In a recent study, it was found that two types of remineralising toothpastes show promising results in reducing dental sensitivity and periodontal indices and may be suitable for children with asthma and allergic rhinitis to use at home. This study’s findings were published in the European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. 

For this study, a total of 40 patients between the ages of 6-14 years, who had enamel demineralisations, were included. Several indices were collected such as, Schiff air index (SAI), bleeding on probing (BoP), plaque index (PI), susceptibility index (SI), Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) for soft and hard tissues pathologies, salivary pH, and decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT). Following mechanical debridement with piezoelectric instrumentation and glycine powder, patients were evenly divided into two groups: group 1 used a zinc hydroxyapatite toothpaste, whereas group 2 used a calcium sodium phosphosilicate toothpaste. Both groups were instructed to use the toothpaste twice a day. The study was conducted over the following time frames: baseline (T0), after one month (T1), after three months (T2), and after six months (T3).

Significant intragroup differences from the beginning to the end of the study were observed for the variables PI, BOP, and SAI (p < 0.05). Upon analysing SI, group 1 exhibited significant intragroup variances when comparing each time frame with T3 (p < 0.05). 

It can be concluded that the two remineralising toothpastes significantly reduce dental sensitivity and periodontal indices, suggesting that they may be suitable for children with asthma and allergic rhinitis to use at home.

Recent research indicates that dialysis-dependent patients with anemia exhibited a substantial increase in serum hemoglobin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), along with a decrease in serum ferritin, following the administration of daprodustat, in a manner that depended on the dosage. This study’s findings were published in The Pan African Medical Journal.

A systemic search of the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane was conducted. Seven distinct trials were ultimately selected for systematic review, with six of them involving a total of 759 patients included in the network meta-analysis (NMA).

The administration of daprodustat 25-30 mg resulted in the largest change in serum hemoglobin (MD=1.86, 95% confidence interval = [1.20; 2.52]), ferritin (MD= -180.84, 95% confidence interval = [-264.47; -97.20]), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) (MD=11.03, 95% confidence interval = [3.15; 18.92]) from initial values.

It can be concluded that the administration of daprodustat resulted in a marked elevation in serum hemoglobin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and a reduction in serum ferritin among dialysis-dependent individuals with anemia, in a manner that depended on the dosage.

The combination of omalizumab and allergen immunotherapy (AIT) can effectively enhance the overall efficacy and safety of AIT by increasing the target maintenance dose (TMD) and the sustained unresponsiveness (SU), while also lowering the risk of severe systemic adverse effects. The findings of the study have been published in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.

The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases were thoroughly examined to identify randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of omalizumab combined with allergen immunotherapy in comparison to allergen immunotherapy by itself. To estimate the outcomes, a random-effects model was established with a 95% confidence interval.

Eleven eligible randomized controlled trials, involving a total of nine hundred and one patients, were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the pooled analysis indicated that the combination of omalizumab and AIT significantly improved the count of patients achieving the TMD and SU to allergens, with odds ratios (OR) of 2.43 (95% confidence interval: 1.33-4.44; p value = 0.004; I² = 35%) for TMD and odds ratio of 6.77 (95% confidence interval: 2.10-21.80; p value = 0.001; I² = 36%) for SU. In addition, patients receiving the combination therapy reported a significantly lower incidence of severe systemic adverse events compared to those treated with AIT alone, with an odds ratio of 0.32 (95% confidence interval: 0.18-0.59; p value = 0.0003; I² = 0%). Additionally, improvements in daily rescue medication scores (mean difference [MD] = -0.14), symptom severity score (MD = -0.26), and the incidence of epinephrine use in AIT (odds ratio = 0.20) were considerably more apparent than those in allergen immunotherapy by itself.

The above study showed that the use of omalizumab alongside allergen immunotherapy can substantially boost the efficacy and safety of AIT. This combination allows for an increase in the TMD and SU, while also decreasing the chances of experiencing severe systemic adverse effects.

A recent study suggests that tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy improved patient reported outcomes in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The findings of this study were published in the journal, Lung Cancer.

