Medical research archives最新文献

{"title":"Prospects for developing lipoprotein-based drug transporters for therapeutic applications.","authors":"A. Lacko, N. Sabnis, Dorota L. Stankowska, Akpedje S Dossou, Rong Ma, Ronald Petty, R. Dickerman, B. Bunnell","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i1.3521","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i1.3521","url":null,"abstract":"The primary focus of this review is lipoprotein-based drug carriers, more specifically, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) type nanoparticles (NPs). These nanostructures are discussed regarding their suitability for clinical applications, particularly for cancer therapy. Poor solubility and insufficient capability to selectively target malignant tumors represent significant challenges facing many anticancer drugs. Nevertheless, we and others have found that most, if not all, of these difficulties, can be overcome by incorporating drugs into lipoprotein nanocarriers1. While not a novel approach, as HDL type NPs have been documented to deliver anticancer agents to cancer cells effectively and tumors2,3,4,5, including those that, on their own (without facilitation), exhibited less than desirable therapeutic efficacy6, due to their desirable features (see below), HDL type drug carriers, at least in our view, hold tremendous promise as facilitators of cancer chemotherapy. One of the key aspects of the HDL-type NP-facilitated drug transport is the receptor-mediated uptake of the payload from the NPs7,8. Consequently, in this review, major emphasis is placed on monitoring the expression of the scavenger receptor type B1 (SR-B1) as a potentially valuable tool for the pre-treatment selection of patients regarding their suitability for advanced, personalized chemotherapy. The main emphasis in this article is on developing novel cancer therapeutics, while approaches for treating other diseases via lipoprotein nanocarriers are briefly discussed.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76499030","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}

{"title":"The Quantity, Quality and Two Major Effector Functions of Antibodies to VAR2CSA and their Association with Pregnancy Outcomes in a Low Malaria Transmission Area","authors":"Yukie M. Lloyd, N. Bobbili, A. Salanti, Philomina Gwanmesia, Josephine Fogako, R. Leke, Diane W Taylor","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i8.4187","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i8.4187","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Women produce antibodies to VAR2CSA when infected with Plasmodium falciparum during pregnancy that reduce disease severity in the current and subsequent pregnancies. In addition to antibody quantity, antibody quality (e.g., avidity) and function (e.g., inhibition of binding and opsonic phagocytosis) are immunologically important. Studies comparing the quantity, avidity and effector mechanisms of antibodies to VAR2CSA in the same group of women with pregnancy outcomes, especially in low transmission areas, are limited. Aims: The purpose of this study was to characterize antibodies to VAR2CSA using four assays, determine the correlation among the assays, and relate this to pregnancy outcome. Methods: A panel of 310 plasma samples from women in Yaoundé (a city with low malaria transmission) who had antibodies to full-length VAR2CSA were screened in assays that measured i) level of antibodies to VAR2CSA, ii) antibody avidity, iii) reduction in binding (RiB) of fluorescent VAR2CSA-coupled beads to fluorescent-CSA-coupled beads, and iv) opsonic phagocytosis using VAR2CSA-coupled beads and human THP1 cells. Results from the assays were compared with clinical information from 614 women who were Ab-negative. Results: A modest association was found among the 4 assays, i.e., as the amount of antibodies increased, a small increase in avidity, RiB and phagocytosis was observed; however, the association between RiB and avidity was poor. When results were dichotomized to above and below the median, antibody avidity, but not antibodies in the other assays, was associated with a significant reduction in prevalence of placental malaria and lower placental parasitemia. However, women who had antibody values above the median in amount (p=0.03), avidity (p=0.006), reduction in binding (p=0.018) and probably phagocytosis (p=0.065) had significantly lower placental parasitemia than women who lacked Abs to VAR2CSA. Conclusions: In this urban setting, women with the highest (above the median) antibody levels, in the four assays had a lower prevalence of placental malaria and placental parasitemia than women who lacked anti-VAR2CSA antibodies. Thus, VAR2CA-based vaccine trials in low transmission areas should consider using all four assays before and after vaccination.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76575263","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}

