Medicine articles list

This study explores the influence of education, length of service, professionalism, and ethics on the professional values of public relations practitioners in Malaysia. A total of 427 questionnaires were distributed to public relations practitioners in Malaysia, and 322 questionnaires were returned. The study included 61% female respondents, and 39% male respondents. The study analyzed and identified the influence of professionalism and ethics on professional values of public relations practitioners. Additionally, the study examined whether education and experience influence professional values through professionalism, and code of ethics. Six hypotheses were tested to answer the research questions. The results from this study fully supported the hypotheses indicating that professionalism and ethics had an influence on professional values of public relations practitioners. The results also showed that education influenced both professionalism and ethics, and length of service influenced both professionalism and ethical practice.

Mohammed Fadel Arandas

The utilization of traditional medicine (TM) is prevalent among the general population in Africa; however, its use among individuals with diabetes in the region remains underdocumented. This review aimed to synthesize the available literature to identify the prevalence and predictors of TM use among persons with diabetes in Africa. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and AMED, covering studies published from 2000 to April 2023. Of 1560 records identified, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of TM use varied significantly, ranging from 12.4% to 77.1%, with a median prevalence of 50%. TM was commonly used concurrently with conventional medicine (CM) (35.4–88.4%), with a majority (63.8–91.3%) not disclosing TM use to healthcare providers. Female gender, long diabetes duration, use of oral antiglycaemic medication and family history of diabetes emerged as the most common factors that predicted the use of TM. This review highlights the widespread use of TM among individuals with diabetes in Africa, often in conjunction with CM. The high prevalence of undisclosed TM use emphasizes the urgent need for healthcare providers to actively inquire about TM use during clinical consultations to address potential herb–drug interactions and adverse effects.

Emmanuel Ekpor

In this work a set of some cyclic peroxy ketals were tested for their antimalarial activities. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis was applied to 20 organic compounds of the above mentioned derivatives using Physicochemical, informational and 2D-autocorelation parameters and modeled their antimalarial activity (logIC 50) values. The multiple regression analysis clearly indicates that 5 BIC, 1 IC, MATS4v and ST parameters yielded the best model having R 2 value of 0.9515. The predictive powers of the models were explained using LOO (Leave-One-Out) Cross validation procedure. The results are also discussed on the basis of ridge regression.

