Zeolite

The crucial constraint in the broiler production sector is feed efficiency; many feed additives have been widely employed to increase broiler growth. Nonetheless, some of these substances exacerbate health and animal-based food product safety concerns. This meta-analysis examines the effect of clay minerals on alkaline phosphatase (ALP), broiler health, and performance. Metadata was constructed from 369 data items that were harvested from 86 studies. The addition of clay minerals was set as a fixed effect and the difference between experiments was established as a random effect. The metadata were fitted using a linear mixed model. Due to the presence of clay minerals, growth performance as assessed by body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and performance efficiency index (PEI) increased significantly (P < 0.01). In the total period, the increases of BW, ADG, and PEI were 4.12 g, 0.0714 g/d, and 0.648, respectively, per unit of clay minerals added. Clay minerals did not affect blood serum parameters (e.g., ALP and calcium). The IgA and IgM concentrations in the jejunum and ileum were significantly greater (P < 0.01) in the starter phase. Among clay minerals, broilers fed diets with aluminosilicate, halloysite, kaolin, and zeolite consistently exhibited higher (P < 0.05) BW, ADG, PEI, and lower feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) in the finisher phase. Aluminosilicate was the only clay that increased (P < 0.05) secretory IgA concentration in both jejunum and ileum. In conclusion, clay minerals could be used as a growth promoter, especially during the finisher phase, without adversely affecting feed intake, liver function, and mineral metabolism in broiler chickens. Aluminosilicate was superior in improving the mucosal immunity status of broiler chickens.

1. This review assessed the effect of dietary clay supplementation as a drug and toxin adsorbent on broiler growth performance as a meta-analysis.2. A total of 33 eligible studies were included in the present study after identification and evaluation from online databases. Standardised mean differences (SMD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed with a fixed-effects model.3. The results indicated that clay supplementation significantly improved broiler daily gain (P < 0.001) and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001), but did not affect feed intake (P = 0.954). Results of subgroup analysis showed that zeolite clay had the most stable medium improvement effect on FCR, while kaolin had a large effect. In addition, male broilers and Cobb or Ross broilers were more sensitive to the addition of clay, and the best supplemental levels, in general, were 10 g/kg to 30 g/kg.4. Meta-regression analysis showed that clay supplemental level and sex of broilers may be important factors in the effect of clay on ADG and FCR of broilers, respectively. The sensitivity analysis showed high stability of the results and no significant publication bias was found with funnel plot analysis and Egger's or Begg's test (P > 0.05).5. In conclusion, an appropriate addition level is a prerequisite for effective clay application. Kaolin and zeolite clays seem to be more suitable for enhancing broiler growth performance, and the value of clay is amplified in specific broiler breeds.

