International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Bio Medical Science

Chronic Cannabis Extract Modulates Anxiety Behavior in Wistar Rats: VTA Histology and Catecholamine Analysis

Nkanu, I.I. — 2024-12-02

Cannabis, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, has seen a surge in global use, particularly in medicinal and recreational contexts, over the past decade. The VTA, a critical component of the brain’s reward system, plays a pivotal role in motivation and addiction through its dopaminergic pathways. While research has examined the behavioral and neurochemical effects of cannabis, there is limited exploration of cannabis-induced histological changes in the VTA, thus, this study investigated the effects of chronic cannabis ethanol extract exposure on anxiety behavior, ventral tegmental area (VTA) histology, and catecholamine levels in Wistar rats. Using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test, anxiety behavior was assessed across four groups exposed to varying doses (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) of cannabis extract. Histological analysis of the VTA and catecholamine quantification were conducted to evaluate structural and biochemical changes. Behavioral results indicated dose-dependent increases in anxiety, with Group 3 (100 mg/kg) showing the highest anxiety-related behaviors, evidenced by reduced open-arm exploration and increased closed-arm preference (p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed fatty changes and inflammatory cell infiltration in the VTA, with severity increasing at higher doses. Catecholamine levels declined dose-dependent (p < 0.05), suggesting suppressed neurotransmitter synthesis or metabolism. These findings align with previous reports of cannabis-induced neurotoxicity and its biphasic effects on anxiety, extending understanding of its behavioral, structural, and biochemical impacts. The results highlight the potential risks of chronic cannabis use, particularly at higher doses, on anxiety regulation and neural integrity in the VTA.

Fixed Dose Versus Height and Weight Adjusted Dose of Bupivacaine for Spinal Anesthesia in Elective Caesarean Section

Hamdiyah Rajaa — 2024-12-03

Background: Spinal anesthesia is gaining global popularity. Caesarian section with spinal anesthesia are considered one of the comment applied surgeries. Hypotension is one of most frequent side effect of spinal anesthesia, if uncorrected causes adverse effect on the mother and neonate .

The aim of this study is to assess the hemodynamic measures and anesthetic outcome between fixed dose and adjusted for weight and height dose of bupivacaine.

Patients and method: A comparative clinical trial double-blinded study was conducted in the operation theatre of the obstetric surgical department, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq during the period from the 1st of April 2022 to the 1st of July 2023.

A total of 100 pregnant women were included in this study who underwent cesarean section under spinal anesthesia and met the inclusion criteria. These women were allocated randomly into two groups:

Group A: Fixed dose group: 50 patients received an intrathecal dose of heavy bupivacaine (0.5%) 2.5 ml.

Group B: adjusted dose group: 50 patients received intrathecal adjusted dose heavy bupivacaine (0.5% ) according to height and weight of patient from Hartens chart.

Results: A higher mean SBP was reported among the adjusted dose group at 15 min., 20 min., 30 min., and 40 min. (P=0.002, 0.002, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively). A higher mean DBP was reported among the adjusted dose group at 10 min., and 20 min. (P=0.037, and 0.005 respectively). A higher mean MBP was reported among the adjusted dose group at 30 min., and 40 min. (P=0.001, and <0.001 respectively). A lower mean HR due to bradycardia among some cases was reported among the fixed-dose group at 10 min., 30 min., and 40 min. (P=0.024, 0.034, and <0.001 respectively) lowest 10 min., 30 min., and 40 min. (P=0.024, 0.034, and <0.001 respectively). There 40.0% (20) patients in the fixed-dose group received an ephedrine dose once and 24.0% (12) patients in the fixed-dose group received an ephedrine dose more than once, and this was significantly higher than the adjusted dose (P=0.027).

Conclusion: Adjusting bupivacaine dose in spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean sections provides favorable hemodynamic stability with adequate anesthetic outcome in both groups

Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Oral Hygiene Practice Patterns in 11-14 Year Old Children (Study at SMP PGRI 1 Cibinong, Bogor, West Java)

Annisa Septalita — 2024-12-04

Background: According to RISKESDAS West Java in 2018, the prevalence of oral hygiene practices was only 5.9% in children aged 10-14 years, so the low rate will have an impact on oral health problems. Children's quality of life refers to children's well-being and satisfaction with their oral health conditions, as well as their psychosocial consequences. Some studies suggest that oral health problems in children have an impact on the dimensions of children's functioning, such as drinking difficulties, eating difficulties, speaking difficulties, and missing school. The purpose of this study was to explain the quality of life of children related to their oral health and oral hygiene practice patterns of children aged 11-14 years at SMP PGRI 1 Cibinong.