This phase 3 POSEIDON study included 972 patients randomized 1:1:1 to receive tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy, durvalumab plus chemotherapy, or chemotherapy alone. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item core quality of life questionnaire version 3 (QLQ-C30) and its 13-item lung cancer module (QLQ-LC13) were used to evaluate the PROs (prespecified secondary endpoints). The time to deterioration (TTD) of symptoms, functioning, and global health status/quality of life (QoL) from randomization were analyzed through the log-rank test, while the improvement rates were analyzed using logistic regression.

At the end of the study, it was shown that patients who received tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy had longer median TTD for all PRO items compared to chemotherapy alone. Hazard ratios for TTD favored tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy for all items except diarrhea and durvalumab plus chemotherapy favored for all items except nausea/vomiting and diarrhea. It was also observed that improvement rates in all PRO items were numerically higher for both immunotherapy plus chemotherapy arms compared to the chemotherapy arm alone.

Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy delayed worsening in symptoms, functioning, and overall health status/quality of life when compared to chemotherapy alone. Additionally, this treatment approach demonstrated significant improvements in survival. Consequently, these findings provide strong evidence for considering tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy as a viable first-line treatment option for individuals with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

According to a recent study, a gradual and predictable decrease in post-endodontic pain can be achieved through the complete and effective debridement of the infected root canal system. Additionally, ketorolac tromethamine, dexamethasone, and saline intramuscular injections all exhibited a gradual decrease in pain intensity after 48 hours. This research findings were published in the journal, Cureus.

Patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were included in this study. Following the root canal therapy, these patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups for intramuscular drug administration. Group 1 received 2 ml of sterile saline, group 2 received 1 ml of 4 mg dexamethasone, and group 3 received 1 ml of 30 mg ketorolac tromethamine. Pain intensity was evaluated using a verbal rating scale before and after the procedure. Postoperatively, pain occurrence and severity were noted after 4, 24, and 48 hours.

A highly statistically significant reduction in pain scores was observed in all three groups when compared to their preoperative levels. Dexamethasone and ketorolac tromethamine showed highly significant results after four hours. Dexamethasone significantly decreased pain levels after 24 hours in comparison to the ketorolac and placebo groups. At the conclusion of 48 hours, all three groups displayed a gradual decrease in pain intensity.

The above study showed that thorough debridement of the infected root canal system can lead to a gradual and predictable reduction in post-endodontic pain. Following 48 hours, the ketorolac tromethamine, dexamethasone, and saline intramuscular injections each displayed a gradual decrease in pain intensity.

According to a recent study, irrespective of chronic kidney disease (CKD) status, iron replacement using ferric citrate hydrate (FC) reduced high levels of C-terminal fibroblast growth factor 23 (cFGF23) and restored increased platelet (PLT) counts for individuals suffering from iron deficiency anemia (IDA). This research findings were published in the journal, Clinical and Experimental Nephrology.

In a randomized, 24-week clinical trial, a total of seventy-three patients suffering from chronic kidney disease not requiring dialysis and CKD complicated by iron deficiency anemia with hemoglobin levels between 8.0 and 11.0 g/dL, and serum ferritin levels below 50 ng/mL for CKD and below 12 ng/mL for non-CKD, were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either ferric citrate hydrate-high (1000 mg: ≈ 240 mg elemental iron per day) and ferric citrate hydrate-low (500 mg: ≈ 120 mg elemental iron per day). Patients were divided into two groups: FC-low (CKD n = 21, non-CKD n = 15) and FC-high (CKD n = 21, non-CKD n = 16). Treatment was discontinued if adequate iron replacement was achieved by eight weeks.

Despite CKD status, FC increased transferrin saturation and serum ferritin, with no impact on intact FGF23 or serum phosphorus, but a decrease in cFGF23. The FC-low group showed median changes in cFGF23 from baseline to week 8 of -58.00 RU/mL in CKD and -725.00 RU/mL in non-CKD. The FC-high group had median changes of -66.00 RU/mL in CKD and -649.50 RU/mL in non-CKD. By the eighth week, FC treatment successfully normalized PLT levels in all patients who had high PLT at the beginning (>35.2 × 10⁴/µL; FC-low: one CKD, eight non-CKD; FC-high: three CKD, eight non-CKD).

