Body mass index is a barrier to obesity treatment.

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) obesity drug guidance is set on the basis of body mass index (BMI), with thresholds of either BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 kg/m with weight-related comorbidities. While BMI is associated with obesity-related health outcomes, there are known limitations to use as a direct measure of body fat or metabolic health, and the American Medical Association has highlighted limitations of BMI in assessing individual obesity risks. BMI thresholds impose a barrier to treatment.

Defining Overweight and Obesity by Percent Body Fat instead of Body Mass Index.

Objective: Thresholds for overweight and obesity are currently defined by body mass index (BMI), a poor surrogate marker of actual adiposity (percent body fat, %BF). Practical modern technologies provide estimates of %BF but medical providers need outcome-based %BF thresholds to guide patients. This analysis determines %BF thresholds based on key obesity-related comorbidities, exhibited as metabolic syndrome (MetSyn).

All fiber watt-level fiber source at 760 nm generated through four-wave mixing in a photonic crystal fiber.

There are limited fiber-based single-mode laser sources over the visible and near infrared range. Nonlinear conversion through four-wave mixing in photonic crystal fibers allows for the generation of new wavelengths far from a pump wavelength. Utilizing an all-fiber spliced configuration, we convert 1064 nm light into a W-level signal in the 750 nm - 820 nm spectral region.

Efficacy of three anti-malarial regimens for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Cambodia, 2009-2011: a randomized controlled trial and brief review.

Background: Anti-malarial resistance remains an important public health challenge in Cambodia. The effectiveness of three therapies for uncomplicated falciparum malaria was evaluated in Oddar Meanchey province in Northern Cambodia from 2009 to 2011.

Methods: In this randomized, open-label, parallel group-controlled trial, 211 subjects at least 5 years old with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were treated with 3 days of directly observed therapy: 63 received artesunate-mefloquine (AS/MQ), 77 received dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA/PPQ), and 71 received atovaquone-proguanil (ATQ/PG).

Prescription Patterns and Relationship to Pharmacogenomics Testing in the Military Health System.

Introduction: Clinical utilization of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing is highly institutionally dependent, and little information is known about provider practices of PGx testing in the Military Health System (MHS). In this study, we aimed to characterize Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) actionable prescription (Rx) patterns and their temporal relationship with PGx testing in the MHS.

Methods: Using data from the Military Health System Management Analysis and Reporting Tool (M2) database, this retrospective cohort study included all patients receiving at least one PGx test and at least one CPIC actionable Rx from January 2015 to August 2020 (845 patients, 1,471 PGx, 7,725 index CPIC actionable Rxs).

Evaluation of Pharmacogenomics Testing of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in the Military Health System From 2015 to 2020.

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) plays a fundamental role in personalized medicine, providing an evidence-based treatment approach centered on the relationship between genomic variations and their effect on drug metabolism. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of most clinically prescribed drugs and a major source of variability in drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. To assess the prevalence of PGx testing within the Military Health System (MHS), testing of specific CYP450 enzymes was evaluated.

Semimechanistic Modeling of the Effects of Blast Overpressure Exposure on Cefazolin Pharmacokinetics in Mice.

Cefazolin is a first-line antibiotic to treat infection related to deployment-associated blast injuries. Prior literature demonstrated a 331% increase cefazolin liver area under the curve (AUC) in mice exposed to a survivable blast compared with controls. We repeated the experiment, validated the findings, and established a semimechanistic two-compartment pharmacokinetic (PK) model with effect compartments representing the liver and skin.

What impact does 'conventional' economic evaluation have on patient access to new orphan medicines? A comparative study of their reimbursement in Australia (2005-2012).

Background: Orphan medicines used to treat patients with rare diseases often come at high costs with lower levels of clinical evidence. We compared the likelihood and timeliness of reimbursement for orphan medicines with non-orphan medicines in Australia between 2005 and 2012.

Methods: We developed two key assessment metrics to compare submissions and outcomes for new orphan medicines with those for new non-orphan medicines, viz.

The role of value for money in public insurance coverage decisions for drugs in Australia: a retrospective analysis 1994-2004.

Objective: To analyze the relative influence of factors in decisions for public insurance coverage of new drugs in Australia.

Data Sources: Evidence presented at meetings of the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) that makes recommendations on coverage of drugs under Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Study Selection: All major submissions to the PBAC between February 1994 and December 2004 (n = 858) if one of the outcomes measured was life year gained (n=138) or quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained (n=116).

Thermo-optic coefficient of barium gallogermanate glass.

Barium gallogermanate (BGG) glasses are currently being explored as a viable low cost material for numerous U.S. defense and commercial visible-infrared window applications.

Germanate glass as a window for high energy laser systems.

A modified Barium Gallo-Germanate glass has been developed as an exit window for high energy lasers operating in the mid-infrared wavelength region. All the physical properties, for application as a window for high energy laser systems have been measured. Absorption loss and thermo-optic coefficient were identified as key in developing the Barium Gallo-Germanate glass for high energy laser applications.