THE NATURAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ARABIC WRITING SKILLS (AWS) ENRICH ARABIC ACQUISITION PRACTICES FOR NON-ARAB SPEAKERS

This case study was conducted on the needs of Arabic writing skills AWS for Ugandan Adults Learners UAL using the descriptive analytical method where the sample sized (n=40) was used. The researchers sought to answer, among others, a major research question about how important the AWS from UAL viewpoint are. It attempted to identify the signi?cancy of AWS from UAL viewpoint so that the researcher could engage more relevant design of Arabic writing sub- skills' content alternatives for elementary Arabic learning course EALC. The valid and reliable questionnaire namely, “The Elementary Arabic Learning Analysis Scales EALAS for UAL” with 5 Likert scales was used. On one hand, the descriptive ?ndings assert that UAL ratings for AWS interests are signi?cantly high. On another hand, the correlational ?ndings yielded by this survey indicate that the natural relationships among AWS are signi?cant. They also indicate that there is a positive natural relationship among AWS irrespective of any instructional condition. This is clear manifesto that justi?ed the feasibility of structuring EALC for UAL in which the samples of lessons are presented using AWS.

Emphysematous Cholecystitis With Perforation And Biliary Peritonitis

Emphysematous cholecystitis (EC), uncommon but potentially fatal sequelae of acute cholecystitis mainly seen in old-aged patients with high mortality rate, caused by secondary infection of gall bladder with gas-forming enteric organisms. Herein, we report a case of emphysematous gangrenous cholecystitis with perforation and biliary peritonitis in a 76-years-old non-diabetic lady that was successfully managed by surgical intervention coupled with medical. The report of this case highlights the risk of missing this extremely rare but potentially fatal condition once the patient presents in late-stage with concurrent complications like perforation and peritonitis. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and early surgical intervention is imperative are imperative to avoid undesired outcomes.

Polygonum minus ethanolic extracts attenuate cisplatin-induced oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex of rats via its antioxidant properties

Objective: To explore the protective effect of Polygonum minus ethanolic extract on cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity. Methods: In vitro test, total phenolic content assay and DPPH assay were performed to determine the antioxidant activity of Polygonum minus. For in vivo test, 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group, cisplatin 10 mg/kg, Polygonum minus 100 mg/kg, Polygonum minus 200 mg/kg and Polygonum minus 400 mg/kg. The control group and the cisplatin group were given distilled water whereas Polygonum minus groups received the respective dose of Polygonum minus extract orally for 14 d. On day 15, a single intraperitoneal administration of normal saline was given to the control group; while 10 mg/kg of cisplatin was given to the cisplatin group and Polygonum minus groups. Body weight, signs of illness, daily activity and mortality were observed at least once daily throughout the experimental period. On day 18, the anterior part of the brain was collected and processed for histological and ultrastructural analyses (right hemisphere). The remaining part (left hemisphere) of the brain was assayed to determine malondialdehyde and catalase levels for oxidative stress analyses. Results: Polygonum minus ethanolic extract possessed high phenolic content (977.6 mg GAE/g) and 95.9％ DPPH radical scavenging activities. No mortality was observed in all groups. Rats in the cisplatin group were weak and less active compared to Polygonum minus treated rats. In the cisplatin group, disorganised cellular layers of the cerebral cortex were observed whereas rats treated with low and mid doses of Polygonum minus extract had normal cerebral cortex as in the control group. Mild ultrastructural changes were observed in rats treated with low and mid doses of Polygonum minus extract. Meanwhile, low and mid doses of Polygonum minus extract significantly reduced malondialdehyde level whereas low and mid doses of Polygonum minus extracts groups significantly increased catalase activity compared to the cisplatin group. Conclusions: Polygonum minus ethanolic extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg attenuates cisplatin-induced oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex via its antioxidant activity.

Assessment of oral health status and associated lifestyle factors among Malaysian Fishermen in Teluk Bahang, Penang: An analytical cross-sectional study

Given background sparsity of country-specific literature evidence, and the pervasive unhealthy lifestyle habits such as tobacco, alcohol use, and high sugar consumption among fishermen, the aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and associated lifestyle factors among Malaysian fishermen in Teluk Bahang, Penang. Subjects and Methods: In an analytical cross-sectional design, we used simple random sampling technique to select 242 multiracial Malaysian male fishermen aged between 18 and 75 years from five fishing villages located at Gurney Drive, Tanjong Tokong, Tanjong Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, and Teluk Bahang to participate in this study. During four consecutive weekends in January 2017, we conducted face-to-face interviews with participants using a pre-validated, interviewer-administered WHO oral health questionnaire. We categorized participants as having “good” or “poor” oral health based on a mean cutoff score of 14. Multivariate regression models were fitted to assess the oral health status and associated lifestyle factors among the study population, using SPSS version 22. Results: We achieved a response rate of 97.6%. Overall, the prevalence of poor oral health in this study was 47.5%. “Income” (RM/month), “type of fishing,” “additional occupation,” “age” (years), “frequency of pies, buns consumed,” and “frequency of sweets, soft drinks consumed” were significant predictors of oral health status among the fishermen. Conclusion: Poor oral health is relatively highly prevalent among the fishermen in our study. The oral health status of fishermen in Teluk Bahang was consistent with the national average and significantly associated with their sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Targeted interventions are required to arrest and reverse this trend.

