Risk of Microvascular Complications in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients Using Automated Machine Learning Prediction Models.

In type 2 diabetes (T2D), collective damage to the eyes, kidneys, and peripheral nerves constitutes microvascular complications, which significantly affect patients' quality of life. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the risk of microvascular complications in newly diagnosed T2D patients in Dubai, UAE. Supervised automated machine learning in the Auto-Classifier model of the IBM SPSS Modeler package was used to predict microvascular complications in a training data set of 348 long-term T2D patients with complications using 24 independent variables as predictors and complications as targets.

Neocolonialism and science diplomacy: lessons learned from the field and the way forward.

To level the playing field in the production of global knowledge, we need to understand the practical implications of colonial heritage and how it has disproportionately affected scientific discourse and the generation and utilization of scientific knowledge from and about the Global South. This article explores how research practitioners can level the playing field. We must think about how we can collectively change the narrative so that every emerging scientist from the Global South can flourish and have an equal opportunity to conduct research that is meaningful to them and their societies.

Measurement properties of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS): A systematic review.

Background: Since its creation, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) has been used worldwide in mental health literacy studies.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate, summarize, and compare the measurement properties of MHLS validation studies.

Methods: PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus, Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases were searched from May 30, 2015, to December 31, 2023.

Enhancing cultural sensitivity in the implementation of the Fertility Quality of Life Tool in Sudan: a science diplomacy perspective.

Background: Infertility is a global health challenge impacting quality of life, particularly in low and middle-income countries such as Sudan. The Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL) tool, a standardized questionnaire, is pivotal in assessing fertility-related quality of life. However, existing research on its utility has primarily been conducted in Global North and High-Income Countries, highlighting the need to shift away from neocolonialism to promote truly inclusive research and effective healthcare practices.

Fostering cultural resilience: assessing the success of a locally engaged and adapted mental health intervention in Gaza.

In ongoing-conflict-affected regions like Gaza, the prevalence of complex and intersecting post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs) necessitates innovative interventions. Our study explores a mental health care approach that has been culturally adapted for 15 years to address the complex landscape of PTSD in the Gaza Strip. Tarkiz was initially developed as 'Focusing', a metacognitive approach founded by Eugene Gendlin in 1950s Chicago.

Biogenic amines' residues in meat products with a reference to their microbial status.

Background: Meat products are widely recognized as substantial sources of protein derived from animals. Biogenic amines (BAs), naturally occurring toxins, are generated via the metabolism of specific amino acids by a vast array of microorganisms, including pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains.

Aim: The aim of this study was to ascertain the quantity of BAs produced in five meat products that are commercially available in Egypt.

Etiologies underlying subtypes of long-standing type 2 diabetes.

Background: Attempts to subtype, type 2 diabetes (T2D) have mostly focused on newly diagnosed European patients. In this study, our aim was to subtype T2D in a non-white Emirati ethnic population with long-standing disease, using unsupervised soft clustering, based on etiological determinants.

Methods: The Auto Cluster model in the IBM SPSS Modeler was used to cluster data from 348 Emirati patients with long-standing T2D.

Effects of menstrual cycle on hemodynamic and autonomic responses to central hypovolemia.

Background: Estrogen and progesterone levels undergo changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Existing literature regarding the effect of menstrual phases on cardiovascular and autonomic regulation during central hypovolemia is contradictory.

Aims And Study: This study aims to explore the influence of menstrual phases on cardiovascular and autonomic responses in both resting and during the central hypovolemia induced by lower body negative pressure (LBNP).

Detection and health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in chilled and frozen meat collected from Sharkia province in Egypt.

Background: The consumption of meat is a fundamental aspect of global diets, providing essential nutrients and proteins vital for human nutrition. However, ensuring the safety of meat products has become progressively challenging due to potential contamination by toxic heavy metals (HMs) and pathogenic microorganisms.

Aim: This study focuses on assessing the prevalence of Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), and Cadmium (Cd), in chilled and frozen meat in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

A critical systematic review and meta-analyses of risk factors for fertility problems in a globalized world.

Globally, fertility awareness efforts include well-established risk factors for fertility problems. Risks disproportionately affecting women in the Global South, however, are neglected. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses of relevant risk factors to examine the association between risk factors and fertility problems.

Gender-specific Reference Range for Serum Leptin in Omani Population.

Objectives: Leptin is a hormone that contributes to glucose homeostasis and food intake regulation via its action on the hypothalamus. Leptin level increases with obesity and overfeeding and decreases with energy deficiency. Serum leptin levels vary between different ethnic groups with no reports of its reference range in the Arabic population.

Association of gender with cardiovascular and autonomic responses to central hypovolemia.

Introduction: Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) eliminates the impact of weight-bearing muscles on venous return, as well as the vestibular component of cardiovascular and autonomic responses. We evaluated the hemodynamic and autonomic responses to central hypovolemia, induced by LBNP in both males and females.

Methodology: A total of 44 participants recruited in the study.

