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JMIR Biomedical Engineering May 2024Now and in the future, airborne diseases such as COVID-19 could become uncontrollable and lead the world into lockdowns. Finding alternatives to lockdowns, which limit...
BACKGROUND
Now and in the future, airborne diseases such as COVID-19 could become uncontrollable and lead the world into lockdowns. Finding alternatives to lockdowns, which limit individual freedoms and cause enormous economic losses, is critical.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of achieving a society or a nation that does not require lockdown during a pandemic due to airborne infectious diseases through the mass production and distribution of high-performance, low-cost, and comfortable powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs).
METHODS
The feasibility of a social system using PAPR as an alternative to lockdown was examined from the following perspectives: first, what PAPRs can do as an alternative to lockdown; second, how to operate a social system utilizing PAPR; third, directions of improvement of PAPR as an alternative to lockdown; and finally, balancing between efficiency of infection control and personal freedom through the use of Internet of Things (IoT).
RESULTS
PAPR was shown to be a possible alternative to lockdown through the reduction of airborne and droplet transmissions and through a temporary reduction of infection probability per contact. A social system in which individual constraints imposed by lockdown are replaced by PAPRs was proposed, and an example of its operation is presented in this paper. For example, the government determines the type and intensity of the lockdown and activates it. At that time, the government will also indicate how PAPR can be substituted for the different activity and movement restrictions imposed during a lockdown, for example, a curfew order may be replaced with the permission to go outside if wearing a PAPR. The following 7 points were raised as directions for improvement of PAPR as an alternative method to lockdown: flow optimization, precise differential pressure control, design improvement, maintenance method, variation development such as booth type, information terminal function, and performance evaluation method. In order to achieve the effectiveness and efficiency in controlling the spread of infection and the individual freedom at a high level in a social system that uses PAPRs as an alternative to lockdown, it was considered effective to develop a PAPR wearing rate network management system utilizing IoT.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that using PAPR with infection control ability and with less economic and social damage as an alternative to nationwide lockdown is possible during a pandemic due to airborne infectious diseases. Further, the efficiency of the government's infection control and each citizen's freedom can be balanced by using the PAPR wearing rate network management system utilizing an IoT system.
PubMed: 38875692
DOI: 10.2196/54666 -
PloS One 2024Renal dysfunction is associated with poor outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In an effort to improve outcomes, intravenous remdesivir has... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Renal dysfunction is associated with poor outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In an effort to improve outcomes, intravenous remdesivir has been broadly used for the treatment of COVID-19 even in patients with low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Our study assessed the residual risk of outcomes of patients with low eGFR despite treatment with remdesivir for COVID-19, during a timeframe prior to the expanded label across all levels of renal function.
METHODS
We conducted an observational, retrospective, multi-site cohort study of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 treated with at least one dose of remdesivir between November 6, 2020, and November 5, 2021. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain patient characteristics, related laboratory data, and outcomes. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality by day 28. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate association between groups.
RESULTS
The study population consisted of 3024 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and treated with remdesivir. The median age was 67 [IQR 55, 77] years; 42.7% were women, and 88.6% were white. The median eGFR was 76.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 [IQR 52.5, 95.2]; the majority (67.2%) of patients had an eGFR ≥ 60, while 9% had an eGFR <30. All-cause mortality by day 28 was 8.7%. All-cause mortality rates were significantly higher among patients with impaired renal function (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.63 for patients with eGFR 30-59; OR 1.46 for eGFR 15-29; OR 2.42 for eGFR <15 and OR 5.44 for patients on dialysis) compared to patients with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73m2.
CONCLUSIONS
Lower eGFR remains an independent risk factor for mortality in COVID-19 even in patients treated with remdesivir.
Topics: Humans; Alanine; Adenosine Monophosphate; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Retrospective Studies; COVID-19; Antiviral Agents; Hospitalization; SARS-CoV-2; Kidney
PubMed: 38875257
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303896 -
The Oncologist Jun 2024This is a phase II subprotocol of the NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH study evaluating vemurafenib, a selective oral inhibitor of BRAF V600 mutated kinase, in patients with...
BACKGROUND
This is a phase II subprotocol of the NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH study evaluating vemurafenib, a selective oral inhibitor of BRAF V600 mutated kinase, in patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors harboring BRAF V600 mutations.
