STUDY OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AND ITS GENOTYPES IN TRIBAL PEOPLE

Objective: This study was undertaken to screen the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in ethnically distinct, tribal dominated and of lowersocioeconomic status area.Methods: Briefly, 3 ml blood was collected from 50 random liver disease cases with jaundice, receiving care at Central Hospital, N.F. Railway, Guwahati,and Guwahati Medical College, with informed consent. The patients detected with hepatitis A virus (HAV)-immunoglobulin M positive status wereincluded and were stratified as acute viral hepatitis and fulminant hepatitis failure based on the clinical profile. HAV genotyping was studied bypolymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing-phylogenetic analysis approach. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0 software.Result: A total of 50 cases were HBV infected. HBV infection was predominant in the young and adult age group. HBV-RNA was detected in 19 cases.Conclusion: This study shows that HBV genotype D is most commonly found hepatitis in all tribes of Assam and poor sanitation and alcoholconsumption are a common reason for its widespread.Keywords: Genotype, Hepatitis B virus, Liver disease, Molecular epidemiology, Phylogenetic study

Gender-Segregated Work in Saudi Arabia: A Structurational Perspective on Technology and Cultural Change

This paper aims to present a cultural analysis of collaborative technologies in the workplace. It examines gender-segregated work in Saudi-Arabia, and presents two contrasting cases of IT usage that act either to enable or constrain cultural change. Using Structuration Theory, the study exemplifies the dynamic and detailed analysis this lens can provide to cultural IS research. The study also examines Giddens’ theorising on the regionalisation of social interactions in time-space. By applying this in the IS context, the study attempts to provide a better understanding of the contextuality of electronically mediated communication

IT-enabled performative spaces in gender segregated work

This thesis investigates the use of ICT in Saudi Arabia to support collaboration between segregated genders. It attempts to understand the emerging technology practices of workers in higher education institutions, which are aimed at bridging the culturally imposed spatial divide between men and women in the workplace. In examining the gender-segregated context, the study also looks into the consequent organisational and structural changes resulting from technology use. This includes evaluating new practices in terms of progressive change, and how this specifically relates to the work experiences of women as a subordinated and marginalised group. Furthermore, the study uses the Saudi context as a vehicle to explore IS discussions regarding the human and material/technical aspects of agency in technology use, and the role attributed to each in theoretical perspectives on organisation. Prior research has extended Giddens' (1984) structuration theory to incorporate material agency as part of a social-technical ensemble. Yet the ways in which physical-digital spaces contextualise interactions and structure work practices are under explored. Thus, the study develops a conceptual model that extends concepts of 'locale' and 'regionalisation' from structuration theory to the IS field, and defines 'technical settings of interaction' constituted by human and material agencies. The research presented in this study uses a single case design, and collects data by conducting interviews and non-participant observation at Umm AI-Qura University (UQU) in Makkah. The case of gender segregated work in Saudi is used to illustrate the performativity of digital spaces, and demonstrates how workers use technical configurations of ICTs to create zones of interaction that can challenge existing cultural norms, or hinder progressive change. Finally, the study finds that attending to Giddens' focus on time-space not only adds an additional level of analysis to technology studies, but also shows the potential of structurational research in contributing to sociomaterial discussions on materiality

Spiritual Intelligence and Its Correlation with Life Satisfaction Among Gifted Students

The current study aimed to identify the correlation between spiritual intelligence and life satisfaction among gifted students. The authors implemented the tests of spiritual intelligence and life satisfaction and ensured the tests’ validity and reliability. The participants were 57 (29 male and 28 female) gifted students from At-Ta'if province. Spiritual intelligence variable differences were significant and attributed to gender in favor of the female participants. Life satisfaction was correlated directly and significantly with spiritual intelligence and life satisfaction. Keywords: Spiritual Intelligence, Life Satisfaction, Gifted, Gender

