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Appointment of the Dean of the College of Engineering = تعيين عميد لكلية الهندسة
No full textمكتب رئيس الجامعة يعلن عن تعيين الأستاذ الدكتور محمد فاروق محمد حسين عميداً لكلية الهندسة، وذلك اعتبارًا من تاريخه
Evaluation of 2-(1H-1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl) acetic acid derivatives as potential human hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase domain-2 (PHD2) inhibitors
Get PDFThe hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) inhibitors can potentially treat ischemic and hypoxic-related diseases, as demonstrated by their use in anemia treatment. An AlphaScreen assay was utilized to assess the PHD2 inhibition of the 2-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetic acid (TA) derivatives (1–14), which were synthesized using copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. Most of the TA derivatives did not inhibit PHD2 effectively, with compound 14 demonstrating weak inhibition at 100 µM (>50 %). Docking experiments revealed that 14 forms hydrogen bond interactions with Arg 383 and binds to the PHD2 active site iron in a bidentate manner. Molecular dynamic simulation analysis shows 14 resembles but differs from the positive control inhibitor bicyclic isoquinoline (BIQ). It displays stable dynamic characteristics, with some flexible areas stabilizing upon binding to PHD2. The total binding energies for BIQ-PHD2 and 14-PHD2 were determined to be −42.90 kcal/mol and −36.08 kcal/mol, respectively. These values suggest that 14 and BIQ have similar binding affinities. In conclusion, structural changes of 14 may result in the development of an effective PHD2 inhibitor. However, most TA derivatives showed strong binding in docking studies but did not demonstrate good inhibitory activity against PHD2.We thank the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE), Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2021/STG04/USM/02/14) for supporting this research.Scopu
The fourth estate's invisible hand: how newspaper media legitimize neoliberal higher education in Qatar and the UAE
Get PDFThis study critically examines how English-language newspaper discourse in Qatar and the UAE constructs and legitimizes neoliberal ideologies surrounding higher education institutions and international branch campuses. Drawing on critical theory and critical discourse analysis, we delve into the discourses used in newspaper articles published between 2010 and 2024. We explore the underlying meanings, ideologies, and power relations embedded in the discourses that present institutions of higher education as providers of world-class education and models of best practices. Our findings reveal common themes shared across the two countries, emphasizing commitment to excellence, global leadership, world-class education, and best practices. At the same time, distinctions unique to each are identified, suggesting different approaches to holistic development, diversity, inclusivity, and the importance attributed to international recognition and rankings. This study enriches our understanding of the way neoliberal ideologies permeate discourses, influencing and being influenced by the academic landscape, thus charting new paths for future directions in this area
Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis from MRI and SWI fused image using self adaptive differential evolutionary RVFL classifier
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that involves gradual memory loss and eventually leads to severe cognitive decline at the final stage. Advanced neuroimaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), prove advantageous in diagnosing the severity of the progression of AD. T1-W structural MRI and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) are two of the most popular MRI sequences for medical diagnosis. The formation of tangles in the hippocampus is a major cause of AD development. Significant hippocampal loss and temporal lobe atrophy characterize the progression to AD, which can be visualized using T1-W structural MRI. Recent research has shown that persons with AD have higher levels of iron in their basal ganglia, which causes non-local changes in phase images due to variances in tissue susceptibility. SWI images use phase information to detect the magnetic disturbance and to visualize the iron lesions better. In this paper, we propose the fusion of MRI and SWI images to integrate the structural atrophies and iron lesions accumulation in AD patients. Features from the fused images will be retrieved by a pre-trained deep learning network and categorized using a random vector functional link network (RVFL). Furthermore, a self-adaptive differential evolutionary algorithm will be used to fine-tune the RVFL network’s input weights and biases. In order to test the effectiveness of the suggested approach, experiments are done on the publicly available OASIS dataset. The source code of the proposed network is available at/github.com/triptigoel/SaDE-RVFL-for-AD-Diagnosis.This work is supported by Core Research Grant to the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for funding under Grant No. CRG/2022/006866
A study to assess the level of resilience and quality of life among patients with diabetes mellitus at selected villages under Rural Health and Training Centre
No full textIntroduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease with the clinical feature of an abnormally high blood glucose level, and it is considered a metabolic syndrome. Non-insulin Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) is a chronic condition that significantly hampers patients' resilience and Activities of Daily Living (ADL), leading to a notable impact on their Quality of Life (QoL).
