NEUROPROTECTIVE ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF PORTULACA QUADRIFIDA LINN. LEAVES EXTRACT ON IMMOBILIZATION STRESS-INDUCED CHANGES IN RAT'S BRAIN

Objective: The current study was established to illustrate the effect of this plant's active constituents on stress-induced diseases that include oxidation damage to cellular components, especially the brain.Methods: Immobilization stress method is induced and initiated by putting separated animals in specially prepared mesh cages on a wooden plank. The animals were exposed to 6 h of stress. Wistar male rats were selected weighing (180–200 g). A total of 54 rats were selected and separated into nine groups and only six experimental rats were kept in each group.Results: The post-stress oral treatment of extract (100 mg/kg body weight) was more efficient in restricting stress-induced decline of superoxide dismutase (p<0.05), glutathione (GSH)-S-transferase (p<0.02), catalase (p<0.05), and GSH (p<0.05) and an enhanced level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (p<0.01) compared to stress alone or pre-stress extract treatments.Conclusion: The extract showed a significant resistance toward the oxidative metabolism triggered by restraint stress, though the post-extract treatment (curative) was observed to be more effective in restoring the altered oxidative metabolism compared with pre-extract treatment (prophylactic)

VITAMIN D IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH AND ITS RELATION WITH SEVERAL DISEASES

Vitamins are organic nutrients and substances that are needed for many biochemical functions. They are one of the six essential elements required for human life. Vitamin D is also known among the public as the Sunshine vitamin, as it is produced internally within the human body when exposed to sunlight and it is well known that the big majority of United Arab Emirates (UAE) population suffer from its deficiency.They are usually not found inside the body and therefore must be eaten from food or taken by supplements. Vitamin D that is obtained from diet or body synthesis when it is exposed to sufficient sunlight is biologically inactive without the enzymatic activation that converts it into its active form in the liver and kidney.Deficiency of vitamin D could lead to many troubling diseases such as depression including seasonal affective disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Arthritis (gout, osteoarthritis, tendonitis), Osteoporosis, gum and teeth diseases, obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, metabolic syndromes, immunity related diseases (sclerosis, erythematosis), and cancer, which will be discussed in this review. The main objective of the current review is to evaluate the associations of vitamin D with the diverse health outcomes according to the latest studies done so far

Sustainable development goals and ending ECC as a public health crisis

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) remains a global issue despite numerous advancements in research and interventional approaches. Nearly, 530 million children suffer from untreated dental caries of primary teeth. The consequences of such untreated dental caries not only limit the child's chewing and eating abilities but also, significantly impact the child's overall growth. Research has demonstrated that ECC is associated with nearly 123 risk factors. ECC has also been associated with local pain, infections, abscesses, and sleep pattern. Furthermore, it can affect the child's emotional status and decrease their ability to learn or perform their usual activities. In high-income countries, dental care continues to endorse a “current treatment-based approach” that involves high-technology, interventionist, and specialized approaches. While such approaches provide immediate benefit at an individual level, it fails to intercept the underlying causes of the disease at large. In low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), the “current treatment approach” often remains limited, unaffordable, and unsuitable for the majority of the population. Rather, dentistry needs to focus on “sustainable goals” and integrate dental care with the mainstream healthcare system and primary care services. Dental care systems should promote “early first dental visits,” when the child is 1 year of age or when the first tooth arrives. The serious shortages of appropriately trained oral healthcare personnel in certain regions of the world, lack of appropriate technologies and isolation of oral health services from the health system, and limited adoption of prevention and oral health promotion can pose as critical barriers. The oral health care systems must focus on three major keystones to combat the burden of ECC−1. Essential oral health services are integrated into healthcare in every country ensuring the availability of appropriate healthcare accessible and available globally, 2. Integrating oral and general healthcare to effectively prevent and manage oral disease and improve oral health, 3. Collaborating with a wide range of health workers to deliver sustainable oral health care tailored to cater to the oral health care needs of local communities

Assessment of knowledge and healthcare providers’ role in promoting lactation in United Arab Emirates

Background: This study was performed to assess mothers’ knowledge and awareness level regarding maternal medication intake during lactation and health care providers’ role in promoting lactation.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, questionnaire based survey study and a convenient sample of (820) breastfeeding mothers in Ajman and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) participated in the study. The results were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data concerning the demographic characteristics and breastfeeding knowledge. Categorical variables (such as nationality and educational level) were described by using frequency, percentages, bar chart and pie chart.Results: The current study revealed a (72%) of maternal knowledge compared to (60.4%) four years ago and the most identified encouraging factor for the initiation of lactation stated by the respondents was their own decision followed by family support (58.4%, 39.8% respectively). The health care providers’ role was positively improved (58.4%) as observed in the current study compared to (52.1%) four years ago in UAE.Conclusions: An improvement was observed in terms of knowledge among breastfeeding mothers in the UAE compared to previous years as well as healthcare providers’ role which was also positively improved. Pharmacists were observed to have a low impact on the initiation of lactation, but on the other hand it was found that they had a significant role in terms of assessing maternal medication safety during lactation

