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Epidemiology and Diversity of Paratuberculosis in the Arabian Peninsula: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Implications for One Health
No full textParatuberculosis is a chronic zoonotic bacterial infection, primarily affecting ruminants. This review examines the disease in the Arabian Peninsula, focusing on distribution, molecular diversity, prevalence, and associated risk factors. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. After duplicate removal and eligibility screening, data extraction, analysis, and quality assessment were performed. Pathogen sequences were retrieved from NCBI GenBank for phylogenetic analysis. The review included a total of 31 published articles from 1997 to 2025, of which 26 were used in the meta-analysis. Most studies (n = 12) were published between 2011 and 2015, predominantly from Saudi Arabia (n = 22), with no reports from Qatar, Bahrain, or Yemen. The majority of the studies involved camels and sheep (n = 16 on each species), followed by cattle (n = 9), goats (n = 7), humans (n = 2), and buffalo (n = 1). Phylogenetic analysis delineates two major clades-Type S and Type C-suggesting greater genetic diversity in Type S. The estimated pooled seroprevalence and pathogen prevalence in livestock ruminants were 8.1% and 22.4%, respectively. Herd-level estimated pooled seroprevalence was 26.9%. Small ruminants (19.3%) were more sero-prevalent than large ruminants (7.4%), with goats (28.7%) significantly (p < 0.01) more affected than sheep (21.5%), camel (9.8%), and cattle (6.6%). Clinical signs in ruminants included chronic diarrhea, emaciation, anorexia, alopecia, wry neck, and dehydration. The reviewed study patterns and findings suggest high pathogen diversity and a significant risk of transboundary transmission at the human-animal interface in this region. A One Health surveillance approach is crucial, particularly on farms with diarrheic and emaciated animals. Establishing a national surveillance plan and phased (short-, intermediate-, and long-term) control programs is essential to mitigate economic losses, limit transmission, overcome the cultural barrier, and protect public health.Scopu
Home-learning environment and cognitive and academic outcomes among children aged 4–8 years: A cross-sectional study from South India
No full textPurposeHome-learning environment is critical for cognitive and academic outcomes; yet its impact during the 4–8 years' period remains underexplored, especially in the Global South. This study examines the relationship between the home-learning environment and children's fluid intelligence and early language numeracy outcomes in urban poor households in Bangalore, South India. MethodsWe analysed data from 940 mother-child dyads from the MAASTHI birth cohort when children were 4–8-years old. The Family Care Indicators (FCI) tool assessed the home-learning environment, Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) measured children's fluid-intelligence, and the preschool Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) tool measured literacy-numeracy skills. Multilevel linear regression models, adjusted for household, maternal, and child factors, were used to examine the associations. ResultsHigher levels of parental education, maternal Intelligence Quotient, and lower maternal depressive symptoms were significantly associated with better cognitive and early language outcomes. A stimulating home-learning environment characterized by the availability of ≥6 age-appropriate books, higher levels of caregiver engagement, and higher overall home environment scores (FCI-Total) was linked to better non-verbal fluid intelligence and early language scores during 4–8 years of age. However, these factors were not significantly associated with numeracy. ConclusionThis study underscores the sustained benefits of a stimulating home-learning environment in urban poor settings on children's cognitive and academic outcomes between 4 and 8 years of age. Our results reinforce the need for interventions that promote caregiver engagement and access to a variety of books and toys to optimize child outcomes in marginalized settings.We sincerely thank the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka (DoHFW, GoK) and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for their support of the MAASTHI birth cohort study since its inception. We thank all participants for their continuous participation in the ongoing cohort. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated members of the MAASTHI research and field team for their invaluable support in data collection and management. We extend our thanks to Dr. Suresh Shapeti for administrative support. We are also thankful to Dr. Siddhartha Mandal and Dr. Shweta Dixit for their statistical guidance
Comprehensive Investigation of Qatar Soil Bacterial Diversity and Its Correlation with Soil Nutrients