PURPOSE: Avacincaptad pegol (ACP) is a pegylated RNA aptamer that inhibits complement C5. The efficacy and safety of ACP 2 mg was investigated in GATHER2, with positive year 1 results published. Herein, 2-year results are reported. DESIGN: Phase 3, randomized, sham-controlled study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT04435366). PARTICIPANTS: Patients with non-center point-involving geographic atrophy (GA). METHODS: Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive monthly ACP 2 mg (n = 225) or sham (n = 222) for 1 year. At month 12, patients who received ACP 2 mg were randomized again 1:1 to dosing every month (EM; n = 96) or every other month (EOM; n = 93) with ACP 2 mg. Patients who had received monthly sham continued with sham (n = 203). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The safety and efficacy of ACP versus sham administration over 2 years and the effect of ACP EM or EOM dosing in year 2. RESULTS: Overall, 175 and 184 patients in the ACP and sham group completed the study at year 2, respectively. At 2 years, treatment with ACP demonstrated a continued reduction in GA growth (slope) with both ACP EM and EOM versus sham. From baseline to year 2, the mean rate of GA area growth was 4.46 mm2 (standard error [SE], 0.25 mm2) with ACP EM and 5.18 mm2 (SE, 0.17 mm2) with sham, a difference in growth of 0.724 mm2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.133-1.315 mm2; P = 0.0165), representing a 14% difference. From baseline to year 2, the mean rate of GA area growth was 4.20 mm2 (SE, 0.25 mm2) with ACP EOM, a difference in growth of 0.976 mm2 (95% CI, 0.377-1.575 mm2; nominal P = 0.0015) versus sham, representing a 19% difference. The incidence of choroidal neovascularization (study eye) was 11.6% with ACP (all treated) versus 9.0% with sham over 2 years. No events of retinal vasculitis, ischemic optic neuropathy, or serious intraocular inflammation occurred over 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Dosing of ACP 2 mg, either EM or EOM, continued to reduce GA growth versus sham therapy over 2 years with no new safety signals compared with year 1. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy, durability, and safety of dual angiopoietin-2/VEGF inhibition with faricimab dosed per a modified treat-and-extend-based regimen in patients with retinal vein occlusion. DESIGN: Single-arm treatment period after a randomized, double-masked, active comparator-controlled period in the phase III BALATON/COMINO (NCT04740905/NCT04740931) trials. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with treatment-naïve foveal center-involved macular edema due to branch (BALATON; N = 553) or central/hemiretinal (COMINO; N = 729) retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Patients randomized to faricimab 6.0 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W) or aflibercept 2.0 mg Q4W up to week 20 received faricimab 6.0 mg dosed per a modified treat-and-extend-based regimen from week 24 to 72. The dosing frequency was adjusted from Q4W to Q16W based on changes in central subfield thickness (CST) and best-corrected visual acuity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change from baseline through week 72 in best-corrected visual acuity and CST; durability and safety through week 72. RESULTS: Visual acuity gains and CST reductions achieved at week 24 were maintained through week 72. Adjusted mean best-corrected visual acuity (95.03% confidence interval [CI]) changes from baseline averaged over weeks 64, 68, and 72 in the prior faricimab Q4W and prior aflibercept Q4W arms were +18.1 letters (16.9-19.4) and +18.8 letters (17.5-20.0), respectively, in BALATON and +16.9 letters (15.2-18.6) and +17.1 letters (15.4-18.8), respectively, in COMINO. Adjusted mean (95.03% CI) CST changes from baseline averaged over weeks 64, 68, and 72 in the prior faricimab Q4W and prior aflibercept Q4W arms were -310.9 μm (-315.6 to -306.3) and -307.0 μm (-311.7 to -302.3), respectively, in BALATON and -465.9 μm (-472.5 to -459.3) and -460.6 μm (-467.2 to -453.9), respectively, in COMINO. In the prior faricimab Q4W and prior aflibercept Q4W arms, 64.1% and 56.9% of patients from BALATON and 45.5% and 50.1% from COMINO, respectively, were on ≥Q12W dosing at week 68. Faricimab continued to be well tolerated from weeks 24 to 72; the safety profile was consistent with that established for diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular deg

PURPOSE: To evaluate 2-year efficacy, durability, and safety of the bispecific antibody faricimab, which inhibits both angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A. DESIGN: TENAYA (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03823287) and LUCERNE (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03823300) were identically designed, randomized, double-masked, active comparator-controlled phase 3 noninferiority trials. PARTICIPANTS: Treatment-naive patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) 50 years of age or older. METHODS: Patients were randomized (1:1) to intravitreal faricimab 6.0 mg up to every 16 weeks (Q16W) or aflibercept 2.0 mg every 8 weeks (Q8W). Faricimab fixed dosing based on protocol-defined disease activity at weeks 20 and 24 up to week 60, followed up to week 108 by a treat-and-extend personalized treatment interval regimen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy analyses included change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline at 2 years (averaged over weeks 104, 108, and 112) and proportion of patients receiving Q16W, every 12 weeks (Q12W), and Q8W dosing at week 112 in the intention-to-treat population. Safety analyses included ocular adverse events (AEs) in the study eye through study end at week 112. RESULTS: Of 1326 patients treated across TENAYA/LUCERNE, 1113 (83.9%) completed treatment (n = 555 faricimab; n = 558 aflibercept). The BCVA change from baseline at 2 years was comparable between faricimab and aflibercept groups in TENAYA (adjusted mean change, +3.7 letters [95% confidence interval (CI), +2.1 to +5.4] and +3.3 letters [95% CI, +1.7 to +4.9], respectively; mean difference, +0.4 letters [95% CI, -1.9 to +2.8]) and LUCERNE (adjusted mean change, +5.0 letters [95% CI, +3.4 to +6.6] and +5.2 letters [95% CI, +3.6 to +6.8], respectively; mean difference, -0.2 letters [95% CI, -2.4 to +2.1]). At week 112 in TENAYA and LUCERNE, 59.0% and 66.9%, respectively, achieved Q16W faricimab dosing, increasing from year 1, and 74.1% and 81.2%, achieved Q12W or longer dosing. Ocular AEs in the study eye were comparable between faricimab and aflibercept groups in TENAYA (55.0% and 56.5% of patients, respectively) and LUCERNE (52.9% and 47.5% of patients, respectivel

