The Use of Breast-specific Gamma Imaging as a Low-Cost Problem-Solving Strategy for Avoiding Biopsies in Patients With Inconclusive Imaging Findings on Mammography and Ultrasonography.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical performance and financial costs of breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) as a biopsy-reducing problem-solving strategy in patients with inconclusive diagnostic imaging findings.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients for whom BSGI was utilized for inconclusive imaging findings following complete diagnostic mammographic and sonographic evaluation between January 2013 and December 2018 was performed. Positive BSGI findings were correlated and biopsied with either US or stereotactic technique with confirmation by clip location and pathology.

Association of Leukemia With ABO Blood Group Distribution and Discrepancy: A Review Article.

The ABO system is an essential blood group in clinical transfusion medicine implicated in several human diseases. The ABO system has been investigated for over a century, with various studies exploring potential links to disease susceptibility. The study examines the possible relationship between leukemia and the distribution and the ABO blood group system discrepancy.

Association between oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes, and homocysteine in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent health condition that commonly affects adolescent girls and young women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between levels of total glutathione (TG), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation, and homocysteine with PCOS.

Patients And Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional case-control design, involving a target population of 305 Sudanese females.

Protein C and protein S deficiencies are associated with increased risk of deep vein thrombosis in pregnant women using oral contraceptives.

Background: Oral contraceptives are commonly taken by women and are known to increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between oral contraceptive use and natural anticoagulants, that is, protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and antithrombin in pregnant women with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Materials And Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 330 pregnant women, that is, cases 165 (who used oral contraceptives) and controls 165 (who did not use oral contraceptives).

The Dilemma of Repeat In-Stent Restenosis: Can Intravascular Lithotripsy Provide an Alternative Approach to an Age-old Problem?

In-stent restenosis (ISR) has always been considered a conundrum for interventional cardiologists. Despite many technical advances in the past 20 years aimed at reducing its occurrence, this area of interventional cardiology remains challenging. Here, we present a novel use of intravascular lithotripsy therapy (IVL) in a patient with repeat ISR, in whom IVL treatment has provided excellent procedural and follow-up results.

Pharmaceutical cocrystal of antibiotic drugs: A comprehensive review.

Pharmaceutical cocrystals, which contain at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), are still an attention-grabbing field for researchers. Two or more discrete molecules unite together by non-covalent bonds, e.g.

Right Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Complicating Anterior STEMI.

Ventricular free wall rupture is a rare but devastating complication. We report right ventricular free wall rupture complicating anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction caused by a wrap-around left anterior descending coronary artery. In acute cardiac tamponade, a rapid and systematic evaluation of the likely source of bleeding is paramount to prevent disastrous outcomes.

Aqueous and pH dependent coacervation method for taste masking of paracetamol via amorphous solid dispersion formation.

Taste masking of paracetamol was achieved by preparing amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) using modified coacervation method. The method is based on dissolving the drug and polymeric carrier in water adjusted to certain pH level. Then, precipitation of ASD granules is performed by gradually changing pH level.

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of self-nanoemulsifying liquisolid tablets of furosemide.

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) were used to enhance the dissolution rate of furosemide as a model for class IV drugs and the system was solidified into liquisolid tablets. SNEDDS of furosemide contained 10% Castor oil, 60% Cremophor EL, and 30% PEG 400. The mean droplets size was 17.

Evaluation of Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in Sudanese women with severe preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a common pregnancy complication and one of the main causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, worldwide. While the pathogenesis of PE is unclear, it has been suggested that hypercoagulability due to Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin gene mutation (FII G20210A) play a role in its progression.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if there is an association between FVL and FII G20210A mutations and severe PE.

Structural and in vitro in vivo evaluation for taste masking.

Introduction: Although many techniques, such as complexation and microencapsulation, are used to mask the unpleasant taste of drugs, the success of all masking processes is evaluated in the same way. To evaluate the success of a masking process, a masked formulation must pass two tests: a structural test and an in vitro in vivo test.

Areas Covered: This review article highlights structural evaluation and in vitro in vivo evaluation of a taste-masking process.

Chronic total occlusion in an infarct-related coronary artery and the risk of appropriate ICD therapies.

Introduction: Risk stratification for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy needs to be improved. Coronary chronic total occlusions in an infarct-related artery (IRA-CTOs) have been associated with an increased arrhythmic risk. This study aimed to evaluate the association between IRA-CTOs and appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapies.

Mechanical microencapsulation: The best technique in taste masking for the manufacturing scale - Effect of polymer encapsulation on drug targeting.

Drug taste masking is a crucial process for the preparation of pediatric and geriatric formulations as well as fast dissolving tablets. Taste masking techniques aim to prevent drug release in saliva and at the same time to obtain the desired release profile in gastrointestinal tract. Several taste masking methods are reported, however this review has focused on a group of promising methods; complexation, encapsulation, and hot melting.

Fibrinolysis parameters in Sudanese women with severe preeclampsia.

