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Two simple, rapid, accurate, and precise spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of silver sulfadiazine (SSD) and sodium hyaluronate (SH) in the presence of methyl and propyl paraben. The methods were applied after the division of each zero-order spectrum of SSD and SH by the spectrum of paraben to exclude it. Method A, a dual wavelength of ratio spectra method, is based on selection of two wavelengths at which the peak amplitude of SH is the same but different for SSD, so wavelengths of 258.0 and 312.6 nm were used to determine SSD in the presence of SH. Other two wavelengths were selected at 208.0 and 238.4 nm for the determination of SH in the presence of SSD. Method B was first derivative spectrophotometry for the determination of SSD and fourth derivative spectrophotometry for the determination of SH. Peak amplitudes were measured at 236.0 and 225.2 nm for SSD and SH, respectively. The proposed methods were validated according to ICH recommendations. The calibration curves for the proposed methods were linear over a concentration range of 1.0-10 and 25-250 [micro]g/mL for SSD and SH, respectively. The specificity of the proposed methods was tested using different laboratory prepared mixtures of both drugs showing high specificity of SSD and SH with accepted recovery values. The proposed methods have been successfully applied for the determination of SSD and SH in pharmaceutical dosage forms without interference from additives., Author(s): Shereen A. Boltia [sup.1] , Magda M. Ibrahim [sup.2] , Manal Ibrahim [sup.2] , Nesrin K. Ramadan [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.7776.1, 0000 0004 0639 9286, Analytical Chemistry Department, [...]

Although recent Genome-Wide Association Studies have identified novel associations for common variants, there has been no comprehensive exome-wide search for low-frequency variants that affect the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We conducted a meta-analysis of 11 studies comprising 8,332 cases and 16,087 controls of European ancestry and 382 cases and 1,476 controls of African American ancestry genotyped with the Illumina HumanExome BeadChip. We used the seqMeta package in R to conduct single variant and gene-based rare variant tests. In the single variant analysis, we limited our analysis to the 64,794 variants with at least 40 minor alleles across studies (minor allele frequency [MAF] ~0.08%). We confirmed associations with previously identified VTE loci, including ABO, F5, F11, and FGA. After adjusting for multiple testing, we observed no novel significant findings in single variant or gene-based analysis. Given our sample size, we had greater than 80% power to detect minimum odds ratios greater than 1.5 and 1.8 for a single variant with MAF of 0.01 and 0.005, respectively. Larger studies and sequence data may be needed to identify novel low-frequency and rare variants associated with VTE risk.

Objective: Inflammation and pain are normally present concomitantly, which requires using a combination of anti-inflammatory and pain killer medications. This could potentially decrease patient adherence to such combinations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop combinations of antiinflammatory and analgesic therapies. This study is designed to evaluate the analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of a newly synthetic compound of ibuprofen and gabapentin. Method: The study protocol includes two stages. The first stage: the evaluation of the analgesic effectiveness of tested compounds via using hot plate and acetic acid induced-writhing tests. The second stage: the investigation of the anti-inflammatory activity via using dextran induced-peritonitis, cotton pelt induced-granulomas, and formalin induced-paw edema analyses. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (six rats in each group): Group A (control): rats were orally treated with vehicle (propylene glycol 50 % v/v); Group B: rats were orally treated with ibuprofen (10 mg/kg); Group C: rats were orally treated with gabapentin (200 mg/kg); and Group D: rats were orally treated with the synthetic compound (ibuprofen-gabapentin) in dose equivalent to 10 mg/kg ibuprofen and 200 mg/kg gabapentin. Result: It was found that the newly synthesized compound of ibuprofen and gabapentin has significantly reduced the pain in comparison with control groups. Additionally, this compound has significant anti-inflammatory properties compared to medications admitted to the control group as well. Conclusion: The newly synthesized compound (ibuprofen-gabapentin) demonstrates remarkable analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in comparison with the conventional compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wound