Injection Treatment Research Articles

Efficacy of Retinal Maturity Progress on Retinopathy of Prematurity Type 1 Patient Using Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection Treatment: a Cross-Sectional Study

Efficacy of Retinal Maturity Progress on Retinopathy of Prematurity Type 1 Patient Using Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection Treatment: a Cross-Sectional Study

The Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Esthetic Medicine: Exploring the Impact of Semaglutide on Body Contouring and Skin Health.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, have revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and obesity by promoting significant weight loss through incretin effects. However, rapid weight reduction induced by these medications often leads to esthetic challenges, including facial volume loss, skin laxity, and body contour irregularities. This commentary reviews the esthetic consequences of GLP-1-induced weight loss and explores solutions for managing these concerns in clinical practice. This review synthesizes available literature and clinical observations to identify key esthetic concerns associated with GLP-1-induced weight loss. It examines various treatment modalities, including dermal fillers, biostimulatory agents, energy-based devices, and surgical procedures. The discussion highlights gaps in empirical data, optimal timing for interventions, and the need for personalized, multimodal treatment strategies. Imaging tools and psychological support are also considered as complementary approaches. As GLP-1 agonists become a cornerstone in obesity management, their esthetic implications necessitate a proactive response from esthetic practitioners. Effective management of facial volume loss, skin laxity, and body contour challenges requires a combination of injectable treatments, energy-based devices, and, in some cases, surgical interventions. Future research should focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skin and fat changes and developing standardized guidelines for treating this unique patient population. Additionally, a holistic approach that addresses both physical and psychological outcomes is critical to ensuring patient satisfaction and long-term well-being.

Proviral HIV DNA sequencing to inform suitability for long-acting injectable cabotegravir/rilpivirine.

Increasingly, people attending HIV services are requesting long-acting injectable (LAI) antiretroviral treatment (ART). However, without HIV RNA resistance-associated mutation results, individuals are considered unsuitable for LAI ART. We present our experience of sequencing proviral HIV DNA in 30 individuals to inform suitability for LAI ART, of whom 23 were considered suitable. In conclusion, optimization of diagnostic tools such as proviral HIV DNA sequencing to confirm suitability for LAI ART would be a welcome addition.

Optimizing transport methods to preserve function of self-innervating muscle cells for laryngeal injection.

Recently, our laboratory has discovered a self-innervating population of muscle cells, called motor endplate-expressing cells (MEEs). The cells innately release a wide variety of neurotrophic factors into the microenvironment promoting innervation when used as an injectable treatment. Unlike other stem cells, the therapeutic potential of MEEs is dependent on the cells' ability to maintain phenotypical cell surface proteins in particular motor endplates (MEPs). The goal of this study is to identify transport conditions that preserve MEE viability and self-innervating function. Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) of adult Yucatan pigs were cultured and induced to generate MEEs. Effects of short-term cryopreservation methods were studied on MPC and MEE stages. A minimally supplemented medium was investigated for suspension-mediated transport, and MEEs were loaded at a constant concentration (1 × 107 cells/mL) into plastic syringes. Samples were subjected to varying temperatures (4, 22, and 37°C) and durations (6, 18, 24, and 48 h), which was followed by statistical analysis of viability. Transport conditions maintaining viability acceptable for cellular therapy were examined for apoptosis rates and expression of desired myogenic, neurotrophic, neuromuscular junction, and angiogenic genes. Cryopreservation proved detrimental to our cell population. However, a minimally supplemented medium, theoretically safe for injection, was identified. Transport temperature and duration impacted cell viability, with warmer temperatures leading to faster death rates prior to the end of the study. Transport conditions did not appear to affect apoptotic rate. Any expression change of desirable genes fell within the acceptable range. Transport state, medium, duration, and temperature must be considered during the transport of injectable muscle cells as they can affect cell viability and expression of integral genes. These described factors are integral in the planning of general cell transport and may prove equally important when the cell population utilized for laryngeal injection is derived from a patient's own initial muscle biopsy.

