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Satisfaction on Hospital Services in Dhaka Among Heart Disease Patients: A SERVQUAL Modeling Approach
Mohammad Ahsan Uddin,
Safiullah
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
1-9
Received:
26 December 2020
Accepted:
7 January 2021
Published:
18 January 2021
Abstract: Now-a-days, patients’ voice regarding the delivery of health care services is a burning question in the developing countries. It is thought that patients’ perceptions towards health services are mostly ignored in these countries by the health service providers. This study, therefore, seeks the service quality factors which are essential to the patients. A field survey was made in this purpose on the heart disease patients in Dhaka city as this disease is very common in Bangladesh. SERVQUAL modeling approach and principal component analysis were considered to make evaluation over hospital facilities and found, overall, dissatisfaction of the patients. The SERVQUAL model is used to assess patients’ expectations and perceptions regarding service quality in hospitals. Both expectations and perceptions are measured using a 5-point scale to rate their level of agreement or disagreement (1: strongly disagree and 5: strongly agree), on which the higher numbers indicate higher level of expectation or perceptions. Perceptions are based on the actual service they receive in hospitals are based on experiences and information received about hospital stuffs, doctors or overall hospital maintenance system. Service quality scores are obtained from the difference between the expectation and perception scores which range from -4 to +4 (-4: very dissatisfied, +4: very satisfied). The quality score measures the service gap, that is, the degree to which the expectations excels perceptions. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to find out significant covariates for occurring heart disease. Also, a Poisson regression model was performed for detecting potential covariates that affect number of hospital visit (s) per year of the heart disease patients. The study found ultimate dissatisfaction of the patients which brings the thought that a powerful managerial orientation might be launched in the hospitals to ensure quality services.
Abstract: Now-a-days, patients’ voice regarding the delivery of health care services is a burning question in the developing countries. It is thought that patients’ perceptions towards health services are mostly ignored in these countries by the health service providers. This study, therefore, seeks the service quality factors which are essential to the pati...
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Correlation Analysis Between Thyroid Function and Autoantibodies in Hashimoto Thyroiditis Patients with Different Iodine Nutritional Status
Li Hongyan,
Ma Jinqun,
Wang Cuicui,
Liu Jianfeng,
Chen Yunxia,
Liu Chunyan,
Hou Zhenjiang
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
10-19
Received:
28 November 2020
Accepted:
Published:
18 January 2021
Abstract: Objective: In order to discuss the correlation between thyroid function stratification and autoantibody titer in HT patients under different iodine nutritional status. Methods: The serum TH, antibody and urinary iodine levels were measured by the electrochemical immune-luminescent apparatus and iodine-catalyzed arsenic-cerium method in 100 HT patients (HT-A, HT-B, HT-C) with different thyroid functions and 60 healthy subjects. Results: The urinary iodine level of HT patients from HT-A increased in turn along with the progression of the disease, while the levels of FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4 decreased gradually and the levels of TSH and thyroid autoantibodies increased gradually. The urinary iodine level of HT-C group was negatively correlated with the serum FT3, FT4, TT3 and TT4 (P<0.05), while the urinary iodine level of HT-B group was negatively correlated with the serum FT3 and TT4 (P<0.05), and positively correlated with TSH (P<0.05). Along with the progression of HT disease, the levels of serum TPOAb and TGAb increased successively, and there were significant differences among each group (P<0.01). The serum TSH level of high TPOAb group and high TgAb group were respectively higher than those of low TPOAb group, low TgAb group and the control group, the levels of FT3 and FT4 were respectively lower than the low TPOAb group and low TGAb group, but there were no statistically significant on the differences between the FT3 of low TgAb and the levels of T3 and T4 of the control group, high TPOAb group, high TGAb group, low TPOAb group and low TGAb group. Conclusions: Under different iodine nutritional status, if the TH and autoantibody levels of HT patients with different thyroid functions changed correspondingly, it could indicate that the iodine nutritional status is involved in the occurrence and development process of HT of different thyroid functions and antibody levels, and plays an important role in it.