management is an extremely important clinical and societal concern. Research into the delayed healing process is progressing rapidly, as indicated by novel therapy strategies, such as nano-drug therapy, which is not conventional. Mupirocin is a commonly used antibiotic in wound healing. However, various novel delivery methods have been developed to improve patient compliance, reduce bacterial resistance, and boost mupirocin delivery. Therefore, this pilot study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of mupirocin nanomicelles in insulin-based gel in the management of open skin wounds in Iraqi participants. Materials & methods: A randomized case-control, clinical trial pilot study including 40 skin-wounded patients was conducted in a private surgery clinic in Al-Zubair-Basrah, Iraq. The patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (20 male & 20 female patients each): mupirocin nanomicelles in insulin-based gel (2%), and mupirocin gel (2%). They were followed for 5 days. The percentage of wound contraction (% Wound Contraction) was measured and the wound areas were photographed. Results: On day 5 of treatment, all cases treated with mupirocin nanomicells in insulin-based gel showed complete healing (% Wound Contraction = 100) without signs of infection, compared to the mupirocin-treated group (% Wound Contraction = 90.8±1.04) with four cases of infections (p = 0.001). The majority of wounds were located in the arms. Conclusion: The findings suggested that mupirocin nanomicells in insulin-based gel could have applications in the future, as it can promote improved acute wound healing in various regions of the body, percentage of wound contraction, and infection-free status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A direct and precise isocratic RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of silver sulfadiazine (SSD) and sodium hyaluronate (SH) in the presence of methyl (MP) and propyl parabens (PP) was developed and validated. Agilent chromatograph with X-Select C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm2, 5 μm) was used. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 5.0 to which added triethyl amine 0.5 ml/L), at a ratio 35: 65 v/v. Elution was used at flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at ambient temperature with UV detection at 205 nm. The retention times for SH, SSD, MP and PP were 1.49, 3.3, 6.7 and 19.5 min, respectively. The presented chromatographic method was fully validated in accordance with ICH requirements, it was valid over linearity ranges of (0.80–100.00 μg/mL) and (3.20–100.00 μg/mL) for SSD and SH, respectively. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve ranges and the sensitivity of the method, as the limits of detection and quantification for each active ingredient was also determined. The validated method was successfully applied for the quantification of SSD and SH in pharmaceutical cream formulation and the mean recovery % ± SD were 100.93 ± 0.985 and 100.05 ± 0.668 for SSD and SH; respectively, indicating satisfactory accuracy of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Gut microbiome may affect CNS, while an important neurotransmitter in migraine patients can be expressed in enteric neurons. Omega-3 PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid) and vitamin E are reported to decrease neuroinflammation, have beneficial effects on intestinal wall, and microbiota of the small intestine. This study aims to find the effect of omega 3 PUFA and vitamin E on intestinal permeability in migrainous, and their possible modulation effect on certain vitamins that have relations for both migraine and intestinal integrity. Methods. A total of 21 migrainous men are included in this study. Blood samples were drawn before and after intake of omega-3 PUFA and vitamin E supplementation softgel once daily for 30 days to compare with 13 apparently healthy men (control group). The blood samples are used to measure serum lipopolysaccharide, zonulin, amylase, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and albumin. serum lipopolysaccharide, and zonulin. Results. Body mass index, serum lipopolysaccharide and serum zonulin of migrainous men are higher, but vitamin B12 and vitamin D are lower than in the control group. Upon intake of supplement, serum zonulin and lipopolysaccharide are decreased in migrainous men indicating an improvement of intestinal integrity, but vitamin B12 and vitamin D showed no significant difference. Serum albumin and amylase showed no significant differences. Conclusion. Omega 3 PUFA and vitamin E supplements decreased intestinal permeability and can be a useful as an adjunct therapy for migrainous men because of its positive effect on intestinal integrity and gut brain axis, but it has no significant effect on vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: polycystic ovary syndrome involves oligomenorrhea and/ or anovulation due to excess testosterone or LH, in addition to metabolic disorders that may result in decreased levels of important vitamins and minerals, including Zinc and Magnesium levels. Aim of the study: To show if metformin treatment for polycystic ovarian women can change zinc and magnesium levels in those women. Subjects and methods: this study involves 23 early-diagnosed polycystic ovarian women not on metformin and 16 polycystic ovarian women on metformin 850 mg twice daily for at least three months. FSH, LH, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, SHBG, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, magnesium and zinc are measured on the second day of the cycle. Results: the patients without metformin showed significant increases in LH, LH: SH ratio, and free testosterone at P-values of 0.03, 0.037 and 0.009 respectively. Zinc showed a direct correlation with estradiol in patients not on metformin and an indirect correlation with body mass index in patients on metformin treatment. Conclusion: Zinc is an important element for female fertility as it may enhance estradiol level may be due to its antioxidant activity which decreases the inflammatory reaction in the pelvic region and enhance ovary function. The increase in zinc level has an inverse effect on body mass index. However, metformin treatment in this study showed no effect on the level of magnesium and zinc in polycystic ovarian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at developing creative thinking teaching skills for female science teachers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through designing a program based on task-based teaching approach. The problem of the study was specified as the weakness of creative thinking teaching skills for science teachers in KSA and the need for programs based on recent approaches, such as task-based teaching approach. To face this problem, the study followed some procedures including: designing a questionnaire of creative thinking teaching skills for female science teachers in KSA and designing the instruments for measuring these skills, represented in: designing a test for the cognitive aspect of creative thinking teaching skills, designing an observation card for the performative aspect of creative thinking teaching skills, and designing the program. The study participants were then selected, and they included 30 female science teachers in KSA. Following this, there was a pre-application of the previously mentioned instruments to the study participants, an application of the program, and a post-application of the same instruments. The results obtained indicated the effectiveness of the study program in developing creative thinking teaching skills for female science teachers in KSA. Therefore, the study recommends the necessity for the follow up of science teachers in KSA regarding the application of critical thinking teaching skills to guarantee their use of those skills in teaching.

In this work, palladium nanoparticles, supported by polyaminals (Pd@PAN-NA), were synthesized via a reverse double solvent approach and used as a nano catalyst. The thermogravimetric and the elemental analysis revealed that the catalyst had good dispersity and improved thermal stability. The catalytic activity of the prepared Pd@PAN-NA catalyst was studied for a methylene blue chemical reaction in the presence of NaBH4 as a reducing agent. The effect of the catalyst dose, pH, and dye initial concentration were examined to optimize the chemical reduction conditions. The prepared catalyst Pd@PAN-NA removed 99.8% of methylene blue organic dye, indicating its potential effect for treating waste and contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Inflammation and pain are normally present concomitantly, which requires using a combination of anti-inflammatory and pain killer medications. This could potentially decrease patient adherence to such combinations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop combinations of antiinflammatory and analgesic therapies. This study is designed to evaluate the analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of a newly synthetic compound of ibuprofen and gabapentin. Method: The study protocol includes two stages. The first stage: the evaluation of the analgesic effectiveness of tested compounds via using hot plate and acetic acid induced-writhing tests. The second stage: the investigation of the anti-inflammatory activity via using dextran induced-peritonitis, cotton pelt induced-granulomas, and formalin induced-paw edema analyses. