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Fruit fly species in Oman were investigated via sampling of fruits from cultivated and wild plants and hanging traps. A total of 13 species of tephritids were identified using morphological and molecular techniques. Three unidentified species could be new to science. Moreover, 2-3 species of braconid parasitoids and one figitid species, mostly associated with fruit fly infested Ziziphus fruits, were collected. A new lure for female fruit flies, consisting of a combination of urea and watermelon seeds, exhibited effectiveness on par with commercial lures such as torula yeast and Ceratrap. In terms of physical barriers, row covers significantly reduced zucchini fruit damage even when applied as a wall around the planting line. An experiment, involving combining growing melon in the greenhouse with a honeybee hive for flower pollination, proved successful in producing a large number of undamaged fruits. In terms of biological control, we managed to set up a system for rearing of major pestiferous fruit fly species and their parasitoids. We currently have two active cultures of Bactrocera zonata and B. dorsalis, and one active culture of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (DL), a braconid parasitoid imported from Kenya. We hope in the future to produce large numbers of DL wasps for augmentative release in Oman. Fruit fly cultures have served as stock for testing plant extracts as repellents against female B. zonata and B. dorsalis and for testing Beauveria bassiana formulations for control of adults and larvae of B. zonata. Studies of Fruit fly population dynamics and height of flight have shown that yellow sticky traps, set at different heights from 0.5 to 3.5 m, captured significantly more males than females. Additionally, most fruit flies were captured at 2m and lower. The population of male B. dorsalis in ME traps was highest from April to June, and lowest from November to January. Conversely, the population of male B. zonata in ME traps peaked from September to December, and dropped to its lowest levels from April to July. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding tooth-size discrepancy is essential in the process of diagnosis of maxillary and mandibular relationship. Due to the high incidence of tooth-size disproportion, Practitioners should consider the high incidence of tooth-size disproportion when planning treatment for their patients, as in many cases, this can be a hindrance to obtaining an ideal result. This study aimed to determine the anterior and overall tooth ratios in the Saudi population and compare them with Bolton's standards. A total of 356 patients were recruited. For the anterior ratio, around 25% of the patients had a ratio equal to Bolton's standards (77.2%). Most subjects (53.7%) had a ratio above 77.2%, and the remaining (20%) had a ratio below 77.2%. The mean amount of anterior mandibular excess was 2.17 ± 2.12 mm, and the mean amount of anterior maxillary excess was 2.16 ± 2.08 mm. For the overall ratio, less than half of the participants (43%) had a ratio equal to Bolton's standards (91.3%). Almost 34% had a ratio above 91.3%, while 23% of the participants had a ratio below 91.3%. The mean amount of overall mandibular excess was 2.54 ± 2.37 mm, and the mean amount of overall maxillary excess was 3.31 ± 3.33 mm. The majority of the study sample had an overall and anterior Bolton ratio that is different from the norms of Bolton's standards, with a tendency for increased overall and anterior ratios. Having specific standards for the Saudi population is important for better clinical assessment and treatment outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Awawdeh, Alsaadi, Alraddadi, Alshunaiber, Alessa and Alsaeed.)

Background: The relationship between malocclusion and the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children needs to be explored further as existing literature presents conflicting evidence. This study aims to determine the association between malocclusion and OHRQoL of 11-14-year-old children., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 caregiver/child dyads seeking orthodontic consultation at a tertiary care hospital. The OHRQoL was assessed using child perception questionnaire for 11-14-year-old children (CPQ 11-14 ) and the severity of malocclusion was assessed using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). CPQ 11-14 scores ranged from 0 to 64, with lower scores representing better quality of life. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess differences between domain and total CPQ 11-14 scores., Results: The mean CPQ 11-14 score was 19.89 ± 9.8. Mean scores for the oral symptoms, functional limitations, emotional well-being, and social well-being domains were 5.26 ± 3.22, 3.67 ± 3.58, 3.98 ± 3.89 and 2.08 ± 2.98, respectively. Normal or slight malocclusion was seen in 37.6%, definite malocclusion was seen in 22.4%, severe malocclusion in 15.2% and handicapping malocclusion in 24.8% of the subjects. In comparisons by pairs, it was found that children with handicapping malocclusion had significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores for the social well-being domain as compared with children having normal/minor malocclusion, indicating a poorer quality of life., Conclusion: Handicapping malocclusion had a significant negative impact on the social well-being domain of OHRQoL among 11-14-year-old children in this population., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Orofacial clefts are considered one of the most common birth defects and are frequently associated with other malformations. Congenital heart disease is one of the most prevalent congenital malformation., Objective: To investigate the prevalence of congenital heart diseases associated with non-syndromic orofacial clefts in the Saudi population., Methods: Electronic files of non-syndromic orofacial cleft patients who visited the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department in King Abdulaziz Medical City of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were recorded in an excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS via frequency tests., Results: In the cleft children identified, the prevalence of non-syndromic orofacial clefts was (77%). Orofacial clefts showed a male predominance (62%). The most common orofacial phenotype was unilateral cleft lip and palate (34%). The prevalence of associated congenital malformations with orofacial clefts was (41%). The most prevalent congenital malformation was congenital heart disease (35%), mainly found in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients (33%). The prevalence of associated congenital heart disease with orofacial clefts was (19%). The most frequent type of congenital heart disease was atrial septal defect (37%)., Conclusion: This study highlights the recognition of the associated congenital heart disease with non-syndromic orofacial cleft patients. Global screening protocols designed for newborns with non-syndromic orofacial cleft are needed to eliminate late diagnosis of critical congenital heart diseases which might present operative risks of anesthesia and/or surgical procedures., Competing Interests: Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© 2019 King Saud University.)