, dynamic compliance, and arterial blood gases, respectively.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Respiratory rate and heart rate were significantly lower in the study group than the control group (p = 0.03). PaO<sub>2</sub> and SaO<sub>2</sub> increased in both groups, and the increase was more significant (p = 0.01 and 0.001, respectively) in group B than group A. A significant decrease in PaCO<sub>2</sub> was observed in both groups, and the decrease was more significant in group B than group A (p = 0.02). A significant increase in dynamic lung compliance was observed in both groups, and the increase was more significant in group B than group A (p = 0.01).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Applying the thoracic block technique rather than chest physical therapy techniques alone in children with atelectasis receiving mechanical ventilation may lead to improvements in arterial blood gases and dynamic lung compliance, and has no negative effects on heart rate and respiratory rate.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658361224000593/pdfft?md5=662666c5adfdf16827134c6feb0d8930&pid=1-s2.0-S1658361224000593-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141593920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integration of biomedical engineering principles in nursing education curriculum: A perspective","authors":"Sirwan K. Ahmed RN, Ribwar A. Mohammed PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658361224000581/pdfft?md5=7583955c8a1e46a06b5f9192e198ff8a&pid=1-s2.0-S1658361224000581-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141482857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Student feedback on team-based learning in a preclinical oral surgery course: A pilot study","authors":"Salah Sakka PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46806,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658361224000489/pdfft?md5=fa83a39da9de48a6aacbea00724055bf&pid=1-s2.0-S1658361224000489-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141389602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}