Modified neuroimmune processes and emotional behaviour in weaned and late adolescent male and female mice born via caesarean section.

Elective and emergency Caesarean section (C-section) procedures are on the rise, exceeding the recommended guidelines by the World Health Organization. Higher morbidities and long-term health conditions are correlated to C-section deliveries, including neurodevelopmental disorders. During C-section delivery, newborns are not exposed to the vaginal commensal flora, which impedes the early establishment of the gut microbiota.

Opioid use disorder in two samples of the Lebanese population: scale validation and correlation with sleep and mood disorders.

Background: The revised Opioid Risk Tool (ORT-OUD) is a brief, self-report scale designed to provide clinicians with a simple, validated method to screen for the risk of developing an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in patients without a prior history of substance abuse. This study aimed to translate and validate the Arabic version of ORT-OUD in the Lebanese population and assess its clinical validity in a sample of patients with OUD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study in the Lebanese population used several validated scales to assess the risk of OUD, including the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST).

Transition readiness in adolescents and young adults with chronic genetic skin conditions.

Background/objectives: Healthcare transition (HCT) refers to movement from pediatric to adult healthcare models. Lack of HCT preparation contributes to poor health outcomes. This study measures readiness to transition in individuals with genetic skin conditions.

Public health risk associated with the co-occurrence of aflatoxin B and ochratoxin A in spices, herbs, and nuts in Lebanon.

Background: Aflatoxin B and ochratoxin A are mycotoxins produced by filamentous fungi that attack crops on field and storage. Both mycotoxins present a risk on public health since aflatoxin B is a hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic agent while ochratoxin A can be nephrotoxic. Those mycotoxins can be found in several food items including spices, herbs, and nuts.

Clinical and genetic factors associated with self-reported cognitive deficits in women with breast cancer: the "CAGE-Cog" study.

Background: Breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment are at particular risk of experiencing acute cognitive impairment leading to daily challenges in decision-making and reduced quality of life and functional autonomy. The aim was to assess the relationship between clinical and genetic factors and cognitive function in a sample of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between November 2017 and June 2019 on women (N = 112) treated for breast cancer by intravenous chemotherapy at the oncology outpatient unit of Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut.

Aflatoxin B and ochratoxin A in imported and Lebanese wheat and -products.

AFB and OTA are produced in food products due to climatic conditions like temperature and humidity. In Lebanon, few studies address AFB and OTA contamination in wheat and wheat products. In this study, a total of 312 samples of wheat and wheat products were collected from different sites, including port, silos, mills, and supermarkets were analysed.

Negative symptoms in schizophrenia: correlation with clinical and genetic factors.

Explore the possible association between clinical factors and genetic variants of the dopamine pathways and negative symptoms. Negative symptoms were assessed in 206 patients with schizophrenia using the Arabic version of the self-evaluation of negative symptoms scale and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Genotyping for , , and genes was performed.

Assessment of drug-prescribing perception and practice among dental care providers: a cross-sectional Lebanese study.

Background: Dentists play an essential role in providing high-quality dental care, taking into consideration the clinical context and concomitant medications taken by the patients.

Objective: This study aimed to assess drug-prescribing perception and practices in addition to drug-related educational needs among Lebanese dentists; it also evaluated the need for interprofessional collaboration between dentists and pharmacists.

Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire targeted a sample of dentists from all Lebanese districts.

Clinical and Genetic Factors Associated With the Breast Cancer-Related Sleep Disorders: The "CAGE-Sleep" Study-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Context: Despite being among the most reported concerns in breast cancer patients, sleep disturbances are still poorly assessed and managed in routine clinical practice. Correctly evaluating these symptoms and understanding the underlying clinical and genetic factors would help medical teams develop an adequate treatment strategy for each patient.

Objectives: 1) To explore the severity of insomnia as well as sleep quality in a sample of Lebanese women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy; 2) To examine the correlation between sociodemographic, clinical, psychiatric (anxiety and depression), genetic factors, and alterations in sleep patterns.

Telephone Consultation and Prescription in Pediatrics: Contributing Factors and Impact on Clinical Outcomes.

To evaluate phone-based consultation practices and drug prescription profiles in pediatrics and to highlight their possible uses, contributing factors, and effects on clinical outcomes. The ownership and everyday use of cell phones are increasing worldwide. Telehealth is gaining the support of health professionals for the delivery of simple healthcare measures to more complex management decisions.

Construction and validation of the water pipe harm perception scale (WHPS-6) among the Lebanese population.

Compared to cigarettes, water pipe is misconceived as being less addictive and containing less nicotine. This study aimed at constructing and validating a water pipe harm perception scale among a sample of the Lebanese population. A cross-sectional study was carried out between February and December 2017 using a proportionate cluster sample of Lebanese adults (492 participants).

Validation of the Arabic version of the SF-36, generic questionnaire of quality of life related to health among the elderly in Lebanon.

Background: Measuring health status of elderly is essential for the prediction of their health care needs. Health research usually considers objective outcome measure; however there is a need to increase self-reported measures of health.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the SF36 among a group of Lebanese elderly.

Comparison of five international indices of adherence to the Mediterranean diet among healthy adults: similarities and differences.

Background/objectives: To compare five indices of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) among adults living in the Mediterranean region.

