RESUMO
Fosmanogepix, a prodrug of Manogepix (MGX), is a groundbreaking antifungal agent with broad-spectrum activity against yeasts, including Cryptococcus and Candida, as well as molds. It exhibits effectiveness against drug-resistant strains, such as Candida strains resistant to echinocandins and Aspergillus strains resistant to azoles. Furthermore, fosmanogepix shows activity against pathogens that typically resist other classes of drugs, such as Scedosporium, Lomentospora prolificans, and Fusarium, although its efficacy against Mucorales varies. In animal models, fosmanogepix has demonstrated notable effectiveness against disseminated infections caused by various Candida species, Coccidioides immitis, and Fusarium solani. It has also shown efficacy in pulmonary infection models involving Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Scedosporium prolificans, Scedosporium apiospermum, and Rhizopus arrhizus. Clinical trials have revealed excellent oral bioavailability (>90%), enabling a seamless transition between intravenous and oral formulations without compromising blood concentrations. Fosmanogepix exhibits favorable profiles in terms of drug interactions, tolerability, and extensive distribution in various tissues, making it an appealing choice for treating invasive fungal infections. This comprehensive review aims to examine the outcomes of published data on fosmanogepix, encompassing in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations.
RESUMO
Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with SCD (SCD). The analysis of research productivity and trends in ACS may serve as a valuable guide for investigators, institutions, and funding agencies to plan the future directions of research. The current review aims to evaluate the productivity and trends of publications related to ACS in adults by analyzing the top 100 most cited articles. A bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most cited articles related to ACS in adults was conducted on May 20, 2021. The Scopus database was searched to identify the top-cited articles. The following term was applied: "acute chest syndrome" in the fields of title, abstract, and keyword. The most cited article received a total of 776 citations, while the least cited received a total of 10 citations. Over half of the identified articles received 35 citations or less. The articles originated in 12 different countries; the overwhelming majority of articles originated in the United States (n = 75), with small contributions from developing countries with a high prevalence of sickle cell disease. Blood and American Journal of Hematology published the largest number of articles, with nine articles each. The Author "Vichinsky, E.P." has the largest contribution with a total of 10 articles. The plethora of the highly cited articles were Observational studies, while randomized controlled trials were represented by seven articles. The present study demonstrates that research in ACS may be receiving less attention than it should. Therefore, research empowerment and adequate funding are of paramount importance to improve research productivity and quality. Additionally, more collaborative efforts should be encouraged to reduce the gap between developed and developing countries.
RESUMO
Introduction Hepatitis C is a viral disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. This compact, enveloped RNA virus possesses a positive single-stranded genome and can be transmitted through various means, including blood exposure, sexual contact, and vertical transmission. The disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, imposing substantial costs on the healthcare system. In Saudi Arabia, HCV is a notifiable disease; however, there is a scarcity of recent reports on HCV trends in the country. This study aims to provide updated insights into the infection patterns of HCV across demographics, regions, and genders in Saudi Arabia. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the epidemiological trends of HCV infection in Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), encompassing the timeframe from 2019 to 2022. A descriptive analysis of HCV infection, organized by year, age group, and gender, was conducted using the data reported to the MOH. Results Between 2019 and 2022, there was a significant decrease of 56.9% in the overall rate of hepatitis C cases in Saudi Arabia. The rate dropped from 9.94 to 4.29 cases per 100,000 people during this period. Males consistently had higher reported cases compared to females, although there was a notable decline in cases for both genders from 2019 to 2022. The highest incidence of HCV was found in individuals aged 45 years and above. However, there was a decline in cases among this age group, with the number dropping from 2,195 cases in 2019 to 946 cases in 2022. In terms of regional variations, Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah, Alsharqiya, and Taif had the highest incidence of HCV cases. Some regions experienced an increase in cases between 2021 and 2022, particularly Jeddah, Taif, and Al-Ahsaa. Conclusion This study reveals a significant reduction in reported HCV cases in Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2022. However, gender disparities persist, with males having a higher number of reported cases. There is also a notable decline in HCV cases among children and adolescents, which can be attributed to preventive measures. The findings emphasize the importance of region-specific strategies, as certain areas, such as Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah, Alsharqiya, and Taif, continue to have a high number of reported cases. Proactive measures, surveillance, and public awareness campaigns remain crucial in addressing HCV as a significant public health challenge in the Kingdom.
RESUMO
Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS), commonly known as Roselle, has a rich history of traditional uses and is recognized for its diverse pharmacological properties, including antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and more. This comprehensive review synthesizes the existing literature on the health benefits associated with the consumption of HS or its ingredients. Key areas of focus include metabolic health, blood sugar, and lipid regulation, wherein studies have reported varying effects on parameters such as fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles. Furthermore, Roselle exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, as evidenced by its impact on inflammatory markers such as MCP-1 and TNF-α. Additionally, HS extracts have shown notable antibacterial efficacy against various strains, with a potential role in urinary tract infection management. Studies also suggest potential benefits for renal function, with improvements in markers such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. In this article, we aim to review the existing literature on the health benefits of HS.
RESUMO
Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been designated a public health crisis by the World Health Organization. AMR can lead to escalated healthcare costs, higher mortality rates, increased morbidity, and more frequent hospitalizations. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the appropriateness of Tazocin prescription for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methodology We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients aged ≥18 years who were admitted with a diagnosis of CAP and administered intravenous Tazocin between November 2021 and October 2022. The primary objective was to assess the appropriateness of Tazocin prescriptions in patients with CAP. Results A total of 39 patients with CAP were included, with a mean age of 61 ± 17.36 years. Overall, 24 (61%) patients were male. The rate of inappropriate prescriptions of Tazocin was 66.6%. The incidence of inappropriate Tazocin prescription varied significantly among different medical specialties, with the highest rate observed in the oncology-palliative specialty (90%; p = 0.033). Conclusions Our study affirms the inclination of physicians to prescribe Tazocin for CAP without justifiable indications and highlights the unwarranted use of Tazocin for CAP across various medical specialties. This is evidenced by the notably high rate of inappropriate empirical prescriptions.
RESUMO
Numerous studies have highlighted significant correlations between major psychiatric disorders and criminal behavior. However, the plethora of literature on criminality among patients with major psychiatric disorders originated in the West. The objective of the present paper is to review criminal behavior among individuals with mental illness in Arab countries. Attributes of individuals assessed by forensic psychiatric committees and identifying various aspects that may reinforce criminality among individuals with mental illness were considered. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of literature from three databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science) was carried out. A total of 20 articles were included. The publications span between 1975 and 2020 and originated in seven different Arab countries including Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Jordan, and Algeria. Individuals evaluated by forensic psychiatric committees were predominantly males. Excluding substance use disorder, psychotic disorders were the most commonly diagnosed disorders among individuals evaluated by forensic psychiatry committees. Concerning schizophrenia, concomitant substance use and nonadherence to therapy were significantly associated with increased criminality. The review demonstrates that substance use is certainly linked to violence. There is a significant association between mental illness and criminal behavior. Therefore, awareness of different characteristics and risk factors behind criminal behavior among mentally ill offenders could allow us to design and implement effective preventative measures. The Arab's contribution in this field of forensic psychiatry is relatively small. Indeed, further investigation and contributions from the Arab world are required.