Pneumococcal conjugated vaccines: impact of PCV-7 and new achievements in the postvaccine era

Pneumococcal disease is a major health problem worldwide. Large, rapid declines in overall invasive pneumococcal disease and mucosal disease in children, reductions in vaccine-type disease in unvaccinated children and adults (indirect effects) and significant drops in antibiotic-resistant infections were observed after the introduction of a safe, available and immunogenic seven-valent pneumococcal vaccine. The determination of vaccine efficacy is a complex process, which includes efficacy, immunogenicity, safety, cross-reactivity, indirect effects and substantial geographic variation in serotype coverage. In this report, we perform an overview of the literature on current, investigational and potential candidate pneumococcal conjugated vaccines (PCVs). Every country should have its own strong and sustained surveillance system implemented to monitor the effects of vaccination on the frequency of vaccine and nonvaccine serotypes for invasive or mucosal disease, nasopharyngeal carriage and the indirect effects before and after introduction of PCV. New PCVs (PHiD-CV and PCV-13) may provide even greater coverage worldwide, especially in developing countries. Vaccine experts' efforts are currently focused on developing alternative vaccine strategies against pneumococcal infections, especially the development of vaccines based on pneumococcal proteins.     

Physiological profiles and bone health status of Malay adolescent male boxing,Muay Thai and silat athletes

Background

This study aimed to determine the differences in physiological profiles and bone health status of Malay adolescent male state boxing, Muay Thai and silat athletes.

Methods

Forty participants with mean age 16.7?±?1.5 years participated in this study. They were divided into four groups, i.e., sedentary control, boxing, Muay Thai and silat groups with 10 participants per group. Participants’ lung capacity, estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), Wingate anaerobic capacity, isokinetic muscular peak torque (strength) and power, hand-grip strength, back and leg strength, explosive power, agility, static balance and flexibility were measured. Bone sonometer was used to measure tibial and radial bone speed of sound (SOS). The research approach employed was purposive method and the duration for completing data collection was 3 months.

Results

The result of the present study showed that boxing athletes exhibited significantly (p?<?0.05) greater arm isokinetic muscular strength and power than silat athletes, and greater arm isokinetic muscular power than Muay Thai athletes respectively. Boxing athletes also showed significantly (p?<?0.05) higher estimated VO_2max compared to silat athletes. Muay Thai athletes exhibited significantly (p?<?0.05) greater radial bone SOS value compared to sedentary controls.

Conclusions

The Malay male adolescent boxing athletes had greater arm isokinetic muscular performance than their silat and Muay Thai counterparts. Boxing athletes also showed better aerobic fitness compared to silat athletes. In addition, Muay Thai athletes had better bone health status than sedentary individuals. This study provides new scientific information on physiological profiles and bone health status of Malay adolescent male state boxing, Muay Thai and silat athletes in the field of martial arts.

     

Evaluation of white matter hyperintensities and retinal fiber layer,ganglion cell layer,inner-plexiform layer,and choroidal layer in migraine patients

The aim of our study is to assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner-plexiform layer (IPL), and choroidal layer in migraine patients with white matter lesion (WML) or without WML, using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). To our study, 77 migraine patients who are diagnosed with migraine in accordance to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 beta and 43 healthy control are included. In accordance to cranial MRI, migraine patients are divided into two groups as those who have white matter lesions (39 patients), and those who do not have a lesion (38 patients). OCT was performed for participants. The average age of participants was comparable. The RNFL average thickness parameter in the migraine group was significantly lower than in the control group (p?<?0.01). However, no significant difference was detected among those migraine patients who have WML, and those who do not have. No significant difference is detected among all groups in terms of IPL, GCL, and choroidal layer measuring scales. The proofs showing that affected retinal nerve fiber layer are increased in migraine patients. However, it is not known whether this may affect other layers of retina, or whether there is a correlation between affected retinal structures and white matter lesions. In our study, we found thinner RNFL in migraine patients when we compared with controls but IPL, GCL, and choroid layer values were similar between each patient groups and controls. Also, all parameters were similar between patients with WML and without WML. Studies in this regard are required.     

Targeted therapies in small cell lung cancer: a review

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer that is characterized by a rapid doubling time, early onset of dissemination and high sensitivity to chemotherapy. Despite the potential for cure in patients with limited disease with concurrent chemoradiation and an initial good response to chemotherapy in extensive disease, there is a high chance of disease relapse with an overall poor median survival for both stages. With increasing translational research and a better understanding of the molecular basis of cancer, a number of molecular targets have been identified in various preclinical studies. This review summarizes potentially viable targets and new agents that have been developed and employed in recent, ongoing and future clinical trials to attempt to improve clinical outcomes in this disease.     

Chronic application of topiramate and carbamazepine differentially affects the EEG and penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats

Carbamazepine (CBZ) and topiramate (TPM) are among commonly used antiepileptic drugs. The acute actions of these drugs are well known but the effects of long-term use on partially induced epileptiform characteristics are yet to be clarified. The rats were received CBZ (154 mg/kg/day), TPM (10 mg/kg/day) or tap water by gavage. We investigated penicillin-induced cortical epileptiform activity and electroencephalogram spectral power of rats by using electrocorticogram recordings. Animals were anesthetized with i.p. urethane (1·25 g/kg). Analysis of electroencephalogram recordings prior to epileptiform activity revealed that 3-week treatment of CBZ significantly increased relative power of delta (P<0·01) while reduced alpha (P<0·017) and beta (P<0·017) relative power compared to both control group and TPM group. TPM had no effect on absolute power and relative power of any frequency band. TPM treatment of 21 days significantly reduced the spike frequency (P<0·01). This preventive effect was missing in CBZ-treated rats. Upon the application of the last dose of drugs during ongoing epileptiform activity, the drugs suppressed the epileptiform activity. However, TPM was more rapid and effective than CBZ. In conclusion, our in vivo electrophysiological data suggest that TPM is more effective in animal model of partial epilepsy at the applied doses in this study.