Design,delivery and efficacy testing of therapeutic nucleic acids used to inhibit hepatitis C virus gene expression in vitro and in vivo

Despite major achievements in the treatment ofchronic hepatitis C with the combination ofinterferons and the nucleoside analog ribavirin themajority of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection cannot be treated effectively.Toimprove this response rate we used antisensetechnologies to inhibit HCV translation as possibleadditional option for experimental treatment.Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides(ODN) are

Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of <i>Aloe vera</i>: A Review

The plant Aloe vera is used in Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic and Allopathic streams of medicine, and not only tribal community but also most of the people for food and medicine. The plant leaves contains numerous vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, natural sugars and other bioactive compounds with emollient, purgative, anti-microbial, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-helmenthic, antifungal, antiseptic and cosmetic values for health care. This plant has potential to cure sunburns, burns and minor cuts, and even skin cancer. The external use in cosmetic primarily acts as skin healer and prevents injury of epithelial tissues, cures acne and gives a youthful glow to skin, also acts as extremely powerful laxative.

Thymosin as a possible therapeutic drug for COVID-19:A case report

BACKGROUND There are no effective antiviral therapies for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)at present.Although most patients with COVID-19 have a mild or moderate course of disease,up to 5%-10%of patients may have a serious and potentially life-threatening condition,indicating an urgent need for effective therapeutic drugs.The therapeutic effect of thymosin on COVID-19 has not been previously studied.In this paper,for the first time we report a case of thymosin treatment of COVID-19.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old man with imported COVID-19 was admitted with definite symptoms of chest tightness,chest pain,and fatigue.The polymerase chain reaction results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were negative.The antibody test was positive,confirming the diagnosis of COVID-19.As many orally administered drugs were not well tolerated due to gastrointestinal symptoms,an emergency use of thymosin,a polypeptide consisting of 28 amino acids,was administered by injection.Finally,after the implementation of the treatment program,symptoms and lung imaging improved significantly.CONCLUSION In this case report,it is confirmed that thymosin may help alleviate the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

Blastocystis hominis as a cause of chronic diarrhea in low-resource settings:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Blastocystis hominis(B.hominis),an anaerobic unicellular protist parasite,is known for its diverse clinical manifestations upon infecting the human gastrointestinal tract.Although globally distributed,it is particularly prevalent in developing nations.Examining the symptoms and treatment outcomes of B.hominis infection in low-resource settings holds immense significance,providing healthcare practi-tioners with valuable insights to enhance patient care.AIM To synthesize existing evidence on the symptomatology and treatment outcomes of B.hominis infection in low-resource settings.METHODS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines,a systematic review was conducted.The search spanned electronic databases including PubMed,Scopus,and Google Scholar.After a comprehensive screening process,a thorough examination of the papers,adhering to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and data extraction from eligible studies was conducted.The findings underwent summarization through simple descriptive analysis.RESULTS The search yielded 1200 papers,with 17 meeting inclusion criteria.Chronic diarrhea due to B.hominis infection was reported in only two studies,while abdominal pain,diarrhea,flatulence,constipation,and nausea/vomiting emerged as the most commonly documented symptoms.Recovery rates after one week of treatment ranged from 71.8%to 100%,and after two weeks,from 60%to 100%.CONCLUSION In low-resource settings,chronic diarrhea resulting from B.hominis infection is infrequent.Common symptoms include abdominal pain,diarrhea,flatulence,constipation,and nausea/vomiting.Post-treatment,clinical outcomes are notably favorable,supporting the recommendation for treatment.Metronidazole is advocated as the first-line agent,with consideration for switching to a second-line option in cases of treatment failure or poor response.

Continuous Wear of Hydrogel Contact Lenses for Therapeutic Use

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and complications of continuous wear of etafilcon A for therapeutic use. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 228 eyes of 219 outpatients prescribed contact lens (CL) for one week of continuous therapeutic wear during 10 years. The reason for prescription of CLs, the primary disease, the duration of CL wear and the complications were assessed retrospectively. Results: The predominant reason for prescription of CLs was relief of pain or a foreign-body sensation (62.3%) and protection of the corneal epithelium (20.6%). The primary disease was post-penetrating keratoplasty (36.8%), followed by corneal epithelial erosion (14.5%), post-lamellar keratoplasty (14.0%) and bullous keratopathy (12.2%). The average duration of wearing single lens was 6.5 ± 3.2 days. The average duration of wearing CLs in total was 9.2 ± 10.7 months. The most frequent problem associated with continuous wear of CLs was their dropping out of CLs (12.3%). The complications associated with CLs included conjunctivitis with papillary hyperplasia, corneal erosion and superficial punctate keratitis, but corneal ulcer and corneal infiltrates were not found. Conclusion: Serious complications were not shown changing the lenses every week to keep to the prescribed time limit for continuous therapeutic wear, even if corneal epithelial barrier function is impaired.

