Showing papers by "An-Najah National University published in 2008"

A descriptive study of self-medication practices among Palestinian medical and nonmedical university students.

Abstract: Background The implications of self-medication practices are increasingly recognized around the world; however, little has been reported on the extent of self-medication practiced in Palestine. Objective To determine the reasons, extent, and correlates of self-medication practices among university students in Palestine. Methods A self-administered questionnaire eliciting self-medication practices was distributed to university students in a cross-sectional design. The 4 variables, sex, type of school, self-care orientation, and medication knowledge, were investigated for possible correlation with self-medication practices. Multiple logistic regression and Chi-square statistics were used in data analysis. Results Self-medication practices were reported by 98% of the surveyed students (n = 1581). Approximately two thirds of the respondents reported a high self-care orientation and one third reported “good” medication knowledge. Multiple logistic regressions indicted that self-care orientation, medication knowledge, and sex were insignificant predictors of self-medication practices, whereas the type of school (P = .012) was a significant predictor. A significant relation between the 4 variables and the type of therapeutic class used in self-medication was observed. For example, males were more inclined to use antiallergic medications (OR = 1.48) than females. Medical students were more likely to use laxatives/antidiarrheal agents (OR = 1.49) than nonmedical students. Respondents with high a self-care orientation were more inclined to use headache relievers (OR = 2.22) compared to those with low self-care orientation. The most commonly reported reason for self-medication practices was simplicity of the illness encountered. Conclusion Self-medication practices were common among the university students studied. Sex, type of school, self-care orientation, and medication knowledge are important personal factors that are associated with the selection of certain types of therapeutic classes used in self-medication.

Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study

Abstract: A comparative food ethnobotanical study was carried out in fifteen local communities distributed in five districts in the Palestinian Authority, PA (northern West Bank), six of which were located in Nablus, two in Jenin, two in Salfit, three in Qalqilia, and two in Tulkarm. These are among the areas in the PA whose rural inhabitants primarily subsisted on agriculture and therefore still preserve the traditional knowledge on wild edible plants. Data on the use of wild edible plants were collected for one-year period, through informed consent semi-structured interviews with 190 local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document use diversity, and relative importance of each species. The study recorded 100 wild edible plant species, seventy six of which were mentioned by three informants and above and were distributed across 70 genera and 26 families. The most significant species include Majorana syriaca, Foeniculum vulgare, Malvasylvestris, Salvia fruticosa, Cyclamen persicum, Micromeria fruticosa, Arum palaestinum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Gundelia tournefortii, and Matricaria aurea. All the ten species with the highest mean cultural importance values (mCI), were cited in all five areas. Moreover, most were important in every region. A common cultural background may explain these similarities. One taxon (Majoranasyriaca) in particular was found to be among the most quoted species in almost all areas surveyed. CI values, as a measure of traditional botanical knowledge, for edible species in relatively remote and isolated areas (Qalqilia, and Salfit) were generally higher than for the same species in other areas. This can be attributed to the fact that local knowledge of wild edible plants and plant gathering are more spread in remote or isolated areas. Gathering, processing and consuming wild edible plants are still practiced in all the studied Palestinian areas. About 26 % (26/100) of the recorded wild botanicals including the most quoted and with highest mCI values, are currently gathered and utilized in all the areas, demonstrating that there are ethnobotanical contact points among the various Palestinian regions. The habit of using wild edible plants is still alive in the PA, but is disappearing. Therefore, the recording, preserving, and infusing of this knowledge to future generations is pressing and fundamental.

Protoplast isolation and transient gene expression in switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L.

Abstract: Transient assay systems using protoplasts have been utilized in several plant species and are a powerful tool for rapid functional gene analysis and biochemical manipulations. A protoplast system has not been used in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), even though it is a bioenergy crop that has received considerable attention. Here we report the first protocol to isolate large numbers of viable protoplasts from both leaves and roots of two switchgrass genotypes. Furthermore, we demonstrate transient expression of PEG-mediated DNA uptake in the isolated protoplasts by measuring the activity of β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene driven by either the Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter or the maize ubiquitin 1 promoter. Protoplast transformation with either the 35S or the ubiquitin promoter resulted in an increase in GUS activity compared to the untransformed controls; however, the extent of GUS activity was considerably higher for the ubiquitin promoter than for the 35S promoter. Collectively, our results indicate an efficient protoplast isolation and transient assay system that can be used to facilitate gene expression studies in switchgrass.