No full textArid and semi-arid regions show distinctive bacterial groups important for the sustainability of ecosystems and soil health. This study aims to investigate how environmental factors across five Qatari soils influence the taxonomic composition of bacterial communities and their predicted functional roles using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and soil chemical analysis. Soil samples from five different locations in Qatar (three coastal and two inland) identified 26 bacterial phyla, which were dominated by Actinomycetota (35–43%), Pseudomonadota (12–16%), and Acidobacteriota (4–13%). Species-level analysis discovered taxa such as Rubrobacter tropicus, Longimicrobium terrae, Gaiella occulta, Kallotenue papyrolyticum, and Sphingomonas jaspsi, suggesting the presence of possible novel microbial families. The functional predictions showed development in pathways related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and stress tolerance. In addition, heavy-metal-related taxa, which are known to harbor genes for metal resistance mechanisms including efflux pumps, metal chelation, and oxidative stress tolerance. The presence of Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus highlights their roles in stress tolerance, biodegradation, and metabolite production. These findings improve the understanding of microbial roles in dry soils, especially in nutrient cycling and ecosystem resilience. They highlight the importance of local bacteria for sustaining desert soil functions. Further research is needed to validate these relationships, using metabolomic approaches while monitoring microbial-community-changing aspects under fluctuating environmental conditions
Second pregnancy vaginal birth after cesarean- impact of maternal age on outcomes from a retrospective cohort study
No full textThe rate of cesarean delivery (CD) in Qatar is rising at an alarming rate. Vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) is associated with lower maternal morbidity and is an important option for younger mothers. This study compared the pregnancy outcomes of second pregnancies in women with prior CD, according to their age groups, with the aim of individualising VBAC counselling. This retrospective study divided women in their second pregnancies based on age: young group (YG35 years). The primary outcome was the mode of delivery. Out of 2,729 women, 18.2% had a VBAC (27.4% in YG vs. 9.5% in AG). Nearly 48% agreed to a TOLAC (57.9% in YG and 41.8% in AG), 38% of whom had a successful VBAC. Among those who opted for TOLAC, 47.3% in YG had a successful VBAC, compared to only 22.8% in AG (p<0.001). While hypertension, diabetes, macrosomia and preterm birth reduced VBAC, postdated and uncomplicated pregnancies increased the rates. Compared to CG, YG had 35% lower odds of repeat CD (aOR=0.64, CI=0.49-0.85, p=0.002), while AG had nearly two times higher odds (CI=1.26-2.95, p=0.003), after adjusting for confounders. Maternal age emerged as an important predictor of repeat cesarean, with younger mothers having a much higher chance of successful VBAC. More than half with uncomplicated pregnancies opted for an elective CD, highlighting the requirement for improving counselling services that motivate women to take up VBAC and improve their confidence in the healthcare system
Quantifying the Effects of Traffic Calming Devices on Noise Levels
No full textTraffic-related noise pollution is a major environmental stressor causing various adverse health impacts on humans. Road traffic noise levels are influenced by the type of vehicle, tire-to-pavement friction, and driving style. Traffic calming devices like speed humps and speed tables play a significant role in affecting the overall operational factors of vehicles, whereas the major contributors of pollutants are caused due to the abrupt deceleration, braking, and acceleration of vehicles while passing over them. This paper aims to quantify the effects of different traffic calming devices on the noise generated by the traffic flow. To compare the noise emissions, the noise levels of a particular vehicle passing at and after the traffic calming devices were measured simultaneously while maintaining most of the site characteristics and traffic data similar. This research will ascertain statistical analysis of the noise levels emitted by vehicles at the traffic calming devices. The 24 traffic calming devices selected for this study included 12-speed humps and 12-speed tables for 2-lane and 4-lane at 3 different zones (residential, school, and industrial) in multiple areas in Doha City, Qatar. The data collection conducted for 8-hours per site showed that the observed mean noise levels for all the sites exceeded the WHO standards [53 dB(A)] and Qatar standards [55 dB(A)] permissible noise levels because of the vehicle fleet mix. The analysis indicated that traffic calming devices generated comparatively higher noise than the control point, meanwhile speed humps emitted more noise levels than speed tables. Further, it was statistically proven that traffic calming devices in 4-lane emitted higher noise levels than those in 2-lane. In addition, the industrial zone was observed to generate higher noise levels than the residential and school zone
DeepRaman: Implementing surface-enhanced Raman scattering together with cutting-edge machine learning for the differentiation and classification of bacterial endotoxins
