Preparation of orodispersible tablets of bosentan using xylitol and menthol as dissolution enhancers.

Bosentan is a drug used to treat pulmonary hypertension via dual endothelial receptor antagonism. Bosentan has a restricted oral bioavailability, a problem that's mostly due to poor solubility and hepatic metabolism. It is extensively used for the elderly and children who require a friendly dosage form like orodispersible tablets. So, the goal of this research work was to hasten the dissolution rate of bosentan to produce an orodispersible tablet with immediate drug release. Bosentan was exposed to ethanol-assisted kneading with a rise of xylitol or menthol concentrations (1:1 and 1:2 molar ratio of bosentan with excipient). In addition to observing the dissolution behavior, the resulting dry products were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The FTIR reflected possible hydrogen bonding with xylitol and menthol. DSC studies reflected a reduction in the enthalpy and Tm. These results with XRD data reflected partial co-amorphization in the case of xylitol and eutaxia in the case of menthol. These modifications were related to an accelerated dissolving rate. The developed systems were fabricated as orodispersible tablets which exhibited immediate release of bosentan. Thus, the current study offered simple co-processing for the preparation of orodispersible bosentan tablets.

A pacemaker lead infection as a complication of a discitis post fall in an elderly: A case report.

The population around the world is growing in age, and taking care of the elderly has become a medical challenge as new pathologies, risk factors, treatments, and approaches are being explored. One of the most important chapters that should be focused on is falls in the elderly, as it is a common reason for, not only fractures but also dependency, morbidity, and mortality in this population. The chapter on fall is vast and can be further categorized. In this article, we aim to focus on one of the complications, which is discitis post-vertebral fracture. The patient studied was a 78-year-old female patient who consulted post-fall and was admitted to the geriatric ward for a vertebral fracture. The hospitalization was complicated by a spinal infection and later on by a rarely-seen pacemaker lead infection. Vertebral fractures are very common in the geriatric population, whether spontaneously or post-trauma. Although treatment can be surgical or conservative, complications are commonly seen and can be fatal. Discitis is a medical challenge as the germs can be difficult to isolate, the pain management is difficult and in frail elderly patients, the infection and inflammation can be fatal. Prevention of falls is important in the elderly population as a simple slip can have drastic outcomes. Understanding the possible complications of falls is essential for better management.

Perception of the Lebanese Adults about Vaccination: A Survey.

INTRODUCTION: With the continuous spread and emergence of transmissible diseases, focusing on preventive measures is essential to decrease their incidence and spread. In addition to behavioral measures, vaccination is an optimal way to protect the population and eradicate infectious diseases. The majority are aware of children's vaccinations, while many might not know that adult vaccinations are also essential. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to understand the perception of Lebanese adults towards vaccination and their knowledge and awareness of its importance. This is a national cross-sectional study, conducted between January 2020 and January 2021. RESULTS: the data were collected from 1023 subjects, the majority being Lebanese, previously healthy, and with a graduate or post-graduate level of education. Out of these participants, 44.9% were advised to take vaccines, half of them by healthcare workers. The most common vaccine received during adult life is the Flu vaccine. Overall, 25.6% of the participants were unaware that they needed vaccines and 27.9% thought it is not indicated. Participants' knowledge about vaccination is variable. In total, 39.4% agree or are uncertain whether vaccines contain harmful chemicals and 48.4% believe that vaccines will trigger diseases. The level of education and occupation significantly enhances knowledge about vaccination. Some participants 27.3% are concerned about the vaccine's side effects. The group of young participants, graduates, and nonsmokers think that the vaccine is a necessity and had a positive attitude towards vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Many Lebanese lack knowledge about adult vaccination protection and its benefits in the community. It is essential that the country's health ministry department collaborate with the healthcare system to launch awareness campaigns about adult vaccination in the country to overcome the barriers and ensure better coverage.

COVID-19 detection by dogs: from physiology to field application-a review article.

For years, the dog, man's best friend, was the most widely employed scent-detector tool for civilian and military purposes. Recently, many studies highlighted the role of canine olfactory ability in the medical field, specifically in detecting different infectious, metabolic and neoplastic conditions. The objective of this literature review is to clarify the rationale behind dog's ability to detect diseases, to assess the possible application for COVID-19 detection and to discuss the evidence available on the matter. Available evidence shows that properly trained disease-detector dogs are an efficient tool for identification of specific disease-associated volatile organic compounds marker profiles for a particular disease. And since COVID-19 positive persons have a specific volatilome different from non-infected persons, they can be recognised by the dogs, by sniffing different body fluids consequently aiding in the diagnosis of COVID-19. Possible applications of dogs as COVID-19 detectors will be an easy real-time mobile diagnostic aid with low cost and good performance. More evidence is needed to be able to describe standardised measures concerning the best fluid to test, testing procedure, time of possible detection according to disease evolution, risks associated with the dog exposure and to translate the good results in study setting into the real-life operational one.