Articles tagged with Pharmacology
The COVID-19 pandemic drove significant advancements in pharmaceutical technology, with mRNA-based vaccines proving highly effective. Oral antiviral pills, such as Merck's molnupiravir and Pfizer's PF-0732133, showed promise in reducing hospitalization and death rates among unvaccinated individuals.
Researchers have discovered that certain molecules inhibiting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) have a more specific effect than gold-based therapy auranofin. TRi-1 and TRi-2 compounds show promise as anticancer drugs, with higher specificity in their inhibition of TrxR.
A new study found that GPs could have saved £2.7 billion for the NHS by prescribing cheaper statin alternatives between 2004 and 2012. If all existing patients on more expensive treatment had been switched, potential savings would increase to nearly half of total costs.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new group of small antibacterial compounds that inhibit the formation of bacterial cell walls, showing promise against antibiotic-resistant strains. The molecules work by binding to lipid II, a crucial molecule for bacterial cell wall construction.
A recent study discovered high levels of mercury exposure in human bones from Copper Age Iberia, dating back 5000 years. Cinnabar powder used for pigments and rituals led to severe health effects, including intoxication.
Research supports strong relationship between ceramides and diseases in animals and humans. Ceramides are standalone biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, independent of cholesterol.
Researchers developed a graphene-based electrode, the sutrode, to modulate spleen function and immune response in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis. The device can control different terminal nerves, increasing precision in organ function regulation.
A new study has shown that a commonly prescribed antidepressant for agitation in people with dementia is no more effective than a placebo and may even increase mortality. The research found no improvement in agitation symptoms among those taking mirtazapine, a drug previously thought to be beneficial.
A 'think-twice' campaign for GPs has been found effective in reducing opioid prescribing in primary care, resulting in a net saving to the NHS of £700,000. The campaign led to a reduction of 15,000 fewer patients being given opioids over a year-long trial.
Researchers found that psilocybin increased the emotional response to music by around 60% compared to ketanserin. The study implies that music should be an active component of psilocybin therapy for treating depression and other mental health conditions.
Researchers at GlaxoSmithKline and CCDC combined proprietary and published datasets to train machine learning models for predicting stable polymorphs in new drug candidates. The approach leverages the large volume and variety of data in the Cambridge Structural Database, resulting in more confident predictions and improved model accuracy.
A new treatment approach targets angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in glioblastoma multiforme, reducing tumor volume and growth by up to 89%. The combination of LAU-0901, Elovanoids, and Avastin shows promise in improving survival rates for patients with this deadly cancer.
A team of scientists developed a new method to study the effects of reactive electrophiles in the body. By targeting specific proteins with electrophilic compounds, they discovered novel mediators involved in immune-cell apoptosis triggered by Tecfidera, a multiple sclerosis treatment.
The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) conference, ECNP 2021, will take place in Lisbon and online from October 2-5. Over a thousand abstracts are expected to be presented on various topics in psychiatry and neuroscience.
Researchers found that patients with MS receiving aCD20 treatment generated robust CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to the COVID-19 vaccination. The study measured both antibody and T cell responses in 20 patients with MS who were undergoing aCD20 treatment, compared to those in a group of healthy controls.
A new intranasal subunit vaccine has been developed to provide durable local immunity against inhaled pathogens, addressing a significant limitation of existing vaccines. The vaccine elicits comprehensive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 within seven days and is stable for over 11 months, making it suitable for global distribution.
Pharmaceutical companies in the Open Pharma collaboration recommend developing plain language summaries of peer-reviewed medical research articles. The summaries should be understandable, unbiased, non-promotional, and easily accessible. This move aims to make medical publishing more open and inclusive for all audiences.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine are studying the impact of antibiotics on breast milk and infant health. The team will investigate how antibiotics alter the composition of breast milk and impact the infant microbiome, metabolome and immune response.
A study found that only about 2-2.5% of individuals with alcohol dependence in Sweden receive alcohol medication, highlighting unequal provision of treatment across sociodemographic factors and co-morbid conditions. The research suggests low knowledge among physicians and patients, as well as preference for psychological treatment over...
