Ghrelin for the management of cachexia associated with cancer

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the efficacy and safety of ghrelin on improving food intake, body composition and survival in patients with cachexia associated with cancer. © 2016 The Cochrane Collaboratio

Atomoxetine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents with autism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Atomoxetine is prescribed to children with autism spectrum disorder having symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. We sought to examine the efficacy and safety of atomoxetine in this population. After screening for inclusion criteria, we identified three randomized placebo controlled trials involving 241 children. We assessed internal validity using standard Cochrane Risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We used Revman 5.3 for meta‐analysis and GRADE approach to create summary of findings with grading of the quality of evidence. Atomoxetine had a benefit on improving parent‐rated hyperactivity (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.73, 95% Confidence Interval, CI = −1.15 to −0.34) and parent‐rated inattention (SMD = −0.53, 95% CI = −0.93 to −0.12) but the magnitude of effects is uncertain. However, atomoxetine was also associated with increased risk of non‐serious adverse effects like nausea and vomiting, decreased sleep, and decreased appetite. Atomoxetine may be effective in improving hyperactivity and inattention in children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, we are uncertain about the true effect of this intervention and need more RCTs trials designed to evaluate this. Autism Research 2019, 12: 542–552. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary Atomoxetine is prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). About a third of children and adolescents with autism also suffer from ADHD. We carried out an analysis of data reported from a specific kind of medication trials which had examined the effectiveness and side effects of atomoxetine in this patient population. We could find only three such trials and analyzed the reported data. Our analysis revealed that atomoxetine is effective in improving symptoms of ADHD like hyperactivity and inattention and also causes side effects like nausea, vomiting, decreased sleep, and decreased appetite. However, the existing data are insufficient to provide a conclusive statement with certainty and more trials are needed for this

Generation of Phenothiazine with Potent Anti-TLK1 Activity for Prostate Cancer Therapy

Through in vitro kinase assays and docking studies, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a phenothiazine analog J54 with potent TLK1 inhibitory activity for prostate cancer (PCa) therapy. Most PCa deaths result from progressive failure in standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), leading to metastatic castration-resistant PCa. Treatments that can suppress the conversion to mCRPC have high potential to be rapidly implemented in the clinics. ADT results in increased expression of TLK1B, a key kinase upstream of NEK1 and ATR and mediating the DNA damage response that typically results in temporary cell-cycle arrest of androgen-responsive PCa cells, whereas its abrogation leads to apoptosis. We studied J54 as a potent inhibitor of this axis and as a mediator of apoptosis in vitro and in LNCaP xenografts, which has potential for clinical investigation in combination with ADT. J54 has low affinity for the dopamine receptor in modeling and competition studies and weak detrimental behavioral effects in mice and C. elegans

Role of Natural Cross Linkers in Resin–Dentin Bond Durability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The role of endogenous Matrix Metallo Proteinases in resin dentin bond deterioration over time has been well documented. The present study aimed to systematically review the literature; in vitro and ex vivo studies that assessed the outcomes of natural cross-linkers for immediate and long-term tensile bond strength were included. Methods: The manuscript search was carried out in six electronic databases—PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, Cochrane, Web of Science and DOAJ, without publication year limits. Only manuscripts in English (including the translated articles) were selected, and the last search was performed in December 2020. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed. Results: From the 128 potentially eligible studies, 48 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. After eligibility assessment and exclusions, 14 studies were considered for systematic review and seven studies for meta-analysis. Amongst the selected studies for meta-analysis, three had a medium and four had a low risk of bias. Conclusions: It was evidenced by the available data that Proanthocyanidin is the most efficient natural cross-linker to date, in preserving the bond strength even after ageing

Evaluating biomass energy strategies for a UK eco-town with an MILP optimization model

Recent years have shown a marked interest in the construction of eco-towns, showcase developments intended to demonstrate the best in ecologically-sensitive and energyefficient construction. This paper examines one such development in the UK and considers the role of biomass energy systems. We present an integrated resource modelling framework that identifies an optimized low-cost energy supply system including the choice of conversion technologies, fuel sources, and distribution networks. Our analysis shows that strategies based on imported wood chips, rather than locally converted forestry residues, burned in a mix of ICE and ORC combined heat and power facilities offer the most promise. While there are uncertainties surrounding the precise environmental impacts of these solutions, it is clear that such biomass systems can help eco-towns to meet their target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions