Background Bell’s palsy is a common cause of unilateral facial paralysis with relevance to dental practice. However, limited evidence exists regarding dental students’ preparedness to recognise and manage this condition, particularly in Northern Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge, perceptions, confidence, misconceptions, and training needs regarding Bell’s palsy among dental students at the University of Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Ha’il, Saudi Arabia, between July and October 2025. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from previously published studies. The questionnaire underwent expert review for content and face validity, pilot testing, and demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.81). It assessed knowledge, clinical recognition, confidence, misconceptions, and training needs regarding Bell’s palsy among dental students from the third year to internship level. Data from 206 respondents were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results Of the 206 participants (54.9% male), 89.3% correctly identified the seventh cranial nerve, and 64.6% recognised the idiopathic aetiology of Bell’s palsy. Correct identification based on a clinical vignette was high (91.3%), yet only 25.2% reported being able to apply the House–Brackmann grading system. Self-reported confidence in identifying and managing Bell’s palsy increased with academic level, peaking among interns (p < 0.001). Male participants reported significantly higher factual knowledge and self-confidence (p < 0.001). More than half of the participants (56.3%) expressed a need for additional training in neurological conditions relevant to dental practice. Conclusion Dental students demonstrated adequate theoretical knowledge of Bell’s palsy but showed gaps in applied clinical understanding and self-reported confidence. These findings highlight the need for earlier integration of cranial nerve assessment, practical training in the House–Brackmann grading system, and interdisciplinary educational approaches to improve preparedness for recognising and managing facial nerve disorders.
Introduction Prostate cancer (PCa), the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, significantly burdens patients and healthcare systems. Since the current diagnostic/screening tests lack optimal specificity, several biomarkers have been introduced to address this shortcoming. MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are among these biomarkers that can be dysregulated in PCa. Hence, we aimed to investigate their association with PCa risk in Iran. Methods Using a case-control design, pre-miR-938 rs2505901, pre-miR-618 rs2682818, HOXA11-AS rs17427875, and HULC rs7763881 variations were compared between PCa patients and cancer-free controls. A preliminary in-silico analysis was also conducted to present hypothetical mechanisms involved. Results The pre-miR-938 (rs2505901) T>C and the HOXA11-AS (rs17427875) A>T variants did not show any significant association with PCa risk in any inheritance pattern. The rs2682818 C>A variant was associated with an increased risk of PCa except in the dominant inheritance pattern, while HULC (rs7763881) A>C was associated with decreased risk in dominant and allelic patterns. Based on the hypotheses generated by in-silico analysis, rs2682818 and rs17427875 resulted in the gain of a predicted binding site for SRp30c and SRp20, respectively. On the other hand, rs2682818 led to the loss of predicted binding sites of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) H1, H2, H3, and F. rs2505901 resulted in the loss of the SC35 predicted binding site, while leading to the gain of additional ones for hnRNP A1, H3, F, SRp40, and zinc finger Ran-binding domain-containing protein 2 (ZRANB2). Finally, the genes regulated by miR-938 and miR-618 and their functions were investigated. Conclusions The associations of these variants and PCa risk emphasize the importance of developing population-based biomarkers and subsequent external validation for possible clinical utilization. Moreover, the in-silico analysis provides hypotheses about the possible molecular mechanisms involved in the detected associations that could be further investigated in molecular studies.
Background Urine culture is a frequently performed microbiological test and is essential for diagnosing urinary tract infection. This study evaluated the urine-culture diagnostic cycle, identified process gaps, and assessed changes after a targeted quality-improvement intervention. Methods A quasi-experimental before-and-after quality-improvement study was conducted in two tertiary-care hospitals in South India. The pre-intervention assessment included 708 inpatient urine specimens collected during October-November 2025. Staff training, feedback, and process review were undertaken during December 2025-January 2026, followed by assessment of 251 specimens during February-March 2026. The assessment included specimen documentation and transport, processing turnaround time, microscopy-culture correlation, culture interpretation, reporting completeness, and follow-up of mixed growth. Results Complete clinical and antibiotic-treatment documentation increased from 21/708 (3.0%) to 12/251 (4.8%; absolute increase, 1.8 percentage points; p=0.175). The proportion of specimens processed within two hours of receipt increased from 532/708 (75%) to 218/251 (87%; p<0.001). Specimens with pus cells and significant culture growth increased from 86/708 (12.1%) to 76/251 (30.3%; p<0.001). Repeat cultures obtained after an initial mixed-growth report yielded significant growth in 7/11 pre-intervention and 5/8 post-intervention specimens (p=1.000). Conclusions After the quality-improvement process bundle, adherence to the two-hour processing target and microscopy-culture concordance improved, whereas clinical documentation remained poor. Because this uncontrolled before-and-after study is vulnerable to seasonal and case-mix differences, the changes represent associations and cannot be attributed solely to the intervention. Continued audit, staff training and awareness are warranted.
