Vitamin D and Obesity

Obesity is a very common issue worldwide, and it is one of the risk factors for mortality. Several studies were done to identify the causes of this issue and to investigate factors that can affect this condition. Vitamin D is claimed to have an impact not only for maintaining bone health but also for having an association between its deficiency and obesity as some studies found that the concentrations of this vitamin are low in obese individuals. The suggested mechanisms and a discussion of the latest findings as well as the possibility of integrating supplementation in the treatment of obesity are covered in this book chapter. It was concluded that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in many parts of the world and the supplements are an affordable option, but further studies are required to address different confounding factors that will result in clear data interpretation and will contribute to the future planning of health policies and guidelines used by healthcare professionals

Structure-based screening of FDA-approved drugs identifies potential histone deacetylase 3 repurposed inhibitor: molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation approaches

Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is a member of the histone deacetylase family that has emerged as a crucial target in the quest for novel therapeutic interventions against various complex diseases, including cancer. The repositioning of FDA-approved drugs presents a promising avenue for the rapid discovery of potential HDAC3 inhibitors. In this study, we performed a structure-based virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs obtained from DrugBank. Candidate hits were selected based on their binding affinities and interactions with HDAC3. These promising hits were then subjected to a comprehensive assessment of their biological properties and drug profiles. Our investigation identified two FDA-approved drugs, Imatinib and Carpipramine, characterized by their exceptional affinity and specificity for the binding pocket of HDAC3. These molecules demonstrated a strong preference for HDAC3 binding site and formed interactions with functionally significant residues within the active site pocket. To gain deeper insights into the binding dynamics, structural stability, and interaction mechanisms, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations spanning 300 nanoseconds (ns). The results of MD simulations indicated that Imatinib and Carpipramine stabilized the structure of HDAC3 and induced fewer conformational changes. Taken together, the findings from this study suggest that Imatinib and Carpipramine may offer significant therapeutic potential for treating complex diseases, especially cancer

Assessing the Migration of BPA and Phthalic Acid from Take-out Food Containers: Implications for Health and Environmental Sustainability in India

The research investigates the escalating consumption of take-out food in India and the associated health risks stemming from the extensive use of plastic packaging. Through a comprehensive nationwide online survey, the study delved into dietary preferences, frequency of take-out food consumption, delivery service timing, and the types of packaging commonly encountered by Indian consumers. To address these concerns, the research team developed an analytical method to detect Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalic acid migration from food-contact materials (FCMs) into various food simulants. The investigation revealed that prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures led to increased migration of BPA and Phthalic acid, particularly in polyethylene pouches using 3% acetic acid as a food simulant, with the highest concentrations observed after 45 minutes of exposure. Additionally, a microbial bioassay demonstrated the mutagenic potential of migrated plasticizers, showcasing significant effects in mammalian systems, particularly under metabolic activation. The study underscores the substantial health risks associated with plastic packaging in take-out food, emphasizing potential implications for consumer health and calling for more extensive research and considerations regarding food packaging materials

Targeting NSP-13 protein of SARS CoV-2 with selected natural compounds: An in-silico approach

SARS-CoV-2 swiftly spread in Wuhan, China, leading to a pandemic crisis worldwide. Genome sequence analysis of this virus revealed a close analogy with its closely related strains, SARS-COV and MERS-COV. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, Nonstructural protein 13 (NSP13), also known as helicase, has been identified as a target for reducing the severity of infection due to its high sequence conservation and essential role in viral replication. NSP13 helicase structure in SARS-CoV-2 differs only by one amino acid from the SARS-CoV helicase structure. Targeting NSP13 with natural compounds holds significant potential for developing safe and effective antiviral therapies utilizing advanced computational approaches. The properties of 8 different natural compounds, i.e. Imidazole, Pyrrole, Tropolone, Benzotriazole, Imidazodiazepine, Phenothiazine, Acridone and Bananin were screened by applying Lipinski’s rule of five, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties, and Radar plots to discover their drug efficacy at a target site, safety, and absorption. Docking studies confirmed Bananin with a binding affinity of -7 kcal/mol as a potential inhibitor of NSP13 of SARS-CoV-2 with better pharmacokinetics, drug likeliness, and oral bioavailability. Based on the in silico study, it is suggested that Bananin shows promising effects against NSP13 protein, forming a maximum number of hydrogen bonds exhibiting higher binding affinity. This stronger affinity indicates a stronger interaction between the compound and its target, potentially leading to enhanced biological activity and therapeutic efficacy. This novel study has unlocked the door for a prospective SARS-CoV-2 inhibition strategy and developing antiviral interventions targeting NSP13 based on molecular docking.

