Dietary factors and Type 2 diabetes in the Middle East : what is the evidence for an association? - A systematic review.

This review aims to search and summarise the available evidence on the association between dietary factors and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Middle Eastern populations, where diabetes prevalence is among the highest in the world. Electronic databases were searched; authors, libraries, and research centres in the Middle East were contacted for further studies and unpublished literature. Included studies assessed potential dietary factors for T2DM in Middle Eastern adults. Two reviewers assessed studies independently. Extensive searching yielded 17 studies which met the inclusion criteria for this review. The findings showed that whole-grain intake reduces the risk of T2DM, and potato consumption was positively correlated with T2DM. Vegetables and vegetable oil may play a protective role against T2DM. Dietary patterns that are associated with diabetes were identified, such as Fast Food and Refined Grains patterns. Two studies demonstrated that lifestyle interventions decreased the risk of T2DM. In summary, the identified studies support an association between some dietary factors and T2DM; however, many of the included studies were of poor methodological quality so the findings should be interpreted with caution. The review draws attention to major gaps in current evidence and the need for well-designed studies in this area

Digital Middle Eastern Studies : challenges, ethics, and the digital humanities

textThis professional report explores the adoption of digital humanities practices in the field of Middle Eastern Studies, focusing on what Middle Eastern Studies contributes to overall digital humanities discussions. An increase in conferences, panels, and workshops since 2013 shows that scholars in Middle Eastern Studies and related fields, such as Islamic Studies, display an interest in the digital humanities and the power of academic digital tools and methods to contribute to their work. Middle Eastern Studies as a discipline faces unique challenges in the adoption of digital humanities practices, arising from its interdisciplinary, geographically-focused nature, problems working with non-Roman scripts in the digital environment, and ethical issues based on the history of colonialism in the region. Due to U.S. foreign policy interests and the unintended applications of digital Middle Eastern Studies research, scholars working with these methods should carefully consider the impact their work may have on individuals currently living in the Middle East.InformationMiddle Eastern Studie

Ethno-cultural and Religious Identity of Syrian Orthodox Christians

Many Middle Eastern Christian groups identify or have been identified with pre­Islamic peoples in the Middle East: the Copts with Ancient Egypt, the Nestorians with Assyria, the Maronites with Phoenicians and some RumOrthodoxand other Christians with pre­Islamic Arab tribes. The concern of this study is the Syrian Orthodox Christians or Jacobite(s)(named after the 6th century Monophysite Christian bishop Yacoub Burd‘ono or Jacob Baradaeus of Urfa/Osrohene/Edessa), specifically those whose ancestry stems from the Tur Abdin region of Turkey, Diyarbekir, Mardin, Urfa, and Harput/Elazig. The introduction of the Ottoman milletsystem had divided the Middle East into ethno­religious communities, the Eastern Christian minorities being a classic example. Of the various groups, the Syrian Orthodox Christians (Suryaniler, Suryani Kadim, Asuriler) are a case in point to identity issues including creation, evolution, fabrication, denial, and assimilation caused by both internal and external influences. The identity of this community is a major point of contention among the laity and the clergy, as well as among non­Syrian Orthodox scholars of Middle Eastern Studies

What Future for Middle Eastern Studies?

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Middle Eastern Studies (MES) has increasingly come under attack in recent years. The critics have included the more politically oriented (as with Martin Kramer who reproached Middle Eastern scholars for failing to serve US interests) as well as generalists in various social science disciplines (who have criticised MES for having produced ‘theory-free’ work thereby failing to serve the cause of building cumulative social scientific knowledge). Middle Eastern scholars have responded to such criticism by seeking to point to various contributions MES has made over the years. These debates between Middle Eastern scholars and their critics have revealed three alternative future courses for MES: (1) going back to its roots in ‘Oriental Studies’ (as called for by Martin Kramer in Ivory Towers on Sand); (2) establishing itself firmly in the discipline-oriented social sciences (as called for by the avatars of methodology in the Social Sciences); (3) building upon the pioneering works of those Middle Eastern scholars who have sought to theorise from Middle Eastern experiences thereby contributing both to MES and the disciplines. Pointing to how the sides to these debates differ radically in terms of their understanding of ‘theory’, the article will suggest that the future of MES would be shaped depending upon which understanding of ‘theory’ comes to prevail. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Medication errors in the Middle East countries: a systematic review of the literature

