A Cross-Sectional Study to Examine the Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Kuwait.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers to determine the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and well-being, and to identify the factors associated with adverse psychological effects. This study was conducted 5 months into the COVID-19 pandemic. We used an online questionnaire to collect data from 378 healthcare workers.

Oral Health Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Oral Health Education Among Elementary School Teachers in Kuwait.

Purpose: While parents are the primary caregivers, school teachers can play a crucial role in shaping the personality and lifestyle of children during the elementary school years. The aims of this study were to evaluate the oral health knowledge of elementary school teachers and to assess their attitude towards oral health education and its implementation in the elementary school curriculum.

Materials And Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 1200 teachers working in government elementary schools.

Elevated resting heart rate as a predictor of inflammation and cardiovascular risk in healthy obese individuals.

The role of leukocyte inflammatory markers and toll like receptors (TLRs)2/4 in pathologies associated with elevated resting heart rate (RHR) levels in healthy obese (HO) individuals is not well elucidated. Herein, we investigated the relationship of RHR with expression of leukocyte-inflammatory markers and TLRs in HO individuals. 58-obese and 57-lean participants with no history of a major medical condition, were recruited in this study.

Proteomics of extracellular vesicles produced by Granulicatella adiacens, which causes infective endocarditis.

When oral bacteria accidentally enter the bloodstream due to transient tissue damage during dental procedures, they have the potential to attach to the endocardium or an equivalent surface of an indwelling prosthesis and cause infection. Many bacterial species produce extracellular vesicles (EVs) as part of normal physiology, but also use it as a virulence strategy. In this study, it was hypothesized that Granulicatella adiacens produce EVs that possibly help it in virulence.

Repetitive Intermittent Hyperglycemia Drives the M1 Polarization and Inflammatory Responses in THP-1 Macrophages Through the Mechanism Involving the TLR4-IRF5 Pathway.

Repetitive intermittent hyperglycemia (RIH) is an independent risk factor for complications associated with type-2 diabetes (T2D). Glucose fluctuations commonly occur in T2D patients with poor glycemic control or following intensive therapy. Reducing blood glucose as well as glucose fluctuations is critical to the control of T2D and its macro-/microvascular complications.

Evaluation of the impact of a diabetes education eLearning program for school personnel on diabetes knowledge, knowledge retention and confidence in caring for students with diabetes.

Aims: To study the impact of a novel comprehensive eLearning approach in delivering diabetes related education program that includes knowledge and sets of practices to the school personnel in Kuwait to enable them to provide a supportive environment for students with diabetes.

Methods: The program was designed with three components namely; knowledge, skills and recommendations. The diabetes knowledge was delivered through an interactive eLearning program, the effectiveness of which was assessed using diabetes knowledge questionnaires which were deployed pre- and post-course delivery.

Chemically Defined Conditions Mediate an Efficient Induction of Mesodermal Lineage from Human Umbilical Cord- and Bone Marrow- Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Dental Pulp Pluripotent-Like Stem Cells.

The human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly- and the bone marrow- mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs and BM-MSCs, respectively) and the newly identified dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells (DPPSCs) are new sources for stem cells with prospective use in cell regeneration and therapy. These cells are self-renewable, can be differentiated into several lineages, and can potentiate the immune responses. We hypothesized that three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions and directed differentiation using specific signaling regulators will enhance an efficient generation of mesoderm (MD) lineage independent from the origin or source of the stem cells.

Knowledge and Sociodemographic Determinants of Emergency Management of Dental Avulsion among Parents in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of first aid measures for a permanent tooth avulsion among parents in Kuwait and to assess the effect of different sociodemographic characteristics.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 554 parents who visited 5 dental specialty centers in Kuwait. Parent sociodemographic data and responses to avulsion management questions were collected through a self-administered questionnaire.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge and attitude among general dentists in Kuwait.

Background: Dentists as health care providers should maintain a competence in resuscitation. This cannot be overemphasized by the fact that the population in our country is living longer with an increasing proportion of medically compromised persons in the general population. This preliminary study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of general dentists towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Defined three-dimensional culture conditions mediate efficient induction of definitive endoderm lineage from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are gaining increasing interest as an alternative source of stem cells for regenerative medicine applications. Definitive endoderm (DE) specification is a prerequisite for the development of vital organs such as liver and pancreas. Hence, efficient induction of the DE lineage from stem cells is crucial for subsequent generation of clinically relevant cell types.

Dentists' and Parents' Attitude Toward Nitrous Oxide Use in Kuwait.

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude of dentists in Kuwait toward the use of nitrous oxide sedation as a behavior management technique (BMT) for pediatric patients and assess their training in nitrous oxide sedation. In addition, we assessed parents' knowledge of and attitude toward the use of nitrous oxide as a BMT for their children. The objective was to determine if nitrous oxide sedation is being provided and utilized as a means to enhance dental care for pediatric patients.