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Abstract Background Effective vaccination governance in conflict-affected regions poses unique challenges. This study evaluates the governance of vaccination programs in northwest Syria, focusing on effectiveness, efficiency, inclusiveness, data availability, vision, transparency, accountability, and sustainability. Methods Using a mixed-methods approach, and adapting Siddiqi’s framework for health governance, data were collected through 14 key informant interviews (KIIs), a validating workshop, and ethnographic observations. Findings were triangulated to provide a comprehensive understanding of vaccination governance. Results The study highlights innovative approaches used to navigate the complex health governance landscape to deliver vaccination interventions, which strengthened sub-national vaccination structures such as The Syria Immunisation Group (SIG). The analysis revealed several key themes. Effectiveness and efficiency were demonstrated through cold-chain reliability and extensive outreach activities, though formal reports lacked detailed analysis of vaccine losses and linkage between disease outbreak data and coverage statistics. Key informants and workshop participants rated the vaccination strategy positively but identified inefficiencies due to irregular funding and bureaucracy. Inclusiveness and data availability were prioritised, with outreach activities targeting vulnerable groups. However, significant gaps in demographic data and reliance on paper-based systems hindered comprehensive coverage analysis. Digitalisation efforts were noted but require further support. The SIG demonstrated a clear strategic vision supported by international organizations such as the World Health Organization, yet limited partner participation in strategic planning raised concerns about broader ownership and engagement. While the SIG was perceived as approachable, the lack of public documentation and financial disclosure limited transparency. Internal information sharing was prevalent, but public communication strategies were insufficient. Accountability and sustainability faced challenges due to a decentralized structure and reliance on diverse donors. Despite stabilizing factors such as decentralization and financial continuity, fragmented oversight and reliance on donor funding remained significant concerns. Discussion The study highlights the complexities of vaccination governance in conflict-affected areas. Comparisons with other conflict zones underscore the importance of local organisations and international support. The SIG’s role is pivotal, but its legitimacy, transparency, and inclusivity require improvement. The potential transition to early recovery in Syria poses additional challenges to SIG’s sustainability and integration into national programs. Conclusion The governance of vaccination in northwest Syria is multifaceted, involving multiple stakeholders and lacking a legitimate government. Enhancing transparency, local ownership, and participatory decision-making are crucial for improving governance. The role of international bodies is essential, emphasising the need for structured feedback mechanisms and transparent monitoring processes to ensure the program’s success and sustainability.

Recently, a significant amount of carbon dioxide emissions has grabbed the attention of global community. Thus, this study attempts to investigate the impact of inward foreign direct investment, and economic growth on carbon dioxide emissions in case of Italy. We took Italy as our sample country as it has committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. We took annual time series data for the dependent variable (CO2) and explanatory variables (GDP, FDI, Natural Resources) for the period ranging from 1990 to 2021. To examine the long run relationship between the variables we used autoregressive distributed lags bounds test of cointegration. The empirical findings revealed the existence of long-run relationships among the variables of the model. Furthermore, we also found that natural resources unidirectionally caused CO2 and GDP.

Poisson’s equation frequently emerges in many fields, yet its exact solution is rarely feasible, making the numerical approach notably valuable. This study aims to provide a tutorial-level guide to numerically solving Poisson’s equation, focusing on estimating the electrostatic field and potential resulting from an axially symmetric Gaussian charge distribution. The Finite Difference Method is utilized to discretize the desired spatial domain into a grid of points and approximate the derivatives using finite difference approximations. The resulting system of linear equations is then tackled using the Successive Over-Relaxation technique. Our results suggest that the potential obtained from the direct integration of the distance-weighted charge density is a reasonable choice for Dirichlet boundary conditions. We examine a scenario involving a charge in free space; the numerical electrostatic potential is estimated to be within a tolerable error range compared to the exact solution.

