Resolving the Experimental Photoelectron Spectra of CAl3Si.

The experimental photoelectron spectra concerning the six electronic states of CAl3Si- are resolved through electronic structure calculations and quantum nuclear dynamics in this study. It incorporates a model diabatic Hamiltonian to evaluate the coupling parameters and fit the potential energy curves (PECs). The analysis of these PECs showed us that there are sufficient nonadiabatic effects in the photoelectron spectra through the presence of various conical intersections. Poisson intensity distributions (PIDs) and the wave packet density plots are utilized for assigning the fundamental and first overtone excitations. The nuclear dynamics study is accomplished by employing time-dependent (TD) and time-independent (TI) quantum chemistry methods. Ultimately, our theoretical results concurred well with the experimental findings exhibiting vibronic coupling amidst the nearly positioned electronic states.

Patient-reported Outcome Measurement and Reporting for Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Literature Review.

CONTEXT: In the oncology setting, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide important data that help to ensure patient-relevant endpoints are captured and reported. Use of this information for treatment decision-making by clinicians and patients in real-world settings is facilitated by consistent and transparent reporting of trial methods. OBJECTIVE: To identify and compare PROMs used in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) trials in terms of the rationale for the choice of measure, endpoint hierarchy (primary, secondary, exploratory), assessment time points, statistical methods, and statistical metrics for interpretation. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic literature review via searches of four online databases (2016-2021) and recent conference abstracts (2019-2021) identified 2616 articles, of which 33 were included in the review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Among the 33 clinical studies included, 19 different PROMs were identified: three kidney cancer-specific scales, two cancer-specific scales, two generic scales, and 12 symptom-specific scales. The endpoint hierarchy for patient reported outcome (PRO) assessment was reported in 42% of the studies; one study included PROs as a primary endpoint. Reporting of time points, minimal important differences, and statistical analyses was highly heterogeneous. CONCLUSIONS: A diverse range of PROMs have been included in clinical studies for patients with advanced/metastatic RCC. Prespecified analyses for PRO assessments were generally not stated, while analytical methods and reporting varied. An improvement in alignment across studies would better inform regulatory, market-access, reimbursement, and clinical decision-making to improve patient care. PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed how the impact of cancer therapies on health outcomes from the patient's point of view is being measured in clinical trials for kidney cancer. The techniques and reporting varied across trials. Standardisation of how these data are captured and reported may improve care and decision-making for patients with kidney cancer.

A theoretical study of vibronic coupling in the photoelectron spectra of Al6N.

This work emphasizes the appearance of non-adiabatic effects in the photoelectron spectra of Al6N-. It includes ab initio electronic structure calculations obtained on the first seven low-lying electronic states of Al6N- and a nuclear dynamics study utilizing time-dependent and time-independent quantum chemistry approaches. A model vibronic Hamiltonian is constructed in a diabatic electronic representation to estimate the coupling parameters corresponding to the fifteen vibrational modes of Al6N-. Theoretical spectral bands are achieved by employing the vibronic coupling theory followed by reduced dimensional calculations to understand the role of individual vibrational modes in the overall photoelectron spectra. Finally, the theoretically obtained photodetachment spectra show good agreement with the experimental spectra revealing vibronic coupling among the closely spaced spectral bands.

