Big Pharma

In the lab, St. Jude scientists identify possible COVID-19 treatment Immunologists have determined the process driving life-threatening inflammation, lung damage and organ failure in patients with COVID-19, sepsis and other inflammatory disorders suggesting possible treatment using existing drugs. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti, Ph.D., of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Previous Next   Newswise — The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause significant illness and death while treatment options remain limited. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists have discovered a potential strategy to prevent life-threatening inflammation, lung damage and organ failure in patients with COVID-19. The research appeared online...

Diabetes increases neuritic damage around amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease New research from the University of Eastern Finland explores the role of diabetes in the cellular and molecular changes underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD). In an AD mouse model, diabetes induced through a diet rich in fats and sugars weakened the accumulation of microglial cells around amyloid plaques and increased the formation of neuritic plaques with prominent tau pathology. Besides the mouse model, a similar observation was also made in hydrocephalus patients with type 2 diabetes, who had fewer microglia around amyloid plaques than patients without diabetes. The findings provide valuable...

New insight into neovessel formation shows promise in future treatment of cardiovascular diseases A new study by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland provides novel insight into the previously unknown effects of factors regulating blood vessel formation. In the study, bone morphogenetic factor 6, i.e. BMP6, was shown – for the first time - to regulate blood vessel formation via vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and Hippo signalling pathway. The findings can be used in developing treatments for cardiovascular diseases.  Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the Western world. In many of these diseases, blood circulation is decreased due to narrowed blood vessels, leading to inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygen deprivation. The formation of new...

Ketamine, a painkiller used by the army, does not impair tolerance for blood loss A low dose of ketamine, administered intravenously, does not alter a healthy human’s tolerance to blood loss. In other words if someone was given ketamine to kill pain associated with a battlefield injury, they would be able to tolerate blood loss just as well as someone who did not received this pain killer. That’s according to new research published today in The Journal of Physiology. Medics in the US Army give ketamine for pain relief associated with a battlefield injury. Such injuries are often accompanied with significant...

Vision-Related Implications of COVID-19 can be Mitigated with Appropriate Care   New York, NY, October , 2020 — About 30 percent of those diagnosed with COVID-19 experience conjunctivitis (an eye infection), and countless others with ocular diseases that require ongoing evaluation and treatment are skipping their checkups out of fears of contracting COVID-19.   Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York, emphasizes that, while the pandemic may have changed the way we visit our doctors, it’s imperative that we stay up-to-date with our vision exams, particularly for those with conditions such as...