Subjects/methods: A total of 100 healthy Lebanese adults aged between 18 and 65 years. Face-to-face interviews to collect sociodemographic and medical information, to take anthropometric measurements, and to fill a validated, culturally adapted, food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).

Reproducibility and relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intake of adults living in a Mediterranean country.

Objective: Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) must be validated among the population of interest due to the specificities in dietary habits, culture and food in each country of the Mediterranean region. The objective of this study was to determine the relative validity and reproducibility of a 157 item semi-quantitative FFQ among Lebanese adult population.

Material And Methods: Dietary intake was assessed through dietary recalls, a FFQ with food items, and traditional recipes from the Mediterranean cuisine.

Adherence to oral glucose lowering drugs, quality of life, treatment satisfaction and illness perception: A cross-sectional study in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate treatment adherence to oral glucose lowering drugs (OGLD) and health related quality of life in Lebanese diabetics. Secondary objectives were to examine associations between treatment adherence, quality of life (QOL), treatment satisfaction and illness perception.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in all districts of Lebanon between August 2016 and April 2017, enrolled 207 adult patients, taking any OGLD.

Discrepancies among different tools evaluating Mediterranean diet adherence during pregnancy, correlated to maternal anthropometric, dietary and biochemical characteristics.

Background & Aims: Scientific evidence confirms the favorable impact of Mediterranean diets (MD) on maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, the assessment of this dietary pattern requires valid indexes with scoring systems adapted to pregnant females. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the adherence to MD, through 5 internationally validated tools, in pregnant women following a Mediterranean eating pattern, correlated to maternal anthropometric, dietary and biochemical markers.

Validation of the Arabic Version of the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale Among Lebanese Patients with Migraine.

Aims: To validate the Arabic version of the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) and to evaluate the impact of the most frequently studied risk factors for migraine disability on the total MIDAS score in a Lebanese population.

Methods: This prospective study was performed from January 2017 to May 2017 and included 44 patients with migraine. Data were obtained using a questionnaire identifying sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and migraine characteristics.

Assessment of potentially inappropriate medications in elderly according to Beers 2015 and STOPP criteria and their association with treatment satisfaction.

Objective: To assess and compare, according to Beers and STOPP criteria, the frequency and causes of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in elderly, as well as the relationship between PIMs use and patient's treatment satisfaction, evaluated using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM).

Method: 350 patients (mean age = 73.49 years), taking a total of 1893 medications, were enrolled from community pharmacies.

Quality of Life and Its Association With Treatment Satisfaction, Adherence to Medication, and Trust in Physician Among Patients With Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Designed Study.

Objective: Patients with hypertension tend to have a lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) compared to normotensive patients. This study's main objectives are to assess (1) HRQOL and factors that might impact it and (2) association between HRQOL and adherence to treatment, trust in physician, and treatment satisfaction among patients with hypertension.

Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 196 patients from medical-care offices in Beirut, North and South Lebanon.

Lethal hepatotoxicity following 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin chemotherapy: a relevant case report.

Some articles have reported severe toxicities induced by cisplatin/5-fluorouracil regimens, nevertheless, severe and lethal liver toxicity has not been previously reported. In this article, we report the case of a 72-year-old woman, who developed fulminant hepatitis, hypoglycemia and hypotension with atrial fibrillation not responding to treatment. After ruling out all other possible causes of hepatitis, the toxicity was more likely attributed to 5-fluorouracil.

Association Between Adherence to Statins, Illness Perception, Treatment Satisfaction, and Quality of Life among Lebanese patients.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to evaluate treatment adherence to statin and health-related quality of life (QOL) in Lebanese patients with dyslipidemia. Secondary objectives were to examine associations between treatment adherence, QOL, treatment satisfaction, and illness perception.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in 20 community pharmacies from all districts of Lebanon between August 2016 and April 2017, enrolled 247 adult patients taking any statin.

Adherence to Insulin, Emotional Distress, and Trust in Physician Among Patients with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes represents a significant public health issue, with increasing prevalence in developing countries while adherence to insulin treatment remains a challenge. No studies have evaluated the relationship between adherence to insulin, diabetes-related distress, and trust in physician among persons with diabetes. Our objectives were to evaluate treatment adherence to insulin, emotional distress (using the Problem Areas in Diabetes Questionnaire, PAID), trust in physician, and to examine associations between them among Lebanese patients with diabetes.

Evaluating the impact of spirituality on the quality of life, anxiety, and depression among patients with cancer: an observational transversal study.

Objective: Spiritual well-being was found to have some protective effect against end-of life despair in cancer patients. We aimed at assessing the impact of spirituality on the quality of life, depression, and anxiety of Lebanese cancer patients.

Methods: Our observational transversal monocentric study was conducted between January and April 2016 among a convenient sample of 115 Lebanese cancer patients admitted to Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital (HDF), Beirut-Lebanon.

Comparative Assessment of Off-label and Unlicensed Drug Prescriptions in Children: FDA Versus ANSM Guidelines.

Purpose: The main objectives of this study were to assess the incidence of off-label (OL) and/or unlicensed (UL) prescriptions in a sample of pediatric Lebanese patients by using US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the French Medical Regulatory Authority (ANSM) regulations. The goal was to analyze the divergences between regulations and to identify those drugs most commonly involved in OL-UL utilization.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis (500 pediatric files) conducted in a Lebanese University hospital in 3 pediatric wards (chronic diseases, acute diseases, and the pediatric intensive care unit).