Effects of anesthesia exposure on postnatal maturation of white matter in rhesus monkeys.

There is increasing concern about the potential effects of anesthesia exposure on the developing brain. The effects of relatively brief anesthesia exposures used repeatedly to acquire serial magnetic resonance imaging scans could be examined prospectively in rhesus macaques. We analyzed magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of 32 rhesus macaques (14 females, 18 males) aged 2 weeks to 36 months to assess postnatal white matter (WM) maturation. We investigated the longitudinal relationships between each DTI property and anesthesia exposure, taking age, sex, and weight of the monkeys into consideration. Quantification of anesthesia exposure was normalized to account for variation in exposures. Segmented linear regression with two knots provided the best model for quantifying WM DTI properties across brain development as well as the summative effect of anesthesia exposure. The resulting model revealed statistically significant age and anesthesia effects in most WM tracts. Our analysis indicated there were major effects on WM associated with low levels of anesthesia even when repeated as few as three times. Fractional anisotropy values were reduced across several WM tracts in the brain, indicating that anesthesia exposure may delay WM maturation, and highlight the potential clinical concerns with even a few exposures in young children.

Exposure to prenatal maternal distress and infant white matter neurodevelopment.

The prenatal period represents a critical time for brain growth and development. These rapid neurological advances render the fetus susceptible to various influences with life-long implications for mental health. Maternal distress signals are a dominant early life influence, contributing to birth outcomes and risk for offspring psychopathology. This prospective longitudinal study evaluated the association between prenatal maternal distress and infant white matter microstructure. Participants included a racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of 85 mother-infant dyads. Prenatal distress was assessed at 17 and 29 weeks' gestational age (GA). Infant structural data were collected via diffusion tensor imaging at 42-45 weeks' postconceptional age. Findings demonstrated that higher prenatal maternal distress at 29 weeks' GA was associated with increased fractional anisotropy (b = .283, t(64) = 2.319, p = .024) and with increased axial diffusivity (b = .254, t(64) = 2.067, p = .043) within the right anterior cingulate white matter tract. No other significant associations were found with prenatal distress exposure and tract fractional anisotropy or axial diffusivity at 29 weeks' GA, nor earlier in gestation.

Association between prenatal maternal sleep quality, neonatal uncinate fasciculus white matter, and infant negative emotionality.

BACKGROUND: Poor prenatal maternal sleep is a pervasive, yet modifiable, health concern affecting maternal and foetal wellbeing. Experimental rodent studies demonstrate that prenatal maternal sleep deprivation affects offspring brain development and leads to adverse outcomes, including increased anxiety-like behaviour. We examined the relation between prenatal maternal sleep quality and neonatal white matter development and subsequent infant negative emotionality. METHODS: Participants included 116 mother-infant (53% female) dyads. Prenatal sleep quality was prospectively assessed three times during gestation (16, 29, and 35 gestational weeks) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Neonatal white matter, as indexed by fractional anisotropy (FA), was assessed via diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Negative emotionality was measured via behavioural observation and maternal report when the infant was 6-months of age. FINDINGS: More prenatal sleep problems across pregnancy were associated with higher neonatal FA in the uncinate fasciculus (left: b = 0.20, p = .004; right: b = 0.15, p = .027). Higher neonatal uncinate FA was linked to infant negative emotionality, and uncinate FA partially mediated the association between prenatal maternal sleep and behavioural observation of infant negative emotionality. INTERPRETATION: Findings highlight prenatal sleep as an environmental signal that affects the developing neonatal brain and later infant negative emotionality. FUNDING: National Institutes of Health (R01MH109662, R01HL155744, P50HD103573, K12AR084226, F32 Training fellowships MH125572, HL165844, MH106440, and diversity supplement R01HL155744-01S1).

Magnet ingestion in growing children: a multi-center observational study on single and multiple magnet incidents.

Over the past 15 years, there has been a noticeable uptick in incidents involving children ingesting multiple magnetic foreign bodies which can cause injuries and gastrointestinal complications including death. The current study aimed to identify the prevalence, clinical presentation, and management of single or multiple magnet ingestions. A retrospective multi-central cross-sectional study was conducted to include all pediatric patients < 18 years presented to the emergency department with ingestion of single or multiple magnets and admitted across hospitals in Qatar, UAE, KSA, Tunisia, and Turkey between January 2011 and December 2021. Demographics, symptoms, management, and outcomes were analyzed. There were 189 magnet ingestions, of which 88 (46.6%) were multiple magnet ingestions. Most patients (55.6%) were male, and the median age was 3.9 (IQR 2-7) years. An abdominal X-ray was obtained in all cases. 119 (62%) patients were conservatively treated, 53 (28%) required surgical intervention and 17 (8.9%) underwent gastroscopy. None of the patients with single magnet ingestions experienced morbidity or severe outcomes. Multiple magnet ingestions led to significant morbidity including hospitalizations, perforations (44.3%), severe intestinal necrosis (19.3%), peritonitis (13.6%), severe abdominal infection (10.2%), and septic shock (4.5%). The rate of surgical intervention (59.1% vs. 1.0%) and gastroscopy (15.9% vs. 3.0%) was significantly higher in the multiple ingestion group compared to the single magnet ingestion group. No deaths were identified. A high risk of serious complications, including the need for surgery to remove the magnets and substantial morbidity may result from swallowing more than one magnet. Magnet safety requirements, public education, and improved legislation are urgently required.

