Showing papers by "University of Jordan published in 2012"

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy

Abstract: In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.

Knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding antibiotics use and misuse among adults in the community of Jordan. A pilot study

Abstract: Factors associated with antibiotic use, resistance and safety have been well recognized worldwide in the literature. Nevertheless, only few studies have been conducted in Jordan in this area. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, behavior and attitude toward antibiotics use among adult Jordanians. The study represents a cross sectional survey using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data collected from a random sample of 1141 adult Jordanians, recruited at different settings, regarding their knowledge about the effectiveness of, resistance toward, and self medications with antibiotics against bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. 67.1% believed that antibiotics treat common cold and cough. 28.1% misused antibiotics as analgesics. 11.9% of females showed inadequate knowledge about the safe use of antibiotics during pregnancy and nursing. 28.5% kept antibiotics at home for emergency use and 55.6% use them as prophylaxis against infections. 49.0% use left-over antibiotics without physicians’ consultation while 51.8% use antibiotics based on a relative advice. 22.9% of physicians prescribe antibiotics over the phone and >50.0% routinely prescribe antibiotics to treat common cold symptoms. Our findings indicated that young adults showed unsatisfactory knowledge of proper antibiotic use. Therefore, there is an urge for educational programs using all media means.

Self-efficacy, self-management, and glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract: Objective The objective was to evaluate the relationships between diabetes management self-efficacy and diabetes self-management behaviors and glycemic control. Methods A cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 223 subjects with type 2 diabetes, ≥25 years old, who sought care at the National Diabetes Center in Amman, Jordan, was enrolled. A structured interview and medical records provided the data. The instruments included a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, a diabetes management self-efficacy scale, and a diabetes self-management behaviors scale. Glycosylated hemoglobin was used as an index for glycemic control. The analyses are presented as proportions, means (±S.D.), odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals obtained from logistic regressions. Results Diet self-efficacy and diet self-management behaviors predicted better glycemic control, whereas insulin use was a statistically significant predictor for poor glycemic control. In addition, subjects with higher self-efficacy reported better self-management behaviors in diet, exercise, blood sugar testing, and taking medication. The findings showed that more than half of the subjects did not have their diabetes under control and that only 42% had attended diabetes education programs. Conclusions The majority of subjects did not have their diabetes controlled; their self-efficacy was low, and they had suboptimal self-management behaviors. Therefore, strategies to enhance and promote self-efficacy and self-management behaviors for patients are essential components of diabetes education programs. Furthermore, behavioral counseling and skill-building interventions are critical for the patients to become confident and be able to manage their diabetes.

Thymoquinone in liposomes: a study of loading efficiency and biological activity towards breast cancer.

Abstract: Thymoquinone (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone) is a herbal-derived drug with potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity. However, thymoquinone suffers from high hydrophobicity causing poor solubility which limits its bioavailability and high lipophilicity causing poor formulation characteristics. Liposomes are versatile drug carriers that can be used to solve problems of drug solubility, instability, and bio-distribution. In this study, we were able to prepare thymoquinone-loaded liposomes (TQ-LP) and thymoquinone loaded in liposomes modified with Triton X-100 (XLP) with diameters of about 100 nm, and entrapment efficiency of more than 90% for TQ-LP and of 49.6% for XLP. The TQ-LP liposomes were effective in suppressing the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D, and at the same time exerting very low toxicity on normal periodontal ligament fibroblast. Altogether, this report describes the first successful encapsulation of thymoquinone into liposome; which maintains st...

Exome Sequencing and Functional Validation in Zebrafish Identify GTDC2 Mutations as a Cause of Walker-Warburg Syndrome

Abstract: Whole-exome sequencing (WES), which analyzes the coding sequence of most annotated genes in the human genome, is an ideal approach to studying fully penetrant autosomal-recessive diseases, and it has been very powerful in identifying disease-causing mutations even when enrollment of affected individuals is limited by reduced survival. In this study, we combined WES with homozygosity analysis of consanguineous pedigrees, which are informative even when a single affected individual is available, to identify genetic mutations responsible for Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS), a genetically heterogeneous autosomal-recessive disorder that severely affects the development of the brain, eyes, and muscle. Mutations in seven genes are known to cause WWS and explain 50%–60% of cases, but multiple additional genes are expected to be mutated because unexplained cases show suggestive linkage to diverse loci. Using WES in consanguineous WWS-affected families, we found multiple deleterious mutations in GTDC2 (also known as AGO61). GTDC2’s predicted role as an uncharacterized glycosyltransferase is consistent with the function of other genes that are known to be mutated in WWS and that are involved in the glycosylation of the transmembrane receptor dystroglycan. Therefore, to explore the role of GTDC2 loss of function during development, we used morpholino-mediated knockdown of its zebrafish ortholog, gtdc2. We found that gtdc2 knockdown in zebrafish replicates all WWS features (hydrocephalus, ocular defects, and muscular dystrophy), strongly suggesting that GTDC2 mutations cause WWS.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Clinical Pharmacy Management of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in an Outpatient Diabetes Clinic in Jordan