Objective: This study aims to assess the level of resilience and quality of life among the rural population.
Methodology: The study used a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional approach. The sample size was 350 patients with diabetic mellitus who resided in villages under the Rural Health and Training Centre (RHTC), Vayalanallur. Data were collected using the Revised Version of the DQOL Questionnaire developed by WHO and the Devereux Adult Resilience Scale.
Result: The present study reveals that the mean score for a high level of resilience was 58.79 ± SD of 4, and the overall QOL score was 0.79 ± SD of 3.76.
Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that needs management throughout life, and it can impact the patient's level of resilience and quality of life
Impact of polypharmacy phenogroups on different heart failure phenotypes in patients with chronic heart failure: a retrospective examination of real-world cohort
No full textBackground: Polypharmacy is a rising morbidity amongst patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), with reported prevalence ranging from 70% to 85%. While polypharmacy is essential for managing comorbid conditions, its exact impact on heart failure outcomes is still emerging. This study aims to examine the effects of different polypharmacy phenogroups on mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions across various heart failure phenotypes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 4,902 patients with chronic heart failure treated at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar, between January 2018 and January 2022. Patients were classified into three polypharmacy groups: no polypharmacy (0–4 medications), major polypharmacy (five to eight medications), and excessive polypharmacy (≥9 medications). Heart failure phenotypes were categorized based on ejection fraction (EF): reduced EF (HFrEF, <40%), mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF, 40%–49%), and preserved EF (HFpEF, ≥50%). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, with secondary outcomes including intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Results: A cohort of 4,902 patients with chronic heart failure, with a mean age of 61.47 years (SD 15.99), was analyzed. Among them, 51.7% had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 16.2% had mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and 32% had preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Major polypharmacy due to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), was associated with a significant improvement in survival. In patients with HFpEF, the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.52-0.75, p < 0.001), while for HFmrEF, it was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.59-0.85, p = 0.001). Conversely, excessive polypharmacy involving non-heart failure medications, was linked to increased ICU admissions (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.10-1.62, p = 0.02). Cox proportional hazards models demonstrated that excessive polypharmacy was associated with a hazard ratio of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.05-0.23, p < 0.001) for all-cause mortality when the medications were primarily heart failure-specific. Conclusion: In patients with chronic Heart failure, guideline directed polypharmacy was associated with improved survival, particularly in HFpEF and HFmrEF phenotypes. However, non-heart failure-related polypharmacy is associated with worse outcomes including ICU admissions, necessitating need for targeted interventions for this group of patients.The article processing charge of this paper was funded by Qatar National Library open access fund
Risk factors for extubation-related complications in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: a retrospective cohort study
No full textBackground
One-third of major anesthesia-related airway complications occur during or shortly after tracheal extubation. Obesity significantly impacts respiratory function and is a key contributor to morbidity and mortality. Patients with morbid obesity often require bariatric surgery. However, extubation-related complications in this specific surgical population have not been previously studied. This study aimed to determine the rate and frequency of complications during tracheal extubation in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and the associated risk factors for these complications.
Materials and methods
This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients above 18 years of age with a body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m2 who underwent bariatric surgery between June 2016 and June 2024. Extubation-related complications were defined as the occurrence of any of the following: vomiting, aspiration, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, cardiovascular instability, airway edema, desaturation (SpO2 < 90%), or the need for a rescue device or reintubation during or after tracheal extubation. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age and sex, was performed to evaluate the associations. The significance level was adjusted by applying the Bonferroni correction (0.05/16 = 0.0031), and a p-value < 0.0031 was interpreted as statistically significant.
Results
Data from 1193 patients were analyzed. The overall complication rate was 4.4%, with the most frequent complication being desaturation, which occurred in 3.2% of patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of extubation-related complications increased twofold for obese patients with body mass index 50–59 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.99–3.94, p = 0.055) and threefold for patients with body mass index > 60 kg/m2 (OR 2.95, 95%CI 0.99–8.81, p = 0.05). The most commonly associated comorbidities were hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, with an odds ratio of 2.98 for hypertension and 2.15 for obstructive sleep apnea (95%CI 1.40–6.33, p = 0.005; and 95%CI 1.08–4.29, p = 0.03; respectively). Despite these clinically important results, after applying the Bonferroni correction, none of these associations remain statistically significant, as the corrected p-values are above the threshold of p = 0.0031.
