The planning of clinical studies: Experimental studies

2001 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-272
Author(s):  
Sara M. Debanne
Author(s):  
Anne Andronikof

Based on an analysis of John Exner’s peer-reviewed published work from 1959 to 2007, plus a brief comment for an editorial in Rorschachiana, the author draws a comprehensive picture of the scientific work of this outstanding personality. The article is divided into three sections: (1) the experimental studies on the Rorschach, (2) the clinical studies using the Rorschach, and (3) Exner’s “testament,” which we draw from the last paper he saw published before his death (Exner, 2001/2002). The experimental studies were aimed at better understanding the nature of the test, in particular the respective roles of perception and projection in the response process. These fundamental studies led to a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms involved in the Rorschach responses and introduced some hypotheses about the intentions of the author of the test. The latter were subsequently confirmed by the preparatory sketches and documents of Hermann Rorschach, which today can be seen at the H. Rorschach Archives and Museum in Bern (Switzerland). Exner’s research has evidenced the notion that the Rorschach is a perceptive-cognitive-projective test.


Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Su-In Hwang ◽  
Young-Jin Yoon ◽  
Soo-Hyun Sung ◽  
Ki-Tae Ha ◽  
Jang-Kyung Park

Animal toxins and venoms have recently been developed as cancer treatments possessing tumor cell growth-inhibitory, antiangiogenesis, and proapoptotic effects. Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological disorder in reproductive-age women, and no definite treatment for this disorder is without severe side effects. As endometriosis and malignant tumors share similar characteristics (progressive, invasive, estrogen-dependent growth, and recurrence), animal toxins and venoms are thought to be effective against endometriosis. The objective of this study was to outline studies using toxic animal-based medicinal materials (TMM) as endometriosis treatment and to explore its clinical applicability. Preclinical and clinical studies using TMM were searched for in four databases from inception to October 2020. A total of 20 studies of TMM on endometriosis were included. In eight clinical studies, herbal medicines containing TMM were effective in relieving symptoms of endometriosis, with no side effects. In twelve experimental studies, the main therapeutic mechanisms of TMM against endometriosis were proapoptotic, antiangiogenesis, estrogen level-reducing, and possible anti-inflammatory effects. TMM are thus considered promising sources for the development of an effective treatment method for endometriosis. Further studies are needed to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of TMM against endometriosis and to provide sufficient grounds for clinical application.


1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
SM Raj ◽  
AR Vasavada ◽  
SR Kaid Johar ◽  
VA Vasavada ◽  
VA Vasavada

Post-operative capsular opacification (PCO) is a multifactorial physiological consequence of cataract surgery. Opacification involving the central posterior capsule has a significant impact on high and low contrast acuity and low contrast sensitivity. The assessment of PCO on cadaver eyes, experimental studies and culture models and in clinical studies has provided an understanding of its pathogenesis. The proliferation, migration and abnormal differentiation of residual lens epithelial cells and fibers in the capsular bag have been implicated in the pathogenesis of PCO. The incidence and severity of PCO correlates to the use of surgical techniques, intraocular lens (IOL) optic edge designs and IOL materials. This article summarizes the clinical studies with recommendations for retarding the development of central PCO. It discusses experiments with pharmacological agents broadly categorized as anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulating, antiproliferative, antiadhering and antitransdifferentiating agents for the prevention of PCO. These studies will remain critical for future endeavors undertaken for the eradication of PCO. Key words: posterior capsular opacification; capsular opacification; cataract; crystalline lens; phacoemulsification DOI: 10.3126/nepjoph.v1i1.3673 Nep J Oph 2009;1(1):43-59


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 2130-2130
Author(s):  
O. Bonnot ◽  
S. Tordjman

