The Effectiveness of Blended Learning in Improving Students' Achievement in Third Grade's Science in Bani Kenana

The study aimed at identifying the effectiveness of blended learning in improving students' achievement in the third grade's science in the traditional method. The study sample consisted of (108) male and female students, who were divided into two groups: experimental and control. The experimental group studied the units and changes of the material and the parts and functions of the plants for the third grade through using the blended learning while the control group studied the same units in the traditional method.An achievement test was developed in the mentioned units of the science course to measure the achievement, which had a sufficient validity and reliability. It was applied to the study sample; the appropriate statistical analyzes were conducted. The results indicated the presence of statistically significant differences in the post-achievement due to the teaching method in favor of the experimental group, the presence of a statistically significant difference in the post-achievement due to gender, in favor of males and lack of a statistically significant difference in the post- achievement due to the interaction between the method and gender. Keywords: blended learning, third grade, science, achievement

Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis: Analysis of 18 Cases

ObjectiveTo review and evaluate patients with a clinicopathological diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) with emphasis on the diagnostic methods and the effect of socioeconomic status on disease severity.MethodsData compiled from the previous history of the patients, clinical, laboratory, radioimaging findings, preoperative, operative, histopathological diagnosis and postoperative follow-up period were analysed. On the basis of presentation, XGP was classified as complicated and simple.ResultsThere were 18 cases of XGP. The clinical characteristics included: calculi or obstruction in the urinary tract, and damage to the kidney, complication of urinary tract infection, anaemia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and liver dysfunction. All patients had diffuse XGP. Associated pathological findings such as psoas abscess, nephrocutaneous fistula, renocolonic fistula and paranephric abscess were found in 33.3% of cases. Eleven of 14 patients (78.6%) who were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) had the correct diagnosis made prior to nephrectomy. Urine culture was positive in 88.9% of patients and Proteus mirabilis was the most common organism.ConclusionOur experience with a small number of patients demonstrates that low socioeconomic status could be a risk factor in the development of complicated cases of XGP. CT is considered to be the best radiological test for correct preoperative diagnosis and evaluation of XGP. Nephrectomy and removal of all surrounding affected tissue proved to be curative for XGP

The Impact Of Nurse-To-Patient Ratios On Patient Outcomes And Quality Of Care

Background: Hospitals rely a lot on nurses, since they are the foundation of high-quality patient care. However, it is also clear that we don\u27t have a precise number of nurses who can respond to patients in an adequate way. Therefore, again, having a look at the information about nurses’ staffing levels affecting outcomes for patients or not. This research will look into the deeper sides of this question and help find the answer to the problem of whether having more nurses in the special units will be beneficial for the patients. Methods: Researchers undertook a huge project in which they considered patient outcomes in relation to staffing levels using a meta-analysis approach. They worked with topics like how many patients died, gave the wrong medicine, got stomach ulcers, applied staff restraints, or got infections. Moreover, they made sure patients received the therapies on time. They assembled data from six studies that covered more than 175,000 patients who visited emergency departments or cardiac receiving units. They consulted the numbers to see if there would be fewer die patients in the hospital because of having more nurses or not. Results and Discussion: It appeared that the more nurses were on shift, the less chance patients had of dying in the hospital (that was 14%). That\u27s pretty significant! But if you put on your scientist’s hat and looked at all the studies together, the differences you saw in them could be a bit of a nuisance when it comes to establishing the results. However, the more nurses fixed, the better patients’s outcomes seemed. Conclusions: The most telling statistic by far is the ratio of nurses to patients, especially when that calculation will determine the difference between surviving hospitalization or not. However, there is still plenty to learn, and more research is required to determine the number of nurses needed to ensure that we can provide patients with better care than ever before. We can utilize our ability to conduct additional research to provide the most accurate guidance on the optimal number of nurses for the special units, ensuring patient well-being

Gestational Choriocarcinoma Presenting with Lacrimal Gland Metastasis: A First Reported Case

Background. Gestational choriocarcinoma (GC) is a recognized clinicopathological subtype of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia that usually metastasizes hematogenously to highly vascular organs like the lung, liver, and brain. However, orbital metastasis to the choroid and lacrimal gland is a rare occurrence. Case Presentation. A 21-year-old female presented with headache and left orbital swelling one year after resection of a complete hydatidiform mole followed by adjuvant methotrexate chemotherapy. A metastatic imaging screening revealed multiple metastases in the lungs, brain, and adrenal gland, in addition to the choroid and lacrimal gland. Based on her modified WHO risk factors scoring she was started on chemotherapy and whole brain radiotherapy, which resulted in a complete response. At two-year follow-up, serum b-HCG level was with normal limits; imaging surveillance was uneventful. Conclusion. We present the first case of lacrimal gland metastasis in a young girl from GC relapse

Enhancing Accuracy and Efficiency of Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Biochemistry Analysis in Medical Laboratories

Complete blood count (CBC) and biochemistry analysis in medical laboratories are routine tests for the diagnosis and monitoring of any disease. In a CBC test, if a sample of blood is mixed with the diluted solution, the elements that form behave in different ways. The red cells settle to the bottom of the solution, but the white cells and platelets are held in suspension. The white cells and platelets are not homogeneous in their distribution; the red cells can settle through the white cells to the bottom of the sample tube. And in biochemistry analysis, the high cost and lengthy time for the several tests for diagnosis were the main drawbacks. To overcome this problem, we are developing an automatic blood analyzer that has an accurate and efficient differential counter. This instrument will eliminate most of the manual procedures to reduce human error and provide an accurate count of different types of cells in the blood. For biochemistry analysis, we are using a Lab-on-Chip device. Since the CBC test and biochemistry analysis are the most commonly performed tests in medical laboratories, the new development of automatic analyzers and lab-on-chip devices will bring a great advantage in terms of rapid, accurate, and multiple analysis results at a low cost. With this great advantage, the new development of CBC tests and biochemistry analysis encourages further research on their clinical applications

