Maternal Dietary Intake and Associated Pregnancy Outcomes in the United Arab Emirates - The Dietary Subcohort of the Mutaba’ah Study

This thesis aimed to assess dietary intake and its associations with pregnancy outcomes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Within the Mutaba’ah Study, 1556 pregnant women were recruited into a dietary subcohort. Data collection using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was performed during antenatal care visits throughout the pregnancy. The relative validity of the FFQ was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall as a reference method. Adherence to dietary patterns (Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy [AHEI-P], Alternate Mediterranean Diet [aMED], Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH]) were identified, and ultra-processed food (UPF) intake was assessed. Gestational weight gain (GWG) was calculated as the difference in weight between the first and the last recorded weight, and excessive GWG (EGWG) was defined according to the Institute of Medicine guidelines, based on the first trimester body mass index. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis was based on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence criteria. Paper Ⅰ showed that the FFQ overestimated intake of most nutrients and food groups but could be used to rank the pregnant women based on some aspects of their dietary intake. Paper Ⅱ showed that the three dietary indices (AHEI-P, aMED, DASH) were moderately correlated. Some differences were observed in what distinct aspects of dietary intakes they captured. In paper Ⅲ, the prevalence of EGWG was 29%. No associations were found between aMED and GWG or EGWG. However, intake of some aMED components (fruit, vegetables, ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids) showed associations with GWG and/or EGWG. In paper Ⅳ, UPF intake was associated with lower diet quality but not with GDM. Further, no association was found between aMED and GDM. These findings show that the FFQ estimates intakes of nutrients and food groups with poor to acceptable validity. Adherence to healthy dietary patterns was associated with a favorable intake of nutrients and food groups, while high UPF intake was associated with poorer intake. Further research is needed to clarify the role of dietary intake in pregnancy outcomes

Location-based expert system for diabetes diagnosis and medication recommendation

Using expert systems in the medical field has been practiced continuously for the past decades. There are attempts of using expert systems for diabetes diagnosis. In this paper, we go further by proposing an expert system that not only diagnoses diabetes but also suggests the right medication depending on the location where the patient lives and on the symptoms of the patient and other effective factors. This system can be very helpful to many diabetic patients especially to those that are not aware of their disease type or how to control it. The system outputs a list of names of locally available brand names of the medications that suit the diabetes type of the patient and that don’t pose any danger on the health of the patient according to his/her symptoms, effective factors, and results of the patient’s medical tests. Our expert system is capable of reasoning using either forward chaining or backward chaining. The rules in the knowledge base are collected from various sources including trusted Internet websites like MAYO Clinic and FDA.org and articles published in scientific journals. In order to verify the content of the knowledge base, a medical expert and a pharmacist working in Kuwait were consulted

Intellectual movements in Saudi Arabia

This thesis studies the historical and intellectual backgrounds of some influential movements in Saudi Arabia, within a binary framework of liberal/conservative or modernist/fundamentalist. Thus, I have to examine the religious and intellectual differences of those movements that may lead to creating conflicts between them. In addition, this study provides possible solutions to conflicts and schism between schools of thought in Saudi Arabia, by focusing particularly on moderate Islamic thought as a new movement that may promote greater harmony. This thesis concludes that moderate Islamic thought can allow us to obtain a clear and better understanding of the main reasons for the struggle between different movements, and apply that on Saudi society, instead of attacking others who have opposing attitudes or different beliefs. It is also important to mention that this plurality of thought is very important for developing the freedom to express opinions within the confines of the law in the application of religious or philosophical ideas. The thesis also concludes that such approaches will help promote dialogue and understanding between different groups or schools of thought. It is hoped that this can also develop cognitive skills, through the exchange of ideas and views between different schools and intellectual movements

Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis using compact, linear variable filter based, detection platforms

Spectroscopic analysis is an integral part of biological and chemical sensing. However, most spectroscopic equipment is relegated to laboratories. Compact and portable alternatives to conventional spectroscopic tools allow for testing outside of laboratory settings. This is achieved by making the underlying equipment affordable and easy to use while preserving reasonable accuracy and sensitivity. Due to their ubiquity, and constantly improving hardware and software, smartphones represent a favorable candidate for integration with spectroscopic technologies. This work presents the design, fabrication and characterization of compact measurement platforms capable of both absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis using linear variable filters (LVF). The platform's potential for integration into next generation smartphones is demonstrated by the use of a conventional CMOS image sensor in conjunction with the LVF to create the detection element. An LVF-based benchtop detection setup is initially presented followed by its miniaturized successors: compact absorption and fluorescence detection platforms. A series of tests is discussed, most notably an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay used to measure concentrations of human fetal fibronectin, a predictor of preterm birth, as a real-world contextualization of the absorption platform

