Efficacy of group cognitive behavioral therapy on depression among Muslim parents of autistic children in Jordan

Parents with autistic children usually are advised to reduce depression in order to improve their mental health. However, studies on depression among parents of autistic children in Jordan are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of group Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) among parents of autistics children in Jordan. An announcement was made for a group cognitive behavioral therapy at three special needs centers in Irbid- Jordan and BDI-II was administrated to 87 parents. Accordingly, 60 parents with the lowest test score were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Participants were tested in three times with the same scales, pre-test, post-test and follow up. Employing SPSS version 19 and repeated measures ANOVA, the three times scores of the experimental and control groups were compared. Result indicated that the participants have reduced their depression across time (T1, T2 and T3). Result showed that 50% of the variability in the depression within the participants may be due to the group counselling treatment. These findings are shown that there is significant difference at all times. These implied that the treatment had a strong lasting effect after one month of group counselling treatment. Moreover, results of this study also indicated that significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups (p < .001, ɳp2 = .56). This indicated that, experimental group is better than the control group in term of Depression by 56%. In conclusion, this study implied that group cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective treatment for depression among parents of autistic children

Antioxidant, antityrosinase, anticholinesterase, and nitric oxide inhibition activities of three Malaysian Macaranga species.

The methanol extracts of three Macaranga species (M. denticulata, M. pruinosa, and M. gigantea) were screened to evaluate their total phenolic contents and activities as cholinesterase inhibitors, nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitors, tyrosinase inhibitors, and antioxidants. The bark of M. denticulata showed the highest total phenolic content (2682 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g) and free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.063 mg/mL). All of the samples inhibited linoleic acid peroxidation by greater than 80%, with the leaves of M. gigantea exhibiting the highest inhibition of 92.21%. Most of the samples exhibited significant antioxidant potential. The bark of M. denticulata and the leaves of both M. pruinosa and M. gigantea exhibited greater than 50% tyrosinase inhibition, with the bark of M. denticulata having the highest percentage of inhibition (68.7%). The bark and leaves of M. denticulata exhibited greater than 50% inhibition (73.82% and 54.50%, resp.) of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE), while none of the samples showed any significant inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Only the bark of M. denticulata and M. gigantea displayed greater than 50% inhibition of nitric oxide production in cells (81.79% and 56.51%, resp.). These bioactivities indicate that some Macaranga spp. have therapeutic potential in medicinal research

An online story of electronics 1 (ELE232) utilizing MOOC / Norizan Ahmed ...[et al.]

An online platform for Electronics 1 (ELE232) course in UiTM Terengganu which contains fundamental knowledge of circuit theory is proposed. This platform is to introduce an online learning approach, to develop online assessments and to improve student’s skills plus their comprehensive ability onto topics related; a) theoretically; semiconductor material, b) practically; diode applications (i.e: calculation), and c) both theoretically and practically; BJTs and FETs.These are the main objectives in applying Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) into the learning course. With android and IOS system, MOOC’s technology helps teachers and learners in being responsive anytime and anywhere by sharing lessons’ videos, perform circuit activities and more along with some cool awesome features. The interactive and intriguing materials integrated in MOOC for ELE232 resulting in better understanding of the principle of electronics among students

A review on factors affected marital adjustment among parents of autistic children and gender effects

We aimed to systematically review studies that examine factors affecting marital adjustment among parents of children with disabilities, especially the autistic children. Besides, we emphasized the effects of gender on marital adjustments among the parents. There were at least 20 articles reviewed. The related journal articles on factor affecting marital adjustments were downloaded with cut off limit from 1992 to 2012. The articles were then analyzed and organized according to the definitions of marital adjustments and various factor affecting marital adjustments. We found there was no conclusive evidence regarding the factors affecting the marital among parents of autistics children. There was conclusive evidence from the reviewed literature regarding gender effect, yet the number of article supporting it was small. Mothers of autistics children were more affected in the marital adjustments as compared to fathers. Finally, with conclusion we then suggest for future interventional study

Thematic textual hadith classification: an experiment in rapidminer using support vector machine (SVM) and naïve bayes algorithm

There are many existing problems in Hadith studies trending in the study field. The issues are changeable from the digitalization of the Hadith data to an exact case study of estimation of narrators’ chain for a particular Hadith. However, in this paper, we are not concentrating on the such learning of estimating, confirming or authenticating a Hadith. It focuses more on the data mining use to the Hadith dataset. We put on the Hadith dataset onto one of machine learning tools which is text classification. The Hadith dataset is put into experiment for Hadith textual classification. It concentrates on the thematic classification based on the themes and words occurrences from the Hadith text (matn). The Hadith textual classification does not trace on the hukm and position or class of Hadith. This research does not categorize the Hadith into hukm Sahih, Hasan, Dhaif, or Mawdhoo’. However, the Hadith thematic dataset of this study use only Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, where all Hadith in the Book is categorized as sahih by Imam Al-Bukhari. The classification for this thematic Hadith dataset is implemented using Rapidminer, a machine learning tool using Naïve Bayes and Support Vector Machine (SVM) methods. From the results, the different value of accuracy for both SVM and Naïve Bayes Algorithm was 2.4%. The Naïve Bayes Algorithm displayed better result comparing to SVM. We believe that the result could be better by improving the data, algorithms, algorithm tuning or ensemble methods for the future experiment

Physicochemical and biochemical properties of pepsin-solubilized collagen isolated from the integument of Sea Cucumber (Stichopus vastus)