No full textTo classify raw SERS Raman spectra from biological materials, we propose DeepRaman, a new architecture inspired by the Progressive Fourier Transform and integrated with the scalogram transformation approach. Unlike standard machine learning approaches such as PCA, LDA, SVM, RF, GBM etc, DeepRaman functions independently, requiring no human interaction, and can be used to much smaller datasets than traditional CNNs. Performance of DeepRaman on 14 endotoxins bacteria and on a public data achieved an extraordinary accuracy of 99 percent. This provides exact endotoxin classification and has tremendous potential for accelerated medical diagnostics and treatment decision-making in cases of pathogenic infections. Background: Bacterial endotoxin, a lipopolysaccharide exuded by bacteria during their growth and infection process, serves as a valuable biomarker for bacterial identification. It is a vital component of the outer membrane layer in Gram-negative bacteria. By employing silver nanorod-based array substrates, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra were obtained for two separate datasets: Eleven endotoxins produced by bacteria, each having an 8.75 pg average detection quantity per measurement, and three controls chitin, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN), because their structures differ greatly from those of LPS. Objective: This study utilized various classical machine learning techniques, such as support vector machines, k-nearest neighbors, and random forests, in conjunction with a modified deep learning approach called DeepRaman. These algorithms were employed to distinguish and categorize bacterial endotoxins, following appropriate spectral pre-processing, which involved novel filtering techniques and advanced feature extraction methods. Result: Most traditional machine learning algorithms achieved distinction accuracies of over 99 percent, whereas DeepRaman demonstrated an exceptional accuracy of 100 percent. This method offers precise endotoxin classification and holds significant potential for expedited medical diagnoses and therapeutic decision-making in cases of pathogenic infections. Conclusion: We present the effectiveness of DeepRaman, an innovative architecture inspired by the Progressive Fourier Transform and integrated with the scalogram transformation method, in classifying raw SERS Raman spectral data from biological specimens with unparalleled accuracy relative to conventional machine learning algorithms. Notably, this Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) operates autonomously, requiring no human intervention, and can be applied with substantially smaller datasets than traditional CNNs. Furthermore, it exhibits remarkable proficiency in managing challenging baseline scenarios that often lead to failures in other techniques, thereby promoting the broader clinical adoption of Raman spectroscopy.This research was funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF now QRDI) under Grant NPRP12S-0224-190144. Computational resources were provided by the Qatar Research Computing Institute (QCRI)
Surgical Strategies in Renal Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Partial vs. Radical Nephrectomy Outcomes Across Tumor Stages
No full textBackground: Surgical intervention remains the primary treatment for localized renal tumors and masses, with partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN) being the two most frequently employed procedures. The choice between these approaches is often influenced by factors such as tumor size, location, histology, and patient comorbidities. However, the decision between PN and RN remains a subject of ongoing debate, particularly as emerging evidence suggests varying outcomes based on the stage and type of renal tumors. This meta-analysis evaluates the association between renal tumor stage and subtype with the outcomes of PN and RN, focusing on renal function, cancer-specific survival, and postoperative complications.
Method: An exhaustive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, covering the literature from their inception up to March 2023, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Original studies comparing PN to RN in the management of renal tumors at various stages were meticulously screened, adhering to stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. This protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023455985).
Result: Overall, 38 cohort studies were included, with a total of 144,608 patients diagnosed with renal cancer who underwent nephrectomy, 71,582 who underwent PN, and 72,671 who underwent RN. The data revealed a significant difference in cancer-specific survival between PN and RN, which was higher in the RN group (pooled HR: 1.17; 95% CI = 1.01–1.35) p < 0.001. The postoperative renal function of patients who underwent RN was worse than that of patients who underwent PN (pooled RR: 4.22; 95% CI: 1.45, 12.27, p < 0.00001). The relative risk of papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was lower in patients who underwent RN as compared to PN (the pooled RR, 1.32; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.72, p < 0.001), while the relative risk of RCC collecting duct subtype was significantly lower patients who underwent PN as compared to RN (the pooled RR, 0.44 (95% CI = 0.29, 0.67) p = 0.97. Additionally, the pooled risk for patients with a Charlson Comorbidity Index score of ≥2 was lower in the PN group compared to the RN group.
