The Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire and the Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaires were developed decades ago to assess health care providers' attitudes toward patients who use substances. Although reliable, the language in these tools no longer aligns with contemporary societal and academic discourse on person-centred language. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether modifying the language in the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire and Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire to create the person-centered Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire and person-centered Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire would affect their reliability, internal consistency, and factor structures when used with registered nurses and registered practical nurses. In fall 2024, an electronic survey was distributed to 1400 RNs and RPNs at an acute care hospital in northwestern Ontario, with 412 responding (29.4 % response rate). Participants were randomly assigned to complete either the original Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire and Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire or the revised person-centred versions. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis were conducted to assess the factor structures of both versions. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed suboptimal model fits for both the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire and the person-centred Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire. The best-fitting Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire was a seven-factor, 30-item model, and the person-centred Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire was a revised four-factor, 22-item model after exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis for the Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire indicated support for the original five-factor structure, but a four-factor, 16-item model emerged after exploratory factor analysis for the person-centred version. Although limited by a small sample size and data from a single setting, the findings of this study provide preliminary support that slightly modified versions of the PC- AAPPQ and PC-DDPPQ may hold promise for use with practising clinical nurses in similar contexts.
IntroductionDrug-related problems (DRPs) represent a major challenge in contemporary oncology. In healthcare systems with limited clinical pharmacy resources, identification of high-risk patient groups and treatment settings is - from a clinical pharmacology perspective - essential to prioritize pharmacotherapeutic surveillance.MethodsThis single-centre, retrospective, high-risk cohort study analysed pharmacotherapy in 31 adult cancer patients hospitalized in a comprehensive oncology centre in Poland. Patients were selected for medication review based on clinicians' suspicion of pharmacotherapy-related problems during hospitalization. DRPs were identified and classified according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification version 9.1, focusing on pharmacotherapy-related complications rather than individual prescribing errors. Sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacotherapeutic variables were analysed. Statistical analyses were exploratory and hypothesis-generating.ResultsAt least one DRP was identified in 29 out of 31 patients (94%). The most frequent DRPs were adverse drug reactions and drug therapy without a clearly documented current indication, predominantly involving proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Antimicrobials, drugs for acid-related disorders and psycholeptics accounted for the highest number of DRPs. A numerically higher risk of DRPs was observed in patients with impaired renal function, excessive polypharmacy (≥ 10 drugs) and those receiving non-surgical treatment, particularly radiotherapy.ConclusionHospitalized oncology patients with suspected pharmacotherapy-related complications are at high risk of DRPs. From an oncology pharmacy perspective, targeted medication review appears to be a rational approach to identify and mitigate pharmacotherapy-related risks in this setting. Radiotherapy units, patients with impaired renal function, antimicrobials and PPI use or extensive polypharmacy represent priority areas for enhanced clinical pharmacy involvement.
The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system is the international standard for drug utilisation studies. However, structural and conceptual issues remain inadequately addressed. This analysis evaluates the ATC system with respect to consistency, completeness and terminology to identify systemic weaknesses and point out potential alternatives. A systematic analysis of all 14 ATC main groups and their sublevels was conducted based on the "ATC/DDD Index 2025" and the official WHO "2025 guideline". The classification logic, coverage of therapeutic areas, handling of combination products, and terminology were examined. Discrepancies were recorded within groups and across the system as a whole. Widespread inconsistencies became apparent. Classification principles (anatomical, therapeutic, pharmacological, chemical, miscellaneous) are mixed within and across levels, causing structural incoherence. Frequent use of "X/ miscellaneous" categories highlights inadequacies in the classification logic, along with inconsistent handling of combination preparations. Drugs with multiple indications are fragmented across groups, with frequent overlaps and duplications. Terminology is often vague or outdated, obscuring pharmacological mechanisms and reflecting a historical rather than scientific rationale. Overall, the ATC system is characterised by systematic deficiencies rather than isolated irregularities. The ATC classification no longer adequately represents modern pharmacotherapy. Its reliance on single-indication logic, miscellaneous categories and outdated terminology distorts drug utilisation analyses and limits its applicability in clinical and research contexts. A mechanistically oriented system based on pharmacological properties and molecular targets would provide a more consistent, transparent and adaptable framework that is better suited to contemporary drug development, multi-indicational use and rational prescribing.