Comparison of long-lasting therapeutic effects between succimer and penicillamine on hepatolenticular degeneration

AIM To compare the long term effect of succimer (Suc) with that of penicillamine (Pen) in treating hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD). METHODS One hundred and twenty patients with HLD were divided into 2 groups. Group A ( n =60) received Suc 750mg , po. bid. Group B ( n =60) received Pen 250mg , po. qid. The period of maintenance treatment varied from 6 months to 3 years, averaging 1 5 years. Symptoms and therapeutic effects were evaluated by modified Goldstein scale. RESULTS The total effectiveness of group A in two different periods of treatment were 80% and 85% respectively, higher than those of group B (58% and 59% respectively) ( P <0 05). Suc also had obvious curative effects for the patients who failed in the use of Pen. There were fewer side effect in group A than in group B ( P <0 05). Suc and Pen could increase urinary copper excretion effectively and continually. CONCLUSION Suc is more effective and safer than Pen. Clinically, it can replace Pen as first choice drug for long term maintenance therapy of HLD.

Functional dyspepsia of ulcer-dysmotility type:clinical incidence and therapeutic strategy

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Therapeutic role of template-based lymphadenectomy in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

Lymphadenectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract has attracted the attention of physicians. The mapping study of lymphatic spread has shown that a relatively wide area should comprise the regional nodes for tumors of the right renal pelvis or the right upper two-thirds of the ureter. A prospective study showed that an anatomical templatebased lymphadenectomy significantly improved patient survival in tumors of the renal pelvis. This benefit was more evident for patients with p T2 stage tumors or higher. The risk of regional node recurrence is significant reduced by template-based lymphadenectomy,which is likely to be associated with improved patient survival. The removal of lymph node micrometastases is assumed to be the reason for therapeutic benefit following lymphadenectomy. The number of resected lymph nodes can be used to assess the quality of lymphadenectomy,but not to determine the extent of lymphadenectomy. The guidelines currently recommend lymphadenectomy for patients with muscle-invasive disease,even though the current recommendation grades are still low. The present limitation of lymphadenectomy is the lack of standardization of the extent of lymphadenectomy and the randomized trials. Further studies are warranted to collect the evidence to support lymphadenectomy.

Controversies regarding transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have tantalized regenerative medicine with their therapeutic potential,yet a cloud of controversies looms over their clinical tran-splantation.This comprehensive review navigates the intricate landscape of MSC controversies,drawing upon 15 years of clinical experience and research.We delve into the fundamental properties of MSCs,exploring their unique immuno-modulatory capabilities and surface markers.The heart of our inquiry lies in the controversial applications of MSC transplantation,including the perennial debate between autologous and allogeneic sources,concerns about efficacy,and lingering safety apprehensions.Moreover,we unravel the enigmatic mechanisms surro-unding MSC transplantation,such as homing,integration,and the delicate balance between differentiation and paracrine effects.We also assess the current status of clinical trials and the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.As we peer into the future,we examine emerging trends,envisioning personalized medicine and innovative delivery methods.Our review provides a balanced and informed perspective on the controversies,offering readers a clear understanding of the complexities,challenges,and potential solutions in MSC transplantation.

Clinacanthus nutans:a review of the medicinal uses,pharmacology and phytochemistry

Clinacanthus nutans Lindau is known as snake grass belonging to the Acanlhaceae family.This plant has diverse and potential medicinal uses in traditional herbal medicine for treating skin rashes,insects and snake bites,lesions caused by herpes simplex virus,diabetes,and gout in Malaysia.Indonesia.Thailand and China.Phylochemieal investigations documented the varied contents of bioaclive compounds from litis plant namely flavonoids,glycosides,glycoglyeerolipids.cerebrosides and monoacylmonogalatosylglycerol.The pharmacological experiment proved that various types of extracts and pure compounds from this species exhibited a broad range of biological properties such as anti-inflammatory,antiviral,antioxidant,and anti-diabetic activities.The lindings of toxicity study showed that extracts from this plant did not show any toxicity thus it can be used as strong therapeutic agents for specific diseased conditions.However,further experiments on chemical components and their mode of action showing biological activities are required to elucidate the complete phytochemical profile and assess to confirm their suitability tor future drugs.This review summarizes the medicinal uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of this plant in order to explore its therapeutic potential and gaps necessitating for prospected research work.

