Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Irina Iaru, Camelia Bucsa, Andreea Farcas, Cristina Pop, Anamaria Cristina, Sebastian Armean, Irina Brumboiu, Oliviu Vostinaru, Cristina Mogosan
Summary: The utilization patterns of anxiolytics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics in Romania between 1998 and 2018 showed stability in anxiolytic use, a significant increase in antidepressant use, and a rising trend in antipsychotic use.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Yusuke Okada, Manabu Akazawa
Summary: The 2018 revision of Japanese medical service fees aimed at reducing irrational psychotropic polypharmacy by reducing fees for patients prescribed more than the standard number of drugs. A study using a large administrative claims database found that only the proportion of patients prescribed the sum of anxiolytics and hypnotics exceeding the standard significantly decreased after the revision, while other drug groups did not show significant changes. The revision resulted in a promotion of reduction in the number of prescribed drugs, which was an important factor in decreasing the proportion of patients prescribed more than the standard number of drugs.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Gaetano Zaccara, Valentina Franco
Summary: Antiseizure medications and drugs for psychiatric diseases often interact at a metabolic level, primarily through changes in the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Some antiseizure medications can reduce the plasma concentrations of certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines, while newer antiseizure medications have a lower potential for these interactions. However, some newer antidepressants may inhibit CYP enzymes and increase the serum concentrations of certain antiseizure medications. Knowledge of specific CYP enzymes involved in the metabolism of individual medications and the influence of comedication on the activity of these enzymes can help anticipate clinically relevant interactions. Careful evaluation of clinical response and personalized dosage adjustments based on drug serum concentrations are recommended to manage these interactions.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Fiorentino, Alessio Nocentini, Dante Rotili, Claudiu T. Supuran, Antonello Mai
Summary: Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are important regulators of pH homeostasis and participate in many physiological and pathological processes. This study investigated various drugs as potential CA activators and found that phenothiazine-based antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants were the most effective at activating hCA VII. These findings provide insights into the pharmacological profiles of clinically employed drugs and may contribute to the development of novel CA activators.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria J. Arranz, Juliana Salazar, Valentin Bote, Alicia Artigas-Baleri, Alexandre Serra-LLovich, Emma Trivino, Jordi Roige, Carlos Lombardia, Martha Cancino, Marta Hernandez, Marc Cendros, Enric Duran-Tauleria, Natalia Maraver, Amaia Hervas
Summary: This study found that pharmacogenetic interventions can significantly improve clinical outcomes in autism spectrum disorder patients resistant to drug treatment, with a majority of patients showing improvement and requiring fewer visits to clinicians and hospital stays.
Article
Psychiatry
Maria Fagerbakke Stromme, Christoffer Bartz-Johannesen, Rune Andreas Kroken, Lars Mehlum, Erik Johnsen
Summary: This study found that the use of antipsychotics and antidepressants is associated with a reduced risk of readmission with overactive, aggressive, disruptive or agitated behavior (OADA) in patients with schizophrenia, while benzodiazepines are associated with an increased risk of readmission with OADA.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Delia Bishara
Summary: The paper reviews the growing evidence of the risks associated with anticholinergic agents, including peripheral side effects and central effects such as cognitive impairment. It also highlights the consistent link between anticholinergics and an increased risk of dementia and mortality in older people.
THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Johan Bengtsson, Erik Olsson, Helena Igelstrom, Jonas Persson, Robert Boden
Summary: This study found that HRV in patients with schizophrenia or depression is influenced by factors such as age, diagnosis, anticholinergic burden of medication, and ongoing physical activity. A quantified score of anticholinergic burden has a negative relationship with HRV, while sex, nicotine use, and BMI have minimal effects on HRV.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Tomi Bergstrom, Jaakko Seikkula, Paivi Kongas-Saviaro, Jyri J. Taskila, Jukka Aaltonen
Summary: This study analysed the long-term medication dispensing patterns among patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) treated according to the open dialogue (OD) approach. The results showed that a smaller proportion of patients under OD were prescribed benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and neuroleptics. Most patients who received neuroleptics in the first follow-up years continued to use medication throughout the follow-up period.
