Background: Acute nasopharyngitis is often treated with hypertonic saline that can be combined with additional compounds, such as lysozyme. The aim of this study was to compare efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline solution with or without lysozyme in the treatment of acute nasopharyngitis. Methods: Non-interventional, prospective, multicentre, observational, parallel study was conducted on adult subjects with symptoms of acute nasopharyngitis. Subjects were divided into hypertonic saline or lysozyme group (receiving slightly hypertonic nasal spray with addition of lysozyme). Time until the patency of both nasal passages was measured after the first application of therapy. The congestion severity was assessed by using a visual analogue scale before the therapy application, after 30 minutes, and after seven days. Adverse reactions were monitored and evaluated.   Results: The total number of included subjects was 252 (60 in the hypertonic saline group and 192 in the lysozyme group). In both groups, a significantly better assessment of the severity of the nasal passages’ obstruction was recorded after 30 minutes and seven days from therapy start (for all compared time intervals p<0.001). The lysozyme group had a significantly lower nasal congestion score compared to hypertonic saline 30 minutes after therapy (p<0.001) and seven days from the therapy start (p=0.001). In the hypertonic saline group, a significantly shorter time was observed to establish the patency of the nasal passages after the first therapy application (p<0.001). All adverse events were mild. Conclusions: Addition of lysozyme to slightly hypertonic nasal spray brings added value in the pharmacotherapy of acute nasopharyngitis.

While clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is curable, advanced metastatic (mRCC) remains a clinical challenge. We analyzed clinical, pathohistological, and molecular data (Receptor Interacting Protein 5—RIP5 and Vestigial Like Family Member 4—VGLL4 expression) of 55 mRCC patients treated with first-line treatment with sunitinib. The trend of linear increase in the protein expression of RIP5 was observed with the progression of tumor grade. Overall, 80% of RIP5-positive cells were in the control kidneys and high-grade mRCC. On the contrary, RIP5 displayed low expression in grade 2 mRCC (5.63%). The trend of linear decrease in the expression of VGLL4 was observed with the progression of tumor grade. The highest protein expression of VGLL4 was observed in grade 2 (87.82%) in comparison to grade 3 and 4 and control. High expression of RIP5 mRNA was associated with longer first-line overall survival and longer progression-free survival in mRCC. In addition, a high VGLL4 mRNA expression showed better overall survival in patients with ccRCC. In conclusion, high mRNA expression of RIP5 and VGLL4 are important markers of better survival rates in mRCC patients.

Context: Rivaroxaban is an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor reducing the risk of systemic embolism and stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Aims: The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of rivaroxaban therapy in reducing the risk of systemic embolism and stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, whereas secondary objectives were to monitor therapy safety and the patients' adherence to treatment. Settings and Design: The prospective, postmarketing clinical trial was conducted on patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with one or more risk factors, such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, who suffered a stroke or a transient ischemic attack. Subjects and Methods: At the baseline visit, the CHA2DS2 score was determined, and therapy was introduced. At three control visits (1, 3, and 6 months after baseline), systemic embolism, stroke, bruises, or bleeding occurrences were recorded. Furthemore, adverse events were monitored, and the Morisky score (MMAS-8) for treatment compliance was determined. Results were compared to previous studies. Results: The study included 471 patients. The incidence rate in events per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval) was 2.6 (0.1–5.1) for systemic embolism and 4.3 (1.6–7.0) for stroke. The most common form of bleeding during rivaroxaban therapy was epistaxis. Adverse events were reported in 12 (2.7%) patients. Therapy adherence was in the range of medium adherence for the entire study period, with the average score decreasing significantly from the 1st to 6th months (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Rivaroxaban showed good efficacy and safety in reducing the risk of systemic embolism and stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation including patients with comorbidities.