Risk and predictors of severity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and COVID-19 in Dubai.

Background: Globally, patients with diabetes suffer from increased disease severity and mortality due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Old age, high body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and complications of diabetes are recognized as major risk factors for infection severity and mortality.

Aim: To investigate the risk and predictors of higher severity and mortality among in-hospital patients with COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes (T2D) during the first wave of the pandemic in Dubai (March-September 2020).

Lipid-membranes interaction, structural assessment, and sustainable production of polyhydroxyalkanoate by Priestia filamentosa AZU-A6 from sugarcane molasses.

This study presented for the first time the PHA-lipid interactions by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, besides a sustainable PHA production strategy using a cost-effective microbial isolate. About 48 bacterial isolates were selected from multifarious Egyptian sites and screened for PHAs production. The Fe(AZU-A6) was the most potent isolate, and identified genetically as Priestia filamentosa AZU-A6, while the intracellular PHA granules were visualized by TEM.

Effect of Different Mouthwashes on the Surface Microhardness and Color Stability of Dental Nanohybrid Resin Composite.

Background: Surface microhardness and color stability of dental restorative material should be sustained throughout its functional lifetime to maintain the esthetic quality of the restoration. However, the frequent application of mouthwash may affect their surface microhardness and color stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different types of mouthwashes with different contents on surface microhardness and color stability of dental nanohybrid resin-based composite.

Influence of Incorporating 5% Weight Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles on Flexural Strength, Micro-Hardness, Surface Roughness and Water Sorption of Dental Self-Cured Acrylic Resin.

Background: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is used in fabricating acrylic denture bases. Repairing a fractured acrylic denture base can be done by self-cured PMMA, yet this is still a weak point after repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of incorporating 5% weight titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO) to self-cured PMMA on flexural strength, surface micro-hardness, roughness, and water sorption.

The impact of pharaonic female genital mutilation on sexuality: Two cases from Sudan highlighting the need for widespread dissemination of sexual and reproductive health education in Africa.

It is well documented that female genital mutilation (FGM) can have numerous physical and psychosocial consequences. The increased awareness about FGM and its impact on female health over the past few decades has led to a ban on FGM in many countries, however, this has yet to translate into measurable changes in prevalence. Efforts to enforce legislation have been unsuccessful in part because the general public lacks information about the negative consequences of FGM.

Estimate of the HOMA-IR Cut-off Value for Identifying Subjects at Risk of Insulin Resistance Using a Machine Learning Approach.

Objectives: This study describes an unsupervised machine learning approach used to estimate the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) cut-off for identifying subjects at risk of IR in a given ethnic group based on the clinical data of a representative sample.

Methods: The approach was applied to analyse the clinical data of individuals with Arab ancestors, which was obtained from a family study conducted in Nizwa, Oman, between January 2000 and December 2004. First, HOMA-IR-correlated variables were identified to which a clustering algorithm was applied.

Quality of life of Sudanese patients attending a fertility clinic: a mixed methods study.

Background: Infertility affects over 50 million people globally, the burden is disproportionately borne by women, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The impact of infertility on quality of life (QoL) has not been well documented or assessed qualitatively in LMIC like Sudan, where infertility is a pervasive problem. Therefore, the purpose of this mixed-methods study was to assess the fertility-related QoL of infertile individuals in Sudan using the fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool.

Utility of oral glucose tolerance test in predicting type 2 diabetes following gestational diabetes: Towards personalized care.

Background: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at a seven-fold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) within 7-10 years after childbirth, compared with those with normoglycemic pregnancy. Although raised fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels has been said to be the main significant predictor of postpartum progression to T2D, it is difficult to predict who among the women with GDM would develop T2D. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study to examine the glycemic indices that can predict postnatal T2D in Emirati Arab women with a history of GDM.

Covid-19 infection in pregnant women in Dubai: a case-control study.

Background: Whilst the impact of Covid-19 infection in pregnant women has been examined, there is a scarcity of data on pregnant women in the Middle East. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of Covid-19 infection on pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates population.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out to compare the clinical course and outcome of pregnancy in 79 pregnant women with Covid-19 and 85 non-pregnant women with Covid-19 admitted to Latifa Hospital in Dubai between March and June 2020.

Effect of Powder/Water Ratio Variation on Viscosity, Tear Strength and Detail Reproduction of Dental Alginate Impression Material ( and Clinical Study).

Background: Alginate impression is a common dental polymeric material, presented as powder to be mixed with water.

Aim: 1. To analyze the effect of alginate powder/water ratio variation on viscosity, tear strength and detail reproduction by tests, and 2.

Determining the need for fertility care and the acceptability and feasibility of administering a fertility awareness tool from the user's perspective in a sample of Sudanese infertility patients.

Fertility experts have advocated addressing preventable causes of infertility and early intervention. However, awareness of risk factors is low, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the prevalence of infertility is high. To address this lack of awareness, the Fertility Awareness Tool (FertiSTAT) was adapted for use in Sudan and other low-resource countries.