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Purpose of Review: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is an important cause of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and has specific diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. With advances in imaging techniques and treatment approaches, the approach to monitoring disease progression and management of CS continues to evolve. The purpose of this review is to highlight advances in CS diagnosis and treatment and present a center's multidisciplinary approach to CS care., Recent Findings: In this review, we highlight advances in granuloma biology along with contemporary diagnostic approaches. Moreover, we expand on current targets of immunosuppression focused on granuloma biology and concurrent advances in the cardiovascular care of CS in light of recent guideline recommendations. Here, we review advances in the understanding of the sarcoidosis granuloma along with contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for CS. Additionally, we highlight knowledge gaps and areas for future research in CS treatment., (© 2022. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is increasingly used to screen for abdominal pathology in dogs, and the contrast dose used is commonly calculated as a linear function of total body weight (TBW). Body fat is not metabolically active and contributes little to dispersing or diluting contrast medium (CM) in the blood. This prospective, analytic, cross-section design pilot study aimed to establish the feasibility of intravenous CM dosed according to lean body weight (LBW) for abdominal CECT in dogs compared to TBW. We hypothesized that when dosing intravenous CM according to LBW, studies will remain at diagnostic quality, there will be a reduced interindividual contrast enhancement (CE) variability, and there will be less change to heart rate and blood pressure in dogs compared to when administering CM calculated on TBW. Twelve dogs had two CECT studies with contrast doses according to TBW and LBW at least 8 weeks apart. Interindividual organ and vessel CE variability, diagnostic quality of the studies, and changes in physiological status were compared between protocols. The LBW-based protocol provided less variability in the CE of most organs and vessels (except the aorta). When dosed according to LBW, liver enhancement was positively associated with grams of iodine per kg TBW during the portal venous phase (P = 0.046). There was no significant difference in physiological parameters after CM administration between dosing protocols. Our conclusion is that a CM dose based on LBW for abdominal CECT lowers interindividual CE variability and is effective at maintaining studies of diagnostic quality., (© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.)

Gels are attractive candidates for drug delivery because they are easily producible while offering sustained and/or controlled drug release through various mechanisms by releasing the therapeutic agent at the site of action or absorption. Gels can be classified based on various characteristics including the nature of solvents used during preparation and the method of cross-linking. The development of novel gel systems for local or systemic drug delivery in a sustained, controlled, and targetable manner has been at the epitome of recent advances in drug delivery systems. Cross-linked gels can be modified by altering their polymer composition and content for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. These modifications have resulted in the development of stimuli-responsive and functionalized dosage forms that offer many advantages for effective dosing of drugs for Central Nervous System (CNS) conditions. In this review, the literature concerning recent advances in cross-linked gels for drug delivery to the CNS are explored. Injectable and non-injectable formulations intended for the treatment of diseases of the CNS together with the impact of recent advances in cross-linked gels on studies involving CNS drug delivery are discussed., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

An effective analytical method is requisite to ensure the accurate identification and quantification of drug(s), either in bulk material or in complex matrices, which form part of finished pharmaceutical products. For the purpose of a pharmaceutical formulation study, it became necessary to have a simple, yet robust and reproducible reversed-phase HPLC method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of lamivudine (3TC), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and dolutegravir sodium (DTG) in bulk form, complex polymeric matrices, and during drug release studies. A suitable method was developed using a Kinetex® C 18 , 250 × 4.6 mm column as stationary phase and a mobile phase consisting of 50 : 50 v/v methanol and water with 1 mL orthophosphoric acid, with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and column temperature maintained at 35°C. A detection wavelength of 260 nm and an injection volume of 10  μ L were used. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guideline Q2 (R 1 ), and the parameters of linearity and range, accuracy, precision, specificity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), robustness, and stability were all determined. Acceptable correlation coefficients for linearity (R 2 ) of >0.998 for each of the three drugs were obtained. The LOD was quantified to be 56.31  μ g/mL, 40.27  μ g/mL, and 7.00  μ g/mL for 3TC, TDF, and DTG, respectively, and the LOQ was quantified as 187.69  μ g/mL, 134.22  μ g/mL, and 22.5  μ g/mL for 3TC, TDF, and DTG, respectively. In relation to all the determined validation parameters, this method proves to be suitable for the accurate identification and quantification of the three ARVs, either alone or in combination, as well as when incorporated into polymeric matrices. Furthermore, the method proves to be suitable to detect degradation of the compounds., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Omobolanle Ayoyinka Omoteso et al.)

