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Advocates of homeopathy say that the rat study is evidence of the practice's efficacy, but some scientists have cast doubt on the paper. Advocates of homeopathy say that the rat study is evidence of the practice's efficacy, but some scientists have cast doubt on the paper., Author(s): Giorgia GuglielmiAuthor Affiliations:Peer-reviewed homeopathy study sparks uproar in Italy Homeopathic remedies are so heavily diluted in water or alcohol that none or only a few molecules of the active [...]

The interface between antibody and antigen is often depicted as a lock and key, suggesting that an antibody surface can accommodate only one antigen. Here, we describe an antibody with an antigen binding site that binds two distinct proteins with high affinity. We isolated a variant of Herceptin, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody that binds the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), on the basis of its ability to simultaneously interact with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Crystallographic and mutagenesis studies revealed that distinct amino acids of this antibody, called bill, engage HER2 and VEGF energetically, but there is extensive overlap between the antibody surface areas contacting the two antigens. An affinity-improved version of bill inhibits both HER2- and VEGF-mediated cell proliferation in vitro and tumor progression in mouse models. Such 'two-in-one' antibodies challenge the monoclonal antibody paradigm of one binding site, one antigen. They could also provide new opportunities for antibody-based therapy.

Hybrid treatment models within prisons are staffed by both criminal justice and treatment professionals. Because these models may be indicative of future trends, examining the perceptions of prisoners/participants may provide important information. This study examines the perceptions of male and female inmates in three prisons, comparing those in therapeutic 'hybrid' units (n = 701), with those in non-therapeutic units (n = 329). Inmates in therapeutic units had significantly more positive perceptions of the environment, as well as both staff groups, than inmates within the same prison in non-therapeutic units. Regression analyses suggest specific staff characteristics are associated with these positive feelings and are different for each staff group. KEYWORDS hybrid, practice, prison, substance abuse, treatment

Although LC-MS methods are increasingly used for the absolute quantification of proteins, the lack of appropriate internal standard (IS) hinders the development of rapid and standardized analytical methods for both in vitro and in vivo studies. Here, we have developed a novel method for the absolute quantification of a therapeutic protein, which is monoclonal antibody (mAb). The method combines liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and protein cleavage isotope dilution mass spectrometry with the isotope-labeled mAb as IS. The latter was identical to the analyzed mAb with the exception that each threonine contains four [sup.13]C atoms and one [sup.15]N atom. Serum samples were spiked with IS prior to the overnight trypsin digestion and subsequent sample cleanup. Sample extracts were analyzed on a [C.sub.18] ACE column (150 mm x 4.6 mm) using an LC gradient time of 11 min. Endogenous mAb concentrations were determined by calculating the peak height ratio of its signature peptide to the corresponding isotope-labeled peptide. The linear dynamic range was established between 5.00 and 1000 [micro]g/mL mAb with accuracy and precision within [+ or -] 15% at all concentrations and below [+ or -] 20% at the LLOQ (lower limit of quantification). The overall method recovery in terms of mAb was 14%. The losses due to sample preparation (digestion and purification) were 72% from which about 32% was due to the first step of the method, the sample digestion. This huge loss during sample preparation strongly emphasizes the necessity to employ an IS right from the beginning. Our method was successfully applied to the mAb quantification in marmoset serum study samples, and the precision obtained on duplicate samples was, in most cases, below 20%. The comparison with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed higher exposure in terms of AUC and [C.sub.max] with the LC-MS/MS method. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed in this study. The results of this study indicate that our LC-MS/MS method is a simple, rapid, and precise approach for the therapeutic mAb quantification to support preclinical and clinical studies.

We describe a simple, powerful, and robust NMR-based method that has the potential to greatly impact the characterization of recombinant protein therapeutics. The method ascertains the bioactive conformational identity of recombinant human granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulation factor (rhGM-CSF) produced in Streptomyces lividans versus Escherichia coli by overlaying their 2D [sup.1]H, [sup.15]N HSQC correlation spectra. An identical match of all resonances implies that rhGM-CSF from both processes share indistinguishable conformations that correlate with in vitro activity. The result of this method is unique among existing methods. It can detect and quantify the active ingredient. Moreover it provides a complete assessment of the conformation with high sensitivity to minor structural changes.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent and pervasive pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Emerging data suggest higher than expected rates of binge eating occur in subjects with ADHD. Several hypotheses may explain this newly described comorbidity: 1) inattention and/or impulsivity foster binge eating, 2) ADHD and binge eating share common neurobiological bases, 3) binge eating contributes to ADHD, or 4) psychopathological factors common to both binge eating and ADHD mediate the association. In patients with ADHD and binge eating, both conditions might benefit from common therapeutic strategies. Further research is needed to gain insight into the association between ADHD and binge eating in order to facilitate more appropriate clinical management and, ultimately, a better quality of life for patients with both conditions. Key words: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, binge eating, bulimic behaviors

