Clinical Presentation and Cardiovascular Outcome in Complete versus Incomplete Kawasaki Disease.

Objective: To compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of incomplete and complete presentations of Kawasaki disease.

Methods: A retrospective review of the electronic case records between January 2000 and December 2015 in a tertiary care referral center of Sohar, Oman.

Results: 31 out of 64 children (48.

Anthropometric and body composition analysis of infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives: To evaluate the body composition and anthropometric profile of infertile women who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to investigate the incidence of PCOS and to examine body fat composition as a risk factor for this disease.

Methods: This hospital-based case controlled study was conducted on a cohort of 132 patients with and without PCOS. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to record body composition parameters, such as total body fat, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, skeletal muscle composition and their distribution in the trunk, legs and arms, as well as blood pressure.

Quinoline based furanones and their nitrogen analogues: Docking, synthesis and biological evaluation.

A small library of twenty-four quinoline based butenolides also known as furanones and their nitrogen analogues was prepared by using two different aroylpropionic acids, viz. 3-(2-naphthoyl)propionic acid () and 3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propionic acid (), as starting materials. The 3-aroylpropionic acids were reacted with different 6-substituted-2-chloroquinolin-3-carbaldehydes () to obtain the corresponding furan-2(3)-ones ().

Risk Factors and Plasma Glucose Profile of Gestational Diabetes in Omani Women.

Objectives: We sought to conduct a detailed study on the risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Omani women to determine the actual and applicable risk factors and glucose profile in this population.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study using pregnant women diagnosed with GDM. Pregnant women without GDM were used as a control group.

Recognition of Core Elements of Medical Professionalism among Medical Students and Faculty Members.

Objectives: Medical students and future physicians have chosen to pursue a profession that requires personal integrity, compassion and a constant awareness of the commitment made by them. Professionalism includes personal behaviors, knowledge, and competency. It includes the attitudes and values one holds and that run through the profession as a whole.

Growth Retardation Of Chick Embryo Exposed To A Low Dose Of Electromagnetic Waves.

Background: The objectives of this study were to explore the effects of low dose of the nonionizing (REW) emitted by a mobile phone on the development of chick embryo.

Methods: one hundred and twenty chick fertilized eggs were equally divided into a control and an exposed group. Sixty fertilized eggs were placed in an egg incubator with a mobile phone (SAR US: 1.

Synthesis, molecular properties, toxicity and biological evaluation of some new substituted imidazolidine derivatives in search of potent anti-inflammatory agents.

The aim of this study was to design and synthesize pharmaceutical agents containing imidazolidine heterocyclic ring in the hope of developing potent, safe and orally active anti-inflammatory agents. A number of substituted-imidazolidine derivatives (3a-k) were synthesized starting from ethylene diamine and aromatic aldehydes. The imidazolidine derivatives (3a-k) were investigated for their anticipated anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activity in Wistar albino rats and Swiss albino mice, respectively.

Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] colonization or carriage among health-care workers.

In Oman, the prevalence of health care associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [HA-MRSA] is unknown. Therefore, to estimate the prevalence of HA-MRSA, we collected nasal swabs and swabs from cell phones on sterile polyester swabs and immediately inoculated on the mannitol salt agar containing oxacillin from medical students and hospital health care providers. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates was then performed using the Kirby Bauer's disc diffusion method.

Synthesis and in vivo diuretic activity of some new benzothiazole sulfonamides containing quinoxaline ring system.

A series of new 6-substituted-N-[3-{2-(substituted phenyl)-ethenyl} quinoxaline-2(1H)-ylidene]-1,3-benzothiazole-2-amine (4a-f) were designed and synthesized by condensing 2-amino-benzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid amide (1) with chalcones of quinoxaline-2-one (3a-f) in a hope to obtain promising and a new class of diuretic agents. Structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral data and elemental analysis. The pharmacological studies in experimental rats indicates that compound 4c possesses excellent in vivo diuretic activity of 1.

Comparison of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Healthy Community Hospital Visitors [CA-MRSA] and Hospital Staff [HA-MRSA].

Background: The prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [CA-MRSA] is unknown in Oman.

Methods: Nasal and cell phones swabs were collected from hospital visitors and health-care workers on sterile polyester swabs and directly inoculated onto a mannitol salt agar containing oxacillin, allowing growth of methicillin-resistant microorganisms. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using Kirby Bauer's disc diffusion method on the isolates.

Anatomical Study of Chiari Network and the Remnant of Left Venous Valve in the Interior of Right Atrium.

Chiari network occurs due to incomplete resorption of right valve of sinus venosus. It is often noticed as fenestrated membranous structure or reticular network like structure in the valve of inferior vena cava and coronary sinus. The remnant of left venous valve is observed as trabeculae over the fossa ovalis.

Localised Skin Hyperpigmentation as a Presenting Symptom of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Complicating Chronic Atrophic Gastritis.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in developing countries and should be suspected in patients with unexplained anaemia or neurological symptoms. Dermatological manifestations associated with this deficiency include skin hyper- or hypopigmentation, angular stomatitis and hair changes. We report a case of a 28-year-old man who presented to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, in November 2013 with localised hyperpigmentation of the palmar and dorsal aspects of both hands of two months' duration.

