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OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of electronic device usage and its association with mental health status among preschool children aged 3-6 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among preschool children aged 3-6 years in kindergartens in Makkah city in 2023-2024, using an electronic questionnaire. An Arabic version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to assess mental health. RESULTS: We recruited a total of 399 children. The prevalence of electronic device usage was 91.5%. The number of hours spent using electronic devices ranged from 0 to 12 hour (h)/day, with a mean of 3.1 h/day. We found a significant positive correlation between the number of hours spent using electronic devices and emotional problems (r=0.200, p<0.001), conduct problems (r=0.149, p=0.003), hyperactivity (r=0.279, p<0.001), peer problems (r=0.104, p=0.038), and total difficulty scores (r=0.263, p<0.001). We also found a significant negative correlation between the number of hours spent using electronic devices and the prosocial score (r= -0.128, p=0.011), and most of the included children had scores within the "close to average" category across all scales of mental health status. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of electronic device usage among preschool children, which exceeded the recommended time limit. A significant correlation was observed between electronic device use and mental health scores. Further longitudinal studies are required to understand the nature of this association and its implications for child development.
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Salud Mental , Humanos , Arabia Saudita/epidemiología , Preescolar , Masculino , Femenino , Estudios Transversales , Niño , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
The therapeutic effectiveness of anticancer drugs with a selective target for the nucleus of cancer cells may be improved by experimental approaches. In this regard, the formulation of anticancer drugs is considered one of the best ways to improve their effectiveness in targeting cancerous tissues. To enhance the anticancer activity of 2-methoxy-estradiol (2 ME) for breast cancer, 2-methoxyestradiol loaded alpha lipoic acid nanoparticles have been formulated. The prepared formula was observed to be spherical with a nanometer-scale and low PDI size (.234). The entrapment efficiency of the 2ME-ALA NPs was 87.32 ± 2.21% with > 85% release of 2 ME within 24 h. There was a 1.2-fold increase in apoptosis and a 3.46-fold increase in necrosis of the MCF-7 cells when incubated with 2ME-ALA NPs when compared to control cells. This increased apoptosis was also associated with increased ROS and increased p53 expression in 2ME-ALA NPs treated cells compared to the raw-2 ME group. Evaluation of cell-cycle data showed a substantial arrest of the G2-M phase of the MCF-7 cells when incubated with 2ME-ALA NPs. At the same time, a dramatically increased number of pre-G1 cells showed the increased apoptotic potential of the 2 ME when administered via the proposed formulation. In the end, the differential upregulation of caspase-3, p53, and ROS in MCF-7 cells established the superiority of the 2ME-ALA-Ms approach in targeting breast cancer. In summary, these results demonstrate that 2ME-ALA NPs are an efficient delivery tool for controlling the growth of breast cancer cells.
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OBJECTIVES: To carry out meta-analysis and systematic review on the association between soft drinks consumption and asthma prevalence among adults and children. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational research. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2018. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included observational studies investigating the association between soft drinks consumption (including maternal consumption during pregnancy) and asthma or wheeze. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted by one author and reviewed independently by two other authors. The most adjusted estimate from each original study was used in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects model. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistic. RESULTS: Of 725 publications originally identified, 19 were included in this systematic review, including 3 cohort studies and 16 cross-sectional studies. Ten articles reported on children up to 18 years, 5 articles on adults (>18 years) and 2 articles on prenatal exposure. In total, 468 836 participants were included, with more than 50 000 asthma cases. Soft drinks consumption was associated with significantly increased odds of asthma in both adults (OR=1.37; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.52) and children (OR=1.14; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.21). Prenatal exposure had marginally statistically significant association (OR=1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.23) with asthma in children. In subgroup analysis for childhood exposure, the association persists for sugar-sweetened soft drinks but not for carbonated drinks. CONCLUSION: Our findings show a positive association between soft drinks consumption and asthma prevalence, mostly from cross-sectional studies. Therefore, more longitudinal research is required to establish causality.
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Asma/epidemiología , Bebidas Gaseosas/efectos adversos , Bebidas Azucaradas/efectos adversos , Edulcorantes/efectos adversos , Adulto , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of exposure to sociodemographic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors during adolescence with the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: We conducted a case-control study between October 2017 and January 2018 at King Fahd General Hospital (KFH) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by direct physician-subject interviews. We utilized a questionnaire modified from the environmental risk factors in multiple sclerosis questionnaire (EnvIMS-Q). Chi-square tests were used to examine associations of selected risk factors with the development of MS, a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 80 cases and 160 controls were enrolled into the study. Smoking during adolescence significantly increased the risk of MS, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 4.165, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.449-11.974. Large body size, assessed using a figure rating scale, also increased the risk of MS (AOR=8.970, 95% CI=1.032-77.983), as well as a history of measles infection (AOR=3.758, 95% CI=1.455-9.706). Furthermore, exposure to sunlight during the weekend for more than 4 hours/day decreased the risk of MS (AOR=0.063, 95% CI=0.006-0.654), so did the consumption of fish for more than once per week (AOR=0.206, 95% CI=0.055-0.773). Conclusion: The risk of developing MS is significantly increased by exposure during adolescence to smoking, a history of measles infection, and large body size (obesity).