Police officers have long been tasked with translating drug policies into practice; as a key public-facing side of the criminal justice system, they influence how drug policy messages are conveyed to the public through everyday enforcement practices. The government of British Columbia, Canada, received a 3-year exemption from federal drug laws to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of most illicit substances starting January 31, 2023. In this context, we explored what people who use drugs learned from drug policy as it was taken up into policing practice. We use constructs from curriculum theory as a framework to understand what policing explicitly and implicitly communicates to people who use drugs. We analyzed 40 qualitative interviews with people who use drugs in socioeconomically stable positions (housed and employed) in the first year of decriminalization in British Columbia to understand lessons gleaned from policy and policing in this policy context. Findings show that the formal curriculum of drug policy provided a sense of relief for many participants who could ease their fears of being labelled "criminals." However, the way that drug policies were applied by officers in practice, making explicit a hidden curriculum, shaped how participants saw themselves and other people who use drugs in ways that were stigmatizing. Our research shows the value of analyzing the hidden curriculum of drug policy to illuminate how it shapes the way in which people who use drugs construct and position themselves.
The rising global incidence of cancer has increased the demand for chemotherapy, which is a crucial treatment modality. Recent advancements in cancer treatment, including targeted agents and immunotherapy, have introduced complications owing to their specific mechanisms. However, comprehensive studies of the combined complications of these approaches are lacking. This study aimed to comprehensively assess and analyze the overall incidence of anticancer drug-related complications in a nationwide patient cohort, utilizing a customized National Health Insurance Sharing Service database in Korea. Retrospective cohort study. We included patients who were prescribed anticancer drugs (excluding endocrine agents) and diagnosed with cancer. For the type of cancer classification, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used and anticancer drugs were classified based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code. We classified cancer into 18 types based on the ICD-10 code and delineated cancer-related complications into 12 categories. Complications included hematological, gastrointestinal, infectious, cardiovascular, major bleeding, endocrine, neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, dermatological, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and hepatotoxic effects. We included 294,544 patients diagnosed with cancer and administered anticancer drugs between 2016 and 2018, with follow-up continuing until 2021. We identified 486,929 anticancer drug-related complications, with an incidence of 1843.6 per 1000 person-years (PY). Anemia was the most common complication, with a rate of 763.7 per 1000 PY, followed by febrile neutropenia (295.7) and nausea/vomiting (246.9). Several complications peaked during the first months following the initiation of anticancer drug therapy; however, herpes, skin infection, heart failure, and peripheral neuropathy peaked at 6-12 months. Among major cancers, breast cancer had the lowest overall incidence of complications. Targeted therapies revealed lower complication rates than cytotoxic chemotherapy; however, they also required careful monitoring of rash. This study highlights the importance of the proactive management of anticancer drug-related complications for patient care improvement.
Anticancer drugs are often associated with limitations such as poor stability in aqueous solutions, limited cell membrane permeability, nonspecific targeting, and irregular drug release when taken orally. One possible solution to these problems is the use of nanocarriers of drug molecules, particularly those with targeting ability, stimuli-responsive properties, and high drug loading capacity. These nanocarriers can improve drug stability, increase cellular uptake, allow specific targeting of cancer cells, and provide controlled drug release. While improving the therapeutic efficacy of cancer drugs, contemporary researchers also aim to reduce their associated side effects, such that cancer patients are offered with a more effective and targeted treatment strategy. Herein, a set of nine porous covalent organic frameworks (COFs) were tested as drug delivery nanocarriers. Among these, paclitaxel loaded in COF-3 was most effective against the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. This study highlights the emerging potential of COFs in the field of therapeutic drug delivery. Due to their biocompatibility, these porous COFs provide a viable substrate for controlled drug release, making them attractive candidates for improving drug delivery systems. This work also demonstrates the potential of COFs as efficient drug delivery agents, thereby opening up new opportunities in the field of sarcoma therapy.
