Annals of medicine
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Since the beginning of 2020, worldwide attention has been being focussed on SARS-CoV-2, the second strain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus. Although advances in vaccine technology have been made, particularly considering the advent of mRNA vaccines, up to date, no single antigen design can ensure optimal immune response. Therefore, new technologies must be tested as to their ability to further improve vaccines. ⋯ Key MessagesViral inactivation by using pulsed electric fields in the nanosecond frequency. DNA fragmentation by a Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF). Opportunity to apply new technologies in vaccine development.
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Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is a condition characterized by excessive erythrocytosis in response to chronic hypobaric hypoxia. CMS frequently triggers cardiorespiratory diseases such as pulmonary hypertension and right or left heart failure. Ambient hypoxia might be further amplified night-time by intermittent hypoxia related to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) so that sleep disturbance may be an important feature of CMS. Our aim was to characterize in a cross-sectional study nocturnal hypoxaemia, SDB, blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in highlanders living at extreme altitude. ⋯ Lower nocturnal SpO2 and higher nocturnal BP variability are associated with CMS severity in individuals living permanently at high altitude. The role of lower SpO2 and higher nocturnal BP variability in the cardiovascular progression of CMS and in the overall prognosis of the disease need to be evaluated in further studies.
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Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) helps achieve good radiation dose conformity and precise dose evaluation. We conducted a single-centre prospective study to assess the safety and feasibility of total body irradiation with IMRT (IMRT-TBI) using helical tomotherapy in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). ⋯ IMRT-TBI is safe and feasible for haematological malignancies with acceptable clinical outcomes.KEY MESSAGESIMRT-TBI-helical tomotherapy aids in accurate dose calculation and conformity.It could be used without any considerable increase in the rate of TBI-related AEs.Allo-HSCT with IMRT-TBI may be an alternative to conventional TBI for clinical use.
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The primary objective of this study was to investigate if hepatic impairment alters the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of HSK3486. ⋯ Overall, there were no clinically relevant differences in HSK3486 exposure or PD in subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment compared to normal control. These data imply that HSK3486 dose adjustment is not warranted in subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.
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A well-balanced curriculum is critical for ensuring that students graduate with the necessary skills. There is growing interest in evaluating the functional value of non-clinical courses compared to clinical courses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the views of optometry and vision science professionals on the utility and relevance of optics-based courses. ⋯ The perceived importance of optics-based courses varied according to several factors. However, in general, these courses were deemed helpful in terms of curricular content and practical relevance to practice, regardless of specialisation or the workplace.Key messagesIn terms of the value offered to the professional competencies that an optometrist needs, the practical utility of optics courses in optometry curriculums is contested.Optometrists' perceptions of optics courses were examined using a cross-sectional survey.Respondents rated the perceived usefulness of optics courses for their career, with a mean collective value of 20.78 out 30 points.The highest percentage of respondents in this study expressed their preference for the face-to-face learning method rather than the hybrid method.Male optometrists perceived learning optics courses as significantly less helpful than female optometrists.