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Glycemic goals (hemoglobin A1c less than 7%) are often not achieved in patients with type 2 diabetes despite the availability of many effective treatments and the documented benefits of glycemic control in the reduction of long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications. Several studies have established the important positive effects of pharmacist-led management on achieving glycemic control and other clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes. Diabetes prevalence and mortality are increasing rapidly in Jordan. Nevertheless, clinical pharmacists in Jordan do not typically provide pharmaceutical care; instead, the principal responsibilities of pharmacists in Jordan are dispensing and marketing of medical products to physicians. OBJECTIVE: To assess the primary clinical outcome of glycemic control (A1c) and secondary outcomes, including blood pressure, lipid values, self-reported medication adherence, and self-care activities for patients with type 2 diabetes in an outpatient diabetes ...

Polyselenopheno[3,4-b]selenophene for Highly Efficient Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

Abstract: Herein we describe the synthesis of a new series of copolymers (PSeBx) containing selenopheno[3,4-b]selenophene and benzodiselenophene, which exhibited a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.87% in a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell device (PSeB2/PC71BM). In comparison with its thiophene analogue, PTB9, the new polyselenopheno[3,4-b]selenophene-co-benzodiselenophene (PSeB2) showed a lower band gap and improved charge carrier mobility as high as 1.35 × 10–3 cm2 V–1 s–1.

The fractional-order modeling and synchronization of electrically coupled neuron systems

Abstract: In this paper, we generalize the integer-order cable model of the neuron system into the fractional-order domain, where the long memory dependence of the fractional derivative can be a better fit for the neuron response. Furthermore, the chaotic synchronization with a gap junction of two or multi-coupled-neurons of fractional-order are discussed. The circuit model, fractional-order state equations and the numerical technique are introduced in this paper for individual and multiple coupled neuron systems with different fractional-orders. Various examples are introduced with different fractional orders using the non-standard finite difference scheme together with the Grunwald-Letnikov discretization process which is easily implemented and reliably accurate.

Early dental implant failure: risk factors

Abstract: The objective of this prospective study was to estimate the incidence of early loss of dental implants and the potential risk factors. The predictive variables were classified as being patient, implant, anatomical, or operation-specific. The outcome variable was early failure of the implant. The significance of differences was assessed using bivariate analyses, and then a multivariate logistic regression model to identify independent predictors for early loss of implants. A total of 169 patients, 116 women and 53 men, mean age 47 (range 16-80) years, had 399 implants inserted. Fifteen implants were lost in 14 patients (8%). The early loss of dental implants was significantly associated with width of keratinised gingiva (p=0.008), the use polyglactin sutures (p=0.048), and the use of narrow implants (p=0.035). Multivariate logistic regression analysis established the significance of narrow keratinised gingiva (OR=4.7, p=0.005) and the use of polyglactin sutures (OR=3.8, p=0.042), which we conclude are probably the strongest predictors of early failure of implants.

Role of lentils (Lens culinaris L.) in human health and nutrition: a review

Abstract: Humans have known lentils (Lens culinaris L.) since the dawn of civilization. The current work is a comprehensive review of lentils composition, nutritional value, and health benefits. The article addresses major proteins identified in lentils and their bioactive peptides, including lectins, defensins, and protease inhibitors. In addition, this review discusses the complex carbohydrate fractions in lentils, particularly the resistant starches, oligosaccharides, and dietary fibers with emphasis on their biomedical properties. Also, the current review discusses minerals and vitamins as well as the non-nutritive bioactive phytochemicals of lentils which add to the promising potential for clinical applications in the management and prophylaxis of several chronic human illnesses. The article finds out that various potential health benefits have been described for lentils such as anticarcinogenic, blood pressure-lowering, hypocholesterolemic and glycemic load-lowering effects. The proposed mechanisms behind each health benefit are discussed.