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 2-year efficacy, durability, and safety of dual angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A pathway inhibition with intravitreal faricimab according to a personalized treat-and-extend (T&E)-based regimen with up to every-16-week dosing in the YOSEMITE and RHINE (ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers, NCT03622580 and NCT03622593, respectively) phase 3 trials of diabetic macular edema (DME). DESIGN: Randomized, double-masked, noninferiority phase 3 trials. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with visual acuity loss (best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA] of 25-73 letters) due to center-involving DME. METHODS: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to faricimab 6.0 mg every 8 weeks, faricimab 6.0 mg T&E (previously referred to as personalized treatment interval), or aflibercept 2.0 mg every 8 weeks. The T&E up to every-16-week dosing regimen was based on central subfield thickness (CST) and BCVA change. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Included changes from baseline in BCVA and CST, number of injections, durability, absence of fluid, and safety through week 100. RESULTS: In YOSEMITE and RHINE (n = 940 and 951, respectively), noninferior year 1 visual acuity gains were maintained through year 2; mean BCVA change from baseline at 2 years (weeks 92, 96, and 100 average) with faricimab every 8 weeks (YOSEMITE and RHINE, +10.7 letters and +10.9 letters, respectively) or T&E (+10.7 letters and +10.1 letters, respectively) were comparable with aflibercept every 8 weeks (+11.4 letters and +9.4 letters, respectively). The median number of study drug injections was lower with faricimab T&E (YOSEMITE and RHINE, 10 and 11 injections, respectively) versus faricimab every 8 weeks (15 injections) and aflibercept every 8 weeks (14 injections) across both trials during the entire study. In the faricimab T&E arms, durability was improved further during year 2, with > 60% of patients receiving every-16-week dosing and approximately 80% receiving every-12-week or longer dosing at week 96. Almost 80% of patients who achieved every-16-week dosing at week 52 maintained every-16-week dosing without an interval reduction through week 96. Mean CST reductions were greater (YOSEMITE/RHINE we

BACKGROUND: Geographic atrophy is a leading cause of progressive, irreversible vision loss. The objectives of OAKS and DERBY were to assess the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan compared with sham treatment in patients with geographic atrophy. METHODS: OAKS and DERBY were two 24-month, multicentre, randomised, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 3 studies, in which patients aged 60 years and older with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration were enrolled at 110 clinical sites and 122 clinical sites worldwide, respectively. Patients were randomly assigned (2:2:1:1) by central web-based randomisation system to intravitreal 15 mg per 0·1 mL pegcetacoplan monthly or every other month, or sham monthly or every other month using stratified permuted block randomisation (stratified by geographic atrophy lesion area at screening, history or presence of active choroidal neovascularisation in the eye not under assessment, and block size of six). Study site staff, patients, reading centre personnel, evaluating physicians, and the funder were masked to group assignment. Sham groups were pooled for the analyses. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to month 12 in the total area of geographic atrophy lesions in the study eye based on fundus autofluorescence imaging, in the modified intention-to-treat population (ie, all patients who received one or more injections of pegcetacoplan or sham and had a baseline and at least one post-baseline value of lesion area). Key secondary endpoints (measured at 24 months) were change in monocular maximum reading speed of the study eye, change from baseline in mean functional reading independence index score, change from baseline in normal luminance best-corrected visual acuity score, and change from baseline in the mean threshold sensitivity of all points in the study eye by mesopic microperimetry (OAKS only). Safety analyses included patients who were randomly assigned and received at least one injection of pegcetacoplan or sham. The now completed studies are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03525613 (OAKS) and NCT03525600 (DERBY). FINDINGS: Between Aug 30, 2018, and July 3, 2020, 1258 patie

