Burden of COVID-19: a preliminary analysis in the population of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has resulted in an unprecedented number of human deaths and economic losses. Analyzing the role of disease in different groups of people is useful for determining the burden of disease. As a result, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of COVID-19 on the Saudi Arabian population's quality of life, with a particular emphasis on the likely fall in their life expectancy. Methods: A cross-sectional and retrospective analysis of 2,988 patients' databases was performed to assess COVID-19-induced mortality and complications in the community. The data was gathered from official websites that track the disease's impact daily between July and October 2021. On the acquired data, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and relative risk analysis were performed. The data was statistically analyzed using SPSS IBM 25. The Pearson's correlation test was used to examine the relationship between age and disease impact. The significance of the findings was determined by using a P value of less than 0.05. Results: The data from the study indicated that the positive test rate, infection rate, and mortality rate in the population were 1.84% [+0.11/-0.39 of 95% confidence interval (CI)], 1.54% (+0.38/-0.52 of CI), and 1.59% (+0.4/-0.7 of CI), respectively. Highest percentage of mortality was observed in Riyadh (17%), followed by Jeddah (8.7%) and Makkah (7.5%). The DALYs/100,000 inhabitants increased progressively as the age of the population increased, and the highest value was found for those over 70 years old (25.73 ± 2.09). Similarly, the risk outcome (55%) increased significantly (p = 0.037) from 40 years onwards, and the maximum was observed at above 70 years (184%, p = 0.006). The correlation analysis indicated a significant association (p = 0.032) between age and COVID-19 induced mortality from the 40-year-old population onwards. Conclusion: The current study found that the COVID-19 load in Saudi Arabia was comparable to that in nations that were said to have performed well during the pandemic. DALYs increased from 40 years to 60 years, although people over 60 years had a lower life expectancy and were more susceptible to infection. After 60 years, the occurrence of numerous co-morbid illnesses may have added to the population's burden of COVID-19. Further research in this area may yield a more precise estimate of the COVID-19-induced burden on the entire population.

Small molecules as kinetoplastid specific proteasome inhibitors for leishmaniasis: a patent review from 1998 to 2021.

INTRODUCTION: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical infectious disease. The available limited therapeutic options for leishmaniasis are inadequate due to their poor pharmacokinetic profile, resistance, toxicity, high cost, and compliance problems. This warrants identification of new targets for the development of safer and effective anti-Leishmania therapy. The kinetoplastid specific proteasome (KSP) is a novel validated target to develop drugs against leishmaniasis. AREA COVERED: This review focuses on all the published patent applications and granted patents related to the studied small molecules as KSP inhibitors (KSPIs) against Leishmania from 1998 to 31 December 2021. EXPERT OPINION: A little amount of work has been done on KSPIs, but the study results are quite encouraging. LXE408 and GSK3494245 are two KSPIs in different phases of clinical trials. Some other small molecules have also shown KSP inhibitory potential, but they are not in clinical trials. The KSPIs are promising next-generation orally active patient compliant drugs against kinetoplastid diseases, including leishmaniasis. However, the main challenge to discover the KSPIs will be the resistance development and their selectivity against the proteasome of eukaryotic cells.

Epidemiological determinants for the spread of COVID-19 in Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of individuals all over the world. In addition to the patients' compelling indications, various sociodemographic characteristics were identified to influence infection complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the aforementioned parameters on the dissemination of COVID-19 among residents of Saudi Arabia's Riyadh region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the Saudi Arabian province of Riyadh, a cross-sectional retrospective analysis of COVID-19 incidences, recoveries, and case-fatality ratio (CFR) was undertaken. The study was carried out by gathering daily COVID-19 records from the ministry of health's official websites between October 2020 and September 2021. The influencing factors were obtained from the statistical authority. Using the SPSS IBM 25 software, the data was examined. The association between demographic factors as well as the presence of comorbidity on the COVID-19 outcome was determined using Spearman's correlation and regression tests. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate the significance of the results. RESULTS: The data from the study indicated that the highest number of COVID-19 cases were recorded in June 2021, and peak recovery was observed in July 2021. The CFR declined progressively from October 2020 to just over 1, even when the cases peaked. A significant (p < 0.05) correlation between diabetes and COVID-19 incidences was observed. The recovery rate had a significant (p < 0.05) association with the literacy rate and those aged 14-49 years old. Presences of co-morbidities such as Dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, stroke and heart failure have negatively affected the recovery from COVID-19 in the population. The CFR is significantly (p < 0.05) associated with people over 60, hypertensive patients, and asthma patients. Regression analysis suggested that the risk of complications due to COVID-19 infection is more in males, people above 60 years age and those suffering from co-morbidities. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study indicate an association between several of the characteristics studied, such as gender, age, and comorbidity, and the spread of infection, recovery, and mortality. To restrict the spread of COVID-19 and prevent its complications, effective measures are required to control the modifiable risk factors.