User-Friendliness Evaluation of Handling pMDI with Various Add-on Devices in Asthmatic Patients.

The objective of this study was to assess the use of pMDI alone and pMDI with different spacers in asthmatic patients and to identify any associations between errors in handling the device for the first time and the sessions needed to reach the correct handling method, considering patient demographics and clinical characteristics. A total of 150 Asthmatic patients were crossed over to handle pMDI alone and with add-on inhalable devices (Aerochamber plus, Tips Haler, Able, Dispozable and Aer-8) randomly, without receiving verbal or demonstrative instruction (baseline assessment). The assessment of the inhaler technique was performed using checklists that had been set beforehand.

Performance of newly developed add-on devices on aerosol delivery in noninvasive ventilated subjects.

Several techniques had been developed to generate aerosolized medications during noninvasive ventilation (NIV) using variable inhalation methods. This study hypothesized that large spacers were more efficient significantly than small spacers and adapters during NIV. The main objective of this study was to compare the performance of newly developed spacers with standard T-piece in NIV chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subjects.

Evaluation of the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies of mucus and tissue nucleoproteins extracted from snails on schistosomiasis .

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with considerable morbidity. The lone effective drug, praziquantel (PZQ), is showing emergence of drug resistance hence, searching for new supportive treatment is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mucus and nucleoproteins (NPs) extracted from () snails on miracidia, cercariae and () adults in vitro and assess their experimental in vivo effect through parasitological, histopathological, and biochemical parameters.

Comparative Evaluation of Sildenafil Citrate and Estrogen as an Adjuvant Therapy for Treatment of Unexplained Infertility in Women.

Background: Uterine blood flow determines endometrial thickness. This study examined how vaginal sildenafil citrate and estradiol valerate altered endometrial thickness, blood flow, and fertility in infertile women.

Methods: This study observed 148 infertile women whose infertility was unexplained.

Pentoxifylline Effects on Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Cytokine Storm Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

COVID-19 is a fatal, fast-spreading pandemic, and numerous attempts are being made around the world to understand and manage the disease. COVID-19 patients may develop a cytokine-release syndrome, which causes serious respiratory diseases and, in many cases, death. The study examined the feasibility of employing legally available anti-inflammatory pentoxifylline (PTX), a low toxicity and cost medication, to mitigate the hyper-inflammation caused by COVID-19.

Evidence for the Efficacy of a High Dose of Vitamin D on the Hyperinflammation State in Moderate-to-Severe COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Vitamin D supplementation plays a key effect in lowering cytokine storms among COVID-19 patients by influencing the activity of the renin-angiotensin system and the production of the angiotensin-2 converting enzyme. The study was conducted to explore the effect of high-dose intramuscular vitamin D in hospitalized adults infected with moderate-to-severe SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with the standard of care in the COVID-19 protocol. Two groups of patients were compared in this prospective randomized controlled trial as the vitamin D was administered orally to group 1 (alfacalcidol 1 mcg/day) and intramuscularly to group 2 (cholecalciferol 200,000 IU).

Continuous Versus Intermittent Linezolid Infusion for Critically Ill Patients with Hospital-Acquired and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Efficacy and Safety Challenges.

High variability of linezolid blood concentrations with partial subtherapeutic levels was observed in critically ill patients who received a standard intravenous dose of linezolid, contributing to drug resistance and toxicity. Continuous infusions of linezolid have been suggested as an alternative and provide good serum and alveolar levels without fluctuations in trough concentration. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of continuous linezolid infusion versus the standard regimen in critically ill patients.

The Impact of Sociodemographic, Nutritional, and Health Factors on the Incidence and Complications of COVID-19 in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study was intended to explore sociodemographic, nutritional, and health-related factors on the incidence of COVID-19 infection within the Egyptian population by assessing the frequency and determinants of post-COVID-19 symptoms and complications. A cross-sectional study using a structured survey on 15,166 participants was adopted. The results revealed common symptoms including fever (79.

A Battle against COVID-19: Vaccine Hesitancy and Awareness with a Comparative Study between Sinopharm and AstraZeneca.

Background: Awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine's adverse effects is crucial for gaining public trust. As we still lack proof of vaccines' safety, this survey aimed to investigate Egyptians' general awareness of the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines against COVID-19 and provide considerable evidence on their side effects and complications.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in Egypt between 20 September and 10 October in 2021, with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering all data on vaccine administration confusion, adverse effects or intensity, and complications.

Efficacy of the early treatment with tocilizumab-hydroxychloroquine and tocilizumab-remdesivir in severe COVID-19 Patients.

Background: The effectiveness of the best combination between different antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs stills an interest in the treatment of COVID19 infection.

