Medical Bulletin 03/ May/ 2025 - Video

A new drug delivery technique, GlycoCaging, could transform the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), allowing medication to be delivered directly to the gut at much lower doses. The proof-of-concept study, published in Science, demonstrates that this method can effectively target the lower gut in mice, using up to 10 times less medication than current therapies.

GlycoCaging works by chemically bonding a drug, such as a steroid, to a molecule found in fruits and vegetables. This molecule can only be broken down by specific bacteria in the gut. Once the drug reaches the lower intestine, the bacteria break the bond, releasing the medication where it's needed.

"With this technique, we have the ability to deliver not just steroids, but a range of drugs including antimicrobial compounds directly to the gut, potentially helping people with inflammatory bowel disease, gut infections and more," said Dr. Harry Brumer, co-senior author and professor in UBC’s department of chemistry.

In trials involving mice with IBD, GlycoCaged steroids were equally effective as high-dose treatments but resulted in much lower drug levels in the rest of the body, reducing potential side effects.

The team found the necessary bacteria in fecal samples from 33 individuals, both with and without IBD, indicating that the system may work in humans. With a patent secured, the researchers are now seeking funding for advanced preclinical and human clinical trials.

Reference: Ma, W. J., et al. (2025). Bespoke plant glycoconjugates for gut microbiota-mediated drug targeting. Science. doi.org/10.1126/science.adk7633.

A large-scale study presented at the SCAI 2025 Scientific Sessions has revealed that 26% of patients with early cardiogenic shock (CS) experienced worsening outcomes, including care escalation, CS deterioration, or in-hospital mortality. This stage of CS, known as Stage B, represents a phase where blood flow to vital organs is still functional but begins to decline, and the heart's ability to pump effectively is compromised.

The retrospective study, conducted across six hospitals in the Brown University Health system, followed 500 Stage B CS patients. Researchers found that 132 patients (26%) faced the primary composite endpoint of worsened CS, which included being transferred to a higher level of care or suffering from complications like acute kidney injury, bacteremia, and liver injury. These patients had significantly lower initial blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, and urine output, along with higher rates of kidney and liver damage.

"Despite being labeled 'early' cardiogenic shock, these patients are still at high risk for poor outcomes," said Dr. Saraschandra Vallabhajosyula, senior author of the study. "Early diagnosis and intervention could help improve these patients' chances."

The findings stress the need for better recognition of early CS symptoms and timely interventions to prevent deterioration in patient outcomes.

References: Babaev A, Frederick PD, Pasta DJ, Every N, Sichrovsky T, Hochman JS, for the NRMI Investigators Trends in management and outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. JAMA. 2005;294:448–454. doi: 10.1001/jama.294.4.448. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

A study published in the Journal of Patient Experience by Stanford Medicine revealed that virtual reality (VR)-guided meditation significantly reduced anxiety in parents of hospitalized children. The research found that this technique lowered anxiety by 30%. The six-minute VR meditation immerses parents in a calming mountain environment, guiding them through slow breathing exercises. This innovative approach was particularly beneficial for Spanish-speaking families, who could access the meditation in their native language, addressing a major gap in mental health resources.

“We showed that VR is a reasonable alternative—widely available, quickly scalable, and highly effective,” said Dr. Thomas Caruso, senior author of the study. The research involved 101 parents who completed the meditation in English or Spanish and saw a significant reduction in anxiety compared to a control group. Parents who used VR meditation reported a significantly lower anxiety level, a result not observed in the control group, who used traditional methods like talking to a friend or listening to music.

Spanish-speaking parents showed a larger improvement, highlighting the unmet need for mental health resources in this population. Medical student Ricardo Jimenez, the study’s lead author, noted, “There are very limited mental health resources for Spanish-speaking populations.” His work was inspired by his own experience helping his parents navigate the healthcare system.

The study is part of broader efforts at Stanford Medicine to provide family-centered care and expand mental health support for caregivers. The VR headsets are now widely available throughout Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, allowing more parents to access the service. The team plans to continue studying the benefits of VR meditation and expand their library of VR-based materials for various hospital settings.

References: Jimenez, R. T., et al. (2025). Culturally Sensitive Treatment of Caregiver Anxiety With Virtual Reality: A Prospective, Pragmatic, Randomized Study. Journal of Patient Experience. doi.org/10.1177/23743735251326671.