scholarly journals Introduction: Biomedical Challenges and Socioeconomic Burden

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolai V. Gorbunov ◽  
Joseph B. Long
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Burden

Emerging approaches for restoration of hearing and vision

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Kleinlogel ◽  
Christian Vogl ◽  
Marcus Jeschke ◽  
Jakob Neef ◽  
Tobias Moser
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Gene Replacement ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Cellular Specificity ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
Comprehensive Reference

Impairments of vision and hearing are highly prevalent conditions limiting the quality of life and presenting a major socioeconomic burden. For long, retinal and cochlear disorders have remained intractable for causal therapies, with sensory rehabilitation limited to glasses, hearing aids, and electrical cochlear or retinal implants. Recently, the application of gene therapy and optogenetics to eye and ear has generated hope for a fundamental improvement of vision and hearing restoration. To date, one gene therapy for the restoration of vision has been approved and undergoing clinical trials will broaden its application including gene replacement, genome editing, and regenerative approaches. Moreover, optogenetics, i.e. controlling the activity of cells by light, offers a more general alternative strategy. Over little more than a decade, optogenetic approaches have been developed and applied to better understand the function of biological systems, while protein engineers have identified and designed new opsin variants with desired physiological features. Considering potential clinical applications of optogenetics, the spotlight is on the sensory systems. Multiple efforts have been undertaken to restore lost or hampered function in eye and ear. Optogenetic stimulation promises to overcome fundamental shortcomings of electrical stimulation, namely poor spatial resolution and cellular specificity, and accordingly to deliver more detailed sensory information. This review aims at providing a comprehensive reference on current gene therapeutic and optogenetic research relevant to the restoration of hearing and vision. We will introduce gene-therapeutic approaches and discuss the biotechnological and optoelectronic aspects of optogenetic hearing and vision restoration.

scholarly journals The socioeconomic burden of antibiotic resistance in conflict-affected settings and refugee hosting countries: a systematic scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Kobeissi ◽  
Marilyne Menassa ◽  
Krystel Moussally ◽  
Ernestina Repetto ◽  
Ismail Soboh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
General Populations ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a major global threat. Armed and protracted conflicts act as multipliers of infection and ABR, thus leading to increased healthcare and societal costs. We aimed to understand and describe the socioeconomic burden of ABR in conflict-affected settings and refugee hosting countries by conducting a systematic scoping review. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Medline (Ovid), Embase, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Open Grey databases was conducted to identify all relevant human studies published between January 1990 and August 2019. An updated search was also conducted in April 2020 using Medline/Ovid. Independent screenings of titles/abstracts followed by full texts were performed using pre-defined criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. Data extraction and analysis were based on the PICOS framework and following the PRISMA-ScR guideline. Results The search yielded 8 studies (7 publications), most of which were single-country, mono-center and retrospective studies. The studies were conducted in Lebanon (n = 3), Iraq (n = 2), Jordan (n = 1), Palestine (n = 1) and Yemen (n = 1). Most of the studies did not have a primary aim to assess the socioeconomic impact of ABR and were small studies with limited statistical power that could not demonstrate significant associations. The included studies lacked sufficient information for the accurate evaluation of the cost incurred by antibiotic resistant infections in conflict-affected countries. Conclusion This review highlights the scarcity of research on the socioeconomic burden of ABR on general populations in conflict-affected settings and on refugees and migrants in host countries, and lists recommendations for consideration in future studies. Further studies are needed to understand the cost of ABR in these settings to develop and implement adaptable policies.

scholarly journals What the Aftermath of the Global Pandemic Will Mean for Neurologists

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-303
Author(s):  
Stela Rutovic ◽  
Ekaterina Volevach ◽  
Hana Maršálková ◽  
Ana Isabel Fumagalli ◽  
Francesco Corea
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Public Health Impact ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden

The emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the SARS-Cov2 virus has had a widespread public health impact, thus causing a significant socioeconomic burden [...]

scholarly journals Online Videos as a Source of Physiotherapy Exercise Tutorials for Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation—A Quality Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5815
Author(s):  
Stephan Heisinger ◽  
Dominikus Huber ◽  
Michael Paul Matzner ◽  
Timothy Hasenoehrl ◽  
Stefano Palma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lumbar Disc Herniation ◽  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Global Quality ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
Therapy Advice