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab in Japanese patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). STUDY DESIGN: Subgroup analysis of 2 global, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, active-comparator-controlled, phase 3 trials (YOSEMITE, NCT03622580; RHINE, NCT03622593). METHODS: Patients with DME were randomized 1:1:1 to intravitreal faricimab 6.0 mg every 8 weeks (Q8W), faricimab 6.0 mg per personalized treatment interval (PTI), or aflibercept 2.0 mg Q8W through week 100. Primary endpoint was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change from baseline at 1 year, averaged over weeks 48, 52, and 56. This is the first time 1-year outcomes between Japanese patients (only enrolled into YOSEMITE) and the pooled YOSEMITE/RHINE cohort (N = 1891) have been compared. RESULTS: The YOSEMITE Japan subgroup included 60 patients randomized to faricimab Q8W (n = 21), faricimab PTI (n = 19), or aflibercept Q8W (n = 20). Consistent with global results, the adjusted mean (95.04% confidence interval) BCVA change at 1 year in the Japan subgroup was comparable with faricimab Q8W (+11.1 [7.6-14.6] letters), faricimab PTI (+8.1 [4.4-11.7] letters), and aflibercept Q8W (+6.9 [3.3-10.5] letters). At week 52, 13 (72%) patients in the faricimab PTI arm achieved ≥ Q12W dosing, including 7 (39%) patients receiving Q16W dosing. Anatomic improvements with faricimab were generally consistent between the Japan subgroup and pooled YOSEMITE/RHINE cohort. Faricimab was well tolerated; no new or unexpected safety signals were identified. CONCLUSION: Consistent with global results, faricimab up to Q16W offered durable vision gains and improved anatomic and disease-specific outcomes among Japanese patients with DME. © 2023. Japanese Ophthalmological Society.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder with poor response to treatment. IBS with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D) is accompanied by abdominal pain as well as high stool frequency and urgency. Purified clinoptilolite-tuff (PCT), which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a dietary supplement with the brand name G-PUR®, has previously shown therapeutic potential in other indications based on its physical adsorption capacity. AIM: To assess whether symptoms of IBS-D can be ameliorated by oral treatment with PCT. METHODS: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study, 30 patients with IBS-D diagnosis based on Rome IV criteria were enrolled. Following a 4-wk run-in phase, 14 patients were randomized to receive a 12-wk treatment with G-PUR® (2 g three times daily), and 16 patients received placebo. The relief from IBS-D symptoms as measured by the proportion of responders according to the Subject's Global Assessment (SGA) of Relief was assessed as the primary outcome. For the secondary outcomes, validated IBS-D associated symptom questionnaires, exploratory biomarkers and microbiome data were collected. RESULTS: The proportions of SGA of Relief responders after 12 wk were comparable in both groups, namely 21% in the G-PUR® group and 25% in the placebo group. After 4 wk of treatment, 36% of patients in the G-PUR® group vs 0% in the placebo group reported complete or considerable relief. An improvement in daily abdominal pain was noted in 94% vs 83% (P = 0.0353), and the median number of days with diarrhea per week decreased by 2.4 d vs 0.3 d in the G-PUR® and placebo groups, respectively. Positive trends were observed for 50% of responders in the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Positive trends were also noted for combined abdominal pain and stool consistency response and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire score. Only 64% in the G-PUR® group compared to 86% in the placebo group required rescue medication intake during the study. Stool microbiome studies showed a minor increase in diversity in the G-PUR® group but not in the placebo group. No PCT-related serious adverse events were reporte

BACKGROUND: To reduce treatment burden and optimise patient outcomes in diabetic macular oedema, we present 1-year results from two phase 3 trials of faricimab, a novel angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A bispecific antibody. METHODS: YOSEMITE and RHINE were randomised, double-masked, non-inferiority trials across 353 sites worldwide. Adults with vision loss due to centre-involving diabetic macular oedema were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to intravitreal faricimab 6·0 mg every 8 weeks, faricimab 6·0 mg per personalised treatment interval (PTI), or aflibercept 2·0 mg every 8 weeks up to week 100. PTI dosing intervals were extended, maintained, or reduced (every 4 weeks up to every 16 weeks) based on disease activity at active dosing visits. The primary endpoint was mean change in best-corrected visual acuity at 1 year, averaged over weeks 48, 52, and 56. Efficacy analyses included the intention-to-treat population (non-inferiority margin 4 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] letters); safety analyses included patients with at least one dose of study treatment. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (YOSEMITE NCT03622580 and RHINE NCT03622593). FINDINGS: 3247 patients were screened for eligibility in YOSEMITE (n=1532) and RHINE (n=1715). After exclusions, 940 patients were enrolled into YOSEMITE between Sept 5, 2018, and Sept 19, 2019, and 951 patients were enrolled into RHINE between Oct 9, 2018, and Sept 20, 2019. These 1891 patients were randomly assigned to faricimab every 8 weeks (YOSEMITE n=315, RHINE n=317), faricimab PTI (n=313, n=319), or aflibercept every 8 weeks (n=312, n=315). Non-inferiority for the primary endpoint was achieved with faricimab every 8 weeks (adjusted mean vs aflibercept every 8 weeks in YOSEMITE 10·7 ETDRS letters [97·52% CI 9·4 to 12·0] vs 10·9 ETDRS letters [9·6 to 12·2], difference -0·2 ETDRS letters [-2·0 to 1·6]; RHINE 11·8 ETDRS letters [10·6 to 13·0] vs 10·3 ETDRS letters [9·1 to 11·4] letters, difference 1·5 ETDRS letters [-0·1 to 3·2]) and faricimab PTI (YOSEMITE 11·6 ETDRS letters [10·3 to 12·9], difference 0·7 ETDRS letters [-1·1 to 2·5]; RHINE 10·8 ETDRS letters [9·6 to 11·9], d

