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Neuromodulation : Journal of the... Jul 2023Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) is the foremost bacterial cause of surgical-site infection (SSI) and is a common source of neuromodulation SSI. Endogenous colonization... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) is the foremost bacterial cause of surgical-site infection (SSI) and is a common source of neuromodulation SSI. Endogenous colonization is an independent risk factor for SSI; however, this risk has been shown to diminish with screening and decolonization.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase data bases from inception to January 1, 2022, for the purposes of identifying all studies reporting on the use of S aureus swabbing and/or decolonization before neuromodulation procedures. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using the metaphor package in R to calculate odds ratios (OR).
RESULTS
Five observational cohort studies were included after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average study duration was 6.6 ± 3.8 years. Three studies included nasal screening as a prerequisite for subsequent decolonization. Type of neuromodulation included spinal cord stimulation in two studies, deep brain stimulation in two studies, intrathecal baclofen in one study, and sacral neuromodulation in one study. Overall, 860 and 1054 patients were included in a control or intervention (ie, screening and/or decolonization) group, respectively. A combination of nasal mupirocin ointment and a body wash, most commonly chlorhexidine gluconate soap, was used to decolonize throughout. Overall infection rates were observed at 59 of 860 (6.86%) and ten of 1054 (0.95%) in the control and intervention groups, respectively. Four studies reported a significant difference. The OR for intervention (screen and/or decolonization) vs no intervention was 0.19 (95% CI, 0.09-0.37; p < 0.001). Heterogeneity between studies was nonsignificant (I = 0.43%, τ = 0.00).
CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative S aureus swabbing and decolonization resulted in significantly decreased odds of infection in neuromodulation procedures. This measure may represent a worthwhile tool to reduce neuromodulation SSI, warranting further investigation.
Topics: Humans; Staphylococcus aureus; Mupirocin; Staphylococcal Infections; Surgical Wound Infection; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 36198512
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.07.013 -
Gels (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023The purpose of this work was to develop a novel topical formulation of econazole nitrate based on gel that can be easily scaled up in one pot for the potential treatment...
The purpose of this work was to develop a novel topical formulation of econazole nitrate based on gel that can be easily scaled up in one pot for the potential treatment of fungal and yeast infections. Econazole nitrate, a topical antifungal, is used to treat tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris. Compared to applying cream or ointment, topical gels offer numerous advantages, one of which is that the drug is released more quickly to the intended site of action. A viscous mixture of propylene glycol, Capmul MCM C8, methyl and propyl paraben, and econazole nitrate were mixed together before being formulated into the optimized Carbopol gel bases. The gel's color, appearance, and homogeneity were assessed visually. For every formulation, the drug content, pH, viscosity, spreadability, and gel strength were characterized. The cup plate diffusion method was used to evaluate the anti-fungal activity of the prepared formulations. To assess the behavior of the developed system, studies on in vitro release and mechanism were conducted. The manufactured formulations were transparent, pale yellow, and exhibited excellent homogeneity. The pH of each formulation was roughly 6.0, making them suitable for topical use. The concentration of Carbopol 940 resulted in a significant increase in viscosity and gel strength but a significant decrease in spreadability. It was demonstrated that the prepared formulations inhibited the growth of and . In contrast, the standard blank gel showed no signs of antifungal action. By increasing the concentration of Carbopol 940, the in vitro release profile of econazole nitrate significantly decreased. Following the Korsmeyer-Peppas model fitting, all formulations exhibited n values greater than 0.5 and less than 1, indicating that diffusion and gel swelling control econazole nitrate release.