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (six rats in each group): Group A (control): rats were orally treated with vehicle (propylene glycol 50 % v/v); Group B: rats were orally treated with ibuprofen (10 mg/kg); Group C: rats were orally treated with gabapentin (200 mg/kg); and Group D: rats were orally treated with the synthetic compound (ibuprofen-gabapentin) in dose equivalent to 10 mg/kg ibuprofen and 200 mg/kg gabapentin. Result: It was found that the newly synthesized compound of ibuprofen and gabapentin has significantly reduced the pain in comparison with control groups. Additionally, this compound has significant anti-inflammatory properties compared to medications admitted to the control group as well. Conclusion: The newly synthesized compound (ibuprofen-gabapentin) demonstrates remarkable analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in comparison with the conventional compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the effect of functional groups on the porosity structure and adsorption efficiency of polymer materials is becoming increasingly interesting. In this work, a novel porous polyaminal-linked polymer, based on naphthalene and melamine (PAN-NA) building blocks, was successfully synthesized by a one-pot polycondensation method, and used as an adsorbent for both CO2 and heavy metals. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state 13 C NMR, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetry were used to characterize the prepared polymer. The porous material structure was established by field-emission scanning electron microscope and N2 adsorption–desorption methods at 77 K. The polymer exhibited excellent uptake of CO2, 133 mg/g at 273 K and 1 bar. In addition, the adsorption behavior of PAN-NA for different metal cations, including Pb(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), and Ba(II), was investigated; a significant adsorption selectivity toward the Pb(II) cation was detected. The influence of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentrations, and contact time was also assessed. Our results prove that the introduction of naphthalene in the polymer network improves the porosity and, thus, CO2 adsorption, as well as the adsorption of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Inflammation and pain are normally present concomitantly, which requires using a combination of anti-inflammatory and pain killer medications. This could potentially decrease patient adherence to such combinations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop combinations of anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapies. This study is designed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of a newly synthetic compound of ibuprofen and gabapentin. Method: The study protocol includes two stages. The first stage: the evaluation of the analgesic effectiveness of tested compounds via using hot plate and acetic acid induced-writhing tests. The second stage: the investigation of the anti-inflammatory activity via using dextran induced- peritonitis, cotton pelt induced- granulomas, and formalin induced- paw edema analyses. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (six rats in each group): Group A (control): rats were orally treated with vehicle (propylene glycol 50 % v/v); Group B: rats were orally treated with ibuprofen (10 mg/ kg); Group C: rats were orally treated with gabapentin (200 mg/ kg); and Group D: rats were orally treated with the synthetic compound (ibuprofen-gabapentin) in dose equivalent to 10 mg/ kg ibuprofen and 200 mg/kg gabapentin. Result: It was found that the newly synthesized compound of ibuprofen and gabapentin has significantly reduced the pain in comparison with control groups. Additionally, this compound has significant anti-inflammatory properties compared to medications admitted to the control group as well. Conclusion: The newly synthesized compound (ibuprofen-gabapentin) demonstrates remarkable analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in comparison with the conventional compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the relationship between institutional factors and the intention of undergraduate students to withdraw from or complete their distance education courses in the Arab Open University (AOU). The model was examine on a pilot sample of 127 students and then re-examined on the field study of 587 students. Mixed paradigms were selected, the quantitative approach was, the dominant technique, using factor analysis followed by discriminant analysis. The qualitative approach used content analysis for the in-depth interviews and open ended questions to explore the problem details. This study seems to suggest that, the intention to stay in the Arab Open University (AOU) distance learning (DL) programs depends critically on the quality of instructors and the variety of technology used to support and deliver these (DL) programs .

