The Inhalation Characteristics of Patients When They Use Different Dry Powder Inhalers

Background: The characteristics of each inhalation maneuver when patients use dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are important, because they control the quality of the emitted dose. Methods: We have measured the inhalation profiles of asthmatic children [CHILD; n=16, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) 79% predicted], asthmatic adults (ADULT; n=53, mean predicted FEV1 72%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n=29, mean predicted FEV1 42%) patients when they inhaled through an Aerolizer, Diskus, Turbuhaler, and Easyhaler using their “real-life” DPI inhalation technique. These are low-, medium-, medium/high-, and high-resistance DPIs, respectively. The inhalation flow against time was recorded to provide the peak inhalation flow (PIF; in L/min), the maximum pressure change (ΔP; in kPa), acceleration rates (ACCEL; in kPa/sec), time to maximum inhalation, the length of each inhalation (in sec), and the inhalation volume (IV; in liters) of each inhalation maneuver. Results: PIF, ΔP, and ACCEL values were consistent with the order of the inhaler's resistance. For each device, the inhalation characteristics were in the order ADULT>COPD>CHILD for PIF, ΔP, and ACCEL (p4 L and ΔP >4 kPa. Conclusion: The large variability of these inhalation characteristics and their range highlights that if inhalation profiles were used with compendial in vitro dose emission measurements, then the results would provide useful information about the dose patients inhale during routine use. The inhalation characteristics highlight that adults with asthma have greater inspiratory capacity than patients with COPD, whereas children with asthma have the lowest. The significance of the inhaled volume to empty doses from each device requires investigation

The impact of <em>CYP2C9</em>, <em>VKORC1</em>, and <em>CYP4F2</em> polymorphisms on warfarin dose requirement in Saudi patients

Copyright \ua9 2025 Jokhab, AlRasheed, Bakheet, AlMomen, AlAboud and Kamali. Background: Limited data are available on factors that affect warfarin dose requirement in Saudi patients. Saudis are among the underrepresented ethnic groups in warfarin pharmacogenetics research. The present study investigated the frequency of CYP2C9*2 and*3, CYP4F2 (G1347A) and VKORC1 –1639G&gt;A genotypes and their impact on warfarin dose requirement in a cohort of Saudi patients requiring anticoagulation therapy. Methods: 193 patients on chronic warfarin therapy and with stable anticoagulation took part in the study. Genotyping for VKORC1 1639G&gt;A, CYP4F2 G1347A, CYP2C9*2 430C&gt;T and CYP2C9*3 1075A&gt;C were performed using TaqMan genotyping assays. Analysis of variance was carried out to determine the association between CYP2C9, CYP4F2, and VKORC1 genotype and warfarin dose requirement in two groups based on target INR range. Backward linear regression analysis identified genetic and clinical factors influencing doe requirements. Results: Patients with CYP2C9 and VKORC1 polymorphisms required significantly lower warfarin doses compared to wild-type patients. Carriers of two mutant alleles required lower doses than those with one mutant allele. In contrast, CYP4F2 polymorphisms did not influence warfarin dose. Age and genetic variants in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 were negatively correlated with dose requirements, while body surface area (BSA) was positively correlated. Conclusion: Saudi patients with polymorphisms in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 required lower warfarin doses than those with the wild-type allele. CYP4F2 polymorphism had no effect on warfarin dose requirement. Integrating patient clinical factors, including age and BSA, and genetic polymorphisms in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 provides the best estimation of factors contributing to warfarin dose in the Saudi patient population

Association between rhesus and ABO blood group types and their impact on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A multi-center investigation

Background: There is increasing evidence suggesting that ABO blood type may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 infection. In addition to ABO blood type, the Rhesus (Rh) factor has also been implicated in various disease processes. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the association between both ABO and Rh blood types in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and their clinical outcomes. Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted in Saudi Arabia between March 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021, involving adult COVID-19 patients admitted to Intensive Care Units, aimed to explore potential associations between rhesus blood group types (Positive versus Negative) and clinical outcomes. The primary endpoint assessed was the hospital length of stay (LOS). Other endpoints were considered secondary. Results: After propensity score matching (3:1 ratio), 212 patients were included in the final analysis. The hospital length of stay was longer in a negative Rh blood group compared with patients in the Rh-positive group (beta coefficient 0.26 (0.02, 0.51), p = 0.03). However, neither 30-day mortality (HR 0.28; 95% CI 0.47, 1.25, p = 0.28) nor in-hospital mortality (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.48, 1.14, p = 0.17) reached statistical significance. Additionally, among the different ABO types, the A+ blood group exhibited a higher proportion of thrombosis/infarction and in-hospital mortality (28.1% and 31.2%, respectively). Conclusion: This study highlights the potential impact of blood group type on the prognosis of critically ill patients with COVID-19. It has been observed that patients with a negative Rh blood group type tend to have a longer hospital stay, while their mortality rates and complications during ICU stay are similar to the patients with a Rh-positive group

Critical success factor of PPP for affordable housing provision in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

AbstractSaudi Arabia recently established public–private partnerships (PPPs) in order to increase the private sector’s involvement in financing and providing affordable housing. However, the successful implementation of the PPP for affordable housing in Makkah necessitates careful consideration of possible barriers. As a result, the purpose of this study is to assess the critical success factor of the PPP and to introduce a housing affordable model for the low-income community. The survey method was used in the study to determine the critical success factors of PPP for affordable housing provision, with participants from both the private and public sectors. Using a five-point Likert scale, respondents were asked to rate the degree of influence of prospective critical success factors of PPP. The data gathered was analyzed using statistical tools. The study’s findings describe the critical success factors of public–private partnerships for affordable housing and establish the critical success factors of the PPP model for affordable housing in Makkah. As a result, determining the critical success factors and suggesting a way forward for the government to effectively provide affordable housing for low-income groups, as has been successful in other parts of countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and India, among others.</jats:p