Efficacy of Cevimeline on Xerostomia in Sjögren's Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background: Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, affecting their quality of life. Although Cevimeline, a muscarinic agonist, has been investigated as a potential treatment, its efficacy and optimal dosage remain uncertain. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Cevimeline in relieving xerostomia in patients with Sjögren's syndrome by a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT).

Healthcare provision for displaced people in transit: Analyses of routinely collected data from INTERSOS clinics at the Ukrainian border with Moldova and Poland.

Background: The Russian military invasion of Ukraine has sparked Europe's largest forced displacement since World War II, bringing about significant health vulnerabilities for migrants and refugees. European health information systems lack comprehensive data coverage, especially in underrepresented migration stages like transit. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing data from INTERSOS clinics at the Moldovan and Polish borders with Ukraine to identify the common health conditions prompting people to seek healthcare services during transit.

Technological advances in cactus food products.

Cacti species are attractive to consumers because of their excellent flavor and color. The food industry is interested in their nutritional, bioactive, and technological properties. Therefore, the use of cacti in human food has been analyzed through patent documents, emphasizing their role in worldwide food production.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Neuropathic Pain and Negative Emotion in Mice by Regulating Gut Microbiota.

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a prevalent chronic condition frequently accompanied by adverse emotional states. Previous research has demonstrated the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in mitigating neuropathic pain and its associated mood disorders. Recent studies have underscored a correlation between gut microbiota and both NP and negative emotional states.

Implementing Cancer Pain Management Training for Pharmacists Using the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model.

Purpose: To develop a training program on cancer pain management for pharmacists and to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.

Methods: The program developed a well-structured curriculum and subsequent evaluation of training effectiveness, guided by the Kirkpatrick four-tier evaluation model, including reaction, learning, behavior, and results. The training approach incorporated mentoring, study groups, and problem-based learning to create an immersive and impactful learning experience.

Healthcare Resource Utilization Among Patients With Generalized Pustular Psoriasis: The Impact of Flares and Disease Severity.

Background: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, chronic, often unpredictable, severe multisystemic autoinflammatory skin disease from which patients can experience flares, episodes of widespread eruptions of painful, sterile pustules often accompanied by systemic symptoms. The impact of GPP flares and underlying GPP severity on the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) is not well characterized.

Objective: To quantify HCRU among US GPP patients by flare status and underlying severity.

Pandemic Perceptions and Healthcare Decisions: Exploring Perceived COVID-19 Threat's Impact on Perinatal Healthcare in Florida.

The COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted well-being and healthcare delivery, but its indirect effects on health services utilization among pregnant women and new mothers remain less understood. Understanding how big events like pandemics impact health behaviors is essential for anticipating healthcare needs during future crises. This study examined how the perceived COVID-19 threat influenced health concerns and service utilization among 378 participants who were either pregnant or mothers of infants less than 12 months old, 18 years or older, and lived within a 50-mile radius of healthcare sites in the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Consortium.

Shearinines U-Y, indole diterpenoids from an entomogenous fungus, sp.

Five new indole diterpenoids, shearinines U-Y (2-6), and the known compound 22,23-dehydro-shearinine A (1) were isolated from cultures of the entomogenous fungus sp. Their structures were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of 2-6 were assigned by electronic circular dichroism calculations, respectively.

SERS profiling of blood serum filtrate components from patients with type II diabetes using 100 kDa filtration devices.

Blood carries some of the most valuable biomarkers for disease screening as it interacts with various tissues and organs in the body. Human blood serum is a reservoir of high molecular weight fraction (HMWF) and low molecular weight fraction (LMWF) proteins. The LMWF proteins are considered disease marker proteins and are often suppressed by HMWF proteins during analysis.

A Multifunctional MIL-101-NH(Fe) Nanoplatform for Synergistic Melanoma Therapy.

Background: Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer, and single-modality treatments often fail to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis. Combination therapy has emerged as an effective approach to improve treatment outcomes.

Methods: In this study, we developed a multifunctional nanoplatform, MIL@DOX@ICG, utilizing MIL-101-NH(Fe) as a carrier to co-deliver the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) and the photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG).

Development and Evaluation of Aloperine-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Objective: This study focuses on the development and evaluation of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with aloperine as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Methods: The NLCs were designed to enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of aloperine, a compound with vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Through a series of experiments including single-factor experimentation, transmission electron microscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution studies, we assessed the physicochemical properties, drug release profiles, and in vitro and in vivo performance of this novel nanocarrier.

Characterization of jamun () juice fortified with nanoemulsified vitamin D: and assessment of its nutraceutical value and anti-diabetic potential.

This study aimed to fortify Jamun () juice with vitamin D to address vitamin D deficiency and boost health. A nanoemulsion of vitamin D was fabricated using a low-temperature (4-20C) sonication method and incorporated into the juice. The vitamin D fortified jamun juice (VDFJJ) exhibited a total polyphenol content of 14.

Efficacy and Safety of Aprocitentan in the Treatment of Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent disorders encountered in medical practice, yet effective pharmacotherapy options for resistant hypertension are limited. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aprocitentan in treating hypertension.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.

Safety and Efficacy of Baricitinib, Upadacitinib, and Sarilumab Implementation in Moderately-to-Severely Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence.