Aims: To compare levels of renal hypoxia measured by Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with measured transverse relaxation rate (R2*) and renal structural changes including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in patients with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls., Methods: Cohort study comparing MRI metrics in type 1 diabetes (n = 32, GFR 105 (77, 120) ml/min.1.73m 2 ) and controls (n = 10). Renal function and selected inflammatory renal biomarkers were also measured., Results: For BOLD, we found reduced cortical [14.7 (13.7,15.8) (1/s) vs 15.7 (15.1,16.6) (1/s), p < 0.001] and medullary [24.8 (21.8,28.2) (1/s) vs. 29.3 (24.3,32.4) (1/s), p < 0.001] R2*, indicating more oxygenated parenchyma, in type 1 diabetes vs. controls, respectively. We observed reduced cortical FA, indicating decreased structural integrity in type 1 diabetes -0.04 (-0.07, -0.01), (p = 0.02). We found reduced cortical ADC, reflecting reduced water diffusion, in non-hyperfiltering [2.40 (2.29,2.53) (10 3 mm 2 /s)] versus hyperfiltering [2.61 (2.53,2.74) (10 3 mm 2 /s)] type 1 diabetes patients. MRI parameters correlated with renal function and inflammatory renal biomarkers., Conclusions: MRI derived indices of renal function and structure differed between (i) type 1 diabetes and healthy controls, and (ii) between non-hyperfiltering and hyperfiltering type 1 diabetes patients, providing insight into the role of hypoxia and renal structural, and functional changes in DKD., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, and its declaration as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), the reliance on pharmacists as one of the first points of contact within the healthcare system has been highlighted. This evidence-based review is aimed at providing guidance for pharmacists in community, hospital and other settings in South Africa, on the management of patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19. The situation is rapidly evolving, and new evidence continues to emerge on a daily basis. This guidance document takes into account and includes newly available evidence and recommendations, particularly around the following aspects relating to COVID-19: • Epidemiology • The virus, its modes of transmission and incubation period • Symptom identification, including the differentiation between influenza, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and COVID-19 • Social media myths and misinformation • Treatment guidelines and medicines that may need to be kept in stock • Treatment and prevention options, including an update on vaccine development • The case for and against the use of NSAIDs, ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with COVID-19 • Interventions and patient counselling by the pharmacist. It is critical, though, that pharmacists access the most recent and authoritative information to guide their practice. Key websites that can be relied upon are: • World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel- coronavirus-2019 • National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD): https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases- a-z-index/covid-19/ • National Department of Health (NDoH): http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/ outbreaks/145-corona-virus-outbreak/465-corona-virusoutbreak; https://sacoronavirus. co.za/ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The drug levels and clearances of imipenem in critically ill patients are not comprehensively described in current literature, yet it is vital that adequate levels be achieved for therapeutic success., Objectives: To determine the proportion of critically ill patients treated with imipenem/cilastatin with sub-therapeutic imipenem plasma levels, and to compare the clinical outcomes of those patients with therapeutic levels with those who had sub-therapeutic levels., Methods: Trough imipenem plasma levels of 68 critically ill patients from a surgical intensive care unit were measured using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. Imipenem trough levels were compared with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the causative bacterial agents, based on a target value of 100% time above MIC (¦T &gt;MIC)., Results: The proportion of participants with sub-therapeutic imipenem levels was 22% (95% confidence interval (CI) 13% - 34%). The 14- and 28-day mortality rates in the sub-therapeutic group were 33% and 40%, respectively, compared with 19% (p=0.293) and 26% (p=0.346), respectively, in the therapeutic group. Sub-therapeutic imipenem plasma levels are associated with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.47 (95% CI 0.55 - 3.91)., Conclusions: The lower proportion of critically ill patients with sub-therapeutic imipenem plasma levels in this study compared with previous studies may be attributed to the practice of higher dosages and the administration method of extended infusions of imipenem/cilastatin in our setting. The results demonstrate a trend of higher mortality in patients with sub-therapeutic imipenem levels, although the results were not statistically significant at this sample size.

