Future Options Research Articles

Aggressive course of atherosclerosis in hyperlipoproteinemia (a): a case series

Currently, worldwide interest in lipoprotein(a) (LP(a) as one of the most important markers of premature and aggressive atherosclerosis is steadily growing. This trend is due to both the new data on the pathogenesis of hyperlipoproteinemia (a) and the development of novel treatment methods in the near future. The variety of clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis associated with high LP(a) concentrations leads such patients to specialists of various profiles. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate, using examples from the practice of two lipid centers in Krasnodar, the diversity of clinical scenarios of atherosclerosis as a systemic disease in patients with very high LP(a) levels, as well as to highlight the current and future options for the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia (a).

Mondeca for thesaurus, autotagging and ontology management in a public health statistics platform

HealthStats NSW ( www.healthstats.nsw.gov.au ) is a public platform of complex health statistics that displays information on the health of the New South Wales population taken from many data sources. The HealthStats NSW major enhancement project uses Mondeca software to create a thesaurus and ontology which improve search results and are used for automatic webpage creation to assist ‘storytelling’ and navigation. Improving the efficiency of managing content and automating Web content production frees up time and effort of specialised health statisticians and epidemiologists to develop new content and add value to existing content. This paper explores the creation of the thesaurus and its use for autotagging, creation of the ontology component and its use for webpage creation, tweaking of the automated system, and future options for the project.

Comprehensive Analysis of N6-Methyladenosine RNA Methylation Regulators in the Diagnosis and Subtype Classification of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

m6A modification is the most abundant mRNA modifications and plays an integral role in various biological processes in eukaryotes. However, the role of m6A regulators in rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown. To determine the expression of m6A RNA methylation regulators in rheumatoid arthritis and their possible functional and prognostic value. In this study, we performed differential analysis in the comprehensive gene expression database GSE93272 dataset between non-rheumatoid arthritis patients and rheumatoid arthritis patients to obtain 15 important m6A regulators. A random forest model and lasso regression were used to screen the five most important m6A regulators to predict the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. After further validation using in vitro qPCR experiments, a nomogram model was developed based on the four most important m6A regulators (ELAVL1, WTAP, YTHDF1, and ALKBH5). Immuno-infiltration analysis and consensus clustering analysis were then performed. An analysis of the decision curve showed that the nomogram model could be beneficial to patients. According to selected important m6A regulators, patients with rheumatoid arthritis were classified into two m6A models (ClusterA and ClusterB) via consensus approach. Activated B cells, CD56dim natural killer cells, immature B cells, monocytes, natural killer T cells, and T lymphocytes were associated with ClusterA in immune infiltration analysis. Importantly, immune infiltration in patients with high ELAVL1 expression was strikingly similar to ClusterA. m6A regulators play a non-negligible role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. A study of m6A patterns may provide future therapeutic options for rheumatoid arthritis.

Hydrogen for harvesting the potential of offshore wind: A North Sea case study

Economical offshore wind developments depend on alternatives for cost-efficient transmission of the generated energy to connecting markets. Distance to shore, availability of an offshore power grid and scale of the wind farm may impede export through power cables. Conversion to H2 through offshore electrolysis may for certain offshore wind assets be a future option to enable energy export. Here, we analyse the cost sensitivity of offshore electrolysis for harvesting offshore wind in the North Sea using a technology-detailed multi-carrier energy system modelling framework for analysis of energy export. We include multiple investment options for electric power and hydrogen export including HVDC cables, new hydrogen pipelines, tie-in to existing pipelines and pipelines with linepacking. Existing hydropower is included in the modelling, and the effect on offshore electrolysis from increased pumping capacity in the hydropower system is analysed. Considering the lack of empirical cost data on offshore electrolysis, as well as the high uncertainty in future electricity and H2 prices, we analyse the cost sensitivity of offshore electrolysis in the North Sea by comparing costs relative to onshore electrolysis and energy prices relative to a nominal scenario. Offshore electrolysis is shown to be particularly sensitive to the electricity price, and an electricity price of 1.5 times the baseline assumption was needed to provide sufficient offshore energy for any significant offshore electrolysis investments. On the other hand, too high electricity prices would have a negative impact on offshore electrolysis because the energy is more valuable as electricity, even at the cost of increased wind power curtailment. This shows that there is a window-of-opportunity in terms of onshore electricity where offshore electrolysis can play a significant role in the production of H2. Pumped hydropower increases the maximum installed offshore electrolysis at the optimal electricity and H2 prices and makes offshore electrolysis more competitive at low electricity prices. Linepacking can make offshore electrolysis investments more robust against low H2 and high electricity prices as it allow for more variable H2 production through storing excess energy from offshore. The increased electrolysis capacity needed for variable electrolyser operation and linepacking is installed onshore due to its lower CAPEX compared to offshore installations.

