-
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Mar 2023Hexavalent chromium, toxic heavy metal, among the top-rated environmental contaminants, is declared a potent endocrine disruptor in humans and animals. The present study...
Hexavalent chromium, toxic heavy metal, among the top-rated environmental contaminants, is declared a potent endocrine disruptor in humans and animals. The present study was planned to find harmful effects on the reproductive system caused by Cr (VI) and the ameliorative effect of and -mediated AgNP on male mice (). In the present study, known infertility medicine, clomiphene citrate is also used as a positive control. The main objective of the present study was to assess the ameliorative potential of oral administration of a dose of 50 mg/kg BW clomiphene citrate (control), AgNP via chemical synthesis, seed extract, and -mediated AgNP against the Cr (VI) at the dose of 1.5 mg/kg BW from KCrO orally induced toxicity over eight weeks on the reproductive performance of male albino mice. mediated AgNPs were characterized by UV, SEM, FTIR, and XRD. The histological analysis, smear study, antioxidant capacity test, and hormone analysis were conducted by blood samples of albino mice. Cr exposed groups showed a significant decrease in sperm head breadth (5.29 ± 0.54 µ) and length (19.54 ± 1.18 µ), middle piece length, tail length, LH (1.65 ± 0.15 ng/mL), testosterone (2.63 ± 0.29 ng/mL), SOD (61.40 ± 2.48 mmol/mL), CAT (87.40 ± 6.01 mmol/mL), GSH (1.54 ± 0.09 µmol/mL), and no of spermatogonia (1.22 ± 0.25), and spermatocytes (2.33 ± 0.943). However, FSH level (160.00 ± 4.98 ng/mL), seminiferous tubule CSA (1094.69 ± 49.76 mm), size of spermatogonia (41.30 ± 1.24 µ), and spermatocytes (26.07 ± 1.34 µ) were significantly increased. Administration of and -mediated AgNPs reduced the toxicity.
PubMed: 36860759
DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103570 -
Pharmaceutics Jan 2023Nicardipine hydrochloride is an anti-hypertensive drug that is used off-label to treat hypertension in children. A previous oral formulation of nicardipine hydrochloride...
Nicardipine hydrochloride is an anti-hypertensive drug that is used off-label to treat hypertension in children. A previous oral formulation of nicardipine hydrochloride was developed using a commercial vehicle as an excipient. However, ready-to-use vehicles are prone to supply shortages, and their composition may undergo substantial modifications. The aim of this study was to propose a new oral formulation of nicardipine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL using simple excipients. The formulation included hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, simple syrup, polysorbate 80, sodium saccharin, citrate buffer, strawberry flavor and 0.2% potassium sorbate. The uniformity of content was maintained before and after agitation. Nicardipine hydrochloride concentration assessed by HPLC-MS/MS remained above 90% for 365 days before opening and for 28 days after opening. pH and osmolality were maintained throughout the study, and no microbial contamination was observed. The uniformity of mass of the delivered doses was evaluated using four different devices. A new oral formulation of nicardipine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL was developed using simple and safe excipients. Pharmacological and clinical parameters remain to be assessed and compared with those of the previous formulation.
PubMed: 36839767
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020446 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023Urine sedimentation in the bladder can occur in various circumstances and can lead to urinary obstruction/stasis with associated pain. It is usually diagnosed with an...
Urine sedimentation in the bladder can occur in various circumstances and can lead to urinary obstruction/stasis with associated pain. It is usually diagnosed with an ultrasound; however, CT is also used to assess the amount and to further check for urinary stones. Depending on the composition, urine sedimentation and stones can be treated medically by alkalinisation of the urine with potassium sodium hydrogen citrate in the case of uric acid-based sedimentation/stones. Due to technical developments and improved material differentiation and characterisation in CT imaging, dual-energy CT allows for differentiation of uric acid from calcium, which can be used for sedimentation/stone composition analysis. Subsequently, treatment decisions can be made based on the findings in dual-energy CT.
PubMed: 36766647
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13030542 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2023Citrate anticoagulant concentration affects the results of coagulation tests. Until now, the end user had no direct insight into the quality of evacuated blood...
Accuracy of Citrate Anticoagulant Amount, Volume, and Concentration in Evacuated Blood Collection Tubes Evaluated with UV Molecular Absorption Spectrometry on a Purified Water Model.
