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Biomedical subjects

J Parekh

Publications and source records attributed to J Parekh.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Effective targeting of tumor vasculature by the angiogenesis inhibitors vasostatin and interleukin-12.

Solid tumors are dependent on preexisting vasculature and neovascularization for their growth. Successful cancer therapies targeting the tumor vasculature would be expected to block the existing tumor blood supply and to prevent tumor neovascularization. We tested the antitumor activity of experimental therapy with 2 distinct antiangiogenic drugs. Vasostatin inhibits endothelial cell growth and neovascularization, and interleukin-12 (IL-12) targets the tumor vasculature acting through interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and the downstream chemokines interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and monokine induced by IFN-gamma. Individually, vasostatin and IL-12 produced distinct efficacy profiles in trials aimed at reducing tumor growth in athymic mice. In combination, these inhibitors halted the growth of human Burkitt lymphoma, colon carcinoma, and ovarian carcinoma. Thus, cancer therapy that combines distinct inhibitors of angiogenesis is a novel, effective strategy for the experimental treatment of cancer. (Blood. 2000;96:1900-1905)

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Primary prevention of coronary heart disease. What has WOSCOPS told us and what questions remain? West Of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study.

Coronary heart disease remains the major cause of death and morbidity in developed countries. As a consequence, its prevention constitutes a significant public health challenge. In recent times, our understanding of this disease process has expanded and many of the factors that influence its expression have been elucidated. In addition, a number of trials of diet and lipid-lowering drugs have been performed in an effort to tackle this problem. These studies demonstrate that when lipid levels are favourably altered, cardiovascular events are reduced without adverse effect. The rate at which event outcomes diverge between treated and untreated patients depends on the degree of atherosclerosis manifestation prior to treatment and the aggressiveness of the lipid altering strategy. Nonetheless, to date, the residual risk of cardiovascular events is still unacceptably high despite even the most potent lipid-lowering treatments used in these trials. In order to minimise the risk of future events, earlier intervention and a greater change in LDL and HDL cholesterol levels are needed in conjunction with other risk factor modifications.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Hospital blood bank laboratory data processing system.

A data processing system designed to improve the management and usage of blood and blood products has been developed as a pilot for general application throughout the West Midlands Regional Health Authority. The package provides for the routine clerical, patient record, and stock management aspects of a hospital blood bank laboratory. It can be tailored to the individual requirements of different laboratories and may be implemented in a variety of ways on a family of computer systems of differing power and capacity, thus accommodating widely varying workloads and archiving requirements. Bar code readers are included in the system design, and may be used for data input where standard Codabar labels are affixed to blood products by blood transfusion centres. The system has been installed in one hospital laboratory and preliminary results indicate a high degree of acceptability at all levels. Further refinement of the software to meet minor deficiencies and the requirements of the recent DHSS Health Circular BLD/2/13 are currently being specified.

Blood Banks↗