Prominent Classes of Antibiotics and their Mechanism of Resistance against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a prominent pathogenic, antibiotic-resistant microorganism that contains a variety of virulent characteristics having the capacity to develop tolerance to several major classes of antibiotics. The ongoing creation of clones enhances this potential, transforming S. aureus into an “Anti-Infective.” MRSA has started to rise as a Hospital-Acquired MRSA, but due to evolution, new strains of MRSA have been discovered throughout the past several years. The new strains of MRSA as Community-Acquired MRSA, and Livestock-Associated MRSA are infecting the patients despite preexisting medical conditions, being as susceptible to any treatment. The continuous expansion of MRSA is still ongoing. The main goal of this article is to improve reading comprehension of MRSA by studying the prominent classes of antibiotics and their mechanism of resistance which are now susceptible or getting susceptible to the MRSA

Scale validation for the identification of falsified hand sanitizer: public and regulatory authorities perspectives from United Arab Emirates

Background: Since the time of declaration of global pandemic of COVID-19 by World Health Organization (WHO), falsified hand sanitizers surfaced regularly in markets, posing possible harm to public due to unlisted inclusion of methanol. The current research is an attempt to develop and validate a tool to document falsified hand sanitizer in the UAE community. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among 1280 randomly selected participants. Respondents were sent a web-based electronic link to the survey via email. Content validity, factor analyses and known group validity were used to develop and validate a new scale to identify falsified hand sanitizer. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, item internal consistency (IIC), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess the reliability of the scale. SPSS version 24 was used to conduct data analysis. Results: A total of 1280 participants were enrolled in the study. The content validity index (CVI) was 0.83 with the final scale of 12 items. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value was 0.788, with the Bartlett test of sphericity achieving statistical significance (p < 0.001). Our factor analysis revealed a 3-component model. The 3-factor solution was confirmed by PCFA analysis and had associations with good fit values. The PCFA for NFI was 0.970, CFI 0.978, and TLI 0.967. All values were in excess of 0.95, with RMSEA values below 0.06 at 0.03; all of these values indicated a good model fit. The Cronbach’s alpha was good overall (0.867). All factors had a Cronbach’s alpha value in excess of 0.70. The instrument demonstrated that every item met the IIC correlation standard ≥0.40. The scale displayed good overall ICC statistics of 0.867 (95% CI 0.856–0.877) with statistical significance (p < 0.001). The scale’s test-retest reliability was assessed through correlation of the falsified hand sanitizer identification score of respondents at the two time points. The test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.770 (p value < 0.01). Participants with post-graduate education were more likely to identify the falsified hand sanitizer compared to those with high school education. (p < 0.001

Exploration and Profiling of Potential Thermo-alkaliphilic Bacillus licheniformis and Burkholderia sp. from varied Soil of Delhi region, India and their Plant Growth-Promoting Traits

Soilless cultivation has emerged as a fundamental alternative for large-scale vegetable production because it generates high-quality yields and uses resources efficiently. While plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are known to enhance growth and physiological aspects in crops grown in soil, their application in soilless cultivation has been relatively less explored. This study aimed to isolate potential PGPBs from soil samples collected from five locations in and around the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), India, which were further screened for significant PGPB attributes. Among these, 51 isolated were selected for assessing the impact on Oryza sativa (rice) growth and yield grown on a hydroponic set. The results indicated that isolates AFSI16 and ACSI02 significantly improved the physiological parameters of the plants. For instance, treatment with AFSI16 showed a 23.27% increase in maximum fresh shoot mass, while ACSI02 resulted in a 46.8% increase in root fresh mass. Additionally, ACSI02 exhibited the highest shoot length (34.07%), whereas AFSI16 exhibited the longest root length (46.08%) in O.sativa. Treatment with AFSI16 also led to significant increases in total protein content (4.94%) and chlorophyll content (23.44%), while ACSI02 treatment showed a 13.48% increase in maximum carotenoid content in the leaves. The potential PGPBs were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing, as the two most effective strains, AFSI16 and ACSI02, belonged to thermo-alkaliphilic Bacillus licheniformis and Burkholderia sp., respectively. This study demonstrated the potential of these identified PGPB strains in enhancing crop performance, specifically in soilless cultivation systems.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of healthcare professionals, especially in low- and middle-income countries

