Publications by authors named "Purnell B"

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane-encapsulated nanoparticles shed from all cells, are tightly involved in critical cellular functions. Moreover, EVs have recently emerged as exciting therapeutic modalities, delivery vectors, and biomarker sources. However, EVs are difficult to characterize, because they are typically small and heterogeneous in size, origin, and molecular content.

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Objective: Respiratory arrest plays an important role in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Adenosine is of interest in SUDEP pathophysiology due to its influence on seizures and breathing. The objective of this investigation was to examine the role of adenosine in seizure severity, seizure-induced respiratory disruption, and seizure-induced death using mouse models.

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Objective: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) results in more years of potential life lost than any neurological condition with the exception of stroke. It is generally agreed that SUDEP happens due to some form of respiratory, cardiac, and electrocerebral dysfunction following a seizure; however, the mechanistic cause of these perturbations is unclear. One possible explanation lies with adenosinergic signaling.

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Computer numerical control (CNC) carving is a widely used method of industrial subtractive manufacturing of wood, plastics, and metal products. However, there have been no previous reports of applying this approach to manufacture medicines. In this work, the novel method of tablet production using CNC carving is introduced for the first time.

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Mental health and health promotion research and practice have consistently revealed the social and structural inequities that boys and men of color (BMoC) face. Moreover, scholarship highlights the importance of gender, especially the concepts of masculinity and manhood, in understanding inequities that are experienced. Providers and community leaders are finding culturally relevant ways to foster healing and restoration while addressing racial trauma and the adverse community environments tied to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

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Acute exposure to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) leads to sudden death and, if survived, lingering neurological disorders. Clinical signs include seizures, loss of consciousness, and dyspnea. The proximate mechanisms underlying H2S-induced acute toxicity and death have not been clearly elucidated.

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The epilepsies are a diverse spectrum of disease states characterized by spontaneous seizures and associated comorbidities. Neuron-focused perspectives have yielded an array of widely used anti-seizure medications and are able to explain some, but not all, of the imbalance of excitation and inhibition which manifests itself as spontaneous seizures. Furthermore, the rate of pharmacoresistant epilepsy remains high despite the regular approval of novel anti-seizure medications.

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Objective: For an antiseizure medication (ASM) to be effective in status epilepticus (SE), the drug should be administered intravenously (i.v.) to provide quick access to the brain.

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Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a toxin affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Acute HS exposure is associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The precise pathophysiology of HS-induced death is a controversial topic; however, inhibition of the respiratory center in the brainstem is commonly cited as a cause of death.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Alcohol poisoning can be very dangerous and is a major cause of death when people drink too much.
  • - A study looked at how a substance called adenosine affects breathing when someone drinks alcohol.
  • - The results showed that blocking adenosine helps with breathing problems caused by alcohol, which could help create better treatments for people with serious alcohol poisoning.
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Article Synopsis
  • Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is a major problem, and there’s no reliable way to stop it right now.* -
  • Researchers think that breathing problems after a seizure are a big reason for this serious issue, and they believe helping patients breathe right after a seizure could save lives.* -
  • In a study with mice, those that received help to breathe after a seizure (called diaphragmatic pacing) didn't die, showing it could be an important treatment for people with epilepsy.*
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