Degarelix vs. leuprorelin for the treatment of prostate cancer in China: A cost-utility analysis

ObjectiveTo explore the cost-effectiveness of degarelix acetate for injection (degarelix) compared to leuprorelin in prostate cancer (Pca) castration treatment from Chinese healthcare system perspective.MethodsA Markov model, adapted from the one established in Finland was conducted for the cost-effectiveness analysis of degarelix and leuprorelin for Pca treatment. The main data were derived from global phase III clinical trials of degarelix (CS21), published study and expert surveys. Outcomes, utility and costs of prostate cancer patients were calculated on a 30-year time horizon. The CS21 study based population of intention-to-treat (ITT) population and three scenarios were modeled. Taking three times of the Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (242,928 yuan, 2021) as the acceptable threshold for cost-effectiveness. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed on key parameters, including transition probabilities, costs, utility, and discount rate to test the robustness of the model.ResultsBase case analysis for ITT population revealed that total costs of degarelix and leuprorelin were 566,226 yuan and 489,693 yuan, while the total quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were 5.19 and 4.51 during the 30-year time horizon, resulting an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 112,674 yuan/QALY which was 1.39 times the GDP per capita, lower than willingness-to-pay level of three times the GDP per capita. The results for scenario analyses revealed that compared to leuprorelin, degarelix for Pca treatment in China was cost-effective. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the model was most sensitive to price of 80 mg degarelix, utility of 1st-line therapy, hazard ratio of PSA recurrence, price of 3.75 mg leuprorelin, response rate of docetaxel per cycle, and discount rate of cost. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, compared to leuprorelin, the probability of degarelix to be cost-effective was 53 and 81% for willingness-to-pay threshold of one and three times the GDP per capita.ConclusionCompared to leuprorelin, degarelix for prostate cancer treatment is cost-effective. Moreover, scenario, one-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses revealed that the model was robust

Preparation and characterization of \u3ba-carrageenase immobilized onto magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Background: Carboxyl-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical co-precipitation method and modified with oleic acid which was oxidized by potassium permanganate, and \u3ba-carrageenase from Pseudoalteromonas sp. ASY5 was subsequently immobilized onto them. The immobilization conditions were further optimized, and the characterizations of the immobilized \u3ba-carrageenase were investigated. Results: The \u3ba-carrageenase was immobilized onto magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, and the bonding was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optimal conditions for \u3ba-carrageenase immobilization were 2.5% (w/v) glutaraldehyde, 13.9 U \u3ba-carrageenase for 20 mg of magnetic nanoparticles, a 2-h cross-linking time, and a 2-h immobilization time at 25\ub0C. Under these conditions, the activity of the immobilized enzyme and the enzyme recovery rate were 326.0 U \ub7 g-1 carriers and 46.9%, respectively. The properties of the immobilized \u3ba-carrageenase were compared with those of the free enzyme. The optimum temperatures of the free and immobilized \u3ba-carrageenase were 60 and 55\ub0C, respectively, and the optimum pH of \u3ba-carrageenase did not change before and after immobilization (pH 7.5). After immobilization, \u3ba-carrageenase exhibited lower thermal stability and improved pH stability, as well as better storage stability. The immobilized \u3ba-carrageenase maintained 43.5% of the original activity after being used 4 times. The kinetic constant value (Km) of \u3ba-carrageenase indicates that the immobilized enzyme had a lower binding affinity for the substrate. Conclusions: Under optimal conditions, the activity of the immobilized enzyme and enzyme recovery rate were 326.0 U \ub7 g-1\ub7\u3ba-carrageenase-CMNPs and 46.9%, respectively. The thermal, pH, and storage stabilities of \u3ba-carrageenase-CMNPs were relatively higher than those of free \u3ba-carrageenase

Preparation and Characterization of Glycosylated Rice Bran Protein-Chitosan Composite Film

In order to improve the mechanical properties, water resistance and barrier properties of rice bran protein (RBP) film, glycosylated RBP (RBP-G) film and RBP-G-chitosan composite (RBP-G-CS) film were prepared. The effects of the mass ratio of glucose to RBP and the mass ratio of RBP-G to chitosan on the mechanical properties of the films were investigated. The color, transparency, water resistance, water vapor permeability and thermal characteristics of RBP, RBP-G and RBP-G-CS films prepared under the optimal conditions were compared and analyzed. The structure of the films was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the mechanical properties of RBP-G film with a glucose to RBP ratio of 1:1 were obviously improved, and the tensile strength increased by 28.00% and the elongation at break by 33.13% compared with RBP film. RBP-G-CS film with a RBP-G to chitosan ratio of 1:1 had better mechanical properties, and its tensile strength and elongation at break increased by 197.33% and 84.42% compared with RBP film, respectively. The transparency, water resistance, barrier properties and thermal properties of RBP-G-CS film were significantly improved (P < 0.05). The structure of RBP-G-CS film was uniform and compact, owing to the strong hydrogen bonding forces. These results show that glycosylation modification can improve the performance of RBP film, and a good combination of modified RBP and chitosan can greatly improve the mechanical properties and water resistance of the film

The Effect of Organic-cr Dietary Supplementation on Stress Response in Transport-stressed Beef Cattle