Background: During the last few decades the prevalence of lumbar disc herniation has been increasing constantly, thereby imposing a significant socioeconomic burden. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in both surgical and conservative treatment of lumbar disc herniation, consequently the current COVID-19 pandemic with concomitant lockdowns has led to a shortage of physiotherapeutical care. In the light of these recent events publicly available physiotherapy tutorials may be a useful tool to address this problem. Aim: The main aim of this study was to assess the quality of online physiotherapy exercise tutorials for lumbar disc herniation. Materials & Methods: With YouTube being a widely known and used platform we screened 240 of the most viewed videos. A total of 76 videos met the inclusion criteria and were statistically analyzed. The videos were assessed using Global Quality Score, DISCERN Score and JAMA benchmark criteria and in regard to their applicability. Results: They displayed a wide range of views (44,969 to 5,448,717), likes (66 to 155,079) and dislikes (6 to 2339). The videos were assessed using Global Quality Score, DISCERN Score and JAMA benchmark criteria and in regard to their applicability. Neither the number of “Views”, “Likes”, nor “Dislikes” was found to have a significant association with any of the quality measures used in this study. Conclusion: Overall quality grade was determined as “moderate”. Based on the data examined in this study, the use of YouTube videos as a source of therapy advice for lumbar spine disc herniation cannot be recommended universally.

scholarly journals Data Integration Reveals the Potential Biomarkers of Circulating MicroRNAs in Osteoarthritis

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Thuan Duc Lao ◽  
Thuy Ai Huyen Le
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
Potential Implication ◽  
Circulating Micrornas ◽  
Abnormal Expression ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
Therapeutic Tools ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Potential Biomarkers

The abnormal expression of circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs) has become an emerging field in the development of miRNAs-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools for human diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). OA is the most common form of arthritis leading to disability and a major socioeconomic burden. The abnormal expression of miRNAs plays important roles in the pathogenesis of OA. Unraveling the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of OA will throw light on the potential for the development of miRNAs-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools for OA. This article reviews and highlights recent advances in the study of miRNAs in OA, with specific demonstration of the functions of miRNA, especially c-miRNA, in OA pathogenesis as well as its potential implication in the treatment of OA. Based on a systematic literature search using online databases, we figured out the following main points: (1) the integrative systematic review of c-mRNAs and its target genes related to OA pathogenesis; (2) the potential use of c-miRNAs for OA diagnosis purposes as potential biomarkers; and (3) for therapeutic purposes, and we also highlight certain remedies that regulate microRNA expression based on its target genes.

scholarly journals Organizational issues in stroke treatment: The Swiss paradigm - Stroke units

2013 ◽  
Vol 04 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S131-S133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios K Matis ◽  
Olga I Chrysou ◽  
Theodossios A Birbilis
Keyword(s):  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Stroke Units ◽  
Stroke Treatment ◽  
Organizational Issues ◽  
Standardized Treatment ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
New Guidelines ◽  
Acute Rehabilitation ◽  
Prompt Diagnosis

ABSTRACTStroke represents the leading cause of acquired disability in adults and poses a tremendous socioeconomic burden both on patients and the society. In this sense, prompt diagnosis and urgent treatment are needed in order to radically reduce the devastating consequences of this disease. Herein the authors present the new guidelines recently adopted by the Swiss Stroke Society concerning the establishment of stroke units. Standardized treatment and allocation protocols along with an acute rehabilitation concept seem to be the core of the Swiss stroke management system. Coordinated multidisciplinary care provided by specialized medical, nursing and therapy staff is of utmost importance for achieving a significant dependency and death reduction. It is believed that the implementation of these guidelines in the stroke care system would be beneficial not only for the stroke patients, but also for the health system.

scholarly journals Reoperations Following Lumbar Discectomy Are Associated With Worse Clinical Outcomes and Greater Socioeconomic Burden 3 Years After the Primary Procedure

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudius Thomé ◽  
Ali Araghi ◽  
Jason Inzana ◽  
Jonathan Stieber ◽  
Joshua M Ammerman
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Lumbar Discectomy ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Closure Device ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
Index Level

