Areas covered: We highlight the recent information on the therapeutic targets currently explored in early stage clinical trials and discuss the potential for new therapy and the limitation of basic research in the treatment of IPF.
Expert opinion: A key challenge in the coming years will lie in deciding which compounds to combine and how to evaluate combination therapies in clinical trials. The drugs most likely to provide additive efficacy when used in combination with one of the approved therapies are those with alternative, complementary, or synergistic mechanisms of action. 相似文献
Methods: The outcomes of 11 consecutive AE–IPF patients who were receiving pirfenidone treatment when they were admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) for acute respiratory failure (ARF) (treatment group) were retrospectively compared with those of 9 patients who were not on pirfenidone treatment at admission (control group). The study’s primary outcome measure was survival following RICU admission; the patients’ mortality rate and the length of time spent in the RICU were also assessed.
Results: The treatment group had significantly longer survival than the control group (median survival time: 137.0 [95% CI, 39.0–373.0] versus 16.0 [95% CI, 14.0–22.0] days; p?=?.0009); the hazard ratio for death was 0.2896 (95% CI, 0.09541–0.8791). The treatment group also tended to have a lower RICU mortality rate (3/11 vs. 7/9; p?=?.0698).
Conclusions: Pirfenidone significantly improved survival in IPF patients hospitalized for severe acute exacerbation compared to controls. 相似文献
Materials and methods: HCl (0.05–0.3?N) or saline was injected intratracheally into male C57Bl/6J mice. At 1, 4, 10 and 30 days post instillation, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were collected and examined for multiple outcomes.
Results and discussion: We observed an early inflammatory response and a late mild inflammation present even at 30?d post HCl exposure. Mice treated with HCl exhibited higher total leukocyte and protein levels in the BALF compared to the vehicle group. This was characterized by increased number of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines during the first 4?d of injury. The late inflammatory response exhibited a predominant presence of mononuclear cells, increased permeability to protein, and higher levels of the pro-fibrotic mediator TGFβ. Pro-fibrotic protein biomarkers, phosphorylated ERK, and HSP90, were also overexpressed at 10 and 30?d following HCl exposure. In vivo lung function measurements demonstrated lung dysfunction and chronic lung injury associated with increased lung hydroxyproline content and increased expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The acute inflammation and severity of fibrosis increased in HCl-concentration dependent manner.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the initial inflammatory response and pro-fibrotic biomarker upregulation may be linked to the progression of pulmonary fibrosis and airway dysfunction and may represent valuable therapeutic targets. 相似文献
Research design and methods: This multicenter, open-label, single-group, prospective interventional study evaluated changes in total gait-related scores of the Part II/III Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q) in 31 Parkinson’s disease patients treated with istradefylline. Gait analysis by portable gait rhythmogram was performed.
Results: MDS-UPDRS Part III gait-related total scores significantly decreased at Weeks 4–12 from baseline with significant improvements in gait, freezing of gait, and postural stability. Significant decreases in MDS-UPDRS Part II total scores and individual item scores at Week 12 indicated improved daily living activities. At Week 12, there were significant improvements in FOG-Q, new FOG-Q, and overall movement per 48 h measured by portable gait rhythmogram. Adverse events occurred in 7/31 patients.
Conclusions: Istradefylline improved gait disorders in Parkinson’s disease patients complicated with freezing of gait, improving their quality of life. No unexpected adverse drug reactions were identified.
Trial registration: UMIN-CTR (UMIN000020288). 相似文献
Design and methods: Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the experiences of 31 Greek addiction professionals who participated in focus groups.
Findings: Professionals adopted various interventions which included (a) respond to parents quest for help, (b) involvement of the distant parent in treatment, (c) boundary setting, (d) facilitation of parent-child communication, and (e) support of parental changes. These interventions were perceived as necessary, both for motivating and sustaining the client’s change, and for alleviating the parents’ chronic grief and distress over their child’s addiction.
Conclusion: Overall, addiction professionals perceived low intensity interventions, information giving, and non- judgmental informal interactions as catalysts for the parents involvement in addiction treatment. 相似文献
Objective: Evaluation of the peripapillary choroidal layer in the patients receiving oral isotretinoin therapy may aid in explaining the pathophysiology of ocular side effects.