Hypertrophic scar formation is a major clinical problem in the developing and industrialized worlds. Burn injuries, traumatic injuries, and surgical procedures can give rise to exuberant scarring that results in [...]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes life-threatening lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. We hypothesized that vaccination may prevent P. aeruginosa lung infection. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, 483 European patients, 2-18 years of age without P. aeruginosa colonization were randomly assigned to receive four intramuscular injections of a bivalent P. aeruginosa flagella vaccine or placebo over a 14-month period. Patients were evaluated quarterly for P. aeruginosa-positive throat cultures and antipseudomonal serum antibody titers during the study period of 2 years. The vaccine was well tolerated, and the patients developed high and long-lasting serum antiflagella IgG titers. In the intention-to-treat group (all patients enrolled), 82 of 239 vaccinated patients had P. aeruginosa infection and/or antipseudomonal serum titers compared with 105 of 244 patients in the placebo group (P = 0.05; relative risk: 0.80; 95% Ch 0.64-1.00). Analysis of the 381 patients in the per-protocol group, who received all four vaccinations or placebo treatments, revealed 37 of 189 patients with infection episodes in the vaccine group compared with 59 of 192 patients with such episodes in the placebo group (P = 0.02; relative risk: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.46-0.93). P. aeruginosa strains, exhibiting flagella subtypes included in the vaccine, were significantly less frequently isolated from vaccinates than from placebo controls (P = 0.016, relative risk: 0.319; 95% CI: 0.12-0.86). Chronic P. aeruginosa infection was rare because of recent institution of early antibiotic eradication regimes. Active immunization of patients with cystic fibrosis lowers the risk for infection with P. aeruginosa and therefore may contribute to a longer survival of these patients.

Activating EGFR mutations occur in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with 5% of human lung squamous cell carcinomas having EGFRvIII mutations and approximately 10%-30% of lung adenocarcinomas having EGFR [...]

Many substance users report that they experience multiple barriers that produce significant challenges to linking with treatment services. Being on a waiting list is frequently mentioned as a barrier, leading some people to give up on treatment and to continue using, while prompting others to view sobriety during the waiting period as proof they do not need treatment. This ethnographic study examines the views that 52 substance users have of the waiting time before treatment and the strategies they created to overcome it. Understanding how substance users react to waiting time itself and in relation to other barriers can lead to services that are effective in encouraging treatment linkage.

The need for effective culturally responsive treatments has become more urgent as the number of ethnic minority clients continues to increase. Previous research with a clinically referred sample of substance-abusing African American inner-city teenagers found that treatment engagement increased when cultural content was incorporated in the therapeutic process (Jackson-Gilfort, Liddle, Tejeda, & Dakof, 2001). This article amplifies these findings by offering clinical guidelines for how to develop and implement culturally specific interventions that contribute to the therapeutic engagement of African American adolescent males. Clinical outcomes may be improved by integrating culturally responsive intervention methods within a multisystemic approach to the adolescent's treatment.

The New Zealand Mental Health Review Tribunal states that therapeutic intentions guide its decision-making process. The review body reports that it endeavours to make positive comments and promote therapeutic relationships [...]

In recent years, the realization of a haptic system has been strongly desired in the fields of medical treatment and expert's skill acquisition. The key point of haptics is to realize a vivid presentation of reactive force, particularly in applications that involve touching action. In this paper, a realization of the 'law of action and reaction' by multilateral control is introduced. First, an analysis and a design of bilateral control based on the disturbance observer are discussed. A disturbance observer is a basic technology for quarrying of disturbance torque and attainment of robust acceleration control. This paper shows that a four-channel controller which is composed of position control and force control in the acceleration dimension is decomposed into two modes: common and differential modes. A design of bilateral control is treated as position and force control in a single joint. The proposed method generates a good realization of reactive force for the slave side at the master side in bilateral force control. Second, bilateral control is extended and multilateral control is generalized. Multilateral control is designed similarly as bilateral control based on the modal decomposition. Robots with a haptic ability will have an important role in human adaptive mechatronics. Index Terms--Bilateral control, disturbance observer, force control, haptics, human adaptive mechatronics, multilateral control.

