Predictors of presence of and search for meaning in life among Omani students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

This study investigated the personal and academic factors associated with the presence and search for meaning in life among college students in Oman. A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2021. A self-reported survey comprising the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and a sociodemographic questionnaire was completed by 970 students at the National University of Science and Technology in Oman.

A novel supraorbital surgical approach for enucleation in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries): cadaveric study.

Background: Enucleation and exenteration are widely utilized ophthalmic procedures in veterinary practice, involving the complete removal of the eye and comprehensive extraction of orbital contents, respectively. These procedures are indicated for pain relief, excision, and management of neoplasia metastases, and addressing severe medically untreatable conditions.

Aim: This study aimed to develop an orbital enucleation surgical approach.

Brachiocephalic Vein Reconstruction Following the Excision of a Large Suspicious Anterior Mediastinal Mass.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a clinical condition characterized by signs and symptoms resulting from the blockage or narrowing of the thin-walled superior vena cava (SVC). This obstruction can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In this case, we report a 58-year-old patient who was diagnosed with SVCS due to a massive compressing anterior mediastinal mass leading to signs and symptoms of SVCS, including shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, and neck swelling, which was managed surgically by excision of the mass and reconstruction of the brachiocephalic vein using a synthetic graft.

Building bridges: evaluating policymakers' research capacities, engagement, and utilization in health policymaking within the Kuwaiti context: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Health policymaking is a critical aspect of governmental decision-making that shapes the well-being of populations. In the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in Kuwait, limited attention has been given to exploring the research capacities, engagement, and utilization among health policymakers. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating how Kuwaiti health policymakers incorporate evidence-based research into the formulation of health-related policies.

Plasmonic Contact Lenses Based on Silver Nanoparticles for Blue Light Protection.

Constant exposure to blue light emanating from screens, lamps, digital devices, or other artificial sources at night can suppress melatonin secretion, potentially compromising both sleep quality and overall health. Daytime exposure to elevated levels of blue light can also lead to permanent damage to the eyes. Here, we have developed blue light protective plasmonic contact lenses (PCLs) to mitigate blue light exposure.

A novel extraoral ultrasound-guided approach for mandibular nerve block in Rahmani sheep.

Background: Regional anesthesia is the favored choice in ruminant animals compared to general anesthesia, primarily due to its high safety margin and reduced demand for cost-intensive equipment in addition to its field applicability. Ultrasound-guided nerve block has gained significant attention in the field of veterinary medicine. This study utilized twenty-seven sheep of the native Rahmani breed to both demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of the ultrasound guided inferior alveolar nerve block technique.

Genetic literacy among primary care physicians in a resource-constrained setting.

Background: Genetic literacy among primary healthcare providers is crucial for appropriate patient care with the advances in genetic and genomic medicine. Studies from high-income countries highlight the lack of knowledge in genetics and the need to develop curricula for continuing professional development of non-geneticists. Scarce data is available from resource-constrained countries in Middle East and North Africa.

Dual-responsive in situ gelling polymer matrix for tunable ketamine general anesthesia in experimental animals.

Animal experimentation is a critical part of the drug development process and pharmaceutical research. General anesthesia is one of the most common procedures. Careful administration and dosing of anesthetics ensure animal safety and study success.

Are the outcomes of single-stage open reduction and Dega osteotomy the same when treating DDH in patients younger than 8 years old? A prospective cohort study.

Background: The primary objective was to report our early results after a one-stage procedure [open reduction (OR), Dega pelvic osteotomy (DPO), and femoral osteotomy (FO) when needed] for surgical management of a cohort of patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The secondary objective was to compare the functional, radiological, and complications among patients younger and older than 30 months.

Materials And Methods: This prospective cohort study included 71 hips with DDH in 61 patients with a mean age of 34.

UV polymerization fabrication method for polymer composite based optical fiber sensors.

Optical fiber (OF) sensors are critical optical devices with excellent sensing capabilities and the capacity to operate in remote and hostile environments. However, integrating functional materials and micro/nanostructures into the optical fiber systems for specific sensing applications has limitations of compatibility, readiness, poor control, robustness, and cost-effectiveness. Herein, we have demonstrated the fabrication and integration of stimuli-responsive optical fiber probe sensors using a novel, low-cost, and facile 3D printing process.

