The abdominal aorta enters the diaphragm at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra and gives branches such as the celiac trunk (CT), superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries. The main aim of the present research study was to observe the CT with regard to (i) variations in the dimensions among different age groups compared to gender, (ii) the vertebral level of origin, and (iii) the variation in the branching pattern. This cross-sectional retrospective study was performed on 116 subjects (n = 91 males, n = 25 females) over one year. The CT was interpreted by using contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography. The results were assessed using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. The length and diameter between gender and the three age groups (i.e., 29 years and below, 30–39 years, and more than 40 years) were compared and a p-value of less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant. There was a significant difference in the length (p = 0.016) and diameter of the CT (p = 0.05) among males and females, respectively. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the length (p = 0.038) and diameter (p = 0.013) of the CT among the three age groups. Individuals aged 30–39 years had the highest mean for the length of the CT, while patients aged 29 years and younger had the highest diameter. The most common level for CT origin was at the vertebral level of the 12th thoracic vertebra (73.3%). Anatomical knowledge of the CT is important for diagnostic imaging, organ transplantations, and surgical and laparoscopic interventions.

The renal vessels are known to exhibit variations in different populations. The present retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the radiological anatomy of renal arteries and veins in the Omani population. Computed tomography angiography scans were used to assess diameter, laterality, and vascular branching patterns in adults (aged ≥ 18 years) who underwent contrast-enhanced CT angiography of the abdomen and pelvis between 1 January 2023, and 31 December 2024. Normal CT angiograms of cases performed for vascular pathology screening, renal transplant workup, or trauma evaluation with normal findings were included. Measurements included diameters, anatomical course, and vascular variations in the renal arteries and veins. Accessory renal arteries were defined as any additional arteries arising from the aorta supplying the kidney, regardless of the entry point. The mean diameters of the right and left renal arteries were significantly higher in males (p = 0.020 and 0.026, respectively). The right renal vein was significantly larger in females (p = 0.020). Accessory renal arteries were identified in 24.22% (n = 31 patients), including two cases with unilateral double accessory arteries. The right and left RA diameters were 4.51 ± 0.91 mm and 4.95 ± 0.98 mm, respectively, both significantly larger in males (p = 0.020 and 0.026). Supernumerary renal veins were observed in 21 patients; retroaortic and circumaortic left RVs were found in seven and one case(s), respectively. Venous variations were present in 17.2% of the Omani subjects. The findings may enhance preoperative planning, especially in renal transplantation and urologic surgery, by increasing awareness of anatomical variants. This region-specific dataset supports the development of optimized imaging protocols and surgical strategies for better patient care.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by sudden cardiomyocyte death due to impaired blood supply and remains a leading cause of mortality despite advances in management. Aloe vera, a plant rich in over 75 bioactive compounds, including vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides, and anthraquinones, has been widely used in traditional medicine and modern healthcare. Increasing evidence supports its cardioprotective potential through multiple mechanisms. Aloe vera and its derivatives have demonstrated antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and vasodilatory effects relevant to MI pathophysiology. Compounds such as aloe-emodin, emodin, aloin, barbaloin, and selenium-enriched polysaccharides have been shown to modulate pathways including Nrf2/HO-1, TGF-β/SMAD, ERK, ferroptosis inhibition, ionic pump activity, and microRNA regulation. These molecular effects translate into reductions in oxidative damage, apoptotic signaling, inflammatory cytokine release, calcium imbalance, and creatine kinase/LDH leakage, while preserving myocardial structure and function in preclinical models. Collectively, preclinical studies suggest the potential cardioprotective effects of Aloe vera-derived preparations and compounds; however, robust clinical evidence in myocardial infarction is lacking, and their therapeutic relevance remains uncertain.

Background/Objectives: The abdominal aorta (AA) bifurcates at the level of the L4 vertebra, giving origin to the right and left common iliac arteries (CIA). The CIA then bifurcates into external iliac arteries (EIA) and internal iliac arteries (IIA). The present radiological study aimed to (i) measure the diameter of the right and left CIA, (ii) measure the distance between the AA bifurcation and the point where the ureter crossed the ipsilateral iliac vessels, (iii) examine the angle of AA bifurcation, and (iv) observe the vertebral level at which the AA bifurcated. Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional study included contrast-enhanced CT angiograms of 200 patients (n = 144 males and 56 females) who attended the radiology department from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023. Two independent radiologists interpreted the angiograms. The results were interpreted using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Results: The mean angle of the AA bifurcation was 40.46° and 44.68° in males and females, respectively (p = 0.013). The mean diameter of the right and left CIA was wider in males than in females, but no statistical significance was found. The average distance between the AA bifurcation and the point where the right and left ureter crossed the ipsilateral iliac arteries was longer in females (60.99 and 60.29 mm, respectively) than in males (59.05 and 59.95 mm, respectively), but no statistical difference was found (p > 0.05). The most common vertebral level for AA bifurcation was the L4 vertebra, which was found in 137 (68.50%) patients. The AA bifurcated at the level of L3 and L5 in 52 (26.00%) and 11 (5.50%) patients, respectively. Conclusions: Understanding the radiological anatomy of the CIA and AA bifurcation and its relation to the ureter is crucial for surgeons performing aortic and pelvic surgeries.

Background: The nasal index (NI) varies across populations. Nasal indices (NIs) characterize the human face. This study examined the NIs in the Omani population. The NI provides objective measures of facial morphology, contributing to population differentiation and anthropological research while also supporting forensic biological profiling and human identification. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 149 Omanis aged 18–24 years. We initially collected demographic data using a questionnaire and screened the participants for eligibility. A Housolution 0–300 mm digital sliding caliper (Shenzhen, China) was used to obtain the NI measurements. Two trained researchers independently performed the measurements. Continuous variables were summarized using mean ± standard deviation (SD), and associations between nasal measurements were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. Results: The NI was significantly higher in males than in females (68.4 ± 7.1 vs. 56.1 ± 6.8, respectively; p < 0.001). The most prevalent nasal type was leptorrhine (50.3%). Conclusions: This study provides descriptive data on the distribution of the NI in young Omani adults. These findings may support future comparative anthropometric studies but should not be interpreted as validated measures for forensic identification.