Control Test Research Articles

The effect of an attractant toxic sugar bait (ATSB) incorporating <em>Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis </em>and methoprene on mosquito populations

Background: The threat posed by mosquito-borne diseases continues to increase globally. The increase of pesticide resistance is impacting vector control and public health globally. The development and testing of new pesticides faces several challenges, e.g., time for development, high cost, and regulatory hurdles. Adapting pesticides that are currently used within integrated vector management can help alleviate these challenges. Methoprene has demonstrated reduction of larval populations and fecundity in adult mosquitoes. The objective of the study was to demonstrate the efficacy of ProVector Entobac with methoprene (Entobac M) on mosquito populations in rural sites in Southeastern Georgia. Methods: ProVector® Military Camouflage Tubes with ProVector Entobac M pesticide were placed in a grid at test sites. A positive control test site and a negative control site were used to compare results statistically. Mosquito diversity and evenness among sites were measured using Shannon Diversity Index and Equitability. Results: Deployment of ProVector® Military Camouflage Tubes with ProVector Entobac M pesticide was effective in reducing total mosquito populations. The mosquito species shared among the test sites and positive control site were similar, and the negative control site was least similar in diversity and evenness. There was variation of control within Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex genera. Discussion: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the efficacy of the ProVector Military Camouflage Tube delivery of Entobac with methoprene (Entobac M) on mosquito populations. Mosquito-borne diseases are an increasing threat to communities around the world due to invasive species and global warming. In previous studies, ProVector® Entobac™ has been validated in laboratory and field studies to control both adult and larval mosquitoes in the United States and several other countries. Application of ecofriendly and target specific pesticides with no-resistance is critical in reducing mosquito populations and the risk of vector-borne diseases. Our study demonstrated a significant decrease in adult mosquito populations due to the utilization of a target specific mosquito larvicide that has been adapted to kill adult mosquitoes.

Yupingfeng polysaccharide promote the growth of chickens via regulating gut microbiota.

Yupingfeng polysaccharide (YPF-P) is the main substance of alcohol deposition in Yupingfeng powder, which has many biological functions such as enhancing immunity, repairing intestinal barrier and enhancing antioxidant ability. This study employed in vitro growth-promoting drug feed additives and animal experiments to comprehensively evaluate the use of YPF-P in broiler production. A total of 1,296 151 days-old Qingyuan Partridge chickens were randomly divided into four groups with six replicates and 54 hens per replicate: the control group was fed basal diet, and the experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with 4 g/kg, 8 g/kg, and 12 g/kg YPF-P for 14 days. Broilers were weighed before and at the end of the experiment to calculate total weight gain (GW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed compensation. At the end of the experiment, six chickens from each group were randomly selected for subwing vein blood sampling, which was used to measure serum biochemical indicators GHRH, GH, and IGF-1 by ELISA method. Randomly select chickens from control group and 8 g/kg group for slaughter, and cecal contents were collected for 16S high-throughput sequencing. Dietary supplementation of 8 g/kg YPF-P can significantly increase the final body weight, total weight gain, average daily gain and decrease the feed to gain ratio of chickens. During 151-165 days, serum IGF-1 concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in serum GH concentration (p > 0.05). In terms of gut microbiota, there was no significant difference between control group and test group in Shannon index and Simpson index. Compared with the control group,the addition of 8 g/kgYPF-P significantly increased the abundance of Firmicutes and significantly decreased the abundance of Bacteroides at the phylum level.At the genus level, the relative abundance of unclassified_Oscillospiraceae was significantly increased and the unclassified_Muribaculaceae, uncultured_Bacteroidales_bacterium, Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella, Ligilactobacillus, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001, and unclassified_Atopobiaceae was significantly decreased. The above results showed that adding 8 mg/kg of YPF-P could increase the average daily gain of Qingyuan Partridge chickens, reduce the ratio of feed to meat, and affect the distribution proportion of intestinal microflora in chickens to some extent.

Improved childhood asthma control after exposure reduction interventions for desert dust and anthropogenic air pollution: the MEDEA randomised controlled trial

IntroductionElevated particulate matter (PM) concentrations of anthropogenic and/or desert dust origin are associated with increased morbidity among children with asthma.ObjectiveThe Mitigating the Health Effects of Desert Dust Storms Using Exposure-Reduction...