Background: Although preeclampsia remains a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, its pathogenesis is not fully understood. Coagulation and fibrinolysis changes were suggested to have a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Objectives: A case-control study was conducted in Medani Hospital, Sudan, to investigate thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) and plasminogen-activated inhibitor (PAI) in women with severe preeclampsia.

Nutritional education for management of osteodystrophy: Impact on serum phosphorus, quality of life, and malnutrition.

Introduction Osteodystrophy management includes dietary phosphorus restriction, which may limit protein intake, exacerbate malnutrition-inflammation syndrome and mortality among hemodialysis patients. Methods A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted in Lebanon, to test the hypothesis that intensive nutrition education focused on phosphorus-to-protein balance will improve patient outcomes. Six hemodialysis units were randomly assigned to the trained hospital dietitian (THD) protocol (210 patients).

Effect of behavioral stage-based nutrition education on management of osteodystrophy among hemodialysis patients, Lebanon.

Objective: Assess the effect of intensive nutrition education by trained dedicated dietitians on osteodystrophy management among hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial in 12 hospital-based hemodialysis units equally distributed over clusters 1 and 2. Cluster 1 patients were either assigned to usual care (n=96) or to individualized intensive staged-based nutrition education by a dedicated renal dietitian (n=88).

Dietary educational interventions for management of hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Strategies to enhance knowledge of and adherence to dietary guidelines for management of hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients have been studied extensively over the past decade. This review is the first to compile all of them (2003-2013) and conduct a meta-analysis through calculation of effect size, with the aim of identifying the optimal nutrition education methods for effective management of hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients. The following strategies were identified as being effective in changing dietary behavior: 1) use of self-evaluation and self-regulation techniques within educational tools, along with easy-to-apply skills; 2) individualized counseling by a renal dietitian provided just before the hemodialysis session; 3) high-intensity education; and 4) long duration of interventions.

Nutritional education for management of osteodystrophy (NEMO) trial: Design and patient characteristics, Lebanon.

THIS STUDY AIMS TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT OF A TRAINED DEDICATED DIETITIAN ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES AMONG LEBANESE HEMODIALYSIS (HD) PATIENTS: and thus demonstrate a viable developing country model. This paper describes the study protocol and baseline data. The study was a multicenter randomized controlled trial with parallel-group design involving 12 HD units: assigned to cluster A (n = 6) or B (n = 6).

Short-term effects of ivabradine in patients with chronic stable ischemic heart disease.

Introduction: Ivabradine is a novel selective If current inhibitor with anti-ischemic and antianginal activity.

Objectives: To assess the effect of the selective If current inhibitor ivabradine on heart rate, angina pectoris, and functional capacity in stable patients with chronic coronary artery disease on maximally tolerated medical therapy.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients from the out-patient cardiology clinic with stable coronary artery disease documented by coronary angiography were included.

An approach to formulating an oral floating drug delivery system for dexchlorpheniramine maleate using factorial design.

The purpose of this research was to formulate and evaluate a floating tablet formulation of dexchlorpheniramine maleate (DCPM) using full factorial design. A 32 factorial design (nine runs) was utilized to optimize the formulation, the contents of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) (X1) and Carbopol 934P (X2) being taken as independent variables and t50% (Y1), % drug release after 6 h (Y2), % drug release after 12 h (Y3), and floating lag time (FLT) (Y4) as the dependent variables. The tablets showed 99.

Behavioral modeling to guide adherence to fluid control in hemodialysis patients.

Objective: This study used the health belief model (HBM) and the transtheoretical model (TTM) to assess hemodialysis (HD) patients' readiness to comply with recommended fluid intake as it relates to their perceptions of therapy and disease.

Design: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study.

Setting: The setting involved 3 hospital-based HD centers in Lebanon.

The effect of a change in epoetin alfa reimbursement policy on anemia outcomes in hemodialysis patients.

In 1997, the Health Care Financing Administration Hematocrit Measurement Audit (HMA) program initiated use of a 3-month rolling average hematocrit (Hct) level for reimbursement of epoetin claims in hemodialysis patients, with denial of payment when this value exceeded 36.5%. This study evaluated the impact of the HMA program on anemia-related outcomes in hemodialysis patients.

Impact of multidisciplinary, early renal education on vascular access placement.

Background: The Ochsner Clinic Foundation initiated the Healthy Start Clinic to identify, educate, and refer chronic kidney disease patients to nephrologists earlier in the course of their disease. This study investigated the impact of a structured educational session on the type and timing of permanent vascular access placement in patients receiving hemodialysis.

Methods: Before initiating dialysis, the HSC patient group received a general overview of the kidney and kidney disease, plus one-on-one instruction from a registered nurse, a dietitian, and a social worker.

Cytoprotection by darbepoetin/epoetin alfa in pig tubular and mouse mesangial cells.

Background: Erythropoietin has recently been found to have cytoprotective effects in the central nervous system (CNS) and retina. The purpose of this study was to determine if darbepoetin alfa (DA) has cytoprotective properties in renal tissues.

Methods: DA was studied in LLC/PK1 and mesangial cells.