Religiosity for Promotion of Behavior: Role of Islamic Worships in Moral Development of Muslim Youth

The question of moral rectitude and upbringing of youth in the current social arena is the contemporary discovery attributed to social and family norms that also undergo change due to social and economic reasons. Consequently, deferring levels of piety become more or less acceptable according to an individual’s surroundings and age. The study was done to determine the association between religiosity and behaviors likely to improve the moral, social and psychological habits of young Muslims. The discussion of the article contextualizes the effects of observing practices of Islam on a larger scale. A sample study of this research can be used as evidence to counter the contemporary environment which inevitably generates contradictions for young people. The contradictions result in uncertainty and materialistic atmosphere which does not cater to their spiritual needs and the requirements to develop as the youth of Ummah. Yet, we cannot stop or avoid the negative channels and their effects prevailing on the internet. We can; however, extend the positive spiritual energy in youth that is only possible through careful observance of religious practices comprising regular prayers, fasting, charity and pilgrimage (Hajj). The current apathy of our youth towards the religious injunctions may be attributed to social and family norms that are in some cases relative to the economic conditions and social backup. This will evaluate and assess the way and means of effective inlaying of moral fields where our young people can improve their moral aptitude and rectitude. The impasse of current moral turpitude can be shattered with the bounding relation of human activity and Islamic ritual.

Preparation of Multiple Congugates Lips-Protein for Immunization Against Typhoidal Diseases

Classically Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is associated with typhoid, a major health problem in developing countries. However, in recent years Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A (S. Paratyphi A) and Vi negative variants of S. Typhi have emerged rapidly. For development of multiple protein-polysaccharide conjugates with potential to be used as vaccines, we needed to have a first hand knowledge of local distribution of these pathogens. For this purpose, we developed a nested multiplex PCR targeting 5 different genes for differential diagnosis of typhoidal pathogens which has been optimized to be directly applicable on clinical blood samples. Out of 42 multiplex PCR positive blood samples, 26, 9, and 2 were Vi-positive S. Typhi, Vi-negative S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A, respectively and 5 patients were found to have mixed infection. Seventeen patients grew Salmonella from blood culture and the remaining 25 were positive in the Salmonella specific PCR. Tests with several common pathogens confirmed the specificity of the assay. We conclude that the proposed multiplex PCR is rapid, sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of typhoidal pathogens directly from blood samples. Detection of Vi negative strains of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A among typhoidal patients suggested the need to work on vaccines which are not based on Vi polysaccharide only. Therefore, O-specific polysaccharides (OSP) purified from lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A were conjugated with diphtheria toxoid (DT) using adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) as linker, and evaluated for immunogenicity in mice. Use of DT as carrier protein for Salmonellae has not been reported before. S. Typhi OSP-AH-DT conjugate 1 and 2 elicited significantly higher IgG anti-LPS ELISA titer (P = 0.0241 and 0.0245 respectively) than polysaccharide alone. The injection schedule-B (three injections with 4-weeks interval) was found better than schedule-A (three injections with 2-weeks interval). The conjugate of S. Paratyphi A OSP with DT without linker molecule did not elicit sufficient immune response to be used as conjugate vaccine candidate while antibody response against S. Paratyphi A OSP-A H-DT c onjugate was found significantly higher (P = 0.0446) than polysaccharide alone.