The Attitudes of the Students Enrolled in Jordanian Universities Towards Distance Education During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The study aimed measure the attitudes of the students enrolled in Jordanian universities towards distance education during the Coronavirus pandemic based on three constructs (educational process, evaluation and tests, collaboration and social influence).The sample consists from 150students for university of Jordan. The study used questionnaire. The study found that the students’ attitudes towardsdistance education during the Coronavirus pandemic is medium and positive includes (Educational Process Items,  Evaluation and Test Items, Collaboration and Social Influence Items). The study also found that there are no significant differences in distance education during the Coronavirus pandemic related to (Gender, Living Place,  Education) . the study recommend to provide all the technical and technical requirements for the distance learning process, and to help students acquire appropriate means for distance learning, especially since some of these technologies are expensive. Keywords: Distance Education, Coronavirus Pandemic DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-25-07 Publication date:September 30th 202

Synthesis and in vitro antiproliferative activity of new 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea scaffold-based compounds

A new series of 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea derivatives were synthesized and subjected to in vitro antiproliferative screening against National Cancer Institute (NCI)-60 human cancer cell lines of nine different cancer types. Fourteen compounds 5a-n were synthesized with three different solvent exposure moieties (4-hydroxylmethylpiperidinyl and trimethoxyphenyloxy and 4-hydroxyethylpiperazine) attached to the core structure. Substituents with different π and σ values were added on the terminal phenyl group. Compounds 5a-e with a 4-hydroxymethylpiperidine moiety showed broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity with higher mean percentage inhibition values over the 60-cell line panel at 10 µM concentration. Compound 5a elicited lethal rather than inhibition effects on SK-MEL-5 melanoma cell line, 786-0, A498, RXF 393 renal cancer cell lines, and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line. Two compounds, 5a and 5d showed promising mean growth inhibitions and thus were further tested at five-dose mode to determine median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. The data revealed that urea compounds 5a and 5d are the most active derivatives, with significant efficacies and superior potencies than paclitaxel in 21 different cancer cell lines belonging particularly to renal cancer and melanoma cell lines. Moreover, 5a and 5d had superior potencies than gefitinib in 38 and 34 cancer cell lines, respectively, particularly colon cancer, breast cancer and melanoma cell lines

The Impact of Social Media Influencers on BA students: A Study Targeting a Sample Chosen from the Students Enrolled at the University of Jordan: Snapchat as a Model

The present study aimed to explore the impact of social media influencers on the BA students enrolled at the University of Jordan from the perspective of those students. It targets Snapchat as a model. It targets the behavioral and language-related areas.  The researcher of the present study adopted a descriptive approach. She developed a questionnaire for meeting the study’s goal.  This questionnaire consists from twenty two (22) items. It targets two areas. The first area is represented in the impact of social media influencers on students in language-related aspects. The second area is represented in the impact of social media influencers on students in behavioral aspects. The study’s population is represented in all the female and male BA students who were enrolled at the humanities and scientific faculties at the University of Jordan during the second semester of the academic year 2023 / 2024. It consists from 46114 students. Data was collected online from a random sample consisting from 269 students.  It was found that the extent of impact of social media influencers on the BA students in language-related aspects is moderate. It was found that the extent of impact of social media influencers on the BA students in behavioral aspects is low.  There isn’t any significant difference between the respondents ‘attitudes which can be attributed to (gender, faculty, academic year, or number of hours spent on using Snapchat) in the language-related aspects. There isn’t any significant difference between the respondents ‘attitudes which can be attributed to (gender, faculty, or academic year) in the behavioral aspects. There is a statistically statistically significant difference – at the statistical significance level of (a = 0.05)- between the respondents ‘attitudes which can be attributed to the number of hours spent on using Snapchat in the behavioral aspects.  The latter difference is for the favor of the ones who spent three hours or more. The researcher of the present study offered several recommendations. For instance, she recommends conducting studies to explore the impact of social media on the behavior of adolescents and youth. She recommends using the results of such studies to set strategic plans and developing programs targeting youth

Empagliflozin suppresses hedgehog pathway, alleviates ER stress, and ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats

Abstract Worldwide mortality from hepatic fibrosis remains high, due to hepatocellular carcinoma and end stage liver failure. The progressive nature of hepatic fibrosis from inflammation to cicatrized tissues warrants subtle intervention with pharmacological agents that hold potential. Empagliflozin (Empa), a novel hypoglycemic drug with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has lately been proposed to have additional antifibrotic activities. In the current study, we examined the antifibrotic effect of the Empa through modulating the activity of hepatic stellate cells by hedgehog (Hh) pathway. We also assessed the markers of inflammatory response and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Male Albino rats were treated with either CCl4 (0.4 mg/kg twice/week) and/or Empa (10 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. In this study, CCl4 rats had active Hh signaling as indicated by overexpression of Patched 1, Smoothened and Glioblastoma-2. CCl4 induced ER stress as CHOP expression was upregulated and ERAD was downregulated. CCl4-induced inflammatory response was demonstrated through increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and mRNA levels of IL-17 while undetectable expression of IL-10. Conversely, Empa elicited immunosuppression, suppressed the expression of Hh markers, and reversed markers of ER stress. In conclusion, Empa suppressed CCl4-induced Hh signaling and proinflammatory response, meanwhile embraced ER stress in the hepatic tissues, altogether provided hepatoprotection