Objective: Environmental pollution with heavy metals has become a matter of concern, lead is one of those metals, Lead is a cumulative, multi-systemic toxicant which affects major body systems; it is associated with number of changes that include impairment of liver function. This work was designed to investigate the protective effect of vinpocetine on hepatotoxicity induced by lead acetate in rats. Method: Eighteen adult rats of both sexes were used in this study; the animals were randomly enrolled into three groups of 6 rats each: Group I- Each rat was orally inoculated with 0.3 ml saline. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 100 μl of saline was given 1 h later, this group served as control. Group II- rats daily received an intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared lead acetate (20 mg/kg body wt.) for 5 days. Group III- Rats in this group received vinpocetine and lead as the following; at first vinpocetine administered orally in a dose of 3mg/kg/day (dissolved in normal saline) for 5 days alone and then lead injection started in a dose of 20 mg/kg and continued for 10 days with oral vinpocetine dose where vinpocetine administered 1hr before lead. 24 hours after the last dose, the liver of each animal was excised to prepare homogenate for estimation interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and caspase 3. Result: Lead significantly (P < 0.05) elevated IL-1beta, TNF-α and caspase 3, while it significantly (P < 0.05) reduced IL-10 levels. On the other hand, vinpocetine significantly (P < 0.05) decreased IL-1beta and caspase 3 but it doesn’t significantly (P > 0.05) reduce TNF-α and it significantly (P < 0.05) increase IL-10. Conclusion: vinpocetine may have a protective effect against lead-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic invades the world. Public health evaluates the incidence of infections and death, which should be reduced and need desperately quarantines for infected individuals. This article review refers to the roles of Ginkgo Biloba to reduce the risk of infection in the respiratory tract, the details on the epidemiology of corona COVID-19 and influenza, and it highlights how the Ginko Biloba could have been used as a novel treatment. Ginkgo Biloba can reduce the risk of infection by several mechanisms; these mechanisms involve Ginkgo Biloba contains quercetin and other constituents, which have anti-inflammatory and immune modulator effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations. Cytokines cause inflammation which have been induced the injuries in lung lining. Some observational studies confirmed that Ginkgo Biloba reduced the risk of asthma, sepsis and another respiratory disease as well as it reduced the risk of cigarette smoking on respiratory symptoms. While other evidences suggested the characters of Ginkgo Biloba as an antivirus agent through several mechanisms. Ginkgolic acid (GA) can inhibit the fusion and synthesis of viral proteins, thus, it inhibit the Herpes Simplex Virus type1 (HSV-1), genome replication in Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and the infections of the Zika Virus (ZIKV). Also, it inhibits the wide spectrum of fusion by inhibiting the three types of proteins that have been induced fusion as (Influenza A Virus [IAV], Epstein Barr Virus [EBV], HIV and Ebola Virus [EBOV]). The secondary mechanism of GA targeting inhibition of the DNA and protein synthesis in virus, greatly have been related to its strong effects, even afterward the beginning of the infection, therefore, it potentially treats the acute viral contaminations like (Measles and Coronavirus COVID-19). Additionally, it has been used topically as an effective agent on vigorous lesions including (varicella-zoster virus [VZV], HSV-1 and HSV-2). Ginkgo Biloba may be useful for treating the infected people with coronavirus COVID-19 through its beneficial effect. To assess those recommendations should be conducted with random control trials and extensive population studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease, which is characteristic by wheezing, chest tightness, dyspnea and cough, all symptoms that are occupied with obstruction of respiratory airway. Aim: investigate guggulsterone activity on improve inflammatory events that associated with asthma. Method: 48 healthy rats (albino, male) divided to 6 groups, rats were sensitized with OVA and preparation lung tissue homogenate for measurement of inflammatory parameters by ELISA and RT-PCR. Also, preparation of lung tissue for histopathological examination. Results: All parameters are significant reduction in treated group with guggulsterone than sensitized group. Also, gugglsterone-treated group’s slides with less inflammatory signs compared to sensitized group slide. Conclusion: Guggulsterone improve inflammatory events that associated with asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is one of the most important factors facing the expansion of grapevine agricultural production which leads to reducing growth, yield and cluster quality. So, a field experiment was conducted during 2016 and 2017 seasons in a private vineyard situated in Desouk, Kafr E' l-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, to evaluate effects of Humic acid at 15g and 20glvine, potassium silicate at 20g and 40glvine, and biofertilizer