Diabetes and Cancer: Metabolic Association, Therapeutic Challenges, and the Role of Natural Products
Authors : Wamidh H. Talib 1,Asma Ismail Mahmod 1,Sara Feras. Abuarab 1,Eliza Hasen 1,Amer A. Munaim 1,Shatha Khaled Haif 1,Amani Marwan Ayyash 1,Samar Khater 1,Intisar Hadi AL-Yasari 2 andLina T. Al Kury 3ORCID
Abstract : Cancer is considered the second leading cause of death worldwide and in 2018 it was responsible for approximately 9.6 million deaths. Globally, about one in six deaths are caused by cancer. A strong correlation was found between diabetes mellitus and carcinogenesis with the most evident correlation was with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Research has proven that elevated blood glucose levels take part in cell proliferation and cancer cell progression. However, limited studies were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of conventional therapies in diabetic cancer patients. In this review, the correlation between cancer and diabetes will be discussed and the mechanisms by which the two diseases interact with each other, as well as the therapeutics challenges in treating patients with diabetes and cancer with possible solutions to overcome these challenges. Natural products targeting both diseases were discussed with detailed mechanisms of action. This review will provide a solid base for researchers and physicians to test natural products as adjuvant alternative therapies to treat cancer in diabetic patients. View Full-Text
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Evaluation of the effect of video tutorial training on improving pharmacy students' knowledge and skills about medication reconciliation
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Abstract : Objectives:
This study aimed to describe the effect of using an innovative teaching strategy using a video tutorial on enhancing students’ knowledge about medication reconciliation, and skills in identifying medication discrepancies.
Methods:
This is a one group pre-post interventional study that was conducted at the School of Pharmacy at Applied Science Private University. Sixty pharmacy students were invited to attend an educational sessions that involve watching a 6-minutes video tutorial. The first two levels of the Kirkpatrick’s Model were used to evaluate the effectiveness of this training tool. Level 1 (Reaction) was assessed using a satisfaction questionnaire, while level 2 (Learning) was assessed using two criteria: 1) student acquired knowledge about medication reconciliation using a questionnaire and a knowledge score out of 13 was calculated for each student, and 2) student acquired skills in identifying medication discrepancies using a virtual case scenario. If the student was able to identify any of the four impeded discrepancies he/she rewarded 1 point for each identified discrepancy, but if they identified any incorrect discrepancy they scored a negative point.
Results:
Among the 60 students who registered to participate in the study, 49 attended the educational training (response rate 81.6%). The majority of them (n=44, 89.8%) were satisfied with the training process. Before the video tutorial, students showed an overall low knowledge score [4.08/13.0, SD 1.81], and low ability to identify discrepancies [0.72 identified discrepancies out of 4.0, SD 1.1]. Following the video tutorial, the overall knowledge score was improved (p<0.001), and students were able to identify more discrepancies after watching the video (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, video education has shown itself to be an effective method to educate pharmacy students.. This visualized method can be applied to other areas within pharmacy education. We encourage the integration of videos within the learning process to enhance students’ learning experience and to support the traditional learning provided by the teaching staff.
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Factors influencing career choice among undergraduate pharmacy students at a private university in Jordan
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Abstract : Background: Studies have explored potential reasons given by students in selection of the pharmacy profession as a career. These include the determination to help people, desire to be involved in the healthcare system and an interest in science subjects. There is a dearth of literature pertaining to the subject in Jordanian pharmacy students.
Aim: The study explored students’ perceived reasons for selecting pharmacy as a career, factors affecting career preferences and the role of university in decision-making regarding career.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected undergraduate students studying the pharmacy degree programme at the Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan. The study used a specially designed and validated questionnaire that documented the reasons given by students for choosing pharmacy degree as a major, most preferred career option, and factors affecting students’ career preference. Data were analysed using SPSS.
Results: A total of 250 students responded to the survey. The mean age of respondents was 21.96±5.38 years and 68.8% were females. Students mentioned family support (60%) and willingness to work in reputable profession (83.5%) as reasons to study pharmacy. Female students (30.8%) preferred to work in academia and hospital (p=0.043) while male students preferred working as medical sales representative (16.7%) and in the pharmaceutical industry (14.1%). Almost 50% agreed that the university provided sufficient information and work experience that influenced their career selection.
Conclusion: Several factors influenced students’ choice to study pharmacy and select a career. Students became more decisive about their career over the five-year curriculum. Students mentioned university education in defining their career selection. Gender was a determinant of students’ pharmacy career preferences.
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In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of the Wound Healing Potential of the Extracts of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) Grown in Jordan
Authors : Nour Aboalhaija1, Fatma Afifi2, Maysa Al-Hussaini3, M. Al-najjar2, Rana Abu-Dahab4, Eliza Hasen2, Maha Rashed4, Sara Abdel Haq5 and E. Khalil5*
Abstract : The aim of this study was to assess the wound healing potential of Schinus molle L. aqueous and ethanol extracts. First, the antimicrobial activity of Schinus molle extracts was tested against six microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis and Citrobacter freundii). The growth of Citrobacter freundii and Enterococcus faecalis was totally inhibited by the aqueous extract at the lowest tested concentration (1.56 mg/mL). Next, in vitro wound healing assays were performed using human fibroblast cells’ proliferation and scratch tests. Based on the obtained promising results, the aqueous extracts were further tested in an in vivo excision wound model in rats. Animals were treated with a hydrogel formula enriched with the plant aqueous extract in two different concentrations (2 % and 5 %). Re-epithelialization, fibrosis and neovascularization of the epidermis and sub-epidermal cells in the regenerated tissue was observed, accompanied by an increase in the tensile strength of the skin of the rats treated with the plant aqueous extract when compared to the negative control group. Our results strongly support the use of Schinus molle aqueous extracts in topical formulations to promote wound healing.
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