The COVID-19 disaster has appreciably increased morbidity and mortality, as well as the delivery of healthcare, across countries exacerbated by the contagious nature of the virus.[1-4] Numerous public health measures were instigated across countries at the start of the pandemic to try and limit its spread without effective medicines and vaccines.[5,6] Introduced measures included lockdown activities, social distancing instructions, quarantining measures, wearing of personal protective equipment (PPEs), handwashing and sanitizers as well as the closure of borders.[5-8] Instigated measures also included the closure of universities appreciably affecting the education of healthcare professionals (HCPs), including physicians and pharmacists, across countries.[9-11] The extent of lockdown and other activities instigated during the early stages of the virus varied appreciably across countries leading to differences in observed morbidity and mortality rates.[12-15] For instance, comprehensive measures introduced early among several Asian countries including Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam as well as among several African countries including Ghana, Malawi and Namibia, limited the number of deaths certainly when compared with Western European countries including Italy, Spain and the U

A Comparative Review on Bisphenol A Sources, Environmental Levels, Migration, and Health Impacts in India and Global Context

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely utilized chemical found in numerous everyday products, including plastic containers, food packaging, and thermal paper. Research has linked BPA exposure to a range of health concerns, encompassing developmental and reproductive issues, cancer, and obesity. Given India's status as one of the world's largest producers and consumers of plastic goods, understanding the potential risks associated with BPA exposure and its health impacts on the Indian population is of paramount importance. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of BPA sources, environmental levels, migration, and health impacts in India in comparison to other countries. By examining data from various nations, we aim to discern overarching trends and patterns in BPA exposure and its associated health effects. This analysis serves as a foundation for the development of policies and regulations designed to safeguard public health. While the Indian government has taken some regulatory steps, such as banning the production, import, and sale of BPA-containing polycarbonate baby bottles, there is a notable absence of specific regulations or bans on BPA in other food-contact materials (FCMs). Studies conducted in India have detected BPA in various food items, underscoring the potential risk of BPA exposure through food consumption. This emphasizes the urgent need for effective monitoring and control of BPA migration in FCMs within India. In conclusion, this comparative review underscores the imperative for ongoing research and rigorous monitoring of BPA exposure and its health impacts in India, as well as in other nations. Safeguarding the health of the general public necessitates a comprehensive understanding of BPA's prevalence, sources, and consequences. By implementing and refining regulations, such as extending bans on BPA in additional FCMs, policymakers can work towards mitigating the risks associated with BPA exposure and ensuring the safety of populations worldwide

Development and validation of a tool to improve community pharmacists' surveillance role in the safe dispensing of herbal supplements

Background: There has been an appreciable increase in the use of herbal supplements, including immune boosters, during the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are concerns with falsified herbal supplements Objectives Developed a new questionnaire that can potentially help community pharmacists with identifying the extent of falsified herbal supplements. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted over nine months among 500 community pharmacies in the UAE. Face-to-face interviews were undertaken using a structured questionnaire, which was subjected to face and content validity, with the content validity index (CVI) computed. Construct validity was tested using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) via principally component analysis (PCA). The model was then confirmed through Partial confirmatory factor analysis (PCFA). Reliability was assessed via test-retest reliability, internal consistency, item internal consistency (IIC), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: An instrument compromised of five domains with a 24-item scale was developed with CVI of 0.843. The KMO measure of sampling adequacy was 0.891, and Bartlett’s test of sphericity indicated significance (p-value < 0.001). Confirmation of the subsequent 5-domains was achieved through PCFA using MLA with oblimin rotation. The PCFA obtained values of 0.962 for NFI, 0.977 for CFI, and 0.987 for TLI; all values were greater than 0.95, and the RMSEA value was 0.03 (i.e., less than 0.06). Consequently, the model had a good fit. All domains demonstrated Cronbach’s alpha coefficients above 0.70, with 0.940 for the full instrument. Meanwhile, all items met the IIC correlation standard of ≥ 0.40. The instrument presented good ICC statistics of 0.940 (0.928 – 0.950) as well as statistical significance (p < 0.001). Those participants who had more than 10 experience years more likely to identify falsified herbal supplements compared to those who have 1 to 10 experience years (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study developed and validated a new instrument to identify safe herbal supplements products, which will help enhance the role of the community pharmacists in safe and effective treatment of suitable patients with herbal supplements