Parent's Point of View towards Their Children Playing in the Jordanian Families

This study aims at identifying the parent's point of view of about their children's playing, and it has been conducting in the city of Amman - the capital of Jordan, by choosing (8) kindergartens spread over different parts of the capital city, and the study sample is consisted of (130 fathers and 130 mothers). Data was collected through the study tool, related to their personal information such as age, qualification, income and number of children, in order to identify the impact of these variables on parents, and on their children as will. Also the study aimed at addressing the active role to playing in building the child's personality, and providing the opportunities of healthy physical, social and emotional growth. And the role of parents in upbringing their children by participating in their happiest moments of their lives through playing and spending more time together without feeling bored or tired. So, the researcher hopes that the current study guides parents, teachers and researchers in the field of early childhood and the most important basics of the process of educational upbringing, and the importance of the relationship between the child and his parents, by highlighting the importance of planning and organizing of the balancing these playing activities, and finally to correct some wrong practices among parents and educators

A long-lasting controversy : Western democracy promotion in Jordan

Since the end of the cold war and, in particular, the Al Qaeda attacks of 11 September 2001 in the United States, Western governments have in their rhetoric stressed democratization in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as a key policy goal. 1 The EU, the US and other Western countries have developed and extended their democracy promotion activities in the region, in particular democracy assistance to civil society, independent media, the judiciary, parliament and political parties. 2 Such assistance has at times been complemented with public criticism of perceived non-democratic behaviour and political conditionalities, i.e. making democratic reform a precondition for granting favours such as trade deals and development assistance.peer-reviewe

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, ventilation management, and outcomes in invasively ventilated intensive care unit patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pooled analysis of four observational studies

Background: Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, the practice of ventilation, and outcome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain unexplored. In this analysis we aim to address these gaps using individual patient data of four large observational studies. Methods: In this pooled analysis we harmonised individual patient data from the ERICC, LUNG SAFE, PRoVENT, and PRoVENT-iMiC prospective observational studies, which were conducted from June, 2011, to December, 2018, in 534 ICUs in 54 countries. We used the 2016 World Bank classification to define two geoeconomic regions: middle-income countries (MICs) and high-income countries (HICs). ARDS was defined according to the Berlin criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patients in MICs versus HICs. The primary outcome was the use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were key ventilation parameters (tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak pressure, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiratory rate), patient characteristics, the risk for and actual development of acute respiratory distress syndrome after the first day of ventilation, duration of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality. Findings: Of the 7608 patients included in the original studies, this analysis included 3852 patients without ARDS, of whom 2345 were from MICs and 1507 were from HICs. Patients in MICs were younger, shorter and with a slightly lower body-mass index, more often had diabetes and active cancer, but less often chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure than patients from HICs. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were similar in MICs and HICs. Use of LTVV in MICs and HICs was comparable (42\ub74% vs 44\ub72%; absolute difference \u20131\ub769 [\u20139\ub758 to 6\ub711] p=0\ub767; data available in 3174 [82%] of 3852 patients). The median applied positive end expiratory pressure was lower in MICs than in HICs (5 [IQR 5\u20138] vs 6 [5\u20138] cm H2O; p=0\ub70011). ICU mortality was higher in MICs than in HICs (30\ub75% vs 19\ub79%; p=0\ub70004; adjusted effect 16\ub741% [95% CI 9\ub752\u201323\ub752]; p<0\ub70001) and was inversely associated with gross domestic product (adjusted odds ratio for a US$10 000 increase per capita 0\ub780 [95% CI 0\ub775\u20130\ub786]; p<0\ub70001). Interpretation: Despite similar disease severity and ventilation management, ICU mortality in patients without ARDS is higher in MICs than in HICs, with a strong association with country-level economic status. Funding: No funding

Physical Punishment and Psychological Treatment on Students' Learning and Behavior

This research aimed at discussing the side of the effective physical punishment and the psychological treatment on students’ learning and behavior. A pilot study, followed with experimental test, was framed in a demographically controlled environment on homogeneous variables at AL-Rai schools in Jordan, over the period of six months. Sixty-three students of grade 5 were grouped into a Physical Punishment Group (PPG) and a Psychological Treatment Group (PTG). It was found that the students who were conducted to physical punishment began to behave negatively and their academic progress showed a gradual regression, whereas the students who were managed with psychological treatment developed their interest in learning, reflected friendly behavior and improved their long-term scholastic performance. Keywords: Physical punishment, psychological treatment, behavior.

Effects of Abuse of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Iraqi Athletes

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are man-made derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone, originally designed for therapeutic uses to provide higher anabolic potency with lower androgenic effects. Increasing numbers of young athletes are using these agents illicitly to enhance physical fitness, appearance, and performance despite their numerous side effects and worldwide banning.  Today, their use remains one of the main health problems in sports because of their availability and low price.  The present study focuses on investigating the adverse effects of anabolic androgenic steroid abuse on sex hormones, liver and renal function tests, fasting glucose levels and lipid metabolism in Iraqi male recreational bodybuilders. We have recruited fifteen male bodybuilders (age 19-32 years) and an equal number of healthy non-obese, non-AAS-using sedentary controls. Serum hormones (luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, and prolactin), liver function indices (serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP),  total and direct bilirubin), renal function parameters (serum creatinine and urea), lipid profile and serum glucose levels were measured.  Abuse of AAS was associated with significant decreases (p 0.05) between the two groups. Concerning renal function, AAS-using athletes had significantly higher serum concentrations of creatinine (28.6%) and urea (21.3%) than sedentary controls. Meanwhile, AAS abuse was accompanied by atherogenic lipid profile.  Anabolic androgenic steroids -using athletes had significantly higher (p 0.05) between the two groups. The results presented in the study confirm that abuse of AAS induces unfavorable body functions and undesirable side effects. Therefore, efforts should be sought against use of these compounds outside the therapeutic frame. Key words: anabolic steroids, athletes, bodybuilding, exercise