Evaluation of Quality of Pharmacoeconomic Studies in Asia-Pacific Region and Identification of Influencing Variables.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of pharmacoeconomic studies and identify different variables influencing the quality of these studies conducted in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed with PubMed and Cochrane using different combinations of terms for cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost-minimization analyses. The Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument was used for quality assessment of included studies. Logistic regression was performed to determine the association of factors with high-quality studies (QHES score ≥75). RESULTS: Of 262 retrieved studies, 128 met the inclusion criteria. The mean QHES score was 67.4 ± 1.35. The distribution of studies in each quality quartile was as follows: high (n = 59 [46.09%]), fair (n = 50 [39.06%]), and poor (n = 19 [14.83%]). Most of the high-quality studies (n = 80 [62.5%]) were conducted in Japan and Australia. Only 11 high-quality studies (18.64%) were published in specialty journals and 4 (6.78%) in Asian journals. Primary authors who had advanced training in health economics were associated with a higher number of high-quality studies (n = 51 [86.44%]). Training of primary authors was significantly associated with high-quality studies (odds ratio 7.1; 95% confidence interval 2.9-19.23). Impact factor of journal, per-capita expenditure on health care, and out-of-pocket expense on health did not have a significant association with high-quality scores. CONCLUSIONS: High-quality pharmacoeconomic research is confined to a few countries of the APAC; it can be improved by advance training of authors in public health or health economics. Also, a greater interest of various stakeholders in funding the research and the introduction of specialty journals in the APAC are warranted.

Role of traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

The role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been evaluated in many studies. We performed a meta-analysis to summarize the existing evidence on the relation between use of classical NSAIDs and AD. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the role of classical NSAIDs in AD was searched using different search engines. The RCTs in patients who had the degree of AD measured on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or AD Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) were included in the study. The RCTs and data (AD scores) were independently assessed by 2 reviewers, and data were included in meta-analysis only after a common consensus was reached. The pooled results from the ADAS-cog and MMSE scores failed to show any difference between the treatment and the placebo groups as opposed to findings from some observational studies. However, in view of heterogeneity of results, there is a need to conduct more RCTs to arrive at confirmatory findings.

Role of statins in Alzheimer's disease: a retrospective meta-analysis for commonly investigated clinical parameters in RCTs.

This review was conducted to assess the role of statins in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We conducted meta-analysis using the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in patients who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, by conducting searches for RCTs in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane (up to 2012). An overall of five studies were included and analysed. The evaluation was done for some commonly evaluated clinical parameters like Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-CoG). Statistical evaluation was done as per method described by Neyeloff et al. and forest plots were plotted for each evaluated parameter. MMSE score showed a significant difference in favour of statins. ADAS-CoG and CGIC did not show a significant advantage for statins in comparison to placebo. Highly heterogeneous distribution was seen for MMSE score. Further trials need to be conducted to arrive at more robust results.

Alternative therapies useful in the management of diabetes: A systematic review.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in the endocrine system. This dreadful disease is found in all parts of the world and becoming a serious threat of mankind health. There are lots of chemical agents available to control and to treat diabetic patients, but total recovery from diabetes has not been reported up to this date. In addition to adverse effects, drug treatments are not always satisfactory in maintaining euglycemia and avoiding late stage diabetic complications. Alternative to these synthetic agents, plants provided a potential source of hypoglycemic drugs and are widely used in several traditional systems of medicine to prevent diabetes. Several medicinal plants have been investigated for their beneficial effect in different type of diabetes. Other alternative therapies such as dietary supplements, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and yoga therapies less likely to have the side effects of conventional approaches for diabetes.

Prescription pattern in asthma therapy at Gorakhpur hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: This prescription-monitoring study was conducted to establish the drug-prescribing trend of anti-asthmatic drugs in various hospitals of Gorakhpur. SETTING: The study covered three famous hospitals of Gorakhpur. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hundred patients were studied using a prescription auditing performa. Data was recorded from the patient's attending the out patient department using a chance random sample method for two months. Patients who co- operated were interviewed and information was filled in the performa. RESULTS: The results suggested that b-agonist (40%) were the most frequently prescribed anti-asthmatic drugs followed by Methylxanthine (27%), corticosteroids (25%), leukotriene antagonist (4.4%) and anti-histaminics (3.6%) was the least prescribed. Analysis of prescription revealed that multiple drug therapy (81%) was opted for a significant number of patients as compared to single drug therapy (19%). Contrary to popular belief, oral dosage form tablets (56.3%) were preferred over inhalation (33.8%). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the present prescribing pattern of anti-asthmatics in Gorakhpur does not completely meet standard guidelines of asthma treatment. Hence there is a need to encourage physicians of Gorakhpur to follow the guidelines while treating asthma.