University of New Mexico

About: University of New Mexico is a education organization based out in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 28870 authors who have published 64767 publications receiving 2578371 citations. The organization is also known as: UNM & Universitatis Novus Mexico.

The psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia: an update.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to update the randomized controlled trial literature of psychosocial treatments for schizophrenia. METHOD: Computerized literature searches were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials of various psychosocial interventions, with emphasis on studies published since a previous review of psychosocial treatments for schizophrenia in 1996. RESULTS: Family therapy and assertive community treatment have clear effects on the prevention of psychotic relapse and rehospitalization. However, these treatments have no consistent effects on other outcome measures (e.g., pervasive positive and negative symptoms, overall social functioning, and ability to obtain competitive employment). Social skills training improves social skills but has no clear effects on relapse prevention, psychopathology, or employment status. Supportive employment programs that use the place-and-train vocational model have important effects on obtaining competitive employment. Some studies have shown improv...

Porous nanoparticle supported lipid bilayers (protocells) as delivery vehicles

Abstract: Mixing liposomes with hydrophilic particles induces fusion of the liposome onto the particle surface. Such supported bilayers have been studied extensively as models of the cell membrane, while their applications in drug delivery have not been pursued. In this communication, we report liposome fusion on mesoporous particles as a synergistic means to simultaneously load and seal cargo within the porous core. We find fusion of a cationic lipid (DOTAP) on an anionic silica particle loads an anionic fluorescent dye (calcein) into the particle to a concentration exceeding 100× that in the surrounding medium. The loaded “protocell” particles are taken up efficiently by Chinese hamster ovary cells, where, due to a reduced pH within endosomal compartments, calcein is effectively released. Compared to some other nanoparticle systems, protocells provide a simple construct for cargo loading, sealing, delivery, and release. They promise to serve as useful vectors in nanomedicine.

Reduced susceptibility to praziquantel among naturally occurring Kenyan isolates of Schistosoma mansoni.

Abstract: Background: The near exclusive use of praziquantel (PZQ) for treatment of human schistosomiasis has raised concerns about the possible emergence of drug-resistant schistosomes. Methodology/Principal Findings: We measured susceptibility to PZQ of isolates of Schistosoma mansoni obtained from patients from Kisumu, Kenya continuously exposed to infection as a consequence of their occupations as car washers or sand harvesters. We used a) an in vitro assay with miracidia, b) an in vivo assay targeting adult worms in mice and c) an in vitro assay targeting adult schistosomes perfused from mice. In the miracidia assay, in which miracidia from human patients were exposed to PZQ in vitro, reduced susceptibility was associated with previous treatment of the patient with PZQ. One isolate (‘‘KCW’’) that was less susceptible to PZQ and had been derived from a patient who had never fully cured despite multiple treatments was studied further. In an in vivo assay of adult worms, the KCW isolate was significantly less susceptible to PZQ than two other isolates from natural infections in Kenya and two lab-reared strains of S. mansoni. The in vitro adult assay, based on measuring length changes of adults following exposure to and recovery from PZQ, confirmed that the KCW isolate was less susceptible to PZQ than the other isolates tested. A sub-isolate of KCW maintained separately and tested after three years was susceptible to PZQ, indicative that the trait of reduced sensitivity could be lost if selection was not maintained. Conclusions/Significance: Isolates of S. mansoni from some patients in Kisumu have lower susceptibility to PZQ, including one from a patient who was never fully cured after repeated rounds of treatment administered over several years. As use of PZQ continues, continued selection for worms with diminished susceptibility is possible, and the probability of emergence of resistance will increase as large reservoirs of untreated worms diminish. The potential for rapid emergence of resistance should be an important consideration of treatment programs.