bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POLITIK HUKUM PERLINDUNGAN PEKERJA MIGRAN INDONESIA DALAM PERSPEKTIF FIKIH SIYASAH DUSTURIYAH
Authors: Hakim Dani Amran , Havez Muhammad
Published: December 2020

This article discusses the politics of law for Indonesian migrant workers protection. The aim of discussion is to understand the politics of law for Indonesian migrant workers protection in siyasah dusturiyah fiqh perspective based on Law Number 18 Year 2017 about Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection.The method used is literature review using a juridicial normative approach and content analyisis. The Article 3 of the Law on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers states that Indonesian migrant workers protection aim to protect the human rights as well as to fulfil the legal, economic and social needs of migrant workers and their families. The protection is conducted before, during and after their working time. Based on the perspective of siyasah dusturiyah fiqh which is a part of siyasah fiqh that addresses the issue of legislation of state, so the Law on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers is in accordance with 4 (fourth) principles of workers protection in Islam, they are 1) human independency; 2) human dignity; 3) justice; 4) contract (akad) and payment clarity.Tulisan dalam artikel ini membahas mengenai politik hukum perlindungan pekerja migran Indonesia. Tujuannya untuk mengetahui perspektif fikih siyasah dusturiyah terhadap perlindungan pekerja migran Indonesia berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2017 tentang Perlindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia.Metode yang digunakan adalah kajian pustaka dengan menggunakan pendekatan yuridis normatif dan analisis konten. Berdasarkan Pasal 3 Undang-Undang Perlindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia memberikan arah tujuan yang hendak dicapai dalam perlindungan pekerja migran Indonesia yaitu menjamin pemenuhan dan penegakan hak asasi manusia para pekerja migran serta menjamin perlindungan hukum, ekonomi dan sosial pekerja migran serta keluarganya. Perlindungan tersebut dilaksanakan sebelum, selama dan setelah bekerja. Berdasarkan fikih siyasah dusturiyah, yang merupakan bagian fikih siyasah yang membahas masalah perundang-undangan negara, maka Undang-Undang Perlindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia ditinjau dari perspektif tersebut sesuai dengan 4 (empat) prinsip ketenagakerjaan dalam Islam yaitu; 1) kemerdekaan manusia; 2) prinsip kemuliaan derajat manusia; 3) prinsip keadilan; dan 4) prinsip kejelasan akad (perjanjian) dan transaksi upah.
A hidden catalysis: metal-, and organocatalyst-free one-pot assembly of chiral aza-tricyclic molecules containing six contiguous stereocenters
Authors: Do Dung
Published: December 2020

Chiral molecules with their defined 3-D structures are of paramount importance for the study of chemical biology and drug discovery. Having rich structural diversity and unique stereoisomerism, chiral molecules offer a large chemical space that can be explored for the design of new therapeutic agents.1 In practice, chiral architectures are usually prepared from organometallic and organocatalytic processes where a transition metal or an organocatalyst is tailor-made for a desired reaction. As a result, developing a method that enables rapid assembly of chiral complex molecules under a metal- and organocatalyst-free condition represents a daunting challenge. Here we developed a straightforward one-pot procedure to create a chiral 3-D structure from 2-D structures and an amino acid without any chiral catalyst. The center of this research is the design of a special chiral spiroimidazolidinone cyclohexadienone intermediate, a merger of a chiral reactive substrate with multiple nucleophillic/electrophillic sites and a transient organocatalyst. This unique substrate-catalyst (“sub-catalyst”) dual role of the intermediate was displayed in its aza-Michael/Michael cascade reaction with an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde under an iminium/enamine catalysis. The enhanced co-ordinational proximity of the chiral substrate and catalyst in the transition state resulted in a substantial steric discrimination and an excellent overall diastereoselectivity. Aza-tricylic molecules with six contiguous stereocenters were assembled from N-alkylated aminophenols, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and chiral α-amino acids under a hidden “sub-catalysis” where the strategically produced “sub-catalyst” does not present in initial components of the reaction. The success of this methodology will pave the way for many efficient preparations of chiral complex molecules.
Switching on Near-Infrared Light in Lanthanide-doped CsPbCl3 Perovskite Nanocrystals.pdf
Authors: Zeng Min , Locardi Federico , Mara Dimitrije , Hens Zeger , Van Deun Rik , Artizzu Flavia
Published: December 2020

The accessible emission spectral range of lead halide perovskite (LHP) CsPbX3 (X = Cl−, Br−, I−) nanocrystals (NCs) has remained so far limited to wavelengths below 1 μm, corresponding to the emission line of Yb3+, whereas the direct sensitization of other near-infrared (NIR) emitting lanthanide ions is unviable. Herein, we present a general strategy to enable intense NIR emission from Er3+ at ~1.5 μm, Ho3+ at ~1.0 μm and Nd3+ at ~1.06 μm through a Mn2+-mediated energy-transfer pathway. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence studies show that energy-transfer efficiencies of about 39%, 35% and 70% from Mn2+ to Er3+, Ho3+ and Nd3+ are obtained, leading to photoluminescence quantum yields of ~0.8%, ~0.7% and ~3%, respectively. This work provides guidance on constructing energy-transfer pathways in semiconductors and opens new perspectives for the development of lanthanide-functionalized LHPs as promising materials for optoelectronic devices operating in the NIR region.
A Benchmark of Electrostatic Methods Performance in Relative Binding Free Energy Calculations
Authors: Ge Yunhui , Hahn David F. , Mobley David
Published: December 2020