Bronchial Cryo-Denervation for Severe Asthma: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Targeting the parasympathetic nervous system innervating the airway with pharmacologic products has been proved to improve the clinical outcomes of severe asthma. Bronchial cryo-denervation (BCD) is a novel non-pharmacologic treatment for severe asthma using an endobronchial cryo-balloon administered via bronchoscopy to denervate parasympathetic pulmonary nerves. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that BCD significantly disrupted vagal innervation in the lung. Methods: A total of 15 patients with severe asthma were enrolled in this prospective, single-center pilot study. Patients underwent bifurcated BCD treatment at a 30-day interval after baseline assessment. Follow-up through 12 months included assessment of adverse events, technical feasibility, and changes in pulmonary function; asthma control questionnaire-7 (ACQ-7); and asthma control test (ACT). Results: BCD was performed on all 15 severe asthma patients, with technical feasibility of 96.7%. There were no device-related and 2 procedure-related serious adverse events through 12 months, which resolved without sequelae. The most frequent nonserious procedure-related adverse event was increased cough in 60% (9 of 15) patients. Pulmonary function remained unchanged, and significant improvements from baseline ACQ-7 (mean, −1.19, p = 0.0032) and ACT (mean, 3.18, p = 0.0011) scores were observed since the first month’s follow-up after a single lung airway treatment, with similar trends till the end of the 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: This study provides the first clinical evidence of the safety, feasibility, and initial efficacy of BCD in patients with severe asthma.

Differences in proximal and intimacy-related defense mechanisms among patients with cancer in different psychological stages of dying.

This study measured three of the psychological stages of dying in patients with cancer and explored the differences in proximal and intimacy-related defense mechanisms at each stage. A total of 220 cancer patients were recruited for this study; 168 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the data analysis. The participants were divided into three groups using the "Death Attitudes Questionnaire Revised" (1994) and then completed the Death-Thought Accessibility Test, Self-Control Questionnaire, Rumination Reflection Questionnaire, Attachment Type Test, Intimacy Test, External Control Test, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale. In the death avoidance stage, which represents a defense stage without cognitive processes, patients are in an irrational state with the highest level of self-control and the lowest level of external control; they tend to prefer close relationships with many people while experiencing high levels of fear and depression. In the bargaining stage, which represents a biased cognitive defense stage, the level of rationality increases, the level of fear and depression decreases, and patients tend to prefer relationships with many people that do not involve intimacy. In the neutral death acceptance stage, which represents a defense stage without cognitive bias, self-control is lowest, external control is highest, patients tend to prefer intimate relationships with a few people, and experience the lowest levels of fear and depression. Three psychological stages of death exist in cancer patients, with differences in proximal and intimacy-related defense mechanisms in each stage. The findings have theoretical and practical implications for psychological interventions for cancer patients.

Modality matters: Three auditory conflict tasks to measure individual differences in attention control.

Early work on selective attention used auditory-based tasks, such as dichotic listening, to shed light on capacity limitations and individual differences in these limitations. Today, there is great interest in individual differences in attentional abilities, but the field has shifted towards visual-modality tasks. Furthermore, most conflict-based tests of attention control lack reliability due to low signal-to-noise ratios and the use of difference scores. Critically, it is unclear to what extent attention control generalizes across sensory modalities, and without reliable auditory-based tests, an answer to this question will remain elusive. To this end, we developed three auditory-based tests of attention control that use an adaptive response deadline (DL) to account for speed-accuracy trade-offs: Auditory Simon DL, Auditory Flanker DL, and Auditory Stroop DL. In a large sample (N = 316), we investigated the psychometric properties of the three auditory conflict tasks, tested whether attention control is better modeled as a unitary factor or modality-specific factors, and estimated the extent to which unique variance in modality-specific factors contributed incrementally to the prediction of dichotic listening and multitasking performance. Our analyses indicated that the auditory conflict tasks have strong psychometric properties and demonstrate convergent validity with visual tests of attention control. Auditory and visual attention control factors were highly correlated (r = .81)-even after controlling for perceptual processing speed (r = .75). Modality-specific attention control factors accounted for unique variance in modality-matched criterion measures, but the majority of the explained variance was modality-general. The results suggest an interplay between modality-general attention control and modality-specific processing.

