Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a bi-specific vaccine against α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in rats.

α-PVP (α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone) and MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone) are potent abused stimulants that are members of the synthetic cathinone class of drugs. Although these drugs are taken with recreational intent, high doses can lead to unintended adverse effects including agitation, cardiovascular effects, sympathomimetic syndromes, hallucinations, and psychoses. One possible treatment is the use of a vaccine to block or attenuate adverse medical effects.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Visualized on CT Scans but Not Chest Radiographs: Pathogens, Severity, and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: The clinical significance of pneumonia visualized on CT scan in the setting of a normal chest radiograph is uncertain.

Methods: In a multicenter prospective surveillance study of adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), we compared the presenting clinical features, pathogens present, and outcomes of patients with pneumonia visualized on a CT scan but not on a concurrent chest radiograph (CT-only pneumonia) and those with pneumonia visualized on a chest radiograph. All patients underwent chest radiography; the decision to obtain CT imaging was determined by the treating clinicians.

In silico design of novel probes for the atypical opioid receptor MRGPRX2.

The primate-exclusive MRGPRX2 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) has been suggested to modulate pain and itch. Despite putative peptide and small-molecule MRGPRX2 agonists, selective nanomolar-potency probes have not yet been reported. To identify a MRGPRX2 probe, we first screened 5,695 small molecules and found that many opioid compounds activated MRGPRX2, including (-)- and (+)-morphine, hydrocodone, sinomenine, dextromethorphan, and the prodynorphin-derived peptides dynorphin A, dynorphin B, and α- and β-neoendorphin.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Requiring Hospitalization among U.S. Adults.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia is a leading infectious cause of hospitalization and death among U.S. adults.

Interview with Frank Ivy Carroll.

Frank Ivy Carroll received his BS degree in chemistry from Auburn University (AL, USA) in 1957 and was awarded the PhD in chemistry by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC, USA) in 1961. He joined the research staff of the Research Triangle Institute (NC, USA) as a Research Chemist and rose steadily to the position of Vice President of the Chemistry and Life Sciences Group, a position he held from 1996-2001. Dr Carroll also served as Director of the Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry from 1975-2007.

Bupropion and its main metabolite reverse nicotine chronic tolerance in the mouse.

Introduction: Although the antidepressant bupropion is prescribed to aid in smoking cessation, little is known concerning its mechanisms of action in this regard. One factor that might influence quit success is nicotine tolerance, which could promote high levels of nicotine intake in order to maintain nicotine's subjective effects (thereby making attempts to reduce smoking more difficult).

Methods: To explore whether bupropion and its active hydroxymetabolite modulate nicotine tolerance, mice were injected for 14 days with saline or nicotine.

Effect of the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist JDTic on nicotine antinociception, reward, and withdrawal in the mouse.

Rationale: Several lines of evidence support a role for the endogenous opioid system in mediating behaviors associated with drug dependence. Specifically, recent findings suggest that the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) may play a role in aspects of nicotine dependence, which contribute to relapse and continued tobacco smoking.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the involvement of the KOR in the initial behavioral responses of nicotine, nicotine reward, and nicotine withdrawal using the highly selective KOR antagonist JDTic.

Tunable, monochromatic X-rays: an enabling technology for molecular/cellular imaging and therapy.

Pulsed, tunable, monochromatic X-rays hold great potential as a cellular and molecular probe. These beams can be tuned to the binding energy of orbital electrons in atoms, making them extremely useful in diagnostic k-edge imaging and Auger cascade radiotherapy. Their wide tunability makes them ideal for the performance of various techniques as disparate as protein crystallography and three-dimensional, compressionless, monochromatic mammography.

Findings on the portable chest radiograph correlate with fluid balance in critically ill patients.

Study Objectives: Fluid balance concerns occur daily in critically ill patients, complicated by difficulties assessing intravascular volume. Chest radiographs (CXRs) quantify pulmonary edema in acute lung injury (ALI) and total blood volume in normal subjects. We hypothesized that CXRs would reflect temporal changes in fluid balance in critically ill patients.