The Effect of the Linguistic Status of Text Previewing in Arabic on the Reading Comprehension Outcomes Among Second and Sixth Grade Native Arabs Readers: A Cross-Sectional View.

The current study examined the effect of the linguistic status of the verbal previewing strategy on the outcomes of reading comprehension tasks among second (N = 25, age 7.08 ± .3), and sixth-grade students (N = 25, age 11.75 ± .25), with typical reading development. The texts for each group were carefully matched and were divided into three conditions of verbal previewing: (a) Standard Arabic previewing (hereafter: StA previewing); (b) spoken Arabic previewing (hereafter: SpA previewing); (c) without previewing. The results showed that for the second-grade readers, SpA previewing had a significant contribution to the reading comprehension outcomes compared to the other conditions of previewing while for the sixth-grade readers; StA previewing had a significant contribution to the outcomes of reading comprehension. The findings were explained according to the assumption that relatively native Arab speaking students develop a progressive change toward activation of StA representations for verbal learning. Such representations become more efficient as a result of the dominant exposure to StA during performing reading and writing tasks.

A Sensitive Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric Method for Determination of Bisoprolol in Rat Serum after Pre-Column Derivatization.

Two derivatization regents were reacted with bisoprolol (BIS), followed by liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis. 3-Bromomethyl-propyphenazone (BMP) and dansyl-chloride (Dns-Cl) were reacted via the secondary amino group using a catalyst to accelerate the reaction progress and completeness with minimal reaction byproducts. The sensitivity and the ionization efficiency of both BIS-methyl-propyphenazone (BIS-MP) and BIS-Dns via electrospray ionization were studied. The sensitivity of BIS-MP was superior to BIS-Dns. The derivatization procedure, extraction procedure, and LC-MS method were optimized and validated to achieve the monitoring of BIS in rat serum at a picogram scale. The calibration curve showed a regression coefficient value of 0.999 within a concentration spanning a range of 10-500 pg/mL. The detection limit and quantitation were 4 and 10 pg/mL, respectively. The intraday and inter-day precision values (% relative standard deviation) ranged from 0.53 to 6.91%, whereas the accuracy values (expressed as % error) ranged from -4.20 to -0.77%. The pharmacokinetic parameters were: 15,280 pg/mL for a maximum concentration of BIS (Cmax) at the maximum time (Tmax) of 1 h. BIS's elimination half-life (t1/2) was determined to be 3 h. The value of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0 - t) was 34,370 pg/mL h.

Distribution of AGG interruption patterns within nine world populations.

The CGG trinucleotide repeat within the FMR1 gene is associated with multiple clinical disorders, including fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency, and fragile X syndrome. Differences in the distribution and prevalence of CGG repeat length and of AGG interruption patterns have been reported among different populations and ethnicities. In this study we characterized the AGG interruption patterns within 3,065 normal CGG repeat alleles from nine world populations including Australia, Chile, United Arab Emirates, Guatemala, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and United States. Additionally, we compared these populations with those previously reported, and summarized the similarities and differences. We observed significant differences in AGG interruption patterns. Frequencies of longer alleles, longer uninterrupted CGG repeat segments and alleles with greater than 2 AGG interruptions varied between cohorts. The prevalence of fragile X syndrome and FMR1 associated disorders in various populations is thought to be affected by the total length of the CGG repeat and may also be influenced by the AGG distribution pattern. Thus, the results of this study may be important in considering the risk of fragile X-related conditions in various populations.

Chromatophores and color revelation in the blue variant of the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens).

Our light and electron microscopy observations have revealed that the chromatic unit for the caudal fin in the blue variant of the Siamese fighting fish consists exclusively of dermal chromatophores comprised of compact and overlapping light-reflecting motile iridophores underlined by a layer of light absorbing melanophores. The 2 subtypes that make up about 70% of the skin tissue are located just below the basal layer of the considerably thin epidermis. The administration of K-rich saline or norepinephrine induced prompt, but gradual and reversible, changes in the color of the skin from blue to a brown-yellowish color. The induced color change is attributable either to the neurotransmitter releasing effects of the K-rich saline or to the direct effects of norepinephrine on the postsynaptic alpha adrenergic receptors. Both of these agents induced aggregation of the melanosomes within the melanophores and apparently shifted the wavelength of the light reflected by the iridophores towards the shorter (blue) end of the spectrum. Based on the distribution and architectural arrangement of the iridophores and melanophores as well as their physiological responses, we conclude that the generation of the blue coloration in this fish predominantly occurs through motile iridophores via a multilayered thin-film interference phenomenon of the non-ideal type. The presence of the underlying melanophores provides a black sheet of melanin that enhances the chroma and purity of the color.

