A longitudinal study of sexual health and quality of life in endometrial carcinoma survivors.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess sexual health and quality of life (QoL) in endometrial cancer survivors and the factors influencing these variables.

Methods: A mixed method design comprising quantitative (cohort design) and qualitative (face-to-face interviews) aspects was chosen. A total of 132 patients who underwent surgery alone, surgery followed by adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy, or surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation were included.

A snapshot on the usage pattern of gabapentinoids in Oman.

Background: Since their introduction as adjunct anticonvulsants, the use of gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) has increased substantially worldwide to include a wide range of clinical conditions. Various reports have demonstrated that they possess addiction liability and can produce effects similar to traditional recreational drugs, such as significant euphoric effects, enhanced sociability, and relaxation. However, there is limited information on the use of these agents in the Middle East.

Unexpected moves: a conformational change in MutSα enables high-affinity DNA mismatch binding.

The DNA mismatch repair protein MutSα recognizes wrongly incorporated DNA bases and initiates their correction during DNA replication. Dysfunctions in mismatch repair lead to a predisposition to cancer. Here, we study the homozygous mutation V63E in MSH2 that was found in the germline of a patient with suspected constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome who developed colorectal cancer before the age of 30.

Poly-microbial bacteremia in an immune-compromised patient.

(), a strict anaerobic gram-positive rod, is rarely reported in clinical specimens. Since its detection in 1899, it has always been linked to the decay of dead bodies. is considered non-pathogenic to humans, however infrequently it can cause severe infections including bacteremia.

Real World Patient Eligibility for Second Line Lurbinectedin Based Treatment in Small Cell Lung Cancer: Understanding Epidemiology and Estimating Health Care Utilization.

Background: In the ATLANTIS study, second-line lurbinectedin/doxorubicin did not improve overall survival (OS), however patients with a chemotherapy-free interval (CTFI) of ≥180 days had an improved progression free survival (PFS). The objective of this retrospective study was to identify the proportion of real-world small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients who are suitable for lurbinectedin-based therapy based on these criteria.

Methods: A retrospective study of all SCLC referred to BC Cancer between 2012 and 2017 was conducted.

Alternate Pembrolizumab Dosing Interval in Advanced NSCLC with PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50%: 3 Weekly Compared to 6 Weekly Dosing.

Background: A fixed dose of 200 mg of pembrolizumab every 3 weeks (Q3W) is the standard of care for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and PDL1 ≥50%. In April 2020, based on pharmacokinetic modeling without formal comparative studies, the FDA approved 400 mg every 6 weeks (Q6W). Pharmacokinetic studies also suggested comparable target engagement with weight-based and flat dosing for the respective schedules.

Measuring Occupational Fatigue among Higher and Middle Management at a Specialized Cancer Center during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: This study aims to measure the occupational fatigue level and describe the sources and consequences of occupational fatigue among middle and higher management at an international specialized cancer center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A mixed-method design was used in this study. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to select the participants from King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.

Early onset colorectal cancer: Challenges across the cancer care continuum.

Early Onset Colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence is increasing at an alarming pace. An increase of 90% in colon cancer and 124% in rectal cancer is expected by 2030. Patients with EOCRC are not receiving additional attention compared to older patients despite having a unique molecular pattern, majority of cases are sporadic, and related short- and long-term treatment and disease complications.

Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses in Oman Toward Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and disapproval of the policy of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination among unvaccinated physicians and nurses in Oman.

Methods: The subjects were (N = 346) unvaccinated physicians and nurses in Oman. Their demographic data and attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccines and mandatory vaccination policy were collected through an anonymous web-based survey and statistically analyzed.

Real-world eligibility for platinum doublet plus immune checkpoint inhibitors in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a rapidly progressing aggressive malignancy. Durvalumab in CASPIAN and atezolizumab in IMPower133 were found to improve overall survival (OS) for extensive-stage SCLC. Here we evaluate the proportion of real-world ES SCLC patients who may be eligible for first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) with platinum doublet.

Health-Related Quality of Life, Functioning, and Physical Symptoms of Adult Omani Colorectal Cancer Survivors.

Background: Colorectal (CRC) survivors often experience physical and psychological symptoms affecting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to identify factors impacting HRQoL-related functioning and physical symptoms among adult Omani CRC survivors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 124 adult CRC survivors was conducted at the two main oncology referral hospitals in Oman.

