Intravital fluorescence facilitates measurement of multiple physiologic functions and gene expression in tumors of live animals

The purpose of this report is to present an overview of the use of fluorescence imaging in vivo, with particular emphasis on oncology. It is important to note, however, that many of the methods described herein have been applied to the study of non-malignant tissues as well. Modern medicine and biology research has benefited greatly from an ever-expanding assortment of fluorescent markers and labels. These markers and labels have allowed investigators to observe the behavior and properties of cell and molecular entities of interest in the context of complicated biological systems such as a mammalian cell or a whole mouse. Methods developed to image fluorescence in whole mice have been valuable in studying patterns of tumor growth and metastases. Alternatively, more detailed information and a wide variety of endpoints can be obtained using "intravital" preparations. This review focuses on use of fluorescence imaging for intravital preparations. For detail on fluorescence imaging of whole animals, refer to reviews on this subject [1,2]. For oncologic applications, studies have focused primarily on window chamber preparations that allow for real-time visualization of tumor growth, vascularity, vascular responses to stimulation, vascular permeability, vascular orientation, flow instability, and the like. These endpoints have been used to show that there are functional differences between tumor and normal tissues with respect to these functions under baseline conditions and after therapeutic manipulation. Examples of some of these differences are provided in this review as a means to illustrate how they can be used.     

Traditional and High Potency Probiotic Preparations for Oral Bacteriotherapy

Current research continues to improve the treatment options available to clinicians for oral bacteriotherapy. Recently, a greater understanding of the role of endogenous digestive microflora has generated renewed interest in the potential of oral bacteriotherapy for the management of a wide spectrum of gastrointestinal and systemic disorders. Several treatment strategies for oral bacteriotherapy have already entered clinical trials and it is hoped that some of these strategies will become widely available in the near future. This review summarises the current status of oral probiotic preparations for bacteriotherapy and discusses any obstacles to their successful clinical development. Newer probiotic preparations include high potency preparations that are greatly enriched in lactic acid bacteria, both in terms of bacterial concentrations and the number of bacterial strains. These preparations have a greater potential for clinical effectiveness than traditional preparations and are entering clinical evaluation especially in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and pouchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or cryptosporidiosis. The pitfalls of previous clinical investigations of traditional probiotic preparations and the perils of future clinical trials with high potency preparations are discussed in the context of unmet needs and realistic expectations of success. Although considerable progress has been made in oral bacteriotherapy, focused efforts by basic scientists and clinical investigators and continued support from pharmaceutical companies is required to successfully develop probiotics for use in clinical medicine. Newer high potency probiotic preparations appear to have a great advantage over traditional preparations and should be the area of most active biomedical research in the field.     

Institutionalization of African traditional medicine in health care systems in Africa