Population genetic structure of the people of Qatar.

People of the Qatar peninsula represent a relatively recent founding by a small number of families from three tribes of the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, and Oman, with indications of African admixture. To assess the roles of both this founding effect and the customary first-cousin marriages among the ancestral Islamic populations in Qatar's population genetic structure, we obtained and genotyped with Affymetrix 500k SNP arrays DNA samples from 168 self-reported Qatari nationals sampled from Doha, Qatar. Principal components analysis was performed along with samples from the Human Genetic Diversity Project data set, revealing three clear clusters of genotypes whose proximity to other human population samples is consistent with Arabian origin, a more eastern or Persian origin, and individuals with African admixture. The extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) is greater than that of African populations, and runs of homozygosity in some individuals reflect substantial consanguinity. However, the variance in runs of homozygosity is exceptionally high, and the degree of identity-by-descent sharing generally appears to be lower than expected for a population in which nearly half of marriages are between first cousins. Despite the fact that the SNPs of the Affymetrix 500k chip were ascertained with a bias toward SNPs common in Europeans, the data strongly support the notion that the Qatari population could provide a valuable resource for the mapping of genes associated with complex disorders and that tests of pairwise interactions are particularly empowered by populations with elevated LD like the Qatari.

Health of dentists in United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and nature of some health and lifestyle problems among dentists in United Arab Emirates (UAE). METHOD: A cross-sectional study with a one-stage complex sampling technique using a self-reported questionnaire distributed to all 844 dentists, working in three cities (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah) in UAE. RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirty-three (87%) dentists, aged 22-70 years, responded. More than half (n = 442, 61%) of dentists do not exercise regularly. Around one-seventh of the dentists are smokers. One hundred and eighteen dentists (16%) reported having some known systemic problem. The most common systemic health problems were cardiovascular diseases (n = 56, 8%). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the prevalence of exercise among dentists in UAE is relatively low and some systemic health problems, especially cardiovascular diseases, are present among dentists practicing in UAE. Cigarette consumption is relatively high in this population of dentist. Further continuing education and investigation of the appropriate intervention to improve rates of exercise and reduce the level of smoking among dentists in UAE is needed, and this may help reduce the level of systemic disease.

Occupational health problems of dentists in the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of some occupationally related health problems among dentists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). METHOD: A cross-sectional study using the one-stage complex sampling technique to evaluate the results of a self-reporting questionnaire distributed to 844 dentists working in three cities (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah) in UAE. RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirty-three (87%) dentists, aged 22-70 years, responded. The most common occupational health problems were musculoskeletal pain [497 (68%)] and percutaneous injury [306 (42%)]. Around one-fifth [135 (18%)] of dentists had a history of contact dermatitis, mostly caused by latex gloves, 53% had eye problems and 5% had hearing problems. CONCLUSIONS: As exposure to potential infectious agents is of concern, continuing education in the avoidance of percutaneous injuries would be beneficial. Further studies are needed to identify the causes of musculoskeletal pain and the appropriate interventions to reduce its prevalence; similar measures are required to reduce exposure to agents which may produce contact dermatitis. The awareness of occupational health problems should be highlighted at all clinical and research symposia.

Transition Metal Phosphides (TMP) as a Versatile Class of Catalysts for the Hydrodeoxygenation Reaction (HDO) of Oil-Derived Compounds.

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction is a route with much to offer in the conversion and upgrading of bio-oils into fuels; the latter can potentially replace fossil fuels. The catalyst's design and the feedstock play a critical role in the process metrics (activity, selectivity). Among the different classes of catalysts for the HDO reaction, the transition metal phosphides (TMP), e.g., binary (Ni2P, CoP, WP, MoP) and ternary Fe-Co-P, Fe-Ru-P, are chosen to be discussed in the present review article due to their chameleon type of structural and electronic features giving them superiority compared to the pure metals, apart from their cost advantage. Their active catalytic sites for the HDO reaction are discussed, while particular aspects of their structural, morphological, electronic, and bonding features are presented along with the corresponding characterization technique/tool. The HDO reaction is critically discussed for representative compounds on the TMP surfaces; model compounds from the lignin-derivatives, cellulose derivatives, and fatty acids, such as phenols and furans, are presented, and their reaction mechanisms are explained in terms of TMPs structure, stoichiometry, and reaction conditions. The deactivation of the TMP's catalysts under HDO conditions is discussed. Insights of the HDO reaction from computational aspects over the TMPs are also presented. Future challenges and directions are proposed to understand the TMP-probe molecule interaction under HDO process conditions and advance the process to a mature level.