Abstract: Objective: In order to discuss the correlation between thyroid function stratification and autoantibody titer in HT patients under different iodine nutritional status. Methods: The serum TH, antibody and urinary iodine levels were measured by the electrochemical immune-luminescent apparatus and iodine-catalyzed arsenic-cerium method in 100 HT patie...
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Sialylated Carbohydrates as Inhinitors of Coronavirus Infection
Jesus' Christus,
Michael Arden Madson
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
20-28
Received:
23 November 2020
Accepted:
14 December 2020
Published:
22 January 2021
Abstract: COVID-19 is pandemic. Neuraminidase ịs central to both infection from the virus and is involved in the cell's endothelial cell rolling, as an example. Inhibition of glycosidases are known to include anhydro ald(ket)itols. An L-1,5-anhydro fucitol substituted by a derivatized (diħydrido) sulfo hydrate has been synthesized from bovine thyroglobulin N-linked oligosaccharide dipeptide. Also, 2,5-anhydro 1,6 di-(hydrido) di-phospho diħydrate mannitol (glucitol) has been prepared. Both include a treatment with NaBH4 in NH4OH. Here evidence is presented on 2,6-anhydro N-acetamido neuraminitol under similar reaction conditions using Kappa casein and bovine submaxilary mucin (bsm). It is hoped to use these reaction conditions and apply it to bovine milk. It may be possible to synthesize 2,6-anhydro N-acetamido neuraminitol in two steps from bovine milk. Then treatment costs can be afforded by those who are financially compromised. Conditions used are 8 hours at ambient temperature in a capped or un-capped reaction vial. These glycoproteins were treated with PNGase-F which could contain peptidase activity that acts in appreciable quantities in the large excesses of PNGase-F used here. Then the effluent from an NH4+ form cation exchange cartridge to which it was bound, after H2O wash, were eluted with NH4OH and partially evaporated to remove excess base. The reaction products were stored frozen prior to analysis by a single quadrupole mass spectrometer, AQA, or a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, API 2000. Fetuin was treated in the same manner but was used only as a standard and not included as sc a starting material. Hope is in the transfer of these protocols to the preparation pf 2,6-anhydro N-acetamido neuraminitol. It may act as a two-pronged attack on COVID-19 infection. Previous work suggests that the purification of 2,6-anhydro N-acetamido neuraminitol is not trivial.
Abstract: COVID-19 is pandemic. Neuraminidase ịs central to both infection from the virus and is involved in the cell's endothelial cell rolling, as an example. Inhibition of glycosidases are known to include anhydro ald(ket)itols. An L-1,5-anhydro fucitol substituted by a derivatized (diħydrido) sulfo hydrate has been synthesized from bovine thyroglobulin N...
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Effect of Vitamin B6 and Acupressure on Vomiting Symptoms in Pregnant Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hamid Mahmood,
Talmeez Zaib Shah,
Sohail Rasool,
Ammara Waqar,
Zia-ul-Miraj,
Zafar Hayat Maken,
Awais Gohar,
Abdul Rauf
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
29-35
Received:
16 November 2020
Accepted:
7 December 2020
Published:
22 January 2021
Abstract: Introduction: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a common early pregnancy syndrome that usually occurs around 6 weeks of pregnancy. The patient may cause dehydration, electrolyte metabolism disorders and abnormal fat metabolism, causing increased risk of pregnancy-induced. Objective: The effects of vitamin B and acupressure application combined with psychological adjuvant therapy on vomiting symptoms and mental health in pregnant women with severe vomiting. Methods: Study Type: Randomized Control Trial Duration of Study: Twelve Months from January 2019 to December 2019 Sampling Technique: The data has been collected from the subject index coming to the gynecology OPD of Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Control group: aged 20 to 37 years, with an average of (26.12±2.44) years; 8 to 17 weeks of gestation, with an average of (9.18±1.77) weeks. Sample Selection Inclusion Criteria: All persons who have 1) meet the diagnostic criteria for HG; 2) 20 to 40 years of age; 3) both signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: vomiting caused by medical diseases such as hydatidiform mole, gastrointestinal disease, viral hepatitis, cholecystitis. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Gulab Devi Teaching hospital. Pregnant women who were enrolled were divided into control group and experimental group according to the random number table method, with 48 cases in each group. Study Tools: Questionnaire and Interview Sample size (n)=96. Results: After 7 days of treatment the effective percentage rate in the experimental group was higher as compare to the control group in terms of clinical efficacy, SAS and SDS scores, antiemetic and hospitalization time and cost was much lower and within limits in the experimental group as compare to control group. Discussion: In addition to physiological treatment such as fluid replacement, psychological treatment should not be ignored. Conclusion: vitamin B6 and acupressure application combined with psychological adjunctive treatment of HG had a significant effect and could significantly relieve pregnant women Anxiety, depression and promote the recovery of pregnant women.
