Assessing the Effect of Riluzole on Motor Unit Discharge Properties.

This study aims to determine if Riluzole usage can change the function and excitability of motor neurons. The clinical data and indices of motor neuron excitability were assessed using high-density surface EMG parameters from 80 ALS participants. The persistent inward current was assessed using the discharge rate from paired motor units obtained from the tibialis anterior muscle.

PEDF-derived peptide protects against Amyloid-β toxicity in vitro and prevents retinal dysfunction in rats.

Amyloid-beta (Aβ), a family of aggregation-prone and neurotoxic peptides, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We have previously shown that oligomeric and fibrillar species of Aβ42 exerted retinal toxicity in rats, but while the consequences of exposure to amyloid were related to intracellular effects, the mechanism of Aβ42 internalization in the retina is not well characterized. In the brain, the 67 kDa laminin receptor (67LR) participates in Aβ-related neuronal cell death.

Cytotoxic leuconoxine-type diazaspiroindole alkaloids isolated from Cryptolepis dubia.

Two leuconoxine-type diazaspiroindole alkaloids, the known compound, (+)-melodinine E (1), and its new analogue, (+)-11-chloromelodinine E (2), were isolated from the stems of Cryptolepis dubia (Burm.f.) M.

Soluble Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Protein Improves Survival and Lowers Viral Titers in Lethal Mouse Model of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2 Infection with the Delta Variant.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) utilizes angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as its main receptor for cell entry. We bioengineered a soluble ACE2 protein termed ACE2 618-DDC-ABD that has increased binding to SARS-CoV-2 and prolonged duration of action. Here, we investigated the protective effect of this protein when administered intranasally to k18-hACE2 mice infected with the aggressive SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.

Chronic effect of resistance training on blood pressure in older adults with prehypertension and hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The chronic antihypertensive effect of resistance training (RT) has been widely recognized in mixed-aged populations. However, the specific effect of RT on blood pressure (BP) in older individuals (≥60 years) remains unknown. Therefore, this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials explored the chronic effects of dynamic RT alone on BP in older people.

Intranasal soluble ACE2 improves survival and prevents brain SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A soluble ACE2 protein bioengineered for long duration of action and high affinity to SARS-CoV-2 was administered either intranasally (IN) or intraperitoneally (IP) to SARS-CoV-2-inoculated k18hACE2 mice. This decoy protein (ACE2 618-DDC-ABD) was given either IN or IP, pre- and post-inoculation, or IN, IP, or IN + IP but only post-inoculation. Survival by day 5 was 0% in untreated mice, 40% in the IP-pre, and 90% in the IN-pre group.

Impact of Resistance Training Volume on Physical and Perceptual Outcomes of Breast Cancer Survivors Submitted to a Combined Training Program: A Randomized, Single-Blinded Study.

Background: To determine the effect of resistance training volume on physical and perceptual outcomes of breast cancer survivors submitted to a combined training program.

Design: Randomized single-blinded study.

Methods: Nineteen breast cancer survivor women were randomized to a single-set (SS) or a multiple-set (MS) group.

Telehealth multicomponent exercise and health education in breast cancer patients undergoing primary treatment: rationale and methodological protocol for a randomized clinical trial (ABRACE: Telehealth).

Background: Current guidelines emphasize cancer patients should increase their physical activity levels, encouraging physical exercise practice as a complementary therapy to mitigate adverse effects during treatment. Telehealth can be a feasible method to improve adherence and interventional support for breast cancer patients, of which most do not meet sufficient physical activity levels after diagnosis. The Adaptations to Breast Cancer and Exercise Using Telehealth (ABRACE: Telehealth) study aims to investigate the effects of a 12-week telehealth multicomponent training program plus a health education program (MTHE), compared to a health education program alone (HE), on physical and psychological outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Exercise volume load in women with breast cancer: Study protocol for the ABRACE randomized clinical trial.

