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Cesarean sections (C-sections) are surgical procedures that save maternal and infant lives. In some cases, C-sections are done when they are not necessary, while in other cases, some women are unable to access this life-saving intervention. Sociodemographic characteristics are associated with an increased use of C-section. Disparities in socioeconomic status and other factors exist in the rates of C-sections across diverse populations worldwide. Although C-sections are common in Jordan, there is limited evidence about the characteristics associated with C-sections. We aim to assess the factors related to the use of C-sections and to examine the sociodemographic disparities of these deliveries in Jordan.We analyzed data from the 2017-2018 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey, which is the seventh to be conducted in Jordan. The analysis included a total of 6525 women age 15-49 who delivered their most recent birth in a health facility in the 5 years before the survey. Statistical analyses used descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression methods.The results show that 27% of women were delivered by C-sections. C-section is significantly associated with older age groups, region, and place of delivery. No significant differences were found by wealth status, place of residence, educational level, employment, nationality, decision making on health, or health insurance. The odds ratio of C-section use for women over age 40 is 3.3 (CI 2.0-5.5), compared to women under age 20. The odds of having a C-section is 40% higher for women who delivered in a private hospital compared to women who delivered in a public hospital (CI 1.2-1.8). The odds of C-section are 60% lower for women in Aqaba compared to women in Amman (CI 0.3-0.6), and 60% higher for women in Madaba compared to the women in Amman (CI 1.2-2.1).This study assessed factors related to C-section among Jordanian mothers. Our findings highlight the increased practice of C-section in the private sector and suggest the importance of developing national and subnational policies that include clear guidelines for performing C-sections, especially in the private sector.

Objective: To identify the prevalence and factors related to fast food consumption among Mutah University students in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from January-April, 2019. A sample of 503 students was recruited from different faculties. The participants were interviewed using a structured and a validated questionnaire. Height and weight were measured for the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive, t-test and correlational methods. Results: The prevalence of regular fast food (RFF) consumption (³ 2 times/week) was 59.4%. This prevalence was significantly higher among students spending ³ 21 JD/ week (p= 0.020) and those who were not performing physical exercise (p = 0.025). Significant correlations were found between RFF consumption and fried potato (r=0.374, p < 0.001), processed meat products (r=0.509, p < 0.001), coffee (r=0.122, p=0.006) and candies (r=0.092, p=0.039). No significant relation was found between fast-food consumption and BMI, religion, gender, field of study or living away from family. The most common reason for RFF consumption was shortage of time (38.5%). Lunch time was the most preferred time to consume fast food (70.2%). Interestingly, 32.4% of the students were willing to read the nutrient information and about two-thirds were interested to choose healthy meals if they were available in the menu. Conclusion: The prevalence of fast food consumption is high. RFF consumption is significantly related to lower physical exercise performance and the amount of pocket money. Raising awareness of university students through nutritional education is highly recommended. Continuous...

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by a protozoan parasite called Cryptosporidium which infects gastrointestinal epithelium of mammals and produce diarrhea that is self-limited in immuno competent individuals but life-threatening in immuno compromised patients, especially those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Till now, there is no effective therapy other than a healthy immune system. The current study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of probiotics mixture of Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus against Cryptosporidium infection in experimentally infected mice. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium were isolated from the human stool and were used to infect mice. Forty male albino mice were divided equally into four groups, each group contained 10 mouse, a group I (early treated group), were treated from the 1st day from infection to the 11th post-infection, group II (late treated group), were treated from the 4th day from infection to the 15th post-infection, and group (III) (untreated group), were mice considered as a positive control group. The results showed that daily application of a mixture of Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus was able to decrease the parasitic infection in mice as compared with the untreated group. It was observed that the using of these probiotics in the early treated group was more efficient than the using of these probiotics in the late treated group. A mixture of Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus are good therapeutic agents for cryptosporidial infection.

