Articles tagged with Pharmacology
A new study led by UC San Francisco reveals that 87% of seniors with dementia would stop at least one medication if their doctor said it was possible. Polypharmacy contributes to challenges with adherence and adverse interactions, but most patients are willing to reduce their medications.
Researchers at UCSF develop a new cancer treatment that targets RAS-mutated tumors by exploiting their high levels of ferrous iron. The treatment, TRX-cobimetinib, is more effective and tolerable than current treatments like cobimetinib, which can cause serious side effects in normal tissues.
The Experimental Biology (EB) 2022 meeting explored diverse topics such as race and mental health in STEM, artificial intelligence in computational pathobiology and new insights at the leading edge of circadian physiology. Highlights from EB 2022 include symposia on GPCRs and G-protein signaling.
Researchers have identified a protein in tick saliva that can relieve chronic pain and itching, offering a potential alternative to traditional painkillers. The findings could lead to a new medication that is more effective and safer than current options.
Researchers discovered that a specific osmolyte causes kidney cells to undergo an EMT transformation, leading to renal failure. The team found a way to prevent this change by arresting focal adhesion rearrangement, suggesting a new approach to enhance therapeutic value of common osmolytes.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that genetics play a crucial role in how our bodies respond to vaccines and booster shots. The team identified a specific form of an antibody-related gene that predicts whether boosting will be effective for increasing innate immune responses.
A team of researchers at MedUni Vienna's Center for Physiology and Pharmacology has discovered a key building block in immune cells that promotes immunotolerance and prevents T-cell attacks on the body's own tissues. The study suggests a potential new cell-based therapeutic approach to slow down autoimmune disease progression.
A recent review highlights the effects of different intestinal bacteria on colorectal cancer, exploring new therapies for disease prevention and treatment. Beneficial probiotics, such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, exhibit anticancer properties and reduce CRC cell proliferation.
Researchers at the University of Houston have identified a new biomarker, NPY1R, that predicts therapy outcome and has potential as a drug target in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The study found that NPY1R expression is associated with favorable outcomes in Luminal A subtype breast cancer, but declines in resistant cases.
Dr. Jansen will test hypotheses on intracellular domain of pLGIC proteins, aiming to gain insights into assembly, chaperone-modulation and functional conformational transitions in various diseases. Her research focuses on neurotransmitter-gated ion channels and their interactions with RIC-3-like chaperone proteins.
Scientists have devised a method to pinpoint active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine formulations, revealing 4 analytes with significant anti-inflammatory activity. This breakthrough could improve quality control standards and lead to better herbal remedies.
A special issue in Botany journal explores relationships among plants, people, science, and medicine, promoting decolonial approaches to ethnobotanical research. The collection highlights the healing potential of plants and emphasizes Indigenous-led projects on medicinally useful plants.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a new method to generate sulphur pharmacophores, which are crucial for drug discovery. The method uses a catalyst called pentanidium and can produce multiple variations of pharmacophores, making the process more efficient and fruitful.
Researchers have discovered a streamlined two-step synthesis strategy to produce neoechinulin B and its derivatives, exhibiting strong anti-HCV and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities. The novel process utilizes a piperazine-2,5-dione derivative and tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as key reagents.
The Experimental Biology 2022 meeting will feature renowned speakers, including Nobel laureates and research pioneers, who will present the latest findings and trends in life sciences. Keynote presentations include talks on vaccine science, navigation, RNA splicing, pharmacology, and cancer classification.
Localis-rex identifies 32 locale-specific sensor proteins sensing hydroxynonenal, a lipid-derived electrophilic-metabolite, revealing new information on electrophile signaling and its impact on biological processes. The study also highlights the potential for covalent drug design and profiling of drug-sensitive cells.
A recent University at Buffalo-led study found that nearly 1 in 7 COVID patients in ICU experienced severe bleeding when given full-dose blood thinners. The research compared the safety and effectiveness of two blood clot treatment strategies, finding that a smaller dose was equally effective but carried less bleeding risk.
A study published in Nature Microbiology reveals that a class of microbial enzymes contributes to ulcerative colitis. Researchers identified an overabundance of proteases from the gut resident Bacteroides vulgatus in nearly 40% of patients, which can exacerbate the disease when not treated with protease inhibitors.
Researchers at UCI discovered that AdipoR1 protein deficiency leads to ceramide accumulation in the retina, causing progressive photoreceptor cell death. A pharmacological treatment combining desipramine and L-cycloserine reduced ceramide levels, protecting photoreceptors and improving vision.
A new study reveals that the Omicron variant is sensitive to inhibition by the interferon response, an unspecific immune reaction present in all body cells. This provides the first explanation for why COVID-19 patients infected with Omicron are less likely to experience severe disease.
A study found that cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil increase the risk of overactive bladder in people with dementia. Galantamine and rivastigmine were not associated with this increased risk.
Complimentary press passes are available for the EB 2022 meeting, featuring cutting-edge research and live scientific sessions. The event will also offer virtual access to press materials.
Researchers developed a computer model of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, shedding light on its mechanism and substrate specificity. This knowledge creates opportunities for therapeutic interventions against cardiovascular disease.
Researchers devised a novel approach to unify quality assessment of generic drugs developed through different processes. The 'population pharmaceutical quality assessment' method uses computational modeling to evaluate process information, providing a scientific tool for objective quality consistency evaluation.
Researchers from Ethiopia and Germany identified a traditional African medicinal plant that alleviates malaria symptoms in infected mice. The plant extract's active compound, anemonin, shows promise in treating the disease.
Scientists have found that the gene PBK is overexpressed in pulmonary hypertension, causing excessive cell proliferation and thickening of pulmonary artery walls. They are now exploring PBK inhibitors to reduce cell proliferation and improve heart and lung function.
Researchers at PSI have developed a platform to measure biased signalling in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), enabling selective therapeutic effects and fewer side effects. By testing specially designed bivalent ligands, they can bias signalling towards desired pathways.
Scientists have developed a fusion protein that successfully blocks replication of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses in cell culture tests. The protein combines ACE2 with human antibody fragments, providing reliable protection against future mutations.
Researchers discover novel compound AD732 with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, outperforming standard NSAIDs while causing minimal harm. The compound may be a safer alternative for treating pain and inflammation in difficult diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Scientists have discovered a new potential treatment to reverse antibiotic resistance in bacteria causing sepsis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The indole carboxylates class of enzyme blockers can stop MBL resistance enzymes from working, allowing antibiotics like carbapenems to effectively target bacteria.
New research suggests that cannabis use can lead to harmful drug-drug interactions by interfering with two families of enzymes that metabolize a wide range of drugs. This could result in unintended side effects such as toxicity or accidental overdose, particularly for older individuals using medications.
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.
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.
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 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.