#drugresistance

[thxnews]

VDEC Assay Combats Antimicrobial Resistance

A groundbreaking development in the fight against tuberculosis has emerged from the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC). The centre has created a standardized assay designed to reduce antimicrobial resistance and improve treatment outcomes for tuberculosis patients. This innovative tool will transform tuberculosis treatment protocols by screening compound libraries for effectiveness against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in combination with the chemotherapy drug Pyrazinamide (PZA).  

Scientists working in a Class III secure microbiological safety cabinet. Photo by VDEC. Gov.uk.  

The Significance of the VDEC Assay

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, particularly in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Each year, TB claims the lives of 1.6 million people worldwide, with drug-resistant strains making treatment increasingly challenging. The World Health Organization has set a goal to end tuberculosis by 2035, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapies that shorten treatment duration and target AMR strains effectively.  

Objectives and Methodology

The primary aim of the VDEC assay is to enhance the efficacy of Pyrazinamide, a key component of front-line TB chemotherapy. Pyrazinamide plays a crucial role in the six-month treatment course for TB, and boosting its activity could reduce the emergence of drug-resistant strains. This would not only shorten treatment times but also minimize the toxic effects associated with prolonged drug use. Table 1: Key Objectives of the VDEC Assay Objective Description Boost Pyrazinamide Activity Enhance the drug's efficacy to combat TB more effectively Reduce Drug Resistance Lower the incidence of drug-resistant TB strains Shorten Treatment Duration Decrease the length of TB treatment protocols Minimize Toxic Effects Reduce the side effects of prolonged drug use   Addressing the Challenge of Standardization Historically, in vitro assessments for Pyrazinamide have been limited due to a lack of standardized testing conditions. This gap has hindered the development of effective tools to assess and enhance PZA activity. VDEC has tackled this issue by defining the conditions for PZA assessment in fermenter models that replicate the acidic environments where PZA is active. This breakthrough has led to the development of a standardized assay that can screen for active molecules and further characterize their efficacy.   Collaborative Efforts and Screening Processes VDEC’s innovative approach involves collaboration with industrial partners to screen large compound libraries—each containing over 80,000 compounds—to identify molecules that enhance PZA's efficacy. This method is also being applied to other AMR pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycobacterium abscessus, as well as viral threats like coronaviruses.  

Visual Guide to what VDEC does. Artwork by VDEC. Gov.uk  

VDEC's Unique Capabilities

The VDEC team at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in Porton Down leverages a unique combination of fermentation, molecular methods, and bespoke high-throughput screening (HTS) assays for drug discovery and evaluation in pathogenic bacteria. Their expertise and innovative techniques are critical in the fight against AMR.   Achievements and Future Work The VDEC team has already discovered several "hits" that potentiate PZA and are currently characterizing these molecules to understand their mode of action against M. tuberculosis. The success of this assay method has been recognized with its acceptance for publication in prestigious scientific journals.   Industry and Government Support Support for VDEC’s work comes from various quarters. The UK government’s commitment to combating AMR and improving public health is reflected in initiatives like this. Collaboration with academia, public sectors, and industry worldwide underscores the importance of a unified approach to tackling TB and AMR.  

In Conclusion

Moreover, the VDEC standardized assay represents a significant advancement in the battle against tuberculosis and antimicrobial resistance. By enhancing the efficacy of Pyrazinamide and reducing drug resistance, this innovative tool has the potential to revolutionize TB treatment and improve patient outcomes. As the VDEC team continues to develop and refine their assay, the future looks promising for more effective and efficient tuberculosis therapies. Further reading is available on the WHO website.   Sources: THX News & UK Health Security Agency. Read the full article

[cytgen]

Abstract Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that causes death. In this study, the effects of cisplatin, taurine, and a combination of these two compounds on the A549 cell line were examined. A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of taurine, cisplatin, and the combination of the two compounds. MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis of apoptosis, and flow cytometry analysis of the cell cycle were carried out. The expression of genes was examined by real-time PCR. Cisplatin and taurine reduced the viability of the A549 cell line, but this effect was greater in taurine and cisplatin combination. Cells that were in the G0/G1 stage increased in all treated groups and this inhibition was notable in the combination group. The expression of some genes, such as P53, Bax, caspase 3, caspase 9, and P14, increased. The studies also showed that the cisplatin and taurine combination was moderately synergic with Cl values ranging from X to Y for Fa 0.5. The combination of cisplatin and taurine may be effective in the cancer therapy and it can be a suitable choice for reduction of drug resistance problems and other side effects of cisplatin high dosage, but it is necessary to perform more researches in this field.

[the-clock-tiks]

What's inside that band-aid

How band-aid works

Band-aid has a magic element to cure the little wounds & cuts/injuries as they occur.   

The materials used in making band-aids are polymers, hydrogel, CID 8478,  Tartrazine Yellow, Latex, mini cotton pads, PVC material for adhesive 

The benzalkonium chloride is in a viscous solution and added to the cotton pad during the making of bandages. The microbial agent helps in reducing the infection and fungal activities that are to be developed further, resulting in the cure of the cut/wound in minimal days.

