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News Meta-Analysis of the Results of Studies Comparing the Effectiveness of Manual and Sonic Toothbrushes

Brushing teeth is a fundamental means of maintaining good oral hygiene. While many people still rely on using manual toothbrushes, brushing with electric toothbrushes has also gradually gained significant popularity. Several studies comparing the effectiveness and gentleness of these two approaches have been conducted in the past, followed by a meta-analysis of their results.

Source: Dental Care 21. 4. 2023

News Infographic and Commentary from Practice: Reasons and Pathways for Patients to Biological Treatment of Asthma

For asthma patients with the most severe forms of the disease to access targeted biological treatment, they must undergo examination at one of the specialized centers for severe asthma. To facilitate this pathway, a recommended procedure has been issued, from which we present a pragmatic extract for practice in the form of a clear infographic.

Source: Systemic treatment of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis – Type 2 inflammation 28. 4. 2023

News What situations can arise in PBC treatment with obeticholic acid? Answers provided by case studies from real practice at CKTCH

The Hradec Gastroenterology Days 2023 were traditionally held in March at the Educational Center of the Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, in the area of University Hospital Hradec Králové. The expert program included a lecture by MUDr. Libuše Husová, Ph.D., from the Cardio-surgical and Transplant Surgery Center Brno (CKTCH), who highlighted various situations that can arise during the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) with three case studies.

Source: Primary Biliary Cholangitis 25. 4. 2023

News Benefits and Cost-Effectiveness of Superabsorbent Dressings in the Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers

A recent cost-effectiveness analysis based on German data showed that using superabsorbent dressings instead of conventional dressings in the treatment of venous leg ulcers with moderate to high exudation increases the likelihood of healing, quality of life, and reduces direct healthcare costs. Similar results were found in another analysis from last year, this time using French data, comparing superabsorbent dressings with foam dressings, again in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.

Source: Wound Healing 26. 4. 2023

News Pregnancy and Childbirth in a Woman with VWD −⁠ A Case Study

Pregnancy and childbirth are relatively demanding periods and situations for women with von Willebrand disease (vWD) from the perspective of hemostasis. They can be associated with an increased risk of bleeding for both the mother and the newborn. For this reason, a multidisciplinary approach to every pregnant woman is essential, involving a hematologist (ideally in a specialized center), the obstetric team, and then also a gynecologist who will care for the woman in the postpartum period. The optimal approach is to create a birth plan early, which will be carefully followed during labor and especially in the postpartum period. The following case study clearly illustrates these points.

Source: Von Willebrand Disease 26. 4. 2023

News Augmentation Therapy of Bronchiectasis Due to AATD –⁠ Case Report

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare cause of bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis. The role of augmentation therapy with alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) in patients with AATD with bronchiectasis without pulmonary emphysema is still unclear. A case report from authors in Heidelberg presents a patient with bronchiectasis based on AATD, where augmentation therapy reduced the number of exacerbations and improved clinical condition.

Source: Deficiency of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin 26. 4. 2023

News To what extent does the delay between symptom onset and diagnosis of AATD affect patient survival?

The risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increased, among other things, by a deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AATD). However, there is often a delay between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of AATD, which is associated with worse clinical and functional status and a more advanced stage of the disease. The study presented below examined how this fact further affects patient survival.

Source: Deficiency of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin 26. 4. 2023

News Absorption of Levothyroxine: What Has the New Formulation of LT4-Containing Medicinal Products Brought?

Lifelong use of levothyroxine (LT4) is the cornerstone of hypothyroidism treatment. The narrow therapeutic range of LT4 places increased emphasis on accurate dosing and appropriate titration, making the introduction of new LT4 formulations with more precise active ingredient dosing and higher levels of bioequivalence a pathway to facilitate LT4 titration and improve patient adherence.

Source: Thyroid Disorders 26. 4. 2023

News Efficacy and Safety of an Activated FXII Inhibitor in Preventing HAE Attacks

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, potentially life-threatening inherited disorder characterized by dysregulation of the kallikrein-kinin system. This results in excessive production of bradykinin, which is responsible for soft tissue edema. Garadacimab, a human antibody inhibiting activated factor XII, is utilized in the prevention of these attacks. Its efficacy and safety were verified in a phase III clinical trial.

Source: Hereditary Angioedema 27. 4. 2023

News Subcutaneous pdC1-INH in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema in Real-World Practice

Italian authors published a series of cases of patients with hereditary angioedema caused by C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) with long-term prophylaxis using human plasma-derived C1 inhibitor concentrate (pdC1-INH) in subcutaneous form. They supplement the results of the placebo-controlled COMPACT study, in which s.c. pdC1-INH reduced the frequency of attacks, with insights from real-world practice in 5 patients treated at the angioedema therapy center in Milan, Italy.

Source: Hereditary Angioedema 27. 4. 2023

News Sjögren's Syndrome as a Cause of Dry Eye Syndrome

Primary Sjögren's syndrome represents a complex autoimmune disease primarily affecting glands with exocrine secretion. Dry eye syndrome ranks among the most common difficulties for patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Essential pillars of therapy include regular application of preservative-free artificial tears, escalated to anti-inflammatory treatment if necessary.

Source: Ophthalmologic Diseases 2. 5. 2023

News INFOGRAPHIC: Eye Drops for Dry and Irritated Eyes –⁠ Mechanism of Action and Benefits

Source: Ophthalmologic Diseases 2. 5. 2023

News Etiology of Recurrent Reproductive Losses –⁠ Focus on Genetics

Repeated pregnancy losses pose a significant threat to a woman's physical and mental health. The etiology of up to half of these cases remains unexplained, and recurrent reproductive losses are considered a complex disease. We provide a brief overview of the current knowledge on their possible etiology and genetic correlations, both on the part of the mother and father.

Source: Genetics 4. 5. 2023

News Association of M2 Haplotype of the Annexin A5 Gene with Recurrent Reproductive Losses

Annexin A5 (ANXA5) is a placental anticoagulant protein that ensures adequate blood supply to the fetus during pregnancy, and its deficiency can increase the incidence of vascular thrombosis in the placenta. Current research shows that the M2 haplotype of the ANXA5 gene may be associated with recurrent reproductive losses and obstetric complications due to placental disorders.

Source: Genetics 5. 5. 2023

News Ozanimod in Induction and Maintenance Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis −⁠ True North Study Results

Ozanimod is a selective modulator of the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) in adult patients. We summarize the results of the phase III placebo-controlled True North study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which demonstrated efficacy and safety in both induction and maintenance therapy for UC.

Source: Modulation of S1P in the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases 9. 5. 2023