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The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms and their associated factors among patients with cancer in Qatar: A cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Cancer is a significant global health challenge. One of the biggest health issues that cancer patients face is depression and anxiety. This has a significant impact on their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of depression and anxiety among cancer patients in Qatar. Materials and methods: This study was a cross-sectional design using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scales. A total of 500 cancer patients were surveyed from the National Center for Cancer Care and Research in Doha. Results: The study found that a significant proportion of cancer patients suffered from depression, with an average PHQ-9 score indicating mild levels of severity. Depression was commonly categorized as mild, with a smaller percentage experiencing moderate, moderate-to-severe, or severe depression. Additionally, patients were predominantly anxious, as reflected by an average GAD-7 score, with most patients experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, while a few experienced moderate or severe anxiety. These findings highlight the significant prevalence of both depression and anxiety among cancer patients, pointing to the importance of comprehensive mental health support. Moreover, patients with advanced-stage cancer, those in their 40s and 60s, those undergoing radiotherapy or hormone therapy, and female patients were found to be more susceptible to depression and anxiety. Conclusion: Treatment of mental health issues is essential to enhancing the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Cancer patients can have a higher quality of life and better adherence to cancer treatments when mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are identified and treated early. Furthermore, most patients reported having depression and anxiety, according to the study, which showed that these conditions were more common in Qatar than in other countries. Several demographic groups have been linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, including women, middle-aged adults, people with stage IV cancer, and patients receiving therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Scopu
Role of Exosome in Solid Cancer Progression and Its Potential Therapeutics in Cancer Treatment
Get PDFBackground: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles ranging from 40 to 100 nm in diameter that mediate intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other metabolites. In the context of cancer, exosomes influence the tumor microenvironment by carrying regulatory RNAs such as miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA. They originate from various cells, including adipocytes, fibroblasts, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and can either promote or inhibit cancer progression through pathways like MAPK and PI3K-Akt. Aim: This review aims to explore the role of exosomes in the progression of solid cancers, emphasizing their self-induced activation mechanisms and how they modulate tumor behavior. Methodology: A comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted, focusing on studies that investigated the biological functions of exosomes in solid tumor progression, including their molecular cargo, cellular origin, and involvement in signaling pathways. Results: Findings from multiple studies indicate that cancer-derived exosomes contribute to tumor proliferation, metastasis, and therapy resistance by enhancing communication within the tumor microenvironment. These vesicles activate oncogenic pathways and can serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets due to their role in disease modulation. Conclusion: Exosomes play a pivotal role in solid cancer progression and offer significant potential in advancing our understanding of tumor biology. Their capacity to influence key signaling pathways and facilitate intercellular communication makes them promising candidates for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.Open Access publishing facilitated by the Qatar National Library, as part of the Wiley Qatar National Library agreement
Generative AI and the Metaverse: A Scoping Review of Ethical and Legal Challenges
Get PDFThe metaverse, a pioneering digital realm merging virtual and augmented realities with Artificial Intelligence (AI), represents a transformative environment where digital and physical realities converge seamlessly. Generative AI (GenAI) is indispensable in powering the metaverse's dynamic and immersive experiences, enabling the autonomous generation of diverse digital content. Large Language Models (LLMs), as a component of GenAI, play a critical role by facilitating real-time communication, multilingual translation, and personalized interactions, enhancing user engagement in shared virtual spaces. This scoping review explores the interdependence between GenAI and the metaverse and the unique ethical and legal challenges that emerge from their integration. It identifies key ethical and legal issues, such as bias in AI-generated content, misinformation, and data privacy concerns, related to the deployment of GenAI and LLMs, and offers strategic recommendations for addressing these challenges responsibly. Emphasizing the transformative potential of these technologies, this review highlights the necessity of developing tailored ethical and legal frameworks to manage their convergence responsibly, ensuring equitable and sustainable growth within the metaverse.Scopu