The magic agent in the concept of band-aid is porus polymer helpful in the cotton pad in the adhesive fabric/latex where it does not stick to the wound when it is stuck above the injured/sore/infected area. 

The DS -( Drug sensitive ) 

Bacterial properties indicate few colors on the cotton pad primarily referring to infection that is in control and cure is observed. 

For the - ( Drug Resistant ) which it indicates, it requires a doctor’s assistance immediately. The doctor/researcher hits a flash beam on the band-aid to release re-active oxygen species and weakens the bacterial properties from the wound & resulting in the cure.  

From the research point of view - The effect of the observation done for treatment options, and antibiotic resistance manifestations is primarily an important calculation that needs to be done in all the stages of the drug development and treatment

[gisblogs203658]

Innovative Approaches to Tuberculosis Treatment: Advancing Anti-TB Therapeutics

Anti-tuberculosis therapeutics are at the forefront of combating tuberculosis (TB), a persistent infectious disease affecting millions worldwide.

These innovative treatments, including novel antibiotics and targeted therapies, are essential in addressing drug-resistant strains and improving treatment outcomes. Precision medicine approaches, guided by genetic insights into TB bacteria, are paving the way for personalized therapies that enhance efficacy and reduce side effects. As global efforts intensify to eradicate TB, anti-tuberculosis therapeutics play a critical role in achieving this ambitious public health goal. #AntiTuberculosisTherapeutics #TuberculosisTreatment #InfectiousDisease #PrecisionMedicine #DrugResistance #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalResearch #TBResearch #Antibiotics #Pharmaceuticals #InfectiousDiseaseManagement #HealthTech #MedicalAdvancements #EndTB

[antimirobialresistance]

References

Bennett, John. “Antibiotic Resistance in Microbes: History, Mechanisms, Therapeutic Strategies and Future Prospects.” Clinicalkey.com, Elsevier, 2020, www.clinicalkey.com/#.

CDC. “How Antibiotic Resistance Happens.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 5 Oct. 2022, www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about/how-resistance-happens.html.

“Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship.” Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery, Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery, 3 Feb. 2019, infectionsinsurgery.org/core-elements-of-antibiotic-stewardship/.

Dall, Chris. “Study Highlights Impact of Antibiotic Resistance on Older Americans | CIDRAP.” Www.cidrap.umn.edu, 7 Oct. 2021, www.cidrap.umn.edu/study-highlights-impact-antibiotic-resistance-older-americans.

Dean, Howard. “The Economics of Antibiotics Are Broken and Superbugs Are on the Rise–but a Solution Inspired by the Subscription Economy Could Save Millions of Lives.” Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024, fortune.com/2024/03/28/economics-antibiotics-broken-superbugs-solution-subscription-economy-health-congress-pasteur-act-howard-dean/. Accessed 2 Apr. 2024.

Leach-Kemon, Katherine. “Saving Children from Antibiotic-Resistant Infections | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.” Www.healthdata.org, 24 Oct. 2023, www.healthdata.org/news-events/insights-blog/acting-data/saving-children-antibiotic-resistant-infections#:~:text=Children%20are%20some%20of%20the. Accessed 2 Apr. 2024.

Ph.D, Dr Sanchari Sinha Dutta. “How Can Antimicrobial Resistance Affect Poverty?” News-Medical, 27 June 2023, www.news-medical.net/health/How-can-antimicrobial-resistance-affect-poverty.aspx#:~:text=Although%20antimicrobial%20resistance%20affects%20all. Accessed 2 Apr. 2024.

“Antimicrobial Resistance Poses Threat in All 35 Countries in the Americas | the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.” Www.healthdata.org, 8 Aug. 2023, www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/antimicrobial-resistance-poses-threat-all-35-countries-americas.

[biomedres]

Coexistence of Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Epicardial Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator System, Possible Interference: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature

Coexistence of Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Epicardial Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator System, Possible Interference: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature in Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research

https://biomedres.us/fulltexts/BJSTR.MS.ID.006066.php

Introduction: Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective treatment for drugresistant epilepsies. The possible interaction of VNS and electronic cardiac devices such as pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is poorly studied. Methods and Results: We report the first case in literature of a child with a VNS device and ICD implanted via epicardial approach, including careful device monitoring overtime, and summarize the current literature available on concomitant therapy with both VNS and implantable electronic cardiac system, with a focus on possible interference between the devices. The case reported involves a child suffering from congenital heart disease and long QT syndrome; first, he underwent epicardial ICD implantation at 1 year of age after an aborted cardiac arrest causing significant neurological damage, and subsequently implanted VNS for drug-resistant epilepsy. A stepwise approach was performed to increase gradually the intensity of the VNS stimulations and concomitant ICD monitoring was obtained. Sub-threshold noise was recorded on the ICD electrogram during VNS activation and optimization, without compromising the correct functioning of both devices. In literature, the coexistence of the VNS system and a pacemaker/ICD is described in a few case reports of patients with epilepsy and arrhythmias, as well as in some studies focusing on the modulation of the autonomic nervous system in heart failure patients with cardiac devices, but without describing interactions between devices. Conclusions: The positioning of both a VNS system and pacemaker/ICD in the same patient appears to be feasible and safe, provided that the VNS and cardiac devices are tested to assess for interaction.