Methods: In this study, peripapillary choroidal thickness was assessed in the patients receiving oral isotretinoin treatment via optical coherent tomography technique.
Results: Significant difference was found in the superotemporal and temporal areas.
Conclusion: Oral isotretinoin treatment may affect the thickness of the peripapillary choroidal layer. 相似文献
Methods: MSC-derived exosomes were isolated from MSCs through ultracentrifugation. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to phosgene at 8.33?g/m3 for 5?min. MSC-derived exosomes were intratracheally administered and rats were sacrificed at the time points of 6, 24 and 48?h.
Results: Compared with the phosgene group, MSC-derived exosomes reversed respiratory function alterations, showing increased levels of TV, PIF, PEF and EF50 as well as decreased levels of RI and EEP. Furthermore, MSC-derived exosomes improved pathological alterations and reduced wet-to-dry ratio and total protein content in BALF. MSC-derived exosomes reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and increased the IL-10 level in BALF and plasma. MSC-derived exosomes suppressed the MMP-9 level and increased the SP-C level.
Conclusions: MSC-derived exosomes exerted beneficial effects on phosgene-induced ALI via modulating inflammation, inhibiting MMP-9 synthesis and elevating SP-C level. 相似文献
Areas covered: The role of PDE inhibitors in asthma treatment and the possible mechanism of action via their anti-inflammatory and/or bronchodilating effect are discussed.
Expert opinion: Novel PDE inhibitors exhibiting fewer adverse events may have a role as add-on therapies in asthma treatment in the future. More clinical trials are necessary to prove their efficacy and evaluate their safety profile before approval by regulatory bodies is granted. 相似文献
Materials and methods: Cellular damage was compared by using the cytotoxicity test (WST-1 assay) and plasma membrane toxicity tests (Lactate dehydrogenase leakage detection assay and plasma membrane staining). As a measure of fibrotic response, induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was evaluated by measuring E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein expression (epithelial and mesenchymal marker, respectively).
Results: All tested compounds showed membrane damage; PHMG-P and PGH induced the highest and lowest damage, respectively. Moreover, they induced EMT when the test chemicals were treated with similar cytotoxic concentrations.
Conclusions: Our study indicates that three guanidine-based disinfectants are potential fibrosis-inducing chemicals that induce EMT through cellular damage. Therefore, use of guanidine-based polymers should be strictly regulated by considering their potential adverse effects on the lungs. 相似文献
Areas covered: This paper focuses on the pathophysiology of transplantation-related AKI and recent findings on cellular stress responses at the intersection of 1. The Unfolded protein response; 2. Mitochondrial dysfunction; 3. The benefits of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Lastly, perspectives are offered to the readers.
Expert opinion: Renal IRI is caused by a sudden and temporary impairment of blood flow to the organ.
Defining the underlying cellular cascades involved in IRI will assist us in the identification of novel interventional targets to attenuate IRI with the potential to improve transplantation outcomes. Targeting mitochondrial function and cellular bioenergetics upstream of cellular damage may offer several advantages compared to targeting downstream inflammatory and fibrosis processes.
An improved understanding of the cellular pathophysiological mechanisms leading to kidney injury will hopefully offer improved targeted therapies to prevent and treat the injury in the future. 相似文献
Aim: Microencapsulate lavender oil by spray drying using a biocompatible polymeric blend of gum acacia and maltodextrin to protect the oil components. Effect of total polymer content, oil loading, gum acacia, and maltodextrin proportions on the size, yield, loading, and encapsulation efficiency of the microparticles was investigated.
Methods: Morphology and oil localisation within microparticles were assessed by confocal laser scanning electron microscope. Structural preservation and compatibility were assessed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Results: Lavender microparticles of size 12.42?±?1.79?µm prepared at 30 w/w% polymer concentration, 16.67 w/w% oil loading, and 25w/w% gum acacia showed maximum oil protection at high loading (12?mg w/w%), and encapsulation efficiency (77.89 w/w%).
