فاعلية اإلنفوجرافيك التفاعل ّي في تنمية مهارات التفكير البصري في مادة العلوم الحياتية لدى طلبة الصف العاشر في محافظة الخليل – فلسطين

هدف المقال التع ّرف على أثر فاعلية اإلنفوجرافيك التفاعلي في تنمية مهارات التفكير البصري في مادة العلوم الحياتية لدى طلبة الصف العاشر في محافظة الخليل – فلسطين، ولتحقيق هدف الدراسة تم استخدام المنهج شبه التجريبي وتم اختيار عينة الدراسة التي تكّونت من )50( طالًبا وطالبة من طلبة الصف العاشر من مدرستي الحسين بن علي الثانوية للبنين ومدرسة اسحق القواسمة الثانوية للبنات للفصل الدراسي الثاني من العام .2022/2021 ووزعت عّينة الدراسة بالطريقة العشوائية إلى مجموعتين، التجريبية: وتكّونت من)25( طالًبا وطالبة تم تدريسها مادة العلوم الحياتية باستخدام اإلنفوجرافيك التفاعلي، والمجموعة الضابطة وتكّونت من )25( طالًبا وطالبة تم تدريسها مادة العلوم الحياتية بالطريقة االعتيادية. ومن أجل تحقيق هدف الدراسة، تم إعداد أداتي الدراسة االختبار التحصيلي، واختبار التفكير البصري )قبلي وبعدي( وتم التحقق من صدقهما وثباتهما. وأظهرت النتائج وجود فروق ذات داللة إحصائية عند مستوى )0.05≥a )بين متوسطات درجات المجموعة الضابطة والمجموعة التجريبية، لصالح المجموعة التجريبية في االختبار البعدي، والتي درست باستخدام اإلنفوجرافيك التفاعلي وقد كشفت الدراسة عن فاعلية اإلنفوجرافيك التفاعلي في تنمية التحصيل الدراسي وتنمية التفكير البصري لدى الطلبة. وفي ضوء النتائج أوصى الباحث باستخدام االنفوجرافيك التفاعلي في العملية التعليمية لما له من دور كبير في تنمية مهارات الطالب

Influence of Adiposity-Related Genetic Markers in a Population of Saudi Arabians Where Other Variables Influencing Obesity May Be Reduced

Large scale studies in Europeans have clearly identified common polymorphism affecting BMI and obesity. We undertook a genotype study to examine the impact of variants, known to influence obesity, in a sample from the Saudi Arabian population, notable for its profound combination of low mean physical activity indices and high energy intake. Anthropometry measures and genotypes were obtained for 367 Saudis, taken from King Saud University and Biomarker Screening Project in Riyadh (Riyadh Cohort). We observed large effect sizes with obesity for rs10767664 (BDNF) (OR = 1.923, P=0.00072) and rs3751812 (FTO) (OR = 1.523, P=0.016) in our sample and, using weighted genetic risk scores, we found strong evidence of a cumulative effect using 11 SNPs taken predominantly from loci principally affecting appetite (OR = 2.57, P=0.00092). We used conditional analyses to discern which of our three highly correlated FTO SNPs were responsible for the observed signal, although we were unable to determine with confidence which best marked the causal site. Our analysis indicates that markers located in loci known to influence fat mass through increased appetite affect obesity in Saudi Arabians to an extent possibly greater than in Europeans. Larger scale studies will be necessary to obtain a precise comparison

