Qatar's genetic counseling landscape: Current insights and future prospects.

Genetic counseling is a dynamic and rapidly growing field. In Qatar, the significance of genetic counseling is underscored by the distinctive demographic characteristics of the population, including elevated rates of consanguinity and larger family sizes, contributing to the increased incidence of many genetic conditions. This emphasizes the crucial role of genetic counseling in addressing the specific needs of the community.

Modern-Day Management of the Dysglycemic Continuum: An Expert Viewpoint from the Arabian Gulf.

Prediabetes is the first stage of a continuum that extends through the diagnosis of clinical type 2 diabetes towards long-standing diabetes with multiple comorbidities. The diagnosis of prediabetes provides an opportunity to interrupt the diabetes continuum at an early stage to ensure long-term optimization of clinical outcomes. All people with prediabetes should receive intervention to improve their lifestyles (quality of diet and level of physical activity), as this has been proven beyond doubt to reduce substantially the risk of conversion to diabetes.

Smartphone use and personality: Their effects on sleep quality across groups using mediation analysis.

Purpose: The rapid rise in smartphone use has led to declining sleep quality. Excessive internet use has been linked to negative impacts on physical and mental health, and individual personality traits (PT) may contribute to internet addiction and mitigate its harmful effects. This study aims to: (1) examine whether PT mediate the relationship between smartphone use and sleep quality, and (2) investigate whether the relationship between smartphone use and sleep quality varies across different gender and age groups.

Associations between bone mineral density and WOMAC scores in healthy individuals: Insights from the Qatar Biobank.

Background: Bone mineral density (BMD) is an indicator of bone health that predicts future bone fractures. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) is used to assess the severity of symptoms related to pain, stiffness, and function in diseased hip and knee joints. Here we assessed whether BMD measured at specific sites predicts WOMAC scores in healthy individuals whilst controlling for sociodemographic variables.

Global climate change and its impact on the distribution and efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis as a biopesticide.

This study is the first modeling exercise to assess the impacts of climate change on the current and future global distribution of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt is a common Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium widely distributed in various environments, including soil and water. It is widely recognized as a source of effective and safe agricultural biopesticides for pest management in various climatic regions globally.

Novel Digital Anomalies, Hippocampal Atrophy, and Mutations Expand the Genotypic and Phenotypic Spectra of CNKSR2 in the Houge Type of X-Linked Syndromic Intellectual Development Disorder (MRXSHG).

The Houge type of X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder (MRXSHG) encompasses a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by intellectual disability (ID), language/speech delay, attention issues, and epilepsy. These conditions arise from hemizygous or heterozygous deletions, along with point mutations, affecting CNKSR2, a gene located at Xp22.12.

Disruption of gamete fusion alters the sperm-egg ratio at gamete interaction.

Background: The mechanisms enabling sperm to locate unfertilized eggs within the fallopian tubes remain a subject of debate in reproductive biology. Previous studies using polytocous mammals observed a 1:1 sperm-egg ratio within the ampulla at the time of fertilization. From these observations, it is hypothesized that this mechanism could be linked to sperm-egg fusion, such that unfertilized eggs may attract sperm until fusion occurs, whereupon the attraction ceases.

Developing entrustable professional activities for undergraduate operative dentistry clerkship.

Objective: In many dental schools worldwide, theoretical knowledge is prioritized over comprehensive training in essential clinical procedures. This leads to graduates with insufficient hands-on experience who are not fully "ready to practice", thereby failing to meet the demands of the job market and community needs. This study aimed to address this critical gap by developing and validating a set of core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) specifically for operative dentistry clerkships to enhance the practical competencies and readiness of dental graduates for effective and independent practice.

ECCDN-Net: A deep learning-based technique for efficient organic and recyclable waste classification.

Efficient waste management is essential to minimizing environmental harm as well as encouraging sustainable progress. The escalating volume and sophistication of waste present significant challenges, prompting innovative methods for effective waste categorization and management. Deep learning models have become highly intriguing tools for automating trash categorization activities, providing effective ways to optimize processes for handling waste.

Development and validation of the renal dosing questionnaire (RDQ-13) for pharmacists.

Pharmacists, as an integral part of the healthcare team, can play a crucial role in preventing drug-related problems in patients with chronic kidney disease that arise due to inappropriate doses. This study aimed to develop and validate a new tool, the renal dosing questionnaire (RDQ-13), for pharmacists working across hospital, community, and retail pharmacy settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2023 among pharmacists working in different settings.

Trends of hip arthroscopy in Italy show an increase over the years: A nationwide study from 2001 to 2016.

Purpose: Hip arthroscopy has gained popularity among orthopaedic procedures over the last decade. The present study aims to evaluate the trends of hip arthroscopy procedures in Italy analysing data recorded by the Italian Ministry of Health, reporting demographics, length of hospitalisation (LOS), diagnosis and the economic impact of the procedure.

