scholarly journals GH/IGF-1 Abnormalities and Muscle Impairment: From Basic Research to Clinical Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 415
Author(s):  
Betina Biagetti ◽  
Rafael Simó
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Muscle Impairment

The impairment of skeletal muscle function is one of the most debilitating least understood co-morbidity that accompanies acromegaly (ACRO). Despite being one of the major determinants of these patients’ poor quality of life, there is limited evidence related to the underlying mechanisms and treatment options. Although growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels are associated, albeit not indisputable, with the presence and severity of ACRO myopathies the precise effects attributed to increased GH or IGF-1 levels are still unclear. Yet, cell lines and animal models can help us bridge these gaps. This review aims to describe the evidence regarding the role of GH and IGF-1 in muscle anabolism, from the basic to the clinical setting with special emphasis on ACRO. We also pinpoint future perspectives and research lines that should be considered for improving our knowledge in the field.

Pharmacotherapy review: Emerging treatment modalities in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Plumadore ◽  
Lindsay Lombardo ◽  
Katherine P Cabral
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Disease State ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Agent Selection ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Tea Extract

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles , AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose This review aims to summarize the evidence and pharmacological characteristics of treatment options for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Additionally, this review highlights the role of clinical pharmacists in helping to secure newly introduced therapies. Summary ATTR-CM, a disease characterized by misfolded protein that is deposited in the myocardium and disrupts cardiac functioning, has historically been underdiagnosed due to the need for invasive biopsy and an illusion of rarity. Once diagnosed, limited treatment modalities for ATTR-CM have led providers to rely on nonpharmacological remedies or off-label use of medications with limited evidence of benefit. However, recent noninvasive diagnostic advancements and heightened disease state awareness have revealed increased prevalence of ATTR-CM. This has led to the introduction of several first-in-class pharmaceuticals with actions targeted at inhibiting the various phases of amyloidosis: TTR stabilizers include diflunisal and first-in-class, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved tafamidis; TTR silencers include patisiran and inotersen; fibril disrupters include doxycycline with tauroursodeoxycholic acid; and alternative agents include green tea extract and curcumin. Conclusion ATTR-CM treatments have emerged and, despite current limited data, are continuing to evolve. Tafamidis, the only agent approved by FDA for ATTR-CM, shows promise to improve survival and quality of life in patients with ATTR-CM. Pharmacists can play a key role in assisting with agent selection for this disease state, as well as providing knowledge about current and future clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of the available treatment modalities.

Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists in Children with Immune Thrombocytopenia: A New Therapeutic Era

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lassandro ◽  
Valentina Palladino ◽  
Giovanni Carlo Del Vecchioa ◽  
Viviana Valeria Palmieri ◽  
Paola Carmela Corallo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists ◽  
Receptor Agonists ◽  
Thrombopoietin Receptor ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Background and Objective: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common bleeding disorder in childhood. The management of ITP in children is controversial, requiring personalized assessment of patients and therapeutic choices. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), eltrombopag and romiplostim, have been shown to be safety and effective for the treatment of pediatric ITP. The aim of our research is defining the role of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in the management of pediatric ITP. Method: This review focuses on the use of TPO-RAs in pediatric ITP, in randomized trials and in clinical routine, highlighting their key role in management of the disease. Results: Eltrombopag and romiplostim appear effective treatment options for children with ITP. Several clinical studies have assessed that the use of TPO-RAs increases platelet count, decreases bleeding symptoms and improves health-related quality of life. Moreover, TPO-RAs are well tolerated with minor side effects. Conclusion: Although TPO-RAs long term efficacy and safety still require further investigations, their use is gradually expanding in clinical practice of children with ITP.

scholarly journals The International Day of Light - May 16th

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Dominik Dorosz
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Social Awareness ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Further Development

During 39th session of UNESCO General Conference which held on 7 November 2017 the date May 16th was proclaimed as International Day of Light (IDL). This decision was made after the success of the International Year of Light (IYL) celebrated in 2015. It confirmed that raising awareness of the social role of photonics is crucial for further development. Based on the rich experience of IYL 2015 ("more than 13,000 activities took place in 147 countries to reach an estimated 100 million people"), the most important goals are to be followed by the IDL, including: raising social awareness, education, showing the influence of photonics on culture and art, promoting foreign cooperation and the important role of conducting basic research. As a result, it will lead to the creation of new solutions based on photonic technology, which has resulted in increased energy efficiency and improved quality of our life.

