Low testing rates and high prevalence: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor use in Middle East /homologous recombination deficiency-positive cancer patients.

Background: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) are approved as first-line therapies for breast cancer gene ()-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. They are also effective for new and recurrent ovarian cancers that are - or homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive. However, data on these mutations and PARPi use in the Middle East are limited.

Value of Imprint Cytology for the Rapid Diagnosis of Mucormycosis in the COVID-19 Pandemic Setting - A Pilot Study.

Background: The second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic recorded a surge in rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) infection in COVID-19-positive patients with diabetes and on concomitant steroid therapy. The rapidly progressive and devastating nature of the disease necessitated prompt diagnosis and early intervention to improve patient outcomes. Histopathology and fungal culture remain essential tools; however, these investigations have long and variable turn-around times (TATs) and may delay the initiation of treatment.

Clinical features, laboratory characteristics and risk factors for mortality of COVID-19 patients in a secondary hospital in Oman during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Background: The changing epidemiological profile of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertain clinical picture of patients characterise this ongoing and most challenging health event.

Objectives: To report clinical features, laboratory characteristics, and mortality risk factors among COVID-19 patients admitted to a secondary hospital in Oman.

Methods: A retrospective study for the first 455 patients admitted with COVID-19 to Rustaq hospital from 12th April, 2020 to 27th September, 2020.

The role of supporting services in driving SARS-CoV-2 transmission within healthcare settings: A multicenter seroprevalence study.

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in healthcare workers (HCWs) based on risk of exposure to COVID-19 patients.

Method: This was a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence cross-sectional study in risk-stratified HCWs randomly selected from three main district hospitals in Oman.

Results: 1078 HCWs were included, with an overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 21%.

A Comprehensive Analysis of -Acting RNA Elements in the SARS-CoV-2 Genome by a Bioinformatics Approach.

The emergence of a new coronavirus (CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for severe respiratory disease in humans termed coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), became a new global threat for health and the economy. The SARS-CoV-2 genome is about a 29,800-nucleotide-long plus-strand RNA that can form functionally important secondary and higher-order structures called -acting RNA elements. These elements can interact with viral proteins, host proteins, or other RNAs and be involved in regulating translation and replication processes of the viral genome and encapsidation of the virus.