Disengagement from Care Among People Co-Infected with HIV and HCV: A Scoping Review.

Disengagement from care among people with HIV (PWH) and hepatitis C (HCV) increases the risks of adverse health outcomes and poses significant barriers to achieving global HIV and HCV elimination goals. In accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, a scoping review was conducted to synthesize and highlight existing gaps in the literature on (dis)engagement in care among PWH and HCV. We searched for original studies on (dis)engagement in care among PWH and HCV in high-income countries using eight electronic databases from inception to May 2023. Our search yielded 4462 non-duplicated records, which were scoped to 27 studies. Definitions of (dis)engagement in care were diverse, with considerable heterogeneity in how retention was operationalized and temporally measured. Studies identified predictors of (dis)engagement to be related to drug and substance use (n = 5 articles), clinical factors (n = 5), social and welfare (n = 4), and demographic characteristics (n = 2). When engagement in care was treated as an exposure, it was associated with HCV treatment initiation (n = 3), achieving sustained virological response (n = 2), and maintaining HIV viral suppression (n = 1). Interventions to improve care engagement among PWH and HCV were limited to five studies using cash incentives (n = 1) and individual case management (n = 4). (Dis)engagement in care is a dynamic process influenced by shifting priorities that may 'tip the balance' towards or away from regularly interacting with healthcare professionals. However, inconsistent definitions render cross-study comparisons and meta-analyses virtually impossible. Further research needs to establish a standardized definition to identify patients at high risk of disengagement and develop interventions that leverage the nested HIV/HCV care cascades to retain and recover patients lost from care.

Family and community resilience: a Photovoice study.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), in combination with adverse community environments, can result in traumatic stress reactions, increasing a person's risk for chronic physical and mental health conditions. Family resilience refers to the ability of families to withstand and rebound from adversity; it involves coping with disruptions as well as positive growth in the face of sudden or challenging life events, trauma, or adversities. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to family and community resilience from the perspective of families who self-identified as having a history of adversity and being resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study used Photovoice, a visual participatory research method which asks participants to take photographs to illustrate their responses to a research question. Participants consisted of a maximum variation sample of families who demonstrated family level resilience in the context of the pair of ACEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Family members were asked to collect approximately five images or videos that illustrated the facilitators and barriers to well-being for their family in their community. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted using the SHOWeD framework to allow participants to share and elucidate the meaning of their photos. Using thematic analysis, two researchers then independently completed line-by-line coding of interview transcripts before collaborating to develop consensus regarding key themes and interpretations. RESULTS: Nine families were enrolled in the study. We identified five main themes that enhanced family resilience: (1) social support networks; (2) factors fostering children's development; (3) access and connection to nature; (4) having a space of one's own; and (5) access to social services and community resources. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of additional stresses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resilient behaviours and strategies for families were identified. The creation or development of networks of intra- and inter-community bonds; the promotion of accessible parenting, housing, and other social services; and the conservation and expansion of natural environments may support resilience and health.

Simple and high sample throughput LC/ESI-MS/MS method for bioequivalence study of prazosin, a drug with risk of orthostatic hypotension.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to develop a rapid, simple and sensitive LC/ESI-MS/MS method to measure prazosin concentration in human plasma and apply bedside sampling in bioequivalence study of two prazosin tablets to resolve the adverse effect of orthostatic hypotension. SIGNIFICANCE: The LC/ESI-MS/MS prazosin method was highly sensitive and selective. Bedside sampling reduced the orthostatic hypotension incidence and subject dropout rate. METHODS: After sample preparation, prazosin and terazosin (IS) were detected on mass spectrometer operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode using positive ionization. Mobile phase flow rate was set at 0.40 mL/min with sample run time of 1.75 min. The bioanalytical method was validated as per EMEA and FDA guidelines. Bedside sampling was performed in bioequivalence study for the first 4 h after dosing. The three primary pharmacokinetic parameters, Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ and 90% confidence interval were determined. RESULTS: The small injection volume of 1 µL minimized instrumentation contamination and prolonged the analytical column lifespan. Linearity was obtained between 0.5 and 30.0 ng/mL, with coefficient of determination, r2 ≥ 0.99. The mean extraction recovery of prazosin and IS was >92%, with precision value (CV, %) ≤ 10.3%. Only two orthostatic hypotension adverse events were reported. The two prazosin formulations were found to be bioequivalent. CONCLUSION: The LC/ESI-MS/MS method has shown robustness and reliability exemplified by the incurred sample re-analysis result. Bedside sampling should be proposed for bioequivalence or pharmacokinetic studies of drugs demonstrating adverse event of orthostatic hypotension.

Fast and Sensitive HPLC-ESI-MS/MS Method for Etoricoxib Quantification in Human Plasma and Application to Bioequivalence Study.

Etoricoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation. The objective of the current study was to develop a sensitive, fast and high-throughput HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method to measure etoricoxib levels in human plasma using a one-step methanol protein precipitation technique. A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source operated in a positive mode and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) were used for data collection. The quantitative MRM transition ions were m/z 359.15 > 279.10 and m/z 363.10 > 282.10 for etoricoxib and IS. The linear range was from 10.00 to 4000.39 ng/mL and the validation parameters were within the acceptance limits of the European Medicine Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Analysis (FDA) guidelines. The present method was sensitive (10.00 ng/mL with S/N > 40), simple, selective (K prime > 2), and fast (short run time of 2 min), with negligible matrix effect and consistent recovery, suitable for high throughput analysis. The method was used to quantitate etoricoxib plasma concentrations in a bioequivalence study of two 120 mg etoricoxib formulations. Incurred sample reanalysis results further supported that the method was robust and reproducible.

Development of LC-MS/MS method and application to bioequivalence study of a light sensitive drug montelukast.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop a simple, highthroughput and sensitive LC-MS/MS method and apply to a bioequivalence study of montelukast, a light sensitive drug. METHOD: The effects of organic modifiers in mobile phase, protein precipitation agent to plasma sample ratio, and light on montelukast stability in unprocessed and processed human plasma, were evaluated. Validation was conducted in accordance with European Medicines Agency Guideline on bioanalytical method validation. RESULTS: No interference peak was observed when acetonitrile was used as an organic modifier. Acetonitrile to plasma ratio of 4:1 produced clean plasma sample. Approximately 3 % of cis isomer was detected in unprocessed plasma samples while 21 % of cis isomer was detected in processed plasma samples after exposing to fluorescent light for 24h. The standard calibration curve was linear over 3.00-1200.00 ng/mL. All method validation parameters were within the acceptance criteria. CONCLUSION: The validated method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of two montelukast formulations involving 24 healthy Malaysian volunteers. The light stability of a light sensitive drug in unprocessed and processed human plasma samples should be studied prior to pharmacokinetic/bioequivalence studies. Measures could then be taken to protect the analyte in human plasma from light degradation.

In Utero Transfer of Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors Produces Long-Term Factor IX Levels in a Cynomolgus Macaque Model.

The safe correction of an inherited bleeding disorder in utero prior to the onset of organ damage is highly desirable. Here, we report long-term transgene expression over more than 6 years without toxicity following a single intrauterine gene transfer (IUGT) at 0.9G using recombinant adeno-associated vector (AAV)-human factor IX (hFIX) in the non-human primate model we have previously described. Four of six treated animals monitored for around 74 months expressed hFIX at therapeutic levels (3.9%-120.0%). Long-term expression was 6-fold higher in males and with AAV8 compared to AAV5, mediated almost completely at this stage by random genome-wide hepatic proviral integrations, with no evidence of hotspots. Post-natal AAV challenge without immunosuppression was evaluated in two animals exhibiting chronic low transgene expression. The brief neutralizing immune reaction elicited had no adverse effect and, although expression was not improved at the dose administered, no clinical toxicity was observed. This long-term surveillance thus confirms the safety of late-gestation AAV-hFIX transfer and demonstrates that postnatal re-administration can be performed without immunosuppression, although it requires dose optimization for the desired expression. Nevertheless, eventual vector genotoxicity and the possibility of germline transmission will require lifelong monitoring and further evaluation of the reproductive function of treated animals.