PSYCHOSIS-PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Eyup Duzgun, Ezgi Ozkur
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of oral isotretinoin on meibomian gland morphology and its relation with clinical dry eye tests. The results showed that non-contact meibography imaging is a useful method for assessing isotretinoin-related changes in meibomian glands.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL TREATMENT
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Maria Carmen Sanchez-Gonzalez, Concepcion De-Hita-Cantalejo, Concepcion Martinez-Lara, Jose-Maria Sanchez-Gonzalez
Summary: The study aimed to assess the efficacy of 0.4% hyaluronic acid and 0.2% galacto-xyloglucan in the treatment of dry eye disease in patients receiving oral isotretinoin for acne vulgaris. The results showed that participants in the hyaluronic acid with galacto-xyloglucan group experienced a greater improvement in subjective symptoms and tear film signs compared to those in the hyaluronic acid alone group.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Takao Kato, Nozomu Kotorii, Motohiro Ozone, Kenta Murotani, Hayato Ohshima, Hiroyuki Mori, Kenjirou Wasano, Hiroshi Hiejima, Mitsunari Habukawa, Naohisa Uchimura
Summary: This study aimed to examine the factors related to the elimination of prescriptions of three or more hypnotic drugs within 1 year in a Japanese clinic. The frequency of prescribing three or more hypnotic drugs was higher in psychiatry compared to other departments. Flunitrazepam and brotizolam were the most commonly prescribed drugs, while eszopiclone, zopiclone, and suvorexant had the highest discontinuation rates. Age, trazodone addition, and number of years of psychiatric experience were identified as success factors for drug reduction.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Yi-Yong Baek, Bokyung Sung, Jun-Sub Choi, Hyeon-Kyu Go, Do-Hyung Kim, Joon Young Hyon, Ji Chang You
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) in animal models. Imatinib significantly reduced ocular surface damage, restored conjunctival epithelium morphology, and prevented loss of goblet cells in DED models. These findings suggest the potential of developing imatinib as a new ophthalmic drop for treating DED.
TRANSLATIONAL VISION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Amanda Pires Barbosa, Fabiola Reis de Oliveira, Flavio Jaime da Rocha, Valdair Francisco Muglia, Eduardo Melani Rocha
Summary: This report examines three cases of sicca syndrome, initially suspected to be Sjogren's syndrome but ruled out by clinical and laboratory investigations. The study found a potential link between chronic exposure to isotretinoin, anabolic androgenic steroids, and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma, and the development of dry eye syndrome. Further research on dosage, duration, and other factors related to these associations is needed to confirm and expand upon these findings.
ARQUIVOS BRASILEIROS DE OFTALMOLOGIA
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Sang Beom Han, Yu-Chi Liu, Karim Mohamed-Noriega, Louis Tong, Jodhbir S. Mehta
JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Ophthalmology
Marcus Ang, Valencia Foo, Mengyuan Ke, Bingyao Tan, Louis Tong, Leopold Schmetterer, Jodbhir S. Mehta
Summary: In this study, it was found that AS-OCTA provided an objective, non-contact, rapid assessment of limbal vasculature involvement in eyes with acute chemical injury. Further research is needed to determine the role of AS-OCTA in predicting the prognosis of eyes with chemical injury.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Shi-Jie Ng, Hon Shing Ong, Louis Tong
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Yashan Bu, Yau-Kei Chan, Ho-Lam Wong, Stephanie Hiu-Ling Poon, Amy Cheuk-Yin Lo, Kendrick Co Shih, Louis Tong
Summary: Recent studies have found a link between ocular diseases and microbiota profiles in the host's intestinal tract and oral cavity, forming a 'gut-eye axis'. Changes in gut microbiome can affect host immunity and have significant implications for ocular health and disease.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lei Siew, Louis Tong
Summary: This study investigated the effects of cataract surgery on dry eye parameters in the medium- to long-term post-surgical period. The results showed that the pseudophakic dry eye group had a higher frequency of blurred vision, but there was no clinically significant difference in Schirmer's I index. Other dry eye indicators did not worsen in the pseudophakic dry eye group. Pre-operative counseling and preventative measures are important in protecting patients' eye health.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Letter
