Retrospective Cohort Study of Elderly Users of Single- or Multiple-Inhaler Triple Therapy for the Treatment of Asthma in the USA.

Introduction: Escalation to single- or multiple-inhaler triple therapy (SITT; MITT) is a recommended option for patients with asthma who remain uncontrolled by medium-dose inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β-agonist; however, characterization of elderly users of triple therapy is limited. This real-world cohort study describes demographics and clinical characteristics of elderly patients with asthma with and without comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are new users of triple therapy, and asthma treatment patterns preceding triple therapy initiation.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used administrative claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database.

Healthcare resource utilization and costs of using Cariprazine as the first versus subsequent adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder.

Aim: Inadequate response to antidepressant therapy (ADT) is common in major depressive disorder (MDD); atypical antipsychotic (AA) adjunctive therapy may be effective for these patients. This study aimed to compare healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs between patients initiating the AA cariprazine as their first adjunctive therapy vs those initiating cariprazine subsequently.

Methods: The Merative MarketScan® Commercial Database (January 1, 2015, to June 30, 2021) was used to identify US adults with MDD and ≥1 pharmacy claim for cariprazine adjunctive to ADT in 2018 or after.

Myocardial Fibroblast Activation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Study.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is a key healing response after myocardial infarction driven by activated fibroblasts. Gallium-68-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor ([Ga]-FAPI) is a novel positron-emitting radiotracer that binds activated fibroblasts.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the intensity, distribution, and time-course of fibroblast activation after acute myocardial infarction.

Correlation Between Disease-Free Survival Endpoints and Overall Survival in Elderly Patients with Early-Stage HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: A SEER-Medicare Analysis.

Introduction: Recent trial-level meta-analyses have established disease-free survival (DFS) as a valid surrogate for overall survival (OS) in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer (BC), irrespective of disease stage, and in early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2- BC. To advance the understanding of the association between additional DFS endpoints and OS, this study assessed the patient-level correlations between DFS and OS, invasive DFS (IDFS) and OS, and distant DFS (DDFS) and OS in Medicare beneficiaries with early-stage HER2- BC, overall and in subgroups of patients with HR+/HER2- BC and triple-negative BC (TNBC).

Methods: Patients with stages I-III HER2- BC aged ≥ 66 years were identified from SEER-Medicare data (2010-2019).

Real-world perioperative treatment patterns and economic burden of recurrence in early-stage HER2-negative breast cancer: a SEER-Medicare study.

Aim: This study aimed to describe treatment patterns and quantify the economic impact of recurrence in early-stage human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer (BC).

Materials & Methods: Medicare beneficiaries with stages I-III HER2-negative BC and lumpectomy or partial/total mastectomy were identified from SEER-Medicare data (2010-2019). Perioperative therapies were reported in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting.

Helicobacter pylori biofilm interference by N-acyl homoserine lactonases: in vitro and in silico approaches.

Background: Qurom quenching enzyme have an impact on treatment efficacy and prevent the recurrence of Helicobacter pylori biofilm-related infections, although it has not been thoroughly investigated in vitro and in silico. The current study aims to characterize the N-acyl homoserine lactonase, the quorum quenching AiiA protein of Bacillus licheniformis against H. pylori biofilm.

Belantamab mafodotin monotherapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: a real-world observational study in the United States.

Not available.

Managing drug therapy-related problems and assessment of chronic diabetic wounds.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), responsible for most diabetes cases recorded worldwide, increases the risk of chronic wounds and amputation. Patients with T2DM appear to be more susceptible to delayed wound healing due to their treatment adherence. This review explores the specifics of polypharmacy, side effects, possible drug interactions and the importance of medication adherence for therapeutic efficacy.

Risk Factors for Empiric Treatment Failure in US Female Outpatients with Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection: an Observational Study.

Background: Treatment failure (TF) in uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI) increases disease burden and risk of antimicrobial resistance. Identification of risk factors for TF could inform empiric treatment decisions and reduce suboptimal outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of TF to empirically prescribed oral antibiotics and identify risk factors for TF in females with uUTI in the United States (US).

Biofilm mediated integrin activation and directing acceleration of colorectal cancer.

Bacterial biofilm plays a vital role in influencing several diseases, infections, metabolic pathways and communication channels. Biofilm influence over colorectal cancer (CRC) has been a booming area of research interest. The virulence factors of bacterial pathogen have a high tendency to induce metabolic pathway to accelerate CRC.

Development of Predictive Models to Inform a Novel Risk Categorization Framework for Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli-Caused Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection.

Background: In clinical practice, challenges in identifying patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) at risk of antibiotic nonsusceptibility may lead to inappropriate prescribing and contribute to antibiotic resistance. We developed predictive models to quantify risk of nonsusceptibility to 4 commonly prescribed antibiotic classes for uUTI, identify predictors of nonsusceptibility to each class, and construct a corresponding risk categorization framework for nonsusceptibility.

