Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Among Students in Jordan: A Nationwide Study.

Objectives: Nonmedical use (NMU) of stimulants is an increasingly common phenomenon worldwide. Motivated by enhancing academic performance, peer pressure, and seeking pleasure, students in the Middle East are thought to be a high-risk population. This is especially important in times when the political instability in the region facilitates the production and trafficking of such substances.

Autonomic brain functioning and age-related health concerns.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary bodily functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and digestion, in addition to controlling motivation and behavior. In older adults, the ANS is dysregulated, which changes the ability of the ANS to respond to physiological signals, regulate cardiovascular autonomic functionality, diminish gastric motility, and exacerbate sleep problems. For example, a decrease in heart rate variability, or the variation in the interval between heartbeats, is one of the most well-known alterations in the ANS associated with health issues, including cardiovascular diseases and cognitive decline.

Endovascular Treatment plus Medical Treatment versus Medical Treatment Alone in Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: This study was conducted to assess the hypothesis that endovascular treatment in addition to medical treatment improve stroke mortality and post-stroke disability.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials in design and compared between endovascular treatment and medical therapy versus medical therapy alone in stroke management.

Results: The search yielded 22 articles that included 5,049 patients.

Potential roles of NEDD4 and NEDD4L and their utility as therapeutic targets in high‑incidence adult male cancers (Review).

The term 'cancer' refers to >100 disorders that progressively manifest over time and are characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Although malignant growth can occur in virtually any human tissue, the underlying mechanisms underlying all forms of cancer are consistent. The International Agency for Research on Cancer's annual GLOBOCAN 2020 report provided an update on the global cancer incidence and mortality.

The effects of statin therapy on brain tumors, particularly glioma: a review.

Brain tumors account for less than 2% of all malignancies. However, they are associated with the highest morbidity and mortality rates among all solid tumors. The most common malignant primary brain tumors are glioma or glioblastoma (GBM), which have a median survival time of about 14 months, often suffer from recurrence after a few months following treatment, and pose a therapeutic challenge.

Pericardial fat and cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Previous studies investigated the effect of pericardial fat on cardiovascular diseases. However, until now there was no systematic review and meta-analysis investigated this association, thus we conducted this article to assess the relationship between pericardial fat and cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: We searched PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, Google Scholar and Clinicaltrials.

The associations between physical activity, health-related quality of life, regimen adherence, and glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) display a greater than two-fold higher risk of developing diabetes-related complications compared with their healthy peers and the risk increases markedly as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) increases. The majority of the known factors associated with improved glycemic control in adolescents with T1D are geared toward Western populations. Therefore, this study examined the associations between Physical Activity (PA), Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and regimen adherence on glycemic control in a Middle Eastern population of adolescents with T1D METHODS: The study utilized a cross-sectional design of Jordanian adolescents (aged 12-18) with T1D (n = 74).

Attitudes and knowledge of dental radiography amongst students of dentistry and related fields.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitude towards quality control in dental radiography amongst students of dentistry, allied dental sciences and radiologic technology programmes.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaire on a convenience sample of 580 students from three universities in Jordan. The questionnaire was divided into sections that include personal sociodemographic variables, knowledge about quality assurance in dental radiography and attitude towards quality assurance in dental radiography.

Photoisomerization Kinetics of Photoswitchable Thin Films Based on Nanostructure/Molecular Layers of AlN-AO7.

The photoisomerization kinetics of photoswitchable thin films based on nanostructure/molecular layers of AlN-AO7 have been studied, investigated and reported. The trans → cis isomerization process occurs by UV-light irradiation. The cis-isomer could be turned back to the trans-isomer by either thermal or optical relaxation.

Synthesis and Characterization of Thin Films Based on Azobenzene Derivative Anchored to CeO Nanoparticle for Photoswitching Applications.

Azobenzene has attracted substantial attention as a photoswitchable molecule since its applications range from energy and data storage to biomedical applications. This work reports a new type of thin-film based on azobenzene derivative anchored to cerium oxide nanoparticles CeO NPs for photoswitching applications. The trans-cis isomerization and reverse isomerization occur by UV-light exposure and thermal relaxation process, respectively.

Effect of Iodine Filler on Photoisomerization Kinetics of Photo-Switchable Thin Films Based on PEO-BDK-MR.

We report the effect of an iodine filler on photoisomerization kinetics of photo-switchable PEO-BDK-MR thin films. The kinetics of photoisomerization and time progression of PEO-BDK-MR/I nanocomposite thin films are investigated using UV-Vis, FTIR spectroscopies, and modified mathematical models developed using new analytical methods. Incorporating iodine filler into the PEO-BDK-MR polymeric matrix enhances the isomerization energy barrier and considerably increases the processing time.

Optical characterizations of PMMA/metal oxide nanoparticles thin films: bandgap engineering using a novel derived model.

We synthesize and optically characterize pure PMMA and PMMA incorporated with metal oxides nanoparticles (MO NPs) such as ZnO, CuO, TiO and SiO NPs nanocomposite thin films with weight concentration of 10% using dip-coating technique. SEM images of MO NPs show that all NPs have nearly an average size of around 50 nm. The optical parameters such as, optical parameters ( and ), optoelectronics properties, dispersion, band-gap energy and band structure of as-prepared nanocomposite thin films were determined by analyzing the transmittance and reflectance spectra.

New Insight on Photoisomerization Kinetics of Photo-Switchable Thin Films Based on Azobenzene/Graphene Hybrid Additives in Polyethylene Oxide.

