Business intelligence for the visualization and data analysis of Telepharmacy activity indicators in a hospital pharmacy service scorecard.

Objective: The consolidation of Telepharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic  has raised the need for managing large volumes of real-time activity data  through data analysis. The aim of this project was to design a dynamic, user- friendly, customizable scorecard in a hospital pharmacy service for the  visualization and analysis of Telepharmacy activity indicators through the use  of advanced business intelligence technology.

Method: The software tool was developed by a multidisciplinary team between  April and May 2021, driven from the hospital pharmacy service.

Enzyme-Linked Oligonucleotide Assay (ELONA).

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides able to recognize a target with high affinity and specificity. Aptamers are used in different diagnostics applications, highlighting, among all, variations of the traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this chapter, we show the procedures for the development of two types of indirect ELONA: a sandwich ELONA and a direct ELONA coupled to either real-time quantitative PCR as a direct and sensitive readout.

Selection and characterization of DNA aptamers for highly selective recognition of the major allergen of olive pollen Ole e 1.

In this study, single-stranded DNA aptamers with binding affinity to Ole e 1, the major allergen of olive pollen, were selected using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) method. Binding of the aptamers was firstly established by enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA) and aptaprecipitation assays. Additionally, aptamer-modified monolithic capillary chromatography was used in order to evaluate the recognition of this allergenic protein against other non-target proteins.

Development of an antigen Enzyme-Linked AptaSorbent Assay (ELASA) for the detection of swine influenza virus in field samples.

Influenza viruses are highly variable pathogens that infect a wide range of mammalian and avian species. According to the internal conserved proteins (nucleoprotein: NP, and matrix proteins: M), these viruses are classified into type A, B, C, and D. Influenza A virus in swine is of significant importance to the industry since it is responsible for endemic infections that lead to high economic loses derived from poor weight gain, reproductive disorders, and the role it plays in Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC).

Endothelial K 1.1 and K 3.1 channels mediate rat intrarenal artery endothelium-derived hyperpolarization response.

Aim: Endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH)-mediated response plays an essential role in the control of kidney preglomerular circulation, but the identity of the K channels involved in this response is still controversial. We hypothesized that large- (K 1.1), intermediate- (K 3.

Metabolic syndrome inhibits store-operated Ca entry and calcium-induced calcium-release mechanism in coronary artery smooth muscle.

Background And Purpose: Metabolic syndrome causes adverse effects on the coronary circulation including altered vascular responsiveness and the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). However the underlying mechanisms linking obesity with CAD are intricated. Augmented vasoconstriction, mainly due to impaired Ca homeostasis in coronary vascular smooth muscle (VSM), is a critical factor for CAD.

Activation of the AMP-related kinase (AMPK) induces renal vasodilatation and downregulates Nox-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor activated during energy stress to stimulate ATP production pathways and restore homeostasis. AMPK is widely expressed in the kidney and involved in mitochondrial protection and biogenesis upon acute renal ischemia, AMPK activity being blunted in metabolic disease-associated kidney disease. Since little is known about AMPK in the regulation of renal blood flow, the present study aimed to assess the role of AMPK in renal vascular function.

DNA aptamers targeting Leishmania infantum H3 protein as potential diagnostic tools.

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite of the genus Leishmania that affects millions of people worldwide. These parasites are characterized by the presence of a DNA-containing granule, the kinetoplastid, located in the single mitochondrion at the base of the cell's flagellum. Interestingly, these flagellates do not condense chromatin during mitosis, possibly due to the specific molecular features of their histones.

Differential contribution of Nox1, Nox2 and Nox4 to kidney vascular oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in obesity.

Oxidative stress-associated endothelial dysfunction is a key pathogenic factor underlying the microvascular complications of metabolic disease. NADPH oxidase (Nox) is a major source of oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease, despite Nox4 and Nox2 have been identified as relevant sources of vasodilator endothelial HO.The present study was sought to investigate the role of Nox enzymes in renal vascular oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in a rat model of genetic obesity.

Bladder Dysfunction in an Obese Zucker Rat: The Role of TRPA1 Channels, Oxidative Stress, and Hydrogen Sulfide.