Risk management has emerged as a critical element across several economic sectors, with particular significance in the banking industry. The governing bodies of these industries encounter a multitude of threats stemming from the escalation of an unpredictable economic environment, the intricacy of transactions and big data, and several other concealed factors. The primary aim of the present research is to investigate the impact of certain financial risks, including capital risk, liquidity risk, and operational risk, on the financial performance of both commercial and Islamic banks operating within the banking sector of the United Arab Emirates. The study will focus on the time frame spanning from 2015 to 2022. The data used in this study was sourced from the annual reports of banks, which were acquired from the official websites of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Dubai stock market. The most prevalent indicators used to assess a bank's financial performance are Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE). In contrast, the financial risk metrics included three distinct categories of risk: capital risk, liquidity risk, and operational risk. The findings indicate that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between capital risk and both return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). However, it was observed that neither liquidity risk nor operational risk had a statistically significant impact on either of the financial performance metrics. Moreover, the size of a bank has a notable and favorable impact on both return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The ramifications of the study's conclusions have significant importance for regulators, bank management, and investors. IPolicymakers need to prioritize the enhancement of the regulatory framework pertaining to caboutements in order to the financial stability of banks. Bank managers should give priority to the management of capital risk and the size of the bank in order to their financial performance. In order to optimize profits, it is important for investors to carefully evaluate and take into account the many risk considerations associated with their investment selections.JEL:G20, G21

Abstract Objectives Preserving the primary teeth is important, as they play an important role in the integrity of the dental arch, the development of the craniofacial complex, speech, and chewing. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of both Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and Bioceramic putty in primary molar pulpotomy with symptoms of irreversible pulpitis. Materials and Methods In this study, 40 s primary mandibular molars in 40 healthy children aged 6−8 years were examined and classified into 2 groups according to the material: group A, with 20 primary molars capped by MTA, and group B, with 20 teeth capped by Bioceramic putty. Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the treatment results was carried out after 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. Results Clinical and radiological success rates in the MTA group reached 95%, where a case of failure was observed after a year of follow‐up. In the Bioceramic group, the success rate reached 100% after a year of follow‐up, without any statistically significant differences between groups (p = .311). Conclusions Pulpotomy using biocompatibility materials (MTA‐Bioceramic) in primary molars with symptoms of irreversible pulpitis is considered effective due to the better advantages of the use of Bioceramic over MTA. This clinical trial was approved by Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials (12621001631897).

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing worldwide especially in developing countries. Increasing age, BMI, weight, martial period and family history for diabetes are highly prone to gestational diabetes mellitus. The aim of this work is to estimate prevalence of GDM among pregnant females in Bani-Suef governorate and its hazards on mother and offspring. Our present study was included 1000 pregnant females were followed and their outcomes with estimated gestational age between 24th and 28th week. At first a proforma containing general information was fulfilled, Then the study population were divided into two groups . 1st group was screened by Random Blood Sugar (RBS) while 2nd group was screened by a standardized 2h -75 Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) according to WHO guidelines of GDM. Our study detected the prevalence of GDM was 2.6%. There was statistically significance of increasing age and BMI, positive family history of DM and positive history of twin pregnancy. There was no statistically significance as regards history of PCO, past history of GDM and past history of macrocosmic baby. We recommend the early screening before 24th week of gestation, for GDM regardless of any other risk factors and those women with increased BMI, age, weight and positive history of diabetes mellitus has to be considered as high-risk group. All GDM diagnosed women should be closely monitored for glycemic control for good maternal and fetal outcome.

In this work, the usual Euler–Bernoulli nanobeam has been modeled in the context of the Lord-Shulman thermoelastic theorem which contains the non-Fourier heat conduction law. The nanobeam has been subjected to a constant magnetic field and ramp-type thermal loading. The Laplace transform definition has been applied to the governing equations and the solutions have been obtained by using a direct approach. The inversions of the Laplace transform have been calculated numerically by using the Tzou approximation method. The solutions have been applied to a nanobeam made of silicon nitride. The distributions of the temperature increment, lateral deflection, strain, stress, and strain-energy density have been represented in figures with different values of the magnetic field intensity and ramp-time heat parameter. The value of the magnetic field intensity and ramp-time heat parameter have significant effects on all the studied functions, and they could be used as tuners to control the energy which has been generated through the nanobeam.

