Mangrove-based carbon market projects: What stakeholders need to address during pre-feasibility assessment.

Mangrove-based carbon market projects (MbCMP) aim to conserve, protect and restore mangrove habitats in order to generate high quality blue carbon credits via a crediting program, as a contribution to climate change mitigation/adaptation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services provision and local socio-economic development. The blue carbon credits generated are transferable, verifiable and sold through carbon markets to earn additional income for governments and local communities. The main aim of the paper is to provide important considerations for pre-field planning, that is, how challenges associated with fieldwork, project implementation, and monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) can be addressed with proper pre-field planning.

Comparison of life expectancy determinants among gulf cooperation council members.

Background: Understanding the determinants of life expectancy (LE) is essential for effective policy planning and enhancing public health in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This study aims to elucidate the complex interactions among sociodemographic (SD), macroeconomic (ME), and health resource (HR) factors that influence LE among the GCC countries.

Methods: We employed a Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling to develop a comparative model across six GCC countries using annual data from 1990 to 2020.

Petrogenesis and geodynamic implication of the newly recorded Cryogenian Suwaj adakitic magmatism at the eastern Arabian-Shield.

Recent reconnaissance geochemical investigations have unveiled Cryogenian magmatism linked to the compressional accretionary phase, contributing to the growth of the Afif Terrane in the eastern Arabian Shield. The Cryogenian Suwaj intrusive suite, within the Afif Terrane, displays a compositional range from gabbro-diorite to tonalite-granodiorite. The uniform compositional variation is primarily due to magmatic differentiation within parental magma across multiple pulses.

Liver oval cells in response to HDAC1 inhibitor trichostatin A: immunohistochemical characterization using OV-6 hepatic expression.

Liver regeneration is intricate, involves many cells, and necessitates extended research. This study aimed to investigate the response of liver oval cells (bipotent liver progenitors) to the epigenetic modifier trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC1 inhibitor, and to develop a scoring system for assessing the response of these cells. Three groups of equally divided rats (n=24) were selected: control (A, dimethyl sulfoxide treated); oval cell induction (B, acetylaminofluorene [2-AAF] to block hepatocyes/carbon tetrachloride [CCL4] to induce oval cell response); and epigenetic modulation (C, TSA post 2-AAF/CCL4 injury).

Biallelic variants in AGRN with recurrent pregnancy losses in a family with a fetal akinesia deformation sequence.

Introduction: Agrin, encoded by AGRN, plays a vital role in the acetylcholine receptor clustering pathway, and any defects in this pathway are known to cause congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) 8 in early childhood with variable fatigable muscle weakness. The most severe or lethal form of CMS manifests as a fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS). To date, only one family has been reported with an association of null variants in AGRN and a lethal FADS.

Author Response: Risk Factors for Mortality after Out-of-hospital Resuscitation are More Diverse than Assumed.

Hazra D, Al-Mandhari A. Author Response: Risk Factors for Mortality after Out-of-hospital Resuscitation are More Diverse than Assumed. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(1):94.

Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Twelve tips on applying AI tools in HPE scholarship using Boyer's model.

AI has changed the landscape of health professions education. With the hype now behind us, we find ourselves in the phase of reckoning, considering what's next; where do we start and how can educators use these powerful tools for daily teaching and learning. We recognize the great need for training to use AI meaningfully for education.

Artificial Intelligence in Health Professions Education assessment: AMEE Guide No. 178.

Health Professions Education (HPE) assessment is being increasingly impacted by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and institutions, educators, and learners are grappling with AI's ever-evolving complexities, dangers, and potential. This AMEE Guide aims to assist all HPE stakeholders by helping them navigate the assessment uncertainty before them. Although the impetus is AI, the Guide grounds its path in pedagogical theory, considers the range of human responses, and then deals with assessment types, challenges, AI roles as tutor and learner, and required competencies.

Factors influencing choice of residency program among medical intern doctors and medical students: a cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: The global shortage of healthcare professionals is a critical concern, with an estimated deficit of 18 million workers by 2030, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Oman faces challenges with its doctor-to-population ratio falling below the global average. This study examines the factors influencing residency program choices among Omani medical students and interns, with a specific focus on internal medicine.

Microbiological Evaluation of Local and Imported Raw Beef Meat at Retail Sites in Oman with Emphasis on Spoilage and Pathogenic Psychrotrophic Bacteria.

Determining the microbial quality and safety of meat is crucial because of its high potential to harbor pathogens. To address the critical knowledge gap and shed light on potential contamination risk in the meat supply chain, this study aimed to assess the underexplored microbial quality and safety of marketed beef meat in Oman. Thirty-three beef meat samples from six hypermarkets were analyzed for Aerobic Plate Count (APC), Psychrotrophic Bacteria Count (PBC), and coliform and counts.

Genetic Variant Analyses Identify Novel Candidate Autism Risk Genes from a Highly Consanguineous Cohort of 104 Families from Oman.

