Microneedle-Based Natural Polysaccharide for Drug Delivery Systems (DDS): Progress and Challenges.

In this focused progress review, the most widely accepted methods of transdermal drug delivery are hypodermic needles, transdermal patches and topical creams. However, microneedles (MNs) (or microneedle arrays) are low-invasive 3D biomedical constructs that bypass the skin barrier and produce systemic and localized pharmacological effects. In the past, biomaterials such as carbohydrates, due to their physicochemical properties, have been extensively used to manufacture microneedles (MNs).

Bioactive-Based Cosmeceuticals: An Update on Emerging Trends.

Cosmetic-containing herbals are a cosmetic that has or is claimed to have medicinal properties, with bioactive ingredients purported to have medical benefits. There are no legal requirements to prove that these products live up to their claims. The name is a combination of "cosmetics" and "pharmaceuticals".

2020 webPOISONCONTROL data summary.

Introduction: Increasing use of the internet for health information has decreased utilization of traditional telephone-based poison centers in the United States. webPOISONCONTROL®, a browser-based tool and app was launched to meet the growing demand for online, personalized recommendations for human poison exposures. This study was conducted to characterize webPOISONCONTROL cases and highlight its potential for real-time monitoring of poisoning.

Frequency of microbial isolates and pattern of antimicrobial resistance in patients with hematological malignancies: a cross-sectional study from Palestine.

Background: Infections are the main cause of death in patients with hematologic malignancies. This study aims to determine the microbial profile of infections in patients with hematologic malignancies and to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns for these pathogens.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2019 at a large hematological center in Palestine.

Repurposing the drug, ivermectin, in COVID-19: toxicological points of view.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world's population by causing changes in behavior, such as social distancing, masking, restricting people's movement, and evaluating existing medication as potential therapies. Many pre-existing medications such as tocilizumab, ivermectin, colchicine, interferon, and steroids have been evaluated for being repurposed to use for the treatment of COVID-19. None of these agents have been effective except for steroids and, to a lesser degree, tocilizumab.

Initial Experience with F(ab')2 Antivenom Compared with Fab Antivenom for Rattlesnake Envenomations Reported to a single poison center during 2019.

Background: There are two Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antivenoms available for rattlesnake envenomations in the United States: the equine-derived F (ab')2 product sold with the brand name Anavip (F (ab')2 AV) and the ovine-derived Fab product sold with the brand name Crofab (FabAV).

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of rattlesnake envenomation patients treated either with FabAV or F (ab')AV or a combination of these.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of all human rattlesnake envenomations requiring antivenom reported to one regional poison control center in 2019.

A cross-sectional evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived challenges among Palestinian pharmacists regarding COVID-19.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived challenges regarding coronavirus disease 2019 among pharmacists in Palestine.

Methods: An online method was used to collect the data. Three hundred sixty-four pharmacists participated in the study from all areas in the Palestinian territories.

Therapeutic promise of carotenoids as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis have various disease-specific causal factors and pathological features. A very common characteristic of NDs is oxidative stress (OS), which takes place due to the elevated generation of reactive oxygen species during the progression of NDs. Furthermore, the pathological condition of NDs including an increased level of protein aggregates can further lead to chronic inflammation because of the microglial activation.

First report of a confirmed case of Montivipera latifii (Latifi's viper) envenoming and a literature review of envenoming by Montivipera species.

Latifi's viper (Montivipera latifii), also known as Lar Valley or Damavandi viper, is endemic to Iran. It has rarely been recorded, as it occurs in a highly-protected national park. In this first clinical report of a confirmed bite by this species, a teenage girl was bitten on the chin, causing rapidly-progressive swelling of the face and oropharyngeal mucosa.

Snake Envenomation.

SNAKE ENVENOMATION REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT HEALTH PROBLEM IN much of the world. In 2009, it was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a neglected tropical disease, and in 2017, it was elevated into Category A of the Neglected Tropical Diseases list, further expanding access to funding for research and antivenoms. However, snake envenomation occurs in both tropical and temperate climates and on all continents except Antarctica.

In cold blood: Observational descriptive review of Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake bites reported to a single poison center over time.

The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) is a pit viper indigenous to the Great Lakes region and the only venomous snake native to Michigan. It is small-to-medium, thick-bodied with dark brown, bow-tie shaped blotches. Its behavior is described as reclusive and docile and it prefers damp habitats.

Availability and use of medications by prehospital providers trained to manage medical complications of patients in hazardous materials incidents.

Introduction: Little is known about prehospital availability and use of medications to treat patients from hazardous materials (hazmat) medical emergencies. The aim of this study was to identify the availability and frequency of use of medications for patients in hazmat incidents by paramedics with advanced training to care for these patients.

Methods: A prospectively validated survey was distributed to United States paramedics with advanced training in the medical management of patients from hazmat incidents who successfully completed a 16-hour Advanced Hazmat Life Support (AHLS) Provider Course from 1999 to 2017.