Despite its simple acquisition technique, the chest X-ray remains the most common first-line imaging tool for chest assessment globally. Recent evidence for image analysis using modern machine learning points to possible improvements in both the efficiency and the accuracy of chest X-ray interpretation. While promising, these machine learning algorithms have not provided comprehensive assessment of findings in an image and do not account for clinical history or other relevant clinical information. However, the rapid evolution in technology and evidence base for its use suggests that the next generation of comprehensive, well-tested machine learning algorithms will be a revolution akin to early advances in X-ray technology. Current use cases, strengths, limitations and applications of chest X-ray machine learning systems are discussed., (© 2021 Annalise-AI. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.)

Experiencing migration can create or exacerbate vulnerability to ill health, particularly during pregnancy and new motherhood. Providing a culturally appropriate health literacy intervention to new migrant families may increase social support and the skills and confidence to access health care services and information. This study developed and piloted a health literacy intervention, in the form of culturally redesigned new parent classes, in a culturally diverse location in Australia. The intervention was delivered over a 4-week period by Child and Family Health Nurses, with the help of interpreters and Bilingual Community Researchers, to Bangladeshi and Mandarin-speaking Chinese mothers and grandmothers with a baby age 0 to 1 year. A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to measure (1) recruitment and attendance of participants, (2) feasibility of the intervention, (3) health literacy of participants, and (4) provider understanding of barriers to health care access. Thirty participants were recruited, and 18 women attended at least three of the four group sessions. Nurses viewed the program as being within the scope of their usual role, demonstrating intervention feasibility. Health literacy scores were higher post-intervention than pre-intervention. Nurses described having increased awareness of barriers to health care access after facilitating the intervention. The program has potential to be scaled up to other areas and languages. [ HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice . 2021;5(3):e201-e207.] .

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is increasingly being used as a standard diagnostic test for dogs with suspected abdominal pathology. The iodinated contrast dose is commonly calculated based on linear increases in total body weight. However, body fat is not metabolically active and contributes little to dispersing or diluting the contrast medium in the blood. The aim of this retrospective single-center analytic study was to investigate the possible correlation between abdominal organ and vessel enhancement, and abdominal fat percentage in dogs. We hypothesized that, when dosing intravenous iodinated contrast according to total body weight, there would be a positive association between the degree of contrast enhancement of selected organs and vessels with increasing abdominal fat percentage. Vascular and parenchymal attenuation data were collected from 62 multiphasic abdominal CECT scans performed on dogs over a 5-year period at U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital between February 2014 and February 2019. Findings based on a linear regression model showed a positive association of aorta (P = .005), liver (P = .045), and portal vein (P = .001) enhancement to abdominal fat percentage during the portal venous phase. Authors recommend that other body size parameters, such as lean body weight, should be considered when calculating iodine dose for abdominal contrast-enhanced CT in dogs., (© 2021 American College of Veterinary Radiology.)