In recent times, the phrase " traditional medicine" has become a catchword among the peoples in all countries in Africa. This has been due partly because the use of herbal remedies has gained popularity worldwide and the exploitation of these remedies has become a multimillion industry. The term "African traditional medicine" is not synonymous with "Alternative and complimentary medicine" which is a misnomer which is sometimes used. African traditional medicine is the African indigenous system of health care and therefore cannot be an alternative. In Africa, there is an important reason why African traditional medicine has become increasingly popular. The high cost of allopathic medical health care and the expensive pharmaceutical products have become unavailable to a majority of people. Naturally, the many centuries-old alternative sources of health care have become handy, often in desperate situations. In fact, the frequently quoted statement that 85 per cent of the people in Africa use traditional medicine, is an understatement because this figure is much higher and continues to increase. At the Alma Atta Declaration of 1978, it was resolved that traditional medicine had to be incorporated in the health care systems in developing countries if the objective of the "Health for All by the Year 2000" was to be realized. Notwithstanding this strategy, African countries did not come near the objective at the end of the 20th century. Therefore, the Member States of the WHO African Region adopted a resolution in 2000 called "Promoting the role of traditional medicine in health care systems: A strategy for the African Region". This strategy provides for the institutionalization of traditional medicine in health care systems of the member states of the WHO African Region. Furthermore, the OAU (African Union) Heads of State and Government declared the period 2000 - 2010 as the African Decade on African Traditional Medicine. In addition, the Director General of the World Health Organization also declared 31st August every year as African Traditional Medicine Day. All these declarations signify the importance and the approval by Governments and international institutions of the need to institutionalize African traditional medicine in health care. Therefore the mechanisms for institutionalization have to be developed to make these resolutions a reality. In view of the complexity and heterogeneity of African traditional medicine, a system of incorporation in the current health care systems has to be developed. During the last four years the WHO Regional Director for Africa and his Secretariat took up the challenge and have developed model guidelines that the Member States can adapt or adopt as may be appropriate in the respective Member States. Some of the relevant guidelines include the following: 1. Guidelines for the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a National Traditional Medicine Policy 2. Model legal framework for the practice of traditional medicine: The Traditional Health Practitioners Bill; 3. Model Codes of Ethics for Traditional Health Practitioners 4. A Regional framework for the registration of traditional medicines in the WHO African Region; 5. A regulatory framework for the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) and indigenous knowledge of traditional medicines in the WHO African Region. These guidelines and others provide a basis for the incorporation of African traditional medicine in a manner that would best suit a particular country. The WHO Regional Director for Africa also appointed a Regional Expert Committee on Traditional Medicine which assists in the development of these guidelines. It is important to emphasize that as more and more people use this traditional health care facility, there is an urgent need for the appropriate systems of quality control in the practice as well as in the production and use of the medicines. Such systems will protect the public and also ensure that the best practices and the most useful medicines are made available in the most affordable manner. Every country in the African region would be expected to adopt a method of incorporation that would be suitable: integrative, inclusive, or tolerant, as the case may be. It is an undeniable fact that we cannot afford to sit on the fence. All the stakeholders stand to gain a great deal in the development and promotion of African traditional medicine. In particular, all the practitioners in the present allopathic health care system will gain professionally as well as economically as they will have access to an additional culture-friendly system with which to provide services to the people. All the stakeholders must join hands in the effort to institutionalize the appropriate African traditional medicine in the health care systems in order to provide the health services that are urgently needed in the communities.     

The choice of the targets and the search for their inhibitors by means of computer simulation for the development of innovative preparations to treat of chronic bacterial infections

Persistence is a form of interaction of pathogenic bacteria with a host aimed to promote their long-term survivalby means of inactivation of the host's protective systems via modulation of intracellular signal pathways. Persistent forms of a pathogen are refractory to traditional antibiotic therapy and cause chronic infectious diseases. Directed search for protein targets and new antibacterial drugs using computer simulation and experimental testing for the development of innovative preparations to treat chronic bacterial infections appears to have good prospects as a method for the management of persistent infections. A stepwise strategy for realization of such approach is exemplified by the search of preparations against chlamydial infection.     

中药信息学研究进展和展望

近年来随着科学技术的飞速进展,生物医药进入大数据人工智能时代。海量生物医药数据推动了医药信息学、 系统生物学、计算生物学等交叉学科的兴起,为中医药研究带来了前所未有的机遇。中药资源丰富,从中药资源到临床应用等各个方面已经积累了大量数据,信息技术在中药领域的应用不断拓展。本文回顾了常用中药数据库,描述了中药信息学研究进展,最后阐述了中药信息学的机遇与展望。     

Physiome and Sasang Constitutional Medicine

Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM) is a traditional Korean form of medicine widely used in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of disease. This paper reviews the main aspects of SCM and "physiome" with emphasis on integrative and holistic characteristics. Methodological and physiological aspects of SCM are summarized with reference to existing studies. The main characteristics of SCM, such as the four physical constitutions and diagnostic methods, are introduced. Moreover, physiome and systems medicine are introduced as plausible candidates for integrative medicine and are compared to reductionism-based molecular biology. We also discuss the conceptual similarity of SCM with predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory (P4) medicine. It is emphasized that the integrative and creative combination of SCM and physiome will unlock a new era of holistic medicine.     

