(1) Background: Severe COVID-19 outcomes are associated with cytokine release syndrome, characterized by the release of several immune modulators, including Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Tocilizumab (TCZ) is an IL-6 receptor antagonist used to treat rheumatic arthritis. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCZ against COVID-19. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective study including 49 severe COVID-19 patients who received TCZ therapy in NMC Royal Hospital, UAE. (3) Results: Before Tocilizumab administration, the median temperature was 37.0 (IQR 36.0–39.6), and after day seven, the median reduced to 36.5 (IQR 35.8–37.9), p > 0.001. Thirty (61.2%) patients were admitted to the ICU, of which, eight (16.3%) were on WHO scale 4, sixteen (32.6%) on scale 5, and six (20.0%) on scale 6. TCZ reduced inflammatory markers over time, including CRP, D-Dimer, Ferritin, and Fibrinogen. By the end of week seven, 14 patients died (28.6%) while 35 (71.4%) improved and were discharged. (4) Conclusions: The study showed limited improvements in COVID-19 outcomes with TCZ therapy and highlighted the importance of D-Dimer monitoring for possible risk of thrombosis. Additionally, it could be recommended to upgrade the anti-coagulation dose to therapeutic levels once TCZ therapy is decided upon.

Motivation has been found to play a major role in determining student performance in the academic process. The aim of this study is to identify the intrinsic & extrinsic motivational factors among medical students in the University of Sharjah. A Cross Sectional Study was conducted among university students of medical colleges in the period between February 2011 and March 2011. A total of 452 students (337 females and 115 males) were selected using the Quota sampling method equally between each college. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 13 demographic questions, an agreement scale of 32 questions about the motivational factors and an open ended question asking students about what the university can do to help motivate them were developed. The most common intrinsic factors chosen by students were grade expectation (94%), interest in material (92%) and leading an honorable life (88%). While on the other hand the most common extrinsic factors were upcoming exams (88%), family expectations (88%) and praise (82%). The most common factors were similar between all students regardless of their major, gender, or performance. However, differences were visible in other factors such as in high performing students; rewards scored a 71.4% while low performing students scored it at 50%. It also shows that females consider praise as an important factor (86%) on the contrary males gave it a 72%. While the most common intrinsic factors showed to be grades, interest in material and leading an honorable life, the most common extrinsic factors on the other hand were upcoming exams, family expectations and praise.

(1) Background: Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions (OGDs) was found in COVID-19 patients. Only a few studies looked into the prevalence of OGDs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence OGDs among multiethnic COVID-19 patients in the UAE, and its association to patients’ characteristics and disease outcomes; (2) Methods: There were 1785 COVID-19 patients included in our cohort; (3) Results: Males made up most of the study participants (86.3%). A total of 11.7% of the participants reported OGDs. Female gender and ethnicity had significantly higher symptom prevalence (p < 0.001). COVID-19 severity had a strong inverse association with OGDs (p = 0.007). Other illness outcomes, such as ICU admission, pneumonia development, and mortality, showed no correlation. Males, Asians, and patients with comorbidities all had statistically significantly lower prevalence odds. On the other hand, Emirati, Arab, and Iranian patients had a higher prevalence. COVID-19 patients with OGDs had a considerably shorter time until viral clearance than those without the symptom; (4) Conclusions: in nonsevere COVID-19, olfactory/gustatory dysfunction is common. As a result, it could be applied as a predictive sign for early disease diagnosis and prognosis.

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