Relative free energy calculations are fast becoming a critical part of early stage pharmaceu- tical design, making it important to know how to obtain the best performance with these calculations in applications which could span hundreds of calculations and molecules. In this work, we compared two different treatments of long-range electrostatics, Particle Mesh Ewald (PME) and Reaction Field (RF), in relative binding free energy calculations using a non-equilibrium switching protocol. We found simulations using RF achieve comparable re- sults as those using PME but gain more efficiency when using CPU and similar performance using GPU. The results from this work encourage more use of RF in molecular simulations.
Electrooxidation of Urea and Creatinine on Nickel Foam-based Electrocatalysts
Authors: Carpenter Kelly , Stuve Eric
Published: December 2020

This work describes the electrocatalytic behavior of urea and creatinine on catalysts of nickel foam (NF), nickel hydroxy foam (NHF), and iron-doped nickel hydroxy foam (Fe-NHF) at room temperature in alkaline electrolyte at pH 14. This work is relevant to urea removal from urine and dialysate.
Individual & Collective Human Intelligence in Drug Design: Evaluating the Search Strategy
Authors: Cincilla Giovanni , Masoni Simone , Blobel Jascha
Published: December 2020

In recent years, individual and collective human intelligence, defined as the knowledge, skills, reasoning and intuition of individuals and groups, have been used in combination with computer algorithms to solve complex scientific problems. Such approach was successfully used in different research fields such as: structural biology, comparative genomics, macromolecular crystallography and RNA design. Herein we describe an attempt to use a similar approach in small-molecule drug discovery, specifically to drive search strategies of de novo drug design. This is assessed with a case study that consists of a series of public experiments in which participants had to explore the huge chemical space in silico to find desired molecules (e.g. drug candidates). The objectives of this case study are: assess human intelligence in chemical space exploration problems; compare the performance of individual and collective human intelligence; and contrast human and artificial intelligence achievements in de novo drug design. To our knowledge this is the first time that human intelligence is being evaluated for such a task in drug discovery and, of similar importance, compared to the performance of artificial intelligence (e.g. machine learning, genetic algorithms), giving first insights towards their differences and uniqueness.
Local Structural Changes in Polyamorphous (Ni,Fe)Ox Electrocatalysts Suggest a Dual-Site Oxygen Evolution Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Schoen Martin , Randell Nicholas , Calderon Oliver , Villegas Santiago Jimenez , Daly Katelynn , Chernikov Roman , Trudel Simon
Published: December 2020

