Digital Commons Network^™

Reconsidering The Need For Intraoperative Frozen Section In Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy For Early Breast Cancer In Bahrain, Ahmed Z. Salman, Noora F. Ali, Ali H. Abdulla, Sarah J. Alaraibi, Fatema A. Alkhabbaz, Maryam Hammad, Hussain A. Abdulla

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Frozen section is performed in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for early breast cancer to prevent a second surgery, but it has certain disadvantages. Several trials have demonstrated the oncological safety of avoiding axillary dissection in patients with 1–2 positive nodes. This study aimed to assess the need for frozen section during SLNB in early breast cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with early-stage clinically node-negative breast cancer who underwent SLNB with frozen section at Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain, between October 2021 and September 2023. Patients who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy, cT3-4 tumours, ductal carcinoma in situ, …

Inclusion Body Myositis: A Case Report On Navigating Diagnostic Challenges, Marwa Al Sharji, Salim Al Busaidi, Suad Al Jahdhami, Zabah Jawa, Hatem Farhan, Abdullah M. Al Alawi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a rare progressive myopathy affecting individuals older than 50 years. It is associated with significant morbidity by restricting the patient's mobility and it has a relatively low mortality risk with respiratory muscles involvement. Muscle biopsy is the gold standard method for diagnosis. We report a 72-year-old female patient who was admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman, in 2023 with progressive weakness of lower limbs. Various diagnostic tests were performed and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with IBM. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone, immunoglobulins, rituximab and prednisolone; this resulted in moderate clinical …

Unbridled Advertising Of Female Cosmetic Genitoplasty Procedures In The Absence Of Health Policymaking In The World: An Argumentation, Elham Azmoude, Nahid J. Shoorab, Samira E. Zagami

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Short-Term Weight Loss Outcomes Of 104 Mini-Gastric Bypass Or One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Operations: Retrospective Study, Nabaz H. Ismael, Nazar P. Shabila

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the short-term effects of mini-gastric bypass (MGB) or one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) procedures on weight loss in individuals with obesity. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Medicano Hospital, Erbil, Iraq, from January 2019 to May 2020. Preoperative body mass index (BMI), age, height and preoperative weight were recorded as baseline measures. Weight-related changes were evaluated during a follow-up phase of 48 weeks. Results: A total of 104 patients with obesity underwent MGB or OAGB surgery. The mean baseline parameters of the subjects before surgery included 1.64 m for height, 122.9 kg for weight …

Impact Of Covid-19 On The Clinical Characteristics And Outcomes Of Patients With Acute Leukaemia: An Academic Centre Experience, Al-Yaqadhan Al-Kindi, Thuraya Al-Busaidi, Yahya Al-Kindi, Fatma Al-Bulushi, Mohamed Al-Hanini, Maryam Al-Bakri, Murtadha Al-Khabori

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients treated at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman with AML or ALL from January 2017 to December 2021. Data were obtained from the electronic medical record, and patients diagnosed before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared with those diagnosed during the pandemic using appropriate statistical tests. Results: A total of 151 patients with ALL (n = 58) and …

The Impact Of The Fruit And Seed Of Date On Childbirth Stages And Pregnancy Complications, Fatemeh A. Rahnemaei, Zahra A. Kashani, Mohammadamin Jandaghian-Bidgoli, Farinaz Rahimi, Farzaneh Zaheri, Fatemeh Abdi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

This review aimed to investigate the effects of date fruit products on childbirth and pregnancy-related complications. MeSH keywords were systematically searched in scientific databases, and 16 articles were reviewed. It was found that consuming 7 date fruits (average of 80 g) per day for 2–4 weeks before the estimated date of delivery leads to a better cervical dilatation at admission or improvement of Bishop score, a decrease in the need for induction or stimulation of labour and an increase in effective uterine contractions, which, in turn, decreases the duration of pregnancy and the different stages of labour. Additionally, date fruit …

Diagnostic Test Accuracy Of The Years Algorithm For Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Sean R. Te Haara, Helena De Rezende, Chao Wang

