Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-04"
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- The international collaboration of pharmacy journal editors (ICPJE) formally constituted to foster quality around clinical and social pharmacy practice research publicationsPublication . Alves da Costa, Filipa; Fernandez-Llimos, Fernando; Desselle, Shane; Arnet, Isabelle; Abar, Zaheer; Bond, Christine; Cordina, Maria; Garcia Cardenas, Victoria; El Hajj, Maguy; Jacobsen, Ramune; Law, Anandi; Nørgaard, Lotte; Polidori, Carlo; Shcherbakova, Natalia; Stewart, Derek; Tonin, Fernanda; Weidmann, AnitaThe Granada statements were a result of the need to strengthen clinical, social, and administrative pharmacy practice as an area of knowledge that translates into practice, research, and policy. As a response, a group of clinical and social pharmacy practice journal editors launched an initiative in Granada in 2022 to discuss ways to improve the quality of publications in this area, which culminated in the Granada statements. Eighteen statements were developed, clustered into six main domains:1) the appropriate use of terminology; 2) developing impactful abstracts; 3) having the required peer reviews; 4) preventing journal scattering; 5) more effective and wiser use of journal and article performance metrics; and 6)authors' selection of the most appropriate pharmacy practice journal to submit their work. The full Granada statements have been published in 14 journals. These pioneering statements are rooted in similar endeavors undertaken by scholars in other health professions groups, fostering the concept of interdisciplinary consensus and advancing scientific paradigm.
- The effects of nutritional supplementation for children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: a systematic review and meta-analysesPublication . Orsi, Bruna C.; Gorski, Daniela; Krul, Naila E.; Wiens, Astrid; Brito, Miguel; Tonin, Fernanda; Pontarolo, RobertoBackground & aims: Sickle cell disease (SCD), a neglected chronic genetic blood disorder that severely impacts the pediatric population, often leading to premature death, is associated with compromised nutritional status. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation on SCD-related complications. Methods: A systematic review with searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing diet or supplements as a complementary therapy for children and adolescents with SCD were included (PROSPERO: CRD42024532369). The data for outcomes of interest (efficacy, safety) were pooled using pairwise and network meta-analyses with ranking (p-score) analysis. The results were presented as odds ratio or mean differences with 95 % confidence intervals (NMAstudio2.0). Results: Twenty RCTs were included (2002–2023) (n = 2058), analyzing 9 dietary supplements on different regimens. All patients use hydroxyurea as an active treatment. Supplementation with fatty acids (n = 3 studies) and l-arginine (n = 4) presented higher efficacy and safety, significantly improving pain intensity, vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), and inflammation when compared to usual care/placebo (p < 0.05). Vitamin D3 (n = 6) at different dosages may reduce respiratory complications and length of hospital stay, yet further studies are needed to confirm its significant effects. Evidence is limited and of poor quality regarding the effects of add-on vitamin A (n = 2), magnesium sulfate (n = 2), and zinc (n = 4) for this population. Conclusions: The complementary use of certain supplements (fatty acids, l-arginine, vitamin D3) can enhance the management of VOC and improve patients' physiological functions. These supplements are often affordable and can contribute towards the reduction of opioid use and shorten patients' hospital stays - especially in low/middle-income countries where resources are scarce. Although further studies are needed to refine these findings (e.g., appropriate doses/regimens), practical guidelines and decision-makers may benefit from updated evidence.
- Controversies in myopia control treatment: what does it mean for future research?Publication . Lança, Carla; Repka, Michael X.; Grzybowski, AndrzejPurpose: Treatment of myopia has been informed by more than 3 decades of clinical trials and other observations. However, controversies regarding myopia control remain, such as when to stop treatment and what is the long-term efficacy of treatment. This perspective aims to describe clinically relevant and current controversies regarding myopia treatment. Design: Perspective. Methods: We reviewed clinical trial data and other studies regarding myopia control therapies. Results: Controversies in myopia treatment are related to the efficacy of low-dose atropine eyedrops and new lens design spectacles to reduce the progression of myopia substantially. In addition to efficacy, the safety of therapies including soft contact lenses, orthokeratology, and low-level red light remains a concern. The therapeutic role of outdoor time in reducing myopia progression also requires further investigation. More research is necessary to confirm treatment effectiveness, required treatment duration, tapering schedules, and when to begin and stop treatment. Conclusions: Myopia management is evolving and maintaining competency in the multiple approaches poses a challenge. Key challenges include identifying high-risk children who would benefit most from treatment, limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of myopia progression control treatments in certain populations, and concerns regarding the availability and cost of treatment, which may create socioeconomic barriers to access. The limitations of current methods to slow or stop myopia progression highlight the need for continuing rigorous investigation of new and improved strategies to reduce the burden of myopia.
