Article
Oncology
Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi, Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam, Sina Azadnajafabad, Negar Rezaei, Nazila Rezaei, Seyed Mohammad Tavangar, Hamidreza Jamshidi, Ali H. Mokdad, Mohsen Naghavi, Farshad Farzadfar, Bagher Larijani
Summary: This study aimed to describe the burden trends of thyroid cancer in North Africa and the Middle East from 1990 to 2019. The findings showed that thyroid cancer has a high incidence rate in this region, particularly among women, the elderly above 60, and countries with higher socioeconomic index. A high body mass index (BMI) was found to be a significant risk factor for thyroid cancer. The study recommends preventive measures such as lifestyle modifications, including weight reduction programs.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Azar Sheikhzeinoddin, Mohammad Hassan Tarazkar, Amirmohsen Behjat, Usama Al-mulali, Ilhan Ozturk
Summary: This study investigates the impact of environmental performance on economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries using the Composite Index of Environmental Performance (CIEP) and Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (Panel ARDL) approach. The results suggest that driving forces and pressure have negative impacts on environmental performance, while actions can increase life expectancy and reduce mortality rate and environmental impact. The findings also reveal variations in environmental performance among different MENA countries, highlighting the importance of sustainable development for environmental preservation.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Mohammed Magdy Hamed, Zafar Iqbal, Mohamed Salem Nashwan, Ahmed Farouk Kineber, Shamsuddin Shahid
Summary: Global warming has had a significant impact on various climate variables and potential evapotranspiration (PET), affecting irrigation needs and water balance. However, the influence of climate change on PET trends is inconsistent in different regions due to the PET paradox. This study uses sensitivity analysis to examine the dynamics of PET in the MENA region and identifies the factors driving its changes.
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michal Boissonneault, Rafael Costa
Summary: In this article, we present data collected from migration experts on the impact of social change scenarios on migration between the Middle East & North Africa and Europe from 2021 to 2030. The assessments focus on various factors such as cultural, demographic, economic, and political determinants of migration, as well as the number of migrants, refugees, and the likelihood of achieving safe and regular migration. The experts who participated in the survey were active in European research centers or governmental/civil society organizations. The dataset can be used to estimate future migration flows, identify critical migration issues, and inform decision-making on migration policies in Europe and beyond.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Lori Post, Emily Marogi, Charles B. Moss, Robert Leo Murphy, Michael G. Ison, Chad J. Achenbach, Danielle Resnick, Lauren Singh, Janine White, Michael J. Boctor, Sarah B. Welch, James Francis Oehmke
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the Middle East and North Africa region, with factors such as falling oil prices, wealth disparities, and large refugee populations exacerbating the disease burden. This study aims to provide advanced surveillance metrics for COVID-19 transmission and found that countries with the highest cumulative caseload include Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Dynamic public health surveillance metrics can offer valuable insights for informing policies and control efforts until an effective vaccine is developed.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sorour Alotaibi, Mohammad Alhuyi Nazari
Summary: Air conditioners contribute significantly to global electricity consumption, and the demand for cooling is expected to increase due to global warming, population growth, and rising standards of living. Developing more efficient cooling systems, particularly in hot and arid regions, is crucial. District Cooling (DC) systems, which have higher efficiency and lower energy consumption compared to traditional cooling technologies, present an attractive option for the majority of the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. This article discusses the current status and planned future projects of DC systems in the MENA region, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with their development. The findings of this study are beneficial for policymakers and scholars in the field.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Asghar Aghamohammadi, Nima Rezaei, Reza Yazdani, Samaneh Delavari, Necil Kutukculer, Ezgi Topyildiz, Ahmet Ozen, Safa Baris, Elif Karakoc-Aydiner, Sara Sebnem Kilic, Hulya Kose, Nesrin Gulez, Ferah Genel, Ismail Reisli, Kamel Djenouhat, Azzeddine Tahiat, Rachida Boukari, Samir Ladj, Reda Belbouab, Yacine Ferhani, Brahim Belaid, Reda Djidjik, Nadia Kechout, Nabila Attal, Khalissa Saidani, Ridha Barbouche, Aziz Bousfiha, Ali Sobh, Ragheed Rizk, Marwa H. Elnagdy, Mona Al-Ahmed, Salem Al-Tamemi, Gulnara Nasrullayeva, Mehdi Adeli, Maryam Al-Nesf, Amel Hassen, Cybel Mehawej, Carla Irani, Andre Megarbane, Jessica Quinn, Laszlo Marodi, Vicki Modell, Fred Modell, Waleed Al-Herz, Raif S. Geha, Hassan Abolhassani
Summary: In the Middle East and North Africa region, there is a significant burden of IEI patients with a high success rate of genetic diagnosis. This high yield of genetic diagnosis has important implications for prevention, prognosis, treatment, and resource allocation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Mohammed Magdy Hamed, Aung Kyaw Kyaw, Mohamed Salem Nashwan, Shamsuddin Shahid
Summary: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has become a global hotspot of extreme heat due to rapid temperature rise. This study used the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to assess human thermal stress in MENA and found that most regions experience extreme heat stress for a significant number of days. The annual mean UTCI in the region is increasing and is accompanied by an increase in hot stress days. This information is crucial for future heat action plans to prevent heat-related illnesses in the region.
