Treatment of acute otitis externa with ciprofloxacin otic 0.2% antibiotic ear solution

R Mösges, M Nematian-Samani, A EichelInstitute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, GermanyBackground/objective: An inflammation of the cutis and subcutis of the external auditory canal is a primary symptom in cases of acute otitis externa. It is usually treated locally, since this type of therapy ensures a high concentration of the drug and interacts at the site of inflammation with no systemic effects. This systematic review compares the efficacy of treatment using a ciprofloxacin 0.2% solution with other therapeutic options.Methods: After compiling a catalog of search terms, medical databases were searched systematically for randomized, controlled studies. This search initially yielded a total of 38 studies which were then evaluated by three independent reviewers. The number of studies was subsequently reduced to 14: six studies using a ciprofloxacin 0.2% solution, and eight studies using both 0.2% and 0.3% solutions.Results: The studies included in the review demonstrate the statistical equivalence between the ciprofloxacin solution (0.2%) and the reference products PNH (a combination of polymyxin B, neomycin sulfate and hydrocortisone), auriculum powder, and a ciprofloxacin foam with respect to the cure rate. The research groups consistently observed high in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Conclusion: This systematic review confirms the hypothesis of ciprofloxacin's noninferiority in the treatment of otitis externa, in terms of the cure rate and microbiological eradication.Keywords: otitis externa, ciprofloxacin, antibiotic, ear solution, efficac

Разработка имитационной модели системы управления горизонтальным сепаратором установки подготовки нефти

Объектом исследования является система управления горизонтальным сепаратором установки подготовки нефти. Цель работы: создание имитационной модели системы управления горизонтальным сепаратором. Данная работа направлена на исследование методов настройки ПИД-регулятора системы управления горизонтальным сепаратором установки нефти. Проведен сравнительный анализ полученных результатов моделирования в ППП Matlab для определения наиболее эффективного метода настройки. Разработана имитационная модель системы в пакете Unisim Design.The object of study is a horizontal separator control system for an oil treatment unit. Purpose of work: creating a simulation model of a horizontal separator control system. This work is aimed at the study of tuning methods for the PID controller of the horizontal separator control system of an oil installation. A comparative analysis of the obtained simulation results in the Matlab software was carried out to determine the most effective tuning method. A simulation model of the system in the Unisim Design package has been developed

Феномен мема в цифровом обществе как предмет осмысления: социально-философский анализ

Глобальная трансформация цифрового общества сопровождается не только проникновением интернет-коммуникации во все сферы жизнедеятельности общества, но и глубоким переосмыслением коммуникативной природы социальной реальности. Коммуникации сегодня - это общий мир значимых объектов и событий, наши чувства и мысли, наши способы выражения этих социально выстраиваемых реальностей формируют коммуникативное пространство.The global transformation of the digital society is accompanied not only by the penetration of Internet communication into all spheres of society, but also by a deep rethinking of the communicative nature of social reality. Communication today is a common world of significant objects and events, our feelings and thoughts, our ways of expressing these socially constructed realities form a communicative space

Персональная система управления вниманием в интеллектуальных видах деятельности

В данной работе описывается процесс разработки персональной системы управления вниманием в интеллектуальных видах деятельности. Объектом исследования является концентрация внимания, а также способы её улучшения реализуемые посредством объекта промышленного дизайна.This paper describes the process of developing a personal attention management system in intellectual activities. The object of research is the concentration of attention, as well as ways to improve it, implemented through the object of industrial design

Update about Oralair® as a treatment for grass pollen allergic rhinitis

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective approach to treating allergic rhinitis (AR). Oralair (R) is a five-grass pollen SLIT tablet containing natural pollen allergens from five of the major grass species responsible for seasonal AR due to grass pollen allergy. Recommended use is in a pre-coseasonal regimen, starting daily treatment approximately 4 months before the start of the pollen season, with treatment then continued daily throughout the season; treatment should continue for 3-5 y. Clinical efficacy and safety of Oralair (R) in patients with grass pollen-induced AR has been demonstrated in a comprehensive clinical development program of randomized controlled trials. Effectiveness has been substantiated in subsequent observational studies with sustained efficacy following treatment cessation and a favorable level of adherence, quality of life, benefit, and satisfaction for the patients. Supportive evidence for a benefit in reducing the risk or delaying the development of allergic asthma is emerging

Modern Techniques for Memorizing Foreign Words

The article describes a comparative experiment studying the efficiency of five popular techniques which improve people's ability to memorize foreign words. The best results were achieved using two techniques: watching English movies with subtitles and writing letters in English

Синтез новых ацильных производных бетулина

В рамках бакалаврской работы проводились новые химические превращения объекта исследования – бетулина – действием оксикарбоновой (молочной) кислоты.As part of the bachelor's work, new chemical transformations of the object of study — betulin — were performed by the action of hydroxycarboxylic (lactic) aci