{"title":"Cryptochrome: An ancient blue light photoreceptor impacts modern mammalian physiology","authors":"David Smith","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i1.3523","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i1.3523","url":null,"abstract":"Cryptochromes, evolutionally conserved and retained in mammals as transcriptional regulators having a repressive role in the transcription-translation feedback loop, the molecular mechanism behind the control of the endogenous mammalian circadian clock. This clock mechanism regulates the oscillation of a huge number of clock-controlled output genes. This in turn is responsible for modification of the physiological response of most organs and tissues, to coordinate with diurnal and seasonal changes in light and nutrient availability. Cryptochromes have also been found to participate in additional signalling cascades, outside of the circadian system, forming supplementary feedback loops that initiate cross-talk between systems influencing metabolism, inflammation and DNA damage response to maintain cellular homeostasis. This physiological organisation system has developed from Palaeolithic man but is still relevant in our modern world.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77618723","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}

{"title":"BEHAVIOURAL MODEL BASED STRATEGIES FOR BETTER ADOPTION OF INFERTILITY TREATMENT","authors":"Kanika Panda, S. Rath","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i3.3670","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i3.3670","url":null,"abstract":"Infertility is a global crisis affecting 15% of global population. Rapidly declining sperm counts below critical levels demands immediate attention to make fertility treatment widely available; accessible and affordable; the triple aim in healthcare. Though fertility treatments have advanced in recent years manifold, unfortunately many are still away from accessing the available treatment due to various behavioural influences and biases. Infertility not only affects physical health, but also impacts mental, social and emotional health of individuals and society. Unawareness, guilt, shame and coping issues are some of the strong biases/influences that effect healthcare seeking action. Beneficial effects of behavioural economics (should vs would) has been well studied and applied in health policy and treatment interventions, especially in chronic diseases. A systematic understanding of behavioural stages patients go through during fertility treatment journey; from seeking treatment, adjusting to the multiple cycles of anticipation to welcoming a baby can greatly help individuals access available treatment sooner, in the appropriate way and accept the journey for better outcome with less burden. Providers too will be better equipped to help patients in an informed empathetic counselling once they understand the psycho-behavioural transitions of the patients throughout the journey. Fertility policies, patient education can be designed based on behavioural models that can make fertility treatment accessible at community level.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79792635","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}

{"title":"Covid-19 Pandemic and Medicines Regulation in Ghana: Overview and Perspectives of Regulators","authors":"D. Darko, O. Boateng","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i8.4292","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i8.4292","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, impacted health systems around the world resulting in a surge in demand for medicines and therapeutic interventions to combat the pandemic. Medicine regulatory agencies played a crucial role in ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines. Regulatory agencies streamlined regulatory processes and made them flexible to tackle the urgent need for COVID-19 interventions. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted regulatory agencies on the importance of global regulatory collaboration and harmonization. Following the pandemic, regulatory agencies continually aim to ensure global alignment in regulatory standards, facilitate data sharing, and streamline regulatory processes to optimize their activities and preparedness for future emergencies. Objective: The objective of this study was to have an overview of medicines regulation following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and regulator’s perspective on the associated regulatory adaptations. Method: The study was conducted through qualitative open-ended interviews. It was carried out within the head office of the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority; the sole regulator of medicines in the country. Interviews were audio-recorded with the consent of participants and transcribed for analysis. After transcription data was categorized into themes and analyzed using a generic thematic analysis method. Results: Ghana's medicines regulatory system, governed by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) developed a system which encompassed pre-market approval, post-market surveillance, pharmacovigilance activities, and approval of clinical trials, aimed at safeguarding public health. To address the urgent need for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, regulators worldwide, including Ghana, implemented emergency use authorization (EUA) processes, demonstrated regulatory flexibility by adopting alternative assessment approaches and streamlining processes without compromising safety and quality standards. The Food and Drugs Authority along with other stakeholders and opinion leaders played a crucial role in disseminating accurate information and debunking myths and misconceptions about the pandemic to empower citizens with accurate information, dispel misinformation, and promote adherence to preventive measures. Conclusion: The importance of resourcefulness and the adoption of sustainable practices, working smarter, saving resources, embracing virtual trainings, and introducing dynamic assessment practices have been highlighted to have reshaped activities of the Authority. These lessons can serve as valuable guides in building a more efficient, collaborative, and environmentally conscious future as we continue to navigate the post pandemic world.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79939213","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}