Citrate anticoagulant concentration affects the results of coagulation tests. Until now, the end user had no direct insight into the quality of evacuated blood collection tubes. By introducing an easy-to-perform UV spectrometric method for citrate determination on a purified water model, we enabled the evaluation of (1) the accuracy of the anticoagulant amount added into the tubes by a producer, (2) the accuracy of the volume of anticoagulant solution in the tube at the instant of examination, (3) the anticoagulant concentrations at a draw volume. We examined the Vacuette, Greiner BIO-ONE, Vacutube, LT Burnik d.o.o., and BD Vacutainer tubes. The anticoagulant amount added into the tubes during production had a relative bias between 3.2 and 23.0%. The anticoagulant volume deficiency at the instant of examination expressed as a relative bias ranged between -11.6 and -91.1%. The anticoagulant concentration relative bias after the addition of purified water in a volume that equalled a nominal draw volume extended from 9.3 to 25.7%. Draw-volume was mostly compliant during shelf life. Only Vacutube lost water over time. Contamination with potassium, magnesium, or both was observed in all the tubes but did not exceed a 0.21 mmol/L level. This study enables medical laboratories to gain insight into the characteristics of the citrate blood collection tubes as one of the preanalytical variables. In situations that require anticoagulant adjustment for accurate results, this can help make the right decisions. The methodology gives producers additional means of controlling the quality of their production process.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Citric Acid; Blood Specimen Collection; Citrates; Blood Coagulation Tests
PubMed: 36677544
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020486 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2023The use of degrading enzymes in polymer formulation is a very attractive strategy to manage the end-of-life of plastics. However, high temperatures cause the...
The use of degrading enzymes in polymer formulation is a very attractive strategy to manage the end-of-life of plastics. However, high temperatures cause the denaturation of enzymes and the loss of their catalytic activity; therefore, protection strategies are necessary. Once protected, the enzyme needs to be released in appropriate media to exert its catalytic activity. A successful protection strategy involves the use of layered double hydroxides: cutinase, selected as a highly degrading polyester hydrolytic enzyme, is thermally protected by immobilization in Mg/Al layered double hydroxide structures. Different triggering media are here evaluated in order to find the best releasing conditions of cutinase from LDH. In detail, phosphate and citrate-phosphate buffers, potassium carbonate, sodium chloride, and sodium sulfate solutions are studied. After the comparison of all media in terms of protein release and activity retained, phosphate buffer is selected as the best candidate for the release of cutinase from LDH, and the effect of pH and concentration is also evaluated. The amount of the enzyme released is determined with the Lowry method. Activity tests are performed via spectrophotometry.
Topics: Polymers; Hydroxides; Phosphates
PubMed: 36614271
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010831 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2022The clinical records of all guinea pigs diagnosed with a lower urinary tract disease in a single veterinary hospital, over a period of 14 years (2004−2018), were...
The clinical records of all guinea pigs diagnosed with a lower urinary tract disease in a single veterinary hospital, over a period of 14 years (2004−2018), were retrospectively searched in order to characterize this population and investigate the potential association between the epidemiological and clinical variables. A total of 117 clinical cases were identified, corresponding to 57 animals. Urolithiasis was the most common diagnosis (n = 52; 44.4%), followed by cystitis and/or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Several statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) were found between different variables, showing that female guinea pigs were more likely than the male ones to have a previous family history of urinary disease, to present dysuria and stranguria at admission, and to suffer recurrence. Moreover, males were more prone to urolithiasis and females to cystitis/UTI, and animals diagnosed with cystitis/UTI frequently had more clinical urinary signs and abdominal pain on palpation compared to those diagnosed with urolithiasis. Finally, the use of potassium citrate and the urethrotomy approach were associated with a better therapeutic response. Further studies are needed in larger populations of guinea pigs to confirm the present findings, especially as some of them were described for the first time.
PubMed: 36611721
DOI: 10.3390/ani13010112 -
Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology 2022A high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-amoxicillin dual therapy has been investigated for treatment of patients with () infection. Currently, the efficacy of this dual...
Efficacy and safety of high-dose esomeprazole and amoxicillin dual therapy bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for infection: a multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
A high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-amoxicillin dual therapy has been investigated for treatment of patients with () infection. Currently, the efficacy of this dual therapy remains inconclusive, with controversial findings from various single-center clinical trials.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) compared with the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) in treatment-naive patients with infection.
DESIGN
A multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial.
METHODS
Three hundred and forty treatment-naïve patients with infection were prospectively recruited from seven participating hospitals. The enrolled patients were randomized into one of two treatment groups: the HDDT group (esomeprazole, 20 mg four times daily; amoxicillin, 750 mg four times daily) and the BQT group (esomeprazole, 20 mg, twice daily; bismuth potassium citrate, 600 mg, twice daily; amoxicillin, 1 g, twice daily; metronidazole, 400 mg, four times daily). The primary outcome was eradication rate, and secondary outcomes were safety and patient compliance.