نبض الصحة : اليوم العالمي لمرض السرطان
No full textيحتفل باليوم العالمي للسرطان في الرابع من فبراير من كل عام كمبادرة عالمية يقودها الاتحاد الدولي لمكافحة السرطان بدعم من الأمم المتحدة
Silent struggles: a qualitative study exploring mental health challenges of undergraduate healthcare students
Get PDFBackground: Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel, and perform. Mental health among healthcare students has become a major concern, drawing attention due to its profound impact on their welfare, academic performance, and ability to effectively interact with patients. This paper aimed to explore the experiences of undergraduate healthcare students facing mental health challenges at Qatar University. With a focus on understanding the factors contributing to mental health issues and exploring their coping mechanisms, the research also sought to identify students’ recommendations for institutional support to improve their mental well-being. Methods: A qualitative approach using semi-structured face-to-face interviews was employed to collect data. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit students from five healthcare disciplines- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health Sciences and Nursing- who had self-reported mild to moderate depressive symptoms based on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21). A total of 15 interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed verbatim, with thematic analysis used to identify key themes. Results: Several themes emerged from the interviews, including academic pressure, social isolation, anxiety, coping mechanisms, fear of failure, and stigma surrounding mental health support. Academic pressure was consistently reported as a major stressor, contributing to anxiety and emotional strain. Social isolation further exacerbated mental health challenges, while many students highlighted a lack of well-established coping strategies. Stigma related to seeking mental health support was a significant barrier, preventing students from accessing available services. Conclusion: The study highlights the mental health challenges faced by healthcare students, emphasizing the need for effective institutional mental health support. Addressing academic pressures, enhancing self-coping mechanisms and social support systems, and reducing the stigma around mental health care are essential steps toward improving student well-being. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.Open access funding is provided by the Qatar National Library
Unraveling the future productivity burden of cardiovascular disease in Qatar: Investigating the modifiable risk factors control in type 2 diabetes
No full textAimsInsufficient risk factor control can lead to a loss of millions of productivity-adjusted life years (PALYs). We aimed to assess the productivity burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and examine the potential advantages of enhancing the control of modifiable CVD risk factors in Qatar. Materials and methodsModels were developed to quantify the productivity burden, in terms of PALYs, of CVD in Qataris with T2D, aged 40–65 years, from 2024 to 2033. The financial value of PALYs was determined based on the gross domestic product (GDP) per full-time worker (i.e. US225.46 (95 %CI, 1,689,272–2,182,939) billion to the country's GDP. However, implementing interventions to decrease the T2D incidence, lower SBP, reduce the number of smokers, and improve the total cholesterol could yield gains of 200,408, 198,173, 194,725, and 113,462 PALYs, respectively. These improvements would also lead to economic gains of US20.17 billion, US12.79 billion, respectively. ConclusionsImplementing interventions that prioritize risk factor control and prevention of CVD can help enhance overall productivity in the country
مقابلة الدكتورة شيخة المسند
No full textتعد الدكتورة شيخه المسند من رواد التعليم في دولة قطر. تلقت تعليمها في مدرسة الخور الثانوية وهي خريجة متميزة من جامعة قطر حيث حصلت على شهادة البكالوريوس في التربية عام 1977. نالت الدكتورة المسند درجة الدكتوراه في التربية من المملكة المتحدة عام 1984 من جامعة درم وكان عنوان رسالتها تطور التعليم الحديث في دول الخليج وخصوصاً تعليم المرأة. عُينت الدكتورة المسند رئيساً لجامعة قطر عام 2003 لقيادة مشروع شامل لتطوير الجامعة كي تصبح إحدى الجامعات الوطنية الرائدة للتعليم على المستوى المحلى والإقليمي. و شهدت الجامعة في تلك الفترة نقلة نوعية وتطوراً ملحوظاً في المجال العلمي والاكاديمي
THE IMPACT OF MARKET COMPETITION ON CAPITAL AND OWNERSHIP STRUCTURES: INSIGHTS FROM GCC COUNTRIES
No full textThis study examines the impact of sector-level market competition on the ownership and capital structures of publicly listed firms in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Using an extensive dataset comprising over 150,000 data points from 6,215 firm-year observations between 2010 and 2020, we employ the system-Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model for that can be used to analyze panel data with more robust estimates and deal better with endogeneity using instrument variables. The findings indicate a significant negative relationship for total block holders and institutional ownership variables with competition proxies of Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and Tobin's-Q. This suggests that firms in monopolistic or oligopolistic sectors are more likely to attract block holder investors. Regarding capital structure, the results demonstrate that competition metrics (HHI and Tobin's-Q) significantly influence capital structure (measured as