Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have proven efficacy in the treatment of panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. Accumulating data shows that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment can also be efficacious in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. This review summarizes the findings of randomized controlled trials of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, examines the strengths and weaknesses of other therapeutic approaches and considers potential new treatments for patients with this chronic and disabling anxiety disorder

Model Systems to Study the Chronic, Polymicrobial Infections in Cystic Fibrosis: Current Approaches and Exploring Future Directions

A recent workshop titled “Developing Models to Study Polymicrobial Infections,” sponsored by the Dartmouth Cystic Fibrosis Center (DartCF), explored the development of new models to study the polymicrobial infections associated with the airways of persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). The workshop gathered 351 investigators over two virtual sessions. Here, we present the findings of this workshop, summarize some of the challenges involved with developing such models, and suggest three frameworks to tackle this complex problem. The frameworks proposed here, we believe, could be generally useful in developing new model systems for other infectious diseases. Developing and validating new approaches to study the complex polymicrobial communities in the CF airway could open windows to new therapeutics to treat these recalcitrant infections, as well as uncovering organizing principles applicable to chronic polymicrobial infections more generally

Minimising losses to predation during microalgae cultivation

We explore approaches to minimise impacts of zooplanktonic pests upon commercial microalgal crops using system dynamics models to describe algal growth controlled by light and nutrient availability and zooplankton growth controlled by crop abundance and nutritional quality. Losses of microalgal crops are minimised when their growth is fastest and, in contrast, also when growing slowly under conditions of nutrient exhaustion. In many culture systems, however, dwindling light availability due to self-shading in dense suspensions favours slow growth under nutrient sufficiency. Such a situation improves microalgal quality as prey, enhancing zooplankton growth, and leads to rapid crop collapse. Timing of pest entry is important; crop losses are least likely in established, nutrient-exhausted microalgal communities grown for high C-content (e.g. for biofuels). A potentially useful approach is to promote a low level of P-stress that does not adversely affect microalgal growth but which produces a crop that is suboptimal for zooplankton growth

Bioreactor for microalgal cultivation systems: strategy and development

Microalgae are important natural resources that can provide food, medicine, energy and various bioproducts for nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and aquaculture industries. Their production rates are superior compared to those of terrestrial crops. However, microalgae biomass production on a large scale is still a challenging problem in terms of economic and ecological viability. Microalgal cultivation system should be designed to maximize production with the least cost. Energy efficient approaches of using light, dynamic mixing to maximize use of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nutrients and selection of highly productive species are the main considerations in designing an efficient photobioreactor. In general, optimized culture conditions and biological responses are the two overarching attributes to be considered for photobioreactor design strategies. Thus, fundamental aspects of microalgae growth, such as availability of suitable light, CO2 and nutrients to each growing cell, suitable environmental parameters (including temperature and pH) and efficient removal of oxygen which otherwise would negatively impact the algal growth, should be integrated into the photobioreactor design and function. Innovations should be strategized to fully exploit the wastewaters, flue-gas, waves or solar energy to drive large outdoor microalgae cultivation systems. Cultured species should be carefully selected to match the most suitable growth parameters in different reactor systems. Factors that would decrease production such as photoinhibition, self-shading and phosphate flocculation should be nullified using appropriate technical approaches such as flashing light innovation, selective light spectrum, light-CO2 synergy and mixing dynamics. Use of predictive mathematical modelling and adoption of new technologies in novel photobioreactor design will not only increase the photosynthetic and growth rates but will also enhance the quality of microalgae composition. Optimizing the use of natural resources and industrial wastes that would otherwise harm the environment should be given emphasis in strategizing the photobioreactor mass production. To date, more research and innovation are needed since scalability and economics of microalgae cultivation using photobioreactors remain the challenges to be overcome for large-scale microalgae production