jueves, 19 de junio de 2025
Development of Practice Guidelines for Peripartum Depression in Primary Healthcare
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37184/lnjpc.2707-3521.7.68
martes, 13 de mayo de 2025
Finasteride in Young Men: Effects on Semen and Hormones?
Finasteride in Young Men: Effects on Semen and Hormones?
Mohamed
Farouk Allam, MPH, PhD
(1,2)
1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Department of Preventive Medicine and
Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
Qeios (2025): https://www.qeios.com/read/16UWBQ
DOI: 10.32388/16UWBQ
Abstract
Finasteride is widely used to treat male
androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and has been shown to significantly improve hair
count and appearance compared to placebo. Despite its effectiveness, concerns
remain about its potential sexual adverse effects. While some studies suggest
these effects are rare and reversible, the evidence is inconsistent. Notably,
the dosage appears to influence reproductive outcomes: the common 1 mg dose
shows minimal impact on sperm parameters, whereas the higher 5 mg dose is
linked to reduced sperm count, motility, and volume, highlighting a dose
dependent effect and individual variability. A widely cited 2014 study by Irwig
suggesting long-term sexual side effects has major flaws, including selection
bias, lack of a control group, small sample size, and inadequate statistical
methods. Most participants were recruited from a forum for users with negative
experiences, making the findings unrepresentative. In contrast, a 2013
prospective study by Samplaski and collaborators found that most men saw
improved sperm counts after stopping finasteride, with hormone levels and sperm
quality remaining stable. Overall, while finasteride may affect fertility in
some men, robust conclusions about long-term sexual side effects require
larger, better-designed prospective studies to ensure accuracy and
generalizability.
Keywords: Finasteride; semen
parameters; androgen levels; 5-α-reductase inhibitors; sexual functions; review.
Mohamed Farouk Allam. (2025). Finasteride in
Young Men: Effects on Semen and Hormones?. Qeios. doi:10.32388/16UWBQ.
martes, 6 de mayo de 2025
Open-Access Publishing and the Reviewer Crisis: Rethinking Incentives for Quality Peer Review
Open-Access Publishing and the Reviewer Crisis: Rethinking Incentives for Quality Peer Review
Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,2)
1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of
Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt; 2. Department of Preventive Medicine and
Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Spain.
Qeios (2025): https://www.qeios.com/read/P3T1E1.
DOI:10.32388/P3T1E1
Abstract
Open-access
journals often charge article publication fees, typically amounting to
thousands of USD or Euros. Fee waivers are generally limited to manuscripts
from low-income countries. The quality of published manuscripts, whether in
open-access or APC-based journals, depends heavily on external reviewers and
associated editors. Their critical role ensures originality, rigorous
methodology, and impactful research. However, reviewers receive minimal
rewards, such as a certificate, acknowledgment, or discounts on future
publications. These incentives are usually insufficient to attract senior
researchers, who frequently decline the numerous review requests they receive
daily. As a result, the task often falls to junior researchers with fewer
publications and limited experience in high-impact research. This lack of
adequate recognition and tangible benefits for reviewers poses challenges in
maintaining high-quality peer review standards. Considering the significant
revenue journals earn from APCs, particularly in prestigious gold open-access
models, offering substantial financial incentives to reviewers could be a
prudent strategy. Such measures would encourage senior experts to contribute
their time and expertise, ensuring a more rigorous and high-quality review
process.
Keywords: Open-access
journals; article processing charges; gold open access; review; Publication
fees.
Mohamed Farouk Allam. (2025). Open-Access
Publishing and the Reviewer Crisis: Rethinking Incentives for Quality Peer
Review. Qeios. doi:10.32388/P3T1E1.
https://www.qeios.com/read/P3T1E1
domingo, 9 de febrero de 2025
Higher education students' perceptions of ChatGPT: A global study of early reactions
Higher education students' perceptions of ChatGPT: A global study of early reactions
Dejan Ravšelj (1), Damijana
Keržič (1), Nina Tomaževič (1), Lan Umek (1), Nejc Brezovar (1), Noorminshah
A Iahad (2), Ali Abdulla Abdulla (3), Anait Akopyan (4), Magdalena
Waleska Aldana Segura (5,6), Jehan AlHumaid (7), Mohamed Farouk Allam
(8), et al.