Amorphous nickel-iron mixed metal oxides have been shown to be extremely efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts with good stability in alkaline reactionconditions. Thus, they offer an economical alternative to expensive conventional platinum or iridium-based OER catalysts and could provide a crucial step towards a hydrogen-based energy economy. These favorable properties are presumably due to a synergistic effect between Fe and Ni. However, these synergistic effects strongly depend on the local structure of the catalyst and their origin – and its relation to the local structure – are still not fully understood. In this work we present a study of the thermal annealing induced structural evolution of amorphous (Ni,Fe)Ox thin films, and correlate this evolution to their OER catalytic capabilities. Samples are x-ray amorphous at low annealing temperatures. However, analysis of the x-ray absorption spectra reveals local structural transitions in all samples – before the onset of cystalization – providing evidence of polyamorphism. Transitions of the local Ni and Fe environments occur at distinctly different temperatures and coincide with a stepwise increase in the catalytic activation potential (OER thermodynamics) and theTafel slope (OER kinetics), respectively. We previously have attributed the increase in onset potential to a change in active site in NiOx at the phase transition temperature; considering that the mixed metal oxides’ onset potentials exhibit the same behavior with annealing temperature (Tanneal), we conclude that the potential-determining OER reaction step must occur at a Ni site. Similarly, the reaction kinetics change at the same annealing temperature as the local Fe environment; we thus infer that the rate-determining step occurs at a Fe site. To reconciliate these observations we put forward a dual-site OER reaction mechanismwith potential- and rate-determining steps happening at Ni and Fe sites, respectively. This synergistic effect is ultimately responsible for the superior OER performance of many (Ni,Fe)Ox catalysts. At higher annealing temperatures, the synergistic effect is suppressed, possibly by phase separation into NiOx and FeOx phases, as suggested by our XRD results.
NUDEZ E EROTISMO NA ANTIGA MESOPOTÂMIA
Authors: Paim Pozzer Katia Maria
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre imagens de corpos nus (femininos e masculinos), criadas há mais de 4.000 anos, na antiga Mesopotâmia. Inicialmente discutimos a noção da representação visual no mundo mesopotâmico, uma vez que se acreditava no poder dos significantes e de seu status como parte integrante do real. O conceito de mimesis, isto é, de representação como um meio de imitar as coisas reais no mundo, não é suficiente para entender a arte da antiguidade oriental. Partimos dos fundamentos da escrita cuneiforme, definida como simbólica por ser o significante interpretado como recordando o significado direto, no qual cada signo, por ter um valor pictográfico e fonético ao mesmo tempo, tem o potencial de evocar outros referentes. Nas artes visuais da antiga mesopotâmia, o corpo é o lugar onde o gênero é visualmente diferenciado. Homens e mulheres vestidos ou nus, crianças, pessoas andróginas, eunucos e hermafroditas foram representados, mas o modelo mais importante da diferenciação de gênero foi a representação do corpo sem roupa. A nudez é um motivo comum que aparece em inúmeras formas de representação, e a descrição dos aspectos eróticos da nudez dos corpos é comum em vários gêneros literários. A maioria desses objetos, confeccionadas em relevos de placas de argila ou figuras em terracota, de pequenas dimensões, foram criados na Babilônia no II milênio AEC e continuaram sendo produzidos, sem interrupção, até o século VII EC, na época sassânida. O principal objetivo dessas imagens, cuja frontalidade do corpo e a gestualidade apontam para um retrato explícito da genitália e dos seios, seria mostrar seus atributos sexuais, dando ênfase ao olhar do espectador. A nudez frontal feminina estava associada à conduta sexual; já o corpo masculino despido possuía inúmeros significados, às vezes negativo, como a morte e a derrota, às vezes positivo, como a força viril do herói. Nesta contribuição, pretendemos construir uma chave de leitura para essas imagens de nus e questionar se poderíamos considerá-las como representações do desejo sexual daquela sociedade.
Articulando la innovación social con la ciencia y la tecnología: un análisis bibliométrico
Authors: Lobatón García Hugo F. , Aguilera-Prado Marco , Valderrama Leongómez Mariana , León Lúquez Julio C.
Published: December 2020

Este trabajo muestra un análisis descriptivo y sistemático de los documentos en la literatura científica que involucran el término innovación social. Esto con el fin de encontrar cuáles de estos muestran matices de ciencia y tecnología. El análisis muestra que el vínculo en la literatura científica, entre la innovación social y la ciencia y la tecnología se da en los trabajos enfocados a desarrollo sostenible. En este grupo la mayor citación promedio se da para trabajos enfocados a tecnologías de la información aplicadas a comunidades vulnerables o rurales.
Stepwise Relationship of Exercise Frequency with Serum BDNF Level among Adolescents
Authors: Alomari Mahmoud , Khabour Omar F.
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Regular participation in exercise in adolescents is associated with numerous health benefits, including improved CV, metabolic, muscular, respiratory, immune, cognitive, and neurohormonal functions. Brain-derived neutrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for several body functions, particularly the neural and cognitive functions. However, the dose-effect of exercise participation on BDNF is not fully understood among adolescents. The current study examined the relationship of serum BDNF level with moderate/vigorous exercise frequency in 703 adolescents aged 13-17 years old. Methodology: ELISA was used to evaluate serum BDNF. Additionally, the SALSA questionnaire was used to obtain the weekly frequency of moderate/vigorous exercise. Results: The ANOVA revealed differences (p=0.001) in BDNF level according to running frequency. Subsequent posthoc analysis showed that BDNF was greater (p<0.05) in adolescents participating three, four, five, six, and seven versus no and one day of exercise. Furthermore, no differences (p>0.05) were found in BDNF between exercising three, four, five, six, and seven days/week. Conclusion: The current data revealed stepwise differences in BDNF between running frequencies, peaking at five days/week. These differences in BDNF seems to plateau when participating more than three days/week. The results confirm the importance of exercise for brain health and are consistent with the current recommendations for moderate/vigorous exercise frequency.
Is there an association between Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and Healthrelated Quality of Life among Patients in Qatar?
Authors: Faisal Eman , Al- Hashem Mohammed , Papasavvas Theodoros , Turk-Adawi Karam
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death worldwide. More patients with CVD are living than before due to medical advancements. Therefore, there is an urgent need for secondary prevention strategies. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a secondary prevention model of care for the management of CVD. Aim: This is the first study to explore the association between attending at least the median number of CR sessions and change in HRQOL among patients in Qatar. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who were enrolled in the CR program in Qatar. Secondary data were extracted from patients’ records before the CR program (pre-CR) and at patient discharge (post-CR). The SF-36 instrument was used to assess HRQOL among patients. Results: The study involved 396 (91.4%) males; the mean age was 52.7±9.8 (SD) years. There was a statistically significant association between attending at least the median number of CR sessions and change in physical functioning scores (95% CI=8.85-29.11/ p-value=0.002), change in social functioning scores (95% CI=0.04-19.38/ p-value=0.04), change in emotional well-being scores (95% CI= 1.92-22.13/ p-value=0.02), and change in general health scores (95% CI=0.38-16.42/ p-value= 0.03), as compared to attending less than the median number of sessions. The models adjusted for age, gender, comorbidities, risk level, depression, and baseline HRQOL scores. Conclusion: CR program improved HRQOL. Therefore, there is a need to promote CR utilization and to implement strategies to keep patients in programs. These findings could motivate policymakers to expand CR program capacity, as the sole program in Qatar.
Visualization of Factor Viii with Flow-Cytometry as a tool for Novel Gene Therapy Approach in Hemophilia A
Authors: Al-Mohannadi Anjud Khamis , Deola Sara , Malki Ahmed
Published: December 2020

