Aberrant Expression of the Tight Junction Molecules Claudin-1 and Zonula Occludens-1 Mediates Cell Growth and Invasion in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

新潟大学博士（歯学）We reported that altered cell contact mediated by E-cadherin is an initial event in the pathogenesis of oral epithelial malignancies. To assess other effects of cell adhesion, we examined the expression levels of tight junction (TJ) molecules in oral carcinoma in-situ (CIS) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). To identify changes in the expression of TJ molecules, we conducted an analysis of the immunohistochemical profiles of claudin-1(CLDN-1) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in surgical specimens acquired from patients with oral SCC containing foci of epithelial dysplasia or from patients with CIS. We used\nimmunofluorescence, western blotting, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and RNA interference (RNAi) to evaluate the functions of CLDN-1 and ZO-1 in cultured oral SCC cells. TJ molecules were not detected in normal oral epithelial tissues but were expressed in SCC/CIS cells. ZO-1 was localized within the nucleus of proliferating cells. When CLDN-1 expression was inhibited by transfecting cells with specific small interference RNAs,\nSCC cells dissociated, and their ability to proliferate and invade Matrigel was inhibited. In contrast, although RNAi-mediated inhibition of ZO-1 expression did not affect cell morphology, it inhibited cell proliferation and invasiveness. Our findings indicated that the detection of TJ molecules in the oral epithelia may serve as a marker for the malignant phenotype of cells in which CLDN-1 regulates proliferation and invasion.学位の種類: 博士（歯学）. 報告番号: 甲第4222号. 学位記番号: 新大院博（歯）甲第364号. 学位授与年月日: 平成28年9月20日新大院博（歯）甲第364号thesi

Dimensions of social support and post-stroke depressive symptoms in Saudi Arabia: A mixed methods approach

Background: Stroke is the second-leading cause of death and a major cause of serious long-term disability worldwide. Approximately 15 million people who suffer a stroke each year are at risk of developing depression. Post-stroke depressive symptoms (PSDS) affect one-third of stroke survivors. The prevalence of PSDS ranges from 17%-63.3% in Saudi stroke survivors. Depression after stroke is underestimated and underdiagnosed in the Saudi population. Stroke survivors use social support as a coping mechanism and as a protective factor against the adverse effects of stroke outcomes. Although social support and PSDS studies separately applied both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, a gap in the literature exists for incorporating the voices of stroke survivors to describe the meaning behind social support and depressive behaviors. Aims: The purpose of this study was to describe the nature of PSDS and to compare the influence of perceived and received social support among stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia. The quantitative aim was to examine the influence of perceived social support, including emotional and informational, tangible, affectionate, and positive social interaction on PSDS among stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia. The qualitative aim was to explore the nature of PSDS and received social support as experienced by stroke survivors. The integrated aim was to characterize the contribution of perceived social support and received social support and PSDS in stroke survivors. Design: A convergent-embedded mixed methods design (QUAN + qual) was used in this study. The sample (n = 135) was recruited for the quantitative purpose from outpatient clinics and inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Saudi Arabia; a portion of participants (n = 34) was selected from the original sample for qualitative purposes. Inclusion was based on age (≥/= 18 years old), stroke diagnosis or recurrence within one year, and ability to comprehend and communicate in Arabic. The data were gathered using a sociodemographic questionnaire, a set of structured instruments on PSDS, perceived social support, perceived stress level, functional independence measure (FIM), and in-depth interviews. Results: The major findings of this study were the following: (a) half of the sample (54%) had depressive symptoms (DS); (b) DS were negatively associated with perceived social support (r = -.65, p \u3c .001) and the FIM (r = -.45, p \u3c .001), whereas perceived stress was positively associated (r = .71, p \u3c .001); (c) social support, stress level, and literacy were associated with DS (β = -.31, p \u3c .001; β = .45, p \u3c .001; β = .16, p = .01, respectively) and partially mediate the association of DS with functional independence; (d) there is a typology of experiencing DS and receiving social support, Satisfied and Deprived, and those with DS and social support, Discrepancies; (e) individuals who experienced discrepancies in DS and social support perceived social support as highly available, even though they received inadequate social support; and (f) two types of individuals emerged within the Discrepancy category: individuals who were Socially isolated and individuals who were Socially involved. Conclusion: The results of this mixed methods study show that a lack of social support was associated with DS. The integration of quantitative and qualitative data provided a broad, in-depth perspective on the nature of DS and social support influenced by individual\u27s life changes after stroke by characterizing the contribution of perceived social support, received social support, and DS, which led to the explanation of a DS typology. Future research is needed to examine the interventions to improve social support among caregivers and to reduce DS in stroke survivors

