Articles: disease.
-
The potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in revolutionizing regenerative medicine cannot be overstated. iPSCs offer a profound opportunity for therapies involving cell replacement, disease modeling, and cell transplantation. However, the widespread application of iPSC cellular therapy faces hurdles, including the imperative to regulate iPSC differentiation rigorously and the inherent genetic disparities among individuals. To address these challenges, the concept of iPSC super donors emerges, holding exceptional genetic attributes and advantageous traits. These super donors serve as a wellspring of standardized, high-quality cell sources, mitigating inter-individual variations and augmenting the efficacy of therapy. ⋯ In summary, our study marks a crucial milestone in the realm of regenerative medicine. The establishment of iPSC lines from super donors with specific HLA types signifies a paradigm shift in addressing challenges related to iPSC cellular therapy. The standardized and high-quality cell sources derived from these super donors hold immense potential for various therapeutic applications. As we move forward, these findings provide a solid foundation for further research and development, ultimately propelling the field of regenerative medicine toward new horizons of efficacy and accessibility.
-
Congenital diseases are still an important medical, social, and economic problem all over the world. In North Cyprus, in addition to other reasons, early prenatal diagnostic measures are undertaken to prevent births with thalassemia major, a locally widespread genetic disease. ⋯ IPDT is important in correctly diagnosing fetal anomalies at the prenatal stage to help families decide at the right time.
-
Internal medicine journal · Feb 2024
Beyond the aspirational: Creating the future of health care in Australia.
The context of health care in Australia is shifting very rapidly; more chronic diseases, budgetary stress and the constant threat of the next pandemic and climate change mean that patterns of disease and care are changing, and the workforce is under pressure. Health systems have learned to respond as best they can, but there are many challenges and opportunities for the Australian health care system to plan and implement an evidence-based and sustainable approach to health care delivery in the next decade. ⋯ Here, we outline nine strategies that span principles of integrated, value-based care, with a focus on prevention and quality, the development of a skilled workforce and health-literate population and the use of emerging technologies such as genomics and artificial intelligence. These strategies form a potential path for the Australian health care system to meet the changing requirements of the current decade and take the aspirational visions of the future of health care into an improved, patient-based health system that delivers care in line with best practices.
-
Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Feb 2024
[Systems thinking, subjective findings and diagnostic "pigeonholing" in ME/CFS: A mainly qualitative public health study from a patient perspective].
ME/CFS (Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) is an illness that is predominantly viewed as a neuroimmunological multisystem disease, which is still unknown to many doctors in Germany or which they classify as a psychosomatic disease. From their perspective, ME/CFS patients report significant deficits in terms of medical treatment and a doctor-patient relationship (DP relationship) that is perceived as problematic. The aim of the present study is to more precisely analyse the process of finding a diagnosis as an influencing factor on the DP relationship in ME/CFS from the point of view of those affected. ⋯ From the point of view of ME/CFS patients, the process of making a diagnosis and the recognition of ME/CFS as a neuroimmunological multisystem disease are the central aspects of a DP relationship that they experience as problematic. In the past, findings classified as "subjective" and thus ignored, the pigeonholing that is characteristic of biomedically oriented medicine and a healthcare system that opposes systemic thinking when making a diagnosis have all been identified as factors that may have a significant impact on the DP relationship.
-
Calcium is essential for numerous metabolic processes and is hormonally controlled. These hormonal mechanisms are surprisingly effective in regulating calcium levels very reliably within a narrow range - but deviations in serum calcium levels quite often cause clinical problems. Hypercalcemia predominantly occurs in primary hyperparathyroidism or is associated with tumors (especially osteolytic processes). ⋯ Symptomatic therapy depends on the severity of the electrolyte imbalance. Calcium is lowered in hypercalcemia via forced diuresis, the administration of calcitonin and bisphosphonates or denosumab, if necessary, via dialysis. Severe hypocalcemia is corrected acutely with parenteral calcium administration and any further treatment decisions and prognosis depend on the underlying disease.