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Simple Summary: Nanotechnology has been implemented in healthcare more and more over the past few decades, particularly in applications for more efficacious and safer targeted delivery, detection, and therapy. Topotecan-loaded nanocarrier systems have shown superior pharmacokinetics, biocompatibility, tumor-targeting ability, and stability compared to topotecan in its native form. Additionally, they play a key role in reducing systemic toxicity and battling drug resistance. These advantages enable the widespread use of nano-based systems in various applications. This article explores nanoenabled active and passive targeting strategies and combinatorial therapy employing topotecan to ameliorate various cancers, along with a glimpse of the clinical studies utilizing the said molecule. Chemotherapy has been the predominant treatment modality for cancer patients, but its overall performance is still modest. Difficulty in penetration of tumor tissues, a toxic profile in high doses, multidrug resistance in an array of tumor types, and the differential architecture of tumor cells as they grow are some of the bottlenecks associated with the clinical usage of chemotherapeutics. Recent advances in tumor biology understanding and the emergence of novel targeted drug delivery tools leveraging various nanosystems offer hope for developing effective cancer treatments. Topotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that stabilizes the transient TOPO I-DNA cleavable complex, leading to single-stranded breaks in DNA. Due to its novel mechanism of action, TOPO is reported to be active against various carcinomas, namely small cell lung cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Issues of cross-resistance with numerous drugs, rapid conversion to its inactive form in biological systems, appended adverse effects, and higher water solubility limit its therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings. Topotecan nanoformulations offer several benefits for enhancing the therapeutic action of this significant class of chemotherapeutics. The likelihood that the target cancer cells will be exposed to the chemotherapeutic drug while in the drug-sensitive s-phase is increased due to the slow and sustained release of the chemotherapeutic, which could provide for a sustained duration of exposure of the target cancer cells to the bioavailable drug and result in the desired therapeutic outcome. This article explores nanoenabled active and passive targeting strategies and combinatorial therapy employing topotecan to ameliorate various cancers, along with a glimpse of the clinical studies utilizing the said molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: over the last two decades, only few dermatology research papers have been published in Saudi Arabia provided the small number of experts -in this field -enlisted in higher education institutions. Hence a compelling need to review the recent publications and define the current prevalence, status and interventions needed. Objective: To present an overview of the common dermatological diseases, particularly eczema and dermatitis, in Saudi community as well as their effects and ways to mitigate them. Methods: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) researches conducted and published in Saudi Arabia. Results: Empirical findings revealed that Acne, Eczema and Psoriasis are the most common dermatological disorders among the Saudi community while Atopic Dermatitis was the most common mostly affecting children. In the meantime, Vitiligo emerged to be the most rampant pigmentary ailment, also viral warts appeared predominant covering up to 12% of the patients in the subject. On the other hand, dermatophytoses occurred commonly among the fungal conditions, while psoriasis arose as the most recurrent papulosquamous condition. Conclusion: The prevalence of dermatological disorders in Saudi Arabia is rather high with the issue being overlooked and deprioritized in favor of graver pathological conditions despite the significant social, psychological and quality of life impact on the patients. Thus, we recommended that proper education and awareness campaigns on skin diseases should be provided at all academic and social levels as one way of prevention and alleviation of skin diseased in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal disorder that results in intellectual disability and growth problems. The worldwide incidence of this syndrome is 1 in 1000 births and increases exponentially with the maternal age. People with DS usually have reduced life expectancy and suffer from mental retardation, heart problems, Alzheimer's disease among other complications. However, the severity of the disease differs from patient to patient. Perceptions of the disease and the public attitudes towards people with Down syndrome are very important in the inclusion of these people in the community and the supporting families. Objectives: to assess the level of awareness, attitude and practice toward Down syndrome in Jeddah city to identify barriers. Methods: a cross-sectional analytical questionnaire-based study among the general population of Jeddah city. Results: a total of 360 subjects answered the questionnaires. The mean age was 36 years, it ranged from 16 to 70, with 45.2% females and 43.7% male respondents. Of these, 67% had attended college, 5% had a postgraduate degree, 23.5% had completed high school, and 3.1% had basic school. The majority of participants had a high level of monthly income (38%). The majority of subjects included in the research were (59.6%) married and (51.3%) were unemployed. Most subjects (338) had poor knowledge about Down syndrome and there was no association between the knowledge and demographics of participants except for education at the higher levels of education, the more significant association with good knowledge. Conclusion: The results of the present study reveal that the knowledge about the Down syndrome was poor among the studied population. Also, education significantly impacts the knowledge of Down syndrome, thus there is a need for providing the population and patients with the necessary information to improve their Down syndrome awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy has been the predominant treatment modality for cancer patients, but its overall performance is still modest. Difficulty in penetration of tumor tissues, a toxic profile in high doses, multidrug resistance in an array of tumor types, and the differential architecture of tumor cells as they grow are some of the bottlenecks associated with the clinical usage of chemotherapeutics. Recent advances in tumor biology understanding and the emergence of novel targeted drug delivery tools leveraging various nanosystems offer hope for developing effective cancer treatments. Topotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that stabilizes the transient TOPO I-DNA cleavable complex, leading to single-stranded breaks in DNA. Due to its novel mechanism of action, TOPO is reported to be active against various carcinomas, namely small cell lung cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Issues of cross-resistance with numerous drugs, rapid conversion to its inactive form in biological systems, appended adverse effects, and higher water solubility limit its therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings. Topotecan nanoformulations offer several benefits for enhancing the therapeutic action of this significant class of chemotherapeutics. The likelihood that the target cancer cells will be exposed to the chemotherapeutic drug while in the drug-sensitive s-phase is increased due to the slow and sustained release of the chemotherapeutic, which could provide for a sustained duration of exposure of the target cancer cells to the bioavailable drug and result in the desired therapeutic outcome. This article explores nanoenabled active and passive targeting strategies and combinatorial therapy employing topotecan to ameliorate various cancers, along with a glimpse of the clinical studies utilizing the said molecule.