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Osteoarthritis (OA) poses a significant global burden, with conventional treatments like corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections commonly used. Emerging injectable biologics, including bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), show promise in OA management. To investigate the clinical efficacy of BMAC injection compared with other injection treatments for knee OA. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials with Level 1 evidence that compared the clinical efficacy of BMAC with other injections. The visual analog scale for pain and the Pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were used as clinical scores representing pain. For functional assessment, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective form were used. For studies comparing BMAC with HA, each clinical score was standardized to pain and function scales based on the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Eight studies, consisting of a total of 937 patients, were included. Patients treated with BMAC showed a significant improvement in clinical scores compared with baseline, starting at 1 month postinjection. For pain scores at 6-month (P = .033) and 12-month follow-up (P = .011), BMAC demonstrated favorable results over HA, with a statistically significant difference. However, these differences did not exceed the MCID. When BMAC was compared with other injections, no significant differences were observed in the degree of clinical score improvement. No serious adverse events or events significantly associated with BMAC compared with other treatments were reported. BMAC injections demonstrated effectiveness in providing pain relief and functional improvement for patients with knee OA. When BMAC was compared with other intra-articular injection options, distinct differences surpassing the MCID were not evident. Further research is deemed necessary to investigate the role of BMAC in the treatment of knee OA.

Thermal degradation of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers

Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are extensively used for facial volume enhancement. Despite their widespread use, HA fillers are prone to degradation due to various factors, including enzymatic activity, pH changes, ultrasound exposure, temperature variations, oxidative stress, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To mitigate these issues, manufacturers have developed cross-linking techniques to improve the stability of HA fillers. Energy-based devices (EBDs) are increasingly utilized for purposes such as skin tightening, collagen stimulation, and fat reduction. However, the interaction between EBDs and HA fillers is complex and requires further investigation. Recent research has examined the effects of EBDs on HA fillers, yielding mixed results. Some studies suggest that early EBD treatment may lead to the degradation of HA fillers, while others find no significant impact. The timing between filler injection and EBD treatment appears to be crucial, with delayed treatment potentially reducing the risk of degradation. Histological examinations have demonstrated that the interactions between EBDs and HA fillers are intricate, influenced by factors such as the location of the filler and the timing of the treatment. The relationship between EBDs and HA fillers is multifaceted and affected by numerous variables, including the type of EBD, energy levels, filler characteristics, and the timing of the treatment. Further research involving diverse participant groups, various types of HA fillers, and different EBD technologies is necessary to develop comprehensive guidelines for optimal treatment intervals.

Challenges and Opportunities for Treating Hepatitis C Amongst People Who Use Drugs: Experience of an Integrated Mobile Clinic in Baltimore City.

Progress in treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been slow amongst people who use drugs (PWUD). This study describes the HCV treatment cascade amongst people accessing a mobile clinic offering integrated low-threshold buprenorphine and infectious disease services in Baltimore City. From May 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, 560 people had a rapid HCV antibody test, of whom 201 (36%) had a positive result and amongst those, 117 (58%) had an HCV RNA test performed, 81 (40%) had a documented positive RNA, 45 (22%) were prescribed medication, 42 (21%) started medication, 32 (16%) completed medication, 22 (11%) had blood work to assess for sustained virologic response and 20 (10%) had a documented cure. Challenges including housing instability, insurance barriers and lack of venous access limit progress in this cascade. Providing integrated care models to meet the needs of PWUD in the community is necessary but not sufficient to make progress in improving HCV treatment. Removal of insurance restrictions, availability of point-of-care HCV RNA testing, development of rapid HCV treatment guidelines and development of long-acting injectable HCV treatment are needed to move towards a same-day, one-time test and treat model of care.

