The Accuracy of the Broselow™ Pediatric Emergency Tape for Weight Estimation in an Omani Paediatric Population

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Broselow™ Pediatric Emergency Tape (BT) for estimating weight in an Omani paediatric population at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted during July 2015. The electronic medical records of Omani outpatients <14 years old attending the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between July 2009 and June 2013 were reviewed for recorded height and weight data. The BT Version 2002A was used to predict weight based on actual height measurements. Predicted weight measurements were then compared with actual weight to determine the accuracy of the estimation. Results: A total of 3,339 children were included in the study, of which 43.5% were female and 56.5% were male. The mean age was 6.4 ± 3.1 years and the mean height was 93.2 ± 23.5 cm. The mean actual weight was 13.9 ± 6.7 kg while the mean BT-predicted weight was 14.4 ± 6.9 kg. The BT-predicted weight estimations correlated significantly with actual weight measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.97; P <0.001). A Bland-Altman analysis indicated that the BT performed well when estimating weight among Omani children, with an overestimation of only 0.5 kg for the entire cohort. Conclusion: The BT was found to be an effective tool for estimating weight according to body length in an Omani paediatric population. It should therefore be considered for use in emergency situations when actual weight cannot be determined

Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Drug Reactions Reported Among Sultan Qaboos University Hospital Staff

Objectives: The aim of this study was to report any suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) experienced by all vaccinated staff and students. Methods: This study conducted during COVID-19 vaccination campaign that took place in a tertiary teaching hospital in Muscat from 29/Aug/2021 to 12/Sep/2021. An online survey was generated, and sent to all staff and students via email and through their mobile phones. An announcement at the hospital website with a link to the survey was made. Data analysis with descriptive statistics was done via STATA software. Results: In this study, 8,421 individuals reported being vaccinated with a total of 11,468 doses administered. A total of 8,014 patients’ doses received the Pfizer-Biotech vaccine while 3,454 patients’ doses received the Oxford-AstraZeneca brand. There were a total of 3,275 (38.8%) responses to the survey distributed. A total of 741 individuals (22.6%) experienced an ADR after taking the vaccine and 67% (n = 498) were females (P<0.001). Majority of the ADRs reported were fever and chills (19.7%) followed by localized pain at the injection site (18.8%). Other ADRs were reported such as hair loss (0.5%) and one patient reported a clot in the right leg. Most responders (27%) considered their ADRs as mild while 25% of the responders considered them as severe. Conclusion: In the study cohort, there were mild symptoms of COVID-19 vaccines, and females had more risk of ADRs compared to males. It is crucial to observe for long term ADRs to the vaccines and a follow-up monitoring should be done to subjects to preclude any unwanted effects. Keywords: Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2), Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19, Adverse Drug Reactions

Inclusion Body Myositis: Navigating diagnostic challenges, case report

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a rare progressive myopathy affecting individuals older than 50 years. It is associated with significant morbidity once restricting the patient's mobility, and it has a relatively low mortality risk with respiratory muscles involvement. Muscle biopsy is the gold standard method for diagnosis. In this complex scenario, we present a case involving a 72-year-old woman admitted to our hospital with progressive weakness of lower limbs. The diagnostic process was challenging due to the case's complexity necessitating a multidisciplinary team approach. This case highlights the intricate nature of the diagnostic journey, as diagnosing IBM remains a challenge in clinical practice, requiring a high suspicion and precise application of available diagnostic tools with the guidance of a collaborative multidisciplinary approach in investigating and providing patient care. This case report contributes valuable insights to the understanding of this complex myopathy, facilitating more accurate diagnosis and enhancing patient care strategies Keywords: Sporadic inclusion body myositis; idiopathic inflammatory myopathy; rimmed vacuole

Effects of Age, Breed and Sex on Haematological Parameters of Growing Omani Goat Breeds

Sixty seven healthy growing goat kids of three Omani breeds, born and raised in Sultan Qaboos University Agricultural Experiment Station, were used to study the effects of age, breed and sex on haematological parameters. Blood samples were collected at several times from the first to 25 weeks to study the following parameters: Red Blood Cells (RBCs), White Blood Cells (WBCs), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) and Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH). At birth, MCV and MCH levels were significantly higher in Batina (BAT) kids than both Jabal Akhdar (JA) and Dhofari (DOF), but there were no breed differences in the rest of the haematological values. There were significant breed differences in RBC, MCH, WBC, MCV at different ages, with Hb and PCV being highly significant at all ages. All blood parameters changed with time but showed different patterns in all breeds. There was no effect of sex on RBC, MCHC, PCV, Hb or WBC, but female kids had significantly higher MCH and MCV values at week 12. This study indicates that haematology parameters in Omani goat kids could be affected by age, breed and sex