Clinical characteristics of complete responders versus non-complete responders to omalizumab, benralizumab and mepolizumab in patients with severe asthma: a long-term retrospective analysis

Background Some patients with severe asthma may benefit from treatment with biologics, but evidence has been mostly collected from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), in which patients’ characteristics are different from those encountered in asthma patients in the real-world setting. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of complete responders versus non-complete responders to long-term treatment with biologics in patients with severe asthma attended in routine daily practice. Methods Data of a cohort of 90 patients with severe asthma who were treated with biologics (omalizumab, benralizumab, and mepolizumab) for at least 12 months and were followed up to March 2022. Data recorded included clinical characteristics and effectiveness of treatment (exacerbation, Asthma Control Test [ACT] score, lung function, use of maintenance oral corticosteroids [mOCS]), FeNO, and blood eosinophils at baseline, at 12 months, and at the end of follow-up. Complete response is considered if, in addition to not presenting exacerbations or the use of mOCS, the ACT score was >20 and, the FEV1 >80% predicted. Results An improvement in all asthma control parameters was observed after 12 months of treatment and a mean follow-up of 55 months. After 12 months of treatment 27.2% of patients met the criteria of complete response and this percentage even increased to 35.3% at the end of follow-up. Long-term complete response was associated to better lung function with mepolizumab and omalizumab treatment and to less previous exacerbations in the benralizumab group. The main cause of not achieving a complete response was the persistence of an airflow obstructive pattern. Conclusions This study shows that omalizumab, benralizumab, and mepolizumab improved the clinical outcomes of patients with severe asthma in a clinic environment with similar effect sizes to RCTs in the long term follow-up. Airflow obstruction, however, was a predictor of a non-complete response to biologics.

High stability of EEG spectral power across polysomnography and multiple sleep latency tests in good sleepers and chronic insomniacs

To assess the stability of electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral features across overnight polysomnography (PSG) and daytime multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) in chronic insomniacs (CIs) and normal controls (NCs). A total of 20 NCs and 22 CIs underwent standard PSG and MSLTs. Spectral analyses were performed on EEG data from PSG and MSLTs and absolute and relative power in central, frontal and occipital channels were obtained for wake (W) and non-rapid eye movement sleep stage 1 and 2 (N1, N2). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess the stability of EEG spectral power across PSG and MSLTs for W, N1 and N2. The absolute power of all frequency bands except delta exhibited high stability across PSG and MSLTs in both NCs and CIs (ICCs ranged from 0.430 to 0.978). Although delta absolute power was stable in NCs during N1 and N2 stages (ICCs ranged from 0.571 to 0.835), it tended to be less stable in CIs during W and sleep stages (ICCs ranged from 0.042 to 0.807). We also observed lower stability of relative power compared to absolute power though the majority of relative power outcomes maintained high stability in both groups (ICCs in relative power ranged from 0.044 to 0.962). Most EEG spectral bandwidths across PSG and MSLT in W, N1 and N2 show high stability in good sleepers and chronic insomniacs. EEG signals from either an overnight PSG or a daytime MSLT may be useful for reliably exploring EEG spectral features during wakefulness or sleep.

Resilience to stress during pregnancy: Biopsychosocial mechanisms and implications for offspring emotional and behavioral outcomes in toddlerhood.

Exposure to high levels of stress during pregnancy is a known risk factor for a wide range of offspring outcomes, but little is known about the biopsychosocial factors underlying resilience and recovery from stress during pregnancy. The current study investigated associations between emotional and instrumental support during pregnancy and resilience to stress during pregnancy, including perceived resilience (belief in ability to "bounce back" from adversity) and physiological resilience (ability to physiologically recover quickly after an acute stressor). We further tested whether support and resilience during pregnancy predicted offspring internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Participants included 130 pregnant women (ages 26-28 years; 58% Black, 27% White, 15% Multiracial; 28% receiving public assistance) from a population-based longitudinal study. During pregnancy, participants reported on emotional and instrumental support, current life stressors, and perceived resilience to stress. In addition, heart rate variability was recorded continuously before, during, and after a controlled stress test to measure physiological recovery from stressors. When offspring were 2-3 years of age, mothers reported on children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Results from moderated mediation analyses indicated that emotional, but not instrumental, support was associated with perceived resilience during pregnancy, which predicted lower internalizing and externalizing problems in offspring. Emotional support also predicted greater physiological recovery during pregnancy, but only for individuals reporting multiple life stressors. Findings suggest that emotional support may influence psychological and physiological responses to stress during pregnancy, with implications for offspring emotional and behavioral health. Clinical implications of these results and directions for future research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Active vibration control of fluid-conveying pipelines: Theoretical and experimental studies