Experience of emergency medicine residents toward an implemented modified teaching approach

Lecturing has always been one of the traditional instructional methods in medical education. It is cost-effective, especially when it comes to conveying a large amount of information to many students at once. However, disadvantages are plenteous, one of which is its passive way of knowledge delivery and learning. Active learning, on the contrary, has better students' engagement and longer retention, and it results in better students' achievement. The emergency medicine residency training program at KAMC-Jeddah has modified the educational activity to become more aligned with the end-of-year assessment in the form of active learning. This study aimed to explore the experience of the residents regarding the implementation of the new educational approach. An exploratory-qualitative study utilizing constructive grounded theory was conducted, collecting our data through an in-depth 1:1 interview using semi-structured open-ended questions. Purposeful sampling was used, and saturation was reached after interviewing 24 residents. The general perception of residents toward the new teaching modes slightly varied, highlighting the positivity of the new educational environment, the desired impact on their learning, the challenges they encountered, and finally their high satisfaction level and support for this new experience. It was asserted that such experience could be permanently implemented to increase the efficacy of teaching and learning

Synthesis and optoelectrical properties of f-graphene/cadmium selenide hybrid system

The present work demonstrates the synthesis of a hybrid accepter material containing amino-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) and an inorganic semiconducting material, cadmium selenide (CdSe). First, amino-functionalized graphene was synthesized and then nanocrystals (NCs) of CdSe were in situ grown in the functionalized-(GO) matrix named f-GCdSe. Structural studies such as x-ray diffraction, and a scanning electron microscopic were employed to investigate the growth of CdSe NCs in the graphene matrix. To understand the charge generation and transfer process at the donor/acceptor interface, the absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and transient absorption spectroscopic (TAS) studies have been carried out in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/f-GCdSe thin films. PL quenching in P3HT/f-GCdSe thin film suggests that charge transfer takes place at the donor/acceptor interface. TAS shows higher optical density and long lived free carriers for P3HT/f-GCdSe thin film. These results suggest that f-GCdSe is an excellent electron-acceptor material for organic photovoltaic devices. (C) 2015 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE

The lived experiences of Saudi nursing students in digital clinical experience : a phenomenological study

BACKGROUND : Novel digital methods of simulation are gaining popularity in nursing education in light of the limited access to clinical placement and expensive high-fidelity simulation technologies. AIM : The aim of this study is to explore the lived experiences of Saudi nursing students in digital clinical experiences (DCEs). METHODS : A qualitative phenomenological research design, grounded in Husserlian phenomenology, was employed. Purposive sampling was utilized to select 21 participants actively involved in DCEs. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect rich, narrative data. RESULTS : The thematic analysis has yielded four themes, namely, “comfort and safety”, “critical thinking and problem solving”, “appraisal of knowledge”, and “transition to practice.” CONCLUSIONS : The findings contribute to ongoing discussions about leveraging technology in nursing education, emphasizing the need for educators and policymakers to integrate digital tools that enhance the learning experiences of nursing students.https://www.cureus.comhj2024Nursing ScienceSDG-04:Quality Educatio

Safe Disposal of Medical Waste and Infection Control in Health Facilities

The aim of the current study is to know how to safely dispose of medical waste by combating infection in health facilities, the importance of knowing the waste to be disposed of, and the types and colors of medical waste bags in health facilities. A questionnaire was prepared via Google and distributed to a population aged 25-55 years, men. For women, where the questionnaire was distributed via the social networking program (WhatsApp), 700 questionnaires were distributed, to which 680 responses were obtained via email

