No abstract

Galanin (GAL) is a 29-amino-acid neuropeptide that serves multiple physiological functions throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Its role involves in a range of physiological and pathological functions including control of food intake, neuroprotection, neuronal regeneration, energy expenditure, reproduction, water balance, mood, nociception and various neuroendocrine functions. The use of currently available antidepressant drugs raises concerns regarding efficacy and onset of action; therefore, the need for antidepressants with novel mechanisms is increasing. Presently, various studies revealed the link between GAL and depression. Attenuation of depressive symptoms is achieved through inhibition of GalR1 and GalR3 and activation of GalR2. However, lack of receptor selectivity of ligands has limited the complete elucidation of effects of different receptors in depression-like behavior. Studies have suggested that GAL enhances the action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and promotes availability of transcription proteins. This review addresses the role of GAL, GAL receptors (GALRs) ligands including selective peptides, and the mechanism of ligand receptor interaction in attenuating depressive symptoms.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major public health problem globally. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to profound reduction in the incidence of mortality. However, effective treatment is challenged by the treatment failure. Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) Failure may predispose patients to new or recurrent clinical condition. Objective: This study was designed to assess virological and immunological failure of highly active antiretroviral therapy users and associated risk factors at Adigrat General Hospital, Adigrat, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted. Data were collected by pre-tested structured checklist. The data were entered into Epi-info version 7 and exported into SPSS version 22.0 for analyses. The association between variables was analyzed using multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. The results were presented using text, tables and figure. Result: Seven hundred eighty four patients were included in this study. Of all study participants, 508 (64.8%) were females. More than half participants 376 (47.96%) were in the age range of (31–45) years. The overall prevalence of treatment failure was 27.48%; of this 12.35% of the participants developed immunologic failure and 4.70% of them had both immunologic and virologic failure. Factors that were significantly associated with treatment failure following multivariable analysis were rural resident [AOR = 3.6; 95% CI (1.11–7.36)], WHO stage III/IV [AOR = 2.7; 95% CI (1.21–5.08)], baseline CD4 count (cells/mm3) less than 199 [AOR = 8.11; 95% CI (2.46–19.54)], treatment interruption [AOR = 5.4; 95% CI (2.61–10.45)], poor drug adherence [AOR = 5.9; 95% CI (1.15–12.43)] and TB/HIV co-infection [AOR = 4.6; 95% CI (1.33–12.12). Conclusion: The prevalence of ART failure was higher. Multivariate analysis showed that rural residency, WHO clinical stage III/IV, baseline CD4 count (cells/mm3) less than 200, treatment interruption, poor drug adherence, opportunistic infections and TB/HIV co-infection were significantly associated with treatment failure. Highlights:

Background. Inappropriate and unnecessary use of antibiotics can increase morbidity, mortality, medical expenses or patient cost, and microbial antibiotic resistance. However, in developing countries like Ethiopia, information regarding appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing pattern to guide improvement strategies is scant. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess appropriateness and pattern of antibiotic prescription in pediatric patients at pediatric ward of Adigrat General Hospital. Methods. Hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the antibiotic prescribing pattern in pediatric inpatient and outpatient ward of Adigrat General Hospital from December 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019. Data was collected by using structured data collection checklist, and the systematic random sampling technique was employed to enroll the required sample size during the study period. Appropriateness of drug use in pediatrics was evaluated using Ethiopian Standard Treatment guideline and WHO pediatric guideline. Result. A total of 692 pediatric patients’ medical charts were reviewed. The median age of patients on antibiotics was 3.26 years (IQR: 2-4). Majority (49.13%) of the patients were hospitalized for 5-9 days. SCAP (195), tonsillitis (114), and cellulitis (99) were most frequently encountered pediatric diseases. Penicillins (37.86%) followed by cephalosporins (31.79%) antibiotics were the most prescribed antibiotics in pediatric wards. This study also showed that ceftriaxone and ceftriaxone+amoxicillin were the most frequently used single and combination antibiotics, respectively. The prescribing practices were not stick to WHO core indicators and standards. Inappropriate prescription of antibiotics was observed in 28.3% of patients. Advanced age of children, children aged between 6 to 10 years ( AOR = 3.225 ; CI = 1.080 − 9.630 ; P = .036 ) and 11-18 years ( AOR = 18.691 ; CI = 5.156 − 67.756 ; P = .000 ), was the independent determinant of inappropriate drug use. Conclusion. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing was encountered in 28.3% of children. The rate of generic prescription was not in line with WHO recommendation. Advanced age of children was the independent factor for inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease that primarily attacks the human pulmonary system, is caused by a viral strain called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak emerged from Wuhan, China, and later spread throughout the world. Until the first week of May 2020, over 3.7 million cases had been reported worldwide and more than 258,000 had died due to the disease. So far, off label use of various drugs has been tried in many clinical settings, however, at present, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for human and animal coronaviruses. Therefore, repurposing of the available drugs may be promising to control emerging infections of SARS-COV2; however, new interventions are likely to require months to years to develop. Glycopeptides, which are active against gram-positive bacteria, have demonstrated significant activity against viral infections including SARS-COV and MERS-COV and have a high resemblance of sequence homology with SARS-COV2. Recent in vitro studies have also shown promising activities of aglycon derivative of glycopeptides and teicoplanin against SARS-COV2. Hydrophobic aglycon derivatives and teicoplanin, with minimal toxicity to human cell lines, inhibit entry and replication of SARS-COV2. These drugs block proteolysis of polyprotein a/b with replicase and transcription domains. Teicoplanin use was associated with complete viral clearance in a cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms. This review attempts to describe the activity, elucidate the possible mechanisms and potential clinical applications of existing glycopeptides against corona viruses, specifically SARS-COV2.