KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEFS OF ADOLESCENTS ABOUT ACNE: BASELINE AND POST-INTERVENTION ASSESSMENTS USING AN INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL TOOL

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin condition affecting teenagers around the globe. Lack of knowledge and false beliefs about acne are factors contributing to non-adherence to acne treatment that would result in treatment failure. Since acne is a highly prevalent skin condition in Lebanon, educating Lebanese adolescents about acne is vital to achieve a better treatment outcome. The aim of the present study is to assess the baseline knowledge of a sample of Lebanese adolescents using a self-administered questionnaire, and increase the level through an educational intervention (interactive audio-visual presentation). The knowledge score was assessed before and after the educational session and the assessment was repeated after one month to test the participants’ retention of information. The results showed that the socio-demographic variations among individuals and the different sources of their information had no statistically significant effect on the knowledge score of participants (p\u3e0.05) that was 54.05 ± 12.43% at baseline. The knowledge score after conducting the educational session improved significantly by 39% (

VACCINATION FOR NEWLY EMERGED INFECTIOUS DISEASES AS A BLESSING OR CURSE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE LEBANESE POPULATION: A TWO-PHASE STUDY

Although vaccination campaigns have been vital in mitigating the spread of many pandemics, false information about COVID-19 vaccine through social media might have a negative impact on its acceptance. In Lebanon, prior to the vaccination campaign, the acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccination did not exceed 20 %. In the current study, the acceptance of vaccination by Lebanese participants was studied following the launching of the vaccine. The aim of the work is to reveal the actual intention of the studied sample once the vaccine is available and investigate the change in the perception and acceptance rate of Lebanese citizens about vaccination as influenced by many factors over time. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in two separate phases (March 2021 and May 2021). In the first phase, the questionnaire included socio-demographic data and reasons for vaccine’s refusal. In the second phase, 2 sections were added, addressing the change in the attitude of participants towards vaccination, and the reasons behind this change. Data were analyzed using SPSS-version 20 and the results were considered statistically significant with p values ≤0.05. In both phases, the willingness to take the vaccine did not significantly change (p\u3e0.05). Although 80 % of participants consider vaccination important, only 50 % of the studied sample were willing to take the vaccine. Such findings confirm hesitancy that can be attributed to worries about long-term effects and incomplete information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Therefore, awareness campaigns about false beliefs should be extensively conducted, with more emphasis on tailored education for special subpopulations, and other measures should be implemented more efficiently (e.g. restricted access to public places for unvaccinated individuals) to accelerate the vaccination rate

HAND SANITIZERS USE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: KNOWLEDGE, PREFERENCE, AND ADHERENCE OF A SAMPLE OF THE LEBANESE POPULATION.

Purpose: Preventive measure has been a gold stone in reducing the spread of Coronavirus disease of 2019. These measures include quarantine, social distancing, face mask use, and most importantly hand hygiene. Consequently, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been used abundantly. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge, preference, and practice toward hand sanitizers of the Lebanese community, during the pandemic period. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out from mid of May to mid of June 2020. Adult Lebanese residents from the 5 main Lebanese districts were invited to participate in the study. The questionnaire included demographic data, 5 knowledge questions, practice during COVID-19, and preferred characteristics of hand sanitizers. Data was analysed using SPSS-version 20. Results were considered significant at p-value ≤0.05 with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Out of the 481 participants, 278 were unable to be quarantined, and accordingly 74.5% had to use hand sanitizers regularly. Gel form, fast-drying, and low price were the main factors behind the choice of hand sanitizers by percentages of 51.2%,40.2%, and 36.2%, respectively. Nevertheless, all types of hand sanitizers have caused skin irritation in 43% of the respondents. The knowledge score revealed an average score of 2.56±1.1 over 5 with a significantly higher means for medical workers and university degrees. Conclusion: Consequently, educational campaigns should target common people for the proper choice and use of hand sanitizers

Design and preparation of controlled floating gastroretentive delivery systems for enhanced fexofenadine hydrochloride oral bioavailability

