The mechanism of 25-hydroxycholesterol-mediated suppression of atrial ß1-adrenergic responses.

25-Hydroxycholesterol (25HC) is a biologically active oxysterol, whose production greatly increases during inflammation by macrophages and dendritic cells. The inflammatory reactions are frequently accompanied by changes in heart regulation, such as blunting of the cardiac ß-adrenergic receptor (AR) signaling. Here, the mechanism of 25HC-dependent modulation of responses to ß-AR activation was studied in the atria of mice. 25HC at the submicromolar levels decreased the ß-AR-mediated positive inotropic effect and enhancement of the Ca2+ transient amplitude, without changing NO production. Positive inotropic responses to ß1-AR (but not ß2-AR) activation were markedly attenuated by 25HC. The depressant action of 25HC on the ß1-AR-mediated responses was prevented by selective ß3-AR antagonists as well as inhibitors of Gi protein, Gßγ, G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2/3, or ß-arrestin. Simultaneously, blockers of protein kinase D and C as well as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor did not preclude the negative action of 25HC on the inotropic response to ß-AR activation. Thus, 25HC can suppress the ß1-AR-dependent effects via engaging ß3-AR, Gi protein, Gßγ, G protein-coupled receptor kinase, and ß-arrestin. This 25HC-dependent mechanism can contribute to the inflammatory-related alterations in the atrial ß-adrenergic signaling.

Phylogeography of Two Enigmatic Sulphur Butterflies, Colias mongola Alphéraky, 1897 and Colias tamerlana Staudinger, 1897 (Lepidoptera, Pieridae), with Relations to Wolbachia Infection.

The genus Colias Fabricius, 1807 includes numerous taxa and forms with uncertain status and taxonomic position. Among such taxa are Colias mongola Alphéraky, 1897 and Colias tamerlana Staudinger, 1897, interpreted in the literature either as conspecific forms, as subspecies of different but morphologically somewhat similar Colias species or as distinct species-level taxa. Based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers, we reconstructed a phylogeographic pattern of the taxa in question. We recover and include in our analysis DNA barcodes of the century-old type specimens, the lectotype of C. tamerlana deposited in the Natural History Museum (Museum für Naturkunde), Berlin, Germany (ZMHU) and the paralectotype of C. tamerlana and the lectotype of C. mongola deposited in the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia (ZISP). Our analysis grouped all specimens within four (HP_I-HP_IV) deeply divergent but geographically poorly structured clades which did not support nonconspecifity of C. mongola-C. tamerlana. We also show that all studied females of the widely distributed haplogroup HP_II were infected with a single Wolbachia strain belonging to the supergroup B, while the males of this haplogroup, as well as all other investigated specimens of both sexes, were not infected. Our data highlight the relevance of large-scale sampling dataset analysis and the need for testing for Wolbachia infection to avoid erroneous phylogenetic reconstructions and species misidentification.

Raman dissipative soliton source of ultrashort pulses in NIR-III spectral window.

We present a novel fiber source of ultrashort pulses at the wavelength of 1660 nm based on the technique of external cavity Raman dissipative soliton generation. The output energy of the generated 30 ps chirped pulses is in the range of 0.5-3.6 nJ with a slope efficiency of 57%. Numerical simulations are in excellent agreement with the experimental results and the shape of the compressed pulses. The compressed pulses consist of a central part with a duration of 300 fs and a weak pedestal. Our results clearly demonstrate the potential to extend the spectral range of the Raman-assisted technique for generating ultra-short pulses to new frequency regions, including biomedical windows. This paves the way for the development of new dissipative soliton sources in these bands.

Phylogenetic Structure Revealed through Combining DNA Barcodes with Multi-Gene Data for Agrodiaetus Blue Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae).

