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  • Parrott Sinclair posted an update 6 days, 6 hours ago

    Scenarios with a longer consultation time were more sensitive to the patients’ order of arrival than those with a shorter consultation time.

    By using simulation, we assessed the impact of increasing the consultation time in a risk-free environment. The increase in patients waiting time was somewhat gradual, and patients who arrive later in the day are more likely to wait longer than those who arrive earlier in the day. Increasing consultation time was more sensitive to the patients’ order of arrival than those with a shorter consultation time.

    By using simulation, we assessed the impact of increasing the consultation time in a risk-free environment. The increase in patients waiting time was somewhat gradual, and patients who arrive later in the day are more likely to wait longer than those who arrive earlier in the day. Increasing consultation time was more sensitive to the patients’ order of arrival than those with a shorter consultation time.The continued spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has prompted global concern. The formal name given to 2019-nCoV by the World Health Organization is COVID-19, while the International Committee on Taxonomy has named it severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to this viral attack, nations around the world have issued lockdown restrictions. Presently, there is no effective way to control the spread of 2019-nCoV, except through social distancing and hygienic activities. World-class scientists and researchers are trying to develop vaccines and medicines that will cure this deadly viral disease and control its spread. Our aim in presenting this article is to provide an easy therapeutic approach that effectively combats deadly viral diseases, such as COVID-19, with minimal intervention and effort. Different Ayurvedic therapeutic agents (Curcuma longa L, green tea, and Piper nigrum) inhibit the entry of viruses in the host cell and the transmission of pathogens, while improving immunity. Curcumin and piperine (1-piperoylpiperidine) interact with each other and form a π-π intermolecular complex that enhances the bioavailability of curcumin by inhibition of glucuronidation of curcumin in the liver. Two molecules, curcumin and catechin, bind directly to the receptor-binding domain of the S-protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor of the host cell, by which these molecules inhibit the entry of viruses in the host cell. As a result, the animal host will survive the infection.

     Optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps remains challenging. Image-enhancement techniques such as narrow-band imaging and blue-light imaging (BLI) can improve optical diagnosis. We developed and prospectively validated a computer-aided diagnosis system (CADx) using high-definition white-light (HDWL) and BLI images, and compared the system with the optical diagnosis of expert and novice endoscopists.

     CADx characterized colorectal polyps by exploiting artificial neural networks. Six experts and 13 novices optically diagnosed 60 colorectal polyps based on intuition. After 4 weeks, the same set of images was permuted and optically diagnosed using the BLI Adenoma Serrated International Classification (BASIC).

     CADx had a diagnostic accuracy of 88.3 % using HDWL images and 86.7 % using BLI images. The overall diagnostic accuracy combining HDWL and BLI (multimodal imaging) was 95.0 %, which was significantly higher than that of experts (81.7 %,

     = 0.03) and novices (66.7 %,

     < 0.001). Sensitivity was also higher for CADx (95.6 % vs. 61.1 % and 55.4 %), whereas specificity was higher for experts compared with CADx and novices (95.6 % vs. 93.3 % and 93.2 %). For endoscopists, diagnostic accuracy did not increase when using BASIC, either for experts (intuition 79.5 % vs. BASIC 81.7 %,

     = 0.14) or for novices (intuition 66.7 % vs. BASIC 66.5 %,

     = 0.95).

     CADx had a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than experts and novices for the optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps. Multimodal imaging, incorporating both HDWL and BLI, improved the diagnostic accuracy of CADx. BASIC did not increase the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopists compared with intuitive optical diagnosis.

     CADx had a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than experts and novices for the optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps. Multimodal imaging, incorporating both HDWL and BLI, improved the diagnostic accuracy of CADx. BASIC did not increase the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopists compared with intuitive optical diagnosis.

     The aim of this study was to (1) evaluate bending structural properties of a machined short fibre epoxy (SFE) feline bone surrogate (FBS), (2) compare the bending behaviour of small angle-stable interlocking nails (I-Loc; Targon) and locking compression plates (LCP) and (3) evaluate the effect of implant removal on FBS bending strength.

     Part 1 Feline cadaveric femurs (

     = 10) and FBS (

     = 4) underwent cyclic four-point bending and load to failure. Part 2 Fracture gap FBS constructs (

     = 4/group) were stabilized in a bridging fashion with either I-Loc 3 and 4, Targon 2.5 and 3.0, LCP 2.0 and 2.4, then cyclically bent. Part 3 Intact FBS with pilot holes, simulating explantation, (

     = 4/group) underwent destructive bending tests. Bending compliance, angular deformation and failure moment (F

    ) were statistically compared (

     < 0.05).