Control of Main Stored-Grain Insects with New Formulations of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Diatomaceous Earth Dusts

Abstract: The present research is aimed at a formulation of the entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Bal.) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.) Sorokin, in two types of diatomaceous earth dusts, fossil shield and Silico-Sec, are then applied against the adults of three species of stored-grain insects: Sitophilus oryzae L., Rhyzopertha dominica Fab. and Tribolium castaneum Herbs. Effect of the treatment was assessed by comparing the mortality percentage of the adults of the three insect species exposed to the formulated fungi with that of the adults exposed to the unformulated fungi or the diatomaceous earth dusts or the undisturbed control. Results obtained from these exposures have indicated that treatment of the adults with the formulated fungi resulted in a significantly higher mean mortality percentage compared to the treatment with the unformulated fungi or the diatomaceous earth dusts or the undisturbed control. A synergistic interaction between the effect of fungal species and the diatomaceous earth dusts was shown. Viability of conidia of both fungal species in diatomaceous earth dusts was assessed by calculating the germination percentage of the conidia over time. Results indicated a small loss of mean germination percentage for formulated conidia of both fungal species versus a high loss of mean germination percentage for the unformulated conidia, thus the diatomaceous earth dusts used in the formulation of both fungi demonstrated a negligible effect on the viability of formulated conidia compared to the unformulated.

A Confined N-Dimensional Harmonic Oscillator

Abstract: We compute the energy eigenvalues for the N-dimensional harmonic oscillator confined in an impenetrable spherical cavity. The results show their dependence on the size of the cavity and the space dimension N. The obtained results are compared with those for the free N-dimensional harmonic oscillator, and as a result, the notion of fractional dimensions is pointed out. Finally, we examine the correlation between eigenenergies for confined oscillators in different dimensions.

The Epidemiology of Stroke in Northern Palestine: A 1-Year, Hospital-Based Study

Abstract: Background Although stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, no studies on stroke were reported from Palestine. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors and incidence rates of stroke in a well-defined area in north Palestine (i.e., the district of Nablus) with 362,159 native Palestinian inhabitants. Methods All patients admitted to Al-Watani governmental hospital from September 2006 to August 2007 and given the diagnosis of acute stroke were included in the study. Diagnosis of stroke was confirmed by computerized tomography scan. Demographic characteristics and clinical data pertaining to the patients were obtained from their medical files. Results A total of 186 patients with stroke (95 female and 91 male) were identified during the study. The average age of the patients was 69.09 ± 10.9 years. Among the total patients, 112 had a first-ever stroke (FES) and 74 had recurrent stroke (RS). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and renal dysfunction were the most common risk factors with comparable prevalence in both FES and RS. The majority of patients (153; 82.3%) had ischemic stroke subtype whereas 33 (17.7%) had hemorrhagic stroke subtype. The overall (FES + RS) annual crude incidence rate of stroke was 51.4 per 100,000 persons whereas the annual crude incidence rate of FES was 31 per 100,000 persons. The age-adjusted incidence rates were 54.5 (FES) and 89.8 (FES and RS). The overall inhospital mortality was 21% and was higher in patients with RS than in those with FES. Conclusion Modifiable risk factors were common among patients with stroke. Better control of these risk factors might decrease incidence of stroke and all consequences thereafter. Incidence rate and inhospital mortality of stroke reported in this study were within the range reported from other Arab countries.

Analysis of Nitrate Contamination of Gaza Coastal Aquifer, Palestine

Abstract: The ongoing degradation of the water quality of the Gaza Coastal Aquifer (GCA) is of a great concern for the different authorities and agencies involved in the water sector in the Gaza Strip, Palestine The GCA is almost the only source of fresh water to over 15 million residents where it is utilized extensively to satisfy agricultural, domestic, and industrial water demands The aquifer is currently being overpumped where pumping largely exceeds total recharge In addition, manmade sources of pollution endanger the water resources supplies in the major municipalities of the Gaza Strip Many water quality parameters in the GCA presently exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of the US Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards, especially for nitrate and chloride This case study analyzes nitrate concentration distribution for the GCA at different levels such as land use classes and sampling depth Nitrate concentration data from 1990 and from 2000 to 2004 were compiled and assembled in

Predictors of in-hospital mortality after acute stroke: impact of renal dysfunction.