To identify the prevalence and factors related to obesity and fast food consumption among university students.The cross-sectional study was conducted at Mutah University, Al-Karak governorate in southern Jordan, from January to April, 2019, and comprised students recruited from different faculties. Data was collected using a structured, validated questionnaire. Height and weight were measured for body mass index calculation. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.Of the 503 students, 278(55.3%) were females. The overall mean age of the sample was 21.62±2.22 years (range: 19-39 years). Fast food consumption was ≥2 times/week for 299(59.4%) students. The prevalence was significantly higher among students spending ≥21 Jordanian dinar per week (p=0.020) and those who were not performing physical exercise (p=0.025). Significant correlations were found between fast food consumption and fried potato (p0.001), processed meat products (p0.001), coffee (p=0.006) and candies (p=0.039). No significant relation was found between fast food consumption and body mass index, religion, gender, field of study or living away from family (p0.05). The most common reason for consumption was shortage of time 115(38.5%); lunch time was the most preferred time 210(70.2%); 97(32.4%) students were willing to read the nutrient information; and 211(70.5%) were interested in choosing healthy meals.The prevalence of fast food consumption among university students was found to be high.

We have recently shown that the G protein-coupled receptor 142 (GPR142) is expressed in both rodent and human pancreatic β-cells. Herein, we investigated the cellular distribution of GPR142 within islets and the effects of selective agonists of GPR142 on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in the mouse islets and INS-1832/13 cells. Double-immunostaining revealed that GPR142 immunoreactivity in islets mainly occurs in insulin-positive cells. Potentiation of GSIS by GPR142 activation was accompanied by increased cAMP content in INS-1832/13 cells. PKA/Epac inhibition markedly suppressed the effect of GPR142 activation on insulin release. Gpr142 knockdown (Gpr142-KD) in islets was accompanied by elevated release of MCP-1, IFNγ, and TNFα during culture period and abolished the modulatory effect of GPR142 activation on the GSIS. Gpr142-KD had no effect on Ffar1, Ffar2, or Ffar3 mRNA while reducing Gpr56 and increasing Tlr5 and Tlr7 mRNA expression. Gpr142-KD was associated with an increased expression of Chrebp, Txnip, RhoA, and mitochondrial Vdac1 concomitant with a reduced Pdx1, Pax6, and mitochondrial Vdac2 mRNA levels. Long-term exposure of INS-1832/13 cells to hyperglycemia reduced Gpr142 and Vdac2 while increased Chrebp, Txnip, and Vdac1 mRNA expression. GPR142 agonists or Bt2-cAMP counteracted this effect. Glucotoxicity-induced decrease of cell viability in Gpr142-KD INS-1 cells was not affected by GPR142-agonists while Bt2-cAMP prevented it. The results show the importance of Gpr142 in the maintenance of pancreatic β-cell function in rodents and that GPR142 agonists potentiate GSIS by an action, which most likely is due to increased cellular generation of second messenger molecule cAMP.

In this paper, we demonstrate a phase-sensitive photonic terahertz imaging system, based on two-tone square-law detection with a record-low phase noise. The system comprises a high-frequency photodiode (PD) for THz generation and a square-law detector (SLD) for THz detection. Two terahertz of approximately 300 GHz tones, separated by an intermediate frequency (IF) (7 GHz–15 GHz), are generated in the PD by optical heterodyning and radiated into free-space. After transmission through a device-under-test, the two-tones are self-mixed inside the SLD. The mixing results in an IF-signal, which still contains the phase information of the terahertz tones. To achieve ultra-low phase-noise, we developed a new mixing scheme using a reference PD and a low-frequency electrical local oscillator (LO) to get rid of additional phase-noise terms. In combination with a second reference PD, the output signal of the SLD can be down-converted to the kHz region to realize lock-in detection with ultra-low phase noise. The evaluation of the phase-noise shows the to-date lowest reported value of phase deviation in a frequency domain photonic terahertz imaging and spectroscopy system of 0.034°. Consequently, we also attain a low minimum detectable path difference of 2 µm for a terahertz difference frequency of 15 GHz. This is in the same range as in coherent single-tone THz systems. At the same time, it lacks their complexity and restrictions caused by the necessary optical LOs, photoconductive antennas, temperature control and delay lines.