Indian Systems of Medicine: A Brief Profile

Medicinal plants based traditional systems of medicines are playing important role in providing health care to large section of population, especially in developing countries. Interest in them and utilization of herbal products produced based on them is increasing in developed countries also. To obtain optimum benefit and to understand the way these systems function, it is necessary to have minimum basic level information on their different aspects. Indian Systems of Medicine are among the well known global traditional systems of medicine. In this review, an attempt has been made to provide general information pertaining to different aspects of these systems. This is being done to enable the readers to appreciate the importance of the conceptual basis of these system in evolving the material medica. The aspects covered include information about historical background, conceptual basis, different disciplines studied in the systems, Research and Development aspects, Drug manufacturing aspects and impact of globalization on Ayurveda. In addition, basic information on Siddha and Unani systems has also been provided.     

Optimization of pharmaceutical formulations for therapy

A pharmaceutical formulation is aimed at ensuring drug delivery at the site of action in order to produce the desired therapeutic effect. The design of a pharmaceutical formulation must reflect the chemical reactivity of the drug substance as well as those of any other substances that are used in the formulation. Standardized manufacturing procedures that conform to accepted codes of Good Manufacturing Practices are prerequisites for the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations for optimal drug delivery. Drug formulations produced by such methods are expected to have the desired bioavailability characteristics for pharmacotherapy. The different types of pharmaceutical formulations usually prepared for administration by various routes are aimed at achieving the most appropriate drug delivery system for each drug. When necessary, special drug delivery systems are designed to achieve this objective. Advances in biotechnology has led to production of labile substances for use as drugs in therapy and this has created new challenges in the development of novel drug delivery systems. The sublingual, buccal, nasal and oropharyngeal routes of drug delivery have become of great interest in the delivery of bioactive peptides like insulin and interferons and pharmaceutical formulations have to be designed to meet such challenges. Of no less importance are the traditional herbal preparations whose formulation strategies have been much less understood and their therapeutic significance underestimated. Greater interest in, and investment on research on these herbal preparations will open new avenues for pharmacotherapy.     

Dynamic sub-ontology evolution for traditional Chinese medicine web ontology

As a form of important domain knowledge, large-scale ontologies play a critical role in building a large variety of knowledge-based systems. To overcome the problem of semantic heterogeneity and encode domain knowledge in reusable format, a large-scale and well-defined ontology is also required in the traditional Chinese medicine discipline. We argue that to meet the on-demand and scalability requirement ontology-based systems should go beyond the use of static ontology and be able to self-evolve and specialize for the domain knowledge they possess. In particular, we refer to the context-specific portions from large-scale ontologies like the traditional Chinese medicine ontology as sub-ontologies. Ontology-based systems are able to reuse sub-ontologies in local repository called ontology cache. In order to improve the overall performance of ontology cache, we propose to evolve sub-ontologies in ontology cache to optimize the knowledge structure of sub-ontologies. Moreover, we present the sub-ontology evolution approach based on a genetic algorithm for reusing large-scale ontologies. We evaluate the proposed evolution approach with the traditional Chinese medicine ontology and obtain promising results.     

Quicktime virtual reality technology in light microscopy to support medical education in pathology.

The new computer-based interactive technologies in medicine, such as virtual reality (VR), have revolutionized education. The use of virtual microscopic images would be invaluable in the training of cyto-histopathologists. However, due to the vast amount of digital information on a scanned, conventional cyto-histological slide, which is enormous by current data storage standards, these systems are expensive and not widely used in pathological medicine. The authors propose an inexpensive system based on quicktime virtual reality (QTVR) technology (by Apple Computers Inc.), which accommodates a wide area of a slide at high magnification, generating a 'virtual slide' which makes it possible to navigate by conventional input devices. Commercial softwares that stitch consecutive, adjacent images of cyto-histological preparations onto a QTVR panorama were used. QTVR files have the ability to stand on their own as self-contained, multimedia applications and also have the ability to generate multinode scenes by means of 'hot spots'. QTVR 'movies' can be played on Macintosh or Windows platforms, and on major web browsers. Virtual slides by QTVR is an inexpensive system of high educational value, which allows the creation of multimedia databases of cyto-histological preparations that can exist on an internet server or can be distributed on removable media.     

