Primway Medical PLLC

08/27/2024

Researchers created a small tool that uses CRISPR technology, delivered by a virus, to silence genes linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s. It targets ApoE, a key gene involved in Alzheimer's, and reduces its activity in both lab tests and living organisms.

06/12/2024

Pencil and paper. There is beauty even in the mundane.

03/24/2024

https://youtu.be/8agSFZqdq_I?si=NrMZTTK08Gnxfuas

A hundred years from now. Some Medicines could be treating at the genetic level.

Scientists say they have successfully eliminated HIV from infected cells, using Nobel Prize-winning Crispr gene-editing technology. Working like scissors, bu...

03/23/2024

Point likely missed: Gene editing is the innovation in this story. Lookout to see an explosion of gene editing in medicine.

10/01/2023

https://youtu.be/Gbz63JyJGX4?si=4cWETn5aPYA6xKcp

Odd title, but this also apply to governments and their authenticities. Radical transparency, localization, real-time decision-making/knowledge. Great metaphor!

Chris talks about how verifiable data, visual and digital transparency (Radical Transparency) can address issues of Modern Slavery. Using technology to c***e...

08/07/2023

Of course! Pain is a fascinating phenomenon that often seems localized to the area of injury, but in reality, it all happens in the brain. When you experience pain, such as stubbing your toe or getting a paper cut, the actual sensation occurs in your brain, not in the specific body part affected.

The process of pain transmission is like a game of telephone between nerve fibers. The initial afferent nerve fiber detects the painful stimulus and sends the signal to the second-order neuron in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord. From there, it travels to the thalamus and eventually reaches the cortex, where it becomes consciously perceived and localized.

The journey of the pain signal takes about 100 milliseconds to reach the brain from your hand, and even longer from your feet due to the greater distance. This explains why you see your foot hit the corner of a coffee table, and just as you start to think “Oh no!” the pain sensation kicks in.

Given the complexity of this process, there are limited options for managing pain effectively. The most common methods include opioids, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen, but they come with their drawbacks. Opioids, while effective in dulling pain, can cause a range of unpleasant side effects. NSAIDs work by blocking prostaglandin synthesis, limiting pain-conducting neuron excitement. Acetaminophen has been in use for a long time but is still not fully understood.

However, there might be a promising new approach on the horizon. Scientists are exploring a potential breakthrough drug called VX-548. This drug targets a specific receptor called Nav1.8, which is a voltage-gated sodium channel responsible for passing pain signals from one nerve fiber to another.

Preclinical studies have shown that VX-548 can effectively block this receptor, leading to reduced pain signals. The drug is highly selective for this particular channel, making it about 30,000 times more selective than other sodium channels in the same family.

To test its effectiveness in humans, researchers conducted trials with two groups of patients: 303 individuals undergoing abdominoplasty (a painful soft-tissue procedure) and 274 undergoing bunionectomy (a painful bone procedure). The patients were randomly assigned to different doses of VX-548, a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, or a placebo for 48 hours.

Participants were asked to rate their pain levels at 19 different time points during the 48-hour period. The primary outcome measured was the cumulative pain experienced over those 48 hours, considering both the intensity and duration of pain.

The results showed that those who received the highest dose of VX-548 experienced a statistically significant reduction in cumulative pain compared to the other groups. The onset of pain relief was relatively quick, and the relief was sustained over time. While not a miracle drug, VX-548 demonstrated a meaningful improvement in pain control.

One notable aspect of VX-548 is that the receptor it targets is not found in the brain, suggesting a lower risk of dependency. The side effects observed during the trials were generally mild, with headaches being the most common. Importantly, patients on VX-548 showed a lower rate of discontinuation, indicating good tolerance and efficacy.

Although VX-548 is still undergoing phase 3 trials and is not yet available on the market, its potential shows promise for a better future in pain management. Whether it’s VX-548 or another drug in this class, researchers’ efforts to find new ways to alleviate pain are commendable and offer hope for a more effective and safer approach to pain control.

07/22/2023

How overwhelming this week has been with work and kids. Remember to take some time for yourself during this weekend to relax and recharge. It’s essential for your well-being.

06/27/2023

https://twitter.com/damiadenuga/status/1672949290224812033?s=46&t=k2sT9ip3A1YlwqXQhd5fnA

Apala music is amazing. Young kid singing super traditional is a wonder to witness.

“This is a must watch, this guy bad.”

06/25/2023

It’s cabbage’s delicious revenge

06/24/2023

All embodiments of positivity in this universe can self sustain in a bottle. Stay positive!