Purpose: To design and prepare effervescent floating gastroretentive tablets for controlledfexofenadine hydrochloride (HCl) release and enhanced oral bioavailability.Method: Various tablet formulations of the drug were prepared by direct compression. A systematic approach in the design of the formulations was adopted, where, first, formulations consisting of single polymers with a high polymer : sodium bicarbonate ratio were investigated for its physicochemical properties (in-vitro floating behaviour, drug release profile, etc). Next, improvement of tablets’ properties was achieved by decreasing polymer : sodium bicarbonate ratio. Subsequently, a final optimization step involved blending polymers at different polymer : polymer ratios. The formulations were evaluated in vitro and in vivo in albino rabbitsResults: The formulation consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K15M/hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose K100LV at 1 : 2 ratio (F8) showed good floating properties (14 s floating lag time) with nearly zero order controlled drug release for 24 h (R2 = 0.9876). In-vivo bioavailability studies of F8 in albino rabbits showed a significant increase in area under the curve (AUC, 134 %, p < 0.05) and hence an improvement in its oral bioavailability, compared to a commercial conventional product.Conclusion: The good quality of the effervescent floating gastroretentive tablets of fexofenadine HCl developed is an indication that the approach used is suitable for the formulation of the drug for controlled drug release and enhanced oral bioavailabiliy.Keywords: Effervescent, Floating, Gastroretentive, Fexofenadine, Bioavailabilit

Mass transfer of non-polar heavy hydrocarbons in aqueous phase

International audienceLow aqueous solubilities are data of great importance in both industrial and environmental fields. As for the low aqueous solubility, we present the experimental apparatus along with the optimizations and adjustments (mechanical and analytical) applied to measure the solubility of heavy polyaromtics (solubility down to 10-9 in molal). The validation of our apparatus was achieved by measuring the aqueous solubility of the Fluoranthene in a range between 298.15 and 338.15 K. The quantification was done using GC-MS SIM with internal calibration method with benzo(a)pyrene as internal standard. Solubility of dibenz(a,c)anthracene was then explored between 298 and 333 K with an extremely low solubility of 10-12 in molar fraction

IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF PHOSPHODIESTERASE-5 INHIBITORS AS ADULTERANTS IN DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS MARKED FOR SEXUAL ENHANCEMENT IN THE LEBANESE MARKET

Objective: Ultraviolet Visible spectrophotometric was adopted to identify and quantify any adulteration with PDE-5 inhibitors (Sildenafil and Tadalafil) in selected dietary supplements used for sexual enhancement in the Lebanese market Methods: Nine dietary supplements, randomly collected from Lebanese pharmacies, were screened for Sildenafil and Tadalafil using UV-spectrophotometry for both qualitative and quantitative detection. Results: Tadalafil was detected in one sample at a dose of 59 mg/dosage unit, with the maximal recommended dose being 20 mg. Sildenafil was detected in five samples at doses ranging from 11.7 to 188.2 mg/dosage unit, with the maximal recommended dose being 100 mg. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that regular analysis of supposed dietary supplements is needed for more effective quality control and health promotion. The method described for the extraction, identification and quantification of Tadalafil and Sildenafil would be useful for regulatory detection of adulterations

A Prior Myocardial Infarction: How Does it Affect Management and Outcomes in Recurrent Acute Coronary Syndromes?

Background Despite improved secondary prevention efforts, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) recurrence among patients with prior history of coronary events remains high. The differences in presentation, management, and subsequent clinical outcomes in patients with and without a prior myocardial infarction (MI) and presenting with another episode of ACS remain unexplored. Methods A total of 3,624 consecutive patients admitted to the University of Michigan with ACS from January 1999 to June 2006 were studied retrospectively. In-hospital management, outcomes, and postdischarge outcomes such as death, stroke, and reinfarction in patients with and without a prior MI were compared. Results Patients with a prior MI were more likely to be older and have a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral vascular disease. In-hospital outcomes were not significantly different in the 2 groups, except for a higher incidence of cardiac arrest (4.3% versus 2.5%, p < 0.01) and cardiogenic shock (5.7% versus 3.9%, p = 0.01) among patients without a prior MI. However, at 6 mo postdischarge, the incidences of death (8.0% versus 4.5%, p < 0.0001) and recurrent MI (10.0% versus 5.1%, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with a prior history of MI compared with those without. Conclusion Patients with prior MI with recurrent ACS remain at a higher risk of major adverse events on follow-up. This may be partly explained by the patients not being on optimal medications at presentation, as well as disease progression. Increased efforts must be directed at prevention of recurrent ACS, as well as further risk stratification of these patients to improve their overall outcomes. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61452/1/20356_ftp.pd

