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Purpose: Emotional intelligence (EI) can improve patient-doctor relationships, foster empathy, develop teamwork in the workplace, and boost communication skills. This study aims to determine whether a cohort of residents has different profiles to their demographic and EI. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017-2018 (n = 440). The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire was used to measure EI. Cluster analysis was used to identify different profile groups. Findings: Cluster analysis identified three clusters with different profiles. The residents in cluster A (n = 146, 33.2%) were older, more males, studying in their final year, and perceived lower EI. Cluster B (n = 184, 41.8%) were predominantly young females, more single, studying in year one, and perceived moderate EI. Cluster C (n = 110, 25.0%) were predominantly married females studying their year 1 in surgical and perceived higher EI. Research limitations/implications: Study limitations include respondent honesty, cross-sectional design, and lack of a comparison site. Including EI education can improve emotional regulation, well-being, and sociability and should be assessed as part of residents' development. Practical implications: Medical residents differ in emotional profiles, with higher EI improving coping and problem-solving skills. EI training should be integrated into the medical curriculum, particularly given the high-stress levels and unique stressors of hospital practicums. Originality/value: The study suggested that three groups of residents exist, and they differ in demographic, EI, and subscale levels. This study recommended that residents be taught EI-related concepts to help them develop their EI through training on emotionality, self-control, well-being, and sociability.

Abstract Background PPHN is a common cause of neonatal respiratory failure and is still a serious condition and associated with high mortality. Objectives To compare the demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes in neonates with PHHN who underwent ECMO and survived compared to neonates with PHHN who underwent ECMO and died. Methods We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline and searched ProQuest, Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley online library, Scopus and Nature for studies on the development of PPHN in neonates who underwent ECMO, published from January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2023, with English language restriction. Results Of the 5689 papers that were identified, 134 articles were included in the systematic review. Studies involving 1814 neonates with PPHN who were placed on ECMO were analyzed (1218 survived and 594 died). Neonates in the PPHN group who died had lower proportion of normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (6.4% vs 1.8%; p value > 0.05) and lower Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min [i.e., low Apgar score: 1.5% vs 0.5%, moderately abnormal Apgar score: 10.3% vs 1.2% and reassuring Apgar score: 4% vs 2.3%; p value = 0.039] compared to those who survived. Neonates who had PPHN and died had higher proportion of medical comorbidities such as omphalocele (0.7% vs 4.7%), systemic hypotension (1% vs 2.5%), infection with Herpes simplex virus (0.4% vs 2.2%) or Bordetella pertussis (0.7% vs 2%); p = 0.042. Neonates with PPHN in the death group were more likely to present due to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (25.5% vs 47.3%), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (4.2% vs 13.5%), meconium aspiration syndrome (8% vs 12.1%), pneumonia (1.6% vs 8.4%), sepsis (1.5% vs 8.2%) and alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (0.1% vs 4.4%); p = 0.019. Neonates with PPHN who died needed a longer median time of mechanical ventilation (15 days, IQR 10 to 27 vs. 10 days, IQR 7 to 28; p = 0.024) and ECMO use (9.2 days, IQR 3.9 to 13.5 vs. 6 days, IQR 3 to 12.5; p = 0.033), and a shorter median duration of hospital stay (23 days, IQR 12.5 to 46 vs. 58.5 days, IQR 28.2 to 60.7; p = 0.000) compared to the neonates with PPHN who survived. ECMO-related complications such as chylothorax (1% vs 2.7%), intracranial bleeding (1.2% vs 1.7%) and catheter-related infections (0% vs 0.3%) were more frequent in the group of neonates with PPHN who died (p = 0.031). Conclusion ECMO in the neonates with PPHN who failed supportive cardiorespiratory care and conventional therapies has been successfully utilized with a neonatal survival rate of 67.1%. Mortality in neonates with PPHN who underwent ECMO was highest in cases born via the caesarean delivery mode or neonates who had lower Apgar scores at birth. Fatality rate in neonates with PPHN who underwent ECMO was the highest in patients with higher rate of specific medical comorbidities (omphalocele, systemic hypotension and infection with Herpes simplex virus or Bordetella pertussis) or cases who had PPHN due to higher rate of specific etiologies (congenital diaphragmatic hernia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and meconium aspiration syndrome). Neonates with PPHN who died may need a longer time of mechanical ventilation and ECMO use and a shorter duration of hospital stay; and may experience higher frequency of ECMO-related complications (chylothorax, intracranial bleeding and catheter-related infections) in comparison with the neonates with PPHN who survived.

