•An immune-modulator was prepared by concentrating cytokines and growth factors in urine.•It can boost immunomodulatory responses in allergic and autoimmune disease patients.•The immune-modulator is ...administrated sublingually.•This strategy aims to boost the immunomodulatory response of the treated patients.
At “Instituto de Alergias y Autoinmunidad Dr. Maximiliano Ruiz Castañeda, A.C.” in Mexico City, a non-traditional health care center focused on the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases using personalized medicine, an alternative treatment referred to as an “immune-modulator” has been developed. In this study, we will refer to this treatment substance as the “immune-modulator.” In brief, a urine sample is collected from the patient and processed to obtain the peptide fraction, which is conditioned and then administered sublingually to the patient. Sample processing involves multiple steps aimed at the removal of toxic compounds and enrichment for cytokines, growth factors, and other immune peptides that may contribute to the function of the immune-modulator. This treatment has been administered for many years, and patients testify that it is useful and reliable. Despite the benefits of this treatment, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aims to identify immunoregulatory peptides, such as cytokines and growth factors, in the immune-modulator.
Urine and immune-modulator concentrations of cytokines and growth factors were assessed using a Luminex assay.
Twenty-one cytokines and growth factors were identified in immune-modulator samples. MCP-1 was identified in 100% of the samples; MIP-1β, IL-8, RANTES, INF-γ, and IP-10 were identified in approximately 65–70% of samples; IL5, IL-1B, and IL-17 in 50–60%; eotaxin, VEGF, IL-6, and FGF in about 40%; MIP-1α, IL-9, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-12, and IL-15 in about 20–30%; and IL-13 and PDGF-bb were identified in <6% of samples. Additionally, patients exhibited significant changes in IL-1β, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 concentrations after treatment with the immune-modulator, whereas healthy individuals showed no significant change in response to the treatment.
The immune-modulator is an alternative treatment based on the administration of cytokines and growth factors obtained from the urine of patients. In this study, its composition was characterized. The isolated products could be responsible for the effects of the immune-modulator. Further trials are required to evaluate the effective delivery of these molecules by the administration route described.
Background Study of endocrine pathology in animal models is critical to understanding endocrine pathology in humans.
Methods We evaluated 434 endocrine‐related diagnoses from 4619 baboon ...necropsies, established the incidence of spontaneous endocrine pathology, and analyzed the clinical and biochemical data associated with the individual cases.
Results The most common diagnoses in descending order, were pancreatic islet cell amyloidosis (n = 259), ovarian cysts (n = 50), pituitary adenoma (n = 37), pancreatic islet cell adenoma (n = 20), granulosa cell tumor (n = 15), thyroid adenoma (n = 11), adrenal hyperplasia (n = 10), thyroid carcinoma (n = 8), and pheochromocytoma (n = 6). The incidence of pancreatic islet cell amyloidosis progressively increased with age. Pheochromocytomas were associated with renal and heart failure. The incidence of pancreatic islet cell amyloidosis and adrenal pathology was similar to humans; the incidence of pituitary adenoma and thyroid pathology was lower than in humans.
Conclusions Endocrine disease in baboons is common and shares clinical and biochemical characteristics with endocrine disease in humans.
PurposeTo compare magnification and refocusing during phacoemulsification with the NGENUITY® 3-D Visualization System (3-D) versus the conventional microscope (CM) OPMI LUMERA 700. SettingThis study ...was performed in the Department of Anterior Segment of the Fundación Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Luz. DesignProspective, randomized, cross-sectional, multi-surgeon, and comparative study. MethodsThis study enrolled 100 patients (eyes) scheduled for phacoemulsification to measure the number of times changes in focusing and magnification were needed during cataract surgery. ResultsOur study included 100 patients. From the endpoints evaluated, "zoom-in" showed statistically significant differences for all of the four predefined cataract surgery steps (means: Step 1, 0.38 (CM) vs 0.08 (3-D); Step 2, 0.36 (CM) vs 0.06 (3-D); Step 3, 0.54 (CM) vs 0.22 (3-D); Step 4, 0.56 (CM) vs 0.24 (3-D); all comparisons, p <0.05). In Step 4, there was a statistically significant increased use of "focus-out" for the 3-D system (mean 0.16 (CM) vs 0.58 (3-D); p <0.05). "Focus-in" and "zoom-out" showed no group differences for all steps. The duration of surgery with the 3-D system was longer at each step and overall. The percentage of light intensity did not show a statistically significant difference between both systems, with a mean of 99.45 for CM vs 98.43% for the heads-up system. ConclusionThe heads-up 3-D system is a safe option that offers excellent magnification for anterior segment visualization. The surgical time is longer, but adjusting settings like light intensity and brightness may facilitate some surgical steps early in the learning curve.