Many concrete recycling strategies have emerged and many studies were devoted so as to find the best alternative to recycle concrete waste in order to produce recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) with a quality that competes with natural aggregates which contribute to concrete mixtures and try to establish effective and practical treatment methods in applications of new concrete mixtures, where concrete is considered a building material. Concrete is considered as one of the basic materials in architecture because of its durability and strength and contributes to the worldwide constructional movement and proved its robustness, durability and flexibility in architectural applications as it is considered one of the most widespread material and in the meantime forms a burden impact on the environment at the end of its function in the structures, so it was necessary to employ technological strategies in order to face this dilemma that began to deteriorate our environment. Therefore, the research problem is determined as the need to clarify the concept of concrete recycling and concrete waste recycling in Iraq, due to lack of local knowledge, to produce recycled concrete aggregate, applicable in the fields of architecture and can be used in new concrete mixtures. The aim of this research is to provide knowledge on different methods of recycling concrete from construction and demolition waste (C&DW) and the possibility of reusing its components in new concrete mixes, and to raise a debate about the reality of concrete waste in Iraq and the recycling concrete technology and suggest the most effective technological strategy to solve the Iraqi concrete waste crisis.

Background Entamoeba histolytica is the parasitic amoeba which caused amebiasis in human and responsible of 100,000 deaths every year. There is currently no vaccine against this parasite. The innate and adaptive immunity are important in protection against infection. Aim of the study To investigate the association between HLA-DRB1 and Entamoeba histolytica infection. Patients and methods The study is a case-controlled consisted from thirty Iraqi Arab Muslims patients with Entamoeba histolytica infection. The patients were consulted medical city and AL-Karama hospital for the period between May 2016 till February 2017. The control groups were sex and age matched with patient study group, they were consisted of thirty Iraqi Arab Muslims healthy individuals. HLA-DRB1 was done by SSOP method. Results A total of 30 patients with Entamoeba histolytica infection were participated in this study. Their ages were range from 21 to 55 years. Males were 83.3% and the rest were females. The other is 30 control group was sex and age matched with patient study group. There was an increased frequency of HLADRB1*03:0101 and *11:0101 in patients group compared to control group (P = 0.002, Odds ratio = 7.42, 95% CI:2.07 to 26.55) and (P = 0.01, Odd ratio = 4.29, 95% CI: 1.41 to 13.06) respectively. Conclusions HLA-DRB1*03:0101 and HLA-DRB1*110,101 may have a role in susceptibility to amebiasis., Highlights • Entamoeba histolytica is the parasitic amoeba which caused amebiasis in human and responsible of 100,000 deaths every year. • To investigate the association between HLA-DRB1 and Entamoeba histolytica infection. • The study is a cross -sectional consisted from thirty Iraqi Arab Muslims patients with Entamoeba histolytica infection. The patients were consulted medical city and AL-Karama hospital for the period between May 2016 till February 2017. HLA-DRB1 was done by ssop method. • A total of 30 patients with Entamoeba histolytica infection were participated in this study. There was an increased frequency of HLADRB1*03:0101 and *11:0101 in patients group compared to control group. • HLA-DRB1*03:0101 and HLA-DRB1*110,101 may have a role in susceptibility to amebiasis.

