The Role of Pharmacists and Community Pharmacies in the Screening, Knowledge, and Awareness of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Jordanian People Visiting Community Pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), diabetes is increasing exponentially worldwide and will become more prevalent than ever in the Middle East by 2045, with a 110% increase. This study aims to clarify the role of pharmacists and community pharmacies in the screening, knowledge, and awareness of Type 2 diabetes among Jordanian people who visit community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan. METHODS: Study design: This was a cross-sectional prospective study that was conducted from September to December 2021 in Amman, Jordan. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire that was composed of multiple parts. The first part collected information on demographics, residence, educational level, and insurance status; the second part was composed of 14 knowledge assessing questions; the last part was composed of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) diabetes risk score card test. Additionally, after confirming that each participant had returned their completed sheets, participants who scored greater than 5 had their blood sugar levels checked using a finger-prick blood test. The questionnaire was administered in person by a trained researcher. Using Slovin's formula, a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a 0.05 margin of error, the sample size was determined to be 267 participants. The study included 305 participants. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: A significant relationship was found between specialty (medical education) and the knowledge of risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), (p < 0.012). In terms of knowledge, from a total of 13 correct knowledge points (13 marks for correct answers out of 14), some subjects scored slightly higher than others (n = 175; 57.4% of participants scored above 7, nearly over half of the correct answers, compared to n = 130; 42.6% scoring below 7). We found 132 individuals (44%) with risk scores of five or above (high risk for developing T2DM according to ADA). Smokers comprised n = 138, 45%, and nonsmokers comprised n = 148, 48%. Although 50.5% of the participants (n = 154) held a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, these degrees did not improve the participants' overall general knowledge levels. The association was tested using chi-squared analysis, but no significance was found. CONCLUSIONS: Random visitors to Jordanian community pharmacies are expected to benefit from awareness and educational campaigns. These test results revealed a lack of knowledge, indicating the need for education to dispel myths and highlight the serious risks associated with T2DM. The study discovered that participants' understanding of diabetes disease prevention through lifestyle and dietary changes was inadequate. A specialist-led educational program may increase knowledge among visitors who participate. In order to prevent the spread of diabetes, more campaigns and health-promoting and prevention educational activities are required.

Pathway Analysis of Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Coronaviruses are emerging threats for human health, as demonstrated by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to SARS-CoV-1, which was the cause of the 2002-2004 SARS outbreak, but SARS-CoV-1 has been the subject of a relatively limited number of studies. Understanding the potential pathways and molecular targets of SARS-CoV-1 will contribute to current drug repurposing strategies by helping to predict potential drug-disease associations. METHODS: A microarray dataset, GSE1739, of 10 SARS patients and 4 healthy controls was downloaded from NCBI's GEO repository, and differential expression was identified using NCBI's GEO2R software. Pathway and enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes was carried out using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Our findings show that the drugs dexamethasone, filgrastim, interferon alfacon-1, and levodopa were among the most significant upstream regulators of differential gene expression in SARS patients, while neutrophil degranulation was the most significantly enriched pathway. CONCLUSION: An enhanced understanding of the pathways and molecular targets of SARS-CoV-1 in humans will contribute to current and future drug repurposing strategies, which are an essential tool to combat rapidly emerging health threats.

[Primary epiploic appendagitis: a nonsurgical and often misdiagnosed pathology]. / Appendagite épiploïque primitive: un diagnostic non chirurgical souvent méconnu.

INTRODUCTION: Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is characterized by the association of localized abdominal pain with guarding. Depending on its localization, it may simulate acute appendicitis or diverticular sigmoiditis. Symptoms correspond to necrosis of the epiploic appendix due the torsion and vascular occlusion of the main epiploic pedicle. OBSERVATION: A 34-year-old man (BMI=29.38) was examined for persistent localized abdominal pain of the left lower quadrant three days after receiving systemic antibiotic therapy for what was diagnosed as mild diverticular sigmoiditis. Abdominal examination showed localized guarding in the left lower quadrant, with no fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Laboratory results showed no inflammatory response. Abdominal ultrasound showed no evidence of left hydronephrosis. Helical CT showed a localized zone of necrosis of the epiploic appendix of the sigmoid colon and thus confirmed the diagnosis without surgical exploration. Symptoms regressed after a week of analgesic treatment. DISCUSSION: PEA is a rare disease. It often occurs in mildly overweight adult men (around 35 years of age). The combination of acute abdomen with localized abdominal guarding and no evidence of fever or inflammation is the typical presentation. Surgical exploration (laparoscopy) can be avoided for diagnosis if helical CT shows a localized fatty zone situated outside the colon wall with a high attenuating dot point that corresponds to central necrosis of the epiploic appendix.

Single-Incision Laparoscopy Could Be Better than Standard Laparoscopy in Right Colectomy for Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Human natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is slowed down by technical hurdles. Concomitantly, single-incision laparoscopy has been increasingly reported as an alternative. By reducing the invasiveness of standard laparoscopy, we may further reduce postoperative pain, decrease morbidity, preserve abdominal wall, and enhance cosmesis. Such techniques have been widely applied, including in colorectal surgery. The aim of this multicenter study is to compare the results of single-incision right colectomy (SIRC) with the results of the standard laparoscopic right colectomy (SLRC) in patients with colon cancer. METHODS: The files of patients who underwent right colectomy for cancer in five hospitals between January 2010 and December 2013 have been reviewed. Exclusion criteria were open surgery, emergency setting, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >3. Patients were distributed in Groups A (SIRC) or B (SLRC). RESULTS: Five hundred ninety-two patients were included in this study, 336 in Group A and 256 in Group B. Mean operative time was 129.0 minutes (range 65-245) in Group A and 168.1 minutes in the Group B (range 70-290), respectively (P < .001). No mortality occurred in either group. The overall 30-day morbidity rates were 21.4% in Group A and 25% in Group B, respectively (P = .64). The median length of hospital stay was 4.95 days (range 3-14) in Group A and 5.5 days in Group B (range 3-12), respectively (P = .28). Conversion to laparotomy occurred in four patients in each group (P = 1). Length of skin incision was significantly shorter in Group A than in Group B (2.99 ± 0.63 cm versus 4.94 ± 0.65 cm, P < .001). Histological analysis of the operative specimens showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: SIRC is feasible and sure for patients with colon cancer. As compared with SLRC, SIRC may offer some advantages, including lower operative morbidity, shorter hospital stay, and better cosmoses, without compromising the oncological quality of the resected specimen.