Dr. Shweta Sharma

Medical research is defined as "all scholarly activities that deal with any of the areas of studies being conducted in the pre, para, and clinical areas being taught in a medical school". Such a definition is somewhat arbitrary, as medical research covers a much larger field and ultimately affects every individual. The results of research activities are directly translated into social action, such as pollution control, vaccinations, mass fluoridation and nutritional improvements. The eradication of diseases like smallpox, poliomyelitis and plague, the decline in the death rate from infectious and cardiovascular diseases, and the diagnosis of genetic disorders are some examples of how medical research helps to provide improved health care. Thus, the wealth of medical knowledge that grows through the process of discovery and research development becomes part of daily living. The aim of scientific research is always to extend the frontiers of knowledge and to discover rational correlations and principles [1, 2]. Medical research can be divided into biomedical (basic medical), clinical, and health science research. The areas overlap each other and health science research has a component of social research. Experimental research covers areas such as physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology and pathology and is relatively easy to conduct. If adequate financial support is obtained, the necessary infrastructure for laboratory research could be built and experimental animals maintained in an animal house. For clinical research, the patients with a particular disease are the direct object of study. This type of research involves dealing with the clinical picture, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of the disease. Dealing with human beings requires stringent regulations and precautions to be observed. It requires setting up a research team in the hospital to monitor and chart out guidelines involving the ethical dimension of the problem to be studied and maintain a systematic medical recording system. Moreover, it is through a prolonged study of a large number of cases of the same disease that clinical research learns to predict the likely prognosis and judge the efficacy of the treatment. This type of research activity has limitations in the form of having a restricted number of cases of the disease under investigation, a need to update one's knowledge concerning laboratory techniques from which he obtains his 'cues', and the longer time interval required to complete the work. Health science research is a recent development of medical research due to the demands placed on many health services. More often basic medical and clinical research go hand in hand and are inseparable. Furthermore, clinical research workers often conduct studies on experimental animals, due to either the limited number of human cases or for ethical considerations.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Mentoring relationships between a senior, experienced faculty member and a junior employee, between a faculty member and an undergraduate or graduate student, or between a senior and a junior student is essential in higher education. The current review aims to emphasize the necessity of establishing organized mentorship programs at national institutions to enhance academic performance, teaching/learning effectiveness, knowledge and skill development, growth and development, research productivity, and community engagement. The mentor and mentee both benefit from the mentoring relationship. Academic advising, preceptor supervision, and supervision of graduation projects are different from the mentoring relationship as they focus on only one aspect of the relationship, whether it is the study plan, the study session, or the project, respectively. Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship that calls for integrity, decency, self-assurance, trust, and respect. Educational institutes and colleges should set up a committee to establish a well-organized mentoring program with all the necessary templates for recruiting mentors and mentees, and also for annual evaluation and feedback from all parties involved.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus contributes to the development or progression of many chronic and age-related pathological processes. One of the major risk factors for morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes is renal and vascular disease as well as heart disease. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with a significantly increased age of kidney disease with higher urea and creatinine levels. 76 Libyan subjects participated in the study. The subjects were divided into three categories. One group hosts diabetes case (n=40) while the other group serves as a control (n=12) and the other group has no type 2 diabetes mellitus but urea and creatinine levels are elevated (n=36). After oral informed consent of the study participants, 5 ml of venous blood was drawn under sterile conditions for whole blood analysis. Fasting blood sugar was analyzed. Urea and creatinine levels were compared between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. However, a statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26 where the correlation between parameters was analyzed by an independent samples t-test. In this study, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus caused a significant increase in urea and creatinine compared to the control group. The study indicated that type 2 diabetes mellitus increases the damage to the kidney function.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Diabetes mellitus is a common and chronic metabolic disorder. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus leads to body organ damage if not treated properly. Educational intervention is necessary from health-care providers such as pharmacists to prevent or reduce organ damage and complications among the diabetic patients. Several studies have demonstrated the contribution of pharmacists in achieving a better control of diabetes mellitus. Thus, this study intended to assess the knowledge and practice regarding foot care among Libyan diabetic patients in Al-Bayda city. In addition, to determine the association between knowledge and practice regarding diabetic foot care with selected demographic variables. This is a cross sectional study conducted at Diabetes Center Aljabal Al akhdar in Al-Bayda between April and August, 2022. A total of 400 participants with diabetes were enrolled and interviewed by using a self-design questionnaire for knowledge and practice of foot care after taking verbal agreement. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 26.0. In this study, 191 subjects were male (47.8%) and 209 subjects (52.3%) were female. On the topic of foot care, 51.8% of the participants stated they did know how to perform correct foot hygiene and 33.5% stated that drying should consist of passing a towel between their toes. Female subjects statistically had more knowledge than male subjects on the right footwear and correct way of nail cutting (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). In relation to practice, the frequency of patients with a good practice was 126 (31.5%) and with poor practice was 274 (68.5%). Evaluating the parameters dry, moisturize and nail cutting, women showed a significant difference in relation to men, with a high significance level in the three parameters. In conclusion, the knowledge and practice of foot care in Libyan patients with diabetes were poor. So, an educational program is recommended to improve the awareness of foot care. Diabetic patients should be provided information about self-care of their feet by health care providers such as pharmacists to prevent and delay onset of foot complications and improve the quality of life.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

