The Effect of Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis on subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Several criteria establish the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, including high waist circumference, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides and glucose and above normal blood pressure. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is on the rise following the rise in obesity across the globe. Qatar, a country in the Arabian Peninsula shares the burden of obesity with recent studies showing prevalences of\u27---61% among women and —39% among men. These studies found that metabolic syndrome is more common among women. Physical activity helps reduce visceral obesity, controls glucose levels, and improves blood pressure, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol levels. One way of increasing physical activity is by promoting nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). NEAT represents 10% of daily human energy expenditure and is expended during daily life activities like mowing the lawn or climbing stairs. A lifestyle intervention study was conducted with 200 Qatari subjects identified with metabolic syndrome. The study was approved by the research committee at Hamad Medical Hospital in Doha, Qatar. The study aimed to reduce the number of components of metabolic syndrome in men and women with metabolic syndrome treated at the diabetes and endocrinology department by promoting increased NEAT. In a randomized clinical trial lasting one year the intervention group received general exercise and dietary guidelines in addition to information on how to increase their daily NEAT, while the control group received solely the general exercise and dietary guidelines. Subjects in the intervention group were asked to incorporate NEAT by modifying their work environment, and daily habits such as going shopping, standing instead of sitting, and walking instead of using the car. Text message reminders were sent to the intervention group at two, four, eight, and 10 months. Body weight, waist circumference as a measure of visceral obesity, blood pressure, glucose level and lipid profile were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year in both groups. Archival data obtained through this study were analyzed after gaining permission from the Loma Linda University Institutional Review Board. After 1 year 52 intervention and 55 control subjects completed the study. The results revealed no statistically significant differences in metabolic syndrome components between the two randomized groups. Additionally analysis of subgroups including those on anti-diabetic medication versus those not taking such medication revealed no differences between the intervention and control groups. The amount of recommended NEAT activity appears to have been too small to influence study outcomes. Future studies in similar populations may need to consider the high dropout rate, and use of incentives or culturally appropriate interventions to increase compliance and retention

Prospective Cohort Studies in Medical Research

Cohort studies are the analytical design of observational studies that are epidemiologically used to identify and quantify the relationship between exposure and outcome. Due to the longitudinal design, cohort studies have several advantages over other types of observational studies. The purpose of this chapter is to cover the various characteristics of prospective cohort studies. This chapter is divided into three main sections. In the first we introduce the concept and ranking of cohort studies, as well as the advantages and disadvantages. In the second we focus on the design of cohort studies, mainly its prospective aspect, and the distinguishing features from the retrospective type. The section also covers the essential characteristics of a cohort study design and its varied applications in medical research. In the third we go over examples of prospective studies in the medical field. For each, an overview of the study design is given, along with a random selection of study findings/impact, strengths and weaknesses

Perspective Chapter: The Psychosocial Effects of Isolation and Social Distancing during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: An Overview and Mitigation Strategies

There is no doubt that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has changed the world in unprecedented ways. Among its turbulent effects, it has impacted many aspects of the lives of individuals, ranging from their mental health to finances. As such, it is essential to determine the psychosocial factors at play and examine how they have impacted the lives of people around the world. This chapter examines psychosocial factors, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, which have been on the rise. Furthermore, the interplay of mental health factors and other stressors brought on by the pandemic has led to the concern that cases of suicidal ideation are also increasing. In response to the stay-at-home orders, family members spent unprecedented amounts of time in close contact with one another, which has had mental health repercussions. In addition, changes in the format of lesson delivery have been stress-inducing and have robbed many students of proper education. Another factor is unemployment, which has been on the rise since the start of the pandemic. Finally, rates of sexual and domestic violence have also increased, significantly impacting women. Exercise, limiting media exposure, counseling, and maintaining social networks are the strategies that have been identified to mitigate the effects of the psychosocial factors discussed in this chapter

Oral Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients in Qatar: A Pilot Study

Objective. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the prevalence of oral manifestations among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in Qatar, in order to warrant future studies that would investigate each one of these manifestations with detail and further scrutiny. Methods. Study procedures took place between November 2014 and April 2016. All patients visiting the outpatient rheumatology clinics at Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar, were asked to join. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1997 criteria of SLE were used. The patients were examined initially by a rheumatologist and were later scheduled for an appointment with a dentist at the same institution. A total of 77 patients were recruited for the study. Results. Prevalence rates for the different oral manifestations ranged from 2.4% for soft palate ulcers, cheilitis, and oral candida to 88.1% for the presence of cavitation. Gingivitis, periodontal disease, cavities, and missing teeth were observed in more than 50% of the sample. The prevalence of periodontal disease and missing teeth was higher among those with an SLE duration > 8 years. On the contrary, the prevalence of gingivitis and cavities was higher among those with an SLE duration ≤ 8 years. Conclusion. This study found high rates of gingivitis, periodontal disease, cavities, and missing teeth among SLE patients in Qatar. It is recommended that healthcare providers of such patients monitor the presence of any oral manifestations in order to arrange for early treatment and prevention efforts. Future prospective longitudinal studies with adequate sample size and power are needed in order to ascertain any causation factors or common etiology pathways

