International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2020
Current and Future Implications of COVID-19 on Gastroenterology Training and Clinical Practice.
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected almost every country on the globe, affecting 185 countries with more than 2.6 million cases and 182,000 deaths as of April 22, 2020. The United States (US) has seen an exponential surge in the COVID-19 patients and has become the epicentre with more than 845,000 confirmed cases and 46,000 deaths. The governments and healthcare providers all over the world are racing with time to reduce the rate of increase in active cases by social distancing to flatten the curve of this pandemic. ⋯ Given the imperatives for social and physical distancing, training programmes have to implement innovative educational methods to substitute traditional teaching. Healthcare organisations must synchronise institutional workforce needs with trainee safety, education and well-being. In this perspective, we have discussed the challenges that can be anticipated and implementing strategies to support fellows during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Urea-based topical compounds at medium concentrations (15%-30%) represent useful dermatological agents for their humectant and keratolytic effects by enhancing stratum corneum hydration and by loosening epidermal keratin, respectively. The aim of this paper is to review the clinical evidences of the use of 15%-30% urea as single topical agent. Although limited evidence supports the use of these concentrations of urea in skin disorders characterised by xerosis and hyperkeratosis, in clinical practice they are largely used especially in xerosis of limited skin areas, in which the side effects are tolerable, or hyperkeratosis involving large or more sensitive (eg, face, genital region, etc) areas, in which higher concentration may be irritant. In addition, urea at medium concentrations is used in combination with other substances including topical antifungals as penetration enhancer.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialA Comparative Study for the Effects of Nifedipine GITS and Amlodipine Besylate Administrated in Daytime or at Nighttime on Recovery of Blood Pressure Rhythm and Arterial Stiffness in the Young and Middle-aged Subjects with Non-dipper Hypertension (NARRAS): Design and Rationale.
Hypertensive patients with a blunted or absent nocturnal blood pressure (BP) drop (non-dipper) are associated with arterial stiffening and additional cardiovascular risk. Non-dipper hypertension is prevalent in young and middle-aged adults; but the optimal antihypertensive strategy remains unclear. There is a need to explore the effects of different antihypertensive agents and time of administration on recovery of dipper rhythm and arterial stiffness in this population. ⋯ NARRAS study is the first RCT to evaluate the effects of nifedipine GITS and amlodipine besylate on restoration of dipping rhythm and arterial elasticity, either administrated in the morning or evening, in younger non-dipper hypertensive subjects. The findings of NARRAS are likely to be potential to facilitate new therapeutic strategies for this condition.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialComparing the different oxycodone doses of prevent oxycodone for prevention of preventing fentanyl-induced cough during induction of general anesthesia.
Fentanyl-induced cough (FIC) usually occurs after the intravenous administration of fentanyl during general anaesthesia induction. It is a transient condition depending on the fentanyl administration dose and injection speed. Oxycodone can also prevent FIC because it has been proven to treat coughing. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different oxycodone doses to prevent FIC during general anaesthesia induction. ⋯ Oxycodone 0.075 mg/kg provided more effective FIC prevention during general anaesthesia induction.