Oral contraceptive pills shortage in Lebanon amidst the economic collapse: a nationwide exploratory study.

Background: The political instability, economic crisis, and devaluation of the national currency left Lebanese females suffering from a scarcity of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Therefore, we aimed to identify the incidence of OCPs shortage in Lebanon and its impact on women's sexual and reproductive health, as well as physical and psychological well-being.

Methods: Community pharmacies were selected randomly across Lebanon, using a stratified sampling approach, where female clients asking for OCPs were interviewed using a standardized data collection form.

Comparative assessment of individual RONS in serum of smokers compared with non-smokers and their correlation with the lipid profile and antioxidant status.

Objective: Cigarette smoking generates free radicals, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) that contribute to many diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of individual RONS in serum from smokers and non-smokers, and to examine their impact on lipid profiles and the endogenous antioxidant status, which is represented by vitamins C and E.

Methods: Ninety-four healthy Egyptian volunteers (48 smokers and 46 non-smokers) were enrolled.

Do pharmacists counsel customers about the effects of sedating antihistamines on driving skills? A survey of community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To investigate the level of counselling regarding the effects of sedating antihistamines on driving skills provided by private community pharmacies in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This study randomly selected private community pharmacies. Mystery shoppers following a similar scenario individually visited these pharmacies.

Resveratrol as an effective adjuvant therapy in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical study.

Resveratrol (RSV), a naturally occurring polyphenol, has been found to have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Recently, RSV was reported as a new potential agent to suppress inflammation of collagen-induced arthritis in a mouse model. Nevertheless, the clinical benefits of RSV in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were not studied.

Vitamin K homologs as potential biomarkers for disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of vitamin K homologs as potential biomarkers for disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, 42 patients with RA and 40 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum levels of vitamin K homologs were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence method.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as potential biomarkers for disease activity and the role of antioxidants.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) have distinct contribution to the destructive, proliferative synovitis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and play a prominent role in cell-signaling events. However, few studies had clarified the role of individual ROS and RNS in the etiopathogenesis of RA. To date, most of the studies were concerned with the measurement of the total oxidative and nitrative stress levels in RA.