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the YEARS algorithm in excluding pulmonary embolism, as well as to compare the utilisation of advanced imaging modalities between the YEARS approach and standard clinical practice. Eligible studies were identified from multiple databases spanning July 2017 to September 2022, following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for diagnostic accuracy reviews. A total of 10 studies, involving approximately 14,000 participants, were included in the analysis. The YEARS algorithm demonstrated a sensitivity of 96% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 93–98%) and a specificity of 50% (95% CI: 33–67%). Additonally, the risk ratio …

Profile Of Perinatal Infections Among Abandoned Neonates Admitted In A Tertiary Hospital In Oman, Laila Al Yazidi, Tahani Almughaizwi, Khuloud Al Maamari, Fatma Al Farsi, Mohamed Abdellatif, Naema Al Shibli

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Little is known about the profile of perinatal infections among abandoned neonates, and there are no specific evidence-based guidelines on how to screen and manage these neonates. This study aimed to report the rate of perinatal infections among abandoned babies managed at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, over 15 years (2006–2021). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all abandoned babies admitted at SQUH from January 2006 to December 2021. Demographic data, the area where they were found, anthropometric parameters, symptoms, investigations and management were included in the study. Results: Of the 20 neonates included in this study, …

Palato-Antral Involvement Of A Primary Extracranial Sinonasal Meningioma, Vasantha Dhara, Kp Saamaja

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Primary extracranial sinonasal meningiomas are one of the rarest tumours involving the head and neck region. Very few reports exist with additional involvement of the palato-antral region. A 45-year-old male presented with frequent episodes of epistaxis, complaints of nasal blockage and nasal regurgitation for 8 months in 2021 at our tertiary care government hospital in East Godavari district, India. The patient was diagnosed with a primary extracranial sinonasal meningioma with palatal involvement and surgical excision via intra-oral and endoscopic approaches were performed. Postoperative healing was uneventful with no recurrence noted over 2 years. A palatal obturator was used for rehabilitation. …

Bloodstream Infection In Children Managed At A Tertiary Hospital In Oman, Nadiya Al Saeghi, Marwah Al Thuhli, Hajer Al Hamrashi, Naema Al Shibli, Adil Al Wahaibi, Badriya Al Adawi, Laila Al Yazidi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the local epidemiology and outcome of bloodstream infection (BSI) among Omani children. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, over 5 years (2014–2018) and included laboratory-confirmed BSI among children aged 0–12 years old. Patients' demographic, clinical and laboratory data were extracted from the hospital's electronic records and used to assess BSI rates and outcomes. Results: A total of 1,253 positive blood cultures were identified, of which 592 (47.2%) were regarded as contaminants. Overall, 404 (32.2%) significant episodes of BSI were identified in 272 patients; 346 (85.6%) significant episodes …

Wet-Cupping's Impact On Pancreatitis Induced By Hypertriglyceridemia: A Case Study And Brief Literature Review, Waleed Al Saadi, Amna S. Al Balushi, Amani Al Mukhaldi, Hatem Al Farhan, Abdullah M. Al Alawi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Familial hypertriglyceridemia is a genetic disorder marked by excessive production of very low-density lipoproteins, resulting in elevated serum triglyceride levels. This can lead to various medical conditions including acute pancreatitis. In cases of recurrence, it may progress to chronic pancreatitis. Cupping therapy, a traditional treatment practiced in numerous cultures worldwide, is utilised to address various medical conditions. We report a 34-year-old male patient who presented to a tertiary hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2022. He was diagnosed with familial hypertriglyceridemia and subsequently developing chronic pancreatitis. During his last presentation with acute-on-chronic pancreatitis, his lipid profile revealed a notable reduction in serum …

A Prospective Cohort Study On The Effect Of Antiseizure Medications On Thyroid Function In Children Aged 6 Months To 12 Years With Epilepsy, Shivaprasad Mohankumar, Ramachandran Rameshkumar, Tamil Selvan, Hanumanthappa Nandeesha, Delhikumar Cg

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effect of antiseizure medications (ASM) on thyroid function in children with epilepsy. Methods: A prospective study involving children between 6 months and 12 years of age with new-onset seizures who took ASM within 2 months was conducted in the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India, between August 2019 to March 2022. Thyroid function tests—free T3, free T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)—were done at baseline and after completing 3 months by competitive immunoassay using direct chemiluminescent technology. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients diagnosed with thyroid …

