LYMPHOMA: EXPLORING AWARENESS IN LEBANON

In 2012, 14.1 million patients were diagnosed with cancer worldwide of which 385,700 estimated new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Also, 81,080 new cases of lymphoma were reported in the United States (US) among both genders in 2016. In Lebanon, Lymphoma represents the fifth most frequent cancer, nonetheless, little is known regarding its epidemiological attributes. This study aims to determine the current knowledge of the Lebanese people living in Lebanon about Lymphoma. About 400 participants were approached in public places, universities, hospitals or work places in different regions across Lebanon. A survey including questions about lymph nodes, cancer and lymphoma as well as demographic characteristics was given to all eligible participants. The data was collected and analyzed using SPSS and p value \u3c 0.05 was considered significant. When asked about the types of cancers they knew, the majority of participants (93.5%) were able to identify breast cancer, while less than half of (30.67%) identified lymphoma as a cancer. Enlargement of the lymph nodes (LN) was the most common recognized symptom (93.4%) whereas 76.42% thought that family history of lymphoma was the most frequent risk factor for lymphoma. Among those who claim to know about lymphoma (30%), true in-depth knowledge about lymphoma was still lacking. The results of this independently conducted survey reveal the lack of awareness about lymphomas among the Lebanese population and highlight the need for campaigns to increase the knowledge and awareness

M-Learning: Using Telegram To Engage And Gamify Esp Learning

The advent of smartphone is surging through all spheres of life, especially among the young adults. The use of smartphone is no doubt revolutionizingthe field of education as well. Knowing the fact that social media has become part and parcel of the young adults' life, integrating Telegram into ESP learning is of great importance. Incorporate the use of Telegram in ESP learning is said to be a valuable extension of traditional ESP learning methods and also to leverage the advantages in ESP learning

Metagenomic analysis of ancient dental calculus reveals unexplored diversity of oral archaeal Methanobrevibacter

Background Dental calculus (mineralised dental plaque) preserves many types of microfossils and biomolecules, including microbial and host DNA, and ancient calculus are thus an important source of information regarding our ancestral human oral microbiome. In this study, we taxonomically characterised the dental calculus microbiome from 20 ancient human skeletal remains originating from Trentino-South Tyrol, Italy, dating from the Neolithic (6000–3500 BCE) to the Early Middle Ages (400–1000 CE). Results We found a high abundance of the archaeal genus Methanobrevibacter in the calculus. However, only a fraction of the sequences showed high similarity to Methanobrevibacter oralis, the only described Methanobrevibacter species in the human oral microbiome so far. To further investigate the diversity of this genus, we used de novo metagenome assembly to reconstruct 11 Methanobrevibacter genomes from the ancient calculus samples. Besides the presence of M. oralis in one of the samples, our phylogenetic analysis revealed two hitherto uncharacterised and unnamed oral Methanobrevibacter species that are prevalent in ancient calculus samples sampled from a broad range of geographical locations and time periods. Conclusions We have shown the potential of using de novo metagenomic assembly on ancient samples to explore microbial diversity and evolution. Our study suggests that there has been a possible shift in the human oral microbiome member Methanobrevibacter over the last millennia

The Usefulness of Elemental Iron for Cereal Flour Fortification: a Sustain Task Force Report

Fortification of cereal flours may be a useful public health strategy to combat iron deficiency. Cereal flours that are used shortly after production (e.g., baking flour) can be fortified with soluble iron compounds, such as ferrous sulfate, whereas the majority of flours stored for longer periods is usually fortified with elemental iron powders to avoid unacceptable sensory changes. Elemental iron powders are less well absorbed than soluble iron compounds and they vary widely in their absorption depending on manufacturing method and physicochemical characteristics. Costs vary with powder type, but elemental iron powders are generally less expensive than ferrous sulfate. This review evaluates the usefulness of the different elemental iron powders based on results from in vitro studies, rat assays, human bioavailability studies, and efficacy studies monitoring iron status in human subjects. It concludes that, at the present time, only electrolytic iron powder can be recommended as an iron fortificant. Because it is only approximately half as well absorbed as ferrous sulfate, it should be added to provide double the amount of iro

Perception Of Using Scripic In Assisting Student's Writing Performance

Learning to write is not an easy task especially when it comes to second language learners. Hence, ScriPic is created based on a collaboration between a series of pictures integrated with the e-learning tool (H5P) to produce a writing essay. It is a picture stimulus teaching innovation that used a sequence of pictures to guide students in their writing. Using this, students are no longer need to use traditional approach where they need to write on paper and only depend on written information given to them. They just need to have an access to the e-learning platform to write their essay. Then, an instant feedback will be given directly to the students for their improvement. It is hoped that this approach can help the students in improving their writing in English

Perception of Digital Reading Material For Academic Purposes Among UMK Undergraduates: An Analysis

The inclusion of technology in language learning is considered a common trend nowadays particularly when almost everyone, including students, is using electronic gadget such as smartphones and tablets in their daily life. The aim of this project is to identify the students’ perceptions on their usage of electronic gadgets in relation to academic reading since they spend a lot of time browsing and reading online and offline the digital reading material (DRM). This study serves as a basis for the educators to provide suitable online reading material in helping students for their academic reading purposes

Perception of Language Awareness through Framegram: A Classroom Example

This project outlines the context Language Awareness (LA) in one of formative assessment This project outlines the context Language Awareness (LA) in one of formative assessment structure of Advanced Grammar for Undergraduates (UBI10302): Framegram. LA is seen as a bridge to connect functional and purposeful language a given phenomena; characterised by student’s deep interest and critical thinking. While students interact as active participatory editors and publishers of their content on Instagram, such dynamic interaction emerged from the relationship between student-language-phenomena may result in a predictable output of language learnin

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

Genomic analysis of European Drosophila melanogaster populations reveals longitudinal structure, continent-wide selection, and previously unknown DNA viruses

Genetic variation is the fuel of evolution, with standing genetic variation especially important for short-term evolution and local adaptation. To date, studies of spatiotemporal patterns of genetic variation in natural populations have been challenging, as comprehensive sampling is logistically difficult, and sequencing of entire populations costly. Here, we address these issues using a collaborative approach, sequencing 48 pooled population samples from 32 locations, and perform the first continent-wide genomic analysis of genetic variation in European Drosophila melanogaster. Our analyses uncover longitudinal population structure, provide evidence for continent-wide selective sweeps, identify candidate genes for local climate adaptation, and document clines in chromosomal inversion and transposable element frequencies. We also characterize variation among populations in the composition of the fly microbiome, and identify five new DNA viruses in our samples.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe