A phase IV, single-center, crossover evaluation of the efficacy of an external nasal dilator strip in children with nasal congestion.

BACKGROUND: In the United States and other countries, external nasal dilator strips have been marketed for use by adults and by children ages 5-12 years to improve nasal airflow and provide temporary relief from nasal congestion and stuffiness. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this exploratory analysis were to assess and correlate objective and subjective measures of efficacy of two nasal strips variants, Kids and adult small/medium (Regular), in children with nasal congestion. The correlation of efficacy for each variant to nose dimensions and age was also explored. METHODS: In a single-center, crossover study, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) was measured in 40 children with nasal congestion ages 5-12 years before and after application of the nasal strips. Spearman correlations were calculated between objective and subjective measures of efficacy and between efficacy measures, nose dimensions, and age. RESULTS: In the 40 patients who completed the study, both the Kids and the Regular nasal strips worked well and improved the PNIF by 15% (supine position) to 22% (seated position) over baseline. No statistically significant differences in efficacy were found between the two variants of nasal dilator strips. CONCLUSIONS: Use of both the Kids and Regular nasal strips significantly improved the PNIF from baseline in children with nasal congestion, and no new safety signals were observed. There was a slight subjective preference for the Kids nasal strips by the younger children, which indicated that children with smaller noses preferred the Kids nasal strips instead of the larger Regular nasal strips. Clinical trial NCT02113449, www.clinicaltrials.gov.

The 'strip method': a simple method for plaque pH assessment.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate if pH indicator strips could be used for measurements of plaque pH acidogenicity in situ. METHOD: Interproximal plaque pH was measured before and up to 60 min after a 10% sucrose rinse in 30 healthy volunteers using pH indicator strips and the microtouch method in parallel. RESULTS: It was found that the 'strip method' could determine changes in plaque pH to the same extent as the microtouch method (correlation coefficient 0.99). CONCLUSION: Since the 'strip method' is inexpensive and easy to handle, it may be applicable for assessment of plaque acidogenicity in the clinic.

A rapid and quantitative fluorescent microsphere immunochromatographic strip test for detection of antibodies to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

A fluorescent microsphere-based immunochromatographic strip test (FICT) was developed for the rapid, sensitive, and quantitative detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies at the pen-side. The assay was based on the formation of a sandwich immune-complex (anti-pig IgG-PRRSV antibodies-NSP7/N), which was validated by a comparison with IDEXX-ELISA using 3325 clinical specimens. The diagnostic specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of FICT were 97.28, 93.41, and 94.95%, respectively. FICT showed a good correlation with the virus neutralization assay. Overall, a promising pen-side diagnostic tool was developed for the rapid and quantitative detection of PRRSV antibodies within 15 min.

Evaluation of Urine Reagent Strip as a Tool for Routine Diagnosis of Maternal Urogenital Schistosomiasis at Antenatal Clinic Visit in Munyenge, South West Region, Cameroon.

Urine reagent strip used in detecting microhaematuria has been recommended in pregnancy for diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) during routine antenatal care (ANC). This study evaluated its sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values in the diagnosis of maternal UGS using filtration method as a reference test. We also assessed the variation in its performance in the diagnosis of UGS using multiple-sample collection. A total of 93 pregnant women reporting for first ANC clinic visit at any of the three functional health care centres (Munyenge Integrated Health Centre, Banga Annex Health Centre, and Trans African Health Centre) were enrolled and followed up for three consecutive monthly visits. Urine samples were observed microscopically for S. haematobium egg using urine filtration and screened for microhaematuria and proteinuria using urine reagent strips. Twenty-two (23.7%) out of the 93 women were diagnosed for UGS, all of whom showed S. haematobium egg excretion during all three visits. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) between the prevalence of S. haematobium infection and the prevalence of microhaematuria. The intensity of infection was significantly higher in microhaematuria-positive women compared with microhaematuria-negative cases. Sensitivity of reagent strip ranged from 54.5 to 59.1%, while specificity was above 98.0% (range: 98.6-100%). The measure of agreement between urine filtration and reagent strip method was substantial (0.61-0.8) irrespective of different sampling periods. Urine reagent strip is a moderately sensitive method in the detection of UGS and will most likely identify women with high egg load burden. Proper diagnosis of schistosomiasis during pregnancy is recommended.

