Several small echinoid faunules are recorded from the Umbaraaf and Khadrafi members of the Dhalqut Formation, the upper unit of the Albian–Turonian Qamar Group in the eastern part of the Jeza-Qamar ...Basin of Dhofar (southern Oman). In all, 11 species, in nine (sub)genera, are described: Arabicodiadema dhofarense (Roman), Arabicodiadema romani Smith and Jagt n. sp., Heterodiadema libycum (Desor, in Agassiz and Desor), Emiratia raskhaimahensis Ali, Orthopsis miliaris (d’Archiac), Pedinopsis (P.) sphaerica Smith, Simmons and Racey, Pedinopsis (Sinaiopsis) sinaica (Desor, in Agassiz and Desor), Goniopygus dhalqutensis Smith and Jagt n. sp., Coenholectypus excisus (Desor, in Agassiz and Desor), Coenholectypus larteti (Cotteau) and Pliotoxaster dieneri (de Loriol). These novel echinoid data suggest that the Umbaraaf Member extends into the Cenomanian, thus supplementing previous biostratigraphical dating based on foraminifera. The echinoid fauna also suggests correlation of the Umbaraaf and Khadrafi members with strata such as the Natih Formation in north-central Oman, the Mauddud Formation of the northeastern United Arab Emirates, the Galala Formation of the North-Eastern Desert of Egypt and the Wasia Formation of central Saudi Arabia.
Abstract Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is an uncommon but serious condition that occurs in association with the coronavirus disease 2019 infection in children. We ...assessed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children hospitalized with MIS-C in Oman. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional multicenter study implemented among patients under the age of 13 years from May 2020 to September 2021 who met the World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for MIS-C sequentially. Clinical, laboratory investigations, management, and short-term outcomes were collected. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine patients were diagnosed with MIS-C. The mean age of the cohort was 6.33 years, among whom 95% and 60% were Omani citizens and males, respectively. All patients were previously healthy. Seventeen percent of the patients had severe MIS-C. Gastrointestinal symptoms, namely, abdominal pain (72%), vomiting (57%), diarrhea (56%), and cough (23%) ( P = 0.002), were the most commonly presenting symptoms. In addition to the gastrointestinal system, cardiac organs were the most affected, with 18% (n = 23) patients having mitral regurgitation and 14% (n = 18) ( P < 0.001) having pericardial effusion. The mean duration of fever was 5.19 days, with patients with mild and moderate MIS-C having a longer mean duration of fever than those with severe MIS-C. Forty-two percent of the patients were admitted to an intensive care unit. Most of the patients received antibiotics (93%), intravenous immunoglobulin (95%), and fluid boluses (58%). Lymphopenia, D-dimer, and thrombocytopenia were elevated in 83%, 86%, and 60% of the patients, respectively. Four patients died (3%); all others were discharged from the hospital after having completely recovered. Conclusion: The study found that most of the children had mild illness. The clinical features and outcomes of our cohort are similar to those reported in other regions and countries. The low mortality rate may indicate that early identification and prompt medical therapy are crucial to the effectiveness of MIS-C treatment.
