Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Meta-Analysis.

While subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) was reportedly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, the relationship between SCH and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the association of SCH and cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing PCI. We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases from its inception until April 1, 2022 for studies comparing the outcomes between SCH and euthyroid patients undergoing PCI. Outcomes of interest include cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), repeat revascularization and heart failure. Outcomes were pooled using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model and reported as risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 7 studies involving 1132 patients with SCH and 11,753 euthyroid patients were included in the analysis. Compared with euthyroid patients, patients with SCH had significantly higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (RR 2.16, 95% CI: 1.38-3.38, P < 0.001), all-cause mortality (RR 1.68, 95% CI: 1.23-2.29, P = 0.001) and repeat revascularization (RR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.08-3.58, P = 0.03). However, there were no differences between both groups in terms of incidence of MI (RR 1.81, 95% CI: 0.97-3.37, P = 0.06), MACCE (RR 2.24, 95% CI: 0.55-9.08, P = 0.26) and heart failure (RR 5.38, 95% CI: 0.28-102.35, P = 0.26). Our analysis suggests among patients undergoing PCI, SCH was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality and repeat revascularization compared to euthyroid patients.

Palm Olein Emulsion: a Novel Vehicle for Topical Drug Delivery of Betamethasone 17-Valerate.

This study aims to investigate the use of palm olein as the oil phase for betamethasone 17-valerate (BV) emulsions. The physicochemical properties of the formulations were characterized. In vitro drug release study was performed with the Hanson Vertical Diffusion Cell System; the samples were quantified with HPLC and the results were compared with commercial products. Optimized emulsion formulations were subjected to stability studies for 3 months at temperatures of 4, 25, and 40°C; the betamethasone 17-valerate content was analyzed using HPLC. The formulations produced mean particle size of 2-4 µm, viscosities of 50-250 mPa.s, and zeta potential between -45 and -68 mV. The rheological analyses showed that the emulsions exhibited pseudoplastic and viscoelastic behavior. The in vitro release of BV from palm olein emulsion through cellulose acetate was 4.5 times higher than that of commercial products and more BV molecules deposited in rat skin. Less than 4% of the drug was degraded in the formulations during the 3-month period when they were subjected to the three different temperatures. These findings indicate that palm olein-in-water emulsion can be an alternative vehicle for topical drug delivery system with superior permeability.