Sheehan syndrome (SS) caused by postpartum hemorrhage leads to partial or complete pituitary hormone deficiency. In addition to lipid and glucose abnormalities, patients with SS have increased body fat, insulin resistance (IR), coagulation abnormalities, increased leptin concentration, low-grade inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction that predispose them to cardiovascular diseases. Untreated growth hormone (GH) deficiency, hypogonadism, and excess glucocorticoid use are considered risk factors for these abnormalities. Compared to other hypopituitary subjects, patients with SS are younger and have a longer duration of disease and severe GH deficiency. Replacement with GH in addition to standard hormone replacement improves their cardiometabolic profile.

Immune dysregulation has been highlighted as a key player in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), but little is known about cytokine profiles in patients with unexplained cytopenia with or without mutations in MDS-associated genes (clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance [CCUS] and idiopathic cytopenias of undetermined significance [ICUS], respectively), which often precede MDS. Here, we study the cytokine profiles in 111 patients with ICUS (N = 41), CCUS (N = 30), lower-risk MDS (LR-MDS; N = 22) and higher-risk MDS (HR-MDS; N = 18), and in healthy elderly controls (N = 21). Twenty cytokines were examined in blood plasma at time of diagnosis using Luminex assays and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. The cytokine levels were compared between patient groups, and in patients versus controls. Associations between cytokines and MDS-associated mutations were evaluated. An aberrant cytokine profile was observed in all patient groups relative to healthy elderly controls. Patients had significantly higher levels of IL-6 (P< 0 .001), tumor necrosis factor α (P < 0.001), IL-10 (P < 0.001), and C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (P < 0.001) and lower levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (P < 0.001), CCL5/regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (P < 0.001), and S100A4 (P < 0.001) compared with healthy controls. Survival was significantly shorter in CCUS and MDS patients with a high systemic inflammatory cytokine load (median overall survival [OS] 21 months) compared with those with low-moderate systemic inflammatory cytokine load (median OS 64 months; P < 0.0001). These data suggest that patients with ICUS and CCUS have cytokine levels as abnormal as in LR-MDS. Indeed, high cytokine levels are present before MDS is diagnosed and cytokine levels are elevated irrespective of the presence or size of the myeloid clones. Cytokines may have a prognostic impact at a very early premalignant stage of myeloid disorders.

Purpose: Although the association between residential location and survival in patients with different cancer types has been established, the conclusions are contentious, and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we reviewed the impact of residence on the survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to compare the impact of rural and urban residence on the survival rates of patients with GBM diagnosed in Riyadh City and outside Riyadh. All patients in this study were treated in a tertiary care hospital, and their survival rates were analyzed in relation to their residence and other related factors, namely radiotherapy timing. Results: Overall, 125 patients were included: 61 from Riyadh City and 64 from outside. The majority of patients in both groups were aged >50 years (p = 0.814). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (p = 0.430), seizure (p = 0.858), or initiation timing of radiotherapy (p = 0.781). Furthermore, the median survival rate in the Riyadh group versus the other group was 14.4 months and 12.2 months, respectively, with no statistical significance (p = 0.187). Conclusions: Our study showed that residential location had no significant effect on GBM prognosis. However, further studies with a larger sample size are required to delineate the other factors of referral within the healthcare system to facilitate the management of these patients within a specific timeframe.

Objective: In endodontic treatment, creating a glide path became one of the recommended essential principles to obtain a safe preparation as possible; so the aim of the research is to evaluate the efficiency of the R-Pilot system in glide path preparation within the double curved canals. Study design: A laboratory study to assess the efficiency R-Pilot mechanical patency system on the shape marinating of the canal. Those criteria were used to evaluate the change in the original shape of the canal, Canal Transportation and Centering Ratio. The data were analyzed using SPSS V.13 program and the correlation between the variables were defined using descriptive statistics and inductive statistical tests (chi-square, T Student for independent samples, ANOVA). Results: no significant difference between the two glide path creation systems was found in terms of the deviation amount from the canal centric. whereas, between the R-Pilot system and the manual preparation, significant difference was found in the preserving rate of the canal centric at both the coronal area and the entire canal. Conclusion: glide path creation in the previously mentioned methods with confirmation on the importance of the mechanical patency in terms of speed, Reducing the effort and burden imposed on the practitioner compared to the use of manual files. XP Endo shaper had lower deviation values and more ability to save the shape and centric of the canal.