METHODS
Patients received vemurafenib at 550 mg/m2 (maximum 960 mg/dose) orally twice daily for 28-day cycles until progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary aim was to determine the objective response rate and secondary objectives included estimating progression-free survival and assessing the tolerability of vemurafenib.
RESULTS
Twenty-two patients matched to the subprotocol and 4 patients (18%) enrolled. Primary reasons for non-enrollment were ineligibility due to exclusions of low-grade glioma (nâ=â7) and prior BRAF inhibitor therapy (nâ=â7). Enrolled diagnoses were one each of histiocytosis, ameloblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, and high-grade glioma, all with BRAF V600E mutations. Treatment was overall tolerable with mostly expected grade 1/2 adverse events (AE). Grade 3 or 4 AE on treatment were acute kidney injury, hyperglycemia, and maculopapular rash. One patient came off therapy due to AE. One patient (glioma) had an objective partial response and remained on protocol therapy for 15 cycles.
CONCLUSION
There was a low accrual rate on this MATCH subprotocol, with only 18% of those who matched with BRAFV600 mutations enrolling, resulting in early termination, and limiting study results (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03220035).
PubMed: 38873934
DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae119 -
Heliyon Jun 2024To compare the safety and efficacy of intranasal high-dose dexmedetomidine (DEX) versus a combination of intranasal low-dose dexmedetomidine and oral chloral hydrate...
Comparison of intranasal dexmedetomidine alone and dexmedetomidine-chloral hydrate combination sedation for electroencephalography in children: A large retrospective cohort study and propensity score-matched analysis.
AIM
To compare the safety and efficacy of intranasal high-dose dexmedetomidine (DEX) versus a combination of intranasal low-dose dexmedetomidine and oral chloral hydrate (DEX-CH) sedation during electroencephalography (EEG) in children.
METHODS
Unadjusted analysis, 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to compare the sedation success rate, adverse effects, onset time, and recovery time of these two sedation methods for 6967 children who underwent EEG.
RESULTS
A total of 6967 children were enrolled in this study, of whom 846 (12.1 %) underwent DEX intranasal sedation while 6121 (87.9 %) received DEX-CH sedation. No significant differences were observed in the sedation success rate with the first dose between the two groups [824 (97.4 %) for DEX vs. 5971 (97.6 %) for DEX-CH; RR 0.99; 95 % CI, 0.98-1.01; P = 0.79]. Similarly, there were no notable disparities in the incidence of adverse events [16 (1.9 %) for DEX vs. 101 (1.7 %) for DEX-CH; RR 1.15; 95 % CI, 0.68-1.93; P = 0.32]. However, intranasal DEX sedation compared with DEX-CH sedation was associated with lower vomiting [0 vs. 95(1.6 %); RR 0.04; 95 % CI, 0.02-0.6; P = 0.02] or more bradycardia [13(1.5 %) vs. 2(0.03 %); RR 47.03; 95 % CI, 10.63-208.04; P < 0.001]. Multivariate analysis using PSM and IPTW analysis yielded similar results.
CONCLUSION
Both methods for EEG had high sedation success rate and low incidence of adverse events. High-dose intranasal DEX was more likely to induce bradycardia and had a shorter recovery time than the DEX-CH sedation, which was more likely to induce vomiting.
PubMed: 38873690
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32236 -
Heliyon Jun 2024This scientific review involves a sequential analysis of randomized trial research focused on the incidence of shivering in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
This scientific review involves a sequential analysis of randomized trial research focused on the incidence of shivering in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The study conducted a comprehensive search of different databases, up to the end of 2020. Only randomized trials comparing magnesium administration with either placebo or no treatment in patients expected to experience shivering were included. The primary objective was to evaluate shivering occurrence, distinguishing between patients receiving general anesthesia and those not. Secondary outcomes included serum magnesium concentrations, intubation time, post-anesthesia care unit stay, hospitalization duration, and side effects. Data collection included patient demographics and various factors related to magnesium administration.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This scientific review analyzed 64 clinical trials meeting inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 4303 patients. Magnesium was administered via different routes, primarily intravenous, epidural, and intraperitoneal, and compared against placebo or control. Data included demographics, magnesium dosage, administration method, and outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I statistic. Some studies were excluded due to unavailability of data or non-responsiveness from authors.