We will propose a critical review of the scientific literature regarding pain and schizophrenia, examine the empirical basis for the reported pain insensitivity of schizophrenia, and emphasize the distinction between behavioral responses to pain or self-reported pain and physiological response to painful stimuli. Litterature is scarse and could be classified in 4 groups: case reports (n = 9), clinical studies (n = 23), experimental research (n = 20) and review articles (n = 5).The analysis of Case reports and clinical studies show reduced pain reactivity in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls or other psychiatric patients. In the same vein, experimental studies using self-report measures of pain reactivity generally reported higher pain perception thresholds in patients with schizophrenia. However, the only experimental study using a neurophysiological measure of pain reactivity (the nociceptive RIII reflex) demonstrated a normal pain threshold in schizophrenia.Review of clinical and experimental data indicates that in most situations behavioral pain reactivity and self-reported responses to pain are reduced in schizophrenia. However, there is little or no physiological evidence supporting pain insensitivity in schizophrenia. It can be suggested that the widely accepted notion of reduced pain sensitivity in schizophrenia is related more to a different mode of pain expression than to a real endogenous analgesia. We will also present preliminary data on pain sensitivity associating behavioural pain reactivity measurements, "objective" electrophysiological assessments and neurovegetative function recordings. Our results are in the line of the literature and strongly suggest that there is no analgesia in schizophrenia but a different mode of pain expression.


Author(s):  
Abhishek Joshi ◽  
Shrikrishna Rajagopala ◽  
Patel Kalpana S.

Balachaturbhadra Churna offers a multitude of health benefits for which it has become so poapular prescription by Kaumarbhritya practioners of Ayurveda. It is a combination of four drugs Musta, Pippali, Ativisha and Karkatashringi. This combination was first mentioned in Chakradatta and has been in practice since a millennium. Many queries have been raised on the usage of Aconite species of drugs recently, thus doubting the safety and efficacy of Balachaturbhadra Churna. Very few works have been published on Balachaturbhadra Churna till now. The aim of the present study was to compile and review such available references from classics and research works published on Balachaturbhadra Churna. Total five studies are published on Balachaturbhadra Churna, which revalidated the impact of classical guidelines. The research papers revealed standards of Quality Control and pharmacological efficacy of the drug. All the experimental studies revealed that Balachaturbhadra Churna is having no toxic hazards at very higher Dose levels, proving it safe for therapeutic use. Though certain limitations were observed in these researches, the results can be considered as a lead for further well stratified clinical studies.


Author(s):  
Isabel C. Hostettler ◽  
Narayan Jayashankar ◽  
Christos Bikis ◽  
Stefan Wanderer ◽  
Edin Nevzati ◽  
...  

Background and purpose: Tumorous lesions developing in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) get into close contact with the 1st (cisternal) and 2nd (meatal) intra-arachnoidal portion of the facial nerve (FN). When surgical damage occurs, commonly known reconstruction strategies are often associated with poor functional recovery. This article aims to provide a systematic overview for translational research by establishing the current evidence on available clinical studies and experimental models reporting on intracranial FN injury.Methods: A systematic literature search of several databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Medline) was performed prior to July 2020. Suitable articles were selected based on predefined eligibility criteria following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included clinical studies were reviewed and categorized according to the pathology and surgical resection strategy, and experimental studies according to the animal. For anatomical study purposes, perfusion-fixed adult New Zealand white rabbits were used for radiological high-resolution imaging and anatomical dissection of the CPA and periotic skull base.Results: One hundred forty four out of 166 included publications were clinical studies reporting on FN outcomes after CPA-tumor surgery in 19,136 patients. During CPA-tumor surgery, the specific vulnerability of the intracranial FN to stretching and compression more likely leads to neurapraxia or axonotmesis than neurotmesis. Severe FN palsy was reported in 7 to 15 % after vestibular schwannoma surgery, and 6% following the resection of CPA-meningioma. Twenty-two papers reported on experimental studies, out of which only 6 specifically used intracranial FN injury in a rodent (n = 4) or non-rodent model (n = 2). Rats and rabbits offer a feasible model for manipulation of the FN in the CPA, the latter was further confirmed in our study covering the radiological and anatomical analysis of perfusion fixed periotic bones.Conclusion: The particular anatomical and physiological features of the intracranial FN warrant a distinguishment of experimental models for intracranial FN injuries. New Zealand White rabbits might be a very cost-effective and valuable option to test new experimental approaches for intracranial FN regeneration. Flexible and bioactive biomaterials, commonly used in skull base surgery, endowed with trophic and topographical functions, should address the specific needs of intracranial FN injuries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Saiedeh Razi Soofiyani ◽  
Kamran Hosseini ◽  
Haleh Forouhandeh ◽  
Tohid Ghasemnejad ◽  
Vahideh Tarhriz ◽  
...  