debt-to-equity and debt-to-asset ratios. The relationship varies across different model specifications, with key external factors such as the 2014 oil crisis and the 2017 GCC political crisis also playing a significant role in shaping firms' financial structures. This research provides valuable insights into the role of competitive market dynamics in shaping firm ownership and capital structures, particularly within the unique economic and institutional setting of the GCC. By addressing the gap in market competition research in this region, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how competition influences economic development, investor protection, market efficiency, and corporate governance. These findings offer practical implications for policymakers and stakeholders in formulating effective regulatory and investment strategies that relate to market competition
Gut Microbiota–Tumor Microenvironment Interactions: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy in Cancer
No full textCancer immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment in recent years, with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) emerging as a key therapeutic approach. ICIs work by inhibiting the mechanisms that allow tumors to evade immune detection. Although ICIs have shown promising results, especially in solid tumors, patient responses vary widely due to multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors within the tumor microenvironment. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in modulating immune responses at the tumor site and may even influence treatment outcomes in cancer patients receiving ICIs. This review explores the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and the tumor microenvironment, examining how these interactions could impact the effectiveness of ICI therapy. Furthermore, we discuss how dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbiota composition, may contribute to resistance to ICIs, and highlight microbiota-targeted strategies to potentially overcome this challenge. Additionally, we review recent studies investigating the diagnostic potential of microbiota profiles in cancer patients, considering how microbial markers might aid in early detection and stratification of patient responses to ICIs. By integrating insights from recent preclinical and clinical studies, we aim to shed light on the potential of microbiome modulation as an adjunct to cancer immunotherapy and as a diagnostic tool, paving the way for personalized therapeutic approaches that optimize patient outcomes.The publication of this article was supported by Qatar University
Phytochemical Composition and Anticancer Properties of Haplophyllum tuberculatum Growing in Qatar and Oman Against Human Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Get PDFIntroduction:
Breast cancer ranks as the most frequently diagnosed cancer globally, with the
triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype linked to a notably poor prognosis.
The absence of optimal therapeutic regimens has prompted the search for
more effective alternative TNBC treatments including therapeutics based on
natural plant products. Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Forsskal) A. Juss (H.
tuberculatum), belonging to the Rutaceae family, has been traditionally used to
treat a wide variety of illnesses, and has been a subject of various recent
pharmacological studies. However, its potential therapeutic effects in cancer in
general and TNBC in particular are poorly investigated.
Aim:
This study aimed to compare the in vitro cytotoxic activity of H. tuberculatum
extracts collected from Qatar and Oman and prepared in different polarity
solvents against MDA-MB-231 human TNBC cells. Further the antimigratory
effects and antioxidant capabilities were evaluated. The phytochemical
compounds of the extracts were identified to examine any correlation between
potential anticancer properties and phytochemical composition.
Methods:
H. tuberculatum extracts in water, methanol, or dichloromethane (DCM) were
tested for cytotoxic effects on the MDA-MB-231 cells using the Alamar Blue and
crystal violet assays. The extracts showing better cytotoxic activity were
evaluated for their antimigratory and antioxidant properties using the scratch
and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, respectively. The total
phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC)
and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Additionally, the
phytochemical constituents were identified through Gas Chromatography-Mass
Spectrometry (GC/MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Results:
Both the Qatari and the Omani extracts reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231
cells. Among the extracts tested, the Qatari H. tuberculatum DCM (HTQ-DCM)
and methanolic (HTQ-M) extracts demonstrated higher cytotoxicity against
MDA-MB-231 cells, with IC50 values of 40.5 µg/ml and 163.4 µg/ml,
respectively. Both HTQ-DCM and HTQ-M inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell migration.
HTQ-M extracts possessed a high antioxidant capacity, with an EC50 of 81.6925
µg/ml, while that of HTQ-DCM was minimal. Additionally, HTQ-M displayed
high levels of phenolic (391.7± 19.7 µg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight) and
flavonoid (15.7± 0.36 µg quercetin equivalents/g dry weight) content, while
HTQ-DCM had negligible amounts of these compounds. GC/MS and HPLC
analyses indicated that both extracts contain various bioactive secondary
metabolites, potentially explaining their anticancer effects