Thus, it can be concluded that iron replacement therapy with FC lowered high levels of cFGF23 and improved elevated PLT counts in individuals diagnosed with IDA, irrespective of their chronic kidney disease (CKD) status.

A recent study demonstrated that calcium sodium phosphosilicate or functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (f-TCP) in fluoridated dentifrices resulted in a marked increase in the mineral density (MD), elastic modulus (EM), and hardness (H) of incipient carious lesions (ICLs), when compared to standard fluoride dentifrices. These additional active ingredients effectively promoted remineralization in the deeper layers of the ICLs, while the remineralization at the surface of the lesions were similar across all tested dentifrices. This study’s findings were published in the Clinical and Experimental Dental Research.

Artificial ICLs were made by immersing premolars in demineralizing solutions. The teeth were randomized into Group 1 (calcium sodium phosphosilicate), Group 2 (f-TCP), Group 3 (1450 ppm fluoride), and Group 4 (distilled water), and underwent 10-day pH cycling. H and elastic modulus EM were evaluated using nanomechanical testing, while MD was evaluated through microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT).

Groups 1-3 experienced a higher MD percentage gain than Group 4. Additionally, Groups 1 and 2 showed significantly greater MD percentage gain than Group 3. Groups 1-3 demonstrated significantly greater EM and H values compared to Group 4 in the outer enamel region. Groups 1 and 2 displayed significantly greater H and EM values compared to Groups 3 and 4 in the inner enamel.

The above study demonstrated that calcium sodium phosphosilicate or f-TCP in dentifrices containing fluoride has led to a significant enhancement in the MD, EM, and H of ICLs compared to regular fluoride dentifrices. These active ingredients have effectively facilitated the remineralization process in the deeper layers of the ICLs, while the lesion surface remineralization remained consistent across all dentifrices tested.

A recent study demonstrated that the use of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) 250 mg along with 2.5 mg of piperine is an effective and well-tolerated approach for managing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. This study’s findings were presented in the journal Medicine.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed with 65 individuals aged 18 to 60 years, all of whom presented with two or more allergic symptoms, including rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction, sneezing, and nasal itching for a cumulative duration exceeding one hour each day. A total of 33 participants were assigned to the NSO group, while 32 were placed in the placebo group. Participants were assigned to receive either a 250 mg NSO capsule combined with 2.5 mg of piperine (BioPerine) or a placebo, taken twice daily after meals for a total duration of 15 days. The primary objectives were assessed by evaluating the mean change in the duration of allergic rhinitis symptoms per day and the Total Nasal Symptom Score from the baseline to Day 15. Secondary endpoints included changes in the Total Ocular Symptoms Score, severity and frequency of allergic rhinitis symptoms, serum Immunoglobulin E levels, and the Patient Global Impression of Change scale. Continuous monitoring of adverse events was maintained throughout the study period.

A significant reduction in both the Total Ocular Symptoms Score and the Total Nasal Symptom Score was noted in the NSO group compared to the placebo, highlighting the potential effectiveness of NSO in alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Both groups experienced a significant decrease in the daily occurrence of AR symptoms and their frequency over a 24-hour period within 15 days; however, the NSO group showed a considerably greater improvement. The Patient Global Impression of Change also indicated a significantly more favorable outcome for the NSO group compared to the placebo. Serum immunoglobulin E levels in the NSO group showed a decline, yet this change was not significantly different from the results recorded in the placebo group. Additionally, no clinically significant changes were detected in vital signs, liver and renal function, fasting blood sugar, lipid profiles, hematological assessments, or urine analysis at the study's conclusion.

Thus, it can be concluded that NSO at 250 mg alongside 2.5 mg of piperine is an effective and well-tolerated option for the management of allergic rhinitis symptoms.