With a few years of teaching medical students and witnessing the status of medical education and health care delivery in Libya, for a decade or more, a reflection of what is happening in Libya, the country which has given respect and economic freedom to a teacher like me. The Republic of India, a South Asian country is the seventh largest nation by area, the second most populous country and the most populous democracy in the globe. One of the fundamental rights of the Indian constitution is the ‘Right to life’ which translates to “Right to Health”. India is a Federal country with 29 states and eight union territories [1]. Indian health care is taken care of by the States by organizing and delivering health care and the Central Government takes responsibility for international health treaties: medical education, prevention of food adulteration, quality control in drug manufacturing, national disease control and family planning. Indian health care under the public sector is provided free to people who are below the poverty line. Indian Public Health sector caters to 18.0% of total patient care and 44.0% of total in patient care. The total expenditure for health care is around 04.0% of the GDP and out-of-pocket expenses are around 69.0%. If it is calculated the cost of health care is around 1700 Indian rupees/capita/year [2]. It is true of Libya also. It has its national health a policy with free medical care and policy to cater to the needs of the Libyan people. With the civil unrest, and a transient locally elected government, Libya finds itself in very critical situation related to its economy and public services including public health. The hospitals built and their destruction because of the civil war lie in a very demanding conditions with poor supply chains and logistics to maintain the necessary demand and supply situation. The health care personnel physicians, nurses and public health workers are competent. They have to operate in a trying condition to save lives with limited healthcare facilities in the form of drug, medicine and medical equipment.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading reason of death among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Individuals with DM have a two to five time's greater risk of developing CVD than non-DM. Unfortunately, little data exists on Libya's prevalence and characteristics of cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors and to assess their control among patients with type 2 DM (T2DM). All the patients with T2DM who attended the outpatient clinic at National Diabetes Hospital from September 2013 to April 2022 were interviewed and examined and included in this study. Demographical data age, smoking habit, body mass index measure, drug intake, history of previous cardiovascular events, blood pressure and fasting lipid profile were all recorded. 1049 patients have completed the study with a mean age of 54.06 ± 14.5 years old (females represented 68.0% of the studied sample size), there were different duration of diabetes between the studied sample, varying from newly diagnosed patients (n = 265, 25.2%) and above ten years of diabetes duration patients (n = 488, 46.5%). Active smoking in 129 patients (12.3%), the bodyweight of studied patients ranged from 44.0 Kg to 186 Kg (85.65 ± 1.73), 820 of the patients had uncontrolled body weight (78.85%). Uncontrolled blood pressure, even with treatment, was found in 304 patients (29.0%), uncontrolled dyslipidaemia in 45 patients (04.3%), and uncontrolled hyperglycaemia in 816 patients (77.9%). Established CVD was positive in 295 patients (28.2%), maximum age group was in 54 - 74 years (n = 516, 49.3%). The most typical age group with multiple (more than three) CVD risk factors was 54 - 74 years of age, were female patients with more than ten years of history of diabetes, uncontrolled hyperglycemia (HBA1c > 10%), uncontrolled body weight, uncontrolled blood pressure and dyslipidemia. Thus, the present data indicated that Libyan patients with diabetes mellitus have high CVD risk factors. Even in patients with previous events, these uncontrolled risk factors elevate the likelihood of repeated cardiovascular events. Patients with diabetes mellitus necessitate a more aggressive approach to control the modified risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and smoking.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tobacco smoking negatively affects the quality of saliva and affects many biological parameters including salivary α-amylase enzyme activity. Salivary α-amylase enzyme is essential for the catabolism of carbohydrates. Forty- five healthy male volunteers aged between 18 and 69 years (40.0 ± 15.0) were divided into two groups, namely, the control group (n = 21) and the cigarette smoker group (n = 24). The effect of smoking on salivary α-amylase enzyme activity depends on the number of smoked cigarettes per day and the type of cigarettes as well as the period for how long the person smoking tobacco cigarettes was investigated. Different methods were used to analyze the activity of salivary α-amylase enzyme including the dinitrosalicylic acid method (standard colorimetric method). The results showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in salivary α-amylase activity in Libyan smokers compared to the non-smokers in the morning and night, also, the findings showed a significant decline in salivary α-amylase activity during the increasing smoking period. The activity of salivary α-amylase in the young age smokers group increases in morning and night compared to the non-smokers group. There is no change in the activity of salivary α-amylase in the middle and older adult groups in the morning and night compared to young smokers group. In conclusion, smoking for a long period time more than 20 cigarettes per day decreases the activity of salivary α-amylase in Libyan subjects.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

