Recombinant expression of a functional myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (MIPS) in Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (MIPS, E.C. 5.

Strategies for implementation of an effective pharmacogenomics program in pharmacy education.

Sequencing of the human genome and the evidence correlating specific genetic variations to diseases have opened up the potential of genomics to more effective and less harmful interventions of human diseases. A wealth of pharmacogenomics knowledge is in place for the practice of precision medicine. However, this knowledge is not fully realized in clinical practice.

Molecular Determinants of N-Acetylglucosamine Recognition and Turnover by N-Acetyl-1-D-myo-inosityl-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside Deacetylase (MshB).

Actinobacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis use the unique thiol mycothiol (MSH) as their primary reducing agent and in the detoxification of xenobiotics. N-Acetyl-1-D-myo-inosityl-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside deacetylase (MshB) is the metal-dependent deacetylase that catalyzes the deacetylation of N-acetyl-1-D-myo-inosityl-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside, the committed step in MSH biosynthesis. We previously used docking studies to identify specific side chains that may contribute as molecular determinants of MshB substrate specificity [Huang, X.

Structure and function of the LmbE-like superfamily.

The LmbE-like superfamily is comprised of a series of enzymes that use a single catalytic metal ion to catalyze the hydrolysis of various substrates. These substrates are often key metabolites for eukaryotes and prokaryotes, which makes the LmbE-like enzymes important targets for drug development. Herein we review the structure and function of the LmbE-like proteins identified to date.

Enantiopure bifunctional chelators for copper radiopharmaceuticals--does chirality matter in radiotracer design?

It is well recognized that carbon chirality plays a critical role in the design of drug molecules. However, very little information is available regarding the effect of stereoisomerism of macrocyclic bifunctional chelators (BFC) on biological behaviors of the corresponding radiopharmaceuticals. To evaluate such effects, three enantiopure stereoisomers of a copper radiopharmaceutical BFC bearing two chiral carbon atoms were synthesized in forms of R,R-, S,S-, and R,S-.

Heterogeneity in the expression of receptors in the human breast cancer metastasized to the brain.

Assessment of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her2/ErbB2) and estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in breast cancer has been an accepted standard to predict clinical outcome. Expression of these receptors in primary breast cancer has also been an important predictor of visceral organ metastasis. Many studies of breast cancer have reported risk factors for brain metastasis that include Her2/ErbB2 positivity, ER negativity, and negativity for all the above three receptors.

Measuring achievement goal orientations of pharmacy students.

Objectives: To measure the achievement goal orientations of pharmacy students attending a 3-year (accelerated) doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program.

Methods: A 16-item survey based on the Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ) was administered to first-year (P1) and second-year (P2) pharmacy students at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP). Students were instructed to indicate to what degree each statement was true for them using a 7-point Likert scale (1=not true of me, 7=very true of me).

Examination of the use of complementary and alternative medicine in Central Appalachia, USA.

Introduction: A growing number of people in the USA and worldwide use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM usage has been reported to differ by region. Little is known about the usage of CAM, especially among the Appalachian region population.

Examination of psychosocial predictors of Virginia pharmacists' intention to utilize a prescription drug monitoring program using the theory of planned behavior.

Background: Little is known about the main drivers of pharmacists' intention to utilize prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) when making care decisions and the actual contribution of these factors in explaining intention and behavior.

Objectives: This study examined what theory of planned behavior (TPB) model constructs (i.e.

Interventions of weight reduction and prevention in children and adolescents: update.

There is currently a plethora of information regarding the assessment and treatment of obesity in adults, adolescents, and children available to individuals working in health care-related fields. However, summarizing this information, especially for the pediatric population, is a daunting task. The purpose of this study is to simplify, summarize, and alert pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and health care providers/workers to the main nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options concerning pediatric obesity and weight loss.

Investigating pharmacy students' attitudes toward nursing facility patients after a geriatric rotation.

Objective: To investigate pharmacy students' attitudes toward nursing facility patients and nursing facilities after completing a geriatric rotation.

Design: A cross-sectional post-test 20-item survey.

Setting: An academic institution and two nursing facilities.