Experimental Evaluation of a Recrosslinkable CO2-Resistant Micro-Sized Preformed Particle Gel for CO2 Sweep Efficiency Improvement in Reservoirs with Super-K Channels

A recrosslinkable CO2-resistant branched preformed particle gel (CO2-BRPPG) was developed for controlling CO2 injection conformance, particularly in reservoirs with super-permeable channels. Previous work focused on a millimeter-sized CO2-BRPPG in open fractures, but its performance in high-permeability channels with pore throat networks remained unexplored. This study used a sandpack model to evaluate a micro-sized CO2-BRPPG under varying conditions of salinity, gel concentration, and pH. At ambient conditions, the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) of the gel reached 76 times its original size. This ratio decreased with increasing salinity but remained stable at low pH values, demonstrating the gel’s resilience in acidic environments. Rheological tests revealed shear-thinning behavior, with gel strength improving as salinity increased (the storage modulus rose from 113 Pa in 1% NaCl to 145 Pa in 10% NaCl). Injectivity tests showed that lower gel concentrations reduced the injection pressure, offering flexibility in deep injection treatments. Gels with higher swelling ratios had lower injection pressures due to increased strength and reduced deformability. The gel maintained stable plugging performance during two water-alternating-CO2 cycles, but a decline was observed in the third cycle. It also demonstrated a high CO2 breakthrough pressure of 177 psi in high salinity conditions (10% NaCl). The permeability reduction for water and CO2 was influenced by gel concentration and salinity, with higher salinity increasing the permeability reduction and higher gel concentrations decreasing it. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the CO2-BRPPG in improving CO2 sweep efficiency and managing CO2 sequestration in reservoirs with high permeability.

Effect of serum uric acid level on reproductive outcome in women without polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization

BackgroundPrior research showed that elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) before in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment can lead to a lower rate of live birth and an increased risk for low birthweight. Nonetheless, it is not known whether elevated SUA results in similar reproductive outcome in women without PCOS. This study aimed to exploring the relationship between pre-pregnancy SUA levels and reproductive outcomes in non-PCOS women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.MethodsThis single-center, retrospective study included 13,325 women without PCOS undergoing their first IVF/ICSI fresh embryo transfer cycles from January 2014 to December 2022 at a university-affiliated reproductive medicine center in China. The trends for pregnancy, obstetric and perinatal outcomes across quartiles of SUA levels were assessed. A logistic regression analysis was applied to control for baseline and cycle characteristics. Generalized addition model was used to draw spline smoothing plot.ResultsThere was no significant decreasing or increasing trend in the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate with the increase in quartiles of SUA levels. For Obstetric and perinatal outcomes following a single live birth, the percentage of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (1.6–4.1%, Ptrend<0.001), gestational diabetes mellitus (5.9–13.9%, Ptrend<0.001), premature rupture of membranes (0.6–1.5%, Ptrend=0.016), preterm birth (6.3–9.2%, Ptrend=0.009), macrosomia (2.3–5.5%, Ptrend<0.001), large for gestational age (10.8–14.9%, Ptrend=0.002) all increased significantly from the lowest quartile to the highest. Logistic regression results showed that compared with those in quartile 1, the risk of maternal and infant complications mentioned above was still significantly higher in quartile 4 after adjusting for reproductive related factors. When further confounding factors were added, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and blood lipids related indicators, only gestational diabetes mellitus and macrosomia showed a significant increase.ConclusionIn women without PCOS, SUA levels before IVF/ICSI treatment do not affect the probabilities of clinical pregnancy and live birth. An elevated SUA level is associated with an increased risk for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, macrosomia, and large for gestational age. For gestational diabetes mellitus and macrosomia, the association is independent of BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipid.

