Aljouf University Research Articles

Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant S. Aureus ( MRSA ) among Medical Students at Aljouf University , Saudi Arabia

Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant S. Aureus ( MRSA ) among Medical Students at Aljouf University , Saudi Arabia

Prevalence of Recurrent Aphthosis and the Possible Pathogenetic Role of Oral Hygiene Practices among Aljouf University Students Attending the College of Dentistry's Clinics , Sakaka , Saudi Arabia

Prevalence of Recurrent Aphthosis and the Possible Pathogenetic Role of Oral Hygiene Practices among Aljouf University Students Attending the College of Dentistry's Clinics , Sakaka , Saudi Arabia

The Degree of Preference of Learning Styles among the Students of Aljouf University

The Degree of Preference of Learning Styles among the Students of Aljouf University

Adopt ICT among Academic Staff in Aljouf University: Using UTAUT Model

The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) has proven to be a powerful theoretical tool in the analysis of the adoption of information systems and usage behavior. Therefore, the researchers developed a survey based on the instrument established by Venkatesh, et. al. (2003) to determine the major factors contributing towards academic staff’s intention to adopt ICT at Al Jouf University. Sixty academic staff members from different colleges in the Al Jouf University participated in this study. The results of the study supported the UTAUT model. However, the results showed that the UTAUT constructs did not have a significant effect on intention in the presence of interactions with gender and age. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1p490

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of medical students regarding occupational risks of hepatitis B virus in college of medicine, aljouf university.

Background:Medical students represent a population that is at high-risk group for acquiring and spreading hepatitis B infection (HBV).Aim:This study was designed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes among male student regarding occupational risks of HBV infection.Subjects and Methods:During March 2013, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students of AlJouf University College of Medicine. Structured questionnaires of 16 different statements concerning knowledge base of HBV, attitudes as well as practices toward occupational risks of hepatitis B were distributed to 120 students.Results:Response rate of 76.7% (92/120) yielded 92 questionnaires for analysis. Majority of the students surveyed 62.0% (57/92) perceived that they are at high risk of contracting and spreading HBV. The rate of this perception among students who had a history of training on universal precautions was more than that found among those who did not have (70.8% vs. 58.8%; P < 0.01). Most of the students surveyed 63.0% (58/92) considered vaccine is safe and more than half 52.2% (48/92) were vaccinated against HBV. There were a very strong agreement about needlestick 92.4% (85/92) and blood 87.0% (80/92) as efficient modes of HBV transmission. Seventy-two percent of the participants did not have any knowledge about post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis B. A significant relationship was found between students who had a history of training on universal precautions and knowledge about post needlestick injury (P < 0.01).Conclusion:Infectious occupational risk of hepatitis B remains a challenge for medical students and the foundations of the medical institutes. Students must complete an infection control training before they start their clinical education.

Effect of ginger rhizome extract on lymphocytopenic guinea pig with azathioprine

The objectives of this study were to investigate quantitative alterations in leukocytes and immunosuppressive effects of ginger rhizome associated with oral administration of Azathioprine (AZA) on guinea pig model. This study was carried out at the Al Jouf University during the period from March to April 2013. A total of twelve guinea pigs randomly divided into three groups (four guinea pigs each) were used in this study. Group I, received daily oral administration of 50 mg/kg body weight of AZA in combination with 50 mg/ml of ginger rhizome extract for five days; Group II was treated with 50 mg AZA daily for five days, while Group III was used as a control group. Hematological alterations associated with ginger rhizome and AZA were measured using standard hematological and data analysis techniques. Ginger rhizome in combination with AZA was found to enhance the reduction in the lymph (%) compared to AZA treatment (P < 0.05). Lymphocyte was significantly lower in group II (AZA) and group I (AZA + ginger) (P < 0.05), 13 and 18%, respectively than the control group, 38%. This may be due to either inhibition in one of the lymphopoiesis growth factors or shortening the life span of lymphocytic cells by the action of AZA. The results of the present study indicated an immune suppressive effect of ginger rhizome extract associated with immunosuppressive agent (AZA) with mainly lymphocytopenia. The current findings suggest that ginger may have a role in either the stimulation of lymphopoiesis or discontinue the effect of AZA, as the percentage of lymphocytes was significantly higher in group II versus group I after mixing up AZA + ginger. Accordingly, further studies would be useful to estimate lymphocytic growth factors to know the relationship between ginger, AZA and lymphopoiesis. Key words: Azathioprine, ginger rhizome, blood cell counting, hematological alterations.

Biochemical Changes Induced by the Toxicity of Variable Sizes of Silver Nanoparticles

Background:&nbsp;Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) rapid involvement in industry and nanomedicine increased human exposure to variable forms of these particles, with possible potential risk on human health.Aims:&nbsp;The aim of this study is to investigate the biochemical changes induced by variable sizes of SNPs toxicity.Place and Duration of Study:&nbsp;Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan and the College of Applied Medical Sciences at Aljouf University, Saudi Arabia, between January 2013 and January 2014.Study Design:&nbsp;Forty-two male mice were subjected to a daily single dose (1mg/kg body weight) of SNPs using five different sizes (10 nm, 20 nm, 40 nm, 60 nm and 100 nm) for 35 days.Methodology:&nbsp;Biochemical changes of the following eleven biochemical tests were determined: aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, total bilirubin, creatinine, total protein, albumin, urea, uric acid and total cholesterol.Results:&nbsp;Silver nanoparticles significantly elevated aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, total bilirubin and creatinine, with no significant change in total protein level while albumin and total cholesterol levels were lowered.Conclusion:&nbsp;The findings indicate that exposure to SNPs produced significant biochemical changes that might affect the functions of the vital organs. Moreover, these alterations were size-dependent with smaller particles (10 nm and 20 nm) induced more alterations than the larger ones.

