MyMedR

Displaying all 8 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Dataset on the dynamic structural parameters of an old existing building exposed to earthquake loading before and after strengthening techniques - A case study, Lebanon

Kassem MM, Mohamed Nazri F

Data Brief, 2018 Dec;21:2262-2283.
PMID: 30555866 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.11.077

This paper provides data and information on Beirut Arab University׳s existing old building in Lebanon. The building was primarily designed to resist gravity loads only, with no attention to seismic or lateral load effects. The data shows that there is a need to improve the conditions of the existing old building by applying new features that function as seismic capacity resistance. The first feature was applied by adding RC-shear walls to the existing building, and the second feature was by implementing concentric steel bracing at the peripheral face of the building. In this article, a set of critical parameters to identify the seismic design of buildings was associated in this data. The parameters were described in terms of dynamic properties as follows: (a) natural fundamental period, (b) mode shapes, (c) torsional irregularity, (d) stiffness and ductility, and (e) plastic hinges formation. Particularly, the estimated cost analysis of added materials plays an important role in choosing the suitable retrofitting technique for old buildings.

Matched MeSH terms: Lebanon
Fulltext Relationship between lean practices, soft total quality management and innovation skills in Lebanese hospitals

Aoun M, Hasnan N, Al-Aaraj H

East Mediterr Health J, 2018 Jun 10;24(3):269-276.
PMID: 29908022 DOI: 10.26719/2018.24.3.269

Background: Lean practices are critical to eliminate waste and enhance the quality of healthcare services through different improvement approaches of total quality management (TQM). In particular, the soft side of TQM is used to develop the innovation skills of employees that are essential for the continuous improvement strategies of hospitals.
Aim: The main objective was to study the relationship between lean practices, soft TQM and innovation skills in Lebanese hospitals.
Methods: A quantitative methodology was applied by surveying 352 employees from private and public hospitals in Lebanon. The primary collected data were valid and reliable when analysed by SPSS and AMOS software as a part of structural equation modelling.
Results: Lean practices significantly influenced the innovation skills; however, soft TQM did not mediate this relationship because it was not well implemented, especially at the level of people-based management and continuous improvement.
Conclusion: This study has implications for healthcare practitioners to make greater efforts to implement lean practices and soft TQM. Future studies are suggested to highlight different challenges facing quality improvement in the Region.

Matched MeSH terms: Lebanon
The state of psychiatric research in the Asia Pacific region

Roche GC, Fung P, Ransing R, Noor IM, Shalbafan M, El Hayek S, et al.

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2021 Mar;13(1):e12432.
PMID: 33145988 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12432

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to review recent scientific publications and research output in the field of psychiatry, from a series of countries in the Asia-Pacific region (Australia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Nepal), with a view to identify themes and similarities across regions, as well as to examine the barriers and challenges in mental health research faced by countries in the region.
METHODS: Seven psychiatrists from seven countries reviewed recent published and ongoing research in psychiatry in their respective nations, with respect to themes, as well as any barriers or challenges faced by mental health researchers.
RESULTS: While the seven nations included in this review vary in terms of research capabilities and economic development level, they share many similarities both in terms of research direction, and with regards to challenges faced. Limitations in the form of sociocultural differences from the West, and a lack of funding were some of the barriers identified.
DISCUSSION: Mental health research in the region has been progressing well. However, more varied research in the form of qualitative or economic studies are lacking, as are multi-center studies. The similar issues that nations face with regards to research could perhaps benefit from collaborative efforts and initiatives for the furtherance of research in the region.

Matched MeSH terms: Lebanon
Fulltext Two multinational, observational surveys investigating perceptions of beauty and attitudes and experiences relating to aesthetic medical procedures

Redaelli A, Siddiqui Syed S, Liu X, Poliziani M, Erbil H, Prygova I, et al.

J Cosmet Dermatol, 2020 Nov;19(11):3020-3031.
PMID: 32153099 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.13349

BACKGROUND: Data on opinions and experiences of aesthetic medical procedures outside the United States and Western Europe are scarce.
AIMS: This study aimed to survey users and non-users of aesthetic procedures in countries where this information is less readily available, to understand attitudes and perceptions relating to beauty.
PATIENTS/METHODS: Two independent internet-based observational surveys were conducted. Survey 1: individuals from Colombia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Russia and Turkey who were 'users' or 'non-users' of aesthetic medical procedures. Survey 2: individuals from Colombia, Russia, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates who were 'users' of non-surgical aesthetic treatments.
RESULTS: Surveys 1 and 2 were completed by 300 and 160 individuals, respectively, most of whom were female (94.0% and 99%). Overall, respondents rated the eyes and smile as the most pleasing male and female facial features. Most participants (mean 82.6%; range 75%-100%) believed maintaining a healthy lifestyle was important for ageing gracefully, and over one-third (36.0%; 28%-47%) believed men age more gracefully than women. The emphasis respondents placed on the importance of physical attributes vs inner feelings, internal beauty and self-confidence varied between countries. Users were often more positive about aesthetic medical procedure outcomes than non-users. Adequate information, good physician communication (including managing treatment expectations), treatment recommendations based on patient need and good aftercare improved treatment satisfaction.
CONCLUSIONS: The eyes and smile were key features of attractiveness, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle was consistently considered an important factor for ageing gracefully. Ensuring patients are well informed was a major determinant of treatment satisfaction.

