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New antimalarial drug requires higher doses to cure infection

A new antimalarial drug, tafenoquine, is found to require a higher dose of 450mg to achieve cure rates of 85% compared to the current 300mg dose of 70%. The study suggests that the single-dose tafenoquine is not as effective as optimal primaquine treatment in preventing vivax malaria relapses in all endemic regions.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateDec 6, 2022

For people with dementia with Lewy bodies, treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, with or without memantine treatment, appears to be associated with both lower risk of mortality and duration of stay for unplanned hospital admissions for physical

Treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, with or without memantine, may reduce mortality risk and length of stay for unplanned hospital admissions among individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies. The study analyzed data from the UK to support this association.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2022

New study finds promising treatment for cognitive deficits associated with cholestatic liver disease

A new study found that obeticholic acid can reverse cognitive impairment in patients with cholestatic liver disease, improving short-term memory and restoring brain function. The study used a rodent model of bile duct ligation-induced cholestasis and found that the drug significantly improved cognitive deficits.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2022

NSF funds sixth annual tissue engineering solicitation for research leveraging the ISS National Lab

The NSF is funding projects that utilize the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory to advance tissue engineering and mechanobiology research. This solicitation aims to further drug discovery and therapeutic development through space-based research, with potential impacts on regenerative medicine and disease diagnosis.

Multiple sclerosis therapy improves gut flora

Researchers found that dimethyl fumarate treatment increased the proportion of beneficial gut bacteria and reduced pro-inflammatory types, which are associated with MS. The study suggests a potential connection between gut flora and clinical side effects, paving the way for personalized treatment approaches.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalGut Microbes·DateDec 1, 2022

Aging | Glutaminase inhibitors rejuvenate human skin via clearance of senescent cells: a study using a mouse/human chimeric model

Researchers found that glutaminase inhibitor BPTES selectively eliminates senescent dermal fibroblasts, improving skin aging phenotype by increasing collagen density and cell proliferation. The study suggests BPTES as a potential therapeutic agent for skin aging, offering new treatment options.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2022

Acoziborole: Investigational single-dose oral treatment raises hope for elimination of sleeping sickness in Africa

The Phase II/III study found that acoziborole has an 18-month treatment success rate of 95% for late-stage patients and 100% for early-stage patients, with no significant safety concerns reported. This breakthrough could lead to the elimination of sleeping sickness through a simplified 'screen-and-treat' approach.

SourceDrugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 30, 2022

Pregnant women’s cannabis usage in legalized US states raises calls for screening

A new national study found pregnant women in legalized US states are far more likely to use cannabis, with a 4.6 times higher rate compared to CBD-only states. The study emphasizes the need for prenatal and primary care providers to screen and counsel patients regarding cannabis use in pregnancy.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2022

Transgender youth, teens more likely to have sleep disorders

A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that transgender youth are 5.4 times more likely to experience insomnia and three times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea compared to cisgender youth. Gender-affirming therapies may offer a protective effect against worsening sleep health, according to the researchers.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2022

ADHD medication for amphetamine addiction linked to reduced risk of hospitalization and death

A large registry-based study found lisdexamfetamine to be associated with the lowest risk of hospitalisation and death in people with amphetamine addiction. The medication showed a significant reduction in hospitalisation due to substance use disorder and any cause or death, while benzodiazepine and antidepressant use were linked to po...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateNov 16, 2022

Promise of better treatment for diabetes in Greenland after discovery of widespread genetic variant

A novel HNF1A gene variant has been found to cause monogenic diabetes, affecting almost seven percent of all cases in Greenland. This discovery may pave the way for precision treatment using tablet therapy with sulphonylurea, offering a simpler and cheaper alternative to insulin.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Ankle replacement and fusion demonstrate similar effectiveness for end-stage ankle osteoarthritis

A randomized controlled trial found that both total ankle replacement and ankle fusion improve quality of life and have similar clinical scores in patients with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. However, TAR is associated with greater wound-healing complications and nerve injuries, while AF is linked to more blood clots and nonunion of t...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 14, 2022

Molecular basis of resistance to one of the main treatments for multiple myeloma identified

Researchers at CNIO have identified epigenetic changes, specifically DNA methylation, as a key mechanism behind resistance to proteasome inhibitor drugs in multiple myeloma. This finding suggests that methylation levels in the PSMD5 gene can predict treatment response and potentially reverse resistance.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

‘Click’ chemistry may help treat dogs with bone cancer, MU study finds

Researchers at the University of Missouri have successfully used click chemistry to deliver radiopharmaceuticals specifically to tumors in large dogs with bone cancer, increasing effectiveness and minimizing circulation. This breakthrough could pave the way for click chemistry-based treatments for humans with cancer in the future.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2022

Dartmouth study offers new insights into genetic mutations in autism disorders and points to possible treatments

A Dartmouth study reveals that disruptions in the mTORC1 pathway can rescue neuronal overgrowth and synapse function dysregulated by Pten loss, potentially offering new treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The research team also found that administering Rapamycin to children showed some benefit to symptoms of autism.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

Targeted lung cancer drug shows promise in phase I/II clinical trial

The TRIDENT-1 trial suggests that repotrectinib could be effective for treating ROS1 positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who have received other targeted treatments and those who have not. The drug showed promising results, with an objective response rate of 79% in patients not previously treated with a ROS TKI.