The need for multi-gene analysis in evolutionary and taxonomic studies is generally accepted. However, the sequencing of multiple genes is not always possible. For various reasons, short mitochondrial DNA barcodes are the only source of molecular information for some species in many genera, although multi-locus data are available for other species of the same genera. In particular, such situation exists in the species-rich butterfly subgenus Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus). Here, we analyzed the partitioning of this subgenus into species groups by using three data sets. The first data set was represented by short mitochondrial DNA barcodes for all analyzed samples. The second and third data sets were represented by a combination of short mitochondrial DNA barcodes for part of the taxa with longer mitochondrial sequences COI + tRNA-Leu + COII (data set 2) and with longer mitochondrial COI + tRNA-Leu + COII and nuclear 5.8S rDNA + ITS2 + 28S rDNA sequences (data set 3) for the remaining species. We showed that the DNA barcoding approach (data set 1) failed to reveal the phylogenetic structure, resulting in numerous polytomies in the tree obtained. Combined analysis of the mitochondrial and nuclear sequences (data sets 2 and 3) revealed the species groups and the position within these species groups, even for the taxa for which only short DNA barcodes were available.

Rates of the Trans-radial Approach in Elective and Emergency Coronary Angiography in Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and aims The trans-radial access is becoming the default approach in many cardiac centers worldwide. Data from the Middle East, including Iraq, on the trends and rates of the use of trans-radial access are scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the rates of trans-radial approach (TRA) versus transfemoral approach (TFA) in patients with coronary artery syndromes undergoing coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Iraq. Methods In this multicenter prospective study, we collected 885 cases of coronary artery disease undergoing coronary angiography/PCI from three main cities of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq from 2022 to 2023. Results Of the total sample, 57.2% were diagnostic coronary angiography and 42.8% were PCI, 57.1% of all cases were TFA and 42.9% were TRA, and 64.3% of PCI cases were performed through TFA. Eghty-two percent of total emergency PCI included (primary PCI) cases underwent the procedure through the TFA, and only 18% of such cases were through the TRA. The overall crossover rate between both approaches happened in 14 (3.6%) cases. Conclusions Despite its main benefits, the radial access use in the Cath lab is yet underused in our region. Further steps in training programs are indicated to popularize the use of radial access among interventional cardiologists in addition to transfemoral access.

Effect of Volatile Anesthetics on Myocardial Infarction After Coronary Artery Surgery: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of volatile anesthetics on the rates of postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiac death after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). DESIGN: A post hoc analysis of a randomized trial. SETTING: Cardiac surgical operating rooms. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing elective, isolated CABG. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive a volatile anesthetic (desflurane, isoflurane, or sevoflurane) or total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). The primary outcome was hemodynamically relevant MI (MI requiring high-dose inotropic support or prolonged intensive care unit stay) occurring within 48 hours from surgery. The secondary outcome was 1-year death due to cardiac causes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 5,400 patients were enrolled between April 2014 and September 2017 (2,709 patients randomized to the volatile anesthetics group and 2,691 to TIVA). The mean age was 62 ± 8.4 years, and the median baseline ejection fraction was 57% (50-67), without differences between the 2 groups. Patients in the volatile group had a lower incidence of MI with hemodynamic complications both in the per-protocol (14 of 2,530 [0.6%] v 27 of 2,501 [1.1%] in the TIVA group; p = 0.038) and as-treated analyses (16 of 2,708 [0.6%] v 29 of 2,617 [1.1%] in the TIVA group; p = 0.039), but not in the intention-to-treat analysis (17 of 2,663 [0.6%] v 28 of 2,667 [1.0%] in the TIVA group; p = 0.10). Overall, deaths due to cardiac causes were lower in the volatile group (23 of 2,685 [0.9%] v 40 of 2,668 [1.5%] than in the TIVA group; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: An anesthetic regimen, including volatile agents, may be associated with a lower rate of postoperative MI with hemodynamic complication in patients undergoing CABG. Furthermore, it may reduce long-term cardiac mortality.

