scholarly journals Experimental and clinical evaluation of mefloquine effectiveness against the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
KN Filin ◽  
VD Gladkikh ◽  
VN Bykov
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Virus Titer ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Syrian Hamsters ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Symptom Changes

The efficacy of mefloquine has not been studied in the in vivo experiments and clinical trials involving COVID-19 patients. The study was aimed to assess the effects of mefloquine on the SARS-CoV-2 accumulation in the lungs of infected animals and to study the efficacy and safety of mefloquine compared to hydroxychloroquine in patients with COVID-19. During the experiment, a total of 96 Syrian hamsters were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Accumulation of the virus in lungs was compared in the groups of animals treated with mefloquine and ribavirin and in the control group. During the clinical trial, the mefloquine and hydroxychloroquine safety and efficacy in patients with mild and moderate COVID-19 (172 individuals) was assessed based on the symptom changes over time and the computed tomography results. The experiment showed that the SARS-CoV-2 accumulation in the lungs of Syrian hamsters 6 days after infection and mefloquine treatment was 2.2 ± 0.18 lg PFU/g, which was lower (p < 0.05) than in the control group (3.5 ± 0.21 lg PFU/g) and ribavirin group (5.2 ± 0.05 lg PFU/g). During the clinical trial, it was found that 50.0% of patients in the mefloquine group and 32.4% in the hydroxychloroquine group (р < 0.05) developed a mild disease, and the completely resolved respiratory failure was registered in 76.5% and 44.6%, respectively (р < 0.001). Adverse events were observed in 86.7 % and 77% of patients in the mefloquine and hydroxychloroquine groups, respectively (р > 0.05). Thus, during the experiment, mefloquine contributed to the faster virus titer reduction in the lungs. During the clinical trial, the mefloquine efficacy was non-inferiority or, based on a number of indicators, higher compared to hydroxychloroquine, with comparable safety.

Agitation Techniques to Enhance Drainage of Retained Hemothorax

2020 ◽  
pp. 155335062097800
Author(s):  
Ian A. Makey ◽  
Nitin A. Das ◽  
Samuel Jacob ◽  
Magdy M. El-Sayed Ahmed ◽  
Colleen M. Makey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Surgery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Vibration Technique ◽  
Retained Hemothorax ◽  
And Control ◽  
Negative Conclusion ◽  
Benchtop Model

Background. Retained hemothorax (RH) is a common problem in cardiothoracic and trauma surgery. We aimed to determine the optimum agitation technique to enhance thrombus dissolution and drainage and to apply the technique to a porcine-retained hemothorax. Methods. Three agitation techniques were tested: flush irrigation, ultrasound, and vibration. We used the techniques in a benchtop model with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and pig hemothorax with tPA. We used the most promising technique vibration in a pig hemothorax without tPA. Statistics. We used 2-sample t tests for each comparison and Cohen d tests to calculate effect size (ES). Results. In the benchtop model, mean drainages in the agitation group and control group and the ES were flush irrigation, 42%, 28%, and 2.91 ( P = .10); ultrasound, 35%, 27%, and .76 ( P = .30); and vibration, 28%, 19%, and 1.14 ( P = .04). In the pig hemothorax with tPA, mean drainages and the ES of each agitation technique compared with control (58%) were flush irrigation, 80% and 1.14 ( P = .37); ultrasound, 80% and 2.11 ( P = .17); and vibration, 95% and 3.98 ( P = .06). In the pig hemothorax model without tPA, mean drainages of the vibration technique and control group were 50% and 43% (ES = .29; P = .65). Discussion. In vitro studies suggested flush irrigation had the greatest effect, whereas only vibration was significantly different vs the respective controls. In vivo with tPA, vibration showed promising but not statistically significant results. Results of in vivo experiments without tPA were negative. Conclusion. Agitation techniques, in combination with tPA, may enhance drainage of hemothorax.

scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of duloxetine for postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty in centrally sensitized patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shicheng Wang ◽  
Wensheng Wang ◽  
Long Shao ◽  
Jing Ling
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Postoperative Residual