Purpose: This study investigates whether functionality and/or expression changes of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channels, oxidative stress, and hydrogen sulfide (HS) are involved in the bladder dysfunction from an insulin-resistant obese Zucker rat (OZR).

Materials And Methods: Detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) samples from the OZR and their respective controls, a lean Zucker rat (LZR), were processed for immunohistochemistry for studying the expression of TRPA1 and TRPV1 and the HS synthase cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cysthathionine--lyase (CSE). Isometric force recordings to assess the effects of TRPA1 agonists and antagonists on DSM contractility and measurement of oxidative stress and HS production were also performed.

Hydrogen peroxide derived from NADPH oxidase 4- and 2 contributes to the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation of intrarenal arteries.

The role of NADPH oxidase (Nox)-derived reactive oxygen species in kidney vascular function has extensively been investigated in the harmful context of oxidative stress in diabetes and obesity-associated kidney disease. Since hydrogen peroxide (HO) has recently been involved in the non-nitric oxide (NO) non-prostanoid relaxations of intrarenal arteries, the present study was sought to investigate whether NADPH oxidases may be functional sources of vasodilator HO in the kidney and to assess their role in the endothelium-dependent relaxations of human and rat intrarenal arteries. Renal interlobar arteries isolated from the kidney of renal tumor patients who underwent nephrectomy, and from the kidney of Wistar rats, were mounted in microvascular myographs to assess function.

Impaired Ca handling in resistance arteries from genetically obese Zucker rats: Role of the PI3K, ERK1/2 and PKC signaling pathways.

The impact of obesity on vascular smooth muscle (VSM) Ca handling and vasoconstriction, and its regulation by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase C (PKC) were assessed in mesenteric arteries (MA) from obese Zucker rats (OZR). Simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca ([Ca]) and tension were performed in MA from OZR and compared to lean Zucker rats (LZR), and the effects of selective inhibitors of PI3K, ERK-MAPK kinase and PKC were assessed on the functional responses of VSM voltage-dependent L-type Ca channels (Ca1.2).

Phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibition enhances nitric oxide- and hydrogen sulfide-mediated bladder neck inhibitory neurotransmission.

Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (HS) play a pivotal role in nerve-mediated relaxation of the bladder outflow region. In the bladder neck, a marked phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) expression has also been described and PDE4 inhibitors, as rolipram, produce smooth muscle relaxation. This study investigates the role of PDE4 isoenzyme in bladder neck gaseous inhibitory neurotransmission.

Underlying mechanisms preserving coronary basal tone and NO-mediated relaxation in obesity: Involvement of β1 subunit-mediated upregulation of BK channels.

Background And Aims: The impact of obesity on vasomotor regulation of coronary arteries and its underlying mechanisms are not completely understood and, in particular, the role of BK channels in the NO-mediated coronary vasodilation in obesity remains to be elucidated.

Methods: The effects of selective blockade of BK channel was tested on nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilator responses of coronary arteries from lean and obese Zucker rats (LZR and OZR, respectively) by means of simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca]) by Fura-2 fluorescence and tension in endothelium-denuded coronary arteries mounted in microvascular myographs. BK channel subunits expression was measured by Western blot.

CYP epoxygenase-derived HO is involved in the endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH) and relaxation of intrarenal arteries.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydrogen peroxide (HO) are involved in the in endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH)-type relaxant responses of coronary and mesenteric arterioles. The role of ROS in kidney vascular function has mainly been investigated in the context of harmful ROS generation associated to kidney disease. The present study was sought to investigate whether HO is involved in the endothelium-dependent relaxations of intrarenal arteries as well the possible endothelial sources of ROS generation involved in these responses.

Use of Aptamers as Diagnostics Tools and Antiviral Agents for Human Viruses.

Appropriate diagnosis is the key factor for treatment of viral diseases. Time is the most important factor in rapidly developing and epidemiologically dangerous diseases, such as influenza, Ebola and SARS. Chronic viral diseases such as HIV-1 or HCV are asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic and the therapeutic success mainly depends on early detection of the infective agent.

Augmented oxidative stress and preserved vasoconstriction induced by hydrogen peroxide in coronary arteries in obesity: role of COX-2.

Background And Purpose: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the vascular and metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity. Herein, we assessed whether obesity can increase coronary vasoconstriction induced by hydrogen peroxide (H O ) and the signalling pathways involving COX-2 and superoxide (O ) generation.