For more articles in Journals on Biomedical Sciences click here bjstr

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[tinyeartheri]

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, November 30). Antibiotic resistance: A global threat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/solutions-initiative/stories/ar-global-threat.html

Alasdair MacGowan, Emily Macnaughton, Antibiotic resistance, Medicine, Volume 45, Issue 10, 2017, Pages 622-628, ISSN 1357-3039, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2017.07.006. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1357303917301883)

[newswireml]

Cases of a Drug-Resistant Fungus Tripled During the COVID Pandemic#Cases #DrugResistant #Fungus #Tripled #COVID #Pandemic

As the U.S. health care system weathered blow after blow of the COVID pandemic, diseases of all kinds, from HIV to congenital syphilis, surged across the country. Last week a national survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that outbreaks of emerging drug-resistant fungi also grew at an “alarming” rate in hospitals from 2019 to 2020. Annual cases of the opportunistic,…

[claw]

😳

i think you are funny as fuck and love it when you @ me in shit, every time you remake i will instant follow because  you deserve it for having one of the best blogs and being one of the coolest people i ever met on here. we’ve been mutuals for a long time God damn

[yeshealthplease]

Researchers discover mechanism to overcome drug-resistance in leukemia

Researchers discover mechanism to overcome drug-resistance in leukemia

Bone marrow aspirate showing acute myeloid leukemia. Several blasts have Auer rods. Credit: Wikipedia In a new study led by Yale Cancer Center, researchers have discovered a novel metabolic gatekeeper mechanism for leukemia. This mechanism depends on a molecule called PON2, which could lead to a new treatment for the disease. The findings were published online today in the Proceedings of the…

[lucasciences]

Remarkable breakthrough in medicine! Doctors in London were able to use phage therapy to combat harmful antibiotic resistant Mycobacteria. Some members of Mycobacteria (a type of bacteria that grows on medium looking like mold) can be extremely harmful and cause diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy. A patient who had an infection caused by the antibiotic drug resistant Mycobacterium abscessus was treated with genetically modified viruses that attack only this bacteria. A cocktail of three different types of these bacteriophages was used for therapy. Utilizing the lytic pathway, the bacteriophage killed the cells without integrating in the patient’s genome - known as utilizing the lysogenic pathway that is used by HIV. Thus, this indicates that phage therapy can potentially be used to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria. . Credit: GBeards / CC BY-SA 3.0, CDC / public domain and Hatfull Laboratory. . #medicine #phagetherapy #biology #innovation #antibioticresistant #genetherapy #medical #breakthrough #medicalscience #bacteriophage #virus #viruses #bacteria #drugresistance https://www.instagram.com/p/BxQPaTyhPs6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hhlubv8itzt2

[gisblogs203658]

Advancements in Anti-Tuberculosis Therapeutics: Forecast 2024-2033

Anti-tuberculosis therapeutics are poised for significant progress and innovation over the next decade, offering improved treatment options for tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant strains.

As we look ahead to 2033, these therapeutics will evolve with novel drug candidates, targeted therapies, and advanced treatment regimens aimed at reducing treatment duration and improving patient outcomes. With the integration of precision medicine approaches and innovative drug delivery systems, anti-TB therapies will be tailored to individual patient needs, addressing challenges such as multidrug resistance and treatment adherence. These advancements promise to accelerate progress towards TB elimination and global public health goals.

#AntiTuberculosis #TBTreatment #DrugResistance #InfectiousDisease #PrecisionMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalResearch #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #MedicalTechnology #FutureMedicine #HealthTech #InfectiousDiseaseControl #MedicalAdvancements #DrugDevelopment

[virtua]

🌺

send me a 🌺 and I’ll compliment you

oh thank god u changed ur url. ive always really loved ur aesthetic, ur the only scene kinnie allowed!!!

[newswireml]

CDC warns of drug-resistant fungal infection#CDC #warns #drugresistant #fungal #infection

CDC warns of drug-resistant fungal infection – CBS News Watch CBS News A new study from the CDC warns that cases of candida auris, a drug-resistant and potentially deadly fungal infection, tripled during the pandemic. “Prime Time” host John Dickerson speaks with Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, who helps us put this latest warning into context. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for…

[ainslielab]

#sciencememes #dankmemes #biologymemes #drugresistance #multidrugresistance #sciencejokes #badsciencejokes #antibiotics #antibioticstewardship https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs_EibNB_AN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t5x8kf675po9

[don-lichterman]

Emerging therapeutics could overcome drug-resistant variants -- ScienceDaily

Emerging therapeutics could overcome drug-resistant variants — ScienceDaily

They might look like cells and act like cells. But a new potential COVID-19 treatment is actually a cleverly disguised trickster, which attracts viruses and binds them, rendering them inactive. As the ever-evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus begins to evade once promising treatments, such as monoclonal antibody therapies, researchers have become more interested in these “decoy” nanoparticles. Mimicking…