Artificial Intelligence Readiness, Perceptions, and Educational Needs Among Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: With Artificial Intelligence (AI) profoundly affecting education, ensuring that students in health disciplines are ready to embrace AI is essential for their future workforce integration. This study aims to explore dental students' readiness to use AI, perceptions about AI in health education and healthcare, and their AI-related educational needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among dental students at the College of Dental Medicine, Qatar University. The survey assessed readiness for AI using the Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale (MAIRS). Students' perceptions of AI in healthcare and health education and their educational needs were also explored. RESULTS: A total of 94 students responded to the survey. AI readiness scores were average (3.3 ± 0.64 out of 5); while participants appeared more ready for the vision and ethics domains of MAIRS, they showed less readiness regarding cognition and ability. Participants scored average on AI perceptions (3.35 ± 0.45 out of 5), with concerns regarding AI risks and disadvantages. They expressed a high need for knowledge and skills related to AI use in healthcare (84%), AI for health-related research (81.9%), and AI in radiology and imaging procedures (79.8%). Student readiness had a significant correlation with AI perceptions and perceived level of AI knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in Qatar exploring dental students' AI readiness, perceptions, and educational needs regarding AI applications in education and healthcare. The perceived AI knowledge gaps could inform future curricular AI integration. Advancing AI skills and deepening AI comprehension can empower future dental professionals through anticipated advances in the AI-driven healthcare landscape.

Associations between perceived occupational stressors and symptoms severity of depression, anxiety and stress among academic faculty: First cross-sectional study from Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Mental health concerns among university faculty are on the rise, with reports of anxiety, depression, and occupational stress, impacting the higher education community. In Qatar, an assessment of faculty mental health has not been previously realized. The objectives of the current study were twofold: Firstly, to evaluate the extent of perceived occupational stress, depression, anxiety, and stress, and secondly, to assess the association among these mental health parameters. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among faculty using an online, self-administered, anonymous, voluntary survey. All faculty were included by sending the survey to their institutional emails. In addition to faculty demographics and general health status, the survey measured perceived stress due to academic job roles using the Faculty Stress Index (FSI) with its five distinct domains, and assessed faculty mental health using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21). Modified Poisson regression with robust variance was used to assess how FSI influences levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. RESULTS: A total of 112 faculty responded to the survey. The highest faculty self-perceptions of mental health conditions were for anxiety (63% at least moderate), followed by depression (30% at least moderate), and least for stress (26% at least moderate). The overall mean FSI score was 48.8 ± 29.4; time constraint and rewards and recognition domains scored highest (18.5 ± 11.4 and 13.3 ± 9.3 respectively) while the departmental influence domain scored least (4.8 ± 4.4). Increased risk of at least moderate levels of self-perceived depression and stress were significantly associated with higher FSI score (p˂0.001). Increased risk of at least moderate levels of depression were less likely among faculty aged 50 years and above (p = 0.034), while increased risk of at least moderate levels of anxiety were more likely among faculty from humanities colleges (p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first investigation of university faculty mental health in Qatar, indicating multifactorial perceived occupational stress, associated with higher perceived severity of mental health conditions. These baseline results establish links between specific occupational stressors for faculty and their mental well-being. As such, assessment of mental health conditions, controlling occupational stress, and developing tailored mental health interventions for faculty, are strategic to implement and foster well-being of academics. Further research into mental health of faculty and designing effective interventions that consider their specific stressors and associated factors are warranted.

Pharmacy faculty experiences with student academic entitlement: a multinational study from the Arab world.