An integrated framework of personalized medicine: from individual genomes to participatory health care

Promising research developments in both basic and applied sciences, such as genomics and participatory health care approaches, have generated widespread interest in personalized medicine among almost all scientific areas and clinicians. The term personalized medicine is, however, frequently used without defining a clear theoretical and methodological background. In addition, to date most personalized medicine approaches still lack convincing empirical evidence regarding their contribution and advantages in comparison to traditional models. Here, we propose that personalized medicine can only fulfill the promise of optimizing our health care system by an interdisciplinary and translational view that extends beyond traditional diagnostic and classification systems.     

Nitric oxide pathway-mediated relaxant effect of aqueous sesame leaves extract (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sesamum radiatum</Emphasis> Schum. &; Thonn.) in the guinea-pig isolated aorta smooth muscle

Background  

Sesamum radiatum Schum. & Thonn. (Pedaliaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant, which belongs to the family Pedaliaceae and genus Sesamum. Sesame is used in traditional medicine in Africa and Asia for many diseases treatment. Sesame plant especially the leaves, seed and oil are consumed locally as a staple food by subsistence farmers. The study analyses the relaxation induced by the aqueous extract of leaves from sesame (ESera), compared with those of acetylcholine (ACh) in the guinea-pig aortic preparations (GPAPs), in order to confirm the use in traditional medicine for cardiovascular diseases.     

Advances in medical robotic systems with specific applications in surgery--a review

Although robotics was started as a form of entertainment, it gradually became used in different branches of science. Medicine, particularly in the operating room, has been influenced significantly by this field. Robotic technologies have offered valuable enhancements to medical or surgical processes through improved precision, stability and dexterity. In this paper we review different robotics and computer-assisted systems developed with medical and surgical applications. We cover early and recently developed systems in different branches of surgery. In addition to the united operational systems, we provide a review of miniature robotic, diagnostic and sensory systems developed to assist or collaborate with a main operator system. At the end of the paper, a discussion is given with the aim of summarizing the proposed points and predicting the future of robotics in medicine.     

中药对干细胞移植治疗骨关节炎的干预效应

背景：干细胞具有分化成软骨细胞的特性,应用干细胞移植治疗骨关节炎已在大量的动物实验中证实,而临床应用才刚开始。 目的：对中药干预干细胞移植治疗骨关节炎的研究现状及新进展作一综述。 方法：应用计算机检索CNKI和Pubmed数据库中1997年1月至2011年12月关于中药对干细胞作用及干细胞移植治疗骨关节炎的文章,在标题和摘要中以“中药、骨关节炎、干细胞、移植”或“traditional Chinese medicine、osteoarthritis、stem cell、transplantation”为检索词进行检索。选择相关文献,根据入选标准对纳入的32篇文献进行综述。 结果与结论：随着中药现代化进程,根据中医相关理论,研究发现应用中药可促进骨关节炎软骨细胞增殖,并能促进干细胞的增殖及向软骨细胞分化和代谢,有利于缺损软骨的修复。但现阶段的研究力度仍不足,今后应加强中药干预干细胞的基础研究,在干细胞增殖、分化及转分化机制研究基础上,有针对性地筛选能调节干细胞不同发育阶段的的中药单体或复方。     

Plant Products as Antimicrobial Agents

The use of and search for drugs and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years. Ethnopharmacologists, botanists, microbiologists, and natural-products chemists are combing the Earth for phytochemicals and "leads" which could be developed for treatment of infectious diseases. While 25 to 50% of current pharmaceuticals are derived from plants, none are used as antimicrobials. Traditional healers have long used plants to prevent or cure infectious conditions; Western medicine is trying to duplicate their successes. Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which have been found in vitro to have antimicrobial properties. This review attempts to summarize the current status of botanical screening efforts, as well as in vivo studies of their effectiveness and toxicity. The structure and antimicrobial properties of phytochemicals are also addressed. Since many of these compounds are currently available as unregulated botanical preparations and their use by the public is increasing rapidly, clinicians need to consider the consequences of patients self-medicating with these preparations.     