Background: The rising incidence of COVID-19 cases is undeniably having a profound impact on the physiological and psychological welfare of individuals. The incident had the potential to significantly affect an individual’s quality of life, social interactions, and occupational performance. The study explored the experiences of individuals who recovered from COVID-19 and the impact of their illness on their psychological and overall well-being. Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted in Oman among 15 patients aged 20 to 60 years, who had been hospitalized at Royal Hospital with moderate to severe symptoms and signs of COVID-19. An in-depth interview was used to collect data. Thematic analysis was carried out to analyze the data using the Braun and Clarke model framework for the analysis. Results: Three themes emerged from the study: (1) The impact of COVID-19 on the survivors; (2) factors that improved patients’ recovery; (3) lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study found important intrinsic and extrinsic factors that helped COVID-19 patients recover quickly. Conclusions: COVID-19 impacted the individuals’ physiological and psychological health. The findings can inform Oman’s psychological support services and raise awareness of the virus’s psychological impact on mental health. The study may help to design a tailored psychological intervention to improve the mental well-being of COVID-19 survivors for better experience and quality of life.

Abstract Background The ongoing global crisis of Higher Education (HE) institutions during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the likelihood of enduring psychological stressors for staff. This study aimed to identify factors associated with job insecurity, burnout, psychological distress and coping amongst staff working at HE institutions globally. Methods An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with staff at HE institutions across 16 countries. Job insecurity was measured using the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), burnout using the Perceived Burnout measure question, psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and coping using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Multivariable logistic regression with a stepwise variable selection method was used to identify associations. Results A total of 2,353 staff participated; the mean age (± SD) was 43(± 10) years and 61% were females. Most staff (85%) did not feel job insecurity, one-third (29%) perceived burnout in their jobs, more than two-thirds (73%) experienced moderate to very high levels of psychological distress, and more than half (58%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping. Perceived job insecurity was associated with staff working part-time [Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.53 (95% Confidence Intervals 1.15–2.02)], having an academic appointment [2.45 (1.78–3.27)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.86 (1.41–2.48)], perceived burnout [1.99 (1.54–2.56)] and moderate to very high level of psychological distress [1.68 (1.18–2.39)]. Perceived burnout was associated with being female [1.35 (1.12–1.63)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.53 (1.20–1.97)], perceived job insecurity [1.99 (1.55–2.57)], and moderate to very high levels of psychological distress [3.23 (2.42–4.30)]. Staff with multiple co-morbidities [1.46 (1.11–1.92)], mental health issues [2.73 (1.79–4.15)], perceived job insecurity [1.61 (1.13–2.30)], and perceived burnout [3.22 (2.41–4.31)] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Staff who perceived their mental health as good to excellent [3.36 (2.69–4.19)] were more likely to have medium to high resilient coping. Conclusions Factors identified in this study should be considered in reviewing and updating current support strategies for staff at HE institutions across all countries to reduce stress and burnout and improve wellbeing.

This study aims to employ the supervised machine learning algorithms to examine factors that negatively impacted academic performance among college students on probation (underperforming students). We used the Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) methodology on a sample of N = 6514 college students spanning 11 years (from 2009 to 2019) provided by a major public university in Oman. We used the Information Gain (InfoGain) algorithm to select the most effective features and ensemble methods to compare the accuracy with more robust algorithms, including Logit Boost, Vote, and Bagging. The algorithms were evaluated based on the performance evaluation metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F-measure, and ROC curve, and then validated using 10-folds cross-validation. The study revealed that the main identified factors affecting student academic achievement include study duration in the university and previous performance in secondary school. Based on the experimental results, these features were consistently ranked as the top factors that negatively impacted academic performance. The study also indicated that gender, estimated graduation year, cohort, and academic specialization significantly contributed to whether a student was under probation. Domain experts and other students were involved in verifying some of the results. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed.