Academic Entitlement (AE) is the expectation by students to receive high grades or preferential treatment without significant effort. Exploring AE from faculty perspective has not been investigated in Arab colleges of pharmacy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions towards student AE among pharmacy faculty in the Arab World. A cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous, electronic survey was sent to pharmacy faculty across pharmacy colleges in Arab countries. The survey collected demographic data, an AE measure including 17 items reflecting seven AE components, and faculty perceptions and perceived reasons for AE. A total of 345 responses were collected. The AE level was moderate (46.05 ±7.29), and the highest scores among its components were for customer service expectation (62%) and responsibility avoidance (59%). In multiple linear regression, AE showed positive significant association with faculty in clinical pharmacy departments and those having fewer years of experience. Most common complaints heard by faculty from students were requests to turn in assignments late (90%), while the most common communication issues faculty faced with students were unprofessional verbal communication (58%) and unprofessional messages on social media (57%). Poor admission criteria (40%) and existence of multiple private colleges of pharmacy (37%) were the most common perceived reasons for AE by participating faculty. This study reveals moderate AE experienced by pharmacy faculty in the Arab World, as well as common complaints, communication issues, and AE reasons. In collaboration with other stakeholders, faculty play an important role in indicating expectations from students regarding AE, and research is warranted to check if such interventions reduce AE among pharmacy students.

Academic Entitlement Among Pharmacy Students in the Arab World: A Multi-National Exploratory Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study's aim was to explore academic entitlement among pharmacy students in different pharmacy colleges in the Arab World and assess associated factors. METHODS: This study design was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using a self-administered electronic questionnaire posted across pharmacy college networks in 10 Arab countries (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates). The electronic survey was administered through Qualtrics Survey Software, and its link was open from January 23, 2022 to May 13, 2022. The multiple linear regression measured the association between different predictors and the academic entitlement. RESULTS: A total of 2386 surveys were received from students studying in 10 different Arab countries. The majority of responding students were male and studying in a Bachelor of pharmacy program. Students reported an agreeable attitude in 4 areas: rewards for efforts, customer orientation, customer service expectation, and general academic entitlement. In accommodation, a neutral attitude was reported, while they reported a disagreeing attitude in the responsibility avoidance domain. In grade haggling, the 3 items of the domain had different attitudes. Only 3 factors had a significant negative association with student entitlement (professionalism, GPA, and year in the study program). CONCLUSION: The academic entitlement scores among pharmacy students in the Arab World were high and had a negative association with professionalism perceptions. This study finding is a call for pharmacy programs to consider the effect of academic entitlement on pharmacy education and to obtain in-depth evidence on its magnitude and associated factors.

Use of machine learning to assess factors affecting progression, retention, and graduation in first-year health professions students in Qatar: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Across higher education, student retention, progression, and graduation are considered essential elements of students' academic success. However, there is scarce literature analyzing these attributes across health professions education. The current study aims to explore rates of student retention, progression, and graduation across five colleges of the Health Cluster at Qatar University, and identify predictive factors. METHODS: Secondary longitudinal data for students enrolled at the Health Cluster between 2015 and 2021 were subject to descriptive statistics to obtain retention, progression and graduation rates. The importance of student demographic and academic variables in predicting retention, progression, or graduation was determined by a predictive model using XGBoost, after preparation and feature engineering. A predictive model was constructed, in which weak decision tree models were combined to capture the relationships between the initial predictors and student outcomes. A feature importance score for each predictor was estimated; features that had higher scores were indicative of higher influence on student retention, progression, or graduation. RESULTS: A total of 88% of the studied cohorts were female Qatari students. The rates of retention and progression across the studied period showed variable distribution, and the majority of students graduated from health colleges within a timeframe of 4-7 years. The first academic year performance, followed by high school GPA, were factors that respectively ranked first and second in importance in predicting retention, progression, and graduation of health majors students. The health college ranked third in importance affecting retention and graduation and fifth regarding progression. The remaining factors including nationality, gender, and whether students were enrolled in a common first year experience for all colleges, had lower predictive importance. CONCLUSIONS: Student retention, progression, and graduation at Qatar University Health Cluster is complex and multifactorial. First year performance and secondary education before college are important in predicting progress in health majors after the first year of university study. Efforts to increase retention, progression, and graduation rates should include academic advising, student support, engagement and communication. Machine learning-based predictive algorithms remain a useful tool that can be precisely leveraged to identify key variables affecting health professions students' performance.