Pattern and associated factors of COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among COVID-19-comorbid patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe COVID-19 comorbid population is at higher risk of developing severe health issues like acute respiratory distress syndrome, coagulation syndrome, metabolic acidosis, and septic shock, potentially leading to patient death. Patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) significantly influence their response to the pandemic and aid in enhancing health policy implementation.ObjectiveTo identify and evaluate the pattern and associated factors to COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and practice among individuals with comorbidities.MethodologyThe systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies assessing the KAP of comorbid patients were retrieved by carefully searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies was used to determine the quality of the included studies and the risk of biases.ResultsEighteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The pooled sample size of the included studies was 9,104. Different comorbidities reported in the studies include hypertension, diabetes, psychological disorders, and cancer. Pooled analysis showed that 65% of patients showed good knowledge, 57% of patients showed a positive attitude and 51% of patients followed good practices to manage the COVID-19 in presence of their comorbid condition. Significant factors impacting knowledge, attitude and practice in COVID-19 comorbid patients were ethnicity OR 1.78 [95% CI 1.35–2.32]; educational status 3.2 [2.79–3.58]; urban residence 2.43 [1.65–3.02]; employment Status 1.67[1.34–2.12]; financial Status 4.02[3.66–4.38]; occupation 3.65[3.31–4.25]; information Source 2.64[2.19–3.26]; comorbidity 3.28[2.78–3.61]; and duration of chronic illness 1.59[1.31–2.04].ConclusionComorbid COVID-19 patients showed good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice towards the management of the disease

Continuous Evaluation of the Two-Strikes Rule: Long-Term and Spill-Over Effects

This thesis evaluates the impact of the two-strikes rule on CEO remuneration and earnings management and the determinants of shareholder dissent. It finds that the rule effectively curbs remuneration increases and positively changes the remuneration structure. Also, engaging in earnings management activities is an unintended consequence of the rule's implementation. CEO remuneration and board characteristics moderate this relationship. Finally, shareholders have the ability to use their voting power appropriately

Testing Human Plasma IgA Biomarkers for HIV Disease Progression and Gut Leakage

© 2020 Samar Omar BabkairChronic immune activation is a main factor in HIV disease progression to the stage of AIDS. This activation is caused by translocated microbial products entering blood circulation through a leaky gut. Gut leakage is believed to be involved in the initiation and/or progression of several diseases, including the progression of the HIV disease. A biomarker indicating the incidence of gut leakage may predict HIV disease progression. Levels of total IgA1 (tIgA1), total IgA2 (tIgA2), polymeric IgA1 (pIgA1), polymeric IgA2 (pIgA2), secretory IgA1 (sIgA1) and secretory IgA2 (sIgA2) were determined in human plasma samples of groups of control (n = 24), therapy-naive HIV-positive patients (n = 27) and therapy-naive HIV-positive longitudinal sets of patients (n = 11) using ELISA technique. I-FABP was also determined in the control and the cross-sectional samples of the HIV-positive patients in whom the ratios of sIgA1 to pIgA1 and sIgA2 to pIgA2 were also calculated. Although the measured plasma IgAs levels were found to be significantly elevated in HIV-positive patients, except for levels of sIgA2, no correlation or association were found between these levels and HIV disease rate of progression, defined as overall CD4 T cell rate of decline per 6-months. The pooled data of plasma sIgA2 to pIgA2 ratios (n = 51) showed a significant moderate correlation with the plasma levels of I-FABP (r = 0.42, p = 0.002) which was not shown for the ratio of sIgA1 to pIgA1 (r = 0.24, p = 0.088). The ratio of sIgA2 to pIgA2 could not discriminate the rapid progression of the HIV disease. The different biomarkers of IgA measured in our study were found to be of no prognostic value for the progression of HIV disease, but suggested the ratio of sIgA2 to pIgA2 as an area for further assessment in groups of patients who present diseases that involve the leakage of gut contents, as a potential novel biomarker for indicating a breached gut barrier