Haemophilia A is a genetic X-linked disorder, characterized by coagulation Factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency and leading to pathological bleedings. The disease occurs at a rate of 1 in 5000 males’ births. The treatment is the administration of plasma-derived or recombinant Factor VIII, which is expensive and leads to the development of inhibitory antibodies in around 40% of patients affected by the severe form of the disease. The disease becomes for these patients as life threatening. In new approaches to treat Haemophilia include gene therapy (GT), cells corrected through genetic modifications are used to produce in Haemophilia A patients FVIII protein in a sustained manner, as long-term treatment for this disorder. The cells of choice should be persistent and equipped with themachinery for large protein assembly and secretion. So far, target cells for Haemophilia gene correction are mostly liver cells, although they are highly immunogenic and exposed to immune-mediated destruction after GT. Based on literature evidences, bone marrow transplantation can correct Haemophilia A in mice, providing evidence that Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) or their progeny are able to produce FVIII. We chose the approach of correcting HSC with lentiviral vectors carrying the FVIII gene cassette. Whereas classically FVIII protein is visualized on adherent cells through immunohistochemistry staining, flow-cytometry (FC) literature publications are very scarce. FC analysis is an attractive method for analysing hematopoietic cells, and in general, a versatile method for protein visualization. However, large proteins as FVIII are difficult to be carefully analysed, and the method requires several steps of optimization. This joint project with Dr. Muhammad Elnaggar, aims to optimize a method to characterize large proteins as FVIII with a reliable FC staining protocol. To this aim, we used cell lines to evaluate the expression and secretion pathways of FVIII, the intracellular requirements to fold and secrete large proteins, and the toxicities of protein accumulation, in case of GT mediated protein overexpression. For this purpose, the FC experiments were performed to optimise the FC protocol for FVIII visualization, by improving blocking efficacy, antibody-labelling efficacy and to ensure accuracy and validity through qPCR and FC double staining. This FC protocol proved its validity and usefulness in visualizing and studying functionally FVIII.
Molecular Characterization of Influenza Virus in Intestines and its Effect on Intestinal Microbiota
Authors: Al Khatib Heba , Al Maslamani Muna , Coyle Peter , Pathan Sameer , Al Thani Asmaa , Yassine Hadi Mohamad
Published: December 2020

Background: Influenza predominantly causes respiratory diseases; however, gastrointestinal symptoms are not uncommonly reported, particularly among high-risk groups. Influenza virus RNA has been also detected in stools of patients infected with pandemic and seasonal influenza, however, the role and the clinical significance of intestinal infection has not been clearly demonstrated. Methods: Here, we used NGS technology to investigate molecular characterization of viral RNA shedding in feces of adults with active influenza infection. Paired nasal and fecal samples were collected from 295 patients showing to emergency department at Hamad Medical Corporation with flu-like symptoms during January 2018 and April 2019. Results: Among these, 90 nasal samples were positive for influenza, of which, 26 fecal samples were positive for influenza in real-time PCR and only five showed virus growth in both monolayer and 3D cell culture. Full genome sequencing of isolated viruses revealed some unique mutations that we are currently in the process of studying their effect on virus kinetics. Then, we investigated the potential impact of respiratory influenza infection on intestinal microbiota diversity and composition. Microbiome analysis results suggest that changes in gut microbiota composition in influenza-infected patients are significantly associated with (1) influenza virus type, and (2) the presence of viral RNA in intestines of infected patients. We also identified bacterial taxa for which relative abundance was significantly higher in the patients with severe respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: Altogether, our findings suggest that influenza viruses can affect intestinal environment either by direct intestinal infection or indirectly by modulating intestinal microbiota.
Replication Dynamics, Pathogenicity, and Evolution of Influenza Viruses in Intestinal Caco-2 Cells
Authors: Elbashir Israa , Al Khatib Heba , Yassine Hadi
Published: December 2020

