Spatial and Temporal Variations in Water Quality along the Coast of Gaza Strip

This study describes the results of monthly sampling of physico-chemical parameters and faecal indicators at five monitoring stations on the Gaza coast over a seven-month period in 2007. The results show spatial and temporal variations in physico-chemical parameters (pH, water temperature, salinity, turbidity and dissolved oxygen) and faecal indicators (faecal coliform and faecal enterococci) that appeared linked with the problems of raw sewage discharge and storm water runoff. Analysis of variance confirmed that stations close to the raw sewage discharge points had significantly higher faecal coliform and faecal enterococci levels than stations free from any sewage discharge. The data indicates high microbiological contamination of seawater above internationally accepted limits, especially at stations close to sewage outlets. Salinity, turbidity and dissolved oxygen levels also varied significantly, also under thee influence of sewage and storm runoff. Keywords: physico-chemical parameters; faecal bacteria; Seawater quality; Gaza Stri

Assessment of Microbiological Characteristics of the Desalinated Water Used in Household Facilities in Gaza Strip

Access to safe water represents one of the most important basic human needs of the people of Palestine and is vital to a growing economy and a healthy population. Groundwater is the major source of water to the Palestinians. Nowadays, the water crisis in the Strip is multiplying. The objective of this research is to make an assessment of the desalination plants for the microbiological quality for both the inlet (groundwater) and the outlet water (product water) in the desalination plants. Samples from both the inlet and outlet water from 88 desalination plants have been collected by the researchers have been tested in the Palestinian Ministry of Health-The Public Health Laboratory for both Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform. The study proved that the current private desalination monitoring program by the concerned authorities should be developed, enhanced and intensified. The study also revealed that the current private desalination plants were established randomly and for commercial purposes without any previous planning. The results indicated that there is a high percentage of microbiological contamination in the outlet water (21.6%) and the inlet water (16.6%), which exceeded the WHO guidelines. The study concluded that large scale sea water desalination plants should be established to overcome the current water quality problems and the quantity shortage. Keywords: Groundwater, contamination, reverse osmosis (RO), brackish water, desalination plants, Gaza Strip, Total Coliform (TC), Fecal Coliform (FC

Management of Enophthalmos from Silent Sinus Syndrome with a Customized Orbital Implant

Background We describe the surgical treatment of silent sinus syndrome, a disease characterized by progressive enophthalmos and hypoglobus due to orbital floor collapse with opacification of the maxillary sinus, in the presence of chronic maxillary sinusitis. Methods Case study of a 55-year-old male with persistent diplopia secondary to left-sided esotropia and enophthalmos from chronic maxillary sinusitis. Results Two stage procedure to treat the sinonasal and orbital symptoms, which include endoscopic sinus surgery to treat the underlying the ostial obstruction along with decompression of maxillary sinus. Then, reconstruction of the orbital floor with a customized implant. Conclusions Though the treatment of silent sinus syndrome can be challenging, we demonstrate the successful use of a customized orbital implant in the treatment of diplopia and enophthalmos from silent sinus syndrome using a two-stage approach

Process intensification: Case study with a CHO-based monoclonal antibody production process

Standard platform technologies for cell culture processing provide simple and robust strategies to meet rapid timelines for early process development and ease of manufacturing. However, when there is a need to achieve high antibody titers due to high product demand, both culture media and feed strategies must be customized for specific cell lines. Two case studies will describe the strategies employed as part of a process intensification effort to overcome the limitations of a platform Phase III cell culture process. The first case study will demonstrate an intensified fed-batch process development effort performed to maximize production of a CHO-based monoclonal antibody, while maintaining product quality comparability with the original Phase III process. The second case study will describe the evaluation of a concentrated fed-batch process using alternating tangential flow filtration to retain the protein in the bioreactor, and achieve even higher titers in support of the high product demand forecast. These case studies will show that the intensified fed-batch process improved titers by 50%, and the concentrated fed-batch process improved titers by 100% relative to the fed-batch platform

Do African-American men need separate prostate cancer screening guidelines?