Elevating Postinjection Stability in Silk Nanofibril Hydrogels to Prevent Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Injectable hydrogels offer a minimally invasive approach to treating intervertebral disc degeneration, a prevalent condition that affects 90% of individuals and often leads to significant pain and disability. Despite being a critical yet often overlooked issue that could lead to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes, the mechanical integrity of these gels frequently diminishes postinjection due to the injection process itself. To address this challenge, our research developed a silk-nanofibril-based hydrogel enhanced through simple in situ polymerization of dopamine. The resulting hydrogel not only effectively preserved its modulus at over 1000 Pa postinjection, matching the mechanical properties of the nucleus pulposus, but also significantly enhanced its antioxidative properties to four times that of the original silk nanofibril-based hydrogel. Furthermore, both cell-based and animal studies substantiated that such a silk nanofibril-based hydrogel integrated with polydopamine exhibited significant therapeutic efficacy in the injectable treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. Therefore, this work introduced a new perspective on the design of injectable hydrogels that could effectively address both the mechanical and biochemical challenges of degenerative disc diseases, providing a platform for subsequent therapeutic interventions.

Carpal Tunnel Corticosteroid Injection Treatment of Nail Lichen Planus

Treatment for nail lichen planus (NLP) typically involves the use of intralesional or systemic corticosteroids. However, both modalities have distinct considerations. Systemic options are typically reserved for severe cases due to potential adverse effects while intralesional injections are limited due to patient discomfort. Here we present a case in which a corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome led to incidental bilateral improvement in a patient’s nail lichen planus. Carpal tunnel injection may be an alternative to more traditional treatments and is a potential area for further research.

Effects on corneal endothelium of intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs

Purpose Intravitreal drug administration has become the gold standard for the treatment of many retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The frequency of this procedure has increased significantly after the introduction of anti-VEGF drugs, since the rise in the average age of the population, which is closely correlated with these diseases. In order to ensure therapeutic success in these patients with chronic retinal diseases, intravitreal treatment with anti-VEGF requires a long-term maintenance regimen with repeated administrations. For this reason today, we must consider the risks linked to complications associated with the long-term application of this therapy. Our study aims to investigate whether the intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF may lead to damage to the corneal endothelium, either directly through the administration procedure or indirectly due to the drug’s toxicity. We aimed to establish a clear correlation between intravitreal drug administration and a statistically significant reduction in corneal endothelial cell count in the treated eye when compared to the untreated eye. The study also sought to assess whether different toxicities might be present between different types of drugs belonging to the same anti-VEGF family. Materials and Methods The study was conducted by examining a cohort of 133 patients suffering from different diseases: AMD, EMD and RVO. All patients underwent measurement of the endothelial count with CellChek® 20, considering the value measured at the first injection as time zero and reassessed at each subsequent treatment session. The measurement of the endothelial count was performed both on the eye under treatment (TE) and in the eye not undergoing intravitreal injection (NTE) with anti-VEGF drugs for each injection cycle. Different anti-VEGF drugs such as Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab, Aflibercept, Brolucizumab were used for intravitreal therapy. The test patients were included in a 12-month follow-up programme, in which the measurement intervals are dictated by the treatment plan. Results The statistical analysis performed on the corneal endothelial cell counts showed that the ECD (endothelial cell density) parameter decreases with each administration of the drug. The analysis of the difference in the mean endothelial cell counts of the TE reveals that the difference in the number of endothelial cells between the first and second counts in TE is 54.00; greater than the difference in the number of cells found in NTE, which was 13.42. Both the difference between the TE and NTE cell counts are statistically significant. In the case of the TE, the p-value is <0.001, while in the case of the NTE the p-value is still significant as <0.05. The hypothesis that the different types of anti-VEGF drugs could determine the decrease in endothelial cell count differently was also evaluated. No statistically significant data emerged from the analyses (p-value is >0.05). Conclusions The study demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of corneal endothelial cells in patients undergoing intravitreal injection treatment per number of injections with anti-VEGF, this reduction being independent of the type of anti-VEGF used (Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab, Aflibercept and Brolucizumab).

Role of intra-individual variation in the detection of thresholds for DFI and for misclassification rates: A retrospective analysis of 14,775 SCSA® tests.