Characterization of the histone methyltransferase PRDM9 using biochemical, biophysical and chemical biology techniques.

PRDM proteins have emerged as important regulators of disease and developmental processes. To gain insight into the mechanistic actions of the PRDM family, we have performed comprehensive characterization of a prototype member protein, the histone methyltransferase PRDM9, using biochemical, biophysical and chemical biology techniques. In the present paper we report the first known molecular characterization of a PRDM9-methylated recombinant histone octamer and the identification of new histone substrates for the enzyme. A single C321P mutant of the PR/SET domain was demonstrated to significantly weaken PRDM9 activity. Additionally, we have optimized a robust biochemical assay amenable to high-throughput screening to facilitate the generation of small-molecule chemical probes for this protein family. The present study has provided valuable insight into the enzymology of an intrinsically active PRDM protein.

Simultaneous quantification of sildenafil and N-desmethyl sildenafil in human plasma by UFLC coupled with ESI-MS/MS and pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies in Malay population.

A simple, rapid, specific and reliable UFLC coupled with ESI-MSMS assay method to simultaneously quantify sildenafil and N-desmethyl sildenafil, with loperamide as internal standard, was developed. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Thermo Scientific Accucore C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase composed of 0.1% v/v formic acid in purified water-methanol (20:80, v/v), at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Sildenafil, N-desmethyl sildenafil and loperamide were detected with proton adducts at m/z 475.4 > 58.2, 461.3 > 85.2 and 477.0 > 266.1 in multiple reaction monitoring positive mode, respectively. Both analytes and internal standard were extracted by diethyl ether. The method was validated over a linear concentration range of 10-800 ng/mL for sildenafil and 10-600 ng/mL for N-desmethyl sildenafil with correlation coefficient (r(2) ) ≥0.9976 for sildenafil and (r(2) ) ≥0.9992 for N-desmethyl sildenafil. The method was precise, accurate and stable. The proposed method was applied to study the bioequivalence between a 100 mg dose of two pharmaceutical products: Viagra (original) and Edyfil (generic) products. AUC0-t , Cmax and Tmax were 2285.79 ng h/mL, 726.10 ng/mL and 0.94 h for Viagra and 2363.25 ng h/mL, 713.91 ng/mL and 0.83 hour for Edyfil. The 90% confidence interval of these parameters of this study fall within the regulatory range of 80-125%, hence they are considered as bioequivalent.

Taste-masked and affordable donepezil hydrochloride orally disintegrating tablet as promising solution for non-compliance in Alzheimer's disease patients.

CONTEXT: Manufacturing process and superdisintegrants used in orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formulation are often time discussed. However, the effect of suitable filler for ODT formulation is not explored thoroughly. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a novel taste masked and affordable donepezil hydrochloride ODT with fast disintegration time and stable to improve medication compliance of Alzheimer's disease patient. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The ODT was manufactured using simple wet-granulation method. Crospovidone XL-10 was used as superdisintegrant and optimization was done by comparing the effect of three grades of lactose monohydrate compound as filler: Starlac®, Flowlac® and Tablettose®. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Formulations containing higher amount of colloidal silicon dioxide showed increase in hardness, weight, disintegration time and wetting time after stability study. Formulation E which containing 50% of Starlac® was found with shortest in vitro disintegration time (21.7 ± 1.67 s), in vivo disintegration time (24.0 ± 1.05 s) and in vitro disintegration time in artificial salvia (22.5 ± 1.67 s). Physical stability studies at 40 °C/75% RH for 6 months, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and X-ray diffraction results showed that the formulation was stable. The drug-released profile showed that 80% of donepezil hydrochloride was released within 1 min. A single-dose, fasting, four-period, seven-treatment, double-blinded study involving 16 healthy human volunteers was performed to evaluate the palatability of ODT. Formulation VII containing 10 mg of ammonium glycyrrhizinate was able to mask the bitter taste of the drug. CONCLUSION: The product has the potential to be commercialized and it might serve as solution for non-compliance among the Alzheimer's disease patients.

