Treatment of keratitis with high dose PHMB (0.08%) monotherapy in clinical practice: A case series.

Objectives: keratitis (AK) is a rare sight-threatening infectious disease with no approved pharmacological treatments Topical polihexanide 0.8 mg/ml (PHMB 0.08%) completed a pivotal clinical trial showing a medical cure rate of 84.

TGF-β2, EGF and FGF21 influence the suckling rat intestinal maturation.

Some of the growth factors present in breast milk, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), play important roles in the development of the intestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a supplementation with TGF-β2, EGF and FGF21 on suckling rats intestinal maturation. For this purpose, Wistar rats were supplemented daily with TGF-β2, EGF or FGF21 throughout the suckling period.

Sterile Corneal Infiltrates following Cataract Surgery: Case Series.

We report a case series of 26 eyes of 26 patients undergoing planned cataract surgery from December 2021 to March 2022, who were diagnosed as having whitish round infiltrates in the surgical corneal incisions. The infiltrates were detected at the first check after 5-8 days from cataract surgery and were located either within the main corneal incision and/or in the smaller incisions. Corneal infiltrates (CIs) were single or multiple, without epithelial defects, and painless.

The Orphan Drug for Acanthamoeba Keratitis (ODAK) Trial: PHMB 0.08% (Polihexanide) and Placebo versus PHMB 0.02% and Propamidine 0.1.

Purpose: To compare topical PHMB (polihexanide) 0.02% (0.2 mg/ml)+ propamidine 0.

Hemi-Ultrathin Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (Hemi-UT-DSAEK) Using Pediatric Donor Corneas: A Case Series.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the clinical outcomes of hemi-UT-DSAEK grafts from the pediatric donor corneas of patients affected by Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD).

Methods: A prospective, interventional case series was conducted at the Ophthalmology Department of Venice Civil Hospital and the Veneto Eye Bank Foundation (Venice, Italy). Six eyes of six patients affected by FECD received large-diameter, semicircular hemi-UT-DSAEK grafts obtained from three pediatric donor corneas using the standard pull-through method.

Effect of Rotavirus Infection and 2'-Fucosyllactose Administration on Rat Intestinal Gene Expression.

Viral infections are described as modifying host gene expression; however, there is limited insight regarding rotavirus (RV) infections. This study aimed to assess the changes in intestinal gene expression after RV infection in a preclinical model, and the effect of 2-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) on this process. From days 2 to 8 of life, rats were supplemented with the dietary oligosaccharide 2'-FL or vehicle.

Preloaded DMEK With Endothelium Outward: A Multicenter Clinical Study Using DMEK Rapid Device.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to validate Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) Rapid device for preloading DMEK grafts with endothelium outward.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective clinical study, DMEK tissues (n = 27) were peeled and preloaded (8.25 mm) in a DMEK Rapid device.

Rat Mucosal Immunity following an Intensive Chronic Training and an Exhausting Exercise: Effect of Hesperidin Supplementation.

Stressful situations such as a high-intensity exercise or exhausting training programs can act as immune disruptors leading to transitory immunodepression status, which can be accompanied by alterations of the gastrointestinal functions. Hesperidin intake has demonstrated ergogenic activity and is able to influence the intestinal ecosystem and immunity. We aimed to investigate the effect of hesperidin consumption in rats submitted to an intense training and a final exhaustion test, focusing on the functionality of the intestinal immune system and on the cecal microbiota.

Detection and Prevention of Medication Errors by the Network of Sentinel Pharmacies in a Southern European Region.

A medication error (ME) is a drug-related problem that has been recognized as a common and serious threat to patient safety. The aim of this study was to detect and analyze ME reports occurring throughout the therapeutic process through the community's pharmacies in order to improve the efficacy and safety of medications and contribute to the prevention of future MEs. This was a three-year descriptive, observational, and prospective study to detect and analyze the different MEs reported by the Catalan sentinel pharmacies network (Catalan SePhaNet).

The Management of Dry Eye Disease: Proceedings of Italian Dry Eye Consensus Group Using the Delphi Method.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a highly prevalent, chronic and progressive condition that affects 5-33% of the world's adult population [...

Results of ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty with donor corneas preserved in synthetic organ culture media.

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) with donor corneas preserved at 31°C in Cornea Syn®, a medium formulated with recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) to replace foetal calf serum, and deswelled-transported in the xeno-free medium Cornea Trans®.

Methods: Prospective, multicentre, open-label study. We evaluated the endothelial cell loss (ECL) as the percentage variation of the endothelial cell density (ECD, cells/mm) between 6 and 12 months after surgery, corneal transparency and thickness at 12 months, and adverse events within 12 months.

Molecular and in vivo studies of a glutamate-class prolyl-endopeptidase for coeliac disease therapy.

The digestion of gluten generates toxic peptides, among which a highly immunogenic proline-rich 33-mer from wheat α-gliadin, that trigger coeliac disease. Neprosin from the pitcher plant is a reported prolyl endopeptidase. Here, we produce recombinant neprosin and its mutants, and find that full-length neprosin is a zymogen, which is self-activated at gastric pH by the release of an all-β pro-domain via a pH-switch mechanism featuring a lysine plug.

Creation and Implementation of a New Sentinel Surveillance Model in Pharmacy Offices in Southern Europe.

Traditionally, health sentinel networks have focused on the reporting of data by primary care physicians and hospitals, ignoring the role of the community pharmacist as an expert in drugs. The objective of this study was to describe a method for creating a network of sentinel pharmacies in a region of Southern Europe in order to have a pharmaceutical surveillance system that is representative of the territory to be monitored and that can respond to any events or incidents that can be followed up by the community pharmacy. The creation process was carried out in three phases: a first phase of selection through a cluster and population analysis and a final adjustment, a second phase of voluntariness and random selection, and a third phase of training and implementation of the network.

