BackgroundSmoking is the predominant form of tobacco consumption and is growing worldwide, particularly in the younger generation in the Middle-East. We aimed to determine the effects of tobacco smoking on cognitive functions among young Saudi adults.Material/MethodsWe recruited a group of cigarette smokers (N=22) and a group of controls (non-smokers) (N=30) from apparently healthy male volunteers aged 18–29 years. Cognitive function was assessed by using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery (CANTAB). The cognitive functions outcome variables were the response time (attention-switching task [AST]), and the percentage of correct response (pattern recognition memory [PRM] task). Clinical, demographic, blood markers (brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and apolipoprotein E) were assessed between groups.ResultsThe 2 groups were matched for age and educational status. In comparison to the control group, smokers showed significant cognitive impairments in AST-Latency (p=0.001), AST-Congruent (p=0.001), and AST-Incongruent condition (p=0.001). There was not significant difference in BDNF APOE serum level between the 2 groups.ConclusionsThese results indicate that attention and alertness were significantly impaired in smokers compared to non-smokers.

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Background Recent studies reported that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) reduced craving and cigarette smoking. We aimed to evaluate whether 3 sessions of tDCS over the DLPFC modulate cigarette smoking which is a critical factor in tobacco smokers. Methods In a double-blinded, sham-controlled, parallel experimental study, 22 participants who wished to quit smoking received tDCS with the cathodal over the right DLPFC and anodal over the left DLPFC based on the 10–20 EEG international system (F4, F3) at an intensity of 1.5 mA for 20 minutes during three consecutive days. For sham stimulation, the electrodes placement was the same as for the active stimulation. Results For the short time interval (8 days after the end of the tDCS regimen), the number of smoked cigarettes was reduced similarly in the active and sham groups ( p < 0.001). Also, at the long time-interval (4 months after the end of the tDCS regimen) as compared to pre-tDCS, there was no significant difference in the number of smoked cigarettes in the active ( p = 0.806) or the sham ( p = 0.573) groups. Overall, there were no statistically significant differences between the active and sham tDCS groups on cigarette smoking. Conclusion These findings suggested that 3 sessions of tDCS over the right and left DLPFC may reduce number of smoked cigarettes for short-time period but might not be significantly more effective than sham to decrease cigarette smoking.

Background: Preserving the L-shaped strut during septoplasty is a crucial step in the prevention of several types of postoperative nasal deformities. In this study, we aimed to identify the intranasal anatomic landmarks to establish reliable and feasible measurements to preserve an adequate L-strut during an endoscopic septoplasty. Methods:A prospective study was conducted on 20 cadaver heads. Three measurements were studied within each side of the nasal cavity. The dorsal strut (DS) was measured from the dorsal line to the septal dorsum edge. Then, the caudal strut was measured from 2 different landmarks: the axilla of the inferior turbinate (CSIT) and the pyriform aperture (CSP). Results:We examined a total of 40 nasal cavities from 20 cadavers. The DS showed an average length of 15.1 mm (standard deviation [SD], 3.2 mm). The average lengths of the CSIT and CSP were 23.6 (SD, 3.6) mm and 19.4 (SD, 2.7) mm, respectively. Conclusion:Suggested landmarks to identify the dorsal and caudal struts in endoscopic septoplasty are the axilla of the middle turbinate and pyriform aperture bone, respectively. The utilization of the inferior turbinate axilla as a caudal strut landmark showed larger variability and would potentially leave excessive caudal cartilage that could be manipulated if deviated. C 2019 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Visual loss is a rare manifestation of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). We report a case of an adult male who was diagnosed with AFRS and who presented during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown with sudden-onset complete vision loss and a lack of recovery after surgical and medical management. We reviewed the literature on reported cases of AFRS complicated by visual loss to identify factors associated with visual outcomes. We found 50 patients who were diagnosed with acute visual loss due to AFRS, with an average age of 28 ± 14 years. Complete and partial recovery after surgical intervention were reported in 17 and 10 cases, respectively. However, the absence of vision improvement was reported in 14 of the cases. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention can return vision back to normal. However, delayed presentation, complete loss of vision, and acute onset of visual loss are associated with worse outcomes.