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At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Place of drug therapy in the treatment of carotid stenosis.

Carotid stenosis is an important cause of transient ischaemic attacks and stroke. The cause of carotid stenosis is most often atherosclerosis; contributing to the pathogenesis of the lesion are endothelial injury, inflammation, lipid deposition, plaque formation, fibrin, platelets and thrombin. Carotid stenosis accounts for 10-20% of cases of brain infarction, depending on the population studied. Despite successful treatment of selected patients who have had an acute ischaemic stroke with tissue plasminogen activator and the promise of other experimental therapies, prevention remains the best approach to reducing the impact of ischaemic stroke. High-risk or stroke-prone patients can be identified and targeted for specific interventions. At this juncture, treatment of carotid stenosis is a well established therapeutic target and a pillar of stroke prevention. There are two main strategies for the treatment of carotid stenosis. The first approach is to stabilise or halt the progression of the carotid plaque through risk factor modification and medication. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity and high cholesterol levels are closely associated with carotid stenosis and stroke; control of these factors may decrease the risk of plaque formation and progression. The second approach is to eliminate or reduce carotid stenosis through carotid endarterectomy or carotid angioplasty and stenting. Carotid endarterectomy, which is the mainstay of therapy for severe carotid stenosis, is beyond the scope of this review. Anticoagulants seem to play little role (if any) in the medical (i.e. non-surgical) treatment of carotid stenosis. Adoption of a healthy lifestyle combined with the reduction of risk factors has been shown to lead to a reduction in the extent of carotid stenosis. The medical treatment of carotid stenosis should be based on the triad of the reduction of risk factors, patient education, and use of antiplatelet agents.

Carotid Stenosis↗

PubMed2006

Antioxidant strategies in respiratory medicine.

Pulmonary oxidant stress plays an important pathogenetic role in disease conditions including acute lung injury/adult respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS), hyperoxia, ischemia-reperfusion, sepsis, radiation injury, lung transplantation, COPD, and inflammation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), released from activated macrophages and leukocytes or formed in the pulmonary epithelial and endothelial cells, damage the lungs and initiate cascades of pro-inflammatory reactions propagating pulmonary and systemic stress. Diverse molecules including small organic compounds (e.g. gluthatione, tocopherol (vitamin E), flavonoids) serve as natural antioxidants that reduce oxidized cellular components, decompose ROS and detoxify toxic oxidation products. Antioxidant enzymes can either facilitate these antioxidant reactions (e.g. peroxidases using glutathione as a reducing agent) or directly decompose ROS (e.g. superoxide dismutases [SOD] and catalase). Many antioxidant agents are being tested for treatment of pulmonary oxidant stress. The administration of small antioxidants via the oral, intratracheal and vascular routes for the treatment of short- and long-term oxidant stress showed rather modest protective effects in animal and human studies. Intratracheal and intravascular administration of antioxidant enzymes are being currently tested for the treatment of acute oxidant stress. For example, intratracheal administration of recombinant human SOD is protective in premature infants exposed to hyperoxia. However, animal and human studies show that more effective delivery of drugs to cells experiencing oxidant stress is needed to improve protection. Diverse delivery systems for antioxidants including liposomes, chemical modifications (e.g. attachment of masking pegylated [PEG]-groups) and coupling to affinity carriers (e.g. antibodies against cellular adhesion molecules) are being employed and currently tested, mostly in animal and, to a limited extent, in humans, for the treatment of oxidant stress. Further studies are needed, however, in order to develop and establish effective applications of pulmonary antioxidant interventions useful in clinical practice. Although beyond the scope of this review, antioxidant gene therapies may eventually provide a strategy for the management of subacute and chronic pulmonary oxidant stress.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Furocoumarins in medicinal chemistry. Synthesis, natural occurrence and biological activity.

The scope of this review encompasses the importance of furocoumarins and the most important developments in this field that have been made in recent years, with particular emphasis placed on the aspects related to medicinal chemistry. A concise and exhaustive overview is given regarding the methods used for the synthesis of these compounds, new furocoumarins isolated from natural sources, and the most significant biological properties associated with these molecules. The section describing the synthetic methods is organized on the basis of the key step used for the formation of the two different oxygenated rings. In this respect there are three possibilities: (i) formation of the furan ring onto the coumarin, (ii) formation of the pyrone ring onto the benzofuran and (iii) the simultaneous formation of both oxygenated rings onto a benzene unit. The most recent preparative approaches are discussed along with modifications or improvements to methods that, though not particularly new, are still commonly used. The recently discovered natural furocoumarins are focused and presented in tables that provide information about its structure and source. The discussion of the biological importance of furocoumarins mainly focuses on their more relevant applications in photochemotherapy, but also provides examples of their versatility in a range of applications in the fields of biology and pharmacology.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Mechanisms of ATPases--a multi-disciplinary approach.