Sperm DNA damage is associated with reduced male fertility after natural conception and intrauterine insemination. However, the impact on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and especially intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments is still unclear. Few studies have focused on the intra-individual variation in DFI even though it may have an important role to play in terms of detection of thresholds and for misclassification rates. Results for Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®) tests performed for 70 European fertility clinics between January 1st, 2008 and December 31st, 2022 were examined. A small retrospective study included 406 couples receiving their first treatment with IVF or ICSI. These results were then used for a mathematical simulation to investigate the role of intra-individual variation. The large retrospective study included a total of 14,138 diagnostic tests and 637 tests from an IUI study. The distribution of DFI was assessed for the IUI cohort and cohorts of patients attending Sims IVF and Fertility Center Hamburg (FCH). Descriptive analysis of the data was performed regarding time of year, male age, and year. When DFI was above the thresholds of 15 and 25, a significant reduction in ongoing pregnancies after 12weeks of gestation was observed for IVF and ICSI treatments, respectively. For IVF treatments, the pregnancy rate was reduced from 45.1% to 24.6%, odds ratio=2.58 (p=0.004). For ICSI treatments, the pregnancy rate was reduced from 48.6% to 29.6%, odds ratio=2.00 (p=0.032). Intra-individual variation was significantly related to the misclassification rate and the sample size required to identify a threshold. The percentage of patients with a DFI below 15 was 64.8% for the IUI cohort and 51.7% and 41.6% for cohorts of patients attending Sims IVF and FCH, respectively. The median DFI for these cohorts differed significantly and was 11.6, 15.0 and 17.2, respectively. DFI shows a seasonal variation, and increases with male age. During the past 15 years, the median DFI has increased by 0.05% per year (p=0.02). Ongoing pregnancy rates are reduced significantly for both IVF and ICSI treatments when DFI is above the thresholds of 15 and 25, respectively. The misclassification rate and the required sample size increase with increasing intra-individual variation. Couples with a DFI above 15 are more likely to experience failed assisted reproductive technology(ART) cycles. DFI appears to have increased during the past 15 years.

Gallic Acid Alleviates Methotrexate‐Induced Oxidative Ovarian Damage in Rats

Although methotrexate (MTX) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of cancer, its use is limited due to the occurrence of systemic tissue toxicity, including those affecting the reproductive system. Gallic acid (GAL) is a phenolic compound that has been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects in a number of pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress (OS) in recent years. This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of GAL in the treatment of ovarian damage caused by MTX. Adult female rats (n=30) were randomly allocated to five groups: control, MTX, MTX+GAL (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) and high-dose GAL only (5 mg/kg). In the MTX-containing groups, ovarian toxicity was induced by a single dose MTX (20 mg/kg) injection. In contrast, groups containing GAL received injection treatment for three days, starting on the second day. The levels of OS, inflammation and apoptosis in tissue samples collected on the fifth day of the experiment were quantified using spectrophotometric methods. The results showed that GAL treatment reduced the level of ovarian lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis and promoted the ovarian antioxidant system in rats subjected to MTX. The results of this study indicate that GAL may have the potential to ameliorate MTX-associated oxidative and inflammatory ovarian damage. It is recommended that this ovoprotective effect of GAL be confirmed by more comprehensive preclinical studies.

Plain language summary of the pivotal study of calcium hydroxylapatite with lidocaine for improvement of jawline contour

