Efficacy of BREATHOX® Device Inhalation on Acute Symptoms Associated with COVID-19 (BREATH Study): A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial.

(1) Background: A high concentration of sodium chloride on in vitro cell culture leads to reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the effects of inhaling hypertonic NaCl particles (BREATHOX®) on the duration of COVID-19-induced acute symptoms. (2) Methods: A prospective, open label, randomized, standard of care-controlled group (SOC) pilot trial compared inhaled oral and nasal administered BREATHOX® (2.0 mg NaCl, particles size between 1-10 µm), with five or ten inhalations per day for ten days. The primary endpoint was the time to resolve COVID-19-related symptoms. Safety outcomes included adverse clinical and laboratory events. (3) Results: A total of 101 individuals were screened and 98 were randomly assigned to BREATHOX® ten sessions per day (Group 1; 33 patients), BREATHOX® five sessions per day (Group 2; 32 patients), or SOC (33 patients), and followed up for 28 days. There was an association with cough frequency after 10 days BREATHOX® compared to SOC [Group 1: hazard ratio (HR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-3.81; Group 2: HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.17-4.04]. No differences between the groups for the reported symptoms' resolution time were seen after 28 days. After combining both BREATHOX® groups, the period to cough resolution 10 days after randomization was significantly lower than in SOC (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.20-3.67). An adverse event occurred in 30% of Group 1, 36% of Group 2, and 9% in SOC individuals. One patient from SOC had a serious adverse event. Nasal burning, sore or itchy nose, and dry mouth were considered related to BREATHOX® use and resolved after stopping inhalations. (4) Conclusion: BREATHOX® inhalation is safe and may be effective in reducing the duration of COVID-19-induced coughing.

Fasting and 24-h urine pH in patients with urolithiasis using potassium citrate.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between the pH readings in 24-h urine and the random fasting specimen in patients with urolithiasis using 2 methods. METHODS: A total of 114 patients with urinary lithiasis using potassium citrate were prospectively analyzed. All patients collected 24-h urine and an additional sample, after nocturnal fasting, collected on the day they brought the 24-h sample at the lab. Two different methods (test strip and digital meter) were used to determine pH values. RESULTS: The pH analysis using strips in the 24-h urine presented a mean value similar to the one obtained in the fasting sample (6.07 ± 0.74 vs. 6.02 ± 0.82, respectively; P > 0.05). The same behavior was seen considering the readings with a digital pH meter (5.8 ± 0.78 vs. 5.75 ± 0.83; P > 0.05). However, readings conducted in the same specimen with pH meter and test strip were dissonant (P < 0.05), suggesting that the colorimetric method is not reliable in the assessment of urinary pH in this population. CONCLUSION: pH assessment in a random urinary specimen proved as efficient as the 24-h urine standard method to monitor patients with kidney stones in the use of potassium citrate. Classical test strip analysis is not sensitive enough to evaluate the urine pH in this population and digital pH meter reading is preferred.

Orange Juice Attenuates Circulating miR-150-5p, miR-25-3p, and miR-451a in Healthy Smokers: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Introduction: Tobacco smoke is associated with oxidative and inflammatory pathways, increasing the risk of chronic-degenerative diseases. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of acute "Pera" and "Moro" orange juice consumption on inflammatory processes and oxidative stress in microRNA (miRNA) expression in plasma from healthy smokers. Methods: This was a randomized crossover study that included healthy smokers over 18 years old. Blood samples were collected before and 11 h after beverage ingestion. Participants were instructed to drink 400 mL of Pera orange juice (Citrus sinensis), Moro orange juice (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), or water. Each subject drank the beverages in a 3-way crossover study design. Inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers and circulating miRNA expression profiles were determined. The subjects maintained their usual tobacco exposure during the experiment. Results: We included 18 individuals (12 men and 6 women), with 37.0 ± 12.0 years old. All subjects received the 3 interventions. Increased expression of circulating miRNAs (miR-150-5p, miR-25-3p, and miR-451a) was verified after cigarette smoking, which were attenuated after intake of both types of orange juice. There was no difference regarding serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9, and C-reactive protein. Despite the increased activity of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase after "Pera" or "Moro" orange juice intake, respectively, no changes in lipid hydroperoxide levels were detected. Conclusion: Tobaccos smokers showed increased expression of miR-150-5p, miR-25-3p, and miR-451a was noted, and attenuated by orange juice intake. miRNAs were predicted to regulate 244 target genes with roles in oxidative stress, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK signaling, which are pathways frequently involved in smoking-related cardiovascular diseases and cancer.