Understanding and Fostering Mental Health and Well-Being among University Faculty: A Narrative Review.

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of mental health concerns in academia, with stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression being reported among faculty members. The demanding work environment, the need to balance personal and professional duties, and the constant pressure of productivity while navigating multiple tasks of teaching, research, mentorship, professional development, and service all impact the mental health and overall well-being of faculty. Higher education institutions have structurally changed as has the research landscape. These changes as well as faculty-specific and student-specific factors coupled to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to profound effects on the mental health of academics. This paper is a narrative review of the pertinent literature describing faculty mental health and well-being. It summarizes the available evidence on factors influencing faculty mental health and shows the prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout among faculty from various academic fields and along the whole academic ladder. Using a suggested framework that collates the efforts of leaders and faculty, the paper concludes by exploring strategies that promote work-life balance among academics and suggesting effective interventions to improve their mental health outcomes.

Gendered Experiences in Pharmacy Education Exposed Through a National Financial Collapse - A Reflection From the Lebanese Crisis.

Women have long been drawn to pharmacy; it is often seen as a profession that allows them to balance their professional and personal responsibilities, and Lebanon is not an exception, where the majority of practicing pharmacists are women. Despite gender equality commitments and educational attainments, women are still underrepresented at high positions in the pharmacy academia. In Lebanon, the recent multidimensional economic crisis has added to and compounded existing difficulties. Women have been forced to improvise their jobs and household responsibilities, resulting in an increase in unpaid care and other household work. The aim of this commentary is to provide a critical reflection of the impact of a national financial collapse on the roles and expectations of women in academia, by highlighting the leadership, research, service, and contributions achieved by 2 women academics during these difficult times. These experiences are linked with existing literature to draw some conclusions and suggest recommendations for future research. Our experiences demonstrated that women are engines of recovery, as seen by their tenacity, resourcefulness in adversity, self-reliance, and desire to engage in proactive community activity. The multifaceted crisis in Lebanon has unlocked new demands, where hard-won accomplishments for women should be reassessed, and inquiries into gendered realities for women of academics in the field of pharmacy are necessary. Responding to the Lebanese crisis from the perspective of pharmacy education should include not just repairing disparities, but also restructuring a more robust system with women academics at its core.

Exploring the effects of health behaviors and mental health on students' academic achievement: a cross-sectional study on lebanese university students.

BACKGROUND: High academic achievement, an important determinant of future success, is known to be influenced by many factors including dietary behavior, lifestyle and mental health, among others. The objectives of the current study were to explore university students' nutritive habits, daily lifestyle, and mental status, and to scrutinize the associations between these factors and students' academic achievement. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of a private Lebanese university, using an electronic survey. Diet, eating habits, physical activity, sleep, and smoking were evaluated, and mental health was assessed using a validated Arabic version of the combined Depression, Anxiety, Stress Score (DASS-8). Academic achievement was measured using the Subjective Academic Achievement Scale (SAAS). RESULTS: A total of 1677 students participated in the questionnaire. The results of a linear regression taking the SAAS score as the dependent variable, showed that students who have a non-scientific versus scientific major (Beta = 0.53), and having breakfast ≥ 4 days per week compared to less than 2 days (Beta = 0.28) were significantly associated with higher SAAS scores. More psychological distress (Beta = - 0.06) and a higher number of days of eating out (Beta = - 0.07) were significantly associated with lower SAAS scores. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first investigation on a Lebanese university students' academic success in relation to lifestyle and mental profiles. Better academic achievement was demonstrated by students having healthier dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as less distressing mental status. Such results, in light of the compounded and unprecedented crises with which Lebanon has been assailed, suggest the need to focus on promoting healthy habits among students in higher education as a possible driver of better academic success.

Factors Affecting Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Attitudes among Lebanese University Students: The Impact of Vaccination Promotional Programs and COVID-19 Pandemic.

