Periprosthetic acetabular fractures as a complication of total hip arthroplasty

Periprosthetic acetabular fractures are rare but potentially devastating complications of total hip arthroplasty. As the number of total hip arthroplasties performed annually increases, so has the incidence of periprosthetic fractures, with the topic being spotlighted more frequently in the orthopaedic community. There is a particular sparsity of literature regarding periprosthetic acetabular fractures, with periprosthetic femoral fractures after total hip arthroplasty being traditionally far more commonly reported. This article aims to provide an up-to-date review of the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic challenges, classifications, and management strategies for periprosthetic acetabular fractures after total hip arthroplasty

GEOLOGICAL CHALLENGES IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING OPERATION: A CASE STUDY IN UNDISCLOSED PETROLEUM FIELD IN OMAN

Production of hydrocarbons is hampered by obstacles known as formation damage. This damage needs to be removed or bypassed to retain well productivity. Hydraulic fracturing stimulation is one of the techniques used to overcome formation damage and enhance the productivity of the formation by maximizing the ultimate recovery. It was highlighted that there are some challenges associated with this technique and the most difficult challenges in hydraulic fracturing design and implementation are those related to geology of the reservoir. This study was, therefore, aimed at addressing the main geological challenges and providing the best low-cost solution and practice that leads to easy and successful stimulation operation. As an engineering solution in this study, fracturing geometry design was addressed to overcome geological challenges using advance simulator tool. Multiple fracking design by using computer simulation for a set of geological parameters aid on predicting the result out and avoid any complication in future production. Other challenges addressed by intelligent numerical evaluation used as a best practice in well stimulation to maximize the benefits of well production recovery. Optimizing fracturing fluid is also an important element covered in this study. An investigation was conducted on formation permeability variation for heterogeneous rock formation as one of the geological challenges faced by hydraulic fracturing operation for further understanding the geometry of fracturing for the success of stimulation operation. By fixing all other formation and pumping variables it was observed that formation permeability influences the length of fracture geometry, which could lead to stimulate out of pay zone

Serine Protease Variants Encoded by Echis ocellatus Venom Gland cDNA: Cloning and Sequencing Analysis

Envenoming by Echis saw-scaled viper is the leading cause of death and morbidity in Africa due to snake bite. Despite its medical importance, there have been few investigations into the toxin composition of the venom of this viper. Here, we report the cloning of cDNA sequences encoding four groups or isoforms of the haemostasis-disruptive Serine protease proteins (SPs) from the venom glands of Echis ocellatus. All these SP sequences encoded the cysteine residues scaffold that form the 6-disulphide bonds responsible for the characteristic tertiary structure of venom serine proteases. All the Echis ocellatus EoSP groups showed varying degrees of sequence similarity to published viper venom SPs. However, these groups also showed marked intercluster sequence conservation across them which were significantly different from that of previously published viper SPs. Because viper venom SPs exhibit a high degree of sequence similarity and yet exert profoundly different effects on the mammalian haemostatic system, no attempt was made to assign functionality to the new Echis ocellatus EoSPs on the basis of sequence alone. The extraordinary level of interspecific and intergeneric sequence conservation exhibited by the Echis ocellatus EoSPs and analogous serine proteases from other viper species leads us to speculate that antibodies to representative molecules should neutralise (that we will exploit, by epidermal DNA immunization) the biological function of this important group of venom toxins in vipers that are distributed throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent

Potential of novel desert microalgae and cyanobacteria for commercial applications and CO2 sequestration

CO2 fixation by phototrophic microalgae and cyanobacteria is seen as a possible global carbon emissions reducer; however, novel microalgae and cyanobacterial strains with tolerance to elevated temperatures and CO2 concentrations are essential for further development of algae-based carbon capture. Four novel strains isolated from the Arabian Gulf were investigated for their thermotolerance and CO2-tolerance, as well as their carbon capture capability. Two strains, Leptolyngbya sp. and Picochlorum sp., grew well at 40 °C, with productivities of 106.6 ± 10.0 and 87.5 ± 2.1 mg biomass L−1 d−1, respectively. Tetraselmis sp. isolate showed the highest biomass productivity and carbon capture rate of 157.7 ± 10.3 mg biomass L−1 d−1 and 270.8 ± 23.9 mg CO2 L−1 d−1, respectively, both at 30 °C. Under 20% CO2, the biomass productivity increased over 2-fold for both Tetraselmis and Picochlorum isolates, to 333.8 ± 41.1 and 244.7 ± 29.5 mg biomass L−1 d−1. These two isolates also presented significant amounts of lipids, up to 25.6 ± 0.9% and 28.0 ± 2.0% (w/w), as well as presence of EPA and DHA. Picochlorum sp. was found to have a suitable FAME profile for biodiesel production. Both Tetraselmis and Picochlorum isolates showed promising characteristics, making them valuable strains for further investigation towards commercial applications and CO2 capture.The authors would like to thank Mahroof Eroth, Dr. Ahmed Easa, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muftah from Qatar University, Andy Selwood from Cawthron Institute, and the QDVC team for their support. This work was supported by QDVC and Qatar University [Project QUEX-CAS-QDVC-14/15-7]