For the fluid-conveying pipeline with macro-fiber composites (MFC), relevant dynamic modeling and experimental testing studies are rarely found in previous papers. Therefore, this paper has carried out related research work. Firstly, considering the fluid-structure interaction and piezoelectric effects, a semi-analytical modeling method for the fluid-conveying pipeline with MFC attaching to any position is proposed. A new Runge-Kutta-Gear (RKG) time-domain solution method is presented for solving state-space equations with the characteristics of rigid equations, and the design methods of Linear-Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller and Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller are introduced, respectively. Secondly, an experimental system for active control and vibration test is built, and the dynamic model and control method are verified by experiments and simulations. Finally, the influence of relevant control parameters in the controller on the active control effect is discussed, and the influence law of fluid parameters such as fluid velocity and fluid pressure on the active control is also clarified. The novelty of this work is that the active vibration control and solution methods for the fluid-conveying pipeline with MFC are proposed, and the feasibility of MFC for pipeline vibration suppression is verified by experiments, which provides a new technical idea for the vibration reduction design of the fluid-conveying pipeline.

Comparison of Telemedicine versus In-Person Visit for Control of Asthma in Children aged 7-17years: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To compare asthma control between telemedicine and in-person visit in children aged 7 to 17 y. A non-inferiority randomized-controlled trial was conducted at a pediatric chest clinic, involving a total of 192 patients, with 96 children in each group of telemedicine and in-person follow-up. There was a significant improvement in the mean asthma control test (ACT)/ Childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) scores from baseline to three months in both groups, with no significant difference in the change of means between the two groups. The mean difference in ACT/C-ACT score at three months in the telemedicine and in-person visit group was -0.35; 95% CI (-1.30 to +0.10) [p-value 0.09]. There was a significant change in the mean Pediatric Quality of Life index (PQLI) scores from 57.2 ± 10.2 to 66.82 ± 7.99 in the telemedicine group and from 56.1 ± 11.7 to 66.71 ± 4.66 in the in-person visit group, however the mean difference in PQLI score in both the groups was not significant (p = 0.91). There was no significant difference in the number of asthma exacerbations (4 vs. 1) between telemedicine and in-person visit (p = 0.10). The mean telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire score in this study was 3.8 ± 0.7, which indicates that most of the parents were satisfied with the telemedicine follow-up process. This study revealed that telemedicine is non-inferior to in-person visit for follow-up of children with asthma and can be used as an alternative to in-person visit for the management of asthma, especially in remote settings and pandemic situations.

Uncontrolled asthma in school-aged children—a nationwide specialist care study

BackgroundUncontrolled asthma is different from severe asthma and can be identified in children across all ranges of prescribed treatment. ObjectiveTo characterize uncontrolled childhood asthma in pediatric specialist care. MethodsWe performed a nationwide cross-sectional study of 5497 children (6-17 years) with asthma, treated by pediatricians at out-patient clinics during 2019 and registered in the Swedish National Airway Register. Uncontrolled asthma was defined as Asthma Control Test (ACT) ≤19 and/or ≥2 exacerbations last year and/or FEV1<80% predicted. Treatment was categorized from step 1 to 5 according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). ResultsUncontrolled asthma (UCA) was identified in 1690 children (31%), of whom 64% had ACT≤19, 20% had recurrent exacerbations and 31% had FEV1<80%. UCA was associated with female sex (OR 1.29, (CI 1.15-1.45)), older age (OR 1.02, (CI 1.00-1.04)), obesity (OR 1.43, (CI 1.12-1.83)) and more treatment using step 1-2 as reference (step 3: OR 1.28 (1.12-1.46), step 4-5 OR 1.32 (1.10-1.57)). UCA in children prescribed step 1-2 treatment (UCA1-2) occurred in 28% (n=887) of all children in this treatment step. Children with UCA1-2 had more often exacerbations compared to children with UCA in children prescribed step 4-5 treatment (24% vs. 15%, p=0.001). ConclusionUncontrolled asthma was common and associated with female sex, increasing age, obesity and higher GINA treatment step. Surprisingly, uncontrolled asthma was also common in children prescribed less than maximum treatment and these children could be considered as under-treated patients.