Abstract Background Postoperative residual knee pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a significant factor that contributes to patient dissatisfaction. Patients with preoperative central sensitization (CS) may be more susceptible to unexplained chronic pain after TKA, and duloxetine has been reported to be effective in post-TKA pain control in patients with CS. However, there remains limited evidence to support this off-label use in routine clinical practice. Hence, we designed this randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind clinical trial to evaluate the effects of preoperative screening and targeted duloxetine treatment of CS on postoperative residual pain compared with the care-as-usual control group. Methods This randomized controlled trial includes patients with knee osteoarthritis on a waiting list for primary unilateral TKA. Patients with preoperative CS will be randomly allocated to the perioperative duloxetine treatment group (duloxetine group) or the care-as-usual control group (placebo group). Patients in the duloxetine group will receive a half-dose of preemptive duloxetine (30 mg/day) for a week before surgery and a full-dose of duloxetine (60 mg/day) for six weeks after surgery. The primary outcome is the intensity of residual pain at six months after TKA, including the visual analogue scale, 11-point numeric rating scale, the sensory dimension of the brief pain inventory, and the pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The secondary outcome measures will include the pain and function related outcomes. All of the patients will be followed up at one, three, and six months after surgery. All adverse events will be recorded and immediately reported to the primary investigator and ethics committee to decide if the patient needs to drop out from the trial. Discussion This clinical trial will convey the latest evidence of the efficacy and safety of the application of duloxetine in postoperative pain control in CS patients who are scheduled for TKA. The study results will be disseminated at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn) registration number: ChiCTR2000031674. Registered 07 April 2020.

scholarly journals Development of a gel dedicated to gel immersion endoscopy

2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (06) ◽  
pp. E918-E924
Author(s):  
Tomonori Yano ◽  
Atsushi Ohata ◽  
Yuji Hiraki ◽  
Makoto Tanaka ◽  
Satoshi Shinozaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Porcine Model ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
In Vitro Experiments ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Coagulative Necrosis ◽  
Novel Technique ◽  
In Vivo Experiments

Abstract Backgrounds and study aims Gel immersion endoscopy is a novel technique to secure the visual field during endoscopy. The aim of this study was to develop a dedicated gel for this technique. Methods To identify appropriate viscoelasticity and electrical conductivity, various gels were examined. Based on these results, the dedicated gel “OPF-203” was developed. Efficacy and safety of OPF-203 were evaluated in a porcine model. Results  In vitro experiments showed that a viscosity of 230 to 1900 mPa·s, loss tangent (tanδ) ≤ 0.6, and hardness of 240 to 540 N/cm2 were suitable. Ex vivo experiments showed electrical conductivity ≤ 220 μS/cm is appropriate. In vivo experiments using gastrointestinal bleeding showed that OPF-203 provided clear visualization compared to water. After electrocoagulation of gastric mucosa in OPF-203, severe coagulative necrosis was not observed in the muscularis but limited to the mucosa. Conclusions OPF-203 is useful for gel immersion endoscopy.

scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of oral hydroxyurea in transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia: a protocol for randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e041958
Author(s):  
Nirmani Yasara ◽  
Nethmi Wickramarathne ◽  
Chamila Mettananda ◽  
Aresha Manamperi ◽  
Anuja Premawardhena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Fetal Haemoglobin

IntroductionDespite being one of the first diseases to be genetically characterised, β-thalassaemia remains a disorder without a cure in a majority of patients. Most patients with β-thalassaemia receive only supportive treatment and therefore have a poor quality of life and shorter life spans. Hydroxyurea, which has shown to induce fetal haemoglobin synthesis in human erythroid cells, is currently recommended for the treatment of sickle cell disease. However, its clinical usefulness in transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia is unclear. Here, we present a protocol for a randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral hydroxyurea in transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia.Methods and analysisThis single-centre randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial is conducted at the Thalassaemia Centre of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Adult and adolescent patients with haematologically and genetically confirmed transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia are enrolled and randomised into the intervention or control group. The intervention group receives oral hydroxyurea 10–20 mg/kg daily for 6 months, while the control group receives a placebo which is identical in size, shape and colour to hydroxyurea without its active ingredient. Transfused blood volume, pretransfusion haemoglobin level, fetal haemoglobin percentage and adverse effects of treatment are monitored during treatment and 6 months post-treatment. Cessation or reduction of blood transfusions during the treatment period will be the primary outcome measure. The statistical analysis will be based on intention to treat.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (P/116/05/2018) and the trial is approved by the National Medicinal Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka. Results of the trial will be disseminated in scientific publications in reputed journals.Trial registration numberSLCTR/2018/024; Pre-results.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Socheongryong-Tang Among Atopic Dermatitis Patients With Respiratory Disorders: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju Hyun Lee ◽  
Eun Heui Jo ◽  
Jee Youn Jung ◽  
Young-Eun Kim ◽  
Mi-Ju Son ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Safety Evaluation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Inflammatory Skin Disease ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Experimental Group