Methods: The National Hospital Discharge records reported by the Italian Ministry of Health were used, analysing the data regarding hip arthroscopy procedures performed in Italy between 2001 and 2016.

Reporting Clinical Outcomes in Hand Surgery Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review Using Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet Studies as a Model.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate clinical outcome reporting in hand surgery randomized controlled trials (RCTs), using wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) studies as a model.

Methods: This International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews-registered systematic review (CRD42023461653) adheres to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines, focusing on RCTs evaluating WALANT in hand and upper limb surgery. A systematic search across five databases was conducted to include all eligible articles from inception until search date (April 1, 2023).

Plasma volume variations in response to high intensity interval training in obese women: The influential role of menopausal status and age.

Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on plasma volume (PV) variations in obese women, with a focus on understanding how menopausal status and age influence these changes.

Methods: We enrolled fifty-nine obese women (perimenopausal and postmenopausal), aged approximately 56.6 years in a six-week HIIT program.

New world of big data - new challenges for evidence synthesis: Impact of data duplication on estimates generated by meta-analyses, and the development of a framework for its identification and management.

Objective: The aim of this study was to highlight the effects of entering duplicated or overlapping data from published studies using the same data registries into a meta-analysis, including its identification and management using a novel structured framework.

Study Design And Setting: Secondary analysis of data from a proportional meta-analysis of 30-day cumulative incidence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) after metabolic and bariatric surgery was performed. Sensitivity analysis was conducted a) including all studies regardless of duplication (uncorrected sample) and b) comparing it to a corrected sample of studies.

Amygdalin in antineoplastic medicine and the relevance of nanotechnology.

Amygdalin is a plant-based cyanogenic glycoside that has been the subject of both scientific interest and controversy for decades. Traditionally used in alternative medicine for its diverse biological activities, including anticancer, where amygdalin has been explored in complementary therapy. However, clinical utilization of amygdalin remains contentious due to concerns about its safety, primarily the release of hydrogen cyanide during its metabolism.

Efficacy and safety of ensifentrine, a novel phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of Ensifentrine in COPD via a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: We performed a detailed literature search on Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane on the basis of pre-specified eligibility criteria. We used Review Manager to calculate pooled mean differences (MD) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) using a random effects model.

Addiction to smartphones in Arabs is associated with severe depressive symptoms and insomnia: a cross-sectional study.

Addiction to smartphones is a global issue. Mental health disturbance is an emerging factor implicated in smartphone addiction. Whether depressive symptoms and anxiety are implicated in smartphone addiction in developing countries such as Jordan is a nexus that warrants investigation.

Covered Stent Correction for Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defects, an Emerging Alternative to Surgical Repair: Results of an International Registry.

Background: Covered stent correction for a sinus venosus atrial septal defect (SVASD) was first performed in 2009. This innovative approach was initially viewed as experimental and was reserved for highly selected patients with unusual anatomic variants. In 2016, increasing numbers of procedures began to be performed, and in several centers, it is now offered as a standard of care option alongside surgical repair.

A survey of quit vaping strategies and relapse triggers for maintaining youth and young adult vaping abstinence in Canada.

Objectives: To examine whether various quit strategies and relapse triggers are associated with maintenance period in a sample of people who quit vaping.

Method: Young Canadians who used to vape ( = 772) completed an online survey on maintenance period, quit strategies, and relapse triggers. Logistic regression was employed to variables associated with maintenance period.

Effect of statins on arterial wall inflammation as assessed by 18F-FDG PET CT: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is largely mediated by inflammatory process. Statins are lipid-lowering drugs which also have anti-inflammatory effects. 18 fluorine radiolabeled fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is considered to be a good indicator of arterial wall inflammation.

Psychological stress among hypertensive male patients in Jordan: prevalence and associated factors.

Background: Hypertension is a global, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, imposing a significant burden due to its high mortality and morbidity rates. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of psychological stress among hypertensive patients in Jordan and identify the factors associated with psychological stress.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on hypertensive patients at three community healthcare clinics in Jordan from May to July 2024.

Health and Well-Being in the Context of Health-Promoting University Initiatives: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Needs Assessment Study at Qatar University.

Background: Health-promoting universities are dedicated to fostering learning environments and organizational cultures that support the physical and mental well-being of students, faculty, and staff. As students constitute the largest group within the university community, any policy intervention targeting them is likely to have a significant impact on the university as a whole.

Objective: This study aims to assess the health status and needs of Qatar University (QU) students using a comprehensive and holistic definition of health, informed by the perspectives of students, faculty members, and key informants.

Effect of DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor supplements on the incidence of urinary tract infections in Parkinson's disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: Parkinson's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Combining levodopa with other drugs, including decarboxylase inhibitors (DCI) is its most effective treatment. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common cause of hospitalization in Parkinson's patients, making it crucial to find an appropriate treatment to reduce the incidence of this complication.