Abstract: Introduction: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a common early pregnancy syndrome that usually occurs around 6 weeks of pregnancy. The patient may cause dehydration, electrolyte metabolism disorders and abnormal fat metabolism, causing increased risk of pregnancy-induced. Objective: The effects of vitamin B and acupressure application combined with ps...
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Relationship of Hypocalciamia and Severity of Disease in COVID-19 Patients in Lahore Pakistan
Hamid Mahmood,
Talmeez Zaib Shah,
Sohail Rasool,
Ammara Waqar,
Muhammad Zia-ul-Miraj,
Awais Gohar,
Abdul Rauf
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
36-42
Received:
18 November 2020
Accepted:
7 December 2020
Published:
22 January 2021
Abstract: Introduction: In Pakistan, a wave of coronavirus has started in February which was first reported in Wahun City China. Abnormal calcium blood level is considered one of the important and common electrolyte disturbances in patients with severe infection. The effect of blood calcium level on the severity of COVID-19 and the possible immune regulation mechanism is considered to be an important factor related to severity of disease. Aim of the Study: To find out the correlation of blood calcium levels and related risk factors of patients suffering from COVID-19 and provide a basis for early intervention in patients with relevant clinical characteristics and further reduce the incidence of critical illness and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Method: 180 COVID-19 patients were admitted to Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore between February to July 2020. Subject index were tested on real-time fluorescent RT-PCR test. On the basis of the result of RT-PCR, they were divided into two groups according to clinical symptoms as mild (control/placebo group) and critical (experimental group). The patient with the mild symptom were included in the placebo group, whereas patient with the severe symptoms were included in the experimental group. Exclusion criteria: The patients who do not show the detection level of viral infection with the RT-PCR are excluded from the study. Results: The comparison has been carried out between the placebo group and the experimental group on the basis of various parameters. The patients serum calcium level was tested and the value for hypocalcemia was declared as per universal recommendation which is < 2.13mmol/L. According to the corrected serum total calcium level, COVID-19 patients can be divided into hypocalcemia group and normal blood calcium group. The result showed that hypocalcemia and immune dysfunction was found high in experimental group as compare to control group which shows a strong correlation between hypocalcemia and COVID-19 disease. Conclusion: It has been concluded from the study that patients with COVID-19 have obvious hypocalcemia and immune dysfunction, especially in experimental group patients. In this study, it is easy to be combined with multiple infections caused by pathogenic bacteria under certain conditions. Close monitoring of blood calcium levels can predict the severity of the disease more effectively.
Abstract: Introduction: In Pakistan, a wave of coronavirus has started in February which was first reported in Wahun City China. Abnormal calcium blood level is considered one of the important and common electrolyte disturbances in patients with severe infection. The effect of blood calcium level on the severity of COVID-19 and the possible immune regulation...