High-intensity focused ultrasound extracorporeal ablation of liver tissuesin rabbits

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The role of drug utilization evaluation in medical sciences

Background:Drug utilization evaluation(DUE)is defined by the World Health Organization(WHO)and focuses on the medical,social,and economic consequences of pharmaceutical marketing,distribution,prescribing,and usage in society.The WHO recommends a physician to every 1000 people.According to the recent data from the Health Ministry in 2019,in which 1.16 million doctors are of active population with just 80%,or 0.9 million,practicing.As a result,a ratio of 0.68 doctors for every 1000 people,which is much below as per the WHO reports.This article describes history,types,WHO guidelines,need and purpose of DUE.Objective:The main aim of this paper is to provide information about the rational use of medication in outpa­tient and inpatient department with special emphasis of DUEs.It also provides awareness directly to healthcare professionals,researchers,academicians,pharmacist and nurses to reduce the irrationality of medicines.Methods:The method used to compile this review information gathered from websites,Google scholar,PubMed,Research gate,and studies published on DUE from July 20 to Oct 22 were included as source of information.Results:We studied more than 35 published study on DUE,that reveals most of the physicians prescribed branded drugs not generic drugs,but WHO prescribing indicator allows to prescribe generic drugs in the hospital pharmacy to maintain better inventory control.It may also help to prevent pharmacist misunderstanding during dispensing.Conclusion:The use of generic prescription names avoids the possibility of medication product duplication and lowers patient costs.It is important to remember that incorrect medication prescriptions have impact on both patients and their family members.WHO indicators identify irrational prescribing behaviours to make therapy more rational and cost-effective.

USE OF CELL-BASED BIOASSAY FOR THE QUALITY CONTROL OF BOTANICAL THERAPEUTICS

The single most important factor in modernization efforts of traditional oriental medicines is the limited understanding of active compounds responsible for claimed therapeutic effects.Indeed,the unknown identity of biologically active molecules generates major difficulties associated with botanical therapeutics in general.This includes management of raw materials,poor understanding of

恶性肿瘤患者化疗前后免疫功能状况及胸腺五肽等的调节作用

目的:研究恶性肿瘤患者的免疫功能状态和调节免疫功能的治疗方法。方法:分别用免疫细胞化学法和生化法检测95例恶性肿瘤患者和18名健康人的细胞免疫功能(CD3、CD4、CD8和CD56)和体液免疫功能(C3、C4、IgA、IgM和IgG);比较不同治疗方法对患者免疫指标的影响。结果:38例初诊和47例化疗后恶性肿瘤患者与18名健康人的细胞免疫功能比较,肿瘤患者的CD3、CD4和CD4/CD8明显低于健康人,CD8(除生物治疗后)和CD56明显高于健康人,但初诊和化疗后患者间差异无统计学意义,P<0·05。经胸腺五肽(欧宁)治疗后的22例患者,CD3比例略有上升,CD4和CD4/CD8明显上升,CD8明显下降,CD56略有下降。经中药治疗的16例患者,CD4略有上升,CD8比例明显降低,CD4/CD8明显增高。肿瘤患者与健康人比较,IgG明显高于健康人;经胸腺五肽和中药治疗后,体液免疫功能无明显变化。结论:恶性肿瘤患者细胞免疫功能低下,体液免疫功能基本正常;胸腺五肽和中药治疗后均明显改善了患者的细胞免疫功能,但仍达不到健康人水平;两种治疗方法对体液免疫功能影响不大。

