Correction: Pharmacophore-based approaches in the rational repurposing technique for FDA approved drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro

Correction for ‘Pharmacophore-based approaches in the rational repurposing technique for FDA approved drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 M^pro’ by Vishal M. Balaramnavar et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 40264–40275, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA06038K.

The authors regret that the name of one of the authors (Talha Jawaid) was shown incorrectly in the original article. The corrected author list is as shown above.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Being an identity-release donor: a qualitative study exploring the motivations,experiences and future expectations of current UK egg donors

The objective of this study was to examine the motivations, experiences and future expectations of identity-release egg donors in the UK following the removal of donor anonymity and the increase in financial compensation for egg donation. This exploratory, in-depth qualitative study comprised semi-structured interviews with 11 women who had attended an egg donation screening appointment at a UK clinic during a four-month period in 2014. Interviews were conducted two to six weeks after the woman had donated or had withdrawn/been rejected from the donation process. Participants’ primary motivation for donating was to help infertile women have their ‘own child’, and the recent increase in financial compensation did not seem to play a significant role in their decision. All were happy to be identifiable and contacted by children born as a result of their donation. However, some were hesitant about providing non-identifying information about themselves for these offspring and wished for further information about the recipient(s) of their eggs and the outcome of their donation. Whilst this study was limited due to the small sample size, it is the first study of UK egg donors following the rise in donor compensation and suggests that other strategies may be more effective in increasing donor numbers.     

Evaluation of the effect of acetazolamide versus mannitol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity,a pilot study

Background Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity still occurs despite the intensive hydration approach adapted to prevent its occurrence. Objective Evaluation of the effect of acetazolamide (ACTZ) on minimizing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity compared to mannitol when added to hydration regimen. Setting Nasser Institute Cancer Center (NICC), Cairo, Egypt. Method A total of 35 patients planned to receive cisplatin were divided into two groups: 20 patients received mannitol and 15 patients received ACTZ. Both groups received standard hydration measures as well for prevention of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Main outcome measure Patients’ kidney function was assessed using serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and blood urea nitrogen. Kidney injury was assessed using RIFLE criteria. Patients’ liver function tests and hematological parameters were also monitored. Results Patients in the mannitol group showed higher risk of developing kidney injury (30%) whereas those in the ACTZ group showed lower risk (8.9%), relative risk (RR) 0.269, 95% CI 0.108–0.815. No statistically significant difference occurred between the two groups concerning liver function tests or hematological parameters. Conclusion Use of ACTZ in addition to intensive hydration may have more beneficial effect on minimizing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity compared to mannitol plus intensive hydration approach. A large multicenter randomized clinical trials is recommended to confirm study results and to assess effect of ACTZ on tumor response.     

Surgical Management of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease After One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass — a Systematic Review

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) after one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) remains a concern. We reviewed the current literature on revisional surgery after OAGB for GORD. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed databases were searched. We identified 21 studies, appraising 13,658 OAGB patients. A total of 230 (1.6%) patients underwent revisional surgery for GORD. Revision to Roux-en-Y configuration was performed in 211 (91.7%) patients. Six (2.6%) patients had a Braun entero-enterostomy added to the OAGB. Thirteen (5.6%) patients underwent excluded stomach fundoplication (ESF). Reflux symptoms resolved in 112 (48.6%) patients, persisted in 13 (5.6%) patients, and were not reported in 105 (45.6%) patients. Revisional surgery after OAGB for GORD appears to be rare, and when required, conversion to Roux-en-Y configuration is the commonest choice.

     

A review of meibography for a refractive surgeon

Refractive surgery has evolved from being a therapeutic correction of high refractive errors to a cosmetic correction. The expectations associated with such a surgery are enormous and one has to anticipate all possible complications and side-effects that come with the procedure and prepare accordingly. The most common amongst these is post-refractive surgery dry eye of which Meibomian gland dysfunction is a commonly associated cause. We present an understanding of various diagnostic imaging modalities that can be used for evaluating meibomian glands which can also serve as a visual aid for patient understanding. We also describe various common conditions which can silently cause changes in the gland architecture and function which are to be considered and evaluated for.     

Ultra‐short duration direct acting antiviral prophylaxis to prevent virus transmission from hepatitis C viremic donors to hepatitis C negative kidney transplant recipients

We conducted an adaptive design single‐center pilot trial between October 2017 and November 2018 to determine the safety and efficacy of ultra‐short‐term perioperative pangenotypic direct acting antiviral (DAA) prophylaxis for deceased hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐nucleic acid test (NAT) positive donors to HCV negative kidney recipients (D+/R?). In Group 1, 10 patients received one dose of SOF/VEL (sofusbuvir/velpatasvir) pretransplant and one dose on posttransplant Day 1. In Group 2A (N = 15) and the posttrial validation (Group 2B; N = 25) phase, patients received two additional SOF/VEL doses (total 4) on Days 2 and 3 posttransplant. Development of posttransplant HCV transmission triggered 12‐week DAA therapy. For available donor samples (N = 27), median donor viral load was 1.37E + 06 IU/mL (genotype [GT]1a: 70%; GT2: 7%; GT3: 23%). Overall viral transmission rate was 12% (6/50; Group 1:30% [3/10]; Group 2A:13% [2/15]; Group 2B:4% [1/25]). For the 6 viremic patients, 5 (83%) achieved sustained virologic response (3 with first‐line DAA therapy; and two after retreatment with second‐line DAA). At a median follow‐up of 8 months posttransplant, overall patient and allograft survivals were 98%, respectively. The 4‐day strategy reduced viral transmission to 7.5% (3/40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8%‐20.5%) and could result in avoidance of prolonged posttransplant DAA therapy for most D+/R ? transplants.