Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection caused more than five million deaths throughout the world and more than five thousand deaths in Libya, a little is known about the mortality rate and the risk factors for death from this serious infectious disease in Libya. Thus, it is aimed in this study to identify the potential risk factors for mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infections among 176 Libyan COVID-19 patients in Zawia city. This research is a retrospective cohort study that was conducted on 176 randomly selected volunteers who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 during a period of December 2020 to February 2021 in Zawia city, Libya. Following filling the prepared validated questionnaire by COVID-19 patients, the data was analyzed to determine the previously mentioned risk factors. The mean age (SD) of the total 176 participated COVID-19 patients was 45.06 (± 17.7) and the mortality rate among these total involved cases (mild to severe cases) was 10.8%. It is found that the mortality among the severe COVID-19 cases was 41.3% and the mean age (SD) of COVID-19 deaths was 69.1 years (13.8) and 73.7% of them were 60 years old or older. In addition, it is found that 63.2% of the SARS-CoV-2 deaths were females and 78.9% of them had a positive history of chronic diseases. Moreover, it was found that the most common chronic diseases among COVID-19 deaths are diabetes mellitus and hypertension (73.3% and 53.3%, respectively). Collectively, it is concluded that COVID-19 elderly female patients aging 60 years or older with a positive history of chronic disease are more likely at high risk for death from SARS-CoV-2 infection among the participated COVID cases.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
It is virtually impossible to mention the phrase ‘project management’ without introducing the concept of risk management. As Hillson (2016, p.11) states, “risks [are] particularly relevant to projects” suggesting that effective management of risk is an integral ingredient for project success. The close link that exists between projects and risks may be deduced by the definition of the word ‘project’. In simple terms, projects refer to unique endeavours undertaken with the aim of achieving desired outcomes. These endeavours typically specific start and completion dates, and involve resource, time and cost constraints. These characteristics imply that projects are intended to deliver identifiable benefits to the organisation; these benefits, however, are not enjoyed immediately even if the project is completed. On the contrary, projects commonly create capabilities that call for operation or utilisation for the actual gains to be generated (Hillson, 2016 p.11). The interpretation of this is that projects have a risk element in that they contain a potential reward and possibility of loss. For this reason, project managers must be well-versed with risk management.
Medicinal plants and herbal drugs have widely been used in several diseases which contain highly active pharmacological agents. Several previous studies have mounted about the hepatotoxicity of these remedies which ranges from mild enzyme alterations to liver failure in humans and animals. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity profile of the crude methanolic seed extract of Calliandra surinamensis on rat liver functions. An acute toxicity study was carried out using modified Lorke’s method and sub-chronic toxicity was done following the Organisation for Economic Cooperative and Development guidelines with testing chemicals 423 and 407 to assess the effect of the seed extract on liver function alongside histopathology assessment of the liver. The haematological indices revealed no significant change in red blood cells and other haematological parameters. The average organ weight of the tested rats showed no significant differences. The histopathological examinations of the rat liver revealed no observable toxic injury to the tissue after treatment with the seed extract across all concentrations. There were desirable morphological vasoactive changes of dilatation and active congestion in the organ across all the concentrations which were dose-dependent. There was induced activation of the sinusoidal kupffer cells, which signified a boost to the local immune system of the liver. The nucleoli in the hepatocyte nuclei were remarkably conspicuous which implied an increase in the production of ribonucleic acid that is deployed in protein synthesis.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Dr. G. Kamalakar, Pursuing Post-Doctoral Fellow ICSSR, Research Assistant, ICSSR Major Research Project, Department of History, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University. with a Ph.D in Political Science. He is awarded Doctorate by the Osmania University, Hyderabad, for the thesis on “WTO and GATS: Implication for the Indian Higher Education”. He is the recipient of RGNF Fellowship from the UGC and Pre-Doctoral Fellowship from OUCIP. He worked as a guest faculty at City College, Hyderabad and as a Counselor at Ambedkar Open University. He has written 3 books and edited 4 books and also published research articles in 17 UGC care list Journals. He also reviewed 11 Books and published them in UGC care list journals and sage publications. He received 7 awards including Amazing Grace Award, Pride India Award, Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Excellency Award, International Research Excellence Award, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Life Time Achievement National Award, National best Teacher Award and Vidya Bharati Award. He presented research papers in more than 24 International, National Conferences and seminars. He has published thematic research papers in 13 National and 30 International Level Peer Reviewed / Refereed Research Journals He is also the Assistant Editor to an International journal and a Member of Editorial board & Reviewer for National and International journals published from 20 countries like USA, Turkey, Syria, UK, Pakistan, China etc. and has membership in 4 various associations.
