Information seeking behaviour and international students: The role of social media in addressing challenges while abroad

Social media are now becoming necessary tools for researchers, teachers and students in seeking for information. Past research conducted on information seeking behaviour highlighted the challenges of the international students and how they used social media to overcome their challenges while being abroad in new culture and unfamiliar surroundings.In order to understand how international students cope with the various challenges that they are facing, a systematic literature review (SLR) study on their information seeking behavior using social media was conducted. Results show that international students actively use social media to seek for information.Their interactions with (i) online contents, (ii) fellow international students, (iii) local students, and (iv) the local community have benefited them in overcoming their struggles.This research contributes in enriching our understanding on the types of information sought by international students in the respective host country, the role of social media in supporting information seeking process and how best universities could provide the necessary support

Human exposure to Anaplasma phagocytophilum in two cities of Northwestern Morocco

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis with extensive increased interest. Epidemiological data are available in several regions of the USA, Europe and Asia in contrast to other parts of the world such as North Africa. Blood samples of 261 healthy individuals divided in two groups i.e., dog handlers and blood donors were analysed. Indirect immunofluorescent assay using a commercial kit was performed to detect specific A. phagocytophilum IgG. Two dilutions were used to assess the prevalence of seroreactive samples. Demographic variables were assessed as potential risk factors using exact logistic regression. Seropositivity rates reached 37% and 27% in dog handlers and 36% and 22% in blood donors. No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence rates between the two groups. Analysis of risk factors such as gender, age groups, outdoor activities, self-reported previous exposure to ticks, or contact with domestic animals (dogs, cats, ruminants and horses) did not shown any significant difference. A. phagocytophilum exposure was common in both high-risk population and blood donors in Morocco

Gentamicin-attenuated leishmania infantum vaccine: protection of dogs against canine visceral leishmaniosis in endemic area of southeast of Iran

An attenuated line of Leishmania infantum (L. infantum H-line) has been established by culturing promastigotes in vitro under gentamicin pressure. A vaccine trial was conducted using 103 naive dogs from a leishmaniosis non-endemic area (55 vaccinated and 48 unvaccinated) brought into an endemic area of southeast Iran. No local and/or general indications of disease were observed in the vaccinated dogs immediately after vaccination. The efficacy of the vaccine was evaluated after 24 months (4 sandfly transmission seasons) by serological, parasitological analyses and clinical examination. In western blot analysis of antibodies to L. infantum antigens, sera from 10 out of 31 (32.2%) unvaccinated dogs, but none of the sera from vaccinated dogs which were seropositive at >100, recognized the 21 kDa antigen of L. infantum wild-type (WT). Nine out of 31 (29%) unvaccinated dogs, but none of vaccinated dogs, were positive for the presence of Leishmania DNA. One out of 46 (2.2%) vaccinated dogs and 9 out of 31 (29%) unvaccinated dogs developed clinical signs of disease. These results suggest that gentamicin-attenuated L. infantum induced a significant and strong protective effect against canine visceral leishmaniosis in the endemic area

Amoebic liver abscess: Outcomes of percutaneous needle aspiration vs drain placement in paediatric population

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous catheter drain placement with percutaneous needle aspiration in terms of hospital stay, time to resolution of symptoms and cost of intervention performed.Methods: The retrospective cohort study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of patients with amoebic liver abscess from, January 2006 to December 2016 which was collected using non-probability purposeful sampling. Primary outcome included length of hospital stay, time to resolution of symptoms and cost of intervention. Secondary outcomes included development of complications, need for re-intervention and abscess resolution. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. .Results: Of the 62 patients, 36(58%) underwent percutaneous needle aspiration Group A, and 26(42%) were treated with percutaneous catheter drain placement Group B. Both groups were malnourished and anaemic at presentation. Overall, 56(90.3%) patients had single abscess and 44(71%) had it in the right lobe. Mean duration of symptoms was less in Group B compared to Group A (11.2±4.5 versus 16.4±3.2 days). Mean abscess size was 6.13cm ± 9.75cm in Group A and 7.40cm ± 8.40cm in Group B. The mean length of hospital stay Group A was shorter than in Group B (p=0.047) with earlier resolution of symptoms (p=0.027).Conclusion: Both methods were found to be effective in treating amoebic liver abscess in children, but percutaneous needle aspiration was more effective

