Exploring Differentially Methylated Genes amongst Preterm birth and Full-term birth.

Introduction: Preterm birth (PTB) is associated with newborn morbidity and mortality. DNA methylation plays an important role in the development of fetus, thus can also serve as an epigenetic biomarker. Limited epigenetic studies were conducted in regard to PTB.

Precision medicine activities and opportunities for shaping maternal and neonatal health in Qatar.

Precision Medicine (PM) is a transformative clinical medicine strategy that aims to revolutionize healthcare by leveraging biological information and biomarkers. In the context of maternal and neonatal health, PM enables personalized care from preconception through the postnatal period. Qatar has emerged as a key player in PM research, with dedicated programs driving advancements and translating cutting-edge research into clinical applications.

Bullying in the Arab World: Definition, Perception, and Implications for Public Health and Interventions.

The present research aimed to examine bullying among diverse Arab nationalities residing in Qatar across two separate studies. Study 1 examined how Arabic-speaking adolescents and adults describe and perceive bullying, participants ( = 36) from different Arab nationalities (i.e.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with dyslipidemia and risk of metabolic disorders in the State of Qatar.

Background: Dyslipidemia is recognized as one of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the association between selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with dyslipidemia and increased susceptibility risks of CVD, NAFLD, and/or T2DM in dyslipidemia patients in comparison with healthy control individuals from the Qatar genome project.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2933 adults (859 dyslipidemia patients and 2074 healthy control individuals) from April to December 2021 to investigate the association between 331 selected SNPs with dyslipidemia and increased susceptibility risks of CVD, NAFLD and/or T2DM, and covariates.

Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of major congenital anomalies: A population-based register study.

Congenital anomalies (CAs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in early life. We aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of major CAs in the State of Qatar. A population-based retrospective data analysis of registry data retrieved from the Perinatal Neonatal Outcomes Research Study in the Arabian Gulf (PEARL-Peristat Study) between April 2017 and March 2018.

The Mediating Role of Bullying and Victimisation on the Relationship Between Problematic Internet Use and Substance Abuse Among Adolescents in the UK: The Parent-Child Relationship as a Moderator.

Over the last decade, research into the negative effects of problematic internet use has greatly increased. The current study adopted a mediation-moderation model in exploring the relationship between problematic internet use and substance abuse (drinking, drug use, and smoking tobacco cigarettes) among 1,613 adolescents (aged 10-16) in the UK. The findings of the study revealed a significant positive correlation between problematic internet use and substance abuse, which is mediated by traditional and cyber bullying and victimisation.

Incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of inappropriate birth weight for gestational age among singleton live births in Qatar: A population-based study.

Background: Abnormal fetal growth can be associated with factors during pregnancy and at postpartum.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes associated with small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) infants.

Methods: We performed a population-based retrospective study on 14,641 singleton live births registered in the PEARL-Peristat Study between April 2017 and March 2018 in Qatar.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Preterm and Early Term Births: A Population-Based Register Study.

Preterm birth (PTB) and early term birth (ETB) are associated with high risks of perinatal mortality and morbidity. While extreme to very PTBs have been extensively studied, studies on infants born at later stages of pregnancy, particularly late PTBs and ETBs, are lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of PTB and ETB births in Qatar.

Predictive value of tyrosine phosphatase receptor gamma for the response to treatment tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor gamma (PTPRG) is a member of the receptor-like family protein tyrosine phosphatases and acts as a tumor suppressor gene in different neoplasms. Recent studies reported the down-regulation of PTPRG expression levels in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia disease (CML). In addition, the BCR-ABL1 transcript level is currently a key predictive biomarker of CML response to treatment with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs).

How Can Bullying Victimisation Lead to Lower Academic Achievement? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Mediating Role of Cognitive-Motivational Factors.

Bullying involvement may have an adverse effect on children's educational outcomes, particularly academic achievement. However, the underlying mechanisms and factors behind this association are not well-understood. Previous meta-analyses have not investigated mediation factors between bullying and academic achievement.

Mitigating toxic stress in children affected by conflict and displacement.

describe the myriad stressors related to conflict and displacement experienced by children and how best to reduce their negative effect

Psychopathology in children exposed to trauma: detection and intervention needed to reduce downstream burden.

The clinical implementation of assessment and evidence based interventions is lagging behind research, with huge cost to individuals and society, write . To provide the best possible care to some of the most vulnerable children, specialist training, clinical capacity, and access to care must be increased

Children's prolonged exposure to the toxic stress of war trauma in the Middle East.

Conflict leads to toxic stress and health problems in childhood and beyond. Long term investment in evidence informed mitigation strategies is needed to end the devastating cycles of violence, write

Adversity in childhood is linked to mental and physical health throughout life.