Conclusion: Lavender oil was successfully microencapsulated into stable microparticles by spray drying using gum acacia/maltodextrin polymeric blend. 相似文献
Methods: The 10 alcohol brands per country with the greatest Twitter presence were identified based on the number of ‘followers’. Number of tweets, photos, and videos were collected and the type of content noted for each brand between 1 January 2016 and 29 February 2016. The data were analysed via an inductive coding approach using NVivo10.
Results: In total, the brands had accumulated up to 150,386 followers (Indian: 110,032; Australian: 40,354). The techniques utilised were a mix of those that differed by country (e.g. India: sexually suggestive content versus Australia: posts related to the brand’s tradition or heritage) and generic approaches (e.g. alcohol sponsorship of sport, music, and fashion; offering consumption suggestions; organising competitions; giveaways; and use of memes).
Conclusions: The flexibility of Twitter, which complements traditional marketing, allows brands to adapt and deliver their online alcohol content in specific national contexts and to capitalise on the cultural meanings users invoke in their interactions with the brands. 相似文献
Methods: Semi-structured interviews (with six staff members, 18 young Pakistani and Bangladeshi service users, and 18 stakeholders and partner agencies), a detailed ethnographic observation of the service, and an analysis of routinely collected quantitative monitoring data.
Findings: The paper highlights the importance of what Fountain terms low threshold/open access services. Alongside this, the paper argues that the building of trust and confidence in a substance use service is a key when it comes to engaging with young Pakistani and Bangladeshi substance users. Yet this necessary process takes time: something that is at odds with the current trend towards short-term funding regimes and ‘quick wins’.
Conclusions: The paper concludes by advocating the need for, not only a diverse range of engagement strategies, but also a longer term approach when it comes to developing and delivering substance use services aimed at successfully engaging with this particular group of substance users. 相似文献
Methods: 31 databases were searched for studies published 1985–2012 (update search 2012–2016) involving community-based Criminal Justice System diversion of Class A drug users via voluntary or court-mandated treatment.
Findings: 16 studies were initially included (US, 10; UK, 4; Canada, 1; Australia, 1). There was evidence for a small impact of diversion to treatment on drug use reduction (primary Class A drug use: OR 1.68, CI 1.12–2.53; other drug use: OR 2.60, 1.70–3.98). Class A drug users were less likely to complete treatment (OR 0.90, 0.87–0.94) than users of other drugs. There was uncertainty surrounding results for offending, which were not pooled due to lack of outcome measure comparability and heterogeneity. Individual studies pointed to a minor effect of diversion on offending. Findings remained unchanged following an update review (evidence up to March 2016: US, 3; Australia, 1).
Conclusions: Treatment accessed via community-based diversion is effective at reducing drug use in Class A drug-using offenders. Evidence of a reduction in offending amongst this group as a result of diversion is uncertain. Poor methodological quality and data largely limited to US methamphetamine users limits available evidence. 相似文献
Methods: The study was conducted with 30 female subjects undergoing elective gynecological surgery with epidural analgesia. A parallel single dose of EPI oxycodone with IV placebo (EPI group; n = 18) or IV oxycodone with EPI placebo (IV group; n = 12) was administered. An epidural catheter for drug administration was placed at T12/L1 and a spinal catheter for CSF sampling at L3/4. Plasma and CSF for oxycodone analysis were frequently collected. A PopPK model was built using the NONMEM software package.
Results: Plasma and CSF oxycodone concentrations were evaluated using separate central plasma and CSF compartments and separate peripheral plasma and CSF compartments. Epidural space served as a depot compartment with transfer to both the plasma and CSF central compartments. The population parameters for plasma clearance and apparent distribution volumes for central and peripheral compartments for plasma and CSF were 37.4 L/h, 90.2 L, 68.9 L, 0.035 L (fixed based on literature), and 0.039 L, respectively.
Conclusion: A PopPK model was developed and found to precisely and accurately describe oxycodone time-concentration data in plasma and CSF. 相似文献
Methods: Induced soluble aggregates were quantified at 0 and 3?months, and 45?°C using size-exclusion chromatography. Conformation and thermogravimetric assessments were done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Laser light scattering was performed to determine the particle sizes. Aerodynamic features were characterized by twin stage impinger and scanning electron microscopy.