Vaccination is the most effective preventative strategy against influenza, yet university students' influenza vaccination uptake remains low. This study aimed firstly to determine the percentage of university students who were vaccinated for the 2015-2016 influenza season and to identify reasons for non-vaccination, and secondly to examine the impact of external factors (on-campus/online influenza awareness campaigns and COVID-19 pandemic) on their influenza vaccination uptake and attitudes for the 2017-2018 and 2021-2022 influenza seasons. A descriptive study was conducted over three phases for three influenza seasons at a Lebanese university in the Bekaa Region. Based on data collected in 2015-2016, promotional activities were developed and implemented for the other influenza seasons. This study was conducted using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire by students. The majority of the respondents in the three studies did not receive the influenza vaccine (89.2% in the 2015-2016 study, 87.3% in the 2017-2018 study, and 84.7% in the 2021-2022 study). Among the unvaccinated respondents, the main reason for non-vaccination was that they thought that they did not need it. The primary reason for vaccination among those who were vaccinated was that they believed they were at risk of catching influenza in a 2017-2018 study and due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2021-2022 study. As for attitudes towards influenza vaccination post-COVID-19, significant differences were shown among the vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents. The vaccination rates among university students remained low despite of the awareness campaigns and COVID-19 pandemic.

Potassium Ion Channels in Glioma: From Basic Knowledge into Therapeutic Applications.

Ion channels, specifically those controlling the flux of potassium across cell membranes, have recently been shown to exhibit an important role in the pathophysiology of glioma, the most common primary central nervous system tumor with a poor prognosis. Potassium channels are grouped into four subfamilies differing by their domain structure, gating mechanisms, and functions. Pertinent literature indicates the vital functions of potassium channels in many aspects of glioma carcinogenesis, including proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The dysfunction of potassium channels can result in pro-proliferative signals that are highly related to calcium signaling as well. Moreover, this dysfunction can feed into migration and metastasis, most likely by increasing the osmotic pressure of cells allowing the cells to initiate the "escape" and "invasion" of capillaries. Reducing the expression or channel blockage has shown efficacy in reducing the proliferation and infiltration of glioma cells as well as inducing apoptosis, priming several approaches to target potassium channels in gliomas pharmacologically. This review summarizes the current knowledge on potassium channels, their contribution to oncogenic transformations in glioma, and the existing perspectives on utilizing them as potential targets for therapy.

Bacterial pneumonia associated with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens: Understanding epidemiology, resistance patterns, and implications with COVID-19.

The ongoing spread of antimicrobial resistance has complicated the treatment of bacterial hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Gram-negative pathogens, especially those with multidrug-resistant profiles, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp., are an important culprit in this type of infections. Understanding the determinants of resistance in pathogens causing pneumonia is ultimately stressing, especially in the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, when bacterial lung infections are considered a top priority that has become urgent to revise. Globally, the increasing prevalence of these pathogens in respiratory samples represents a significant infection challenge, with major limitations of treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. This review will focus on the epidemiology of HAP and VAP and will present the roles and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of implicated multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative pathogens like carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), as well as colistin-resistant Gram-negative pathogens and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales. While emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, perspectives and conclusions are drawn from findings of HAP and VAP caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria in patients with COVID-19.

The Intriguing Carbapenemases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Current Status, Genetic Profile, and Global Epidemiology.

