Trimethylamine N-oxide in cardiovascular disease: Pathophysiology and the potential role of statins.

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with the total number of cases increasing to 523 million in 2019. Despite the advent of new drugs, cardiovascular mortality has increased at an alarming rate of 53.7 % from 12.

Efficacy of oral anticoagulants in chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This meta-analysis seeks to evaluate the efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and undergoing hemodialysis (HD) who also have atrial fibrillation (AF).

Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, clinicaltrials.gov, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database for relevant studies reporting the usefulness of OAC therapy for CKD, ESRD, and HD patients with AF was conducted from its inception until 1 May 2023.

The male birth control pill - A new approach to family planning and population control.

With the increase in the world's population, contraception is crucial in population control strategies. Majority of contraceptives produced today are targeted at women; many of whom experience side effects, leading to the discontinuation of these contraceptives after a year of use. As the use of condoms and vasectomies has been subjected to scrutiny, it is necessary for the development of male birth control (BC).

Recent advances in the production, properties and applications of haloextremozymes protease and lipase from haloarchaea.

Proteases and lipases are significant groups of enzymes for commercialization at the global level. Earlier, the industries depended on mesophilic proteases and lipases, which remain nonfunctional under extreme conditions. The discovery of extremophilic microorganisms, especially those belonging to haloarchaea, paved a new reserve of industrially competent extremozymes.

Characterization of Mn O -MnO nanocomposites biosynthesized by cell lysate of Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1.

Manganese oxide nanocomposites attract huge attention in various biotechnological fields due to their extensive catalytic properties. This study reports an easy, rapid, and cost-effective method of using the cell lysate of haloarchaeon, Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 for the synthesis of manganese oxide nanoparticles. The reaction between the cell lysate and manganese sulfate resulted in the formation of a dark brown precipitate within 48 h at room temperature.

Conversion of selenite by Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625) to pentagonal selenium nanoforms which in vitro modulates the formation of calcium oxalate crystals.

Aim: To investigate the ability of Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625) to biosynthesize non-toxic elemental selenium (Se ) and check their capacity in in vitro crystal structure modulation of calcium oxalate, which are implicated in the development of renal calculi.

Methods And Results: Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625) during growth in the presence of 5 mmol L of selenite formed insoluble brick-red particles. Se formed was monitored spectrophotometrically using a combination of two assays; the ascorbic acid reduction and sodium sulphide solubilization assay.

Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm activity of tellurium nanorods biosynthesized by cell lysate of Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1(KF796625).

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen, is a major health concern as it grows as a biofilm and evades the host's immune defenses. Formation of biofilms on catheter and endotracheal tubes demands the development of biofilm-preventive (anti-biofilm) approaches and evaluation of nanomaterials as alternatives to antibiotics. The present study reports the successful biosynthesis of tellurium nanorods using cell lysate of Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625).

Characterization of multicomponent antioxidants from GUSF-1 (KF796625).

Unlabelled: The present study was aimed to exploit the haloarchaeon GUSF-1 (KF796625) for the presence of biomolecules possessing antioxidant activity. The culture produced a bright orange pigment when grown aerobically in nutrient rich medium with 25% crude solar salt. Biomolecules from cell-free supernatant and from the cells of the culture were individually extracted through the assistance of solvents of different polarities, such as ethanol, methanol and hexane, and monitored for scavenging of stable free radicals.

Treatment Effects of the Herbst Appliance in Class II Malocclusion Patients after the Growth Peak.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate dentoskeletal changes in the treatment of Class II malocclusion with the Herbst Cantilever Bite Jumper (CBJ) appliance, associated with multibracket appliances after the growth peak, at pretreatment.

Materials And Methods:  A sample of 37 individuals was divided into two groups: the experimental group comprised 16 patients treated consecutively for a mean period of 2.52 years with the Herbst CBJ appliance associated with multibracket appliances.

Indian consensus on gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults: A position statement of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology.

The Indian Society of Gastroenterology developed this evidence-based practice guideline for management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults. A modified Delphi process was used to develop this consensus containing 58 statements, which were generated by electronic voting iteration as well as face-to-face meeting and review of the supporting literature primarily from India. These statements include 10 on epidemiology, 8 on clinical presentation, 10 on investigations, 23 on treatment (including medical, endoscopic, and surgical modalities), and 7 on complications of GERD.

Indicator of access to medicines in relation to the multiple dimensions of access.

Creation of a single indicator of access to medicines. Data collection was performed with individuals who obtained their medication from either public and/or private pharmacies. A Likert scale was used to measure the importance and satisfaction in relation to various access dimensions.