How May Longer Console Times Influence Outcomes after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP)?

Unlabelled: Longer operating time in radical prostatectomy may increase the risk of perioperative complications. Various factors such as cancer extent, the procedure's level of difficulty, habitus and previous surgeries may lengthen robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and therefore compromise outcomes.

Objective: this study investigates the influence of operating time on outcomes after RARP in real life settings in a monocentric single surgeon study.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials Comparing Thermal Versus Non-Thermal Endovenous Ablation in Superficial Venous Incompetence.

Objective: The objective was to compare technical success, complications, and quality of life after thermal vs. non-thermal endovenous ablation for the treatment of superficial venous incompetence.

Data Sources: Electronic bibliographic sources (Google Scholar, Pubmed, Cochrane Database, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase).

Prevalence of negative mental health status during COVID-19 pandemic among general population of seven Arab countries: A cross-sectional study of 28843 participants.

Background: Previous studies documented a narrow scope of knowledge about the negative mental health status during the lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Arab countries.

Aim: We aimed to assess the association between negative mental health status and the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the different factors affecting mental health among the general population of seven Arab countries.

Methods: This study is a multinational cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted online from June 11, 2020 to June 25, 2020.

3D Printing of pH Indicator Auxetic Hydrogel Skin Wound Dressing.

The benefits of enclosing pH sensors into wound dressings include treatment monitoring of wounded skin and early detection of developing chronic conditions, especially for diabetic patients. A 3D printed re-entrant auxetic hydrogel wound dressing, doped with pH indicator phenol red dye, was developed and characterized. The re-entrant auxetic design allows wound dressing adhesion to complex body parts, such as joints on arms and legs.

Perceptions of ophthalmologists on the impact of trachoma in Egypt: a mixed-methods, nationwide survey.

Purpose: Understanding the perception and practices of ophthalmologists for trachoma is important to develop interventions aimed at disease elimination in Egypt. The survey investigated: (1) the views and practice patterns of Egyptian ophthalmologists for trachoma and (2) the influence of geographic location, setting, and years of practice on ophthalmologists' perceptions.

Methods: A questionnaire sent to ophthalmologists currently working in Egypt collected information on: (1) demographics, (2) caseload and practice patterns for trachoma, (3) 13 Likert scale questions regarding the current state of trachoma, and (4) two open-ended written response questions.

Demographic and work-related factors associated with burnout, resilience, and quality of life among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross sectional study from Malaysia.

Introduction: The healthcare setting is a stressful and demanding work environment, and healthcare workers face a continuous expansion of their job roles and responsibilities. Past studies have shown that factors affecting burnout, resilience, and quality of life among healthcare workers merit further research, as there were inconsistent findings, especially with regards to the influence of demographic and work-related factors. Therefore, this study aims to determine whether demographic and work-related factors are associated with burnout, resilience, and quality of life among healthcare workers.

Burnout, resilience and the quality of life among Malaysian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Healthcare workers have to deal with highly demanding work situations, making healthcare as one of the most challenging professions. Up to now, far too little attention has been paid to burnout, resilience and the quality of life among Malaysian healthcare workers. Therefore, this paper explores the correlation between burnout, resilience and quality of life among Malaysian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smart 3D Printed Auxetic Hydrogel Skin Wound Dressings.

Wound healing is a huge challenge worldwide causing enormous financial burden on healthcare systems. Although conventional wound dressings, such as hydrogels, bandages, and foams, facilitate wound healing, they lack the ability to monitor the wound healing process. Here, hydrogel wound dressings in the form of auxetic structures were developed by a digital light processing (DLP) printer.

Rapid Colorimetric pH-Responsive Gold Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Sensing Applications.

Surface functionalization of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) with external groups can be engineered to fabricate sensors that are responsive to various stimuli like temperature, pH, and numerous ions. Herein, we report the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) functionalized with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (GNPs-MPA) and the doping of these nanoparticles into hydrogel materials using the breathing-in/breathing-out (BI-BO) method. MPA has a carboxyl group that becomes protonated and, thus, ionized at a pH below its pK (4.