Predictors of all-cause mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients taking corticosteroids: a multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study.

Unlabelled: Despite the recommendations to avoid using corticosteroids systematically for hospitalized coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) patients, healthcare professionals used personalized treatments, including corticosteroids, as adjuncts to treat their patients due to their limited access to treatment options. This study aims to evaluate the use of corticosteroids among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with all-cause mortality as the primary outcome and to assess the predictors of all-cause mortality associated with the characteristics of the patients and the corticosteroid regimens adopted.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed over three months targeting 422 COVID-19 patients from six hospitals in Lebanon.

A conserved subunit vaccine designed against SARS-CoV-2 variants showed evidence in neutralizing the virus.

Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) leads to coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), declared as a pandemic that outbreaks within almost 225 countries worldwide. For the time being, numerous mutations have been reported that led to the generation of numerous variants spread more rapidly. This study aims to establish an efficient multi-epitope subunit vaccine that could elicit both T-cell and B-cell responses sufficient to recognize three confirmed surface proteins of the virus.

Safety and immunogenicity evaluation of inactivated whole-virus-SARS-COV-2 as emerging vaccine development in Egypt.

Background: Current worldwide pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with high numbers of mortality rates and huge economic problems require an urgent demand for safe and effective vaccine development. Inactivated SARS-CoV2 vaccine with alum. Hydroxide can play an important role in reducing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

National approaches to managing cancer care: responses of countries in the MENA region to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents serious challenges to cancer care because of the associated risks from the infection itself and the disruption of care delivery. Therefore, many professional societies have published recommendations to help manage patients with cancer during the current pandemic. The objective of our study is to assess the national responses of Middle East North Africa (MENA) countries in terms of publishing relevant guidelines and analyse various components of these guidelines.

Efficacy of inactivated velogenic Newcastle disease virus genotype VII vaccine in broiler chickens.

Newcastle disease (ND) causes severe economic losses in poultry production. Despite the intensive vaccination regimes of NDV in Egypt, many outbreaks are being reported. The present study focused on the preparation and evaluation of inactivated velogenic Newcastle disease virus vaccine (genotype VII) isolated from Egyptian broiler chicken during 2015-2016.

A randomized controlled trial of a group intervention for siblings of children with cancer: Changes in symptoms of anxiety in siblings and caregivers.

Objective: This study assessed the effects of a group intervention-Siblings Coping Together (SibCT)-on siblings' and caregivers' anxiety symptoms compared to controls, and potential moderators.

Methods: Seventy healthy siblings of children on or off treatment (7-16 y old, 41 males) participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 2 arms/groups: SibCT (n = 41) and an attention control (CG) (n = 34). Both groups had eight 2-hour weekly sessions.

Determinants of social competence in pediatric brain tumor survivors who participated in an intervention study.

Purpose: This prospective study describes disease/treatment, personal characteristics, and social/family contextual variables as risk and resilience factors that predict social competence in pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS).

Methods: Ninety-one PBTS (51% male, mean age 11.21 years, off-treatment, attending a regular classroom >50% of the time) participated.

Determinants of quality of life outcomes for survivors of pediatric brain tumors.

Introduction: To describe the quality of life (QOL) of pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTSs) prospectively and to identify potential medical, personal and family contextual factors associated with QOL.

Methods: Ninety-one PBTSs (8-16 years) who were off treatment and attending a regular classroom participated. Self- and caregiver-proxy-reported on QOL at baseline, 2 and 8 months.

A randomized control intervention trial to improve social skills and quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors.

Background: To determine if a group social skills intervention program improves social competence and quality of life (QOL) in pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS).

Methods: We conducted a randomized control trial in which PBTS (8-16 years old, off therapy for over 3 months) were allocated to receive social skills training (eg, cooperation, assertion, using social cognitive problem solving strategies, role playing, games, and arts and crafts) in 8 weekly 2-hour sessions, or an attention placebo control (games and arts and crafts only). Outcomes were self-reported, proxy-reported (caregiver), and teacher-reported using the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), to measure social competence, and the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL4.

The Emotional Experience and Perceived Changes in Siblings of Children With Cancer Reported During a Group Intervention.

Purpose/objectives: To examine the experiences and perceived changes in siblings of children with cancer while participating in a group intervention program. 
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Research Approach: Repeated observations during group participation and content analysis.

Eliciting Help Without Pity: The Effect of Changing Media Images on Perceptions of Disability.

This study investigated whether newer, more positive disability charity images can elicit helping behavior without producing pity. One hundred sixty-one university undergraduate students were presented with 35 older (1960-1990) and newer (1991-2010) disability charity images and completed a questionnaire about each image. Results indicate that overall, identification with depicted individuals was low; positive attitudes and perceptions of capabilities were moderate to high.