Comparison of BMD Changes and Bone Formation Marker Levels 3 Years After Bisphosphonate Discontinuation: FLEX and HORIZON-PFT Extension I Trials.

An ASBMR Task Force recommends a drug holiday for certain women treated for ≥5 years with oral alendronate or ≥3 years with intravenous zoledronic acid, with reassessment 2 to 3 years later. It is not known whether changes in bone mineral density (BMD) or bone turnover markers differ after oral or intravenous therapy. Our goal was to compare changes in BMD and procollagen type I N propeptide (PINP) after oral or intravenous bisphosphonate use.

Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir plus ribavirin in Japanese patients with genotype 1 or 2 hepatitis C who failed direct-acting antivirals.

Background/purpose: In Japan, there is a growing population of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who failed a direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based regimen. In this Phase 3 study, we evaluated sofosbuvir-velpatasvir plus ribavirin in Japanese patients with genotype 1 or 2 HCV infection who previously received DAAs.

Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive sofosbuvir-velpatasvir plus ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks.

Efficacy of Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir, With and Without Ribavirin, in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 3 Infection and Cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: In phase 3 trials and real-world settings, smaller proportions of patients with genotype 3 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and cirrhosis have a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12) with the combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir than in patients without cirrhosis. It is unclear whether adding ribavirin to this treatment regimen increases SVRs in patients with genotype 3 HCV infection and cirrhosis.

Methods: We performed a phase 2 trial of 204 patients with genotype 3 HCV infection and compensated cirrhosis (mean age 51 ± 7.

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for 12 weeks in genotype 1-4 HCV-infected liver transplant recipients.

Background & Aims: Sofosbuvir, an NS5B inhibitor, combined with velpatasvir, an NS5A inhibitor (SOF/VEL), produces high sustained virologic response rates 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12) in patients with genotype 1-6 HCV infection, and has no anticipated clinically relevant drug-drug interactions with immunosuppressants. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of SOF/VEL in adults with recurrent chronic genotype 1-4 HCV infection after liver transplant.

Methods: Patients received SOF/VEL 400/100 mg daily for 12 weeks.

Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for treatment-naive and treatment-experienced Chinese patients with genotype 1 HCV: an open-label, phase 3b study.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant medical burden in China, affecting more than 10 million persons. In clinical trials and real-world settings, treatment with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection resulted in high sustained virologic response rates. Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir may provide a highly effective, short-duration, single-tablet regimen for Chinese patients with HCV infection.

A model of BMD changes after alendronate discontinuation to guide postalendronate BMD monitoring.

Context: Women stopping alendronate are commonly monitored with serial bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, yet no information exists on how frequently or for whom these measurements should be performed.

Objective: The objective of the study was to develop a tool to guide post-alendronate BMD monitoring.

Design: A predictive model was constructed to estimate the time until a given percentage of women's BMD T-scores drop below a given threshold that indicates a management change (such as retreatment) would be considered.

BMD changes and predictors of increased bone loss in postmenopausal women after a 5-year course of alendronate.

Management of women discontinuing bisphosphonates after 3 to 5 years of treatment is controversial. Little is known about how much bone mineral density (BMD) is lost after discontinuation or whether there are risk factors for greater rates of bone loss post-discontinuation. We report patterns of change in BMD and prediction models for the changes in BMD in postmenopausal women during a 5-year treatment-free period after alendronate (ALN) therapy.

Acute liver failure with thyrotoxicosis treated with liver transplantation.

Objective: We describe a young woman with previously undiagnosed thyrotoxicosis who presented with acute liver failure (ALF).

Methods: We present a case report and review the relevant literature.

Results: An extensive evaluation excluded possible causes of ALF other than thyrotoxicosis.

Probiotics for the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia: current evidence and opinions.

Purpose Of Review: Nosocomial infections are common and are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The continuing evolution of multidrug resistant pathogens and ineffective therapy for the infections they cause has stimulated interest in the potential of probiotic products to prevent nosocomial infections. Probiotics are viable microorganisms that colonize the host and exert antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects.