Search

The shift to successful online learning requires online assessment strategies that could facilitate the learning and teaching process and determine the achievement of learning outcomes. This study examined how students' achievement was assessed in an online learning environment during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the College of Education (COE) responded to the shift to online assessment strategies. A mixed-method design using questionnaires and interviews was conducted to collect data from academic staff at COE at Sultan Qaboos University. The study sample consisted of (n=60) academic staff who agreed to answer the research questionnaire. Moreover, the researchers interviewed four academic staff who were experts in online assessment and teachers of practical courses. The interview data were analysed and corroborated with evidence from documents issued by the COE and SQU. The study's findings showed that the academic staff applied various online assessment strategies to measure the learners' achievement. The most applied online assessment strategies were individual projects, presentations, online discussions, and written assignments. The study also found that the COE took measures to enhance its online assessment procedures, including developing an online assessment policy, providing professional development programs, workshops and webinars, and encouraging its staff to conduct further studies to improve online learning practices. Based on the findings, the study suggested some educational implications and recommendations.

Panayotis Kaloyannidis,1 Biju George,1 Ahmad Alrustamani,1 Charbel Khalil,1 Basmah Al-Charfli,1 Nour Al-Moghrabi,1 Dima Ibrahim,2 Mohammed Alfar,3 Mohammed Daryahya,1 Kayane Mheidly,4 Amro El-Saddik,1 Humaid O Al-Shamsi5– 11 1Adult Hematology & Cellular Therapy Department, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 2Infectious Diseases Department, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 3Pharmacy Department, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 4Hematology Department, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 5Medical Oncology Department, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 6Burjeel Cancer Institute, Burjeel Medical City, Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 7Emirates Oncology Society, Emirates Medical Association, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 8Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates; 9Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; 10College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 11Gulf Cancer Society, Alsafa, KuwaitCorrespondence: Panayotis Kaloyannidis, Adult Hematology & Cellular Therapy Department, Burjeel Medical City, 28th Street - Mohamed Bin Zayed City, PO Box 7400, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Email pkaloyannidis@yahoo.gr; panagiotis.kalogiannidis@burjeelmedicalcity.comBackground: Despite its long-term history, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) still faces challenges in several countries under development and especially in the private health sector.Objectives, Design and Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we present our experience and the results of 48 adult patients who underwent HSCT (autologous 37, allogeneic 9) at a private-sector hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The main indications were multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukaemia in the autologous and allogeneic setting, respectively.Results: All patients successfully engrafted, and after a median follow-up of 6 (range: 1– 11) months, 42 patients are alive (36 autografted and 6 allografted). The 1-year overall survival rates were 97% and 62% for autografted and allografted patients, respectively, while 4 patients died within 100 days post-transplant from treatment-related causes (1 patient from the autografted group and 3 patients from the allografted group).Conclusion: Our data confirm that HSCT is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment approach, offering high success rates to UAE patients with haematological malignant diseases.Keywords: autologous stem cell transplantation, allogeneic stem cell transplantation, middle east, development, barriers, United Arab Emirates

This study fills a significant vacuum in the literature and offers insightful information, especially pertinent to the Arabic and Gulf areas. In support of the socioeconomic development and diversification initiatives in these areas, it encourages the creation of educational policies and practices that can improve student job chances. Educators and policymakers play a crucial role in implementing these recommendations, ensuring that effective STEM education equips future generations with the knowledge and skills to navigate and secure digital environments, mitigating risks posed by cyber threats. By preparing students to excel in STEM disciplines, they ensure that the future workforce is ready to contribute to and shape a safer, more innovative future. Today's STEM workforce requires continuous education to stay abreast of advancements in STEM fields. Online delivery of STEM courses enables higher education institutions to collaborate effectively with industry partners, minimizing disruptions to productivity. This study aims to evaluate the enhancement of students' STEM knowledge and skills through e-learning platforms using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The dataset comprises 212 participants and 15 indicators, analyzed using measurement and structural models. Results indicate significant findings supporting hypotheses: E-Learning (E.L.) improving Student employment opportunities (SEO) (B=0.539, t=8.884, p=0.000) and E.L. improving STEM (B=0.465, t=8.849, p=0.000), validating H1 and H2, respectively. H3 explores how possessing STEM knowledge mediates E-Learning's impact on SEO, revealing a notable indirect relationship (B=0.082, t=2.303, p=0.021). Integrating E-Learning with STEM fosters a robust digital infrastructure, addressing talent shortages and improving human resource management amidst global technological advances. Online STEM courses are increasingly recognized as a viable solution to national STEM challenges, overcoming traditional adoption barriers. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-SIED1-014 Full Text: PDF