containing three bacteria/strains (Azotobacter chroococcum+ Azospirllium /ipoferm+ Bacillus megatnerium with cell density 1*108 CFUI g) at 50gl vine alone or in combinations on growth, fruit quality and yield of "Ruby seedless" grapevines grown under soil salinity conditions. The results revealed that the combination treatments were more effective to alleviate the adverse effects of soil salinity than the individual ones. The combinations treatments among Humic acid, potassium silicate and biofertil{zer at low (Humic acid at 15g+ potassium silicate at 20g+ biofertilizer at 50gl vine) and high (Humic acid at 30g+ potassium silicate at 40g+ biofertilizer at 50g/vine) concentrations showed a superior effect on vegetative growth parameters such as leaf area, number of leaves per shoot, total chlorophyll, and vine vigor characters as lick Cf!lne length, coefficient of wood ripening, pruning's weight, internodes length, and diameter as compared with control. Moreover, caused a significant increase in leaf N P K content, and reduced leaf proline content. Also, it enhanced berry physical parameters (berry diameter, weight and volume of 100 berries) and chemical parameters (SSC%, SSC/acid ratio and anthocyanin content) as well as cluster number, length and weight consequently increased the total yield per feddan. Moreover, these applications reduced soil EC and pH meanwhile, enhanced both soils available NPK and microorganisms activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paracetamol can cause a life threating renal damage and there is no specific treatment for it. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the nepheroprotective effect of curcumin against paracetamol nephrotoxicity in rats through determination of kidney function parameters, minerals concentration, kidney lipid peroxidation and antioxidants. To achieve this aim, seventy adult male albino rats were divided into equal seven groups as following, Group I served as control, Group II (corn oil treated group), Group III (curcumin200 mg/kg b.wt/orally), Group IV (Curcumin 400 mg/kg b.wt/orally), Group V served as positive control (Paracetamol 500 mg/kg b.wt/orally), Group VI (Curcumin 200 mg/kg b.wt and paracetamol 500 mg/kg b.wt/orally), and Group VII (Curcumin 400 mg/kg b.w and paracetamol 500 mg/kg b.w/orally). At the end of experiment (after 30 days), blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical, and histopathological analysis. Renal toxicity and oxidative stress were observed in untreated paracetamol-intoxicated rats as there was significant increase in urea, creatinine, uric acid and sodium concentration with significant decrease in serum concentration of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, moreover malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased while, reduced glutathione (GSH) level and catalase (CAT) activity were decreased compared to control, in addition to congestion of the renal glomerular tuft and marked renal tubular degeneration in histopathological examination . Administration of curcumin attenuated the detrimental effects of paracetamol in a dosedependent manner via decrease of elevated kidney function biomarkers and correction of minerals concentration levels, decrease MDA level and increase in GSH level and CAT activity as well as induced amelioration in the histopathological damage. The obtained results of this study revealed that curcumin showed protective effects against paracetamol-induced renal toxicity through its powerful antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed at developing creative thinking teaching skills for female science teachers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through designing a program based on task-based teaching approach. The problem of the study was specified as the weakness of creative thinking teaching skills for science teachers in KSA and the need for programs based on recent approaches, such as task-based teaching approach. To face this problem, the study followed some procedures including: designing a questionnaire of creative thinking teaching skills for female science teachers in KSA and designing the instruments for measuring these skills, represented in: designing a test for the cognitive aspect of creative thinking teaching skills, designing an observation card for the performative aspect of creative thinking teaching skills, and designing the program. The study participants were then selected, and they included 30 female science teachers in KSA. Following this, there was a pre-application of the previously mentioned instruments to the study participants, an application of the program, and a post-application of the same instruments. The results obtained indicated the effectiveness of the study program in developing creative thinking teaching skills for female science teachers in KSA. Therefore, the study recommends the necessity for the follow up of science teachers in KSA regarding the application of critical thinking teaching skills to guarantee their use of those skills in teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zonulin protein is a haptoglobin precursor and functions to modulate the permeability of tight junctions between enterocytes. Local inflammation or systemic inflammation can trigger zonulin expression. While the increased zonulin level causes an