The Attitudes to Ageing and the Influence of Social Support on it.

Because no study has been conducted on the attitude to ageing among the community dwelling elderly in Malaysia, the objective of this study was to determine the attitudes to ageing among the elderly and the influence of social support on it. This cross sectional study was conducted among randomly sampled 2005 elderly in Penang, Malaysia. Attitude to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ) and the Oslo-3 Social Support Scale (OSS-3) was used. Majority considered those in the age group 60-69 and health status, appearance and level of fitness as the criteria to consider some one aged. The attitude to ageing score ranged from 39 to 109 with a mean score of 78.9. The mean score for the psychosocial gain, physical change and psychological growth domains were 27.2, 24.6 and 27.2 respectively. The differences in the mean scores among the age groups, races, marital status, level of education, employment status, socially active, mobility and living arrangement was statistically significant. As the social support category increased from poor to strong the mean scores also significantly increased. After controlling for all other demographic factors, strong social support was significantly associated with increased AAQ score. The total AAQ score and the score of all the three domains was above average suggesting a positive attitude to ageing and social support is a significant predictor for the AAQ score. Change in the family dynamics in Malaysia may have a negative influence on the attitudes to ageing among the elderly in the future.

Impact of Training on Rural Chicken Production Reared By Women in Islamabad/ Rawalpindi Pakistan.

Aim: To study the impact of training given to female farmers under the poultry extension women worker on the status of rural chicken production in Islamabad/Rawalpindi area. Study Design: The data were analyzed using General Linear Model procedures. The statistical model was constructed to ascertain the effect of breeds, season, health coverage program and training received by female farmers on egg production and mortality in chicks. Place and Duration of Study: Poultry Research Institute, Murree Road, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, between July 2011 and June 2012 Methodology: The study contained data collection (prior to and after getting training in rural chicken production over a one year period) from 100 female farmers who were willing to join female farmers groups and get training from extension workers. These one hundred female farmers were primarily selected from 150 farmers at random, keeping in view their zeal for joining female farmer groups. The training included skill development, production, and breeding of highly productive stock, care of the newly hatched chicks, housing, feeding, disease prevention, and hygienic measures, control of external and internal parasites, egg selection and storage, hatchability of eggs, and its requirements, selection and culling of birds, vaccination schedule. Results: Significantly lower flock size was maintained by female farmers before getting training (12.4 numbers) than after training (23.44 numbers). Egg production, per bird, was significantly lower prior to training (37.7 eggs) than after training (75.2 eggs). A significantly higher number of eggs per capita per year were available for farmers after training (140 eggs) than before training (87 eggs). However, per capita egg consumption was not improved by training. Mean overall mortality per flock were significantly higher before training (45.5%) than after training (13.5%). Eggs were stored for a longer duration in summer (6.80) and winter (15 days) for hatching prior to training than after training (4.09 and 7.75 days, respectively). A significantly higher number of eggs (18.0 eggs) were set under a broody hen before training than after training (12.6 eggs). Hatchability per number of eggs set was significantly lower before training (59.0%) than after training (75.5%). Ninety percent female farmers were adopted vaccination practice, whereas, 21.0 percent female farmers were already vaccinating their birds prior to training. Conclusion: Training significantly improved rural chicken production by female farmers. Overall training improved the poultry production practices through better adaptation of new techniques by female farmers. Most of female farmers adopted vaccination schedule after training.

Sporotrichosis atypical presentation as a soft tissue tumour

Sporotrichosis is a mycosis caused by a saprophytic dimorphic fungus named Sporothrix schenckii. Infections occur following traumatic inoculation of fungus from plants and infected cat bites and scratches. We report a case of a farmer who presented with a solitary subcutaneous nodule initially diagnosed as a soft tissue tumour. A history of agricultural activity and feline contact should draw the clinician's attention to sporotrichosis, as the diagnosis can be easily missed in atypical cases. The diagnosis, microbiology and management of the case are discussed.

The chronopharmacological effect of curcurnin on human gall-bladder.

Human gallbladder physiologically contracts and relaxes periodically. It has been demonstrated that curcumin (C) an active compound of Curcuma xanthorrhiza and Curcuma domestica produces a positive cholekinetic effect. The objective of this study is to define the influence of physiologic contraction and refilling of human gallbladder on the cholekinetic effect of Curcumin, and to determine the rime to achieve the maximum gall-bladder contraction after administration of 40 mg curcumin. Twelve healthy volunteers ingested 40 mg C and placebo (P) in a randomized double blind cross over study design. The volumes of gallbladder before and after taking C and P were half hourly determined by utrasonography and calculated using the ellipsoid methad for 6.0 hours. After P administration there is no gallbladder contraction. While afier C administration there was a contraction phase for 2 hours followed by a refilling phase for another 2.5 hours and then followed by second gall-bladder contraction started for 4.5 up to 6.0 hours. The maximal volume of gallblndder after 6.A hours was less than the basal volume, The cholekinetic effect of C is not chronopharmacologically influenced by the gall-bladder physiologic periodic contraction and refilling. The maximum contraction effect of C was achieved at 2 hours after oral administraion.