Out of the boxes,out of the silos: The need of interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce poor-quality medical products in the supply chain

In this paper, we argue that understanding and addressing the problem of poor-quality medical products requires a more interdisciplinary approach than has been evident to date. While prospective studies based on rigorous standardized methodologies are the gold standard for measuring the prevalence of poor-quality medical products and understanding their distribution nationally and internationally, they should be complemented by social science research to unpack the complex set of social, economic, and governance factors that underlie these patterns. In the following sections, we discuss specific examples of prospective quality surveys and of social science studies, highlighting the value of cross-sector partnerships in driving high-quality, policy-relevant research in this area.     

Ovine Iliac Vein Model for Endovascular Thrombectomy of Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis

An ovine iliac vein thrombosis model was devised to test a wall-contacting rotational thrombectomy device. Thrombosis was successfully induced in 9 sheep with an average clot length of 31 mm ± 12 and >60% vessel occlusion on angiography. The thrombus was subsequently removed, maintaining normal intraoperative pulmonary arterial pressure (5.9 mm Hg ± 3.6) and complete distal reperfusion after thrombectomy. Additionally, the sheep were without signs of vascular trauma or embolic complications on gross necropsy and histopathologic analysis. The findings from this study support the use of an ovine iliac deep vein thrombosis model for testing of a lower extremity thrombectomy device.     

宫颈癌免疫治疗的耐药机制及应对措施

宫颈癌严重威胁全球女性的生命健康，晚期宫颈癌治疗手段有限，5年生存率不到20%，是妇科肿瘤的巨大挑战。免疫治疗是晚期宫颈癌患者的重要治疗手段之一，包括免疫检查点抑制剂、治疗性疫苗和过继性T细胞免疫疗法等，但免疫治疗耐药性使部分患者无应答而效果不佳。因此，迫切需要深入研究和探讨免疫耐药的机制从而改善耐药，现归纳总结了近年有关宫颈癌中免疫耐药机制的相关研究，主要分为肿瘤内在因素和外在免疫环境改变等因素，并介绍针对免疫耐药提出的应对措施及进展。     

BCL2 G quadruplex-binding small molecules: Current status and prospects for the development of next-generation anticancer therapeutics

B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) overexpression in a range of human tumors is often related to chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis. GC-rich regions upstream of the P1 promoter in human BCL2 can form G-quadruplex (G4) structures through the stacking of four Hoogsteen-paired guanine bases. Stabilizing the G4 fold implies the inhibition of BCL2 expression and, thus, small molecules that selectively bind to the G4 are promising anticancer candidates. In this review, we discuss the structural aspects, binding affinity, selectivity, and biological activity of well-characterized BCL2 G4 binding ligands in vitro and in vivo. We also explore future directions in the research and development of G4-based anticancer therapeutics.     

The Affordable Care Act's “community first choice” option: Effect on long-term care expenditures

Objective

To empirically assess the effect of adopting Affordable Care Act's Community First Choice (CFC) option on overall state home and community-based services (HCBS) expenditures as well as distribution of HCBS expenditures across different HCBS mechanisms. We also explore the heterogeneous effect of CFC across adopting states.

Data Source

We used data from the Medicaid Long Term Services and Support (LTSS) expenditure reports prepared by Truven Analytics and Mathematica for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from 2008–2018 for all 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Study Design

An event-study difference-in-differences model was used to estimate the effect of CFC on HCBS expenditures using Medicaid LTSS expenditure reports from 2008–2018. We also employ the synthetic control method to unmask heterogeneity across CFC adopting states using data from 2008–2018.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Not applicable.

Principal Findings

Overall, CFC was not associated with a change in HCBS expenditures per capita or HCBS expenditures as a proportion of LTSS expenditures. However, there appears to be an increase in HCBS expenditures among states that were institutionally-oriented prior to CFC adoption. Additionally, CFC adoption was associated with an overall decrease in expenditures in alternative HCBS mechanisms (Personal Care Services State Plan Option and 1915(c) waivers), suggesting potential substitution across overlapping programs.

Conclusion

Results indicate heterogeneity across states adopting CFC. More institutionally-oriented states appear to use CFC to expand HCBS. In contrast, more HCBS-oriented states appear to employ CFC to strategically restructure their overall portfolio and processes.