Comparison of 6 tests for diagnosing minimal hepatic encephalopathy and predicting clinical outcome: A prospective, observational study.

Current guidelines recommend the assessment for minimal HE in patients with liver cirrhosis. Various efforts were made to find tools that simplify the diagnosis. Here, we compare the 6 most frequently used tests for their validity and their predictive value for overt hepatic encephalopathy (oHE), rehospitalization, and death. One hundred thirty-two patients with cirrhosis underwent the Portosystemic Encephalopathy-Syndrome-Test yielding the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES), Animal Naming Test (ANT), Critical Flicker Frequency (CFF), Inhibitory Control Test (ICT), EncephalApp (Stroop), and Continuous Reaction Time Test (CRT). Patients were monitored for 365 days regarding oHE development, rehospitalization, and death. Twenty-three patients showed clinical signs of HE grade 1-2 at baseline. Of the remaining 109 neurologically unimpaired patients, 35.8% had abnormal PHES and 44% abnormal CRT. Percentage of abnormal Stroop (79.8% vs. 52.3%), ANT (19.3% vs. 51.4%), ICT (28.4% vs. 36.7%), and CFF results (18.3% vs. 25.7%) changed significantly when adjusted norms were used for evaluation instead of fixed cutoffs. All test results correlated significantly with each other ( p <0.05), except for CFF. During follow-up, 24 patients developed oHE, 58 were readmitted to the hospital, and 20 died. Abnormal PHES results were linked to oHE development in the multivariable model. No other adjusted test demonstrated predictive value for any of the investigated endpoints. Where applicable, the diagnosis of minimal HE should be made based on adjusted norm values for the tests, exclusively. The minimal HE tests cannot be equated with one another and have an overall limited value in predicting clinical outcomes.

Hubungan Self-Efficacy dan Kepatuhan Pengobatan terhadap Asthma Control Test pada Pasien Asma

This research aims to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and treatment compliance with the asthma control test in asthma patients. This type of research is quantitative using descriptive correlational methods. The number of samples in this study that met the inclusion criteria was 44 patients at the North Sumatra University Hospital, Medan, with the sampling technique used was consecutive sampling. The instruments used in this research were self-efficacy instruments, medication adherence instruments namely MMAS-8 and Asthma control test measurements by (ACT) by the American Lung Association (ALA) questionnaire. Data analysis in this research consists of Univariate analysis and Bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square statistical test. The research results showed that self-efficacy and the Asthma Control Test (ACT) obtained a value of p = 0.01 &lt; 0.05 and the value of treatment compliance with the Asthma Control Test (ACT) obtained a value of p = 0.051 &lt; 0.05. In conclusion, there is no significant relationship between self-efficacy and treatment compliance with the Asthma Control Test (ACT) in asthma patients. Keywords: Asthma Control Test, Treatment Compliance, Self-Efficacy.

Improving asthma control and quality of life via a smartphone self-management app: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMobile phone applications (apps) show promise for enhancing asthma self-management, but their effectiveness varies. This study examined the effect of a smartphone asthma app on asthma control and quality of life. MethodsUsing block randomization, 60 patients with asthma were allocated to an intervention group (n = 30) or control group (n = 30) for this single-blind randomized controlled trial. At baseline, both groups completed the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire-Marks (AQLQ-M). The intervention group used a smartphone-based asthma self-management app plus their regular treatment, while the control group received only usual care. Follow-up ACT and AQLQ-M assessments occurred at 3 and 6 months. SPSS version 26 was used for analysis, including descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U), and analysis of variance with repeated measurements. ResultsBoth groups showed improved asthma control and quality of life at 3 and 6 months compared to baseline. However, after 6 months the intervention group had significantly greater improvement than controls (p < 0.05). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed divergent changes in ACT and AQLQ-M scores over time, with the intervention group demonstrating greater enhancement of asthma control and quality of life (p < 0.001). ConclusionThis study demonstrated that use of a smartphone-based asthma self-management app improved asthma control and quality of life after 6 months compared to usual care alone. These findings indicate that guideline-based asthma apps can positively impact outcomes.