Essential oil is obtained from manuka, Leptospermum scoparium and kanuka, Kunzea ericoides, which are indigenous plants to New Zealand. The oil from these plants has been commercially available to aromatherapists for more than a decade. In this time, attention has been given to the antiseptic and anti-microbial actions of the oils. Of most interest to researchers and aromatherapists is the presence of [beta]-triketones, present in the manuka oil These triketones are believed to significantly contribute to the antimicrobial action. More recently, it has emerged that there are significant geographical variations affecting the composition of these oils. Whilst a full understanding of the therapeutic implications is some way off, it is important for aromatherapists to appreciate that these differences exist and the oils selected may match the intended therapeutic purpose. KEYWORDS Manuka; Kanuka; Aromatherapy; Therapeutic potential

Interaction is at the heart of most therapeutic practices, yet sociological work on the therapeutic has either tended to ignore this dimension or focused on it at the expense of understanding the wider social context within which such practices unfold. Not surprisingly, Foucauldian work on the therapeutic has, for different reasons, also tended not to concern itself with interaction. Yet there are those who argue not only that Foucault might be used in alliance with perspectives concerned with language as constitutive of social reality (Miller, 1997), but that such an alliance might be useful in analysing therapeutic practices (Silverman, 1997), In this article, I think through the theoretical and methodological possibilities and limitations of such an exercise by drawing on qualitative data from a specific set of therapeutic interactions. Bringing together an interest in therapeutic interaction and therapeutic government with a sociological interest in who is participating in which therapies could, it is argued, address the social context of the therapeutic while at the same time exploring the interaction through which therapy is constituted. KEY WORDS analytic bridging / Foucault / interaction and qualitative data / therapeutic practices

Objectives: To develop simplified constitutional indications for homeopathic medicines so that parents of children with recurrent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) could choose homeopathic medicines for their children more 'accurately', and to subsequently evaluate if these choices match the prescriptions of trained homeopaths. Design and setting: To initially select the most commonly used homeopathic medicines for URTI, data from a survey of 1097 patients visiting 80 different Norwegian homeopaths were used. A simplified constitutional indication was then developed for the three homeopathic medicines most frequently prescribed for recurrent URTI and otitis media. The constitutional indications were developed by a group of five homeopaths and were then sent to 20 homeopaths for further evaluation. To evaluate the parents' choice of homeopathic medicines compared to the prescription by trained homeopaths, a group of 11 randomly selected homeopaths were asked to participate. They recruited parents of 70 child patients. Result: By using simplified constitutional indications for the three most commonly prescribed remedies, Calcarea carb, Pulsatilla and Sulphur, parents were able to choose the same homeopathic medicine as homeopaths' prescribed for 55% (95% CI 43-67) of children with URTI. There was excellent agreement between parents' choice and homeopaths' prescription for the three medicines (Kappa of 0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Simplified constitutional indications can be used to improve the quality of the choice of homeopathic medicines purchased over the counter (OTC) for self-treatment. KEYWORDS Homeopathy; Serf-prescription; Self-treatment; Norway; Child; Upper respiratory tract

We provide a theoretical template for the comparison of response-adaptive randomization procedures for clinical trials. Using a Taylor expansion of the noncentrality parameter of the usual chi-squared test for binary responses, we show explicitly the relationship among the target allocation proportion, the bias of the randomization procedure from that target, and the variability induced by the randomization procedure. We also generalize this relationship for more than two treatments under various multivariate alternatives. This formulation allows us to directly evaluate and compare different response-adaptive randomization procedures and different target allocations in terms of power and expected treatment failure rate without relying on simulation. For K = 2 treatments, we compare four response-adaptive randomization procedures and three target allocations based on multiple objective optimality criteria. We conclude that the drop-the-loser rule and the doubly adaptive biased coin design are clearly superior to sequential maximum likelihood estimation or the randomized play-the-winner rule in terms of decreased variability, but the latter is preferable because it can target any desired allocation. We discuss how the template developed in this article is useful in the design and evaluation of clinical trials using response-adaptive randomization. KEY WORDS: Adaptive design; Clinical trial; Doubly adaptive biased coin design; Multiple objective criterion; Multivariate alternative; Neyman allocation; Urn model., 1. INTRODUCTION Clinical trials are complex experiments on humans with multiple, often competing, objectives. Among these objectives are maximizing power to detect clinically relevant differences in treatment outcomes, maximizing the [...]

Byline: Anne Wenche Emblem (1) Keywords: health; medical treatment; insurance; redistribution; self-selection Abstract: This paper studies redistribution by means of a public supply of medical treatment. We show that the government can redistribute income towards low-ability individuals in a world of asymmetric information by offering bundles of medical treatment and redistributive payment. If self-selection is a problem, then the separating scheme offers high-ability individuals complete treatment against a high payment, and low-ability individuals partial treatment against a low payment. In particular, the level of treatment offered low-ability individuals is distorted downwards. Author Affiliation: (1) Faculty of Economics and Social Science, Agder University College, Servicebox 422, N-4604, Kristiansand, Norway Article History: Registration Date: 30/09/2004

It can be said with the help four views that the therapeutic policy may not always be applicable to modern society, which are the loss of virtues like self esteem; loss of sanctions like shame, stigma, conscience and ridicule; the loss of manners, morals and good language and the rise of sentimentality in music, literature and food.