Clinical and non-clinical aspects of reimbursement policy for orphan drugs in selected European countries.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the reimbursement policy for orphan drugs (ODs) in selected European countries in relation to the availability and impact of clinical evidence, health technology assessment (HTA) procedures and reimbursement decision-making.

Materials And Methods: A list of authorized ODs was extracted from a web-based registry of the European Medicines Agency, including information on active substance, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification code, and therapeutic area. A country-based questionnaire survey was conducted between September 2022 and September 2023 among selected experts from 12 European countries.

Response of photosynthetic efficiency parameters and leaf area index of alternative barley genotypes to increasing sowing density.

Alternative barley genotypes can be a source of genetic variability for breeding and raw material for functional food production. The reaction of these genotypes to diverse sowing densities is unknown. The study aimed to assess the response in physiological characteristics of alternative barley genotypes Hordeum vulgare var.

TMPRSS2-specific antisense oligonucleotides inhibit host cell entry of emerging viruses.

Emerging viruses, such as novel influenza A viruses (IAV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), pose a constant threat to animal and human health. Identification of host cell factors necessary for viral replication but dispensable for cellular survival might reveal novel, attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Proteolytic activation of IAV hemagglutinin (HA) and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) by the type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSPs), e.

Drug-Modified Contact Lenses-Properties, Release Kinetics, and Stability of Active Substances with Particular Emphasis on Cyclosporine A: A Review.

The following review focuses on the manufacturing and parameterizing of ocular drug delivery systems (DDS) using polymeric materials to create soft contact lenses. It discusses the types of drugs embedded into contact lenses, the various polymeric materials used in their production, methods for assessing the mechanical properties of polymers, and techniques for studying drug release kinetics. The article also explores strategies for investigating the stability of active substances released from contact lenses.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Level and COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters among Healthcare Workers with the Highest SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk-Follow Up Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several vaccines were developed to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, due to SARS-CoV-2 mutations and uneven vaccination coverage among populations, a series of COVID-19 waves have been caused by different variants of concern (VOCs). Despite the updated vaccine formulations for the new VOC, the benefits of additional COVID-19 vaccine doses have raised many doubts, even among high-risk groups such as healthcare workers (HCWs).

Complications of Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary/Palatal Expansion (SARME/SARPE)-A Retrospective Analysis of 185 Cases Treated at a Single Center.

The study aims to assess and classify complications in patients treated for maxillary transverse deficiency using surgically assisted rapid maxillary/palatal expansion (SARME/SARPE) under general anesthesia. The classification of the complications aimed to assess the difficulty of their treatment as well as estimate its real cost. : The retrospective study covered 185 patients who underwent surgery for a skeletal deformity in the form of maxillary constriction or in which maxillary constriction was one of its components treated by a team of maxillofacial surgeons at one center (97 females and 88 males, aged 15 to 47 years, mean age 26.

The Use of Hand-Held Digital Otoscope as a Basic Nasal Endoscopy Tool for Lacrimal Evaluation and Pedagogy Instrument.

Purpose: To investigate the utility of a hand-held digital otoscope for nasal endoscopy and as a pedagogy tool for residents and fellows in patients undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery.

Methods: A digital otoscope (MS450-NTE, Teslong Inc., USA) comprising a digital screen device and a connectible camera probe was used for performing nasal endoscopy.

Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality-Assisted Endoscopic DCR in Extremely Complex Lacrimal Obstructions.

Objective: To report the techniques and outcomes of virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR)-assisted powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in extremely complex lacrimal drainage obstructions.

Methods: A prospective, non-randomized clinical study was performed in complex syndromic congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and post-traumatic secondary acquired lacrimal duct obstruction (SALDO) in the setting of Le Fort fractures. All patients underwent preoperative planning in VR and intraoperative planning with a step ahead with MR assistance during the surgery.

Novel Molecular Consortia of Cannabidiol with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Inhibit Emerging Coronaviruses' Entry.

The COVID-19 pandemic provoked a global health crisis and highlighted the need for new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we explore the potential of the molecular consortia of cannabidiol (CBD) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as novel antiviral dual-target agents against SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. CBD is a natural compound with a wide range of therapeutic activities, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, while NSAIDs are commonly used to mitigate the symptoms of viral infections.