Transportation over long distances resulted in stress at animal. Under these circumstances, animalusually manifest depression and the impact on physiological condition changes and loss of body weight.The objectives of the research were to examine effect supplementation of organic-Cr type into diets intransport-stress beef cattle on physiological condition, haematochemical (included were haematologicalcondition and blood chemical) and body weight changes. The experiment was conducted using 16 beefcattle those were transported by truck for a distance of 400 km from Malangbong to Tangerang. Theexperiment was arranged by Completely Randomized Design with four treatments and four replications.The dietary treatments consisted of R0 (basal diet without Cr supplemented), R1 (R0+3ppm organic-Crresulted of alkali hydrolysis), R2 (R0+3 ppm organic-Cr resulted from bioprocess), R3 (R0+3 ppmorganic-Cr resulted from bioremediation). The result indicated that type of organic-Cr supplementationat 3 ppm in diet did not influence physiological condition, haematochemical and body weight at beefcattle transported for seven hours. There was indication that beef cattle fed on control diet (without Cr)showed a stress symptom, their loss of body weight were higher (5.41%) compared to beef given dietcontains organic-Cr (3.72%, 5.04% and 4.83%, respectively for R1, R2 and R3)

A novel IgE epitope-specific antibodies-based sandwich ELISA for sensitive measurement of immunoreactivity changes of peanut allergen Ara h 2 in processed foods

BackgroundPeanut is an important source of dietary protein for human beings, but it is also recognized as one of the eight major food allergens. Binding of IgE antibodies to specific epitopes in peanut allergens plays important roles in initiating peanut-allergic reactions, and Ara h 2 is widely considered as the most potent peanut allergen and the best predictor of peanut allergy. Therefore, Ara h 2 IgE epitopes can serve as useful biomarkers for prediction of IgE-binding variations of Ara h 2 and peanut in foods. This study aimed to develop and validate an IgE epitope-specific antibodies (IgE-EsAbs)-based sandwich ELISA (sELISA) for detection of Ara h 2 and measurement of Ara h 2 IgE-immunoreactivity changes in foods.MethodsDEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow anion-exchange chromatography combining with SDS-PAGE gel extraction were applied to purify Ara h 2 from raw peanut. Hybridoma and epitope vaccine techniques were employed to generate a monoclonal antibody against a major IgE epitope of Ara h 2 and a polyclonal antibody against 12 IgE epitopes of Ara h 2, respectively. ELISA was carried out to evaluate the target binding and specificity of the generated IgE-EsAbs. Subsequently, IgE-EsAbs-based sELISA was developed to detect Ara h 2 and its allergenic residues in food samples. The IgE-binding capacity of Ara h 2 and peanut in foods was determined by competitive ELISA. The dose-effect relationship between the Ara h 2 IgE epitope content and Ara h 2 (or peanut) IgE-binding ability was further established to validate the reliability of the developed sELISA in measuring IgE-binding variations of Ara h 2 and peanut in foods.ResultsThe obtained Ara h 2 had a purity of 94.44%. Antibody characterization revealed that the IgE-EsAbs recognized the target IgE epitope(s) of Ara h 2 and exhibited high specificity. Accordingly, an IgE-EsAbs-based sELISA using these antibodies was able to detect Ara h 2 and its allergenic residues in food samples, with high sensitivity (a limit of detection of 0.98 ng/mL), accuracy (a mean bias of 0.88%), precision (relative standard deviation &lt; 16.50%), specificity, and recovery (an average recovery of 98.28%). Moreover, the developed sELISA could predict IgE-binding variations of Ara h 2 and peanut in foods, as verified by using sera IgE derived from peanut-allergic individuals.ConclusionThis novel immunoassay could be a user-friendly method to monitor low level of Ara h 2 and to preliminary predict in vitro potential allergenicity of Ara h 2 and peanut in processed foods

Analysis of labour market needs for engineers with enhanced knowledge in sustainable renewable energy solutions in the built environment in some Asian countries

Despite the rapid growth in the uptake of renewable energy technologies, the educational profile and the skills gained at University level do not always comply with the practical needs of the organisations working in the field. Furthermore, even though the residential sector has very high potential in curbing its CO2 emissions worldwide thus meeting the challenging goals set out by the international agreements, such reduction has been limited so far. Within this context, the 'Skybelt' project, co-funded by the EU under the framework of the Erasmus + programme aims at enhancing in several Universities of Asia and Europe the engineering skills of students of all level for application of sustainable renewable energy solutions in the built environment. With the target of increasing the employability of graduates and the impact of the project, a survey on the labour market needs for specialists with enhanced knowledge and skills in the topic of the project has been conducted in the related Asian countries. Hence, relevant industries, labour market organisations and other stakeholders have been interviewed and the main results of this analysis is reported in the present paper. As first outcome of this activity, the obtained results have been considered in the selection of the modules to be improved according to a student centred study approach

Synthesis of a Dual Functional Anti-MDR Tumor Agent PH II-7 with Elucidations of Anti-Tumor Effects and Mechanisms

Multidrug resistance mediated by P-glycoprotein in cancer cells has been a major issue that cripples the efficacy of chemotherapy agents. Aimed for improved efficacy against resistant cancer cells, we designed and synthesized 25 oxindole derivatives based on indirubin by structure-activity relationship analysis. The most potent one was named PH II-7, which was effective against 18 cancer cell lines and 5 resistant cell lines in MTT assay. It also significantly inhibited the resistant xenograft tumor growth in mouse model. In cell cycle assay and apoptosis assay conducted with flow cytometry, PH II-7 induced S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis even in resistant cells. Consistently revealed by real-time PCR, it modulates the expression of genes related to the cell cycle and apoptosis in these cells, which may contributes to its efficacy against them. By side-chain modification and FITC-labeling of PH II-7, we were able to show with confocal microscopy that not only it was not pumped by P-glycoprotein, it also attenuated the efflux of Adriamycin by P-glycoprotein in MDR tumor cells. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis showed that PH II-7 down-regulated MDR1 gene via protein kinase C alpha (PKCA) pathway, with c-FOS and c-JUN as possible mediators. Taken together, PH II-7 is a dual-functional compound that features both the cytotoxicity against cancer cells and the inhibitory effect on P-gp mediated drug efflux