Using a constructivist grounded theory design, this study explores the perception and experience of Iranian women living with drug use, identifying everyday conflicts and coping strategies that enable them to manage their situation. We conducted unstructured, in-depth interviews with abstinent drug users (11) and healthcare professionals (2) at three rehab centers in Tehran, Iran. In line with our grounded theory aspirations to explore the social meanings of women's drug use and addiction, we supplemented the interviews with a surrounding material consisting of articles published in the main national newspaper from 2015 to 2018 and a film documentary (10 parts, 3 h) entitled "Iranian Women of Addiction," (Shab boohay-e-sokhteh) (2010-2011). Our analysis resulted in two main bundles of meaning-making that we claim are permeating the everyday lives of Iranian women with drug use: the double decline in character, and self-shielding. The study reveals the simultaneous presence of two stigmatized identities: drug use and sex work (fahsha). It shows that the stigma of sex work is closely connected to a drug-related identity, irrespective of whether women are actively involved in sex work or not. The findings illustrate how societal views are biased against drug user women in the domain of drug use, diminishing their presence and voice. The interviewees tried to manage by developing a peer network, adopting a protective role, and becoming intrinsically motivated to quit drug use. The study furthers our understanding of women's alarming and complex realities in traditional Islamic and familistic patriarchal structures.
Benzodiazepines have become increasingly prevalent in the unregulated drug supply in Canada. Benzodiazepines are regularly prescribed as anxiety or sleep aids, and typically have strong sedative effects. Despite the influx of benzodiazepines in the unregulated drug supply, the gendered impacts of this change have not been evaluated. To address this gap, our aim was to explore how the increase of benzodiazepines in the unregulated drug supply shaped experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) among women and gender minorities who experience intersecting modes of criminalization in Vancouver, Canada. This analysis draws on 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews with criminalized women and gender minorities between 2022 and 2023. Using a structural violence framework, this analysis seeks to characterize the intersecting and gendered impacts of increased benzodiazepines in the unregulated drug supply. In addition to the desired effects of benzodiazepines, some participants also described experiencing drowsiness, confusion, and memory loss due to benzodiazepine exposure, heightening both experiences and fear of gender-based violence (GBV). Participants' narratives highlight that, despite instituting safety strategies and fostering positive community connections, many felt vulnerable to GBV while either unintentionally using benzodizepines or unknowingly purchasing high potency benzodiazepines, increasing risk of GBV (assault, exploitation, theft) in the context of broader misogony and gender subordination. The fear of being victimized led some participants to use alone, which in turn increased the potential for fatal overdose. This research demonstrates the gendered impacts of prohibition, highlighting how the influx of benzodiazepines shaped participants' experiences of GBV. Our findings underline the importance of a safe, accessible, and regulated drug supply alongside sustained efforts towards gender equity more broadly to better support the safety of criminalized women and gender minorities.
