Perfectionism and Academic Self-Handicapped among Gifted Students: An Explanatory Model

This study aimed to examine the relationship between perfectionism and academic self-handicapping strategies among gifted students in Jordan. This study used a mixed-method approach to explore the relationship as well as exploring any other factors associated with using such strategies. The Revised Almost Perfect Scale (APS-R) and the Academic Self-Handicapping Strategies Scale were used to measure perfectionism and academic self-handicapping among 242 gifted students on a high school for gifted learners. Subsequently, the researchers conducted four focus group discussions with 23 gifted students to identify the factors that may lead those students to use self-handicapping strategies. The results showed that Self-handicapped students were 4.58 times more likely to be maladaptive perfectionists than non-self-handicapped students. The results also revealed a combination of environmental, personal, and cultural factors that contributed to the use of these strategies by gifted students. This study has proposed an explanatory model to illustrate the relationship between perfectionism, academic self-handicapping, and factors that might be related. Finally, this study provided a range of educational implications that can be used in the field of gifted education

Intrauterine device is embraced by the placenta

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a contraceptive method which are tiny, T-shaped plastic, that is placed within the uterus and left there, is used all throughout the world with more than 99% effectiveness rate. Pregnancy with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in situ is very rare. Intracavitary pregnancy with an IUD can lead to a higher risk of infection and preterm birth. We described a case of a live birth with an IUD inserted into the placenta. A 27-year-old Syrian woman in G4P3 with a history of healthy vaginal deliveries arrived in our delivery room at 39+3 weeks gestation complaining of labor pain A vaginal examination revealed bulging membranes and a fully dilated cervix. She delivered a live baby boy, weighing 3100 g and being sent to the nursery with an APGAR score of 9 to 10. When the placenta was examined, a white foreign object that was embedded there was discovered to be an intrauterine device. Although intrauterine pregnancy is a potential problem that must be taken into account, ectopic pregnancy is a reasonably common complication of intrauterine contraceptive devices. Although several studies have shown that term pregnancies with excellent prognoses can occur after the removal of intrauterine devices, close monitoring is necessary to detect misplaced copper-T and prevent undesired births

Irritable bowel syndrome among nurses working in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that can cause disability and economic burden. Nurses are a vital part of the medical team and their well-being is an important issue. Yet, few studies have been done concerning IBS among nurses.Objectives: To determine the prevalence, severity, and predictors of IBS among nurses working at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 nurses who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. They were selected by stratified random sampling during 20142015. A validated, confidential, selfadministered data collection sheet was used for collection of personal and sociodemographic data. Rome III Criteria, IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were included. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were done. A multiple logistic regression analysis was done to determine the predictors of IBS.Results: The prevalence of IBS among nurses was 14.4%, and IBS-Mixed type was the commonest variety (54.5%). Positive family history of IBS, working in outpatient clinics, having day shift, poor sleep quality, and high anxiety and depression scale scores were significantly associated with IBS. After controlling for confounding factors in regression analysis, the predictors of IBS were food hypersensitivity (aOR4.52; 95% CI: 1.8011.33), morbid anxiety (aOR4.34; 95% CI: 1.4912.67), and positive family history of IBS (aOR3.38; 95% CI: 1.1213.23).Conclusion: The prevalence of IBS was 14.4%. Food hypersensitivity, morbid anxiety, and family history were the predictors of IBS. Screening and management of IBS, food hypersensitivity, and psychological problems among nurses are recommended.Keywords: irritable bowel syndrome; nurses; prevalence; predictors; severity; anxiety; depression; sleep qualit

Pharmacy education and practice in 13 middle eastern countries

The Arab world has influenced the art and science of pharmacy for centuries. Pharmacy education and practice is continuing to evolve in the Arabic-speaking traditional Middle East countries, although relatively little information has been published in the English press. Our goal was to providea high-level synopsis of conditions in this region. We selected 13 countries for review. Information was obtained by reviewing the available published literature and individual university and program web sites, as well as contacting with program or country representatives. Seventy-eight active pharmacy schools in 12 countries were identified. At least 14,000 students (over 75% from Egypt) are admitted into baccalaureate degree programs every year. The 5-year baccalaureate degree remains the first professional degree to practice. While changes in pharmacy education have been relatively rapid over the past decade, the advancement of pharmacy practice, particularly in the private sector, appears to be slower. Hospital pharmacists often possess an advanced degree and tend to have a higher level of practice compared to that of community pharmacists. Despite the adversities that face academics and practitioners alike, there is a strong desire to advance the science and practice of pharmacy in the Middle East

Studying the effect of silymarin against oxidative stress induced by chemotherapeutic protocol in breast cancer women

