bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multifold Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Communities in Nepal
Authors: Khatiwada Padma Prasad 
Published: June 2021

This paper brings out the pressing issue of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its multifold impact on the vulnerable communities such as women, children, elderly people, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups in Nepal. The study identifies the groups corresponding with the kinds of problems and effects in relation to caste/ethnicity, gender, and age. It also categorizes groups in terms of socio-economic conditions such as employment, income, livelihood, access to basic food, shelter, health and education. The analyses based on these issues contribute to highlighting the protection measures for reducing the level of vulnerability. Both the primary and secondary data were collected through desk review and telephonic interviews among the selected women and underprivileged people of the study area. Findings of this study suggest that the pandemic has serious effects that have been seen on vulnerable communities in the area. Curtailment, reduction and/or stop of regular salary or income of the employees from enterprising sectors can have lasting impact on the overall livelihoods of the vulnerable groups unless they are offered special packages to promote their conditions. The research indicates the pandemic as a humanitarian crisis. In such a crisis, only legal treatment and actions may have adverse effects on the poor and helpless people who have lost their resources due to unavoidable situations like lockdown, prohibition order, and insecurity of their jobs.
Comparative Study of Liver Function and Rh Blood Group between both Physiological and Pathological Neonatal Jaundice
Authors: N. Kamal Ayia , Hassan Ali F. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Backgrounds: Jaundice occurs in most newborn due to increased bilirubin concentration. Jaundice is observed during the first week after birth in approximately 60% of term neonates. A high level of bilirubin is neurotoxic and may cause neonatal kernicterus, auditory neuropathy or death.
Objectives: to compare the Rh group compatibility, serum bilirubin (total and direct), serum albumin and several liver enzymes between physiological and pathological neonatal jaundice
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study for one hundred neonates with jaundice divided into group 1: 50 newborns with physiological jaundice, Group 2: 50 newborns with pathological jaundice. Blood samples taken from each patient use to determination of Rh Group and blood group, serum bilirubin (total and direct, liver enzymes and albumin concentration. Results: in the present study Rh Compatibility show a significant relationship between newborns with physiological and pathological jaundice (p<0.05). Serum bilirubin (total and direct), serum albumin concentration and several liver enzymes were significantly higher when compare newborns with pathological jaundice with newborns of physiological jaundice (p<0.05).
Conclusion: these finding demonstrate that newborns with pathological jaundice have higher concentrations of these parameters as compared with physiological jaundice .
Correlation between serum carnitine level and Soluble Receptors for Advance Glycation End Products(sRAGE) in Clomiphene Citrate Resistant- PCOS Women
Authors: NAJI Nabigh A , Ali Shatha H , Farhan Fatin S. 
Published: June 2021

The most frequently diagnosed condition in women at the age of reproduction is the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).it could be related to a complex endocrine condition, due to its heterogeneity and uncertainty about its etiology, as the clinical highlights of PCOS incorporate those related to reproductive signs such as decreased frequency of ovulation, irregular menstrual cycles, decreased fertility. Carnitine plays a substantial role in weight loss, glucose tolerance, insulin function and fatty acid metabolism. Thus carnitine plays a crucial role in controlling obesity, insulin resistance, oxidative stress that are associated with PCOS .While, AGEs are a diverse group of reactive molecules that are formed endogenously by non-enzymatic reactions of carbonyl group of carbohydrates with free amino groups of proteins, nucleic acids or lipids. The soluble form of receptors of AGE (sRAGE) could play an important role in management obesity, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, oxidative stress which could be related to PCOS. This study was aimed to investigate serum levels of carnitine & soluble receptors for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in clomiphene resistant PCOS .Besides assessing the correlation between serum levels of carnitine ,as well as, soluble receptors of AGE with hormonal ( LH, FSH& Testosterone) and metabolic ( serum glucose , serum insulin & HOMA-IR) markers in these patients .
The study included thirty women with clomiphene resistant PCOS and thirty apparently healthy women, as a control .In order to measure serum total carnitine and serum soluble receptor of advance glycation end product (sRAGE in PCOS and control groups.
The results of our study have shown a decreased serum levels of total carnitine in PCOS group in comparison with control group (48.05 and 59.73 nmol/ml, respectively), but there was no significant elevation in serum levels of sRAGE in patients group as compared with control group .In addition to a significant correlation between serum total carnitine and serum sRAGE levels (r=0.45, P-value=0.03).
In conclusion serum total carnitine level was low in Clomiphene resistant-PCOS patients in comparison with control group. Although, sRAGE levels in clomiphene resistant- PCOS patients were not significantly different from the age and BMI-matching controls, but a significant correlation between serum total carnitine and sRAGE was detected.
Key words: Poly cystic ovarian syndrome, soluble receptor of advance glycation end products (sRAGE) , SerumTotal Carnitine
Solubility and Dissolution Enhancement of Ebastine by Surface Solid Dispersion Technique
Authors: Hussein Lna S. , Al-Khedairy Eman B. H. 
Published: June 2021