Background: Influenza virus is a major cause of respiratory infections worldwide. Besides the common respiratory symptoms, namouras cases with gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported. Moreover, influenza virus has been detected in feces of up to 20.6 % of influenza-infected patients. Therefore, direct infection of intestinal cells with influenza virus is suspected; however, the mechanism of this infection has not been explored. AIM: To investigate influenza virus replication, cellular responses to infection, and virus evolution following serial infection in human Caucasian colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2 cells). Method: Two influenza A subtypes (A/H3N2 and A/H1N1pdm 09) and one influenza B virus (B/Yamagata) were serially passaged in Caco-2. Quantitative PCR was used to study hormones and cytokines expression following infection. Deep sequencing analysis of viral genome was used to assess the virus evolution. Results: The replication capacity of the three viruses was maintained throughout 12 passages, with H3N2 virus being the fastest in adaptation. The expression of hormone and cytokines in Caco-2 cells was considerably different between the viruses and among the passages, however, a pattern of induction was observed at the late phase of infection. Deep sequencing analysis revealed a few amino acid substitutions in the HA protein of H3N2 and H1N1 viruses, mostly in the antigenic site. Moreover, virus evolution at the quasispecies level based on HA protein revealed that H3N2 and H1N1 harbored more diverse virus populations when compared to IBV, indicating their higher evolution within Caco-2 cells. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the possibility of influenza virus replication in intestinal cells. To further explain the gastrointestinal complications of influenza infections in-vivo experiments with different influenza viruses are needed.
Economic Evaluation of CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy Compared to Universal use of Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel in Qatar
Authors: AlMukdad Sawsan Ibrahim , Elewa Hazem , Al-Badriyeh Daoud
Published: December 2020

Background: Patients having CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles and receiving clopidogrel are at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Ticagrelor is a more effective and expensive antiplatelet that is unaffected by the CYP2C19 polymorphism. The main aim of the current research is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness among CYP2C19 genotype-guided therapy, universal ticagrelor, and universal clopidogrel after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A two-part simulation model, including a one-year decision-analytic model and a 20-year followup Markov model, was created to follow the use of (i) universal clopidogrel, (ii) universal ticagrelor, and (iii) genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy. Outcome measures were the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER, cost/success) and incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR, cost/qualityadjusted life years [QALY]). Therapy success was defined as survival without myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death, stent thrombosis, and no therapy discontinuation because of adverse events, i.e. major bleeding and dyspnea. The model was based on a multivariate analysis, and a sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the model outcomes. Results: Against universal clopidogrel, genotype-guided therapy was cost-effective over the one-year duration (ICER, USD 6,102 /success), and dominant over the long-term. Genotype-guided therapy was dominant over universal ticagrelor over the one-year duration and cost-effective over the long term (ICUR, USD 1,383 /QALY). Universal clopidogrel was dominant over ticagrelor over the short term, and cost-effective over the long-term (ICUR, 10,616 /QALY). Conclusion: CYP2C19 genotype-guided therapy appears to be the preferred antiplatelet strategy, followed by universal clopidogrel, and then universal ticagrelor for post-PCI patients in Qatar.
The Impact of Pharmacist Care on Diabetes Outcomes in Primary Care Settings: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Abdulrhim Sara Hamdi , Sankaralingam Sownd , Izham Mohamed
Published: December 2020

Objective: To systematically review published systematic reviews (SRs) examining the impact of pharmacist interventions in multidisciplinary diabetes care teams on diabetes-related clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes in primary care settings. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Database, Google Scholar, and PROSPERO were searched from inception to 2018. Studies published in English evaluating the effect of pharmacist interventions on diabetes outcomes were included. Two independent reviewers were involved in the screening of titles and abstracts, selection of studies, and methodological quality assessment. Results: Seven SRs were included in the study. Three of them included only randomized controlled trials, while the rest involved other study designs. Educational interventions by clinical pharmacists within the healthcare team were the most common types of interventions reported across all SRs. Pharmacist’s interventions compared to usual care resulted in favorable significant improvements in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol, lowdensity lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides in more than 50% of the SRs. Improvement in HbA1c was the mostly reported clinical outcome of pharmacist intervention in the literature (reported in six SRs). Pharmacist’s interventions led to significant cost-saving ($8–$85,000 per person per year), cost-utility, and cost-benefit (benefit-to-cost ratio range from 1:1 to 8.5:1) versus usual care. Pharmacist’s interventions improved patients’ quality of life (QoL) in three SRs; however, no conclusion can be drawn due to the use of diverse QoL assessment tools. Conclusion: Most SRs support the benefit of pharmacist care on diabetes-related clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes in primary care settings. Improvements in diabetes outcomes can significantly reduce the burden of diabetes on the healthcare system. Hence, the incorporation of pharmacists into multidisciplinary diabetes care teams is beneficial and should be strongly considered by clinicians and health policymakers.
Association between Soft Drink Consumption and Bone Mineral Density among Qatari Women- Analysis of Qatar Biobank data
Authors: Hamid Aamna , Shi Zumin , Thalib Lukman
Published: December 2020