The incidence of diabetes mellitus has increased globally making it a major public health concern. Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder that causes an imbalance in the electrolytes which regulate essential metabolic mechanisms of the body. This study aimed to estimate the electrolyte levels in Libyan patients with type II diabetes mellitus and to investigate their relations to glycemic control and body mass index. A total of 122 Libyan subjects whose ages ranged between 35 years and 60 years for both sexes were included in this study, 77 patients were type II diabetic patients (37 males and 40 females) and 45 subjects were healthy individuals (23 males and 22 females) live in Tripoli area, Libya. The levels of blood glucose, HbA1c, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium were estimated in this study along with the measurement of body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. All the findings were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA test. Significant increases in glucose, HbA1c, potassium, chloride, calcium, blood pressure and BMI among diabetic patients were observed as compared to the healthy individuals. On the other hand, significant decreases in sodium and magnesium levels among the diabetic patients were observed as compared to the control group. In addition, significant alterations in all the biochemical parameters in uncontrolled diabetic patients as compared to the controlled diabetic patients, and in unhealthy weight diabetic patients as compared to the healthy weight patients. It is concluded that diabetes mellitus results in an imbalance of electrolytes. Poor glycemic control and obesity have adverse effects on electrolyte balance among diabetic Libyan patients. Good glycemic control, maintaining a healthy weight and regular evaluation of electrolytes among diabetics can reduce the fatalities associated with electrolyte rearrangements.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Bone resorption is created by different etiological factors, such as tumors, infections, and trauma. When defects are too large and healing is not possible in a spontaneous way, the defect is called a critical size defect, which is defined as the smallest size of an intra-osseous wound that will not heal spontaneously during the lifetime of the individual. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of a mineralized plasmatic matrix versus bone graft alone or in the augmentation of bony cavities in animals. Ten adult male dogs ranging in age from 12 months to 18 months with a mean weight of ten kilograms were used in this study. Bone cavities were made in the tibia of each animal. The upper holes were implanted with a bovine bone material substitute the medial holes were implanted with a mineralized plasmatic matrix and the lower holes were left free from any implant material acting as control. The dogs were euthanized at 2, 4, and 6 weeks and prepared for H and E stain and trichrome stain. The healing process of bone cavities implanted with mineralized plasmatic matrix was better compared to cavities filled with bone grafts and those left to heal spontaneously. Mineralized plasmatic matrix facilitates graft application, in its stabilization, and improves cell penetration into the graft.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Viral hepatitis is one of the main public health concerns around the world. Even though infection management techniques have been implemented over the last few decades, eradication or significant reduction has remained a mystery. The purpose of this study is to look into the prevalence of acute infectious hepatitis in the East of Libya and how the type of virus, age, gender, clinical manifestations, and outcome are related. This is a hospital-based retrospective study. The data on the frequency and distribution of viral hepatitis based on age, gender, seasonal, clinical, and ultrasound findings, and the outcomes during a period of two years from January 2020 to December 2021 were collected and analyzed. Of the 0.39% (72 cases) of total hospital admissions (18340) under the age of 15 years old for acute infectious hepatitis patients, the most common age group was 5-12 years (79.6%). Winter accounted for 41.6% of all the cases. Females made up 65.3% of the cases. Jaundice was the most prevalent presentation (87.5%). Hepatomegaly was seen in 83.3% of the patients. Most of the cases have mild hyperbilirubinemia (5-9 mg/dL, 75.0%). Approximately 1/5th of the patients' serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGPT), and nearly 1/3rd of the patients' SGPT levels were in the range of 1000-2000. One patient's hepatitis C was positive, one patient's hepatitis B was positive, and 97.2% were positive for hepatitis A. 88.8% of the individuals recovered without complications, whereas 11.1% showed symptoms of hepatic failure but recovered. The present study indicates that acute hepatitis A is more prevalent, especially in the winter. Those who are females and 5-12 years of age were more affected by acute viral hepatitis in Libya.