Abstract Background In the investigation of sexual assault cases, a standard practice involves examining female genitalia to identify injuries. The majority of research was done to examine findings in the child age group, but very little research was done on the adult age group. There is a need for guidelines to follow for the interpretation of adult female findings as they hold the same significance as in children. The Dammam Forensic Medicine Center conducted a retrospective chart review study in the period from 2014 to 2021 to examine adult female genital findings utilizing photographic documentation. Results One hundred sixty-three cases involving adults between the ages of 18 and 52 were examined. Cases were divided into two groups to focus on hymenal findings that fell in the class of no expert consensus. The first group included self-defined virgins, who denied having ever experienced vaginal penetration in their entire lives, including the reported incidence, which represented 38 cases. The rest of the cases had at least a single incident of vaginal penetration. The normal genitourinary findings were found comparable to those in the child age group. All of the participants who showed notches or clefts, below the 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock location, which extends nearly to the base of the hymen, but is not a complete transection belonged to the group with a history of vaginal penetration. The three participants who showed a notch or a cleft in the hymen rim at 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock which extends nearly to the base of the hymen, but is not a complete transection belonged to the same group. Conclusions Findings that lack expert consensus in the child age group are likely the result of injury in the study participants. This result gives valuable information on genital findings in self-identified virgin adult females, which can be utilized in conjunction with other studies to establish standards for the assessment of cases of alleged sexual assault in adult females.

This study aims to comprehensively explore the intricate dynamics among positive and negative emotions, self-efficacy, and task performance within the unique context of the Covid-19 pandemic in Bahrain, specifically placing emphasis on potential gender-related distinctions within the proposed relationships. The ongoing pandemic accentuates the need to investigate the interplay between emotional states, self-efficacy beliefs, and task performance in academic and teaching domains, especially considering potential gender variations within the framework of a society promoting gender equality. Employing a quantitative survey instrument and rigorous statistical techniques, the study validates its proposed model through indicators such as the coefficient of determination (R²) and predictive relevance (Q²). The diverse sample comprises academic and teaching staff of both genders from Bahrain. Advanced statistical methodologies, including Measurement Invariance (MICOM) and Multigroup Analysis (MGA) facilitated by SmartPLS PLS-SEM, provide deeper insights into gender disparities. Significantly contributing to existing knowledge, this paper elucidates the complex relationships among emotions, self-efficacy, and task performance amid a crisis, with a distinctive focus on meticulously investigating gender differences. The study underscores the consistent positive impact of positive emotions on task performance across genders in Bahrain. Recommendations advocate for prioritizing support for academic and teaching staff during crises, emphasizing the positive impact on academic outcomes. Future research should explore demographic intricacies and potential mediating or moderating factors, deepening the comprehension of these complex dynamics. Highlighting the cascading impact of prioritizing the well-being and morale of academic and teaching staff, the study envisions a positive transformation resonating across various facets of society, extending beyond the confines of academia. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-SIED1-09 Full Text: PDF

IntroductionThis study addresses the rising cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by investigating the occurrence and impact of genetic variants in CVD-related genes.MethodsWe collected all genes linked to heritable CVD from public and diagnostic databases and mapped them to their corresponding biological processes and molecular pathways. We then evaluated the types and burden of genetic variants within these genes in 343 individuals from the Emirati Mendelian Study Cohort and 3,007 national electronic health records.ResultsWe identified a total of 735 genes associated with heritable CVD, covering a range of cardiovascular conditions. Enrichment analysis revealed key biological processes and pathways, including Apelin, FoxO, and Ras signaling, that are implicated across all forms of heritable CVD. Analysis of a UAE cohort of 3,350 individuals showed a predominance of rare and unique CVD variants specific to the population. The study found a significant burden of pathogenic variants in families with CVD within the Emirati Mendelian cohort and re-assessed the pathogenicity of 693 variants from national health records, leading to the discovery of new CVD-causing variants.DiscussionThis study underscores the importance of continuously updating our understanding of genes and pathways related to CVD. It also highlights the significant underrepresentation of the UAE population in public databases and clinical literature on CVD genetics, offering valuable insights that can inform future research and intervention strategies.