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE II DIABETES ON METFORMIN: A STUDY FROM NORTHERN REGION OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Objectives: This study focused on the prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency in UAE patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were treated with or without metformin.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 213 patients having diabetes type II were randomly selected to be part of the study in Northern Regions of the UAE, from June 2014 to February 2015. The patients aged >45 years and who had taken metformin for at least 3 months were recruited with regular follow-up at the outpatient clinic. The patients were included in a survey after which they had their serum B12 levels measured. Serum B12 levels <150 pg/ml are defined as the B12 deficiency.Results: About 48% of diabetic patients had confirmed the B12 insufficiency through laboratory tests. The patients on metformin had statistically lower values of B12 (p=0.002). The majority of participants n (%) took metformin had neuropathy, hypertension, dyslipidemia, numbness or paresthesia, and depression, or mood changes 140 (70%), 183 (91.5%), 134 (67%), 136 (68%), 161 (80.5%), and 120 (60%), respectively.Conclusion: Our study shows that for the patients with T2DM, long-term treatment with metformin is associated with higher chances of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency. Clinicians should, therefore, recognize this significant element and should screen diabetics who are on metformin treatment for any B12 insufficiency, which may be hidden, especially patients coming with neurologic symptoms

THE EFFECT OF METFORMIN ON BODY WEIGHT IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME PATIENTS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCO) is an endocrine disease that is characterized by a set of symptoms including irregular menstruation, subfertility, skin changes, hirsutism and weight gain. The pathogenesis of PCO is mostly related to increase androgens and insulin resistance. Treatment is mostly symptomatic hence metformin is being used due to its effect in decreasing gluconeogenesis and by increasing peripheral utilization of glucose, in addition to its lowering effects on androgen. Thus, Metformin role in PCO treatment ranges between managing insulin resistance, promoting ovulation and treating hirsutism to some extent. Some studies showed that Metformin is effective in lowering body weight in PCO patients, yet it is not being indicated officially for this purpose. Background: Metformin is expected to have an effect of weight reduction in PCO patients This is the scope of this research which intends to explore this action. Method: The Study design is cross sectional study using online questionnaire. Open and closed ended questions were included. Results: Based on the results the majority shows decrease in the weight, while only one reported increase in their weight and only one had the same weight during and after treatment with metformin. Conclusions: Metformin generally showed positive effect regarding reducing the body weight of the females diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome when used alone

Microwave-Assisted Functionalization of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Biosensor and Drug Delivery Applications

Microwave-assisted synthetic methods have emerged as a popular technique for surface modification and the functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for diverse drug delivery applications. Microwave-induced functionalization of MWCNTs provides a high functionalization and requires less time than conventional techniques. Microwave methods are simple, fast, and effective for the covalent and noncovalent conjugation of MWCNTs with various biomolecules and polymers. The present review focuses on the synthetic and drug delivery applications of microwave irradiation techniques (MITs) for the functionalization of MWCNTs, using amino acids and other molecular frameworks containing amino groups, vitamins, proteins, epoxy moieties, metal nanoparticles, and polymers

Microwave-Assisted Functionalization of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Biosensor and Drug Delivery Applications

Microwave-assisted synthetic methods have emerged as a popular technique for surface modification and the functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for diverse drug delivery applications. Microwave-induced functionalization of MWCNTs provides a high functionalization and requires less time than conventional techniques. Microwave methods are simple, fast, and effective for the covalent and noncovalent conjugation of MWCNTs with various biomolecules and polymers. The present review focuses on the synthetic and drug delivery applications of microwave irradiation techniques (MITs) for the functionalization of MWCNTs, using amino acids and other molecular frameworks containing amino groups, vitamins, proteins, epoxy moieties, metal nanoparticles, and polymers

Synthesis and evaluation of pyridine-3-carboxamide analogs as effective agents against bacterial wilt in tomatoes

Abstract This study focused on developing novel pyridine-3-carboxamide analogs to treat bacterial wilt in tomatoes caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. The analogs were synthesized through a multistep process and their structures confirmed using spectroscopy. Molecular docking studies identified the most potent analog from the series. A specific analog, compound 4a, was found to significantly enhance disease resistance in tomato plants infected with R. solanacearum. The structure–activity relationship analysis showed the positions and types of substituents on the aromatic rings of compounds 4a–i strongly influenced their biological activity. Compound 4a, with a chloro group at the para position on ring C and hydroxyl group at the ortho position on ring A, was exceptionally effective against R. solanacearum. When used to treat seeds, the analogs displayed remarkable efficacy, especially compound 4a which had specific activity against bacterial wilt pathogens. Compound 4a also promoted vegetative and reproductive growth of tomato plants, increasing seed germination and seedling vigor. In plants mechanically infected with bacteria, compound 4a substantially reduced the percentage of infection, pathogen quantity in young tissue, and disease progression. The analogs were highly potent due to their amide linkage. Molecular docking identified the best compounds with strong binding affinities. Overall, the strategic design and synthesis of these pyridine-3-carboxamide analogs offers an effective approach to targeting and controlling R. solanacearum and bacterial wilt in tomatoes