Does Sericin, as a Novel Pleurodesis Agent, Have Higher Effectiveness Compared to Talcum Powder, Doxycycline, and Silver Nitrate Pleurodesis?

INTRODUCTION: The usefulness of sericin as pleurodesis agent has previously been described. Present study aims to compare sericin pleurodesis regarding success, effectiveness, tolerability, and side-effects. METHODS: Adult, 12-week-old Wistar-albino rats (n=60), divided to five groups as sericin, talcum-powder, doxycycline, silver-nitrate and control. Agents were administrated through left thoracotomy, rats sacrificed twelve-days after. RESULTS: Highest ratio of collagen fibers was observed in sericin group, and the intensity was higher than talcum-powder group (p<0.05). Compared to silver nitrate, sericin group displayed better mesothelial reaction, and multi-layer mesothelium was also better (p<0.05). Foreign body reaction and emphysema were less frequent in sericin group (p<0.05). The presence of biological tissue in parenchyma was less prominent in sericin group (p<0.05). Foreign body reaction on thoracic wall was less common in sericin group (p<0.05). Presence of biological tissue glue in thoracic wall was less prominent in sericin group (p<0.05). Glomerular degeneration was lower in sericin group compared to the silver nitrate group (p<0.05), and tubular degeneration was less common in sericin group than talcum group (p<0.05). Pericarditis was less common in sericin group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: As an intrinsic, natural glue protein, sericin protects the lung parenchyma and tissues, and its glue-like characteristics enable pleurodesis. The success of sericin in pleurodesis was demonstrated in the present study based on investigations of the pleurae. Being cost-effective and better tolerated agent associated with a low potential of side effects, sericin is more effective, less expensive and provides more lung parenchyma protection.

Costs and Resource Use Among Child Patients Receiving Silver Nitrate/Fluoride Varnish Caries Arrest.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of silver nitrate/fluoride varnish (SN/FV) on care costs. METHODS: A retrospective matched cohort study, using Oregon Medicaid claims (January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014) for patients younger than 21 years old, compared patients treated with SN/FV to matched patients not treated with SN/FV. The number of services and costs were compared using student's t test and generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression models. RESULTS: Patients treated with SN/FV (n equals 4,612) and matched patients treated conventionally (n equals 13,498) averaged 28±7 (SD) months of continuous eligibility based on initial treatment date. The number of first-year services and total services over an average of 28 months were higher for patients treated with SN/FV (10.6 versus 6.7 in year one; 19.3 versus 8.8 overall; P<0.0001). Excluding diagnostic/preventive services, costs were higher in patients treated conventionally than patients treated with SN/FV in the first year. Overall costs were similar ($698 versus $707; P=.52). The average number of services was 58 percent higher (95 percent confidence interval [CI] 1.54 to 1.63) for patients treated with SN/FV, but costs remained similar. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with silver nitrate/fluoride varnish accrued a greater number of services and higher total costs over approximately 28 months but lower treatment costs than patients treated conventionally.

Silver nitrate may be far superior to podophyllin in clearing HPV external anogenital warts / El nitrato de plata puede ser muy superior a la podofilina para la eliminación de verrugas anogenitales externas causadas por HPV

Longitudinal data from a case series indicated that clearance rates (95% CIs) of anogenital warts (AGW) by silver nitrate (n = 14) and podophyllin (n = 34) were 93% (79.35, 100) and 14.7% (3, 27) respectively; and RR, 6.31 (95% CI 2.77, 14.37, p = 0.0(5)2), relative benefit increase, 532% (410, 654), and NNT, 1 (1, 2). The total effort needed US$28(BB$56) vs US$598 in 1-3 vs 1-37 visits to achieve one successfully treated patient respectively. While subject to the errors of an open, non-randomized case series, silver nitrate was highly efficacious and cost-effective and should replace podophyllin at the Winston Scot Polyclinic.

Datos longitudinales de una serie de casos indicaron que las tasas de eliminación (95% CI) de verrugas anogenitales (VAG) mediante nitrato de plata (n = 14) y podofilina (n = 34) fueron 93% (79.35, 100); y 14.7% (3, 27) respectivamente; y RR, 6.31 (95% CI 2.77, 14.37, p = 0.0(5)2), aumento relativo de beneficios, 532% (410, 654), y NNT, 1 (1, 2). El esfuerzo total necesitó $28 USD (BB$56) vs $598 USD en 1-3 vs 1-37 visitas para lograr un paciente tratado con éxito respectivamente. Aunque sujeto a los errores de una serie de casos abierta no aleatorizada, el nitrato de plato fue altamente eficaz y costo-efectivo y debe reemplazar la podofilina en Winston Scot Polyclinic.

Silver nitrate may be far superior to podophyllin in clearing HPV external anogenital warts.

Longitudinal data from a case series indicated that clearance rates (95% CIs) of anogenital warts (AGW) by silver nitrate (n = 14) and podophyllin (n = 34) were 93% (79.35, 100) and 14.7% (3, 27) respectively; and RR, 6.31 (95% CI 2.77, 14.37, p = 0.052), relative benefit increase, 532% (410, 654), and NNT, 1 (1, 2). The total effort needed US$28(BB$56) vs US$598 in 1-3 vs 1-37 visits to achieve one successfully treated patient respectively. While subject to the errors of an open, non-randomized case series, silver nitrate was highly efficacious and cost-effective and should replace podophyllin at the Winston Scot Polyclinic.

Alternative widely available, inexpensive agents for pleurodesis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pleurodesis is the one of the best options for the management of symptomatic patients with malignant pleural effusion, recurrent benign pleural effusion, and recurrent pneumothorax. Although talc, parenteral tetracycline derivatives, and bleomycin are the most commonly used agents for pleurodesis, parenteral tetracycline derivatives are not available worldwide, bleomycin is expensive, and concerns about the side effects of talc are growing. The purpose of this review is to provide information about other widely available agents for pleurodesis. RECENT FINDINGS: It has recently been shown that oral tetracycline/doxycycline is as effective and safe as parenteral doxycycline in producing pleurodesis in rabbits. SUMMARY: Oral forms of tetracycline derivatives, quinacrine, silver nitrate, iodopovidone, and other talc preparations such as facial talc can be used to create pleurodesis when commonly used agents are not available.