Deficits in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours are hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite high genetic heritability, the majority of clinically diagnosed ASD cases have unknown genetic origins. We performed genome sequencing on mothers, fathers, and affected individuals from 104 families with ASD in Oman, a Middle Eastern country underrepresented in international genetic studies.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Diabetic Kidney Disease: From Bench to Bed-Side.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are currently available for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. They have been shown to help with diabetic kidney diseases through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we will shed light on the different mechanisms of action through which GLP-1 receptor agonists may achieve their roles in renal protection in diabetics, both in animal and human studies, as well as review the renal outcomes when using these drugs and their safety profile in diabetic patients.

Omani citizens relied more on international sources of information to inform themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 demanded efficient and effective supply of information to the public to help reduce the rate of transmission.

Objectives: This study aims to analyse Omanis' information behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help national authorities to prepare for future health crises or pandemics.

Methods: A self-administered online survey involving a structured open-ended questionnaire was conducted via the SurveyMonkey software.

Potential Antioxidant Effects of Common Omani Ethnobotanical Plants.

Phytonutrients (e.g., phenolic compounds and flavonoids) are secondary plant metabolites that play an important role in the defense against pathogens and protection from oxidative injury because of their potential ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species.

Paternal Zinc Deficiency and Its Transgenerational Effects on Zinc Transporters in Drosophila.

The nutritional status of fathers plays a significant role in influencing the growth, metabolism, and susceptibility to diseases in their offspring. Paternal zinc deficiency can lead to developmental programming effects on the offspring's zinc homeostasis. This study investigated the effects of paternal zinc deficiency on the zinc homeostasis of offspring in a Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) model.

Global, regional, and national burden of primary liver cancer attributable to metabolic risks: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2021.

Background: The global burden of metabolic diseases is increasing, but estimates of their impact on primary liver cancer are uncertain. We aimed to assess the global burden of primary liver cancer attributable to metabolic risk factors, including high body mass index (BMI) and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, between 1990 and 2021.

Methods: The total number and age-standardized rates of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from primary liver cancer attributable to each metabolic risk factor were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2021.

A copula-based multivariate flood frequency analysis under climate change effects.

Floods are among the most severe natural hazards, causing substantial damage and affecting millions of lives. These events are inherently multi-dimensional, requiring analysis across multiple factors. Traditional research often uses a bivariate framework relying on historical data, but climate change is expected to influence flood frequency analysis and flood system design in the future.

Seasonal Variability of Bioluminescence and Abundance of the Dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans in the Arabian Sea.

Bioluminescence is a functional property used by many marine organisms for multilateral communications. In the Arabian Sea, the dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid and Swezy, 1921, contributes gradually to the bioluminescent potential (BP) of the phytoplankton community. Experiments, field sampling, and remote sensing were employed, to estimate the seasonal variation of the BP and the abundance of cells in the northwestern Arabian Sea.

Prevalence, Treatment, and Unmet Needs of Migraine in the Middle East: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by recurrent throbbing, moderate-to-severe headaches that disrupt daily chores, leisure, and social activities of patients, impacting their overall quality of life (QoL). Despite the high disease burden, there is a scarcity of data on migraines within the Middle East (ME) region. Thus, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to examine epidemiological data, treatment patterns, QoL, and unmet needs regarding migraines in the ME region.

Attitudes and perceptions of health schools' students toward mobile learning: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Mobile devices are now widely and extensively used by university students. With the rapid advancement in technology, mobile learning has become an important educational model, particularly for health schools' students. This research aims to investigate the attitudes of health schools' students in Jordan towards mobile learning, as well as their perceptions of mobile learning advantages and disadvantages compared to the traditional face-to-face learning model.

Evaluating microplastic contamination in Omani mangrove habitats using large mud snails (Terebralia palustris).

This study investigated microplastic pollution in the large mud snail Terebralia palustris (Linnaeus, 1767) (Gastropoda: Potamididae) inhabiting the Avicennia marina mangrove ecosystems along the Sea of Oman. A modified digestion protocol, combining two methods, was employed to improve the detection of microplastics within the snail tissue. Results indicated that 50 % of the examined snails contained microplastics, with significant variability observed among different lagoons.

Research advancements in nanoparticles and cell-based drug delivery systems for the targeted killing of cancer cells.

Nanotechnology in cancer therapy has significantly advanced treatment precision, effectiveness, and safety, improving patient outcomes and personalized care. Engineered smart nanoparticles and cell-based therapies are designed to target tumor cells, precisely sensing the tumor microenvironment (TME) and sparing normal cells. These nanoparticles enhance drug accumulation in tumors by solubilizing insoluble compounds or preventing their degradation, and they can also overcome therapy resistance and deliver multiple drugs simultaneously.

Seismic characterization of carbonate stringers using machine learning techniques: an example from the western flank of South Oman Salt Basin.

Carbonate stringers are defined as a slab of carbonate bodies encased inside salt. In Oman, the intra-salt carbonate stringers are a very common target, especially in South Oman Salt Basin (SOSB). These stringers contain a large amount of hydrocarbon resources.