This paper investigates both long-run and short-run elasticities between gross domestic product and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Jordan. Annual data have been used in order to explore the relationship between foreign direct investments (FDI) with economic growth for the period 1992-2013. Data were collected for both variables (FDI and GDP) from the World Bank and World Development Indicators, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) approach was used. The results show long-run and short-run elasticities in foreign direct investment (FDI) and GDP The results indicate that Jordanian policy makers focus their efforts to attract more FDI to Jordanian economy. This is because more FDI is expected to lead to a decrease in economic obstacles in Jordan (e.g., increased level of investment, decreased unemployment rate).

Lactic acid (LA) is an organic acid produced by fermentation or chemical synthesis. It plays a crucial role in the pharmaceutical, food and plastic industries. In the fermentation of, for example, grass silage, LA and different compounds are produced. To purify lactic acid, researchers have tried to investigate membrane technology to achieve a high yield of lactic acid permeance. This study tested four commercially available nanofiltration membranes (NF270, MPF-36, Toray NF, and Alfa Laval NF). Nanofiltration experiments were performed to investigate the rejection levels of lactic acid from a binary solution by using distinct molecular weight cut off membranes. All of the experiments were conducted with a lab-scale cross-flow membrane unit. Different operating conditions (pH, temperature) were studied for each membrane; the optimal process condition was found at 25 °C and pH 2.8. With higher temperatures and pH, an increase in LA rejection was observed. The MPF-36 membrane shows the lowest lactic acid rejection yield of 7%, while NF270 has the highest rejection yield of 71% at 25 °C and pH 2.8. These results will be helpful in the future to understand both the interaction of lactic acid permeance through nanofiltration membranes and process scale-up.

Introduction: Maintaining a vital pulp of immature permanent teeth is an essential and important requirement for dentin formation. Every effort must be made to preserve the vitality of teeth with incomplete apices to maintain the physiological apex generation process as much as possible. Pulpotomy is considered as one of the successful procedures to maintain this process in immature teeth. Aim: To evaluate the treatment success of pulpotomy of first immature molars with irreversible pulpitis using Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) or Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and monitoring the teeth for one year. Materials and Methods: A randomised clinical and radiological double-blinded evaluation was conducted in the Department of Paediatric Dentistry at Damascus University, Damascus, Syria. The research sample consisted of 24 first permanent immature molars in 20 children between age group of 6-8 years. Each of them had at least one first permanent immature molar with irreversible pulpitis. The research sample was randomly divided into two equal groups according to the treatment method: 1) pulpotomy with PRF; and 2) pulpotomy using MTA. Treatment were evaluated through periodic reviews and clinical and radiological examinations of the treated teeth by three specialists to assess treatment success. The treatment outcome was determined in terms of success or failure during two study periods (after six months and after one year). McNemar’s and Chi-square tests were applied using IBM SPSS version 20.0. The significance level was set at p-value 0.05. After analysing the results statistically using McNemar’s test, it was observed that the treatment success rate after one year (50%, n=6) was lesser than that after six months (100%, n=12) in the MTA treatment group (p=0.031). In the treatment group using PRF, no significant difference (p=0.125) was observed in the success or failure of treatment between the two studied time periods (after six months and one year). Overall, the success rate of MTA was slightly higher than the success rate of PRF at the two study time periods (after six months and one year), the difference however was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Performing first immature molar pulpotomy using MTA had a slightly higher success rate than PRF pulpotomy.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare, radiographically and clinically, the impacts of calcium-silicate based-cement (CSBC), nano-hydroxyapatite and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as pulpotomy agents in permanent immature molars with incomplete root development. Sixty-three participants (63 permanent immature molars) were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into three equal groups. Fast setting MTA (MM-MTA), nano-hydroxyapatite and platelet-rich fibrin were used as pulpotomy agents. The teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically after 6 and 12 months by two blinded examiners. Apical closure and pulp canal obliteration percentages were recorded. The in vitro reaction of the tested materials after a 7-day immersion period of the different materials in phosphate-buffered solution was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy to associate the in vitro mineralization with in vivo pulp canal obliteration percentages. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and ANOVA tests (α = 0.05). No significant difference was found between the three tested groups in terms of clinical and radiographic success (p > 0.05). All cases demonstrated evidence of root growth, including complete apical closure or continued apical closure. At 12 months, complete apical closure was found among the MM-MTA group (50%), nano-hydroxyapatite group (55%) and platelet-rich fibrin group (60%) (p > 0.05). After 12 months, pulp canal obliteration was more observed in the MM-MTA and nano-hydroxyapatite groups than in the PRF group (p < 0.05). MM-MTA (auto-mixed), NHA (hand-mixed) and PRF (autologous) could be used as pulpotomy agents since they exhibit comparable high clinical and radiographic success rates. However, the fact that the groups managed with MM-MTA and NHA have a higher tendency to canal obliteration might indicate that PRF should be considered the first choice material as pulpotomy agent, as it would make retreatment considerably easier.