胸腺肽α_1促进拉米夫定抗乙型肝炎病毒的疗效

【目的】探讨胸腺肽α1和拉米夫定联合治疗慢性乙型肝炎的长期疗效和安全性。【方法】按随机对照原则选择80例HBVDNA、HBeAg阳性的慢性乙型肝炎患者,按1∶1随机分配进入单一接受拉米夫定治疗组和胸腺肽α1与拉米夫定联合治疗组。【结果】治疗52周,联合治疗组HBeAg血清转换率52%(16/31)明显高于拉米夫定组5%(2/37),Ρ<0.001。停药1年,持续的HBeAg血清转换率分别为42%(13/31)和8%(3/37),Ρ=0.001。治疗过程,两组HBVDNA定量明显下降,联合治疗组下降更显著,但停药后HBVDNA反弹;治疗后,两组的ALT复常率基本一致,达80%(25/31)和68%(25/37),但停药后拉米夫定组仅有19%持续正常,明显低于联合治疗组。拉米夫定组有10例(27%)发生YMDD变异,联合组仅有1例。治疗后肝组织炎症坏死程度明显地改善,肝纤维化程度降低,HBsAg、HBcAg的表达明显减少。治疗过程无明显的不良反应。【结论】胸腺肽α1与拉米夫定联合治疗慢性乙型肝炎疗效明显优于单一用药组,是安全、有效的治疗慢性乙型肝炎的方案。

酚妥拉明、胸腺肽_(α1)、促肝细胞生长素联合治疗重型肝炎的临床研究

目的观察酚妥拉明、胸腺肽α1、促肝细胞生长素(PHGF)联合治疗重型肝炎疗效。方法68例重型肝炎患者随机分为2组,治疗组(42例)给予酚妥拉明10mg,PHGF 160mg每日1次静脉滴注,胸腺肽α1 1.6mg,每周2次皮下注射;对照组(26例)给予PHGF 160mg,每日1次静脉滴注,两组疗程均为1月,分别观察2组病例治疗前后的血常规、肝功能、凝血功能等指标。结果治疗后2组血清总胆红素(TBil)均明显下降(P<0.01),血浆总胆固醇(Tch)和凝血酶原活动度(PTA)均明显上升(P<0.01);治疗结束,治疗组较对照组更有效降低血清TBil(P<0.01),升高PTA、Tch(P<0.05,P<0.01)。2组病死率、显效率差异无显著性(P>0.05),总有效率差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论酚妥拉明、胸腺肽α1、PHGF联合治疗重型肝炎有较好的疗效。

胸腺肽α_1联合低剂量吉西他滨治疗老年晚期非小细胞肺癌临床研究

目的观察及评价胸腺肽α1联合低剂量吉西他滨(泽菲)对老年晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床疗效。方法 58例老年晚期非小细胞肺癌患者,随机分为对照组(化疗)和治疗组(化疗+胸腺肽α1),治疗组30例,对照组28例。治疗组在化疗的同时给予1.6 mg胸腺肽α1皮下注射,隔日1次,连续应用8周,对照组则在化疗的同时给予等剂量生理盐水,用法与治疗组相同。所有患者均采用低剂量泽菲化疗(800 mg/m2,d1,d8)并记录患者Kanofsky体力评分及体重变化。结果治疗后治疗组患者的Kanofsky评分明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。体重增加明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组不良反应明显低于对照组,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论胸腺肽α1可改善老年晚期非小细胞肺癌患者生活质量,未增加化疗的不良反应。

卡波西水痘样疹65例临床分析

目的:探讨儿童Kaposi水痘样疹的临床特征、易感因素和治疗方法。方法:对65例Kaposi水痘样疹患儿的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果:本组65例均有基础皮肤病损害,多由疱疹病毒感染而发病,主要临床表现为全身密集水疱,疱顶见脐凹。阿昔洛韦与胸腺肽配伍治疗效果优于单用阿昔洛韦。结论:Kaposi水痘样疹的患儿有细胞免疫低下的特点,阿昔洛韦与胸腺肽配伍有利于及时控制Kaposi水痘样疹急性期的病情。

