Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis as a Complication of Neonatal Septic Arthritis : Report of two cases

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis as a complication of neonatal septic arthritis is rarely reported in the literature. We report two clinical cases of unilateral TMJ ankylosis occurring in paediatric patients subsequent to neonatal septic arthritis. The first case was a 15-month-old male infant who presented to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in May 2010. According to the published English scientific literature, he is the youngest person yet to be diagnosed with this condition. The second case was a five-year-old female who presented to the Al-Nahda Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in October 2011. Both cases presented with facial asymmetry and trismus. They subsequently underwent gap arthroplasty and interpositional temporalis muscle and fascia grafts which resulted in an immediate improvement in mouth opening. Postoperatively, the patients underwent active jaw physiotherapy which was initially successful. Both patients were followed up for a minimum of two years following their surgeries

Modified Le Fort I Osteotomy and Genioplasty for Management of Severe Dentofacial Deformity in β-Thalassaemia Major: Case report and review of the literature

β-thalassaemia major is an autosomal recessive form of haemoglobinopathy that is characterised by complete lack of production of the β-chains resulting in multiple complications that include severe anaemia, failure to thrive and skeletal abnormalities. Facial deformities induced by β-thalassaemia major are rare and are very challenging to treat from a surgical point of view. We report a 33-year-old female patient with β-thalassaemia major who presented to the Dental & Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2017 with gross dentofacial skeletal deformity contributing to her psychosocial issues. The facial deformity was corrected surgically by excision of the enlarged maxilla, modified Le Fort I osteotomy and advancement genioplasty. This case highlights the pre-operative preparation, surgical management, encountered complications and treatment outcome within 24 months of follow-up.Keywords: Beta-Thalassaemia; Thalassaemia Major; Cooley's Anemia; Le Fort Osteotomy; Genioplasty; Dentofacial Deformities; Case Report; Oman

Complications of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Condyle Fractures in Oman

Objectives: This study aimed to report the complication rate associated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of mandibular condyle fractures in Oman. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients who underwent ORIF of mandibular condyle fractures at Al-Nahdha Hospital and the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, from January 2008 to December 2020. Data collected included patient demographics, fracture aetiology, fracture side and type, surgical approach and recorded complications and outcomes. Results: A total of 68 patients (59 males and 9 females; mean age of 30.1 years) with 83 mandibular condyle fractures underwent ORIF during the study period. Subcondylar fractures were the most common type, occurring in 62.7% of patients, while bilateral fractures were observed in 21 (30.8%) patients. The most common surgical approach was retromandibular, used in 42.2% of patients. The overall complication rate was 42.6%, with the most frequently reported complications being transient facial nerve palsy (18.1%), malocclusion (14.7%) and restricted mouth opening (10.3%). Subsequent surgical interventions to correct malocclusion were performed in 6 cases. There was no statistically significant association between the overall complication rate and the patients’ clinical characteristics. Conclusion: Although ORIF of mandibular condyle fractures generally offers favourable outcomes, it carries a risk of complications. Keywords: Mandibular Fracture; Mandibular Condyle; Open Fracture Reduction; Complications; Facial Nerve Injuries; Oman

Awareness of the Dangers of High Salt Intake among the Urban Omani Population

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general public in Oman regarding the dangers of high salt intake. Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the urban population in Oman. Individuals aged ≥18 were invited to join the study. Results: A total of 1,214 respondents (mean age 34 ± 10 years) answered the questionnaire. The majority were male (65.8%), employed (69.4%) and some were hypertensive (14.3%). Most (90.9%) were aware that excess salt can cause diseases such as hypertension and that it is either somewhat important (51.2%) or very important (42.9%) to reduce salt in the diet. However, only 42.2% said that they actively try to reduce salt in their diet. Conclusion: Although most people in urban areas of Oman appear to be aware of the dangers of high salt intake, only a few are actively trying to reduce it. More educational activities are required to improve awareness.Keywords: Cross-Sectional Survey; Sodium; Low Salt Diet; Oman

