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Background Elective courses give medical students opportunities to explore interests beyond core curricula and influence career decisions. The current study aimed to assess undergraduate medical students’ satisfaction with these elective courses and gather their suggestions for improvement in curriculum design. Methods A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted using a validated online and self-administered questionnaire among undergraduate medical students at Al-Azhar University (Egypt) and Jazan University (Saudi Arabia). Satisfaction was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis included t-tests and chi-square tests (SPSS v25), with p  ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results Among 1,027 students (83.1% Egyptians), the overall satisfaction score was 31.9 ± 5.8. A total of 61.1% reported a positive experience. Satisfaction was significantly higher among Saudi students (mean = 35 ± 6.2) compared to Egyptian counterparts (mean = 31.3 ± 5.5; p  = 0.001) with a medium to large effect size (Cohen’s d  = 0.63). Only (42.4%, 56.5%) felt they achieved course objectives, their expectations were met respectively and 33.2% indicated instructors required further training. Conclusion Students were moderately satisfied with elective courses, with notable differences across institutions. Curriculum reforms should consider student feedback, expand course options, and improve instructor preparedness.

Background Understanding human anatomy is fundamental to building medical competencies. This study explored the diverse perceptions of medical students in Saudi Arabia and Egypt concerning virtual dissection applications. Methods Students from different Saudi and Egyptian governmental universities were invited. The online questionnaire covered the sociodemographic characteristics, students’ perception of the advantages of virtual anatomy applications, satisfaction with their efficiency, and their recommendation to use them. Comparisons were performed in country-wise and then university-wise patterns. Significance was considered with a P  < 0.05. Results The mean age of 401 participants was 20 ± 1.6. Females were 63% and the males were 37%. Saudi universities participated by 47% and Egyptian universities by 53% with various academic levels. The traditional program covers 25% of the participants and 75% are in integrated programs. Virtual dissection applications were used by 84% of the sample while the remaining 16% did not use them. No significant differences between Saudi participants and those from Egypt in the adopted teaching methods and the usual use of virtual dissection applications. However, significant differences in considering the ease of virtual applications ( P  = 0.016), their perfectness in lectures ( P  = 0.04), and their perception ( P  = 0.034). Also, there was no significant difference in satisfaction while their recommendation differed significantly ( P  = 0.034). The university-wise comparisons elaborated significant differences in the feasibility, reality, usefulness, preference, and perfectness of virtual dissection applications in lecturing. Conclusion Technology can be an efficient complementary, not a replacement resource to support the educational process. Also, students’ perceptions are valuable in maximizing the educational benefits of curricula.

BackgroundSocial isolation (SI), attributable to modern lifestyles and fast-growing technology, is a leading cause of depression. Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) are neuroactive agents owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, physical and mental activities (Ph&M) exert neuroprotective effects by optimizing the release of both neurotransmitters and growth factors. However, their neuroprotective effects against SI-induced depression are still poorly investigated.AimWe aim to explore the neuroprotective effect of Se-NPs, Ph&M, and their combination to guard against the harmful effects of SI-induced depression in a rat model.MethodsFifty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: control, SI, Ph&M, orally administered Se-NPs (0.1 mg/kg), and a combination group. Neuroprotective activity was quantitatively estimated pharmacologically, biochemically, histologically, and behaviorally.ResultsSI caused behavioral and biochemical alteration in the rat model, decreasing neurotransmitter levels, increasing the transcription of inflammatory response genes ( TLR4 and NF-κB ), and consequently increasing the production of the cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. It also activated the proinflammatory NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway. The ER stress parameters PERK, CHOP, and GRP78 were significantly elevated. Impairment of autophagy and increased neurodegeneration were detected via the decline of AMPK/SIRT-1/Beclin-1 PI3K/AKT gene expression and m-TOR overexpression. Decreased expression of TrkB and CREB mRNA and consequent decline in brain-derived neurotropic factor were recorded. SI caused a drastic drop in Wnt3a and β-catenin levels and increased GSK3β activity affecting neuroplasticity and cognitive functions. Administration of Se-NPs and/or application of Ph&M, especially their combination, provided significant protection against prior SI effects.ConclusionSe-NPs and Ph&M, especially their combination, showed promising protective effects against neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and subsequent alterations of test animal behaviors precipitated by SI.

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is largely linked with oxidative stress, the accumulation of amyloid-β plaques, and hyperphosphorylated τ-protein aggregation. Alterations in dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission have also been implicated in various AD-related symptoms. Methods: To explore new therapeutic agents, a series of bicyclic and tricyclic thieno-oxazepine derivatives were synthesized as potential acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors. The resultant compounds were purified via HPLC and characterized using spectral analysis techniques. Histopathological examinations, other antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated, and in silico ADMET calculations were performed for synthetic hybrids. Molecular docking was utilized to validate the new drugs’ binding mechanisms. Results: The most powerful AChE inhibitors were 14 and 16, with respective values of IC50 equal to 0.39 and 0.76 µM. Derivative 15 demonstrated remarkable BChE-inhibitory efficacy, on par with tacrine, with IC50 values of 0.70 µM. Hybrids 13 and 15 showed greater selectivity towards BChE, despite substantial inhibition of AChE. Compounds 13 and 15 reduced escape latency and raised residence time, with almost equal activity to donepezil. Conclusions: According to these findings, the designed hybrids constitute multipotent lead compounds that could be used in the creation of novel anti-AD medications.