{"title":"Comparison of homeopathic medicines composed of Taraxacum officinale and Lycopodium clavatum for treating cellular hepatocarcinoma","authors":"Ana Valle, Aloíso Carvalho, Samir Rahme, A. Araújo, Patricia Malard, H. Brunel","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i8.4373","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i8.4373","url":null,"abstract":"Homeopathy has been increasingly standing out for its proven clinical benefits and for providing a course of treatment with fewer side effects to patients, thus promoting a better quality of life for them. Homeopathic therapy can be used in different contexts and is an additional alternative for treating cancer patients in Integrative Medicine. Within this context, hepatocellular carcinoma has a high mortality rate and, in most cases, is diagnosed in advanced cases. Therefore, this study evaluated the in vitro efficacy of the association of the homeopathic medicines Taraxacum officinale and Lycopodium clavatum against HepG2 cells. For this purpose, cells were grown in 75 cm² flasks and then plated in 96-well plates. The treatment with Taraxacum D4 + Taraxacum D8 + Taraxacum D12 and Taraxacum D5 + Lycopodium D6 at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 µL/mL was added to each well. After 48 hours of incubation in an oven at 37ºC, 5% CO2, cells were subjected to the cell viability test by MTT. A decrease in viability was observed compared to the control group (cells without treatment). In addition, the medicine Taraxacum officinale was more effective in decreasing cell viability than the other medicines in the three conditions tested. In conclusion, the homeopathic medicine Taraxacum D4 + Taraxacum D8 + Taraxacum D12, in accord of potencies, is promising against hepatocellular carcinoma cells and can be used to aid in the treatment of this type of cancer.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"67 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80252535","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}

{"title":"Impact of induction chemotherapy on Resectability in Locally advanced oral cavity Carcinomas","authors":"Mrinalini Verma, D. Kukreja, N. Akhtar, A. Resu, Dhruv Mahajan, P. Niranjan, D. Chakrabarti, K. Srivastava, Rajeeva Gupta, M. Bhatt","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i7.1.4134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i7.1.4134","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: We aim to assess resectability in patients with locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas with induction chemotherapy (ICT). Methods: All stage III-IVB oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with borderline resectable (suspected R1) or unresectable disease (stage IVB, except internal carotid artery encasement or pterygoid plate or skull base involvement) recruited between January 2020 and August 2021 at a tertiary care hospital received 2-3 cycles of ICT (standard TPF regimen) followed by a surgical assessment. The primary aim was to evaluate the proportion of patients that became resectable by ICT. Results: Out of 40 patients, 21 were unresectable (stage IVB disease), and 19 were borderline resectable (stage IVA disease) with doubtful resection margins as per the multi-disciplinary discussion. After chemotherapy, 21 patients became resectable (13 out of 19; and 8 out of 21). Thus, resectability was achieved in 52.5% of patients (32.5% for stage IVA and 20% for stage IVB). The median overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent surgery was 20.5 months (95% CI: 16.95-28.25 months) versus 8.0 months (95% CI: 5.74-13.46 months) in patients who remained unresectable after induction chemotherapy (p=0.0001). Conclusions: In our study, induction chemotherapy leads to improved surgical resection rates with acceptable toxicities in a significant proportion of unresectable locally advanced oral cancers, with improved overall survival significantly.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"60 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80275418","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}

