BiomedGrid

  Utilizing Pharmacogenomics to Reduce Adverse Drug Events Abstract Objective : The objective of this publication is to describe how pharmacogenomic testing can help reduce the incidence of ADEs. Summary:  Pharmacogenomic testing identifies genetic variants that help clinicians determine an individual’s expected response to medications. Results from pharmacogenomic testing may provide valuable information on the expected response to a drug while on the other hand, results may also help explain adverse drug events (ADEs), identify patients who may require closer monitoring to avoid ADEs, and avoid specific drugs that are expected to cause ADEs in certain individuals. Many ADEs are believed to have a genetic component. Drugs administered at normal doses may interact with a gene that has a genetic variant affecting the drug’s response. Pharmacogenomic testing can identify genetic variants that encode specific CYP enzymes (e.g., CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3As). It is estimate...

  Sildenafil Slows Gastric Emptying in Patients with Previously Diagnosed Diabetic Gastroparesis Abstract Objective : Delayed gastric emptying is a common complication of diabetes. Animal studies suggest that inhibition of phosphodiesterase type- 5 receptors with sildenafil improves pyloric nitric oxide availability and reverses gastroparesis in murine models of diabetic gastroparesis. We hypothesized that a single dose of sildenafil would improve gastric emptying in diabetic subjects with gastroparesis. Design:  Thirteen subjects with diabetes and gastroparesis were admitted to the UNM General Clinical Research Center on two occasions at least one week apart. Gastric motility agents were withheld 48 hours prior to study. Overnight glycemia was stabilized with infusion of intravenous insulin. At 0800, subjects ingested either 50 mg of sildenafil or matching placebo in a randomized, double blind, crossover protocol. Gastric emptying was determined using radionuclide scintigraph...

  Full Blood Count Estimation Using Abbott Cell-Dyn Ruby 5-Parts in Comparison with Boule Medonic M-Series 3-Parts Differential Haematology Analyser Abstract Full Blood Count (FBC) is a significant laboratory investigation often requested in clinical care and trials; laboratories should have comparable alternative methods for this test to ensure uninterrupted services. This study evaluated to what extent the Abbott CELL-DYN Ruby and Boule Medonic M-series haematology analysers can be used interchangeably. Using 110 leftover EDTA blood samples to test twelve haematological parameters, correlations and bias between the two analysers for each blood parameter were determined by plotting Passing & Bablok and Bland-Altman’s plots respectively. The two analysers were assessed comparable for a test when the bias with the 95% CI falls within the clinically acceptable limits which had been defined a priori. All the twelve FBC parameters showed strong positive correlations between the mea...

  Adverse Effects of Energy Drinks, a Challenge for Medicine: A Case Report. Abstract In Mexico, an estimate of the monthly average consumption of these drinks was 36,240,000 liters [1]. The use of these products is to increase energy levels during physical activity or exam periods to avoid sleep. Despite the increase in its use, there is ignorance in its consumers about its level of safety in its consumption [2]. Energy drinks (ED) appeared on the market as a mixture of carbohydrates, vitamins, and caffeine. Later, alcohol blends were made for cocktails, so their popularity increased. The high consumption of ED is due to the mental stimulating effect by the high levels of caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone [3]. The case of a patient is reported who presents jaundice and an abnormal liver function with symptoms of a disease sui generis, after two weeks of consuming ED. He was not diagnosed since the symptoms still represent a challenge for medicine. When the patient stop pendin...

  Targeting IL-6 To Calm the Cytokine Release Storm: A Review and Perspective Abstract Importance:  Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or cytokine storms can affect many body systems and potentiate life-threatening respiratory distress. Various etiologies can elicit a CRS response such as SARS-CoV-2 infection (Corona Virus Disease 2019; COVID-19), E-cigarette, and Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), and immune-related adverse events in patients receiving effector cell therapies or immune checkpoint inhibitors. CRS does not occur in all patients thus managing the condition is a challenge. We explore the treatment of CRS across various scenarios to establish a novel approach based on various immunologic parameters and possible activation of cytokines. Observations:  Maintaining a robust and functional immune system is essential in cancer patients receiving immunotherapies, i.e., cell-based or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). However, cessation of therapy and muting of th...