scholarly journals Increasing the public health potential of basic research and the scientist satisfaction. An international survey of bioscientists

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Scita ◽  
Carmen Sorrentino ◽  
Andrea Boggio ◽  
David Hemenway ◽  
Andrea Ballabeni
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Diagnostic Method ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Previous Survey ◽  
The Public ◽  
Quality Of Work ◽  
Survey Results

Basic scientific research generates knowledge that has intrinsic value which is independent of future applications. Basic research may also lead to practical benefits, such as a new drug or diagnostic method.  Building on our previous study of basic biomedical and biological researchers at Harvard, we present findings from a new survey of similar scientists from three countries.  This survey asked about the scientists’ motivations, goals and perspectives along with their attitudes concerning  policies designed to increase both the practical (i.e. public health) benefits of basic research as well as their own personal satisfaction. Close to 900 basic investigators responded to the survey; results corroborate the main findings from the previous survey of Harvard scientists.  In addition, we find that most bioscientists disfavor present policies that require a discussion of the public health potential of their proposals in grants but generally favor softer policies aimed at increasing the quality of work and the potential practical benefits of basic research. In particular, bioscientists are generally supportive of those policies entailing the organization of more meetings between scientists and the general public, the organization of more academic discussion about the role of scientists in the society, and the implementation of a “basic bibliography” for each new approved drug.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 and the Brain: What Do We Know about the Causality of ‘Cognitive COVID?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3441
Author(s):  
Hashir Ali Awan ◽  
Mufaddal Najmuddin Diwan ◽  
Alifiya Aamir ◽  
Muneeza Ali ◽  
Massimo Di Giannantonio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Pathway ◽  
Cognitive Sequelae ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Acute Changes ◽  
A Minor

The second year of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic has seen the need to identify and assess the long-term consequences of a SARS-CoV-2 infection on an individual’s overall wellbeing, including adequate cognitive functioning. ‘Cognitive COVID’ is an informal term coined to interchangeably refer to acute changes in cognition during COVID-19 and/or cognitive sequelae with various deficits following the infection. These may manifest as altered levels of consciousness, encephalopathy-like symptoms, delirium, and loss of various memory domains. Dysexecutive syndrome is a peculiar manifestation of ‘Cognitive COVID’ as well. In the previous major outbreaks of viruses like SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and Influenza. There have been attempts to understand the underlying mechanisms describing the causality of similar symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review, therefore, is attempting to highlight the current understanding of the various direct and indirect mechanisms, focusing on the role of neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2, the general pro-inflammatory state, and the pandemic-associated psychosocial stressors in the causality of ‘Cognitive COVID.’ Neurotropism is associated with various mechanisms including retrograde neuronal transmission via olfactory pathway, a general hematogenous spread, and the virus using immune cells as vectors. The high amounts of inflammation caused by COVID-19, compounded with potential intubation, are associated with a deleterious effect on the cognition as well. Finally, the pandemic’s unique psychosocial impact has raised alarm due to its possible effect on cognition. Furthermore, with surfacing reports of post-COVID-vaccination cognitive impairments after vaccines containing mRNA encoding for spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, we hypothesize their causality and ways to mitigate the risk. The potential impact on the quality of life of an individual and the fact that even a minor proportion of COVID-19 cases developing cognitive impairment could be a significant burden on already overwhelmed healthcare systems across the world make it vital to gather further evidence regarding the prevalence, presentation, correlations, and causality of these events and reevaluate our approach to accommodate early identification, management, and rehabilitation of patients exhibiting cognitive symptoms.

