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Purpose: The paper explores the inflationary consequences of the Lebanese economic and financial crises on Lebanese society. The study investigates the distribution of inflationary harm across various demographic characteristics, including age, marital status, educational level, employment type, region of residence, income range and type. It also identifies the different coping mechanisms adopted by the Lebanese people to survive during the inflationary period. Design/methodology/approach: The study surveys 168 Lebanese citizens to determine which groups of people are most affected by inflation, its impact on their quality of life and the different coping mechanisms the citizens employ to endure the period of growing prices. Findings: The results show that some groups of Lebanese citizens are more influenced than others by rising prices. The categories of people who suffer the most from inflation are the elderly, the widowed, those characterized by low educational and low-income levels, the unemployed, the retired and public sector employees, as well as homemakers. Originality/value: This study provides policymakers with substantial information regarding the economic and social well-being of Lebanese citizens by highlighting the categories of people in need for special financial and social support. The findings can guide targeted policy interventions to support vulnerable populations. The study can also inform future research on the impact of the crisis and the effectiveness of policies. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-11-2022-0736 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absence of nationally accepted typology to classify and describe habitats has been an obstacle to the development of coordinated research in this field and to the implementation of conservation actions; therefore, a classification of the natural and semi-natural terrestrial habitat types existing in Lebanon is presented and adapted to the hierarchical structure of the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) habitat classification. The harmonisation with an international classification system is essential to facilitate communication and research throughout the Mediterranean Basin. A total of 1597 sites surveyed throughout Lebanon between 2013 and 2020 were classified and described based on the analysis of the physiognomic parameters and specific composition of their vegetation. The analysis yielded 190 habitat types for Lebanon, including 12 coastal habitats (category N), 35 related to inland surface waters (C), 6 wetland habitats (Q), 20 grasslands (R), 54 scrublands and heaths habitats (S), 27 types of woodlands (T), 17 inland unvegetated habitats (U), and 19 vegetated man-made habitats (V). Sixty-one habitats characteristic of Lebanon, not previously included in the EUNIS classification, were described and proposed in this typology. Those habitats include shrublands (23), woodlands (18), coastal habitats (6), wetlands (1), grasslands (9), sparsely vegetated habitats (2) and man-made vegetation (2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Prostate cancer incidence is increasing in the Middle East (ME); however, the data of stage at the diagnosis and treatment outcomes are lacking. In developed countries, the incidence of de novo metastatic prostate cancer ranges between 4% and 14%. We hypothesized that the rates of presentation with advanced disease are significantly higher in the ME based on clinical observation. This study aims to examine the stage at the presentation of patients with prostate cancer at a large tertiary center in the ME. Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, we identified the patients diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma and presented to a tertiary care center between January 2010 and July 2015. Clinical, demographic, and pathological characteristics were abstracted. Patients with advanced disease were stratified according to tumor volume based on definitions from practice changing clinical trials. Descriptive and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used. Results: A total of 559 patients were identified, with a median age at the diagnosis of 65 years and an age range of 39–94 years. Median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at the presentation was 10 ng/ml, and almost a quarter of the men (23%) presented with metastatic disease. The most common site of metastasis was the bone (34/89, 38%). High-volume metastasis was present in 30.3%, 9%, and 5.2% of the cohort based on STAMPEDE, CHAARTED, and LATITUDE trial criteria, respectively. Conclusion: This is the first report showing the high proportion of men from ME presenting with de novo metastasis. This could be due to many factors, including the highly variable access to specialist multidisciplinary management, lack of awareness, and lack of PSA screening in the region. There is a clear need to raise the awareness about prostate cancer screening and early detection and to address the rising burden of advanced prostate cancer affecting men in the ME region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bacterial infections resulting from wars and natural disasters represent a major public health problem. Over the past 50 years, Asia and the Middle East have suffered several wars. Moreover, East-Asian countries are considered the most natural disaster-prone countries in the world.Areas covered: This review focuses on bacterial infection occurring during wars and after natural disasters, among refugees, wounded citizens and soldiers as well as the prevention and control measures that must be taken.Expert opinion: During wars, refugees and soldiers represent the two main sources of bacterial infections. Refugees coming from countries with a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance can spread these pathogens to their final destination. In addition, these refugees living in inadequate shelters can contribute to the spread of bacterial infections. Moreover, some factors including the presence of fixed imported fragments; environmental contamination and nosocomial transmissions, play a key role in the dissemination of bacteria among soldiers. As for natural disasters, several factors are associated with increased bacterial transmissions such as the displacement of large numbers of people into over-crowded shelters, high exposure to disease vectors, lack of water and sanitation. Here, we carry out a systematic review of the bacterial infections that follow these two phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prostate cancer care in the Middle East is highly variable and access to specialist multidisciplinary management is limited. Academic tertiary referral centers offer cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment; however, in many parts of the region, patients are managed by non-specialists with limited resources. Due to many factors including lack of awareness and lack of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, a high percentage of men present with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer at diagnosis. The aim of these recommendations is to assist clinicians in managing patients with different levels of access to diagnostic and treatment modalities. Methods: The first Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference (APCCC) satellite meeting for the Middle East was held in Beirut, Lebanon, November 2017. During this meeting a consortium of urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologist and imaging specialists practicing in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia voted on a selection of consensus questions. An additional workshop to formulate resource-stratified consensus recommendations was held in March 2019. Results: Variations in practice based on available resources have been proposed to form resource-stratified recommendations for imaging at diagnosis, initial management of localized prostate cancer requiring therapy, treatment of castration-sensitive/naïve advanced prostate cancer and treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Conclusion: This is the first regional consensus on prostate cancer management from the Middle East. The following recommendations will be useful to urologists and oncologists practicing in all areas with limited access to specialist multi-disciplinary teams, diagnostic modalities and treatment resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Egyptian mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, is the only extant mongoose in Europe, with populations still distributed in Africa and the Middle East. In this study, we present the first mitochondrial genome sequence of Herpestes ichneumon and we investigate its phylogenetic position within Feliformia suborder. The resultant mitogenome sequence is 16,775 bps, composed of a conserved set of 37 genes containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. Our results represent a valuable resource for further phylogeographical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As precision medicine continues its expansion into clinical practice and research settings, it is time to investigate genetic and genomic research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to identify the strengths and deficits and to provide suggestions for future development. Methods: We performed a literature review of any genetic or genomic publications on breast cancer and type 2 diabetes for the years 2000-2015 and evaluated the translational value of the research using multiple evaluation metrics, including the "continuum of translation" and the Health Impact Pyramid. Results: A total of 138 type 2 diabetes and 231 breast cancer publications were included. There were few cohort studies or randomized controlled trials, and there was a distinct lack of pharmacogenetic or pharmacogenomic papers. Most studies were not interventional but instead evaluated susceptibility, and when placed on the continuum of translation, more than 90% of the studies were T1. Conclusion: This study suggests that the translational value of genetic and genomic research in the MENA region is currently suboptimal. Moving forward requires international cooperation and a collaborative cohort program in order to implement precision medicine in this area of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unique pathogenic mutations in BRCA1 and 2 genes have been reported in different populations of patients originating from the Middle East region. Limited data are available for the Iraqi population. For many reasons a large number of Iraqi patients present to Lebanon for medical care. This is the first report of BRCA full gene sequencing conducted in a cohort of high-risk patients originating from Iraq. Methods: This is a retrospective review of Iraqi patients diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer referred for BRCA mutation testing at the American University of Beirut from January 2012 to October 2018. Results: Of the 42 Iraqi women who underwent genetic testing at our institution, 3 BRCA pathogenic variants were found. Two mutations in BRCA1 c.224_227delAAAG and c.5431C > T and one mutation in BRCA2 c.5576_5579delTTAA were identified. Three other patients had sequence changes considered as variants of undetermined significance. Conclusion: In this cohort of high-risk patients, one out of the three pathogenic BRCA variants detected has not previously been reported in the Middle Eastern population. Further studies are required to delineate the spectrum of BRCA mutations in the Iraqi population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have suggested that the prevalence of BRCA1 and 2 mutations in the Lebanese population is low despite the observation that the median age of breast cancer diagnosis is significantly lower than European and North American populations. We aimed at reviewing the rates and patterns of BRCA1/2 mutations found in individuals referred to the medical genetics unit at the American University of Beirut. We also evaluated the performance of clinical prediction tools. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of all individuals undergoing BRCA mutation testing from April 2011 to May 2016. To put our findings in to context, we conducted a literature review of the most recently published data from the region. Results: Two-hundred eighty one individuals were referred for testing. The prevalence of mutated BRCA1 or 2 genes were 6 and 1.4% respectively. Three mutations accounted for 54% of the pathogenic mutations found. The BRCA1 c.131G > T mutation was found among 5/17 (29%) unrelated subjects with BRCA1 mutation and is unique to the Lebanese and Palestinian populations. For patients tested between 2014 and 2016, all patients positive for mutations fit the NCCN guidelines for BRCA mutation screening. The Manchester Score failed to predict pathogenic mutations. Conclusion: The BRCA1 c.131G > T mutation can be considered a founder mutation in the Lebanese population detected among 5/17 (29%) of individuals diagnosed with a mutation in BRCA1 and among 7/269 families in this cohort. On review of recently published data regarding the landscape of BRCA mutations in the Middle East and North Africa, each region appears to have a unique spectrum of mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reviews the electronic publication "Middle East Studies Internet Resources."

Reviews the Web site Middle East Studies Internet Resources. Resources included in the site; Features of the site.