Methods: Eligible females aged ≥12 years with Escherichia coli-caused uUTI were identified from Optum's de-identified Electronic Health Record dataset (1 October 2015-29 February 2020).

Likelihood of Antimicrobial Resistance in Urinary E. coli Isolates Among US Female Patients with Recurrent Versus Non-Recurrent uUTI.

Objective: To assess the relative likelihood of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multi-drug resistance (MDR) among E. coli isolates from outpatients with recurrent versus non-recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI).

Methods: In this retrospective observational US cohort study, female outpatients (≥12 years) with uUTI, positive E.

Real-world users of triple therapy for asthma in the US.

Objectives: For patients with asthma who remain symptomatic on a medium-dose inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2 agonist, addition of a long-acting muscarinic antagonist as a supplementary controller is a recommended option. However, real-world data on the characteristics and treatment patterns of these patients are limited. This study described the demographics and clinical characteristics of new users of single- or multiple-inhaler triple therapy and treatment patterns preceding triple-therapy initiation.

Real-World Study of Single-Inhaler Triple Therapy with Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol on Asthma Control in the US.

Purpose: Real-world asthma control data among patients initiating fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) are limited. This study assessed rescue medication use and asthma-related exacerbations in patients with asthma before and after initiating single-inhaler FF/UMEC/VI using administrative claims data.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective, pre-post cohort study analyzed data from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database (September 18, 2016‒March 31, 2020).

Twelve tips for teaching in virtual reality.

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that is seeing increasing use in medical education as a means to complement or prepare students for clinical practice in a safe space. Whilst effective for learning, it can be difficult to use effectively and requires significant planning to avoid the technological tail wagging the educational dog. We have run educational sessions using the technology to teach anatomy and clinical reasoning that have been well received by students at Queen Mary, University of London.

Dosing Patterns of Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Treated with Ravulizumab in the United States: A Retrospective Claims-Based Analysis.

Introduction: Complement factor 5 inhibitors eculizumab and, recently, ravulizumab are standard therapies for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). However, some patients experience suboptimal response and may benefit from dosage adjustments. Ravulizumab is administered less frequently than eculizumab on the basis of patient's body weight.

Gastrointestinal manifestations in pediatric and adult patients with Rett syndrome: an analysis of US claims and physician survey data.

Patients with Rett syndrome (RTT) experience gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of GI manifestations and the associated medical costs in patients with RTT in the USA. The study combined an insurance claims database analysis with a survey of 100 physicians experienced in RTT management.

Comparing Real-World Healthcare Costs Associated with Single-Tablet Regimens for HIV-1: The 2-Drug Regimen Dolutegravir/Lamivudine vs. Standard 3- or 4-Drug Regimens.

Introduction: Dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) is a 2-drug regimen for HIV-1 treatment with long-term efficacy and good tolerability comparable to 3- or 4-drug regimens. This study evaluated DTG/3TC cost versus other standard single-tablet regimens during its first year of approval.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed US claims data from adults with HIV-1.

Treatment patterns, health care resource utilization, and costs associated with use of atypical antipsychotics as first vs subsequent adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental health condition associated with substantial economic burden. Inadequate response to first-line antidepressant monotherapy is common, with most patients requiring 1 or more changes in their treatment regimen. Adjunctive treatment with atypical antipsychotics (AAs) is a guideline-recommended treatment option in patients with inadequate response.

Epidemiology and patient journey of Rett syndrome in the United States: a real-world evidence study.

Background: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that almost exclusively affects females and is associated with high clinical burden. However, literature characterizing the real-world journey of patients with RTT is limited. This study provided an overview of the epidemiology, patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, healthcare resource utilization (HRU), costs, and treatment patterns of patients with RTT in the US.

Real-World Racial Variation in Treatment and Outcomes Among Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.

Introduction: Prior studies have found considerable disparities in prevalence and outcomes for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This study compared rates of diagnostic testing, treatment patterns, and outcomes after diagnosis of PAD among commercially insured Black and White patients in the United States.

Methods: Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database (1/2016-6/2021) were used to identify Black and White patients with PAD; first PAD diagnosis was deemed study index date.

Rheometric and stability analysis of additive infused magnetorheological fluids: a comparative study.

Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) is a smart responsive fluid, when exposed to the magnetic field, reflects a noticeable transformation in fluid viscosity due to the presence of field responsive particles in the fluid. MRF has been utilized in variety of applications, which despite possess significant concerns regarding on sedimentation due to the density mismatch between the carrier fluid and the suspended magnetic particles. To improve the resistance of rapid sedimentation, this research aims to incorporate one of the component (additive/surfactants) blended into the fluid.