Immuno-Informatics Insight Into The Relationship Between Cholesterol And Cytokines In Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: From Clinics To Computation, Evan H. Sulaiman, Layth J. Mohammad, Allaa H. Thanoon, Isaac Karimi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: The role of serum cholesterol and its interactions with cytokines in human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) pathophysiology is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation among serum total cholesterol (TC), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and cytokines (including interleukin [IL] 10), IL-12 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α) in CL. The cholesterol–cytokine network was analysed to illuminate the pathogenesis of CL. Methods: This case-control study was conducted from December 2022 to March 2023 in hospitals within Baghdad and Wasit provinces, Iraq, and included CL and CL-free subjects ranging between 20–30 years …

Unusual Presentation Of Crohn’S Disease: Distal Transverse Colon Mass, Abdulrahman Aljuraisi, Sultanah Bin Gheshayan, Sarah Marie, Salahaldin Binnafisah, Nahar Alselaim

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory chronic disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract, mostly the colon and terminal ileum. A 42-year-old female patient presented to a tertiary care centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2021 with chronic abdominal pain. The computed tomography findings showed a transverse colon mass invading the stomach. The biopsy report indicated reactive colonic mucosa with focal inflammatory exudate. She underwent a laparoscopic extended left hemicolectomy with en-bloc resection of the greater curvature of the stomach and primary anastomosis. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease based on the final pathology report. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative …

Influence Of Drinking Context And Age Of Onset On Alcohol Consumption Patterns And Motivations Among Uruguayan Adults, Paul Ruiz, Agostina Barey, Angelina Pilatti, Ricardo Marcos Pautassi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: An early age of drinking onset is linked to a greater likelihood of alcohol-related problems. Alcohol use occurs in places featuring characteristic social groups, and different drinking contexts are associated with different levels of alcohol-related outcomes. Drinking context may affect drinking motives, expectations or alcohol-related outcomes in concert with individual-level variables. The study aimed to examine how the preferred drinking context and age of the first drink affects the occurrence and volume of alcohol use, drinking motives and alcohol-related expectations. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay, from September …

Not Taking "No" For An Answer: The Interactional Organization Of Accepting And Refusing Childhood Vaccination In The Netherlands, Robert Prettner, Hedwig Te Molder, Jeffrey D. Robinson

Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations

Communication-intervention strategies for reducing vaccine hesitancy have been primarily based on survey and interview data. Virtually absent is an understanding of how vaccine hesitancy is organized interactionally in its primary, natural environment of medical consultations between parents and healthcare providers. This article uses conversation analysis to describe the sequence organization of the action of providers soliciting parents’ vaccination intent. We demonstrate that parents’ acceptance is “preferred” and sequence-closure relevant and that refusal is “dispreferred” and sequence-expansion relevant. Regarding vaccine refusal, we describe three different sequence-expansive actions, including soliciting an account, cautioning about the consequences of vaccine refusal, and “keeping the …

Evaluating The Superiority Of Multimodal Analgesia Over Opioid-Based Analgesia In Postoperative Pain Management For Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comprehensive Integrative Review, Janna Smith, Mahdi Mofazali, Nya-Qien Smith

Master's Projects

With total knee arthroplasty (TKA), postoperative pain management is so important for optimal recovery and patient outcomes. This integrative review evaluates the effectiveness of multimodal analgesia (MMA) compared to traditional opioid-based analgesia in reducing pain and opioid consumption post-TKA. Research shows that MMA is very effective at providing adequate pain relief, reducing side effects, and also decreasing opioid use. MMA also addresses both the specific needs of individual patients and the broader public health issue of opioid dependence. However, a significant barrier to widespread adoption is the absence of standardized protocols. This review sets forth the importance of coming up …

Novel Cuprotosis-Related Gene Signature: A Prognostic Indicator And Regulator Of The Glioma Immune Microenvironment, Dongming Gao, Youyuan Bao, Wenyin Shi, Lei Li, Liang Gao

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Background: Glioma is a primary malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis. Glioma-related biomarkers need to be identified to enable the personalized treatment of and predict the prognosis of glioma patients. Cuproptosis is an unusual mechanism of cell death, and is closely associated with disease progression and the immune-microenvironment of the tumor. However, the function of cuproptosis in glioma is still unclear, therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the role of cuproptosis-related genes in gliomas.