Effect of volatile anesthetics on myocardial infarction after coronary artery surgery: a post hoc analysis of a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of volatile anesthetics on the rates of postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiac death after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). DESIGN: A post hoc analysis of a randomized trial. SETTING: Cardiac surgical operating rooms. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing elective, isolated CABG. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive a volatile anesthetic (desflurane, isoflurane, or sevoflurane) or total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). The primary outcome was hemodynamically relevant MI (MI requiring high-dose inotropic support or prolonged intensive care unit stay) occurring within 48 hours from surgery. The secondary outcome was 1-year death due to cardiac causes. Measurements and main Results: A total of 5,400 patients were enrolled between April 2014 and September 2017 (2,709 patients randomized to the volatile anesthetics group and 2,691 to TIVA). The mean age was 62 ± 8.4 years, and the median baseline ejection fraction was 57% (50-67), without differences between the 2 groups. Patients in the volatile group had a lower incidence of MI with hemodynamic complications both in the per-protocol (14 of 2,530 [0.6%] v 27 of 2,501 [1.1%] in the TIVA group; p = 0.038) and as-treated analyses (16 of 2,708 [0.6%] v 29 of 2,617 [1.1%] in the TIVA group; p = 0.039), but not in the intention-to-treat analysis (17 of 2,663 [0.6%] v 28 of 2,667 [1.0%] in the TIVA group; p = 0.10). Overall, deaths due to cardiac causes were lower in the volatile group (23 of 2,685 [0.9%] v 40 of 2,668 [1.5%] than in the TIVA group; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: An anesthetic regimen, including volatile agents, may be associated with a lower rate of postoperative MI with hemodynamic complication in patients undergoing CABG. Furthermore, it may reduce long-term cardiac mortality.

Identification of Natural Hybrids between Ahlbergia frivaldszkyi (Lederer, 1853) and Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) Using Mitochondrial and Nuclear Markers.

Natural hybridization is rather widespread and common in animals and can have important evolutionary consequences. In terms of taxonomy, exploring hybridization and introgression is crucial in defining species boundaries and testing taxonomic hypotheses. In the present paper, we report on natural hybrid specimens between Ahlbergia frivaldszkyi (Lederer, 1853) and Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758). To test the hypothesis of their hybrid origin, we employed the molecular mitochondrial (COI gene) and nuclear (wingless, RPS5, and Ca-ATPase genes) markers commonly used in phylogenetic studies and explored the morphology of the specimens. Our analysis revealed that hybrids bear mitochondrial haplotypes of C. rubi, while nuclear fragments are heterozygous, sharing a combination of A. frivaldszkyi and C. rubi lineages. The hybrid specimens combine morphological characters of both genera. Our results for the first time empirically demonstrate the possibility of genetic introgression between these species and between the genera Callophrys and Ahlbergia on the whole.

The Incidence of Wolbachia Bacterial Endosymbiont in Bisexual and Parthenogenetic Populations of the Psyllid Genus Cacopsylla (Hemiptera, Psylloidea).

Wolbachia is one of the most common intracellular bacteria; it infects a wide variety of insects, other arthropods, and some nematodes. Wolbachia is ordinarily transmitted vertically from mother to offspring and can manipulate physiology and reproduction of their hosts in different ways, e.g., induce feminization, male killing, and parthenogenesis. Despite the great interest in Wolbachia, many aspects of its biology remain unclear and its incidence across many insect orders, including Hemiptera, is still poorly understood. In this report, we present data on Wolbachia infection in five jumping plant-lice species (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) of the genus Cacopsylla Ossiannilsson, 1970 with different reproductive strategies and test the hypothesis that Wolbachia mediates parthenogenetic and bisexual patterns observed in some Cacopsylla species. We show that the five species studied are infected with a single Wolbachia strain, belonging to the supergroup B. This strain has also been found in different insect orders (Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Plecoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera) and even in acariform mites (Trombidiformes), suggesting extensive horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between representatives of these taxa. Our survey did not reveal significant differences in infection frequency between parthenogenetic and bisexual populations or between males and females within bisexual populations. However, infection rate varied notably in different Cacopsylla species or within distinct populations of the same species. Overall, we demonstrate that Wolbachia infects a high proportion of Cacopsylla individuals and populations, suggesting the essential role of this bacterium in their biology.