1. Faculty of Public
Administration, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
2. Department of
Information Systems, Faculty of Management, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,
Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
3. Department of
Computer Science and IT, State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), Zanzibar,
Tanzania.
4. Department of
English for the Humanities, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
5. Education
Department, Galileo University, Guatemala, Guatemala.
6. Physics Department,
San Carlos de Guatemala University, Guatemala, Guatemala.
7. Department of
Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal
University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
8. Department of Family
Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
PLoS One. 2025 Feb
5;20(2):e0315011.
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0315011.
Abstract
The paper presents the most comprehensive and large-scale global study to date on how higher education students perceived the use of ChatGPT in early 2024. With a sample of 23,218 students from 109 countries and territories, the study reveals that students primarily used ChatGPT for brainstorming, summarizing texts, and finding research articles, with a few using it for professional and creative writing. They found it useful for simplifying complex information and summarizing content, but less reliable for providing information and supporting classroom learning, though some considered its information clearer than that from peers and teachers. Moreover, students agreed on the need for AI regulations at all levels due to concerns about ChatGPT promoting cheating, plagiarism, and social isolation. However, they believed ChatGPT could potentially enhance their access to knowledge and improve their learning experience, study efficiency, and chances of achieving good grades. While ChatGPT was perceived as effective in potentially improving AI literacy, digital communication, and content creation skills, it was less useful for interpersonal communication, decision-making, numeracy, native language proficiency, and the development of critical thinking skills. Students also felt that ChatGPT would boost demand for AI-related skills and facilitate remote work without significantly impacting unemployment. Emotionally, students mostly felt positive using ChatGPT, with curiosity and calmness being the most common emotions. Further examinations reveal variations in students' perceptions across different socio-demographic and geographic factors, with key factors influencing students' use of ChatGPT also being identified. Higher education institutions' managers and teachers may benefit from these findings while formulating the curricula and instructions/regulations for ChatGPT use, as well as when designing the teaching methods and assessment tools. Moreover, policymakers may also consider the findings when formulating strategies for secondary and higher education system development, especially in light of changing labor market needs and related digital skills development.
Ravšelj D, Keržič D,
Tomaževič N, Umek L, Brezovar N, A Iahad N, Abdulla AA, Akopyan A, Aldana
Segura MW, AlHumaid J, Allam MF, Alló M, Andoh RPK, Andronic O, Arthur YD,
Aydın F, Badran A, Balbontín-Alvarado R, Ben Saad H, Bencsik A, Benning I,
Besimi A, Bezerra DDS, Buizza C, Burro R, Bwalya A, Cachero C, Castillo-Briceno
P, Castro H, Chai CS, Charalambous C, Chiu TKF, Clipa O, Colombari R, Corral
Escobedo LJH, Costa E, Crețulescu RG, Crispino M, Cucari N, Dalton F, Demir
Kaya M, Dumić-Čule I, Dwidienawati D, Ebardo R, Egbenya DL, Faris ME, Fečko M,
Ferrinho P, Florea A, Fong CY, Francis Z, Ghilardi A, González-Fernández B, Hau
D, Hossain MS, Hug T, Inasius F, Ismail MJ, Jahić H, Jessa MO, Kapanadze M, Kar
SK, Kateeb ET, Kaya F, Khadri HO, Kikuchi M, Kobets VM, Kostova KM, Krasmane E,
Lau J, Law WHC, Lazăr F, Lazović-Pita L, Lee VWY, Li J, López-Aguilar DV, Luca
A, Luciano RG, Machin-Mastromatteo JD, Madi M, Manguele AL, Manrique RF,
Mapulanga T, Marimon F, Marinova GI, Mas-Machuca M, Mejía-Rodríguez O, Meletiou-Mavrotheris
M, Méndez-Prado SM, Meza-Cano JM, Mirķe E, Mishra A, Mital O, Mollica C,
Morariu DI, Mospan N, Mukuka A, Navarro Jiménez SG, Nikaj I, Nisheva MM,