Efficacy of dupilumab and risk factors for dupilumab-induced hypereosinophilia in severe asthma: a preliminary study from China

Objective Dupilumab has been approved for the treatment of severe asthma with type 2 inflammation by inhibiting interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 signaling. However, dupilumab-induced hypereosinophilia (HE) has been reported and should not be ignored. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of dupilumab in Chinese patients with severe asthma, whether HE affects its efficacy, and the possible risk factors for HE. Methods 20 patients with severe asthma who received dupilumab treatment for at least 12 months in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from 2019 to 2022 were included. We compared clinical data and laboratory tests results before dupilumab treatment and at 4 and 12 months after treatment. Based on whether dupilumab treatment triggers HE defined as blood eosinophil count (BEC) ≥ 1.5 × 109 cells/L, the patients were allocated into non-HE and HE groups. Results The patients showed a significant increase in asthma control test (ACT) scores, a decrease in the number of exacerbations, a decrease in the proportion of patients taking an oral corticosteroid (OCS) and in the dose, and a significant improvement in the pulmonary function parameters FEV1/FVC (%) and FEV1 (% predicted) after 4 and 12 months of treatment with dupilumab. For type 2 inflammatory biomarkers, the levels of fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), sputum eosinophil count percentage (SEC%) and total immunoglobulin E (TIgE) decreased significantly, whereas BEC were higher after 4 months of treatment, but returned to baseline levels after 12 months. 8 patients (40%) developed asymptomatic HE after dupilumab, and the efficacy was not significantly different between the HE and non-HE groups. The earliest BEC elevation appeared at 1 month after treatment, but most of them declined after 6 months, and basically returned to the baseline level around 12 months of treatment. In addition, we further found that when patients had FeNO ≥ 60 ppb, food allergens positive and combined eosinophilic otitis media (EOM), their BEC increased significantly more than that of the control group after 4 months as well as 12 months of treatment. Conclusions This study demonstrated that dupilumab was efficacious in Chinese patients with severe asthma, and some patients developed asymptomatic, self-limited HE, which did not affect its efficacy. Additionally, FeNO ≥60 ppb, food allergens positive, and co-morbidities with EOM may be the risk factors for developing HE.

Targeting histamine receptor 4 in cholinergic urticaria with izuforant (LEO 152020): results from a phase IIa randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre crossover trial.

Cholinergic urticaria (CholU) is a common subtype of chronic inducible urticaria, where signs and symptoms (e.g. pruritic wheals and angioedema) are triggered by sweating due to physical exercise, passive warming and by other sweat-inducing situations. While guidelines recommend treatment with second-generation H1 antihistamines, approximately 90% of patients report uncontrolled disease. Targeting the histamine 4 receptor (H4R) has shown promise in preclinical/clinical studies of allergic/inflammatory diseases. Izuforant (LEO 152020) is a selective oral H4R antagonist with expected dual antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects. To assess the effects of izuforant in adults with CholU, a common type of chronic urticaria driven by histamine and characterized by high skin levels of H4R expression. This was a phase IIa randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre crossover trial where patients with CholU with an inadequate response to ≥ 1 standard dose of H1 antihistamine received izuforant 100 mg twice daily or placebo (EUCTR2020-004961-38-DE; NCT04853992). The primary endpoint was change from baseline in Urticaria Activity Score. Exploratory endpoints included CholU activity score over 7 days, urticaria control test, Physician Global Assessment, patient global assessment of severity (PGA-S), provocation tests, Dermatology Life Quality Index and CholU quality of life (CholU-QoL). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, and serum biomarkers were assessed, as well as safety and tolerability. Nineteen patients were randomized and included in the full analysis set; 18 completed treatment [mean (SD) age 29.5 (9.8) years; mean (SD) CholU duration 8.0 (6.3) years]. The primary and most of prespecified exploratory endpoints were not met; there were significant improvements in PGA-S for izuforant vs. placebo (P = 0.02), and nonsignificant improvements for other endpoints in quality of life and histamine skin prick test. All adverse events (AEs) experienced with izuforant were considered mild. The most frequently reported (> 1 patient) were nausea (three patients) and upper abdominal pain (two patients), occurring more frequently with izuforant vs. placebo (one patient each). There were no treatment-related serious AEs and no patient receiving izuforant discontinued the study. Treatment with izuforant did not cause downregulation of H4R. This is the first study to explore the role of H4R as a therapeutic target in urticaria. Targeting H4R with izuforant was well tolerated but did not demonstrate significant improvements vs. placebo in the primary endpoint and all but one prespecified exploratory endpoint in CholU.