Rifaximin Protects against Malathion-Induced Rat Testicular Toxicity: A Possible Clue on Modulating Gut Microbiome and Inhibition of Oxidative Stress by Mitophagy

Testicular dysfunction is caused by chronic exposure to environmental pollution, such as malathion, which causes oxidative stress, promoting cell damage. Autophagy is a key cellular process for eliminating malfunctioning organelles, such as the mitochondria (mitophagy), an eminent source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Autophagy is crucial for protection against testicular damage. Rifaximin (RFX) is a non-absorbable antibiotic that can reshape the gut microbiome, making it effective in different gastrointestinal disorders. Interestingly, the gut microbiome produces short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the circulation, which act as signal molecules to regulate the autophagy. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of RFX on gut microbiota and its circulating metabolites SCFA and linked them with the autophagy in testicular tissues in response to malathion administration. Moreover, we divided the groups of rats that used malathion and RFX into a two-week group to investigate the mitophagy process and a four-week group to study mitochondriogenesis. The current study revealed that after two weeks of cotreatment with RFX, apoptosis was inhibited, oxidative stress was improved, and autophagy was induced. More specifically, PINK1 was overexpressed, identifying mitophagy activation. After four weeks of cotreatment with RFX, there was an increase in acetate and propionate-producing microflora, as well as the circulating levels of SCFAs. In accordance with this, the expression of PGC-1α, a downstream to SCFAs action on their receptors, was activated. PGC-1α is an upstream activator of mitophagy and mitochondriogenesis. In this sense, the protein expression of TFAM, which regulates the mitochondrial genome, was upregulated along with a significant decrease in apoptosis and oxidative stress. Conclusion: we found that RFX has a positive regulatory effect on mitophagy and mitochondria biogenesis, which could explain the novel role played by RFX in preventing the adverse effects of malathion on testicular tissue

Survey of sleep practice and sleep-related problems among a sample of Egyptian youths

Introduction Research into sleep practice of Egyptian youths is scanty and poorly disseminated, and therefore, relatively deficient data are available to put into practice. Adequate sleep practice is useful for both physical and mental health and improves the overall performance. It can also delay neurodegenerative changes in elderly. Aim The aim was to survey sleep practice and sleep-related problems among the Egyptian youths and to put the question of sleep education in practice. Participants and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted including 594 Egyptian youths randomly selected from university students and social club attendants in Mansoura, Egypt. An anonymous self-report questionnaire was prepared to elicit data on participants’ demography, sleep practice, and disorders. Results Of the 594 youths examined, 59.6, 29.5, and 12.1% reported insomnia, daily sleepiness, and sleep deprivation, respectively. Smoking was significantly associated with insomnia and high risk of obstructive sleep apnea. The median values for the time of getting into bed and sleep duration in working day and weekend were 1:00 a. m., 8 h, and 10 h, respectively. Approximately 50% reported afternoon naps with median duration of 2 h. Conclusion Sleep problems constitute a significant issue in youths. Sleep education and counseling for appropriate lifestyle and proper sleep practice may minimize the magnitude and effects of these problems

<i>Nephthea</i> sp. inhibits biofilm, DNA gyrase, HSP90, and DHFR: <i>in vitro</i>, <i>in silico</i>, and pharmacokinetics studies

This study attempts to identify and assess a novel marine-derived antibiofilm agent. The antibacterial activity of n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions from the crude extract of soft coral Nephthea sp. was evaluated against six microorganisms.Ethyl acetate fraction considered the most effective one against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida, investigated potential biofilm inhibition against the tested strains. Seventeen secondary metabolites were identified using (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) responsible for these biological activities of the active fraction. Additionally, a molecular docking study showed free binding energy of −7.5 kcal/mol; Azamial A had the highest binding affinity for the DNA gyrase enzyme, while Sinularectin had −8.3 and −7.6 kcal/mol for the DHFR and HSP90 enzymes, respectively. Moreover, pharmacokinetics and (ADME) studies for Azamial A and Sinularectin were performed. Finally, results were confirmed by the in vitro enzymatic inhibitory effect of ethyl acetate fraction suggested in the in-silico study.</p

Synthesis and In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of New 1-Phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea Scaffold-Based Compounds

A new series of 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea derivatives were synthesized and subjected to in vitro antiproliferative screening against National Cancer Institute (NCI)-60 human cancer cell lines of nine different cancer types. Fourteen compounds 5a–n were synthesized with three different solvent exposure moieties (4-hydroxylmethylpiperidinyl and trimethoxyphenyloxy and 4-hydroxyethylpiperazine) attached to the core structure. Substituents with different π and σ values were added on the terminal phenyl group. Compounds 5a–e with a 4-hydroxymethylpiperidine moiety showed broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity with higher mean percentage inhibition values over the 60-cell line panel at 10 µM concentration. Compound 5a elicited lethal rather than inhibition effects on SK-MEL-5 melanoma cell line, 786-0, A498, RXF 393 renal cancer cell lines, and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line. Two compounds, 5a and 5d showed promising mean growth inhibitions and thus were further tested at five-dose mode to determine median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. The data revealed that urea compounds 5a and 5d are the most active derivatives, with significant efficacies and superior potencies than paclitaxel in 21 different cancer cell lines belonging particularly to renal cancer and melanoma cell lines. Moreover, 5a and 5d had superior potencies than gefitinib in 38 and 34 cancer cell lines, respectively, particularly colon cancer, breast cancer and melanoma cell lines