Abstract Like many Middle East and North Africa countries, one of the main socio-economic challenges facing Oman is the creation of meaningful graduate employment opportunities. A combination of factors that include the gap between the expertise and skills acquired in higher education and workforce requirements means many students struggle to find suitable jobs upon graduation. Consequently, providing quality education and developing national talents are key objectives of the country’s Vision 2040 development roadmap. Higher levels of cooperation between tertiary institutions and industry within the framework of government policy are necessary to achieve these outcomes. This study explores undergraduate engineering student perceptions of one example of this collaboration – the Eidaad internship programme. To better understand interns’ perceptions of the programme’s personal and professional benefit across targeted areas and means for further improvement, a three-part on-line questionnaire was administered to current and former programme participants. Results indicate overwhelmingly positive perceptions of the programme, including in terms of enhancing interns’ teamwork skills, workplace participation, communication skills, clarity of career plans and objectives, and so on. Participant suggestions for improvement include the creation of concrete employment pathways and the provision of further on-the-job training opportunities. Implications for the Eidaad and similar internship programmes are discussed.

Background: Kidney transplantation is widely recognized as the primary treatment for those with end-stage renal disease. Our goal was to provide an overview of the clinical characteristics of postrenal transplant patients (commercial vs. noncommercial) seeking care in the emergency department (ED). Methodology: The study was conducted at a leading Omani ED from 2015 to 2021; this study included all postrenal transplant patients. Various variables were categorized, coded, and analyzed. Results: A total of 55 postrenal transplant patients were included in our study. Of these, 60.0% were male (n = 33). Among the participants, 14.5% (n = 8) had undergone noncommercial renal transplants, whereas the remaining 85.5% (n = 47) had undergone commercial renal transplants. Among noncommercial postrenal transplant patients, the most common reasons for ED visits were fever (5), gastrointestinal symptoms (4), and cardiac symptoms (3). They also presented with pain at the surgical site (2) and urological symptoms such as dysuria and hematuria (2). In contrast, the most frequent clinical presentations among commercial postrenal transplant patients were cardiac symptoms (13) and pain at the surgical site (13), followed by fever (12). Noncommercial renal transplant patients had a high discharge rate of 62.5% (5) and a low admission rate of 37.5% (3). On the other hand, commercial renal transplant patients necessitated a high admission rate of 59.6% (28) and a low discharge rate of 40.4% (19). Conclusion: The majority of patients had received commercial kidney transplants, and the most common complaints upon their presentation to the ED were cardiac symptoms and pain at the surgical site. Patients undergoing commercial transplants had higher rates of admission.

Clefts of the ear are rare and typically develop within the earlobe. They were first described by Vincent et al. in association with urogenital anomalies. Subsequently, Cosman reported them in 1970, referring to the condition as “question mark ear,” which led to its naming. This deformity is infrequently reported and is not well-documented in the literature. In this paper, we present the first reported case in the Omani population of bilateral Cosman ear, associated with a mild cranial deformity. We also discuss the social impact of this condition and introduce our corrective technique for moderate forms of deformity.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method is employed to study and mitigate negative environmental impacts using various approaches via OpenLCA software. This paper investigates the LCA of green hydrogen gas production from produced water in Oman, using the Activated Sludge Method (ASM) and Fluidized-Bed Bioreactor (FBB), as treatment technologies. Different scenarios were considered, utilizing the ReCiPe midpoint impact method over 100 years, to evaluate global warming potential (GWP100), fossil depletion potential (FDP), and water depletion (WDP). The objective is to compare and evaluate the sustainability of Dark Fermentation (DF) and Electrolysis methods for hydrogen gas production from both treatment technologies to achieve Oman's Vision 2040. The DF method involves utilizing sludge from both primary and secondary treatment stages, while the Electrolysis method uses the tertiary treatment stage. Results show that using 50 % (15,000 m³/day) of the flow for hydrogen production, the DF yields 60,000 kg of H2/day, while the electrolysis method produces 833,333 kg of H2/day. This difference arises because the DF method depends on sludge production, impacting hydrogen gas production, whereas, the electrolysis method relies entirely on treated water. Both processes significantly impact GWP100. Incorporating solar power for ASM and FBB, as a green energy source, reduces CO2 emissions by 7560.28 kg CO2-eq for DF and 8245.18 kg CO2-eq for electrolysis. This study provides a novelty application, which contributes to advancing sustainability practices through evaluating the environmental impacts of using produced water for green hydrogen production in waste-to-energy and advocates for energy policy making regarding recent climate change commitments.