Age and BMI Adjusted Comparison of Reproductive Hormones in PCOS

Objective and Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition and has been described in women who have polycystic ovaries as the underlying cause of hirsutism and chronic anovulation. Studies on PCOS in the Saudi population are very few. The aim of this study was to investigate the reproductive hormones levels in patients with PCOS. Effect of age and body mass index (BMI) on the hormonal findings was eliminated through a multivariate analysis. Materials and Methods: A comparative study was conducted on Saudi subjects attending the outpatient clinic of National Guard Hospital in Riyadh. A total of 62 cases with PCOS and 40 healthy Saudi women were included in this study. Physical evaluation and laboratory investigations were carried out. Blood luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-SO 4 ), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone, prolactin, and progesterone were determined. To adjust for the potentially confounding effect of age and BMI, we carried out multivariate linear regression analyses for the association between each of the reproductive hormones and PCOS. Results: Serum levels of FSH, SHBG, and progesterone were significantly lower in PCOS compared to controls (respective P values 0.001, 0.001, and 0.002), while LH/FSH and testosterone levels were higher in PCOS cases than in controls (P = 0.008 and 0.003, respectively). When multivariate linear regression analyses were carried out, LH/FSH and total testosterone were positively correlated with the disease [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.02-0.35 and 0.02-0.17, respectively], whereas FSH, SHBG, and progesterone were negatively correlated with the disease (95% CI = -0.06 to 0.001, -0.01 to 0.001, and -0.17 to -0.03, respectively), independent of age and BMI. Conclusion: Our study suggests that regardless of the age and weight factors, Saudi patients with PCOS have higher levels of LH/FSH and total testosterone; but have lower levels of FSH, SHBG, and progesterone compared to controls

Clinical presentation and etiology of osteomalacia/rickets in adolescents

This study was conducted to determine the causes and clinical presentations of osteomalacia/rickets in adolescents seen at the King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh. Because osteomalacia and rickets constitute the same entity, the term osteomalacia will be used for future discussion. A retrospective file review was performed on all adolescents (10-16 years) with osteomalacia, defined as alkaline phosphatase levels ≥500 IU/L, seen at the KAMC, Riyadh, from 2000 to 2006. We recorded the signs and symptoms, dietary history and amount of sun exposure at presentation. A total of 135 patients were found to fit the inclusion criteria for the study. Of them, 57 had nutritional causes, with a mean age of 13.2 years, and included 32 females. At diagnosis, 22 patients were found to have bone pain, 10 had bone deformities, eight had pathological fractures and 17 were asymptomatic. Secondary causes for osteomalacia were found in 59 cases who had liver and renal disease and in 19 other patients who were on medications such as anticonvulsants and steroids, which are known to cause osteomalacia. Our study indicates that osteomalacia is a significant health burden that deserves special attention. Bone pain is the most common presenting symptom at diagnosis. Because of the high risk of osteomalacia associated with the use of anticonvulsants and steroids, it is advised that all patients on these drugs should be routinely screened for secondary osteomalacia

Puberty Onset among Boys in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background The ages of onset of pubertal characteristics are influenced by genetic, geographic, dietary and socioeconomic factors; however, due to lack of country-specific norms, clinicians in Saudi Arabia use Western estimates as standards of reference for local children. Aims The aim of the Riyadh Puberty Study was to provide data on pubertal development to determine the average age of onset of pubertal characteristics among Saudi boys. Methods Cross-sectional study among male school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2006, 542 schoolboys, aged 6 to 16 years old, from diverse socioeconomic levels were selected into the sample using a cluster sample design. Tanner stages were ascertained during physical examination by pediatric endocrine consultants, and also trained pediatric residents and fellows. Results The mean age (standard deviation) at Tanner Stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 for pubic hair development of Saudi boys was 11.4 (1.6), 13.3 (1.3), 14.4 (1.0) and 15.1 (0.8) years old, respectively. For gonadal development, the mean age (standard deviation) at stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 11.4 (1.5), 13.3 (1.2), 14.3 (1.1) and 15.0 (0.9) years old, respectively. Conclusion The ages of onset of pubertal characteristics, based on gonadal development, among Saudi boys are comparable to those reported in Western populations

Screening for genetic mutations in LDLR gene with familial hypercholesterolemia patients in the Saudi population

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is caused by genetic defects involving the low density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-R), predisposing affected people to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and death. The aim of the present study was to assess certain exons in the LDLR gene mutation detection analysis affecting in the Saudi population with FH. This case-control study was carried out with 200 subjects; 100 were FH cases and 100 were healthy controls. Five mL of venous blood samples were collected from all the subjects and used for biochemical and genetic analysis. DNA was extracted from 2 mL of the EDTA samples, and precise primers were designed for LDL-R gene which includes Exon 3, 4 and 8. PCR was followed by DNA sequencing. In our study, we found 25 mutations in cases in Exon-3 and 2 mutations in controls, however, we have found only 5 mutations in exon 4 and none of the mutations were identified in exon 8. We conclude that screening of FH among Saudi population is very important to identify individuals who are prone to develop the disease