Radon Concentrations Measurement in Aljouf, Saudi Arabia Using Active Detecting Method

Rn-222 is the most important source of natural radiation and is responsible for approximately half of the received dose from all sources. Most of this dose is from inhalation of the Rn-222 progeny, especially in closed ares. Portable alpha particle detector, RAD7 was used for Rn-222 measurements inside the main campus of Aljouf University at Saudi Arabia in order to estimate the effective dose to the occupants from 222Rn and its progeny. The values of annual effective doses for radon inhalation by the inhabitants were found to vary in the range 0.08 - 0.80 mSv/y, with a mean of 0.4 mSv/y. These results are lower than the value 1 mSv/y recommended by ICRP, 1990. The variation of dose relationship from indoor radon in lung tissue is calculated and tabulated. In addition to environmental value of the present survey, the results are considered to be essential in analyzing any data for future activities in this field.

A Study on the Usefulness of Audio-Visual Aids in EFL Classroom: Implications for Effective Instruction

A resourceful English language teacher equipped with eclecticism is desirable in English as a foreign language classroom. The challenges of classroom instruction increases when prescribed English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course books (textbooks) are constituted with too many interactive language proficiency activities. Most importantly, it has become a common phenomenon to integrate language textbooks with audio and video as additional or supplementary resources for classroom language learning activities. A study was conducted on the usefulness of audio-visual aids in EFL classroom at undergraduate level at Aljouf University, Saudi Arabia. Findings of the study give insights on EFL students’ approach to using technological aids. EFL textbooks with technological aids are often viewed to be an inspiration and to provide motivation in classroom instruction. However, a close examination of classroom teaching aids and resources unveil many issues in EFL teaching and learning contexts. Insights, issues and implications presented in the paper are useful to English language educators, administrators, curriculum designers and English teachers in English as a Foreign Language setting.

Validation of Osmotic Fragility Test using a modified new Garden Angelica Reagent in Healthy Individuals Blood, Saudia Arabia

Background: Recently, there has been a global trend toward the use of natural substances present in fruits, vegetable, oilseeds and herbs as medicine and functional food.. Taken together, administration of Angelica sinensis extract may have beneficial effects in the treatment of hereditary sphryocytosis by measuring the osmotic fragility effects. Objective: To Validation of Osmotic Fragility Test using a modified new Garden Angelica Reagent Methodology: The human red blood cells were collected in heparin Anticoagulant and Osmotic fragility test reagent was prepared according to Daci and Lewis techniques.100 gram of dried root parts of Angelica were purchased from Sakaka herbal medicine farmer's cooperative, Aljouf. The botanical identification was made by herbalist, Aljouf University, Saudia Arabia. The roots were ground with a Wiley mill to pass a 1 mm screen and were extracted with Distilled water at 40°C for 12 h. The extract was then filtered through Advantec No. 1 filter paper. The collected filtrate suspension concentration was 40 g/dl then was diluted in different concentrations using normal saline. After evaporation, the concentrated extract was stored in a refrigerator at 2°C until used. Osmotic fragility test was done for heparinized whole blood samples of 30 healthy males using both the osmotic fragility(phosphate buffer saline) and the new modified angelica reagents(AR).The range of values represented the percentage of erythrocyte lysis at each corresponding phosphate buffer saline concentration (PBS) and angelica reagents(AR) were calculated. The corresponding concentration of PBS solution that caused 50% lysis of erythrocytes defined the MCF index (Dewey et al., 1982; Krogmeier et al., 1993). The erythrocyte osmotic fragility curve; the plot of percentage of erythrocyte lysis versus concentrations of PBS solution was used to obtain the MCF values. The relative capacity of the chemical stabilize or destabilize erythrocyte membrane was evaluated as percentage of the quotient of the difference between MCF values of test and control samples to the control sample (Parpart et al., 1947; Chikezie, 2007). Results: The mean (±SD) MCF values of the MCF for PBS was 4.38±2.04 and for AR was 3.71±0.98 of blood samples obtained from donors. In addition, the erythrocytes exhibited significantly (p<0.05) decreased MCF values when AR was used. This was an obvious reflection of higher fragility index of these erythrocytes. Conclusion: One of the properties of an ideal the new modified angelica reagent applicable for in vitro blood processing procedure for the osmotic fragility test is one that exhibit minimum or insignificant destabilizing effect on erythrocyte membrane. The present study showed the critical concentrations of angelica reagent that engendered membrane destabilization of human erythrocyte.

Composition, microstructure, Vickers hardness and activation energies of Co–Cu alloys fabricated by arc melting technique

We have determined the phase transition for the Co-20 and -30 at.% Cu alloys fabricated by arc melting technique, from the binodal to the two phases α + L as well as the peritectic transitions, using differential thermal analysis (DTA). We equally studied the effects of aging treatment, ranging from 3 to 35 h, on the alloy samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Vickers hardness (HV). The activation energies of these alloys are equally determined using five established models. Our results show that for aging time up to 15 h, within the spinodal region at 773 K, the hardness value for Co-20 and -30 at.% Cu alloys oscillates reaching a local maximum at the aging time of 8.5 ± 0.5 h. After 20 h of heat treatment, the HV for Co-20 at.% Cu alloy diminishes significantly while that of Co-30 at.% Cu effectively stabilizes at 241 MPa. The activation energies for the peritectic transformation based on Ozawa model are estimated to be 2465 and 2680 kJ mol−1 for Co-20 and -30 at.% Cu, respectively. †On leave for: Al-Jouf University, Skaka-2014, KSA.

ChemInform Abstract: Aminonaphthoquinones in Heterocyclization

AbstractReview: 63 refs.