RESULTS
The eradication rates in the HDDT group the BQT group were 86.47% 87.06% on intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, 91.88% 92.50% on modified ITT (MITT) analysis, and 91.77% 93.04% on per-protocol (PP) analysis, with no significant differences between the two groups. The patient compliance rates in the HDDT group the BQT group were 97.02% 95.86%, and no significant difference was found between the two groups. Notably, the HDDT group exhibited significantly lower incidence in the drug-induced adverse events (AEs) compared to the BQT group (16.67% 47.94%).
CONCLUSION
HDDT is equally efficacious in eradicating infection and resulted in good patient compliance and safety compared with BQT. These findings provide evidence in support of HDDT as a first-line treatment for infection.
REGISTRATION
This clinical trial was registered at The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (trial registration number: ChiCTR2000039096).
PubMed: 36600686
DOI: 10.1177/17562848221142925 -
Urolithiasis Jan 2023Clinical guidelines disagree on whether the identification of abnormal urine chemistries should occur before starting diet and medication interventions to prevent the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Urinary supersaturation in a Randomized trial among Individuals with Nephrolithiasis comparing Empiric versus selective therapy (URINE): design and rationale of a clinical trial.
Clinical guidelines disagree on whether the identification of abnormal urine chemistries should occur before starting diet and medication interventions to prevent the recurrence of kidney stone events. We describe the rationale and design of the Urinary supersaturation in a Randomized trial among Individuals with Nephrolithiasis comparing Empiric versus selective therapy (URINE) study, a randomized trial comparing two multi-component interventions to improve urinary supersaturation. Participants are randomized (1:1 ratio) to the empiric or selective arm. The target sample size is 56 participants. Adults ≥ 18 years of age with idiopathic calcium stone disease and two symptomatic stone events within the previous 5 years. Exclusion criteria include systemic conditions predisposing to kidney stones and pharmacologic treatment for stone prevention at baseline. Participants in the empiric arm receive standard diet therapy recommendations, thiazide, and potassium citrate. Participants in the selective arm receive tailored diet and nutrient recommendations and medications based on baseline and 1-month follow-up of 24-h urine testing results. The primary endpoints are urinary supersaturations of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate at 2 months of follow-up. Secondary endpoints include side effects, diet and medication adherence, and changes in 24-h urine volume, calcium, oxalate, citrate, and pH. Short-term changes in urinary supersaturation may not reflect changes in future risk of stone events. The URINE study will provide foundational data to compare the effectiveness of two prevention strategies for kidney stone disease.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child, Preschool; Calcium; Kidney Calculi; Calcium Oxalate; Potassium Citrate; Urinary Tract
PubMed: 36598705
DOI: 10.1007/s00240-022-01400-8 -
Nefrologia 2023ADV7103 is a new prolonged-release treatment for distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), containing potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate. Since acidosis may affect...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
ADV7103 is a new prolonged-release treatment for distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), containing potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate. Since acidosis may affect bone mineral contents, the effects of ADV7103 on bone mineral density (BMD) and growth in patients with dRTA over 24 months were evaluated.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Thirty patients (24 paediatric patients and 6 adults) were included in an open-label extension study after a phase II/III trial. BMD, measured by densitometry, was assessed at baseline and at 24 months. Growth was evaluated throughout the study. Plasma bicarbonate, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, bone alkaline phosphatase, calciuria and citraturia, were also determined. Safety and treatment compliance were evaluated as well.
RESULTS
After 24 months of treatment with ADV7103, mean spine BMD z-score values significantly increased as compared with baseline (p=0.024). In adults, spine and whole-body densitometry z-scores showed a significant correlation with plasma bicarbonate levels (r=0.82 and r=0.97, respectively, p<0.005). There was an increase>0.5 units in z-scores for height and weight in 18% and 36% of the paediatric patients, respectively. With treatment, plasma bicarbonate concentration and calciuria at the different visits were normal in 69-86% and 93-96% patients, respectively. Only nine treatment-related gastrointestinal AEs of mild/moderate severity, were reported in five patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Two years of ADV7103 treatment improved growth and increased spine BMD. These results suggest that control of acidosis by ADV7103 treatment improves bone parameters.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Bone Density; Acidosis, Renal Tubular; Bicarbonates; Vitamin D
PubMed: 36529656
DOI: 10.1016/j.nefroe.2022.02.012