British medical bulletin
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewPotential compounds for the treatment of mitochondrial disease.
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of heterogeneous disorders for which no curative therapy is currently available. Several drugs are currently being pursued as candidates to correct the underlying biochemistry that causes mitochondrial dysfunction. ⋯ Drug development teams should continue to screen existing and novel compound libraries for therapeutics that can enhance mitochondrial function. Therapies for mitochondrial disorders could hold potential cures for a myriad of other ailments associated with mitochondrial dysfunction such as neurodegenerative diseases.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewClinical trial transparency: many gains but access to evidence for new medicines remains imperfect.
Although selective and incomplete publication is widely acknowledged to be a problem, full access to clinical trial data remains illusive. ⋯ Documenting the effects of prospective trial registration and requirements for proactive clinical trial publication on healthcare decisions, public health and rational resource allocation.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewNew paradigms in hepatitis B management: only diamonds are forever.
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in ∼350 million people worldwide who have an increased risk of end-stage liver disease and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. ⋯ Potential new therapies include viral entry inhibitors, RNA interference technologies (i.e. RNAi) and small molecules that modulate cccDNA transcription, as well as novel immunomodulatory therapies to boost HBV-specific T cell responses. The ultimate goal of new tests and anti-HBV therapies is to reduce the burden and expense of life-long CHB treatment, as 'only diamonds are forever'.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewThe development of urban community health centres for strengthening primary care in China: a systematic literature review.
This review outlines the development of China's primary care system, with implications for improving equitable health care. ⋯ Future prospective studies should aim to provide solutions for strengthening the leading role of CHCs in providing equitable care in response to population ageing and multimorbidity challenges.