Core and surface structure and magnetic properties of mechano-synthesized LaFeO nanoparticles and their Eu-doped and Eu/Cr-co-doped variants.

The core and surface structure, and magnetism of mechano-synthesized LaFeO nanoparticles (30-40 nm), Eu-doped (LaEuFeO), and Eu/Cr co-doped (LaEuFeCrO) are reported. Doping results in a transition from the O'-type to the O-type distorted structure. Traces of reactants, intermediate phases, and a small amount of Eu ions were detected on the surfaces of the nanoparticles.

Immune reconstitution and survival, following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Omani patients with inborn errors of immunity.

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment for certain inborn errors of immunity.

Methods: A 17-year retrospective cohort study was conducted on 40 immunodeficient patients who underwent HSCT.

Results: The median age at transplant was 11.

Homozygous mild beta-thalassaemia promoter transversion -71 C>T HBB:c.-121 C>T.

Beta-thalassaemia is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide, which is caused by absent or decreased synthesis of beta-globin chain subunits. Beta-thalassaemias are diverse groups of disease with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes. The clinical phenotypes can include asymptomatic forms of beta-thalassaemia minor, intermediate and severe transfusion dependent beta-thalassaemia major.

The prevalence of sickling abnormality in Oman: A review of relevant publications.

Sickle cell disease (SCD), caused by a mutation in the β-globin gene HBB, is widely distributed in malaria endemic regions.  The prevalence of sickle cell trait and disease reaches up to 4.8-6% and 0.

Incorporation of Evidence-based Guidelines on Bleeding Risk Assessment Prior to Surgery into Practice: Real-time Experience.

Objectives: Despite guidelines recommending no need for coagulation testing before surgeries when a history of bleeding is negative, surgeons still overuse it in this part of the world. We aim to measure unbiased estimates of hemostatic outcomes in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries and assess the surgeons' behavior of preoperative coagulation testing.

Methods: We enrolled all patients who underwent ENT surgeries from July 2017 to January 2018.

Impact of Glutathione S-Transferase Polymorphisms on Busulfan Pharmacokinetics and Outcomes of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: Busulfan (Bu) is an alkylating drug used in many preparative regimens before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It is conjugated in the liver mainly by glutathione S-transferase isoenzyme A1-1 ( GSTA1 ). Genetic polymorphisms in these isoenzymes may affect the pharmacokinetics of Bu and the clinical outcomes of HSCT.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia in a child following treatment for bilateral retinoblastoma.

A 3-year-old child was incidentally found to have chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) during an admission for a routine ophthalmic examination under anesthesia. The child had received systemic chemotherapy and focal treatment for Groups C and D retinoblastoma in the right and left eye, respectively, when she was 7 months old. CML was treated with dasatinib, and the child attained a major molecular response.

Pediatric oncology infrastructure and workforce training needs: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group.

Background: Inadequate numbers of trained health care providers (HCPs) contribute to poor pediatric oncology (PO) outcomes, particularly in low- and lower middle-income countries (L/LMICs). An understanding of the characteristics of the workforce challenges is vital for addressing these problems.

Methods: The Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group surveyed PO centers in countries of North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, and Indian subcontinent on infrastructure and workforce capacity, service availability, and training opportunities for HCPs.

Free and partially encapsulated manganese ferrite nanoparticles in multiwall carbon nanotubes.

Free and partially encapsulated manganese ferrite (MnFeO) nanoparticles are synthesized and characterized regarding structure, surface, and electronic and magnetic properties. The preparation method of partially encapsulated manganese ferrite enables the formation of a hybrid nanoparticle/tube system, which exhibits properties of manganese ferrite nanoparticles inside and attached to the external surface of the tubes. The effect of having manganese ferrite nanoparticles inside the tubes is observed as a shift in the X-ray diffraction peaks and as an increase in stress, hyperfine field, and coercivity when compared to free manganese ferrite nanoparticles.