Background: Decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) increases the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. It is common in older women, as the BMD tends to decrease with age, particularly after menopause. While age and hormonal changes are well-established risk factors, other factors have been investigated for possible links to increase the risk of osteoporosis. These factors include dietary patterns and lifestyle. Aim: To explore the association between soft drink consumption and BMD. Method: This cross-sectional study included data from 1000 Qatari women age ≥ 40 year’s participated in the Qatar Biobank Study. BMD levels were measured using the Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan and the soft drink consumption was assessed using a food frequency questionnaires. Multiple quantile regression models were used to assess the association between bone mineral density and soft drink consumption. Results: While most of the participants did not drink soft drinks (68%), around one third reported consuming soft drinks. A total of 16.4% of participants reported consuming soft drinks < 1 time/ week and 15.6% of participants reported consuming soft drinks ≥ 1 time/ week. There was an inverse association between BMD and soft drink consumption. Compared with non-consumers, ≥ 1 time/week consumption of soft drink had a -0.034 95%CI (-0.056, -0.012) at 0.25 quantile for BMD after adjusting for age, BMI, menopausal status, smoking status, physical activities, milk intake, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Also, BMD was negatively associated with regular soft drinks, but not with diet soft drink and energy drink. Conclusion: High consumption of soft drink is inversely related to BMD among Qatari women. Further longitudinal and clinical studies are required before developing public health intervention to improve bone health by reducing soft drink consumption.
The use of Drosophila Melanogaster as a Model Organism to study the effect of Bacterial Infection on Host Survival and Metabolism
Authors: Al-Asmar Jawaher , Rashwan Sara , Kamareddine Layla
Published: December 2020

Enterobacteriaceae, a large family of facultative anaerobic bacteria, encloses a broad spectrum of bacterial species including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Shigella sonnei, that produce enterotoxins and cause gastrointestinal tract diseases. While much is known about the regulation and function of enterotoxins within the intestine of the host; the lack of cheap, practical, and genetically tractable model organisms has restricted the investigation of others facets of this host-pathogen interaction. Our group, among others, has employed Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism to shed more light on some aspects of host-pathogen interplays. In this project, we addressed the effect of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Shigella sonnei infection on altering the metabolic homeostasis of the host. Drosophila melanogaster flies were orally infected with Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, or Shigella sonnei, a method that mimics the natural route used by enteric pathogens to gain access to the gastrointestinal tract in humans. The results of our study revealed that both Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei pathogens were capable of colonizing the host gut, resulting in a reduction in the life span of the infected host. Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei infected flies also exhibited altered metabolic profiles including lipid droplets deprivation from their fat body (normal lipid storage organ in flies), irregular accumulation of lipid droplets in their gut, and significant elevation of systemic glucose and triglyceride levels. These metabolic alterations could be mechanistically attributed to the differential down-regulation in the expression of metabolic peptide hormones (Allatostatin A, Diuretic hormone 31, and Tachykinin) detected in the gut of Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei infected flies. Salmonella enterica; however, was unable to colonize the gut of the host; and therefore, Salmonella enterica infected flies exhibited a relatively normal metabolic status as that of non infected flies. Gaining a proper mechanistic understanding of infection-induced metabolic alterations helps in modulating the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal tract diseases in a host and opens up for promising therapeutic approaches for infection induced metabolic disorders
Evaluating the Impact of a brief Health at Every Size-Based activity on body positivity and internal weight-based oppression
Authors: Ahmed Hanaa , Elashie Sana , O'Hara Lily
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Internal weight-based oppression WBO is the internalized negative attitudes, values and beliefs people hold about body weight, and is associated with depression, anxiety, body image disturbance, disordered eating, avoidance of physical activity, and increased calorie consumption. Conversely, body positivity encompasses body acceptance, body appreciation, and body love, and adaptive approaches protective of health and wellbeing. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of the brief activity on body positivity and internal WBO in female students at Qatar University. Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental pre-post evaluation design, with quantitative assessment of body positivity and internal weight-based oppression before a brief activity (pre), immediately afterwards (post), and 10 weeks later (follow up), and qualitative assessment at the 10-week follow up. Love your Body, a Health at Every Size-based activity, was developed and delivered by public health students as part of the Mental Health Festival. The 10- minute activity involved Yay scales, positive affirmation stickers, photography, postcards, and gratitude writing. Evaluation measures used were the Body Appreciation Scale 2 (BAS-2), Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (M-WBIS), Fat Attitudes Assessment Toolkit Size Acceptance (FAAT-SA) and Self Reflection (FAAT-SR) subscales, and an open-ended questionnaire. Results: A total of 35 female undergraduate students completed assessments at all time points. Self-reflection and body appreciation increased significantly after the activity. All measures showed a trend towards improvement from pre to post assessment, but a return to baseline or near baseline status after 10 weeks. Qualitative results suggested that improvements were sustained at follow up. Conclusion: The activity had a positive effect on participants’ body appreciation and self-reflection in the short term, but these improvements were not sustained over the longer term. The high number of missing responses compromised the potential to determine findings that are more robust.
Development and in Vitro Testing of a Nitric Oxide Nanoparticle Carrier for Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Kordi Haya , Al-Sadi Amena , Benslimane Fatiha , Yalcin Huseyin Cagatay
Published: December 2020