Incorporating deep eutectic solvents (DES) into polymer-based drug delivery systems (DDS) presents a novel approach to addressing persistent pharmaceutical issues, including low solubility, restricted bioavailability, and unregulated drug release. As environmentally friendly, adjustable, and biocompatible alternatives to traditional organic solvents and ionic liquids, DES possess distinctive physicochemical characteristics-such as strong hydrogen-bonding ability, low volatility, and structural flexibility-that make them effective as functional excipients. This review consolidates a contemporary understanding of the formulation and performance of polymeric matrices containing DES, highlighting their capacity to alter drug release kinetics, improve solubility, and facilitate dual-function systems like therapeutic DES (THEDES). A comprehensive overview of the various types of DES and polymeric carriers, their methods of integration, associated physicochemical effects, and drug release mechanisms is provided. Furthermore, the outline problems associated with stability, sterilization, and regulatory considerations. In addition, the most prospective future uses of DES-polymer systems is examined in stimuli-responsive systems, 3D-printed scaffolds, and advanced tailored medicine. This article supports the broader polite investigation of polymers and DES in polymeric systems in DDS as a significant step toward safer, more environmentally friendly, high-efficiency pharmaceutical technologies.
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious contemporary global health concerns, threatening the effectiveness of existing antibiotics and resulting in morbidity, mortality, and economic burdens. This review examines the contribution of nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems to solving the problems associated with bacterial resistance and provides a thorough overview of their mechanisms of action, efficiency, and perspectives for the future. Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, nanomaterials reveal new ways of passing through the traditional mechanisms of bacterial defence connected to the permeability barrier of membranes, efflux pumps, and biofilm formation. This review addresses the different types of nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles, in terms of their antimicrobial properties and modes of action. More emphasis has been placed on the critical discussion of recent studies on such active systems. Both in vitro and in vivo models are discussed, with particular attention paid to multidrug-resistant bacteria. This review begins by reviewing the urgency for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by citing recent statistics, which indicate that the number of deaths and reasons for financial losses continue to increase. A background is then provided on the limitations of existing antibiotic therapies and the pressing need to develop innovative approaches. Nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems have been proposed as promising solutions because of their potential to improve drug solubility, stability, and targeted delivery, although side effects can also be mitigated. In addition to established knowledge, this review also covers ongoing debates on the continuous risks associated with the use of nanomaterials, such as toxicity and environmental impact. This discussion emphasizes the optimization of nanomaterial design to target specific bacteria, and rigorous clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy in humans. It concludes with reflections on the future directions of nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems in fighting AMR, underlining the need for an interdisciplinary approach, along with continuous research efforts to translate these promising technologies into clinical practice. As the fight against bacterial resistance reaches its peak, nanomaterials may be the key to developing next-generation antimicrobial therapies.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and locomotor restriction. With over 600 million affected individuals globally, current surgical interventions often bring high costs and postoperative recovery problems, underscoring the urgent need for minimally invasive therapeutic strategies. Phosphatidylcholines (PCs), critical constituents of the natural lubricating layer on the articular cartilage surface, play a pivotal role in maintaining low-friction joint motion. Liposomes, spherical vesicles composed of phospholipid bilayers, have been extensively explored as drug delivery vehicles due to their structural mimicry of biological membranes and excellent biocompatibility. These properties enable efficient encapsulation and targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs to inflamed joints. Contemporary research emphasizes the development of OA microenvironment-responsive liposomal systems engineered for sustained drug release by intra-articular (IA) injections. By leveraging pathological features of OA (such as elevated protease activity or acidic pH), these systems achieve spatiotemporally controlled drug release, prolonging therapeutic efficacy while minimizing cartilage abrasion. At the same time, functionalizing liposomes with synergistic lubricating biomaterials or cartilage-binding ligands has emerged as a dual-functional strategy. Such modifications enhance liposome adhesion to cartilage, prolong IA retention, and restore boundary lubrication by replenishing depleted phospholipid layers, thereby reducing the coefficient of friction (COF) and alleviating pain. This enables the simultaneous reduction of physical friction (via hydration lubrication) and chemical suppression of inflammation (via targeted drug delivery), together breaking the mechano-inflammatory cycle that drives OA progression. This article reviews the lubrication mechanisms of articular cartilage, the role of phospholipids in joint health, and recent advances in liposome-mediated drug delivery and lubrication restoration for OA treatment. It further highlights emerging strategies for integrating lubrication and anti-inflammatory functions into liposomal systems, and discusses key challenges and future directions toward personalized OA therapies.