Inexpensive and Accurate Measuring Device forWater Constitute in Oil

This paper presents an inexpensive and accurate measuring device for water constitute in oil. The new device is based on the relationship between the water constitute in oil and the pressure of a sample from the oil. Experimental results show that the device can attain a very high resolution that can reach up +/- 0.4% and it can be used to measure a full range of water percentage levels (0-100%). Experimental results showed good agreement with theory

Decision-to-Delivery Time Intervals in Emergency Caesarean Section Cases : Repeated cross-sectional study from Oman

Objectives: In cases of fetal intolerance to labour, meeting the standard decision-to-delivery time interval (DDI) of ≤30 minutes is challenging. This study aimed to assess DDIs in emergency Caesarean section (CS) cases to identify factors causing DDI delays and the impact of a delayed DDI on perinatal outcomes. Methods: This repeated cross-sectional study included all emergency CS procedures performed due to acute fetal distress, antepartum haemorrhage or umbilical cord prolapse at the Nizwa Hospital, Nizwa, Oman. Three audit cycles of three months each were conducted between April 2011 and June 2013, including an initial retrospective cycle and two prospective cycles following the implementation of improvement strategies to address factors causing DDI delays. Poor perinatal outcomes were defined as Apgar scores of <7 at five minutes, admission to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) or a stillbirth. Results: In the initial cycle, a DDI of ≤30 minutes was achieved in 23.8% of 84 cases in comparison to 44.6% of 83 cases in the second cycle. In the third cycle, 60.8% of 79 women had a DDI of ≤30 minutes (P <0.001). No significant differences in perinatal outcomes for cases with a DDI of ≤30 minutes versus 31–60 minutes were observed; however, a DDI of >60 minutes was significantly associated with poor neonatal outcomes in terms of increased SCBU admissions and low Apgar scores (P <0.001 each). Factors causing DDI delays included obtaining consent for the CS procedure, a lack of operating theatre availability and moving patients to the operating theatre. Conclusion: The identification of factors causing DDI delays may provide opportunities to improve perinatal outcomes

Nodular Pulmonary Amyloidosis Mimicking Metastatic Pulmonary Nodules: A case report and review of the literature

Amyloidosis is a disorder characterised by the extracellular deposition of amyloid, a fibrillary protein, in various organs such as the lungs. Pulmonary nodular amyloidosis can mimic other lung conditions that present with pulmonary nodules, such as metastasis, sarcoidosis and hyalinising granuloma. We report a 60-year-old man who presented to the Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2017 with a history of shortness of breath upon exertion, orthopnoea and bilateral lower limb swelling. A chest X-ray showed bilateral nodular opacities. Enhanced chest computed tomography revealed bilateral pulmonary nodules with a predominantly perilymphatic and subpleural distribution, giving the impression of a neoplastic nodule. A histopathological examination of biopsied lung tissue confirmed a diagnosis of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis. Keywords: Multiple Pulmonary Nodules; Amyloidosis; Computed Tomography; Case Report; Oman

Health professionals’ perceptions about physical activity promotion in diabetes care within primary health care settings in Oman

Background: As part of formative work to inform an interventional design to increase physical activity (PA) in patients with type 2 diabetes in Oman, this qualitative study aimed to determine health professionals’ perception of barriers and opportunities, personnel responsibilities and plausible PA promotional approaches. Methods: Four focus group discussions were carried out with groups of health care professionals (family physicians, dieticians and health educators, managers and general practitioners). All discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. Responses were analysed using a thematic analysis. Results: Barriers to PA reported by participants (n = 29) were identified at three levels: health care system (e.g. deficient PA guidelines); individual (e.g. obstructive social norms) and community (e.g. lack of facilities). Participants felt that a multilevel approach is needed to address perceived barriers and to widen current opportunities. In the presence of various diabetes primary care providers, the potential for dieticians to include individualised PA consultations as part of their role was highlighted. Participants felt that consultations should be augmented by approaches within the community (volunteer support and/or appropriate facilities). However, despite lack of experience with technology supported approaches and motivational tools, the telephone application “WhatsApp” and use of pedometers were considered potentially suitable. The need for training in behaviour change techniques and clearly communicated intervention guidelines was emphasised. Conclusions: A multi-component approach including PA consultations, possibly led by trained dieticians, technological routes for providing support along with community mapping for resources appear to offer promising approaches for further PA intervention studies within diabetes primary health care

The Effectiveness of Teaching and Evaluating A written Expression Using A package of Modern Digital Applications in Developing the Written Expression Skills of Tenth-Grade Students

