Drug Target InsightsPub Date : 2016-05-29eCollection Date: 2016-01-01DOI: 10.4137/DTI.S39077
Filippo Rapetto, Vito D Bruno, Gustavo Guida, Roberto Marsico, Pierpaolo Chivasso, Carlo Zebele
{"title":"Gentamicin-Impregnated Collagen Sponge: Effectiveness in Preventing Sternal Wound Infection in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery.","authors":"Filippo Rapetto, Vito D Bruno, Gustavo Guida, Roberto Marsico, Pierpaolo Chivasso, Carlo Zebele","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S39077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S39077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sternal wound infections represent one of the most frequent complications after cardiac surgery and are associated with high postoperative mortality. Several preventive methods have been introduced, and recently, gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges (GICSs) have shown a promising effect in reducing the incidence of this type of complications. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that has been widely used to treat infections caused by multiresistant bacteria; despite its effectiveness, its systemic use carries a risk of toxicity. GICSs appear to overcome this side effect, topically delivering high antibiotic concentrations to the wound and thus reducing the toxic-related events. Although several retrospective analyses and randomized controlled trials have studied the use of GICSs in cardiac surgery, conclusions regarding their efficacy in preventing sternal wound infection are inconsistent. We have reviewed the current literature focusing on high-risk patients. </p>","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"10 Suppl 1","pages":"9-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2016-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S39077","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34452743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Drug Target InsightsPub Date : 2016-05-22eCollection Date: 2016-01-01DOI: 10.4137/DTI.S31565
Paraskevi Fragkou, Maria Souli, Maria Theochari, Christina Kontopoulou, Stelios Loukides, Anna Koumarianou
{"title":"A Case of Organizing Pneumonia (OP) Associated with Pembrolizumab.","authors":"Paraskevi Fragkou, Maria Souli, Maria Theochari, Christina Kontopoulou, Stelios Loukides, Anna Koumarianou","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S31565","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S31565","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Until recently, chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma had disappointing results. The identification of immune checkpoints such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 has led to the development of an array of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). These immunologic approaches against tumoral cells come with a novel kind of side effects that the clinician needs to be familiarized with. Herein, we report for the first time a case of organizing pneumonia, based on imaging and cytological analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage, possibly associated with the use of pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 Mab recently approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. </p>","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"10 ","pages":"9-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2016-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S31565","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34543869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuichiro Ueda, Hiroki Ishii, Taisuke Kitano, Mitsutoshi Shindo, Haruhisa Miyazawa, K. Ito, Keiji Hirai, Y. Kaku, H. Mori, T. Hoshino, S. Ookawara, M. Kakei, K. Tabei, Yoshiyuki Morishita
{"title":"Effects and Safety of Linagliptin as an Add-on Therapy in Advanced-Stage Diabetic Nephropathy Patients Taking Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Blockers","authors":"Yuichiro Ueda, Hiroki Ishii, Taisuke Kitano, Mitsutoshi Shindo, Haruhisa Miyazawa, K. Ito, Keiji Hirai, Y. Kaku, H. Mori, T. Hoshino, S. Ookawara, M. Kakei, K. Tabei, Yoshiyuki Morishita","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S38339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S38339","url":null,"abstract":"Background We investigated the effects and safety of linagliptin as an add-on therapy in patients with advanced-stage diabetic nephropathy (DMN) taking renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers. Method Twenty advanced-stage DMN patients (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): 24.5 ± 13.4 mL/min/1.73 m2) taking RAAS blockers were administered 5 mg/day linagliptin for 52 weeks. Changes in glucose and lipid metabolism and renal function were evaluated. Results Linagliptin decreased glycosylated hemoglobin levels (from 7.32 ± 0.77% to 6.85 ± 0.87%, P < 0.05) without changing fasting blood glucose levels, and significantly decreased total cholesterol levels (from 189.6 ± 49.0 to 170.2 ± 39.2 mg/dL, P < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (from 107.1 ± 32.4 to 90.2 ± 31.0 mg/dL, P < 0.05) without changing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Urine protein/creatinine ratio and annual change in eGFR remained unchanged. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion Linagliptin as an add-on therapy had beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism without impairment of renal function, and did not have any adverse effects in this population of patients with advanced-stage DMN taking RAAS blockers.","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"10 1","pages":"13 - 18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S38339","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70698731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Spadaccio, F. Nappi, N. Al-Attar, R. Coccia, M. Perluigi, F. Di Domenico