Pancreatic islets express high levels of the orphan G-protein coupled receptor C5C (GPRC5C), the function of which remains to be established. Here we have examined the role of GPRC5C in the regulation of insulin secretion and β-cell survival and proliferation using human and mouse pancreatic islets. The expression of GPRC5C was analysed by RNA-sequencing, qPCR, western blotting and confocal microscopy. Insulin secretion and cell viability were determined by RIA and MTS assays, respectively. GPRC5C mRNA expression and protein level were reduced in the islets from type-2 diabetic donors. RNA sequencing in human islets revealed GPRC5C expression correlated with the expression of genes controlling apoptosis, cell survival and proliferation. A reduction in Gprc5c mRNA and protein expression was observed in islets isolated from old mice (>46 weeks of age) compared to that in islets from newborn (+2 ]i in Huh7-cells. Gprc5c over expression in Huh7 cells was associated with increased ERK1/2 activity. Gprc5c-KD in clonal MIN6c4 cells reduced cell proliferation and in murine islets increased apoptosis and the sensitivity of primary islet cells to a cocktail of pro-apoptotic cytokines. Our results demonstrate that agents activating GPRC5C represent a novel modality for the treatment and/or prevention of diabetes by restoring and/or maintaining functional β-cell mass.

Biometrics has received considerable attention in recent years to its importance in the life process that starts from security systems at airports and criminal investigations to electronic banking. The use of (biometrics) is the most important parameters used in the disclosure of the identity of persons. The fingerprint, ear print recognition and automatically signature are important in the area of biometrics technology. So ear research recognition is improved broadly during the past decades and current years of other biometric research because their features are fixed and their change is expected. Biometrics are defined in many definitions as one of them "as any part of the body properties and that can be used to identify persons". And also know as "as a measure of physical properties or character traits". The aim of the proposed work is to build an efficient system of person identification based on ear biometrics through the use of (Geometrical Feature Extraction of Ear). Images are collected from a database of ear color images from (Zsged) database. The completed initial processing of these images, by changing the size of these images using the method (Bilinear). Then, the image has shifted to the grayscale and define the edges of the gray image using filter (Canny). An Eleven features are extracted from the right ear of a person. The right ear has been chosen after reviewing the researches and analysis the area that related to the ear that the right ear is more efficient to distinguish sounds instead of the left one, which distinguish the music. These attributes are stored in the feature database to be beyond the testing phase and compared ear to be identified after extraction characteristics in the same proposed algorithm with recipes pictures prayer in the database. Correlation coefficient is dependent as a similarity measure between the input images entered to the system with image database. The results of the proposed work represented by FAR (False Accepted Rate) and FRR (False Rejected Rate) a great performance compared with other works in the same field. The system programs are applied by the use of (MATLAB Version R2009a) system.

Adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-G1 (ADGRG1) is the most abundant GPCR in human pancreatic islets, but its role in islet function is unclear.Investigate how ADGRG1 expression and activation by its ligand, collagen III, impacts β-cell function in normal and type 2 diabetic (T2D) islets.Genes associated with the ADGRG1 in human islets was probed by RNA-sequencing of human pancreatic islet isolated from cadaveric donors, followed by functional studies on β-cell proliferation, apoptosis, and insulin secretion in human and mouse islets and in INS-1 cells.Changes in β-cell gene expression, proliferation, apoptosis, and insulin secretion were quantified by RNA-sequencing, qPCR, Thymidine incorporation, Western blotting, and RIA, respectively.ADGRG1 is the most abundant GPCR mRNA in both human and mouse islets, and its expression in human islets strongly correlates with genes important for β-cell function and T2D risk. The expression of ADGRG1 was reduced in islets of T2D donors, in db/db mouse islets, and in isolated human islets exposed to chronic hyperglycemia. Beneficial effects of collagen type III on β-cell function via activation of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway, suppression of RhoA and caspase-3 activity, increased β-cell viability, and proliferation were abolished when ADGRG1 was down-regulated in β-cells.We demonstrate a mechanistic link between ADGRG1 expression and β-cell function. Pharmacological agents that promote expression or activation of the ADGRG1 receptor may represent a novel approach for the treatment of T2D.