Effectiveness and safety of insulin glargine detemir analysis in patients with type 1 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) is an autoimmune disease characterized by metabolic destruction of pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production, with treatment based on replacing insulin. Long-acting insulin analogs are indicated for patients with DM1 who exhibit important oscillations of their daily glycemia, despite its higher cost. Our study objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of two long-acting insulins, insulin glargine and detemir, in treating patients with DM1.

Drug utilization and factors associated with polypharmacy in individuals with diabetes mellitus in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of drugs and the factors associated with polypharmacy in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Minas Gerais. Descriptive analysis of drugs in use and logistic regression to estimate the association between socio-demographic and clinical characteristics with polypharmacy were performed. Of the 2619 respondents, 56.

The long-term costs for treating multiple sclerosis in a 16-year retrospective cohort study in Brazil.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that appreciably impacts on the quality of life of patients and is associated with high expenditure. MS is a chronic multifactorial disease, characterized by inflammation, demyelination and axonal loss. The Brazilian public health system provides pharmacological treatment as well as hospital and outpatient care for patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Statin use in Brazil: findings and implications.

Introduction And Objectives: Statins have become an integral part of treatment to reduce cardiac events in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, their use within the public healthcare system in Brazil is unknown. Consequently, we sought to determine and characterize statin use in primary healthcare delivered by the public health system (SUS) in Brazil and evaluate associated patient factors to improve future use.

Quality of Life of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Using Insulin Analog Glargine Compared with NPH Insulin: A Systematic Review and Policy Implications.

Introduction: Insulin analog glargine (GLA) has been available as one of the therapeutic options for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus to enhance glycemic control. Studies have shown that a decrease in the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes improves the quality of life (QoL) of diabetic patients. However, there are appreciable acquisition cost differences between different insulins.

Pharmaceutical services in the primary health care of the Brazilian Unified Health System: advances and challenges.

This study is a synthesis of the main results of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), Evaluation Component of the Basic Pharmaceutical Services. Based on the critical narrative of the elements of Brazil's pharmaceutical policies, we discuss aspects related to the structure of the pharmaceutical services, the medicines' sanitary state, human resources, access to medicines, rational use and management. Despite the advances that reflect the commitment of the group of actors involved, the results of the Survey indicate challenges, such as equitable access to medicines, the structuring of pharmaceutical services, the improvement of logistics and administration, and the implementation of actions directed to pharmaceutical care in the health units.

Patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services in Brazilian primary health care.

Objective: To evaluate patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services in Brazilian primary health care.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, exploratory, and evaluative study on a representative sample from the five Brazilian geopolitical regions resulting from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015). The outcome was the patient's satisfaction, obtained using the item response theory.

Use of medicines by patients of the primary health care of the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Objective: To characterize the use of medicines by patients of the primary health care of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, exploratory, and descriptive study, part of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015). Interviews were carried out with patients present in the services by semi-structured questionnaires.

Access to medicines by patients of the primary health care in the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Objective: To evaluate the access to medicines in primary health care of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), from the patients' perspective.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that used data from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Services, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), conducted by interviews with 8,591 patients in cities of the five regions of Brazil. Evaluation of access to medicines used concepts proposed by Penshansky and Thomas (1981), according to the dimensions: availability, accessibility, accommodation, acceptability, and affordability.

Access to medicines: relations with the institutionalization of pharmaceutical services.

Objetive: To analyze the relationship between access to medicines by the population and the institutionalization of pharmaceutical services in Brazilian primary health care.

Methods: This study is part of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services 2015), a cross-sectional, exploratory, and evaluative study composed of an information survey in a representative sample of cities, stratified by Brazilian regions. Access was defined based on the acquisition of medicines reported by the patient, ranging between: total, partial, or null.

Indicators related to the rational use of medicines and its associated factors.

Objective: To evaluate indicators related to the rational use of medicines and its associated factors in Basic Health Units.

Method: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a representative sample of Brazilian cities included in the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015). The data were collected by interviews with users, medicine dispensing professionals, and prescribers; and described by prescription, dispensing, and health services indicators.

Polypharmacy: a challenge for the primary health care of the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Objective: To characterize the polypharmacy in primary health care patients and to identify its associated factors.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, exploratory, and evaluative study, part of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015). The variable of interest was polypharmacy, defined as the use of five or more medicines.

Characterization of the institutionalization of pharmaceutical services in Brazilian primary health care.

Objective: To characterize the current stage of the institutionalization of pharmaceutical services in Brazilian cities.

Methods: This study is part of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), a cross-sectional, exploratory, and evaluative study composed by an information survey in a representative sample of cities, stratified by Brazilian regions. We interviewed municipal secretaries of health, responsible for pharmaceutical services, and pharmacists responsible for the dispensing of medicines.