Jordan University of Science and Technology

About: Jordan University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Irbid, Irbid, Jordan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 7582 authors who have published 13166 publications receiving 298158 citations. The organization is also known as: JUST.

Mental illness stigma reduction interventions: review of intervention trials.

Abstract: This article reviews the literature evaluating the effectiveness of various stigma reduction interventions related to mental health illnesses. An integrated search of the English language literature from 1998 to May 2008 was done using CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and PsychINFO databases. The results of this review emphasize that experimental clinical trials hold promise for providing evidence-based data that can be used in mental health practice. Educational and contact-based strategies used in various stigma reduction programs resulted in the most durable gains in knowledge as well as positive attitudinal and behavioral changes needed to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness. Special stigma reduction programs are to be planned for adolescent and elderly targets. Future studies have yet to be designed to identify cost-effective stigma reduction programs. Moreover, interventional studies from different cultures are encouraged. Cross-cultural interventions need to be evaluated and modified...

Application of quantitative light‐induced fluorescence to monitor incipient lesions in caries‐active children. A comparative study of remineralisation by fluoride varnish and professional cleaning

Abstract: The aim of this study was to apply the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) method in a randomised controlled study, comparing treatment with fluoride varnish and professional tooth cleaning for remineralisation of white spot lesions in caries-active adolescents. In the fluoride varnish group (n = 13; 32 lesions), professional tooth-cleaning was followed by application of fluoride varnish at the beginning of the study, after 1 wk, and then once every 6 wk for 6 months. The other group (n = 18; 30 lesions) underwent professional tooth-cleaning once every 6 wk for 6 months. Enamel fluorescence was measured at baseline and at each visit. In the fluoride varnish group there was a significant change over time (baseline: 6 months) for both lesion area: and average change in fluorescence (decreased lesion area and increased fluorescence radiance). The corresponding changes in the professional tooth-cleaning group were not significant. There was a significant difference in average change in fluorescence between the two test groups. For lesion area, there was no significant difference, but a tendency towards a difference between the test groups. It was concluded that (a) the QLF method is a sensitive method, suitable for longitudinal quantification of incipient caries lesions on smooth surfaces; and (b) that repeated fluoride applications had a favourable effect on the remineralisation of white spot lesions as measured after 6 months.

Chronic caffeine treatment prevents sleep deprivation-induced impairment of cognitive function and synaptic plasticity.

Abstract: SLEEP PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN NORMAL BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS. ALTHOUGH ITS FUNCTIONS REMAIN ELUSIVE, SLEEP MAY BE A FUNDAMENTAL contributor to memory consolidation.1 There is a large body of evidence showing a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and memory impairment in humans and animals.2–4 For example, a single night of sleep deprivation impairs working, procedural and implicit memory types in humans.5 Furthermore, prior to learning, sleep deprivation reduces learning ability and impairs memory, while post learning sleep deprivation impairs memory formation.6 Evidence indicates that while sleep loss causes a significant decrease in hippocampal activity,7 the hippocampus becomes more active when the subjects are permitted to sleep after a learning task.8 Moreover, the duration of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep phase increases after a learning task.9 Additionally, sleep loss impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in rats.10 The activity of the neural networks within the hippocampus can be modulated by the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular correlate of learning and memory.11 Earlier studies showed that sleep deprivation impairs LTP in area CA1 of the hippocampus.4 Upon high-frequency stimulation (HFS), the released glutamate, binds to the glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, causing a large influx of Ca2+. The increased intracellular level of Ca2+ activates various kinases including calcium-calmodulin dependent kinase II (CaMKII), which is generally known to be the regulator of short-term memory and LTP.12 It has been reported that gene expression of CaMKII, is reduced after 8 h of sleep deprivation.13 Caffeine, a psychoactive stimulant, is a common ingredient in a variety of beverages that are consumed on a daily basis worldwide. The use of caffeine-containing beverages is known to increase during sleep deprivation to improve alertness and enhance concentration.14 Indeed, the positive effects of low doses of caffeine on learning and memory have been reported15 and chronic caffeine intake has been shown to prevent learning and memory impairment in different animal models of brain disorders including Alzheimer disease.16 Although the pharmacological effects of caffeine have been extensively studied, the long-term effects of this drug on sleep deprivation-induced learning and memory impairment in the hippocampus have not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined the effect of chronic caffeine treatment on sleep deprivation-induced learning and short-term memory impairment using three experimental approaches: behavioral, electrophysiological and molecular.