Adopting Lean Management in Quality of Services, Cost Containment, and Time Management.

Objectives: This study aims to identify the role of adopting lean management in the quality of service, cost containment, and time management and to identify factors affecting lean management adoption, quality of service, cost containment, and time management in oncology settings.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted in this study at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), a private institution in Amman, Jordan. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 360 participants.

Prevalence and Factors Affecting Difficult Intravenous Access in Children in Oman: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: Peripheral intravenous (IV) access is a standard procedure in clinical settings. Nevertheless, previous studies have indicated that difficult peripheral IV access is prevalent in children. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors contributing to difficult peripheral IV cannulation in children admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Oman.

Molecular Imaging of Tuberculosis.

Despite the introduction of many novel diagnostic techniques and newer treatment agents, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide. With about a quarter of humanity harboring Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, the current efforts geared towards reducing the scourge due to TB must be sustained. At the same time, newer alternative modalities for diagnosis and treatment response assessment are considered.

Effect of Psycho-Educational Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Depression at Postintervention and Follow-Up in Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of the psycho-educational intervention in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms for women with breast cancer in post- and follow-up status.

Data Sources: A systematic search of 16 electronic databases to identify all randomized controlled trial studies that examine the effects of psycho-education on anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) between groups in depression and anxiety levels for postintervention and follow-up were computed for each study.

Cervical Cancer-related Knowledge and Practice among Omani Women Attending a Family Medicine and Public Health Clinic.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices related to cervical cancer and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear testing among Omani women who were visitors to a family medicine and public health (FMPH) clinic. A secondary aim was to correlate the above with the subjects' sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2020 to April 2021 at the FMPH Clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat.

Nurses' job burnout and its association with work environment, empowerment and psychological stress during COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of perceived work environment, empowerment and psychological stress on job burnout among nurses working at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Nurses experienced high levels of job burnout during the pandemic, which impacted their mental health and well-being. Studies investigating the influence of work environment, empowerment and stress on burnout during the time of COVID-19 are limited.

Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: Off-Clamp Versus on Clamp.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe our experience in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and to compare the differences between off-clamp and on-clamp techniques in terms of clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective study was utilized. A purposeful sampling method was used to select the patients.

Evaluating Pain Management Practices for Cancer Patients among Health Professionals: A Global Survey.

Cancer incidence in the world is predicted to increase in the next decade. While progress has been in diagnosis and treatment, much still remains to be done to improve cancer pain therapy, mainly in underserved communities in low-income countries. To determine knowledge, beliefs, and barriers regarding pain management in both high- and low-income countries (according to the WHO classification); and to learn about ways to improve the current state of affairs.

Future remnant liver optimization: preoperative assessment, volume augmentation procedures and management of PVE failure.

Surgery is the cornerstone treatment for patients with primary or metastatic hepatic tumors. Thanks to surgical and anesthetic technological advances, current indications for liver resections have been significantly expanded to include any patient in whom all disease can be resected with a negative margin (R0) while preserving an adequate future residual liver (FRL). Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is still a feared complication following major liver surgery, associated with high morbidity, mortality and cost implications.

Respiratory Complications after COVID-19.

COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with high short-term morbidity and mortality. Lungs are the main organs affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the long-term, the pulmonary sequelae related to COVID-19 are expected to rise significantly leading to an extended impact on community health and health care facilities.

Relationship between interprofessional teamwork and nurses' intent to leave work: The mediating role of job satisfaction and burnout.

Background: Reducing nurse turnover is a top priority for nursing management globally. While evidence has demonstrated that working in a favorable environment with greater interprofessional teamwork is essential in increasing nurse retention, few studies have explored the mechanism underlying this relationship.

Aim: To examine the direct and indirect effects of interprofessional teamwork on nurses' intentions to leave their jobs via the intermediary roles of job satisfaction and burnout.

Clinical and Cost Implications of Clinical Pharmacist Interventions on Antimicrobial Use at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and financial impact of clinical pharmacists' interventions (CPIs) on antimicrobial use at a 500-bed multidisciplinary tertiary care hospital in Oman.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of CPIs related to antimicrobials use at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) from January to December 2018. Interventions were recorded using an electronic CPI form and were reviewed by two independent CPs.