BACKGROUND: Faricimab is a bispecific antibody that acts through dual inhibition of both angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor A. We report primary results of two phase 3 trials evaluating intravitreal faricimab with extension up to every 16 weeks for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: TENAYA and LUCERNE were randomised, double-masked, non-inferiority trials across 271 sites worldwide. Treatment-naive patients with nAMD aged 50 years or older were randomly assigned (1:1) to intravitreal faricimab 6·0 mg up to every 16 weeks, based on protocol-defined disease activity assessments at weeks 20 and 24, or aflibercept 2·0 mg every 8 weeks. Randomisation was performed through an interactive voice or web-based response system using a stratified permuted block randomisation method. Patients, investigators, those assessing outcomes, and the funder were masked to group assignments. The primary endpoint was mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline averaged over weeks 40, 44, and 48 (prespecified non-inferiority margin of four letters), in the intention-to-treat population. Safety analyses included patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (TENAYA NCT03823287 and LUCERNE NCT03823300). FINDINGS: Across the two trials, 1329 patients were randomly assigned between Feb 19 and Nov 19, 2019 (TENAYA n=334 faricimab and n=337 aflibercept), and between March 11 and Nov 1, 2019 (LUCERNE n=331 faricimab and n=327 aflibercept). BCVA change from baseline with faricimab was non-inferior to aflibercept in both TENAYA (adjusted mean change 5·8 letters [95% CI 4·6 to 7·1] and 5·1 letters [3·9 to 6·4]; treatment difference 0·7 letters [-1·1 to 2·5]) and LUCERNE (6·6 letters [5·3 to 7·8] and 6·6 letters [5·3 to 7·8]; treatment difference 0·0 letters [-1·7 to 1·8]). Rates of ocular adverse events were comparable between faricimab and aflibercept (TENAYA n=121 [36·3%] vs n=128 [38·1%], and LUCERNE n=133 [40·2%] vs n=118 [36·2%]). INTERPRETATION: Visual benefits with faricimab given at up to 16-week intervals demonstrates its potential to meaningfully extend th

In an ageing society, chronic ulcers pose an increasingly relevant healthcare issue associated with significant morbidity and an increasing financial burden. Hence, there is an unmet medical need for novel, cost-effective therapies that improve healing of chronic cutaneous wounds. This prospective, randomised, open-label, phase I trial investigated the safety and tolerability of topically administered purified clinoptilolite-tuff (PCT), mainly consisting of the naturally occurring zeolite-mineral clinoptilolite, in artificial wounds in healthy male volunteers compared to the standard of care (SoC). We found that topically administered PCT was safe for therapeutic application in acute wounds in healthy male volunteers. No significant differences in wound healing or wound conditions were observed compared to SoC-treated wounds. However, we found a significantly higher proportion of CD68-positive cells and a significantly lower proportion of α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells in PCT-treated wounds. Scanning electron microscopy revealed PCT particles in the restored dermis in some cases. However, these did not impede wound healing or clinical symptoms. Hence, purified PCT could represent an attractive, cost-effective wound treatment promoting the process of healing. © 2022 The Authors. Wound Repair and Regeneration published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Wound Healing Society.

Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) is a serious pest that causes post-harvest losses, which is a threat to global food security, therefore there is need to develop sustainable pest management strategies. This study investigates the synergistic insecticidal effects of zinc-loaded zeolite nanoparticles in combination with essential oils from Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) and Pimpinella anisum (L.) against C. maculatus adults and their progeny. Zeolite-A and zeolite-X were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and found to be highly crystalline and successfully zinc functionalized. The chemical profiles of the essential oils were elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that zeolites alone had moderate insecticidal activity against the tested insect. Zeolites loaded with zinc enhanced insecticidal activity on C. maculatus. Combining zeolites with essential oils further increases insecticidal activity, with LC50 values ranging from 161 to 306 mg/kg. Zeolite nanoparticles and P. anisum essential oil formulation was the most effective in killing C. maculatus adults and progeny. Co-toxicity factor analysis indicated that there were synergistic effects between the essential oils and zeolites, especially between P. anisum and Zn-zeolite-A. Morphological examination of treated C. maculatus adults via SEM revealed cuticle abrasions, desiccation areas, and damage to sensilla, indicating a physical mode of action for the zeolites. This study suggests that zeolite nanoparticles and essential oil combinations can be used as eco-friendly insecticides for the management of C. maculatus in stored cowpea seeds. © 2025. The Author(s).

Zeolites are microscopic minerals of volcanic origin, and the zeolite most commonly used in medicine is clinoptilolite. Over the years, clinoptilolite has been tested in several ways: as an antioxidant, as an adjuvant in anticancer therapy due to its ability to capture chemotoxins, as an antidiarrhoeal agent and as a chelating agent for heavy metals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of clinoptilolite to absorb ethanol in vivo in healthy drinkers. We enrolled 12 healthy drinkers in this study. The study was conducted as follows: phase 1: consumption of a hydroalcoholic solution containing 25 g of ethanol; phase 2: use of a 16.25 mL medical device containing clinoptilolite (2.5 g of clinoptilolite within a single-dose sachet) + consumption of a hydroalcoholic solution containing 25 g of ethanol; phase 3: use of a 32.5 mL medical device (5 g of clinoptilolite within a single-dose sachet) + consumption of a hydroalcoholic solution containing 25 g of ethanol. At the time of blood sampling, alcohol ingestion was also measured using an Alcolmeter instrument, and the results showed that the two methods overlapped. Reductions of 43%, 35%, 41% and 34% in blood ethanol at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, respectively, were observed after the consumption of 5 g of clinoptilolite + 25 g of ethanol in both males and females, whereas the consumption of 2.5 g of clinoptilolite did not result in a statistically significant reduction in blood ethanol. In particular, the blood ethanol reduction was more significant in males. Our study highlights and confirms the ability of clinoptilolite to decrease the absorption of ingested ethanol by reducing blood alcohol levels. This effect was statistically significant at a dose of 5 g.

The phototoxic and photoallergic effects of the once popular UV sunscreen p-aminobanzoic acid are related, in part, to its ability to sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen as well as other reactive oxygen species. In this work we demonstrate that the sunscreen-photoinduced inactivation of a model protein, horseradish peroxidase, is reduced by approximately a factor of three when the sunscreen is encaspsulated in zeolite sodium Y. These results provide evidence that using the technology of zeolite encapsulation to prepare a supramolecular sunscreen that minimizes the skin contact of active ingredients may reduce the adverse effects of "naked" sunscreens on biological systems. These radiation-induced effects, unfortunately, frequently accompany the desirable UV-screening role of these products. These results provide an important benchmark for the use of zeolite encapsulation as a means of improving the safety of UV sunscreens for topical application.

157. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2003 Dec;71(6):1184-91. doi: 10.1007/s00128-003-8756-6. Removal of copper toxicity by zeolite in Java tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters). James R(1), Sampath K. Author information: (1)Department of Zoology, V. O. Chidambaram College, Tuticorin 628 008, TN, India. DOI: 10.1007/s00128-003-8756-6 PMID: 14756287 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

158. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 1999 Feb;62(2):222-9. doi: 10.1007/s001289900863. Effect of zeolite on the reduction of cadmium toxicity in water and a freshwater fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. James R(1), Sampath K. Author information: (1)Department of Zoology, V. O. Chidambaram College, Tuticorin 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India. DOI: 10.1007/s001289900863 PMID: 9933321 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Weanling rats (21 days old) from either a low vitamin D colony or an adequate vitamin D colony fed either a vitamin D adequate or a vitamin D deprived AIN-76A purified diet were used as a model to investigate interactions of vitamin D status with dietary sodium zeolite A (100 mg/kg body wt/day). Rats with adequate or replete vitamin D status had greater overall body weight gain, dry tibia weights and femur densities and ash weights than rats fed a vitamin D deprived diet. Addition of sodium zeolite A to the diets did not have an effect on plasma calcium, body weight gain or on femur density, ash and percent ash. Dietary sodium zeolite A increased total tibia fat in rats fed the vitamin D adequate diet and decreased total tibia fat in rats fed the vitamin D deprived diet. This effect of sodium zeolite A appeared to be beneficial to bone status in the groups fed adequate vitamin D, since these treatment groups had higher, although not significant, dry tibia weights with and without fat.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRM) aimed to assess the impact of incorporating metallic agents into glass ionomer cement (GIC) and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) on their microbiological properties and antibacterial activity. DATA SOURCES: Following PRISMA guidelines, the SRM included studies published up to August 21, 2024. STUDY SELECTION: The eligibility criteria included clinical trials, in situ, and in vitro studies. The data were analyzed using RevMan software, and bias risk was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute's Checklist for in vitro studies and the ROBINS-I tool for clinical trials. RESULTS: Out of 2,393 screened records, 32 studies were included. Results showed that metallic agents like silver, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and copper enhanced the antimicrobial properties of GIC and RMGIC. Most studies reported superior antimicrobial effects compared to controls, with only two studies showing neutral effects. Meta-analysis revealed that GIC with 5 % TiO₂ or 2 % ZnO nanoparticles significantly reduced S. mutans viability, while silver zeolite at 1 % and 5 % concentrations showed strong effects. Similarly, adding silver or ZnO to RMGIC improved its activity against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. The studies showed a low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Metallic agents enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of GIC/RMGIC, offering a promising solution for biofilm control in dental restorations. However, further research is needed to optimize their clinical application, particularly through in vivo studies, and to assess their impact on mechanical, esthetic, and cytotoxic properties. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Incorporating metallic agents into GIC and RMGIC enhances their antibacterial properties, improving biofilm control in dental restorations. This modification may reduce the risk of secondary caries and prolong restoration longevity.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Orthodontic acrylic resins containing antimicrobial photocatalytic nanoparticles aims to reduce oral lesions including denture stomatitis and white spot lesions but they should not imperil its mechanical properties. This systematic review was done to evaluate the effect of various photocatalytic nanoparticles on the flexural strength (FS) of acrylic resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched the PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases from January 2018 to October 2023. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using the QUIN tool, which is specifically designed to assess the risk of bias in vitro studies. RESULTS: Following screening of 1016 initial records, 23 studies were deemed eligible for inclusion. The addition of photocatalytic nanoparticles, such as emodin (Emo), curcumin (Cur), Cur nisin (CurNis), zeolite/zinc oxide (Zeo/ZnO), and Ulva lactuca (U. lactuca), to acrylic resins resulted in a reduction in FS, with the extent of reduction dependent on the nanoparticle concentration. Specifically, the addition of Emo (≥0.5 %), Cur (≥0.5 %), CurNis (≥5 %), Zeo/ZnO (≥2), and U. lactuca (≥1 %) to acrylic resins significantly decreased FS. Conversely, the inclusion of ZnO and titanium dioxide (TiO2) in acrylic resins improved FS, but higher concentrations (≥5 % for TiO2) had a limited positive effect. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the use of low concentrations of photocatalytic nanoparticles, such as ZnO (≤2 %), TiO2 (≤3 %), Emo (≤0.5 %), Cur (≤0.5 %), CurNis (≤5 %), and U. lactuca (≤1 %), in orthodontic acrylic resins without compromising FS.

Studies have attempted to demonstrate the benefits of silicon on bone health using a wide range of Si amounts-provided in the diet or through supplementation-and several different animal species. Previous studies in humans have also demonstrated a positive correlation between Si intake and bone health measures. The aim of the current review is to determine the effective levels of Si intake or supplementation that influence bone health to better inform future study designs and guidelines. Articles were identified using one of two search terms: "silicon AND bone" or "sodium zeolite A AND bone". Articles were included if the article was a controlled research study on the effect of Si on bone health and/or mineral metabolism and was in English. Articles were excluded if the article included human subjects, was in vitro, or studied silica grafts for bone injuries. Silicon type, group name, Si intake from diet, Si supplementation amount, animal, and age at the start were extracted when available. Dietary Si intake, Si supplementation amount, and the amount of Si standardized on a kg BW basis were calculated and presented as overall mean ± standard deviations, medians, minimums, and maximums. Studies that left out animal weights, amount of food or water consumed, or nutrient profiles of the basal diet were excluded from these calculations. Standardized Si intakes ranged from 0.003 to 863 mg/kg BW, at times vastly exceeding current human Si intake recommendations (25 mg/d). The lack of data provided by the literature made definitively determining an effective threshold of supplementation for skeletal health difficult. However, it appears that Si consistently positively influences bone and mineral metabolism by around 139 mg Si/kg BW/d, which is likely unfeasible to attain in humans and large animal species. Future studies should examine this proposed threshold more directly and standardize supplemental or dietary Si intakes to kg BW for better study replication and translation.