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an infectious clinical condition in which gas exchange inside the airways and alveoli are disturbed. Fluid filled lungs need to be mechanically ventilated for airway reopening.Ventilation might further damage delicate lung tissue and lead to edema,a phenomenon known as ventilator-induced lung injury VILI is a result of propagation of small air bubbles in gas exchange sites, injuring epithelial cells due to shear stress. Potential rescue of epithelial cells (EPCs) under injurious stresses is possible by altering their mechanical properties and hence deformation amount under stress (decreased stiffness, decreased deformation). This is possible by altering the cytoskeleton. Nitric oxide (NO) inhalation therapy for ARDS enhances oxygenation. In addition, NO secretion was shown to decrease stiffness in various tissue types which can aid as a treatment of conditions like ARDS.One issue with using NO is that the life-time is too short so the treatment is not very effective. We have used nanoparticles, which secretes NO in aqueous environment. We hypothesize that Administration of NO through releasing polymers will soften lung cells and suppress inflammatory markers which enhance survival of lung cells against shear stress.
Investigating the Efficacy of Natural Blood Glucose Lowering Compounds in the Prevention of Congenital Heart Defects during Maternal Diabetes using the Chick Embryo
Authors: Haddad Batoul , El-hashmi Zainab , Yalcin Huseyin , Benslimane Fatiha , Hussain Hana A.
Published: December 2020

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by hyperglycemia. Although there are several drugs available for diabetes, patients tend to follow natural remedies. However, the use of these natural remedies lacks scientific evidence of its effect. Therefore, the aim of this project was to first identify the histological changes of the developing heart in a hyperglycemic environments. Secondly, test the efficacy of selected natural compounds in lowering blood glucose levels and to assess its gene expression changes.
The Critical Care Medicine Research: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jasim Kawthar Hasan
Published: December 2020

Objectives: The cost-effectiveness terminology is a common term used in the critical care medicine research. A systematic review analysis was conducted to study the patterns of the use and misuse of the cost-effectiveness terminology in the critical care medicine literature between 1998 and 2018. Methods: A search in the inCite journal citation report was done to identify all the critical care medicine journals. An independednt search done to identify all the articles between 1980 to 2018 that claimed in their abstracts/article to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). Eligible articles were included and analyzed using x2-test. The articles were categorized into four different levels based on the appropriateness of CEA terminology use. The analysis performed to assess the association between the appropriateness of CEA terminology and the journal impact factor (IF), author background, and the publication year (5-year time points). Results: Out of 7,835 articles in targeted subject category, 76 met the inclusion criteria, but 50 of them were analyzed. Of these 50 articles, 32 (64.0%) met the appropriate criterion of CEA terminology use. 71.4% of articles published in journals with IF: 3.0 - 21.4 were appropriately using CEA term compared to 54.5% studies that are published in journals with IF: 0.4 - 2.8. Of these articles, which are appropriately use CEA terminology, 56.2% of the articles have at least one author with health economics expertise. Conclusion and recommendation: The preliminary data suggest that there is an association between the level of appropriateness and journal impact factor and the author health-economic background authorship. However, we did not demonstrate changes in the level of appropriateness with time. Decision-makers, authors, and editors should pay better attention in seeking ways to monitor the appropriate use of “cost-effectiveness” terminology. More future studies should be done in this context.
Validation of FFQ against Food Records for Vitamin D in Qatar Population
Authors: Abu-Dbaa Reem , Othman Haneen , Zewein Menatallah , Ganji Vijay
Published: December 2020

Background: Measurement of Vitamin D nutritional status through dietary assessment is a cost effective method. The food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is usually validated against food records (FR). There is no Vitamin D specific FFQ for Qatar population Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a Vitamin D centric FFQ and validate FFQ against 3-day FR for Qatar population. Methodology: A quantitative FFQ based on Vitamin D containing foods consumed in Qatar was developed. Vitamin D content of foods were gathered from food labels and food composition tables from the USDA. A Vitamin D content database was developed for this study purpose. Dietary intakes using FFQ and 3-day FR were collected from 62 participants. Vitamin D intakes from FFQ and 3-day FR were validated with quartile comparison and Bland-Altman (BA) tests. Results: BA plot showed an agreement between FFQ and 3-day FR Vitamin D intakes. BA index was 3.23%, which is <5%, a commonly used standard for validation. Quartile correlation showed ≈73% of the subjects were within 1 quartile difference. Conclusion: In conclusion, an agreement was found between Vitamin D intakes from FFQ and 3-day FR. This indicates that the FFQ can be used as a valid dietary method to assess Vitamin D status in Qatar’s population
Serum Magnesium and Cognitive Function among Qatari Adult
Authors: Al Ghazali Kateba , El Tayeb Sana , Musleh Ayesha , Al-Abdi Tamara , Shi Zumin
Published: December 2020