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects the growth and development of children. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis has been continually increasing, and this has also been accompanied by rising socioeconomic costs. Interest has been growing in alternative medicine as a means of alleviating the burden of atopic dermatitis. This was a single-center, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled investigator-led clinical trial including 60 atopic dermatitis patients. The participants were classified into an experimental group (30 persons) and a control group (30 persons), who were administered, respectively, socheongryong-tang or a placebo for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of treatment, the participants visited the trial center again and assess their efficacy and safety. The researchers performed statistical comparisons of the changes in the SCORAD Index, amount and frequency of ointment use, and height and weight to assess the efficacy. To assess the safety, diagnostic tests and vital sign checks were performed at each visit, and the presence or absence of adverse events was observed. As a result, the frequency and the amount of steroid ointment application in both groups increased, but the experimental group showed less tendency (p = 0.081). Results of analyzing the children in the experimental group in relation to growth showed a significantly greater height growth than the control group (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, all study participants did not show any remarkable abnormal signs in the safety evaluation. In conclusion, compared to the control group, the experimental group, who took socheongryong-tang showed a tendency to be less dependent on steroid ointment and statistically significant increase in height.

Photodynamic effects of Radachlorin® on cervical cancer model

2005 ◽  
Vol 09 (12) ◽  
pp. 835-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun-Young Kwak ◽  
Dae-Seog Lim ◽  
Su-Mi Bae ◽  
Yong-Wook Kim ◽  
Joon-Mo Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Light Irradiation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cancer Model ◽  
In Vivo Experiments

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been reported to be effective for treating various tumors and induce apoptosis in many tumor cells. In this study, we examined a biological significance of PDT with a chlorin-based photosensitizer, Radachlorin®, in a cervical cancer model, TC-1 cells. When TC-1 cells were exposed to varied doses of Radachlorin® with light irradiation (6.25 J/cm2), PDT induced a dose-dependent growth inhibition of TC-1 cells. All of these cells were significantly damaged after light irradiation and categorized to be early and late apoptosis, as determined by annexin V staining. Radachlorin® localized primarily into the Golgi apparatus of cells in 12 h of the treatment, and weak fluorescence intensity was also detected in mitochondria. On the other hand, in the in vivo experiments, following light irradiation (100 J/cm2), retarded tumor growth was significant in mice treated with Radachlorin®, as compared to the control group. Taken together, we propose that PDT after the application of Radachlorin® may induce the Golgi apparatus-mediated apoptosis of cervical cancer cells in vitro, and also be effective in the mice system.

scholarly journals The Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Prophylaxis of Vestibular Migraine: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianye Hu ◽  
Hantong Hu ◽  
Feng Chen ◽  
Bin Jiang ◽  
Fengfei Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Vestibular Migraine ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Introduction: With a high incidence rate and low diagnosis rate, vestibular migraine (VM) can seriously affect the quality of life of patients, but it remains difficult to manage by current treatment options. Acupuncture may be a potential treatment option for VM prophylaxis, but the currently available evidence is still uncertain. Therefore, this trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for VM prophylaxis.Methods: This is a 28-week parallel, randomized, controlled clinical trial including 4 weeks of baseline, 8 weeks of treatment, and 16 weeks of follow-up. A total of 72 participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. The participants will receive acupuncture in the experimental group, while the participants in the control group will be treated with venlafaxine. The primary outcome measures are change in vertigo/migraine days and vertigo/migraine attacks, vertigo severity, and migraine intensity per 4 weeks from baseline. The secondary outcome measures are change in doses of rescue medication, anxiety level, depression level, and quality of life per 4 weeks from baseline. Adverse events will be recorded for safety evaluation.Discussion: This study will investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for VM prophylaxis. The results will contribute to determining whether acupuncture can serve as an optional treatment strategy for treating VM.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT0464088.

scholarly journals Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for high-normal blood pressure: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Guang-Xia Shi ◽  
Zhong-Xue Tian ◽  
Jun-Hong Liu ◽  
You-Sheng Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Normal Blood ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Normal Blood Pressure ◽  
Change In Mean ◽  
Acupoint Stimulation