Ebastine (EBS) is a non-sedating antihistamine with a long duration of action. This drug has predominantly hydrophobic property causing a low solubility and low bioavailability. Surface solid dispersions (SSD) is an effective technique for improving the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs by using hydrophilic water insoluble carriers.
The present study aims to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of EBS by using surface solid dispersion technique. Avicel® PH101, Avicel® PH 102, croscarmellose sodium(CCS) and sodium starch glycolate(SSG) were used as water insoluble hydrophilic carriers.
The SSD formulations of EBS were prepared by the solvent evaporation method in different drug: carrier weight ratios and evaluated for their percentage yield, drug content , water solubility, dissolution study in 0.1 N HCl, crystal lattice using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for determination the drug-carrier interaction.
Most of the prepared SSD formulas showed improvement of drug solubility. The best result was obtained with formula SSD16 (EBS:CCS 1:15) that showed high percentage yield (98.5%), high drug content (98.39%) and 8.2 fold increase in solubility compared to solubility of pure drug with improved dissolution rate. The drug was converted to amorphous form without chemical interaction with the carrier.
Regulation of Appetite and Satiety by Gastrointestinal Peptides
Authors: H. Mhaibes Sarah , K. Fakree Najwan , I. Naser Sonia 
Published: June 2021

In recent decades, global obesity has increased significantly, causing a major health problem with associated complications and major socioeconomic issues. The central nervous system (CNS), particularly the hypothalamus, regulates food intake through sensing the metabolic signals of peripheral organs and modulating feeding behaviors. The hypothalamus interacts with other brain regions such as the brain stem to perform these vital functions. The gut plays a crucial role in controlling food consumption and energy homeostasis. The gut releases orexigenic and anorexigenic hormones that interact directly with the CNS or indirectly through vagal afferent neurons. Gastrointestinal peptides (GIP) including cholecystokinin, peptide YY, Nesfatin-1, glucagon-like peptide 1, and oxyntomodulin send satiety signals to the brain and ghrelin transmit hunger signals to the brain. The GIP is essential for the control of food consumption; thus, explain the link between the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the brain is important for managing obesity and its associated diseases. This review aimed to explain the role of gut peptides in satiety and hunger control.
Evaluating Patient Safety Culture in Iraqi Community Pharmacies
Authors: Jasim Basma S. , Y. Jamal Mohammed 
Published: June 2021

Patient safety is the main issue in health care organization, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality defines it as, “freedom from accidental or preventable injuries produced by medical care. Thus, practices or interventions that improve patient safety are those that reduce the occurrence of preventable adverse events”. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Iraqi pharmacist perception about the culture of patient safety. As well as estimate whether safety is a principal issue in their pharmaceutical practice this study was carried out on 435 pharmacists who are working in community pharmacies in various Iraqi provinces. A survey was distributed via the internet during the period from May to June 2020. A community pharmacy questionnaire was used to evaluate the awareness of pharmacists regarding the culture of patient safety. A result of this study shows that the patient counseling field was the most positive one among the studied domains with score 68.8% of positive awareness and 70.4% of the pharmacists indicated that they inform patients with needed information about their new prescriptions. In contrast, staffing and work pressure scored the lowest positive response (36.55%). Although 66.7% of the participants stated they have the appropriate number of staff in their pharmacies to deal with the workload.
Comparing the Effects of Lavender Oil and Olive Oil Massage on Pain due to Muscular Cramp during Hemodialysis
Authors: Imani Asad , Saeedi abo-s-haghi Mohsen , Alidadi Mohammad , Shafiei Elham 
Published: June 2021