Profile of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of organically and conventionally grown black-grain barley genotypes treated with biostimulant.

Beneficial dietary and pro-health values, have resulted in the increasing consumption importance of barley. Therefore, genotypes and cultivation methods are sought that guarantee high functional value of grain. The aim of the study was to assess the content of phenolic acids, flavonoids, chlorophylls, anthocyanidins, phytomelanin and antioxidant activity of grain of three barley genotypes depending on agricultural technology.

Experience of the First Three Years of Independent Practice Following Surgical Training: Time Taken and Long-Term Outcomes of Powered Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy.

Purpose: To describe the changes in the time taken and the long-term outcomes of powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (PEnDCR) performed by a freshly trained surgeon in the first three years following the surgical training.

Methods: A retrospective interventional analysis was performed on all patients who underwent a primary or a revision PEnDCR from October 2016 to February 2020. Data obtained include demographics, presentation, previous interventions, pre-operative endoscopy findings, intra-operative findings, post-operative complications, and outcomes.

Differences in BNT126b2 and ChAdOx1 Homologous Vaccination Antibody Response among Teachers in Poznan, Poland.

Children are among the best vectors to spread respiratory viruses, including emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 due to the asymptomatic or relatively mild course of infection and simultaneously high titres of pathogens in the respiratory tract. Therefore, individuals who have constant contact with children, e.g.

The Longitudinal Analysis on the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies among Healthcare Workers in Poland-Before and after BNT126b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination.

One of the groups most vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is healthcare workers (HCWs) who have direct contact with suspected and confirmed coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) conduct a longitudinal analysis of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs working in two healthcare units (HCUs) in Poland and (ii) identify anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody (Ab) response factors following infection and anti-COVID-19 vaccination. The overall seroprevalence increased from 0% at baseline in September 2020 to 37.

Feasibility of Cognitive Training in Combination With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in a Home-Based Context (TrainStim-Home): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: With the worldwide increase of life expectancy leading to a higher proportion of older adults experiencing age-associated deterioration of cognitive abilities, the development of effective and widely accessible prevention and therapeutic measures has become a priority and challenge for modern medicine. Combined interventions of cognitive training and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown promising results for counteracting age-associated cognitive decline. However, access to clinical centres for repeated sessions is challenging, particularly in rural areas and for older adults with reduced mobility, and lack of clinical personnel and hospital space prevents extended interventions in larger cohorts.

A Structural Potential of Rare Trinucleotide Repeat Tracts in RNA.

Among types of trinucleotide repeats, there is some disproportion in the frequency of their occurrence in the human exome. This research presents new data describing the folding and thermodynamic stability of short, tandem RNA repeats of 23 types, focusing on the rare, yet poorly analyzed ones. UV-melting experiments included the presence of PEG or potassium and magnesium ions to determine their effect on the stability of RNA repeats structures.

Lacrimal Sac Reconstruction Using a Nasal Mucosal Graft.

Iatrogenic lacrimal drainage trauma during surgery is not common. It has been reported during orbital surgeries, medial maxillectomies, post-trauma repairs, excision of adherent lesions in the vicinity, and facial reconstructive procedures. The present case reports a focal loss of the lacrimal sac wall during the excision of an intricate dermoid cyst.

Research and TLS (LiDAR) Construction Diagnostics of Clay Brick Masonry Arched Stairs.

The study presents the terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) diagnostic of the clay brick masonry arched staircase in a historic building. Based on the measurements of the existing arched stair flights, 1:1 scale experimental models with and without stair treads were made. Strength tests of the models were carried out for different concentrated force locations in relation to the supporting structure.

Strength Parameters of Clay Brick Walls with Various Directions of Force.

The study analyzes the anisotropy effect for ceramic masonry based on experimental tests of samples made of 25 × 12 × 6.5 cm solid brick elements with compressive strength = 44.1 MPa and cement mortar with compressive strength = 10.

Soft Contact Lenses as Drug Delivery Systems: A Review.

This review describes the role of contact lenses as an innovative drug delivery system in treating eye diseases. Current ophthalmic drug delivery systems are inadequate, particularly eye drops, which allow about 95% of the active substance to be lost through tear drainage. According to the literature, many interdisciplinary studies have been carried out on the ability of contact lenses to increase the penetration of topical therapeutic agents.