The Impact of Amman Stock Exchange Simulation Room on the Level of the Business College Students at Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan (Predictive Approach)

Since the mid-sixties of the twentieth century, interest in simulation has increased as an appropriate and effective method in the education process, especially after the advent of computers; The simulation process of concepts, activities and experiments is done through the computer, and it has an important and prominent role in the educational process. In the past, the theoretical aspects of education were the core of the education process for students, and this is certainly not enough to raise the level of students. Furthermore, understanding the handling and investing of securities is a challenging subject that requires students to understand and apply financial theories and models. Hence, this study pursued the influence of the Amman Stock Exchange simulation room on the student level of the College of Business at the Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan through the predictive approach. The results show that the simulation education system may encourage students and increase their intellectual abilities, attracts the attention of the students as well as gives a great opportunity for students to acquire the skills of dealing with the financial market in a practical and applied manner by using a real trading system based on high technology performance which performed by Amman Stock Market

Fertility and pregnancy outcomes following resectoscopic septum division with and without intrauterine balloon stenting: A randomized pilot study

BackgrounD AND OBJECTIVES: Although uterine stenting is performed routinely following hysteroscopic metroplasty, we were unable to find any evidence documenting its value with regards to septum reformation and/or obstetrical performance. To evaluate the benefits of intrauterine Foley catheter/balloon splinting after resectoscopic septum division on septum reformation, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes. Design AND SETTING: Prospective, randomized controlled pilot study (Canadian Task Force Classification I) conducted in university affiliated teaching hospital. Patients AND METHODS: Twenty-eight women with infertility and/or adverse pregnancy outcomes diagnosed with intrauterine septum were randomized into having a No. 14 pediatric Foley catheter/balloon for 5 days (n=13) vs. no balloon (n=15) following resectoscopic septum division. None of the patients received preoperative endometrial thinning, antibiotic prophylaxis or adjuvant postoperative hormone therapy. All uterine septa were divided under general anaesthesia using a 26 F (9 mm) resectoscope with a monopolar electrical knife using glycine irrigant solution (1.5%) and 120 watts of power of low voltage (cut) waveform. Results: The median age (range) was 29 years (23-38) and 32 years (22-40), respectively (P=.59). The groups were comparable by age, past obstetrical performance and comorbidities including endometriosis stage I-IV in 3 and 4 women, in the catheter/balloon and balloon group, respectively, and one in each group of polycystic ovarian syndrome and Crohn disease and one case of tubal obstruction in the balloon group. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. At 3 months, a hysterosalpingogram was done in 10 (77%) and 13 (87%) women, respectively, the results of which were normal. At 12-18 months, 1 woman in the balloon and 3 in the control group were not trying to conceive and 1 in each group had not conceived. Of the remaining women, 11 (92%) in each group had conceived and pregnancy outcomes included spontaneous abortion 3 (25%) and 4 (33.3%), ectopic pregnancy 0 and 1, second trimester loss 1 (8.3%) and 0 and term pregnancy 8 (66.6%) in both groups. Conception through assisted reproductive technology occurred in 2 and 1 woman, respectively. Conclusions: Following resectoscopic septum division with monopolar knife electrode, splinting the uterine cavity with Foley catheter provided no advantage in septum reformation, clinical pregnancy rate, and pregnancy outcomes

The Glucocorticoid Receptor and Certain KRÜPPEL-Like Transcription Factors have the Potential to Synergistically Stimulate Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Transcription and Reactivation from Latency

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), an important bovine pathogen, establishes life-long latency in sensory neurons within trigeminal ganglia (TG). Stress, as mimicked by the synthetic corticosteroid dexamethasone, consistently induces reactivation in calves latently infected with BoHV-1. Dexamethasone induces expression of several transcription factors in TG neurons during early stages of reactivation, including Krüppel-like transcription factors (KLF): KLF4, KLF6, KLF15, and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger. Furthermore, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is consistently detected in TG neurons expressing viral regulatory proteins during reactivation from latency. The viral immediate early transcription unit 1 (IEtu1) promoter that drives expression of two viral transcription factors (bICP0 and bICP4) contains two GR response elements (GREs) and is stimulated by DEX. KLF15 and the GR form a feed forward transcription loop that synergistically stimulates productive infection and IEtu1 promoter activity. New studies demonstrate the GR and KLF6 synergistically stimulate productive infection and IEtu1 promoter activity if the GREs are intact. Furthermore, the GR and KLF6 interact with wild-type GREs within the IEtu1 promoter, but not GRE mutants. These studies suggest that certain KLF family members and the GR can convert a silent viral genome in latently infected neurons into an actively transcribing genome during reactivation from latency

Relation of Asthma Control with Quality of Life among a Sample of Egyptian Asthmatic School Children

BACKGROUND: Asthma is considered a chronic health illness that not only resulted in physical symptoms but also emotional effects. It is; therefore, so important to assess the quality of life of asthmatic patients besides their level of disease control. AIM: To determine the correlation of asthma control with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of asthmatic children in Egypt. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight asthmatic Egyptian children were enrolled in the study. They were subjected to asthma severity grading, asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) and pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ). Studied cases were taken from 6 primary and preparatory schools, Giza governorate. RESULTS: The mean child control score was significantly higher in not well-controlled asthmatics compared to well-controlled asthmatics (p < 0.005). The not well controlled asthmatic children showed significantly lower activity limitation score, symptoms score, and overall asthmatic score compared to controlled asthmatic children (p < 0.05). The severity of asthma shows significant positive correlation with symptoms score, emotional function score and overall asthmatic score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The quality of life for the asthmatic children is strongly correlated with the level of asthma control and severity

Impact of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations on sustained virologic response in HCV-infected patients: Results from the GUARD-C Cohort

BACKGROUND: Despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, peginterferon alfa/ribavirin remains relevant in many resource-constrained settings. The non-randomized GUARD-C cohort investigated baseline predictors of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations (sr-RD) and their impact on sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients receiving peginterferon alfa/ribavirin in routine practice. METHODS: A total of 3181 HCV-mono-infected treatment-naive patients were assigned to 24 or 48 weeks of peginterferon alfa/ribavirin by their physician. Patients were categorized by time-to-first sr-RD (Week 4/12). Detailed analyses of the impact of sr-RD on SVR24 (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL) were conducted in 951 Caucasian, noncirrhotic genotype (G)1 patients assigned to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks. The probability of SVR24 was identified by a baseline scoring system (range: 0-9 points) on which scores of 5 to 9 and <5 represent high and low probability of SVR24, respectively. RESULTS: SVR24 rates were 46.1% (754/1634), 77.1% (279/362), 68.0% (514/756), and 51.3% (203/396), respectively, in G1, 2, 3, and 4 patients. Overall, 16.9% and 21.8% patients experienced 651 sr-RD for peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, respectively. Among Caucasian noncirrhotic G1 patients: female sex, lower body mass index, pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, and low hematological indices were prognostic factors of sr-RD; SVR24 was lower in patients with 651 vs. no sr-RD by Week 4 (37.9% vs. 54.4%; P = 0.0046) and Week 12 (41.7% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.0016); sr-RD by Week 4/12 significantly reduced SVR24 in patients with scores <5 but not 655. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, sr-RD to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin significantly impacts on SVR24 rates in treatment-naive G1 noncirrhotic Caucasian patients. Baseline characteristics can help select patients with a high probability of SVR24 and a low probability of sr-RD with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10&nbsp;years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37&nbsp;years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Nurses' perceptions of aids and obstacles to the provision of optimal end of life care in ICU

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