Improved protein deproteinization method for the determination of meloxicam in human plasma and application in pharmacokinetic study.

A simple, rapid, specific and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic assay of meloxicam in human plasma has been developed using a C18 reversed-phase analytical column. Reversed-phase chromatography was conducted using a mobile phase of 0.02 potassium dihydrogen phosphate (adjusted to pH 2.7 with phosphoric acid)-acetonitrile-triethylamine (35:65:0.05, v/v) with UV detection at 354 nm. The drug in human plasma was deproteinized using a combination of methanol and chloroform. This method is simple, rapid and consistent with a high recovery of meloxicam in human plasma ranging from 93.29 to 111.09%. Regression analysis for the calibration plot for plasma standards obtained for the drug concentrations between (25-4000) ng/mL indicated excellent linearity (r ≥ 0.9997). The proposed method was applied to study the bioequivalence between Mobic (original) and Melocam (generic) products. The study was conducted on using two tablets (4 × 7.5 mg) of each of the commercial product and the reference standard in a two-way open randomized crossover design involving 20 volunteers. Area under the concentration-time curve, peak concentration (C(max)) and time to reach C(max) were 72,868.61 ng h/mL, 2133.93 ng/mL and 4.06 h for Mobic, and 78,352.52 ng h/mL, 2525.18 ng/mL and 3.61 h for Melocam. Two C(max) were discovered in the pharmacokinetic profiles which confirm enterohepatic recirculation.

Randomized two-way cross-over bioequivalence study of two amoxicillin formulations and inter-ethnicity pharmacokinetic variation in healthy Malay volunteers.

The objectives of this study were to develop a new deproteinization method to extract amoxicillin from human plasma and evaluate the inter-ethnic variation of amoxicillin pharmacokinetics in healthy Malay volunteers. A single-dose, randomized, fasting, two-period, two-treatment, two-sequence crossover, open-label bioequivalence study was conducted in 18 healthy Malay adult male volunteers, with one week washout period. The drug concentration in the sample was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (UV-vis HPLC). The mean (standard deviation) pharmacokinetic parameter results of Moxilen® were: peak concentration (Cmax ), 6.72 (1.56) µg/mL; area under the concentration-time graph (AUC0-8 ), 17.79 (4.29) µg/mL h; AUC0-∞ , 18.84 (4.62) µg/mL h. Those of YSP Amoxicillin® capsule were: Cmax , 6.69 (1.44) µg/mL; AUC0-8 , 18.69 (3.78) µg/mL h; AUC00-∞ , 19.95 (3.81) µg/mL h. The 90% confidence intervals for the logarithmic transformed Cmax , AUC0-8 and AUC0-∞ of Moxilen® vs YSP Amoxicillin® capsule was between 0.80 and 1.25. Both Cmax and AUC met the predetermined criteria for assuming bioequivalence. Both formulations were well tolerated. The results showed significant inter-ethnicity variation in pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin. The Cmax and AUC of amoxicillin in Malay population were slightly lower compared with other populations.

Effect of polymer, plasticizer and filler on orally disintegrating film.