- Comprehensive analysis of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and microbiological contamination in a clothing store from an international chain in EuropePublication . Furst, Leonardo; Cipoli, Yago; Galindo, Nuria; Yubero, Eduardo; Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Nunes, Teresa; Feliciano, Manuel; Alves, CéliaIn this study, indoor air quality was assessed in a store belonging to one of Portugal's largest commercial retail groups. A variety of methodologies were used, including gravimetric analysis for particulate matter (PM), optical monitors for real-time PM measurements, gas sensors and analyzers for CO2 and other gaseous pollutants, diffusion tubes for VOCs, and passive deposition for microorganisms. The average PM10 concentration indoors was 16.5 ± 3.87 μg/m3, well below the exposure limits set by various international organizations. A significant portion of indoor PM10 – 69% - was originated from outdoor sources. Outdoor PM10 concentrations were substantially higher, averaging 29.4 ± 14.6 μg/m3. Metal concentrations were also higher outdoors than indoors, and the associated cancer risk and hazard quotient were not exceeded, indicating favorable air quality conditions within the store. Among VOCs, α-pinene and tetrachloroethylene were detected in notable concentrations. α-Pinene likely originated from cleaning products and fragrances, while tetrachloroethylene was attributed to emissions from a dry-cleaning establishment located in the same building, but did not exceed protection thresholds. Microbial analysis showed low concentrations of both fungi and bacteria. However, fungal species with clinical and toxigenic potential were found. The most common fungal species were Trichoderma sp. and Penicillium sp., depending on the culture media. Overall, the clothing store demonstrated good air quality. However, to further reduce the impact of outdoor pollutants on indoor air quality, enhancements to the ventilation system are recommended. These improvements can help create a healthier indoor environment by filtering and managing the intake of external contaminants more effectively.
- Dual-loaded chitosan-based nanoparticles: a novel approach for treating polymicrobial osteomyelitisPublication . Zegre, Miguel; Barros, J.; David, A. B.; Fialho, L.; Ferraz, M. P.; Monteiro, F. J.; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gonçalves, L.; Bettencourt, A.Developing innovative approaches to target osteomyelitis caused by polymicrobial infections remains a significant therapeutic challenge. In this study, monodispersed chitosan nanoparticles co-loaded with antibacterial (minocycline) and antifungal (voriconazole) agents were successfully prepared. Minocycline presented higher encapsulation efficiency as compared to voriconazole. Thermostability analysis suggested interactions between the co-loaded drugs within the dual-delivery system, potentially limiting voriconazole release. The dual-loaded chitosan nanoparticles exhibited significant in vitro anti-biofilm activity, achieving up to a 90% reduction in polymicrobial biofilms of S. aureus and C. albicans. Additionally, the nanoparticles showed cytocompatibility with a human osteoblast cell line. These findings highlight the potential of this dual-delivery chitosan-based nanoparticle system to address a critical gap in osteomyelitis treatment by targeting both bacterial and fungal pathogens.
- Quality of life associated with breathlessness in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study: a cross-sectional analysisPublication . Müller, Alexander; Wouters, Emiel F.; Burney, Peter; Potts, James; Cardoso, Joao; Al Ghobain, Mohammed; Studnicka, Michael; Obaseki, Daniel; Elsony, Asma; Mortimer, Kevin; Mannino, David; Jögi, Rain; Ahmed, Rana; Nafees, Asaad; Hermínia Brites DiasIntroduction: Evidence of an association between breathlessness and quality of life from population-based studies is limited. We aimed to investigate the association of physical and mental quality of life with breathlessness across several low-, middle- and high-income countries. Methods: We analyzed data from 19,714 adults (31 sites, 25 countries) from the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study. We measured both mental and physical quality of life components using the SF-12 questionnaire and defined breathlessness as grade ≥2 on the modified Medical Research Council scale. We used multivariable linear regression to assess the association of each quality-of-life component with breathlessness. We pooled site-specific estimates using random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Both physical and mental component scores were lower in participants with breathlessness compared to those without. This association was stronger for the physical component (coefficient = -7.59; 95%CI -8.60, -6.58; I2 = 78.5%) than for the mental component (coefficient = -3.50; 95%CI -4.36, -2.63; I2 = 71.4%). The association between physical components and breathlessness was stronger in high-income countries (coefficient = -8.82; 95%CI -10.15, -7.50). Heterogeneity across sites was partly explained by sex and tobacco smoking. Conclusion: Quality of life is worse in people with breathlessness, but this association varies widely across the world.