This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of newly approved Janus kinase (JAK) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors in patients with moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with inadequate response to or intolerance of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all placebo-controlled randomized trials assessing baricitinib, sarilumab, and upadacitinib treatment in RA, published in PubMed and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases up to October 2023. The study outcomes involved the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20%, 50%, and 70% responses, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), serious adverse events, and adverse events leading to drug discontinuation.

Addressing Drug Shortages at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital: A ‎Five-Year Study of ‎Challenges, Impact, and Strategies.

Background Drug shortages have become a significant challenge globally, affecting healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess drug shortages' prevalence, causes, and impact at a tertiary care hospital in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), providing actionable insights for future mitigation strategies. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Mediclinic Parkview (MPAR) Hospital, part of Mediclinic Middle East (MCME), UAE.

Serum metabolomic signatures of patients with rare neurogenetic diseases: an insight into potential biomarkers and treatment targets.

Introduction: To further advance our understanding of Muscular Dystrophies (MDs) and Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCAs), it is necessary to identify the biological patterns associated with disease pathology. Although progress has been made in the fields of genetics and transcriptomics, there is a need for proteomics and metabolomics studies. The present study aimed to be the first to document serum metabolic signatures of MDs (DMD, BMD, and LGMD 2A) SCAs (SCA 1-3), from a South Asian perspective.

A systematic review of recent outbreaks and the efficacy and safety of drugs approved for the treatment of infections.

A systematic review was conducted to critically analyze the outbreaks, efficacy, and safety of drugs used to treat various infections. Four drugs-azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and amoxicillin-are commonly used to treat infections, and all four drugs were included in this review. This review found that, of these, azithromycin and ceftriaxone were more effective in treating infections based on the patient's length of stay in the hospital and the rate at which the fever was resolved.

A Pair of Fluorescent Probes Enabling Precise Diagnosis of Liver Cancer by Complementary Imaging.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is by far the predominant malignant liver cancer, with both high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and surgical resections are imperative for improving the survival of HCC patients. However, limited by clinical diagnosis methods, it is difficult to accurately distinguish tumor tissue and its boundaries in the early stages of cancer.

Visible-Light-Driven Carboxylative 1,2-Difunctionalization of C=C Bonds with Tetrabutylammonium Oxalate.

Herein, we report a visible-light-induced charge-transfer-complex-enabled dicarboxylation and deuterocarboxylation of C=C bonds with oxalate as a masked CO source under catalyst-free conditions. In this reaction, we disclosed the first example that the tetrabutylammonium oxalate could be able to aggregate with aryl substrates via π-cation interactions to form the charge transfer complexes, which subsequently triggers the single electron transfer from the oxalic dianion to the ammonium countercation under irradiation of 450 nm bule LEDs, releasing CO and CO radical anions. Diverse alkenes, dienes, trienes, and indoles, including challenging trisubstituted olefins, underwent dicarboxylation and anti-Markovnikov deuterocarboxylation with high selectivity to access valuable 1,2- and 1,4-dicarboxylic acids as well as indoline-derived diacids and β-deuterocarboxylic acids under mild conditions.

Navigating the influence of professional abstinence on pharmacy students: Observations and solutions from their perspective.

Purpose: As the scope of practice continues to evolve for pharmacists, professional abstinence is being observed by students in workplaces and practicums. Professional abstinence is defined as "consciously choosing not to provide the full scope of patient care activities". Exposure of students to professional abstinence may cause cognitive dissonance, as they are challenged by practices that do not match what they are taught in school.

How Does Indonesian Chronic Disease Patient Adhere to Their Treatment? A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 11,408 Subjects.

Background: Chronic disease has become an increasing burden in Indonesia, increasing the importance of treatment adherence to control the disease prognosis. Therefore, we aim to determine the prevalence and characteristics of nonadherence in Indonesian chronic disease population.

Methods: We identified 11,408 adult subjects with chronic diseases from the fifth Indonesian Family Life Survey.

Ukrainian Patients' Perspectives on Advanced Pharmaceutical Services Provided by Polish Pharmacists: A Cross-Border Support Initiative.

Introduction: Pharmacists are essential healthcare professionals which play a pivotal role in public health protection by offering diverse pharmacy services. This includes not only serving individuals in Ukraine but also addressing the needs of Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland. An exemplary initiative is the creation of the website , which provides organized and systematic support.

Highly Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots from Gallic Acid: A Turn-On Sensor toward Pb Ions.

Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging novel fluorescent sensing nanomaterials owing to their tunable optical properties, biocompatibility, and eco-friendliness. Herein, we report a facile one-pot hydrothermal route for the synthesis of highly green fluorescent CDs using gallic acid (GA) as a single carbon source in ,-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent, which serves as a nitrogen source and reaction medium. The optical properties of the synthesized GA-DMF CDs were systematically characterized by using UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, revealing strong green fluorescence.

Protective effects of resveratrol on the expression of , and genes in the ovary and their activity in the serum of rats exposed to lead acetate: An experimental study.

Background: Lead (Pb) could be toxic to the female reproductive system, and resveratrol (Res) may overcome this toxicity.

Objective: To investigate the Res impact on the catalase (), glutathione peroxidase (), and superoxide dismutase () gene expression in the ovary and on the Cat and Gpx enzyme activity in the serum of rats exposed to lead acetate.

Materials And Methods: In this experimental study, 33 female Wistar rats (8-10 wk, 180-200 gr) were divided into 6 groups: a control group (normal saline), a Res group (40 mg/kg), and a Pb group (lead acetate 30 mg/kg).