Ayurvedic formulations are of three types, Herbal, Mineral and Herbo-Mineral. Of which, Herbomineral is prepared either by Khalweeya or by Bhasmeekarana procedures. The quality of Bhasma depends on the number of putas given. Rasa Bhasma is one such kind of a Herbo-mineral preparation which can be obtained by Puta procedure as described in texts of Rasa Shastra. Though there are different procedures mentioned for preparation of Rasa Bhasma, maarana done with Gorvara puta seems to be an apt way to obtain the final product. Puta is the generalised way of heat application used during the pharmaceutical procedures of Rasa dravyas, where the purified organic Metal/Mineral is converted completely into powder form which can be absorbed easily into the body without causing any ill effects. Different types of Puta have been explained for bhasmeekarana of different metals and minerals. Among them, certain putas have been mentioned where Mandaagni plays a crucial role in Maarana (Incineration). These Mandaagniputas are in use of preparing certain Bhasmas like ShilajitBhasma, HaratalaBhasma, GouripashanaBhasma, and PaaradaBhasma. As these drugs are having relatively low boiling and melting points when compared to other dravyas, and are easy to evaporate when exposed to high temperatures, they need a standardized quantum of heat by which they can be transformed into Bhasma. Gorvara puta is one such kind where agni plays a major role in the preparation of Bhasma. So, the present study A Comprehensive Study of Gorvara Puta in Preparation of Rasa Bhasmahas has been under taken.
The prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency over the last decades has grown up rapidly worldwide among young adults. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore knowledge, attitude and practice of Libyan medical students of Sebha University regarding vitamin D deficiency. Out of a total of 200 questionnaires, 148 completed questionnaires were returned (74.0% response rate). The majority of respondents did not measure their vitamin D levels (62.1%). Participants who indicated they exposing to sunlight for less than 15 min were 47.2% while 74.9% exposing to less than 30 min with highly significant difference in gender (p < 0.001). All the males did not use sunscreen creams compared with females (43.5%). Nearly two-thirds of the participants (61.4%) denied drink milk almost daily with significant differences based on the gender (p < 0.005) while 56.0 % of the participants reported eat fish, 60.8% of the students denied eating fast food and 74.3% eating eggs daily or weekly. However, 49.3% of the students are usually drinking of tea and coffee after meals, and do not usually practice exercise (53.3%), however, disagreed that their food has a low amount of calcium (30.4%). Most of the students agreed with the benefits of vitamin D (72.0%). Based on the assessment of awareness of the participants about vitamin D information, the average of correct answers percentage of the respondents was 47.1%. The most frequent sources of vitamin D information were the internet which accounted for 49.3%, followed by relatives and friends (31.7%). Some of the respondents (58.7%) reported that unawareness is the main cause of vitamin D deficiency. This study highlights the lack of awareness about the importance of vitamin D among medical students. This finding provides the institutions of medical education in Libya with an evidence base for a deficit knowledge regarding young health which could be utilized it to draw a strategy to correct health behaviors of students and community through medical education programs.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Action research is such a process by which B.Ed. pupil teacher attempt to study their problems scientifically in order to guide, correct and evaluate their decision andaction There are two important components of action research:(1) the consumer are the researches and (2) the research take place where there is a felt need of a solutionof a problem and when the results can be put in practice.The steps in action research are – identification of a problem area, the selection of a specific problem and the formulation of a hypothesis, the accumulation of evidence,the inference from this evidence and the continuous retesting.The importance of action research that its lies in the fact that this helps in finding quick solutions of immediate problems which search by b.ed. Students , administratorand teacher. Action research is a way to find problems and their solution S.M. Corey has developed this research technique. Objectives of action research are – processin school practice, progress of a teacher, improvement or curriculum, increase in knowledge of administrator or inspector. Need, interest, discipline, social problems,learning problem, curriculum and teachers are the field of action research. There are various steps of action research such as specific problem .Causes, hypotheses,experiment and conclusion. Outline the action research is also mentioned. Action research has been proven most beneficial in the field of diagnostic education