Summary What is this article about? A study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03583359) that tested whether an injectable filler treatment called calcium hydroxylapatite with lidocaine, or CaHA (+), could improve the shape of the jawline.How was the study in this summary conducted? Loss of jawline shape is a change to jawline appearance, like sagging or deflating, that occurs as people get older. A total of 123 participants received CaHA (+) injections on day 1 of the study (immediate treatment). Fifty-seven participants did not receive CaHA (+) until week 12 (delayed treatment). Jawline shape at week 12 was rated on a five-point scale (0 = no loss of shape or volume; 4 = extreme loss). Researchers also looked at participants’ satisfaction and self-reported improvement, ratings of how old participants thought they looked, and side effects.What were the results of the study? In the immediate treatment group, 76% of participants had improvement in jawline shape at week 12 (compared with 9% of participants in the delayed treatment group), which typically lasted approximately 8 months, and 94% self-reported improvement in jawline appearance. The participants were more satisfied with their jawlines and reported looking approximately 3 years younger at week 12 compared with before treatment. Regardless of sex or skin tone, side effects were categorized as mostly mild or moderate reactions, like lumps or bruising, at the site where CaHA (+) was injected.What do the results of this study mean? The results showed that CaHA (+) injections improved jawline shape in most participants and caused only mild or moderate side effects regardless of sex or skin tone, suggesting that CaHA (+) is safe and works well for diverse groups of patients.Who should read this article? This summary is for patients and others interested in learning about how CaHA (+) works, its safety, and its ability to improve jawline shape.Who sponsored this study? The study was sponsored by Merz North America, Inc.

DNAH3 deficiency causes flagellar inner dynein arm loss and male infertility in humans and mice

Axonemal protein complexes, including the outer and inner dynein arms (ODA/IDA), are highly ordered structures of the sperm flagella that drive sperm motility. Deficiencies in several axonemal proteins have been associated with male infertility, which is characterized by asthenozoospermia or asthenoteratozoospermia. Dynein axonemal heavy chain 3 (DNAH3) resides in the IDA and is highly expressed in the testis. However, the relationship between DNAH3 and male infertility is still unclear. Herein, we identified biallelic variants of DNAH3 in four unrelated Han Chinese infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia through whole-exome sequencing (WES). These variants contributed to deficient DNAH3 expression in the patients’ sperm flagella. Importantly, the patients represented the anomalous sperm flagellar morphology, and the flagellar ultrastructure was severely disrupted. Intriguingly, Dnah3 knockout (KO) male mice were also infertile, especially showing the severe reduction in sperm movement with the abnormal IDA and mitochondrion structure. Mechanically, nonfunctional DNAH3 expression resulted in decreased expression of IDA-associated proteins in the spermatozoa flagella of patients and KO mice, including DNAH1, DNAH6, and DNALI1, the deletion of which has been involved in disruption of sperm motility. Moreover, the infertility of patients with DNAH3 variants and Dnah3 KO mice could be rescued by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. Our findings indicated that DNAH3 is a novel pathogenic gene for asthenoteratozoospermia and may further contribute to the diagnosis, genetic counseling, and prognosis of male infertility.

DNAH3 deficiency causes flagellar inner dynein arm loss and male infertility in humans and mice.

Axonemal protein complexes, including the outer and inner dynein arms (ODA/IDA), are highly ordered structures of the sperm flagella that drive sperm motility. Deficiencies in several axonemal proteins have been associated with male infertility, which is characterized by asthenozoospermia or asthenoteratozoospermia. Dynein axonemal heavy chain 3 (DNAH3) resides in the IDA and is highly expressed in the testis. However, the relationship between DNAH3 and male infertility is still unclear. Herein, we identified biallelic variants of DNAH3 in four unrelated Han Chinese infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia through whole-exome sequencing (WES). These variants contributed to deficient DNAH3 expression in the patients' sperm flagella. Importantly, the patients represented the anomalous sperm flagellar morphology, and the flagellar ultrastructure was severely disrupted. Intriguingly, Dnah3 knockout (KO) male mice were also infertile, especially showing the severe reduction in sperm movement with the abnormal IDA and mitochondrion structure. Mechanically, nonfunctional DNAH3 expression resulted in decreased expression of IDA-associated proteins in the spermatozoa flagella of patients and KO mice, including DNAH1, DNAH6, and DNALI1, the deletion of which has been involved in disruption of sperm motility. Moreover, the infertility of patients with DNAH3 variants and Dnah3 KO mice could be rescued by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. Our findings indicated that DNAH3 is a novel pathogenic gene for asthenoteratozoospermia and may further contribute to the diagnosis, genetic counseling, and prognosis of male infertility.

Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice among Cardiac Nurses About Infusion Therapy using Syringe Pump

The use of electronic syringe infusion pumps to administer therapeutic agents is a common practice in hospitals, particularly among patients who require slow injection treatments. For these patients and their practitioners, it is crucial that the administration of drugs (especially for those having a small therapeutic index) via the syringe pump be consistent, predictable, and reliable. The present study was intended to assess the knowledge and practice among cardiac nurses about infusion therapy using syringe pump. The objectives were to assess the knowledge and practice among cardiac nurses about infusion therapy using syringe pump and to find out the association between knowledge and selected variables. The objectives were to assess the knowledge and practice among cardiac nurses about infusion therapy using syringe pump and to find out the association between knowledge and selected variables. The study was done by quantitative approach and research design used was descriptive design. Data was collected from 60 cardiac nurses from SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram, working in CSICU, CHICU, CHW and CCU. Convenient sampling technique was used for selection of samples. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the cardiac nurses knowledge about infusion therapy using syringe pump and check list to assess the practice. The data was analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The present study emphasized to assess the knowledge and practice among cardiac nurses about infusion therapy using syringe pump. Majority (92%) cardiac nurses had good knowledge score (26) with a maximum obtainable score of 9. For practice all participant's (100%) had good practice. There was association between knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, educational qualification and years of experience.

Improvement in the Youthfulness of Facial Skin after a Single Treatment with Platelet Rich Plasma

Objective: Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous substance widely used to stimulate dermal collagen synthesis. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a single PRP treatment for facial rejuvenation. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand from August 2020 to March 2021. Enrolled patients underwent a single intradermal injection treatment of 0.1 mL PRP at 30 locations on the face. Outcomes were assessed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-intervention using the patient-perceived age visual analog scale (VAS), FACE-Q assessment, and elasticity index (EI) with a Cutometer. Results: Forty Thai patients with an average age of 36.4 years, Fitzpatrick skin type 3-4 were enrolled. The mean Patient-perceived Age VAS significantly decreased one month after treatment (-2.71±2.42, p&lt;0.001). FACE-Q satisfaction with facial skin was 74.29±14.49, and satisfaction with the outcome was 73.41±16.26 (scale 0-100). The PRP significantly affected skin EI, with the peak improvement observed at 1-2 weeks post-injection, predominantly at the cheek, crow’s feet, and perioral area (all p&lt;0.05). All patients had an overall improvement in satisfaction scores throughout the study. Conclusion: A single treatment of PRP injection resulted in overall satisfaction in facial skin rejuvenation as measured by patient-perceived age VAS and FACE-Q assessment. The PRP showed positive outcomes in EI with peak performance at 1-2 weeks post-treatment.

Sodelovanje in vztrajanje bolnikov z multiplo sklerozo pri zdravljenju z zdravili

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that presents the second highest cause of disability among young adults in their thirties. Medication treatments are based on parenteral and novel oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for their simple dosage form, increased efficacy, and safety. Medication adherence (MA) assesses the extent to which patients’ medication administration corresponds with the agreed-upon treatment recommendations from health-care providers. Medication persistence (MP) is part of the MA continuum and defined as the interval between the initiation and last dose of the applied medication immediately preceding discontinuation. Adherence measures are based on medication availability and gaps over the period it is dispensed. Medication adherence in persons with MS is complex due to disease chronicity and more demanding routes of administration. Adherence is higher in patients on oral compared to older injectable parenteral treatment. Younger age, female gender, and longer disease course are key risk factors leading to lower adherence, which declines substantially after six months of treatment. The association of disability with adherence remains unknown. The major adherence barriers in the course of treatment are adverse effects, injectophobia, and dosage frequency. Common non-adherence reasons among patients are forgetfulness, depression, and fatigue. Medication non-adherence is associated with lower health and economic outcomes. Interventions for increasing MA in persons with MS are complex and individualized. Overcoming adherence barriers in MS should be aimed at injectophobia, coping with adverse effects, and increasing beliefs towards treatment necessity.