Asthma and obesity in the Middle East region: An overview

This paper aims to cover the current status of asthma and obesity in the Middle East, as well as to introduce the various studies tying the two diseases; further expanding on the proposed mechanisms. Finally, the paper covers recent literature related to sphingolipids and its role in asthma, followed by recommendations and future directions. In preparation of this paper, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar, with no restrictions, using the following terms; asthma, obesity, Middle East, sphingolipids. We also used the reference list of retrieved articles to further expand on the pool of articles that were used for this review

Combating COVID-19 pandemic with technology: Perceptions of Mental Health Professionals towards Telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatry, a subset of telemedicine, has been defined as the provision of psychiatric services to patients remotely using information and communication technologies (Chakrabarti, 2015). This cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals working in the Mental Health Services, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha Qatar towards telepsychiatry. Methodology: An online questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted among all mental health professionals including psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, clinical pharmacists, social workers, and psychologists. A thirty-item questionnaire was developed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of telepsychiatry in relation to COVID-19 following extensive literature search on the topic. An email with a link to the online survey was sent to all the eligible participants through a department group email. Responses were collected during a six-week period. All approvals from respective departments were obtained before proceeding with the study.The authors acknowledge the Medical Research Center at Hamad Medical Corporation for their support.Scopu

Approaching two decades of cystic fibrosis research in Qatar: a historical perspective and future directions

Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by a defect of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CF affects multiple systems, predominantly with respiratory involvement. In Qatar, researchers have been exploring various aspects of the disease for almost 20 years. PubMed and Google Scholar were reviewed for articles related to CF in Qatar. The first publication appeared in the year 2000. Since then, several studies have been conducted on CF patients in Qatar considering a variety of topics. The presence of the CFTR I1234V mutation in a certain Arab tribe stands out as a distinguishing characteristic of CF patients in Qatar when compared to the larger Arab region or even worldwide. We aim here to summarize the existing CF research conducted in Qatar over the years as well as to introduce topics for future research

An Assessment of Clinical Research Self-Efficacy among Researchers at the Largest Healthcare Institute in Qatar: Recommendations and Future Actions

OBJECTIVES Clinical research professionals must be equipped with adequate training in sound scientific methods and appropriate ethics. In this study, we aimed to assess the current clinical research self-efficacy of researchers at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). We also evaluated the effects of training courses on researchers’ self-efficacy. METHODS Utilizing a cross-sectional design, we used the shortened Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI-12) through an online survey to assess the current clinical research self-efficacy of 600 researchers at HMC, Doha, Qatar. After conducting descriptive analyses, unpaired t test and ANOVA were used to determine significant mean percentages between variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were also calculated to measure the association among the interval variables. All tests were 2-sided, and significance was defined as P  5), reflecting higher self-efficacy for the topics covered in CRAI. Gender differences were significant across all factors, with males reporting higher levels of self-assessed efficacy and in clinical research. Other factors such as higher education degrees and previous (external) clinical research training were also associated with higher self-reported clinical research efficacy. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study indicate that researchers at HMC possess high clinical research self-efficacy overall, but lower self-efficacy in securing funding. Gender and education level positively influence self-efficacy across CRAI factors. Notably, clinical research training boosts self-efficacy, especially when obtained outside HMC. In conclusion, healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to engage in effective clinical research training courses, both within and outside of their healthcare institutions, to improve their clinical research efficacy and enhance clinical practice

An Overview of the Homozygous Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Mutation c.3700 A>G (p.Ile1234Val) in Qatar

Purpose of Review Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a monogenic recessive disease with multisystem involvement. The cause is a mutation in the gene that encodes the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The aim is to review the literature involving the CFTR I1234V mutation and to provide recommendations for future research activities. Recent Findings The prevalence rates of CFTR mutations vary across the globe. The CFTR I1234V mutation is the most common mutation in Qatar, and one of the most common in the Arabian Gulf region. Summary Areas for future research include testing of the CFTR transcript and activity levels in different samples including nasal cells and organoids. Another area is applying Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology as a tool for gene editing.Other Information Published in: Current Genetic Medicine Reports License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40142-019-00174-7</p