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Background: Esophageal atresia is a developmental disorder in which the upper and lower esophagus fail to connect. It has an estimated prevalence of 1 in 2,500-4,500 live births and has poorer outcomes in low-and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. This study focused on the disorder's epidemiology, morbidity, and mortality in Jordan to address the lack of data regarding esophageal atresia in this country. Methods: This was a retrospective study covering a 16-year period at a tertiary care academic hospital. Data were extracted from archived medical records and operative notes. All patients who had complete congenital esophageal atresia data were included. In total, the records of 55 patients were analyzed. Results: Of the included patients, 9% were diagnosed prenatally and 47% were diagnosed with polyhydramnios. The mean gestational age was 37 weeks, the mean birthweight was 2,550 g, and 60% of patients were male. Isolated cases of esophageal atresia were reported in 58.2% of patients. There was a high rate of associated congenital anomalies (41.8%), with cardiac lesions the most common (20%), and 5.5% were syndromic. Parental consanguinity was found in 18.2% of patients. Postoperative surgical-related morbidities included stricture (18/24; 75%) and leakage (5/24; 20.8%). Fistula recurrence occurred in one patient (4.2%). The mortality rate was 12.8%. Conclusion: Esophageal atresia causes a high rate of mortality and exhibits post-operative morbidities. Moreover, associated anomalies were frequently observed. A high level of the malformation was found among offspring from consanguineous marriages.

Understanding the distribution and floristic features of native forest plants, as well as the reasons that lead local people to collect them, is of great value for planning and implementing forest conservation and rehabilitation projPublished: 8 September 2014 Ethnobotany Research & Applications 386www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/vol12/i1547-3465-12-385.pdf est types, namely Origanum syriacum L., Malva parviflora L., and Arum palaestinum Boiss., and that some plant species are collected from a particular forest type. The main uses of the collected plants are food and medicine. The study results suggest value in taking into account the behavior of people who collect native forest plants when designing fragile forest ecosystem restoration programs. These programs should be community-based in order to achieve ecosystem sustainability and prevent biodiversity erosion. IntroductionThe Mediterranean region has provided examples of human interactions with plants (ethnobotany sensu Jones (1941)) over the past decades through studies of collecting native plants for food and medicine (Aburjai et al. 2007, Ali-Shtayeh et al. 2008, El-Darier & El-Mogaspi 2009, Faker et al. 2009, Rigat et al. 2007. Previous ethnobotanical research in the Mediterranean region has identified about 2,300 different plant and fungi taxa which are gathered and consumed (Rivera et al. 2006). Ethnobotanical data contribute to ecosystem restoration and forest sustainability management programs that involve all stakeholders including communities surrounding forests. This involvement is crucial to achieve the indispensable target "sustainability," both through rewarding people and ecosystems. Choudhary et al. (2008) indicated that today's ethnobotanical studies, including applied projects, have potential to reduce poverty levels. Thus, it is important to define the relationship between people and forest as recommended by Michon et al. (2007), who called for a new concept of land management in which production and conservation are compatible and in which there is no choice to be made between people and nature. Accordingly, this study focused on investigating such a relationship in order to help stakeholders implement effective conservation management plans while also reducing the poverty of the local people.The northern area of Jordan contains three types of forests: pine forest, deciduous oak forest, and evergreen oak forest (Al-Eisawi 1996, El-oqlah et al. 1985, Kaspligil 1956, Lahham et al. 1987, Long 1957, Zohary 1962 These forest areas receive the highest precipitation levels in Jordan, with annual rainfall amounts ranging from 400 to 600 mm. The area is bordered by the Irano-Turanian and Sudanian vegetation territories from the west and the Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Arabian vegetation from the east (Al-Eisawi 1996).Jordan's forest area is less than 1% of the total country. This area is declining both in regard to quality and quantity due to urbanization, shifting olive cropping at the expense of forests, grazing, and climate change,...

Human microbiota have a significant impact on the health of individuals, and reciprocally, lifestyle choices of individuals have an important effect on the diversity and composition of microbiota. Studies assessing microbiota knowledge among the public are lacking, although it is hypothesized that this knowledge can motivate healthier behavior. Hence, this study aimed to measure microbiota knowledge among university students, and the effect of this knowledge on behavioral beliefs. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among students from various fields of study enrolled at the University of Jordan, using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts: demographics, general knowledge of microbiota, and behavioral beliefs related to microbiota. Four hundred and two responses were collected from verified university students. Participants were divided into two groups depending on whether they took a formal microbiology course (45 h) or not. Results from those two groups were compared using appropriate statistical methods. Results showed that most participants, even those who did not take a formal microbiology course, displayed good knowledge of what microbiota is and how they can be influenced by personal and environmental factors. Participants who took a microbiology course had significantly higher microbiota knowledge scores and were more aware of the effect of antibiotics on microbiota. Participants’ behavioral beliefs regarding their antibiotic use, but not their diet and lifestyle choices, were affected by their knowledge of microbiota. The study indicates that disseminating knowledge regarding microbiota and microbiology in general, can improve behaviors related to antibiotic use.

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