Ophthalmology
Louis Tong, Lei Zhou, Siew Kwan Koh, Yan Gao, Hla Myint Htoon, AiHua Hou, Lu Deng, Qi-Ping Wei, Pat Lim
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ralene Sim, Kenneth Yong, Yu-Chi Liu, Louis Tong
Summary: In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a useful complementary technique for clinical diagnosis of ocular surface disorders such as dry eye. However, there are limitations including small field of view and lack of standardization. With future advances in hardware and software, IVCM has the potential for further practical impact.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Elizabeth Wen Ling Lim, Crystal Chun Yuen Chong, Simon Nusinovici, Eva Fenwick, Ecosse Luc Lamoureux, Charumathi Sabanayagam, Ching-Yu Cheng, Louis Tong
Summary: This study aimed to determine the independent association between dry eye symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the Singapore population, as well as to investigate the factors that mediate this association. The results showed that dry eye symptoms were associated with poorer HRQoL, which was partly mediated by reduced visual functioning and recent falls.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin Paik, Louis Tong
Summary: This study suggests that topical omega-3 is a promising treatment for dry eye, with evidence from human trials showing improvements in ocular surface staining and tear break-up time. However, further research is needed to confirm the effects on other aspects of dry eye.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin Paik, Louis Tong
Summary: Inflammation is common in chronic ocular surface diseases like dry eye disease, indicating dysregulation of the immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids have been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects, but results from human trials have been inconsistent. Genetic differences, such as polymorphisms in the LT-alpha gene, might play a role in individual response to omega-3. Using genetic testing to predict an individual's response to omega-3 could be valuable.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Aihua Hou, Safiah Mohamed Ali, Evelyn Png, Walter Hunziker, Louis Tong
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of TG-2 in corneal barrier function and its regulation of epithelial junctional proteins and transcription factors. Corneas from TG-2-/- mice showed lower trans-epithelial electrical resistance and increased central corneal thickness compared to TG-2+/+ mice. TG-2-/- mice also exhibited a faster increase in fluorescence in the anterior chamber after ocular exposure to FITC-dextran. The expression of Claudin-1 protein and transcript levels were reduced in the cornea of TG-2-/- mice and in TG-2 knockdown human corneal epithelial cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Merrelynn Hong, Louis Tong, Jodhbir S. Mehta, Hon Shing Ong
Summary: Ocular surface diseases (OSDs) are significant causes of ocular morbidity, characterized by chronic inflammation, redness, irritation, discomfort, and pain. External exposomes, such as dust, pollution, and stress, and internal exposomes, including the ocular surface microbiome, gut microflora, and oxidative stress, have been increasingly studied for their impact on OSDs. Understanding the changes in the ocular surface microbiome and the impact of various exposomes may help establish the causative factors underlying OSDs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Joy Wong, Gayathri Govindasamy, Arun Prasath, William Hwang, Aloysius Ho, Sharon Yeo, Louis Tong
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of umbilical cord plasma eyedrops for the treatment of recalcitrant dry eyes in a local Singaporean context. The results showed that this treatment significantly improved kerato-epitheliopathy staining scores in patients. This suggests that allogeneic plasma may be a promising form of treatment for recalcitrant dry eye.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veluchamy Amutha Barathi, Candice E. H. Ho, Louis Tong
Summary: Myopia is a prevalent refractive error disorder characterized by elongation of the eye. This study identified the TGM2 gene and muscarinic receptors as important factors in the development of myopia. Targeting TGM2 and blocking muscarinic receptors could potentially be beneficial in interfering with the progression of myopia.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lydia Hui-Peng Tan, Louis Tong
Summary: Functional visual acuity is reduced in severe dry eye disease and older individuals. Severe dry eye disease significantly impacts certain aspects of quality of life.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)