Background: Pain due to muscular cramp during hemodialysis is one of the most common problems experienced by patient undergoing hemodialysis, and is associated with poor outcomes of patients. The main aim of this study was to comparing the effects of lavender oil and olive oil massage on Pain due to muscular cramp during hemodialysis.
Methods: In this random clinical trial, 60 hemodialysis patients were enrolled randomly and allocated to two groups with 30 members in Lordegan and Brojen hospitals, Shahrekord, Iran. The intervention included flora massage on the lower leg muscles so that the first group received olive oil massage (10 drops) and the second group received lavender oil massage (10 drops) for four weeks. After a tow week washout period, the groups were interchanged. The collected data was analyzed in SPSS (v.22) using repeated measure ANOVA and paired t-test.
Findings: Pain due to muscular cramp in the lavender group was significantly less than that of the olive oil group in the 2nd (p<0.001), 3rd (p<0.001), and 4th (P<0.019) weeks of intervention.
Conclusion: Pain due to muscular cramp in hemodialysis patients can be attenuated with lower leg massage using olive oil and lavender oil. Lavender oil was more effective than olive oil.
Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Meloxicam Solid Dispersion using Natural Polymers.
Authors: ALhassani Hiba Radhi , B. H. Al-Khedairy Eman 
Published: June 2021

Meloxicam (MLX) is non-steroidal anti -inflammatory, poorly water soluble, highly permeable drug and the rate of its oral absorption is often controlled by the dissolution rate in the gastrointestinal tract. Solid dispersion (SD) is an effective technique for enhancing the solubility and dissolution rate of such drug.
The present study aims to enhance the solubility and the dissolution rate of MLX by SD technique by solvent evaporation method using sodium alginate (SA), hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen and xyloglucan (XG) as gastro-protective hydrophilic natural polymers.
Twelve formulas were prepared in different drug: polymer ratios and evaluated for their, percentage yield, drug content, water solubility, dissolution, crystal lattice using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and studies and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for determination the drug-polymer interaction.
All the prepared showed improvement of drug solubility except that prepared with HA. The best result was obtained with formula SD1 (MLX: SA 1:1) that showed a high percentage yield (97), high drug content (97.4±0.05) and increase in solubility compared to solubility of pure MLX with improved dissolution rate. the PXRD study revealed the conversion of the drug to amorphous form without chemical interaction according to FTIR results
The Investigation of Some Phytochemical Compounds Found in Anchusa strigosa L. Grown Naturally in Iraq
Authors: Ghalib Suroor A. , J. Kadhim Enass 
Published: June 2021

Anchusa strigosa L.: Hardy annual biennial or perennial herb, with hairs especially on the leaves., flowers generally regular. Commonly named (Lisan Althour) in Iraq, from Boraginaceae family. The plant contains phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, and terpenoids. The Whole plant part defatted with n-hexane for 24 hours. The defatted plant material extracted using absolute methanol by Soxhlet apparatus for 24 hours, the extract fractionated by solvents of different polarity: petroleum ether- chloroform - ethylacetate- and n-butanol respectively. The n-butanol fraction hydrolyzed with 10% HCl for 5 hours by reflex to break down the glycosidic linkage. Rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, genistein, and silybin were isolated from ethyl acetate fraction by preparative layer chromatography which identified by high performance liquid chromatography HPLC, Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra, thin- layer chromatography TLC and melting point. Since the plant contain alkaloids so acid- base extraction performed for crude extract resulting from the maceration of the plant parts in methanol (cold method) to obtain the alkaloid that isolated by preparative layer chromatography and then identified by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra and thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
The aim of this research was to carry out a phytochemical study of this plant since no previous phytochemical investigation work had been done on this species in Iraq.
The Pharmacological Effects of Kappa Carrageenan on Different Human Cell Lines and Genomic DNA: An in vitro study
Authors: Ali Aseel J. , Abdulla Hajer I. , Al-Nimer Marwan S. 
Published: June 2021