{"title":"CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN DRUG ELUTING DEVICES: Introductory Editorial: Drug-Eluting Stents or Drug-Eluting Grafts? Insights from Proteomic Analysis","authors":"C. Spadaccio, F. Nappi, N. Al-Attar, R. Coccia, M. Perluigi, F. Di Domenico","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S41240","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S41240","url":null,"abstract":"Drug Target Insights aims to provide researchers working in this complex, quickly developing field with online, open access to highly relevant scholarly articles by leading international researchers. In a field where the literature is ever-expanding, researchers increasingly need access to up-to-date, high quality scholarly articles on areas of specific contemporary interest. This supplement aims to address this by presenting high-quality articles that allow readers to distinguish the signal from the noise. The editor in chief hopes that through this effort, practitioners and researchers will be aided in finding answers to some of the most complex and pressing issues of our time. Supplement Aims and Scope Journal name: Drug Target Insights","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"10 1","pages":"15 - 19"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S41240","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70699220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Zahroh, Ahmad Ma’rup, U. S. Tambunan, A. A. Parikesit
{"title":"Immunoinformatics Approach in Designing Epitope-based Vaccine Against Meningitis-inducing Bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae Type b)","authors":"H. Zahroh, Ahmad Ma’rup, U. S. Tambunan, A. A. Parikesit","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S38458","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S38458","url":null,"abstract":"Meningitis infection is one of the major threats during Hajj season in Mecca. Meningitis vaccines are available, but their uses are limited in some countries due to religious reasons. Furthermore, they only give protection to certain serogroups, not to all types of meningitis-inducing bacteria. Recently, research on epitope-based vaccines has been developed intensively. Such vaccines have potential advantages over conventional vaccines in that they are safer to use and well responded to the antibody. In this study, we developed epitope-based vaccine candidates against various meningitis-inducing bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. The epitopes were selected from their protein of polysaccharide capsule. B-cell epitopes were predicted by using BCPred, while T-cell epitope for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I was predicted using PAProC, TAPPred, and Immune Epitope Database. Immune Epitope Database was also used to predict T-cell epitope for MHC class II. Population coverage and molecular docking simulation were predicted against previously generated epitope vaccine candidates. The best candidates for MHC class I- and class II-restricted T-cell epitopes were MQYGDKTTF, MKEQNTLEI, ECTEGEPDY, DLSIVVPIY, YPMAMMWRNASNRAI, TLQMTLLGIVPNLNK, ETSLHHIPGISNYFI, and SLLYILEKNAEMEFD, which showed 80% population coverage. The complexes of class I T-cell epitopes-HLA-C*03:03 and class II T-cell epitopes-HLA-DRB1*11:01 showed better affinity than standards as evaluated from their δGbinding value and the binding interaction between epitopes and HLA molecules. These peptide constructs may further be undergone in vitro and in vivo testings for the development of targeted vaccine against meningitis infection.","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"10 1","pages":"19 - 29"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S38458","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70698864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Kitanaka, N. Kitanaka, F. Hall, G. Uhl, M. Takemura
{"title":"Brain Histamine N-Methyltransferase As a Possible Target of Treatment for Methamphetamine Overdose","authors":"J. Kitanaka, N. Kitanaka, F. Hall, G. Uhl, M. Takemura","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S38342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S38342","url":null,"abstract":"Stereotypical behaviors induced by methamphetamine (METH) overdose are one of the overt symptoms of METH abuse, which can be easily assessed in animal models. Currently, there is no successful treatment for METH overdose. There is increasing evidence that elevated levels of brain histamine can attenuate METH-induced behavioral abnormalities, which might therefore constitute a novel therapeutic treatment for METH abuse and METH overdose. In mammals, histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT) is the sole enzyme responsible for degrading histamine in the brain. Metoprine, one of the most potent HMT inhibitors, can cross the blood-brain barrier and increase brain histamine levels by inhibiting HMT. Consequently, this compound can be a candidate for a prototype of drugs for the treatment of METH overdose.","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"10 1","pages":"1 - 7"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S38342","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70699058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Spadaccio, F. Nappi, F. De Marco, P. Sedati, Fraser W. H. Sutherland, M. Chello, M. Trombetta, A. Rainer
