Possible Biases of Researchers' Attitudes Toward Video Games: Publication Trends Analysis of the Medical Literature (1980-2013).

Background: The study of video games is expanding, and so is the debate regarding their possible positive and deleterious effects. As controversies continue, several researchers have expressed their concerns about substantial biases existing in the field, which might lead to the creation of a skewed picture, both in the professional and in the lay literature. However, no study has tried to examine this issue quantitatively.

Evaluation of organic cation transporter 3 (SLC22A3) inhibition as a potential mechanism of antidepressant action.

Organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3, SLC22A3) is a low-affinity, high-capacity transporter widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and other major organs in both humans and rodents. It is postulated that OCT3 has a role in the overall regulation of neurotransmission and maintenance of homeostasis within the CNS. It is generally believed that all antidepressant drugs in current clinical use exert their primary therapeutic effects through inhibition of one or more of the high-affinity neuronal plasma membrane monoamine transporters, such as the norepinephrine transporter and the serotonin transporter.

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay for the analysis of atomoxetine in human plasma and in vitro cellular samples.

A simple, rapid and sensitive method for quantification of atomoxetine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed. This assay represents the first LC-MS/MS quantification method for atomoxetine utilizing electrospray ionization. Deuterated atomoxetine (d3-atomoxetine) was adopted as the internal standard.

Prediction and in vitro evaluation of selected protease inhibitor antiviral drugs as inhibitors of carboxylesterase 1: a potential source of drug-drug interactions.

Purpose: To predict and determine whether the protease inhibitors (PIs) nelfinavir, amprenavir, atazanavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir could serve as metabolic inhibitors of the human CES1 (hCES1) using both molecular modeling techniques and in vitro inhibition assays.

Methods: Initially, a molecular modeling approach was utilized to predict whether the selected PIs could serve as hCES1 inhibitors. The inhibitory effects of these PIs on hCES1 activity were then further evaluated utilizing previously established in vitro assay.

Interaction of organic cation transporter 3 (SLC22A3) and amphetamine.

The organic cation transporter (OCT) 3 is widely expressed in various organs in humans, and involved in the disposition of many exogenous and endogenous compounds. Several lines of evidence have suggested that OCT3 expressed in the brain plays an important role in the regulation of neurotransmission. Relative to wild-type (WT) animals, Oct3 knockout (KO) mice have displayed altered behavioral and neurochemical responses to psychostimulants such as amphetamine (AMPH) and methamphetamine.

Identification of selected therapeutic agents as inhibitors of carboxylesterase 1: potential sources of metabolic drug interactions.

A series of studies were designed and carried out in order to explore the potential for the major human hepatic hydrolase, carboxylesterase 1 (hCES1), to serve as a target of metabolic inhibition by a variety of medications. The risk of adverse drug-drug interaction(s) is present when metabolic inhibitors are combined with known or suspected substrates of a given enzyme. In the present report the abundantly expressed hepatic enzyme, hCES1, was examined as a potential target of metabolic inhibition by a number of routinely prescribed medications.

Age- and sex-related expression and activity of carboxylesterase 1 and 2 in mouse and human liver.

Carboxylesterase (CES) 1 and CES2 are two major hepatic hydrolases responsible for the metabolism of numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. In this study, age- and sex-dependent expression and activity of CES1 and CES2 were investigated using both animal models and individual human liver s9 samples. The expression and activity of mouse CES1 (mCES1) and mCES2 in the liver were markedly lower in newborns relative to adults and increased gradually with age, approximating levels of adult animals by age 2 to 4 weeks.

Role of carboxylesterase 1 and impact of natural genetic variants on the hydrolysis of trandolapril.

Carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) and carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) are the major hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the metabolism of numerous therapeutic agents as well as endogenous substrates. CES1 and CES2 differ distinctly in their substrate specificity and tissue distribution. In this study, we investigated the role of CES1 and CES2 in converting the antihypertensive prodrug trandolapril to its more active form trandolaprilat, and determined the influence of two newly identified CES1 mutations p.