In the current era, human diversity is constantly changing due to the exponential spread of information and communication technologies, which promotes human interaction. Cultural overlap between ...different societies, as well as increasing rates of migration across borders strengthen multiculturalism. The education system is often influenced by the cultural reformation in society, which shapes the way education is structured, teaching styles, curriculum development and education objectives. Given that Islamic culture is the dominant one in the Middle East, it is assumed that its ideals and principles will uphold multiculturalism and inclusion, as with any other great religions. This study aims to explore the role of Islamic culture in promoting multicultural education in the Middle East, to examine the application of the concepts of multicultural education, and to reflect on the idea of multiculturalism. A sample of 37 college instructors and 312 higher education students participated in the study by answering the questionnaire, which was conducted using a mixed-method approach. The results of the study showed that Islamic values and beliefs have a remarkable influence on the adoption of multiculturalism in education without compromising Islamic beliefs and values. Furthermore, multiculturalism ideas are incorporated into instruction and student communications. According to the research report, employing a multicultural education platform effectively will require curricular adaptation.
Background: Salmonellosis is a serious health concern for both animals and humans. According to a report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40,000 human infections occur annually; ...however, the number of unconfirmed cases is as high as approximately 800,000-4000,000. These organisms gain entry into the gastrointestinal cells and cause serious diseases, resulting in intestinal damage and even death. Methods: In this research, 115 Salmonella isolates from different sources were tested. Using morphological, cultural, and biochemical methods, they were classified into 30 serovars. Plasmid profiling was used for quick identification, which showed similarities among the isolates.PCR primer sets targeting specific genes, such as invA, hilA, iroB, oriC, fimA, hitJ and stn, demonstrated reliability, accuracy and specificity for identifying S. enterica serovars. Result: This study recommends the use of specific primer sets in PCR-based methods for rapid and reliable identification and detection of locally isolated Salmonella serovars/strains. This research adds to the continuing efforts for improving the diagnostic techniques to tackle the challenges presented by Salmonella spp.
Background The Gaza Strip, like other settings of complex humanitarian emergencies, faces immense challenges in vaccinating its population against COVID-19. This study was conducted in October 2021 ...among Gaza's adult population and healthcare workers (HCWs). The primary aim was to estimate two indicators, coverage of COVID-19 vaccination and the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy. The secondary aim was to evaluate the two indicators' associations with globally identified risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a population-based survey of adults and a purposive survey of HCWs in Gaza. A multi-stage sampling design was used for the population survey component. For the HCW component, five health facilities were purposively selected as entry points; HCWs in the facilities holding clinical or other specialized positions were approached to participate in the survey. Data were summarized as univariable descriptive statistics with unweighted and weighted point estimates. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of risk factors with vaccination status and vaccine hesitancy. Results A total of 1075 individuals were surveyed, of whom 906 were community members and 169 were HCWs. Population-weighted vaccine coverage was estimated to be 49.08% (95% CI 43.10-55.08). 89.35% of HCWs were vaccinated. Population-weighted vaccine hesitancy was estimated to be 34.08% (95% CI 28.14-40.56) in the overall population and 67.24% (95% CI 49.04-81.41) among the unvaccinated sub-group. In logistic regression vaccination was independently associated with male sex (aOR 1.88, p = 0.006, 95% CI 1.20-2.95), older age (40+ vs. 18-39 age group) (aOR 1.92, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.73-2.13), higher education (aOR 2.19, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.51-3.17), and confidence in the safety of the vaccine (aOR 13.8, p < 0.001, 95% CI 10.1-18.8). Risk factors for hesitancy were similar to those identified for vaccination status, however hesitant individuals were somewhat more likely to obtain vaccine information from family members (aOR 1.29, p = 0.051, 95% CI 1.00-1.67) and less likely to trust healthcare providers (aOR 0.58, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.49-0.68). Conclusions The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants reinforces the importance of achieving high levels of vaccination coverage globally--a difficult undertaking in Gaza. This study estimated half of Gaza's adult population received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine by October 2021, and the majority of unvaccinated individuals were hesitant. Disparities in vaccination across the territory's demographic groups underscore the need for targeted outreach to these populations and messaging through community-based channels to permeate social networks of the unvaccinated. Keywords: COVID-19, Vaccine, Hesitancy, Gaza Strip, Palestine, Humanitarian settings, Healthcare workers
Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a rare disease. Several pathologies have been described as a cause, including trauma, arteriovenous malformations, coagulopathies, and iatrogenic causes. Spontaneous ...spinal epidural hematomas (SSEH) are blood in the spinal extradural space without a known cause. The incidence of SSEH has been estimated as 0.1 per 100,000 per year. Herein, we report a case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in the cervical spine.