Characterization of T-Helper Immune Phenotype in Symmetrical Drug-Related Intertriginous and Flexural Exanthema (SDRIFE) Endorses a Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Reaction.

Symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is a cutaneous drug eruption with a characteristic distribution of erythema on the gluteal/inguinal region and intertriginous areas with unclear pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to characterize the T-helper immune phenotype in SDRIFE in comparison with psoriasis and eczema to further the understanding of the pathophysiology and immune response of this rare disorder. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 9 skin biopsies each from SDRIFE, psoriasis, and eczema using immunohistochemistry for CD3 and dual CD4/T-bet, CD4/GATA3, and CD4/RORC to quantify the percentage of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, respectively. A significant difference was detected in the average percentage of Th1 between all 3 groups with the highest percentage of Th1 cells seen in psoriasis, followed by SDRIFE and eczema. SDRIFE showed significantly lower Th2 expression as compared to both psoriasis and eczema. There was a trend towards a higher average percentage of Th17 in psoriasis and SDRIFE, and the ratio of Th17:Th2 was significantly higher in samples of SDRIFE compared with both eczema and psoriasis. The findings characterize SDRIFE as a Th1 and possibly Th17-driven process, which could inform future therapeutic options and substantiate the model of SDRIFE as a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.

Advanced Packaging Technology for High Density Silicon Photonics Transceiver Engines

Next generation high-density/high-data rate silicon photonics solutions will require advanced packaging technologies. Those include 3D integration, smaller micro-bumps or even bump-less chip-to-chip/wafer bonding technologies, advanced heatsinking and compatibility with optical packaging technologies. We will discuss results on wafer level optical assembly, 3D silicon photonics and future options to support the optical interconnect roadmap.

The clinical development of antibody-drug conjugates for non-small cell lung cancer therapy.

Despite the emergence of molecular targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors as standard first-line treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), their efficacy in some patients is limited by intrinsic and acquired resistance. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a revolutionary class of antitumor drugs, have displayed promising clinical outcomes in cancer treatment. In 2022, trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) was approved for treating HER2-mutated NSCLC, thereby underscoring the clinical value of ADCs in NSCLC treatment strategies. An increasing number of ADCs, focusing on NSCLC, are undergoing clinical trials, potentially positioning them as future treatment options. In this review, we encapsulate recent advancements in the clinical research of novel ADCs for treating NSCLC. Subsequently, we discuss the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and associated limitations of these ADCs.

Sustainable Management of Aquaculture and Water Footprint Analysis in Sunderban

India is the world’s second-largest producer of fish, where the state of West Bengal is leading in fish production. The Sundarbans, located in the southern part of India’s West Bengal state, is a UNESCO-designated world heritage site. The Indian Sundarbans is a tide-dominated region in the southern part of deltaic West Bengal, and is home to 4.43 million people. Even though it is traversed by numerous creeks and rivulets and receives a significant amount of precipitation during the monsoon season, freshwater is a scarce resource in the Sundarbans. During the dry season, there is a lack of fresh water above and below the ground, increasing siltation results in shallower channels, high salinity of the water and soil, and congestion in drainage making it difficult for people to make a living. During the dry season, most blocks experience water scarcity as a result of the ever-increasing population’s demand for water. According to this study, Sundarbans’ current annual domestic and drinking water demands are 105.1 mcm and 8.08 mcm, respectively. By combining the area under various crops and their lifecycle water requirements, the water demand for agriculture has been calculated to be 2782.83 mcm. The rainfall-runoff modelling aims to get a general idea of how much fresh water is available each year through surface runoff. It has also been estimated how much water is available from different sources in each block. It is estimated that deep and shallow bore wells contribute approximately 400 mcm, whereas surface water sources like tanks and canals contribute approximately 50 mcm. The communities that live in the Sundarbans eco-region benefit greatly from aquaculture’s contribution to their socio-economic development. For the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Sundarbans Delta, strong technical, financial and extension services from government organisations and research institutions are urgently required to meet these obstacles. Additionally, this study emphasises that roof-top rainwater harvesting in this region has the potential to supply 45 mcm more water, which could be used to partially satisfy the region’s domestic water demand. Future major policy options for meeting the Sundarbans ecoregion’s water demand include large-scale rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation and reconnection of disconnected river channels, artificial recharge of shallow aquifers to lower their salinity, and de-salination of shallow groundwater.