Abstract Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera( cv. Medjool is a significant plant, grown in Jordan. In vitro propagation gives operative resources for the significant propagation of date palms. Maximum callus induction was achieved from MS media supplemented with benzyl amino purine (BA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The highest plant regeneration was recorded on MS medium supplemented with dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at 3.0 mg/L, and BA at 2.0 mg/L. A significant positive impact on shoot formation was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BA with 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L NAA in both liquid and solid MS medium. To maintain survival and regrowth capacity, sucrose could be used for medium-term conservation at lower concentrations (0.1 - 0.2 M). In addition, sorbitol might be used at 0.1 M to maintain the quality of explants. The vitrification technique for long-term preservation was experimented. Embryogenic callus was used as explants for conservation. The survival as well as regrowth percentages of non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved tissue cultures were affected by their duration of treatment with the vitrification solution plant vitrification solution 2 (PVS2) and modified plant vitrification solution 2 (MPVS2). Results showed that using PVS2 for 60 minutes for cryopreserved calli was more effective than other treatments. After storage in liquid nitrogen, the highest survival rate (65%) and regrowth rate (40%) were achieved.

Introduction: Magnesium is an essential cation, and dysmagnesaemia is linked to many poor outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dysmagnesaemia and associated health outcomes among hospitalised patients. Methods: This register-based study collected demographic and laboratory data of hospitalised patients from five publicly funded hospitals in the Northern Territory, Australia, between 2008 and 2017. Patients were stratified into five groups based on their initial serum magnesium level at admission and followed up to death or 31 December 2017. Results: A total of 22 293 patients were admitted during the study period. Dysmagnesaemia was present in 31.75% of hospitalised patients, with hypomagnesaemia being more common (29.62%) than hypermagnesaemia (2.13%). Hypomagnesaemia was more prevalent (43.13%) among the Australian First Nations Peoples. All levels of hypomagnesaemia were associated with a longer median length of hospital stay (p

Purpose: This cross-sectional online survey in Oman in April 2021 aimed to assess university students' resilience, stress levels and meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify characteristic profiles. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from full-time students at one University in Oman. Outcomes included sociodemographic information, the brief resilience scale, the perceived stress scale-4 and the meaning in life questionnaire to explore the students' profiles. Findings: A total of 964 students participated (response rate = 34.8%), of which 35% had low resilience scores. The average perceived stress, presence of meaning in life and search for meaning in life scores were 7.9 ± 2.3, 24.2 ± 6.9 and 24.9 ± 7.7, respectively. Cluster analysis identified three groups: low-risk and fewer impacts (cluster A, n = 503, 523%), moderate-risk and moderate impacts (cluster B, n = 160, 16.6%) and high-risk and more impacts (cluster C, n = 301, 31.2%). Cluster C students experienced more psychological problems and were at high risk during the pandemic. Research limitations/implications: The respondents' honesty is a possible error that could influence the results. Low response rates limit its generalizability, and cause-effect relationships among mental health outcomes cannot be discerned. Practical implications: This study identified three distinct groups of students, each with different levels of severity in their health problems. There is an increased need for education and counseling to support students during this period, and university management should focus on implementing personal precautionary measures and providing high-tech, user-friendly platforms for students to enhance their learning. Originality/value: These findings suggest that tailored strategies should be developed to address the unique psychological needs of each group. The study provides important information for university management to understand the pandemic's psychological impact on students and develop effective interventions to support their well-being.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common inherited condition characterized by the growth of multiple bilateral cysts in the kidneys. We describe the case of a 35-year-old male with combined ADPKD and type 1 diabetes mellitus with a strong family history of both. At the age of 32, he developed end-stage kidney disease for which he underwent preemptive simultaneous pancreatic and kidney transplant, which in turn led to multiple perioperative complications. Evaluation of familial clustering of genetic disease is critical in genetic epidemiology and precision medicine as it enables estimation of lifetime disease risk and early assessment as well as detection of the disease among one’s siblings.