CONTEXT: Difficulty in swallowing tablets or capsules has been identified as one of the contributing factors to non-compliance of geriatric patients. Although orally disintegrating tablet was designed for fast disintegration in mouth, the fear of taking solid tablets and the risk of choking for certain patient populations still exist. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop and characterize orally disintegrating film (ODF), which was prepared using different combinations of polymers, plasticizers and fillers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effects of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), glycerin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), mannitol and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) on physical property of ODF formed were studied. The ODF was prepared using the solvent casting method. RESULTS: Increase in HPMC concentration formed ODF with greater tensile strength. Incorporation of plasticizer (PEG 400 and glycerin) reduced tensile strength but increased elasticity of the ODF formed. PVP increased both tensile strength and elasticity of the ODF. Increase in MCC:mannitol ratio reduced the tensile strength and elasticity of the ODF. Disintegration time of film decreased corresponding to decrease in tensile strength of the film. Formulation R with the optimum tensile strength (13.10 N/mm(2)), bending flexibility (40 times) and disintegration time (41.50 s) was chosen as final formulation. A total of 80% of the drug was released within five minutes and the ODF was stable at least for one year actual condition. CONCLUSION: An ODF containing donepezil HCl was developed and characterized. The donepezil HCl ODF has the potential to improve the compliance of Alzheimer disease patients.

Three-ways crossover bioequivalence study of cephalexin in healthy Malay volunteers.

CONTEXT: Although the general pharmacokinetics of cephalexin is quite established up-to-date, however, no population-based study on Cephalexin pharmacokinetics profile in Malay population has been reported yet in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and to compare the bioavailability of three cephalexin products, Ospexin® versus MPI Cephalexin® tablet and MPI Cephalexin® capsule, in healthy Malay ethnic male volunteers in Malaysia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A single dose, randomized, fasting, three-period, three-treatment, three-sequence crossover, open label bioequivalence study was conducted in 24 healthy Malay adult male volunteers, with 1 week washout period. The drug concentration in the sample was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULT: The mean (SD) pharmacokinetic parameter results of Ospexin® were Cmax, 17.39 (4.15) µg/mL; AUC0-6, 28.90 (5.70) µg/mL * h; AUC0-∞, 30.07 (5.94) µg/mL * h; while, those of MPI Cephalexin® tablet were Cmax, 18.29 (3.01) µg/mL; AUC0-6, 30.02 (4.80) µg/mL * h; AUC00-∞, 31.33 (5.18) µg/mL * h and MPI Cephalexin® capsule were Cmax, 18.25 (3.92) µg/mL; AUC0-6, 30.04 (5.13) µg/mL * h; AUC0-∞, 31.22 (5.29) µg/mL * h. CONCLUSION: The 90% confidence intervals for the logarithmic transformed Cmax, AUC0-6 and AUC0-∞, of Ospexin® versus MPI Cephalexin® tablet and Ospexin® versus MPI Cephalexin® capsule were between 0.80 and 1.25. Both Cmax and AUC met the predetermined criteria for assuming bioequivalence. The pharmacokinetic profile of cephalexin in Malay population does not vary much from other world population.

Effect of deprotenizing agent and quantification of donepezil hydrochloride in human plasma.

The effect of deprotenizing agents on recovery of donepezil hydrochloride in the development of a simple, rapid, selective and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of donepezil hydrochloride in human plasma was described. The deprotenizing agents were comprised of, perchloric acid, methanol, acetonitrile, chloroform and their mixtures. The chromatographic separation was carried out using reversed phase C18 column (Agilent Eclipse Plus C18) with UV detection at 268 nm. The mobile phase was comprised of 0.01 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer, methanol and acetronitrile (50:30:20, v/v) adjusted to pH 2.7 with phosphoric acid (80%). A combination of perchloric acid and methanol gave a cleaner sample with a good recovery of donepezil hydrochloride of above 96%. The method showed intraday precision and accuracy in the range of 6.82% to 1.5% and 3.13% to 1.12% respectively, while interday precision and accuracy ranged between 1.06% to 4.71% and 13.01% to 6.43% respectively. The standard calibration curve was linear from 30ng/mL to 4000ng/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9965±0.0034. The retention time of donepezil was 5.9 min with a run time of 7.0 min. The method can be applied to analyze large batch plasma samples in pharmacokinetic studies.