Worldwide, Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains a leading nosocomial pathogen that is difficult to treat and constitutes a challenging menace to healthcare systems. P. aeruginosa shows increased and alarming resistance to carbapenems, long acknowledged as last-resort antibiotics for treatment of resistant infections. Varied and recalcitrant pathways of resistance to carbapenems can simultaneously occur in P. aeruginosa, including the production of carbapenemases, broadest spectrum types of ß-lactamases that hydrolyze virtually almost all ß-lactams, including carbapenems. The organism can produce chromosomal, plasmid-encoded, and integron- or transposon-mediated carbapenemases from different molecular classes. These include Ambler class A (KPC and some types of GES enzymes), class B (different metallo-ß-lactamases such as IMP, VIM, and NDM), and class D (oxacillinases with carbapenem-hydrolyzing capacity like OXA-198) enzymes. Additionally, derepression of chromosomal AmpC cephalosporinases in P. aeruginosa contributes to carbapenem resistance in the presence of other concomitant mechanisms such as impermeability or efflux overexpression. Epidemiologic and molecular evidence of carbapenemases in P. aeruginosa has been long accumulating, and reports of their existence in different geographical areas of the world currently exist. Such reports are continuously being updated and reveal emerging varieties of carbapenemases and/or new genetic environments. This review summarizes carbapenemases of importance in P. aeruginosa, highlights their genetic profile, and presents current knowledge about their global epidemiology.

Allylamines, Benzylamines, and Fungal Cell Permeability: A Review of Mechanistic Effects and Usefulness against Fungal Pathogens.

Allylamines, naftifine and terbinafine, and the benzylamine, butenafine, are antifungal agents with activity on the fungal cell membrane. These synthetic compounds specifically inhibit squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in fungal sterol biosynthesis. This results in a deficiency in ergosterol, a major fungal membrane sterol that regulates membrane fluidity, biogenesis, and functions, and whose damage results in increased membrane permeability and leakage of cellular components, ultimately leading to fungal cell death. With the fungal cell membrane being predominantly made up of lipids including sterols, these lipids have a vital role in the pathogenesis of fungal infections and the identification of improved therapies. This review will focus on the fungal cell membrane structure, activity of allylamines and benzylamines, and the mechanistic damage they cause to the membrane. Furthermore, pharmaceutical preparations and clinical uses of these drugs, mainly in dermatophyte infections, will be reviewed.

Motivation, satisfaction, and future career intentions of pharmacy students: A cross-sectional preliminary analysis.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the pharmacy profession has undergone many changes that impacted pharmacy educational programs and students' needs and experiences. In Lebanon, no previous studies have addressed students' perspectives of pharmacy studies and their future aspirations. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was randomly sent to all pharmacy students at the main campus of the Lebanese International University. Questions included demographics, students' reasons for choosing pharmacy, satisfaction regarding choice of pharmacy, and future career plans. RESULTS: Pharmacy as a study major was the first choice for 61% of respondents, and reasons for this choice were family recommendations (87%), friends' encouragement (26%), and schoolteachers' endorsements (20%). Looking for a job with various career opportunities, flexible working hours, security, good salary, and wishing to provide public service and improve health were the main incentives to join the pharmacy program. Concerning their satisfaction, 88% were proud of studying pharmacy and 66% would choose to study pharmacy if they were to select their program of study again. As for career intentions, 68% were considering community pharmacy, 66% hospital pharmacy, and 60% academic pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: While the attitudes, perceptions, and career intentions of the respondents were variable, the majority were aspired by family or societal factors to study pharmacy, were satisfied by their choice, and intended to work in the community pharmacy sector. Pharmacy curricula should be regularly assessed to meet students' expectations and society's needs.

Pharmacy Students' Mental Health and Resilience in COVID-19: An Assessment after One Year of Online Education.

COVID-19 has impacted mental health and affected education due to the shift to remote learning. The purpose of the current study was to assess the mental health of pharmacy students one year following the onset of the pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students. The severity of depression, anxiety, and stress was assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and resilience was assessed by the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). COVID-19-related economic, educational, and health stressors, and students' vaccine attitudes were surveyed. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analysis were used, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. A total of 561 students participated; 37% had mild-to-moderate depression, 37% had severe-to-extremely-severe anxiety, and 52% demonstrated normal stress levels. Severe depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with smoking and feeling isolated due to COVID-19. Around 40% of students had low resilience, associated with smoking, being in the third or fourth year of pharmacy study, and the consumption of caffeinated beverages. The mean score of satisfaction with online learning was 60.3 ± 21.3%. Only 5% of participants were vaccinated, of which 87% trusted the benefits of vaccines and their role in controlling the pandemic. One year after the onset of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, stress, and low resilience were observed among pharmacy students; the investigation of the long-term mental effects of the pandemic on university students is warranted.

