Effetiveness of Zahorik Model in the Acquisition of Listening and Speaking Skills in the Light of the Motivation toward Learning Arabic among the Seventh Grade Students in Jordan

This study aimed at measuring the effectiveness of Zahorik Model in the acquisition of listening and speaking skills in the light of the motivation toward learning Arabic, among the seventh grade students in Jordan. The subjects of this study were selected purposely from the seventh grade students of a high school in Amman-Jordan. Two classes were selected randomly, one with (26) students, was assigned as an experimental group, where the other of (26) students, was assigned as a control group. Two tests were developed, one for the listening skill, and the other one for the speaking skill. A scale to measure the motivation toward learning Arabic was also developed. All validity and reliability indicators were obtained for these instruments. The results showed statistical differences in listening and speaking skills, for seventh graders, attributed to the method of teaching in favor of the experimental groups. The result also showed statistical differences in the speaking skill attributed to the interaction between the method and motivation toward learning Arabic, but showed no statistical differences in listening skill attributed to the interaction between the method and motivation toward learning Arabic. A set of recommendations were concluded in the light of these findings

Fatal infection caused by a multiply resistant type 3 pneumococcus.

The most virulent pneumococcal serotype (type 3) has not to date been associated with multiple antimicrobial resistance. We report an unusual gastrointestinal presentation of fatal septicemia caused by a multiply resistant type 3 pneumococcus in a setting of increasing prevalence of multiple resistance, including resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline

Impact of cotrimoxazole on non-susceptibility to antibiotics in Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage isolates among HIV-infected mineworkers in South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate risk factors for pneumococcal carriage and non-susceptibility among HIV-infected mineworkers in South Africa. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, HIV clinic attendees were questioned about risk factors for pneumococcal carriage and antimicrobial non-susceptibility. Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs were taken for pneumococcal culture, serotyping and susceptibility testing. RESULTS: Among 856 participants (854 male, median age 41.5years, median CD4 290cells/mm(3)), 294 (34.3%) were receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Overall, 75/856 (8.8%) carried S. pneumoniae; among those taking vs. not taking cotrimoxazole, 8.2% vs. 9.1% were carriers. Risk factors for pneumococcal carriage were living with a child (adjusted OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.06-4.62) and recent hospitalisation (adjusted OR 1.80; 95% CI 0.98-3.30). Among participants not taking cotrimoxazole, the prevalence of carriage was higher in individuals with lower CD4 counts. Comparing participants taking cotrimoxazole vs. not, 60.9% vs. 22.4% (p=0.001) isolates were non-susceptible to cotrimoxazole and 30.4% vs. 8.2% were non-susceptible to penicillin (p=0.014). Thirty three/72 (45.8%) isolates were paediatric serotypes/groups. Nasopharyngeal compared with oropharyngeal swabs had higher sensitivity in detecting carriage (53/75, 70.7% vs. 31/75, 41.3%), and adding oropharyngeal sampling increased detection from 6.2% to 8.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Non-susceptibility to cotrimoxazole and penicillin was more common among isolates from participants taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Surveillance for antimicrobial susceptibility is important where prophylaxis is used. Treatment for pneumococcal disease should take into account a higher risk of non-susceptibility to antibiotics amongst individuals taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis

Detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae Type B by Real-Time PCR from Dried Blood Spot Samples among Children with Pneumonia: A Useful Approach for Developing Countries

BACKGROUND: Dried blood spot (DBS) is a reliable blood collection method for storing samples at room temperature and easily transporting them. We have previously validated a Real-Time PCR for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in DBS. The objective of this study was to apply this methodology for the diagnosis of S. pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) in DBS samples of children with pneumonia admitted to two hospitals in Mozambique and Morocco. METHODS: Ply and wzg genes of S. pneumoniae and bexA gene of Hib, were used as targets of Real-Time PCR. 329 DBS samples of children hospitalized with clinical diagnosis of pneumonia were tested. RESULTS: Real-Time PCR in DBS allowed for a significant increase in microbiological diagnosis of S. pneumoniae and Hib. When performing blood bacterial culture, only ten isolates of S. pneumoniae and none of Hib were detected (3·0% positivity rate, IC95% 1·4-5·5%). Real-Time PCR from DBS samples increased the detection yield by 4x fold, as 30 S. pneumoniae and 11 Hib cases were detected (12·4% positivity rate, IC95% 9·0-16·5%; P<0·001). CONCLUSION: Real-Time PCR applied in DBS may be a valuable tool for improving diagnosis and surveillance of pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae or Hib in developing countries