Isolation to stabilization: A Housing First approach to address homelessness in Kingston, Ontario.

SETTING: Homelessness is a significant and growing public health concern across Canada. In Kingston, Ontario, the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness has more than doubled from 136 people in 2020 to 296 in 2023. INTERVENTION: An emergency shelter-in-place hotel program was established in April 2020 to provide non-congregate shelter to people experiencing homelessness and vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infections. Beyond preventing COVID transmission, the unintentional consequence was that a population that experienced chronic homelessness reduced drug consumption and became stable. In 2022, with increased funding from the Ministry of Health and the City of Kingston, a new Housing First program was implemented to transition individuals from homelessness to long-term stable housing. OUTCOMES: Between November 2022 and June 2023, a total of 34 clients initiated the program. Of these clients, 10 completed the program and were successfully housed, 10 remained active participants, and 14 were discharged before completion. Strengths and challenges were identified. Diverse services provided to meet the population's needs and strong collaborations with various community partners were facilitating factors. Inadequate external resources, a lack of evening and prosocial activities, and outside peers (not part of the program) who influenced recovery plans were identified as challenges. IMPLICATIONS: This program illustrates that simultaneously integrating housing, community building, mental health, and addiction services is possible and provides an innovative way to stabilize this vulnerable population of people experiencing homelessness. Results from this program and the knowledge generated through implementation are being used to further scale up the program.

RéSUMé: LIEU: Le sans-abrisme est un problème de santé publique important et en croissance au Canada. À Kingston, en Ontario, le nombre de personnes aux prises avec le sans-abrisme chronique a plus que doublé entre 2020 et 2023, passant de 136 à 296 personnes. INTERVENTION: Un programme d'abri d'urgence à l'hôtel mis en place en avril 2020 fournit un abri non collectif aux personnes aux prises avec le sans-abrisme vulnérables aux infections par le SRAS-CoV-2. En plus de prévenir la transmission de la COVID, ce programme a eu un effet inattendu : la population aux prises avec le sans-abrisme chronique a réduit sa consommation de drogue et s'est stabilisée. En 2022, grâce à un financement accru du ministère de la Santé et de la Ville de Kingston, un nouveau programme (Logement d'abord) a été mis en œuvre pour faciliter la transition des personnes sans abri vers un logement stable à long terme. RéSULTATS: Entre novembre 2022 et juin 2023, 34 personnes se sont inscrites à Logement d'abord. Dix d'entre elles ont terminé le programme et ont été logées avec succès, 10 y participent encore activement, et 14 en sont sorties avant la fin. Nous avons cerné les forces et les limites du programme. Les facteurs favorables ont été la gamme de services fournis en réponse aux besoins de la population et les liens de collaboration solides avec divers partenaires associatifs. Les limites du programme ont été le manque de ressources externes, l'absence d'activités prosociales et en soirée et l'influence des pairs de l'extérieur (non inscrits au programme) sur les plans de rétablissement des usagères et des usagers. CONSéQUENCES: Ce programme montre qu'il est possible d'intégrer simultanément le logement, la solidarité sociale, la santé mentale et les services en toxicomanie, et que c'est un moyen novateur de stabiliser cette population vulnérable aux prises avec le sans-abrisme. Les résultats du programme et les connaissances apportées par sa réalisation serviront à le reproduire à plus grande échelle.

Mobile apps to reduce depressive symptoms and alcohol use in youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis: A systematic review.