IT-enabled performative spaces in gender segregated work

This thesis investigates the use of ICT in Saudi Arabia to support collaboration between segregated genders. It attempts to understand the emerging technology practices of workers in higher education institutions, which are aimed at bridging the culturally imposed spatial divide between men and women in the workplace. In examining the gender-segregated context, the study also looks into the consequent organisational and structural changes resulting from technology use. This includes evaluating new practices in terms of progressive change, and how this specifically relates to the work experiences of women as a subordinated and marginalised group. Furthermore, the study uses the Saudi context as a vehicle to explore IS discussions regarding the human and material/technical aspects of agency in technology use, and the role attributed to each in theoretical perspectives on organisation. Prior research has extended Giddens' (1984) structuration theory to incorporate material agency as part of a social-technical ensemble. Yet the ways in which physical-digital spaces contextualise interactions and structure work practices are under explored. Thus, the study develops a conceptual model that extends concepts of 'locale' and 'regionalisation' from structuration theory to the IS field, and defines 'technical settings of interaction' constituted by human and material agencies. The research presented in this study uses a single case design, and collects data by conducting interviews and non-participant observation at Umm AI-Qura University (UQU) in Makkah. The case of gender segregated work in Saudi is used to illustrate the performativity of digital spaces, and demonstrates how workers use technical configurations of ICTs to create zones of interaction that can challenge existing cultural norms, or hinder progressive change. Finally, the study finds that attending to Giddens' focus on time-space not only adds an additional level of analysis to technology studies, but also shows the potential of structurational research in contributing to sociomaterial discussions on materiality

Olfactory dysfunction associated with cognitive decline in an elderly population

Abstract: In many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer disease, early olfactory dysfunction is observed. In order to determine if deficits in olfactory memory are present in the elderly and if olfactory dysfunction correlates with cognitive impairment in the aging population, olfactory testing has been done on seniors from the NuAge cohort accepting to participate in the Olfactory Response Cognition and Aging (ORCA) secondary sub-study. The t-Mini Mental Statement Examination and the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status tests were done to assess cognition levels. Overall, 94% of the ORCA cohort displayed olfactory dysfunction. Deficits in olfactory memory were also present. A correlation was observed between olfactory function and cognitive test scores. Moreover, in women who smoked, there was an association between olfactory memory and cognitive scores. Our results suggest that olfactory dysfunction may predict impending cognitive decline and highlights the need for olfactory training in seniors to improve olfaction and overall well-being

MHD effects on Casson fluid flow squeezing between parallel plates

We introduce this work by studying the non-Newtonian fluids, which have huge applications in different science fields. We decided to concentrate on taking the time-dependent Casson fluid, which is non-Newtonian, compressed between two flat plates. in fractional form and the magnetohydrodynamic and Darcian flow effects in consideration using the semi-analytical iterative method created by Temimi and Ansari, known as TAM, this method is carefully selected to be suitable for studying the Navier-Stokes model in the modified form to express the studied case mathematically. To simplify the partial differential equations of the system to the nonlinear ordinary differential equation of order four the similarity transformations suggested by Wang (1976) are used. The TAM approach demonstrates a high degree of accuracy, efficiency, and convergence when applied to the resolution of both linear and nonlinear problems, and the results in this article are used to study the effect of the related factors like squeeze number Sq, Casson parameterβ, magnetohydrodynamic parameter Mg and permeability constant Mp and examining the skin friction coefficient effect. The velocity profile is studied numerically, which is tabulated and graphically represented to show and confirm the theoretical study. We can conclude that the success of the proposed method in studying time-dependent Casson fluid, which is non-Newtonian, compressed between two flat plates provides opportunities for additional study and advancements in fluid mechanics using the techniques

Anxiolytic, Antidepressant-Like Proprieties and Impact on the Memory of the Hydro-Ethanolic Extract of Origanum majorana L. on Mice

Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) infusion has been used as folk medicine against depression and anxiety. However, no studies have been carried out yet to prove those activities scientifically. In this study, the anxiolytic, antidepressant-like effects, and memory impact of the hydro-ethanolic extracts of marjoram were evaluated in mice. The hydro-ethanolic extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) were evaluated for their central nervous effect using six different behavioral tests such as light–dark box (LDB) and open field (OF) for anxiety, forced swim test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) for depression, and object recognition test (ORT), Morris water maze (MWM) for the impact on memory. The experiments were realized on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 of treatments and compared with bromazepam for anxiety (1 mg/kg) and paroxetine for depression (11.5 mg/kg). The phytochemical screening was performed by HPLC, and the acute and sub-acute toxicities were performed following OCED guidelines (N°423 and 407) with biochemical parameters evaluation and histopathological analysis. Oral administration of marjoram hydro-ethanolic extract induced significant anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects without memory impairment, increasing the exploration and time spent in the light area in the LDB test in a similar way to that of bromazepam. In the FST and TST, the extract was as effective as paroxetine (11.5 mg/kg, p.o.) in reducing immobility. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of ferulic acid, naringin, hydroxytyrosol, geraniol, and quercetin. This study approves the traditional use of this plant and encourages further investigation on its bioactive compounds

Anxiolytic, Antidepressant-Like Proprieties and Impact on the Memory of the Hydro-Ethanolic Extract of Origanum majorana L. on Mice

Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) infusion has been used as folk medicine against depression and anxiety. However, no studies have been carried out yet to prove those activities scientifically. In this study, the anxiolytic, antidepressant-like effects, and memory impact of the hydro-ethanolic extracts of marjoram were evaluated in mice. The hydro-ethanolic extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) were evaluated for their central nervous effect using six different behavioral tests such as light–dark box (LDB) and open field (OF) for anxiety, forced swim test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) for depression, and object recognition test (ORT), Morris water maze (MWM) for the impact on memory. The experiments were realized on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 of treatments and compared with bromazepam for anxiety (1 mg/kg) and paroxetine for depression (11.5 mg/kg). The phytochemical screening was performed by HPLC, and the acute and sub-acute toxicities were performed following OCED guidelines (N°423 and 407) with biochemical parameters evaluation and histopathological analysis. Oral administration of marjoram hydro-ethanolic extract induced significant anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects without memory impairment, increasing the exploration and time spent in the light area in the LDB test in a similar way to that of bromazepam. In the FST and TST, the extract was as effective as paroxetine (11.5 mg/kg, p.o.) in reducing immobility. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of ferulic acid, naringin, hydroxytyrosol, geraniol, and quercetin. This study approves the traditional use of this plant and encourages further investigation on its bioactive compounds

Female health college students’ knowledge and attitude towards breast cancer

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. It occurs at an earlier age in comparison with Western countries and account for 25.1 per cent of all newly diagnosed female cancers.AimsAim was to assess knowledge level of breast cancer risk factors, the symptoms, the signs and screening methods of early detection among female students at the health colleges. Additionally, to determine the attitude of students towards the breast cancer.Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on a representative sample of female students at the health colleges in King Abdulaziz University, through stratified sampling with proportional allocation.Results More than 78 per cent of the students had good knowledge about the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, and 76.8 per cent of them had positive attitude towards believing and treatment of breast cancer. About 75.5 per cent of students mentioned mammography is an early screening method. However, the total score of insufficient knowledge about breast cancer risk factors was 57.5 per cent. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower grades were the predictors of insufficient knowledge about breast cancer risk factors.ConclusionAlthough the students had a good knowledge about the symptoms and signs of breast cancer and they had positive attitude towards believing and treatment of breast cancer, for example, most of them will consult a doctor if they develop breast cancer and they will agree to perform mastectomy if she needed, they will see a doctor within one week if they have breast lump and they thought that the breast cancer is a curable disease. However, they had insufficient knowledge of some risk factors. So, we should focus on increasing the knowledge of risk factors among the students either through regular update teaching courses and methods or through health education workshop or campaigns