Background: People with opioid use and opioid use-related problems are highly stigmatized groups. Negative attitudes and perceptions held by healthcare providers and the stigma that results are key barriers to treatment entry and treatment provision. A contemporary measure for assessing the attitudes and perceptions of healthcare providers toward this population is needed.Objective: The current study aims to examine the psychometric properties of an adapted person-centered opioid and opioid problems perception questionnaire (PC-OOPPQ).Methods: The adapted PC-OOPPQ psychometric properties were assessed using a nationwide online sample of practicing nurses (N = 493, 460 were female nurses). The sample was randomly divided to perform exploratory (EFA; n = 247) and confirmatory (CFA; n = 246) factor analyses.Results: Using the principal axis factoring (PAF) with orthogonal (Varimax) rotation, the EFA indicated a 19-item four-factor structure (without item # 16), which explained 70.2% of the total variance. Meanwhile, the CFA recommended an 18-item five-factor structure (without items # 14 and 16) that had the best model fit (Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = .938, the Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = .924, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) = .055, and Root Mean Square Approximation (RMSEA) = .088)).Conclusions: Apart from one item (item # 16), the proposed five-factor structure is consistent with the person-centered drug and drug problems perception questionnaire factor structure. The current study aims to address stigma associated with opioid use among healthcare professionals using language.
In recent years, peptides have grabbed significant attention across many fields, including pharmaceutical, biomedical, and biotechnological industries, owing to their notable biological activity, low toxicity, and high specificity. Naturally occurring peptides play crucial roles in handling different biological processes (cellular signaling, immune responses, and enzymatic functions, etc.), while laboratory-made synthetic peptides can be adopted for many applied industrial applications. Following the practical problems in large-scale peptide synthesis in the laboratory which demand high cost and time, recent developments have benefited from the best use of machine learning (ML), deep learning, active learning, reinforcement learning (RL), generative artificial intelligence (AI), and large language models (LLMs) to reduce the number of experiments. ML algorithms enable the prediction of the peptide structure-activity relationship, bioavailability, and other drug-like properties with high accuracy. The integration of AI with peptide-based therapeutics design marks a paradigm shift in drug discovery which was otherwise dominated by small organic molecules. This review comprehensively examines AI-driven methodologies, including classical ML approaches, deep generative models, RL, and LLMs, that overcome historical limitations in peptide design, such as structural flexibility, enzymatic degradation, and membrane impermeability. Recent advances in structure-aware algorithms and sequence-based frameworks have accelerated peptide-based therapeutic development across oncology, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases. Despite challenges in data scarcity and validation gaps, the convergence of computational prediction with experimental automation promises clinical translation of AI-designed peptides in the near future. This review highlights the transformative potential of AI in ushering a new era of precision peptide therapeutics.
About 80% of the population uses Ethiopian traditional herbal medicine (ETHM) for a variety of medical needs, making it a pillar of the country's healthcare system. The advantages and challenges of integrating ETHM with contemporary medicine in Ethiopia are summed up in this narrative review. To explore the integration of ETHM with contemporary medical systems, we carried out a literature search in March 2025 while maintaining methodological transparency. Using a mix of keywords associated with ETHM, integration, obstacles, and pharmacological validation, we searched a number of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar. A total of 110 records were found in the first search. After duplicates were eliminated, and titles and abstracts were evaluated for relevancy, 65 items remained. After a thorough analysis of the remaining literature, we included 38 articles published between January 2015 and March 2025 that satisfied our predetermined inclusion criteria, which were centered on ETHM practices, integration with contemporary medicine, or Ethiopian regulatory frameworks. Studies and publications written in languages other than English that did not particularly discuss ETHM or its integration were excluded. We critically assessed each included study's relevance and trustworthiness based on elements like journal impact factor, authorship, and methodological rigor, even though our narrative evaluation did not employ a rigorous systematic quality assessment. A strong basis for integration is identified by our synthesis, which includes a large pharmacopeia of medicinal plants with encouraging preclinical evidence for conditions including diabetes and wound healing. However, progress is hampered by systemic problems. These include significant problems with product quality and adulteration, a dearth of clinical validation and safety data, a lack of a thorough regulatory framework, and a high degree of mistrust between traditional practitioners and contemporary scientific groups. In order to document and preserve indigenous knowledge, we advise the Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration (EFDA) to immediately establish a dedicated directorate for traditional herbal medicine and to launch a national digital repository called "EthHerb."
