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Origin, growing conditions and drying methods of basil may change its essential oil quantity and composition. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of essential oils extracted from commercially available fresh and dried organic or conventionally grown basil available in Oman. The essential oils from Omani and Indian fresh conventionally grown basil, fresh organic Belgian basil, dried organic Egyptian basil and dried conventionally grown UAE basil were extracted using advanced microwave extraction system. The essential oils chemical composition was determined using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrum (GCMS). Significantly higher oil yield was obtained from the fresh conventional Omani basil (675±25 µL per 100 g) which had the lowest number of volatile compounds (21). The fresh organic Belgian basil had the lowest amount of oil (325±12 µL per 100 g) but the highest number of compounds (35). a-pinene, ß-pinene, camphene, cineole, ß-linalool, camphor, a-terpineol, ß-elemen, a-bergamotene, ß-eudesmene, d-guaiene, γ-muurolene, d-cadinene and d-cadinol were found in all samples. These 14 stable compounds could be considered as chemical markers for basil. The different regions seem to have different yield/composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of newly established asthma clinics (ACs) on asthma management at primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in Oman., Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2011 and May 2012 in seven PHCs in the Seeb wilayat of Muscat, Oman. All ≥6-year-old asthmatic patients visiting these PHCs during the study period were included. Electronic medical records were reviewed to determine which clinical assessment and management components had been documented., Results: A total of 452 asthmatic patients were included in the study. The mean age was 35 ± 21 years old (range: 6-95 years) and the majority (57%) were female. In total, 288 (64%) cases were managed at ACs and 164 (36%) were managed at general clinics (GCs). Significant differences were noted in the documentation of cases managed at ACs compared to those at GCs, including history-taking information regarding signs and symptoms (91% versus 19%; P <0.001), trigger factors (79% versus 16%; P <0.001) and a history of atopy (81% versus 17%; P <0.001), smoking (61% versus 7%; P <0.001), asthma exacerbations (73% versus 10%; P <0.001) or previous admissions (63% versus 10%; P <0.001). Furthermore, prescription rates of inhaled corticosteroids (72% versus 61%; P = 0.021) and short-acting β-agonists (93% versus 82%; P = 0.001) were significantly higher at ACs compared to GCs., Conclusion: Overall, the findings indicated that ACs have had a positive impact on asthma management at the studied PHCs., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder typified by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels caused by mutations in the LDL receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) genes. Previously, we reported a novel mutation in the exon-3 of LDLR gene, observed in a 9-year-old Omani Arab female. Here, we investigated the mode of inheritance of this mutation and confirmed that FH in this family is due to mutation only in the LDLR and not PCSK9 and ApoB genes. Further, the effect of the mutation has been appraised in silico on the tertiary structure of LDLR. A model of the mutant LDLR has been constructed using the coordinates of the wild-type LDLR extracellular domain. Based on the model, we present a mechanistic justification behind the observed detrimental effect of the mutation on LDL-C levels., (© The Author(s) 2013.)

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of sterility of some fruit juices post manufacture and to determine how effective the preservatives in them aid the killing of some microorganisms introduced into them., Material/methods: Blackcurrant/raspberry, apple, guava, orange, mango, and mixed fruits were each checked for sterility by inoculating 100 microl separately in tryptone soy broth, Robertson's cooked meat, and Sabouraud broth and incubating for growth for 72 hours at 37 degrees C. Twenty-milliliter aliquots of each juice were subsequently kept in a 37 degrees C water bath and inoculated separately with S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and C. albicans. At predetermined time intervals, a 1:250 dilution of each juice with the individual organism was made and the dilutions were plated on blood and Sabouraud plates for viable counts. Each 1:250 dilution was then incubated along with the plates. The pH of each undiluted juice was determined., Result: All the juices were found to be sterile. The growth inhibition exhibited by each juice was bactericidal or bacteriostatic, fungicidal or fungistatic, depending on the type of juice. The p[H of the juices varied from 2.53-3.75., Conclusions: We found the juices to be bacteriologically free of organisms associated with food infection. Though the juices were sterile, they could allow the survival of some bacteria and yeasts if these gained access into them. We found the orange, blackcurrant/raspberry, and mango juices to be bactericidal and fungicidal, while pineapple, mixed fruit, and guava were fungistatic, though with varying bactericidal activities.