Abstract GARP (glycoprotein-A repetitions predominant) is a type I transmembrane cell surface docking receptor for latent transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) that is abundantly expressed on regulatory T lymphocytes and platelets. GARP regulates the availability of membrane-bound latent TGF-β and modulates its activation. For this reason, GARP expression on immune and non-immune cells is involved in maintaining peripheral tolerance. It plays an important role in preventing inflammatory diseases such as allergy and graft versus host disease (GvHD). GARP is also frequently hijacked by cancer cells to promote oncogenesis. This review summarizes the most important features of GARP biology described to date including gene regulation, protein expression and mechanism in activating latent TGF-β, and the function of GARP in regulatory T cell biology and peripheral tolerance, as well as GARP’s increasingly recognized roles in platelet-mediated cancer immune evasion. The promise for GARP-targeted strategy as a novel immunotherapy of cancer is also highlighted.

Objective: Dyslipidemia has been considered as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Alternative medicine has a significant role in treatment of dyslipidemia. There are controversial findings regarding the effects of sour tea on dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aqueous extract of dried calyx of sour tea on polygenic dyslipidemia. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was done on 43 adults (30-60 years old) with polygenic dyslipidemia that were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The control group was trained in lifestyle modifications at baseline. The intervention group was trained for lifestyle modifications at baseline and received two cups of sour tea daily, and both groups were followed up for 12 weeks. Lipid profile was evaluated at baseline, and six and 12 weeks following the intervention. In addition, dietary and physical activity assessed at baseline for twelve weeks. Results: Mean concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C significantly decreased by up to 9.46%, 8.33%, and 9.80%, respectively, after 12 weeks in the intervention group in comparison to their baseline values. However, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio significantly increased by up to 3.15%, following 12 weeks in the control group in comparison to their baseline values. This study showed no difference in lipid profiles between the two groups, except for HDL-C concentrations. Conclusion: sour tea may have significant positive effects on lipid profile of polygenic dyslipidemia subjects and these effect might be attributed to its anthocyanins and inflation factor content. Therefore, sour tea intake with recommended dietary patterns and physical activity can be useful in regulation of lipid profile in patients with polygenic dyslipidemia.

Quantum calculus (also known as the q-calculus) is a technique that is similar to traditional calculus, but focuses on the concept of deriving q-analogous results without the use of the limits. In this paper, we suggest and analyze some new q-iterative methods by using the q-analogue of the Taylor’s series and the coupled system technique. In the domain of q-calculus, we determine the convergence of our proposed q-algorithms. Numerical examples demonstrate that the new q-iterative methods can generate solutions to the nonlinear equations with acceptable accuracy. These newly established methods also exhibit predictability. Furthermore, an analogy is settled between the well known classical methods and our proposed q-Iterative methods.