Background: Medication errors are a significant global concern and can cause serious medical consequences for patients. Little is known about medication errors in Middle Eastern countries. The objectives of this systematic review were to review studies of the incidence and types of medication errors in Middle Eastern countries and to identify the main contributory factors involved. Methods: A systematic review of the literature related to medication errors in Middle Eastern countries was conducted in October 2011 using the following databases: Embase, Medline, Pubmed, the British Nursing Index and the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature. The search strategy included all ages and languages. Inclusion criteria were that the studies assessed or discussed the incidence of medication errors and contributory factors to medication errors during the medication treatment process in adults or in children. Results: Forty-five studies from 10 of the 15 Middle Eastern countries met the inclusion criteria. Nine (20%) studies focused on medication errors in paediatric patients. Twenty-one focused on prescribing errors, 11 measured administration errors, 12 were interventional studies and one assessed transcribing errors. Dispensing and documentation errors were inadequately evaluated. Error rates varied from 7.1% to 90.5% for prescribing and from 9.4% to 80% for administration. The most common types of prescribing errors reported were incorrect dose (with an incidence rate from 0.15% to 34.8% of prescriptions), wrong frequency and wrong strength. Computerised physician rder entry and clinical pharmacist input were the main interventions evaluated. Poor knowledge of medicines was identified as a contributory factor for errors by both doctors (prescribers) and nurses (when administering drugs). Most studies did not assess the clinical severity of the medication errors. Conclusion: Studies related to medication errors in the Middle Eastern countries were relatively few in number and of poor quality. Educational programmes on drug therapy for doctors and nurses are urgently needed

Women\u27s Studies Newsletter March 1984

Women\u27s Studies newsletter March 1984. Contents: INTRODUCTION, Mary Schilling; ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF MYSELF : WOMEN IN THE NEW NICARAGUA, Ann Fitzgerald; IN REALITY: THE LIVES OF MIDDLE EASTERN WOMEN , Marlee Meriwether; PLACING WOMEN\u27S HISTORY IN HISTORY AND SOCIETY: REFLECTIONS ON MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE, Julie Donaghy; WOMEN AND SOCIOECONOMIC CHANGE AMONG SHEIKHANZAI NOMADS OF WESTERN AFGHANISTAN, Bahram Tavakolian; CAPITALIST PENETRATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST COPING WITH CHANGE, Mary Woollen; WOMEN\u27S HUMAN RIGHTS DENIED, Amnesty International; ANNOUNCEMENT OF SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN AND WOMEN\u27S STUDIES FACULTY; ANNOUNCEMENT OF SECOND ANNUAL WOMEN\u27S STUDIES PRIZE; A TUNISIAN LULLABY

Ethnic differences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest among Middle Eastern Arabs and North African populations living in Qatar

Aims: There are very few studies comparing epidemiology and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in different ethnic groups. Previous ethnicity studies have mostly determined OHCA differences between African American and Caucasian populations. The aim of this study was to compare epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of OHCA between the local Middle Eastern Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Arab and the migrant North African populations living in Qatar. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of Middle Eastern GCC Arabs and migrant North African patients with presumed cardiac origin OHCA resuscitated by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Qatar, between June 2012 and May 2015. Results: There were 285 Middle Eastern GCC Arabs and 112 North African OHCA patients enrolled during the study period. Compared with the local GCC Arabs, univariate analysis showed that the migrant North African OHCA patients were younger and had higher odds of initial shockable rhythm, pre-hospital interventions (defibrillation and amioderone), pre-hospital scene time, and decreased odds of risk factors (hypertension, respiratory disease, and diabetes) and pre-hospital response time. The survival to hospital discharge had greater odds for North African OHCA patients which did not persist after adjustment. Multivariable logistic regression showed that North Africans were associated with lower odds of diabetes (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.25–0.91, p = 0.03), and higher odds of initial shockable rhythm (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.30–6.33, p = 0.01) and greater scene time (OR 1.02 95% CI 1.0–1.04, p = 0.02). Conclusions: North African migrant OHCA patients were younger, had decreased risk factors and favourable OHCA rhythm and received greater ACLS interventions with shorter pre-hospital response times and longer scene times leading to better survival.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Student Completes Middle Eastern Studies Minor in Jordan

After completing five semesters of Arabic language classes at Cedarville University, Grace Pilet, a senior comprehensive communication major from Geneva, N.Y., decided to finish her undergraduate education in Amman, Jordan

Middle East Studies in Taiwan since 1957

Taipei and Beijing has been carried out fierce competition since 1949, which involves who can represent China, as well as Taiwan’s international space. The Middle East, a vast region with numerous countries, is an important area for both sides across the Taiwan Straits’ diplomatic competition. Nowadays, Beijing vigorously promotes the “Belt and Road Initiative”, and the Islamic world is a crucial target. There will be both opportunities and challenges for Taipei. Taiwan’s Middle East studies has played an important role in intellectually supporting Taipei’s Middle East diplomacy. Taiwan’s Middle East Studies discipline was founded by Taipei’s Republic of China (ROC) government in National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Arabic Department, Turkish Department and Diplomacy Department. NCCU has created “Middle East Language and Culture Intramural Courses” in College of Foreign Language and Literature, “Islamic Civilization and Thought Research Center” in Arabic Department, “Summer Camp for Middle East Studies” and the planning “Center for Middle East Studies” in College of International Affairs. “Islamic Research Institute” was established in 2009 by NCCU. In short, the Middle East Studies related discipline in Taiwan is unique to NCCU, and there are also students launch research related to the Middle East rely on their own backgrounds in other universities. There are two significant features in Taiwan’s Middle East Studies discipline: 1) from government-led development path to university-led academic freedom development path; 2) prosperity in Middle Eastern humanistic studies versus weakness in Middle Eastern social science studies. Key words: Taiwan; Middle East Studies; NCCU; Arabic and Turkish; Department of Diplomac