Efficacy and safety of azathioprine for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis of real-world studies.

Objective: This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of azathioprine (AZA) for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), considering the potential predictive factors related to patient response to AZA in this disease.

Methods: We performed a systematic online query in PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WANFANG DATA, and CQVIP DATA.

Combined therapy of somatostatin analogues with pegvisomant for the treatment of acromegaly: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Background: Acromegaly is a rare, chronic and severe disease. Drug therapy including somatostatin analogues (SAs), dopamine receptor agonists and growth hormone receptor antagonists (pegvisomant, PEG) are commonly used to treat patients who do not respond to surgery. The use of combination therapy with PEG and SAs has become more common over the last decade.

Therapeutic potential of pyruvate therapy for patients with mitochondrial diseases: a systematic review.

Background: Mitochondrial disease is a term used to describe a set of heterogeneous genetic diseases caused by impaired structure or function of mitochondria. Pyruvate therapy for mitochondrial disease is promising from a clinical point of view.

Methods: According to PRISMA guidelines, the following databases were searched to identify studies regarding pyruvate therapy for mitochondrial disease: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and .

Precision and accuracy of commercial assays for vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring: evaluation based on external quality assessment scheme.

Background: Vancomycin remains a mainstay of the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections. It is crucial to accurately determine vancomycin serum concentration for adequate dose adjustment.

Objectives: To evaluate the precision and accuracy of commercial assay techniques for vancomycin concentration and to assess the comparability of vancomycin detection methods in Chinese laboratories.

Evaluation of Assays to Measure Aminoglycosides in Serum: Comparison of Accuracy and Precision Based on External Quality Assessment.

Background: Aminoglycosides require highly accurate therapeutic drug monitoring owing to their narrow therapeutic windows and toxic side effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring varies in different laboratories, and this difference is mainly due to the use of different analytical techniques. This study aimed to compare the accuracy and precision of immunoassays for the measurement of gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin in serum.

Effect of pharmacist-led interventions on medication adherence and inhalation technique in adult patients with asthma or COPD: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: In patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), disease control is still suboptimal-incorrect inhalation technique and medication non-adherence are two important reasons for this outcome. Pharmacists' interventions have been shown to have a positive effect on the clinical outcomes of asthma and COPD. Quantitative assessment of the efficacy of pharmacist-led interventions, mainly on inhalation techniques and medication adherence, is needed.