BACKGROUND: In 2012, the United States Preventative Services Task Force issued new guidelines recommending that male U.S. residents, irrespective of race, no longer be screened for prostate cancer. In African American men, the incidence of prostate cancer is almost 60 % higher and the mortality rate is two to three times greater than in Caucasians. The purpose of this study is to reduce African American men's prostate cancer burden by demonstrating they need separate screening guidelines. METHODS: We performed a PubMed search using the keywords: African American, Prostate cancer, Outcomes, Molecular markers, Prostate-specific Antigen velocity, PSA density, and to derive data relevant to our hypothesis. RESULTS: In our literature review, we identified several aspects of prostate cancer that are different in Caucasian and African American men. These included prostate cancer incidence and outcome, the clinical course of the disease, serum PSA levels, genetic differences, and social barriers. It's also important to note that the USPSTF guidelines were based on two studies, one of which reported that only 4 % of its participants were African American. The other did not report demographic information, but used participants from seven European countries with small African American populations. CONCLUSION: Given the above, we conclude that separate prostate cancer screening guidelines are greatly necessary to help save the lives of African Americans

The effectiveness of using e-learning in discovering gifted students from the point of view of their teachers

The current work aimed to identify the effectiveness of using Electronic learning in discovering gifted students from the opinion of their teachers. The descriptive-analytical method was used in this work. The sample population of this study included teachers of both genders working in government schools who teach gifted students in the Amman capital of Jordan. In this work, we selected random samples consisting of 56 teachers, and data was collected from them. Through this study, results were obtained that showed the effectiveness of using e-learning in discovering gifted students, it has a high level and the arithmetic means was 4.7. Moreover, the obstacles faced by teachers of gifted students in using E-learning came arithmetic mean (3.60), and the score to which teachers of gifted students practiced using E-learning differed by gender, academic qualification, and experience, and there were no statistically significant differences. The most important thing recommended by this study is the necessity for workshops and hold courses for gifted students and teachers to develop their trends toward E-learning commensurate with their abilities and talents, and to train them on how to use it.&nbsp

التحقق من تلوث المياه الجوفية بالرادون في منطقة جنوب قطاع غزة فلسطين

The major objective of this research is to determine the Radon concentration in groundwater in the southern region of Gaza Strip. In this study, Groundwater samples were collected from twenty five wells and Radon concentrations were measured as part of a water-quality. These samples were taken from the municipal wells in the southern region of Gaza Strip (Rafah and Khanyonis). The samples were collected from different location covering most of the region that represent the southern part of Gaza Strip. Twelve wells from Rafah Governorate and thirteen wells from Khanyonis Governorate were taken and all these wells were used for domestic water. Each sample was duplicated to determine Radon concentration. CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors of good quality were used in this survey. Two Detectors were placed inside each water sample. One CR- 39 detector is immersed in the water and the other is in the lid of the container facing the water sample. The detectors were left for a period of time of 120 days (for a period during mid of April to mid of August) to allow Radon gas to come to an equilibrium level. One hundred detectors were exposed to twenty five samples which in concern. The detectors were then collected and chemically etched. Each detector was counted visually using an Optical microscope with a power of (40 x 10), and number of tracks determined. Results obtained show that the Radon levels in Rafah area ranges of values between 58 and 154 Bq/m3 with average value of 102.4 Bq/m3. Also, the average standard deviation (S.D) is 32.7 and in Khanyonis area ranges of values between 22 and 132 Bq/m3 with average value of 47.8 Bq/m3, also, the average standard deviation of 31.9. We believe that this variation of levels is mainly due to the difference in rock type, soil type and the geology of the area. Certainly, this study was conducted to provide us with measurements and concentration of Radon. This information can be used to estimate the possible health hazards from Radon in the southern region of Gaza Strip in the future from environmental point view. This data would promote public awareness related to risk of Radon exposure in Gaza Stri

Harmonization of Shariah and the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW)