Conclusion: Across various tumor stages, RN demonstrates superior cancer-specific survival, and a lower incidence of postoperative complications compared to PN. However, PN is associated with more favorable renal function preservation. These findings, in conjunction with individual patient characteristics, should be meticulously evaluated to inform the selection of the most appropriate surgical approach and guide patient counseling.The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library (QNL).Scopu
Improving self-healing characteristics of polyurethane composite coatings by surface modification of polyaniline using dodecylamine
No full textCorrosion is one of the most critical problems affecting the structural integrity of metals. Polymeric nanocomposite coatings reinforced with anti-corrosive pigments are currently being used to mitigate corrosion. This study involves the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles and their modification with dodecylamine (DOC), which functions as acorrosion inhibitor. Polyurethane coatings (PU-PANI@DOC) were developed by incorporating modified nanoparticles (PANI@DOC) into the polyurethane matrix, and blank polyurethane coatings (PU-blank) were prepared without any nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analysis confirmed the successful modification of dodecylamine (DOC) with the surface of polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and salt spray test (SST) revealed that the impedance values of the modified coating follow an inclined trend (1010 Ω.cm2) in comparison with PU-blank coatings (107 Ω.cm2) after the 14thday ofimmersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl. Moreover, the hydrophobic characteristics of PANI@DOC nanoparticles shift the contact angle from 60° to 90°, thus lowering the wettability nature of modified coatings. Overall, Polyurethane coatings (PU-PANI@DOC) exhibiting potential attributes such as barrier properties, hydrophobic nature, inhibition effect, and high compatibility with polyurethane matrix can be a suitable material for the development of smart self-healing coatings to protect the metals from the hostile effects of corrosion.The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding support provided by the following grants NPRP13S-0120-200116, from Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF- a member of Qatar Foundation), QUHI-CENG-24/25-436 from Qatar University, and ARG01-0516-230189 from Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI). Statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors would like to thank the Central Laboratories Unit (CLU), Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar, for SEM-EDX and TEM analysis
Impact of continuing professional development (CPD) on patient outcomes: a systematic scoping review
No full textBackground: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is vital for maintaining healthcare professionals' competence in providing quality patient care. However, evidence linking CPD directly to patient outcomes remains limited and methodologically diverse, hindering generalizable conclusions. This scoping review synthesises available evidence on the impact of CPD participation on patient outcomes, identifies patterns in intervention design and outcome measures, and explores key implementation and contextual factors that influence CPD effectiveness. Methods: In September 2024 PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and ERIC were searched for studies that assessed the impact of CPD interventions on patient health outcomes in healthcare settings. Two reviewers independently screened the articles for eligibility and charted the data. Findings were synthesized using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative summary and qualitative content analysis. Results: Of 1562 records screened, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the articles (n = 16) originated from high-income countries. Multi-component CPD interventions, particularly those with sustained support and practical skills development, demonstrated greater effectiveness than standalone educational activities. Positive patient outcomes were reported in 14 studies, including reduced hypoglycemic events, and shorter ICU stays. The most impactful interventions were those implemented with organizational support, clear protocols, and ongoing reinforcement. Nevertheless, the evidence base was constrained by variations in outcome measures (e.g., mortality rates, complication rates, functional scores), and short follow-up durations. Conclusions: Despite CPD's prominence in healthcare systems, only a few studies directly evaluate it to improved patient outcomes. This review highlights that CPD programs incorporating practical skill development, protocol-based implementation, organizational support, and ongoing reinforcement can enhance patient care. Future research should adopt rigorous methodologies, consistent outcome measures, and long-term follow-up to better evaluate CPD's effectiveness. Additionally, CPD providers should prioritize integrated approaches between theoretical knowledge, applied practice, and continuous support mechanisms to maximize clinical impact.Scopu
The Community Service as a University Requirement During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
No full textIn the evolving landscape of higher education, universities are responsible for molding students academically and as conscientious citizens committed to community service. This case study discusses an approach adopted by a university to embed the ethos of volunteering within its student body, particularly in the context of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Recognizing the role of volunteer work in fostering a culture of responsibility, cooperation, and societal support, the university introduced a new course titled 'Service-Learning'. This initiative required students to complete a minimum of 40 h of field-based community service, aiming to address local needs while instilling a robust sense of civic duty. The course curriculum was designed to acquaint students with the fundamental principles of community service, including its critical characteristics, benefits, and the challenges it encompasses. By the semester's end, students were expected to compile an electronic portfolio, encapsulating their reflections on their practical experiences during the World Cup and evaluating the influence of their civic engagement on their personal growth, others, and the broader community. This case study highlights the skills and competencies students gained through diverse volunteering roles and responsibilities. Additionally, it underscores the cultural awareness fostered through interactions with individuals from varied cultural backgrounds, thus enriching the students' educational journey and societal contributions.Scopu