All rights reserved. Abstract:Background: Poisoning by cardiovascular drugs has harmful effects and may lead to morbidity and mortality. In cases of myocardial injury, circulating miRNA-208 levels elevate after their leakage into the bloodstream at an early stage of myocardial insult. This study aims to assess the possible role of miRNA-208b in the early detection of myocardial injury in acute intoxicated patients with cardiovascular drugs such as digoxin, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.Methods: This study enrolled 40 patients with cardiovascular drug toxicity admitted to the Poison Control Center of Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC-ASUH) from January 2016 to December 2016 in addition to 40 healthy subjects as the normal control group. Blood samples for miRNA-208b determination and troponin were collected on admission for the patients group and in the early morning for the control group. The demographic and clinical data were collected for every patient. Results: Age and sex distribution revealed that most of studied patients were in the age group of 18-24 years accounting for 50% with female predominance 85%. Beta blockers acute toxicity was the commonest cardiovascular drug toxicity (50%) followed by digitalis (35%) then calcium channel blockers (15%). The box plot outlook suggested that patients with a fold change in miRNA-208b higher than 1, was at risk of having a cardiac injury (ie. Troponin positive). Conclusion:This study concluded that miRNA-208b is a sensitive and specific biomarker in early detection of cardiac injury in patients with cardiovascular drugs poisonings for the early treatment of cardiotoxicity.

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Background: Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a common toxicity emergency that leads in many occasions to morbidity and mortality. Acute myocardial injury is commonly observed among acute carbon monoxide poisoned patients and cardiac toxicity is found to be the cause of mortality in the majority of cases. Some studies recorded normal values of cardiac troponins in cases of acute CO poisoning with cardiac affection. Hence it is important to search for novel and sensitive biomarkers to diagnose cardiac ischemia in these cases. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone which is produced mainly in the ventricular myocardium in response to myocardial hypoxia. Aim: The present study aims to investigate the value of BNP measurement in detection of cardiac toxicity in acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Methods: The present study was conducted on 42 patients with acute CO poisoning admitted to the Poison Control Centre of Ain Shams University hospitals (PCC-ASUH). Routine laboratory tests and ECG were done on admission in addition to determination of the level of BNP and determination of troponin I. Results: Analysis of the results showed that there is an increase in the levels of BNP in patients suffering from acute CO poisoning with high levels seen in those with ischemic changes recorded by ECG. Conclusions: The present study concluded that plasma BNP levels could be used as a specific reliable biomarker of cardiac toxicity in patients with acute CO poisoning.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving with the potential to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare. Despite the increasing use of AI in medicine, research on the knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards AI remains limited. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitude towards AI and its use in medical education and future medical practice among Ain Shams University undergraduate medical students. Methods: A Cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 410 medical students completed the questionnaire. The mean age of participating students was 19.7 ± 1.5, of which 56.1% were females. Students in the first and second years represented 75.3% of the total participating students. Most of the students demonstrated moderate (41.2%) to good (57.7%) knowledge and attitude regarding AI and its application in medical education, and similarly moderate (67.5%) to good (28.9%) knowledge and attitude regarding AI and its application in medical practice. Over 80% of students emphasized the need to integrate teaching about AI in their medical curricula and thought that AI will soon revolutionize education. In addition, over 85% showed enthusiasm to learn about the applications of AI in medicine. Conclusion: The findings from the current study highlight the crucial need for medical schools to adapt to the changing technology and ensure that future physicians are ready for these changes. Medical curricula must evolve to prepare students effectively by providing comprehensive knowledge and understanding of AI and its applications, ensuring students are well-prepared for their future careers.

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