Intravitreal aflibercept 8 mg in diabetic macular oedema (PHOTON): 48-week results from a randomised, double-masked, non-inferiority, phase 2/3 trial.

Background: A high-dose formulation of intravitreal aflibercept (8 mg) could improve treatment outcomes in diabetic macular oedema (DMO) by requiring fewer injections than the standard comparator, aflibercept 2 mg. We report efficacy and safety results of aflibercept 8 mg versus 2 mg in patients with DMO.

Methods: PHOTON was a randomised, double-masked, non-inferiority, phase 2/3 trial performed at 138 hospitals and specialty retina clinics in seven countries.

Efficacy and Safety of Faricimab for Macular Edema due to Retinal Vein Occlusion: 24-Week Results from the BALATON and COMINO Trials.

Purpose: To evaluate the 24-week efficacy and safety of the dual angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A inhibitor faricimab versus aflibercept in patients with vein occlusion.

Design: Phase 3, global, randomized, double-masked, active comparator-controlled trials: BALATON/COMINO (ClincalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT04740905/NCT04740931; sites: 149/192).

Faricimab Treat-and-Extend for Diabetic Macular Edema: Two-Year Results from the Randomized Phase 3 YOSEMITE and RHINE Trials.

Purpose: To evaluate the 2-year efficacy, durability, and safety of dual angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A pathway inhibition with intravitreal faricimab according to a personalized treat-and-extend (T&E)-based regimen with up to every-16-week dosing in the YOSEMITE and RHINE (ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers, NCT03622580 and NCT03622593, respectively) phase 3 trials of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Design: Randomized, double-masked, noninferiority phase 3 trials.

BALATON and COMINO: Phase III Randomized Clinical Trials of Faricimab for Retinal Vein Occlusion: Study Design and Rationale.

Purpose: Dual inhibition of angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A with faricimab (Vabysmo) offers excellent visual acuity gains with strong durability in patients with diabetic macular edema (ME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The phase III BALATON/COMINO (NCT04740905/NCT04740931) trials will investigate the efficacy, safety, and durability of faricimab in patients with ME due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Design: Two identically designed global, randomized, double-masked, active comparator-controlled studies.

The response of litter decomposition to extreme drought modified by plant species, plant part, and soil depth in a temperate grassland.

Plant litter decomposition is a key ecosystem process in carbon and nutrient cycling, and is heavily affected by changing climate. While the direct effects of drought on decomposition are widely studied, in order to better predict the overall drought effect, indirect effects associated with various drought-induced changes in ecosystems should also be quantified. We studied the effect of an extreme (5-month) experimental drought on decomposition, and if this effect varies with two dominant perennial grasses, plant parts (leaves vs.

A Hypercaloric Diet Induces Early Podocyte Damage in Aged, Non-Diabetic Rats.

Background/aims: The number of patients of older age with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and associated kidney disease, which is characterized by podocyte damage, glomerular hypertrophy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), is increasing worldwide. Animal models that would reflect the development of such kidney diseases could facilitate the testing of drugs. We investigated the renal effects of a long-term high caloric diet in aged rats and the potential effects of drugs used to treat metabolic syndrome.

Composted Municipal Green Waste Infused with Biocontrol Agents to Control Plant Parasitic Nematodes-A Review.

The last few years have witnessed the emergence of alternative measures to control plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs). We briefly reviewed the potential of compost and the direct or indirect roles of soil-dwelling organisms against PPNs. We compiled and assessed the most intensively researched factors of suppressivity.

Sex differences in oxidative stress level and antioxidative enzymes expression and activity in obese pre-diabetic elderly rats treated with metformin or liraglutide.

Aim: To determine the effects of metformin or liraglutide on oxidative stress level and antioxidative enzymes gene expression and activity in the blood and vessels of pre-diabetic obese elderly Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of both sexes.