Breast cancer became the commonest type of cancers among Iraqi women since the last two decades. The main underlying cause is thought to be DNA damage; much of which is oxidative in nature. CAF protocol (Cyclophosphamide + Adriamycin + 5-FU) associated with toxic effects in several body organs, mainly through production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Silymarin, the dried extract of a ripe seeds of the plant silybium marianum, was found to be a powerful antioxidant protective agent against toxin -induced tissue damage .The objective of this study is to evaluate the possible time and dose-dependent protective effect of the orally administered silymarin as antioxidant agent against oxidative stress induced by CAF protocol (mainly Adriamycin) in breast cancer women. This study included 94 subjects, 20 were healthy control women (for matching with oxidative stress markers) and 74 were breast cancer women that randomly distributed and allocated into three groups: Group (A): Include 24 patients who received CAF protocol by I.V infusion once every 21 days and for 63days. Group (B): Include 25 patients who received 210mg/day of along with the same CAF protocol of group (A); Group (C): Include 25 patients who received 420mg/day of silymarin along with the same CAF protocol of group (A). Oxidative stress markers (MDA and GSH) were measured at baseline (zero time), after 21, 42, and 63 days of treatment for each patient group. Our results showed an increase in the oxidative stress for both baseline patients and those treated with CAF protocol, manifested by significant increase in MDA levels and GSH depletion, a state which is significantly reversed by use of silymarin, in a time and dose-dependent manner. Breast cancer and its antineoplastic CAF protocol produce free radicals which attenuate antioxidant defense mechanism of the body leading to several toxic effects on different body organs, so the use of antioxidant agent (silymarin) in this study may ameliorate, in a time and dose-dependant manner,theharmfuleffects of this protocol

A geometrical analysis of inclined and tilted spherical plough discs

An analysis is presented of the ef fect of disc geometry in relation to its areas of contact with soil at the working depth , treating the disc as a segment of a thin spherical shell . In addition , the ef fects of the disc angle of tilt , the disc angle of inclination to its direction of motion and the working depth are examined in detail . Shallow and deep disc concavities are considered . A presentation is made of formulae derived for disc critical angle and depth and for bearing and pressure areas of contact with the soil on vertical and horizontal planes . In addition , a study was made of the overlapping of soil working areas when adjacent discs are working in a gang arrangement . The ef fects of inside and outside sharpening of the circumferential edge of the disc are also examined . For the practical range of tilt angle (15 Њ to 25 Њ ) and disc angle (35 Њ to 55 Њ ) it is shown that the bearing area of the rear spherical area of discs is zero , so there is no soil contact with the rear surface of the disc . The vertical pressure area is only slightly af fected by tilt angle and there is little dif ference for the two disc concavities . Disc angle and working depth have significant ef fects on this area . The horizontal presssure area is not af fected by disc angle over its practical range . It has larger values for the 81 mm concavity than for the 51 mm concavity and is significantly influenced by tilt angle and working depth . Discs working in a gang , have overlapping of the areas of soil cut for disc angles and spacings (180 to 300 mm) adopted in practice . The area cut by an individual disc is not markedly af fected by disc angle . Inside and outside sharpening does not significantly af fect the overall findings concerning critical disc parameters . The flat bevelled surface formed by outside sharpening will generally be in contact with soil over the practical range of tilt and disc angles

Predictive Markers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Genotype4a

Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus worldwide. Monitoring hepatitis C-infected patients for hepatocellular carcinoma development is an important clinical issue to diagnose these patients during the potentially curable early-stage of disease. This study aims to evaluate the role of N-terminal procollagen III, matrix metalloproteinase- 2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, alpha-fetoprotein, and conventional liver function tests as predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma development upon long-term followup of non-responding hepatitis C virus patients. Methods: The study included 850 treatment-naïve hepatitis C virus genotype 4a adult patients; after treatment, 360 achieved sustained viral response while 490 did not. Nonresponding patients had a 5-year rate for hepatocarcinogenesis of 8.4% and a 10-year rate of 27.5%. N-terminal procollagen III, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, alpha-fetoprotein, and conventional liver function tests were evaluated in all patients before and after treatment, and after hepatocellular carcinoma development. The study also included a group of 50 hepatocellular carcinoma patients who were negative for hepatitis C and hepatitis B viruses, and a group of 50 healthy subjects as controls. Results: The non-responders had significantly higher age, stage, grade, viral load, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase than responders. Also N-terminal procollagen III, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, and alphafetoprotein were significantly higher in non-responders; after treatment they decreased in responders. In non-responders they remained higher than the control. The most significant risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma development in non-responding hepatitis C virus patients were male gender and increased age, stage, grade, aspartate aminotransferase, Nterminal procollagen III, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1. Patients with viral-hepatocellular carcinoma were of significantly lower age, higher grade, stage, γ-glutamyltransferase, N-terminal procollagen III, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 than non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Percent positive N-terminal procollagen III, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, and alpha-fetoprotein were significantly higher in viral hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Conclusion: Data suggest that high N-terminal procollagen III and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1levels after treatment might be particularly important as markers of hepatitis C virus-non-responding patients who are at higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in older males with high stage and grade liver disease. However, studies of larger scale are needed to verify this suggestion