ATPases are important molecular machines that convert the chemical energies stored in ATP to mechanical actions within the cell. ATPases are among the most abundant proteins with diverse functions involved in almost every cellular pathway. The well characterised ATPases include the various motor proteins responsible for cargo transfers, cell motilities, and muscle contractions; the protein degradation machinery - the proteasome; the ATP synthase, F-ATPase; and the chaperone systems. Other ATPases include DNA helicases and DNA replication complex; proteins responsible for protein/complex disassembly; and certain gene regulators. It is beyond the scope of this review to cover the complete range of ATPases. Instead, we will focus on a few representative ATPases, chosen based on their diverse mechanisms and properties. Furthermore, this review is by no means trying to cover comprehensively the literature for each ATPase nor the historical aspects in each field. We will focus on describing the various techniques being employed to derive the mechanisms and properties of the chosen ATPases. Among them, high and low resolution structural studies combined with biochemical assays seem to be the dominant technical advances adapted to reveal mechanisms for most of the ATPases except the bacterial sigma54 activators, whose mechanism of action is mostly derived from large amount of biochemical studies. A number of them, especially the F-ATPase and motor proteins, have been studied successfully by various single molecule and imaging techniques. We will therefore discuss them in greater details in order to describe the wide range techniques being utilised.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed2005

Carbon nanotubes: on the road to deliver.

Over the last few years, considerable advances have been made in the field of nanotechnology. The advent of carbon nanotube functionalization has paved the way for their potential application as a delivery system of diverse molecules such as peptides, proteins, plasmid DNA, and synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides. This opens new therapeutic and preventive opportunities to combat diseases. The scope of this review is to summarize our recent work in this rapidly growing field.

Carbon↗

PubMed1998

Pivotal issues in forensic psychiatry.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: This review examines the scope of forensic psychiatry with particular emphasis on its ethical and social implications. Some comparisons are made between the development of the subspecialty in Australasia and similar developments in the United Kingdom and North America, and the reasons for differences. RESULTS: There has been inadequate debate in Australasia about some of the ethical issues relating to the practice of forensic psychiatry. Furthermore, Australian forensic psychiatry in particular has been slow to develop comprehensive and integrated services compared to other jurisdictions, and remains predominantly an assessment-based activity with primacy of the expert witness. CONCLUSIONS: Australasian psychiatry faces significant problems with respect to maldistribution of services. Governments are becoming more radical in their attempts to address this maldistribution and this has ethical implications for the profession itself and the practice of forensic psychiatry. Greater emphasis on the development of integrated and community-based forensic services, with leadership being provided by the profession itself, may deflect some of the present criticism, thereby allowing the subspecialty to more fully mature and develop with the approach of the new millennium.

Australia↗

PubMed2006

Intracellular TLR signaling: a structural perspective on human disease.

TLRs are crucial sensors of microbial infection. Maintaining structural integrity of TLR signaling components is essential for subsequent immunological protection. Alterations to the structure of these signaling molecules are often associated with profound clinical outcomes and susceptibility to various infectious diseases. These changes in structure are sometimes the result of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Numerous SNPs have been found in components of the TLR signaling pathway. Recently, the medical consequences and effects on TLR signaling of several of these SNPs have been elucidated. In addition, there have been numerous structures solved that are important to our understanding of the TLR signaling pathway at the molecular level. The scope of this review is to tie together current structural, biochemical, and genetic information of TLR signaling.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Powerlessness, empowerment, and health: implications for health promotion programs.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE. This article reviews the health and social science research relevant to both the role of powerlessness as a risk factor for disease, and the role of empowerment as a health-enhancing strategy. The research literature surveyed includes studies that address these key concepts from the fields of social epidemiology, occupational health, stress research, social psychology, community psychology, social support and networks, community competence and community organizing. Definitions are provided to operationalize these sometimes loosely-applied terms. IMPORTANT FINDINGS. Powerlessness, or lack of control over destiny, emerges as a broad-based risk factor for disease. Empowerment, though more difficult to evaluate, can also be demonstrated as an important promoter of health. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS. Given the importance and currency of these concepts of powerlessness and empowerment, a model of empowerment education is proposed for health-promotion practitioners. Measurement of empowerment raises issues for researchers on how to test the multiple personal and community changes that may result from an empowering education intervention.

Health Behavior↗

PubMed2000

The RB2/p130 gene: the latest weapon in the war against lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the second cause of death after cardiovascular diseases and is the major cause of cancer deaths in the Western world. Large scale screening trials conducted 15-20 years ago using chest X-rays and sputum cytology were able to detect stage I cancers but failed to impact on survival. This is because of the early metastatic potential of small primary tumors. It is important then to detect lung cancer at an earlier stage, studying and identifying genetic lesions that could indicate a new target(s) for gene therapy. The retinoblastoma-related gene pRb2/p130, a new tumor suppressor gene cloned in 1993, is emerging as one of the candidate markers and targets for gene therapeutic approach. Effective genetic therapy requires both a genetic material to be used therapeutically and a means to deliver it. A scope for this review is to examine some of the gene delivery systems mostly used, discussing their weaknesses and strengths, and to discuss the role of pRb2/p130 in lung cancer.