A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude and behavior related to antibiotic use and resistance among medical and non-medical university students in Jordan

Abstract: Irrational antibiotics use is a major reason for the spread of antibiotic resistance. Earlier studies from Jordan indicated irrational antibiotic use among the public. Our aim is to evaluate the current knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding antibiotic use and reasons for resistance development among university students in Jordan. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey involving medical and non-medical students at the University of Jordan was conducted. Response rate was 85% and the majority of the sample was non-medical female students. Scoring level analysis revealed inadequate knowledge, high consumption rates and self-medication among students regardless of their specialty. Forty four percent of non-medical and 28.1% medical students agreed that antibiotics cure common colds and viral infections. Almost 61% of students did not complete their last course of antibiotic, 31.2% requested antibiotic prescriptions from clinicians and 37.5% were prescribed antibiotics over the phone. In conclusion, gaps in terms of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding antibiotics use among students were observed. National education programs should target these gaps aiming at increasing awareness on proper antibiotics use and its association with drug resistance. Enforcing antibiotic regulations at a national level is paramount targeting over the counter sale hence, reducing self-medication and high rates of consumption. Key words: Antimicrobial resistance, prescribing practice, health education.

Effects of increased pCO 2 on zinc uptake and calcification in the tropical coral Stylophora pistillata

Abstract: Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for corals. We investigated the effects of ocean acidification on zinc incorporation, photosynthesis, and gross calcification in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata. Colonies were maintained at normal pHT (8.1) and at two low-pH conditions (7.8 and 7.5) for 5 weeks. Corals were exposed to 65Zn dissolved in seawater to assess uptake rates. After 5 weeks, corals raised at pHT (8.1) exhibited higher 65Zn activity in the coral tissue and skeleton, compared with corals raised at a lower pH. Photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, and gross calcification, measured by 45Ca incorporation, were however unchanged even at the lowest pH.

Waterpipe Tobacco and Cigarette Smoking Among University Students in Jordan

Abstract: SETTING: While waterpipe and cigarette smoking have been well studied in Syria and Lebanon, data from Jordan are limited. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the relative prevalence of waterpipe tobacco and cigarette smoking among university students in Jordan, and to compare the demographic and environmental factors associated with each form of tobacco use. DESIGN: We surveyed 1845 students randomly recruited from four universities in Jordan. We used multivariable logistic regression controlling for clustering of individuals within universities to determine associations between demographic and environmental covariates and waterpipe tobacco and cigarette use. R E S U LT S : Waterpipe tobacco smoking rates were 30% in the past 30 days and 56% ever, while cigarette smoking rates were 29% in the past 30 days and 57% ever. Past 30-day waterpipe tobacco smoking rates were 59% for males and 13% for females. Females had substantially lower odds than males of being current waterpipe (OR 0.12, 95%CI 0.10‐0.15) or cigarette (OR 0.08, 95%CI 0.05‐0.14) smokers. Current cigarette smoking was more significantly associated with markers of high socioeconomic status (SES) than waterpipe tobacco smoking. CONCLUSION: Waterpipe tobacco smoking is as common as cigarette smoking among Jordanian university students. While cigarette smoking is consistently associated with high SES, waterpipe tobacco smoking is more evenly distributed across various populations.

Pharmaceutical care in a community‐based practice setting in Jordan: where are we now with our attitudes and perceived barriers?

Abstract: Objectives The objective of this study was to answer the following questions. How do community pharmacists in Jordan understand pharmaceutical care? What is the extent of pharmaceutical care practice in community pharmacies in Jordan? What are the main barriers to practising pharmaceutical care in Jordan? What is the attitude of community pharmacies in Jordan when considering provision of pharmaceutical care? Method A questionnaire was hand delivered to a random sample of 310 community pharmacists. The questionnaire was composed of six different sections including patient demographics, pharmacists' understanding of pharmaceutical care, frequencies of practice of pharmaceutical care, pharmacists' general attitudes about pharmaceutical care, pharmacists' intentions to provide specific pharmaceutical care activities and barriers to providing pharmaceutical care. Frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used to describe pharmacists' responses. Chi-square and regression analysis were also conducted to identify important associations. Key findings More than 62% of respondents had a correct understanding of the basic concept of pharmaceutical care. The data show that the level of reported pharmaceutical care activities was limited. In general pharmacists have very good attitudes toward pharmaceutical care. Interestingly, more than 90% of respondents fully support the concept of pharmaceutical care. The need for pharmaceutical care training was found to be the top barrier to the provision of pharmaceutical care as indicated by more than 80% of pharmacists. Conclusions While pharmaceutical care provision is limited at this stage in Jordan, the responding pharmacists had a good understanding of pharmaceutical care. They expressed a willingness to implement pharmaceutical care practice but have identified a number of barriers to successful implementation. With the introduction of PharmD and Master of Clinical Pharmacy programmes, publication of the results of local studies on the benefit of pharmaceutical care, improved communications with physicians and modification of the current undergraduate pharmacy curriculum to include more focus on therapeutics and pharmaceutical care, many of these perceived barriers may be eliminated in the future.