Neural plasticity was considered as the principal mechanism for learning and memory many decades ago. So our study aims to figure out the underlying mechanisms of myelin plasticity associated with learning and memory. Myelin was considered for a long time as static, inert insulator, irrelevant to learning. But recent studies showed that myelination is dynamically changed to enhance neuronal plasticity. The study was conducted on 24 rats, divided into 3 groups, with 8 rats in each: Group 1: control in cages; Group 2: control untrained; and Group 3: rats were trained using Barnez maze behavior test. The gene expression analysis for Sox10 , Myrf , Nrg1 , Bdnf , Serpine2 and Mbp was evaluated by qRT-PCR in hippocampus tissues with correlation assessment, and histopathological and immunohistochemistry assessment were done. The present study showed improved spatial memory with increased myelination in the trained group, in addition to high expression of Sox10 , Myrf , Nrg1 and Bdnf in the trained group compared to all others ( P  < 0.001). Serpine2 and GFAP as markers of astrocytes showed high expression in the trained group in comparison with other groups ( P  < 0.001) with strong positive correlation between Serpine2 and Mbp (r = 0.76, P  = 0.02). Myelin plasticity as one of the crucial learning mechanisms, was influenced by different neural and environmental signals. In addition, there was a significant role of astrocytes in promoting such myelination effect.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become an increasingly valuable biologic approach for personalized regenerative medicine because of its potent anti-inflammatory/healing effects. It is thought to be an excellent source of growth factors that can promote tissue healing and lessen fibrosis. Although this treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in numerous disease areas, its impact on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) caused by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) via its antiapoptotic effects remains to be explored. AgNPs were synthesized biologically by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 55000. AgNP characterization was carried out via UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging to reveal monodispersed spheres with a mean diameter of 45.17 nm. A total of 48 male Wistar rats divided into six groups, with 8 rats per group, were used in the current study on the basis of sample size and power. The groups used were the PRP donor, control, AgNP, AgNP + PRP, AgNP + dexamethasone (Dexa) rat groups, and a recovery group. Body weights, hydroxyproline (HP) levels, and CASP3 and TWIST1 gene expression levels were assessed. H&E and Sirius Red staining were performed. Immunohistochemical studies for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) with histomorphometry were conducted. A significant reduction in body weight (BWt) was noted in the AgNP group compared with the AgNP + PRP group (p < 0.001). HP, CASP3, and TWIST1 expression levels were significantly increased by AgNPs but decreased upon PRP (p < 0.001) treatment. Compared with those in the control group, the adverse effects of AgNPs included PF, lung alveolar collapse, thickening of the interalveolar septa, widespread lymphocytic infiltration, increased alveolar macrophage CD68 expression, and iNOS positivity in the cells lining the alveoli. This work revealed that PRP treatment markedly improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings observed in the AgNP group in a manner comparable to that of the Dexa. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of PRP in a PF rat model induced via AgNPs. This study revealed that PRP treatment significantly improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations observed in the AgNP-induced group, with effects comparable to those of the Dexa. In conclusion, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of PRP in a rat model of AgNP-induced PF.

