To evaluate student academic performance and perception towards blended learning and flipped classrooms in comparison to traditional teaching.

Background: There has been a rise in the popularity of ChatGPT and other chat-based artificial intelligence (AI) apps in medical education. Despite data being available from other parts of the world, there is a significant lack of information on this topic in medical education and research, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Objective: The primary objective of the study was to examine the familiarity, usage patterns, and attitudes of Alfaisal University medical students toward ChatGPT and other chat-based AI apps in medical education. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from October 8, 2023, through November 22, 2023. A questionnaire was distributed through social media channels to medical students at Alfaisal University who were 18 years or older. Current Alfaisal University medical students in years 1 through 6, of both genders, were exclusively targeted by the questionnaire. The study was approved by Alfaisal University Institutional Review Board. A χ² test was conducted to assess the relationships between gender, year of study, familiarity, and reasons for usage. Results: A total of 293 responses were received, of which 95 (32.4%) were from men and 198 (67.6%) were from women. There were 236 (80.5%) responses from preclinical students and 57 (19.5%) from clinical students, respectively. Overall, males (n=93, 97.9%) showed more familiarity with ChatGPT compared to females (n=180, 90.09%; P=.03). Additionally, males also used Google Bard and Microsoft Bing ChatGPT more than females (P<.001). Clinical-year students used ChatGPT significantly more for general writing purposes compared to preclinical students (P=.005). Additionally, 136 (46.4%) students believed that using ChatGPT and other chat-based AI apps for coursework was ethical, 86 (29.4%) were neutral, and 71 (24.2%) considered it unethical (all Ps>.05). Conclusions: Familiarity with and usage of ChatGPT and other chat-based AI apps were common among the students of Alfaisal University. The usage patterns of these apps differ between males and females and between preclinical and clinical-year students.

Tackling student neurophobia in neurosciences block with team-based learning

Globin chains. This release can initiate self-amplifying redox reactions, which deplete the cellular reduction potential (e.g., GSH), oxidize additional hemoglobin and accelerate RBC destruction. Furthermore, β-thalassemia patients are under continuous blood transfusion, which, although life-saving, leads to an iron overload with a resultant increase in non-transferrin-bound iron that may cause greater tissue toxicity than iron in other forms. Iron-induced oxidative stress is known to be one of the most important factors determining cell injury in thalassemic patients. Therefore, we designed this study to obtain a comprehensive picture of the iron overload, antioxidant status and cell damage in β thalassemia major patients undergoing regular blood transfusion. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 diagnosed patients of β thalassemia major and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in the study. Estimation of hemoglobin, hematocrit, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD),vitamin E, serum ferritin, total and direct bilirubin, AST and ALT was carried out. Results: The levels of vitamin E, antioxidant enzymes GPX and SOD were significantly lowered in β thalassemic patients as compared with the control group (P<0.001). Serum total and direct bilirubin, AST and ALT were significantly elevated in thalassemic subjects as compared with the control group, indicating liver cell damage. Conclusion: Thus, our findings indicate that thalassemics are in a state of enhanced oxidative stress and that the administration of selective antioxidants would represent a promising approach toward counteracting oxidative damage and its deleterious effects on the disease status....

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality. The Saudi government adopted mandatory home quarantine and curfew hours for all residents, excluding essential service workers. During the lockdown, the public's fear of infection can adversely impact mental health, causing psychological distress. The objective of this research is to assess frequency of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among the general population during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised assessment test (OCI-R) in Arabic and English languages distributed via social media platforms. Chi-square test was used with significance determined at p<0.005. Results: We received a total of 2187 responses. Our results showed that being female, single, and unemployed had a higher frequency of suffering from depression whereas higher income levels and higher education was associated with less depression frequency. Increasing age, males, married individuals, higher income groups, higher levels of education and employed individuals were more likely to have OCD during COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic period is associated with significant mental health risks among the Saudi population. The results can provide further scientific support to better understand the impact of quarantine on psychological distress and mental health during emergency and disaster situations.