Die Reformen des Wahlrechts zum Deutschen Bundestag 2011 und 2013 im öffentlichen Diskurs

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 844-864
Author(s):  
Eric Linhart ◽  
Oke Bahnsen
Keyword(s):  
Political Institutions ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Public Debate ◽  
The Public ◽  
Electoral Law ◽  
German Newspapers

The German electoral law to the federal parliament was reformed in 2011 and in 2013 . While political scientists have extensively evaluated consequences of these reforms, the role of the public discourse has been largely neglected . We analyze articles from three leading German newspapers (FAZ, SZ, Welt) on this topic and find the debate around the reforms to be dominated by parties and political institutions . Scientists, interest groups, and journalists have only played minor roles . Regarding content, the discourse largely focused on surplus seats, reform speed, and a proposal by the CDU/CSU‑FDP coalition government in 2011 . A broad public debate in which multiple social groups could participate has not taken place . From a normative perspective this is problematic since the lack of a public debate might have contributed to the poor quality of the reform’s result .

Psychiatry’s ethical involvement in gender-affirming care

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 460-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto D’Angelo
Keyword(s):  
Gender Dysphoria ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Medline Search ◽  
Gender Reassignment ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Physical Treatments

Objective: To reflect on the role of psychiatry in authorising physical treatments for Gender Dysphoria and to examine the quality of evidence for gender-reassignment. Method: A Medline search was performed with the subject term “transsexualism” or “gender dysphoria” and “outcome” or “follow-up” in the title. Studies published from 2005 onwards reporting psychosocial outcomes were selected for review. Results: Most available evidence indicating positive outcomes for gender reassignment is of poor quality. The few studies with robust methodology suggest that some patients have poor outcomes and may be at risk of suicide. Conclusion: The author raises questions about the implications for ethical treatment of transgender individuals.

scholarly journals Triggers for Atrial Fibrillation: The Role of Anxiety

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Severino ◽  
Marco Valerio Mariani ◽  
Annalisa Maraone ◽  
Agostino Piro ◽  
Andrea Ceccacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Valvular Heart Diseases ◽  
Arrhythmogenic Substrate ◽  
Clinical Strategies

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most widely recognized arrhythmia. Systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart failure, and valvular heart diseases are major risk factors for the onset and progression of AF. Various studies have emphasized the augmented anxiety rate among AF patients due to the poor quality of life; however, little information is known about the possibility of triggering atrial fibrillation by anxiety. The present review sought to underline the possible pathophysiological association between AF and anxiety disorders and suggests that anxiety can be an independent risk factor for AF, acting as a trigger, creating an arrhythmogenic substrate, and modulating the autonomic nervous system. The awareness of the role of anxiety disorders as a risk factor for AF may lead to the development of new clinical strategies for the management of AF.

DECONSTRUCTING THE ARGUMENT FOR FREE TRADE: A CASE STUDY OF THE ROLE OF ECONOMISTS IN POLICY DEBATES

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Driskill
Keyword(s):  
Trade Liberalization ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Standard Argument ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
The World ◽  
Value Judgements

This paper argues that, in light of the apparent settled nature of economists’ judgement on the issue of trade liberalization, the profession has stopped thinking critically about the question and, as a consequence, makes poor-quality arguments justifying their consensus. To develop support for this claim, the paper first recounts what economic analysis can say about trade liberalization. Then it analyses the quality of the arguments that economists make in support of free trade. The paper argues that the standard argument made by economists in favour of free trade is either incoherent or implicitly imposes philosophical value judgements about what is good for a nation or society, or it makes leaps of empirical faith about how the world works. The paper concludes with suggestions for better arguments.

New Novel Treatment Approaches for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-548
Author(s):  
Shreya Patel ◽  
Keith Veltri
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Hospital Readmission ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
New Novel ◽  
Novel Treatment

Despite availability of standardized drug therapies with proven beneficial outcomes, heart failure is associated with poor quality of life, increased hospital readmission, and high mortality rate. In the recent years, comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure has led to the development and approval of 2 new pharmacological agents, sacubitril–valsartan and ivabradine. These agents are currently approved for use in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and present as novel approaches to further improve prognosis and outcomes in patients with HF. They offer alternative treatment options for patients who are intolerant or continue to be symptomatic despite utilization of standard HF drug therapies at optimally tolerated dosages. A review of these 2 novel agents in HFrEF, including information on pivotal trials that led to its approval and its place in therapy for HFrEF, is presented.

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