Ozone Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Double Blinded Study

This study aimed to evaluate the use of ozone to treat recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Consecutive sixty-nine participants with RAS were recruited into this non-randomized double blind, controlled cohort observational study (test group). A control group of 69 RAS patients who matched test group with age and gender was recruited. RAS lesions in test group were exposed to ozone in air for 60 seconds while controls received only air. Ulcer size and pain were recorded for each participant at baseline and daily for 15 days. Ulcer duration was determined by recording the time taken for ulcers to disappear. The main outcome measures were pain due to the ulcer, ulcer size and ulcer duration. 138 RAS participants (69 participants and 69 controls) were analyzed. Ulcer size was reduced starting from the second day in test group and from the fourth day in control. Pain levels were reduced starting from the first day in the test group and from the third day in controls. Ulcer duration, ulcer size after day 2 and pain levels were more reduced in the test group. In conclusion, application of ozone on RAS lesions for 60 seconds reduced pain levels and enhanced ulcers’ healing by reducing ulcers’ size and duration

Novel 1,5-diaryl pyrazole-3-carboxamides as selective COX-2/sEH inhibitors with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and lower cardiotoxicity effects

Funding Information: The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Jouf University for funding this work through research grant number (DSR2020-04-421 )Peer reviewedPostprin

Evaluation of Outreach of Community Pharmacists in Public Health Services in Al-Jouf Region of Saudi Arabia: Findings and Implications

Background: Diversifying the conventional role of community pharmacists from dispensing to involvement in public health services could help in optimized patient care and ultimately good health practices. The current study aimed to ascertain the involvement of community pharmacists, barriers to involvement, their preparedness towards the provision of public health services in the future, and effective strategies to improve their existing role, especially in remote areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al-Jouf region of Saudi Arabia (KSA), between January to April 2023. A convenient sampling technique was used to recruit community pharmacists (CPs). A self-designed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The relative importance index (RII) was utilized to rank the barriers to participation in public health services. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS. Results: This study recruited 119 participants (mean age: 32.2 ± 7.9; male gender: 67.2%). Of these, 91.6% were involved in the provision of public health services at community pharmacies. Majority of CPs (n = 114/119, 95.8%) provided drug use-related written information to the patients, and the least practiced service was screening of dyslipidemia (n = 81; 68.1%). According to RII, the major barrier was the lack of time given by patients (RII: 0.812). Overall, the majority of the pharmacists (n = 94/119; 79%) were willing to provide public health services. Most of the CPs reported that empowerment through education and awareness (n = 100/119; 84%) is most effective strategy to enhance the involvement of pharmacists in public health services. Conclusions: Findings of the present study underscored the adequate participation of community pharmacists in public health activities. Further studies are required in other remote regions of KSA to get a clear insight into the overall participation of community pharmacists in public health services and generalize the findings

Knowledge, Attitude, and Acceptance of Sinopharm and AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccines among Egyptian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the Egyptian population’s preference and awareness related to available COVID-19 vaccines and to determine different factors that can affect beliefs concerning these vaccines. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based study was carried out among the general population in Egypt. Data collection was conducted via an online questionnaire. Results: About 426 subjects participated in the survey. Vaccine preference is nearly equally even (50%) among all respondents. There was no significant difference in vaccine preference according to age, gender, residence, educational level, or social status. About 50% of public respondents mentioned that both AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines do not offer protection against new variant COVID-19 strains. Healthcare workers are the lowest respondents to agree that vaccines offer protection against new COVID-19 variants (10.9%) compared to unemployed respondents (20.3%) and other professions (68.8%) with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.005). Safety of vaccine administration among children below 18 showed statistical differences for gender and educational level predictors. Conclusions: Most of the study population has satisfying knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine. Continuous awareness campaigns must be carried out so that the people’s background is updated with any new information that would help in raising the trust in vaccination

Anandamide Reuptake Inhibitor (VDM11) as a Possible Candidate for COVID-19 Associated Depression; a Combination of Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and In Vivo Experimental Analysis

Objective: Post-COVID 19 depression has gained much attention due to the increasing percentage of depressive symptoms reported by COVID-19 survivors. Among many factors postulated to be responsible for this depression, neuroinflammation gained the most attention. Therefore, in current work, we selected an anandamide reuptake inhibitor, VDM11, as a possible candidate for managing post-COVID depression. Methods: The role of VDM11 in attenuating neuroinflammation was established by using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and an in vivo LPS-induced depression model. Results: The results of network pharmacology revealed that among all the genes that can be targeted by VDM11, 47 genes were directly linked to the pathophysiology of depression. Additionally, on the basis of protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis, the top 10 hub genes probably responsible for VDM11 antidepressant attribute were screened. These genes include MAPK3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, PPARG, MAPK1, CNR1, MTOR, NR3C1, and IGF1R. These genes were also enriched in GO and KEGG analysis. Molecular docking was carried out with top five hub genes screened by PPI network and KEGG analysis which showed that VDM11 interacts well with these targets. The antidepressant potential of VDM11 was also assessed by employing a LPS-induced depression model. Animals provided with VDM11 demonstrated increased exploration time and spontaneous alterations in elevated plus and Y maze models. Additionally, the level of astrocyte marker GFAP, microglia marker CD11b, and proinflammatory cytokines, including TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, in the hippocampus were significantly reduced by VDM11, further strengthening its role in neuroinflammation. Conclusion: VDM11, an anandamide reuptake inhibitor, might serve as a possible candidate for post-COVID depression, probably by modulating neuroinflammation. However, detailed pharmacological studies are required to validate these outcomes

Resistance Patterns of Gram-Negative Bacteria Recovered from Clinical Specimens of Intensive Care Patients