Prediabetes is a highly prevalent health problem with a high risk of complications and progression to type 2 diabetes (T2D). The goals of this study were to evaluate the effect of the combination of ...lingaliptin + metformin + lifestyle on glucose tolerance, pancreatic β-cell function and T2D incidence in patients with prediabetes.
A single center parallel double-blind randomized clinical trial with 24 months of follow-up in patients with impaired glucose tolerance plus two T2D risk factors which were randomized to linagliptin 5 mg + metformin 1700 mg daily + lifestyle (LM group) or metformin 1700 mg daily + lifestyle (M group). Primary outcomes were regression to normoglycemia and T2D incidence; glucose levels and pancreatic β-cell function were secondary outcomes.
Subjects were screened for eligibility by OGTT and 144 patients with prediabetes were randomized to LM group (n = 74) or M group (n = 70); 52 and 36 participants in the LM group and 52 and 27 participants in the M group, completed the 12 and 24 months of treatment, respectively; average follow-up was 17 ± 6 and 18 ± 7 months in M and LM group, respectively. Glucose levels during OGTT improved more in LM group. OGTT disposition index (DI) improved significantly better during the first months in LM group, increasing from 1·31 (95% CI: 1·14–1·49) to 2·41 (95% CI: 2.10–2.72) and to 2.07 (95% CI: 1.82–2.31) at 6 and 24 months in LM group vs from 1.21 (95% CI: 0.98–1.34) to 1.56 (95% CI: 1.17–1.95) and to 1.72 (95% CI: 1.45–1.98) at 6 and 24 months in M group (p < .05). T2D incidence was higher in M group in comparison to LM group (HR 4.0, 95% CI: 1.24–13.04, p = .020). The probability of achieving normoglycemia was higher in LM group (OR 3.26 CI 95% 1.55–6.84). No major side effects were observed during the study.
The combination of linagliptin, metformin and lifestyle improved significantly glucose metabolism and pancreatic β-cell function, and reduced T2D incidence in subjects with prediabetes as compared to metformin and lifestyle.
•Linagliptin + metformin plus lifestyle showed a better glucose improvement•Pancreatic β-cell function improved better in the linagliptin + metformin group•There was a 67% risk reduction of T2D in the linagliptin + metformin group•All differences between groups were observed early at 6–12 months of treatment
Objective: To compare the bacteriological and clinical efficacy of three treatments for uncomplicated cystitis in ambulatory pre-menopausal women: ciprofloxacin 250 mg orally twice daily for 3 days, ...trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg orally twice daily for 7 days, and norfloxacin 400 mg orally twice daily for 7 days. Materials and methods: A total of 455 women were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: 151 received ciprofloxacin, 150 received trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and 154 received norfloxacin. Bacteriological cure and clinical resolution were evaluated 5–9 days and 4–6 weeks after completion of treatment. Results: There was no significant difference among the three treatment groups: overall efficacy ranged from 78.5% for the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole group, to 84.5% for the ciprofloxacin group. The highest overall incidence of drug-related adverse effects occurred in the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole patients. Conclusions: These data indicate that a 3 day treatment with ciprofloxacin is at least as clinically and bacteriologically effective as 7 day treatments with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and norfloxacin for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections.
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