RESULT
and discussion: Out of 2546 initially identified articles, 64 trials were selected for analysis. IV magnesium effectively reduced shivering, with epidural and intraperitoneal routes showing even greater efficacy. IV magnesium demonstrated cost-effectiveness and a favorable safety profile, not increasing adverse effects. The exact dose-response relationship of magnesium remains unclear. The results also indicated no significant impact on sedation, extubation time, or gastrointestinal distress. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal magnesium dose and to explore its potential effects on blood pressure and heart rate, particularly regarding pruritus prevention.
CONCLUSION
This study highlights the efficacy of intravenous (IV) magnesium in preventing shivering after cardiac surgery. Both epidural and intraperitoneal routes have shown promising results. The safety profile of magnesium administration appears favorable, as it reduces the incidence of shivering without significantly increasing costs. However, further investigation is required to establish the ideal magnesium dosage and explore its potential effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and pruritus prevention, especially in various patient groups.
PubMed: 38873687
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32127 -
European Journal of Translational... Jun 2024Spasticity is a component of upper motor neuron disorders and can be seen in neurological conditions like stroke and multiple sclerosis. Although the incidence rate of...
Spasticity is a component of upper motor neuron disorders and can be seen in neurological conditions like stroke and multiple sclerosis. Although the incidence rate of spasticity is unknown, it can put pressure on the health condition of those with spasticity, and there is no absolute effective way to control it. In the past, stretching exercises were an accessible tool for physical therapists to manage and control spasticity, but opinions on the optimal dose, aftereffects, and mechanism of effects were controversial. Therefore, this article tries to provide an overview of the effectiveness and risks of stretching exercises. Furthermore, there are several adjunct therapies, such as brain stimulation and botulinum injection, that can increase the effectiveness of a simple stretch by increasing cortical excitability and reducing muscle tone and their role is evaluated in this regard. The results of this study propose that several prospective and case studies have demonstrated the benefits of stretching to control spasticity, but it seems that other methods such as casting can be more effective than a simple stretch. Therefore, it is better to use stretching in combination with other therapeutic regimes to increase its effectivity of it.
PubMed: 38872376
DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2024.12455 -
PloS One 2024Surgical oncology often requires the use of contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging preoperatively to characterize solitary tumours and identify sentinel lymph nodes....
Surgical oncology often requires the use of contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging preoperatively to characterize solitary tumours and identify sentinel lymph nodes. Intraoperative optical guidance can effectively aid tissue-sparing tumour excision and locate sentinel lymph nodes. Nanotrast-CF800 (CF800) is a novel dual-modality contrast agent, which co-encapsulates iohexol and indocyanine green (ICG) within a liposomal nanoparticle. It was developed for preoperative and intraoperative imaging of solitary tumours and sentinel lymph node mapping and its efficacy has been demonstrated in preclinical animal models (Zheng et al. 2015). The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of CF800 following intravenous administration in healthy dogs. Six research dogs were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received a low dose (1 mL/kg) and group 2 received a high dose (5 mL/kg). Dogs were placed under general anesthesia and a continuous rate infusion of CF800 was administered based on group allocation. Physiologic parameters including heart rate, respiratory rate, direct arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and temperature were measured at set time points. Plasma concentrations of iohexol, ICG, and histamine were measured at set time points. Dogs underwent whole body computed tomography scans pre-injection, 2-, and 7-days post-injection (p.i.). Contrast enhancement was measured in select organ systems and great vessels at each time point. There were no significant changes in physiologic parameters following IV infusion of CF800 in all dogs. Plasma iohexol and ICG concentrations peaked at 1 day p.i., while histamine concentrations peaked at 30 minutes p.i. Significant contrast enhancement was noted within the liver, heart, aorta, and caudal vena cava on day 2 p.i., which was significantly different compared to baseline. Prolonged contrast retention within the liver was identified. Intravenous administration of CF800 was safe to use in healthy dogs with no significant systemic adverse effects.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Nanoparticles; Contrast Media; Iohexol; Indocyanine Green; Neoplasms; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Female; Male
PubMed: 38870173
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296913 -
PloS One 2024There is a consistent association between exposure to air pollution and elevated rates of cardiopulmonary illnesses. As public health activities emphasize the paramount...
BACKGROUND
There is a consistent association between exposure to air pollution and elevated rates of cardiopulmonary illnesses. As public health activities emphasize the paramount need to reduce exposure, it is crucial to examine strategies like the antioxidant diet that could potentially protect individuals who are unavoidably exposed.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed in PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to March 31, 2023, for clinical trials assessing dietary supplements against cardiovascular (blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, brachial artery diameter, flow-mediated dilation, and lipid profile) or pulmonary outcomes (pulmonary function and airway inflammation) attributed to air pollution exposure.