Factors associated with iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia among Arabic preschool children of the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was: 1. To estimate the prevalence of iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia in preschool Arabic children of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and 2. To determine the risk factors associated with these conditions in this population of children. METHODS: From April through to October 2000 a questionnaire and capillary blood survey was carried out in one primary health care (PHC) centre of Al Ain, UAE. Children whose capillary hemoglobin (Hb) or mean cell volume (MCV) results fell below predetermined cutoffs were offered venous blood workup. An additional sample of children with capillary blood results above those cutoffs were offered the same workup. All blood sampling was completed by May 2001. RESULTS: Five hundred and eight parents were questionnaired and 496 children capillary blood tested. Of the 320 venous blood tested, 315 were analyzed, in relation to questionnaire responses, using univariate analysis and logistic regression. Anemia, iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia were found in an estimated 36.1%, 26%, and 9.9% of this population of children. Age was a significant independent predictor of both iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia. Mother's current pregnancy was an additional predictor of iron deficiency anemia. CONCLUSION: The prevalences of iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia in this population of children were consistent with other reports from the region. Child's age and mother's current pregnancy were predictors of iron deficiency anemia. These findings have important implications for antenatal and childcare both in hospital and primary health care clinics.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to repetitive domains of Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein in United Arab Emirates children.

The aim of this study was to determine the exposure of child citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Plasmodium vivax, and to elucidate if it was related to place of residence or previous international travel to malaria-endemic areas. Blood samples were collected from 1010 primary schoolchildren resident in 7 out of 9 districts of the UAE during October and November 1999. Plasma samples were tested for antibodies against MAP4 (DGQPAGDR)3P2P30, a multiple antigen peptide containing the repeat amino acid sequences of P. vivax circumsporozoite protein (CSP), conjugated to 2 T-helper epitopes, P2 (QYIKANSKFIGITE) and P30 (FNNFTVSFWLRVPKVSASHLE) from tetanus toxin. For confirmation of P. vivax-specific reactivity, positive samples were further tested against (AGDR)6, a synthetic peptide containing 6 copies of a protective epitope within the CSP, and against a recombinant CSP, designated as NS1(81)V20. Results indicated that 3.3% of the children were seropositive. The seropositivity rates differed significantly in relation to place of residence, whereas travel outside the UAE did not significantly affect the exposure rates to P. vivax.

A study on the knowledge and practice of contraception among men in the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge and practice of contraception among United Arab Emirates (UAE) men. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred UAE monogamously married men with children. METHOD: The participants were randomly selected from the community and interviewed about knowledge and practice of contraception using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 348 men (87%) gave consent to participate in the study. Two hundred and ninety-four participants (84.5%) were aware of the availability of male contraceptive methods but only 94 (27%) were currently using these methods; 39 (41.5%) used condoms, 30 (31.9%) practised coitus interruptus, 24 (25.5%) practised the rhythm method and only one (1.1%) had been sterilised. Male contraception was accepted by 116 (33.3%) subjects of the total study population. The reasons for the objections were: religious 133 (57.3%), cultural barriers 47 (20.3%), personal beliefs 29 (12.5%), medical disorders 18 (7.8%) and economical factors five (2.2%). Of 54 users of condoms and coitus interruptus, 16 (29.6%) reported to have experienced adverse effects that included testicular pain in six (37.5%), decreased libido in six (37.5%) and diminished orgasm in four (25%). There were significant associations between using male contraception and levels of education of the partners (male p < 0.007, female p < 0.01), low family size (p = 0.0001) and family income (p < 0.05). Fifty-seven subjects (19.4%) thought that a 'male contraceptive pill' is available and 44 (15.0%) believed that a monthly injection is available for men. CONCLUSIONS: The level of awareness of contraception among men attending primary care in UAE is moderate. Two-thirds of the study subjects objected to the use of contraception by their wives and less than 20% practise contraception themselves. This is partly due to sociocultural traditions, religious beliefs and poor knowledge.