Current State-of-the-Art Therapy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma and Future Options Centered on Immunotherapy.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a locally aggressive disease related to asbestos exposure with a median survival for untreated patients of 4-8 months. The combination of chemotherapy based on platinum and antifolate is the standard treatment, and the addition of bevacizumab adds two months to median survival. Recently, in first-line treatment, immunotherapy combining nivolumab with ipilimumab has been shown to be superior to chemotherapy in the CheckMate-743 study in terms of overall survival (18.1 months), leading to its approval by the FDA and EMA. The positive results of this study represent a new standard of treatment for patients with MPM; however, not all patients will benefit from immunotherapy treatment. In an effort to improve the selection of patient candidates for immunotherapy for different tumors, biomarkers that have been associated with a greater possibility of response to treatment have been described. MPM is a type of tumor with low mutational load and neo-antigens, making it a relatively non-immunogenic tumor for T cells and possibly less susceptible to responding to immunotherapy. Different retrospective studies have shown that PD-L1 expression occurs in 20-40% of patients and is associated with a poor prognosis; however, the predictive value of PD-L1 in response to immunotherapy has not been confirmed. The purpose of this work is to review the state of the art of MPM treatment in the year 2023, focusing on the efficacy results of first-line or subsequent immunotherapy studies on patients with MPM and possible chemo-immunotherapy combination strategies. Additionally, potential biomarkers of response to immunotherapy will be reviewed, such as histology, PD-L1, lymphocyte populations, and TMB.

Reducing the prosthesis modulus by inclusion of an open space lattice improves osteogenic response in a sheep model of extraarticular defect.

Introduction: Stress shielding is a common complication following endoprosthetic reconstruction surgery. The resulting periprosthetic osteopenia often manifests as catastrophic fractures and can significantly limit future treatment options. It has been long known that bone plates with lower elastic moduli are key to reducing the risk of stress shielding in orthopedics. Inclusion of open space lattices in metal endoprostheses is believed to reduce the prosthesis modulus potentially improving stress shielding. However, no in vivo data is currently available to support this assumption in long bone reconstruction. This manuscript aims to address this hypothesis using a sheep model of extraarticular bone defect. Methods: Initially, CT was used to create a virtual resection plan of the distal femoral metaphyses and to custom design endoprostheses specific to each femur. The endoprostheses comprised additively manufactured Ti6Al4V-ELI modules that either had a solid core with a modulus of ∼120GPa (solid implant group) or an open space lattice core with unit cells that had a modulus of 3-6GPa (lattice implant group). Osteotomies were performed using computer-assisted navigation followed by implantations. The periprosthetic, interfacial and interstitial regions of interest were evaluated by a combination of micro-CT, back-scattered scanning electron microscopy (BSEM), as well as epifluorescence and brightfield microscopy. Results: In the periprosthetic region, mean pixel intensity (a proxy for tissue mineral density in BSEM) in the caudal cortex was found to be higher in the lattice implant group. This was complemented by BSEM derived porosity being lower in the lattice implant group in both caudal and cranial cortices. In the interfacial and interstitial regions, most pronounced differences were observed in the axial interfacial perimeter where the solid implant group had greater bone coverage. In contrast, the lattice group had a greater coverage in the cranial interfacial region. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that reducing the prosthesis modulus by inclusion of an open-space lattice in its design has a positive effect on bone material and morphological parameters particularly within the periprosthetic regions. Improved mechanics appears to also have a measurable effect on the interfacial osteogenic response and osteointegration.