Abstract Background: High-normal blood pressure (BP) is associated with increased all-cause, cardiovascular mortality and frequently progresses to hypertension. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) might be a non-pharmaceutical therapy option to control BP. This trial aims to determine the efficacy and safety of TEAS combined with lifestyle modification for high-normal BP. Methods/design: This prospective, randomized and parallel clinical trial will be conducted in a community service center in China. Sixty participants with high-normal BP will be randomly allocated to receive TEAS plus lifestyle modification (intervention group) or lifestyle modification alone (control group) in a 1:1 ratio. In addition to lifestyle modification, the intervention group will receive TEAS at four acupoints for 30 minutes, 4 times weekly for 12 weeks for a total of 48 sessions at home. The control group will receive same lifestyle modification but no TEAS. The primary outcome will be the change in mean systolic blood pressure at 12-week from the baseline measurement. Secondary outcomes include the change of mean diastolic blood pressure, proportion of subjects with progression to hypertension, quality of life, physical activity, body mass index and waist circumference. Adverse events during the trial will be monitored. Discussion: This trial will explore the feasibility and provide potential evidence for the efficacy and safety of TEAS plus lifestyle modification for high-normal BP. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900024982. Registered on August 6, 2019.

scholarly journals Synthetic Amphoteric Cryogels as an Antidote against Acute Heavy Metal Poisoning

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (24) ◽  
pp. 7601
Author(s):  
Alzhan Z. Baimenov ◽  
Ildar R. Fakhradiyev ◽  
Dmitriy A. Berillo ◽  
Timur Saliev ◽  
Sergey V. Mikhalovsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Morphological Structure ◽  
Chelating Agent ◽  
Acute Poisoning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Acid Sodium Salt

The effectiveness of an amphoteric cryogel (AAC) as an oral sorbent (enerosorbent) for the treatment of acute poisoning of small animals (rats) with heavy metals (HMs) was studied in in vivo experiments. The morphological structure of the cryogel was examined using scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and confocal microscopy. The use of the cryogel in the treatment of rats administered an LD50 dose of Cd(NO3)2, CsNO3, Sr(NO3)2, or HgCl2 in aqueous solution showed their high survival rate compared to the control group, which did not receive such treatment. The histological and chemical analysis of internal tissues and the biochemical analysis of the blood of the experimental animals showed the effectiveness of the cryogel in protecting the animals against the damaging effect of HMs on the organism comparable with unithiol, a chelating agent based on 2,3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonic acid sodium salt (DMPS) approved for the treatment of acute poisoning with some heavy metals.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Modified Qing-Ying Decoction for Atopic Dermatitis in Children: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Kwan LAI ◽  
Chi Him SUM ◽  
Connie YC KAM ◽  
Tianhe SONG ◽  
Pui Kuan CHEONG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Atopic Eczema ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Abstract BackgroundAtopic Dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a chronic skin disease characterized by recurring episodes of itchiness with skin erythema and surface damages, such as dry skin, skin thickening and swelling. Long-term treatment with conventional medicine for subacute and moderate atopic eczema is not satisfactory. Evidence from randomized clinical trials suggests the effectiveness of Chinese medicine for the treatmement of AD. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of the modified Qing-Ying Decoction (mQYD) for the treatment of subacute and chronic AD in children through examining the clinical symptoms, quality of life, gut microbiome, and Chinese medicine (CM) body constitution.Methods/designThis is a parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial with a 12-week treatment and a 4-week follow-up period. A total of 64 participants will be randomly allocated to the treatment group receiving oral mQYD granules or the placebo control group receiving oral placebo granules. Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score will be the primary outcome. Secondary outcome measures include change in symptoms using the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), and the use of concomitant medicines as well as the change in the gut microbiome and CM body constitution types after the 12-week treatment of the mQYD and 4-week follow-up compared to placebo control. Safety parameters include report of adverse events and pathology tests during the trial period.DiscussionThis is the first clinical trial of its kind to test the efficacy and gut microbiome of an innovative Chinese herbal formula modified from a famous ancient formula for the treatment of AD. The outcomes of this trial will provide clinical evidence on the effectiveness and safety of mQYD for the treatment of AD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT04419584. Registered on 28 July 2020.

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