Current pharmaceutical design
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Thanks to the recent advances in cancer care, more and more young women can survive but suffer from infertility as a result of cancer treatment that had to be submitted. There are a variety of methods to preserve fertility, as chemoprotection, ovariopexy, and some assisted reproductive technologies, although some of these are promising but still highly experimental techniques. ⋯ Although in recent years there has been major improvements in the preservation of ovarian tissue, there are still many unresolved technical issues related to these procedures. In this chapter we examine the recent evidence of the pathophysiology of chemotherapy / radiotherapy-induced gonadal toxicity, and recent data regarding the indications and results of the techniques used to preserve fertility in women with cancer.
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Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) has been the leading cause of transfusion-associated death for nearly a decade. Recent TRALI mitigation strategies focused on reduction of leukocyte antibodies in high volume plasma products appear to be successful in reducing TRALI events and deaths, but additional preventive measures are needed. Future possibilities include, screening of donors for neutrophil antibodies, processing of blood products to reduce or remove biologic response modifiers, and the more judicious use of blood. ⋯ Greater understanding of these interactions and the key molecules involved will lead to development of potential new targets for therapy. In this review, future possible preventive measures to further reduce the occurrence of TRALI will be discussed, including TRALI caused by biologic response modifiers (BRMs), like bioactive lipids and sCD40L, which are not addressed by current preventive actions that only target leukocyte antibodies in high-volume plasma products. Insights already gained from studies of ALI-ARDS treatments will be summarized and discussed as possible therapeutic targets for treatment of patients experiencing TRALI.
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Opioids are increasingly used to manage not only acute but also chronic pain and heroine addiction. These patients usually receive many other medications that can interfere with the effects of opioids and vice versa. Patients often need combinations of drugs for their pain management, for treating opioid-related adverse effects or for other indications including depression and anxiety. ⋯ The literature in this field is mainly based on case reports. Interindividual differences play an important role. Other potential interactions include prolongation of the QT-interval and lowering of the threshold for convulsions.
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Limb trauma can lead to the development of a complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is a descriptive term of a variety of different symptoms. ⋯ Immunological aspects are considered to play an important role in the development of CRPS. The impact of elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines systemically as well as locally, increased neurogenic inflammation and auto-antibodies in the pathophysiological development of CRPS are discussed in this review.
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This update aims to provide an evidence based review of natural and synthetic colloids with a special emphasis on the various generations of the synthetic colloid hydroxyethyl starch. The effect of 1(st), 2(nd) and 3(rd) generation hetastarches on bleeding, coagulopathy, acute kidney injury and mortality will be discussed. The results of randomised controlled trials addressing morbidity and mortality outcomes of colloid versus crystalloid resuscitation in critically ill patients will be described. In addition, the rationale and evidence behind early goal directed fluid therapy (EGDFT) including a practical approach to assessment of dynamic measures of fluid responsiveness will be presented.