Background: Previous studies found that low levels of magnesium can increase the risk of several diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension which are associated with cognitive dysfunction. Objective: Examine the association between serum magnesium and cognitive function among Qatari adults. In addition to assessing the interaction relation between low serum magnesium, hypertension, and diabetes in relation to cognitive function. Methods: Data from 1000 Qatari participants aged ≥20 years attending the Qatar Biobank Study were analyzed. Serum magnesium was measured by an automated calorimetric method and suboptimal magnesium was characterized by <0.85 mmol/L. Cognitive function was measured by a computer-based selfadministered test focusing on mean reaction time (MRT). Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression were used. Results: The prevalence of suboptimal magnesium was 57.1%. Across the quartiles of serum magnesium from high to low, the regression coefficients (95% CI) for MRT were 0, -17.79, -18.27, and -31.93 (95%CI 2.38–3.05), respectively (p for trend <0.033). The presence of hypertension and diabetes significantly increased the MRT along with a wide range of low serum magnesium. Women with diabetes or hypertension were affected the greatest by low magnesium levels. Conclusion: There was a positive association between serum magnesium and cognitive function. Low magnesium levels were associated with a longer MRT.
Predictive Power of Body Visceral Adiposity Index, Body Adiposity Index and Body Mass Index for Type 2 Diabetes in Qatari Population
Authors: Alkhalaqi Aysha , Alnaimi Fatima , Qassmi Rouda , Bawadi Hiba
Published: December 2020

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has increased recently in Qatar. Body mass index (BMI) is a predictor of T2D in many populations. However, BMI is based on height and weight measurements and not on body adiposity. Therefore, the utility of BMI for predicting the risk of T2D has been questioned, and visceral adiposity (VAI) appears to be a better predictor of T2D. Objective: This study is aimed to assess the relative effectiveness of visceral adiposity index (VAI) and body adiposity index (BAI), in comparison with body mass index (BMI), for T2D among Qatari adults. Methodology: A random sample of 1103 adult Qatari nationals over 20 years old were included in this study; this data was obtained from the Qatar National Biobank. We performed a multivariate logistic regression to examine the association between VAI, BAI, BMI, and T2D, and computed zscores for VAI, BAI and BMI. Results: VAI z-scores showed the strongest association with the risk of T2D (OR, 1.44; 95% CI: 1.24–1.68) compared with the zscores for BAI (OR, 1.15; 95% CI: 0.93–1.43) and BMI (OR, 1.33; 95% CI: 1.11–1.59). Subgroup analyses indicated that the association was stronger between VAI and T2D in Qatari women than in men. Conclusion: VAI was a strong and independent predictor of T2D among the Qatari adult population. Therefore, VAI could be a useful tool for predicting the risk of T2D among Qatari adults.
Muscle Strength and Glycaemic Control among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Abduhijleh Haya , Alalwani Joud , Alkhatib Dana , Bawadi Hiba
Published: December 2020

Background: The prevalence of diabetes has been rising sharply since 1980, reaching 422 million cases worldwide in 2014. Physical activity and handgrip strength may be associated with good glycaemic control among patients with diabetes Objective: We tested the association between handgrip strength and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients, from National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey NHANES 2011-2014 and the contribution of the study covariates to this association. Hypothesis: Muscle strength is positively associated with glycemic control in type two diabetes. Methodology: This cross-sectional study examined the association between handgrip strength and glycaemic control among patients with diabetes. Data on 1058 participants aged 40 and older were collected from the NHANES. Muscle strength was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer, and blood samples were obtained to observe the glycaemic control values. Height, body weight, physical activity, insulin use, smoking status, alcohol use, participant demographics, and income-to-poverty ratio were all considered in the study. Results: logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between handgrip strength and poor glycaemic control among participants with diabetes. Three models were used, each model adjusted to include different variables. OR values revealed no association between handgrip strength and glycaemic control. However, model 2, which was adjusted for sedentary activity, income-topoverty ratio, education, and smoking, shows a trend towards an association. Patients in quartile 4 of handgrip had 0.59 odds of poor glycaemic control, OR = 0.59 (95% CI: 0.34–1.02). However, in model 3 this effect was diluted when further adjusted for insulin use, OR = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.47– 1.38). Further analysis was performed to examine the mean decline in handgrip strength among non-insulin and insulin users. Non-insulin users, both men and women, have higher handgrip strength as compared to insulin users. Conclusion: There was no association found between handgrip and glycaemic control among patients with diabetes.
Investigating the Cardiac effects of New Generation Anti-Diabetic Drug Empagliflozin using Zebrafish Embryo Model
Authors: Alkawari Fatima , Ali Wigdan , Benslimane Fatiha , Yalcin Huseyin
Published: December 2020

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects >16% of adults in Qatar. Newly emerging class of antidiabetic drugs focused on SGLT inhibition were observed to reduce CVDs risks in diabetic patients. Up to date, the mechanism contributing to the CV benefits remains unrevealed. Zebrafish embryos were treated with Aristolochic Acid to induce heart failure then treated with Empagliflozin to determine its beneficial effect. Furthermore the expression of SGLT1 & 2 were determined in the hearts of zebrafish. SGLT2 was expressed more then SGLT1 in the heart and whole embryo. Empa significantly improved the zebrafish embryo'scardiachealthafterinductionofheartfailure.