Methods: Male and female SD rats were assigned to the following groups: a) control group (fed with standard rodent chow); b) high-fat and high-carbohydrate diet (HSHFD) group fed with HSHFD from 20-65 weeks of age; c) HSHFD+metformin treatment (50 mg/kg/d s.c.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Eyes with Intraocular Inflammation after Brolucizumab: Post Hoc Analysis of HAWK and HARRIER.

Purpose: This analysis of the pivotal phase 3 HAWK and HARRIER trials aimed to provide insights on the timing of presentation, management, and outcomes of intraocular inflammation (IOI)-related adverse events (AEs), as reported by investigators in these trials.

Design: Post hoc analysis of investigator-reported IOI-related AEs in HAWK and HARRIER.

Participants: Of 1088 brolucizumab-treated eyes (3 or 6 mg), 49 eyes demonstrated at least 1 IOI-related AE and were included in this analysis.

Toxicity mitigation by N-acetylcysteine and synergistic toxic effect of nano and bulk ZnO to Panagrellus redivivus.

To better understand the nanosize-relevant toxic effects and underlying mechanisms, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), as a mitigation agent, an ionic form of Zn (ZnCl), and the binary mixture of ZnO with different particle sizes (15 nm and 140 nm), was used in toxicity assays with the nematode Panagrellus redivivus. The ZnCl concentrations were applied to show the amount of dissolved Zn ions present in the test system. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) measuring method was developed to fit the used test system.

Expert Opinion on Management of Intraocular Inflammation, Retinal Vasculitis, and Vascular Occlusion after Brolucizumab Treatment.

Purpose: Recent reports have described a spectrum of uncommon findings of intraocular inflammation (IOI), retinal vasculitis, or retinal vascular occlusion in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with intravitreal injection (IVI) of brolucizumab. We present guidance on the clinical presentation of this spectrum and propose recommendations for management of these events.

Design: PubMed literature review and expert opinion panel.

Transgenerational and multigenerational stress gene responses to the insecticide etofenprox in Folsomia candida (Collembola).

Insecticide exposure may cause both transgenerational and multigenerational effects on populations, but the molecular mechanisms of these changes remain largely unclear. Many studies have focused on either transgenerational or multigenerational mechanisms but did neglect the comparative aspects. This study assessed whether the pyrethroid insecticide etofenprox (formulation Trebon 30 EC) shows transgenerational and/or multigenerational effects on the survival and reproduction of Folsomia candida (Collembola).

Toxicity and uptake of nanoparticulate and bulk ZnO in nematodes with different life strategies.

Despite the increasing number and quantity of nanomaterials released in the environment, our knowledge on their bioavailability and possible toxicity to organisms is rather limited. Thus, we know quite little about sensitivity of various nematode feeding types and life strategies to treatments with nano metal oxides. The toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO) (with a particle size of 25 nm) and the bulk counterpart was investigated in two free-living nematode species of different life strategies: Xiphinema vuittenezi, a K-strategist plant-feeder nematode and Panagrellus redivivus, an r-strategist bacterivor nematode.

Quality of care indicators in inflammatory bowel disease in a tertiary referral center with open access and objective assessment policies.

Background: In the management of inflammatory bowel diseases, there is considerable variation in quality of care.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate structural, access/process components and outcome quality indicators in our tertiary referral IBD center.

Methods: In the first phase, structural/process components were assessed, followed by the second phase of formal evaluation of access and management on a set of consecutive IBD patients with and without active disease (248CD/125UC patients, median age 35/39 years).

[Indications, diagnoses and quality markers in upper and lower endoscopies in 2010 and 2011 at the 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest].

Introduction And Aim: The aim was to assess the incidence of endoscopic findings based on the indication of the procedures in upper/lower endoscopies, and measuring quality indicators of colonoscopies at the 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest.

Method: Data of 2987 patients (male/female:1361/1626, mean age: 60.7 years(y), SD: 16.

Effect of solubility enhancement on nasal absorption of meloxicam.