Gene Transfer Techniques↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hematologic and clinical chemistry reference values in red lories (Eos spp.).

We established reference ranges for three hematologic and 15 clinical chemistry parameters of 40 clinically healthy birds of the genus Eos. The following species were included to the study: Eos histrio (n = 19), Eos squamata (n = 8), Eos bomea (n = 5), Eos reticulata (n = 4), Eos cyanogenia (n = 4). Detailed information concerning methodology, which is often missing in papers dealing with reference values, is included. As far as possible, data are compared with literature, and some thoughts on obvious deviations are given. The problem of establishing reference values in rare species is reviewed.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Mohs micrographic surgery of the nail unit and squamous cell carcinoma.

The nail unit can be a challenging anatomic location for surgical removal of neoplasms. Although uncommon, malignancies do affect this specialized epithelial structure. In particular, Bowen's disease and more invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most common neoplasms to affect the nail unit and surrounding structures. Other neoplasms such as basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma can also affect the nail unit, but less frequently, and will not be discussed in the scope of this review. Mohs micrographic surgery continues to be the treatment of choice because of the procedure's tissue-sparing qualities. A clear understanding of the anatomy and the histology of the nail unit, a review of the technique of Mohs surgery of the nail anatomy, as well as a review of the literature are presented.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Minding your Ps and Qs. Are you measuring up?

It seems that new sets of hospital quality of care and patient safety measures are created monthly. Some of the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations measures are similar but different from the Peer Review Organization Sixth Scope of Work disease-specific measurement set, which varies from the Leapfrog measures, which are not the same as the proposed measures of the Michigan Health and Safety Coalition. These are but a few of the dozens of measurement sets.

Health Care Coalitions↗

PubMed2001

[Embryology and pathology of the human notochord].

The scope of this review is the report of recent findings on the developmental anatomy of the human notochord and vertebral column and the related tumors, that is chordomas. Anatomy and histology of adult intervertebral discs are also described. All the topics are completed by histochemical and immunohistochemical findings. Location and incidence of notochordal vestiges in the adult are correlated to the development of chordomas which are also described for their clinical features, skeletal distribution, spread, prognosis, and treatment. Pathology of chordomas includes morbid anatomy, histopathology, cytology, and ultrastructural findings. The seemingly distinct group of chondroid chordomas is also described. The link between chordomas and notochordal cells is stressed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recent advances in the treatment of viral hepatitis.

The viral hepatitis viruses and the diseases they cause are presented in terms of their importance to the practice of dentistry. Each virus will be discussed in terms of its epidemiology, risk of transmission in dentistry, and steps that can be taken to avoid transmission. The scope of this review emphasizes publications from 1996-1999.

DNA Virus Infections↗

PubMed2000

Patient-dentist relationship.

The scope of the review has been confined to behavioral researches published mainly in the past two decades especially on patient-dentist relationship, dental anxiety, communication and patients' satisfaction. In summary, it is concluded that there is not so much progress during the periodin the field of behavioral dentistry. Consequently, several recommendations are suggested for a future study of behavioral dentistry.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The future of Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy: shrinking the dystrophin gene.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a debilitating muscle-wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene - one of the largest genes identified thus far - and which ultimately results in premature death. With no current treatment available, the hopes of many sufferers lie in the establishment of an effective gene therapy. The adeno-associated virus is now emerging as a premium gene transfer vector eliciting minimal immune response from the host and allowing for long-term gene expression. It is the scope of this review to examine the recent efforts that have been made to develop ultra-truncated versions of the dystrophin gene that retain functionality, yet can still be cloned into recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors and other low-capacity vector systems.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2002

Implications of legalising euthanasia in The Netherlands: greater regulatory control?

Euthanasia has been decriminalised in The Netherlands for the last 30 years, but it was only in April 2001 that the Dutch Parliament legalised voluntary physician-assisted suicide. The legislation incorporates developments in case law, including scope for peer review, and provides common ethical principles for a clear system of control over doctors' actions in regard to patients who request euthanasia. The legalised regulatory system may prove more effective in controlling voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia in The Netherlands than in countries where euthanasia remains illegal.

Attitude to Death↗

PubMed2003

Defense against own arms: staphylococcal cysteine proteases and their inhibitors.

Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen causing a wide range of diseases. Most staphylococcal infections, unlike those caused by other bacteria are not toxigenic and very little is known about their pathogenesis. It has been proposed that a core of secreted proteins common to many infectious strains is responsible for colonization and infection. Among those proteins several proteases are present and over the years many different functions in the infection process have been attributed to them. However, little direct, in vivo data has been presented. Two cysteine proteases, staphopain A (ScpA) and staphopain B (SspB) are important members of this group of enzymes. Recently, two cysteine protease inhibitors, staphostatin A and staphostatin B (ScpB and SspC, respectively) were described in S. aureus shedding new light on the complexity of the processes involving the two proteases. The scope of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the network of staphylococcal cysteine proteases and their inhibitors in view of their possible role as virulence factors.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