Summary: Background: NOTCH3 encodes a transmembrane receptor critical for vascular smooth muscle cell function. NOTCH3 variants are the leading cause of hereditary cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). While monoallelic cysteine-involving missense variants in NOTCH3 are well-studied in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), patients with biallelic variants in NOTCH3 are extremely rare and not well characterised. Methods: In this study, we present clinical and genetic data from 25 patients with biallelic NOTCH3 variants and conduct a literature review of another 25 cases (50 patients in total). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analysed by expert neuroradiologists to better understand the phenotype associated with biallelic NOTCH3 variants. Findings: Our systematic analyses verified distinct genotype-phenotype correlations for the two types of biallelic variants in NOTCH3. Biallelic loss-of-function variants (26 patients) lead to a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by spasticity, childhood-onset stroke, and periatrial white matter volume loss resembling periventricular leukomalacia. Conversely, patients with biallelic cysteine-involving missense variants (24 patients) fall within CADASIL spectrum phenotype with early adulthood onset stroke, dementia, and deep white matter lesions without significant volume loss. White matter lesion volume is comparable between patients with biallelic cysteine-involving missense variants and individuals with CADASIL. Notably, monoallelic carriers of loss-of-function variants are predominantly asymptomatic, with only a few cases reporting nonspecific headaches. Interpretation: We propose a NOTCH3-SVD classification depending on dosage and variant type. This study not only expands our knowledge of biallelic NOTCH3 variants but also provides valuable insight into the underlying mechanisms of the disease, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of NOTCH3-related SVD. Funding: The Wellcome Trust, the MRC.

Background: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a prominent technology that can preserve superior genetic traits of animals and expand the population in a short time. Hematological characters and endocrine profiles are important elements that demonstrate the stability of the physiological state of cloned animals. To date, several studies regarding cloned camels with superior genes have been conducted. However, detailed hemato-physiological assessments to prove that cloned camels are physiologically normal are limited. In this study, We evaluated the hemato-physiological characteristics of cloned male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries). Methods: Therefore, we analyzed variations in hematological characteristics and endocrine profiles between cloned and non-cloned age-matched male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries). Two groups each of male and female cloned and non-cloned camels were monitored to investigate the differences in hemato-physiological characteristics. Results: All the animals were evaluated by performing complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, and endocrinological tests. We found no significant difference between the cloned and non-cloned camels. Furthermore, the blood chemistry and endocrine profiles in male and female camels before maturity were similar. Conclusions: These results suggest that cloned and non-cloned camels have similar hematological characteristics and endocrine parameters.

Background: Protein metabolism and urea production maintain protein and amino acid homeostasis in normal status. Ammonia results from amino acid turnover and is produced by intestinal urease-positive bacteria. Ammonia must be detoxified, and the urea cycle converts ammonia into urea. CPS1 is an enzyme in the urea cycle that catalyzes ammonia and bicarbonate condensation. CPS1 deficiency presents in the neonatal period with hyperammonemia, resulting in death or neurological sequelae if patients survive. Objectives/aims: To share the experience of patients with CPS1 deficiency from Tawam Hospital and to shed light on the spectrum of variants found in those patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was done. All patients with CPS1 deficiency admitted to Tawam Hospital from 2010 to 2023 were included. Collected data included age and ammonia level at presentation, the time needed to drop ammonia level below 100 μmol/L, acute management modality provided, long-term neurological sequelae, sequence variants, severity, and duration of hyperammonemia encephalopathy, age at last follow-up, and, if applicable, survival for at least six months. Results: Only five patients with CPS1 deficiency over 13 years were found; two males and three females. Three patients are doing relatively well at 18 months, 7, and 9 years of age. The presented age was in the neonatal period except in one patient. One patient was found to have frameshift, resulting in a premature stop codon in the CPS1 gene, had a devastating course that ended with death. One patient had recurrent hyperammonemia episodes in her first year of life, which led to microcephaly and global developmental delay. One patient underwent hemodialysis, and one patient underwent peritoneal dialysis. All patients except one were on Carglumic acid which could contribute to their survival and disease control. All variants reported here are novel except one. Conclusion: Although the presentation was different in severity, three patients are doing relatively well and approaching their developmental milestones. Thus, early recognition, prompt actions to drop high ammonia level, and good follow-up plans are emphasized. Further studies are needed to correlate the genotype-phenotype of reported variants here, which can help predict the severity of CPS1 deficiency.