Besides the opioids the standard management of the World Health Organization suggests NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) alone or in combination to enhance analgesia in malignant and non-malignant pain therapy. The applicability of NSAIDs in a nasal formulation is a new approach in pharmaceutical technology. In order to enhance the nasal absorption of meloxicam (MX) as an NSAID, its salt form, meloxicam potassium monohydrate (MXP), registered by Egis Plc.

Effects of d- and l-limonene on the pregnant rat myometrium in vitro.

Aim: To study the effects of d- and l-limonene on pregnant rat myometrial contractility in vitro, and investigate how these effects are modified by other agents. D- and l-limonene (10(-13)-10(-8) M) caused myometrial contraction in a dose-dependent manner.

Methods: Contractions of uterine rings from 22-day-pregnant rats were measured in an organ bath in the presence of d- or l-limonene (10(-13)-10(-8) M) and nifedipine (10(-8) M), tetraethyl-ammonium (10(-3) M), theophylline (10(-5) M), or paxilline (10(-5) M).

Study of sodium hyaluronate-based intranasal formulations containing micro- or nanosized meloxicam particles.

This article reports on the micro- and nanonization of meloxicam (MEL) with the aim of developing pre-dispersions as intermediates for the design of intranasal formulations. As a new approach, combined wet milling technology was developed in order to reduce the particle size of the MEL. Different milling times resulted in micro- or nanosized MEL in the pre-dispersions with polyvinyl alcohol as stabilizer agent, which were directly used for preparing intranasal liquid formulations with the addition of sodium hyaluronate as mucoadhesive agent.

[Investigation of gestagenic effect of raw drone milk in rats].

Numerous honeybee products are used in traditional medicine. The best-known honeybee products are the honey, the propolis and the royal jelly. Drone milk is a relatively little-known honeybee product.

Tocopherol inhibits the relaxing effect of terbutaline in the respiratory and reproductive tracts of the rat: the role of the oxidative stress index.

Aims: Reactive oxygen species play a role in the signal transduction of beta-adrenergic receptors. We investigated whether an antioxidant (tocopherol) can reduce the effect of terbutaline in beta-2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR)-regulated smooth muscles.

Main Methods: Contractility of the tissues from nonpregnant (trachea) and 22-day-pregnant (myometrium and cervix) rats was investigated in an isolated organ bath.

Oxytocin regulates the expression of aquaporin 5 in the late-pregnant rat uterus.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane channels responsible for the transport of water across a cell membrane. Based on reports that AQPs are present and accumulate in the female reproductive tract late in pregnancy, our aim was to study the expression of AQP isoforms (AQP1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9) at the end of pregnancy in rat in order to determine if they play a role in parturition. Reverse-transcriptase PCR revealed that specific Aqp mRNAs were detectable in the myometrium of non-pregnant and late-pregnancy (Days 18, 20, 21, and 22 of pregnancy) rat uteri.

Androgenic effect of honeybee drone milk in castrated rats: roles of methyl palmitate and methyl oleate.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Numerous honeybee (Apis mellifera) products have been used in traditional medicine to treat infertility and to increase vitality in both men and women. Drone milk (DM) is a relatively little-known honeybee product with a putative sexual hormone effect. The oestrogenic effect of a fraction of DM has recently been reported in rats.

Raw drone milk of honeybees elicits uterotrophic effect in rats: evidence for estrogenic activity.

Numerous honeybee products are used in medicine, but the literature furnishes no information concerning the effects of the drone milk (DM), although drone brood, which is similar to DM, was reported to elicit a hormone-like strengthening effect. In certain countries, DM is traditionally used to treat infertility and to promote vitality in both men and women. The aim of this study was to determine the putative estrogen hormone-like effect of raw DM in rats and to identify the effective compounds.

Chlorogenic acid and rutin play a major role in the in vivo anti-diabetic activity of Morus alba leaf extract on type II diabetic rats.

The leaves of the white mulberry tree (Morus alba L.) are used worldwide in traditional medicine as anti-diabetics. Various constituents of mulberry leaves, such as iminosugars (i.