Preferred Educational Programming Among Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows at Pharmacy Schools: A Pilot Survey.

Objective: To inform program development, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Graduate Education Special Interest Group Colleagues in Training Committee (CITC) investigated the professional development needs of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at schools/colleges of pharmacy.

Methods: A cross-sectional pilot survey examined preferred programming topics, mentoring needs, and career goals. A survey invitation was posted on AACP Connect and emailed to Graduate Program Officers and Assistant/Associate Deans for Research at US pharmacy schools/colleges for distribution to trainees.

Right Anterior Minithoracotomy Approach for Aortic Valve Replacement.

By sparing the sternum, the right anterior minithoracotomy (RAMT) approach may facilitate a quicker functional recovery when compared with conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR). In the following review, outcomes after RAMT AVR are compared with full sternotomy AVR. The RAMT approach is described, including suggestions for patient selection.

Role of renin angiotensin system inhibitors and metformin in Glioblastoma Therapy: a review.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive and incurable disease accounting for about 10,000 deaths in the USA each year. Despite the current treatment approach which includes surgery with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, there remains a high prevalence of recurrence. Notable improvements have been observed in persons receiving concurrent antihypertensive drugs such as renin angiotensin inhibitors (RAS) or the antidiabetic drug metformin with standard therapy.

Metformin-induced oxidative stress inhibits LNCaP prostate cancer cell survival.

Background: Preclinical and clinical studies over the past several decades have indicated the potential value of metformin, a widely utilized treatment for Type 2 diabetes, in prostate cancer therapy. Notably, these studies demonstrated metformin's pleiotropic effects on several molecular and metabolic pathways, such as androgen signaling, cell cycle, and cellular bioenergetics. In this study we investigated the role of metformin in regulating intracellular redox status and cell survival in LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

Advanced nanoscale delivery systems for mRNA-based vaccines.

The effectiveness of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, especially those designed for COVID-19, relies heavily on sophisticated delivery systems that ensure efficient delivery of mRNA to target cells. A variety of nanoscale vaccine delivery systems (VDSs) have been explored for this purpose, including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles made from biocompatible polymers such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), as well as viral vectors and lipid-polymer hybrid complexes. Among these, LNPs are particularly notable for their efficiency in encapsulating and protecting mRNA.

Recent advances in nanoscale targeted therapy of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Breast cancer is considered as the second major cause of death among women with a high mortality rate worldwide. The exceptionally fast rate of metastasis, the emergence of drug-resistant mechanisms, and the occurrence of inadvertent side effects by cytotoxic chemotherapies often make conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments ineffective. Similar to other solid tumours, breast cancer can develop unique cellular and molecular characteristics forming an atypical permissive tumour microenvironment (TME).

Impacts of oxidants and antioxidants on the emergence and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

The brain shows a high sensitivity to oxidative stress (OS). Thus, the maintenance and homeostasis of the brain, in particular neural cells, regarding the reduction-oxidation (redox) situation is crucial for the regular function of the central nervous systems (CNS). The imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cellular mechanism(s) might lead to the emergence of OS, resulting in possible cell death and tissue damages, and initiating neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs).

Improving Antioxidant Capacity in Children With Autism: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study With Cysteine-Rich Whey Protein.

Previous studies indicate that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower levels of glutathione. Nutritional interventions aim to increase glutathione levels suggest a positive effect on ASD behaviors, but findings are mixed or non-significant. A commercially available nutritional supplement comprising a cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (CRWP), a potent precursor of glutathione, was previously found to be safe and effective at raising glutathione in several conditions associated with low antioxidant capacity.

Cell proliferation and anti-oxidant effects of oxytocin and oxytocin receptors: role of extracellular signal-regulating kinase in astrocyte-like cells.

Objectives: Oxytocin (OXT) participates in various physiological functions ranging from reproduction to social and non-social behaviors. Recent studies indicate that OXT affects cell growth and metabolism. Here we characterized the growth stimulating and antioxidant actions of OXT and of OXT receptors (OXTR) in a glial cell-line (U-87MG).

Nutritional interventions for autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with considerable clinical heterogeneity. With no cure for the disorder, treatments commonly center around speech and behavioral therapies to improve the characteristic social, behavioral, and communicative symptoms of ASD. Gastrointestinal disturbances are commonly encountered comorbidities that are thought to be not only another symptom of ASD but to also play an active role in modulating the expression of social and behavioral symptoms.

Clinical study of effectiveness and safety of CELcomplex containing Cucurbita Pepo Seed extract and Flax and Casuarina on stress urinary incontinence in women.

Aim: The safety and effectiveness of a preparation containing a mix of Cucurbita Pepo Seed extract, Equisetum arvense and Linum usitatissimum - Flax A (CELcomplex) on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was evaluated in female patients recruited from 20 urological and gynaecological outpatient clinics in Slovakia.

Methods: A total of 86 women aged from 32 to 88 with SUI (grade 1 = 44, grade 2 = 42) were enrolled in the study and followed-up for six weeks (point 1) and twelve weeks (point 2). The primary outcome of the study was evaluated by changes in day-time and nocturnal urinary frequency (bathroom visits) and urinary incontinence episodes (leaks).

