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The substantial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased feelings of fear and uncertainty. The contagious nature and high mortality associated with the disease has caused psychological distress, depression, stress, and anxiety among the general population, including pregnant women. 1,2 The COVID-19 pandemic affects pregnant women's perceptions, appetite, psychosocial behavior, and sleep patterns, which in turn may impact the physical and cognitive development of their newborn babies. 3 This has resulted in myriad issues for overburdened health systems trying to provide appropriate medical and mental health care. 4-6 Pakistan, a low-income country, has been slow to recognize maternal health conditions; therefore, these are unrecognized and undertreated. 7,8 The present study highlights sociodemographic factors, psychological impact, levels of depression (no depression, possible depression, and maximum depression) and anxiety, lack of appetite, and sleep disturbances among pregnant women in Lahore, Pakistan, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study on pregnant women visiting the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, was conducted from August 6-20, 2020; a consecutive sampling technique (non-probability) was used. Pregnant women were included irrespective of their gestational period and parity, whereas pregnant women with psychiatric disorders and co-morbidities were excluded from the study. A total of 600 pregnant women were selected for this study. Among the study group, 552 (92%) responded and were included for further analysis. Psychological impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic was measured using the Kessler-10 scale (K-10), 9 and depression and anxiety were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). 10 Research data were evaluated using SPSS version 22.0

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Background and Purpose: Chronic neuropathic pain (NEP) is associated with growing therapeutic cannabis use. To promote quality of life without psychotropic effects, cannabinoids other than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabidiol, including cannabidiol and its precursor cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), are being evaluated. Due to its instability, CBDA has been understudied, particularly as an anti-nociceptive agent. Adding a methyl ester group (CBDA-ME) significantly enhances its stability, facilitating analyses of its analgesic effects in vivo. This study examines early treatment efficacy of CBDA-ME in a rat model of peripherally induced NEP and evaluates sex as a biological variable.Experimental Approach: After 14 consecutive days of intraperitoneal CBDA-ME administration at 0.01, 0.1 and 1 μgÁkg −1 , commencing 1 day after surgically implanting a sciatic nerve-constricting cuff to induce NEP, the anti-nociceptive efficacy of this cannabinoid was assessed in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats relative to vehicle-treated counterparts. In females, 2 and 4 μgÁkg −1 daily doses of CBDA-ME were also evaluated. Behavioural tests were performed for hind paw mechanical and thermal withdrawal thresholds once a week for 8 weeks. At endpoint, in vivo electrophysiological recordings were obtained to characterize soma threshold changes in primary sensory neurons. Key Results:In males, CBDA-ME elicited a significant concentration-dependent chronic anti-hyperalgesic effect, also influencing both nociceptive and nonnociceptive mechanoreceptors, which were not observed in females at any of the concentrations tested. Conclusion and Implications:Initiating treatment of a peripheral nerve injury with CBDA-ME at an early stage post-surgery provides anti-nociception in males, warranting further investigation into potential sexual dimorphisms underlying this response.