3D打印药物复合材料在生物医学中的应用

背景:运用3D打印技术可将药物与材料结合实现药物联合用药,制成具有特定释放速率的剂型,从而更好的应用于临床。目的:综述临床常用西药、中药、金属元素及离子等与相关材料制成药物复合材料的制备工艺、优点及适应证等。方法:由第一作者以“药物;中药或金属;复合材料;3D打印”作为关键词,以“并含”的逻辑组合关系在CNKI、万方数据库进行检索;以“Drug;Chinese medicine;Metal;Composite materials;3D printing”作为关键词,以“and”的逻辑组合关系在PubMed、Web of Science数据库进行检索,检索时间均为1950至2019年。初步检索文献339篇,筛选后对46篇文献进行分析。结果与结论:将西药、中药、金属元素及离子等与相关材料制成药物复合材料,在制药领域和临床使用中均有一定的优越性,其不仅可提高药物的生物利用度、降低毒副作用,还可实现联合用药。近年来,药物复合材料已被运用于骨科、牙科、心血管内科、耳鼻喉科等领域,但其应用还处于初级阶段,很多方面需要提高和改进,如提高药物复合材料质量;提高力学稳定性,减少脆性;打印功能齐全,与人体大小相适应的血管和器官;更好地模仿人体真实组织的生物力学、组织结构等。     

药物基因组学临床决策支持系统综述

近几年来精准医学成为生物医学的一个热门领域,世界各国都致力于率先在这一领域取得突破性的进展。药物基因组学(PGx),通过基因组学和其他“组学”知识来个性化药物选择和药物使用以避免药物不良反应和最大化药物疗效,是精准医学的重要组成部分,也是目前最有希望在临床上实现日常应用的精准医学领域之一。其中药物基因组学临床决策支持(PGx-CDS)系统,是实现PGx临床应用和知识转化必不可少的工具。目前很多临床医疗机构已经开展PGx服务并部署PGx-CDS系统,同时更多的临床医疗和研究机构正在筹备开展这类服务。对目前已出现并被报道的主要PGx-CDS系统和研究进行文献综述,共涉及11个PGx-CDS系统。通过对这些系统的临床应用场景、系统设计、知识表达、干预方式和应用评估等方面的综合回顾,总结目前PGx-CDS系统的研究进展和发展现状,然后对PGx-CDS系统目前面临的主要挑战和未来发展方向进行讨论,为在国内落地PGx服务和PGx-CDS系统提供借鉴。     

Mistletoe lectin is not the only cytotoxic component in fermented preparations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Viscum album</Emphasis> from white fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies pectinata</Emphasis>)

Background  

Preparations of mistletoe (Viscum album) are the form of cancer treatment that is most frequently used in the complementary medicine. Previous work has shown that these preparations are able to exert cytotoxic effects on carcinoma cells, the extent of which might be influenced by the host tree species and by the content of mistletoe lectin.     

The computer in general practice

Interest in computers is becoming commonplace in general practice. Many practices in the UK have already installed complete systems, others are in the processes of developing them. Most general practitioners will buy complete systems off-the-shelf, but a small minority will do their own systems design and programming. The computer, as part of an information system for general practice, will go through three phases: the cross-indexing system, the narrative record, and the decision aid. All systems currently installed are at the level of the cross-indexing system. This retains the traditional clinical record as the main repository of information stored in hard copy, but provides convenient and entropy proof methods of identifying cohorts of patients by such characteristics as age, sex, social class, geographical distribution, or disease entity. The purposes for this will be preventive medicine, quality control, administrative planning, educational planning, and possibly research. These functions replace manual systems which have been in use by a small number of general practitioners for twenty years, but which have never gained general acceptance partly because of their clumsiness and partly because they were seen as research tools. The step to the narrative record will not be worth the investment in resource or energy if it is purely to store the current undisciplined paper record in electronic medium. It will only be worthwhile if two preconditions are met: firstly, that some standardized form of recording such as problem-orientated medical records are accepted and, secondly, if it is accepted by the doctor that he is handing over a certain amount of control to the system which will prompt, cue and remind him of things that have to be done.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)