{"title":"CANDOR - A Patient Safety, Medical Liability, and Healthcare Professional Wellness Program","authors":"F. LeCraw","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i2.3434","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i2.3434","url":null,"abstract":"The Communication and Optimal Resolution (CANDOR) program, a patient safety, medicolegal, and healthcare professional wellness program, has been implemented or in the process of being implemented in over 800 US hospitals. The program was designed to help patients suffering from unexpected adverse outcomes and healthcare professionals whose patients experience injury while under their care. The CANDOR program’s basic premise emphasizes honesty in medical error situations. It aims to prevent the recurrence of medical errors. Studies have found that, compared to the common US practice known as “Deny, Delay, and Defend,” using CANDOR not only benefits current and future patients but can improve the well-being of healthcare professionals. This paper therefore aimed to describe CANDOR and evidence regarding its effects on patients and the healthcare professional’s well-being at hospitals that implemented it in comparison to their previous practice of “Deny, Delay, and Defend.” This paper describes methods used by CANDOR teams, which include physicians, attorneys, patient advocates, and health policy leaders, in their successful endeavor to persuade hospital leaders to implement it, in essence to change the hospital’s culture from a culture of opaqueness regarding medical errors and their consequences to a culture embracing transparency. This paper also describes obstacles the teams faced in their endeavor to implement CANDOR at their institution and how they surmounted the obstacles.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79061595","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}

{"title":"Relevance of Preventive Measures against COVID-19 and Other Communicable Diseases for University Employees and Students Returning to Face-to-Face Teaching","authors":"Emilyn Munar, Wilfrido Simbul, Aurora Dionisio, Josefa Turingan","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i8.4114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i8.4114","url":null,"abstract":"This study links health protocol awareness and appreciation to communicable disease prevention in higher education institution in Santiago City, Isabela, Philippines. If employees and students understand the health regulations and a majority of respondents approve and are more likely to follow, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases can be prevented. This descriptive-correlational cross-sectional study had 368 participants. The researchers prepared a more extensive questionnaire to analyze employees and students returning to face-to-face schooling in 2021-2022's trust and reliance in Covid-19 and other communicable disease prevention. Five of the higher education institution's ten leading causes of morbidity are also identified and ranked in the province. Acute respiratory, urinary, lower respiratory, and skin infections are contagious. Hypertension ranks fifth. The higher education institution's employee and student population has reached the desired herd immunity level, which is much higher than the Regional level; Group I's health problems have been alleviated by the anti-Covid preventive measles vaccination; and all five diseases are preventable, making them good targets for preventive medicine. The findings showed that \"There is no significant difference between health data obtained from a general population of a region of the country and that of a school population in terms of the leading causes of morbidity and the current Covid-19 vaccination rate of the vulnerable population\" and that \"There is no significant difference between the level of appreciation of the relevance of health protocols between a segment of the population in a higher education institution grouped as those with health.”","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81902993","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}

{"title":"Microscopic Manifestations of Maternal Diabetes in Placental Structure","authors":"M. Jirkovská","doi":"10.18103/mra.v11i7.2.4141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i7.2.4141","url":null,"abstract":"The human placenta is crucial for prenatal development and good pregnancy outcome. Maternal diabetic disorder influences normal intrauterine development of individual and expresses itself in the placenta. Due to the progress in diagnostic methods and methods of metabolic compensation the macroscopic signs associated with maternal diabetes, e.g., placentomegaly, occur nowadays rarely. In the microscopic picture of placenta there are no structural differences specific for maternal diabetes. However, the application of quantitative morphological methods has revealed some differences of normal and diabetic placenta. Stereological studies have shown significantly higher total volume of peripheral villi that distorts shapes and dimensions of pores in the intervillous space, and larger surface areas of peripheral villi and villous capillaries. Methods of confocal microscopy and 3D reconstruction gave the evidence that the fetus reacts on the hypoxia in maternal diabetic environment by enhanced angiogenesis and branching of villous capillaries. The enhanced tissue volumes are conditioned by higher mitotic activity. However, it decreases the proliferative potential of cells taking part in the enlargement of key structures for maternofetal transport at the end of pregnancy. Syncytiotrophoblast produces many factors playing important roles in maternal and fetal regulation and in the placenta itself. Quantitative methods of catalytic histochemistry and immunocytochemistry pointed at the role of maternal diabetes in decreased synthesis of some of those factors (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, SP1 glycoprotein). The presented data show that the quantitative morphological methods contribute to better understanding of the influence of maternal diabetes on fetoplacental unit.","PeriodicalId":94137,"journal":{"name":"Medical research archives","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81934795","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}