Background: An increased number of breast cancer patients are challenged by acute and persistent treatment side effects. Oncology guidelines have been establishing physical exercise to counteract several treatment-related toxicities throughout cancer care. However, evidence regarding the optimal dose-response, feasibility, and the minimal resistance exercise volume and/or intensity remains unclear.

Superiority of intranasal over systemic administration of bioengineered soluble ACE2 for survival and brain protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of a soluble ACE2 protein termed ACE2 618-DDC-ABD, bioengineered to have long duration of action and high binding affinity to SARS-CoV-2, when administered either intranasally (IN) or intraperitoneally (IP) and before or after SARS-CoV-2 inoculation. K18hACE2 mice permissive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were inoculated with 2Ã-10 PFU wildtype SARS-CoV-2. In one protocol, ACE2 618-DDC-ABD was given either IN or IP, pre- and post-viral inoculation.

A Novel Soluble ACE2 Protein Provides Lung and Kidney Protection in Mice Susceptible to Lethal SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses full-length angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a main receptor to enter target cells. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the preclinical efficacy of a novel soluble ACE2 protein with increased duration of action and binding capacity in a lethal mouse model of COVID-19.

Methods: A human soluble ACE2 variant fused with an albumin binding domain (ABD) was linked a dimerization motif hinge-like 4-cysteine dodecapeptide (DDC) to improve binding capacity to SARS-CoV-2.

Bioactive small-molecule constituents of Lao plants.

Laos has a rich plant diversity, and medicinal plants are used extensively in Lao traditional medicine for the treatment of a variety of human diseases. However, only a relatively small number of these plants have been investigated for their major components with potential antitumor, anti-infective, and other types of bioactivities. These species include , , , , , , , and .

Reducing New Ileostomy Readmissions in a Rural Health Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Background: Readmission after ileostomy creation continues to be a major cause of morbidity with rates ranging from 15% to 30% due to dehydration and obstruction. Rural environments pose an added risk of readmission due to larger travel distances and lack of consistent home health services.

Objective: This study aimed to reduce ileostomy-related readmission rates in a rural academic medical center.

A novel soluble ACE2 protein totally protects from lethal disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses full-length angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is membrane bound, as its initial cell contact receptor preceding viral entry. Here we report a human soluble ACE2 variant fused with a 5kD albumin binding domain (ABD) and bridged via a dimerization motif hinge-like 4-cysteine dodecapeptide, which we term ACE2 1-618-DDC-ABD. This protein is enzymatically active, has increased duration of action in vivo conferred by the ABD-tag, and displays 20-30-fold higher binding affinity to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain than its des-DDC monomeric form (ACE2 1-618-ABD) due to DDC-linked dimerization.

Deep Sleep and Beeps: Sleep Quality Improvement Project in General Surgery Patients.

Background: Poor sleep leads to poor health outcomes. Inpatient sleep disturbance has been studied primarily in the ICU. Minimal research exists on sleep in surgical populations.

Guidelines for Patient-CenteredOpioid Prescribing and Optimal FDA-Compliant Disposal of Excess Pills after Inpatient Operation: Prospective Clinical Trial.

Background: To optimize responsible opioid prescribing after inpatient operation, we implemented a clinical trial with the following objectives: prospectively validate patient-centered opioid prescription guidelines and increase the FDA-compliant disposal rate of leftover opioid pills to higher than currently reported rates of 20% to 30%.

Study Design: We prospectively enrolled 229 patients admitted for 48 hours or longer after elective general, colorectal, urologic, gynecologic, or thoracic operation. At discharge, patients received a prescription for both nonopioid analgesics and opioids based on their opioid usage the day before discharge: if 0 oral morphine milligram equivalents (MME) were used, then five 5-mg oxycodone pill-equivalents were prescribed; if 1 to 29 MME were used, then fifteen 5-mg oxycodone pill-equivalents were prescribed; if 30 or more MME were used, then thirty 5-mg oxycodone pill-equivalents were prescribed.

Thrombospondin-1 mimetics are promising novel therapeutics for MYC-associated medulloblastoma.

Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) comprises four subtypes of which group 3 MB are the most aggressive. Although overall survival for MB has improved, the outcome of group 3 MB remains dismal. C- amplification or MYC overexpression which characterizes group 3 MB is a strong negative prognostic factor and is frequently associated with metastases and relapses.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor attenuates angiogenesis and collagen deposition in hypertrophic scars.

Scar forming wounds are often characterized by higher levels of vascularity than non-scarring wounds and normal skin, and inhibition of angiogenesis has been shown to inhibit scar formation in some model systems. The rabbit ear hypertrophic scar (HS) model has been widely used to study the mechanisms that underlie the development of HS as well as the effectiveness of various treatments. Although the rabbit ear HS model is well characterized in terms of scar formation, the rate and level of angiogenesis has not been investigated in this model, and the cause-effect relationship between angiogenesis and rabbit HSs has not been examined.

Inhibition of retinal neovascularization by a PEDF-derived nonapeptide in newborn mice subjected to oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a growing cause of lifelong blindness and visual defects as improved neonatal care worldwide increases survival in very-low-birthweight preterm newborns. Advancing ROP is managed by laser surgery or a single intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF, typically at 33-36 weeks gestational age. While newer methods of scanning and telemedicine improve monitoring ROP, the above interventions are more difficult to deliver in developing countries.

Novel anti-angiogenic PEDF-derived small peptides mitigate choroidal neovascularization.

Abnormal migration and proliferation of endothelial cells (EC) drive neovascular retinopathies. While anti-VEGF treatment slows progression, pathology is often supported by decrease in intraocular pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis. A surface helical 34-mer peptide of PEDF, comprising this activity, is efficacious in animal models of neovascular retina disease but remains impractically large for therapeutic use.

Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells and Zebrafish by Corchorusoside C from Streptocaulon juventas.

Corchorusoside C (1), isolated from Streptocaulon juventas collected in Vietnam, was found to be nontoxic in a zebrafish ( Danio rerio) model and to induce cytotoxicity in several cancer cell lines with notable selective activity against prostate DU-145 cancer cells (IC 0.08 μM). Moreover, corchorusoside C induced DU-145 cell shrinkage and cell detachment.

Non-Destructive Chemical Analysis of a L. (Mangosteen) Herbarium Voucher Specimen.

Herbarium voucher specimens are used primarily for taxonomic confirmation. However, they also afford a record of the metabolic profile of a plant, potentially at the time it was collected, or at the very least, at the time of analysis. Even with the enhanced sensitivity of modern analytical techniques, analysis of the metabolites of a herbarium voucher requires removal and consumption of at least part of an entire specimen.

The Kettlebell Lunge Clean exercise.

Functional movements are designed to look at how our body functions in different environments. Power is often performed in the vertical plane and very stable positions of the body. Both life and sport require a great deal more complexity of movement with direction and deceleration playing key roles.

The Search for Anticancer Agents from Tropical Plants.

Many of the clinically used anticancer agents in Western medicine are derived from secondary metabolites found in terrestrial microbes, marine organisms, and higher plants, with additional compounds of this type being currently in clinical trials. If plants are taken specifically, it is generally agreed that the prospects of encountering enhanced small organic-molecule chemical diversity are better if tropical rather than temperate species are investigated in drug discovery efforts. Plant collection in tropical source countries requires considerable preparation and organization to conduct in a responsible manner that abides by the provisions of the 1992 Rio Convention of Biological Diversity and the 2010 Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources.

Extended Intravitreal Rabbit Eye Residence of Nanoparticles Conjugated With Cationic Arginine Peptides for Intraocular Drug Delivery: In Vivo Imaging.

Purpose: Drug delivery by intravitreal injection remains problematic, small agents and macromolecules both clearing rapidly. Typical carriers use microparticles (>2 μm), with size-related liabilities, to slow diffusion. We recently described cationic nanoparticles (NP) where conjugated Arg peptides prolonged residence in rat eyes, through ionic interaction with vitreal poly-anions.