Carrageenan extract is a compound of sulfated polyglycan that is taken out from red seaweeds. Being hydrocolloid in nature, carrageenan has gelling, emulsifying and thickening properties allowing it to be commonly used in the oral healthcare products and cosmetics. Due to its bioactive compounds, carrageenan has been shown to have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor properties. The purpose of this work is to study the probable use of carrageenan on the diseases that are related to oral cavity and on the genomic DNA in in vitro experimental model
In this study, the effects of k-carrageenan on four different cell lines related to the cancer and normal cells which cultured on selective media were done. Moreover, the effect of K-carrageenan on the DNA molecule using an in vitro model was investigated in order to explain the antiproliferative effect of carrageenan. Kappa-carrageenan inhibited the cancer cell growth and fibroblast cell lines growth (in vitro) experimental model. In additionk-carrageenan solution completely and significantly damaged the DNA molecule by the evidence that the mean ± SD absorbance of the mixture of k-carrageenan and DNA solution is 0.0 ± 0.0. This study shows that the k-carrageenan pharmaceutical preparations exert biological activities as anticancer in vitro studies.
Formulation and Characterization of Felodipine as an Oral Nanoemulsions
Authors: B. Hamed Sumaya , N. Abd Alhammid Shaimaa 
Published: June 2021

Felodipine is a calcium-channel blocker with low aqueous solubility and bioavailability. Lipid dosage forms are attractive delivery systems for such hydrophobic drug molecules. Nanoemulsion (NE) is one of the popular methods that has been used to solve the dispersibility problems of many drugs. Felodipine was formulated as a NE utilizing oleic acid as an oil phase, tween 80 and tween 60 as surfactants and ethanol as a co-surfactant. Eight formulas were prepared, and different tests were performed to ensure the stability of the NEs, such as particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, dilution test, drug content, viscosity and in-vitro drug release. Results of characterization showed that felodipine nanoemulsion (F3) with (oleic acid 10%) ,(Smix 60% of tween80 :ethanol in a ratio of 3:1), (DDW 30%) was selected as the best formula, since it has a particle size of (17.01)nm, low PDI (0.392), zeta potential (-22.34mV), good dilution without drug precipitation , higher percent of drug content (99.098%) with acceptable viscosity , and complete release of the drug after (45 min.) with significantly higher (P<0.05) dissolution rate in comparison with the pure drug powder. The selected formula (F3) subjected to further investigations as drug and excipient compatibility study by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) The outcomes of the (FTIR) explain that the distinctive peaks for felodipine were not affected by other components and displayed the same functional group's band with very slight shifting. This indicates that there was no interaction between felodipine and other NE components. Therefore, these excipients were found to be compatible with felodipine. In conclusion, the NE was found to be an efficient method to enhance the dispersibility and permeatioins of drugs that have poor water solubility (lipophilic drugs).
Formulation and Characterization of Isradipine Nanoparticle for Dissolution Enhancement
Authors: Hussien Rawaa M. , M. Ghareeb Mowafaq 
Published: June 2021

Isradipine belong to dihydropyridine (DHP) class of calcium channel blockers (CCBs). It is used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, in addition to Parkinson disease. It goes under the BCS class II drug (low solubility-high permeability). The drug will experience extensive first-pass metabolism in liver, therefore, oral bio-availability will be approximately15 to 24 %.

The aim of this study was to formulate and optimize a stable nanoparticles of a highly hydrophobic drug, isradipine by anti-solvent microprecipitation Method to achieve the higher in vitro dissolution rate, so that it will be absorbed by intestinal lymphatic transport in order to avoid hepatic first-pass metabolism and improve drug bioavailability.