Pressure chamber therapy has been found to be effective in the functional improvement of autism

A Tel Aviv University study shows that pressure chamber therapy can improve social skills and reduce neuroinflammation in the autistic brain. The treatment, which involves high-pressure chambers with oxygen enrichment, was found to increase blood and oxygen supply to the brain, leading to improved brain function and social behavior.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateOct 26, 2022

Researchers identify specific alterations in the BRAF gene that may affect response to treatment and survival in adult brain cancers

The study found that BRAF alterations, particularly Class I mutations like v600E, are associated with improved overall survival in adults with glioma. However, the effectiveness of targeted therapies depends on the specific type and combination of genetic alterations driving the cancer.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 26, 2022

New Journal of Pharmaceutical analysis articles highlight progress in the search for therapies to treat challenging diseases

Studies on 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), and fluoroquinolone derivatives explore new approaches to treating challenging diseases. Researchers aim to develop better therapeutics for liver diseases, which cause almost 2 million deaths worldwide every year.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2022

Gel-like, radioactive tumor implant obliterates pancreatic cancer in mice

Researchers at Duke University have developed a novel treatment that combines internal radiation and chemotherapy to eliminate tumors in 80% of mice with pancreatic cancer. The approach uses a gel-like depot implanted with radioactive iodine-131, which deposits beta radiation directly into the tumor without affecting surrounding tissue.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2022

Two drugs reverse key pancreatic cancer step in the lab

Scientists at the University of Florida have identified two small molecules that inhibit precancerous cell progression and reverse a key process involved in pancreatic cancer progression. This discovery could lead to earlier treatments and improved survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalCell Death Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

The use of high-throughput screening and high-content screening in anti-obesity drug discovery is investigated in the October issue of SLAS discovery

Few studies utilize high-throughput screening (HTS) and high-content screening (HCS) techniques in anti-obesity drug discovery due to a lack of original data or experimental design information. This limits the development of effective pharmaceutical treatments for obesity-related diseases.

Flatworm-inspired medical adhesives stop blood loss

Researchers from McGill University developed a medical adhesive inspired by flatworms that uses suction to absorb blood and promote blood coagulation. The adhesive can be removed without causing re-bleeding, making it a potential replacement for wound sutures or delivering drugs.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2022

ProDERM study results of Octagam® 10% treatment in patients with dermatomyositis published in the New England Journal of Medicine

A large randomized clinical trial demonstrated Octagam 10% as an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment option for adult dermatomyositis patients. The study showed improved outcomes in patients with this rare disease, providing a much-needed treatment alternative.

SourceYankee Public Relations·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 6, 2022

Study: Decreased proteins, not amyloid plaques, tied to Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati found that low levels of soluble amyloid-beta protein in the brain, rather than its buildup into plaques, are associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Patients with high levels of soluble amyloid-beta showed improved cognitive outcomes, contradicting previous theories.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2022

Obesity prevalence varies significantly for Asian American subgroups

A cross-sectional study of over 70,000 Asian Americans found significant variation in obesity prevalence among subgroups, with Filipino Americans having the highest rate at 28.7% and Chinese Americans the lowest at 13.2%. The study highlights the need for tailored strategies to address obesity disparities among Asian American populations.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 3, 2022

National Institutes of Health awards $15.75M to research team led by Case Western Reserve University and Duke University to map vagus nerve—body’s ‘super highway’ for controlling major organ functions

The researchers will conduct multimodal imaging of 100 human vagus nerves using high-resolution technologies, providing unprecedented data on the vagus nerve's organization. This work aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of existing vagus nerve therapies, offering potential for novel neuromodulation therapies.

New endoscope uses bendable GRIN lens for 3D microscopy

Researchers have developed a flexible endoscopic imaging probe using a bendable graded index (GRIN) lens, enabling 3D microscopic imaging of tissue. The new technology could shorten biopsy waiting times to minutes and enable real-time monitoring of tissue changes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateSep 21, 2022

EIP Pharma publishes translational data of preclinical and phase 2a results for Neflamapimod in dementia with Lewy bodies: Nature Communications

Neflamapimod, a p38α kinase inhibitor, demonstrates reversible neurodegeneration in animal models and improves clinical endpoints associated with cholinergic neuronal function in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. The findings support the initiation of a confirmatory Phase 2b clinical trial for neflamapimod.

SourceLaVoieHealthScience·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 21, 2022