Salmonella enterica and outer membrane vesicles are current and future options for cancer treatment.

Conventional cancer therapies have many limitations. In the last decade, it has been suggested that bacteria-mediated immunotherapy may circumvent the restrictions of traditional treatments. For example, Salmonella enterica is the most promising bacteria for treating cancer due to its intrinsic abilities, such as killing tumor cells, targeting, penetrating, and proliferating into the tumor. S. enterica has been genetically modified to ensure safety and increase its intrinsic antitumor efficacy. This bacterium has been used as a vector for delivering anticancer agents and as a combination therapy with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or photothermic. Recent studies have reported the antitumor efficacy of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from S. enterica. OMVs are considered safer than attenuated bacteria and can stimulate the immune system as they comprise most of the immunogens found on the surface of their parent bacteria. Furthermore, OMVs can also be used as nanocarriers for antitumor agents. This review describes the advances in S. enterica as immunotherapy against cancer and the mechanisms by which Salmonella fights cancer. We also highlight the use of OMVs as immunotherapy and nanocarriers of anticancer agents. OMVs derived from S. enterica are innovative and promising strategies requiring further investigation.

Efficacy of Mobocertinib and Amivantamab in Patients With Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer With EGFR Exon 20 Insertions Previously Treated With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy: An Indirect Treatment Comparison

IntroductionExon 20 insertions (ex20ins) mutations of the EGFR gene account for 1% to 2% of all non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Targeted therapies have been developed to treat this cancer type but have not been studied in head-to-head trials. Our objective was to use a matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) to assess the efficacy of mobocertinib and amivantamab in patients with NSCLC EGFR ex20ins mutations who were previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Materials and MethodsAn unanchored MAIC was conducted to estimate the treatment effects of mobocertinib and amivantamab using individual-level data from the mobocertinib phase I/II single-arm trial (NCT02716116) and published data from the amivantamab single-arm CHRYSALIS trial (NCT02609776). Confirmed overall response rate (cORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and duration of response (DoR) were assessed. ResultsBoth trials were comparable in terms of study population, study design, and outcome definitions and included 114 patients who received mobocertinib and 114 patients who received amivantamab. After MAIC weighting, all reported baseline characteristics were balanced between mobocertinib and amivantamab. The weighted odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] comparing mobocertinib to amivantamab was 0.56 (0.30-1.04) for independent review committee (IRC)-assessed cORR and 0.98 (0.53-1.82) for investigator (INV)-assessed cORR. The weighted hazard ratio (HR) comparing mobocertinib to amivantamab was 0.74 (0.51-1.07) for IRC-assessed PFS, 0.92 (0.57-1.48) for OS, and 0.59 (0.30-1.18) for INV-assessed DoR. ConclusionMAIC analysis showed that mobocertinib and amivantamab had similar efficacy in patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR ex20ins mutations whose disease progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy. These findings may benefit patients by supporting future treatment options.

Future high energy colliders and options for the U.S.

The United States has a rich history in high energy particle accelerators and colliders — both lepton and hadron machines, which have enabled several major discoveries in elementary particle physics. To ensure continued progress in the field, U.S. leadership as a key partner in building next generation collider facilities abroad is essential; also critically important is to prepare to host an energy frontier collider in the U.S. once the construction of the LBNF/DUNE project is completed. In this paper, we briefly discuss the ongoing and potential U.S. engagement in proposed collider projects abroad and present a number of future collider options we have studied for hosting an energy frontier collider in the U.S. We also call for initiating an integrated national R&D program in the U.S. now, focused on future colliders.

Exploring novel approaches to food allergy management.