Risky alcohol use in young adulthood is a significant public health concern. Understanding the predictors of risky drinking during this period is essential for prevention. This study aimed to measure the predictive accuracy of ensemble machine learning and identify the most important predictors of risky alcohol use in early adulthood. Secondary analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, an Australian national longitudinal cohort study. A total of 4983 children, aged 4-5 years in 2004 (Wave 1), followed up for eight waves (to age 18/19 in 2018). Risky alcohol use was measured at age 18 and defined as more than 10 standard drinks per week, as per Australian National guidelines. Predictors from multiple domains-sociodemographic, adolescent substance use, adolescent mental health and behaviours, parental mental health and substance use, school factors, peer influences, parenting practices and parental stress-were included, measured from Wave 1 to 7. The SuperLearner package in R was used to test a series of models [regularised regression (LASSO, ridge and elastic net), random forest and kernel support vector machine (SVM)] using nested 10-fold cross-validation to identify the overall predictive ability of the model (measured by area under the curve; AUC) and the most important predictors of risky alcohol use across childhood and adolescence. Predictor importance was derived by normalising algorithm-specific scores per fold, weighting them by SuperLearner coefficients and aggregating across folds to rank predictors by mean weighted importance on a scale of 0 to 1 (higher scores indicating greater importance). The ensemble model showed good prediction on the test set, with an AUC of 0.792, a slight improvement over any single algorithm (AUC = 0.783 for the best performing individual algorithm). The most important predictors were weekly drinking at the previous wave (mean weighted importance 0.999), lifetime cannabis use (0.446), lifetime parent financial stress (0.420), identifying as female (0.365), identifying as male (0.344; compared with a reference category of gender diverse), lifetime attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (0.248), pre-natal alcohol exposure (0.248), housing insecurity (0.243), religious involvement (0.238) and parent alcohol use problems (0.215). An ensemble learning approach appears to have good predictive ability of risky alcohol use among a contemporary cohort of young Australians. It underscores the complex interplay of individual, familial and social factors occurring across childhood and adolescence that influences risky alcohol use in early adulthood.
Hydrogels are hydrophilic, soft polymer networks with high water content and mechanical properties that are tunable; they are also biocompatible. Therefore, as biomaterials, they are of interest to modern medicine. In this review, the main applications of hydrogels in essential clinical applications are discussed. Chemical, physical, or hybrid crosslinking of either synthetic or natural polymers allow for the precise control of hydrogels' physicochemical properties and their specific characteristics for certain applications, such as stimuli-responsiveness, drug retention and release, and biodegradability. Hydrogels are employed in gynecology to regenerate the endometrium, treat infections, and prevent pregnancy. They show promise in cardiology in myocardial infarction therapy through injectable scaffolds, patches in the heart, and medication delivery. In rheumatoid arthritis, hydrogels act as drug delivery systems, lubricants, scaffolds, and immunomodulators, ensuring effective local treatment. They are being developed, among other applications, as antimicrobial coatings for stents and radiotherapy barriers for urology. Ophthalmology benefits from the use of hydrogels in contact lenses, corneal bandages, and vitreous implants. They are used as materials for chemoembolization, tumor models, and drug delivery devices in cancer therapy, with wafers of Gliadel presently used in clinics. Applications in abdominal surgery include hydrogel-coated meshes for hernia repair or Janus-type hydrogels to prevent adhesions and aid tissue repair. Results from clinical and preclinical studies illustrate hydrogels' diversity, though problems remain with mechanical stability, long-term safety, and mass production. Hydrogels are, in general, next-generation biomaterials for regenerative medicine, individualized treatment, and new treatment protocols.