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Ethanol and hexane extracts of the leaves and male flowers of Luffa cylindrica were evaluated for antiemetic and anti-inflammatory effects using chick emesis model and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. The antiemetic effect was observed at 150 mg/kg body weight, whereas the anti-inflammatory effect was observed at doses of 500,750 and 1000 mg/kg body weight orally. Chlorpromazine 150 mg/kg and indomethacin 10mg/kg orally were used as standard antiemetic and anti-inflammatory drugs. The antiemetic effect was determined by calculating the mean decrease in the number of retching compared to the control group after 10 minutes of copper sulfate (50 mg/kg orally) administration. The degree of paw oedema of all the groups was measured using a plethysmometer at the 5th hour of carrageenan (1% w/v) administration. All extracts except hexane extract of leaves exhibited statistically significant (P<0.001) antiemetic and except hexane extract of flower, all extracts exhibited statistically significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory effects.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pallas. is used traditionally to treat hypertension and chronic venous insufficiency. The high prevalence of hypertension and the side effects of antihypertensive drugs potentiate us to evaluate Melilotus officinalis. The hypotensive effect of Melilotus officinalis butanol fraction (MOBF) was investigated in anaesthetised normotensive rats. The doses of 60, 80 and 100 mg/ kg, i.v., produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood pressure. The statistically non-significant reduction in blood pressure was shown by 20 and 40 mg/ kg, i.v. These results suggest that Melilotus officinalis exhibited a hypotensive effect in normotensive rats. However, further evaluation of compound-related activity is required.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The seed flours of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. were investigated for their total, soluble and insoluble oxalate contents by HPLC. The total oxalate content of Macrotyloma uniflorum, Phaseolus lunatus and Phaseolus vulgaris were 1.24, 1.77 and 1.71 mg/ g, respectively. The % age of soluble oxalate was Macrotyloma uniflorum (19.50), Phaseolus lunatus (15.08) and Phaseolus vulgaris (15.88). The calculated soluble oxalate: calcium ratio of all tested legume flours is lesser than one and hence will not create any resistance in calcium bioavailability.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The adulteration and substitution of crude drugs is a burning problem. No doubt, substitution is helpful in places where the unavailability of particular oil drugs and or unwanted adverse effects of the desired crude drugs are there and have a choice of another drug with similar pharmacological effects and less unwanted aftereffects. However, in most cases, it is unacceptable because the conversion of authentic drugs into substandard medications may cause a variety of adverse effects, from mild and moderate to severe life-threatening reactions. So, understanding all the ways of adulteration and substitution is necessary to rectify this illegal act and maximize consumers' safety. At the end of this review, the Botanical Adulterant Program of the American Botanical Council is also highlighted.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The current study was conducted to determine the insoluble, soluble, and total dietary fiber content of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn., legume flours, using AOAC enzymatic-gravimetric analysis. The results showed that M. uniflorum, P. lunatus, and P. vulgaris legume flours contained 155.91, 120.01, and 90.80 mg/g insoluble dietary fiber, respectively. At the same time, soluble dietary fiber was not found in any tested sample.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The study aims to explore the possible morphological features of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (brushite) crystals on a glass slide. The study was conducted on a glass slide under a microscope to observe the growth patterns. As a result, needle, platy, star shape, and tetragonal bipyramidal crystals were observed. Different patterns of platy crystals, like plates with spatial branches and radiating assemblages of platy crystals, were also found.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Urolithiasis is a very old and common urological disorder with its worldwide prevalence, multi-factorial etiology, increased recurrent rate and severe consequences. The adverse effects of currently available antiurolithiatic agents potentiate natural product researchers to explore natural antiurolithiatic compounds with fewer side effects. The presented communication is actually a review of the antiurolithiatic effect of four hundred and fifty-seven (457) plants belonging to one hundred and eight (108) families found in different parts of the world. This review will provide helpful information for discovering natural antiurolitiatic compounds and fill the gaps in knowledge.

Dr. Salman Ahmed