Overload During Suckling Impacts the Immune Development in Rats.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland occurring in 3-33% of the breastfeeding mothers. The majority of mastitis cases have an infectious etiology. More than 75% of infectious mastitis are caused by and and involves breast milk microbiota alteration, which, may have an impact in lactating infant.

A Galactooligosaccharide Product Decreases the Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats.

The leading cause of gastroenteritis among young children worldwide is the Group A rotaviruses (RV), which produce a wide range of symptoms, from a limited diarrhea to severe dehydration and even death. After an RV infection, immunity is not complete and less severe re-infections usually occur. These infections could be ameliorated by nutritional interventions with bioactive compounds, such as prebiotics.

A Cocoa Diet Can Partially Attenuate the Alterations in Microbiota and Mucosal Immunity Induced by a Single Session of Intensive Exercise in Rats.

Background: Following intensive sports events, a higher rate of upper respiratory tract infections and the appearance of gastrointestinal symptomatology have been reported. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a cocoa-enriched diet on the cecal microbiota and mucosal immune system of rats submitted to high-intensity acute exercise, as well as to elucidate the involvement of cocoa fiber in such effects.

Methods: Wistar rats were fed either a standard diet, a diet containing 10% cocoa providing 5% fiber and a diet containing only 5% cocoa fiber.

Protective Effect of a Cocoa-Enriched Diet on Oxidative Stress Induced by Intensive Acute Exercise in Rats.

Intensive acute exercise can induce oxidative stress, leading to muscle damage and immune function impairment. Cocoa diet could prevent this oxidative stress and its consequences on immunity. Our aim was to assess the effect of a cocoa-enriched diet on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by peritoneal macrophages, blood immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, leukocyte counts, and the physical performance of rats submitted to an intensive acute exercise, as well as to elucidate the involvement of cocoa fiber in such effects.

Preventive Effect of a Postbiotic and Prebiotic Mixture in a Rat Model of Early Life Rotavirus Induced-Diarrhea.

Rotavirus (RV) is the main cause of gastroenteritis in children. Prebiotics and, more recently, postbiotics are used for preventing and treating gastrointestinal infections. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a Lactofidus, short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides (scGOS) and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (lcFOS) mixture, and their combination on RV infection, in a rat model, for early life diarrhea.

Effects of a Postbiotic and Prebiotic Mixture on Suckling Rats' Microbiota and Immunity.

Human milk serves as a model for infant formula providing nutritional solutions for infants not able to receive enough mother's milk. Infant formulas aim to mimic the composition and functionality of human milk by providing ingredients reflecting those of the latest human milk insights, such as prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the supplementation with a postbiotic (Lactofidus) and its combination with the prebiotics short-chain galactooligosaccharides (scGOS) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (lcFOS) in a preclinical model of healthy suckling rats.

Characterization of the Use of Emergency Contraception from Sentinel Pharmacies in a Region of Southern Europe.

Numerous studies have been published suggesting that emergency contraception (EC) is used repeatedly, but a lack of information regarding the profile of users makes it difficult to evaluate actual consumer habits. The aim of this study was to obtain information regarding the profile of users who obtain EC and other factors that might play a role, and to provide criteria to evaluate and improve the strategies of current contraceptive programs. This was an observational one-year study based on surveillance data on the provision of EC to women of reproductive age in 60 community pharmacies in Catalonia, Spain.

Rat Milk and Plasma Immunological Profile throughout Lactation.

The composition of bioactive factors with immune activity in human breast milk is widely studied. However, the knowledge on rat milk immune factors during the whole lactation period is still scarce. This study aimed to analyze rat breast milk's immunoglobulin (Ig) content and some critical adipokines and growth factors throughout the lactation period, and to assess relationships with corresponding plasma levels.

Corneal transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic: An operational guide.

Purpose: To provide an operational guide for corneal transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic aimed to maintain surgery and avoid spreading of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Prospective observational case series study in patients requiring corneal graft manage toward separate free and restricted pathways for those COVID-19 negative or positive, respectively.

Results: During the national lockdown, 30 consecutive patients underwent endothelial ( = 16), penetrating ( = 9), and anterior lamellar keratoplasty ( = 5).

Gender medicine in corneal transplantation: influence of sex mismatch on rejection episodes and graft survival in a prospective cohort of patients.

To evaluate the effect of donor-to-recipient sex mismatched (male donor corneas to female recipients) on the incidence of rejection episodes and failures up to 1 year after corneal transplantation. Prospective observational cohort study, with donor corneas randomly assigned and surgeons blind to the sex of donor. A unique eye bank retrieved and selected the donor corneas transplanted in 4 ophthalmic units in patients with clinical indication for primary or repeated keratoplasty for optical reasons, perforating or lamellar, either anterior or posterior.

Attenuating Effect of Peruvian Cocoa Populations on the Acute Asthmatic Response in Brown Norway Rats.

Cocoa contains bioactive components, which vary according to genetic and environmental factors. The present study aimed to ascertain the anti-allergic properties of native Peruvian cocoa populations ("Blanco de Piura" or BPC, "Amazonas Peru" or APC, "Criollo de Montaña" or CMC, "Chuncho" or CCC, and an ordinary cocoa or OC). To do so, after an initial in vitro approach, an in vivo study focused on the induction of an anaphylactic response associated with allergic asthma in Brown Norway rats was carried out.