Patients And Methods: A prospective randomized cohort study comprised 108 adult patients with confirmed PCR COVID 19 infection with systemic hyper inflammation state, divided into two groups according to the treatment regimen, 56 in the tocilizumab- hydroxychloroquine (TCZ-HCQ) treatment, and 52 in the tocilizumab-remdesivir (TCZ-RMV) treatment. The first group received a combination of I.

Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin Combination in the Management of COVID-19 Infection: Safety and Effectiveness Challenges.

Background: The treatment of COVID-19 disease remains a dilemma so far because there is no approved therapy for it. This study aimed to evaluate the use of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin combination in treatment.

Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin combination in COVID 19 patients.

The effect of Clip-tone and its smartphone application on optimisation of metered-dose inhalers inhalation technique.

Backgrounds: Although metered-dose inhalers (pMDI) therapy is convenient and widely prescribed, its use usually results in repetitive inhalation technique errors. One of the most repetitive errors is inhaling too fast through the pMDI. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Clip-tone along with smartphone visual feedback application on the subject's inhalation time.

Therapeutic efficacy, mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, and mortality rate in severe COVID-19 patients treated with tocilizumab.

Background: The treatment of severe cases of COVID-19 disease remains a dilemma so far, because there is no approved therapy for it. This study aimed to estimate the therapeutic efficacy of tocilizumab and its role in reducing the need for mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, mortality rate for these cases.

Method: The study included 25 adult patients with confirmed severe COVID-19 infection.

In vitro and in vivo performance modelling and optimisation of different dry powder inhalers: A complementary study of neural networks, genetic algorithms and decision trees.

Introduction: Aerosol delivery from DPIs could be affected by different factors. This study aimed to evaluate and predict the effects of different factors on drug delivery from DPIs.

Methods: Modelling and optimisation for both in vitro and in vivo data of different DPIs (Diskus, Turbohaler and Aerolizer) were carried out using neural networks associated with genetic algorithms and the results are confirmed using a decision tree (DT) and random forest regressor (RFR).

The impact of vinegar on pathogenic isolate.

keratitis (AK) is a severe corneal disease that was reported by WHO as the second most common infectious cause of blindness after trachoma; contact lens wear is considered one of the main risk factors in its transmission. Thus, the treatment of AK is crucial but, the inability of medical agents to completely eradicate the resistant cyst, together with their toxic effects, suggest that new agents are needed. Vinegar has been known long ago as a simple and available disinfectant with antimicrobial effects, so the present study aimed to test the effect of different concentrations of vinegar solution on isolate, along the period of 1 h in comparison to parasite and chlorhexidine controls.

Effect of Oxygen Flow on Aerosol Delivery From a Nebulizer With a Holding Chamber.

Background: A new holding chamber was designed to be used with a vibrating mesh nebulizer to increase the total inhalable dose for patients. It facilitates intermittent and continuous nebulization as well as the optional supply of supplemental oxygen via a T-piece with a mouthpiece adapter. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oxygen introduction in the new holding chamber on aerosol delivery using a vibrating mesh nebulizer.

Effect of a Nebulizer Holding Chamber on Aerosol Delivery.

Background: A new holding chamber was designed to be used with the Aerogen Solo nebulizer to increase the aerosol emitted that reach the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of this holding chamber with the nebulizer and determine its usability with other nebulizers.

Methods: The study was divided into 2 parts.

The Impact of Different Copro-preservation Conditions on Molecular Detection of Species.

Background: We aimed to evaluate different copro-preservation conditions along the duration of one month for a better outcome of molecular diagnosis of species.

Methods: Ten samples out of 380 fresh stool samples collected from patients with diarrhea proved positive after direct examination, concentration, staining and confirmed by immunochromatographic test. The study was conducted at the Diagnostic and Research Unit of Parasitic diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University at the time interval from July 2014 to December 2015.

INVESTIGATION OF AMOEBICIDAL POTENTIAL OF ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L. PERICARP ON CYSTS OF ACANTHAMOEBA ASTRONYXIS T7 GENOTYPE.

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic pathogen cauAing keratitis and fatal encephalitis. Early diagnosis, followed by intense treatment using a drugs mixture is a necessity for effective therapy. Many natural compounds have proved lethal effects, yet the search for original natural amebicidal agents is still of current concern.

Genotypic, physiological, and biochemical characterization of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba isolated from the environment in Cairo, Egypt.

Acanthamoebae are the most common opportunistic amphizoic protozoa that cause life-threatening granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals and sight-threatening amoebic keratitis (AK) in contact lens wearers. The present work aimed to determine the presence of Acanthamoeba isolates in different environmental sources: water, soil, and dust in Cairo, Egypt and to characterize the pathogenic potential of the isolated Acanthamoeba using physiological and biochemical assays as well as determination of the genotypes in an attempt to correlate pathogenicity with certain genotypes. The study included the collection of 22 corneal scrapings from patients complaining of symptoms and signs indicative of acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and 75 environmental samples followed by cultivation on non-nutrient agar plates preseeded with E.