     Native bone and FBS were similar for all outcome measures (

     > 0.05). The smallest and largest bending compliance and angular deformation were seen in the I-Loc argon and LCP for feline fracture osteosynthesis. The significantly lower FM of explanted Targon may increase the risk of secondary fracture following implant removal.Stroke continues to be the third-leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The limited availability of diagnostic tools approved therapeutics and biomarkers that help monitor disease progression or predict future events remain as the major challenges in the field of stroke medicine. Hence, attempts to discover safe and efficacious therapeutics and reliable biomarkers are of paramount importance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that play important roles in regulating gene expression. Since miRNAs also play important roles in key mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of stroke, including energy failure, inflammation and cell death, it is possible that miRNAs may serve as reliable blood-based markers for risk prediction, diagnosis and prognosis of ischaemic stroke. Discovery of better neurological outcome and smaller cerebral infarcts in animal models of ischaemic stroke treated with miRNA agomirs or antagomirs indicate that miRNAs may also play a cerebrovascular protective role after an ischaemic stroke. Nonetheless, further evidences on the optimum time for treatment and route of administration are required before effective translation of these findings into clinical practice. Bearing these in mind, this paper reviews the current literature discussing the involvement of miRNAs in major pathologies associated with ischaemic stroke and evaluates their value as reliable biomarkers and therapeutics for ischaemic stroke.About half of all cutaneous melanomas harbor activating mutations in the BRAF oncogene. Dependence on this pathway makes the tumors vulnerable to BRAF (and downstream MEK) inhibition, and three drug combinations are approved to target this vulnerability in advanced melanomas with BRAFV600 mutations. Responses to BRAF/MEK inhibitors are usually fast, but durability of response can be limited. Five-year data from BRAF/MEK inhibitors show long-term survival benefit for a third of the patients. There is a wide variety of known mechanisms of resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibition, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase reactivation, activation of parallel pathways, alterations in cell-cycle regulation, and non-genetic resistance mechanisms. Strategies that have been explored to overcome these mechanisms include alternative dosing regimens, addition of another kinase inhibitor, and use of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy either in combination or post-relapse on BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapies.

    Biologic treatments impose a large financial burden on healthcare payers. Subcutaneous formulations of trastuzumab and rituximab offer administration cost savings relative to the intravenous products through reduced preparation and infusion times. However, intravenous biosimilars have the potential to offset administration costs through lower drug costs.

    The objective was to develop a budget impact model (BIM) from a payer’s perspective for the EU-5 countries (UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy) todemonstrate the economic impact of using intravenous trastuzumab and rituximab biosimilars.

    An incidence-based BIM was developed to estimate the net budget impact utilising epidemiology data from the literature, market research data on the use of relevant treatments in all approved indications, and corresponding costs. The budget impact was estimated for 5 years following introduction of the biosimilars.

    Analysis using the base-case results indicated that adoption of the biosimilars trastuzumab and rituximab would result in net cost savings. At year 5, the net budget saving ranged from €4.05 million to 303.86 million for rituximab and from €19 million to 172 million for trastuzumab. The cost saving could potentially extend treatment to 291-15,671 more patients with rituximab and 622-3688 more patients with trastuzumab.

    This budget impact analysis emphasised that increased use of intravenous rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars may result in cost savings from the payer’s perspective across the EU-5 countries.

    This budget impact analysis emphasised that increased use of intravenous rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars may result in cost savings from the payer’s perspective across the EU-5 countries.Osteosarcoma, a malignant tumor of bones, has very high incidence in adolescents and young people. The present study investigated the effect of indirubin-3′-oxime (IDR3O) derivative on proliferation of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Changes in growth and induction of apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells were assessed using WST-8 and TUNEL staining assays. Treatment of MG63 and Saos‑2 cells with IDR3O inhibited proliferation, activated apoptosis and promoted AMPK-activation. In IDR3O treated MG63 and Saos‑2 cells PGC-1α (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α) levels were markedly promoted compared to control (untreated) cells. In the mice model osteosarcoma was induced by implantation of 2 × 106 MG63 cells on dorsal side subcutaneously. Then the experimental group of mice received IDR3O intra-peritoneally during 45 days. IDR3O-treatment suppressed tumor development significantly compared to control (untreated) group but didn’t changed body weight. IDR3O inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth and activates apoptosis through AMPK dependent pathway. Therefore, IDR3O may be considered for treatment of osteosarcoma as it effectively arrests tumor growth in mice.In the present study, 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-6-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-4 (5H)-one (DPMPP) was investigated as an antiproliferative agent for prostate cancer cells and the mechanism of its action was studied. Cell lines 22Rv1 and SGC‑7901 were used as in vitro models of prostate cancer. The DPMPP treatment inhibited proliferation of 22Rv1 and SGC‑7901 cells in dose-depended manner. The viability of 22Rv1 and SGC‑7901 cells was reduced to 21 and 19%, respectively after treatment with 32 µM DPMPP. Buparlisib In DPMPP treated (16 µM) 22Rv1 and SGC‑7901 cells apoptosis increased to 62.78 and 68.51%, respectively. Moreover, DPMPP treatment caused cell cycle arrest in S phase and inhibition of PI3K/AKT activation. In the same time ROS production showed elevation and MMP (Matrix MetalloProteinase) decreased in the cells. Apparently DPMPP induces cytotoxicity through induction of oxidative response and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells in vitro. The PI3K/Akt/ERK phosphorylation was inhibited, while p21 and p53, death receptor, expression was promoted by DPMPP treatment.