Zeolites and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are widely studied as drug carrying nanoplatforms to enhance the specificity and efficacy of traditional anticancer drugs. At present, there is no other systematic review that assesses the potency of zeolites/ZIFs as anticancer drug carriers. Due to the porous nature and inherent pH-sensitive properties of zeolites/ZIFs, the compounds can entrap and selectively release anticancer drugs into the acidic tumor microenvironment. Therefore, it is valuable to provide a comprehensive overview of available evidence on the topic to identify the benefits of the compound as well as potential gaps in knowledge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic applications of zeolites/ZIFs as drug delivery systems delivering doxorubicin (DOX), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), curcumin, cisplatin, and miR-34a. Following PRISMA guidelines, an exhaustive search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted. No language or time limitations were used up to 25th August 2021. Only full text articles were selected that pertained to the usage of zeolites/ZIFs in delivering anticancer drugs. Initially, 1279 studies were identified, of which 572 duplicate records were excluded. After screening for the title, abstract, and full texts, 53 articles remained and were included in the qualitative synthesis. An Inter-Rater Reliability (IRR) test, which included a percent user agreement and reliability percent, was conducted for the 53 articles. The included studies suggest that anticancer drug-incorporated zeolites/ZIFs can be used as alternative treatment options to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment by mitigating the drawbacks of drugs under conventional treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this review is to investigate the current state of knowledge on the incorporation of antifungal agents into the tissue conditioners for the treatment of denture induced stomatitis. STUDY SELECTION: Studies reporting the incorporation of antifungal/antimicrobial agents in to tissue conditioners were included in the review. In order to search the studies on the topic "incorporation of antifungal agents in tissue conditioners for the treatment of denture induced stomatitis" ISI web of science, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Google-Scholar databases were searched from 1970 up to and including July 2015 using various keywords such as antifungal agents, tissue conditioners, Candida albicans, denture stomatitis, etc. RESULTS: Various studies reported the efficacy and effectiveness of adding conventional organic antifungal medicines (nystatin, azole group derivatives and chlorhexidine, antimicrobials/antifungals other than organic (silver zeolite, silver nano-particles, photo-catalysts and metallic oxides) and natural and herbal antimicrobials (tea tree oil, lemongrass essential oil and origanum oil) into various tissue conditioners. The review literature reported that incorporation of antifungal agents into tissue conditioners is effective with minimal or no effects on physical and mechanical properties of tissue conditioners. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of different antifungal medicaments to commercially available tissue conditioners can be recommended for the management of denture induced stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in newborn infants cared for in neonatal units. Potential strategies to prevent these infections include the use of central venous catheters impregnated with antimicrobial agents. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of antimicrobial-impregnated central venous catheters in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infection in newborn infants. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 8), MEDLINE (1966 to September 2015), EMBASE (1980 to September 2015), CINAHL (1982 to September 2015), conference proceedings and previous reviews. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing central venous catheters impregnated or coated with any antibiotic or antiseptic versus central venous catheters without antibiotic or antiseptic coating or impregnation in newborn infants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data using the standard methods of the Cochrane Neonatal Group, with independent evaluation of risk of bias and data extraction by two review authors. MAIN RESULTS: We found only one small trial (N = 98). This trial found that silver zeolite-impregnated umbilical venous catheters reduced the incidence of bloodstream infection in very preterm infants (risk ratio 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.87; risk difference -0.17, 95% CI -0.30 to -0.04; number needed to treat for benefit 6, 95% CI 3 to 25]. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Although the data from one small trial indicates that antimicrobial-impregnated central venous catheters might prevent catheter-related bloodstream infection in newborn infants, the available evidence is insufficient to guide clinical practice. A large, simple and pragmatic randomised controlled trial is needed to resolve on-going uncertainty.