Methods: We examined the relationship between cuproptosis and glioma using the clinical and expression data of glioma tumors from The Cancer Genome …

Collaborative Robotics: Application Of Delphi Method, Jean-Marc Salotti, Ephraim Suhir

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the domain of collaborative robotics, it is often needed to make complex multiparametric choices or assessments that combine heterogeneous criteria, such as task performance, reliability, safety, and ergonomics. The Delphi method, a process of arriving at group consensus by providing experts with rounds of questionnaires, as well as the group response before each subsequent round, can be applied to solve this type of problems. The following Delphi method efforts are addressed in our analysis with application to finding appropriate criteria and their relative weights for the evaluation of the teleoperation task of a robotic platform: (1) Contribution of experts; …

Silence Is Golden: Publicly-Traded Corporations Should Not Speak Out On Social Or Political Issues, Alyssa Zern

Senior Honors Theses

In a social and political landscape that is becoming quite divided, the role of publicly traded corporations in this landscape is up for much debate. On one end, speaking out can improve a corporation’s overall brand image, help relate to socially conscious customers, and help maintain customer loyalty. On the other end, however, it creates significant risks. Speaking out can alienate stakeholders, create damaging backlash, and generate detrimental financial repercussions. This significant paradox asks an important question that must be answered by each company at some point: Should corporations remain neutral on contentious issues to perhaps protect their business interests, …

Factors Associated With Quality Of Postnatal Care In Kenya: An Analysis Of The 2022 Kenya Demographic And Health Survey, Lilian Nuwabaine, Angella Namulem, Quraish Sserwanja, Joseph Kawuki, Earnest Amwiine, Mathius Amperiize, Grace Nakate, John Baptist Asiimwe

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction: Despite the significant contribution of postnatal care (PNC) to maternal and newborn survival, few studies have explored the concept of the quality of PNC received by mothers in Kenya. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the quality of PNC in Kenya.

Methods: Secondary data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) of 2022 were analyzed, comprising 11,863 women who were aged 15 to 49 years. The quality of PNC was indicated as receiving all components of PNC in the first two days after childbirth. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the …

Advance Care Planning In Rehabilitation: Training Nurses And Social Workers To Facilitate Discussions, Celeste Christiansen

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Patients and healthcare workers fail to hold advance care planning (ACP) discussions. Social workers perceive a lack of time and feel unprepared to hold ACP conversations.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: Do patients in acute inpatient rehabilitation (P) who receive education and resources about ACP from trained nurses and social workers (I) accept and participate in ACP (O) compared to prior standards of care (C) while on the rehabilitation unit (T)?

Evidence: The public and healthcare workers have limited knowledge of ACPs and their role in these discussions. People are more likely to hold …

Enhancing Muscle Health And Modulating Immune Response With Galectin-1 In Lgmd2b/R2 Models, Stefannia Esparza Pulido

Theses and Dissertations

Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2B/R2 (LGMD2B/R2) is a type of dysferlinopathy, a progressive muscle-wasting disorder caused by mutations in the dysferlin gene. Hallmarks of the disease include chronic inflammation, impaired muscle regeneration, and eventual muscle degeneration. Currently, no FDA-approved therapies are available for dysferlinopathies. Recombinant human Galectin-1 (rHsGal-1) has shown multiple roles in maintaining skeletal muscle homeostasis, promoting muscle repair, enhancing myogenesis, and modulating inflammation by downregulating the NF-κB pathway. The ability of rHsGal-1 to modulate the immune response is particularly promising for therapeutic applications in patients with LGMD2B/R2. In this study, we evaluated the effects of rHsGal-1 in a …

Martinez V. Martinez, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. 73 (Nov. 27, 2024), Zachary Weiss