Exploring Kuwaiti School Teachers’ Challenges in the Post-COVID-19 Era

This study explores the evolving difficulties faced by educators in the transition from traditional to digital teaching methods during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the study examines how various levels of influence—including direct classroom interactions, institutional policies, and broader societal factors—have impacted teachers' ability to adapt to hybrid and online teaching models. The research highlights significant challenges, such as a lack of digital literacy, inadequate training, and limited support systems, which have exacerbated teachers' workloads and affected their well-being. Through a mixed-method approach combining secondary literature and primary data collected via questionnaires, the study uncovers distinct patterns of teacher adaptation and stress. It emphasizes the need for ongoing professional development, mental health support, and the integration of both digital and traditional pedagogical methods. Moreover, the findings reveal disparities in resources and infrastructure, particularly for teachers in underfunded schools, further stressing the necessity for educational reforms that address systemic issues. The research offers valuable insights into how Kuwaiti schools can better support teachers in navigating the post-pandemic educational landscape. Keywords: Post-COVID education, teacher challenges, hybrid learning, digital pedagogy, professional development DOI: 10.7176/JEP/15-13-06 Publication date: December 30th 202

Mobile phones as fomites for pathogenic microbes: A cross-sectional survey of perceptions and sanitization habits of health care workers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Backgrounds In 2022, smartphone use continues to expand with the number of smartphone subscriptions surpassing 6 billion and forecasted to grow to 7.5 billion by 2026. The necessity of these ‘high touch’ devices as essential tools in professional healthcare settings carries great risks of cross-contamination between mobile phones and hands. Current research emphasises mobile phones as fomites enhancing the risk of nosocomial disease dissemination as phone sanitisation is often overlooked. To assess and report via a large-scale E-survey the handling practices and the use of phones by healthcare workers. Methods A total of 377 healthcare workers (HCWs) participated in this study to fill in an E-survey online consisting of 14 questions (including categorical, ordinal, and numerical data). Analysis of categorical data used non-parametric techniques such as Pearson's chi-squared test. Results During an 8-h shift, 92.8% (n/N = 350/377) use their phone at work with 84.6% (n/N = 319/377) considering mobile phones as an essential tool for their job. Almost all HCWs who participated in this survey believe their mobile phones could potentially harbour microorganisms (97.1%; n/N = 366/377). Fifty-seven respondents (15.1%) indicated that they use their phones while wearing gloves and 10.3% (n/N = 39/377) have never cleaned their phones. The majority of respondents (89.3%; n/N = 337/377) agreed that contaminated mobile phones could contribute to dissemination of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion Mobile phone use is now almost universal and indispensable in healthcare. Medical staff believe mobile phones can act as fomites with a potential risk for dissemination of microbes including SARS-COV-2. There is an urgent call for the incorporation of mobile phone sanitisation in infection prevention protocol. Studies on the use of ultraviolet-C based phone sanitation devices in health care settings are needed

Evidence identification in heterogeneous data using clustering

Digital forensics faces several challenges in examining and analyzing data due to an increasing range of technologies at people\u27s disposal. The investigators find themselves having to process and analyze many systems manually (e.g. PC, laptop, Smartphone) in a single case. Unfortunately, current tools such as FTK and Encase have a limited ability to achieve the automation in finding evidence. As a result, a heavy burden is placed on the investigator to both find and analyze evidential artifacts in a heterogenous environment. This paper proposed a clustering approach based on Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) and K-means algorithms to identify the evidential files and isolate the non-related files based on their metadata. A series of experiments using heterogenous real-life forensic cases are conducted to evaluate the approach. Within each case, various types of metadata categories were created based on file systems and applications. The results showed that the clustering based on file systems gave the best results of grouping the evidential artifacts within only five clusters. The proportion across the five clusters was 100% using small configurations of both FCM and K-means with less than 16% of the non-evidential artifacts across all cases -- representing a reduction in having to analyze 84% of the benign files. In terms of the applications, the proportion of evidence was more than 97%, but the proportion of benign files was also relatively high based upon small configurations. However, with a large configuration, the proportion of benign files became very low less than 10%. Successfully prioritizing large proportions of evidence and reducing the volume of benign files to be analyzed, reduces the time taken and cognitive load upon the investigator