Abstract: Objective The objective of this 1-year, hospital-based study was to identify the impact of renal dysfunction on in-hospital mortality after acute stroke. Methodology All patients admitted to Al-Watani governmental hospital and diagnosed with acute stroke from September 2006 to August 2007 were included in the study. Data were obtained from patients' medical files. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) was calculated using Cockcroft-Gault equation. Patients with CrCl or = 60 ml/min were designated as Group 2. The main outcome measure in this study was vital status at discharge. Pearson chi2 and independent Student's t test were used in the univariate analysis while multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Statistical testing and graphics were carried out using SPSS 15. Results A total of 186 acute stroke cases were included. Hypertension (HTN) (69.9%) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (45.2%) were the most prevalent risk factors. Patients in Group 1 were significantly older than those in Group 2 (74.11 +/- 9.46 versus 66.53 +/- 10.74 years). Thirty nine (21%) of the stroke patients died during their hospital stay. In the total stroke patients, three predictors of in-hospital mortality were identified: CrCl (p = 0.004), number of post-stroke complications (p = 0.001), and type of stroke (p = 0.034). In Group 1, CrCl (p = 0.012) was the only independent predictor of mortality, with patients who died having significantly lower CrCl than those who survived. However, in Group 2, CrCl level was not a predictor of mortality and was not significantly different (p = 0.26) between those who died and those who survived. In Group 2, no predictors of mortality were identified. Conclusion Screening and better control of renal dysfunction is required to decrease the risk of in-hospital mortality among patients after acute stroke. Our study also shows that the lower the CrCl, the greater is the risk of in-hospital mortality after acute attack. This finding needs to be considered in preventive and therapeutic strategies of acute stroke.

Poison Control and the Drug Information Center: the Palestinian experience.

Abstract: Background: The Palestinian Poison Control and Drug Information Center was established in 2006 to provide up-to-date information on medications and to help in the early diagnosis and management of poisoning cases. Objectives: To summarize the activities carried out by the PCDIC in the past 2 years. Methods: Documented inquires received at the PCDIC were analyzed and the Center's activities were extracted from the files. Results: During the first 2 years of the Center's existence, 323 enquiries were received, mainly (67.2%) from physicians; 70% of the calls were from the city of Nablus. Unintentional poisoning was the leading type of call (62.8%) followed by suicidal poisoning (20.7%). Medications were the major category of toxicants encountered (48.9%), followed by pesticides (23.5%). In 67.9% of the cases, the calls were initiated before any treatment was provided. The advice provided by the PCDIC was based on the nature of the call. During these 2 years the PCDIC has conducted both academic and non-academic activities. The Center introduced the concept of poison prevention weeks in Palestine and has conducted two so far. The PCDIC has published several articles in the fields of toxicology, rational drug use, complementary and herbal therapy, pharmacoepidemiology, and self-medication. Conclusions: Documentation of all enquiries is mandatory for analysis, evaluation, comparative purposes and quality assurance. More information campaigns are needed to encourage people to use the services provided by the PCDIC.

The electronic band structure of InN, InAs and InSb compounds

Abstract: The electronic band structure of InN, InAs and InSb has been investigated by ETB. The ETB method has been formulated for sp3d2 basis and nearest neighbor interactions of the compounds and its energy parameters have been derived from the results of the present first principles calculations carried on InN, InAs and InSb. It has been found that the present ETB parameters can produce the band structure of the compounds successfully.