Anaplasma spp. in dogs and owners in north-western Morocco

Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of increased interest worldwide which has been detected in northern Africa. Anaplasma platys is also present in this region and could possibly have a zoonotic potential. However, only one recent article reports on the human esposure to A. phagocytophilum in Morocco and no data are available on canine exposure to both bacteria. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study aiming to assess both canine and human exposure to Anaplasma spp. in Morocco. A total of 425 dogs (95 urban, 160 rural and 175 working dogs) and 11 dog owners were sampled from four cities of Morocco. Canine blood samples were screened for Anaplasma spp. antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and for A. phagocytophilum and A. platys DNA by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the msp2 gene. Human sera were tested for specific A. phagocytophilum immunoglobulin G (IgG) using a commercial immunofluorescence assay (IFA) kit. Results: Anaplasma spp. antibodies and A. platys DNA were detected in 21.9 and 7.5% of the dogs, respectively. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was not amplified. Anaplasma platys DNA was significantly more frequently amplified for working dogs. No statistically significant differences in the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. antibodies or A. platys DNA detection were observed between sexes, age classes or in relation to exposure to ticks. A total of 348 Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) ticks were removed from 35 urban and working dogs. The majority of dog owners (7/10) were seroreactive to A. phagoyctophilum IgG (one sample was excluded because of hemolysis). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. exposure and A. platys infection in dogs, and A. phagocytophilum exposure in humans in Morocco

Laparoscopic total colectomy in an eight-year-old with familial adenomatous polyposis: A case report

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis accounts for20 years of age. Endoscopy is essential for the diagnosis with definitive treatment involving prophylactic total colectomy. With current surgical advances, this is routinely being performed with the aid of laparoscopy. Due to resource limitations and non-availability of the screening programs in the developing world, such cases remain under diagnosed. Genetic testing is necessary for prognostication of both the index case and their at-risk family members. Thus, we present a rare case of an eight-year-old female, with an early onset progression to colorectal cancer with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. We performed a prophylactic laparoscopic total procto-colectomy with ileo-anal anastomosis, which to our knowledge is the first ever-performed procedure in Pakistan. We conclude that progression to colorectal carcinoma in familial adenomatous polyposis can present at an earlier age than that reported in the literature. Laparoscopic total colectomy has similar outcomes than open surgical methods with better cosmetic results

Determining of knowledge sharing

Knowledge sharing is the process of transform individual knowledge to organizational knowledge which can helps the organization to get maximum outcomes from the employees.The purpose of conducting this study was to identify the determinants of knowledge sharing in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Penang.132 out of 351 respondents in USM participated in this study. Data has been analyzed by using SPSS software and the results found that three variables i.e. rewards, self-efficacy and shared goals have significant relationship with knowledge sharing. To conclude, emphasizing on the right determinants of knowledge sharing will motivate the employees to share the relevant knowledge with superiors, colleagues and subordinates.Introduction - Recently, knowledge sharing has become the subject that attracts researchers to explore.Knowledge is recognized as useful information to gain competitive advantage and sustainability in organization.Thus, the organization must ensure that knowledge sharing is occurred actively and become a culture which foster on mutual giving and receiving knowledge.The latter of sharing knowledge will be beneficial to the employees and organization in terms of productivity improvement and cost efficiency (Blair, 2002). Knowledge sharing or the contributions by individuals to the collective knowledge of an organization (Cabrera & Cabrera, 2002), is increasingly acknowledged as an important research topic. According to Lu, Leung and Koch (2006), knowledge is often shared among the employees in the organization in various forms and the main objective of sharing knowledge is to transform individual knowledge into organizational knowledge. Knowledge sharing is crucial whereby it is a fundamental root of the organization establishment.There were many research conducted to determine the factors of knowledge sharing in private sectors.However, knowledge sharing interventions in public sectors are lacking of attention (Cong & Pandya, 2003). Furthermore, in public sectors, rewarding employees are subject to government allocation controlled by the federal government.Previous research has discovered many factors that have relationship with knowledge sharing.Gray (2001); Jeon, Kim and Koh (2011); and Kankanhalli, Bernard, and Wei (2005); found that perceived consequences, social factors, facilitating conditions, perceived reputation enhancement,perceived enjoyment in helping others, trust, perceived loss of knowledge power and shared goals lead to the culture of knowledge sharing.Despite variables tested by the mentioned scholars, the researcher came across with other variables to be tested i.e. culture, reciprocal relationship, reward, self-efficacy and shared goals

2000 Philip C. Jessup

The Governments of the State of Kuraca and the Republic of Senhava have recognized as compulsory ipsofacto in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in accordance with Article 36, paragraph 2