Physical Activity Level and Dietary Intake Associated with Fat-Free Muscle Mass Changes During Intentional Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Subjects.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and related complications is increasing relentlessly worldwide. The effect of intentional weight loss strategies for obese individuals on fat-free muscle mass (FFMM) and metabolic and general health is not well known. The aim of this research is to measure the effects of dietary intake and physical activity level on FFMM change during intentional weight loss in obese subjects.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation with or without Calcium on Vitamin D Epimer and Metabolites.

Background: A possible role of vitamin D epimers and metabolites in the measurement and response to treatment of vitamin D has been reported recently. Furthermore, the influence of underlying vitamin D receptor (VDR) genetic polymorphisms which have been linked to diseases such as obesity remains unclear. We therefore aimed to examine the influence of vitamin D3 and calcium supplements on vitamin D epimer and metabolite concentrations in subjects with and those without vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms.

Preventable deaths in hospitalized trauma patients.

Aim: To study the preventable trauma deaths of hospitalized patients in the United Arab Emirates and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Methods: We analyzed the Abu Dhabi Emirate Trauma Registry data of admitted patients who died in the emergency department or in hospital from 2014 to 2019. A panel of experts categorize the deaths into not preventable (NP), potentially preventable (PP), and definitely preventable (DP).

Maternal and fetal health outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancies in the Emirati population: A comparative study.

Objectives: To evaluate adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), compare their maternal and fetal outcomes with those of age-matched pregnant women without SLE, and identify factors linked to increased risks of adverse outcomes.

Methods: Medical records from Tawam Hospital were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients with SLE and a history of pregnancy. Demographics, clinical variables, and maternal and fetal outcomes were obtained.

Frequency of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in a Population with a very High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency, Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension.

Background: Although vitamin D levels and underlying vitamin D receptor (VDR) genetic polymorphisms have been linked to many common diseases including obesity, the association remains unclear. There is also co-existence of pathologically high proportions of obesity and vitamin D deficiency conditions in our UAE society. We therefore aimed to determine the genotypes and allele percentage frequency distribution of four polymorphisms-FokI, BsmI, ApaI and TaqI-in the VDR gene in healthy Emirati individuals and their association with vitamin D levels and chronic conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity.

Mechanisms and Effect of Increased Physical Activity on General and Abdominal Obesity and Associated Metabolic Risk Factors in a Community with Very High Rates of General and Abdominal Obesity.

Background: The growing prevalence of obesity and related type 2 diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the UAE. Physical inactivity is one of the possible factors linking obesity to diabetes and other related complications. However, the molecular mechanisms through which physical inactivity is contributing to increased obesity-related pathologies are not clear.

Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Mitigates Oxidative Damage and Associated Inflammatory Response in Obese Subjects Independent of Body Weight Change.

Introduction: The growing prevalence of obesity and related type 2 diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the Gulf countries. Oxidative damage and inflammation are possible mechanisms linking obesity to diabetes and other related complications, including cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Aims: To measure the effects of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on body weight, waist circumference, oxidative damage, and inflammatory markers.

Prognostic impact of anemia on the mortality of United Arab Emirates nationals with cardiovascular disease.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Multiple risk factors, including low hemoglobin levels, have been associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, the long-term impact of anemia on death has not been investigated in high-risk patients in the United Arab Emirates.

Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Patients With Turner Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial autoimmune disorder, and studies have reported that patients with Turner syndrome (TS) are at risk for CD. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the weighted prevalence of CD among patients with TS and determine the weighted strength of association between TS and CD. Studies published between January 1991 and December 2019 were retrieved from four electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase.

Importation of Entamoeba histolytica and predominance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in liver abscesses: a 7-year retrospective cohort study from the United Arab Emirates.

Background: There is a dearth of information on liver abscesses in the United Arab Emirates. Herein, we describe the clinical features of liver abscesses and determine their incidence rates and clinical outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of liver abscess at a major hospital over a 7-year period.

Strength of the association between Turner syndrome and coeliac disease: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Coeliac disease (CD) is a genetic autoimmune disorder characterised by a permanent sensitivity to the gluten contained in some grains. Certain patient groups are considered high risk for the development of CD, including, but not limited to, those with chromosomal disorders such as Turner syndrome (TS). Here, we present a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis that aims to comprehensively summarise the literature, and quantitatively estimate the weighted strength of the association between TS and CD.

Epidemiology of dental caries in children in the United Arab Emirates.

Dental caries has a significant impact on the general health and development of children. Understanding caries epidemiology is an essential task for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) policymakers to evaluate preventive programmes and to improve oral health. The purpose of this review is to collect and summarise all data available in the published literature on the epidemiology of dental caries in the UAE in children aged under 13 years.