Characterization of Hospitalized Ischemic Stroke Patients in Palestine

Abstract: Objective: Stroke is a major health problem, yet no studies on stroke have been reported from Palestine. This one-year, hospital-based study was conducted to determine the prevalence of risk factors and the in-hospital mortality rate in patients with ischemic stroke. Method: All patients admitted to Al-Watani government hospital and diagnosed with ischemic stroke between September 2006 and August 2007 were included in the study. Data were obtained by retrospective review of medical charts. Pearson Chi-square and independent t test were used in the univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of in-hospital mortality rates among the patients. Statistical testing and graphics were carried out using SPSS 15. Results: We identified 153 ischemic stroke patients (83 females and 70 males) of whom 92 were having a first-ever stroke (FES). Patients had several prevalent modifiable risk factors such as hypertension (HTN) (66%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (45.8%), and renal reduced renal function (crcl < 60 ml/ min) (33.9%). Twenty-six (17%) of the patients died during hospitalization. Four variables were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality: history of previous stroke (P= 0.004), crcl at admission (P=0.004), number of post-stroke complications (P=0.001), and age (P=0.043). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of post-stroke complications (P= 0.001) and previous stroke (P=0.03) were significant independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Screening and better control of risk factors, especially HTN, DM and renal dysfunction, are required to decrease the incidence and in-hospital mortality among patients with ischemic stroke. Key words: Ischemic stroke, Risk factors, In-hospital mortality, Palestine

Volunteer-based vision nongovernmental organizations and VISION 2020.

Abstract: Background The World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness developed the global initiative, VISION 2020, with the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness by 2020. An unknown number of volunteer-based organizations conduct short-term vision camps as a means of eliminating blindness in developing countries. Methods VISION 2020 strategies are reviewed and volunteer organizations' understanding of VISION 2020 and methods of service delivery are considered through survey results. Results From the surveys it is apparent that volunteer organizations are not aware of the VISION 2020 initiative and do not conduct their projects and programs in a way that is supported by VISION 2020. Conclusion Volunteer organizations have the skills, resources, and enthusiasm to make an impact on the burden of visual impairment. They do not, however, follow strategies accepted as most appropriate by the larger global eye health care community. Volunteer organizations are encouraged to reprioritize the work they do and change the methods they use.

Enterotoxigenecity of s. aureus isolates recovered from chronic urogenital tract infection in north palestine

Abstract: Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen associated with diseases in a variety of hosts including humans. It produces several toxins and virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenic potential such as staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs). This study was conducted to determine enterotoxigenicity of S. aureus associated with chronic urogenital tract infection by detecting enterotoxin genes. Setting: This study was done in The Microbiology laboratory, An-Najah N. University, Palestine. Methodology: A total of 90 S. aureus isolates recovered from clinical samples from patients suffering from chronic urogenital tract infection in the North of Palestine were used to detect the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes sea, seb, sec, sed and see by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results: Out of 90 S. aureus isolates tested, it was found that 57 (63.3%) of these isolates harboured one or more enterotoxin genes. Up to 78.9% of the enterotoxigenic isolates possessed one SE gene. The majority of these enterotoxigenic strains (61.4%) isolated from both semen and urine samples harbored sec gene either alone or in combination with other genes. Also the prevalence of genes in combination was significantly more common in S. aureus isolates derived from urine 9/33 (27.3%), as compared to those derived from semen 3/24 (12.5%). Conclusions: The role of enterotoxin genes in the pathogenesis of urogenital tract infection is still unknown. However, it is evident that urogenital infection can be caused by S. aureus strains which lack these genes. Other newly detected genes may play a role in pathogenesis. KEYWORD: Enterotoxigenic S. aureus, Staphylococcal enterotoxins, SEs, Palestine.

Site Effect and Expected Seismic Performance of Buildings in Palestine‐ Case Study: Nablus City

Abstract: The effects of local geology on ground‐motion amplification and building damage were studied in Palestine‐West Bank Nakamura's method of microtremor analysis was applied in this study The measurements showed significantly higher amplification in the frequency range of building vulnerability in different parts of Nablus city This finding is consistent with the distribution of the earthquake damage grades in the urban areas struck by the 11 February 2004 earthquake (ML = 52) with a focal depth of 17 km beneath the northeastern part of the Dead Sea Basin Quite large differences in amplification between around 1 and 9 were computed between the eastern and western rims of the city The downtown built in the central part of the city on soft clay, marl and valley deposits, whereas the northern and southern parts of urban areas in Nablus city lying on mountains consist of consolidated carbonates bedrock In the central part of the city and at the rims, where the thickness of fluvial deposits and soft formati

Evaluation of water management options for more food security in palestine

Abstract: Water management options for more food security in Palestine were evaluated using WEAP simulation model. A water management structure consisting of eight interrelated modules covering all aspects of water management was used. Three potential future political scenarios were tested: the current, a consolidate, and an independent State order. Simulations indicated that political status has decisive impact on water availability and the level of unmet demand and accordingly on present and future food security in Palestine. Water management, water trading, and water cost modules resulted in reductions in future water demands and therefore have positive impact on food security in Palestine.

