Humanized mouse models infected with human Plasmodium species for antimalarial drug discovery

Introduction: Efforts on malaria drug discovery are expected to increase in the coming years to achieve malaria eradication. Owing to the increasing number of new potential candidates together with the actual limitations of the primate models, humanized mouse models infected with human Plasmodium spp. (HmHP) now appear as an alternative to the primate model.

Areas covered: The authors review the progress obtained in the HmHP in the last two decades, with a special emphasis of their input on the drug discovery pathway. The authors discuss the methodologies and strategies used in these models to obtain an accurate assessment of the compound activity and a reliable prediction of the human efficacious regimen.

Expert opinion: Research efforts have led us to an era in which HmHP can successfully be infected with P. falciparum, P vivax and P. ovale. Furthermore, it is now a reality that the complete human cycle of P. falciparum can be obtained in HmHP. The HmHP has shown a real input mainly in the preclinical evaluation of new compounds against the erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum. However, further technical improvements are needed before HmHP may replace the primate model.     

Effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate on ADHD symptoms: A randomized,double blind,placebo-controlled trial

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that serum levels of vitamin D were lower in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children compared to healthy controls. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate on symptoms of children with ADHD.

Methods: Sixty-two children aged 5–12 years with a diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-IV criteria were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either 2000IU vitamin D or placebo in addition to methylphenidate for 8 weeks. Symptoms severity was assessed by Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised[S] (CPRS), ADHD rating scale-IV (ADHD-RS), and Weekly Parent Ratings of Evening and Morning Behavior (WPREMB) at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Anthropometric variables, dietary intake, physical activity, sun exposure, and side effects were assessed.

Results: Fifty-four participants completed the trial. After 8 weeks of supplementation, serum levels of 25(OH)D significantly increased in the vitamin D group. ADHD symptoms decreased significantly in both groups (P?P?=?0.013, 0.016, respectively), but no differences were found in symptoms by CPRS and ADHD-RS scales.

Discussion: Vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate improved ADHD evening symptoms. Future research is needed to clarify vitamin D effects as monotherapy in ADHD and its mechanism.

The trial was registered in www.irct.ir is (IRCT201404222394N10).     

Disparities by Sex Tracked in the 2015 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report: Trends across National Quality Strategy Priorities,Health Conditions,and Access Measures

Introduction

Established by the Affordable Care Act, the National Quality Strategy (NQS) is the national policy goals aimed at improving the quality of health care for all Americans. The NQS established six priorities to provide better, more affordable care for individuals and communities. This is the first analysis of data on the NQS and access measures that focus on sex differences, health conditions, trends, and disparities.

Validity of Birth Certificate and Hospital Discharge Data Reporting of Labor Induction

Purpose

To examine the concordance of labor induction measures derived from birth certificate and hospital discharge data with each other and with maternal report.

New methods for modelling EQ‐5D‐5L value sets: An application to English data

Value sets for the EQ‐5D‐5L are required to facilitate its use in estimating quality‐adjusted life years. An international protocol has been developed to guide the collection of stated preference data for this purpose and has been used to generate EQ‐5D‐5L valuation data for England. The aim of this paper is report the innovative methods used for modelling those data to obtain a value set. Nine hundred and ninety‐six members of the English general public completed time trade‐off (TTO) and discrete choice experiment (DCE) tasks. We estimate models, with and without interactions, using DCE data only, TTO data only, and TTO/DCE data combined. TTO data are interpreted as both left and right censored. Heteroskedasticity and preference heterogeneity between individuals are accounted for. We use Bayesian methods in the econometric analysis. The final model is chosen based on the deviance information criterion (DIC). Censoring and taking account of heteroskedasticity have important effects on parameter estimation. For DCE data only, TTO data only, and DCE/TTO data combined, models with parameters for all dimensions and levels perform best, as judged by the DIC. Taking account of heterogeneity improves fit, and the multinomial model reports the lowest DIC. This paper presents approaches that suit observed characteristics of EQ‐5D‐5L valuation data and recognise respondents' preference heterogeneity. The methods described are potentially relevant to other value set studies.     

The Burden of Peristomal Skin Complications on an Ostomy Population as Assessed by Health Utility and the Physical Component Summary of the SF-36v2®

Background

Body-altering surgery may affect perceptions of one’s self. For those with abdominal stoma surgeries, altered perceptions amplified by peristomal skin condition can increase health burdens.

EQ-5D-5L versus EQ-5D-3L: The Impact on Cost Effectiveness in the United Kingdom

Objectives

To model the relationship between the three-level (3L) and the five-level (5L) EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire and examine how differences have an impact on cost effectiveness in case studies.

What Impact Does Venous Thromboembolism and Bleeding Have on Cancer Patients’ Quality of Life?

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in cancer patients and its treatment is associated with a high risk of recurrent VTE (rVTE) and bleeding.

维生素A、D、E水平与儿童反复呼吸道感染相关性研究

目的 分析儿童反复呼吸道感染(RRTI)与患儿血清维生素A、D、E水平的相关性,为临床防治提供理论依据。方法 2017年1-12月采集在广西壮族自治区人民医院儿科就诊的6个月~15岁儿童资料,选取171例RRTI儿童为RRTI组,156例为正常对照组。采用高效液相色谱法测定两组儿童血清维生素A和E水平,采用化学发光法检测血清维生素D₃水平。比较RRTI组和正常对照组维生素A、D₃、E水平的差异。结果 RRTI组平均血清维生素A水平为(0.30±0.06)mg/L,维生素D₃水平为(72.41±25.59)nmol/L,维生素E水平为(8.90±2.32)mg/L,均低于正常组的(0.39±0.07)mg/L、(84.84±29.96)nmol/L和(9.72±2.61)mg/L,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。维生素A、D₃缺乏率和不足率、维生素E的不足率在RRTI组均高于正常对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析提示维生素A水平低(<0.3 mg/L)(OR=19.225,95%CI:9.136~40.453)和维生素D₃缺乏(<50 nmol/L)(OR=2.891,95%CI:1.186~7.044)使得儿童患RRTI的风险增高。结论 维生素A和维生素D₃的亚临床水平缺乏可能与儿童RRTI相关,及时给予补充有助于儿童RRTI的防治。