Experimental Approach: Contractile responses to H O and O generation were measured in coronary arteries from genetically obese Zucker rats (OZR) and compared to lean Zucker rats (LZR).

Role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in nerve-evoked relaxation of pig terminal bronchioles.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a gasotransmitter employed for intra- and inter-cellular communication in almost all organ systems. This study investigates the role of endogenous HS in nerve-evoked relaxation of pig terminal bronchioles with 260 μm medium internal lumen diameter. High expression of the HS synthesis enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) in the bronchiolar muscle layer and strong CSE-immunoreactivity within nerve fibers distributed along smooth muscle bundles were observed.

Impaired Excitatory Neurotransmission in the Urinary Bladder from the Obese Zucker Rat: Role of Cannabinoid Receptors.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a known risk factor for lower urinary tract symptoms. This study investigates whether functional and expression changes of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors are involved in the bladder dysfunction in an obese rat model with insulin resistance. Bladder samples from obese Zucker rat (OZR) and their respective controls lean Zucker rat (LZR) were processed for immunohistochemistry and western blot for studying the cannabinoid receptors expression.

Hydrogen peroxide activates store-operated Ca(2+) entry in coronary arteries.

Background And Purpose: Abnormal Ca(2+) metabolism has been involved in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction associated with oxidative stress. Here, we have investigated the actions of H2 O2 on store-operated Ca(2+) (SOC) entry in coronary arteries and assessed whether it is impaired in arteries from a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

Experimental Approach: Simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and contractile responses were made in coronary arteries from Wistar and obese Zucker rats, mounted in microvascular myographs, and the effects of H2 O2 were assessed.

COX-2 is involved in vascular oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction of renal interlobar arteries from obese Zucker rats.

Obesity is related to vascular dysfunction through inflammation and oxidative stress and it has been identified as a risk factor for chronic renal disease. In the present study, we assessed the specific relationships among reactive oxygen species (ROS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and endothelial dysfunction in renal interlobar arteries from a genetic model of obesity/insulin resistance, the obese Zucker rats (OZR). Relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh) were significantly reduced in renal arteries from OZR compared to their counterpart, the lean Zucker rat (LZR), suggesting endothelial dysfunction.

A magnesium-induced RNA conformational switch at the internal ribosome entry site of hepatitis C virus genome visualized by atomic force microscopy.

The 5' untranslated region of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomic RNA contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element, composed of domains II-IV, which is required for cap-independent translation initiation. Little information on the 3D structure of the whole functional HCV IRES is still available. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to visualize the HCV IRES conformation in its natural sequence context, which includes the upstream domain I and the essential, downstream domains V and VI.

Hydrogen sulfide plays a key role in the inhibitory neurotransmission to the pig intravesical ureter.

According to previous observations nitric oxide (NO), as well as an unknown nature mediator are involved in the inhibitory neurotransmission to the intravesical ureter. This study investigates the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) role in the neurogenic relaxation of the pig intravesical ureter. We have performed western blot and immunohistochemistry to study the expression of the H2S synthesis enzymes cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), measurement of enzymatic production of H2S and myographic studies for isometric force recording.

Pre- and post-junctional bradykinin B2 receptors regulate smooth muscle tension to the pig intravesical ureter.

Aims: Neuronal and non-neuronal bradykinin (BK) receptors regulate the contractility of the bladder urine outflow region. The current study investigates the role of BK receptors in the regulation of the smooth muscle contractility of the pig intravesical ureter.

Methods: Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to show the expression of BK B1 and B2 receptors and myographs for isometric force recordings.

Upregulation of SK3 and IK1 channels contributes to the enhanced endothelial calcium signaling and the preserved coronary relaxation in obese Zucker rats.

Background And Aims: Endothelial small- and intermediate-conductance KCa channels, SK3 and IK1, are key mediators in the endothelium-derived hyperpolarization and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and also in the modulation of endothelial Ca2+ signaling and nitric oxide (NO) release. Obesity is associated with endothelial dysfunction and impaired relaxation, although how obesity influences endothelial SK3/IK1 function is unclear. Therefore we assessed whether the role of these channels in the coronary circulation is altered in obese animals.