Abstract INTRODUCTION Lumbar discectomy patients with large annular defects are at significantly greater risk for symptom recurrence and revision. Previous studies suggest that outcomes following revision surgery are less positive than outcomes from primary discectomy. This analysis aimed to assess the clinical and socioeconomic outcomes associated with postdiscectomy reoperations and the utility of a bone-anchored annular closure device (ACD) for avoiding reoperations. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT). Lumbar discectomy patients with large (>6 mm) annular defects were treated with discectomy alone (Control; n = 278) or discectomy with an ACD (n = 272). Patient-reported outcomes included visual analog scale (VAS) for ipsilateral leg or back pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). At 3 yr, clinical outcomes were available for 75% of the patients. Comparisons of outcomes were made between reoperated (n = 64) and nonreoperated (n = 351) patients, regardless of ACD or Control treatment, at 3 yr following the primary surgery. RESULTS Reoperated patients had significantly worse scores for ODI (24 ± 19 vs 11 ± 13; P < .0001), VAS leg pain (28 ± 30 vs 12 ± 19; P < .0001), and VAS back pain (36 ± 31 vs 17 ± 21; P < .0001). Significantly more nonreoperated patients were working at 3 yr (97% vs 84%; P < .001). Based on Kaplan-Meier analysis, the proportion of subjects experiencing at least 1 index-level reoperation in 3 yr was 11% in the ACD group and 19% in the Control group (P = .007). CONCLUSION Index-level reoperations following lumbar discectomy are associated with worse outcomes and greater socioeconomic burden in patients with large annular defects (>6 mm). These findings are consistent with reports from large registry analyses, including the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) and the Swedish National Spine Registry (Swespine). The ACD reduced the number of patients experiencing index-level reoperation by 43%.

scholarly journals Autotaxin expression from synovial fibroblasts is essential for the pathogenesis of modeled arthritis

2012 ◽  
Vol 209 (5) ◽  
pp. 925-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioanna Nikitopoulou ◽  
Nikos Oikonomou ◽  
Emmanuel Karouzakis ◽  
Ioanna Sevastou ◽  
Nefeli Nikolaidou-Katsaridou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Lysophosphatidic Acid ◽  
Synovial Fibroblasts ◽  
Effector Cells ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Effector Functions ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Target ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
Destructive Arthropathy ◽  
Proinflammatory Factors

Rheumatoid arthritis is a destructive arthropathy characterized by chronic synovial inflammation that imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden. Under the influence of the proinflammatory milieu, synovial fibroblasts (SFs), the main effector cells in disease pathogenesis, become activated and hyperplastic, releasing proinflammatory factors and tissue-remodeling enzymes. This study shows that activated arthritic SFs from human patients and animal models express significant quantities of autotaxin (ATX; ENPP2), a lysophospholipase D that catalyzes the conversion of lysophosphatidylcholine to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). ATX expression from SFs was induced by TNF, and LPA induced SF activation and effector functions in synergy with TNF. Conditional genetic ablation of ATX in mesenchymal cells, including SFs, resulted in disease attenuation in animal models of arthritis, establishing the ATX/LPA axis as a novel player in chronic inflammation and the pathogenesis of arthritis and a promising therapeutic target.

scholarly journals Phytochemical Profiling of Lavandula coronopifolia Poir. Aerial Parts Extract and Its Larvicidal, Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm Activity Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1710
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Emam ◽  
Doaa R. Abdel-Haleem ◽  
Maha M. Salem ◽  
Lina Jamil M. Abdel-Hafez ◽  
Rasha R. Abdel Latif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Aerial Parts ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
Cytochrome P 450

Infections associated with the emergence of multidrug resistance and mosquito-borne diseases have resulted in serious crises associated with high mortality and left behind a huge socioeconomic burden. The chemical investigation of Lavandulacoronopifolia aerial parts extract using HPLC–MS/MS led to the tentative identification of 46 compounds belonging to phenolic acids, flavonoids and their glycosides, and biflavonoids. The extract displayed larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae (LC50 = 29.08 µg/mL at 72 h). It significantly inhibited cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase (CYP450), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and carboxylesterase (CarE) enzymes with the comparable pattern to the control group, which could explain the mode of larvae toxification. The extract also inhibited the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 17–38% at different Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) (0.5–0.125 mg/mL) while the activity was doubled when combined with ciprofloxacin (ratio = 1:1 v:v). In conclusion, the wild plant, L.coronopifolia, can be considered a promising natural source against resistant bacteria and infectious carriers.

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