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ozra Tabatabaei-Malazy, Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam, Patricia Khashayar, Mohammad Keykhaei, Yeganeh Sharifnejad Tehrani, Mohammad-Reza Malekpour, Zahra Esfahani, Mohammad-Mahdi Rashidi, Ali Golestani, Parnian Shobeiri, Mana Moghimi, Fateme Gorgani, Elham Abdolhamidi, Farshad Farzadfar, Bagher Larijani
Summary: This study highlights the increasing burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the North Africa and Middle East region (NAME), emphasizing the urgency to address hypertension and overweight/obesity, screen at-risk groups, and provide accessibility to appropriate treatments.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Maria Papadaki, Ioannis Karamitsos
Summary: Blockchain technology has disrupted various domains and is still in its early stages. However, challenges such as regulatory frameworks, leadership, and collaboration need to be addressed for increased awareness and adoption globally.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Enas Taha Sayed, A. G. Olabi, Khaled Elsaid, Muaz Al Radi, Rashid Alqadi, Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem
Summary: Background: The population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries is growing rapidly, but they have very limited access to freshwater resources. To solve this challenge, seawater desalination is proposed as an effective solution since most MENA countries have easy access to saline water. However, desalination processes require massive amounts of energy, which is largely met by fossil fuel-driven power plants. With the advancements in renewable energy technologies and their decreasing cost, renewable energy-driven power plants and processes are becoming a promising alternative to conventional fuel-powered plants.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Imam Waked, Sherif Alsammany, Sayed Hammad Tirmazy, Kakil Rasul, Jafar Bani-Issa, Wael Abdel-Razek, Ashraf Omar, Amr Shafik, Salem Eid, Amr Abdelaal, Ahmed Hosni, Gamal Esmat
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant health concern, particularly in MENA countries, due to risk factors like viral infections and fatty liver disease. An advisory meeting was held in August 2022 with experts from 5 MENA countries to discuss HCC screening, diagnosis, treatment, and unmet medical needs. The meeting emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary care, biomarkers, screening systems, registries, referral pathways, and guideline standardization for successful HCC management in the region.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Naga Manohar Velpuri, Javier Mateo-Sagasta, Mohamed O. M. Orabi
Summary: This study developed the SEWAGE-TRACK model to disaggregate national wastewater generation estimates and quantify rural and urban wastewater generation and fate. Results revealed that 79% of municipal wastewater generation comes from urban areas, while 21% comes from rural areas, with inland areas generating 61% of rural wastewater and riparian areas producing 48% of urban wastewater. The study also found that 46% of the wastewater is productively used, while 54% is lost unproductively.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eleftherios Giovanis, Oznur Ozdamar
Summary: Temperature changes have a negative impact on the fiscal balance and public debt in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, while changes in rainfall have no significant impact. Projections show that under a high greenhouse gas emission scenario, there will be a significant decrease in the fiscal balance and an increase in public debt, while under a low greenhouse gas emission scenario, the opposite is observed.
Review
Microbiology
Rana Abdelqader, Hanan Hasan, Lo'ai Alanagreh
Summary: This systematic review examined the prevalence and circulating genotypes of Human bocavirus (HBoV) in respiratory and stool samples from patients of all age groups in the Middle East and North Africa from 2005 to February 2021. The study included 65 articles and found HBoV to be common in children and adults in the MENA region, highlighting the need for more data on coinfection of HBoV and other viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 in children with acute bronchiolitis.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hongjin Li, Judith M. Schlaeger, Crystal L. Patil, Oana Danciu, Zhengjia Chen, Natalie Lif, Shuang Gao, Ardith Z. Doorenbos
Summary: Nearly 94% of breast cancer survivors experience symptoms or side effects during or after endocrine therapy, and acupuncture offers a comprehensive solution to address these issues. However, medically underserved breast cancer survivors often lack access to acupuncture. To promote equal access and evidence-based treatment, a randomized controlled trial is being conducted to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture for symptom management among this population.
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS
(2024)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
JoAnn M. Sperl-Hillen, Jacob L. Haapala, Steven P. Dehmer, Lilian N. Chumba, Heidi L. Ekstrom, Anjali R. Truitt, Stephen E. Asche, Ann M. Werner, Dan J. Rehrauer, Melissa A. Pankonin, Pamala A. Pawloski, Patrick J. O'Connor
Summary: This article describes the original and adapted protocols of a randomized trial to improve medication adherence for cardiometabolic conditions. Protocol adaptation became imperative in response to major implementation challenges.
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS
(2024)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Connor Celum, Bethany Jablonski Horton, Mark Conaway
Summary: This paper proposes a phase-I clinical trial design that uses ordinal toxicity to locate group-specific doses. The proposed method avoids dose-reversals and is compared with two other methods through simulations.
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS
(2024)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tanya Knutzen, Eileen Bulger, Matt Iles-Shih, Alexandra Hernandez, Allison Engstrom, Lauren Whiteside, Navneet Birk, Khadija Abu, Jake Shoyer, Cristina Conde, Paige Ryan, Jin Wang, Joan Russo, Patrick Heagerty, Larry Palinkas, Douglas Zatzick
Summary: This study aims to investigate how trauma centers in the US can effectively conduct mental health screening, intervention, and referral services to help injured patients recover. The study will randomly assign patients to different intervention groups and compare the impact of different interventions on PTSD symptoms and emergency department/inpatient utilization.
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS
(2024)