Gender differences in pharmacological and clinical associates of kidney disease. A hospital-based study.

Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the pharmacological and clinical associates of kidney disease among males and females. Subjects and Methods:

Protecting Children in Conflict: An Unfinished Legal and Moral Agenda

Abstract: Perhaps no individuals suffer more from the effects of war than our children. This contribution briefly reviews how children have suffered in the past, focusing on those who have been forced to flee their homes and often their families. It does this by describing the international law we have put in place to protect our children fleeing from war. It specifically describes the most important provisions of the corpora of international refugee law, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law. These corpora of law contain the law that has been created to mitigate the suffering of children fleeing armed conflicts. Having described the law, brief attention is given to some of the supplementary instruments that are used to interpret the legal obligations of states. And finally, attention is given to selected shortcomings of the law and the international community's efforts to adequately protect children from the scourge of war. The concluding suggestions emphasize the need to refocus our efforts. We need to make sure that the gaps in the law are closed by agreeing to international law that protects all children forced to flee their homes because of armed conflict. And we need to make sure that we address the causes of war by not losing track of the aspirational goal of ending war forever.

Modeling wastewater management options with a water evaluation and planning tool (weap) for wadi nar watershed, west bank, palestine

Abstract: Water supply is a critical issue in the Middle East, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (Palestine). Water resources are scarce due to the arid climate and the population growth while water resources management and development is complicated by the ongoing Israeli occupation. There is a critical lack of sanitation in the West Bank. Only 45% of the Palestinian population is connected to a sewer network; the majority of households dispose of domestic sewage into unlined cesspits. There is currently only one operational wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the West Bank, so most of the sewage is directly discharged to the environment without treatment. Reuse of treated wastewater has great potential to alleviate this problem and improve crop yield. This paper presents a case study in the Wadi Nar Watershed (WNW) in the West Bank. The Water Evaluation and Planning Tool (WEAP) was used for mapping the management options related to wastewater reuse in WNW. Results show that WEAP is a sound management tool that can visualize the impact of key factors on the treated wastewater quantities and corresponding total area of wastewater reuse.

Degenerate electron gas and star stabilization in D dimensions

Abstract: — The quantum-mechanical energy, the Fermi energy, and the degeneracy pressure are derived for a degenerate Fermi gas in D spatial dimensions in the non-relativistic and the extreme relativistic cases. The stability of the system due to the balancing between degeneracy pressure forces and gravitational forces is investigated. We also examine the asymptotic behavior of our results in very large dimensions and their limits in the infinite-dimensional space. For computation purposes, we apply these findings to white-dwarf and neutron stars.

Discussion of “Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Simulation with Imprecise Parameters” by Ram Kailash Prasad and Shashi Mathur

Abstract: The authors have developed and implemented a methodology that is based on artificial neural network ANN and genetic algorithms GA . This methodology accounts for the uncertainty in specific parameters when dealing with groundwater flow and contaminant transport simulations. Although the paper topic is interesting, the discusser would like to comment on specific aspects of the paper. The basic premise used in the work is linking ANN to GA. ANN simulates a relationship that exists between an imprecise parameter and a desired output of importance such as hydraulic head or concentration of a contaminant in groundwater while GA searches for the optimal solution. This linkage is an established technique aimed at efficiently solving problems that entail immense and excessive simulations see, for example, Rogers and Dowla 1994; Rogers et al. 1995; Morshed and Kaluarachchi 1998; Aly and Peralta 1999; Johnson and Rogers 2000; Almasri and Kaluarachchi 2005a . The authors demonstrated this linkage vaguely in the methodology section and subsequently outlined it mathematically in Eqs. 1 and 2 , as follows: