Hypoalbuminemia as a predictor of severe dengue: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Dengue fever is a significant health concern globally, especially in tropical regions. Identifying reliable markers for severe dengue, such as hypoalbuminemia, is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: This review systematically explores the association between hypoalbuminemia and severe dengue.

Factors Affecting Vancomycin Trough Concentration; a Population Pharmacokinetic Model in Non-Critical Care Saudi Patients.

Background And Objective: Vancomycin is commonly prescribed in treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. While, vancomycins' pharmacokinetic vary among older patients, there is a paucity of data regarding specific characteristics influencing pharmacokinetics in Saudi adult patients. This study aims to establish a population-pharmacokinetic (Pop-PK) model for vancomycin in patients admitted to medical wards, with the focus on identification of patient characteristics influencing vancomycin trough concentrations.

Prescribing Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Disease Patients: The Pattern and Association with Co-Prescribed Medications Used to Manage the Disease Complications.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an effective medication used to reduce the frequency of painful crises associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, data describing its prevalence among SCD patients in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia are scarce. This is a multi-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study that aims to investigate the pattern of prescribing HU in SCD patients and to determine the association between prescribing HU and other co-prescribed medications used to manage SCD complications.

Pattern of Prescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors: Evaluating Appropriateness and Factors Contributing to Their Adverse Effect Reaction Risk.

: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are amongst the most commonly prescribed classes of medication. However, inappropriate PPI use can lead to several adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Limited data exist on factors contributing to the risk of ADRs associated with PPI prescribing patterns in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance Potential-Associated Factors among Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Many studies across the globe have observed the significant effect of sleep disturbance on the academic achievement of medical students. Objective: This research was conducted to define the prevalence of sleep disturbance and to discover the consequences and management of this condition among undergraduate pharmacy students of Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences (MACHS).

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based online survey among different levels of MACHS pharmacy students.

Assessment of knowledge and awareness of stroke among the Syrian population: unveiling the current landscape in Syria through the first nationally representative study.

Stroke is a global public health concern, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. In Syria, the current conflict and associated challenges have had a profound impact on healthcare infrastructure, including education and awareness programs related to stroke. An essential aspect of preventing stroke is the awareness of individuals.

Awareness, Practice, and Views of Pediatricians, General Physicians, and Pharmacists about Prescribing Off-label Medication in Pediatric Patients in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

Background: An off-label medication involves the use of an approved drug for an unapproved indication, population, route of administration, or dosage.The physiological state of children differs from that of adults, making the adult formulation potentially dangerous to children. Off-label prescribing is quite common in children due to challenges in the development of pediatric formulations.

The prevalence of polypharmacy and hyper-polypharmacy among middle-aged vs older patients in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, is a growing concern among middle-aged and older patients, posing potential risks and challenges in healthcare management.

Aim: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of polypharmacy and hyper-polypharmacy among populations of middle-aged vs older patients and identify its associated common comorbidities and prescribed medications in Qatif Central Hospital (QCH), Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Patients aged 40 years or older who presented to an outpatient medical care clinic at QCH, Saudi Arabia, between 1 January and 31 December 2021 were included, and their comorbidities, prescribed medications, and recent clinical laboratory test results were collected.

Pregnancy and birth complications and long-term maternal mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Few studies have examined the associations between pregnancy and birth complications and long-term (>12 months) maternal mental health outcomes.

Objectives: To review the published literature on pregnancy and birth complications and long-term maternal mental health outcomes.

Search Strategy: Systematic search of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), PsycInfo®, PubMed® and Web of Science from inception until August 2022.

The association between caesarean section delivery and obesity at age 17 years. Evidence from a longitudinal cohort study in the United Kingdom.

Background: Childhood and adolescent obesity are major, preventable public health concerns. Studies to date are inconclusive regarding an association between caesarean section (CS) delivery and offspring obesity, with fewer studies conducted in late adolescence. This study examined the association between CS delivery, with a specific focus on planned CS, and induction of labour and adolescent body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) at age 17 years.

Depression and type 2 diabetes: A causal relationship and mechanistic pathway.

Depression is a mood disorder that may increase risk for the development of insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), and vice versa. However, the mechanistic pathway linking depression and T2D is not fully elucidated. The aim of this narrative review, therefore, was to discuss the possible link between depression and T2D.

A Cross-sectional Survey-based Study of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Uses of Cosmetics and Cosmetovigilance in India.

Background: In India, the cosmetics industry has expanded significantly because of changing lifestyles and increased awareness. In terms of earning the most money from the personal care and cosmetics industry in 2021, India is ranked fourth globally. Many cosmetics sold in India include ingredients that cannot be used on humans.