The role of gold nanoparticles' aspect ratio in plasmon-enhanced luminescence and the singlet oxygen generation rate of Mo6 clusters.

Here we present a study on the effect of the aspect ratio (AR) of gold nanoparticles on the emission intensity and singlet oxygen production rate of hexamolybdenum cluster-doped silica particles. It was shown that these parameters can be enhanced gradually up to 6.7- and 13-fold with the AR.

Synergetic Effect of Mo6 Clusters and Gold Nanoparticles on the Photophysical Properties of Both Components.

Photodynamic and photothermal therapies (PDT, and PTT, respectively) are promising candidates for multimodal anticancer therapies (i.e., combinations of therapies), since their action is based on mechanisms that generally cannot be resisted by cancer cells, that is, generation of highly oxidizing oxygen species and high temperature, respectively. Herein, hybrid materials that combine octahedral molybdenum clusters as potential PDT agents and plasmonic spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as PTT agents are reported. Partial overlap of the photoemission spectrum of the cluster and the surface plasmon resonance band of the AuNPs facilitates energy transfer between the photoactive components, which resulted in synergetic enhancement of their photophysical properties. Specifically, by careful selection of the spacing between the cluster and the gold nanoparticle, a significant increase in luminescence and photosensitizing properties of the cluster was achieved in comparison with similar, but gold-free, particles. On the other hand, the cluster complex facilitated energy conversion to heat by gold particles and hence increased the heating rate under laser irradiation.

A new species of Deuveia Minet, 2002 (Lepidoptera, Epicopeiidae) from China.

A new epicopeiid species, Deuveia panda sp. n., is described from northeastern Sichuan, China. The new species differs from the sole congeneric species, D. banghaasi (Hering, 1936), in the remarkable black and white colouration pattern of the wings, the shape of the wings and the shape of the valva, juxta and aedeagus. The new species is geographically isolated from all known localities of D. banghaasi by highlands of the Min Mountains.

Biochar addition for enhanced cucumber fruit quality under deficit irrigation / Adição de biochar para melhorar a qualidade de frutos do pepino sob irrigação em déficit

In the recent years, biochar has been used as an organic soil amendment. Therefore, this study was undertaken in April 2016 to July 2017 to examine the effect of different biochar addition (BA) rates and deficit irrigation (DI) on quality characteristics of cucumber under greenhouse conditions over two consecutive growing seasons. The BA treatments were B0 (0-ton ha-1), B1 (10-ton ha-1and B2 (20-ton ha-1), while the DI treatments were 1.0 (W1), 0.60 (W2) and 0.40 (W3) of the reference evapotranspiration (ET0). The results obtained elaborated that the combination of B2W1 gave the maximum values of fruit weight (g), fruit water content (%), fruit dry biomass (g) and pH in the both seasons. On the other hand, W2 and W3 increased significantly titratable acidity (TA %) and total soluble solid (TSS %). It was possible to conclude that BA with DI might be a novel approach to improve both crop yield and fruit quality.

Nos últimos anos, o biochar tem sido utilizado como uma alteração do solo orgânico. Desta maneira, este estudo foi realizado entre os períodos de Abril de 2016 a Julho de 2017 para investigar o efeito de diferentes taxas de alteração de biochar e irrigação por déficit (DI) nas características de qualidade do pepino em casa de vegetação durante duas safras consecutivas. Os tratamentos BA foram B0 (0 ton ha-1), B1 (10 ton ha-1 e B2 (20 ton ha-1), juntamente com três lâminas de irrigação em déficit W1, W2 e W3 correspondentes 100%, 60% e 40% da ET0, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a combinação de B2W1 forneceu os valores máximos de peso dos frutos (g), teor de água dos frutos (%), biomassa seca dos frutos (g) e pH nas duas safras. Por outro lado, W2 e W3 aumentaram significativamente a acidez titulável (TA%) e o sólido solúvel total (TSS%). Foi possível concluir que a alteração de biochar com DI pode ser uma nova abordagem para melhorar tanto a produtividade como a qualidade dos frutos.