We report a 57-year-old male patient who presented with sudden axial neck pain associated with upper and lower extremities weakness. Symptoms were precipitated by coughing. MRI of the cervical spine revealed an extradural lesion compressing the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord from C4 – C7. He underwent urgent decompressive laminectomy and evacuation of the hematoma.
•We report a rare case of spontaneous cervical extradural hematoma.•Patient presented with sudden neck pain and quadriparesis.•MRI findings were not easy to interpret and to give a final diagnosis.•Other causes were excluded.•Urgent decompression was done. Patient improved postoperatively.
COVID 19 may affect organs other than lungs, including liver, leading to parenchymal changes. These changes are best assessed by unenhanced computed tomography (CT). We aim to investigate the effect ...of COVID 19 on liver parenchyma by measuring the attenuation in CT scan Hounsfield unit (HU).
A cohort of patients, who tested COVID 19 polymerase chain reaction positive, were enrolled and divided into two groups: fatty liver (FL) group (HU ≤ 40) and nonfatty liver (NFL) group (HU > 40) according to liver parenchyma attenuation measurements by high resolution noncontrast CT scan. The CT scan was performed on admission and on follow up (10-14 days later). Liver enzyme tests were submitted on admission and follow up.
Three hundred and two patients were enrolled. Liver HU increased significantly from 48.9 on admission to 53.4 on follow up CT scan (P<0.001) in all patients. This increase was more significant in the FL group (increased from 31.9 to 42.9
=0.018) Liver enzymes were abnormal in 22.6% of the full cohort. However, there was no significant change in liver enzymes between the admission and follow up in both groups.
The use of unenhanced CT scan for assessment of liver parenchymal represents an objective and noninvasive method. The significant changes in parenchymal HU are not always accompanied by significant changes in liver enzymes. Increased HU values caused by COVID 19 may be due to either a decrease in the fat or an increase in the fibrosis in the liver.
This study aims to estimate the regional efficiency of healthcare services in Saudi Arabia. A non-parametric methodology, data envelopment analysis (DEA), is applied to evaluate the relative ...efficiency of 13 Saudi regions in 2014 by using multiple regional inputs and outputs to characterize healthcare provision. This study provides a unique measurement of Saudi regional efficiency since most of the previous studies that applied DEA in Saudi Arabia focused on public hospitals or primary medical services, which work under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. This is one of the first studies in developing and Arab countries in general, and in Saudi Arabia in particular, which focuses on an interregional level, as it divides each region into public and private sectors. The empirical results show that efficiency differs across the selected regions and between the private and public sectors. In general, less developed regions show a relatively high level of efficiency whereas others, such as Makkah and the Eastern regions, seem to be the least efficient regions in both sectors. The study revealed that the Riyadh region, which employs a disproportionately large amount of health resources in comparison with other regions, is efficient in both sectors. The empirical study also finds evidence of the potential to improve health outcomes by ensuring a sufficient level of healthcare resources in the inefficient regions that are lagging behind significantly. Finally, in some regions the public sector was efficient whereas the private sector was not, and vice versa.
To our best knowledge, most of the craniometric studies on the normal craniocervical junction (CCJ), are still poorly studied and based on measurements taken from plain radiographs. In this study, ...the authors conducted a craniometric evaluation of the CCJ in a population without known CCJ abnormalities. The purpose of the study was to assess the normal CCJ craniometry based on measures obtained from CT scans. The authors examined 137 consecutive CCJ CT scans obtained in patients evaluated at their hospital for treatment of non-CCJ conditions between 2018 and 2019. Twelve craniometrical dimensions were conducted, including the relation of the odontoid with the cranial base, the atlantodental interval (ADI), the clivus length, and the clivus-canal angle (CCA).
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial, intrabdominal, suprarenal solid tumor of childhood. It usually presents with painless abdominal mass with or without abdominal pain. We report an ...unusual subtle cervical lymph nodes enlargement associated with fever and joint pain. Neuroblastoma usually starts in the adrenal glands. What is unique in our case is that the presentation is without a primary tumor. We present a case of 4-year-old female Egyptian complaining of recurrent pattern of fever and generalized joint pain, with lower neck swelling for 1-month duration. Laboratory investigations revealed a normochromic normocytic anemia and increased inflammatory markers. Immunohistochemistry staining and immunophenotyping of the cervical lymph nodes and bone marrows confirmed the diagnosis of Neuroblastoma. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing the possibility of a metastatic neuroblastoma without primary tumor in children who presented solely of lymphadenopathy.
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