The integument (high collagen content) of sea cucumber Stichopus vastus is generally wasted after harvesting, whereas only its stomach and intestines are eaten in few Asian countries. Amino acid composition, thermal transition temperature (Tm), zeta potential, solubility, moisture absorption and retention capacities, proximate composition and morphology of pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) isolated from the integument of S. vastus were studied. Amino acid composition revealed that glycine was dominant in the isolated collagen. PSC was found to have an isoelectric pH of 4.67, good moisture absorption and retention capacity at higher humidity, a sharp effect of pH and NaCl concentration on solubility, and an inverse relationship between temperature and viscosity. PSC also showed the maximum Tm to be 37.3C, very high protein content and ultrastructural characteristics. Hence, the PSC has the potential to be used as a functional ingredient in food, cosmetics and nutraceutical products

Anticancer effects of punicalagin and 5-fluorouracil on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: an <i>in vitro</i> study

The purpose of this study was to assess the apoptotic effects of punicalagin alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (Hep-2) cell line. Hep-2 cells were cultured and divided into four groups: Group 1 received no therapy and served as control, Group 2 received 5-FU only, Group 3 received punicalagin only, and Group 4 received a combination of 5-FU and punicalagin. After 48 hours of incubation, cellular changes were examined under an inverted microscope. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, caspase-3 gene level, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level were assessed. The control group showed the highest mean value of cancer cell proliferation rate (1.595±0.58), followed by the punicalagin group (1.263±0.447), then the 5-FU group (0.827±0.256), while the combination group showed the lowest proliferation rate (0.253±0.111). The combination group showed the highest mean value of caspase-3 concentration (3.177±0.736), followed by the 5-FU group (1.830±0.646), and punicalagin group (0.741±0.302), while the control group showed the lowest mean value (0.359±0.117). Regarding VEGF levels, the control group had a statistically significant higher mean value, followed by the punicalagin and 5-FU groups, and finally, the combination group which showed the lowest value. Punicalagin exerts an anticancer effect through anti-proliferative action and induction of apoptosis on Hep-2 cell line. Combining punicalagin with 5-FU potentiates its anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic actions. It, further, helps in mitigating the putative side effects of 5-FU by reducing the dose required for its therapeutic effects

Resilience and well-being among orphans in Malaysia: a multidimensional perspective

This study investigates the well-being of orphans in Malaysia, focusing on their social, religious, and psychological dimensions. Drawing upon existing literature, the research explores the unique challenges faced by orphans, emphasising the need for resilience in the face of adversity. The study employs quantitative methods, using structured questionnaires to assess the well-being of eight female orphans aged 7 to 9 years and a 24-year-old caregiver at PJHKS, an orphanage in Kuantan, Pahang. The questionnaires cover aspects of demographic, social, religious, and psychological well-being. Statistical analysis reveals robust social well-being among the orphans, with an average score of 73%, and a strong adherence to religious practices. However, their psychological well-being reports a moderate average of 64%, indicating emotional and mental challenges. The study finds that the orphans exhibit positive social skills and attitudes, and their religious well-being is significantly shaped by the caregivers' dedication to Islamic teachings. However, psychological challenges persist, necessitating further support and intervention. The research emphasizes the crucial role of comprehensive care in enhancing the overall well-being of orphans and calls for more targeted efforts to address their diverse needs. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of orphan well-being in Malaysia and offer insights for policy and practice in orphan care

Copy number signatures and mutational processes in ovarian carcinoma.

The genomic complexity of profound copy number aberrations has prevented effective molecular stratification of ovarian cancers. Here, to decode this complexity, we derived copy number signatures from shallow whole-genome sequencing of 117 high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cases, which were validated on 527 independent cases. We show that HGSOC comprises a continuum of genomes shaped by multiple mutational processes that result in known patterns of genomic aberration. Copy number signature exposures at diagnosis predict both overall survival and the probability of platinum-resistant relapse. Measurement of signature exposures provides a rational framework to choose combination treatments that target multiple mutational processes.NIHR, Ovarian Cancer Action, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centr

Genome-wide association analysis of more than 120,000 individuals identifies 15 new susceptibility loci for breast cancer.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and large-scale replication studies have identified common variants in 79 loci associated with breast cancer, explaining ∼14% of the familial risk of the disease. To identify new susceptibility loci, we performed a meta-analysis of 11 GWAS, comprising 15,748 breast cancer cases and 18,084 controls together with 46,785 cases and 42,892 controls from 41 studies genotyped on a 211,155-marker custom array (iCOGS). Analyses were restricted to women of European ancestry. We generated genotypes for more than 11 million SNPs by imputation using the 1000 Genomes Project reference panel, and we identified 15 new loci associated with breast cancer at P < 5 × 10(-8). Combining association analysis with ChIP-seq chromatin binding data in mammary cell lines and ChIA-PET chromatin interaction data from ENCODE, we identified likely target genes in two regions: SETBP1 at 18q12.3 and RNF115 and PDZK1 at 1q21.1. One association appears to be driven by an amino acid substitution encoded in EXO1.BCAC is funded by Cancer Research UK (C1287/A10118, C1287/A12014) and by the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement 223175 (HEALTH-F2-2009-223175) (COGS). Meetings of the BCAC have been funded by the European Union COST programme (BM0606). Genotyping on the iCOGS array was funded by the European Union (HEALTH-F2-2009-223175), Cancer Research UK (C1287/A10710, C8197/A16565), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for the CIHR Team in Familial Risks of Breast Cancer program and the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade of Quebec, grant PSR-SIIRI-701. Combination of the GWAS data was supported in part by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Cancer Post-Cancer GWAS initiative, grant 1 U19 CA148065-01 (DRIVE, part of the GAME-ON initiative). For a full description of funding and acknowledgments, see the Supplementary Note.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from NPG via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ng.324