Deterministic seismic hazard assessment for Sultanate of Oman

The Sultanate of Oman forms the southeastern part of the Arabian plate, which is surrounded by relatively high active tectonic zones. Studies of seismic risk assessment in Oman have been an important on-going socioeconomic concern. Using the results of the seismic hazard assessment to improve building design and construction is an effective way to reduce the seismic risk. In the current study, seismic hazard assessment for the Sultanate of Oman is performed through the deterministic approach with particular attention on the uncertainty analysis applying a recently developed method. The input data set contains a defined seismotectonic model consisting of 26 seismic zones, maximum magnitudes, and 6 alternative ground motion prediction equations that were used in four different tectonic environments: obduction zone earthquake (Zagros fold thrust belt), subduction zone earthquakes (Makran subduction zones), normal and strike-slip transform earthquakes (Owen and Gulf of Aden zones), and stable craton seismicity (Arabian stable craton). This input data set yielded a total of 76 scenarios at each point of interest. A 10 % probability that any of the 76 scenarios may exceed the largest median ground acceleration is selected. The deterministic seismic hazards in terms of PGA, 5 % damped spectral acceleration at 0.1, 0.2, 1.0 and 2.0 s are performed at 254 selected points. The ground motion was calculated at the 50th and 84th percentile levels for selected probability of exceeding the median value. The largest ground motion in the Sultanate of Oman is observed in the northeastern part of the country.Oman Ministerial Cabinet (Project 22409017

Bilateral Elastofibroma Dorsi

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Probabilistic seismic hazard maps for the sultanate of Oman

This study presents the results of the first probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) in the framework of logic tree for Oman. The earthquake catalogue was homogenized, declustered, and used to define seismotectonic source model that characterizes the seismicity of Oman. Two seismic source models were used in the current study; the first consists of 26 seismic source zones, while the second is expressing the alternative view that seismicity is uniform along the entire Makran and Zagros zones. The recurrence parameters for all the seismogenic zones were determined using the doubly bounded exponential distribution except the zones of Makran, which were modelled using the characteristic distribution. Maximum earthquakes were determined and the horizontal ground accelerations in terms of geometric mean were calculated using ground-motion prediction relationships developed based upon seismic data obtained from active tectonic environments similar to those surrounding Oman. The alternative seismotectonic source models, maximum magnitude, and ground-motion prediction relationships were weighted and used to account for the epistemic uncertainty. Hazard maps at rock sites were produced for 5 % damped spectral acceleration (SA) values at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 1.0 and 2.0 s spectral periods as well as peak ground acceleration (PGA) for return periods of 475 and 2,475 years. The highest hazard is found in Khasab City with maximum SA at 0.2 s spectral period reaching 243 and 397 cm/s[superscript 2] for return periods 475 and 2,475 years, respectively. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the choice of seismic source model and the ground-motion prediction equation influences the results most.Oman Ministerial Cabinet (project number 22409017

Seismic microzonation for Muscat region, Sultanate of Oman

Site characterization was carried out for Muscat region using the ambient noise measurements applying the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) technique and using active seismic survey utilizing the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) of survey data. Microtremors measurements were carried out at 459 sites using short-period sensors. This extensive survey allowed the fundamental resonance frequency of the soft soil to be mapped and areas prone to site amplification to be identified. The results indicate a progressive decrease in the fundamental resonance frequencies from the southern and eastern parts, where the bedrock outcrops, toward the northern coast where a thickness of sedimentary cover is present. Shear wave velocity (Vs) was evaluated using the 2-D MASW at carefully selected 99 representative sites in Muscat. These 99 sites were investigated with survey lines of 52 m length. 1-D and interpolated 2-D profiles were generated up to a depth range 20–40 m. The vertical Vs soundings were used in the SHAKE91 software in combination with suitable seismic input strong motion records to obtain the soil effect. Most of the study area has amplification values less than 2.0 for all the considered spectral periods. The estimated fundamental frequencies obtained using the H/V spectral ratio method and using SHAKE91 are found to be in a relatively good agreement. Maps of spectral amplification, earthquake characteristics on the ground surface for peak ground and spectral accelerations at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 1.0, and 2.0 s, for 475 years return period are produced. The surface ground motion maps show that the hazard level is moderate with expected PGA in the range 0.059–0.145 g for 475 years return period.Oman Ministerial Cabinet (project # 22409017

