Objectives: Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells is the gold standard for antinuclear antibody (ANA) screening, followed by antigen-specific confirmation using immunoassays such as immunoblot (IB) and ELISA. This study aimed to compare antigen-specific ANA/ENA results obtained by these three methods. Materials and methods: Serum samples from 100 individuals (mean age...
The National Formulary plays a critical role in promoting rational drug use and controlling healthcare costs within Indonesia’s National Health Insurance system. Ensuring compliance with formulary restrictions, including prescriber authorization criteria, is essential to maintain prescribing quality, patient safety, and financial sustainability. However, evidence regarding...
Antibiotic use in outpatient settings accounts for the majority of overall antibiotic consumption, yet inappropriate prescribing and drug-related problems (DRPs) remain prevalent and underreported. Conducting a scoping review on antibiotic-related DRPs in outpatients is essential to comprehensively map existing evidence, identify gaps, and inform targeted interventions aimed at...
Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications enable self-care but require accurate counseling to prevent misuse, particularly in multilingual settings with limited health literacy. Pharmacists provide expert guidance; however, time constraints hinder comprehensive interactions. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) models such as ChatGPT-4.5 offer potential as decision...
This review summarizes the current knowledge of biologically active flavonoids and saponins from the genus Chenopodium. Information was gathered through comprehensive searches of leading scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, covering literature up to March 2026. The article provides a detailed analysis of the biological activities of 55 compounds (25...
Choosing the nursing profession is a complex process in which individual motivational factors intersect with societal needs, particularly in the context of increasing demands on nursing staff and a chronic shortage of healthcare professionals. This study aims to analyze the motives and attitudes influencing the choice of the nursing profession among students at the Medical...
Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) plant-based medicinal products are widely used in pediatric self-care, yet evidence on what drives parental product choice remains limited, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. Understanding these decision drivers matters not only for counseling quality and safer self-medication but also for clarifying how community pharmacies function as...
Antimicrobial resistance is a fatal health crisis imposing a significant clinical and economic burden. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was submitted through social media platforms to medical and pharmacy students in Iraq from July to August 2025. Among 394 students from 13 universities, pharmacy students constituted 70.8% of the sample. Overall, 58.1% demonstrated...
Three benzophenones (annulatophenone Hd15, annulatophenonoside Hd21, and acetylannulatophenonoside Hd22) isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum annulatum Moris were evaluated for their neuroprotective properties. All compounds demonstrated significant neuroprotection in an in vitro 6-hydroxydopamine model using isolated rat brain synaptosomes. Annulatophenone Hd15 exhibited...
Excipients are inactive substances required for the preparation of pharmaceutical forms. The efficacy, safety, and quality of syrup formulations depend on their composition, including excipients. Oral H1 antihistamine syrup formulations are most commonly used for pediatric and geriatric populations. Forty-one oral H1 antihistamine syrup formulations were initially identified. Of...
The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and its ability to form biofilms necessitate alternative antimicrobial strategies. In this study, two lytic bacteriophages infecting E. coli were isolated from freshwater samples collected from the Al-Zarqa River in Jordan and characterized phenotypically. Transmission electron microscopy identified both phages as...
Fentanyl is a highly potent and lipophilic μ-opioid receptor agonist associated with severe neurorespiratory toxicity and a growing incidence of overdose. Although naloxone remains the standard antidote, its relatively short half-life and exclusively pharmacodynamic mechanism of action may limit its efficacy in intoxications involving highly lipophilic opioids. The aim of this...
Periodontal regeneration remains a primary objective in the management of periodontal defects, aiming to restore lost tissues such as alveolar bone, root cementum, and the periodontal ligament. Biologically guided approaches have enhanced treatment predictability by harnessing the molecular mechanisms of wound healing, with enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) representing a key...
This study examined the anti-invasive, immunomodulatory, and redox-modulating properties of betulinic acid (BA) and its ionic liquid derivative, [LysOEt][BA]2, in breast cancer and immune cell models. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of BA or [LysOEt][BA]2 to evaluate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and matrix metalloproteinase-2...
Rivaroxaban (RIV) is an orally active, selective, direct factor Xa inhibitor used for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and other thromboembolic disorders. This research developed RIV-loaded transferosomes as a non-invasive option for individuals who cannot administer oral anticoagulants. Twenty RIV...
Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dysregulated monoamine metabolism are key mechanisms underlying neuronal damage in neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine and its derivatives have attracted interest due to their antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. This study evaluated the in vitro neuroprotective potential of five caffeine...
Introduction: The medicines verification system was introduced in the European Union to prevent the entry of falsified medicines into the legal supply chain. Bulgaria is an integral part of the European Medicines Verification System (EMVS), maintaining its national repository through the Bulgarian Medicines Verification Organization (BgMVO). Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of...
The density and adaptation of the apical plug material during endodontic treatment of immature teeth are critical for minimizing microleakage and ensuring dimensional stability. This study assessed how different condensation techniques affect the micro-CT-measured density of apical plugs created with Well-Root™ PT. Apical plugs (5 mm thick) were created in 48 identical 3D-printed...
Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare neuromuscular disorder associated with a substantial clinical burden, high supportive-care needs, and a major economic impact. The introduction of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) has transformed the management of SMA, but questions remain regarding their real-world effectiveness and economic value. Objective: To conduct a...
Inappropriate antibiotic use during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations (AECOPD) drives antimicrobial resistance and preventable harm. Prescribing appropriateness was evaluated, associated factors were identified, with a prespecified focus on renal impairment, and a pharmacist-led intervention was assessed. In this two-phase study, 448 inpatient records...
Agrimonia eupatoria L. is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine in Bulgaria and other European countries. Recently, the volatile profile of the essential oil and infusion obtained from the dried aerial parts of A. eupatoria was analyzed, and their biological potential was determined through a multitarget in silico approach. Steam distillation, gas chromatography–mass...
Introduction: Food supplements (FSs) containing monacolins derived from red yeast rice (RYR) have become increasingly prevalent on the European Union (EU) market and are classified under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 as “Restricted substances” and “Substances under Community scrutiny”. Aim: This study aims to assess EU regulatory requirements for FSs containing monacolins from RYR...
This study aims to investigate the anti-diabetic activity of corn cob extract through laboratory experiments, testing its effects on malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), caspase-3, polymorphonuclear (PMN), pancreatic beta cell necrosis, and blood sugar in Wistar mice with diabetes mellitus (DM). The anti-diabetic activity of corn cobs was compared with metformin and a...
Diabetic wounds occur due to blood vessel disorders and prolonged infection, often leading to amputation if left untreated. The wound healing process can be expedited by shortening the inflammation period, thus mitigating infection and promoting proliferation. Avocado leaves (Persea americana Mill.) are excellent sources of bioactive compounds, such as tannins, alkaloids, and...
Compounding pharmacy addresses critical therapeutic gaps in sports medicine by enabling personalized formulations for injury management. This review synthesizes evidence on customized topical medications, particularly for advanced delivery systems, including iontophoresis and phonophoresis, which enhance localized drug delivery while minimizing systemic side effects that impair...