COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preventive Measures of University Students in Bahrain.

Background: The severe, acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 that was first reported in China in December 2019 quickly became a global pandemic that has resulted in over 100 million infections and more than 2 million deaths. Study Design: This study aimed to assess the awareness level of university students regarding the possibility of becoming infected with COVID-19. In order to achieve this objective, we assessed the students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors using an online survey questionnaire offered to a total of 300 students. Results: A positive response regarding awareness of COVID-19 symptoms was registered by more than 70% of the students, whereas 62% felt that wearing a mask did not give full protection against infection, approximately 30% agreed that antibiotics and antivirals did not treat COVID-19, and 62% agreed that vitamin C was helpful in treating common symptoms of COVID-19. Moreover, around 31% of the students believed that COVID-19 is a man-made virus. Students who had gotten infected with SARS-CoV-2 believed that wearing a mask gives full protection (p=0.018). In response to survey questions related to attitude, 80% of students cancelled and postponed meetings with friends, and 90% agreed that mask-wearing is the most precautionary measure used to prevent the infection. In addition, 82% avoided coughing in public, 82% avoided contact if they felt flu-like symptoms and 80% washed their hands far more often due to the pandemic. Interestingly, 76% carried hand sanitizer, 66.5% avoided shaking hands, and 42.7% were taking vitamin C supplements. Conclusions: This study showed that the participants had a positive awareness of COVID-19 transmission, symptoms, and treatments misconceptions and mistaken beliefs related to treatments and the origin of the virus were also common and should be addressed. This study thus provides a baseline for a population-based surveillance program that could help local authorities to improve pandemic preparation plans, particularly with regard to governmental education and media campaigns.

In Vitro Inhibition of Cholera Toxin Production in Vibrio cholerae by Methanol Extract of Sweet Fennel Seeds and Its Components.

A newly emerged Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor variant strain with multidrug resistance is considered a threat to public health. Recent strategies to suppress virulence factors production instead of bacterial growth may lead to less selective pressure for the emergence of resistant strains. The use of spices and their active constituents as the inhibitory agents against cholera toxin (CT) production in V. cholerae may be an alternative approach to treat cholera. In this study, we examined the potential of sweet fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare Miller var. dulce) methanol extract to inhibit CT production in V. cholerae without affecting viability. The methanol extract of sweet fennel seeds significantly inhibited CT production in various V. cholerae strains, regardless of serogroup or biotype. Interestingly, trans-anethole and 4-allylanisole, essential oil components of sweet fennel seeds, also demonstrated similar effects. Here, we report that sub-bactericidal concentrations of sweet fennel seed methanol extract and its major components can drastically inhibit CT production in various V. cholerae strains.

Association of respiratory complications and elevated serum immunoglobulins with drinking water arsenic toxicity in human.

We assessed the relationship between chronic arsenic exposure through drinking water with respiratory complications and humoral immune response by measuring serum immunoglobulin profiles in the affected subjects (arsenicosis patients) living in the arsenic endemic rural villages of Bangladesh. The duration of exposure was determined through detailed history of the patients (n=125) and the levels of arsenic in the drinking water and urine samples were determined. The mean duration of exposure in the patients was 7.4+/-5.3 y, and the levels of arsenic in the drinking water and urine samples were 216+/-211 and 223+/-302 micro g/L, respectively, compared to 11+/-20 and 29+/-19 microg/L, respectively, in the unexposed subjects. There was high prevalence of respiratory complications like breathing problems including chest sound, asthma, bronchitis and cough associated with drinking water arsenic toxicity. Arsenicosis patients had significantly elevated levels of IgG (P<0.001) and IgE (P<0.001) while the levels of IgA were also significantly higher (P<0.005) but IgM were similar to that of the control subjects. Analysis of the clinical symptoms based on skin manifestations showed the levels of both IgG and IgE were significantly elevated during the initial stages while IgE were further elevated with the duration of arsenic exposure. Arsenicosis patients with respiratory complications had mean serum IgE levels of 706+/-211 IU/mL compared to 542+/-241 IU/mL in patients without apparent involvement with the respiratory system (P<0.01). The eosinophil counts in the patients did not differ significantly from the unexposed subjects indicating that elevated levels of serum IgE might not be due to allergic diseases, rather it could be due to direct effects of arsenic. We found significant linear relationships between the levels of serum IgE and inorganic phosphorus (P<0.05), and serum IgA levels with urinary excretion of arsenic (P<0.001). These observations suggested that arsenic toxicity caused respiratory complications, induced changes in the humoral as well as mucosal immune responses.

Pharmacological activities of crude acetone extract and purified constituents of Salvia moorcraftiana Wall.

The crude acetone extract of aerial parts of Salvia moorcraftiana Wall. was screened for various biological activities including Lemna bioassay, antifungal, antibacterial, leishmanicidal, insecticidal activities and brine shrimp cytotoxicity. It was found to possess strong phytotoxic activity against Lemna aequinoctials Welve. and moderate antifungal activity against animal and plant pathogens. The purified chemical constituents were tested for enzyme inhibition activity. Two constituents (compounds 3 and 8) were found to be effective inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase.

New diterpene from Hedychium villosum.

The stems of Hedychium villosum yielded the new diterpenoid 1, named villosin, along with coronarin E and beta-sitosterol. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including mono- and bi-dimensional NMR.

Constituents of Salvia moorcroftiana.

A new aromatic ester, 3-oxodecan-1-o1 p-hydroxybenzoate (1) was isolated from Salvia moorcroftiana aerial parts along with four other constituents.

Coumarins from the aerial part of Halocnemum strobilaceum.

Four known coumarins, coumarin (1), 7-hydroxy-3-methylcoumarin (2), oreoselone (3) and heraclenin (4), were isolated from aerial part of Halocnemum strobilaceum. Their structures were determined by 1 and 2-D NMR techniques.

Novel cycloartane saponins from Corchorus depressus L.

Two novel bidesmosidic cycloartane-type glycosides, depressosides C and D were isolated from Corchorus depressus L. Their structures were elucidated as (22R)-16beta,22-epoxy-3beta,26-dihydroxy-9,19-cyclolanost-++ +24E-ene 3, 26-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (22R,24S)-22,25-epoxy-3beta,16beta,24-trihydroxy-9,19-cyclolano stane 3, 24-di-O-beta-glucopyranoside, respectively on the basis of chemical evidence and detailed spectroscopic studies.

Phytochemical study of Salvia moorcroftiana.

Four known flavonoids were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia moorcroftiana.

Bucharioside and buchariol from Salvia bucharica.

A new monoterpene-glycoside (2-exo-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-1,8-cineol) named bucharioside from the methanol-soluble part and a new sesquiterpenoid (4,10-epoxy-6alpha-hydroxyguaiane) named buchariol from the hexane-soluble part of Salvia bucharica were obtained. Their structures were elucidated with the help of NMR spectroscopy including 1D and 2D experiments.

Mycobacterium chelonae (M. chelonae subspecies chelonae): report of a patient with a sporotrichoid presentation who was successfully treated with clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin.

We describe a sporotrichoid presentation of infection with Mycobacterium chelonae (M. chelonae subspecies chelonae). The disease occurred in a patient receiving corticosteroid therapy and was cured by the use of clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin.

Dystrophia myotonica: a case report.

A case study is presented to demonstrate the importance of utilizing clinical and laboratory diagnosis to confirm dystrophic disease. A review of the signs and symptoms of myotonic dystrophy is discussed, and a chiropractic approach is outlined for management of this debilitating disease.