Cilia Ultrastructure Associated with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia in Omani Patients

Objectives: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a disorder affecting the structure and function of motile cilia. Transmission electron microscopy is one method that can be used to examine ciliary ultrastructure in airway biopsies. Although the role of ultrastructural findings in PCD has been described in the literature, this role has not been well studied in the Middle East or, by extension, Oman. This study aims to describe ultrastructural features in Omani patients with high suspicion of PCD. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 129 adequate airway biopsies obtained between 2010–2020 from Omani patients suspected of having PCD. Results: Ciliary ultrastructural abnormalities in our study population were outer dynein arm associated with inner dynein arm defects (8%), microtubular disorganisation associated with inner dynein arm defect (5%), and isolated outer dynein arm defect (2%). Most of the biopsies sowed normal ultrastructure (82%). Conclusion: In Omani patients suspected to have PCD, normal ultrastructure was the commonest feature. Keywords: Cilia; Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia; Airway Biopsy; Transmission Electron Microscopy; Ultrastructure; Oman

A Triad of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis, Mandibular Retrognathia and Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Case report

The surgical management of paediatric patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, mandibular retrognathia and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is challenging. We report a nine-year-old boy who presented to the Department of Oral Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2016 with complaints of limited mouth opening, loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. He was diagnosed with TMJ ankylosis, mandibular retrognathia and severe OSA. The patient initially underwent mandibular distraction and, subsequently, release of the TMJ ankylosis and rib graft reconstruction. The overall patient outcome was successful, with improvement in OSA-related symptoms, good facial symmetry and adequate mouth opening. Keywords: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Temporomandibular Ankylosis; Retrognathia; Obstructive Sleep Apnea; Case Report; Oman

Table 2: Example applications of the use of remote sensing technologies to detect change in vegetation.

In order to understand the distribution and prevalence of Ommatissus lybicus (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) as well as analyse their current biographical patterns and predict their future spread, comprehensive and detailed information on the environmental, climatic, and agricultural practices are essential. The spatial analytical techniques such as Remote Sensing and Spatial Statistics Tools, can help detect and model spatial links and correlations between the presence, absence and density of O. lybicus in response to climatic, environmental, and human factors. The main objective of this paper is to review remote sensing and relevant analytical techniques that can be applied in mapping and modelling the habitat and population density of O. lybicus. An exhaustive search of related literature revealed that there are very limited studies linking location-based infestation levels of pests like the O. lybicus with climatic, environmental, and human practice related variables. This review also highlights the accumulated knowledge and addresses the gaps in this area of research. Furthermore, it makes recommendations for future studies, and gives suggestions on monitoring and surveillance methods in designing both local and regional level integrated pest management strategies of palm tree and other affected cultivated crops

Acute Idiopathic Pulmonary Haemorrhage in a 2 month old Infant : Case report and review of the literature

Pulmonary haemorrhage is usually secondary to a systemic disease affecting the lung with or without other organ involvement. Idiopathic pulmonary haemorrhage is a diagnosis of exclusion; as described in the literature, it is a rare disease. We report a two months old infant who presented at the Emergency Department of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, with respiratory failure and shock secondary to an acute severe pulmonary haemorrhage. Detailed investigations for pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal and systemic inflammatory causes were negative. His clinical presentation and radiological imaging were consistent with idiopathic pulmonary haemorrhage. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in a remarkable and fast recovery from his critical respiratory status.

Acute Idiopathic Pulmonary Haemorrhage in a 2 month old Infant: Case report and review of the literature

Pulmonary haemorrhage is usually secondary to a systemic disease affecting the lung with or without other organ involvement. Idiopathic pulmonary haemorrhage is a diagnosis of exclusion; as described in the literature, it is a rare disease. We report a two months old infant who presented at the Emergency Department of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, with respiratory failure and shock secondary to an acute severe pulmonary haemorrhage. Detailed investigations for pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal and systemic inflammatory causes were negative. His clinical presentation and radiological imaging were consistent with idiopathic pulmonary haemorrhage. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in a remarkable and fast recovery from his critical respiratory status

THE INFLUENCE OF DUST ON THE EFFICIENCY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS: PAST EXPERIENCES, A NOVEL POSSIBILITY, AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>This issue has been recognized as a significant problem since the 1980s. While manual cleaning was initially considered a potential solution, it has become evident that these regions necessitate automated cleaning systems. A comprehensive review and discussion on the impact of dust on PV glass, and the effect of dust particle physical and chemical properties, strategies for dust moderation and cleaning, approaches used to model dust effect, and emerging prospects in the field are presented. By examining these aspects, this study contributes to an enhanced understanding of the challenges associated with dust accumulation on PV and provides insights into potential solutions for optimized performance and stability. </p&gt

Microbial Fluidized Bed Reactor Removing Pharmaceutical Contaminants from Wastewater – Review

Pharmaceutical contaminants are difficult to remove with standard treatment techniques and are one of the current problems in wastewater treatment. These bioactive substances are considered emerging pollutants due to their persistence and potential impact on aquatic ecosystems. Even in small amounts, they will continue to function. Efficient wastewater treatment methods are needed to address this issue. As a result, efforts to develop more efficient wastewater treatment methods have recently intensified. Fluidized bed reactors offer a special opportunity for efficient treatment of wastewater containing recalcitrant pollutants. This article discusses FBBR and covers its advantages, disadvantages, modifications, and applications. Additionally, the FBBR design is briefly discussed

HIV viral suppression in Oman: Encouraging progress toward achieving the United Nations ‘third 90’

Objective: To assess the impact of capacity-building interventions introduced by the Oman National AIDS Programme on the quality of HIV care in the country. Methods: HIV viral load (VL) suppression and loss to follow-up (LTFU) rates were calculated for the period before (in December 2015; n = 1098) and after (in June 2017; n = 1185) the introduction of the interventions: training, support, and care pathway development. Three HIV VL cuts-offs at last measurement in the year of interest were used to define VL suppression. Results: In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, rates of VL <200 copies/ml and <1000 copies/ml increased from 51.9% in 2015 to 65.5% in 2017 (relative risk (RR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.36) and from 58.1% in 2015 to 70.9% in 2017 (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.14–1.30), respectively; p < 0.0001 for both. Similarly, in the on-treatment analysis, rates of VL <200 copies/ml and <1000 copies/ml increased from 64.2% in 2015 to 76.9% in 2017 (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.12–1.28) and from 71.9% in 2015 to 83.2% in 2017 (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10–1.22), respectively. Fewer patients were LTFU in 2017 than in 2015 (14.7% (157/1061) vs. 19.2% (188/981); RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64–0.94). Conclusions: Achieving the UNAIDS target of 90% of HIV patients on treatment having VL suppression by 2020 is feasible in Oman