Identification of Potential Chemical Substrates as Fuel for Hypoxic Tumors That May Be Linked to Invadopodium Formation in Hypoxia-Induced MDA-MB-231 Breast-Cancer Cell Line.

Hypoxia plays a significant role in solid tumors by the increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which is known to promote cancer invasion and metastasis. Cancer-cell invasion dynamically begins with the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) via invadopodia formation. The chemical substrates that are utilized by hypoxic cells as fuel to drive invadopodia formation are still not fully understood.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pediatric oncology care in the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia region: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) group.

Background: Childhood cancer is a highly curable disease when timely diagnosis and appropriate therapy are provided. A negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on access to care for children with cancer is likely but has not been evaluated.

Methods: A 34-item survey focusing on barriers to pediatric oncology management during the COVID-19 pandemic was distributed to heads of pediatric oncology units within the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) collaborative group, from the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia.

Busulfan clearance does not predict the development of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a life-threatening complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Busulfan has a narrow therapeutic index and its concentration was found to correlate with VOD. Our primary objective was to assess the association between busulfan clearance and VOD in HSCT patients.

Preoperative transfusion versus no transfusion policy in sickle cell disease patients: a randomized trial.

Background: Many children with sickle cell disease (SCD) indicated for adenotonsillectomy receive pre-operative transfusion therapy, either simple or exchange transfusion, in order to reduce surgical and sickle cell disease-related complications.

Subjects And Methods: This is a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial aiming to compare between preoperative simple transfusion and no transfusion in pediatric patients with sickle SCD admitted in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman for adenotonsillectomy during the period from January 2014 through June 2018. They were randomly assigned into two arms (simple transfusion and no transfusion).

Systemic Oxidative Stress Is Increased in Postmenopausal Women and Independently Associates with Homocysteine Levels.

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of developing CVD due to decreased estrogen availability, which is accompanied by increased oxidative stress. Serum free thiols (R-SH) provide a robust and powerful read-out of systemic oxidative stress.

Impact of Home-to-Centre Distance on Bone Marrow Transplantation Outcomes.

Objectives: Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Oman started in 1994 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman. Previous studies have suggested that longer driving time to the transplant centre (DTC) independently correlates with worse overall survival (OS). Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of DTC on OS and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD).

Fresh frozen plasma (Octaplas) and topical heparin in the management of ligneous conjunctivitis.

Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare form of chronic recurrent membranous conjunctivitis with reduced plasminogen activity. It is characterized by the formation of characteristic firm ("woody") membranes on the tarsal conjunctiva. Similar lesions may occur on other mucous membranes.

Human Parvovirus B19 in Children with Sickle Cell Disease; Poking the Spleen.

Parvovirus is a known culprit of transient red cell aplasia (TRCA) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Few reports have previously described the association between the virus and acute splenic sequestration crisis (ASSC) in the same patient. Here, we are shedding light on such a potentially serious combination by reporting two cases of siblings with SCD complicated with concurrent ASSC and TRCA and presenting a review of the relevant literature.

Haemoglobin Fontainebleau (HBA2: c. 64G>C) in Oman: molecular and haematological characteristics and interaction with various haemoglobinopathies.

Objectives: To describe the laboratory features of haemoglobin Fontainebleau (Hb FB) and its interactions with various α and β globin gene mutations in the Omani population.

Methods: Over a period of 10 years, a total of 94 blood samples were suspected to have an α variant on HPLC at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Molecular testing was performed using PCR based techniques to define the variant and to analyse other interacting mutations in either α or β globin genes.

Vincristine-induced neuropathy in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Oman: Frequent autonomic and more severe cranial nerve involvement.

Background: Vincristine (VCR) induced peripheral neuropathy is a common complication in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Procedures: A retrospective data analysis over an interval of 10 years (2006-2016) of all children with ALL seen at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital was carried out. Electronic medical records of eligible patients were reviewed.