Current medical research and opinion
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To quantify treatment preferences for food allergy management options (oral immunotherapy, biologic therapy, and allergen avoidance), overall and by sociodemographic strata. ⋯ When making food allergy management decisions, US general population respondents had strong preferences for features related to safety and convenience; however, the magnitude of preferences varied by sociodemographic factors. These findings may be pertinent for population-level health decision makers.
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Background Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) can trigger inflammation, hepatocellular damage, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is a need for non-invasive, cost-effective diagnostic markers for MAFLD, as current methods like liver biopsy are invasive. This study investigates the potential of the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) as a useful tool in diagnosis of MAFLD. ⋯ SII showed moderate sensitivity (72%) and specificity (56%) in detecting MAFLD. Logistic regression analysis identified SII as an independent risk factor for MAFLD, with a unit increase in SII increasing the risk by 1.21 times. Conclusions These findings suggest that SII could serve as a useful, noninvasive marker for diagnosing and monitoring MAFLD, warranting further longitudinal studies to explore its role in disease progression and treatment response.
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This paper reviews the scientific evidence on new anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies for treating Alzheimer's disease as a case study for improving scientific evidence communication. We introduce five guidelines condensed from the biomedical evidence literature but adapted to the short format of science communication in e.g. journal opinion pieces and newspaper articles. Given the major importance and recent confusion regarding the discussed drugs, with certain disagreements seen e.g. between FDA and EMA, the suggested guidelines may be useful to clinicians discussing with their patients and to scientists communicating the evidence in balance. More generally, we hope that the guidelines may help us to improve communication of scientific evidence on complex topics in opinion pieces in the scientific literature, in advocacy, and in media appearances.
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Aripiprazole 2-month ready-to-use (Ari 2MRTU) is a long-acting injectable antipsychotic that was approved for use in Europe in March 2024, for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients stabilized with aripiprazole; it is administered via gluteal intramuscular injection once every two months. This review examines population pharmacokinetic model-based simulations relevant to the use of Ari 2MRTU in Europe, accompanied by expert commentary that contextualizes the simulations and highlights the potential implications of the availability of Ari 2MRTU for patients, caregivers, and clinicians. Various simulations conducted across 8 weeks (representing the first dosing interval), or 32 weeks (representing maintenance dosing) demonstrated an aripiprazole exposure profile for Ari 2MRTU that was similar to aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM), but with an extended dosing interval. ⋯ Therapeutic levels of aripiprazole were also observed for treatment maintenance scenarios, except when dosing of Ari 2MRTU was delayed by 8 weeks. The availability of Ari 2MRTU extends the range of options for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in Europe. Ari 2MRTU may provide adherence benefits due to its extended dosing interval and the option to initiate treatment using a two-injection start regimen, which does not require 14 days of overlapping oral supplementation.