Environmental factors are known to influence carcinogenesis. Pollutants, such as heterocyclic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are examples of environmental borne procarcinogens. Procarcinogens are not active carcinogens although, they require bio-activation, via enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) to transform to active product. CYP1A1 isoform, regulated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a significant role in the bio-activation of PAHs and HAs. AhR has multiple co-activators and co-repressors for AhR that have been identified S remarkably. Silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) was designated as a major co-repressor for AhR. In the present study, it is examined the effect of SMRT over expression on the cyp1a1 mRNA levels in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cell line. Hepa 1c1c7 cells were maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and competent cells have successfully been produced using calcium chloride method. Cells were transformed using plasmid DNA and Lipofectamine. TCDD (2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) was employed as an inducing agent for CYP1A1. The total cellular RNA was isolated and real-time PCR of Cyp1a1 was conducted. A statistical analysis was conducted by using one-way analysis of variance followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test. The results showed that cells transfected with the co-repressor SMRT has lower TCDD-mediated induction of cyp1a1 mRNA without affecting constitutive Cyp1a1 mRNA levels, i.e., SMRT was able to significantly decrease inducible Cyp1a1 mRNA levels in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. The present findings also demonstrated that calcium chloride is a convenient method for routine transformation. Thus, this study opens a new avenue for the management of carcinogenesis involving CYP1A1 inducing carcinogens.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared by the World Health Organization as a pandemic on 11th March, 2020 which spread rapidly all over the world. COVID-19 disease has different clinical presentations, ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptoms. Laboratory findings are important in determining which therapeutic strategies to seek and to identify severe cases initially. In this study, we compared the results of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, blood electrolytes and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration between survivors and non-survivors of 22 Libyan patients with COVID-19 present in the intensive care unit at Maitika Isolation Center (Tripoli, Libya) in the period of January to June 2021. We could not detect any significant difference in C-reactive protein between survivors and non-survivors but a significant difference in D-dimer level was observed. Non-survivor COVID-19 patients have a higher level of D-dimer. Moreover, a statistical significant difference in chloride and sodium levels but not in potassium level were detected. A marked lower of mean corpuscular hemoglobin in non-survivor than survivor COVID-19 patients was shown. Thus, these parameters could act as biomarkers for COVID-19 patients.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
The international opioid crisis highlights the important role of pharmacists in prevention, using their availability and drug knowledge to prevent abuse. In this study, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Mangalore pharmacists towards preventing opioid abuse were assessed. From February to March 2025, a cross-sectional survey was done among 203 pharmacists aged 18-46 years in Mangalore using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback. Pharmacists showed high knowledge, with 93.6% identifying opioids' mechanism as binding to CNS receptors correctly, 78.8% identifying naloxone's role in reversing overdose, and 70.0% knowing prescription drug monitoring programs' usefulness. Attitudes were optimistic, with 92.6% considering patient education a primary responsibility, 92.1% identifying multiple visits to the pharmacy as misuse, and 93.1% supporting medication-assisted treatment. The practice was active, with 93.1% checking prescription drug monitoring programs for suspected misuse and 69.0% advising take-back programs, but 43.8% associated early refills with misuse. Mangalore pharmacists show strong knowledge, attitudes, and practice against opioid abuse, being very strong in education and medication-assisted treatment support but having voids in misuse detection (for example, recognition of early refill) and naloxone confidence. Stronger training, better prescription drug monitoring program access, and policy adjustments can enhance their role in India's opioid strategy. Pharmacists are presented as front-line champions of opioid misuse prevention in this study, with implications for localized harm reduction.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Background: Epilepsy and cerebral palsy (CP) are reported as the two most common indications for electroencephalogram (EEG) requests in children in Nigeria. Although several studies have examined epilepsy and EEG findings in the country, most have not documented the conditions under which EEG recordings were performed—whether during wakefulness, natural sleep, sleep deprivation, or drug-induced sleep. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of sleep deprivation and the use of melatonin in achieving sleep EEG recordings in children with epilepsy and CP versus those with epilepsy without CP, at the Pediatric Neurology Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study involving children aged 6 months to 15 years, conducted between March 2022 and February 2023. A total of 121 subjects with epilepsy associated with CP (Group 1) and 124 subjects with epilepsy not associated with CP (Group 2) were consecutively recruited. Conventional inter-ictal sleep EEG recordings were performed using an EEG machine (Model: Satellite P200-132, Toshiba Europe GmbH, DC 19V, 3.4A). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the subjects with epilepsy and CP (Group 1), 67 (55.4%) achieved sleep EEG recordings following sleep deprivation, while 54 (44.6%) required sleep induction with melatonin. Among subjects with epilepsy without CP, 107 (86.3%) attained sleep EEG recordings after sleep deprivation, whereas 17 (13.7%) required melatonin-induced sleep. The difference between the two groups regarding the need for melatonin to induce sleep was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Sleep deprivation was more effective in achieving sleep EEG recordings in children with epilepsy who did not have CP.
