Connecting Ethical Reasoning to Global Challenges through Analysis of Argumentation.

Scientific literacy is built on critical thinking. The postbaccalaureate workforce enhances our economies and societies by contributing a wealth of knowledge and skill sets to local communities, respective industries, and beyond as our world becomes increasingly interconnected. Education in scientific literacy should teach students how to learn about science and how to cultivate and communicate a positive attitude about science.

Cardiac uses of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) improve erectile function by enhancing nitric oxide availability in the penis and its supplying vasculature, resulting in vasodilation and increased blood flow. PDE5Is might benefit cardiovascular diseases because phosphodiesterase-5 is also located elsewhere in the body, including the pulmonary and systemic vasculature and in hypertrophied myocardium. PDE5Is are approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension, given that they improved several hemodynamic and clinical parameters in large randomized trials.

Investigational noncardiovascular uses of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.

Introduction: At the present time, inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) have Food and Drug Administration approval only for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary artery hypertension, for which their mechanism of action is vasodilation and augmentation of blood flow by impeding PDE5-mediated breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. However, these agents are also being investigated in a wide range of other potential medical and surgical applications for which current treatment options are limited and in which their mechanism of action may be the same as or different from their effects in the two approved indications. Even if only some of these potential applications prove useful, the effect on clinical practice could be far reaching.