Analysis of Blood Cultures in Major Burns in Tertiary Care Burn Unit in Oman

Objectives: In this study we review blood stream infections of major burns in a tertiary care burn unit to determine the most prevalent organisms in order to have a better empirical therapy protocol. Methods: This is a retrospective study where blood stream infection of major burns (>20% Total Body Surface Area) were analysed. Results:155 patients fulfilled the criteria. Median age was 33 years.  Median TBSA was 38%. 57.42% were males and 42.58% were females. Mortality was 25.16%. 50.9% of patients had positive blood culture. Expired patients had higher TBSA, Abbreviated Burns Severity Index score and earlier first positive blood culture. The most prevalent organisms grown from all blood cultures were Acinetobacter, staphylococci, Klebsiella, Enterococcus and pseudomonas. Candida is also commonly grown in blood cultures. All Acinetobacter species are always multidrug resistant. 8 of 14 patients had multidrug resistant Klebsiella.  There were only 4 patients who had Methicilin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) grown. The number of blood cultures samples taken ranged from 1 to 28 (median 6). First positive blood culture showed that Staphylococcus epidermidis   and Acinetobacter are the most common organisms. Conclusion: In conclusion multidrug resistant Acinetobcater has become the most predominant microorganism grown in blood cultures of major burns in our unit. Empirical therapy should include antibiotics that are effective against it to reduce the mortality. Keywords: Infection; Blood; Burn; Resistance; Antibiotics; Culture

The Effect of Hepatitis B on Humans

The aim of the study is to know the effect of the hepatitis B virus on humans, how the virus is transmitted, what is the method of preventing it, and what treatment is used to alleviate the severity of the disease. The questionnaire was designed via the Google Drive application and distributed via the social networking application (WhatsApp), with complete transparency to the population targeted by the research. The city of Mecca, from the age of (25-55 years), where 550 questionnaires were distributed via social media application groups (WhatsApp) according to available conditions (distancing), and answers to 525 questionnaires were obtained

Gender-Specific Fat Distribution and Association with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Study of Adiposity Indicators (DEXA, BMI, Waist-to-Hip Ratio) in Adults from Qatar

Duaa Yousif,1 Nouran ElTantawi,1 Ahmed Badr,1 Zainab Nurulhaque,1 Almaha Al-Jabri,1 Yunes Mohammed Haithm,1 Najlaa Al- Meraikhi,1 Tawanda Chivese,2 Giridhara Rathnaiah Babu2 1College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 2Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Giridhara Rathnaiah Babu, Global Health, Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, Email [email protected]: This study aimed to investigate the difference in adiposity measured by DEXA between people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and those without. Moreover, we investigated the most reliable adiposity measure for discriminating people with T2DM from those without in clinical settings.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from the database of Qatar Biobank (QBB), which comprised adults with a previous diagnosis of T2DM mellitus in Qatar. t–test and multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the association between T2DM and the difference in DEXA and BMI adiposity measures. Moreover, an evaluation of the odds of abnormal waist-hip ratio in participants with T2DM using an adjusted multivariable logistic regression was conducted.Results: Among the participants with T2DM, males had less fat in the leg region, while females had less fat in the legs and gynoid regions, compared to individuals without T2DM. Females with T2DM had a higher average BMI. Moreover, the odds of having an abnormal waist-to-hip ratio were higher in males and females with T2DM compared to persons without T2DM.Conclusion: There were different patterns of fat deposition in males and females with T2DM. T2DM was associated with a higher BMI in females only. The odds of abnormal waist-hip ratio were higher in individuals with T2DM of both genders. Waist-hip ratio showed reliable discrimination for T2DM and has implications for clinical practice.Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, adiposity, waist Hip ratio, body fat distribution, Qatar Bioban

Neutralisation of Local Haemorrhage Induced by the Saw-Scaled Viper Echis carinatus sochureki

The objective of the study is to investigate the anti-snake venom activities of a local plant, Hibiscus aethiopicus L. The H. aethiopicus was dried and extracted with ethanol. Different assays were performed according to standard techniques, to evaluate the plant’s acute toxicity and its antivenom activities. The results of evaluating the systemic acute toxicity of the H. aethiopicus extract using “oral and intra-peritoneal” route were normal even at the highest dose (24 g/kg) tested. All guinea pigs (n=3) when treated with venoms E. c. sochureki (75 μg) alone induced acute skin haemorrhage. In contrast, all guinea pigs (n=18) treated with both venom and the plant extract at a concentration between 500 and 1000 mg/kg showed no signs of haemorrhage. Moreover, all guinea pigs (n=18) treated with venom and the plant extract below 400 mg/kg showed acute skin haemorrhage. All guinea pigs treated with venom E. c. sochureki (75 μg) alone induced acute skin haemorrhage after both 24 and 32 hours. In contrast, all guinea pigs treated with both venom and the plant extract (administered independently) at concentrations between 500 and 1000 mg/kg showed no signs of haemorrhage after 32 hours. However, after 24 hours all tested guinea pigs showed less inhibition (<60%) compared to that obtained after 32 hours. The outcome of this study reflects that the extract of H. aethiopicus plant may contain an endogenous inhibitor of venom induced local haemorrhage