Effects of an external nasal dilator strip (ENDS) compared to xylometazolin nasal spray.

Nasal blockage is a common complaint in Family Practice. Decongestive nosedrops are frequently employed therapeutic measures. Due to a considerable risk of abuse and side effects, alternatives are wanted. The purpose of this study was to elucidate to what extent ENDS might represent an alternative to decongestive nose sprays (DNS). The effects of DNS (xylometazolin) and ENDS (BreatheRight) on subjective and objective nasal blockage were compared in 89 patients. Main outcome measures were recordings of nasal symptom scores on visual analogue scales (VAS), minimal cross-sectional areas (MCA) and nasal cavity volumes (NCV) as measured by acoustic rhinometry (AR), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). ENDS significantly increased the MCA and the NCV in the anterior 0.0-3.0 cm of the nose compared to DNS, but had no effect on MCA from 3.0 to 5.4 cm behind the nostrils. In contrast to DNS, ENDS had no effect on the posterior NCV. ENDS and DNS gave comparable increase in nasal inspiratory flow as measured by PNIF, and in the subject's own experience of nasal obstruction. ENDS may represent an alternative to DNS as a measure against nasal blockage.

Development of an immunochromatographic strip for detection of antibodies against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

A simple and rapid immunochromatographic test strip incorporating a colloidal gold-labeled recombinant Nsp7 antigen probe was successfully developed for the detection of anti-porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies in swine. Recombinant Nsp7 protein of PRRSV labeled with colloidal gold was dispensed on a conjugate pad for use as the detector. Staphylococcal protein A and purified porcine anti-Nsp7 antibodies were blotted on a nitrocellulose membrane to form test and control lines, respectively. A comparison of the strip with standard diagnostic tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoperoxidase monolayer assay, was also performed. The immunochromatographic test strip was shown to be of high specificity and sensitivity. Furthermore, the strip assay is rapid and easy to perform with no requirement for professional-level skills or equipment. It is suggested that the immunochromatographic test strip can be used to quickly and accurately detect PRRSV antibody and to be suitable for diagnostic purposes in the field.

[Treatment and glycemic control of 1200 diabetic patients enrolled at the National Institute of Disease-Disability Insurance diabetes convention]. / Traitement et contrôle glycémique de 1.200 diabétiques inscrits dans les conventions INAMI "diabète".

We have studied the characteristics of insulin therapy and home blood glucose monitoring of 1.200 diabetic patients (590 males, 610 females), mainly type I adults (age: 43 +/- 19 years, mean +/- 1 SD), attending a licensed diabetes center in Belgium which benefits from a National Health Service convention system for providing education and home blood glucose monitoring kits and disposables to diabetic subjects. 50% of these patients were treated with 2 daily insulin injections, while 22% were treated with 3 and 24% with 4 daily injections. 4% of the subjects were treated with a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Patients treated with four daily injections were younger than those treated with other insulin schemes (p < 0.001). Home blood glucose monitoring strip consumption was 2.2 patient-1 day-1. The mean HbA1C level was 8.63 +/- 1.55% [8.54 +/- 1.46 in males and 8.72 +/- 1.62% in females (NS)]. In more than one third of the subjects treated with injections, HbA1C was lower than 8% HbA1C was also below 8% in 50% of patients using 1100-1200 strips year-1.

Validez del diascan en la determinación de niveles de glucemia en pacientes diabeticos y no diabéticos / Validity of diascan in the determination of levels of glucemia in diabetics and no diabetic patients

Se practicaron determinaciones de glucemia, por el método enzimático diascan, con sangre capilar de 92 pacientes que acudieron al Laboratorio del Centro Ambulatorio "Dr. Rafael Vicente andrade", del IVSS de Barquisimeto, estado Lara, tomándose simultáneamente muestra de sangre venosa para determinación de glucemia en suero por método enzimático hexoquinasa. Los resultados de validez obtenidos en base a la más medidas de sensibilidad y especificidad fueron bajos, mientras que el coeficiente de correlación se asemeja al obtenido en los anteriores. Se sugiere no sólo medir la validez del diascan en base a su sensibilidad y especificidad, sino también evaluar su rendimiento, reproductibilidad y fidelidad utilizando una muestra que sea representativa de la población