Background: Among youth, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and alcohol use are associated with considerable illness and disability. Youth face many personal and health system barriers in accessing mental health care. Mobile applications (apps) offer youth potentially accessible, scalable, and anonymous therapy and other support. Recent systematic reviews on apps to reduce mental health symptoms among youth have reported uncertain effectiveness, but analyses based on the type of app-delivered therapy are limited. Objectives: We conducted this systematic review with youth co-researchers to ensure that this review addressed the questions that were most important to them. The objective of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of mobile apps for the reduction of depressive symptoms (depression, generalized anxiety, psychological distress) and alcohol use among youth. Search Methods: We conducted electronic searches of the following bibliographic databases for studies published between January 1, 2008, and July 1, 2022: MEDLINE (via Ovid), Embase (via Ovid), PsycINFO (via Ovid), CINAHL (via EBSCOHost), and CENTRAL (via the Cochrane Library). The search used a combination of indexed terms, free text words, and MeSH headings. We manually screened the references of relevant systematic reviews and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for additional eligible studies, and contacted authors for full reports of identified trial registries or protocols. Selection Criteria: We included RCTs conducted among youth aged 15-24 years from any setting. We did not exclude populations on the basis of gender, socioeconomic status, geographic location or other personal characteristics. We included studies which assessed the effectiveness of app-delivered mental health support or therapy interventions that targeted the management of depressive disorders and/or alcohol use disorders. We excluded apps that targeted general wellness, apps which focused on prevention of psychological disorders and apps that targeted bipolar disorder, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance use disorders (aside from alcohol), and sleep disorders. Eligible comparisons included usual care, no intervention, wait-list control, alternative or controlled mobile applications. We included studies which reported outcomes on depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, alcohol use and psychological distress over any follow-up period. Data Collection and Analysis: We standardized the PICO definitions (population, intervention, comparison, and outcome) of each included study and grouped studies by the type of therapy or support offered by the app. Whenever app design and clinical homogeneity allowed, we meta-analyzed outcomes using a random-effects model. Outcome data measured using categorical scales were synthesized using odds ratios. Outcome data measured using continuous scales were synthesized as the standardized mean difference. We assessed the methodological quality of each included study using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool and we assessed certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. Main Results: From 5280 unique citations, we included 36 RCTs published in 37 reports and conducted in 15 different countries (7984 participants). Among the 36 included trials, we assessed two with an overall low risk of bias, 8 trials with some concern regarding risk of bias, and 26 trials with a high risk of bias. Interventions varied in the type of therapy or supports offered. The most common intervention designs employed mindfulness training, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or a combination of the two (mindfulness + CBT). However, other interventions also included self-monitoring, medication reminders, cognitive bias modification or positive stimulation, dialectical behavioral therapy, gamified health promotion, or social skill building. Mindfulness apps led to short term improvements in depressive symptoms when compared to a withheld control (SMD = -0.36; 95% CI [-0.63, -0.10]; p = 0.007, n = 3 RCTs, GRADE: very low certainty) and when compared to an active control (SMD = -0.27; 95% CI [-0.53, -0.01]; p = 0.04, n = 2 RCTs, GRADE: very low). Apps delivering this type of support also significantly improved symptoms of anxiety when compared to a withheld control (SMD = -0.35; 95% CI [-0.60, -0.09]; p = 0.008, n = 3 RCTs, GRADE: very low) but not when compared to an active control (SMD = -0.24; 95% CI [-0.50, 0.02]; p = 0.07, n = 2 RCTs, GRADE: very low). Mindfulness apps showed improvements in psychological stress that approached statistical significance among participants receiving the mindfulness mobile apps compared to those in the withheld control (SMD = -0.27; 95% CI [-0.56, 0.03]; p = .07, n = 4 RCTs, GRADE: very low). CBT apps also led to short-term improvements in depressive symptoms when compared to a withheld control (SMD = -0.40; 95% CI [-0.80, 0.01]; p = 0.05, n = 2 RCTs, GRADE: very low) and when compared to an active control (SMD = -0.59; 95% CI [-0.98, -0.19]; p = 0.003, n = 2 RCTs, GRADE: very low). CBT-based apps also improved symptoms of anxiety compared to a withheld control (SMD = -0.51; 95% CI [-0.94, -0.09]; p = 0.02, n = 3 RCTs, GRADE: very low) but not when compared to an active control (SMD = -0.26; 95% CI [-1.11, 0.59]; p = 0.55, n = 3 RCTs, GRADE: very low). Apps which combined mindfulness and CBT did not significantly improve symptoms of depression (SMD = -0.20; 95% CI [-0.42, 0.02]; p = 0.07, n = 2 RCTs, GRADE: very low) or anxiety (SMD = -0.21; 95% CI [-0.49, 0.07]; p = 0.14, n = 2 RCTs, GRADE: very low). However, these apps did improve psychological distress (SMD = -0.43; 95% CI [-0.74, -0.12]; p = 0.006, n = 2 RCTs, GRADE: very low). The results of trials on apps to reduce alcohol use were inconsistent. We did not identify any harms associated with the use of apps to manage mental health concerns. All effectiveness results had a very low certainty of evidence rating using the GRADE approach, meaning that apps which deliver therapy or other mental health support may reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress but the evidence is very uncertain. Authors' Conclusions: We reviewed evidence from 36 trials conducted among youth. According to our meta-analyses, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of apps on depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and alcohol use. Very few effects were interpreted to be of clinical importance. Most of the RCTs were small studies focusing on efficacy for youth at risk for depressive symptoms. Larger trials are needed to evaluate effectiveness and allow for further analysis of subgroup differences. Longer trials are also needed to better estimate the clinical importance of these apps over the long term.