Nisiforou E, Njiku J, Nomnian S, Nuredini-Mehmedi L, Nyamekye E, Obadić A,
Okela AH, Olenik-Shemesh D, Ostoj I, Peralta-Rizzo KJ, Peštek A, Pilav-Velić A,
Pires DRM, Rabin E, Raccanello D, Ramie A, Rashid MMU, Reuter RAP, Reyes V,
Rodrigues AS, Rodway P, Ručinská S, Sadzaglishvili S, Salem AAMS, Savić G,
Schepman A, Shahpo SM, Snouber A, Soler E, Sonyel B, Stefanova E, Stone A,
Strzelecki A, Tanaka T, Tapia Cortes C, Teira-Fachado A, Tilga H, Titko J,
Tolmach M, Turmudi D, Varela-Candamio L, Vekiri I, Vicentini G, Woyo E,
Yorulmaz Ö, Yunus SAS, Zamfir AM, Zhou M, Aristovnik A. Higher education students'
perceptions of ChatGPT: A global study of early reactions. PLoS One. 2025 Feb
5;20(2):e0315011. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315011
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0315011
sábado, 8 de febrero de 2025
Role of ivermectin and colchicine in the treatment of COVID-19: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Role of ivermectin and colchicine in the treatment of COVID-19: a
randomized controlled clinical trial
Hemmat Abd El-Salam Ahmed Salama (1), Eman El-Sayed Ahmed (2), Ghada
Essam El-Din Amin, Mohamed Farouk Allam (1), Ahmed Nour El-Din Hassan
(3), Mohamed Abd El Rahman Hassan El Shayeb (2)
1. Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University,
Cairo, Egypt.
2. Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University,
Cairo, Egypt.
3. Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Galala
University, Suez, Egypt.
The
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2024 Dec
31;18(12.1):S298-S304.
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.19862
Abstract
Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the
effectiveness of ivermectin and colchicine as treatment options for coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methodology: A three-arm randomized controlled clinical trial was
conducted in the Triage Clinic of the family medicine department at Ain Shams
University Hospitals on participants who had been diagnosed with moderate
COVID-19. Patients aged < 18 years or > 65 years, with any
co-morbidities, pregnant or lactating females, and those with mild or severe
COVID-19 confirmed cases were excluded. Sealed envelopes were used for
randomization of intervention or control. Patients are followed until there was
improvement of symptoms and no development of new symptoms for over one month.
Results: A total of 120 patients (40.16 ± 10.74 years) with
COVID-19 were enrolled; 40 patients in each arm. Out of them, 44 (36.6%) were
male and 76 (63.4%) were female. Fever and cough were the predominant symptoms
in each group. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean
duration of fever between the ivermectin, colchicine, and control groups (7.3 ±
1.68, 6.6 ± 1.58, and 7.075 ± 1.58 days, respectively). The majority of
patients (67.5%, 70%, and 72.5%) were completely cured within 10 days of infection,
with no differences between the three groups (p > 0.05). A statistically
significant improvement of inflammatory markers occurred in each of the three
groups over time with no statistically significant difference between them.
Conclusions: Ivermectin and colchicine have no beneficial effect over
standard care in the treatment of COVID-19.
Keywords: Ain Shams University; COVID-19; clinical trial;
colchicine; ivermectin.
Ahmed
Salama HAE, Ahmed EE, Amin GEE, Allam MF, Hassan ANE, Hassan El Shayeb MAER.
Role of ivermectin and colchicine in the treatment of COVID-19: a randomized
controlled clinical trial. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2024 Dec 31;18(12.1):S298-S304.
doi: 10.3855/jidc.
https://www.jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/39863946
jueves, 6 de febrero de 2025
In Memoriam Dimitrios Trichopoulos (1938-2014)
In Memoriam Dimitrios Trichopoulos (1938-2014)
Mohamed Farouk Allam, MPH, PhD [1,2]
1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Spain.
Correspondence:
Mohamed Farouk Allam, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, 11566 Abbasia, Cairo, Egypt.
Phone: + (202) 24346888 Mobile: + (2) 011 43559946
E-mail: farouk.allam@med.asu.edu.eg
Cite as: Mohamed Farouk Allam. In Memoriam Dimitrios Trichopoulos (1938-2014). Authorea. February 05, 2025.