Twenty one formulas of Isradipine nanoparticles were prepared by antisolvent precipitation method utilizing one of these polymers (Poloxamer 188, PVP-k30, HPMC E5, PVA, Poloxamer 407, and Soluplus) at different drugs: polymer ratios. The polymer type, the drug to polymer ratio, ultrasonication power and the effect of addition of co-stabilizer on the particle size, and polydispersity index (PDI) were investigated.

Among all the prepared nanoparticles formulas, formula (F9) which contain Soluplus as a stabilizer at polymer: drug ratio of (1:0.75) and solvent: antisolvent ratio of (1:9) was considered as the optimum formula which shows good evaluation parameters in addition to the increment in the solubility to about 10 times than that of the pure drug. The investigations of the drug–excipients compatibility studies by FTIR and DSC, crystalline state by P-XRD, surface morphology by SEM were done. Moreover, the analysis by DSC and SEM of the nanoparticles of the selected formula (F12) indicate a reduction in the crystallinity and amorphization of the drug. It can be concluded that the dissolution rate of Isradipine was significantly increased through particle size reduction to nanosize.
Knowledge and Perception of Iraqi Pharmacists Towards Biosimilar Medicines
Authors: J. Mohammed Ashwaq , Kadhim Dheyaa J. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Biosimilars are non-innovative copy versions of biologic medicines which are proven to be clinically equivalent to, as effective and as safe as their reference biologics. Biosimilars creates opportunities for cost savings for payers, governments, and patients compared with the reference products. Pharmacist plays an essential role in developing biosimilar medicines from manufacturing to post-marketing pharmacovigilance monitoring. The aim of the current study was to explore the level of knowledge, behaviors and practices of a sample of Iraqi pharmacists towards biosimilar medicines. The current study was a cross sectional, carried out during May 2020. A total of 264 pharmacists )143 male, 121 female) were involved in this study. A web-based self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection . Regarding pharmacists’ knowledge of biosimilar medicines, the results showed that two questions received the highest percentages of adequate answers: biosimilar medicine requires preclinical and clinical studies (58.0%) and biosimilar medicines require more comprehensive data compared to generic drugs (56.1%). In contrast, marketing authorization of biosimilar medicines is granted on the sole investigation of pharmacokinetic bioequivalence received the lowest percentage of adequate answers (21.6%). In addition, the current study showed that more experience years and male gender associated with better knowledge. With respect to perceptions of pharmacists about biosimilar medicines, two statements received the highest percentage of pharmacist agreements: biosimilar medicines are tested in terms of efficacy and safety (64.4%) and biosimilar prescription allows for reducing costs (64.4%). At the same time, 40.2% of the participating pharmacists agreed with pharmacist replacing a reference biologic medicines with its biosimilar product. In conclusion, the majority of the surveyed pharmacists had insufficient knowledge towards biosimilar medicines. The study highlighted that Iraqi pharmacists needed more accurate comprehensive information concerning biosimilar medicines.
Possible Protective Effects of Lutein against Ciprofloxacin Induced Bone Marrow Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Khudhair Alaa R. , Al-Shawi Nada N 
Published: June 2021

Ciprofloxacin, which is a second generation of fluoroquinolone and one of the most effective and widely used drugs within fluoroquinolone. Unfamiliar adverse effects of ciprofloxacin such as bone marrow (BM) suppression, thrombocytopenia, anemia, agranulocytosis, renal failure, and others observed. Lutein, is a xanthophyll (an oxygenated carotenoid), was focused by most studies as it has a strong antioxidant activity in vitro; and also, it has been associated with reducing the risk of the age-related disorders. The current study was designed to describe the role of apoptosis through the measurement of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) marker, as mechanisms of bone marrow toxicity induced by ciprofloxacin and to find whether lutein may have protective effects on ciprofloxacin-induced toxicity in bone marrow of rats. Ciprofloxacin (Group II) caused significant (P<0.05) reduction in total RBCs counts and -WBCs, and significantly elevations (P<0.05) Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in bone marrow (BM) tissues homogenates compared to control (Group I) rats.