Inventor Business Card: Prof. Naila Rabbani

The launch of "Qatar University Research Magazine" marks the university's numerous achievements in the field of scientific research. It will also serve as a platform to highlight all our research related initiatives and activities carried out by the various research centers and colleges within the university

Exploring the role of culture on the experience and perception of healthcare and daily life in patients with persistent physical symptoms

Objectives: PPS are common and incur large healthcare costs. BME populations experience relatively poor health, including higher rates of PPS, but are often difficult to reach. This research aims to understand BME experiences of living with PPS, of accessing and receiving healthcare, and the role and influence of cultural factors. The findings may be used to indicate whether current clinical guidelines and training may be in need of further review. Design: Using thematic analysis, qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Methods: 30 patients, 15 white British and 15 BME, were recruited through the PRINCE Secondary trial. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed inductively using thematic analysis. An adapted version of the framework analysis method was employed to identify key differences between white British and BME participant responses. Results: Five themes emerged, entitled ‘Beliefs surrounding the symptoms’, ‘Putting on a strong face’, ‘A need for social support’, ‘Quality of life has been stripped away’, and ‘Inconsistency within the NHS’. These were also split into 15 sub-themes. BME participants had more complex symptoms; were more likely to retire from work; were less likely to report emotions as out of control; were less accepting of symptoms; were more religious; reported more frequent family conflicts; reported poorer experiences of healthcare, and had a greater preference for holistic therapies. Conclusion: Future training and guidelines for healthcare professionals may need further revision, in order to accommodate differences between white British and BME patients, and deliver a culturally sensitive service. Psychoeducation can improve patients’ psychological wellbeing. CBT should be recommended for patients keen and able to return to work. ACT may also be of benefit to patients with PPS, particularly those demonstrating low self-efficacy and mental agility, but further robust evidence is required

Recent Developments in Smart Healthcare

Medicine is undergoing a sector-wide transformation thanks to the advances in computing and networking technologies. Healthcare is changing from reactive and hospital-centered to preventive and personalized, from disease focused to well-being centered. In essence, the healthcare systems, as well as fundamental medicine research, are becoming smarter. We anticipate significant improvements in areas ranging from molecular genomics and proteomics to decision support for healthcare professionals through big data analytics, to support behavior changes through technology-enabled self-management, and social and motivational support. Furthermore, with smart technologies, healthcare delivery could also be made more efficient, higher quality, and lower cost. In this special issue, we received a total 45 submissions and accepted 19 outstanding papers that roughly span across several interesting topics on smart healthcare, including public health, health information technology (Health IT), and smart medicine

Complementary Pediatrics

Complementary Pediatrics covers complementary issues of pediatric subspecialties consisting of ophthalmologic, surgical, psychosocial and administrative issues of frequently used medications. This book volume with its 16 chapters will help get us and patients enlightened with the new developments on these subspecialties' area

The Gut Microbiome In Healthy And Severely Malnourished Humans

Human large intestine is home to tens of trillions of microbes belonging to all three do- mains of life. The functions encoded by the genes in this community: microbiome) include processing and production of macro- and micronutrients. Much remains unknown about the factors that determine the assembly of the gut microbial community starting at birth, and if disruptions in the assembly of this `microbial metabolic organ\u27 early in life result in physiologic and metabolic deficits later in life. The central goal of my thesis was to char- acterize development of the gut microbiome early in life, with a focus on describing the relationship between the microbiome and nutritional status. My thesis consists of three parts. Because the degree of temporal variation in the gut microbiome in children and adults in healthy and diseased state was not well described, I began by using metagenomic methods and a variety of computational and statistical tools to characterize the proportional representation of bacterial phylotypes and gene functions in the fecal communities of seven healthy adult USA monozygotic twin pairs sampled over a four-month period. I found that the fecal microbiota and microbiome are stable within each co-twin even in the face of ecologic invasion with a popular commercial fermented diary product. I then compared the fecal microbiota and microbiome in 524 healthy infants, children and adults living in three different countries with distinct cultural traditions: USA, Malawi and Amazon region of Venezuela). I found that interpersonal variation in babies is significantly greater than between adults, and that the microbiota evolves towards an adult configuration during the first three years of life in all three populations sampled. In addi- tion, distinct patterns of functional maturation were observed which involved microbial genes encoding enzymes that participate in the biosynthesis of several vitamins. Finally, I characterized assembly of gut microbiomes in a cohort of Malawian twins concordant for healthy status and twins discordant for severe forms of malnutrition: kwashiorkor or ma- rasmus). Twins were sampled during their first three years of life, including before, during and after treatment with a peanut butter-based ready-to-use therapeutic food: RUTF). In the case of the discordant twins, both co-twins were treated with RUTF. My comparative metagenomic analyses revealed notable differences in the responses to RUTF in kwashi- orkor versus healthy co-twins

Hands-on science: science education with and for society

The decisive importance of Science on the development of modern societies gives Science Education a role of special impact. Society sets the requirements rules and procedures of Education defining what concepts and competencies citizens must learn and how this learning should take place. Educational policies set by governments, elected and or imposed, not always reflects the will and ruling of Society. The School as pivotal element of our modern educational system must look behind and beyond imposed rules and regulations and persistently seek a permanent and open relation with Society, in all its dimensions, assuming and defending its crucial role on the development of Society and humankind. Aiming to contribute to an effective implementation of a sound widespread scientific literacy and effective Science Education in our Schools and Society at large, the Hands-on Science Network promotes a number of meetings and conferences open to the widest range of contributions on different pedagogic approaches with the common goal of promoting an effective learning of Science. This book gathers a number of interesting works presented at the 11th International Conference on Hands-on Science held in Aveiro, Portugal, July 21 to 25, 2014. The different chapters covers a wide range of topics including different strategies on connecting school’ science education with society and on synergetic relations between Society and Science Education, reports on good practices on formal as well as non-formal or informal science education, ICT tools, IBSE, active learning and hands-on pedagogy. We believe that the materials herein are a rather useful tool to assist teachers and educators as well as all interested in Science Education and its impact on the development of our Societies