Clinical predictors of antihistamine resistance in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

BACKGROUND: Сhronic spontaneous urticaria is characterized by itchy wheals and/or angioedema on the skin for ≥6 weeks. A large-scale international AWARE study by Russian researchers indicated the ineffectiveness of therapy with standard doses of second-generation antihistamines in 50% of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. Clinical predictors of antihistamine resistance include low quality of life based on CU-Q2oL, baseline urticaria activity score for 7 days (UAS7) 16, combination with chronic inducible urticaria, and autoimmune comorbidity. Currently, research into the clinical predictors of antihistamine resistance, including body mass index, in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria is ongoing.&#x0D; AIM: To examine the degree of symptom control based on body mass index and physical activity in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with second-generation antihistamines.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The examination of patients with сhronic spontaneous urticaria (n=34) included the clinical history and use of the following international questionnaires: UAS7, urticaria control test, dermatology quality of life index, and global physical activity questionnaire of the World Health Organization. The questionnaires were analyzed in subgroups of patients with controlled and uncontrolled chronic spontaneous urticaria and subgroups of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria having normal weight, overweight, and obesity.&#x0D; RESULTS: Uncontrolled symptoms were observed in 24 (70.6%) patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria, including 11 (45.8%) with resistance to fourfold doses of second-generation antihistamines. In 52.9% of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria, the body mass index exceeded normal values. In this study, an inverse correlation was found between the body mass index and the degree of control of chronic spontaneous urticaria symptoms.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: Owing to the negative correlation between body mass index and the degree of symptom control, further research into the role of body mass index as a clinical predictor of antihistamine-resistant chronic spontaneous urticaria is needed. In the future, personalized therapy for chronic spontaneous urticaria may consider the degree of disease control, clinical predictors of antihistamine resistance, and proinflammatory biomarkers.

Minimizing surface roughness and back wall dross for fiber laser micro-cutting on AISI 316 L tubes using response surface methodology

A response surface methodology (RSM) was performed to study the influence of spot overlapping and pulse energy on back wall dross and surface roughness for fiber laser cutting of AISI 316 L stainless steel minitubes. Three treatments were compared to expel molten material (argon gas, compressed air, and a control test). Our results indicated that back wall dross and dross height reduction is observed when argon gas or compressed air is used through tubes compared with the control test. Additionally, a higher value of spot overlap (87.49%) and a lower value of pulse energy (30.31 mJ) resulted as the optimal parameters to cut minitubes.

The effectiveness of microcurrent neurofeedback on depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and quality of life.

The world faces a mental health crisis with elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, leaving a profound impact on daily quality of life (QOL). Current treatments show varying degrees of efficacy and carry burdensome challenges. Evidence exists for use of an innovative neurotechnology to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the science is lacking for use in the general population. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effects of microcurrent neurofeedback on depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and QOL in adults. This was a one-group, exploratory pilot study that tested outcomes of depression, anxiety, PTSD risk, suicide risk, and QOL in 20 adults using convenience sampling. IASIS microcurrent neurofeedback (I-MCN) was the intervention that was delivered twice a week for 10 weeks; data collection was baseline, 5 weeks, and 10 weeks. Depression, anxiety, PTSD risk, and QOL improved significantly by the 10th and 20th session; suicidal risk showed nonsignificant reduction. Use of a more feasible interventional procedure established a foundation for use in clinical settings for the population. Using a more simpler procedure than what was used in a previous study reflected positive outcomes earlier and sustained over 10 weeks. This safe and effective technology carries rare but easily overcome adverse effects and could be an alternative to existing treatments or treatment-resistant conditions. Advanced practice nurses can apply the evidence to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Randomized controlled trials and testing on diverse populations are needed.