A simple and rapid RP-HPLC method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of Levocloperastine fendizoate and Chlorpheniramine maleate syrup formulation. Resolution of the analytes was achieved within 10min, employing a mixture of 10mM mobile phase Buffer (pH 6.5): Acetonitrile (50:50, % v/v) as isocratic mobile phase, pumped at 1.0mL/ min through a C18 column (5μm particle size). The detection wavelength for the analytes was 227nm. The system suitability parameters were found to be acceptable. The linearity of response (r2>0.999) in the appropriate ranges (from 50% up to 150% of the expected concentrations of the analytes in the formulations), method accuracy (RSD<2.0%), repeatability and intermediate precision (RSD<2.0%), were confirmed. Robustness result indicates that the methods performance can withstand small variations in method parameters. Satisfactory results obtained in terms of analyte recovery and RSD, while analyzing marketed pharmaceutical preparations. Hence the method can be useful for regular analysis of this combination in marketed syrup formulation.
Before the start of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, the whole environment around us had been deemed very toxic to breathe in due to the amount of greenhouse gases that had been emitted over the centuries. The Earth faced rising temperatures, which in turn led to the melting of glaciers and rising of sea levels. Environmental degradation was happening fast due to the depletion of resources such as air, water and soil. But after the coronavirus lockdown (Talabandi) commenced, there have been changes in the environment. The lockdown still has a huge impact on people in India too. The halt of industrial production and traffic resulted in cleaner air and rivers. In India the first phase of the nationwide lockdown that began on March 24 followed by enforcement of a series of regulations had some evidences that the COVID-19 curve is flattening in the country's COVID-19 affected regions. There was a good chance Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the lockdown (Talabandi) four times that ended on (Phase 1 (24 March-14 April)., Phase 2 (15 April-3 May)., Phase 3 (4 May-17 May) & Phase 4 (18 May-31 May). The paper focuses on different aspects of environmental impact due to SARS-CoV-2 in India.
Wilsons disease is a rare inherited disorder which is characterized by impaired copper excretion which leads to excessive deposition of copper in many tissues and organs like brain, liver, and eye. This is also characterized by Kaiser-Fleischer ring, low serum ceruloplasmin levels and elevated urinary copper excretion [1]. A 26year male patient came to the neurology department with chief complaints of involuntary tremors of both hands and difficulty in walking in the last one month associated with swaying to one side in the last 20 days. On examination the patient is having Kaiser-Fleisher ring positive and upon further investigation Magnetic resonance imaging brain was performed which revealed the features in favor of Wilson’s disease. And for this condition the patient is treated with chelating agents and benzodiazepines.
In addition to predatory journals and publishers, researchers now need to be wary of predatory conferences as well with the checklist given here to really check yourself.Because the predatory journals and publishers make target to the new researchers there must be need of that type of articles
Consumption of energy drinks was significantly associated with sleep problems, which are progressively used regardless of negative health effects particularly among adolescents and young adults. The goal of this study is to examine the relationship between energy drinks and sleep patterns on college students by more than one parameter. Target number of students was taken to be 1 000 participants and the study reached 434 participants were invited via self-administered questionnaire at Libyan International Medical University students during 2020 and 2021 in all levels which consisted of 20 questions and the main measurements are dependency, negative effect of energy drink and effect of energy drink on sleep. The results showed that the consumption prevalence rate of energy drinks amongst participants is 59.4%. The majority of participants enrolled in this study are male (52.5%) and 47.5% were female students. In conclusion: energy drinks consumption is a risk factor of poor sleep quality between Libyan International Medical University students. An awareness must be increased about energy drinks consumption to confirm the relation to sleep quality and general health.