Incidence of high altitude pulmonary edema in low-landers during re-exposure to high altitude after a sojourn in the plains.

Background: There is uncertainty whether acclimatized low-landers who return to high altitude after a sojourn at low altitude have a higher incidence of pulmonary edema than during the first exposure to high altitude.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study consisting of men ascending to 3400 m by road (N = 1003) or by air (N = 4178). The study compared the incidence of high altitude pulmonary edema during first exposure vs the incidence during re-exposure in each of these cohorts.

Development of response surface methodology for optimization of extraction parameters and quantitative estimation of embelin from Embelia ribes Burm by high performance liquid chromatography.

Background: Embelia ribes Burm is widely used medicinal plant for the treatment of different types of disorders in the Indian traditional systems of medicine.

Objective: The present work was aimed to optimize the extraction parameters of embelin from E. ribes fruits and also to quantify embelin content in different extracts of the plant.

Disclosure of Medical Errors in Oman: Public preferences and perceptions of current practice.

Objectives: This study aimed to provide insight into the preferences for and perceptions of medical error disclosure (MED) by members of the public in Oman.

Methods: Between January and June 2012, an online survey was used to collect responses from 205 members of the public across five governorates of Oman.

Results: A disclosure gap was revealed between the respondents' preferences for MED and perceived current MED practices in Oman.

Underlying Factors Behind the Low Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Oman: Sociocultural perspective.

Epidemiological surveys from various countries indicate an increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), leading researchers to debate whether there are now 'more affected' or 'more detected'. The epidemiology of ASD in developing countries, such as Oman, has generally indicated a lower prevalence compared to developed countries in the West. In Oman, the prevalence is low; however, this article highlights some of the factors that could contribute to the appearance of a low ASD rate: cross-cultural variations in the presentation of distress; a lack of reliable biological markers for diagnosing ASD, and a lack of health services for children with ASD, thus limiting the number of participants in epidemiological surveys.

Ameliorating effects of Tamarindus indica fruit extract on anti-tubercular drugs induced liver toxicity in rats.

The study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica fruit against combination of two antitubercular drugs viz. Isoniazid and Rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats. In vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of T.

The Cystic Fibrosis Symptom Progression Survey (CF-SPS) in Arabic: A Tool for Monitoring Patient's Symptoms.

Objective: Our study aimed to develop a survey that could be used by nurses during regular cystic fibrosis (CF) clinic visits, providing clinicians with a standardized means of longitudinally assessing and monitoring symptom progression in their patients. In addition, the use of this survey would provide an opportunity for patient engagement and relationship building, thereby enhancing patient education and improving adherence to treatment. This is the first such survey designed specifically for use in Arab populations.

Evaluation of T2DM related knowledge and practices of Omani patients.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has increased alarmingly mainly due to the life style changes and obesity factor. Approximately 10% of the Omani population is suffering from this chronic disease and according to World Health Organization, number of subjects living with diabetes in Oman will rise from 75,000 in 2000 to 217,000 in 2025. It has been well established that data on KP of diabetic patients reveal aspects of education that need to be reinforced and addressed in order to improve diabetes management.

Learning style preferences of preclinical medical students in oman.

Objective: Our study sought to assess the learning preferences of students studying in the preclinical years of the medical degree program at Oman Medical College, Sohar. 

Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we administered a learning style questionnaire (VARK model) to 140 students to assess their preferred mode of learning, specifically the sensory modality by which they prefer to take in information. 

Results: Over one third (35%) of the respondents expressed their preference for a single mode of learning, either visual (8%), auditory (9%), read/write (9%), or kinesthetic (9%).

Pharmacophore based virtual screening, synthesis and SAR of novel inhibitors of Mycobacterium sulfotransferase.

A planned 3D-pharmacophore mapping was carried out on the basis of chemical features associated with known Stf0 inhibitors. Four models (model 1-4) were obtained after GASP (Genetic Algorithm Similarity Program) refinement of seven models (D-1 to D-7) generated by using DISCOtech. The selected GASP model-1 has two hydrogen bond acceptor, two hydrogen bond donor and four hydrophobic points.

Factors affecting the process of obtaining informed consent to surgery among patients and relatives in a developing country: results from Pakistan.

Efforts have been made in Pakistan to create ethical guidelines for research and medical practice. This study explored the perceptions of and factors affecting the process of obtaining informed consent to surgery among inpatients and families at a tertiary-care hospital in Karachi. A random sample of 400 post-surgery adult patients answered a pre-tested, structured questionnaire.

Comparative assessment of extraction methods and quantitative estimation of luteolin in the leaves of Vitex negundo Linn. by HPLC.

Objective: To find out the ideal organic solvent and extraction technique for the isolation of luteolin from the leaves of Vitex negundo Linn. (V. negundo) by quantitative estimation of luteolin through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.