Distribution of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Mutations in a Cohort of Patients Residing in Palestine.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive inherited life-threatening disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and the digestive system. In Palestine, mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator gene (CFTR) that contributes to the clinical presentation of CF are ill defined. A cohort of thirty three clinically diagnosed CF patients from twenty one different Palestinian families residing in the central and southern part of Palestine were incorporated in this study. Sweat chloride testing was performed using the Sweat Chek Conductivity Analyzer (ELITECH Group, France) to confirm the clinical diagnosis of CF. In addition, nucleic acid from the patients' blood samples was extracted and the CFTR mutation profiles were assessed by direct sequencing of the CFTR 27 exons and the intron-exon boundaries. For patient's DNA samples where no homozygous or two heterozygous CFTR mutations were identified by exon sequencing, DNA samples were tested for deletions or duplications using SALSA MLPA probemix P091-D1 CFTR assay. Sweat chloride testing confirmed the clinical diagnosis of CF in those patients. All patients had NaCl conductivity >60 mmol/l. In addition, nine different CFTR mutations were identified in all 21 different families evaluated. These mutations were c.1393-1G>A, F508del, W1282X, G85E, c.313delA, N1303K, deletion exons 17a-17b-18, deletion exons 17a-17b and Q1100P. c.1393-1G>A was shown to be the most frequent occurring mutation among tested families. We have profiled the underling mutations in the CFTR gene of a cohort of 21 different families affected by CF. Unlike other studies from the Arab countries where F508del was reported to be the most common mutation, in southern/central Palestine, the c.1393-1G>A appeared to be the most common. Further studies are needed per sample size and geographic distribution to account for other possible CFTR genetic alterations and their frequencies. Genotype/phenotype assessments are also recommended and finally carrier frequency should be ascertained

Der Arbeitskraftunternehmer. Erschoepfung und Arbeitszufriedenheit im JD-R Modell

Arbeitskraftunternehmer, Erschoepfung, Arbeitszufriedenheit, JD-R Modell

<i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> from Palestinian Nasopharyngeal Carriers: Serotype Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance

<div><p>Infections of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> in children can be prevented by vaccination; left untreated, they cause high morbidity and fatalities. This study aimed at determining the nasopharyngeal carrier rates, serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns of <i>S. pneumoniae</i> in healthy Palestinian children under age two prior to the full introduction of the pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV7), which was originally introduced into Palestine in a pilot trial in September, 2010. In a cross sectional study, nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from 397 healthy children from different Palestinian districts between the beginning of November 2012 to the end of January 2013. Samples were inoculated into blood agar and suspected colonies were examined by amplifying the pneumococcal-specific autolysin gene using a real-time PCR. Serotypes were identified by a PCR that incorporated different sets of specific primers. Antimicrobial susceptibility was measured by disk diffusion and MIC methods. The resulting carrier rate of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> was 55.7% (221/397). The main serotypes were PCV7 serotypes 19F (12.2%), 23F (9.0%), 6B (8.6%) and 14 (4%) and PCV13 serotypes 6A (13.6%) and 19A (4.1%). Notably, serotype 6A, not included in the pilot trial (PCV7) vaccine, was the most prevalent. Resistance to more than two drugs was observed for bacteria from 34.1% of the children (72/211) while 22.3% (47/211) carried bacteria were susceptible to all tested antibiotics. All the isolates were sensitive to cefotaxime and vancomycin.</p><p>Any or all of these might impinge on the type and efficacy of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and antibiotics to be used for prevention and treatment of pneumococcal disease in the country.</p></div

The effects of private speech on the speaking proficiency of young Jordanian English as a Foreign Language students

This research examined how private speech affects the speaking ability competency in young Jordanian English as a Foreign Language students. The mixed-methods research gathered quantitative and qualitative data from 50 Jordanian EFL students aged 10-12. Pre- and post-tests of speaking skill mastery provided quantitative data, and observations and semi-structured interviews were also conducted to provide qualitative data. Private speech exercises significantly improved participants' speaking skills. Private speech improved participants' fluency, accuracy, and complexity. The qualitative data also showed that private speech helped individuals speak English with confidence and less nervousness. The research reveals that private speech exercises might help young Jordanian EFL students improve their speaking skills. EFL instructors and curriculum designers in Jordan may want to include private speech exercises to improve students' speaking and language abilities. Private speech activities should be studied in additional circumstances and age ranges.   Disclosure Statement No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. * Corresponding author: Luqman Rababah, 0000-0002-3871-3853  [email protected]

Distribution of nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carrier rates in children <2 years old from West Bank districts, including vaccinations and colonization rates (%).

<p>Distribution of nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carrier rates in children <2 years old from West Bank districts, including vaccinations and colonization rates (%).</p

A representative DNA electrophoresis gel showing the RFLP patterns of the serotypes 6A/C and 6B after BsrI digestion of the amplified cps amplicon (273 bp) for isolates of <i>S. pneumonia</i> of the serogroup 6.

<p>DNA was visualized in 2% agarose gel: lane 1 100 bp ladder; lane 12 50 bp ladder. Lanes 2–4 and 7–8 <i>S. pneumonia</i> serotype 6A/C patterns (yielding fragments of 145, 69 and 59 bp, with both smaller fragments showing as one thick band owing to low separation). Lanes 5–6 and 9–11 <i>S. pneumonia</i> serotype 6B (yielding fragments of 214 and 59 bp).</p

CFTR mutations distribution, sweat chloride testing results, clinical presentations and Palestinian patients’ demographics.

<p>Pal = Palestine, Cos = cousin; BMI = Body Mass Index; PI = pancreatic insufficiency; Het = Heterozygous, MRSA = Methicillin Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>; <i>P</i>. <i>aeruginosa = Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, NA = Not Available.</p><p>CFTR mutations distribution, sweat chloride testing results, clinical presentations and Palestinian patients’ demographics.</p

Distribution of CFTR mutations in the Palestinian Families.

<p>Distribution of CFTR mutations in the Palestinian Families.</p