Telecardiology Application in Jordan: Its Impact on Diagnosis and Disease Management, Patients’ Quality of Life, and Time- and Cost-Savings

Objectives. To assess the impact of live interactive telecardiology on diagnosis and disease management, patients’ quality of life, and time- and cost-savings. Methods. All consecutive patients who attended or were referred to the teleclinics for suspected cardiac problems in two hospitals in remote areas of Jordan during the study period were included in the study. Patients were interviewed for relevant information and their quality of life was assessed during the first visit and 8 weeks after the last visit. Results. A total of 76 patients were included in this study. Final diagnosis and treatment plan were established as part of the telecardiology consultations in 71.1% and 77.3% of patients, respectively. Patients’ travel was avoided for 38 (50.0%) who were managed locally. The majority of patients perceived that the visit to the telecardiology clinic results in less travel time (96.1%), less waiting time (98.1%), and lower cost (100.0%). Telecardiology consultations resulted in an improvement in the quality of life after two months of the first visit. Conclusions. Telecardiology care in remote areas of Jordan would improve the access to health care, help to reach proper diagnosis and establish the treatment plan, and improve the quality of life

Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990–2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Health system planning requires careful assessment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemiology, but data for morbidity and mortality of this disease are scarce or non-existent in many countries. We estimated the global, regional, and national burden of CKD, as well as the burden of cardiovascular disease and gout attributable to impaired kidney function, for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017. We use the term CKD to refer to the morbidity and mortality that can be directly attributed to all stages of CKD, and we use the term impaired kidney function to refer to the additional risk of CKD from cardiovascular disease and gout. Methods The main data sources we used were published literature, vital registration systems, end-stage kidney disease registries, and household surveys. Estimates of CKD burden were produced using a Cause of Death Ensemble model and a Bayesian meta-regression analytical tool, and included incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, mortality, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). A comparative risk assessment approach was used to estimate the proportion of cardiovascular diseases and gout burden attributable to impaired kidney function. Findings Globally, in 2017, 1·2 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 1·2 to 1·3) people died from CKD. The global all-age mortality rate from CKD increased 41·5% (95% UI 35·2 to 46·5) between 1990 and 2017, although there was no significant change in the age-standardised mortality rate (2·8%, −1·5 to 6·3). In 2017, 697·5 million (95% UI 649·2 to 752·0) cases of all-stage CKD were recorded, for a global prevalence of 9·1% (8·5 to 9·8). The global all-age prevalence of CKD increased 29·3% (95% UI 26·4 to 32·6) since 1990, whereas the age-standardised prevalence remained stable (1·2%, −1·1 to 3·5). CKD resulted in 35·8 million (95% UI 33·7 to 38·0) DALYs in 2017, with diabetic nephropathy accounting for almost a third of DALYs. Most of the burden of CKD was concentrated in the three lowest quintiles of Socio-demographic Index (SDI). In several regions, particularly Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, the burden of CKD was much higher than expected for the level of development, whereas the disease burden in western, eastern, and central sub-Saharan Africa, east Asia, south Asia, central and eastern Europe, Australasia, and western Europe was lower than expected. 1·4 million (95% UI 1·2 to 1·6) cardiovascular disease-related deaths and 25·3 million (22·2 to 28·9) cardiovascular disease DALYs were attributable to impaired kidney function. Interpretation Kidney disease has a major effect on global health, both as a direct cause of global morbidity and mortality and as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. CKD is largely preventable and treatable and deserves greater attention in global health policy decision making, particularly in locations with low and middle SDI

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

SummaryBackground The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Global trends of hand and wrist trauma : a systematic analysis of fracture and digit amputation using the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study

Background As global rates of mortality decrease, rates of non-fatal injury have increased, particularly in low Socio-demographic Index (SDI) nations. We hypothesised this global pattern of non-fatal injury would be demonstrated in regard to bony hand and wrist trauma over the 27-year study period. Methods The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 was used to estimate prevalence, age-standardised incidence and years lived with disability for hand trauma in 195 countries from 1990 to 2017. Individual injuries included hand and wrist fractures, thumb amputations and non-thumb digit amputations. Results The global incidence of hand trauma has only modestly decreased since 1990. In 2017, the age-standardised incidence of hand and wrist fractures was 179 per 100 000 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 146 to 217), whereas the less common injuries of thumb and non-thumb digit amputation were 24 (95% UI 17 to 34) and 56 (95% UI 43 to 74) per 100 000, respectively. Rates of injury vary greatly by region, and improvements have not been equally distributed. The highest burden of hand trauma is currently reported in high SDI countries. However, low-middle and middle SDI countries have increasing rates of hand trauma by as much at 25%. Conclusions Certain regions are noted to have high rates of hand trauma over the study period. Low-middle and middle SDI countries, however, have demonstrated increasing rates of fracture and amputation over the last 27 years. This trend is concerning as access to quality and subspecialised surgical hand care is often limiting in these resource-limited regions.Peer reviewe