Quantitative assessment by digital image analysis for Beta2/NeurD1 to evaluate the pancreatic islets morphogenesis & subpopulation in late pregnancy of mice

In pregnancy Peripheral, insulin resistance generating environment requires higher production of insulin, so the islets of langerhans undergo major structural & functional changes.     The present study was designed to analyse and compare the immunohistochemical staining of Beta2/NeuroD1 transcription factor in islets of langerhans (Beta-cells mainly) and capillary vessels of islets in non-pregnant & pregnant state, in order to contribute a knowledge about a possible alteration throughout the life span directed to better understanding of the pancreatic metabolism, & findings can be applied to cell-based therapies to treat diabetics.     The pancreas specimens taken from sixty mature female mice, thirty for each group. They divided in to Group (A): Served as control (non-pregnant), Group (B): Pregnant group (at day 17th, 18th, 19th of pregnancy). Tissues processed for paraffin block, sections stained with: Haematoxylin and eosin stain (to demonstrate the general histological and morphological changes that took place). Immunohistochemical stain (to compare the positivity of immunostaining of Beta2/NeuroD1 in beta cells & capillary vessels of islets in non-pregnant & pregnant groups). Two digital image analysing softwares used in this study: Image Scope program (for quantification of immunostaining of Beta2/NeuroD1factor in beta cells & capillary vessel, nucleus & cytoplasm at the same time). ImageJ program (for quantification of immunostaining of Beta2 factor in beta cells & capillary vessel, nucleus & cytoplasm in a separate manner).        Result of the histological examination of the present study demonstrated that the increment in number and size of islets of langerhans were the main features observed during pregnancy. Also showed the number and size of blood vessels increase inside islets & around it, in pregnant groups. Result of the immunohistochemical examination of this study showed increase of immunostaining positivity of Beta2/NeuroD1 factor in beta cells & capillary vessels of islets of langerhans in pregnant group than non-pregnant.        This study conclude that the Beta2/NeuroD1 factor is affected by insulin-resistant state of pregnancy, this open the question about the role of this factor in the origin of newly formed islets of langerhans ( mainly beta cells) in pregnant group

Computer-aided analysis for quantitative assessment of FoxA1 to estimate pancreatic subpopulation, oxidative phosphorylation, & morphogenesis in late pregnancy of mice

    In pregnancy Peripheral, insulin resistance generating environment requires higher production of insulin, so the islets of langerhans undergo major structural & functional changes.     The present study was designed to analyse and compare the immunohistochemical staining of FoxA1 transcription factor in islets of langerhans (Beta-cells mainly) and capillary vessels of islets in non-pregnant & pregnant state, in order to contribute a knowledge about a possible alteration throughout the life span directed to better understanding of the pancreatic metabolism, & findings can be applied to cell-based therapies to treat diabetics.     The pancreas specimens taken from sixty mature female mice, thirty for each group. They divided in to Group (A): Served as control (non-pregnant), Group (B): Pregnant group (at day 17th, 18th, 19th of pregnancy). Tissues processed for paraffin block, sections stained with: Haematoxylin and eosin stain (to demonstrate the general histological and morphological changes that took place). Immunohistochemical stain (to compare the positivity of immunostaining of FoxA1 in beta cells & capillary vessels of islets in non-pregnant & pregnant groups). Two digital image analysing softwares used in this study: Image Scope program (for quantification of immunostaining of FoxA1 in beta cells & capillary vessel, nucleus & cytoplasm at the same time). ImageJ program (for quantification of immunostaining of FoxA1 in beta cells & capillary vessel, nucleus & cytoplasm in a separate manner).        Result of the histological examination of the present study demonstrated that the increment in number and size of islets of langerhans were the main features observed during pregnancy and this increment caused by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the islets. Also showed the number and size of blood vessels increase in pregnant groups. Result of the immunohistochemical examination of this study showed increase of immunostaining positivity of FoxA1 in beta cells & capillary vessels of islets of langerhans in pregnant group than non-pregnant.        This study conclude that the FoxA1 is affected by insulin-resistant state of pregnancy, this open the question about the role of this factor in the origin of newly formed islets of langerhans (mainly beta cells) in pregnant group

Childhood meningitis in Kuwait in the era of post pneumococcal conjugate vaccination: A multicenter study

This is a retrospective study to evaluate epidemiology and etiologies of childhood meningitis in Kuwait after the routine introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The data was collected from 196 patients in the period of 2010–2014. Aseptic meningitis accounted for 51% of the cases, bacterial meningitis accounted for 29% cases and partially treated meningitis were 20%. Organisms causing bacterial meningitis were: Streptococcus pneumoniae 40.4%, Neisseria meningitidis 17.6%, Haemophilus spp. 12.2%, other gram positive or negative 19.3%, and Group B Streptococcus 8.8%. The hospitalization was complicated by admission to the ICU in 16.3% patients. Sequelae on discharge were seen in 4%, and 2.5% died of complications of meningitis. In children with pneumococcal meningitis, 48% were admitted to the ICU, 35% were discharged with sequelae and 13% died. In the era of post pneumococcal conjugate vaccination, S. pneumoniae remains the leading cause of bacterial meningitis with the greatest morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Meningitis, Children, Pediatric, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Vaccine, Kuwai