ملخص: هدفت الدراسة إلى التحقق من فاعلية تدريس التعبير الكتابي وتقويمه باستخدام حزمة من التطبيقات الرقمية الحديثة الداعمة لمنصة جوجل كلاس روم (Google Classroom) في تنمية مهارات التعبير الكتابي لدى طلبة الصف العاشر، وقد شمل مجتمع الدراسة جميع طلبة الصف العاشر الأساسي في المدارس الحكومية بسلطنة عمان خلال العام الدراسي 2020/2021، البالغ عددهم (49042) طالبًا وطالبةً موزعين على مدارس السلطنة؛ حيث تكونت العينة من (124) طالبًا وطالبةً ( 62 من الذكور و62 من الإناث)، اختيروا من  أربع (4) مدارس بطريقة قصدية (مدرستين للذكور ومدرستين للإناث)، واعتمدت الدراسة الحالية على المنهج التجريبي ذي التصميم شبه التجريبي ذي المجموعتين التجريبية والضابطة؛ إذ اتُّبعت في المجموعة التجريبية الاستراتيجية المقترحة لتدريس التعبير وتقويمه، وأما المجموعة الضابطة فقد سار تدريس وتقويم التعبير الكتابي فيها وفق الطريقة التقليدية. وتوصلت نتائج الدراسة إلى ارتفاع متوسط درجات المجموعة التجريبية مقارنة بمتوسط المجموعة الضابطة في التطبيق للاختبار البعدي لمهارات التعبير الكتابي في المهارات الرئيسة الثلاث (المضمون، واللغة والأسلوب، والشكل والتنظيم)، وأظهرت النتائج وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى(0.05≥α) بين متوسطي درجات المجموعتين التجريبية والضابطة في التطبيق للاختبار البعدي لمهارات التعبير الكتابي يعزى إلى طريقة التدريس. كما أوضحت نتائج الدراسة عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين طلبة الصف العاشر الأساسي في مستوى كل من مهارتي المضمون واللغة والأسلوب تعزى إلى الجنس، كذلك أظهرت النتائج وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين طلبة الصف العاشر الأساسي في مستوى مهارة الشكل والتنظيم تعزى إلى الجنس ولصالح الإناث. وكشفت النتائج عن عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين طلبة الصف العاشر الأساسي في مستوى مهارات التعبير الكتابي مجتمعة معا يعزى إلى التفاعل بين طريقة التدريس والجنس. وأوضحت نتائج تحليل التباين الثنائي وجود فرق ذي دلالة إحصائية بين طلبة الصف العاشر الأساسي في مستوى مهارات التعبير الكتابي مجتمعة يعزى إلى طريقة التدريس والجنس.Abstract: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of teaching and evaluating written expression using a package of modern digital applications that support the Google Classroom platform to develop the writing skills of students in tenth grade.The study included all tenth-grade students in government schools in the Sultanate of Oman during the academic year 2020/2021, totaling 49,042 male and female students distributed among schools in the country. The sample consisted of 124 male and female students, 62 males and 62 females selected purposively from four schools (two schools for males and two for females). The current study followed the experimental method with a quasi-experimental design consisting of two experimental and control groups. The experimental group was taught and evaluated using the proposed strategy for teaching and evaluating written expression, while the control group was taught and evaluated using the traditional method. The results of the study showed a statistically significant increase in the average scores of the experimental group compared to the control group in the post-application test of the written expression skills in the three primary skills (content, language and style, and form and organization), and the results showed that there are statistically significant differences at the level of (0.05≥α) between the average scores of the experimental and control groups in the application of the post-test of written expression skills attributed to the teaching method. The results of the study also showed that there were no statistically significant differences between tenth grade students in the level of "content and language & style" skills attributed to gender, while the results showed that there were statistically significant differences among tenth grade students in the level of "form and organization" skill attributed to gender and in favor of females. Furthermore, the results revealed no statistically significant differences among tenth-grade students in the overall level of writing expression skills, attributed to the interaction between the teaching method and gender. However, the results of the Two-way analysis of variance indicated statistically significant differences in the performance of tenth-grade students in overall skills, attributed to both gender and teaching method

A Review of Observations Made on Select Parameters of the Camel Immune System

Despite the camel’s long historical interaction with man there is only a limited number of studies available pertaining to the immunobiology of this species. This is unfortunate as the camel has evolved into an animal capable of not only surviving under extreme environmental conditions but also into one that is relatively resistant to a great number of infectious diseases. Accordingly, it is of interest to understand the various components operative in the camel immune system, as a potential basis of manipulating the immune response of other domesticated animals to respond to disease-causing agents in a similarly effective fashion. Recent research endeavors on the complement and phagocytic system, as well as the unique antibody types found in camelids that have seen an explosion of interest in recent times have been reviewed and their potential use as diagnostic and therapeutic tools highlighted