Conclusion
This study identified desaturation as the most common complication post-extubation of morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Moreover, we found that the odds of extubation-related complications increased with increasing obesity classes, particularly in patients with body mass index 50–59 kg/m2 and > 60 kg/m2, as well as in patients with hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea. These findings suggest the importance of tailored extubation strategies and close perioperative monitoring in morbidly obese patients to mitigate extubation-related risks.Scopu
Role of AI companions in addressing loneliness across generations
No full textIn recent years, loneliness has become a significant public health
issue, drawing even greater focus following the onset of the COVID-19
pandemic. Studies suggest that social isolation can contribute to a
range of mental and physical health challenges, such as heart disease,
depression, cognitive decline, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, it
can greatly diminish an individual’s overall well-being and life satisfaction (Beridze et al., 2020). A study discusses the rise in mental health
challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased loneliness, and examines how AI can be integrated into psychiatric practice to
address these issues (Ray et al., 2022). With limited access to mental
health professionals, many turn into AI companions for support.
Currently, there are evidence showed that AI-driven chatbots have
promises in facilitating meaningful interactions through natural language processing (Strawn and Walkup, 2020). Also, this technology aid psychological well-being
Zinner syndrome unveiled: Ectopic ureter and seminal vesicle cyst leading to urinary dysfunction: A case report
No full textZinner syndrome (ZS) is a rare congenital urological condition characterized by a triad of ipsilateral seminal vesicle cysts, unilateral renal agenesis, and ejaculatory duct obstruction, first described in 1914. This case report details the presentation and management of a 27-year-old male diagnosed with ZS following a 2-month history of urinary frequency, hesitancy, dysuria, and painful ejaculation. Physical examination revealed a left lower abdominal mass, and imaging confirmed the classic findings of ZS, including unilateral renal agenesis, an enlarged seminal vesicle cyst, and an ectopic ureter. Conservative treatment with tamsulosin initially improved symptoms, but due to the cyst's large size and the risk of complications, laparoscopic excision was recommended for definitive management. ZS is often diagnosed late due to nonspecific symptoms, with an average diagnosis age of 29.35 years. MRI is the gold standard for diagnosis, revealing seminal vesicle cysts, renal agenesis, and ejaculatory duct obstruction. Conservative management is reserved for asymptomatic cases, while symptomatic patients benefit from surgical intervention. This case emphasizes the importance of timely imaging, particularly in patients with nonspecific lower urinary tract symptoms, and highlights the role of tamsulosin as an effective interim therapy before definitive surgical treatment. The case underscores the need for clear diagnostic criteria and treatment pathways to improve outcomes in this rare condition, which can lead to infertility if not managed appropriately
Microwave-Assisted/Pd-Catalyzed Regioselective Double C-N Arylations of 1,2,3-Triiodobenzene: Efficient and Unexpected Synthesis of N1,N2-Bis(2,3-diiodoaryl)benzene-1,2-diamines
No full textA simple, direct, and regioselective protocol to the synthesis of N1,N2-bis(2,3-diiodoaryl)benzene-1,2-diamines through highly regioselective microwave-assisted/palladium-catalyzed double C-N arylations of 1,2,3-triiodobenzene and benzene-1,2-diamine is reported. Remarkably, the C-N arylations proceeded bimolecularly at the terminal positions, the most active and less hindered position. This process was efficient and tolerated a wide range of substrates. The reaction of electron-rich/neutral 1,2,3-triiodoarene systems and electron-rich 1,2-diamines under the optimized conditions provided the highest isolated yields. This article describes a method for the first and unprecedented synthesis of tetra-iodinated N1,N2-diarylbenzene-1,2-diamine and iodinated 5,10-dihydrophenazine products that is regioselective and scalable and provides useful derivatives for other chemical reactions especially in the synthesis of new NHC ligands.Funding: This work was generously funded by the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Deanship of Research, Jordan (Grant No. 100/2018). The publication of this article is funded by Qatar National Library (QNL). This work was generously funded by the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Deanship of Research, Jordan (Grant No. 100/2018). The publication of this article is funded by Qatar National Library (QNL). Hamad Medical Corporation Open Access publishing facilitated by the Qatar National Library, as part of the Wiley Qatar National Library agreement.Scopu