In this work, we reported a new insight on the kinetics of photoisomerization and time evolution of hybrid thin films considering the azo-dye methyl red (MR) incorporated with graphene accommodated in polyethylene oxide (PEO). The kinetics of photoisomerization and time-evolution of hybrid thin films were investigated using UV-Vis s and FTIR spectroscopies, as well as appropriate models developed with new analytical methods. The existence of azo-dye MR in the complex is crucial for the resource action of the cycles through UV-illumination Visible-illumination relaxations.

Metabolic syndrome amongst adults in Jordan: prevalence, trend, and its association with socio-demographic characteristics.

Background: Multiple epidemiological studies were conducted amongst a variety of ethnic groups and showed discrepancies in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MeS) and its individual components. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MeS in Jordan using both the Adult Treatment Panel Guidelines (ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The study also aimed to assess the changes in the prevalence of MeS over time and determine its association with sociodemographic variables.

Kinematics of Photoisomerization Processes of PMMA-BDK-MR Polymer Composite Thin Films.

We investigate and report on the kinematics of photoisomerization processes of polymer composite thin films based on azo dye methyl red (MR) hosted in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) incorporated with Benzyl dimethyl ketal (BDK) as a photo-initiator. Understanding photoisomerization mechanisms is crucial for several optical applications such as Read/Write/Erase (WRE) optical data storage media, UV light Read/Write heads, and UV light sensors. The as-prepared polymer composite thin films are characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy.

Optical, Structural, and Crystal Defects Characterizations of Dip Synthesized (Fe-Ni) Co-Doped ZnO Thin Films.

Sol-gel technique is used to synthesize as-grown zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron-nickel (Fe-Ni) co-doped ZnO thin films deposited on glass substrates using dip coating technique. The structural properties and crystal imperfections of as-prepared thin films are investigated. We performed the structural analysis of films using X-ray diffraction (XRD).

The Frequency and Risk Factors of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Recurrence Among Jordanian Patients with Diabetes.

Background: Diabetic foot is a major public health problem and their complications are an imperative cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of recurrence of foot ulcers post two years of follow-up, including the associated risk factors in the patients attending the diabetic foot clinic at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics (NCDEG), Amman, Jordan.

Methods: A historical cohort design was adopted for the patients who presented for the first time to the diabetic foot clinic at the NCDEG.

The performance of anthropometric measures to predict diabetes mellitus and hypertension among adults in Jordan.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the abilities of waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) to predict recently and previously diagnosed diabetes and hypertension and assess their appropriate cut-off values among Jordanian adults.

Methods: Data from the 2017 cardiovascular risk factors survey were analyzed to achieve the study objective. The survey collected extensive data from a national population-based sample of Jordanian residents.

Diversity of toxin genotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from feces of infants.

Introduction: This study investigated the most important epidemiological characteristics of strains colonizing the intestine of Jordanian infants.

Methods: A total of 302 fecal samples were collected from Jordanian infants aged ≤ 1 year from patients hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit and from the outpatient department. Samples were cultured for detection of and evaluation of their antimicrobial resistance; identification of their potential toxins genes was performed using PCR.

The Prevalence of Dyslipidemia among Jordanians.

Background: Dyslipidemia is one of the major modifiable risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes mellitus. Knowing the current prevalence of dyslipidemia is an important step for increasing awareness of the problem and for proper planning of health programs for prevention of its negative clinical effects.

Methods: A national population based household sample was selected from north, middle, and south regions of Jordan in 2017.

Anticoccidial effect of apple cider vinegar on broiler chicken: an organic treatment to measure anti-oxidant effect.

The objective of this study was to investigate the anticoccidial effect of apple cider vinegar added to drinking water with the anticoccidial effect of amprolium to feed broiler chicken. The study has adopted an observational approach to evaluate the anticoccidial effect of apple cider vinegar on broiler chicken. The antioxidative changes were measured adding natural apple cider vinegar to drinking water.

Anxiety and Depression Among Adult Patients With Diabetic Foot: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Background: Diabetic foot is a frequent complication of diabetes mellitus with subsequent disturbances in the daily life of the patients. The co-existence of depression and anxiety among diabetic foot patients is a common phenomenon and the role of each of them in perpetuating the other is highlighted in the literature. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence rates of anxiety and depression, and to examine the associated risk factors among diabetic foot patients.

Antimicrobial resistance and putative virulence genes of isolates from patients with respiratory tract infection.

Introduction: is a common agent causing community acquired and nosocomial respiratory tract infections, with particularly life-threatening manifestations in patients who are immunocompromised of who have cystic fibrosis. This study investigated the occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and metallo β-lactamase (MBL) in association with important putative virulence genes and genotypes variation among isolates from respiratory tract infection of Jordanian patients.

Methods: Over a period of 8-month, a total of 284 respiratory tract samples were obtained from patients diagnosed with respiratory tract infection while attending the Pulmonary Clinic/Intensive Care Unit, Jordan University Hospital (JUH).

Diagnosis of mesenteric panniculitis in the multi-detector computed tomography era. Association with malignancy and surgical history.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and associations of mesenteric panniculitis (MP) using multi-detector CT (MDCT).

Methods: This retrospective study included 4758 consecutive patients who underwent abdomino-pelvic MDCT between January 2012 and December 2014 at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Radiological database was searched for MP diagnosis and patients with suspected MP were re-evaluated by an experienced radiologist to confirm the diagnosis.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis Among Jordanian Postmenopausal Women Attending the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics in Jordan.

To assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia among Jordanian postmenopausal women attending the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics (NCDEG), and to determine the potential associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted at (NCDEG) in Amman, Jordan. A total of 1079 Jordanian postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 84 years were included in this study that was conducted during the period between April 2013 and December 2014.