X-Ray is an ionizing electromagnetic radiation with a wide spectrum. A setting where this radiation is widely used is airport security units. This study was conducted to measure the level of momentary exposure to X-Ray in operators and personnel working in security gates of Imam Khomeini airport. In this cross-sectional study, the X-Ray machines used in security gates of Imam Khomeini airport are HEIMANN. The radiation was measured in both men’s and women’s inspection units, with curtain down and curtain up when passengers’ luggage coming out of the machine, around the machine, operators’ seat located half a meter and one meter from the machine. The X-Ray was measured using smartlon. The results were analyzed using t-test, and level of X-Ray was compared to occupational standard limit of American conference of governmental industrial hygienists, 25 μsvh-1. Total mean of X-Ray measured in different positions of HEIMANN machine was 1.02 μsvh-1 ± 0.9032 μsvh-1. The X-Ray measured in men’s and women’s inspection units was 1.3025 μsvh-1 ± 0.985 μsvh-1 and 1.06 μsvh-1 ± 0.658 μsvh-1, respectively. The X-Ray measured in this study was compared to the occupational standard limit using t-test, which indicated a significant difference. Although level of X-Ray in all above cases was lower than the occupational standard limit, any contact with this ray even at low doses may cause complications in humans. Therefore, constant monitoring is essential for maintaining and improving health of airport security staff.

Abstract Background By assessing the changes in concentration of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegrin (OPG) after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in treatment-naïve HIV-infected patients we aimed to evaluate whether the initial accelerated bone loss could be mediated by increased soluble RANKL (sRANKL) levels associated with CD4+ T cell recovery. Methods We used multiplex immunoassays to determine sRANKL and OPG concentrations in plasma from 48 HIV patients at baseline and 12, 24, 48 and 96 weeks after cART initiation. Results Soluble RANKL changed significantly over time (overall p = 0.02) with 25% decrease (95% CI: -42 to −5) at week 24 compared to baseline and stabilized at a lower level thereafter. We found no correlation between CD4+ T cell count increment and changes in sRANKL or between percentage change in BMD and changes in sRANKL. Conclusion In this study there was no indication that the accelerated bone loss after cART initiation was mediated by early changes in sRANKL due to CD4+ T cell recovery. Future studies should focus on the initial weeks after initiation of cART. Trial registration Clinical-Trial.gov . id NCT00135460 , August 25, 2005. The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency, Danish Medicines Agency and Regional Ethics Committee.

Crohn’s disease: Genetics impacts molecular regulation of innate immunity on miRNA, but not gene level The genetics of people with Crohn’s disease affects the molecular drivers of their dysregulated immune responses. Some individuals with Crohn’s harbor mutations in the NOD2 gene, which encodes a pathogen recognition receptor that binds to a molecule called muramyl dipeptide (MDP). To better understand how alternations in NOD2 can lead to increased susceptibility to gut inflammation, Yun Chen, Mohammad Salem and colleagues from the University of Copenhagen and Herlev Hospital, Denmark, analyzed the expression patterns of both genes and small, regulatory microRNAs in blood cells from healthy controls and from Crohn’s patients with and without NOD2 mutations. They exposed the cells to MDP, and saw that although gene acticity changed dramatically as a response, there was little difference between subjects, regardless of genetics. Conversely, microRNA expression showed genotype-specific differences that weren not impacted by MDP treatment. The findings underscore the importance of microRNAs in Crohn’s disease.

Background: We aimed to identify risk factors associated with chronic low back pain (C-LBP) in Syria. Materials and Methods: We conducted the study in a busy outpatient neurology clinic in Damascus city from October 2011 to August 2012. We enrolled all eligible adults presenting with C-LBP along with those who denied any back pain as a controls. We considered C-LBP any LBP lasting over 3 months. We developed our own questionnaire. A clinical nurse interviewed each person and filled in the results. Results: We had a total of 911 subjects; 513 patients and 398 controls. We found that C-LBP increased with age. Having a sibling with C-LBP was a strong predictor of C-LBP. In women obesity, but not overweight, was a risk factor. Number of children was a risk factor for mothers. Higher level of education decreased the chance of C-LBP in women. Sedentary job increased the risk of C-LBP. Conclusion: This study sheds some light on risk factors for C-LBP in our population and might help find possible preventive measures.