Nurse practitioners are likely to encounter pediatric and adult patients with symptoms of food allergy who need an accurate diagnosis, emergency treatment plans, and options for management. The pathophysiology of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy, current and emerging diagnostics, treatment, and emergency management is briefly reviewed, and promising new and potential future treatment options are discussed. Currently, Food and Drug Administration-approved oral immunotherapy (OIT) treatment for peanut allergy, but clinical trials are underway to explore multiple-allergen OIT and alternate routes for IT such as sublingual and epicutaneous. Treatments that modulate the immune system are also potential treatments for food allergies (FAs), including biologic agents. Omalizumab, an anti-IgE therapy, dupilumab, an interleukin-4Ra receptor monoclonal antibody, and etokimab, an anti-IL-33, are all being studied for the treatment of food allergy. There is hope that these novel therapies for FAs will be a viable option translated to the practice setting in the near future, so that strict avoidance is not the only treatment plan for FAs. Nurse practitioners can support their patients with FAs and their families by keeping abreast of progress in food allergy research and assisting patients to consider novel treatment options, when appropriate, using shared decision making.

Effectiveness of Calcium Alginate Dressing in Combination with Nasal Endoscopic Bipolar Electrocoagulation and Low-Temperature Plasma Knife Treatment on Bleeding Volume, Nasal Ventilation, Stress Response, and Recurrence Rate in Patients with Refractory Epistaxis

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of nasal endoscopic bipolar electrocoagulation (BE) and low-temperature plasma knife (LPK) treatment on intractable epistaxis (IE) in order to provide a reference and guidance for future treatment options for IE. A total of 109 patients with IE admitted to Dongying People’s Hospital from June 2021 to May 2022 were selected for the study. Of these, 58 were treated with BE (BE group) and 51 were treated with LPK (LPK group). The nasal cavities of patients in the BE and LPK groups were filled with a gelatin sponge and calcium alginate dressing, respectively, after surgery. The clinical efficacy, operation time, hemostasis time, and intraoperative bleeding volume of the two groups were compared. Patients’ unilateral inspiratory resistance (IR), expiratory resistance (ER), bilateral total inspiratory resistance (TIR), and total expiratory resistance (TER) were measured using a nasal resistance tester, and pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Serum epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and cortisol (Cor) levels were also measured in patients before and after surgery, and complications were recorded. The recurrence of IE was measured at a 6-month follow-up after discharge from the hospital. There were no differences in clinical efficacy, hemostasis time, or intraoperative bleeding between groups (P >0.05), and the operative time was longer in both BE groups (P <0.05). In addition, postoperative IR, ER, TIR, and TER were higher in the BE group than in the LPK group, and the VAS score results were also higher at 1 d postoperatively (P <0.05). After surgery, E, NE, and Cor were elevated in both groups; more so in the BE group than in the LPK group (P <0.05). Differences in the incidence of complications and prognostic recurrence rates between groups were not statistically significant (P >0.05).

Corn Rootworm (CRW) Diabrotica SPP.: A Review of its Impact to Maize Production and Current and Future Control Options

Western corn rootworm (WCRW), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Le Conte), and Northern corn rootworm (NCRW), Diabrotica barberi, are economically significant pests of maize production in the US corn belt. Maize plants are primarily damaged via CRW beetle larvae feeding on root tissue, which impairs nutrient uptake, vertical stability, and ultimately agronomic potential. CRW species are remarkably adaptable and able to overcome many of the agricultural practices and controls developed by farmers and the crop protection industry. CRW has also developed resistance to multiple insecticide classes, both chemical and protein in nature. Modern integrated approaches utilizing agricultural best practices, chemical insecticides, and genetically modified maize varieties with pyramided trait proteins are needed to control resistant populations of CRW. Next-generation technologies that target CRW will provide farmers with effective options to combat this challenging pest.

Unraveling the complexities of programming neural adaptive deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease.

Over the past three decades, deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) has been applied in a continuous open loop fashion, unresponsive to changes in a given patient's state or symptoms over the course of a day. Advances in recent neurostimulator technology enable the possibility for closed loop adaptive DBS (aDBS) for PD as a treatment option in the near future in which stimulation adjusts in a demand-based manner. Although aDBS offers great clinical potential for treatment of motor symptoms, it also brings with it the need for better understanding how to implement it in order to maximize its benefits. In this perspective, we outline considerations for programing several key parameters for aDBS based on our experience across several aDBS-capable research neurostimulators. At its core, aDBS hinges on successful identification of relevant biomarkers that can be measured reliably in real-time working in cohesion with a control policy that governs stimulation adaption. However, auxiliary parameters such as the window in which stimulation is allowed to adapt, as well as the rate it changes, can be just as impactful on performance and vary depending on the control policy and patient. A standardize protocol for programming aDBS will be crucial to ensuring its effective application in clinical practice.