Socioeconomic impact on device-associated infections in pediatric intensive care units of 16 limited-resource countries: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium findings*

Abstract: Objectives: We report the results of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium prospective surveillance study from January 2004 to December 2009 in 33 pediatric intensive care units of 16 countries and the impact of being in a private vs. public hospital and the income country level on device-associated health care-associated infection rates. Additionally, we aim to compare these findings with the results of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network annual report to show the differences between developed and developing countries regarding device-associated health care-associated infection rates. Patients: A prospective cohort, active device-associated health care-associated infection surveillance study was conducted on 23,700 patients in International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium pediatric intensive care units. Methods: The protocol and methodology implemented were developed by International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium. Data collection was performed in the participating intensive care units. Data uploading and analyses were conducted at International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium headquarters on proprietary software. Device-associated health care-associated infection rates were recorded by applying Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network device-associated infection definitions, and the impact of being in a private vs. public hospital and the income country level on device-associated infection risk was evaluated. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Central line-associated bloodstream infection rates were similar in private, public, or academic hospitals (7.3 vs. 8.4 central line-associated bloodstream infection per 1,000 catheter-days [p < .35 vs. 8.2; p < .42]). Central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in lower middle-income countries were higher than low-income countries or upper middle-income countries (12.2 vs. 5.5 central line-associated bloodstream infections per 1,000 catheter-days [p < .02 vs. 7.0; p < .001]). Catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates were similar in academic, public and private hospitals: (4.2 vs. 5.2 catheter-associated urinary tract infection per 1,000 catheter-days [p = .41 vs. 3.0; p = .195]). Catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates were higher in lower middle-income countries than low-income countries or upper middle-income countries (5.9 vs. 0.6 catheter-associated urinary tract infection per 1,000 catheter-days [p < .004 vs. 3.7; p < .01]). Ventilator-associated pneumonia rates in academic hospitals were higher than private or public hospitals: (8.3 vs. 3.5 ventilator-associated pneumonias per 1,000 ventilator-days [p < .001 vs. 4.7; p < .001]). Lower middle-income countries had higher ventilator-associated pneumonia rates than low-income countries or upper middle-income countries: (9.0 vs. 0.5 per 1,000 ventilator-days [p < .001 vs. 5.4; p < .001]). Hand hygiene compliance rates were higher in public than academic or private hospitals (65.2% vs. 54.8% [p < .001 vs. 13.3%; p < .01]). Conclusions: Country socioeconomic level influence deviceassociated infection rates in developing countries and need to be considered when comparing device-associated infections from one country to another. (Pediatr Crit Care Med 2012; 13:399–406)

A numeric-analytic method for approximating a giving up smoking model containing fractional derivatives

Abstract: Smoking is one of the main causes of health problems and continues to be one of the world's most significant health challenges. In this paper, the dynamics of a giving up smoking model containing fractional derivatives is studied numerically. The multistep generalized differential transform method (for short MSGDTM) is employed to compute accurate approximate solutions to a giving up smoking model of fractional order. The unique positive solution for the fractional order model is presented. A comparative study between the new algorithm and the classical Runge-Kutta method is presented in the case of integer-order derivatives. The solutions obtained are also presented graphically.

Toxicity and Cellular Uptake of Gold Nanorods in Vascular Endothelium and Smooth Muscles of Isolated Rat Blood Vessel: Importance of Surface Modification

Abstract: Gold nanorods (GNRs) have promising applications in drug delivery and cancer treatment and are generally administered via direct injection into the circulation. Thus it is necessary to evaluate their potential adverse effects on blood vessels. Herein, GNRs with various surface modifications are used to evaluate the toxicity and cellular uptake of GNRs into vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells of isolated rat aortic rings. Surfactant-capped GNRs are synthesized and either coated with polyelectrolyte (PE) to prepare PE-GNRs, or modified with thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG) to prepare PEG-GNRs. Using toxicity assays, small-vessel myography, fluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy, it is shown that therapeutic concentrations of PE-GNRs but not PEG-GNRs are toxic to the vascular endothelium, which leads to an impaired relaxation function of aortic rings. However, no toxicity to smooth muscles is observed. Moreover, electron microscopy analysis confirms the cellular uptake of PE-GNRs but not PEG-GNRs into the endothelium of exposed aortic rings. The difference in toxicity and cellular uptake of PE-GNRs versus PEG-GNRs is explained and linked to free surfactant molecules and protein adsorption, respectively. The results indicate that toxicity and cellular uptake in the vascular endothelium in blood vessels are potential adverse effects of systemically administered GNR solutions, which can be prevented by appropriate surface functionalization.