Seasonal variability of size-classes of phytoplankton biomass in a sub-tropical embayment, Muscat, Sea of Oman

The contribution of three different cell size classes of picoplankton: 0.74-2 μm, nanoplankton:2–20 μm and microplankton:>20 μm of the phytoplankton population and their relationship to environmental conditions were studied over two annual cycles at one station in Bandar Khyran Bay, Sea of Oman, from May 2006 to August 2008. Nanoplankton was the most important class contributing 54.4% to total Chl a (range 6-82%). Its seasonal highest concentrations was during the cold periods when temperature ranged from 28-29°C in fall and near 24°C in winter when the supply of nutrients was sufficient to sustain their growth. Picoplankton had the second level of the contribution, comprising 23.5% (range 4-74%) of the total Chl a, and their concentration was generally constant (0.04-.06 μg l–1) throughout the study period. The drop of picoplankton population coincided with an increase in the microplankton and nanoplankton populations indicating a high grazing pressure exerted on the picoplankton population. Microplankton size-class occupied the third level of the contribution comprising 22.2% (range 3-65%). Their general concentration was below 0.1 μg l^-1 and only dominant when temperatures were lowest and nitrate, nitrite, silicate and phosphate concentrations were the highest. The temporal variability observed was associated with changes in the nanaoplankton indicating that in some cases, it is the small fraction of phytoplankton that drives changes in abundances and productivity

Basic Education Students’ Perceptions on Sustainable Healthy Lifestyles and Disease Prevention Methods in Light of Some Variables in the Sultanate of Oman

هدفت الدراسة تعرف تصورات طلبة التعليم الأساسي بسلطنة عُمان عن الأنماط الصحية المستدامة وطرائق الوقاية من الأمراض في ضوء بعض المتغيرات. استخدمت الدراسة المنهج الوصفي. ولتحقيق هدف الدراسة؛ طُبِّقَتْ أداة الاستبانة، التي تكوَّنت من (36) عبارة، موزَّعة على محورين؛ هُمَا: الأنماط الصحية، والوقاية من الأمراض. وحُسِبَ ثبات الأداة؛ باستخدام طريقتَيْ: ثبات الاتساق الداخلي؛ حيث بلغ معامل كرونباخ ألفا (0.808)، وثبات التجزئة النصفية، وبلغ (0.753). وقد طُبِّقَتِ الدراسة على عَيِّنَة مكوَّنة من (3570)؛ من طلبة الصفين التاسع، والعاشر الأساسيَّيْنِ. وخَلُصَتْ نتائج الدراسة إلى وجود تصورات إيجابية لدى طلبة التعليم الأساسي عن محور الأنماط الصحية المستدامة، حيث حصل نمط النظافة الشخصية على أعلى نمط صحي، يليه نمطي النشاط الرياضي، والتغذية، ثم يأتي نمط النوم باعتباره أقل نمط صحي، وتظهر النتائج أيضًا وجود تصورات إيجابية في محور طرائق الوقاية من الأمراض، كما كشفت الدراسة عن عدم وجود فروق دالة إحصائيًّا في متغيِّرات: النَّوْع الاجتماعي، والمحافظة التعليمية في محوري: الأنماط الصحية، وطرائق الوقاية من الأمراض، وعليه أَوْصَتْ الدراسة بتعزيز وَعْي طلبة التعليم الأساسي بأهمية ممارسة الأنماط الصحية المستدامة