Current medical research and opinion
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Diversion and abuse of prescription opioids are important public health concerns in the US. This study examined possible sources of prescription opioids among patients diagnosed with opioid abuse. ⋯ While most abusers had access to prescription opioids through their own prescriptions, many abusers without their own opioid prescriptions had access to prescription opioids through family members and may have obtained prescription opioids that way. Given the study design and data source, this is likely a conservative estimate of prescription opioid diversion.
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Infections caused by multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, that cause nosocomial infections, represent a growing problem worldwide. The rapid increase in the prevalence of Gram-negative pathogens that are resistant to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides as well as all β-lactams, including carbapenems, monobactam, cephalosporins and broad-spectrum penicillins, has prompted the reconsideration of colistin as a valid therapeutic option. Colistin is an old class of cationic, which act by disrupting the bacterial membranes resulting in cellular death. Although there has been a significant recent increase in the data gathered on colistin, focusing on its chemistry, antibacterial activity, mechanism of action and resistance, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and new clinical application, the prevalence of colistin resistance has been very little reported in the literature. This review concentrates on recent literature aimed at optimizing the clinical use of this important antibiotic. ⋯ There is a critical need for effective infection prevention and control measures and strict use of antibiotics in the world to control the rise and spread of colistin resistance.
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Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer. Most cases of BCCs are treated with only optimal surgical resection. However, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic tumors might have potential to progress. In this patient group, there is no standardized treatment approach. Vismodegib is a new selective inhibitor of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway. This manuscript is aimed to review the efficacy of the Hh pathway inhibitor vismodegib in BCC patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. ⋯ Recent trials have shown that vismodegib has produced promising activity in patients with locally advanced and metastatic BCC. The ongoing studies with vismodegib in other solid tumors and BCC will shed light on more certain treatment pathways.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of vortioxetine versus venlafaxine XR in adults in Asia with major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind study.
This randomized, double-blind 8 week study compared the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-dose treatment with vortioxetine (10 mg/day) and venlafaxine extended release (XR) (150 mg/day) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. ⋯ Vortioxetine was at least as efficacious as venlafaxine XR and was safe and better tolerated than venlafaxine XR.
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To investigate the impact associated with mild hypoglycemia among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the United States and to identify risk factors among different subpopulations. ⋯ Understanding the benefit versus risk of glycemic control and hypoglycemia is fundamental to the successful management of patients with T2DM. Our validated hypoglycemia model is an important step in addressing this issue and may be helpful to researchers, clinicians, and payers to determine the patients who are at the highest risk for hypoglycemia, whether a patient is experiencing events at 'higher-than-expected' rates, and the corresponding economic burden.