Objective: To evaluate the ameliorator property of silymarin or/and Nigella sativa (N. sativa) extract against N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced injury in male mice at the biochemical, histological and ultrastructural levels. Methods: The mice were divided into seven groups (10/group). The first group was served as control. While, the second group was treated with dose of APAP. The third and fourth groups were treated with silymarin alone and N. sativa extract alone respectively. The fifth and sixth groups were treated with combination of APAP with silymarin and APAP with N. sativa extract respectively. The seventh group was treated with combination of both ameliorative compounds (silymarin and N. sativa extract) with APAP and all animals were treated for a period of 30 days. Results: Exposure to APAP at the treated dose to mice led to an alteration of liver functions, increased the alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, decreased total protein level as well as increasing the superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde while decreased catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reduced activities. The levels of APAP on the biochemical parameters of mice were dose-dependent. Administration of silymarin or/and N. sativa extract to APAP-treated mice attenuates the toxicity of this compound, objectified by biochemical, histological and ultrastructural improvement of liver. But the alleviation was more pronounced with the both antioxidants. Conclusions: The synergistic effect of silymarin and N. sativa extract is the most powerful in reducing the toxicity induced by APAP and improving the liver functions and antioxidant capacities of mice.

Background: Bacterial agents found in the airways of hospitals and medical centers can be very harmful. In this study, microwave radiation was employed in order to remove Pseudomonas aeruginosa from hospital air. Materials and Methods: Microwave radiation power of 180, 360 and 540 W was used. The bacterial strain used was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). Bacterial aerosols in the range of 107 and 106 of bacteria per ml of air, which was prepared using a nebulizer, was injected into the system. Results: The results of this study showed that the number of bacteria remaining in the system decreased with increasing microwave power. There was absolutely no bacterial growth following 240 min of exposure to 540 watt radiation density for 107 bacteria in each ml of air current. Conclusion: Microwave radiation with high functionality can be used to remove bacterial air pollutions. They can help to control biological agents in hospitals and medical centers with good efficiency.

Five hundred three specimens of insects related tothe family Buprestidae (Coleoptera) were collected from 34 sites in the Syrian coast during 2009 and 2010.The Morphological and taxonomic aspects of the collected specimens were studied, and thenidentification keys of genera and species were obtained depending on the most importanttaxonomic features. This led to the identification ofsixteen species belonging to nine genera. These are recorded and classified.They are:Perotis (Aurigina) chlorana, Capnodis tenebricosa, Capnodis porosa, Capnodis miliaris, Capnodis cariosa, Capnodis tenebrionis, Capnodis carbonaria, Capnodis henningi, Ptosima undecimmaculata, Chalcophora detrita, Chalcophorella quadrioculataand Chalcophorella stigmatica. The following speciesJulodis andrea, Acmaeodera polita, Anthaxia dimidialaand Buprestis dalmatinaarerecorded for the first time in Syria.

Peer assessment training has appeared as potential new tools for enhancing Arab English as foreign language (EFL) high school students on writing performance. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of using peer assessment training on writing performance among Arab EFL high school students. One hundred and twenty students aged fifteen and sixteen years old participated in this study with an equal number of male and female students. The students were from two Arab high schools in Malaysia. This study employed a quasi-experimental research design. Data was collected using Analytical Marking Scale (Alderson, et al., 1995) to assess student's writing performance in the pretest and posttest. The result of this study shows that there is a significant difference in the writing performances between the experimental and control groups at P < 0.001. The findings suggests that students who have been exposed to peer assessment training write a better draft compared with those students who were only given conventional training in writing an essay, and without the benefit of peer feedback.

This study aimed at identifying the degree at which administrative leaderships in Tafila Technical University practice the requirements of organizational excellence from the perspective of the faculty members. The researcher used the descriptive approach as well as the questionnaire for data collection, after verifying its validity and reliability. The study sample consisted of (107) faculty members. The results showed that the degree at which administrative leaderships in the University practice the requirements of organizational excellence was medium, with a mean of (2.71). the results also revealed that there are statistically significant differences at (a=0.05) due to the variable of faculty in favor of the humanitarian faculties, while there are no statistically significant differences at (a=0.05) due to the variables of academic rank and years of experience. In the light of the results, the study recommended a number of recommendations.