The COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced the adoption of virtual learning after the urgent suspension of traditional teaching. Different online learning strategies were established to face this learning crisis. The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to reveal the different digital procedures implemented by the College of Medicine at Qassim University for better student performance and achievement. The switch into distance-based learning was managed by the digitalization committee. Multiple online workshops were conducted to the staff and students about the value and procedures of such a shift. New procedures for online problem-based learning (PBL) sessions were designed. Students’ satisfaction was recorded regarding the efficiency of live streaming educational activities and online assessment. The students were satisfied with the overall shift into this collaborative e-learning environment and the new successful procedures of virtual PBL sessions. The digital learning tools facilitated the performance of the students and their peer sharing of knowledge. The role of informatics computer technologies was evident in promoting the students, research skills, and technical competencies. The present work elaborated on the procedures and privileges of the transformation into digitalized learning, particularly the PBL sessions, which were appreciated by the students and staff. It recommended the adoption of future online theoretical courses as well as the development of informatics computer technologies.

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the preferred method (Giemsa or periodic acid Schiff-Alcian blue [PAS-AB] stains) of detecting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylon) in gastric mucosal biopsies in terms of sensitivity, specificity and applicability. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first report comparing Giemsa and PAS-AB staining for the detection of H. pylori in such biopsies. Methods: The formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of 49 gastric biopsies from different patients were collected from the archive of anatomical pathology at King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. From each block, three slides were prepared and analysed using the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Giemsa and PAS-AB stains to detect the presence/absence of H. pylori, and the results were compared in terms of sensitivity, specificity and applicability. Results: The majority of the biopsies in this study showed antrum-type gastric mucosa. Only 15 biopsies showed active gastritis, whereas the rest showed chronic gastritis. Three biopsies showed intestinal metaplasia. All were detected by PAS-AB stain, but only two-thirds were detected by H&E stain. Fifteen gastric biopsies showed H. pylori infection in general and in 13 of them, active gastritis cases were discovered. Fourteen out of these 15 H. pylori infection cases were detected by Giemsa stain, whereas only 13 cases were detected by H&E stain. PAS-AB stain showed the worst results since it demonstrated only 40% sensitivity and 67.65% specificity in H. pylori detection. Conclusion: Giemsa stain has better sensitivity and specificity in gastric H. pylori infection detection than PAS-AB. Therefore, using PAS-AB stain to detect H. pylori infection is not recommended.

BACKGROUND: The cluster of differentiation (CD) 74 is known for its immunological functions and its elevated level was reported in various cancer cells. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and potential roles of CD74 in the proliferative and apoptotic activity of breast cancer. METHODS: Expression of CD74, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and CD44 was assayed in CAMA-1 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines using flow cytometry. CD74 was knocked down using CD74 siRNA-transfection in CAMA-1, and MDA-MB-231 cells and proliferation and apoptosis were determined in the transfected breast cancer cells. RESULTS: The data showed that CD74, MIF and CD44 were expressed in breast cancer cell lines and were associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. Correlation analysis revealed that CD74 was positively correlated and colocalised with MIF on the cell-surface of CAMA-1 and MDA-MB-231. The knockdown of CD74 significantly reduced CAMA-1 and MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and increased the level of apoptotic cells. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the interactions of CD74 with MIF and CD74 with CD44 could be a potential tumour marker for breast cancer cells. Moreover, the level of co-expression of MIF and CD74 or CD44 could be a surrogate marker for the efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs, particularly in breast cancer tumours. In short, the study revealed the potential roles of CD74 in the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer which may serve as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-associated death in all over the globe. This study was undertaken to determine the expression and interaction of membrane-bound receptors CD74 and CD44 in h...

Tobacco and alcohol have been identified as health risk behaviors associated with significant unfavorable health consequences, ranking within the list of the top ten causes of mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY). The combustion of tobacco leads to the formation of acrylamide (ACR), which is well known for its neurotoxic effects. Similarly, alcohol consumption has also been widely recognized for its neurotoxic effects. Both substances can affect neurons and neuroglia cells through various pathways. This study sought to examine the impacts of co-administration of ACR and intermittent-access ethanol (IAE) consumption over a period of one month. The experimental group received 20 mg/kg of ACR, administered orally, along with IAE of 20% ethanol sessions lasting 24 h, three times per week. The cognitive outcomes were assessed utilizing the elevated plus maze (EPM), which was employed as a means of assessing the capability to learn and remember, the novel object recognition (NOR) test, which was employed to assess recognition memory, and the Y-maze, which was used to explore a new environment and navigate. Additionally, ELISA assays were performed to examine underlying mechanisms, including markers associated with inflammation (NF-κB, PGE2, and TNF-α), apoptosis (Bcl2, Bax, and Caspase-3), and oxidative stress (MDA, catalase, and GSH). These markers were assessed in the brain homogenate as part of the investigation. Furthermore, a histopathological study was conducted. The findings indicated that NF-κB levels increased significantly in the combination of ACR and IAE groups (ACR + IAE) compared to either the ACR-alone or IAE-alone groups. However, parallel changes were observed in TNF-α, PGE2, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, GSH, and CAT levels when comparing the ACR + IAE group to the ACR-alone group. Comparable alterations were noted between the ACR + IAE treatment and IAE-alone groups in TNF-α, Bcl-2, MDA, GSH, and CAT levels. Moreover, the histopathological analysis revealed significant changes between the ACR + IAE and the ACR- or IAE-alone groups. Regarding memory parameters assessed using tests including EPM, NOR, and Y-maze, considerable changes were observed across all treatment groups as opposed to the control. Surprisingly, there were no notable differences in the NOR and Y-maze tasks between the alone and combination treatment. Further study is necessary to explore the long-term alteration of co-administering ACR and IAE on behavior, memory, and neurotoxicity-related mechanisms, in order to elucidate their combined effects more clearly.