The Influence of High Body Mass Index (BMI > 35 kg/m) on Apixaban Plasma Concentration in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Purpose: Apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant is administered for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients. Dosing adjustment is guided by renal function, age, and body weight. However, no data exist on its pharmacokinetics in patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m.

Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Extreme Obesity.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a favored treatment to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). There are limited data concerning the efficacy and safety of DOACs in obese. Obesity leads to wide structural and physiological changes that may affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs.

Effectiveness of Molnupiravir in High-Risk Patients: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Background: Molnupiravir was granted emergency use authorization for the treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we used population-based real-world data to evaluate the effectiveness of molnupiravir.

Methods: The database of the largest healthcare provider in Israel was used to identify all adults with first-ever positive test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) performed in the community during January-February 2022, who were at high risk for severe COVID-19, and had no contraindications for molnupiravir use.

Effectiveness of Paxlovid in Reducing Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Mortality in High-Risk Patients.

Background: Paxlovid was granted an Emergency Use Authorization for the treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), based on the interim analysis of the Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in High-Risk Patients (EPIC-HR) trial. Paxlovid effectiveness needs to be assessed in a noncontrolled setting. In this study we used population-based real-world data to evaluate the effectiveness of Paxlovid.

Increasing adverse drug reaction reporting-How can we do better?

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are associated with morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although national systems for reporting ADRs exist there is a low reporting rate. The aim of the current study was to evaluate an intervention plan for improving ADRs reporting among medical professionals (physicians and nurses).

Low venous thromboembolism incidence in high risk medical patients in an Israeli hospital. Can risk assessment be extrapolated to different populations?

Background: Guidelines recommend venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in hospitalized medical patients with Padua prediction score (PPS) ≥4 points. This recommendation is based on the high risk of symptomatic VTE observed among these patients in the Italian PPS derivation study, and the fivefold risk reduction with VTE-prophylaxis. This study aims to assess the incidence of VTE in high risk medical patients in a medium sized hospital in Israel.

The effect of an intervention program on the knowledge and attitudes among medical staff regarding adverse drug reaction reporting.

Purpose: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a growing important public health problem; however, underreporting of ADRs is very common. The aim of the current study was to explore the effect of an intervention program on the knowledge and attitudes among physicians and nurses regarding ADRs reporting.

Methods: A multicentre study consisted of three phases: filling out a questionnaire; an intervention program; filling out the same questionnaire again.

Does infection prolong the QT interval?

Background: The corrected QT (QTc) interval is a strong predictor of ischaemic heart disease and cardiovascular mortality. It may trigger lethal arrhythmias and sudden death. Risk factors include electrolyte disorders, medications, prior cardiovascular disease and genetic predisposition.

Measurement of betamethasone concentration in maternal serum treated for fetal lung maturity; Is it feasible?

Background: The association between maternal serum concentration of betamethasone given for fetal lung maturity and perinatal outcome has not been investigated. This may be due to an absence of a reliable method for measuring serum betamethasone concentrations. We aimed in the current study to assess the feasibility of a specific ELISA kit to measure the concentrations of betamethasone in maternal serum and to examine the trend of sequential measurements after a course of betamethasone for fetal lung maturity.

Potential risks associated with traditional herbal medicine use in cancer care: A study of Middle Eastern oncology health care professionals.

Background: The authors assessed the use of herbal medicine by Middle Eastern patients with cancer, as reported by their oncology health care professionals (HCPs). Herbal products identified by the study HCPs were evaluated for potential negative effects.

Methods: Oncology HCPs from 16 Middle Eastern countries received a 17-item questionnaire asking them to list 5 herbal products in use by their patients with cancer.

Could a Coagulation Nurse Liaison Improve Compliance With Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Medical Patients?

Medical patients worldwide are undertreated with venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Our hypothesis was that the rate of prophylactic anticoagulation therapy for high-risk patients would improve with the use of a coagulation nurse liaison. Six months after appointing a nurse for this role, prophylaxis rates significantly improved, and patients were more likely to receive appropriate thromboprophylaxis.

Azithromycin is not associated with QT prolongation in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Purpose: Large data-based studies have reported excess cardiovascular mortality in high-risk patients treated with azithromycin, but whether or not azithromycin causes QT prolongation remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of azithromycin treatment on QT prolongation in a cohort of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) METHODS: One-hundred twenty-two hospitalized patients with CAP were enrolled in the study. We compared the baseline QTc, with daily post antibiotic QTc.

Founding an adverse drug reaction (ADR) network: a method for improving doctors spontaneous ADR reporting in a general hospital.

Adverse drug reactions (ADR) are underreported by doctors despite numerous efforts. We aimed to determine if establishing an "ADR reporting doctor's network" within a hospital would increase the quantity of ADRs reported by hospital doctors. One hundred hospital doctors joined the network.

Medication prescribing errors in the prehospital setting and in the ED.

Background: Medication errors are a common cause of iatrogenic adverse drug events. The incidence and nature of medication errors during prehospital treatment have not been fully described.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to describe the incidence and characteristics of medication errors in adults during prehospital emergency treatment and in the emergency department (ED) and to identify risk factors for medication errors in those settings.

Intraperitoneal N-acetylcysteine for acute iron intoxication in rats.

Free radical formation and release of oxidant agents have been suggested as possible mechanisms for tissue damage in acute iron intoxication. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione substitute and an antioxidant, is widely used as an antidote for various intoxications. Our aim was to determine whether intraperitoneal (i.

Cutaneous nocardiosis: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Background: Cutaneous nocardiosis is an uncommon infectious disease that presents as a primary cutaneous infection or as a disseminated disease. It is often misdiagnosed because of its rarity and nonspecific clinical picture.

Methods: We report a case of each type.

Oral N-acetylcysteine has a deleterious effect in acute iron intoxication in rats.

Acute iron intoxication is associated with depletion of reduced glutathione in hepatocytes and changes in the glutathione system enzymes. We hypothesized that treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione reducing agent and an antioxidant, would reduce mortality in acute iron intoxication. We used a rat model to test this hypothesis.

Hepcidin in acute iron toxicity.

Background: Hepcidin regulates extracellular iron concentration by inhibiting iron release from macrophages and preventing iron absorption in the intestine. Our objective was to evaluate the expression of hepcidin in the liver in acute iron poisoning in a rat model.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were assigned to group 1, who received 750 mg/kg elemental iron (LD(50)) by gavage, and group 2 (control), who received distilled water.

[The treatment of respiratory ailments with essential oils of some aromatic medicinal plants].

In-vitro and clinical studies suggest the therapeutic potential of aromatic herbs in the treatment of respiratory ailments. The pharmacological and clinical activity of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha piperita, Origanum syriacum, Salvia fruticosa and Rosmarinus officinalis, include anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities. Some of these herbs have direct activity on the respiratory tract, the coughing reflex and the airflow in the nasal tract.

Effectiveness of oral vs rectal acetaminophen: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine, on the basis of published studies, the efficacy of rectal vs oral acetaminophen as treatment of fever and pain.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane database as well as major pharmacologic textbooks and the references of all included studies were searched for studies comparing oral and rectal administration of acetaminophen.

Study Selection: Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled studies comparing rectal and oral administration of acetaminophen were included.

Fetal exposure to isotretinoin-an international problem.

Background: Isotretinoin is a known teratogen. Pregnancy prevention programs aimed at minimizing isotretinoin exposure in pregnancy have been implemented in North America with limited success.

Objective: To compare the management of fetal risk of isotretinoin in three countries, including information given to women, implementation of contraceptive methods, and pregnancy outcomes.