An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

How Can Manual Rotation Reduce Vacuum, Forceps and Caesarean Deliveries?—A Review of the Evidence

The aim of this review was to investigate whether manual rotation can be used to reduce vacuum, forceps and caesarean deliveries in women with occiput posterior or occiput transverse positions from 7 cm dilation in labour. A search strategy was developed and relevant papers published between 1946 and January 2015 were identified from electronic databases. Key search terms used were manual and digital rotation, labour presentation, obstetric labour complications, occiput posterior and version foetal. The search revealed 330 papers. A short list of 33 publications of possible relevance was compiled and assessed using the following criteria: primary studies on the effectiveness of manual rotation performed in women with singleton occiput posterior or occiput transverse presentations published in English or the Scandinavian languages. The quality of the included studies was evaluated by means of the critical appraisal tools for quantitative studies. Seven studies were included in the thematic analysis. The results varied but the main finding was that in order to decrease vacuum, forceps and caesarean deliveries by means of manual rotation, it is essential that the procedure is successful. The success rate of manual rotation is dependent on the experience of the healthcare professionals who perform the rotation procedure rather than the technique employed. Predictors of successful manual rotation were used after engagement of the foetal head, at full dilatation and prophylactic use before failure to progress in labour. In conclusion, although the results vary, there is a consensus in all the studies that manual rotation is worth considering and that it can contribute to decreasing vacuum, forceps and caesarean deliveries. The implications for practice are that successful manual rotation can reduce caesarean delivery and increase spontaneous vaginal delivery, but experience is necessary to perform successful rotations. Because there are no risk factors associated with manual or digital rotation when performed after engagement of the head and at full dilatation, they are worth considering. The central role of the midwife in each individual labour makes her important for ensuring that manual rotation can be considered at the right time in labour.

The Use and Misuse of Mobile Phones in the Maternity Ward—A Threat to Patient Safety?

An important task for the midwife is following up mother-child interaction to facilitate mother-infant attachment. The aim of this study was to explore midwives’ perceptions of parents’ use of mobile phones in the maternity ward. The research question was: Is the use of mobile phones in the maternity ward a threat to patient safety? Two focus group interviews exploring midwives’ perceptions (n = 10) of parent’ use of mobile phones during and after the birth were conducted in January 2016. Systematic text condensation was used to analyse the data, revealing three themes pertaining to safety concerns: Interrupted communication due to parents’ excessive use of mobile phones during labour and postnatally, Unsafe care caused by lack of attention to the newborn baby’s signals as a result of being disturbed by the mobile phone and Unsafe care because of parents interrupting their conversation with the midwife by answering the mobile, acting in a disrespectful manner and failing to pay attention. The midwives’ descriptions of parents’ use of mobile phones in the maternity ward included reflections on mobile phone usage as a permanent phenomenon. They were concerned that parents’ use of mobile phones in the maternity ward could negatively affect the attachment process and considered that it interrupted their work. In conclusion, there is a need for increased awareness of parents’ use of mobile phones in the maternity ward. Further research is required to gain greater insight into the consequences of mobile phone use in order to promote patient safety by ensuring effective communication between parents and midwives. In addition, research is needed to explore the safety discourse, clinical risks and/or health problems involved in the development of infant-parent attachment in newborn babies.

Clinical Supervision and Non-Technical Professional Development Skills in the Context of Patient Safety—The Views of Nurse Specialist Students

The aim of the study was to evaluate nurse specialist students’ views of clinical supervision (CS) and its influence on their professional competence development. An additional aim was to interpret the results and link them to non-technical skills and Patient Safety (PS) topics. The research question was: What are the benefits of clinical supervision focusing on non-technical skills in the area of PS? A cross-sectional study of 46 nurse specialist students was conducted by means of questionnaires and exploratory factor analysis. Factors that influenced the nurse specialist students’ competencies were: interpersonal, professional and communication skills in addition to awareness of ethical skills, the importance of teamwork and the benefit of involving patients and their family members in safe care. The results were linked to non-technical skills and PS competencies. Clinical supervision is crucial for the development of non-technical skills and PS competencies among nurse specialist students. However, finding time to reflect and learn from the supervision was reported to be a problem. Over half of the students stated they did not have enough time for supervision. Thus, there is a potential for quality improvement. We recommend that universities should provide formal educational programmes for supervisors focusing on the professional development of students, especially in the area of non-technical skills. In conclusion, CS should be prioritised by management and clinical leaders as it enhances PS.

Evidence of Linkages between Patient Safety and Person-Centred Care in the Maternity and Obstetric Context—An Integrative Review

The aim was to evaluate the current state of knowledge pertaining to patient safety and its link to person-centred care. The international relevance of patient safety has expanded, as have the models of person-centred care. Inspired by this new trend, we collated and summarized the literature for evidence of the two topics. The study was guided by Russell, Whittemore and Knafl’s integrative review framework. An electronic database search was conducted for relevant articles from 2005 to 2016. This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The structure and process of the evaluation of the evidence are described and the findings interpreted by means of a thematic synthesis. One theme emerged: trustful, safe communication in the relationship between the patient, family members and healthcare professionals and two domains;safety culture and multidisciplinary capacity building. The dominant dimension in the safety culture domain is respectful communication, which implies sharing experiences that lead to a sense of control during labour and birth and is related to the women’s feeling of personal capacity. The dominant dimensions in the multidisciplinary capacity building domain are collaborative teamwork, coordination and risk management, knowledge sharing and patient-centred communication. In conclusion, to enhance patient safety, it is necessary to develop patient-focused, evidence-based skills and guidelines as well as a supportive organization. Due to their interaction with patients, midwives’ communication competence on the part of midwives is essential for supporting the birth and fulfilling the women’s needs and expectations.

