Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference Proceedings Volume 2016 Issue 1

Background Morbidity and premature mortality associated with exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) represent a major global public health burden, and SHS exposure arising from all sources is responsible for an estimated 600 000 premature deaths. 1 The adverse health effects associated with waterpipe (WP) SHS exposure have been less well investigated compared with cigarette SHS. 2 Nonetheless, evidence s Read More

Introduction Violence is an important public health problem that may be seen in every part of the life and has been increasing in the world. World Health Organization (WHO) defines violence as: “The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, m Read More

Introduction The prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Qatar is uncertain, obtaining a reliable estimate is important in shedding the light on the magnitude of the problem, and help in better planning for providing the health care facilities needed for early detection and management of this disorder, since early intensive rehabilitation can improve the outcome of those affected tremendously. Aims of the Read More

Two boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from two unrelated consanguineous families of Arabic origin were studied by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) together with their parents. Thugs data of the X chromosome were analyzed to identify possible predisposing, recessive and/or de novo, X-linked variants. Comparative analysis of the WGS data for X-linked de novo inheritance identified no variants, while the recess Read More

Desert truffles are an obligate hypogenous ectomycorrhizal fungi in association with host plant roots Helianthemum sp. and are of socioeconomically important and naturally grown in the Middle East, North Africa, Southern Europe, Mediterranean countries including Arab Gulf countries. Truffles are edible and a rich source of protein and various chemical compounds and traditionally have been used as folk med Read More

Within the field of biomedicine, the scope of alginate application is broad and includes: wound healing, cell transplantation, delivery of bioactive agents such as chemical drugs and proteins, heat burns, acid reflux, and weight control applications. Recently the alginate based biomaterials for the treatment of myocardial infarction are entering into the advanced clinical trials stage. The non-thrombogenic nature of this polymer Read More

Plaques that build up in the lining of the coronary arteries are made up of lipids, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells and connective tissue. Thormbosis of a not necessarily occlusive but unstable plaque most often causes episodes of unstable angina and myocardial infarction (MI). Preventing this sudden and adverse event seems to be the only effective startegy to reduce mortality and morbidity of coronary artery Read More

Recently multiple examples of applications of knitted fabrics in HVTE were reported. One of the most frequently citrated strategy was developed in Mela's group. In that case, the fibrin constituting the leaflets of valves is enforced using a warp-knitted tubular mesh, made out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In all reports, the authors evaluated biocompatibility of the construct by encapsulating the cells in the fibrin gel con Read More

Background According to the World Health Organization Report on Tuberculosis in 2013, it is estimated that 9 million people developed tuberculosis and 1.5 died of the disease. In Qatar, the incidence of tuberculosis is the highest in the Gulf countries but this mainly depends on migrant laborers from countries with high incidence, especially Nepal, India, and the Philippines. It is important to consider that only India contributes with Read More