AbstractThe collaboration between India and the Gulf regions presents a promising opportunity for sustainable economic innovation amidst global challenges. However, there is a notable research gap in understanding how machine learning techniques, particularly clustering, can drive such innovation effectively in this context. Existing literature lacks tailored models for the India–Gulf interchange’s specific needs. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the application of machine learning clustering models to identify factors and opportunities for sustainable economic innovation. Specifically, it seeks to leverage these techniques to foster strategic partnerships and address environmental, social, and governance factors. Through SWOT analysis and clustering, the study identifies integration elements and proposes a forward-looking Paradigm for Future Development. The findings advocate for strategic collaborations and offer a model methodology for sustainable development, with broader policy implications. The study reveals that Current Saudi Arabia’s progress is linked to strategies akin to India’s, suggesting India as a model for Gulf countries.

Background: Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), worsened by immunomodulatory drugs. Although antithrombotics are recommended for prophylaxis, existing guidelines are suboptimal and treatment outcomes remain unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate adverse events, antithrombotic utilization, and their associations with survival outcomes in patients with MM initiating multi-drug immunomodulatory combinations. Design: A posthoc analysis of individual-participant level data (IPD). Methods: IPD from three daratumumab clinical trials (MAIA, POLLUX, and CASTOR) were pooled. Adverse events incidence and antithrombotic utilization were assessed. Logistic and Cox regression were utilized to examine associations between antithrombotics use with adverse events and survival outcomes at the baseline and 6-month landmark. Results: Among 1804 patients, VTE occurred in 10%, bleeding in 14%, ischemic heart disease in 4%, and stroke in 2%. Patients with these adverse events demonstrated elevated rates of any grade ⩾3 events. Antiplatelet (primarily aspirin) and anticoagulant (primarily LMWH and direct oral anticoagulants) prescriptions have seen an increase from baseline (25% and 14%, respectively) to 6 months (35% and 31%). The primary indication for their use was prophylaxis. Anticoagulant use within 6 months was associated with reduced VTE (OR (95% CI) = 0.45 (0.26–0.77), p = 0.004), while antiplatelet use showed no associations with any evaluated adverse events. Antithrombotics and survival outcomes had no significant associations. Conclusion: This study underscores the complexities of antithrombotic therapy and adverse events in MM and highlights the need for vigilant and proactive management due to increased grade ⩾3 adverse events. While anticoagulant use was associated with reduced VTE risk, further research is needed to optimize thromboprophylaxis guidelines and explore antithrombotic efficacy and safety in patients with MM. Trial registration: MAIA (NCT02252172), POLLUX (NCT02076009), CASTOR (NCT02136134).

Abstract Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used in cancer patients, but their impact on treatment outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM) patients remains unclear. This study investigated the association of PPI use with survival and adverse effects in MM patients across three randomized-control trials initiating daratumumab, lenalidomide, or bortezomib combination treatments. Cox proportional hazard analysis and logistic regression were employed to assess the associations with treatment outcomes, while adjusting for age, sex, weight, MM international staging system stage, ECOG-performance status, comorbidity count, and presence of gastrointestinal disorders. Pooled data involving 1804 patients revealed that 557 (32%) used PPIs at baseline. PPI use was independently associated with worse overall survival (adjusted HR [95% CI] 1.32 [1.08–1.62], P = 0.007) and grade ≥ 3 adverse events (adjusted OR [95% CI] 1.39 [1.03–1.88], P = 0.030). However, the association with progression-free survival did not reach statistical significance (adjusted HR [95% CI] 1.14 [0.97–1.33], P = 0.112). Findings were consistent across trials and treatment arms. PPI use was identified as a negative prognostic factor in MM patients, potentially enhancing clinical decisions regarding its use. Further research is needed to fully comprehend the impacts and safety of PPI use in MM patients.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a prominent cause of mortality in prostate cancer patients. However, it has been reported that patients with preexisting CVDs are at greater risk. Literature on the magnitude of this problem in Saudi Arabia is lacking. Objectives: To measure the prevalence of prostate cancer patients with preexisting CVDs in our population and to elucidate the possible risk factors of new cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients who received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included all patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer at a tertiary hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia from October 2008 to January 2019. The prevalence of preexisting cardiovascular diseases in these patients were determined. In addition, the incidence of new CVEs after initiating ADT was determined along with the risk factors for the same. Results: The prevalence of preexisting CVD in our cohort was 16%. About 6% of the patients who received ADT had CVEs after a median follow-up of 39 months (IQR: 11-49 months). In the univariate analysis, hyperlipidemia (P = 0.002), stroke (P = 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (P =