Surface-associated microbes continue to surprise us in their sophisticated strategies for assembling biofilm communities.
This report highlights some exciting findings in recent biofilm-related research.
PMID: 24860649 [PubMed] (Source: F1000 Medicine Reports)
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Cell-mediated immunity to human CMV infection: a brief overview.
Authors: Terrazzini N, Kern F
Abstract
The cellular immune response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has different components originating from both the adaptive and innate immune systems. There is a significant global interest in understanding how the immune system keeps HCMV under control, in particular with a view to situations where HCMV infection causes severe damage. Such settings include HIV infection, transplantation, and maybe most importantly perinatal medicine, HCMV being a major cause of sometimes catastrophic birth defects. The development of an active HCMV vaccine has proven very difficult but ...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Advances in the management of macular degeneration.
Authors: Singer M
Abstract
Current management of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be divided into two categories: first, anti-vasoendothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection for wet macular degeneration; second, anti-oxidant vitamins for dry macular degeneration. New therapies are being developed for both of these diseases using novel technologies and different modes of administration. The hope is that some of these therapies will achieve significant improvement to current management and prevent future loss of vision in this devastating eye condition.
PMID: 24860651 [PubMed] (Source:...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Novel approaches in treatment of pediatric anxiety.
Authors: Park JM, Geller DA
Abstract
Pediatric anxiety disorders have high prevalence rates and morbidity and are associated with considerable functional impairment and distress. They may be predictors for the development of other psychiatric disorders and, without intervention, are more likely to persist into adulthood. While evidence-based pharmacological and behavioral interventions are currently available, there remains a sizable subset of youth who remain only partially treatment-responsive and therefore symptomatic following treatment. Novel methods of treatment, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic, ...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Vivar N, Van Vollenhoven RF
Abstract
The intense pursuit of novel therapies in rheumatoid arthritis has provided physicians with an assorted set of biologic drugs to treat patients with moderate to severe disease activity. Nine different biologic therapies are currently available: seven inhibitors of pro-inflammatory cytokines (five targeting tumor necrosis factor [TNF], one interleukin [IL]-1 and one IL-6), as well as a T- and a B-lymphocyte targeting agent. All these drugs have roughly similar efficacy profiles and are approved as first- or second-line therapy in patients who failed to respond t...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Management of pemphigus.
Authors: Daniel BS, Murrell DF
Abstract
Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by cutaneous and mucosal blisters and erosions. Though systemic corticosteroids have been the mainstay of treatment for pemphigus over the years, more recently research has focused on steroid-sparing agents. This review looks at the commonly used steroid-sparing agents in pemphigus and the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) supporting their use.
PMID: 24860654 [PubMed] (Source: F1000 Medicine Reports)
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Geriatric considerations in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
Authors: Kessler ER, Flaig TW
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous cancer in US men and mainly affects elderly patients, with most new diagnoses occurring in those over 65. As the geriatric population in the US continues to grow, the incidence of this disease is likewise expected to rise. Many older patients are diagnosed with advanced disease or are treated only when their disease becomes symptomatic or metastatic. The treatment options for advanced prostate cancer have increased dramatically in the last decade. It is important to understand the nuances of caring for an elderly cancer...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Point of care cutaneous imaging technology in melanoma screening and mole mapping.
This article reviews current and emerging technologies to aid in the diagnosis of melanoma. Ultimately, these advances may enhance the early diagnosis of melanoma.
PMID: 24860656 [PubMed] (Source: F1000 Medicine Reports)
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Advances in understanding and treating dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
Authors: Vanden Oever MJ, Tolar J
Abstract
Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of inherited disorders that can be both systemic and life-threatening. Standard treatments for the most severe forms of this disorder, typically limited to palliative care, are ineffective in reducing the morbidity and mortality due to complications of the disease. Emerging therapies-such as the use of allogeneic cellular therapy, gene therapy, and protein therapy-have all shown promise, but it is likely that several approaches will need to be combined to realize a cure. For recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, each particul...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Improvements in current treatments and emerging therapies for adult obstructive sleep apnea.
Authors: Freedman N
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common and is associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Typical treatment approaches, including positive airway pressure, oral appliances, various upper airway surgeries, and/or weight loss, can improve symptoms and reduce the severity of disease in select patient groups. However, these approaches have several potential limitations, including suboptimal adherence, lack of suitability for all patient groups, and/or absence of adequate outcomes data. Emerging potential therapeutic options...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Learning from myocarditis: mimicry, chaos and black holes.
Authors: Rose NR
Abstract
Autoimmune myocarditis and its sequel, dilated cardiomyopathy, are major causes of heart failure, especially in children and young adults. We have developed animal models to investigate their pathogenesis by infecting genetically susceptible mice with coxsackievirus B3 or by immunizing them with cardiac myosin or its immunodominant peptide. A number of valuable lessons have emerged from our study of this paradigm of an infection-induced autoimmune disease. We understand more clearly how natural autoimmunity, as an important component of normal physiology, must be recalibrated regu...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Recovery of the failing heart: emerging approaches and mechanisms in excitation-contraction coupling.
Authors: Ibrahim M, Edlin JC, Nader A, Terracciano CM
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality globally. All clinical therapies that reduce mortality have been shown to induce reverse remodeling. In this article, we discuss a conceptual approach to the evolving treatment of HF using emerging treatment modalities for the drug-refractory patient. This approach is based on the combinatorial, integrated application of therapies shown to influence reverse remodeling in the laboratory.
PMID: 24904750 [PubMed] (Source: F1000 Medicine Reports)
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Glutamate receptor-like channels in plants: a role as amino acid sensors in plant defence?
Authors: Forde BG, Roberts MR
Abstract
Plant glutamate receptor-like genes (GLRs) are homologous to the genes for mammalian ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), after which they were named, but in the 16 years since their existence was first revealed, progress in elucidating their biological role has been disappointingly slow. Recently, however, studies from a number of laboratories focusing on the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) have thrown new light on the functional properties of some members of the GLR gene family. One important finding has been that plant GLR receptors have a much br...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: time for research in pathophysiology to catch up with developments in treatment.
Authors: Toshner M, Pepke-Zaba J
Abstract
The modern treatment era in chronic thromboembolic disease has seen significant advances in both surgical and medical treatment. One such treatment, the pulmonary endarterectomy (where established chronic organized thrombus is removed), has dramatically affected morbidity and mortality. These advances have outstripped basic research into the causes and pathophysiology of disease, which remain largely poorly understood. In this review, we will set out to explain some of the historical reasons for this, including the difficulties inherent in human studies and the lac...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Individual-based models in ecology after four decades.
Authors: DeAngelis DL, Grimm V
Abstract
Individual-based models simulate populations and communities by following individuals and their properties. They have been used in ecology for more than four decades, with their use and ubiquity in ecology growing rapidly in the last two decades. Individual-based models have been used for many applied or "pragmatic" issues, such as informing the protection and management of particular populations in specific locations, but their use in addressing theoretical questions has also grown rapidly, recently helping us to understand how the sets of traits of individual organ...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