The prevalence of “toxic stress” and huge downstream consequences in disease, suffering, and financial costs make prevention and early intervention crucial, say

Aberrant DNA methylation of PTPRG as one possible mechanism of its under-expression in CML patients in the State of Qatar.

Background: Several studies showed that aberrant DNA methylation is involved in leukemia and cancer pathogenesis. Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor gamma (PTPRG) expression is a natural inhibitory mechanism that is downregulated in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) disease. The mechanism behind its downregulation has not been fully elucidated yet.

Traumatic Events and PTSD Among Palestinian Children and Adolescents: The Effect of Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors.

Background: The situation in the Gaza Strip is uncommon in the frequency with which children are exposed to war-related traumatic events on a daily basis and because of the long-term nature of the conflict. The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children and adolescents in the Gaza Strip increased after the recent wars. The aims of the study are: To investigate the prevalence and nature of war traumatic events and PTSD; and to investigate how these traumatic events predict PTSD when taking into account demographic and socioeconomic status factors amongst Palestinian children and adolescents in the Gaza Strip.

Effectiveness of a School-Based Intervention on the Students' Mental Health After Exposure to War-Related Trauma.

Background: After the war, which was conducted against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children and adolescents has increased. The counselling department at the Ministry of Education in the Gaza Strip applied a counselling program in schools in order to alleviate the effect of exposure to war. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of the counselling program after exposure to war-traumatic events among Palestinian children and adolescents in the Gaza Strip.

Psychological Comorbidities in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairment in behavior, communication, and social interaction. Thus, accurate identification, regular behavioral and other nonmedical interventions would improve the diagnosis, management, and treatment of this condition.In this chapter, we investigate the importance of diagnosing and identifying comorbid psychiatric disorders that occur with ASD as these conditions can often complicate treatment, and failure to recognize them can result in deficits that can persist into adolescence and adulthood.

Effects of consanguinity in a cohort of subjects with certain genetic disorders in Qatar.

Background: Consanguineous marriages are common in the Middle East including the Gulf countries. The rate of consanguinity in Qatar is approximately 54%, which are mainly first cousins' marriages. Previous studies showed that consanguinity increases the prevalence of birth defects and other genetic disorders.

Do Cross-National and Ethnic Group Bullying Comparisons Represent Reality? Testing Instruments for Structural Equivalence and Structural Isomorphism.

Bullying in schools is a widespread phenomenon, witnessed worldwide, with negative consequences for victims and perpetrators. Although it is an international issue, there are several issues with cross-national and cross-cultural/ethnic research that can make comparisons between countries and cultures/ethnic groups difficult including language, cultural perception, and/or methodological issues. As statistical techniques rapidly develop, there may be more scope to be statistically creative in how we assess the utility of one tool across different groups such as cultures, nations, etc.

Bullying by siblings and peers: Poly-setting victimization and the association with problem behaviours and depression.

Background: In recent times, sibling bullying has emerged of interest to researchers concerned with the emotional and behavioural implications for victimization regardless of type and setting.

Aims: This research attempts to extend current knowledge on both peer and sibling bullying and to determine the effects of poly-setting victimization. This paper is concerned with the following objectives: (1) determining the current rate of bullying and victimization among siblings and peers in a large sample of adolescents; (2) investigating the relationship between sibling and peer bullying and depression and behaviour; (3) highlighting the carry-over effects of bullying from one setting to another; and (4) determining the overall association of poly-setting victimization with depression and behaviour.

The relationship between multiple exposures to violence and war trauma, and mental health and behavioural problems among Palestinian children and adolescents.

The current study aims to investigate the effect of cumulative exposure to violence on mental health amongst children and adolescents living in the Gaza Strip. The sample consists of 1029 children and adolescents aged 11-17 years. Of them, 533 (51.

Examining the psychological well-being of refugee children and the role of friendship and bullying.

Background: Refugee children might have experienced violent and traumatic events before settling into a new country. In the United Kingdom, the number of refugee children is increasing; however, little is known about their psycho-social and physical well-being.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the psychological well-being and behaviour of refugee children compared to British-born children on a number of psychological, social, behavioural, and health-related issues and to investigate the role of friendship as a protective factor.

Natural history, with clinical, biochemical, and molecular characterization of classical homocystinuria in the Qatari population.

Classical homocystinuria (HCU) is the most common inborn error of metabolism in Qatar, with an incidence of 1:1800, and is caused by the Qatari founder p.R336C mutation in the CBS gene. This study describes the natural history and clinical manifestations of HCU in the Qatari population.