Expression of cyanobacterial genes enhanced CO2 assimilation and biomass production in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

Background - Photosynthesis is a key process in plants that is compromised by the oxygenase activity of Rubisco, which leads to the production of toxic compound phosphoglycolate that is catabolized by photorespiratory pathway. Transformation of plants with photorespiratory bypasses have been shown to reduce photorespiration and enhance plant biomass. Interestingly, engineering of a single gene from such photorespiratory bypasses has also improved photosynthesis and plant productivity. Although single gene transformations may not completely reduce photorespiration, increases in plant biomass accumulation have still been observed indicating an alternative role in regulating different metabolic processes. Therefore, the current study was aimed at evaluating the underlying mechanism (s) associated with the effects of introducing a single cyanobacterial glycolate decarboxylation pathway gene on photosynthesis and plant performance. Methods - Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants (GD, HD, OX) expressing independently cyanobacterial decarboxylation pathway genes i.e., glycolate dehydrogenase, hydroxyacid dehydrogenase, and oxalate decarboxylase, respectively, were utilized. Photosynthetic, fluorescence related, and growth parameters were analyzed. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis of GD transgenic plants was also performed. Results - The GD plants exhibited a significant increase (16%) in net photosynthesis rate while both HD and OX plants showed a non-significant (11%) increase as compared to wild type plants (WT). The stomatal conductance was significantly higher (24%) in GD and HD plants than the WT plants. The quantum efficiencies of photosystem II, carbon dioxide assimilation and the chlorophyll fluorescence-based photosynthetic electron transport rate were also higher than WT plants. The OX plants displayed significant reductions in the rate of photorespiration relative to gross photosynthesis and increase in the ratio of the photosynthetic electron flow attributable to carboxylation reactions over that attributable to oxygenation reactions. GD, HD and OX plants accumulated significantly higher biomass and seed weight. Soluble sugars were significantly increased in GD and HD plants, while the starch levels were higher in all transgenic plants. The transcriptomic analysis of GD plants revealed 650 up-regulated genes mainly related to photosynthesis, photorespiratory pathway, sucrose metabolism, chlorophyll biosynthesis and glutathione metabolism. Conclusion - This study revealed the potential of introduced cyanobacterial pathway genes to enhance photosynthetic and growth-related parameters. The upregulation of genes related to different pathways provided evidence of the underlying mechanisms involved particularly in GD plants. However, transcriptomic profiling of HD and OX plants can further help to identify other potential mechanisms involved in improved plant productivity.Higher Education Commission of Pakista

Validation of the Arabic version of the Social Communication Questionnaire

Validated screening and diagnostic tools for autism spectrum disorder for use in Arabic-speaking individuals are scarce. This study validated the Arabic version of the Social Communication Questionnaire. The total study sample included 206 children with autism spectrum disorder and 206 typically developing children (73.8% male; mean age: 8.5 (standard deviation = 2.6) years). The mean Social Communication Questionnaire total score was significantly higher in autism spectrum disorder children than in typically developing children (p < 0.0001). Scores on the three Social Communication Questionnaire subscales also differed significantly between the groups (p < 0.001). Of the 39 items, 37 were endorsed significantly more often in the autism spectrum disorder group. The total Social Communication Questionnaire score did not vary by age or gender. Internal consistency was excellent (alpha = 0.92). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve for the total score showed excellent discrimination between autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children (area under the curve = 0.95; 95% confidence interval: 0.93–0.97). The areas under the curve for the scale subscores were 0.923 (95% confidence interval: 0.898–0.949) for the social interaction score, 0.872 (95% confidence interval: 0.838–0.905) for the communication score, and 0.856 (95% confidence interval: 0.819–0.893) for the repetitive behaviors score. The findings support the use of the Arabic Social Communication Questionnaire to successfully differentiate children with clinically diagnosed autism spectrum disorder using the established cutoff value for the English version.The authors would like to thank all the staff of the autism centers and schools who contributed in distributing and collecting the SCQ forms. They also would like to thank Western Psychological Services (WPS) staff for their help during the process of translating and reviewing the Arabic SCQ. They acknowledge Jennifer Holmes, ELS, for medical editing. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The study was funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (NPRP 6-093-3-024)