Introduction: Patients with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy are at increased risk for iatrogenic osteoporosis, minimal trauma fractures and reduced bone density. We created a high risk osteoporosis clinic to manage patients at risk for these complications. A quality improvement initiative involving a best practice advisory and provider education program was implemented to enhance care of patients with prostate cancer., Methods: Fishbone diagrams were constructed to reveal causes of suboptimal bone health management. A best practice advisory was created for gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist orders in the Epic electronic medical record to encourage referrals to the high risk osteoporosis clinic. Discussions were held with urology clinic staff regarding fracture risk. Referral rates were assessed via periodic chart reviews., Results: Baseline referral rate to the high risk osteoporosis clinic was 4%. Final review indicated that 113 patients with prostate cancer were seen in the urology clinic from March 2017 to April 2018, of whom 67 were referred to the high risk osteoporosis clinic. At the end of the study period the referral rate had increased to 59%. Among the 113 patients 32 received antiresorptive therapy, 75% of whom had been referred to the high risk osteoporosis clinic. Of 67 patients referred to the clinic 48 had dual energy x-ray absorptiometry completed or pending and 50 had vitamin D levels obtained or pending. Of 46 patients not referred to the clinic 7 had dual energy x-ray absorptiometry completed and 3 had vitamin D levels obtained or pending., Conclusions: Use of a best practice advisory and urology nursing staff education program increased high risk osteoporosis clinic referrals. A higher proportion of patients referred to the clinic had bone health monitored compared to patients without this referral.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, and its declaration as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), the reliance on pharmacists as one of the first points of contact within the healthcare system has been highlighted. This evidence-based review is aimed at providing guidance for pharmacists in community, hospital and other settings in South Africa, on the management of patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19. The situation is rapidly evolving, and new evidence continues to emerge on a daily basis. This guidance document takes into account and includes newly available evidence and recommendations, particularly around the following aspects relating to COVID-19: EpidemiologyThe virus, its modes of transmission and incubation periodSymptom identification, including the differentiation between influenza, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and COVID-19Social media myths and misinformationTreatment guidelines and medicines that may need to be kept in stockTreatment and prevention options, including an update on vaccine developmentThe case for and against the use of NSAIDs, ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with COVID-19Interventions and patient counselling by the pharmacist. It is critical, though, that pharmacists access the most recent and authoritative information to guide their practice. Key websites that can be relied upon are: World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD): https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/covid-19/National Department of Health (NDoH): http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/outbreaks/145-corona-virus-outbreak/465-corona-virus-outbreak; https://sacoronavirus.co.za/., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (© 2020. The Authors.)

Two new fluorescence imaging probes have been synthesized by incorporating a versatile alkyne-substituted boron difluoride formazanate precursor with peptides through copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition. The formazanate dye was appended to a C-terminal amino acid of ghrelin for imaging the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR-1a). To demonstrate versatile bioconjugation chemistry, the formazanate dye was added to the N-terminus of bombesin for targeting the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR). These are the first examples of using this emerging class of dyes, boron difluoride formazanates, for the labelling of biomolecules., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Background: Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) is a serious pest and a carrier of tospoviruses in major agricultural crops. This species is a historical and unresolved species complex that contains genetically different cryptic species across the globe., Methods and Results: DNA barcodes were generated from freshly collected specimens of F. schultzei from India and Australia using the sanger sequencing. Seventy-five COI sequences were generated from India and Australia. Moreover, 318 sequences were downloaded (India, Australia, Pakistan, and Africa) from the NCBI GenBank to explore the genetic diversity and phylogeny. The minimum and maximum mean interspecific distance between 393 sequences was found to be 7.97% and 21.50%, respectively. Bayesian and Neighbour joining clustering indicated the presence of five putative species within F. schultzei that had sympatry and allopatry. Moreover, 20 haplotypes and 140 polymorphic sites were identified. The African clade is unique; it does not share haplotypes with any other countries, suggesting it may represent the true F. schultzei. Haplotype network analysis showed shallow gene flow and deep genetic variation between the populations. Signatures of recent population history events were measured using Fu's Fs test and Tajima's D test. Morphometric analysis based on seven characters is also carried out., Conclusion: Phylogeny and genetic distance revealed the presence of five putative species within F. schultzei. On the contrary, morphology does not unequivocally corroborate the phylogenetic results, as morphometric analysis showed overlap among these clades. To resolve F. schultzei species complex, whole genome-based sequencing data are very much necessitated., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. Ethical approval: No prior and specific permission was required for thrips specimen collection and experimental study. Since, they being common pests of agricultural fields. Privately owned or protected areas were not trespassed for the collection of these specimen., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)