重组胸腺素β4在干眼模型中对炎症反应的调节作用及对眼表修复的影响

背景研究证实炎症与干眼的发生和发展相关，其中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）和γ干扰素（IFN-γ）是重要的炎症因子。胸腺素β4（Tβ4）具有促进上皮细胞迁移和抑制炎症反应的作用，但其对干眼眼表修复的影响及其机制尚未阐明。 目的观察重组Tβ4对干眼模型鼠眼中TNF-α和IFN-γ表达的调控作用及其对眼表修复的影响。 方法选用清洁级雄性成年SD大鼠50只，用质量分数0.3%苯扎氯铵溶液连续点左眼7 d以诱导干眼模型，以泪膜破裂时间（BUT）、角膜荧光素染色评分、Schirmer试验Ⅰ（SⅠt）结果评估造模情况。将造模成功的36只眼按随机数字表法分为模型对照组、重组人表皮生长因子（rhEGF）点眼组、Tβ4点眼组及PBS点眼组，按照分组分别用5 μl Tβ4溶液（9 μg/ml）、rhEGF滴眼液、无菌PBS点眼，每日3次，连续7 d，大鼠右眼不进行任何干预作为正常对照组。各组大鼠均于点眼后7 d行BUT、角膜上皮荧光素染色和SⅠt检查。点眼后7 d以过量麻醉法处死动物，制备大鼠眼表组织切片，采用苏木精－伊红染色法观察各组大鼠角膜和结膜组织形态学变化；采用过碘酸希夫染色法计数结膜组织中杯状细胞的数目；透射电子显微镜下观察大鼠角膜和结膜细胞超微结构改变；分别采用实时荧光定量PCR法和Western blot法检测大鼠结膜组织中TNF-α mRNA和IFN-γ mRNA及其蛋白的表达。 结果正常对照组、模型对照组、rhEGF点眼组、Tβ4点眼组和PBS点眼组大鼠BUT分别为（10.42±0.66）、（7.46±0.49）、（8.71±0.50）、（9.59±0.35）和（8.63±0.68）s，总体比较差异有统计学意义（F＝5.65，P＝0.00），其中模型对照组大鼠BUT明显短于正常对照组，rhEGF点眼组和Tβ4点眼组大鼠BUT明显较模型对照组大鼠延长，差异均有统计学意义（均P〈0.05）。各组间大鼠SⅠt和角膜荧光素染色评分的总体比较差异均无统计学意义（F＝0.42，P＝0.79；F＝136.77，P＝0.00）。苏木精－伊红染色显示，模型对照组大鼠角膜、结膜上皮缺损，角膜基质层水肿；rhEGF点眼组和Tβ4点眼组大鼠角膜、结膜上皮细胞形态不规则，呈过度增生状。各组大鼠结膜组织中杯状细胞数量的总体比较差异有统计学意义（F＝3.16，P＝0.04），其中模型对照组和rhEGF点眼组大鼠结膜组织中杯状细胞数量均明显低于正常对照组，差异均有统计学意义（均P〈0.05），而Tβ4点眼组大鼠结膜杯状细胞数量与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。透射电子显微镜下观察可见，模型对照组大鼠角膜、结膜上皮细胞的微绒毛和微皱襞肿胀、融合、卷曲、断裂和脱落，Tβ4点眼组角膜、结膜上皮细胞微绒毛呈增生修复状态。各组大鼠结膜组织中TNF-α mRNA和IFN-γ mRNA相对表达量总体比较差异均有统计学意义（F＝43.08、371.69，均P＝0.00），各组大鼠结膜组织中TNF-α和IFN-γ蛋白表达量总体比较，差异均有统计学意义（F＝34.27、43.52，均P＝0.00），其中模型对照组大鼠结膜组织中TNF-α mRNA和IFN-γ mRNA及其蛋白的表达量均明显高于正常对照组，而Tβ4点眼组上述因子的表达量均明显低于模型对照组和rhEGF点眼组，差异均有统计学意义（均P〈0.05）。 结论Tβ4局部点眼可通过下调干眼大鼠结膜组织中TNF-α和IFN-γ的表达而增加泪膜的稳定性，促进眼表损伤的修复。

干扰素与胸腺肽联合治疗慢性乙型肝炎前C区变异株感染的疗效观察

目的 了解干扰素联合胸腺肽治疗慢性乙型肝炎前C区变异株感染的疗效。方法 6 3例患者随机分为A、B两组。A组用干扰素α 2b 3 0× 10 6U ,肌注 ,每日 1次 ,14d后改隔日 1次至 6个月 ,胸腺肽 40～ 5 0mg ,静滴 ,每日 1次 ,1～ 2月后改肌注或口服至 3个月。B组单用干扰素α 2b ,方法同A组。比较两组血清HBVDNA、HBsAg阴转率和ALT复常率。结果 A、B两组治疗结束时HBVDNA阴转率分别为 45 16 %和 43 75 % (P >0 0 5 ) ,9个月后分别为77 42 %和 5 3 13 % (P <0 0 5 ) ,远期疗效联合治疗组优于单用干扰素组。两组治疗结束时均无HBsAg阴转者。ALT复常率A组为 48 39% ,B组为 5 0 % ,两组差异无显著性。结论 干扰素α 2b联合胸腺肽治疗乙型肝炎病毒前C区变异株感染远期疗效优于单用干扰素组 ,但疗效仍不够理想。