Religiosity and Telomere Length in Colorectal Cancer Patients in Saudi Arabia.

Numerous studies have reported a significant relationship between psychological stress, depression, and telomere length (TL), an indicator of cellular lifespan. Religious involvement, which is associated with lower levels of stress and depression, has also recently been related to TL. To our knowledge, this relationship has not yet been examined in Muslims, colorectal cancer patients, cancer patients more generally, or any population outside the USA.

Development of natural sorbent based micro-solid-phase extraction for determination of phthalate esters in milk samples.

In the present study, a natural sorbent based micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) was developed for determination of phthalate esters in milk samples. For the first time, an efficient and cost effective natural material (seed powder of Moringa oleifera) was employed as sorbent in μ-SPE. The sorbent was found to be naturally enriched with variety of functional groups and having a network of interconnected fibers.

Clinical significance of frequent somatic mutations detected by high-throughput targeted sequencing in archived colorectal cancer samples.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease with different molecular characteristics associated with many variables such as the sites from which the tumors originate or the presence or absence of chromosomal instability. Identification of such variables, particularly mutational hotspots, often carries a significant diagnostic and/or prognostic value that could ultimately affect the therapeutic outcome.

Methods: High-throughput mutational analysis of 99 CRC formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cases was performed using the Cancer Hotspots Panel (CHP) v2 on the Ion Torrent™ platform.

Religious beliefs, practices, and health in colorectal cancer patients in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients experience considerable psychological stress because of changes brought on by their illness. Religion may be a resource for such patients. We examined the prevalence of religious beliefs and practices in CRC patients and correlation with demographic, social, psychological, and physical health characteristics.

Depression in patients with colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Persons with colon cancer experience considerable psychological stress due to physical and social changes brought on by illness, increasing their risk of depressive disorder (DD). We examine the prevalence of DD and depressive symptoms and determine baseline demographic, social, psychological, and physical health correlates.

Methods: A convenience sample of 70 cancer patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was screened for DD using an abbreviated version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Depression (SCID) and for depressive symptoms using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).

Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia.

Background: In 1983, an article and accompanying editorial was published on the state of psychiatry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which was described as "a mental health system in statu nascendi."

Methods: We provide a 30-year update on advances in mental health care in KSA. Data are reported from a wide range of sources, including the 2007 Saudi Arabian Mental and Social Health Atlas, which compares services in KSA with the rest of the world.

Pattern of colorectal cancer at two hospitals in the western region of Saudi Arabia.

Patients And Methods: Data of all patients with CRC treated at two hospitals in the Western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), between 1993 and 2002, were collected and analyzed.

Results: Out of the 121 patients evaluated, ten were excluded because of incomplete data. Out of 111 patients, 59 (53.