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The CRISPR-Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)) and the associated protein (Cas9) system, a young but well-studied genome-editing tool, holds plausible solutions to a wide range of genetic disorders. The single-guide RNA (sgRNA) with a 20-base user-defined spacer sequence and the Cas9 endonuclease form the core of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. This sgRNA can direct the Cas9 nuclease to any genomic region that includes a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) just downstream and matches the spacer sequence. The current challenge in the clinical applications of CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology is the potential off-target effects that can cause DNA cleavage at the incorrect sites. Off-target genome editing confuses and diminishes the therapeutic potential of CRISPR-Cas9 in addition to potentially casting doubt on scientific findings regarding the activities of genes. In this review, we summarize the recent technological advancements in reducing the off-target effect of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed at assessing dispensing malpractice at pharmacies, drug stores and drug vendors in South Gondar zone.Methodology: A cross-sectional study design with a descriptive approach was applied from April 1 to June 30. The data was collected using the simulated patient method. Seven prescription-only medicines and a diarrheal case were requested during visit. All drug retail outlets in South Gondar zone that were in service during data collection were visited.Results: Almost all prescription-only medications were dispensed without prescription at all community drug retail outlets. Of all the dispensaries, 19 (82.6%) provided a partial dosage regimen of amoxicillin. Presence of fever and pregnancy status were asked about by dispensers in only 8% and 20% of visits for diarrhea, respectively. Medication history was also rarely requested. Medication was dispensed in 80% of visits for diarrhea, all of which included antimicrobials. Oral rehydration salt was considered in only two (10%) dispensaries.Conclusion: Dispensing medications without a prescription is common in community drug retail outlets in South Gondar zone in Amhara Regional State. Our findings also showed that detailed assessments of patients' signs and symptoms are not performed properly by the dispensers to understand the diarrheal case. Training of pharmacy professionals and strict regulatory control are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: with COVID-19 vaccines being developed concurrently, it is clear that inadequate knowledge and poor attitudes among communities around the world provide a significant obstacle and continue to prevent the complete population from being immunized against highly contagious illnesses. The study's objective was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and barriers that healthcare professionals have towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire that was disseminated to health care professionals working in the South Gondar zone hospitals, in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. SPSS Statistics Version 25 was used to enter and evaluate the data that were gathered. To ascertain the relationship between independent and outcome variables, binary logistic analysis was performed. Results: a total of 450 respondents participated in the survey, and 90% of them completed and returned. The majority of the participants (94.44%) were aware of the COVID-19 vaccination. More than half of them (56.22%) had experience with COVID-19 treatment, and 54.7% had sufficient knowledge about COVID-19 immunization. The importance of the vaccine in maintaining population COVID-19 immunization coverage and in reducing COVID-19 incidence to prevent the onset of new epidemics, respectively, was positively viewed by more than two-thirds (74.43%) and 84.4% of the respondents, respectively. Furthermore, only 6.6% of respondents approved of pharmaceutical companies' advertising of the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: according to the current study, healthcare professionals had a promising view of COVID-19 immunization. However, the overall percentage of positive responses to the attitude questions was only 48.34%. Additionally, more than 76.67% of the respondents reported that if the community does not receive the COVID-19 vaccination, the incidence of the virus will greatly grow. However, only about half of the respondents had adequate knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fetuin-A is a plasma glycoprotein exhibiting multifaceted physiological and pathological functions. It has been determined to be involved in various essential biological functions, such as regulation of calcium metabolism, osteogenesis, and insulin signaling pathway. It also plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several disorders, including psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder caused by a constellation of environmental, immunogenic, and genetic factors. It has been shown that dysregulation of cytokines mediated immune response is responsible for the development of psoriasis. Several recent publications suggest that dysregulation of fetuin-A correlates with psoriasis disease activities, revealing its putative role in the development of psoriasis. Furthermore, clinical application of fetuin-A as a diagnostic marker, prognostic predictor, and therapeutic target for different clinical conditions is in progress, and some are showing promising outcomes. This review primarily focuses on the current understanding of the role of fetuin-A in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and its potential clinical applications, with a brief highlight of psoriasis epidemiology and burden. The information was gathered systematically from various journals via electronic searches using various search engines: PubMed, Google Scholar, HINARI, and Cochrane Library from inception to 2022. The studies involved were restricted to English language. Conversely, articles written in other languages, studies done on fetuin B, or studies conducted on other dermatological diseases were excluded from the review article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]