A new species of Carpenter Moths (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) from Tarbagatai (NE Kazakhstan) and Altai (SW Siberia, Russia) Mountains.

We described a new cossid species, Dyspessa ulgen sp. nov. from the Tarbagatai and Altai Mountains and compared it to other taxa of Dyspessa reported from the region (D. tristis, D. saldaitisi, D. saissanica), as well as to morphologically similar D. ulula. The new species is most closely related to D. ulula but differs from the latter in the characteristics of the male genitalia, wing pattern, and molecular data (a 658 bp fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene).

Volatile Anesthetics versus Total Intravenous Anesthesia for Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Volatile (inhaled) anesthetic agents have cardioprotective effects, which might improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic, multicenter, single-blind, controlled trial at 36 centers in 13 countries. Patients scheduled to undergo elective CABG were randomly assigned to an intraoperative anesthetic regimen that included a volatile anesthetic (desflurane, isoflurane, or sevoflurane) or to total intravenous anesthesia. The primary outcome was death from any cause at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 5400 patients were randomly assigned: 2709 to the volatile anesthetics group and 2691 to the total intravenous anesthesia group. On-pump CABG was performed in 64% of patients, with a mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass of 79 minutes. The two groups were similar with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline, the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, and the number of grafts. At the time of the second interim analysis, the data and safety monitoring board advised that the trial should be stopped for futility. No significant difference between the groups with respect to deaths from any cause was seen at 1 year (2.8% in the volatile anesthetics group and 3.0% in the total intravenous anesthesia group; relative risk, 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 1.29; P = 0.71), with data available for 5353 patients (99.1%), or at 30 days (1.4% and 1.3%, respectively; relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.70 to 1.76), with data available for 5398 patients (99.9%). There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the secondary outcomes or in the incidence of prespecified adverse events, including myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing elective CABG, anesthesia with a volatile agent did not result in significantly fewer deaths at 1 year than total intravenous anesthesia. (Funded by the Italian Ministry of Health; MYRIAD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02105610.).

Volatile Anesthetics versus Total Intravenous Anesthesia for Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND: Volatile (inhaled) anesthetic agents have cardioprotective effects, which might improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic, multicenter, single-blind, controlled trial at 36 centers in 13 countries. Patients scheduled to undergo elective CABG were randomly assigned to an intraoperative anesthetic regimen that included a volatile anesthetic (desflurane, isoflurane, or sevoflurane) or to total intravenous anesthesia. The primary outcome was death from any cause at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 5400 patients were randomly assigned: 2709 to the volatile anesthetics group and 2691 to the total intravenous anesthesia group. On-pump CABG was performed in 64% of patients, with a mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass of 79 minutes. The two groups were similar with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline, the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, and the number of grafts. At the time of the second interim analysis, the data and safety monitoring board advised that the trial should be stopped for futility. No significant difference between the groups with respect to deaths from any cause was seen at 1 year (2.8% in the volatile anesthetics group and 3.0% in the total intravenous anesthesia group; relative risk, 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 1.29; P = 0.71), with data available for 5353 patients (99.1%), or at 30 days (1.4% and 1.3%, respectively; relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.70 to 1.76), with data available for 5398 patients (99.9%). There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the secondary outcomes or in the incidence of prespecified adverse events, including myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing elective CABG, anesthesia with a volatile agent did not result in significantly fewer deaths at 1 year than total intravenous anesthesia. (Funded by the Italian Ministry of Health; MYRIAD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02105610.). (AU)

A DNA-based description of a new carpenter moth species (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) from Morocco.

We used a combination of morphological data (genitalia structure) and a molecular marker (a 658bp fragment of the COI gene) to demonstrate that carpenter moth populations from central and southern Morocco, previously identified as Cossus cossus (Linnaeus, 1758) based on external morphology, represent a new species, described herein as C. romantsovi Yakovlev Shapoval, sp. n. The genetic divergence of the new species with respect to other members of genus Cossus is significant and includes at least 23 fixed nucleotide substitutions in the 658 bp of the COI barcode.