Results: Although sugars/polyols preferably stabilized IgG following the process, storage stabilization was achieved in Trehalose, Trehalose-Lactose, Lactose, and Trehalose-Mannitol-based powders with soluble aggregates <5%. The conformation of antibody was preserved with β sheet content from 66.28% to 76.37%. Particle sizes ranged from 5.23 to 8.12?µm. Mannitol exhibited the best aerodynamic behavior, fine particle fraction (FPF: 70%) but high degree of protein aggregation during storage.
Conclusions: SFD could favorably stabilize antibody using Trehalose and its combination with Lactose and Mannitol, and also, Lactose alone. Sorbitol disturbed IgG powder recovery. Incorporation of other types of excipient is required for efficient respiratory delivery of IgG molecules. 相似文献
Research design and methods: A sample of 1139 reports received by the Shaanxi ADR Monitoring Center from January 2015 to December 2017 was selected. ADR report quality was evaluated using an ADR report quality evaluation system.
Results: None of the reports were rated as excellent and 1.40% (n = 16) as good. Report quality was better for new and serious reports than for general reports. Medical institutions generated higher quality reports than pharmaceutical manufacturers. Nurses generated higher quality reports than doctors, pharmacists, and other professionals. Reporters of different occupations showed significant differences in the quality of the indicators Reporting time limit, Intervention ADR time, ADR termination time, ADR intervention measures, Original disease, and Cause of medication (P = 0.000).
Conclusions: The ADR data quality was poor in western China, and of lower quality than reported data from previous research in other regions. Improvements in the quality and availability of ADR reports are urgently needed. 相似文献
Research, design and methods: Three databases were searched for spontaneous AERs associated with celecoxib, submitted within the past 10 years: Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration Database of Adverse Event Notifications; Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction Online Database; and the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System Database. Analysis of the AERs focussed on the identification of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and renal adverse events and concomitant medications suspected of potentiating adverse event risks.
Results: A total of 24,232 celecoxib AERs were identified. Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequently reported adverse events at the system organ class (SOC) level in the AERs. A large number of AERs documented the use of potentially inappropriate concomitant medicines which may have increased the risk of the reported adverse events.
Conclusions: The large number of reports that involved a concomitant medicine that was in contravention with prescribing guidelines indicates an increased need for efforts to support the safe prescribing of celecoxib. 相似文献
Areas covered: The authors provide an overview of the current pharmaceutical treatment for vulvovaginal atrophy and provide their expert opinions on its future treatment.
Expert opinion: The basis of good treatment is a correct and complete diagnosis, using a microscope to study the maturity index of the vaginal fluid. Minimal dose of estriol intravaginally with or without lactobacilli is elegant, cheap and can safely be used after breast cancer and history of thromboembolic disease. Laser therapy requires validation and safety data, as is can potentially cause vaginal fibrosis and stenosis, and safer and cheaper alternatives are available. 相似文献
Methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed MeSH search with further papers identified using a standard PubMed search with relevant key terms and various synonyms.
Results: HIV infection may be associated with pulmonary hypertension due to indirect consequences of viral infection, venous thromboembolism or its therapies. Anti-retroviral infection may also influence plasma concentrations of commonly used treatments for pulmonary hypertension. Intravenous drug use is acknowledged as an important portal for the acquisition of hepatitis virus C infection, with portopulmonary hypertension a potential complication associated with poor prognosis. Interferon based therapy, used in treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection, may also play a causal role in the development of pulmonary hypertension. More recently, sofosbuvir has been linked to development or exacerbation of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Certain drugs of abuse may cause pulmonary hypertension due to properties that result in direct injury to the pulmonary vasculature. The potential for embolic phenomena, complicating venous thromboembolism, recurrent embolization of particulate matter or because of right-sided endocarditis, resulting in pulmonary hypertension is an important contributing factor in the pathophysiology in this unique cohort.
Conclusions: Eliciting a history of intravenous drug use is important and may be associated with a number of less common etiologies, each with specific diagnostic and therapeutic implications. 相似文献