We aimed to explore the occurrence and persistence of symptoms, diagnoses and prescribing after COVID-19 among populations from earlier (wave 2) and later (wave 4) in the pandemic. With the approval of NHS England, we analysed data from English primary care using The Phoenix Partnership SystmOne through the OpenSAFELY data analytics platform. Individuals with community-diagnosed COVID-19 September 2020-January 2021 (wave 2) were matched to contemporary (2020-2021) and historical (2017-2018) comparators. Individuals with community COVID-19 December 2021-March 2022 (wave 4) were matched to contemporary comparators (last follow-up 31 March 2023). Occurrence of each of (1) long-COVID symptoms; (2) primary-care diagnoses and (3) new prescriptions was analysed at any time during 1 year after COVID-19 and at: 4-12 weeks, 12 weeks-6 months and 6 months-12 months after COVID-19 to assess persistence. 902 885 COVID-19 cases (wave 2) matched to 4 449 265 contemporary (no-COVID-19) comparators. 1 553 160 COVID-19 cases (wave 4) matched to 7 624 770 contemporary comparators. Positive wave 2 associations after COVID-19 were observed for hair loss (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.48 to 1.66), mobility impairment (1.41, 1.35 to 1.48), fatigue (1.46, 1.42 to 1.49), cognitive impairment (1.39, 1.34 to 1.44) and loss of taste or smell (1.38, 1.31 to 1.46). At 6-12 months reporting persisted for mobility impairment, fatigue and cognitive impairment. There were small increases in new prescriptions for NSAIDs (1.24, 1.23 to 1.26), drugs to treat infections (1.24, 1.23 to 1.25) and musculoskeletal problems (1.23, 1.22 to 1.25). Wave 4 associations were generally weaker than Wave 2. Long-COVID symptoms and new prescribing generally reduce over time and are potentially less problematic following less severe illness. Fatigue/cognitive/mobility symptoms persist following COVID-19.
Functional hypogonadism, a manifestation of testosterone deficiency in simultaneously present comorbidities, profoundly impairs quality of life in men with overweight and obesity - yet remains persistently under-recognized in clinical practice. Lifestyle modification constitutes first-line therapy, while pharmacological and surgical interventions increasingly complement it. Both promote substantial weight loss and may reverse obesity-related hypogonadism; bariatric surgery, in particular, elicits marked rises in circulating testosterone but entails risks of bone demineralization and uncertain long-term reproductive sequelae. Notwithstanding, testosterone deficiency itself represents a key driver of secondary osteoporosis, insulin resistance, anemia, fatigue, and depression as well as sexual symptoms. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have redefined obesity therapy through profound weight reduction and cardiometabolic benefit, yet concomitant losses of lean mass raise concern over sarcopenia and skeletal fragility. This focused review article aims to present a comprehensive update on the latest data concerning combining testosterone therapy with contemporary anti-obesity pharmacotherapy as a new standard of care for obese men with functional hypogonadism, uniting metabolic, vascular, sexual, cognitive, and skeletal benefits within a comprehensive strategy to fortify corporeal resilience and enhance quality of life.