THz Sensing With Anomalous Extraordinary Optical Transmission Hole Arrays.

Subwavelength hole array (HA) metasurfaces support the so-called extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) resonance that has already been exploited for sensing. In this work, we demonstrate the superior performance of a different resonant regime of HA metasurfaces called anomalous EOT, by doing a thorough numerical and experimental study of its ability in thin-film label-free sensing applications in the terahertz (THz) band. A comprehensive analysis using both the regular and anomalous EOT resonances is done by depositing thin layers of dielectric analyte slabs of different thicknesses on the structures in different scenarios. We carry out a detailed comparison and demonstrate that the best sensing performance is achieved when the structure operates in the anomalous EOT resonance and the analyte is deposited on the non-patterned side of the metasurface, improving by a factor between 2 and 3 the results of the EOT resonance in any of the considered scenarios. This can be explained by the comparatively narrower linewidth of the anomalous EOT resonance. The results presented expand the reach of subwavelength HAs for sensing applications by considering the anomalous EOT regime that is usually overlooked in the literature.

Star fruit nephrotoxicity: a case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Star fruit is a popular medicinal fruit in the tropics. Its hypoglycaemic properties are considered useful in achieving glycaemic control in diabetes. Star fruit induced nephrotoxicity is a rare cause of acute kidney injury in individuals with both normal and reduced baseline renal function. We present three cases of acute kidney injury due to star fruit nephrotoxicity from Sri Lanka, and discuss the published literature on this topic. CASE PRESENTATION: Three Sri Lankan patients, all with a background of diabetes, presented to us with acute nausea and anorexia following recent consumption of star fruit. Two patients complained of diarrhoea and one patient complained of intractable hiccoughs. They all had elevated serum creatinine on admission. Two were known to have normal baseline serum creatinine levels. On renal biopsy two had evidence of oxalate crystal deposition. One did not show crystal deposition but had acute interstitial nephritis for which no alternate cause could be identified. Two were treated with short courses of prednisolone and two required acute haemodialysis. All recovered renal function, with both patients with known baselines approaching their premorbid serum creatinine levels. CONCLUSION: Consumption of star fruit, especially on an empty stomach or in a state of dehydration may precipitate acute kidney injury. A history of star fruit ingestion must be actively looked for in patients presenting with unexplained acute kidney injury. The use of star fruit as a therapy for diabetes should be discouraged.

The trend of feminization of doctors' workforce in Oman: is it a phenomenon that could rouse the health system?

BACKGROUND: Participation of women in the medical profession over several countries worldwide was increased over the past decades. This paper is a part of ongoing studies aiming at addressing the issue of health workforce feminization among doctors in the Sultanate of Oman as well as exploring the health system readiness in dealing with this phenomenon. METHODS: Literature in addition to reports and records of the Ministry of Health, Oman (MoH), Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and Oman Medical Specialty Board were reviewed regarding the gender of the doctors and the medical students. RESULTS: Findings regarding the medical students at the SQU showed higher number of females compared to males (64% females in 2015 compared to 54% in 2009). A similar trend was observed regarding the postgraduates as 61.5% of the graduated residents doctors were females. As for active workforce, the MoH 2015 report revealed that female doctors represent 42% of the total doctors compared to 27% in 1990. It increased 4% from 1990 to 2000, doubled to 8% from 2000 to 2010. The proportion of specialized female doctors reached 31% in 2015 compared to 21% in 1990. There were also gender variations among specialities. The proportion of female general practitioners reached 50% in 2015 compared to 30% in 1990 (4% increase every 5 years). CONCLUSIONS: The feminization phenomenon in Oman is increasing and requires more attention in order to assess the health system readiness of meeting the needs and accommodating the females as the main care providers. The trend is expected to have important consequences on future planning, given that women doctors differ from men in how they participate in the workforce. It may also potentially contribute to a shortage in supply due to difference in preferences and consequently affect the skill-mix and productivity. The cultural, social context and dimensions need to be explored and feasible options to be provided for better planning.