The use of next-generation sequencing in clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia.

PURPOSE: Familial hypercholesterolemia is a common Mendelian disorder associated with early-onset coronary heart disease that can be treated by cholesterol-lowering drugs. The majority of cases in the United Kingdom are currently without a molecular diagnosis, which is partly due to the cost and time associated with standard screening techniques. The main purpose of this study was to test the sensitivity and specificity of two next-generation sequencing protocols for genetic diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: Libraries were prepared for next-generation sequencing by two target enrichment protocols; one using the SureSelect Target Enrichment System and the other using the PCR-based Access Array platform. RESULTS: In the validation cohort, both protocols showed 100% specificity, whereas the sensitivity for short variant detection was 100% for the SureSelect Target Enrichment and 98% for the Access Array protocol. Large deletions/duplications were only detected using the SureSelect Target Enrichment protocol. In the prospective cohort, the mutation detection rate using the Access Array was highest in patients with clinically definite familial hypercholesterolemia (67%), followed by patients with possible familial hypercholesterolemia (26%). CONCLUSION: We have shown the potential of target enrichment methods combined with next-generation sequencing for molecular diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia. Adopting these assays for patients with suspected familial hypercholesterolemia could improve cost-effectiveness and increase the overall number of patients with a molecular diagnosis.

RP-HPLC analytical method development and optimization for quantification of donepezil hydrochloride in orally disintegrating tablet.

An easy, fast and validated RV-HPLC method was invented to quantify donepezil hydrochloride in drug solution and orally disintegrating tablet. The separation was carried out using reversed phase C-18 column (Agilent Eclipse Plus C-18) with UV detection at 268 nm. Method optimization was tested using various composition of organic solvent. The mobile phase comprised of phosphate buffer (0.01M), methanol and acetonitrile (50:30:20, v/v) adjusted to pH 2.7 with phosphoric acid (80%) was found as the optimum mobile phase. The method showed intraday precision and accuracy in the range of 0.24% to -1.83% and -1.83% to 1.99% respectively, while interday precision and accuracy ranged between 1.41% to 1.81% and 0.11% to 1.90% respectively. The standard calibration curve was linear from 0.125 µg/mL to 16 µg/mL, with correlation coefficient of 0.9997±0.00016. The drug solution was stable under room temperature at least for 6 hours. System suitability studies were done. The average plate count was > 2000, tailing factor <1, and capacity factor of 3.30. The retention time was 5.6 min. The HPLC method was used to assay donepezil hydrochloride in tablet and dissolution study of in-house manufactured donepezil orally disintegrating tablet and original Aricept.