The CEDAW Convention adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979 adopts the principle of eliminating all forms of discrimination between men and women against women in all political, economic, and social fields. The Convention pushes the signatory countries on the need for absolute equality between men and women, as they are no less important than men, and this is inconsistent with the provisions of Islamic law, in addition to the imminent danger to countries through the abolition of their internal laws, the application of the provisions of the Convention on Equality between men and women, and the imposition of Western culture without Consideration of the principles and traditions of countries, and their lack of observance of the provisions of Islamic law. Using the inductive, analytical, and comparative approach, this study aims to know the rights mentioned in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to find out the compatibility of these rights with the rights granted by Islamic law to women. It is found that the Islamic Sharia granted women full rights, and that compatibility and balance can be achieved between the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Shariah if substantial amendments are made to that provisions which contradict with Islamic law

Management of enophthalmos from silent sinus syndrome with a customized orbital implant

Background: We describe the surgical treatment of silent sinus syndrome, a disease characterized by progressive enophthalmos and hypoglobus due to orbital floor collapse with opacification of the maxillary sinus, in the presence of chronic maxillary sinusitis. Methods: Case study of a 55-year-old male with persistent diplopia secondary to left-sided esotropia and enophthalmos from chronic maxillary sinusitis. Results: Two stage procedure to treat the sinonasal and orbital symptoms, which include endoscopic sinus surgery to treat the underlying the ostial obstruction along with decompression of maxillary sinus. Then, reconstruction of the orbital floor with a customized implant. Conclusions: Though the treatment of silent sinus syndrome can be challenging, we demonstrate the successful use of a customized orbital implant in the treatment of diplopia and enophthalmos from silent sinus syndrome using a two-stage approach. Keywords: Silent sinus syndrome, Enophthalmos, Endoscopic sinus surgery, Orbital reconstruction, Orbital implant, Ectropion repai

Chronic Illness Management in Teams of Urban Multidisciplinary Scholars: CIMTUMS

Background: Patients with chronic illness benefit from health care that addresses diverse health needs through multiple disciplines. At Aurora Midtown Clinic, CIMTUMS used interprofessional teams of students and faculty working with African American diabetic patients to improve selfmanagement skills and diabetes biomarkers. The first two cycles demonstrated a high level of patient participation and successful collaboration between Aurora Health Care, University of Wisconsin School of Medical and Public Health and Concordia University. The multidisciplinary health care team consists of a physician, pharmacist, dietitian, nurse practitioner and exercise physiologist with medical, pharmacy and biology students. Purpose: Simultaneous multidisciplinary delivery of care can improve health outcomes and self-management skills in chronic diabetic patients. Methods: Phase 1: The interdisciplinary team met four times for team-building activities that focus on patient centered delivery of care, leadership, and cross-discipline communication. They used CDC’s TeamSTEPPS and its questionnaire to evaluate baseline knowledge and attitudes towards cross-collaboration. Phase 2: Patients were recruited from a pooled list of those meeting eligibility using established biometrical control norms (hemoglobin \u3e 7, blood pressure \u3e 130/80, low-density lipoprotein \u3e 100). Patients participated in five sessions using the American Diabetes Association Self-Management and Education program and Merck conversation maps. Phase 3: Coaching and follow-up of patients occurred via phone to assist patients in meeting their personal goals. The health team identified needs and barriers to compliance and ensured sustainability of learned concepts. Results: Results from the initial two cycles include significant learner attitude and behavior changes as well as improvement in diabetic patients’ biomarkers, empowerment and satisfaction. Results from the third cohort are pending. Conclusion: An interdisciplinary team approach to chronic disease management maximizes the possibility for improved health outcomes in patients. Patient self-efficacy is increased by shared input and knowledge from peers and the health care team. Interdisciplinary team members work together to enhance their knowledge and skills for a comprehensive and patient-centered approach. CIMTUMS success with diabetes management demonstrates the potential for application to other chronic health issues such as hypertension or asthma