Lymphoma is a name for malignant diseases of the lymphatic system including Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although several approaches are used for the treatment of these diseases, some of them are not successful and have serious adverse effects. Therefore, other effective treatment methods might be interesting. Studies have indicated that plant ingredients play a key role in treating several diseases. Some plants have already shown a potential therapeutic effect on many malignant diseases. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in different plants and could be useful in the treatment of different malignant diseases. Quercetin has its antimalignant effects through targeting main survival pathways activated in tumor cells. In vitro/in vivo experimental studies have demonstrated that quercetin possesses a cytotoxic effect on lymphoid cancer cells. Regardless of the optimum results that have been obtained from both in vitro/in vivo studies, few clinical studies have analyzed the antitumor effects of quercetin in lymphoid cancers. Thus, it seems that more clinical studies should introduce quercetin as a therapeutic, alone or in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Here, in this study, we reviewed the anticancer effects of quercetin and highlighted the potential therapeutic effects of quercetin in various types of lymphoma.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
S. М. Chuklin ◽  
B. Y. Pidhirnyi ◽  
S. S. Chuklin

The literature review imposed the experimental and clinical data on the changes in the hemostatic system at acute pancreatitis. The reasons of hemostatic disorders and possible ways of its correction were identified. Disturbance in the coagulation is a feature at acute pancreatitis and is associated with disease severity. The results of experimental studies in animals and clinical studies suggest that modulation of hemostasis can provide a therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease. Inhibition of the coagulation cascade can prevent intravascular coagulation and inflammation in the pancreas and distant organs, thereby preventing systemic complications in patients with acute pancreatitis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 12-22
Author(s):  
P E Sadchikov ◽  
I L Goldman ◽  
S V Razin ◽  
A D Chernousov ◽  
L I Alekseeva ◽  
...  

In present critical review of systematized materials on the breakthrough achievements of the last decade - the discovery of the effect of protein lactoferrin (LF) on bone formation. It is shownthat LF increases the number of osteoblasts, stimulate their proliferation and differentiation, and prevents their destruction. Action of LF exceeds that of many other previously established bone-forming factors. LF increases the ability of osteoblasts to synthesize and mineralize bone matrix. Apparently, the effect of LF on bone anabolism ensured by the presence of specific receptors on osteoblasts. It was found that LF also inhibits the formation of osteoclasts. Experimental studies have demonstrated that LF prevents the destruction of bone tissue in ovariectomizedanimals and, thus, developing the type of postmenstrual osteoporosis in women. We get the first clinical studies demonstrating an increase in the period of healing of bone injuries while reducing the level of endogenous LF. Since molecular research establishes that the expression of the LF gene is regulated by estrogen, which reduces the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) in women, there is a need to further investigate the relationship of these processes, which will help to create a basis for the management of bone formation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjib Bhattacharya

Abstract Lead is a toxic heavy metal and there is no specific, safe and efficacious therapeutic management of lead toxicity. Scientific literature reported that some probiotic microorganisms alleviated experimentally induced lead toxicity. The present review attempts to collate the experimental studies on probiotics with ameliorative effects. Literature survey revealed that four (4) types of probiotic microorganisms exhibited significant protection from lead toxicity in experimental pre-clinical studies. No clinical study with significant outcome was found in the literature. From the outcomes of the preclinical studies it appears that probiotics are prospective for alleviation and treatment of lead toxicity.


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