The Effectiveness of Phonemic and Phonological Awareness Program To Improve Reading Performance of First Grade Basic Education Students in Oman

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a phonemic and phonological awareness program, on the Arabic reading performance of first grade basic education students in Oman. To achieve this aim, a quasi-experimental research design was adopted. An Arabic phonemic and phonological awareness test was designed together with training program for Arabic teachers. A sample of 205 students was selected from 4 schools and divided into two groups. The experiment was conducted in 10 weeks during which teachers taught using the program. A post-test was administered after the intervention and then the students were tested for the third time after six months to determine the delayed effect. Results showed that there were significant differences in the mean of the test scores between the control and the experimental groups in favor of the experimental group. Similarly, significant differences were indicated in the mean of the test scores among the experimental group between the pre and the post-test. On the other hand, no significant differences were noted between male and female students. Results also showed significant differences in the mean of the test scores among the experimental group in the third testing which was intended to measure the delayed effect

From genes to drugs: CYP2C19 and pharmacogenetics in clinical practice

The CYP2C19 gene is frequently included in different pharmacogenomic panels tested in clinical practice, due to its involvement in the metabolism of a myriad of frequently prescribed medications. Accordingly, CYP2C19 genotyping can promote precise therapeutic decisions and avoid the occurrence of significant drug-drug-gene interactions in the clinical setting. A comprehensive examination of the role of the CYP2C19 gene in real-world medical settings is presented in this review. This review summarizes the most recent information on how genetic variants in CYP2C19 affect drug metabolism and therapeutic outcomes. It goes into the wide range of CYP2C19 phenotypes, with different degrees of metabolizing activity, and their implications for customized medication response through a review of the literature. The review also analyzes the clinical significance of CYP2C19 in several medical specialties, including cardiology, psychiatry, and gastro-enterology clinics, and illuminates how it affects pharmacological efficacy, safety, and adverse effects. Finally, CYP2C19-supported clinical decision-making is outlined, highlighting the possibility of improving therapeutic outcomes and achieving more affordable treatment options, a step towards optimizing healthcare provision through precision medicine

Primary sclerosing cholangitis - What is the difference between east and west?

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, progressive, cholestatic liver disease characterized by inflammation and fibrotic obliteration of the hepatic biliary tree. It is commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A number of complications can occur which require special consideration, the most important of which is the development of cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC). Unfortunately, no medical therapy is currently available for the underlying liver disease. Liver transplantation is an effective, life-extending option for patients with advanced PSC. Geographical variations between East and West include a second peak for age with a lower association with IBD in a Japanese population and female predominance in a lone study from Turkey. The clinical and biochemical Mayo criteria may not be universally applicable, as different patients show variations regarding the initial presentation and natural course of the disease. Directing research towards explaining these geographical differences and understanding the pathogenesis of PSC is required in order to develop better therapies for this devastating disease

Experience Of A Single Center With Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis: A Review Of The Literature

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an autosomal recessive inherited malformation defined pathologically by a variable degree of periportal fibrosis and irregularly shaped proliferating bile ducts. It is one of the fibropolycystic diseases, which also include Caroli disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. Clinically it is characterized by hepatic fibrosis, portal hypertension, and renal cystic disease. CHF is known to occur in association with a range of both inherited and non-inherited disorders, with multiorgan involvement, as a result of ductal plate malformation. Because of the similarities in the clinical picture, it is necessary to differentiate CHF from idiopathic portal hypertension and early liver cirrhosis, for which a liver biopsy is essential. Radiological tests are important for recognizing involvement of other organ systems. With regards to our experience at Hacettepe University, a total of 26 patients have been diagnosed and followed-up between 1974 and 2009 with a diagnosis of CHF. Presentation with Carob syndrome was the most common diagnosis, with all such patients presenting with symptoms of recurrent cholangitis and symptoms related to portal hypertension. Although portal fibrosis is known to contribute to the ensuing portal hypertension, it is our belief that portal vein cavernous transformation also plays an important role in its pathogenesis. In all patients with CHF portal vein morphology should be evaluated by all means since portal vein involvement results in more severe and complicated portal hypertension. Other associations include the Joubert and Bardet-Biedl syndromes. (C) 2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.WoSScopu

Novel Variant Syndrome Associated With Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis

Congenital hepatic fibrosis is part of many different malformation syndromes, of which oculo-encephalohepato-renal syndrome is the most common. These syndromes largely overlap, and so accurate classification of individual patients may be difficult. We present herein three syndromic siblings who were products of a consanguineous marriage. We investigated in detail at least six organ systems in these patients, namely the liver, brain, eye, kidneys, skeleton, and gonads. The common features observed in these three cases were congenital hepatic fibrosis, retinitis pigmentosa, truncal obesity, rotatory nystagmus, mental retardation, advanced myopia, and high-arched palate. The clinical dysmorphology in these patients was distinct and lacked the major features of the known syndromes associated with congenital hepatic fibrosis. Although some features of these presented cases are similar to those found in Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), the absence of some major criteria of BBS (polydactyly, renal abnormality, and hypogonadism) suggests that this may be a new syndrome. All three patients remain under follow-up in the departments of Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, and Neurology at Hacettepe University.Wo

Clinical Utility Of Capsule Endoscopy In Small Intestinal Diseases, Experience Of Single Referral Center With 125 Cases

Aim: To evaluate the clinical utility of capsule endoscopy in diagnosing small bowel disease. Material and methods: A retrospective review of 125 capsule endoscopy (CE) examinations from September 2003 to March 2009 was performed. Results: The average patient age was 47.7 +/- 18.2 (min: 13, max: 97), 49 were female (39.2%). Indications for CE were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) (56.0% of cases), diarrhea (14.0%), abdominal pain (7.2%), other indications such as known Crohn's disease, and surveillance for polyposis syndromes. The CE completely evaluated the entire small bowel in 92 patients (73.6%). Capsule endoscopy study was normal without any finding in 22.4% of patients. The overall diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy was 74.4% (93/125). The diagnostic yield of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding by capsule endoscopy was 77.1%. No complication related to the capsule was observed. Conclusions: Capsule endoscopy is safe and well tolerated diagnostic tool in the evaluation of small bowel diseases.Wo