Intensive care units are complex environments favoring high resistance in microorganisms. This study evaluated the resistance and the distribution dynamics of resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in patients admitted to intensive care units. This retrospective, record-based, cross-sectional study analyzed all of the antibiograms of patients admitted to the ICUs. The BD Phoenix system (BD Diagnostics, Sparks, MD, USA) was used for bacterial identification and antimicrobial testing. Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute recommendations were used for antimicrobial testing. Frequencies and percentages of multidrug and pan-drug resistance were calculated. A total of 570 bacterial growths were observed, out of which 437 (76.7%) were of GNB. K. pneumoniae (21.0%), P. aeruginosa (11.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus (13.2%) were the most frequent disease-causing bacteria in intensive care patients. Resistance rates of 73.2% and 70.1% were observed for third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, respectively, while 48.2% carbapenem and > 65% fluoroquinolones resistance rates were observed. Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic, with a sensitivity rate of 69.5%. A total of 372 (85.1%) of GNB were multidrug resistant. The majority of infections in intensive care patients are caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Female gender and advancing age are factors favoring MDR. Enhanced surveillance and strengthening of the antimicrobial stewardship program are warranted

Healthcare professionals' awareness, attitudes and practices towards pharmacovigilance and spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia: A survey study

Background: Globally, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the foremost cause of morbidity as well as mortality. This necessitates a system of surveillance that can effectively and efficiently monitor the effect of drugs on the general population. The role of pharmacovigilance (PV) is paramount in ensuring drug safety through spontaneous ADR reporting. Methods: Data collection in the current research was carried out by an anonymous, online 36-item self-report questionnaire amongst a sample of 351 working healthcare professionals (HCPs) across different regions of Jazan Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The current sample comprised 54.4% males and 45.6% females, having an age range of 26–57 years, and was conducted between August 21 and October 21, 2022. Participants were recruited using the convenience snowball sampling technique. Results: The participants' awareness of PV as well as spontaneous ADR reporting, had a significant association with having <40 years of age (χ2 = 27.40; p < 0.001), being pharmacists (χ2 = 212.20; p < 0.001), with more than five years of experience (χ2 = 40.80; p < 0.001), having Masters (or) Doctorate/Fellowship (χ2 = 171.94; p < 0.001), and having their practice located in an urban area (χ2 = 50.30; p < 0.001). It was also observed that most participants with excellent awareness of PV and spontaneous ADR reporting also demonstrated excellent attitudes (χ2 = 147.70; p < 0.001). Similarly, it was also seen that almost all (97%) of the study sample with excellent attitudes towards PV and spontaneous ADR reporting also demonstrated excellent practices (χ2 = 250.73; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a need for designing and conducting educational programs, providing training and conducting workshops for all the HCPs to improve their awareness towards PV and spontaneous ADR reporting while also highlighting the need and importance of having positive attitudes towards spontaneous ADR reporting. Cooperation between different HCPs should be encouraged to improve their practices towards spontaneous ADR reporting

Gingerol, a Natural Antioxidant, Attenuates Hyperglycemia and Downstream Complications

Hyperglycemia is seen in approximately 68 percent of patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit (ICU). In many acute circumstances, such as myocardial infarction, brain, injury and stroke, it is an independent predictor of mortality. Hyperglycemia is induced by a mix of genetic, environmental, and immunologic variables in people with type 1 diabetes. These factors cause pancreatic beta cell death and insulin insufficiency. Insulin resistance and irregular insulin production cause hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients. Hyperglycemia activates a number of complicated interconnected metabolic processes. Hyperglycemia is a major contributor to the onset and progression of diabetes&rsquo; secondary complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, cataracts, periodontitis, and bone and joint issues. Studies on the health benefits of ginger and its constituent&rsquo;s impact on hyperglycemia and related disorders have been conducted and gingerol proved to be a potential pharmaceutically active constituent of ginger (Zingiber officinale) that has been shown to lower blood sugar levels, because it possesses antioxidant properties and it functions as an antioxidant in the complicated biochemical process that causes hyperglycemia to be activated. Gingerol not only helps in treating hyperglycemia but also shows effectivity against diseases related to it, such as cardiopathy, kidney failure, vision impairments, bone and joint problems, and teeth and gum infections. Moreover, fresh ginger has various gingerol analogues, with 6-gingerol being the most abundant. However, it is necessary to investigate the efficacy of its other analogues against hyperglycemia and associated disorders at various concentrations in order to determine the appropriate dose for treating these conditions

Gut Microbiota Disruption in COVID-19 or Post-COVID Illness Association with severity biomarkers: A Possible Role of Pre / Pro-biotics in manipulating microflora

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a coronavirus-induced illness attributed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, is thought to have first emerged on November 17, 2019. According to World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19 has been linked to 379,223,560 documented occurrences and 5,693,245 fatalities globally as of 1st Feb 2022. Influenza A virus that has also been discovered diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort was found in the infected person, highlighting the need of monitoring them for gastro intestinal tract (GIT) symptoms regardless of whether the sickness is respiration related. The majority of the microbiome in the intestines is Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, while Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes are found in the lungs. Although most people overcome SARS-CoV-2 infections, many people continue to have symptoms months after the original sickness, called Long-COVID or Post COVID. The term “post-COVID-19 symptoms” refers to those that occur with or after COVID-19 and last for more than 12 weeks (long-COVID-19). The possible understanding of biological components such as inflammatory, immunological, metabolic activity biomarkers in peripheral blood is needed to evaluate the study. Therefore, this article aims to review the informative data that supports the idea underlying the disruption mechanisms of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute COVID-19 or post-COVID-mediated elevation of severity biomarkers