Narrow Results

A 22-year-old male was hospitalized with mild fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss and was diagnosed as having Crohn’s disease. Total parenteral nutrition was administered to reduce bowel inflammation and correct nutritional disturbances. During long term intravenous hyperalimentation, the serum zinc level fell to 27 μg/dl and the patient developed acrodermatitis enteropathica and pancreatitis. Zinc supplementation resulted in the disappearance of these complications. Erythrocyte CA I-specific activity was 0.35 units/mg before zinc replacement, and recovered to 0.62 units/mg when the serum zinc level reached 124 μg/dl. CA I is present not only in erythrocytes but also in gastrointestinal epithelia, vascular endothelium, and sweat glands. To date there are no specific laboratory tests that reliably document tissue zinc deficiency. However, erythrocyte CA I activity may reflect the actual zinc status.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic inflammatory disorders that include Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Today, IBD has no successful treatment. As a result, it is of paramount importance to develop novel therapeutic agents for IBD prevention and treatment. Astragalus membranaceus (AMS) is a traditional Chinese medicine found in the AMS root. Modern pharmacological studies indicate that AMS and its constituents exhibit multiple bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immune regulatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, expectorant, and diuretic effects. AMS and its active constituents, which have been reported to be effective in IBD treatment, are believed to be viable candidate drugs for IBD treatment. These underlying mechanisms are associated with anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, immunomodulation, intestinal epithelial repair, gut microbiota homeostasis, and improved energy metabolism. In this review, we summarize the efficacy and underlying mechanisms involved in IBD treatment with AMS and its active constituents in preclinical studies.

Australian Listed biotech firms to Benefit from New Alliance.

CyGenics Signs Collaboration Agreement with the Blood Center of Zhejiang Province.

Shanghai Genomics.

CMIC and Accium Collaborate to Provide Exploratory-IND and Low-Radiation PK/ADME Service.

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Davos Life Science Opens World's Largest R&D Center on Tocotrienols in Singapore.

Invitrogen Opens First of its Kind Supply Center in Singapore.

INDONESIA – Quintiles expands patient access for clinical trials to Indonesia.

JAPAN – Legacy Healthcare announces breakthrough clinical results in hair re-growth.

SINGAPORE – iNova Pharmaceuticals relocates Regional HQ to Singapore as part of Asia-centric reorganization.

AUSTRALIA – Silencing the bird flu gene: scientists prep live hen trials.

AUSTRALIA – Helsinn grants Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) rights to Anamorelin, treat cachexia-anorexia.

NORTH AMERICA – To survive, genes pick up new skills.

NORTH AMERICA – Phase III study evaluates two investigational hormone-releasing IUDs for prevention of pregnancy for up to three years.

NORTH AMERICA – Agilent Technologies introduces SureDesign.

NORTH AMERICA – Progress made towards production of biosimilar products in tobacco plants.

NORTH AMERICA – FDA approves Aerospan for asthma.

EUROPE – New technology offers improved chances for couples undergoing IVF.

EUROPE – Phase IIa Laquinimod trial results show positive data for potential use in active Crohn's Disease.

EUROPE – Pfizer donates vials of Factor IX to the World Federation of Hemophilia.

EUROPE – nViso gets research grant to study 3D facial imaging technology for healthcare applications.

EUROPE – New evidence-based 3D cell culture web portal launched by Reinnervate Ltd.

EUROPE – The social side of vaccine effectiveness.

INDONESIA – Alleged cure for dengue in Indonesia stirs debate.

JAPAN – Daiichi Sankyo submits SAVAYSATM tablets new drug application to the U.S. FDA.

MALAYSIA – Marine bacterial compound shows antiviral potential.

THE PHILIPPINES – Rice bias in the Philippines ‘neglects soil problems’.

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SINGAPORE – New discovery of biomarker to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

VIETNAM – Setback for dengue-blocking mosquito trial in Vietnam.

AFRICA – Scientists to create disease-resistant Ethiopian enset.

AFRICA – Viral load tests ‘could transform HIV treatment failure’.

EUROPE – QIAGEN and Exosome Diagnostics to develop first-in-class, non-invasive diagnostics for key genetic biomarkers in lung and other cancers.

EUROPE – Study examines probiotic use in preventing gastrointestinal disorders in infants.

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UNITED STATES – Scientists solve 40-year mystery of how sodium controls opioid brain signaling.

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A 60-year-old woman complains of a persistent itch on the vulva.

• What history in the symptom is helpful in understanding the etiology of pruritus vulvae?
• What are the common conditions that cause pruritus vulvae?

A persistent itch or pruritus is an unpleasant sensation that provokes a desire to scratch. A number of substances are known to induce itch via stimulation of nociceptive neurons superficially located in the epidermis and subepidermal tissues. These include inflammatory mediators such as histamine, neuropeptide substance P, serotonin, bradykinin, tryptase from mast cells, and endothelin.