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Prescription drug misuse has emerged as a significant problem over the past decade, particularly topical corticosteroids for skin lightening. This study aimed to assess the misuse of topical corticosteroids among the female population in southern Libya; to determine prevalence, awareness, attitude, and practice regarding this drug misuse. A descriptive, cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed on January 2022 to females aged between 16-45 years old in southern Libya. Out of 200 distributed questionnaires, 155 were returned with a response rate of 77.5%. The majority of the participants were aged 16-25 years (n=138, 89.0%) and over two-thirds of participants, said they obtained lightening products containing cortisone from pharmacies (n=107, 69.0%) while 36 participants indicated they obtained these products from cosmetic shops (23.2%). More than three-quarters of the participants said they were aware that they should read product ingredients (n=120, 77.4%). Just over one-quarter of respondents indicated they used the product on their face almost daily (n=41, 26.5%) while 28 participants denied using it (18.1%). The most common source of information about topical corticosteroids among participants was the Internet (n=51, 32.9%), followed by dermatologists (n=41, 26.5%), and pharmacists (n=31, 20.0%). Almost half of respondents were aware that topical corticosteroids can cause harmful effects (n=75, 48.4%). The most common indications reported for using topical corticosteroids were whitening (23.3%), and acne treatment (54.2%). Over two-thirds of participants, declared they would not use topical lightening products if they contained corticosteroids (n=107, 69.0%). In a similar attitude, nearly a third of participants stated that they would never use corticosteroid medications again if they knew about the negative effects of whitening (n=51, 32.9%). The majority of females, (87.7%), concur that only pharmacies should be able to sell and prescribe topical corticosteroid medications. The study's findings indicate that topical corticosteroids are frequently misused and that to lessen contraindications, especially for prolonged use, it is imperative to provide basic care to females who continue using topical corticosteroids in public or unlicensed marketing settings.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
This brief inspects the situation with research in Indian advanced education and offers an outline of the idea of undergrad (UG) research as a method for change. The article endeavors a short survey of the public authority endeavors to further develop advanced education examination, and underlines the restrictions of their degree just as their ramifications. Through a sweeping audit of existing experimental and subjective investigations, this concise shows the advantages and effects of UG research on improvement of insightful characteristics in understudies also its impact on foundations. At last, it suggests methods of drafting this idea in the current arrangement of undergrad schooling in India, in view of remedies by the Chamber on Undergrad Exploration
Background: This manuscript presents an audit focused on assessing the extent of drug wastage and associated costs linked to the disposal of unused intravenous agents within the operating theatres of a tertiary care hospital. The study aims to carefully look at drug wastage, figure out why it happens, and propose strategies for optimizing resource utilization and cost-efficiency in clinical settings. Materials and Methods: This audit is a prospective observational study carried out in a tertiary care hospital. The amount of drug loaded preoperatively, the amount of drug utilized, the amount of drug unutilized and discarded, the total quantity of drug wasted, and the cost related to the wastage were calculated in percentage. Results: The maximum wastage of loaded drugs was seen with atropine (100%), followed by ephedrine (93.6%), propofol (52.5%), phenylephrine (35.2%), atracurium (28.6%), dexmedetomidine (27.8%), fentanyl (16.8%), vecuronium (16.2%) and morphine (6.4%). The cost analysis revealed that 36.3% of the total loaded drugs were wasted amounting to Rs.46903.54. The cost of wastage of propofol was maximum with Rs.14006 which is 29.8% of total cost wastage followed by atracurium 21%(Rs.9856), dexmedetomidine 18.4%(Rs.8687.5), ephedrine 14.7%(Rs.6919), phenylephrine 10.4%(Rs.4910), fentanyl 3.7%(Rs.1780), atropine 1.9% (Rs.906), vecuronium 1.2% (Rs.563.76), Morphine 0.18% (Rs.85.28). Conclusion: In our audit, the maximum drug wastage was observed with atropine (100%) amounting to Rs.906, and the cost of wastage was maximum with propofol amounting to Rs.14006 which was 29.8% of the total cost of wastage. Our audit underscores the importance of proactive management of drug wastage and disposal costs in healthcare settings, particularly within operating theatres where intravenous agents play a crucial role in patient treatment. By conducting a comprehensive audit and proposing targeted interventions, healthcare institutions can optimize resource utilization, enhance sustainability, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Zn1-xCdxO (x=0, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) ternary alloys were successfully synthesized by Sol–gel method. The prepared powders were sintered at 800°C for 4hrs. The compositional, structural and optical studies were investigated by SEM equipped with EDS, XRD and UV-Visible Spectroscopy. XRD results were compared with JCPDS data and confirmed the formation of Cd doped ZnO nanoparticles with polycrystalline single phase hexagonal wurtzite structure. The crystallite size was found to decrease from 21 to 17 nm with increase in the concentration of Cd. EDS analysis revealed the existence of Cd content in ternary alloys. From Ultraviolet-visible spectral studies optical band gap vary from 3.21 eV to 3.12 eV with Cd concentration. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of International conference on materials research and applications-2016.