Research suggests that overweight and obese asthmatic children are less likely to respond to inhaled steroid medication, leading to more frequent asthma attacks. The study used genetic variants linked to BMI to investigate this link, finding a correlation between higher BMI z-scores and poor ICS response.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences are investigating the biological complexities of Alzheimer's disease in women during midlife aging. The study aims to reveal transformations in the brain that lead to greater risk of Alzheimer's, with a focus on the menopausal transition.
Recent studies demonstrate the applications of LC-MS in characterizing Traditional Chinese Medicine formulations, real-time drug measurement, and bioactive compounds from Osmanthus fragrans. These techniques offer high sensitivity, robustness, and ease of use for quality assessment and characterization.
A new epidemiology study reveals crucial trends in HIV/AIDS progression in China from 1990 to 2017. The study highlights the need for effective strategies to reduce mortality rates, especially among men, by intensifying targeted efforts including early identification and diagnosis, high-quality treatment services, and patient retention.
Researchers investigated the link between state opioid prescription duration limits and changes in opioid prescribing. The study found that limiting initial opioid prescriptions may lead to a decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths, but also increase unnecessary hospitalizations.
Researchers identified predictive molecular biomarkers for non-response to anti-TNF and anti-integrin therapies in UC. Biomarkers in innate and adaptive immune systems, as well as proteolytic degradation, were found to be predictive of therapy non-response.
Researchers have developed a dual-drug therapy for alcohol use disorder by targeting the mTORC1 enzyme. Blocking this enzyme can halt cravings in mice engineered to have AUD, offering a promising alternative to current treatment options.
Researchers demonstrate 24-hour rat liver viability in a normothermic machine perfusion system, enabling longer-term studies of liver physiology and pharmacologic effects. The study identifies predictive markers for perfusion success, including liver oxygen consumption and intra-hepatic resistance.
A peptide called PACAP has been identified as a key player in the regulation of compulsive alcohol drinking. The protein acts on the Brain Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis to exert its effects, which are characterized by anxiety-like behavior and spontaneous compulsive alcohol drinking.
A recent analysis found that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are associated with higher rates of cardiovascular problems, including life-threatening heart rhythm events and heart failure. The study highlights the need for caution when prescribing these drugs for off-label indications, especially in patients with cardiac disorders.
Researchers have developed light-activated tools to influence lipid concentration in living cells, shedding light on the 'lipid code'. This approach could enable medical professionals and biochemists to verify results with quantitative data from living cells.
Researchers have developed biologic pacemaker-like cells using stem cells from fat, offering an alternative treatment for conduction system disorders and cardiac repair after a heart attack. The new cell type can adapt to the body and respond to physiological changes, eliminating the need for regular maintenance by a physician.
A Finnish hospital analysis found that 59.5% of women with preeclampsia used at least one drug during pregnancy, compared to 35.5% of controls. The most commonly used drugs were antibiotics, hypertensive medications, and paracetamol.
The Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative initiative improved the care of opioid-exposed infants by reducing pharmacological treatment duration and length of hospital stay. The project, which monitored 9,648 infants from 2014 to 2018, saw a decline in the proportion requiring treatment from 48% to 42%.
The symposia series will focus on the gut microbiome's impact on health and disease, featuring speakers on topics such as gut-brain axes and antibiotic effects. Research highlights include studies on acetate, bioinformatics, and metabolomics.
A systematic evidence review found that behavioral therapy is generally more effective than pharmacologic therapies in improving outcomes for women with urinary incontinence. The review included 84 studies and showed that all interventions studied resulted in better UI outcomes than no treatment.
A new study suggests that womb kicks may play a role in helping babies develop a sense of their own body. The research, published in Scientific Reports, found that brainwaves produced during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep fire in the corresponding hemisphere when a baby kicks its limbs.
Researchers found that bee venom and melittin suppress inflammation in atopic dermatitis by regulating T helper cell differentiation. The study suggests bee venom may be an effective treatment for eczema, potentially alleviating inflammatory skin diseases.
Researchers argue that garlic's unique flavor comes from sulfur compounds, which are biologically active within mammalian cells. However, the complexity of preparing garlic affects which sulfur compounds are consumed, leading to inconsistent results in human intervention studies.
PDE5 inhibitors have been approved to treat lower urinary tract symptoms and pulmonary arterial hypertension, with potential benefits in diabetes and cancer treatment due to their blood vessel dilation effects
A new analysis found a link between weight loss surgery and an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with patients having a nearly 2-times higher likelihood of developing IBD. The mechanism behind this association is unclear, but alterations in gut microbes and vitamin D/bile salt deficiencies may play a role.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $8 million to establish a new center for research into alcohol addiction. The Wake Forest Translational Alcohol Research Center will study behavioral and neurobiological factors associated with vulnerability and resilience to alcohol use disorder.
Researchers develop novel method for selective C-H arylation at room temperature, overcoming harsh reaction conditions. The proposed mechanism involves iridium catalyst activation, arylsilane attack, and oxidation of the intermediate to achieve low-energy reaction.
A recent study of publicly available regulatory documents found that biosimilars have a comparable safety profile to their originators. The analysis identified only minor differences in safety concerns for most substances, with the exception of infliximab, where more issues were reported.
Researchers have discovered that low-frequency activities in the hippocampus drive brain-wide functional connectivity in the cerebral cortex, enhancing sensory responses and learning. This breakthrough suggests the hippocampus is a key region in the brain, with potential therapeutic implications for Alzheimer's disease.
A study of nearly 2200 older patients found that 44% were prescribed antiplatelet drugs, with 52% of primary prevention patients overprescribed and 31% of secondary prevention patients underprescribed. This highlights the need for personalized treatment strategies in this patient population.
Research reveals that current or past stimulant use can lead to psychomotor control deficits, affecting everyday tasks. Heavy users experience persistent tremors even after months of detoxification.
A recent study found that women with overactive bladder who received antimuscarinics were 38% more likely to develop depressive disorder within three years. The use of these drugs was associated with an increased risk of depression, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and consideration of alternative treatment options.
A recent study found that women with overactive bladder who received antimuscarinics were 38% more likely to develop depressive disorder within three years. The use of these drugs was associated with a higher risk of depression despite their ability to improve bladder symptoms by blocking muscarinic receptors.
Current smokers with colon cancer are 14-21% more likely to die within five years compared to never smokers. Smoking prevention and cessation efforts may improve survival rates from colon cancer.
A study of nearly 400,000 patients in England and Wales found that use of invasive coronary strategies significantly improved survival following a heart attack. These strategies, such as coronary angiography and stent placement, were associated with a 46% relative decrease in mortality.
Recent literature suggests N-acetylcysteine reduces frequency of COPD exacerbations in stable patients taking 1,200 mg daily. However, its benefits for acute exacerbations are uncertain and require further investigation.
Researchers discover new function of STAT1 in activating natural killer cells to eliminate tumor cells. Without this newly identified function, NK cells are still effective in eliminating tumors.
Researchers have identified a new target for treating asthma, finding that nociceptin reduces both immune response and airway constriction. This discovery offers a potential new approach to preventing or reducing established asthma attacks.
A recent analysis found that using paroxetine during the first trimester of pregnancy may increase newborns' risk of congenital malformations and cardiac malformations. The study suggests that the benefits of antidepressants during pregnancy are questionable, and non-use or alternative treatments like psychotherapy may be a better option.
A survey of 3,000 Swiss university students found that 70% believed using prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was unfair. The study suggests that universities should provide more information on the risks and benefits of brain-doping to address these concerns.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that menthol, often used as a flavoring, has a significant pharmacologic effect when combined with nicotine. The study revealed that menthol slows or prevents the recovery of sensitivity after the first insult, placing receptors in a desensitized state.
Researchers found that menthol reduces irritation from nicotine by desensitizing airway receptors. The study provides insight into how menthol affects the function of α3β4 receptors, which are expressed in both airways and other neurons.
The serotonin transporter is a crucial pharmacological target of antidepressants, and mifepristone has been shown to inhibit its activity. The study demonstrates that mifepristone directly inhibits the serotonin transporter, suggesting its potential as a treatment for psychotic depression.
The article provides evidence-based information on the latest treatments for multiple sclerosis, highlighting the benefits and risks of various therapies. Steroids are found to be the most effective way to treat relapses, while immunosuppressants like natalizumab and fingolimod have varying degrees of success.
Narine Sarvazyan invents a new organ, the 'mini heart', made of cardiac muscle cells, to help return venous blood flow. The cuff can be created from patient's own adult stem cells, eliminating rejection risk and treating chronic diseases like venous insufficiency.