Panminerva medica
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The finding of mutations that activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in people with lung adenocarcinoma resulted in the creation of a new class of biological treatments called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). These medications have changed how patients with EGFR mutations are clinically managed, nearly doubling their survival rate compared to standard chemotherapy. Though 1st and 2nd generation EGFR TKIs are initially highly effective, typically within 9-14 months all tumors with the mutation progress due to secondary resistance mutations involving alternative molecular pathways. In most cases (up to 60%), this is due to the T790M mutation emerging in the EGFR gene. ⋯ Thus, completed study can assert that digital PCR is able to replace traditional real-time PCR as a more preferable method of high-performance quantitative determination of target nucleic acids and has a relatively high sensitivity without compromising high specificity. Results of this research also show that a liquid biopsy using digital PCR provides an opportunity to avoid repeated tissue biopsy in patients who cannot provide a tumor tissue sample suitable for molecular analysis.
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The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) involving in hypertrophy, calcification, and apoptosis of chondrocytes (CHs). In this study, we focused on a p38 inhibitor named Pamapimod (PAM) in the effect of CH hypertrophy degeneration. ⋯ PAM protects CHs hypertrophy by the inhibition of the p38/MEF2C pathway.
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Since the publication of the recent North American and European guidelines on management of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), new evidence describing the epidemiology, testing and treatment of CDI has emerged. Despite all advances in infection control and antibiotic stewardship, the incidence and burden of CDI in the hospitals and the community remains at a stable high. Coupled with the incidence of primary CDI, there is a stable high incidence of recurrent CDI. ⋯ Experimental fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been available for more than a decade. Owing to the success of FMT, two new non-invasive donor dependent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapies have been available since late 2022. This review summarizes all these conundrums regarding CDI and provides clinical pearls to use in day-to-day practice.