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Can Cystic Fibrosis be Treated with Genetic Therapy?
No full textThis paper discusses the current and prospective treatment options for the fatal genetic disease cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare recessive genetic disorder that is caused by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which codes for a protein that is on the surface of a cell. This protein allows for the flow of chloride, bicarbonate, and sodium ions to pass through the cell wall, bringing water with it. When this protein doesn’t work, the lack of ions and water in extracellular fluid becomes too thick, causing a multitude of problems. The most common area that this affects is the mucus in the lungs, when it gets too viscous, a person isn’t able to expel the mucus and whatever bacteria may be in it, ultimately leading to death. Every year, about a thousand people are born with this rare recessive genetic disease. Although the mortality rate is going down, there are still approximately 530 people per year who die in the US due to CF (Singh et al. 2023). Many treatments for CF aim to prolong life while still having the disease, such as oxygen treatments and oral medications. They have their limitations to which patients can take it and only treat the symptoms. The objective of this paper is to analyze the research being done to eradicate the disease
Implant Alternatives: The Advancements of Stem Cells in Regenerative Dentistry
No full textThis research paper explores the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within the realm of dentistry, focusing particularly on their ability to repair tissues and regenerate entire teeth. MSCs are significant as they can send differentiation signals to nearby cells and release growth factors such as TGF-β and VEGF, which promote cellular activities necessary for dental repair and regeneration. The paper discusses the traditional methods of dental restoration, such as fillings and implants, and their inherent limitations. It then transitions to exploring innovative strategies that utilize MSCs to overcome these challenges and regenerate tooth structures including enamel, dentin, and periodontal ligaments. It examines two primary methods for regenerating teeth: the in vitro creation and transplantation of bioengineered tooth germs, and the in vivo development of these structures within a host organism. The study highlights significant breakthroughs and advancements with stem cells in the field of dentistry which are demonstrated by the successful regeneration of full tooth structures, including their roots. They also offer a future alternative to potentially replace conventional methods and treatments with ones that can naturally integrate and function within the mouth. The paper concludes with an analysis of the potential clinical applications and future directions for research in stem cell-mediated dental regeneration
Smart Healthcare: The Role of Digital Health in Modern Medicine
No full textDigital health is transforming healthcare by integrating advanced technologies to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and personalized. From electronic health records, telemedicine, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence to the recent smart hospitals, digital health is improving patient care and outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. However, the integration of digital health faces several challenges, including data privacy, cybersecurity risks, and inequitable access to technology. This article provides an overview of the current state of digital health, key challenges in implementation, and potential solutions to maximize the benefits of digital health and ensure efficient, equitable, and patient-centered healthcare in the future
Days Alive Out of Hospital for Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction: From the STICH Trial
No full textAddressing Social Determinants of Health in Individuals With Mental Disorders in Clinical Practice: Review and Recommendations
No full textSocial determinants of health have been shown to have a greater impact on overall health than traditionally considered medical risk factors, especially in people with mental disorders. It is the primary responsibility of healthcare providers to ensure that persons with psychiatric disorders are actively helped in reducing the adverse effects of SDoMH on their health and healthcare. Yet, the current clinical psychiatric practice in the U.S. does not have any standardized guidelines for evaluating or addressing these critical factors even among individuals who are receiving psychiatric and other medical treatment. Although there are several barriers to implementing such interventions, there are also practical approaches to address selected social determinants of mental health and improve the well-being of our patients. In this article, we review the literature on the assessment of relevant social factors and pragmatic psychosocial strategies at the individual, family, and community levels to help reduce their adverse impact. We offer guidelines for psychiatric clinicians and case managers to improve the health and quality of life of persons with mental disorders, using sustained inter-professional collaborative efforts
Peromyscus Leucopus, Mus Musculus, and Humans Have Distinct Transcriptomic Responses to Larval Ixodes Scapularis Bites
No full textIxodes scapularis ticks are an important vector for at least seven tick-borne human pathogens, including a North American Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. The ability for these ticks to survive in nature is credited, in part, to their ability to feed on a variety of hosts without triggering an immune response capable of preventing tick feeding. While the ability of nymphal ticks to feed on a variety of hosts has been well documented, the host-parasite interactions between larval I. scapularis and different vertebrate hosts are relatively unexplored. Here we report on the changes in the vertebrate host transcriptome present at the larval tick bite site using the natural I. scapularis host Peromyscus leucopus, a non-natural rodent host, Mus musculus (BALB/c), and humans. We note substantially less evidence of activation of canonical proinflammatory pathways in P. leucopus compared to BALB/c mice and pronounced evidence of inflammation in humans. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed a particularly strong signature of interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 1 signaling at the BALB/c and human tick bite sites. We also note that bite sites on BALB/c mice and humans, but not deer mice, show activation of wound-healing pathways. These data provide molecular evidence of the coevolution between larval I. scapularis and P. leucopus and, in addition, expand our overall understanding of I. scapularis feeding
Maternal Experience of Intimate Partner Violence, Maternal Depression, and Parental Stress Are Not Associated With Child Telomere Length in Bangladesh
No full textShorter telomere length (TL) is associated with an increased risk for developing chronic or age-related diseases in adults. The process of telomere shortening is accelerated in response to stress and is well characterized in adult populations from high-income countries. Prior studies suggest the relationship between stress, shorter TL, and disease risk initiates in early life. Nested within the WASH Benefits Bangladesh trial, we examined associations between parental stressors, including maternal exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), maternal depressive symptoms, and parental perceived stress, and child TL in rural Bangladesh. We measured whole blood relative TL in 660 children at median age 14 months and 702 children at median age 28 months. We estimated mean differences between the 25th and 75th percentile or absence and presence of each exposure using generalized additive models. IPV during pregnancy was associated with more TL attrition between 14 and 28 months (− 0.32 (95% CI − 0.64, − 0.01), p-value 0.05). This association was not significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Other parental psychosocial stressors were not associated with child TL outcomes at 14 or 28 months of age in rural Bangladesh. Telomere biology during early-life development may vary across settings