A Focused Insight into Thyme: Biological, Chemical, and Therapeutic Properties of an Indigenous Mediterranean Herb.

A perennial wild shrub from the Lamiaceae family and native to the Mediterranean region, thyme is considered an important wild edible plant studied for centuries for its unique importance in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry. Thyme is loaded with phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins. It is pungent in taste, yet rich in moisture, proteins, crude fiber, minerals and vitamins. Its chemical composition may vary with geographical location but is mainly composed of flavonoids and antioxidants. Previous studies have illustrated the therapeutic effects of thyme and its essential oils, especially thymol and carvacrol, against various diseases. This is attributed to its multi-pharmacological properties that include, but are not limited to, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic actions. Moreover, thyme has long been known for its antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic activities, in addition to remarkable disruption of microbial biofilms. In the COVID-19 era, some thyme constituents were investigated for their potential in viral binding. As such, thyme presents a wide range of functional possibilities in food, drugs, and other fields and prominent interest as a nutraceutical. The aims of the current review are to present botanical and nutritive values of this herb, elaborate its major constituents, and review available literature on its dietetic and biological activities.

The Collateral Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Status of Carbapenemase-Producing Pathogens.

The serious challenge of antimicrobial resistance continues to threaten public health and lingers in the era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), declared pandemic by the World Health Organization. While the pandemic has triggered the importance of infection control practices and preventive measures such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, travel reduction and quarantine, the ongoing alarm of antimicrobial resistance seems to accompany the pandemic too. Antimicrobial resistance has been fostered during COVID-19, possibly due to high rate of empirical antibiotic utilization in COVID-19 patients, increased use of biocides, and the disruption of proper healthcare for other conditions. Specifically, carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria have shown to cause secondary bacterial infections in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Clinical and microbiological evidence of such infections is accumulating in different parts of the world. With the resilient nature of carbapenemases, their association with mortality, and the limited treatment options available, concerns regarding this group of antibiotic-hydrolyzing enzymes during the pandemic are expected to upsurge. While the additional burden carbapenemases exert on healthcare is worrisome, it remains hidden or abandoned among the various health consequences of the pandemic. The purpose of this minireview is to shed a light on carbapenemase-associated infections during such unprecedented time of COVID-19. A focused insight shall be made into carbapenemases, their implications for COVID-19 patients, and the features and consequences of co-infection, with a review of available evidence from pertinent literature. The importance of increased surveillance for carbapenemase-producers and optimizing their management in relation to the pandemic, shall be addressed as well.

Antibiotic Discovery and Resistance: The Chase and the Race.

The history of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) evolution and the diversity of the environmental resistome indicate that AMR is an ancient natural phenomenon. Acquired resistance is a public health concern influenced by the anthropogenic use of antibiotics, leading to the selection of resistant genes. Data show that AMR is spreading globally at different rates, outpacing all efforts to mitigate this crisis. The search for new antibiotic classes is one of the key strategies in the fight against AMR. Since the 1980s, newly marketed antibiotics were either modifications or improvements of known molecules. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the current pipeline as bleak, and warns about the scarcity of new leads. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the pre-clinical and clinical pipeline indicates that few antibiotics may reach the market in a few years, predominantly not those that fit the innovative requirements to tackle the challenging spread of AMR. Diversity and innovation are the mainstays to cope with the rapid evolution of AMR. The discovery and development of antibiotics must address resistance to old and novel antibiotics. Here, we review the history and challenges of antibiotics discovery and describe different innovative new leads mechanisms expected to replenish the pipeline, while maintaining a promising possibility to shift the chase and the race between the spread of AMR, preserving antibiotic effectiveness, and meeting innovative leads requirements.