The Study of Ropivacaine Pharmacokinetics in a Clinical Setting: A Critical Scoping Review from the Perspective of Analytical Methodologies.

Ropivacaine, a widely used regional anesthetic also used for pain management, has been increasingly used in recent years due to its increased efficacy and improved safety compared to similar anesthetics. Biomonitoring of ropivacaine and its metabolites during and after anesthesia is an essential process for ensuring therapeutic efficacy and safe usage for patients. The most useful biomonitoring tool in recent years has been liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which offers selectivity, sensitivity, as well as accuracy of measurements.

Long-Term Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Compared to Standard Medical Care for Improving Quality of Life in Muscle Disorders.

Introduction/aims: A previous randomized controlled trial showed that guided self-help acceptance and commitment therapy plus standard medical care (ACT+SMC) was superior to standard medical care alone (SMC) for improving quality of life (QoL) and mood at 9-weeks post randomization in a sample of people with muscle disorders (MD). This follow-up study evaluated whether these effects were maintained in the longer term alongside individual patterns of response.

Methods: The original study was a two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial, which compared ACT+SMC to SMC.

Meldonium Supplementation in Professional Athletes: Career Destroyer or Lifesaver?

Meldonium is a substance with known anti-anginal effects demonstrated by numerous studies and human clinical trials; however, it does not possess marketing authorization within the European Union, only in ex-Soviet republics. Since 2016, meldonium has been included by the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) on the S4 list of metabolic modulators. In performance athletes, meldonium is now considered a doping agent due to its capacity to decrease lactate production during and after exercise, its capability to enhance the storage and utilization of glycogen, and its protective action against oxidative stress.

Assessing β-Sitosterol Levels in Dietary Supplements for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Implications for Therapeutic Efficacy.

Introduction Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent condition among aging men that affects their life quality due to urinary symptoms. Current pharmacologic treatments, often lead to sexual dysfunction, so dietary supplements (DS) containing plant-based compounds such as β-sitosterol (SIT) are preferred. DS are highly accessible and widely used, but poorly regulated, so often patients are victims of fraud.

Biochemical Aspects That Lead to Abusive Use of Trimetazidine in Performance Athletes: A Mini-Review.

Trimetazidine (TMZ), used for treating stable angina pectoris, has garnered attention in the realm of sports due to its potential performance-enhancing properties, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has classified TMZ on the S4 list of prohibited substances since 2014. The purpose of this narrative mini-review is to emphasize the biochemical aspects underlying the abusive use of TMZ among athletes as a metabolic modulator of cardiac energy metabolism. The myocardium's ability to adapt its energy substrate utilization between glucose and fatty acids is crucial for maintaining cardiac function under various conditions, such as rest, moderate exercise, and intense effort.