Publications by authors named "F J Allan"

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ocular penetration and systemic accumulation of preservative-free bimatoprost 0.01% ophthalmic gel (PFB 0.01% gel).

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A growing number of hydrolase enzymes show promiscuous acyltransferase activity, even under aqueous conditions. Here we report, for the first time, the ability of Pyrobaculum calidifontis VA1 esterase (PestE) to catalyse the formation of a wide range of amides in buffer, where the acyl donor forms a significant structural component in the amide product. The reactions occur under mild conditions and can achieve conversions up to 97 % in 6 h for formation of N-benzylfuranamide as the model reaction.

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Background: Functionality of human adrenal tumors is inferred by CYP11B1 (cortisol synthase) expression, CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) expression, or both.

Hypothesis/objectives: Nonfunctional canine adrenal tumors have low expression of steroidogenic enzymes, whereas aldosterone-producing tumors express CYP11B, and cortisol-producing tumors express both CYP11B and CYP17.

Animals: Twenty-two client-owned dogs with adrenocortical tumors (ACT) (8 nonfunctional, 7-cortisol producing, 2 aldosterone-producing and 5 functional noncortisol producing) and 2 dogs with normal adrenal glands.

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Mass-drug administration (MDA) of human populations using praziquantel monotherapy has become the primary strategy for controlling and potentially eliminating the major neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis. To understand how long-term MDA impacts schistosome populations, we analysed whole-genome sequence data of 570 samples (and the closely related outgroup species, from eight countries incorporating both publicly-available sequence data and new parasite material. This revealed broad-scale genetic structure across countries but with extensive transmission over hundreds of kilometres.

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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers hybridized a human parasitic fluke with a livestock parasite in a lab setting, but the ecological extent of this hybridization is still uncertain in the wild.
  • Analysis of 34.6 million genetic variations from 162 samples across 18 African countries showed a significant genetic divide between northern and southern populations, with no recent hybridization evidence but signs of past admixture events.
  • The study found that while gene flow barriers exist, 15 introgressed genes are becoming fixed in northern populations, and certain genomic regions, especially on sex chromosomes, resist hybridization, highlighting the importance of interspecific hybridization in shaping the genetics of these medically and agriculturally significant parasites.
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