Materials and Methods: The type of research used is a descriptive quantitative survey, with Proportional Stratified Random Sampling technique. The questionnaire consisted of 8 questions about oral hygiene practice patterns, and CPQ11-14 in the form of 38 questions about children's quality of life related to oral health.

Results and Discussion: The results showed that OHRQoL (Oral Health Related Quality of Life) of children aged 11-14 years, the majority described their oral health condition as "quite good" with a prevalence of 104 students (33.33%). A frequent problem was food stuck between the teeth. Emotional well-being was generally stable, although some students occasionally felt frustrated regarding their oral health condition. The social impact of the majority of students did not feel difficulties in interacting with friends or family due to oral health problems. The results also showed that almost most of the respondents, 125 students (40.06%), had never visited a dentist. The majority of students reported brushing more than once a day (73.72%), but most students never used dental floss (77.56%).

Conclusion: The respondents' OHRQoL was quite good, especially for never feeling frustrated with the condition of their teeth and their oral hygiene practice patterns were still lacking in the items of visiting the dentist and using dental floss.

The Transition towards Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: A Systematic Review of Cases from Community Pharmacies

Inas Rifaat Ibrahim — 2024-12-07

This review aims to assess the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in community pharmacy by analyzing the most recent studies and identifying trends, gaps, and future directions for integrating AI technologies in these settings. A systematic literature review was performed on the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, looking at papers from 2019 to 2024. The search was further refined using the terms "AI in pharmacy," "telepharmacy," or "clinical decision support systems." Fourteen studies were included in the review after applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for further analysis. AI technologies have potential effects on community pharmacy practice. The most beneficial impact was noted in medication management, where 15% of medication errors were reduced, and patient compliance improved by 10%. In telepharmacy, AI supports encouraging adherence and access to pharmacy services where geographical barriers exist. However, there are concerns such as lack of privacy for system users, implementation costs, and onboarding pharmacists to such systems. AI has significant supportive and transformative capabilities for community pharmacy, but crucial barriers must be overcome first. Addressing the barriers and their ethical aspects is critical for further research.

The Effectiveness of Bajakah Wood Extract (Spatholobus Littoralis Hassk) From South Kalimantan against Candida Albicans ATCC 10231

Rina Permatasari — 2024-12-12

Root canal treatment (RCT) is a procedure performed to remove inflamed or infected pulp tissue. Candida albicans is the most pathogenic type of fungus found in the oral cavity, accounting for 80%. Bajakah wood (Spatholobus littoralis Hassk) contains antifungal components such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. This research is to determine the antifungal effectiveness of Bajakah wood (Spatholobus littoralis Hassk) against Candida albicans. This research is an experimental laboratory study using the dilution method in the laboratory. A total of 20 samples of Candida albicans ATCC 10231 cultures in Sabouraud Dextrose Broth medium were tested. The treatment variations of Bajakah wood were concentrations of 50%, 75%, 100%, and 2.5% NaOCl (K+) with 5 repetitions. The results showed that the average number of fungal growths at 50% concentration was 387, at 75% concentration it was 449.4, while at 100% concentration it was 2.4, and in the positive control it was 1. Data analysis using the Kruskal-Wallistest showed significant differences (p<0.05) across all treatment groups. It can be concluded that Bajakah wood at 100% concentration has the highest antifungal content and is effective in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans.

From Symptoms to Recovery: A Comprehensive Case Report on Ludwig's Angina

Avishi Syal — 2024-12-16

Ludwig's angina is a severe, rapidly progressing cellulitis of the floor of the mouth that can lead to life-threatening airway obstruction. It typically arises from Odontogenic infections and involves the Submandibular, Sublingual, and Submental spaces. This condition is characterized by bilateral swelling, pain, and elevation of the tongue, along with dysphagia, dyspnea, and potential systemic toxicity. Early diagnosis is critical, and treatment typically involves securing the airway, broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, and surgical drainage. Despite advances in medical care, Ludwig's angina remains a medical emergency due to its potential for rapid progression and severe complications. This review highlights the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, and management approaches for Ludwig's angina, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient outcomes.