Projection length stimulated by oxytocin is modulated by the inhibition of calcium signaling in U-87MG cells.

Neuropeptide oxytocin contributes to the regulation of glial cell morphology. The precise mechanisms, however, are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we have investigated whether an oxytocin-induced increase of intracellular calcium is required for cell extension in astrocyte-like U-87MG cells.

Effective Interventions for Diabetes Patients by Community Pharmacists: A Meta-analysis of Pharmaceutical Care Components.

Objective: To evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included interventions provided by community pharmacists for patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes, the analysis of each component of the intervention(s), and the description of the training that the pharmacists received.

Data Sources: The literature research was conducted in PubMed and in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (January 2000 to April 2016) for RCTs with interventions provided by community pharmacists for patients with diabetes. Corresponding authors were contacted about missing data and intervention and training design.

Downregulation of Oxytocin Receptor Decreases the Length of Projections Stimulated by Retinoic Acid in the U-87MG Cells.

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide widely expressed in the brain. Oxytocin plays a role in both proliferation and differentiation of various cells. Previous studies have suggested that oxytocin could affect the morphology of neuronal cells, therefore the objective of the present study was to test whether (1) oxytocin receptor stimulation/inhibition by specific ligands may change cell morphology and gene expression of selected cytoskeletal proteins (2) oxytocin receptor silencing/knockdown may decrease the length of cell projections (3) oxytocin receptor knockdown may affect human glioblastoma U-87MG cell survival.

Are Molecules Involved in Neuritogenesis and Axon Guidance Related to Autism Pathogenesis?

Autism spectrum disorder is a heterogeneous disease, and numerous alterations of gene expression come into play to attempt to explain potential molecular and pathophysiological causes. Abnormalities of brain development and connectivity associated with alterations in cytoskeletal rearrangement, neuritogenesis and elongation of axons and dendrites might represent or contribute to the structural basis of autism pathology. Slit/Robo signaling regulates cytoskeletal remodeling related to axonal and dendritic branching.

A community-based pilot study of a diabetes pharmacist intervention in Latinos: impact on weight and hemoglobin A1c.

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects Latinos increasing their risk of diabetes-related complications. This study used a randomized controlled design with a community-based approach to evaluate the impact of a culturally tailored pharmacist intervention on clinical outcomes in Latino diabetics. The intervention included a focused discussion and two individual pharmacist counseling sessions on medication, nutrition, exercise, and self-care to promote behavior changes.

Upregulation of angiotensin II-AT1 receptors during statin withdrawal in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Acute discontinuation of statins induces vascular dysfunction and increases cardiovascular events. The mechanisms underlying these events are under investigation. We showed an increase in angiotensin II (AngII) signaling after acute statin withdrawal.

Regulation of c-fos, c-jun and c-myc gene expression by angiotensin II in primary cultured rat astrocytes: role of ERK1/2 MAP kinases.

We have previously shown that angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates astrocyte growth through activation of ERK1/2 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases. In the current study, we determined whether Ang II stimulates the expression of c-fos, c-jun and c-myc in brainstem astrocyte cultures. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis showed c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc mRNAs were induced by Ang II.

Maxillary ameloblastic carcinoma in an Alaskan Malamute.

A 3-year-old female Alaskan Malamute was submitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Madrid with a mass in the right maxilla. It was ulcerated, covered by a yellowish infected membrane, and painful. The histologic examination showed a neoplastic proliferation of palisading cells distributed irregularly in cords.

Effects of statin treatment and withdrawal on angiotensin II-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abrupt discontinuation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A-reductase inhibitors (statins) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. To investigate the molecular mechanisms determining the increased cardiovascular risk after statin withdrawal, we studied the effects of statin treatment and withdrawal on angiotensin II (AII) actions in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in culture. In VSMC, AII stimulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), with an EC50% of 0.

NAD(P)H oxidase p22phox gene C242T polymorphism, nitric oxide production, salt sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors in Hispanics.

Mutations in the NAD(P)H oxidase gene may be associated with abnormal superoxide generation, nitric oxide (NO) availability and cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the prevalence of the NAD(P)H oxidase p22phox gene C242T polymorphism, and its possible association with blood pressure, NO production, salt sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors in Hispanics. Genotype frequencies were as follows: CC, 52.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphism, nitric oxide production, salt sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors in Hispanics.

Mutations in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene may be associated with abnormal nitric oxide (NO) production and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of two eNOS polymorphisms, the Glu298Asp variant on exon 7, and the 4a/b variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) on intron 4, and their association with blood pressure (BP), NO production, salt sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy Venezuelans. The prevalence of both polymorphisms in Venezuelans was comparable to that described for Caucasians, but significantly different from that known for African-Americans and Japanese.

CYP11B2-CYP11B1 haplotypes associated with decreased 11 beta-hydroxylase activity.

Reduced adrenal 11 beta-hydroxylation has been associated with an aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) polymorphism. The 11 beta-hydroxylase gene (CYP11B1) lies close to CYP11B2. We hypothesize that a molecular variant in CYP11B2 is in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with a key quantitative trait in CYP11B1 determining this phenotype.