METHODS: Prospective measurements of ferritin, CRP, and ADA were done in unstimulated plasma samples of 92 EPTB (49 TB lymphadenitis and 43 TB pleuritis) patients registered for anti-TB treatment. Blood samples were taken at the start, 2, and 6 months of treatment, plasma levels of ferritin and CRP were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and ADA levels by kinetic chemistry method at each time point. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Non-parametric tests were used for paired analysis and two groups' comparison. Spearman's rank test was used for correlation analysis. A Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. A p-value
METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted in Kermanshah-Iran in 2022. The sample consisted of 44 patients hospitalized in the oncology ward, who were selected by convenient sampling and randomly allocated into case and control groups. The case group performed diaphragmatic deep breathing intervention for 10 days, twice a day, for 10 min. The subjects completed pain assessment tools before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 24.
RESULTS: The study included participants with a Mean and Standard Deviation(SD) age of 53.95 ± 10.51 years. The case and control groups were similar in terms of demographic variables. The mean and sd acute pain score before the intervention was 3.50 ± 1.84 in the experimental group and 2.18 ± 1.65 in the control group (p = 0.01). However, after the intervention, the score decreased to 1.72 ± 1.07 in the experimental group and increased to 3.72 ± 1.95 in the control group (p = 0.001). The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of chronic pain before the intervention (p = 0.07). However, after the intervention, the score decreased in the experimental group and increased in the control group, with a significant difference (p = 0.01).
CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that deep diaphragmatic breathing reduces pain in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Including this method as a routine care program for cancer patients is recommended.
METHODS: Two consecutive cohorts of patients with IPF were accessed from the Open Source Imaging Consortium database. Automated computed tomography (CT) biomarkers of disease severity incorporating fibrotic and pulmonary vascular features (the reticulovascular score and weighted reticulovascular score (WRVS)) were studied. Relationships between imaging biomarkers, lung function and survival were analysed.
RESULTS: In separate test and validation cohorts, 168 and 176 patients with IPF respectively (median survival 2.6 years) were studied. A threshold of WRVS ≥15% at baseline CT was most strongly associated with transplant-free survival (HR 3.00, 95% CI 1.47-6.10, p=0.002) when adjusted for baseline forced vital capacity (FVC) and age. In patients with 12-month follow-up CT and lung function tests (n=89) an increase in 3% of WRVS (the minimal clinically important difference) was also significantly associated with reduced survival independent of FVC, and outperformed visual evaluation of progressive fibrosis.
CONCLUSIONS: WRVS is an automated CT biomarker which can identify patients with IPF at increased risk of progression and is able to reliably capture disease progression over time.
METHODS: This review employed specific MeSH terms to perform an extensive literature search on OF and its unfavorable outcomes across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. The review included English-language papers published from inception to March 31, 2024, focusing on individuals aged 60 and above, adverse outcomes related to OF, and studies employing cross-sectional or cohort designs.
RESULTS: The review comprised 28 articles: 20 cross-sectional and 8 prospective cohort studies. Among these articles, 10 were rated as "Good" and 18 as "Fair", reflecting the high quality of the literature. Next, 20 OF assessment tools were summarized, and the most frequently used methods for assessing OF were the methods of Tanaka et al and Oral Frailty Index-8 (OF-8). The most frequently unfavorable outcomes related to OF in the elderly were physical frailty, malnutrition, low dietary variety, social withdrawal, disability, and low gait speed.
CONCLUSION: High levels of OF significantly increase the risk of adverse outcomes in older adults, including physical frailty, malnutrition, low dietary variety, social withdrawal, disability, and low gait speed. Effective risk stratification and management are essential to reduce these outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to prepare FMF with different formulations using solvent casting methods and to compare the effects of different drying methods, including oven drying and freeze drying, on the properties of the films.
METHODS: Various formulations were created by manipulating polymer types (starch, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and guar gum) at different concentrations, along with fixed concentrations of QTP and other excipients. Characterization tests including surface morphology, weight, thickness, pH, tensile strength, elongation length, Young's modulus, folding endurance and disintegration time were conducted. The optimal FMF formulation was identified and further evaluated for moisture and drug content, dissolution behavior, accelerated stability, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and palatability.
RESULTS: FMF containing 10 mg guar gum/film developed using oven drying emerged as the optimum choice, exhibiting desirable film appearance, ultra-thin thickness (0.453 ± 0.002 mm), appropriate pH for oral intake (pH 5.0), optimal moisture content of 11.810%, rapid disintegration (52.67 ± 1.53 s), high flexibility (folding endurance > 300 times) and lower Young's modulus (1.308 ± 0.214).
CONCLUSION: Oven drying method has been proven to be favorable for developing FMF containing QTP, meeting all testing criteria and providing an alternative option for QTP prescription.
METHODS: The databases of CENTRAL, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were used to conduct a literature search, supplemented by internet search engines and manual searches. Publications released between January 2009 and October 2023 was identified, reviewed, and data extracted.
RESULTS: The review encompasses six studies involving 712 patients, comprising two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two prospective studies, and two retrospective cohort studies. Three studies prescribed IMN perioperatively; two pre-operatively and one post-operatively. Four out of six studies reported less post-operative infection and complications. Two studies reported shorter hospitalization using the IMN formula. One study reported a longer hospitalization with IMN supplementation. Overall survival showed no significant difference in the two studies. Four studies reported positive modulation of inflammatory markers and lymphocytes as outcomes, with IMN formulas.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Perioperative IMN emerge as a promising intervention, demonstrating notable benefits included shortened hospitalization as well and positive modulation of inflammatory markers.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to formulate FMTs using cocoa butter as a base and investigate the effect of various disintegrants and superdisintegrants on their characteristics.
METHODS: Cocoa butter-based FMTs were prepared via the fusion molding technique. Different disintegrants and superdisintegrants were added at varying concentrations and subjected to characterization. The optimal formulation was selected and incorporated with 10 mg memantine hydrochloride.
RESULTS: The optimal FMT formulation consisted of 340 mg cocoa butter, 75 mg starch, and 75 mg crospovidone, exhibiting a hardness of 17.12 ± 0.31 N and a disintegration time of 32.67 ± 0.17 s. Furthermore, FMTs demonstrated a faster release profile compared to the commercially available product, Ebixa. SEM micrographs revealed homogenous blending of individual ingredients within the cocoa butter matrix and FT-IR analysis confirmed the chemical stability of memantine hydrochloride in the formulation. The dissolution profile of F17 suggested that the drug in FMTs released faster compared to Ebixia. Memantine hydrochloride achieved 98.07% of drug release in FMTs at 10 min. Moreover, the prepared FMTs exhibited stability for at least 6 months.
CONCLUSION: The successful development of cocoa butter-based FMTs containing memantine hydrochloride highlights the potential of cocoa butter as viable alternative matrix-forming material for FMTs production. This innovative formulation offers patients a convenient alternative for medication administration.