The overarching objective of this study was to assess learning satisfaction among students and to determine whether online-learning self-efficacy was associated with online learning satisfaction during the emergency transition to remote learning. This cross-sectional study involved a survey distributed to 22 Saudi Arabian universities. The survey used in this study consisted of an online learning self-efficacy (OLSE) questionnaire and an electronic learning (e-learning) satisfaction questionnaire. A total of 1,226 respondents voluntarily participated in and completed the survey. Students in medical fields made up 289 (23.6%). A Kruskal–Wallis H test and a chi-square test were used to compare the student’s satisfaction based on the educational variables. Spearman’s correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between self-efficacy and satisfaction. The findings revealed degrees of satisfaction ranging between high satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The majority of students (51%) expressed high satisfaction, and 599 students (49%) reported experiencing a low level of satisfaction with e-learning. A comparison of groups with low and high satisfaction scores revealed a significant difference in the OLSE. High satisfaction was positively correlated with the OLSE domains: time management, technology, and learning. The OLSE regression analysis model significantly predicted satisfaction. It showed that the model, corrected for education level and grade point average of the students, significantly predicted e-learning satisfaction (F = 8.04, R2 = 0.59, p = .004). The study concluded that students’ satisfaction with the e-learning experience is influenced by e-learning self-efficacy. The study’s findings lead to the practical implications and identify the need to improve the remote learning, time management and technology self-efficacy to enhance students’ satisfaction.

Purpose/Aim Data from chronic stroke studies have reported reduced blood flow and vascular endothelial function in the stroke affected limb. It is unclear whether these differences are present early after stroke. First, we investigated whether vascular endothelial function in the stroke affected limb would be different from healthy adults. Second, we examined whether between-limb differences in vascular endothelial function existed in the stroke affected arm compared to the non-affected arm. Last, we tested whether reduced vascular endothelial function was related to pro-inflammatory markers that are present early after stroke. Materials and Methods Vascular endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery within 72 hours post-stroke. All participants withheld medications from midnight until after the procedure. Ultrasound scans and blood draws for pro-inflammatory markers occurred on the same day between 7:30 am and 9:00 am. Results People with acute stroke had significantly lower FMD (4.2% ± 4.6) than control participants (8.5% ± 5.2, p = 0.037). Stroke participants had between limb differences in FMD (4.2% ± 4.6 stroke affected vs 5.3% ± 4.4 non-affected, p = 0.02) whereas the control participants did not. Of the pro-inflammatory markers only vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) had a significant relationship to FMD (stroke affected limb, r = −0.62, p = 0.03; non-affected limb, −0.75, p = 0.005), but not tumor necrosis factor alpha nor interleukin-6. Conclusions Vascular endothelial function is reduced starting in the early stage of stroke recovery. People with higher levels of VCAM-1 had a lower FMD response.

Aims Aerobic exercise improves vascular endothelial function in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There is minimal information is available regarding vascular health in people with T2DM and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Thus, the primary aim of this secondary analysis was to determine whether a 16-week aerobic exercise intervention could improve vascular health in people with T2DM and DPN. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between changes in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and the number of years since diagnosis of DPN. Methods We examined whether a 16-week aerobic exercise intervention would improve vascular health in people with T2DM and DPN. We used Doppler ultrasound to assess brachial artery diameter and peak shear at baseline and post-exercise. Paired t-tests were used to determine whether the outcome measures improved from baseline to post-intervention. Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between DPN (years) and the percent change score (pre- to post-intervention) for FMD. Results Seventeen individuals were included in the data analysis. After the intervention, peak diameter increased (3.9 (0.5) to 4.0(0.5) mm; p = 0.07). Time to peak shear occurred at 60.5 (24.6) seconds when compared to baseline at 68.2 (22.7) seconds; p = 0.17). We found that a longer duration (in years) of DPN demonstrated a fair, negative relationship (r = −0.41, p = 0.19) with the percent change in FMD. Conclusion Aerobic exercise was beneficial for improving measures of vascular health but these were not statistically significant. The magnitude of change may be affected by the duration of DPN.

[Purpose] To investigate physicians’ attitudes, opinions and experiences towards physiotherapy services as well as to identify the potential factors that may affect the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services (based on physicians’ beliefs) in Saudi Arabia (SA). [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional study was conducted. [Results] A total of 108 respondents met the inclusion criteria. The respondents’ attitude towards physiotherapy was slightly low (53.5%), while their opinions and experiences of physiotherapy indicated some important issues. For example, 50% of them believed that physiotherapists did not create a good awareness about physiotherapy services and 55.5% admitted that they did not have enough information about physiotherapy services. The most potential factor reported by physicians that may affect the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services was the lack of physiotherapist’s skills and knowledge to assess and treat patients (55.3%), followed by the limited knowledge of physicians regarding the types of physiotherapy services (44.5%) and the lack of cooperation between physicians and physiotherapists (40.7%). [Conclusion] There were some factors that limited the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services in SA. Physiotherapy academics and clinicians should attempt to change physicians’ negative attitudes, promoting awareness to provide them with a better understanding of physiotherapy services.

Background: Cerebral β-amyloid angiopathy (CAA) occurs when β-amyloid (Aβ) is deposited in the vascular media and adventitia. It is a common pathology in the brains of older individuals and has been linked to cognitive decline, but relatively little is known about the influence that CAA has on the clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this retrospective analysis was to quantify the effect that CAA had on the manifestation of initial AD-related cognitive change and subsequent progression of dementia. Methods: We analyzed neuropathological data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center's data set, performing parametric analyses to assess differences in age of progression to moderate-stage dementia. Results: We found that individuals with both CAA burden and Aβ neuritic plaque burden at death had the greatest risk of earlier conversion to very mild and moderate-stage dementia, but not necessarily faster progression. Conclusions: Our results suggest that CAA contributes to changes in early AD pathogenesis. This supports the idea that vascular change and neuritic plaque deposition are not just parallel processes but reflect additive pathological cascades that influence the course of clinical AD manifestation. Further inquiry into the role of CAA and its contribution to early cognitive change in AD is suggested.