Survival after Trastuzumab Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic HER2-Positive Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: In the Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer study, it was found that trastuzumab combined with doublet chemotherapy (fluoropyrimidine and platinum) was the gold-standard treatment for gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) that was locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic (HER2+).

Materials And Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized phase II/III studies testing trastuzumab in combination or alone.

Results: This meta-analysis's findings involved 2048 patients in total.

Predictive insights into plant-based compounds as fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 inhibitors: a combined molecular docking and dynamics simulation study.

The discovery of novel therapeutic agents with potent anticancer activity remains a critical challenge in drug development. Natural products, particularly bioactive phytoconstituents derived from plants, have emerged as promising sources for anticancer drug discovery. In this study, we used virtual screening techniques to explore the potential of bioactive phytoconstituents as inhibitors of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), a key signaling protein implicated in cancer progression.

Repositioning of anti-infective compounds against monkeypox virus core cysteine proteinase: a molecular dynamics study.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) core cysteine proteinase (CCP) is one of the major drug targets used to examine the inhibitory action of chemical moieties. In this study, an in silico technique was applied to screen 1395 anti-infective compounds to find out the potential molecules against the MPXV-CCP. The top five hits were selected after screening and processed for exhaustive docking based on the docked score of ≤ -9.

Exploring progress in iron supplement formulation approaches for treating iron deficiency anemia through bibliometric and thematic analysis.

Anemia is a severe health issue that affects around one-third of the global population. Therefore, the present study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis to investigate the research trends regarding advancements on iron formulations in treating iron deficiency anemia via oral or parenteral route. This study adopts thematic and bibliometric methods on existing research on novel iron formulations.

A Comprehensive Review of Various Therapeutic Strategies for the Management of Skin Cancer.

Skin cancer (SC) poses a global threat to the healthcare system and is expected to increase significantly over the next two decades if not diagnosed at an early stage. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment, as the disease becomes more challenging to cure as it progresses. However, identifying new drugs, achieving clinical success, and overcoming drug resistance remain significant challenges.

Impacts of chitosan and its nanoformulations on the metabolic syndromes: a review.

A significant public health issue worldwide is metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic illnesses that comprises insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. The creation of natural treatments and preventions for metabolic syndrome is crucial. Chitosan, along with its nanoformulations, is an oligomer of chitin, the second-most prevalent polymer in nature, which is created via deacetylation.

Calcium Channel Inhibitory Effect of Marjoram ( L.): Its Medicinal Use in Diarrhea and Gut Hyperactivity.

Background: The leaves of () are traditionally renowned for treating diarrhea and gut spasms. This study was therefore planned to evaluate its methanolic extract.

Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the phytochemicals, and Swiss albino mice were used for an antidiarrheal assay.

Establishing competency based internship program through participatory action research in a private pharmacy college in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To use Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology to develop a competency-based training (CBT) program for Bachelor of Pharmacy interns at Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences (MACHS), Dammam, Saudi Arabia, based on the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework.

Methods: The MACHS Pharmacy Department Training Unit developed a competency-based training (CBT) framework over 6 cohorts of interns based on the FIP Global Competency Framework using the Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. Assignments were set throughout the training period to support competency development.

Rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis: A life-threatening complication of coronavirus diseases 2019 in an uncontrolled diabetic patient.

Mucormycosis is a progressive and life-threatening disease that has been increasingly reported in patients infected by coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19). We describe a case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis with central nervous system involvement resulting in bilateral blindness and intracranial extension in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) and mild COVID-19 infection. A 35-year-old obese male, recently diagnosed with DM, presented to the emergency department suffering from dizziness, headache, speech difficulty, and facial weakness.

Spectrum of infections in different regimens of post-induction chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (): A comparative retrospective study.

Background: Patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) face a heightened susceptibility to infections, which significantly elevates their risk of mortality and disability. The intensity of the chemotherapy treatment and its specific focus on inhibiting myeloid cell divisions render patients especially vulnerable, particularly during the early stages of chemotherapy. This vulnerability is compounded by the occurrence of repeated episodes of prolonged neutropenia, leaving patients highly susceptible to infections.

Pharmacological Basis for the Antidiarrheal and Antispasmodic Effects of Cuminaldehyde in Experimental Animals: , and Studies.

Background: Medicinal herbs are frequently used for the management of gastrointestinal disorders because they contain various compounds that can potentially amplify the intended therapeutic effects. Cuminaldehyde is a plant-based constituent found in oils derived from botanicals such as cumin, eucalyptus, myrrh, and cassia and is responsible for its health benefits. Despite the utilization of cuminaldehyde for several medicinal properties, there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to support its effectiveness in treating diarrhea.