RESULTS
After reviewing 4681 records, 18 studies were included. There were contradictory findings on the effects of fish oil and olive oil supplementations on cardiovascular outcomes. Although with limited evidence, fish oil offered protection against pulmonary dysfunction induced by pollutants. Most studies on vitamin C did not find protective cardiovascular effects; however, the combination of vitamin C and E offered protective effects against pulmonary dysfunction but showed conflicting results for cardiovascular outcomes. Other supplements like sulforaphane, L-arginine, n-acetylcysteine, and B vitamins showed potential beneficial effects but need further research due to the limited number of existing trials.
CONCLUSIONS
Although more research is needed to determine the efficacy and optimal dose of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dietary supplements against air pollution toxicity, this low-cost preventative strategy has the potential to offer protection against outcomes of air pollution exposure.
Topics: Humans; Dietary Supplements; Air Pollution; Antioxidants; Cardiovascular Diseases; Clinical Trials as Topic; Fish Oils; Ascorbic Acid
PubMed: 38870164
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304402 -
Vaccine: X Aug 2024Scorpion envenoming (SE) is a public health problem in developing countries. In Algeria, the population exposed to the risk of SE was estimated at 86.45% in 2019. Thus,...
Scorpion envenoming (SE) is a public health problem in developing countries. In Algeria, the population exposed to the risk of SE was estimated at 86.45% in 2019. Thus, the development of a vaccine to protect the exposed population against scorpion toxins would be a major advance in the fight against this disease. This work aimed to evaluate the immunoprotective effect of a Multiple Antigenic Peptide against the Aah II toxin of scorpion, the most dangerous scorpion species in Algeria. The immunogen MAP1Aah2 was designed and tested accordingly. This molecule contains a B epitope, derived from Aah II toxin, linked by a spacer to a universal T epitope, derived from the tetanus toxin. The results showed that MAP1Aah2 was non-toxic despite the fact that its sequence was derived from Aah II toxin. The immunoenzymatic assay revealed that the 3 immunization regimens tested generated specific anti-MAP1Aah2 antibodies and cross-reacted with the toxin. Mice immunized with this immunogen were partially protected against mortality caused by challenge doses of 2 and 3 LD of the toxin. The survival rate and developed symptoms varied depending on the adjuvant and the challenge dose used. In the neutralization test, the immune sera of mice having received the immunogen with incomplete Freund's adjuvant neutralized a challenge dose of 2 LD50. Hence, the concept of using peptide dendrimers, based on linear epitopes of scorpion toxins, as immunogens against the parent toxin was established. However, the protective properties of the tested immunogen require further optimizations.
PubMed: 38868522
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2024.100503 -
Journal of the Turkish German... Jun 2024To compare in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients treated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) alone or FSH and...
OBJECTIVE
To compare in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients treated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) alone or FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH), under freeze-all gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocols.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This retrospective study at a university center included PCOS patients, who underwent freeze-all GnRH antagonist IVF cycles between January 2013 and December 2019. They were divided into FSH-only and FSH + LH groups, focusing on pregnancy and live birth rates.
RESULTS
The study included 82 patients: 43 received FSH + LH and 39 FSH only. Baseline characteristics were similar, except for higher thyroid stimulating hormone levels in the FSH-only group. The FSH + LH group required a lower mean ± standard deviation total dose of FSH (1271.5±376.7 vs. 1407.2±645.3 IU, p=0.02), had a shorter mean cycle length (7.3±3.4 vs. 8.3±1.6 days, p=0.004), and had a higher mean number of follicles stimulated (36.9±15.9 vs. 35.9±9.7, p=0.008) compared to the FSH-only group. No significant differences in pregnancy and live birth rates were noted at first transfer, but the cumulative live birth rate was significantly higher in the FSH-only group [30 of 39 (76.9%) vs. 24 of 43 (55.8%), p=0.044].
CONCLUSION
LH supplementation in PCOS patients undergoing GnRH antagonist IVF protocols may impair cumulative live birth rates, despite lowering FSH requirement and reducing IVF cycle length. These results highlight the complex role of LH in IVF outcomes for PCOS patients, suggesting a need for further large studies to fully understand the impact of LH in such treatments.
PubMed: 38867686
DOI: 10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2024.2023-12-9