Background Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. Although H. pylori is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, data on dyspeptic patients in Cameroon’s Centre Region are scarce. This study aimed to determine the distribution of H. pylori infection across key sociodemographic and behavioural subgroups, and to identify factors associated with H. pylori infection, among dyspeptic patients attending selected health facilities in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among dyspeptic patients attending outpatient departments at the referral health facilities of Yaoundé in the Centre Region of Cameroon from April to July 2024. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and clinical features were collected using a structured questionnaire. Active H. pylori infection was assessed using the rapid stool antigen diagnostic test. Descriptive analysis were performed to estimate the prevalence and describe its distribution across sociodemographic and behavioural subgroups. Factors associated with H. pylori infection were assessed by estimating crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Results A total of 419 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 33.5 years (SD ± 18.3 years). The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 51.1%. In the univariable analysis, participants aged 15–25 years and 26–49 years had higher odds of H. pylori infection than those aged 0–4 years (crude OR = 3.53; 95% CI: 1.44–8.64; p = 0.006 and crude OR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.13–6.05; p = 0.024, respectively). However, after adjustment, no variable remained independently associated with H. pylori infection (all adjusted p-values > 0.05). Conclusion H. pylori infection remains highly prevalent in patients with dyspepsia in the Centre Region of Cameroon. However, after adjusting for confounders, no independent factors associated with H. pylori infection were identified. Further studies are needed to identify unmeasured factors that may contribute to H. pylori transmission in this population.
Objective Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer frequently experience stress, anxiety, and depression, which may impair quality of life and treatment adherence. Exercise is a promising non-pharmacological strategy, although evidence regarding structured, remotely supported home-based programs remains inconsistent. To evaluate short-term between-group differences in stress, anxiety, and depression among women assigned to a structured home-based combined exercise program or routine care. Methods In this analyst-blinded randomized controlled trial, 64 women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer were randomly allocated 1:1 to an eight-week home-based combined exercise program or routine care. The intervention comprised 24 sessions delivered three times weekly. Each 40-minute session included a 10-minute warm-up, 20-minute aerobic/dynamic exercise component, and 10-minute cool-down. Target estimated intensity was approximately 55% of age-predicted maximum heart rate during weeks 1–4 and approximately 65% during weeks 5–8. Participants received initial face-to-face instruction and subsequent support through WhatsApp and telephone follow-up. Stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed using the DASS-42 at baseline and immediately post-intervention. Primary between-group analyses used baseline-adjusted ANCOVA; mixed-design ANOVA assessed time-by-group interactions. Results All 64 participants completed post-intervention assessment, and no exercise-related adverse events were reported. Adjusted post-intervention scores were lower in the intervention group for stress (mean difference = −3.51, 95% CI −5.97 to −1.06; p = 0.006; partial η 2 = 0.118), anxiety (−5.14, 95% CI −8.05 to −2.23; p < 0.001; partial η 2 = 0.170), and depression (−4.13, 95% CI −7.05 to −1.21; p = 0.006; partial η 2 = 0.116). Significant time-by-group interactions were observed for stress (p = 0.010), anxiety (p = 0.002), and depression (p = 0.014). Conclusion Assignment to the structured home-based combined exercise program was associated with lower short-term stress, anxiety, and depression scores than routine care. Larger multicenter trials with longer follow-up and broader clinical outcomes are needed before routine implementation.