Matched MeSH terms: Lebanon
Fulltext Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in the last two years: Health care workers still at risk

Al-Tawfiq JA, Memish ZA

Am J Infect Control, 2019 10;47(10):1167-1170.
PMID: 31128983 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.04.007

BACKGROUND: An important emerging respiratory virus is the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). MERS-CoV had been associated with a high case fatality rate especially among severe cases.
METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of reported MERS-CoV cases between December 2016 and January 2019, as retrieved from the World Health Organization. The aim of this study is to examine the epidemiology of reported cases and quantify the percentage of health care workers (HCWs) among reported cases.
RESULTS: There were 403 reported cases with a majority being men (n = 300; 74.4%). These cases were reported from Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. HCWs represented 26% and comorbidities were reported among 71% of non-HCWs and 1.9% among HCWs (P < .0001). Camel exposure and camel milk ingestion were reported in 64% each, and the majority (97.8%) of those with camel exposures had camel milk ingestion. There were 58% primary cases and 42% were secondary cases. The case fatality rate was 16% among HCWs compared with 34% among other patients (P = .001). The mean age ± SD was 47.65 ± 16.28 for HCWs versus 54.23 ± 17.34 for non-HCWs (P = .001).
CONCLUSIONS: MERS-CoV infection continues to have a high case fatality rate and a large proportion of patients were HCWs. Further understanding of the disease transmission and prevention mainly in health care settings are needed.

Matched MeSH terms: Lebanon/epidemiology
Ethnic differences in the relationship between body mass index and percentage body fat among Asian children from different backgrounds

Liu A, Byrne NM, Kagawa M, Ma G, Poh BK, Ismail MN, et al.

Br J Nutr, 2011 Nov;106(9):1390-7.
PMID: 21736824 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511001681

Overweight and obesity in Asian children are increasing at an alarming rate; therefore a better understanding of the relationship between BMI and percentage body fat (%BF) in this population is important. A total of 1039 children aged 8-10 years, encompassing a wide BMI range, were recruited from China, Lebanon, Malaysia, The Philippines and Thailand. Body composition was determined using the 2H dilution technique to quantify total body water and subsequently fat mass, fat-free mass and %BF. Ethnic differences in the BMI-%BF relationship were found; for example, %BF in Filipino boys was approximately 2 % lower than in their Thai and Malay counterparts. In contrast, Thai girls had approximately 2.0 % higher %BF values than in their Chinese, Lebanese, Filipino and Malay counterparts at a given BMI. However, the ethnic difference in the BMI-%BF relationship varied by BMI. Compared with Caucasian children of the same age, Asian children had 3-6 units lower BMI at a given %BF. Approximately one-third of the obese Asian children (%BF above 25 % for boys and above 30 % for girls) in the study were not identified using the WHO classification and more than half using the International Obesity Task Force classification. Use of the Chinese classification increased the sensitivity. Results confirmed the necessity to consider ethnic differences in body composition when developing BMI cut-points and other obesity criteria in Asian children.

Matched MeSH terms: Lebanon
PATTERNS OF URINARY IODINE EXCRETION IN GOITROUS AND NONGOITROUS AREAS

Follis RH

Am J Clin Nutr, 1964 05;14:253-68.
PMID: 14157828 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/14.5.253
Matched MeSH terms: Lebanon
Suicidal Thoughts, Attempts and Motives Among University Students in 12 Muslim-Majority Countries

Eskin M, AlBuhairan F, Rezaeian M, Abdel-Khalek AM, Harlak H, El-Nayal M, et al.

Psychiatr Q, 2019 03;90(1):229-248.
PMID: 30498939 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-018-9613-4

There is a scarcity of research on suicidal phenomena in the Muslim world. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the self-reported prevalence of suicidal thoughts, attempts and motives in 12 Muslim countries. A total of 8417 (54.4% women) university students were surveyed by means of a self-report questionnaire. Overall, 22% of the participants reported suicidal ideation and 8.6% reported attempting suicide. The odds of suicidal thoughts were elevated in Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, while reduced ORs were recorded in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Malaysia. While odds of suicide attempts were high in Azerbaijan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia reduced odds ratios (OR) were detected in Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia and Tunisia. Taking drugs and using a sharp instrument were the two most frequently used methods to attempt suicide. Only 32.7% of attempts required medical attention. Escape motives were endorsed more than social motives by participants who attempted suicide. Suicidal behaviors were more frequent in women than in men. Compered to men, fewer attempts by women required medical attention. Moreover, our results show that making suicide illegal does not reduce the frequency of suicidal behavior. Results from this comparative study show that suicidal thoughts and attempts are frequent events in young adults in countries where religious scripture explicitly prohibit suicide and the frequencies of nonfatal suicidal behavior show large variation in nations adhering to the same religion.

Matched MeSH terms: Lebanon/ethnology