Short Title: Dimitrios Trichopoulos.
Word count: 262.
Keywords: Athens, cancer epidemiology, case control study,
Dimitrios Trichopoulos, Greece, In memoriam, Lung cancer.
Abstract
In 2024, the 10th anniversary of Prof. Dimitrios Trichopoulos’s passing commemorated his remarkable contributions to public health. Born in Volos, Greece, in 1938, Trichopoulos revolutionized the understanding of secondhand smoke with his groundbreaking 1983 study published inThe Lancet . This research, focusing on Greek non-smoking women married to smokers, demonstrated a clear link between secondhand smoke and lung cancer. The findings provided critical evidence that led to widespread smoking bans in enclosed public spaces, ultimately saving countless lives. In addition to this pioneering work, Trichopoulos was a passionate advocate for the Mediterranean Diet and a leading figure in cancer epidemiology. His tenure at institutions such as the University of Athens, the Karolinska Institute, and the Harvard School of Public Health left an indelible mark on global cancer prevention efforts. A decade after his passing, his legacy continues to shape public health policies and enhance awareness of cancer risks.
Keywords: Dimitrios Trichopoulos, Memoriam, Epidemiology, Cancer Prevention, Lung Cancer, Smoking.
Perspective
From May 9-11, 2024, the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) held its 12th World Conference in Athens. Throughout the conference, I couldn’t help but remember one of the most influential epidemiologists in recent history: Prof. Dimitrios Trichopoulos.
This extraordinary epidemiologist was born in Volos, Greece, in 1938 and passed away in Athens in 2014. It has now been ten years since the death of a scientist who significantly changed our understanding of smoking. In 1983, Dimitrios Trichopoulos published a groundbreaking article in The Lancet, clearly demonstrating that secondhand smoke is a major risk factor for lung cancer. He conducted a case-control study on Greek non-smoking women married to smoking men [1]. The results confirmed Trichopoulos’s hypothesis that secondhand smoke increases the risk of developing cancer, particularly lung cancer. We all remember that before this article, smoking was permitted on airplanes, in restaurants, and in libraries. Thanks to his pioneering study, along with other subsequent cohort and case-control studies, smoking restrictions were implemented in enclosed public spaces [2,3,4].
Undoubtedly, the findings from Dimitrios Trichopoulos’s study and the resulting regulations have helped prevent many deaths attributed to secondhand smoke [5]. Prof. Dimitrios Trichopoulos was an outstanding epidemiologist and a pioneer in cancer epidemiology. He was also a leading advocate for the Mediterranean Diet. His contributions at the University of Athens, the Karolinska Institute, and the Harvard School of Public Health have profoundly influenced global perspectives on cancer epidemiology and prevention.
Celebrating the IPCRG 12th World Conference in Athens this year is a fitting tribute to Dimitrios Trichopoulos, marking 10 years since his passing.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate: Not Applicable (Opinion).
Consent for publication: Single author (corresponding author).
Availability of data and material: Not Applicable (Opinion).
Competing interests: None.
Funding: No funding was obtained for this study.
Authors’ contributions: Single author (corresponding author).
Acknowledgements: Not Applicable (Opinion).
References
1. Trichopoulos D, Kalandidi A, Sparros L. Lung cancer and passive smoking: conclusion of Greek study. Lancet 1983;2(8351):677-8. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(83)92549-7.
2. Peto J, Doll R. Passive smoking. Br J Cancer 1986;54(3):381-3. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1986.187.
3. Lee PN, Chamberlain J, Alderson MR. Relationship of passive smoking to risk of lung cancer and other smoking-associated diseases. Br J Cancer 1986;54(1):97-105. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1986.157.
4. Zaridze DG, Zemlianaia GM. Passivnoe kurenie kak faktor riska vozniknoveniia raka legkogo [Passive smoking as a risk factor in the occurrence of lung cancer]. Vopr Onkol 1991;37(11-12):1027-34. Russian.
5. Trichopoulos D. Passive smoking and lung cancer. The Ipsen lecture 1987. Scand J Soc Med 1988;16(2):75-9. doi: 10.1177/140349488801600203.
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