Background Manganism, a central nervous system dysfunction correlated with neurological deficits such as Parkinsonism, is caused by the substantial collection of manganese chloride (MnCl2) in the brain. Objectives To explore the neuroprotective effects of natural compounds, namely, micronized zeolite clinoptilolite (ZC) and punicalagin (PUN), either individually or in combination, against MnCl2‐induced Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Fifty male albino rats were divided into 5 groups (Gps). Gp I was used as the control group, and the remaining animals received MnCl2 (Gp II–Gp V). Rats in Gps III and IV were treated with ZC and PUN, respectively. Gp V received both ZC and PUN as previously reported for the solo‐treated plants. Results ZC and/or PUN reversed the depletion of monoamines in the brain and decreased acetyl choline esterase activity, which primarily adjusted the animals' behavior and motor coordination. ZC and PUN restored the balance between glutamate/γ‐amino butyric acid content and markedly improved the brain levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2/heme oxygenase‐1 and decreased glycogen synthase kinase‐3 beta activity. ZC and PUN also inhibited inflammatory and oxidative markers, including nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells, Toll‐like receptor 4, nucleotide‐binding domain, leucine‐rich‐containing family, pyrin domain‐containing‐3 and caspase‐1. Bcl‐2‐associated X‐protein and B‐cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl‐2) can significantly modify caspase‐3 expression. ZC and/or PUN ameliorated PD in rats by decreasing the levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (p‐protein kinase‐like ER kinase (PERK), glucose‐regulated protein 78, and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)) and enhancing the levels of an autophagy marker (Beclin‐1). Discussion and Conclusion ZC and/or PUN mitigated the progression of PD through their potential neurotrophic, neurogenic, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti‐apoptotic activities and by controlling ER stress through modulation of the PERK/CHOP/Bcl‐2 pathway. ZC: zeolite clinoptilolite, PUN: punicalagin, PD: parkinsonism disease, Mn: manganese, ACHE: acetyl choline esterase, MDA: Malondialdehyde, SOD: Superoxide dismutase, TAC: total antioxidant capacity, DA: Dopamine, NE: norepinephrine, 5HT: serotonin, PCR: polymerase chain reaction, BAX: Bcl‐2‐associated X‐protein, Bcl2: B‐cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein, ELISA: Enzyme‐linked Immunosorbent Assay, Enzyme BDNF: Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, GSK‐3β: Glycogen synthase kinase‐3 beta, glu: glutamate, PGE‐2: Prostaglandin E2, GABA: Gamma‐aminobutyric acid, CHOP: C/EBP Homologous Protein, GRP78: Glucose‐Regulated Protein 78, PERK: protein kinase‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase, IL‐1β: Interleukin ‐1β, NF‐kB: nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells, TLR4: Toll like receptor 4, NLRP3: nucleotide‐binding domain, leucine‐rich–containing family, pyrin domain–containing‐3, COX‐2: Cyclooxygenase 2, TNF‐α: Tumor necrosis factor alpha, Nrf2: nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2, HO‐1: Heme oxygenase‐1, I.P: Intraperitoneal, P.O: oral.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become an increasingly valuable biologic approach for personalized regenerative medicine because of its potent anti-inflammatory/healing effects. It is thought to be an excellent source of growth factors that can promote tissue healing and lessen fibrosis. Although this treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in numerous disease areas, its impact on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) caused by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) via its antiapoptotic effects remains to be explored. AgNPs were synthesized biologically by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 55000. AgNP characterization was carried out via UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging to reveal monodispersed spheres with a mean diameter of 45.17 nm. A total of 48 male Wistar rats divided into six groups, with 8 rats per group, were used in the current study on the basis of sample size and power. The groups used were the PRP donor, control, AgNP, AgNP + PRP, AgNP + dexamethasone (Dexa) rat groups, and a recovery group. Body weights, hydroxyproline (HP) levels, and CASP3 and TWIST1 gene expression levels were assessed. H&E and Sirius Red staining were performed. Immunohistochemical studies for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) with histomorphometry were conducted. A significant reduction in body weight (BWt) was noted in the AgNP group compared with the AgNP + PRP group (p < 0.001). HP, CASP3, and TWIST1 expression levels were significantly increased by AgNPs but decreased upon PRP (p < 0.001) treatment. Compared with those in the control group, the adverse effects of AgNPs included PF, lung alveolar collapse, thickening of the interalveolar septa, widespread lymphocytic infiltration, increased alveolar macrophage CD68 expression, and iNOS positivity in the cells lining the alveoli. This work revealed that PRP treatment markedly improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings observed in the AgNP group in a manner comparable to that of the Dexa. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of PRP in a PF rat model induced via AgNPs. This study revealed that PRP treatment significantly improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations observed in the AgNP-induced group, with effects comparable to those of the Dexa. In conclusion, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of PRP in a rat model of AgNP-induced PF.

These days, heat transfer plays a significant role in the fields of engineering and energy, particularly in the biological sciences. Ordinary fluid is inadequate to transfer heat in an efficient manner, therefore, several models were considered for the betterment of heat transfer. One of the most prominent models is a single-phase nanofluid model. The present study is devoted to solving the problem of micropolar fluid with a single-phase model in a channel numerically. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by introducing similarity transformation and then solved numerically by the finite difference method. Response surface methodology (RSM) together with sensitivity analysis are implemented for the optimization analysis. The study reveals that sensitivity of the skin friction coefficient (Cfx) to the Reynolds number (R) and magnetic parameter (M) is positive (directly proportional) and negative (inversely proportional) for the micropolar parameter.

In this essay, we have presented a fractional numerical model of breast cancer stages with cardiac outcomes. Five compartments were used to build the model, each of which represented a subpopulation of breast cancer patients. Variables A, B, C, D, and E each represent a certain subpopulation. They are levels 1 and 2 (A), level 3 (B), level 4 (C), disease-free (D) and cardiotoxic (E). We have demonstrated that the fractional model has a stable solution. We also discuss how to optimally control this model and numerically simulate the control problem. Using numerical simulations, we computed the results of the dissection. The model's compartment diagram has been completed. A predictor-corrector method has been used to manage the fractional derivatives and produce numerical solutions. The Caputo sense has been used to describe fractional derivatives. The results have been illustrated through numerical simulations. Furthermore, the numerical simulations show that the cancer breast malignant growth fractional order model is easier to model than the traditional integer-order model. To compute the results, we have used mathematical programming. We have made it clear that the numerical method that was applied in this publication to solve this model was not utilized by any other author before that, nor has this method been investigated in the past. Our investigation established this approach.