Investigation of ROS-Driven Cytotoxic Mechanisms in WO3:Ag Heterostructures Supported on Carbon Against Bladder Cancer

Bruna Fragelli — 2024-12-16

Bladder cancer presents a significant health challenge due to its high malignancy and rising incidence rates. Silver-based materials are well-known for their cytotoxic effects on various cell types. This study not only aimed to synthesize and characterize carbon-supported WO₃:Ag heterostructures but also to evaluate their biological and physicochemical properties. The material was synthesized through the synergistic thermal decomposition of α-Ag₂WO₄ dispersed in chitosan, followed by WO₃:Ag heterostructure formation on a carbon support, yielding samples with varying α-Ag₂WO₄ concentrations (SC, SC1, SC2, and SC4, for 0, 10, 20 and 40% of α-Ag₂WO₄ for chitosan). Characterization confirmed the successful formation of carbon-supported heterostructures with controlled ionic release and enhanced ROS generation. In vitro assays were conducted to assess the viability of non-tumor (3T3 fibroblasts) and tumor (bladder carcinoma MB49) cells using MTT salt and neutral red dye. Additional analyses included autophagy detection by correlating data from viability assays, nitric oxide and ROS quantification using the Griess reaction and fluorescent probes, and Caspase-3 activity measured with a fluorescent antibody. The results indicated that SC1 and SC2 samples were more effective against both cell types, with SC2 showing heightened effectiveness against the tumor lineage by inducing greater oxidative stress in MB49 cells compared to 3T3 fibroblasts. Additionally, the materials exhibited low ionic release (<0.01%), reducing potential adverse effects. Mechanistic analysis showed that the carbon support and synergistic interactions between WO₃ and Ag modulated ⦁OH radical production, even without light, enhancing the material's cytotoxic efficiency. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of WO₃:Ag heterostructures as a safe and effective approach for treating aggressive cancers like bladder carcinoma, emphasizing the importance of further development in advanced biofunctional materials. This study also highlights the therapeutic potential of carbon-supported WO₃:Ag heterostructures in bladder cancer treatment and underscores the importance of continued research in the development of novel anticancer strategies.

Knowledge Level of Elderly in South Tangerang in Utilizing Mouthwash to Maintain Dental and Oral Health

Poetry Oktanauli — 2024-12-17

Background: Elderly (elderly) is an advanced stage of a person's life and is a natural process that cannot be avoided by every individual. Basic Health Research in 2013 states that oral and dental problems are one of the most common diseases suffered by the elderly. Poor oral hygiene in the elderly can increase the risk of oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease and halitosis.

Objective: This study aims to explain the level of knowledge of the elderly in South Tangerang in utilizing mouthwash to maintain oral health.

Method: This type of research is descriptive, with a cross-sectional research design. The number of subjects was determined using the total sample, snowball method. Questionnaires were distributed to respondents in the form of a google form.

Results: The results of this research can be seen through tables and figures based on the answers to the questionnaire given to elderly respondents.

Conclusion: Knowledge level of the elderly in South Tangerang in utilizing mouthwash to maintain oral health is in the good category. This can be seen from the answers to the questionnaires that have been distributed in the form of google forms. The elderly are quite aware that the condition of bad breath (halitosis) can be overcome by using mouthwash.

Increasing Public Knowledge about Household Waste Management in RW 07, Babakan Asih Village, Bojongloa Kaler District, Bandung

Fahmi Fuadah — 2024-12-18

Background: Background: Ineffective household waste management is one of the primary causes of environmental problems, such as soil and water pollution. Many communities lack an understanding of the importance of proper waste management, including the separation of organic and inorganic waste. This highlights the need for sustainable educational interventions to raise awareness and improve skills in managing household waste.

Objective: This activity aims to enhance community knowledge of household waste management through education and practical training to support environmentally friendly behavior.

Method: This community service activity was conducted using a participatory approach in Village X, District Y. Methods included socialization, interactive discussions, and hands-on waste management practices, such as separating organic and inorganic waste and creating simple compost. The participants comprised 50 households selected based on their active involvement in the community.

Results: The activity demonstrated a significant improvement in participants' knowledge levels, as measured through pretest and posttest evaluations. The average knowledge score increased from 58% (fair category) in the pretest to 85% (good category) in the posttest. Additionally, 90% of participants successfully practiced waste separation, and 75% successfully created simple compost.

Conclusion: This community service activity effectively improved knowledge and skills in household waste management. The results indicate that a participatory educational approach is effective in encouraging behavioral changes toward better waste management. Similar programs are recommended to be implemented sustainably to support environmental preservation.