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

In an en banc decision, the Supreme Court of Nevada reversed a portion of a district court’s order imposing transportation costs separately from base child support obligations and remanded the matter for further proceedings. While the Nevada Administrative Code provides a formula for determining a parent’s base child support obligation, courts may adjust it in accordance with the eight factors listed under NAC 425.150. Pursuant to NAC 425.150(1)(e), one factor is “the cost of transportation of the child to and from visitation,” thereby establishing that such costs are an integral consideration to overall child support obligations. Per the remainder of …

Creating A Sense Of Place When Implementing A New Emergency Department In Denmark: A Qualitative Study, Jeanette Wassar Kirk, Per Nilsen, Ove Andersen, Nina Thórný Stefánsdóttir, Mette Bendtz Lindstrøm, Byron J Powell, Tine Tjørnhøj-Thomsen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Physical locations play an essential yet often overlooked role in healthcare implementation processes. Implementation Science frameworks such as the Theoretical Domains Framework, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and the Implementation in Context framework acknowledge the importance of the physical environment, but they often treat it as a passive backdrop for change. However, from a cultural geographic perspective, spaces and places are dynamic, influencing behavior, social structures, and the acceptance of new practices. This study aims to explore how managers and emloyees develop a sense of place in a new emergency department (ED) and how these spatial dynamics influence …

Enhancing Healthcare Services Through Machine Learning-Driven Anomaly Detection, Mohammad Ayoub Nather Hussain Natheruddin

Theses

The healthcare industry’s expanding data presents opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Despite advancements in medical technology, medical errors remain a significant issue. Anomaly detection, identifying data points that deviate from normal patterns, is crucial for addressing these errors and detecting healthcare fraud. This study uses the “Healthcare Providers Data for Anomaly Detection” dataset to identify fraudulent activities. Clustering and two-step clustering, two unsupervised anomaly detection methods, are employed to uncover anomalies without prior knowledge. These techniques are applied to detect unusual events, such as anomalous patient health states and time-series data deviations. The study focuses on …

Nutrition Recommendations For Patients On Weight Loss Drugs, Crystal M. Duque Rdn-Ldn, Toye Jackman

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

This paper provides a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for dietitians counseling patients who are using GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, for weight management. These medications are rapidly gaining popularity for their effectiveness in supporting weight loss; however, they come with unique nutritional considerations that require tailored guidance. This review outlines key aspects of GLP-1 mechanisms of action, emphasizing how these medications alter digestive processes, specifically impacting the absorption and metabolism of essential macronutrients, including proteins and dietary fibers. The paper also highlights hydration needs to support optimal health and weight loss outcomes in patients on GLP-1 therapies. Additionally, …

Navigating Market Volatility: Risk And Return Insights From Indian Mutual Funds, Davinder K. Malhotra, Rahul Singh, L. Ramani

School of Business Faculty Papers

This study evaluates Indian mutual funds using a variety of criteria, demonstrating a historical tendency of lower monthly returns and volatility when compared to benchmark indexes. This positive risk profile implies that it will appeal to investors who want stability. Despite COVID-19-induced market volatility, mutual funds persistently outperform benchmark indices in terms of average return per unit of risk, highlighting their potential as a dependable investment option for stability seekers. Furthermore, Indian mutual funds routinely beat benchmark indexes in risk-adjusted terms. Despite having a positive alpha, it lacked statistical significance, indicating a possible reliance on market volatility rather than managerial …

Functions Of Tam Receptors And Ligands Protein S And Gas6 In Atherosclerosis And Cardiovascular Disease, Teagan Prouse, Samarpan Majumder, Rinku Majumder

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease are associated with high morbidity and mortality in industrialized nations. The Tyro3, Axl, and Mer (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases is involved in the amplification or resolution of atherosclerosis pathology and other cardiovascular pathology. The ligands of these receptors, Protein S (PS) and growth arrest specific protein 6 (Gas6), are essential for TAM receptor functions in the amplification and resolution of atherosclerosis. The Axl-Gas6 interaction has various effects on cardiovascular disease. Mer and PS dampen inflammation, thereby protecting against atherosclerosis progression. Tyro3, the least studied TAM receptor in cardiovascular disease, appears to protect against fibrosis …

Fifth Modified Plan

Catholic Dioceses in Bankruptcy

No abstract provided.