increase of intestinal permeability and entrance of foreign antigens, the latter can increase insulin resistance and inflammation. Polycystic ovarian syndrome affects women during their reproductive age characterized by hyperinsulinemia and/or hyperandrogenemia and associated with infertility problems. Changes in gut permeability such as irritable bowel syndrome are often found in PCOS patients. While metformin increases insulin mediates glucose uptake and, acts as an insulin-sensitizing drug used to treat PCOS patients is recently discovered to reshape intestinal bacteria and hence may affect intestinal action. This study was designed to find any association between zonulin level and other parameters in PCOS patients and to find metformin treatment effects on zonulin in PCOS patients. Thirty-one newly diagnosed PCOS women agree to take metformin 850 mg twice daily for three months and, and to give fasting serum samples to measure zonulin, FSH, LH, total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, fasting insulin, and fasting serum glucose before and after treatment. The free testosterone and zonulin are determined by the ELISA technique while the other parameters are determined by the Cobas technique. According to patients' Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR), the Patients were divided into two sub-groups: the first group consisting of those with initial HOMA-IR less than two and the second group was those of an initial HOMA-IR of between two to four. Whereas the first group showed no significant response to treatment, the second group showed a better response to metformin treatment, as demonstrated by their LH, total testosterone, free testosterone, fasting insulin, zonulin, and glucose levels. These parameters markedly improved after metformin treatment with p-values of 0.08, 0.09, 0.07. 0.04, 0.01 and 0.06, respectively., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 by the authors.)

The clinical venous thromboembolism (VTE) pattern often shows wide heterogeneity within relatives of a VTE-affected family, although they carry the same thrombophilia defect. It is then mandatory to develop additional tools for assessing VTE risk in families with thrombophilia. This study aims to assess whether common environmental and genetic risk factors for VTE contribute to explain this heterogeneity. A total of 2,214 relatives from 651 families with known inherited thrombophilia were recruited at the referral center for thrombophilia in Marseilles, France, from 1986 to 2013. A thrombophilia screening was systematically performed in all included relatives. According to the severity of the thrombophilia defect, individuals were split into three groups: no familial defect, mild thrombophilia, and severe thrombophilia. In addition, common genetic factors (ABO blood group and 11 polymorphisms selected on the basis of their association with VTE in the general population) were genotyped. Furthermore, body mass index and smoking were collected. VTE incidence was 1.74, 3.64, and 6.40 per 1,000 person-years in individuals with no familial defect, mild thrombophilia, and severe thrombophilia, respectively. Five common risk factors were associated with VTE in this population: obesity, smoking, ABO blood group, and F11 &#95;rs2036914 and FGG &#95;rs2066865 polymorphisms. These common factors were then included into a three-level risk score. The score was highly efficient for assessing VTE risk in mild thrombophilia patients by identifying two groups with different VTE risk; individuals with low score had the same risk as individuals with no familial defect whereas individuals with high score had the same risk as individuals with severe thrombophilia. An overall score including the five items plus the thrombophilia status was built and displayed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.702 for discriminating VTE and non-VTE relatives. In conclusion, integrating common environmental and genetic risk factors improved VTE risk assessment in relatives from families with thrombophilia.

[Purpose] This study investigated efficacy of virtual reality (VR)-based balance training on enhancing balance and postural reactions of adults as a low-cost new modality compared to the established Biodex Balance System (BBS). [Subjects] Thirty normal adults of both genders were divided randomly into two equal-sized experimental groups of 15: BBS balance training and VR balance training. [Methods] The training programmes were conducted in 12 sessions, three 15-min sessions per week. The Nintendo(®) Wii Fit Plus (NWFP) and its balance board were used to train of the VR group. Each participant answered a questionnaire concerning usability, enjoyment, balance improvement, and fatigue at the end of the training programs. [Results] The study found a significant increase the measure of mean overall balance (OLB) in both groups. No significant difference was found between the groups, but a significant decrease in the mean balance-test time was found for both groups, with no significant difference between the two training methods. The VR programme was rated highly enjoyable by 81.8% of the group. [Conclusion] The Wii Fit Plus system with the balance board as a new VR balance-training technique, can be considered an effective and enjoyable tool for the training of adults' body balance.