Spray-dried co-amorphous Tadalafil ternary mixtures: a promising platform towards the enhancement of solubility and bioavailability

Tadalafil (Tad) is a poorly water-soluble drug (BCS class II) that is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. An enhancement of aqueous solubility is vital to accelerate its onset of action and subsequently enhance its therapeutic effect. Binary and ternary mixtures of Tad with different amino acids (histidine, valine, alanine or arginine) and other excipients (mannitol and SLS) were prepared and then spray dried. The solubilizing efficiency and physicochemical characterization of all spray dried mixtures of Tad were studied. The optimum formulation was investigated in male rats to determine the onset of erection and the pharmacokinetic parameters of Tad. In general terms, the drug solubility of spray-dried formulae was enhanced compared to the crystalline form of the drug as a result of the formation of co-amorphous structures. The final result revealed that the Tad/alanine/mannitol spray-dried mixture (F10) showed the highest solubility and an improvement in its physicochemical characteristics. Moreover, F10 showed a significantly faster erection in rats with an improvement in Tad pharmacokinetic parameters when compared to the crystalline drug. Thus, F10 is selected as a promising formulation that successfully enhanced the bioavailability and the therapeutic efficacy of Tad

Spray-dried co-amorphous Tadalafil ternary mixtures: a promising platform towards the enhancement of solubility and bioavailability

Abstract Tadalafil (Tad) is a poorly water-soluble drug (BCS class II) that is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. An enhancement of aqueous solubility is vital to accelerate its onset of action and subsequently enhance its therapeutic effect. Binary and ternary mixtures of Tad with different amino acids (histidine, valine, alanine or arginine) and other excipients (mannitol and SLS) were prepared and then spray dried. The solubilizing efficiency and physicochemical characterization of all spray dried mixtures of Tad were studied. The optimum formulation was investigated in male rats to determine the onset of erection and the pharmacokinetic parameters of Tad. In general terms, the drug solubility of spray-dried formulae was enhanced compared to the crystalline form of the drug as a result of the formation of co-amorphous structures. The final result revealed that the Tad/alanine/mannitol spray-dried mixture (F10) showed the highest solubility and an improvement in its physicochemical characteristics. Moreover, F10 showed a significantly faster erection in rats with an improvement in Tad pharmacokinetic parameters when compared to the crystalline drug. Thus, F10 is selected as a promising formulation that successfully enhanced the bioavailability and the therapeutic efficacy of Tad

Effects of Clostridium difficile Infection in Patients With Alcoholic Hepatitis

Background &amp; aimsInfection increases mortality in patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH). Little is known about the association between Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and AH. We examined the prevalence and effects of CDI in patients with AH, compared with those of other infections.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis using data collected from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, from 2008 through 2011. International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to identify patients with AH. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine risk factors that affect mortality, negative binomial regression to evaluate the effects of CDI on predicted length of stay (LOS), and Poisson regression to determine the effects of CDI on predicted hospital charges. Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum analyses were used to compare mortality, LOS, and hospital charges associated with CDI with those associated with urinary tract infection (UTI) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).ResultsOf 10,939 patients with AH, 177 had CDI (1.62%). Patients with AH and CDI had increased odds of inpatient mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.75; P = .04), a longer predicted LOS (10.63 vs 5.75 d; P &lt; .001), and greater predicted hospital charges ($36,924.30 vs$29,136.58; P &lt; .001), compared with those without CDI. Compared with UTI, CDI was associated with similar mortality but greater LOS (9 vs 6 d; P &lt; .001) and hospital charges ($45,607 vs$32,087; P &lt; .001). SBP was associated with higher mortality than CDI (17.3% vs 10.1%; P = .045), but similar LOS and hospital charges.ConclusionsIn patients with AH, CDI is associated with greater mortality and health care use. These effects appear similar to those for UTI and SBP. We propose further studies to determine the cost effectiveness of screening for CDI among patients with AH