Sensorineural hearing loss in sickle cell disease--a prospective study from Oman.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by intermittent episodes of vascular occlusion and end-organ damage. Neurologic symptoms are frequent and auditory involvement is not unexpected.

Aim: To study the prevalence and pattern of hearing loss in Omani patients with SCD.

The pattern of sensitisation to inhalant allergens in omani patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis.

Objective: Identification of relevant allergens that are prevalent in each environment which may have diagnostic and therapeutic implications in allergic diseases. This study aimed to identify the pattern of sensitisation to inhalant allergens in Omani patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis.

Methods: The study was carried out during three consecutive years (2004-2006) at the allergy skin test laboratory of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman.

The learning organisation and health care education.

The 'Learning Organisation' is a concept first described by Peter Senge as an organisation where people continuously learn and enhance their capabilities to create. It consists of five main disciplines: team learning, shared vision, mental models, personal mastery and systems thinking. These disciplines are dynamic and interact with each other.

Use of a static magnetic field to promote recovery after peripheral nerve injury.

Object: While pulsed electromagnetic stimulation has been shown to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration, the effect of a static magnetic field on nerve repair is less clear. The aim of this study was to establish what effect an imposed exogenous static magnetic field has on peripheral nerve regeneration after transection and repair.

Methods: Three groups of six adult sheep were used.