Sustainable applications utilizing sulfur, a by-product from oil and gas industry: A state-of-the-art review.

This paper presents a review of current routes to utilize sulfur and sulfuric acid. Sulfur is a by-product from sour gas and crude oil processing and the precursor of sulfuric acid. As an oversupply is projected for the near-term future, it is prudent to investigate new sulfur applications and market domains that may facilitate a balancing of supply and demand. This consideration is especially relevant for the UAE, and the Middle East in general, due to the requirement to develop sulfur-rich sour gas resources to meet increasing energy needs. The goal of this review is to understand current sulfur oversupply, not as a problem, but as an opportunity to develop more sustainable technologies. Current routes are reviewed, and possible new applications and their potential as a sulfur sink and a sustainable alternative to existing technologies are discussed. Although sulfur is currently in oversupply, less than 5% positive balance according to Harrisson (2016), it must be noted that it is also a critical component in fertilizer production, having a direct impact on the food supply for the world's growing population. Should the world find itself in a sulfur shortage in the future (which could be possible in the long-term (beyond 2030) as a result of growth in renewable energies, shale gas/oil proliferation and population growth), this would be a much greater problem than the current slight oversupply situation, thus making it important to consider sulfur recoverability as a key factor for any sulfur sink technologies explored.

The Practice of Research Ethics in Lebanon and Qatar: Perspectives of Researchers on Informed Consent.

Informed consent requirements for conducting research with human participants are set by institutional review boards (IRBs) following established guidelines. Despite this, researchers continue to face challenges in seeking and obtaining informed consent. This study discusses researchers' views of such problems in Lebanon and Qatar, which vary in research regulation. We conducted in-depth interviews with 52 academic researchers from various fields of research in both countries and analyzed them using thematic analysis. Important disjunctions emerged between IRB requirements and actual practice. Variations in obtaining informed consent were affected by the research context, type of research, and the prevalent cultural norms and values. Regulatory systems and guidelines for informed consent do not necessarily ensure ethical research conduct. Implications for improvement are presented.

Massive splenomegaly in children: laparoscopic versus open splenectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly is still a controversial procedure as compared with open splenectomy. We aimed to compare the feasibility of laparoscopic splenectomy versus open splenectomy for massive splenomegaly from different surgical aspects in children. METHODS: The data of children aged <12 years with massive splenomegaly who underwent splenectomy for hematologic disorders were retrospectively reviewed in 2 pediatric surgery centers from June 2004 until July 2012. RESULTS: The study included 32 patients, 12 who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy versus 20 who underwent open splenectomy. The mean ages were 8.5 years and 8 years in the laparoscopic splenectomy group and open splenectomy group, respectively. The mean operative time was 180 minutes for laparoscopic splenectomy and 120 minutes for open splenectomy. The conversion rate was 8%. The mean amount of intraoperative blood loss was 60 mL in the laparoscopic splenectomy group versus 110 mL in the open splenectomy group. Postoperative atelectasis developed in 2 cases in the open splenectomy group (10%) and 1 case in the laparoscopic splenectomy group (8%). Oral feeding postoperatively resumed at a mean of 7.5 hours in the laparoscopic splenectomy group versus 30 hours in the open splenectomy group. The mean hospital stay was 36 hours in the laparoscopic splenectomy group versus 96 hours in the open splenectomy group. Postoperative pain was less in the laparoscopic splenectomy group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly in children is safe and feasible. Although the operative time was significantly greater in the laparoscopic splenectomy group, laparoscopic splenectomy was associated with statistically significantly less pain, less blood loss, better recovery, and shorter hospital stay. Laparoscopic splenectomy for pediatric hematologic disorders should be the gold-standard approach regardless of the size of the spleen.

Association of adiponectin gene polymorphism (+T45G) with acute coronary syndrome and circulating adiponectin levels.

We investigated the association of adiponectin gene polymorphisms (+T45G and +G276T) and adiponectin levels with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among Arabs in Qatar. A case-control study was performed in 142 Arab patients with ACS and 122 controls. Genotypes were determined using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. The TT, TG, and GG genotype frequencies of the T45G variant were significantly different among cases and controls (P = .023) but not significant for G276T genotypic frequencies. It was found that only the +45G allele was significantly associated with 3-fold increased risk of ACS (odds ratio = 2.77; 1.03-6.96; P = .043) among patients, using the genetic recessive model. Carriers of GG alleles had significantly lower adiponectin levels compared to TT/TG carriers of T45G in patients with ACS. The present study suggests that only T45G single-nucleotide polymorphism in the adiponectin gene is associated with higher odds for ACS events and has an effect on serum adiponectin levels among Arab populations.