{"title":"Preliminary In Vivo Evaluation of a Hybrid Armored Vascular Graft Combining Electrospinning and Additive Manufacturing Techniques","authors":"C. Spadaccio, F. Nappi, F. De Marco, P. Sedati, Fraser W. H. Sutherland, M. Chello, M. Trombetta, A. Rainer","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S35202","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S35202","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we tested in vivo effectiveness of a previously developed poly-L-lactide/poly-8-caprolactone armored vascular graft releasing heparin. This bioprosthesis was designed in order to overcome the main drawbacks of tissue-engineered vascular grafts, mainly concerning poor mechanical properties, thrombogenicity, and endothelialization. The bioprosthesis was successfully implanted in an aortic vascular reconstruction model in rabbits. All grafts implanted were patent at four weeks postoperatively and have been adequately populated by endogenous cells without signs of thrombosis or structural failure and with no need of antiplatelet therapy. The results of this preliminary study might warrant for further larger controlled in vivo studies to further confirm these findings.","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"10 1","pages":"1 - 7"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S35202","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70698527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Drug Target InsightsPub Date : 2015-07-13eCollection Date: 2015-01-01DOI: 10.4137/DTI.S26589
Bodil Ohlsson, Olle Melander
{"title":"Basal Plasma Levels of Copeptin are Elevated in Inactive Inflammatory Bowel Disease after Bowel Resection.","authors":"Bodil Ohlsson, Olle Melander","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S26589","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S26589","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Evidence of interactions between the enteric nervous system, neuropeptides, and the immune system is growing. The aim of this study was to examine basal plasma levels of a variety of peptide precursors in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In two middle-aged cohorts, Malmö Preventive Medicine (n = 5,415) and Malmö Diet and Cost Study (n = 6,103), individuals with the diagnosis of IBD were identified. Medical records were scrutinized. Three controls were matched for each patient. Copeptin, midregional fragments of adrenomedullin, pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, and proenkephalin A, as well as N-terminal protachykinin A and proneurotensin were analyzed in the plasma. Sixty-two IBD patients were identified. The only difference between patients and controls was higher copeptin levels in the patients compared with controls (P = 0.006), with higher copeptin levels in resected than unresected patients (P = 0.020). There was no difference in any precursor levels between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, between different distributions of disease lesions, or between different treatments. </p>","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"9 ","pages":"21-7"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2015-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S26589","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33897047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Drug Target InsightsPub Date : 2015-06-15eCollection Date: 2015-01-01DOI: 10.4137/DTI.S24946
Ihsan N Zulkipli, Sheba R David, Rajan Rajabalaya, Adi Idris
{"title":"Medicinal Plants: A Potential Source of Compounds for Targeting Cell Division.","authors":"Ihsan N Zulkipli, Sheba R David, Rajan Rajabalaya, Adi Idris","doi":"10.4137/DTI.S24946","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/DTI.S24946","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Modern medicinal plant drug discovery has provided pharmacologically active compounds targeted against a multitude of conditions and diseases, such as infection, inflammation, and cancer. To date, natural products from medicinal plants remain a solid niche as a source from which cancer therapies can be derived. Among other properties, one favorable characteristic of an anticancer drug is its ability to block the uncontrollable process of cell division, as cancer cells are notorious for their abnormal cell division. There are numerous other documented works on the potential anticancer activity of drugs derived from medicinal plants, and their effects on cell division are an attractive and growing therapeutic target. Despite this, there remains a vast number of unidentified natural products that are potentially promising sources for medical applications. This mini review aims to revise the current knowledge of the effects of natural plant products on cell division. </p>","PeriodicalId":11326,"journal":{"name":"Drug Target Insights","volume":"9 ","pages":"9-19"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2015-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/DTI.S24946","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33413455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}