Major Allergen Content in Allergen Immunotherapy Products: The Limited Value of Numbers

The prevalence of allergic disorders has increased drastically over the last 50 years to the extent that they can be considered epidemic. At present, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only therapy that targets the underlying cause of allergic disorders, and evidence of its superiority is based on data accumulated from clinical trials and observational studies demonstrating efficacy and safety. However, several aspects remain unresolved, such as harmonization and standardization of manufacturing and quantification procedures across manufacturers, homogeneous reporting of strength, and the establishment of international reference standards for many allergens. This article discusses issues related to the measurement of major allergen content in AIT extracts, raising the question of whether comparison of products from different manufacturers is an appropriate basis for selecting a specific AIT product. Allergen standardization in immunotherapy products is critical for ensuring quality and, thereby, safety and efficacy. However, lack of harmonization in manufacturing processes, allergen quantification (methodologies and references), national regulatory differences, clinical practice, and labeling shows that the comparison of AIT products based solely on major allergen amounts is not rational and, in fact, impossible. Moreover, when rating the information given for a specific product, it is necessary to take into account further inherent characteristics of products and their application in clinical practice, such as the state of extract modification, addition of adjuvant or adjuvant system, route of administration (sublingual/ subcutaneous), and cumulative dose as per posology (including the volume per administration). Finally, only convincing clinical data can serve as the basis for product-specific evaluation and cross-product comparability of individual products

State‐of‐the‐art in marketed adjuvants and formulations in Allergen Immunotherapy: a position paper of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)

Since the introduction of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) over 100 years ago, focus has been on standardization of allergen extracts, with reliable molecular composition of allergens receiving the highest attention. While adjuvants play a major role in European AIT, they have been less well studied. In this Position Paper we summarize current unmet needs of adjuvants in AIT citing current evidence. Four adjuvants are used in products marketed in Europe: aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)3) is the most frequently used adjuvant, with microcrystalline tyrosine (MCT), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and calcium phosphate (CaP) used less frequently. Recent studies on humans, and using mouse models, have characterized in part the mechanisms of action of adjuvants on pre‐existing immune responses. AIT differs from prophylactic vaccines that provoke immunity to infectious agents, as in allergy the patient is pre‐sensitized to the allergen. The intended mode of action of adjuvants is to simultaneously enhance the immunogenicity of the allergen, while precipitating the allergen at the injection site to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis. Contrasting immune effects are seen with different adjuvants. Aluminium hydroxide initially boosts Th2 responses, while the other adjuvants utilised in AIT redirect the Th2 immune response toward Th1 immunity. After varying lengths of time, each of the adjuvants supports tolerance. Further studies of the mechanisms of action of adjuvants may advise shorter treatment periods than the current three‐to‐five‐year regimens, enhancing patient adherence. Improved lead compounds from the adjuvant pipeline are under development and are explored for their capacity to fill this unmet need

Liposomes: a new non-pharmacological therapy concept for seasonal-allergic-rhinoconjunctivitis

Mucosal barrier disorders play an important role in the pathomechanism of the allergic disease. A new approach for their treatment uses liposomes, which consist of phospholipids that make up 75% of the protective nasal surfactant layer. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of liposomal-based therapy, as a comprehensive treatment alternative to guideline cromoglycate-based therapy, in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR). We compared nasal and conjunctival symptom reduction with LipoNasal n nasal spray used as monotherapy (LNM), or LipoNasal n nasal spray and Tears Again eye spray combination therapy (LTC), against standard cromoglycate combination therapy (CGC). This prospective, controlled, open observational study was conducted monocentrically. According to their symptoms and preferences 72 patients with SAR were distributed in three equal groups. The study comprised two visits at an interval of 7 days. The efficacy was examined by daily documenting nasal and conjunctival symptom scores. The Nasal-Spray-Sensory-Scale and the Eye-Drops/Spray-Sensory-Scale were used to investigate the tolerability. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated, using the RHINASTHMA QoL German adapted version. LNM achieved significant improvement in nasal (p < 0.001) and conjunctival symptoms (p = 0.050). The symptom reduction using CGC was equally significant. LTC led to significant nasal symptom relief (p = 0.045). QoL did not improve significantly in all groups (p > 0.05). The tolerability of all treatments was good and no adverse reactions were observed. In all treatment groups the improvement of the nasal and conjunctival symptom scores exceeds the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The results demonstrate good tolerability and efficacy of non-pharmaceutical liposomal-based treatment (LipoNasal n and Tears Again), given as monotherapy or combination therapy, for nasal and conjunctival symptoms caused by SAR. This study indicates that liposomal-based treatment for SAR may be a comparable alternative to cromoglycate therapy. Further studies are needed to verify these findings