Checklist of the Birds of the Gaza Strip—Palestine

Bird fauna checklists are important tools in ecology, biology, and conservation planning for scientists, stakeholders, and decision-makers. Despite its small area, the Gaza Strip (365 km2) has a relatively large variety of resident and migratory bird fauna. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide an updated checklist of all bird fauna living in or inhabiting the Gaza Strip. Direct field observations using binoculars, continuous visits to zoos, pet stores and biology museums, discussion with bird hunters, follow-up of news and social networking sites, review of scientific publications and photography were the main tools to satisfy the purpose of the study. At least 250 bird species collected from different sources occur in the Gaza Strip and are included in the checklist. This list will not be static, but is inevitably subject to additions and changes in the face of times. The current 250 bird species of the Gaza Strip represent 45.4% of the 551 species of birds living in Palestine. The bird species were found to belong to 21 orders and 61 families. The Passeriformes (passerines) represented the largest order with 96 species of birds (38.4%), followed by the Charadriiformes 54 (21.6%), the Accipitriformes 18 (7.2%), Anseriformes 17 (6.8%) and Pelecaniformes 14 (5.6%), while the other orders represented the remaining percentage (20.4%). With regard to families, the Scolopacidae represented the largest family with 22 species of birds (8.8%), followed by the Anatidae and Accipitridae 17 for each (6.8%), the Muscicapidae 16 (6.4%) and Chariidridae and Fringillidae 11 for each (4.4%), while the other families represented the remaining percentage (62.4%). According to the IUCN regional threat categories, 226 species (90.4%) were Least Concern (LC), 12 (4.8%) were Near Threatened (NT), 6 (2.4%) were Vulnerable (VU), 4 (1.6%) were Endangered (EN) and 2 (0.8%) were Critically Endangered (CR). In conclusion, the study recommends a sustainable control of bird hunting and trafficking in addition to building prestigious centers and museums for studying and documenting birds in the Gaza Strip.

Antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities in commercial and homemade pomegranate molasses in Lebanon

Pomegranate fruit and its derived products are rich sources of bioactive compounds.They have many biological activities.Pomegranate molasses(PM)is a thick,traditional Middle Eastern syrup used in many recipes for Lebanese and international cuisines.It is a highly nutritious product which makes it of great interest.The purpose of this study was to assess the phytochemical composition,antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of homemade and commercial PM consumed in Lebanon using samples collected from households in rural areas(n=4)and the market(n=28).The objectives of this study were to determine their total phenolic content using the Follin-Ciocalteu method,their total flavonoid content using aluminum chloride method,their antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging as well as ferrous ion chelating assays and their anti-diabetic activity usingα-amylase andα-glucosidase inhibitory activities with acarbose,a known anti-diabetic drug,used as the standard reference.Homemade PM samples exhibited a higher antioxidant activity than commercial samples,with the most active homemade PM sample having IC_(50)values of 0.09 mg/mL(DPPH radical scavenging assay)and 46.78%ferrous ion chelating assay).Homemade PM samples also showed higher anti-diabetic activity than commercial samples,with the most active homemade PM sample having an IC_(50)values of 0.63 mg/mL(α-amylase inhibitory activity)and of 0.41 mg/mL(α-glucosidase inhibitory activity)and being almost as active as acarbose with both enzymes(1.5 times).Significant inverse strong/moderate correlations were observed between total phenolic content/total flavonoid content and the IC_(50)value of DPPH radical scavenging assay,indicating positive associations between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity.In addition,significant negative moderate correlations were observed between total phenolic/flavonoid contents andα-amylase inhibitory activity,indicating positive associations between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and anti-diabetic activity.

Are flexibility and muscle-strengthening activities associated with functional limitation?

This retrospective cohort study examined the relationship between self-reported participation in flexibility and muscular strengthening activities and the development of functional limitation(i.e.,once an individual has difficulty with or becomes unable to perform activities of daily living).Data were obtained from 1318 adults(mean age 49.59.7 years;98.7%Caucasian;14.9%female)enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study from 1979 to 2004 and free of functional limitation at baseline.Mail-back health surveys were used to prospectively determine incident functional limitation.Participation in muscle-strengthening and flexibility activities was assessed via self-report.Adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to determine the odds ratios(OR)and corresponding 95%confidence intervals for developing functional limitation during follow-up based on participation in general and specific categories of flexibility(‘Stretching’,‘Calisthenics’,or‘Exercise Class’)and musclestrengthening activities(‘Calisthenics’,‘Free Weights’,‘Weight Training Machines’,or‘Other’).Overall,42.6%of the sample reported incident functional limitation.After adjusting for potential confounders(e.g.,age,sex,cardiometabolic risk factors),those who reported performing muscle-strengthening activities in general(n=685)were at lower risk of developing functional limitation[OR=0.79(0.63–1.00)].In addition,the specific flexibility activities of stretching(n=491)and calisthenics(n=122)were associated with 24%and 38%decreased odds of incident functional limitation,respectively.General muscle-strengthening,stretching,and calisthenics activities are prospectively associated with decreased risk of incident functional limitation in generally healthy,middleaged and older adults.Thus,both public health and rehabilitation programs should highlight the importance of flexibility and muscle-strengthening activities during adulthood to help preserve functional capacity.