Female genital mutilation in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review

Female genital mutilation (FGM) or circumcision refers to the unnecessary procedure that damages or removes the external genitalia of females. It is mostly practiced in African countries and some Asian regions, particularly the Middle East, and is performed because of cultural, religious, and social reasons. FGM can negatively affect the lives of women and lead to devastating consequences, ranging from immediate to long-term complications. These complications can be in the physical, psychological, reproductive, or sexual health domains. In this systematic review, we aim to highlight the prevalence and practice of FGM in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a literature search at PubMed to identify studies related to the practice of FGM reported from Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that FGM can still be found in Saudi Arabia both in Saudi women and non-Saudi residents. Most of the non-Saudi women with FGM were Sudanese, Somali, Eritrean, and Egyptian. FGM is prevalent in regions such as Jeddah and Hali, Al Qunfudhah Governorate, Saudi Arabia. FGM is considered illegal in most countries around the world. However, in Saudi Arabia, there is no clear and specific law against the practice of FGM. More research on the practice of FGM in Saudi Arabia needs to be conducted to get a better grasp of the true nature of the problem in the country, which could potentially lead to specific and clear legislation that would prevent the social evil of FGM in Saudi Arabia

Increased Level of Angiopoietin Like Proteins 4 and 8 in People With Sleep Apnea

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder caused by the complete or partial obstruction of the upper airways. The worldwide prevalence of OSA is increasing due to its close association with obesity epidemic and multiple health complications, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Angiopoietin-like protein (ANGPTL)-4 and ANGPTL8 (betatrophin) have been suggested to play a role in the development of these diseases through their role in regulating the metabolism of plasma lipid molecules. This study was designed to evaluate ANGPTL4 and 8 levels in an OSA group and a control group to clarify the effect of OSA on ANGPTL4 and 8 levels.Methods: In total, 74 subjects were enrolled in this study, including 22 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls with the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) score of <5 events/h and 52 subjects with an AHI score of >5 events/h. Sleep apnea was assessed using a portable sleep test. ANGPTL4 and 8 levels were measured in plasma samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Mean AHI score (2.5 ± 1.6) in the control group was significantly lower than that in the OSA group (22.9 ± 17.9; p < 0.0001). Leptin, interleukin-(IL) 6, insulin, and HOMA-IR values were higher in the OSA group than in the control group. ANGPTL8 level was higher in the OSA group (1130.0 ± 108.61 pg/mL) than in the control group (809.39 ± 108.78 pg/mL; p = 0.041). Similarly, ANGPTL4 was higher in the OSA group (179.26 ± 12.89 ng/mL) than in the control group (142.63 ±7.99 ng/mL; p = 0.018).Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that ANGPTL4 and 8 levels were increased in subjects with OSA, suggesting that the upregulation of these lipid metabolism regulators might play a role in lipid dysregulation observed in people with OSA

Common variants in toll-like receptor family genes and risk of gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: An increasing number of studies have suggested the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in toll-like receptor (TLR) genes and gastric cancer (GC) susceptibility; however, the available evidence is contradictory. This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate whether the SNPs within the TLR family are related to GC development.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were systematically searched up to May 2023 to obtain the pertinent publications. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to examine the associations using the random-effects model.Results: A total of 45 studies with 25,831 participants (cases: 11,308; controls: 14,523) examining the relation of 18 different SNPs in the TLR family to GC were analyzed. Variations in TLR-4 rs4986790, TLR-4 rs4986791, TLR-5 rs5744174, and TLR-9 rs187084 were significantly associated with increased risk of GC in different genetic models. No significant association was detected for TLR-2-196 to -174de (Delta22), TLR-2 rs3804100, TLR-4 rs11536889, TLR-4 rs11536878, TLR-4 rs2770150, TLR-4 rs10116253, TLR-4 rs1927911, TLR-4 rs10983755, TLR-4 rs10759932, TLR-4 rs1927914, and TLR-10 rs10004195.Conclusion: These findings indicate that variations in TLR-4, TLR-5, and TLR-9 genes were found to be potential risk factors for GC