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Sex Is Related to Overall Survival in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study
Yaoxia Li,
Na Wang,
Zhuorui Zhao,
Jiale Wang,
Jun Lyu,
Qinyang Wu,
Qiqi Ke,
Qiaohong Yang
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
43-52
Received:
8 January 2021
Accepted:
18 January 2021
Published:
25 January 2021
Abstract: Esophageal cancer is one of the cancers that seriously threaten the lives and health of patients around the world. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for a higher proportion of esophageal cancer cases. At the same time, the number of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients also has an increasing trend year by year. Therefore, it is important to identify the prognostic factors of ESCC to improve the survival and prognosis of patients. As an important sociodemographic factor, gender has an important influence on the occurrence, development and prognosis of certain diseases. However, it has not been clear from existing studies whether gender affects the prognosis of ESCC patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sex on overall survival (OS) in patients with ESCC. Methods: This study analyzed 6890 patients with ESCC diagnosed from 2007 to 2015 who were identified in the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox Proportional Hazards model were used to conduct survival analysis and regression analysis to evaluate the association between gender and OS. Results: We found that the OS differed with sex in patients with ESCC, with the 5-year OS rate being higher in females (19.2%) than in males (12.9%). A Cox multivariate analysis showed that sex was an independent prognostic factor for ESCC, with the OS being significantly better in female patients than in male patients (P<0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that sex affected the survival rate of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor, node, and metastasis stages I (P=0.013), II (P<0.001), III (P=0.014), and IV (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the OS of patients with ESCC is significantly better in females than males. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the prognosis of male patients with ESCC, with prospective interventions and health education applied in order to improve their survival outcomes.
Abstract: Esophageal cancer is one of the cancers that seriously threaten the lives and health of patients around the world. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for a higher proportion of esophageal cancer cases. At the same time, the number of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients also has an increasing trend year by year. Therefore, it is importa...
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Functional Outcome of Surgical Management of Tibial Plateau Fractures: A Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Md. Nazibullah,
Md. Tariqul Islam,
Tapas Kumer Talukder,
A. K. M. Shaharul Islam
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
53-57
Received:
8 November 2020
Accepted:
13 January 2021
Published:
30 January 2021
Abstract: Background: Tibial plateau fractures are serious injuries resulting frequently in functional impairment. Low and high-energy tibial plateau fractures usually result from axial loading in combination with valgus stress forces, present a variety of soft tissue and bony injuries that can produce permanent disabilities. Since there are various modalities for fixation of these fractures with satisfactory results, but there is no general consensus as to which modality is the best in terms of functional outcome and proving the superiority of one over the other. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of surgical management of tibial plateau fractures. Methods: It was a prospective observational study and it was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, TMSS Medical College, Bogura, Bangladesh during the period from January 2018 to December 2018. The total of cases included in the study was 56 in number. More than 20 years old patients of both sexes with tibial plateau fractures attended to the mentioned hospital during the first six months of the study were selected as the study population. All simple or Gustilo Anderson Grade I fractures of tibial plateau presenting in patients requiring open or closed reduction and internal fixation to restore the articular anatomy were finalized for this study. Result: In this study among total 56 participants 37 were male which was 66.07% and 19 were female which was 33.93%. On the other hand in this study we found satisfactory outcome in 50 patients which was 89.29% and not satisfactory in 6 patients which was 10.71% among all the participants. Final end result as per Rasmussen’s criteria was excellent in 34 (60.71%), good in 9 (16.07%), fair in 7 (12.50%) and poor in 6 (10.71%) patients. Conclusion: In this study we found satisfactory outcome in 50 patients which was 89.29% and not satisfactory in 6 patients which was 10.71% among all the participants. These findings may be helpful for the future researchers for any further research in the same issue.
Abstract: Background: Tibial plateau fractures are serious injuries resulting frequently in functional impairment. Low and high-energy tibial plateau fractures usually result from axial loading in combination with valgus stress forces, present a variety of soft tissue and bony injuries that can produce permanent disabilities. Since there are various modaliti...