In 2021, NYC implemented overdose prevention center (OPC) services at two existing syringe exchange programs, allowing people to use pre-obtained drugs on-site. Although OPCs in Canada, Western Europe, and Australia have demonstrated their feasibility and benefits towards reducing overdose risk and drug-related harm, there is less data on how people who use drugs (PWUD) conceptualize the benefits and any potential drawbacks of using OPCs. In June-August 2022, we conducted 26 semistructured interviews with people in New York City who used unprescribed opioids. Interviews lasted 30-60 min and were conducted remotely using Zoom and later transcribed by a professional service. Data were then coded, using AtlasTi, into meaningful categories using a thematic approach based on the aims of the study and existing literature. Most participants had heard of OnPoint and reported a willingness to use it. They described the ability of OnPoint staff to reverse an overdose quickly and the presence of naloxone, oxygen, and other supplies as the primary benefits. Yet, many also noted that OPCs provide PWUD with a place to escape from the weather and/or avoid law enforcement. Participants also reported concerns about how far PWUD would be willing to travel or wait to use an OPC and for the autonomy of PWUD in the context of formal, sanctioned OPCs. Results suggest that many PWUD in NYC are well-informed about OnPoint and are willing to use OPCs. Yet, to fulfil their potential, OPCs must be located near to where PWUD live, and should be made as low-threshold as possible. However, since it is unlikely that OPCs will be expanded enough to meet the need and because some PWUD will never choose to use in sanctioned OPCs, expanding the reach of alternative strategies, such as Mobile Overdose Response Services, is recommended.
Although the comprehensive, multi-level, and wide-ranging integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with pharmaceutical science has greatly advanced the development of the discipline, the majority of pharmaceutical professionals still have limited knowledge about the applications of AI in pharmacy. Particularly in recent years, the rapid development of generative AI technologies represented by large language models has introduced new paradigms for pharmaceutical knowledge acquisition, drug information mining, and intelligent education. Simultaneously, interdisciplinary talents in "AI + Pharmacy" play a crucial and irreplaceable role in the new drug development process.Faced with this reality, pharmaceutical educators should uphold the core philosophy of "AI empowerment, education first," actively disseminate cutting-edge AI concepts, and vigorously develop interdisciplinary advantages to address challenges in traditional pharmaceutical education. The core goal of cultivating innovative talents in "AI + Pharmacy" is to to nurture interdisciplinary professionals with solid pharmaceutical expertise, strong computational and data-driven thinking, and the ability to comprehensively apply AI technologies to solve complex problems in real-world research and application scenarios. To this end, his paper proposes a three-pillar "AI + Pharmacy" innovative talent cultivation model centered on "teaching restructuring, research-driven feedback, and faculty support," aiming to systematically promote comprehensive reforms in pharmaceutical education-from curriculum systems and teaching practices to faculty development. This approach seeks to gradually establish and continuously optimize a new paradigm for interdisciplinary pharmaceutical talent cultivation that aligns with contemporary demands, thereby providing sustainable talent support and innovative momentum for the overall advancement of pharmaceutical science and new drug development. 虽然人工智能(AI)与药学学科全方位、多层次、宽领域的交叉融合极大地推动了药学学科的发展,但是绝大部分药学人才对AI在药学中的应用仍知之甚少。尤其是近年来,以大语言模型为代表的生成式人工智能技术快速发展,为药学知识获取、药物信息挖掘与智能化教学带来了新的范式。与此同时,“AI+药学”的复合型人才在新药开发过程中发挥着至关重要且不可替代的作用。面对这一现状,药学教育工作者应当秉持“AI赋能,教育先行”的核心理念,积极传播人工智能前沿思想,大力发展交叉学科优势,以应对传统药学教学中的难题。“AI+药学”创新人才培养的核心目标是培养具备扎实药学专业知识、良好计算与数据思维、能够在真实科研与应用场景中综合运用人工智能技术解决复杂问题的复合型药学人才。为此,本文提出以“教学重构、科研反哺、师资保障”为三大支柱的“AI+药学”创新人才培养模式,旨在系统推动药学教育从课程体系、教学实践到师资建设的全方位改革,逐步构建并持续优化符合时代需求的复合型药学人才培养新范式,从而为药学学科的整体发展与新药研发提供可持续的人才支撑与创新动力。