Scientific reports
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Lipid mediators (LMs) are a unique class of immunoregulatory signalling molecules and known to be affected by frankincense extracts. We performed LM profiling by metabololipidomics in plasma samples from 28 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) patients who took a standardised frankincense extract (SFE) daily for eight months in a clinical phase IIa trial (NCT01450124) and in 28 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Magnetic resonance imaging, immunological outcomes and serum neurofilament light chain levels were correlated to changes in the LM profiles of the RR-MS cohort. ⋯ Oral treatment with an SFE significantly reduces 5-LO-derived LMs in RR-MS patients during an eight-month treatment period. Treatment response to an SFE, however, seems to be related to 12-,15-LO and cyclooxygenase product levels before SFE exposure. Further studies should confirm their biomarker potential in RR-MS and SFE treatment.
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increasing risk of recurrent stroke and mortality. Nasogastric tubes used by dysphagic stroke patients may interfere with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) due to air leakage. This study was evaluated the effects and short-term tolerability of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy for OSA in stroke patients with nasogastric intubation. ⋯ Finally, only three participants tolerated flow rates of 50~60 L/minute in one-week treatment period. Conclusively, HFNC therapy at therapeutic flow rate is effective at reducing the OSA severity in post-acute ischemic stroke patients with nasogastric intubation. Owing to the suboptimal acceptance, HFNC might be a temporary treatment option, and CPAP therapy is suggested after the nasogastric tube is removed.
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The misuse of pharmaceutical opioids is a major public health issue. In Australia, codeine was re-scheduled on 1 February 2018 to restrict access; it is now only available on prescription. The aim of this study was to measure the change in dental opioid prescriptions, one year before and after the codeine re-scheduling in Australia and to assess dental prescribing rates of opioids for 2018 by population and by clinician. ⋯ The significant increase in opioid prescribing highlights that Australian dentists may be contributing to the misuse of pharmaceutical opioids. Educational efforts should be targeted at the appropriate use of opioids and patient selection. Dentists should be added to the prescription monitoring system SafeScript so they can make informed decisions for patients who are potentially misusing opioids.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does Erector Spinae Plane Block Have a Visceral Analgesic Effect?: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
The visceral analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is still a matter of debate. This study attempted to investigate the visceral analgesic efficacy of ESPB in clinical setting. After randomized, we performed ultrasound-guided bilateral rectus sheath block (RSB), which was aimed to prevent postoperative somatic pain on all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). ⋯ Pain severity was lower in the ESPB group at 6-hours postoperatively. The significantly reduced opioid consumption in ESPB group may imply that while preliminary and in need of confirmation, ESPB has potential visceral analgesic effect. Therefore, performing ESPB solely may be feasible in inducing both somatic and visceral analgesia.
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Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a last resort treatment option for refractory cardiac arrest performed in specialized centers. Following consensus recommendations, ECPR is mostly offered to younger patients with witnessed collapse but without return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We report findings from a large single-center registry with 252 all-comers who received ECPR from 2011-2019. ⋯ According to these findings, rapid coronary angiography may be advisable in patients with OHCA receiving ECPR without obvious non-cardiac cause of arrest, irrespective of electrocardiogram analysis. Almost every third patient treated with ECPR survived to hospital discharge, supporting previous data suggesting that ECPR may be beneficial in CA without ROSC. In conclusion, interventional cardiology is of paramount importance for ECPR programs.