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Survival Advantage of Non-hispanic White Patients with Pancreatic Head Carcinoma: A Population-based Study
Hongyu Yu,
Chengzhuo Li,
Qihui Wu,
Jukun Su,
Ankang Liu,
Qiqi Ke,
Qiaohong Yang
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
58-68
Received:
10 January 2021
Accepted:
20 January 2021
Published:
2 February 2021
Abstract: Numerous studies have shown that racial health disparities in gastroenterology and hepatology, but little is known about its effect on pancreatic head carcinoma (PHC). The aim of the present study was to determine whether racial disparities in the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates exist among US patients with PHC. The SEER database was searched for US residents who had been diagnosed with PHC from 2007 to 2015. The outcomes for 9724 Hispanic white (HW) patients and their non-Hispanic white (NHW) counterparts were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses. We found that race affected both OS and CSS. The 5-year OS rate was worse for HW patients (45.9%) than for NHW patients (49.6%, P<0.001), as was the 5-year CSS rate (39.8% versus 44.0%, P=0.002). Race appeared to be an independent prognostic factor for PHC in the multivariate analysis, with NHW patients showing superior OS (P=0.007) and CSS (P=0.037) compared with HW patients. Subgroup analysis showed that race influenced survival among patients who received surgery, enjoyed Medicaid, and those at American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage II, but not of patients at AJCC TNM stage I, III, or IV and those who did not receive surgery or had no insurance. In short, the survival outcomes for PHC are better for NHW than HW patients. The survival advantage is more skewed towards NHW patients than HW patients with PHC, so culturally appropriate interventions, strengthened preventive services, and additional financial support should focus more on HWs.
Abstract: Numerous studies have shown that racial health disparities in gastroenterology and hepatology, but little is known about its effect on pancreatic head carcinoma (PHC). The aim of the present study was to determine whether racial disparities in the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates exist among US patients with PHC. The S...
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The Potential Impact of Self-medication and Drug Misuse Practice Among Youth Population in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Kalonji Katengele,
Fumwakwau Kiniati,
Nkanga Isalomboto,
Didi Kialengila Mana
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
69-77
Received:
29 January 2021
Accepted:
6 February 2021
Published:
23 February 2021
Abstract: Self-medication refers to the act of medicating oneself with no guidance from a physician. There are sevral factors that promote self-medication along with drug misuse among the population. In the frame of developing countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), these factors include lack of enforcement of laws governing the pharmaceutical sector, poor mindset of the population as well as easy access to drugs without official medical prescriptions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which self-medication and drug misuse practices affect the youth Congolese population health in the DRC’s capital city, Kinshasa. Three sectors of Kinshasa were selected for a cross-sectional study conducted for five months (January to Mai 2020). Pharmacists or their auxiliairies were asked to draw up the list of ten drugs often purchased without medical prescriptions. In each of the selected pharmacies, 3 patients using self-medication were interviewed. A total of 120 phrarmacists or their auxiliairies and 360 patients (180 men and 180 women) were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Of the 120 questionnaires completed, a list of ten most used drugs in self-medication was established in the following dicreasing quantitative order: 106, 85, 83, 66, 66, 58, 51, 38, 29 and 23 pharmacists or their auxiliairies cited Amoxicillin capsule, Emergency Contraceptive Pill tablet, Paracetamol tablet, Dexamethasone tablet, Cyproheptadine tablet, Tetracyclin capsule, Levamisole tablet, Albendazole tablet, Quinine and Diclofenac injectables, respectively. Out of 360 questionnaires distributed, all medicines were administered by the route recommended by the physician except Dexamethasone tablet, Cyproheptadine tablet and Diclofenac injection where in 30.1%, 38.1% and 89.7% of self-medication cases the route of administration was other than the recommended route. From the recorded data, the age of most patients varied between 15-24 years old. Girls were more in self-medication than boys. Sometimes, the disease for which the drug was used, as well as the dosing, were found to be different from the instructions in patients’ leaflet. And lastly, for most patients, the main source of information was family and/or friends. This study demonstrated that the practice of self-medication is very widespread in Kinshasa, unfortunately even antibiotics are misused, exposing the population to high risk of antimicrobial resistance development. The present findings encourage further investigations at national level to better advise the dicision makers to take appropriate measures to substantially mitigate self-medication and drug misuse practices.
Abstract: Self-medication refers to the act of medicating oneself with no guidance from a physician. There are sevral factors that promote self-medication along with drug misuse among the population. In the frame of developing countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), these factors include lack of enforcement of laws governing the pharmaceut...
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Therapeutic Efficacy of Triple Regimen of Artemether, Lumefantrine and Hippocratea africana in the Treatment of Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice
Anthony Fidelis Uwah,
Augustine Ini Lawrence Bassey,
Innocent Asukwo Edagha,
Blessing Obinaju Effiong
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
78-83
Received:
18 December 2020
Accepted:
25 December 2020
Published:
23 February 2021
Abstract: Combination therapy is fast replacing monotherapy in the treatment of infectious diseases and Plasmodium resistance to artemisinin–based combination therapies (ACTs) is an emerging challenge. Our study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of combining Artemether-Lumefantrine with crude root bark extract of Hippocratea africana, on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Forty-five albino mice which weighed 30 - 38g were grouped into five with seven mice in each. The mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with Plasmodium berghei and kept for seven days for the parasitaemia to develop. A daily single dose of 200mg/Kg body weight of extract of H. africana was administered orally for ten days, while therapeutic dose of Artemether-lumefantrine was administered as daily single dose to the relevant groups on the last six days of treatment. A non-parasitized and parasitize untreated groups served as controls. The weights of the animals were recorded before and after treatment. The animals were sacrificed and blood obtained for determination of percentage parasitaemia and the erythrocytes count of the parasitized mice using standard methods. The results showed the mean body weight and percentage body weight changes of parasitized mice treated with combination of ACT plus H. africana not statistically different from those of non-parasitized untreated mice. Parasitized mice treated with ACT plus Extract had a significantly (p < 0.05) reduced percentage parasitaemia when compared with those treated with ACT only. Treatment with ACT plus Extract also showed a significant increase in parasite clearance (100%) when compared to mice treated with either ACT only (93.10%) or Extract only (82.15%). We concluded that combining artemether, lumefantrine and H. africana root bark extract exhibited a good therapeutic efficacy as demonstrated by body weight recovery, parasite clearance and reversion of clinical signs induced by Plasmodium berghei parasitaemia. The triple regimen was more efficacious than ACT alone, and therefore, may be a useful regimen in addressing the emerging problem of resistance of plasmodium species to standards ACTs.
Abstract: Combination therapy is fast replacing monotherapy in the treatment of infectious diseases and Plasmodium resistance to artemisinin–based combination therapies (ACTs) is an emerging challenge. Our study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of combining Artemether-Lumefantrine with crude root bark extract of Hippocratea africana, on mice infect...
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Preliminary Evaluation of an Autologous Dendritic Cell Vaccine Using Nanoparticle Technology for the Treatment of Canine Malignant Melanoma
Meaghan Veronica Eren,
Julianne Hwang,
Janean Fidel,
Rance Sellon,
Cleverson de Souza
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2021
Pages:
84-96
Received:
3 February 2021
Accepted:
10 February 2021
Published:
23 February 2021
Abstract: Canine malignant melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm that carries a poor prognosis due to its minimal responsiveness to traditional therapy protocols, particularly if the oral cavity, mucocutaneous junctions, or subungual sites are involved. This proof-of-concept study evaluated a prototype autologous dendritic cell vaccine using poly-lactic-co-glycolic (PLGA) nanoparticles containing antigens from patient-derived whole tumor lysate and the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A in five canines with stages III-IV malignant melanoma. Nanoparticle constructs biochemical characterization; encapsulation efficiency and kinetic release studies were determined. Our results showed that tumor antigens were successfully incorporated in the PLGA/monophosphoryl lipid A nanoparticle constructs. Additional in vitro experiments showed that the PLGA/monophosphoryl lipid A nanoparticle constructs effectively activated autologous dendritic cells, and generated a greater than twofold increase in the release of the pro-immune cytokine IFN-γ. No significant adverse effects were observed in any of the patients following intradermal vaccination, and flow cytometry of whole blood revealed increased CD4:CD8 T lymphocyte ratios by the completion of the study. These results suggest that a dendritic cell vaccine utilizing PLGA/monophosphoryl lipid A nanoparticle technology could potentially initiate an adaptive immune response and is safe to administer to canine patients. Further in vivo studies with a larger cohort of patients are warranted.
Abstract: Canine malignant melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm that carries a poor prognosis due to its minimal responsiveness to traditional therapy protocols, particularly if the oral cavity, mucocutaneous junctions, or subungual sites are involved. This proof-of-concept study evaluated a prototype autologous dendritic cell vaccine using poly-lactic-co-glyc...
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