BackgroundInsomnia is a common problem that affects approximately 50% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), who suffer from sleep disturbances. In general, persons with insomnia are at a higher risk of developing depression. This study was conducted to assess insomnia among non-depressed MS patients in Saudi Arabia.MethodsBased on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), those who scored 4 or less for depression out of 598 MS patients were selected (n = 112). A cross-sectional study was conducted to interview 112 non-depressed MS patients in order to assess insomnia among them. A data collection sheet has been designed by the researchers. It comprised socio-demographic variables (e.g., gender, age, area of residence, and marital status) and clinical variables (disease duration, age at disease onset, previous diagnosis of depression, and used antidepressant drugs). Insomnia was assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), while severity of illness was assessed using the Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS).ResultsA total of 72 patients (64.3%) were females, and 62 (55.4%) were married. Their mean age was 32.6 years (SD = 8.9), ranging from 15 to 56 years. As for educational level, 64 (57.1%) had a Bachelor degree. The mean age at disease onset was 26 years (SD = 8.9). The mean duration of illness was 1.9 years. Symptoms of insomnia were present among 14 patients (12.5%). No statistical significance was found between the mean PDSS of insomnia and non-insomnia patients. Significant differences were present between insomnia and non-insomnia patients as regards their education level (P = 0.005) and use of antidepressant drugs (P = 0.008).ConclusionsPrevalence of insomnia among non-depressed MS patients is low. Insomnia is associated with educational and use of antidepressants. Further research is needed to assess severity of different types of insomnia among depressed and non-depressed MS patients.

ABSTRACT. We synthesized a number of aniline derivatives containing acyl groups to compare their barriers of rotation around the N-CO groups. Geometry optimization for all the rotamers have been performed using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory. For each stationary point we carried out vibrational frequency calculations at the same level to characterize their nature as minima or transition states. The methoxy group substituent on the benzene ring causes some changes in the C-C bond distances. We carried out potential energy surface scanning to find out all possible low-energy conformations, which would be used as the initial structure for further molecular calculations. There were only three kinds of conformations with local minimum potential energy and two transition states. The optimized bond lengths and bond angles are in better agreement with the experimental values.

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Different N,N-diacylaniline derivatives such as N-acetyl-N-(2have been synthesized and characterized by FTIR and NMR techniques. The ground state geometries have been optimized by using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G* level. The frequencies have been computed at the same level of theory. To shed light on the rotational barrier, the electron correlation has been taken into account. The steric effect of o-substituents twists the aromatic ring out of planarity with the imide moieties, creating an axis of chirality. The introduction of different substituents on the benzene ring causes some changes in the ring C-C bond distances. The observed vibrational assignments and analysis of DAA (2f) have been discussed in terms of fundamental bands.ª 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.

Background. Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) occurs when there is a sudden occlusion of the arterial blood supply to part of the brain resulting in sudden focal neurological deficits. Recent major clinical trials of reperfusion therapy had proved the efficacy of timely stroke intervention to restore blood flow. Development of acute stroke protocols waiving the informed consent to obtain necessarily brain images or provide thrombolytic therapy is important to streamline and organize efforts to achieve the goal of early intervention and better functional outcome. Objective. This study aims to identify the preference and values of acute stroke interventions standard of care therapy without informed consent in the absence of surrogate decision-makers. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using an electronic questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed the patients' preference of acute stroke protocol waiving the informed consent for hyperacute brain images and delivering thrombolytic therapy or mechanical thrombectomy in absence of surrogate. All Saudi population aging from 18 to 65 years were invited to participate. Results. The study included 2004 participants with ages ranging from 18 to 65 years with mean age of 30.1 years. About 66% of the participants were females and 95% were Saudi. Overall, 90.5% of the participants agreed on performing computed tomography angiography (CTA) by the medical staff for the acute strokes without consenting followed by 79% for thrombolytic therapy, 70.8% for mechanical thrombectomy, and only 49.3% for acute lifesaving surgical intervention. Conclusion. Researchers found that the high percentage of participants had favorable response and positive perception toward providing acute stroke intervention and mechanical thrombectomy without informed consent. However, the study showed skeptical acceptance among participants regarding invasive surgical measures.