Adulteration of Weight Loss Supplements by the Illegal Addition of Synthetic Pharmaceuticals.

Weight loss supplements that have illegal additives of pharmaceutical drugs or analogues have additional health risks, and customers may not be aware of what they are taking. This research is an essential investigation and quantification of illegally added pharmaceuticals or prescription medications, specifically fluoxetine, phenolphthalein, and sibutramine, in herbal weight loss supplements offered for sale in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this case, 137 weight loss supplements were collected and analyzed in this study.

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Among Females with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To assess the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) female patients with assessment of LUTS and its impact on quality of life (QoL).

Patients And Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study of female patients with RA was conducted. Demographics and clinical data, Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire (BFLUTS), and the RA Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) were all collected.

Use of fomepizole (4-methylpyrazole) for acetaminophen poisoning: A scoping review.

Introduction: Acetaminophen (paracetamol, APAP) poisoning is a prominent global cause of drug-induced liver injury. While N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an effective antidote, it has therapeutic limitations in massive overdose or delayed presentation. The objective is to comprehensively review the literature on fomepizole as a potential adjunct antidote for acetaminophen toxicity.

Complementary and alternative medicine use among pediatrics in Palestine: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Recent use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is growing in children worldwide, so there is a need to evaluate CAM's use among pediatrics in Palestine. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CAM use among a sample of Palestinian children, investigate the factors that affect the use of CAMs, identify the types of CAM used, and assess the purposes of using them.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of parents who had children aged 6 years and below was carried out.

Prognostic indicators in critically ill poisoned patients: development of a risk-prediction nomogram.

Objectives: The prognosis of acutely poisoned patients is a significant concern for clinical toxicologists. In this study, we sought to determine the clinical and laboratory findings that can contribute to predicting the medical outcomes of poisoned patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: This retrospective study was performed from January 2009 to January 2016 in the ICU of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Birjand, Iran.

Assessment of cloth masks ability to limit Covid-19 particles spread: a systematic review.

After the spread of Covid 19 worldwide, the use of cloth masks increased significantly due to a shortage of medical masks. Meanwhile, there were different opinions about the effectiveness of these masks and, so far, no study has been done to find the best fabric masks. This study reviews and summarizes all studies related to fabric masks' effectiveness and various fabrics against coronavirus.

Impact of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on functional disability and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study from Palestine.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder, which has a significant impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and limits physical function as well as increases pain and fatigue. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the HRQoL and functional disability profile of patients with RA in Palestine to determine the socio-demographic and clinical features associated with low HRQoL and functional disability in patients with RA and to investigate the impact of drugs used on functional disability and HRQoL.

Methodology: A cross-sectional, observational study conducted at rheumatology clinics in Northern West-Bank, Palestine (Alwatani Hospital-Nablus, Khalil Suleiman Hospital-Jenin, Thabet Thatbet Hospital-Tulkarem, and Darweesh Nazzal Hospital-Qalqilia).

Probiotics for the treatment of depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background & Aim: Probiotics in the gut have been suggested to have a beneficial effect on anxiety response and depressive disorder. Hence we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the effects of probiotics associated with or without pharmacological or psychological therapies in patients with depressive and/or anxiety symptoms or disorders.

Methods: We conducted searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProQuest, LILACS, and Web of Science up to February 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of probiotics associated with or without pharmacological or psychological therapies for patient-important outcomes including relief of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms, cognitive functions, adverse events and quality of life.

Lay knowledge and practices of methamphetamine use to manage opioid-related overdose risks.

Aim: Methamphetamine use has increased among individuals with opioid use disorder. The key aims of this study are to detail and contextualise lay knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to methamphetamine use in relation to opioid overdose risks in an area dominated by non-pharmaceutical fentanyl-type drugs (NPF).

Methods: The study recruited 41 individuals in Dayton, Ohio, who reported past 30-day use of methamphetamine and heroin/fentanyl.

Global Analysis of Research Trends on Kidney Function After Nephron-Sparing Surgery: A Bibliometric and Visualised Study.

Background: Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) for small renal masses (SRMs) is currently the standard of care to treat renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The concept of partial resection of RCC has mainly been developed to preserve kidney function. Therefore, we have performed this study to explore the research activity that has been undertaken since the early twenty-first century to investigate the advantages of NSS on preserving kidney function and preventing chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Rethinking genetic counseling clinical skills training in the time of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on clinical training programs, including genetic counseling graduate programs. The University of Arizona Genetic Counseling Graduate Program responded to limited clinical training opportunities by designing a virtual Clinical Skills Workshop for incoming genetic counseling students. During the workshop, students were introduced to psychosocial and clinical genetics skills through virtual lectures, role-play, and practice sessions, as well as assignments.