Objectives The utilisation of tele-mental health services has the potential to address challenges in mental health services within the Eastern Mediterranean Region. However, the adoption of tele-mental health in Oman remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of psychiatrists with telephone consultations, offering valuable insights to advance the field of telepsychiatry.Design This is a qualitative exploratory study. The analysis of the data involved the application of manifest content analysis.Setting The semi-structured interviews were conducted with the psychiatrists at Al Masarra Hospital.Participants A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted.Results The study reveals that psychiatrists encounter communication challenges in telephone consultations, such as the absence of visual cues, confirming patient identity, conducting comprehensive assessments and effectively communicating with younger patients who may lack developed social skills or patients with specific health conditions. Infrastructure limitations, such as outdated medical records, lack of electronic prescriptions and limited availability of child/adolescent psychiatric medications, further restrict the effectiveness of telepsychiatry consultations. In contrast, telephone appointments offer convenience and flexibility for psychiatrists, allowing them to manage non-clinical responsibilities and provide focused consultations tailored to individual needs. In addition, it benefits patients by improving appointment adherence, diminishing stigma and financial savings compared with in-person consultations.Conclusions Tele-mental health has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing mental healthcare services in Oman. Addressing psychiatrists’ challenges is crucial to further developing and strengthening these services.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are significant causes of chronic liver disease, potentially leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, the coexistence of CHB and NAFLD is increasingly common, although the relationship between NAFLD and inactive CHB infection remains poorly understood. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD among patients with inactive CHB, identify risk factors for NAFLD, and determine predictors of significant fibrosis in these patients. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study targeted patients with inactive CHB at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital from January 2010 to November 2021. Results: A total of 425 patients with inactive CHB were identified, of which 53.1% were male and 62.6% were aged 40–60 years. The prevalence of NAFLD was 47.8%. Various independent factors were associated with NAFLD, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, elevated low-density lipoprotein levels, high hemoglobin levels, low platelet counts, and normal alpha-fetoprotein levels. Significant associations were noted between NAFLD and significant fibrosis, with 10.5% of CHB patients with NAFLD exhibiting significant fibrosis compared to 1.4% of those without NAFLD. Other significant parameters included male gender, increased age, high alanine transaminase levels, elevated hemoglobin, and decreased platelet levels. Conclusions: The high prevalence of NAFLD in patients with inactive CHB and its associations with increased fibrosis and cirrhosis risk underscore the need for comprehensive management strategies for these patients.

Cryptococcosis is a prevalent fungal infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a yeast with a polysaccharide capsule in the basidiomycete group. Normally, C. neoformans infects the respiratory tract and then breaches the blood–brain barrier (BBB), leading to meningitis or meningoencephalitis, which leads to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Although the mechanism by which C. neoformans infiltrates the BBB to invade the brain has yet to be fully understood, research has revealed that C. neoformans can cross the BBB using transcellular penetration, paracellular traversal, and infected phagocytes (the “Trojan horse” mechanism). The secretion of multiple virulence factors by C. neoformans is crucial in facilitating the spread of infection after breaching the BBB and causing brain infections. Extensive research has shown that various virulence factors play a significant role in the dissemination of infection beyond the lungs. This review explores the mechanisms of C. neoformans entering the CNS and explains how it bypasses the BBB. Additionally, it aims to understand the interplay between the regulatory mechanisms and virulence factors of C. neoformans.

Introduction: Magnesium is a vital intracellular cation crucial for over 320 enzymatic reactions related to energy metabolism, musculoskeletal function, and nucleic acid synthesis and plays a pivotal role in human physiology. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of dysmagnesemia in patients with diabetes mellitus and evaluate its correlations with glycemic control, medication use, and diabetic complications. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, including 316 patients aged 18 years or older with diabetes mellitus. Data included demographics, medical history, medications, and biochemical parameters. Serum total magnesium concentrations were measured, and dysmagnesemia was defined as magnesium ≤ 0.69 mmol/L for hypomagnesemia and ≥1.01 mmol/L for hypermagnesemia. Results: The prevalence of hypomagnesemia in patients with diabetes was 17.1% (95% CI: 13.3–21.7%), and hypermagnesemia was 4.1% (95% CI: 2.4–7.0%). Females were significantly overrepresented in the hypomagnesemia group, while the hypermagnesemia group showed a higher prevalence of hypertension, retinopathy, an increased albumin/creatinine ratio, chronic kidney disease (CKD), elevated creatinine levels, and a lower adjusted calcium concentration. The multinominal logistic regression exhibited that the female sex and higher serum-adjusted calcium were independent risk factors of hypomagnesemia. In contrast, the presence of hypertension, higher levels of albumin/creatinine ratio, and stage 5 CKD were independent risk factors of hypermagnesemia. Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia was common among patients with diabetes mellitus; however, hypermagnesemia was associated with microvascular complications.