PubMed: 38131915
DOI: 10.3390/gels9120929 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2023It is uncertain whether hydrocolloid dressings, a more costly intervention than offering standard care with petrolatum, is superior to prevent pressure ulcers among... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
It is uncertain whether hydrocolloid dressings, a more costly intervention than offering standard care with petrolatum, is superior to prevent pressure ulcers among hospitalized high-risk adults. Randomized, parallel-group, open-label, superiority trial with an active control group, blinded for investigators, event validators, and analysts (December 1, 2015 to December 12, 2017). Eligible patients were ≥ 18 years of age with intact skin judged as high-risk for skin ulcers (Braden scale), admitted to surgical or medical wards of two tertiary-level hospitals. Participants were randomized (1:1) to protection with hydrocolloid dressings or petrolatum. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of pressure ulcers (with post-injury photographs adjudicated by three judges) under intention-to-treat analysis. Based on prior cost analysis, and the available resources (assumed incidence of 6 ulcers/1000 patient-days in controls), inclusion of up to 1500 participants allowed to surpass a one-sided superiority threshold > 5% based on a target efficacy > 40% for dressings. We planned an economic analysis using a decision tree model based on the effectiveness of the study results from a perspective of the third payer of health care. After inclusion of 689 patients (69 events), the trial was stopped for futility after a planned interim analysis (conditional power < 0.1 for all scenarios if the trial was completed). Pressure ulcers had occurred in 34 (10.2%) patients in the intervention group [9.6 per 1000 patient-days] and 35 (9.9%) participants in the control group [7.9 per 1000 patient-days], HR = 1.07 [95% CI 0.67 to 1.71]. The estimated incremental cost for dressings (a dominated strategy) was USD 52.11 per patient. Using hydrocolloid dressings was found similar to petrolatum for preventing pressure ulcers among hospitalized high-risk patients. As it conveys additional costs, and in this study was unlikely to demonstrate enough superiority, this strategy did not overcome conventional skin care.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02565745 registered on December 1, 2015.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Bandages, Hydrocolloid; Pressure Ulcer; Patients; Petrolatum
PubMed: 38062132
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47483-0 -
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and... 2023Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell driven autoimmune disease, which results in hair loss. This study aims to determine the efficacy, tolerability and safety of different...
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell driven autoimmune disease, which results in hair loss. This study aims to determine the efficacy, tolerability and safety of different concentrations of anthralin in the treatment of pediatric AA.
METHODS
A retrospective cohort study of patients < 18 yo diagnosed with AA treated with anthralin at SickKids Hospital, Toronto dermatology outpatient clinic in 2016 - 2018. Anthralin used at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1% in petrolatum at short contact, at increments of 15 minutes every week until a 1 hr maximum contact achieved. No other treatment was used in conjunction. Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores (SS) were determined using photographs and descriptions to assess severity of alopecia at baseline and post anthralin treatment.
RESULTS
A total of 11 charts were reviewed in this retrospective cohort. Hair loss pattern; 3 patients with patchy, 6 had mixed (patchy and ophiasis), and 2 were totalis. All except for 1 patient had failed traditional treatments. One patient had complete hair regrowth, 3 showed more than 85% hair re-growth and 7 patients showed more than 75% hair regrowth, the average time for this to occur was 6.5 months. None of the patients experience serious side effects.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of topical anthralin 0.1% to 1% in pediatric alopecia areata. In our study, anthralin 0.2% appears to offer the best performance and tolerability profile among the different concentrations used, with treatment course of at least 6 months in order to achieve more than 75% hair regrowth.
Topics: Humans; Child; Anthralin; Alopecia Areata; Retrospective Studies; Dermatologic Agents; Petrolatum; Administration, Topical; Alopecia
PubMed: 37559401
DOI: 10.1177/12034754231191060 -
Medicine Apr 2024Epistaxis is one of the common emergencies in otolaryngology. There are many causes of epistaxis, but reports of epistaxis due to nasal foreign bodies like leeches are...
RATIONALE
Epistaxis is one of the common emergencies in otolaryngology. There are many causes of epistaxis, but reports of epistaxis due to nasal foreign bodies like leeches are rare.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 55-year-old male presented with "repeated epistaxis for over 20 days." Nasal endoscopy revealed a live leech in the olfactory area of the left nostril.
DIAGNOSES
The patient was diagnosed with epistaxis caused by a live leech in the nasal cavity.
INTERVENTIONS
Under nasal endoscopy, the leech was grasped with a vascular clamp and removed from the nasal cavity. The leech measured 8 cm in length. Hemostasis was achieved using a gelatin sponge at the wound site, and the nasal cavity was packed with Vaseline gauze.
OUTCOMES
The live leech was removed via nasal endoscopy. Two days later, the Vaseline gauze packing was removed, and the patient experienced no further nasal bleeding.
CONCLUSION
Live leeches in the nasal cavity can cause epistaxis. Nasal endoscopic removal of the live leech is an effective treatment.
LESSON
There are many causes of epistaxis, which are nonspecific and prone to missed or incorrect diagnosis. In patients with a history of fieldwork or direct contact with leeches who present with recurrent nasal bleeding, the possibility of epistaxis caused by a live leech should be considered, and timely and effective treatment should be provided.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Endoscopy; Epistaxis; Leeches; Nasal Cavity; Nose; Petrolatum
PubMed: 38579026
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037720