Past, present and future revitalization trends in Canadian mid‐size city downtowns

ABSTRACTThe article is a critical review of the literature investigating the impact suburbanization has had since the mid‐20th century on the downtowns of Canadian mid‐size cities and the strategies deployed to revitalize these districts. It demonstrates that large city downtowns are more likely than their mid‐size city counterparts to enjoy conditions favourable to their success, hence the need to devise revitalization efforts tailored to the reality of mid‐size city downtowns. The article identifies revitalization strategies adopted over the last decades, which mostly failed to reverse the decline affecting these downtowns. It then concentrates on the present, and likely enduring, revitalization model, which emphasizes hospitality, recreation, culture, services, and walkability. The article refines the understanding of the differences between mid‐size and large city downtowns by concentrating on their specific dynamics and explores future revitalization options for mid‐size city downtowns. It discusses the present and likely enduring absence of alternatives to the present revitalization model and highlights its equity downsides as it challenges the downtown low‐income resident living environment.

Lippia origanoides essential oil possesses anticonvulsant effect in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in rats: a behavioral, electroencephalographic, and electromyographic study

Epilepsy is a neuronal disorder characterized by abnormal excitability of the brain, leading to seizures. Only around 66% of the epileptic patients respond adequately to treatment with existing conventional anticonvulsants, making it necessary to investigate new antiepileptic drugs. The growing research into natural products and their pharmacological properties has become increasingly promising, particularly in the study of essential oils, which are already widely used in popular culture for treating various diseases. The present study evaluated the anticonvulsant effects of Lippia origanoides essential oil (LOEO) (100 mg/kg i. p.) compared to diazepam (DZP) (5 mg/kg i. p.), and the combined administration of these two substances to control convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) (60 mg/kg i. p.). This evaluation was carried out using 108 male Wistar rats, which were divided into two experiments. Experiment 1–Behavioral assessment: The animals were divided into 4 groups (n = 9): (I) saline solution + PTZ, (II) DZP + PTZ, (III) LOEO + PTZ, (IV) LOEO + DZP + PTZ. The convulsive behavior was induced 30 min after the administration of the tested anticonvulsant drugs, and the observation period lasted 30 min. Experiment 2- Electrocorticographic evaluation: The animals were divided into 8 groups (n = 9): (I) saline solution; (II) LOEO; (III) DZP; (IV) LOEO + DZP; (V) saline + PTZ, (VI) DZP + PTZ (VII) LOEO + PTZ, (VIII) LOEO + DZP + PTZ. PTZ was administered 30 min after LOEO and DZP treatments and electrocorticographic activity was assessed for 15 min. For the control groups, electromyographic recordings were performed in the 10th intercostal space to assess respiratory rate. The results demonstrated that Lippia origanoides essential oil increased the latency time for the appearance of isolated clonic seizures without loss of the postural reflex. The animals had a more intense decrease in respiratory rate when combined with LOEO + DZP. EEG recordings showed a reduction in firing amplitude in the LOEO-treated groups. The combining treatment with diazepam resulted in increased anticonvulsant effects. Therefore, treatment with Lippia origanoides essential oil was effective in controlling seizures, and its combination with diazepam may represent a future option for the treatment of difficult-to-control seizures.

Utilization of Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment- A Review

Cancer is a leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries, and is an increasing medical burden worldwide, due to population growth and ageing. Chemotherapy, fractionated radiation, and surgical resection are the main cancer treatments. However, the effectiveness of many therapeutic choices is constrained by treatment-related adverse effects, off-target effects, and drug resistance. Additionally, conventional medicines typically are unable to eradicate cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body, making recurrence. Apart from their use in the immuno-reconstitution, the stem cells have been reported to contribute in the tissue regeneration and as delivery vehicles in the cancer treatments. Aim of this review is primarily focus on the recent developments in the use of the stem cells in the cancer treatments, then to discuss the cancer stem cells, now considered as backbone in the development of the cancer; and their role in carcinogenesis and their implications in the development of possible new cancer treatment options in future.