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Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and evaluate risk factors of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to platinum-based compounds (PBCs) in cancer patients. PBCs play an important role in cancer therapy. However, one of the drawbacks of PBCs is the occasional occurrence of HSRs, which can lead to serious consequences. Methods: This retrospective case control study was conducted from January 2013 to December 2020 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman and included patients who received any PBC for the management of non-haematological cancers. Data regarding demographic characteristics and diseases and treatment details were collected from the hospital's electronic database. The data were quantitatively described and Student's t-test and Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney tests were used to detect significant differences. Results: A total of 38 cases and 148 matched controls were studied. The prevalence of HSRs to PBCs in the cohort of this study was 4.7% (95% confidence interval: 3.33-6.37%), higher with carboplatin compared with cisplatin and oxaliplatin. The female gender (P = 0.032), concomitant taxanes (P = 0.002) and concurrent radiation (P <0.001) were significant predictors of HSRs to PBCs. The majority of the reactions were of mild to moderate severity, and the rechallenge rate after HSR development was 13%. Conclusion: HSRs to PBCs impact therapy decisions and understanding the risk factors is important to improve treatment outcomes in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies documented a narrow scope of knowledge about the negative mental health status during the lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Arab countries. Aim: We aimed to assess the association between negative mental health status and the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the different factors affecting mental health among the general population of seven Arab countries. Methods: This study is a multinational cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted online from June 11, 2020 to June 25, 2020. The depression, anxiety, and stress Scale 21 Items (DASS-21) and the Event scale--Revised Arabic version (IES-R-13) scales were used. Multiple linear regressions were performed to study the association between the scales' total scores with COVID-19 and demographic characteristics. Results: A total of 28,843 participants from seven Arab countries were included. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of mental health disorders has significantly increased. A total of 19006 participants (66%) were affected by variable degrees of depression, 13,688 (47%) had anxiety, and 14,374 (50%) had stress ranging from mild to severe. Higher levels were associated with other factors, such as lower age, female gender, chronic disease, unemployed, fear of getting infected, and a history of psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: Our study findings show an increased incidence of mental disorders during the pandemic. This is expected to play a crucial role in guiding a psychological support strategy provided by healthcare systems to the general public during pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: To estimate the influence of Acacia Arabica gel abstract on skin wound healing. Material and method: 28male adult rabbits were included, 2 incisions of 1cm length were made on the skin of the rabbit’s back, one is treated by acacia gel while another left for normal healing, histopathological examination was done at 24h, 3, 7 and 14 days intervals. Results: The inflammatory reactions showed no significant results for both the control group and the study group during the study intervals. Granulation tissue in the control group was absent after 24h but increased to become profound after 7 days then become moderate, while the study group showed scanty granulation tissue from the first day and increased through study intervals. Re-epithelialization mean scores in the study group were higher than control one. Conclusions: Acacia arabica has the efficacy of hastening the wound healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, nanocomposites made with different contents of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and polymer for electromagnetic-wave absorbing coatings and corrosion resisting for environmental applications are investigated. The nanocomposites are prepared as coating materials on aluminium plates with low cost and low weight. The microwave-absorption and corrosion-resistance properties are studied to fabricate the materials having high corrosion resistance and high attenuation for microwaves. The microwave absorption is studied within 8–12 GHz range. The results show that nanocomposites have excellent attenuation for microwaves and high corrosion resistance (improved by 97.7% in comparison with aluminium). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shields for biomedical applications to attenuate the gamma- and x-rays are fabricated from PVA, PEG and lead oxide nanocomposites with low cost, lightweight, high corrosion resistance, and high attenuation. Structural and optical characterizations of PVA–PEG–PbO2 nanomaterials are investigated. Results show that the PVA–PEG–PbO2 nanomaterials have high absorbance for high-energy radiations. The optical characteristics of blend are changed with the increase in PbO2 nanoparticles’ content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]