The influence of attributes on community preferences regarding antibiotic treatment: evidence from a discrete choice model

Antibiotic resistance (AR) rates in Vietnam are among the highest in Asia, and recent infections due to multi-drug resistance in the country have caused thousands of deaths each year. This study investigated a Vietnamese community's preferences for antibiotic treatment and its knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotics. A discrete choice experiment-based survey was developed and administered to the population of interest. The respondents were given sociodemographic-, knowledge- and attitude-related items and 17 pairs of choice tasks. Two hypothetical options were included in each choice task. Latent class analysis was conducted to determine the differences among the respondents' preferences. Among 1,014 respondents, 805 (79.4%) gave valid questionnaires. A three-latent-class model with four covariates (age, healthcare-related education or career, occupation, and attitude classifications) was used in the analysis. All five attributes significantly influenced the respondents' decisions. The majority, including young employed respondents with non-healthcare-related work or education, found treatment failure more important. Older respondents who had healthcare-related education/careers and/or appropriate antibiotic use- and antibiotics resistance-related attitudes, regarded contribution to antibiotic resistance as an important attribute in selecting antibiotic treatments. Unemployed individuals with correct knowledge identified the cost of antibiotic treatment as the most essential decision-making factor. Findings suggest minimal antibiotic impact on resistance; only 7.83% view it as amajor concern. The respondents exhibited substantial preference heterogeneity, and the general Vietnamese public had poor knowledge of and attitudes toward antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. This study emphasizes the need for individual responsibility for antibiotic resistance and appropriate antibiotic use.

Effect of Blood Gel Derivatives on Wound Healing in Mouse Injured Tissue Models

Several previous studies in the field of assisted reproduction have focused on the use of blood gel derivatives, such as platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), as a treatment for endometrial rehabilitation. However, the ability to release growth factors and the gel form of this product led to the evolution of platelet lysates. In this study, blood gel derivatives, including PRF lysate, which was in liquid form, and PRF gel, were collected and evaluated for growth factors. It was shown to be effective in endometrial wound healing and regeneration in mouse injured uterine tissue models through structure and function (pinopode expression, embryo implantation) evaluation. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of growth factors, including PDGF-AB and VEGF-A, were higher in the PRF lysate compared to the PRF gel (p < 0.05). PRF lysate could release these growth factors for 8 days. Furthermore, both PRF gel and PRF lysate restored the morphology of injured endometrial tissues in terms of luminal and glandular epithelia, as well as uterine gland secretory activity. However, the presence of pinopodes and embryonic implantation were only observed in the PRF lysate group. It can be concluded that PRF lysate promotes wound healing in mouse injured tissue models in vitro, which can act as healing products in tissue repair.

Prevention and Management of Iron Deficiency/Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Women: An Asian Expert Consensus

The lack of standardized clinical practice impeding the optimal management of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in women is a global concern, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The aim of this study was to determine best practices through a Delphi consensus process. In Round 1, panelists were asked to rate their level of agreement with 99 statements across four domains: identification, diagnosis and assessment, prevention, and treatment of ID/IDA in women. In Round 2, panelists reappraised their ratings in view of the collective feedback and responses to Round 1. After two rounds, consensus (≥85% agreement) was reached for 84% of the Delphi statements. Experts agreed on the role of presenting symptoms and risk factors in prompting assessments of anemia and iron status in women. Experts repeatedly called for prevention, recommending preventive iron supplementation for pregnant women irrespective of anemia prevalence levels, and for non-pregnant adult women, adolescent girls, and perimenopausal women living in areas with a high prevalence of anemia. Experts unanimously agreed to prescribing oral ferrous iron as first-line therapy for uncomplicated ID/IDA. The recommendations and clinical pathway algorithms generated should be used to inform clinical practice and standardize the care of women at risk or presenting with ID/IDA in the Asia-Pacific region.