Pharmacy students' attitudes toward reporting serious adverse drug events.

Objectives: To determine pharmacy students' attitude toward and knowledge of reporting serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Method: A 58-item survey questionnaire constructed to measure respondents' intention to report ADEs (3 items), attitude toward reporting ADEs (20 items), knowledge of ADE reporting (9 items), and demographic data was administered to all third-year (final-year) pharmacy students at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy.

Results: The majority of the 58 students who responded (91% response rate) intended (84%) and planned (85.

Effect of an introductory pharmacy practice experience geriatric rotation on pharmacy students' learning outcomes: a qualitative study.

Objective: All second-year pharmacy students at Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP) undertake the early pharmacy practice experiences (EPPE) II. EPPE II is an introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) geriatric course/rotation that occurs over two semesters during the second year. During the course, students are introduced to long-term care/geriatric patients through visits with their assigned patient for an hour each week for 24 weeks.

Main challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector in Buchanan County, Virginia: a pilot study.

Introduction: Little is known about the challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector in rural counties in the USA. The aim of this pilot study is to determine the main challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector and suggestions for improving the sector in Buchanan County, a poor and marginalized county in Central Appalachia, Virginia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used the drop-by survey based on the first step of the modified Delphi Interview Technique.

Pharmacist reporting of serious adverse drug events to the Food and Drug Administration.

Objective: To identify barriers to and facilitators of pharmacist reporting of serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Method: Two focus groups consisting of practicing pharmacists were held in Austin, TX, in 2009. The following open-ended questions were used in the focus groups: (1) What do you think would make it easier to report serious ADEs to the FDA? (2) What do you think would make it more difficult to report serious ADEs to the FDA? A content analysis was performed on the generated transcripts.

Effect of social influences on pharmacists' intention to report adverse drug events.

Objectives: To identify the groups or individuals that influence pharmacists' decision making to report adverse drug events (ADEs), determine the differences in social influence or subjective norm between intenders and nonintenders, and determine the relationship between subjective norm toward reporting serious ADEs and practice and demographic characteristics.

Design: Nonexperimental cross-sectional study.

Setting: Texas during June and July 2009.

The state of health economic research in South Africa: a systematic review.

Background: Economic factors are a limiting factor toward the implementation of many health programmes and interventions. Economic evaluation has a great potential to contribute toward cost-effective healthcare delivery in South Africa. Little is known about the characteristics and quality of health economic (including pharmacoeconomic) research in South Africa.

Pharmacy students' attitudes toward geriatric nursing home patients.

Objective: To determine the attitudes of second-year pharmacy students toward older people in general and geriatric patients in particular after attending an Early Pharmacy Practice Experiences 2 course.

Methods: One hundred forty-four second-year pharmacy students completed the Geriatrics Knowledge Test and Attitudes Survey between 2008 and 2010.

Results: On 11 of 14 items, most students had a favorable opinion of older people and providing geriatric care (mean > 3.

Texas pharmacists' knowledge of reporting serious adverse drug events to the Food and Drug Administration.

Objectives: To assess Texas pharmacists' knowledge of adverse drug event (ADE) reporting to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and to determine demographic and practice characteristics associated with this knowledge.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Austin, TX, in June and July 2009.

Influence of attitudes on pharmacists' intention to report serious adverse drug events to the Food and Drug Administration.

Aim: To investigate the influence of pharmacists' attitudes on intention to report serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a mail survey to collect data from hospital and community pharmacists practicing in Texas, United States. Three and 16 items were used to measure intention and attitudes, respectively, using a seven-point bipolar scale.

Examination of pharmacists' intention to report serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the FDA using the theory of planned behavior.

Background: Adverse drug event (ADE) reporting by pharmacists is an indispensable part of the drug safety system. U.S.

Introduction to metallic nanoparticles.

Metallic nanoparticles have fascinated scientist for over a century and are now heavily utilized in biomedical sciences and engineering. They are a focus of interest because of their huge potential in nanotechnology. Today these materials can be synthesized and modified with various chemical functional groups which allow them to be conjugated with antibodies, ligands, and drugs of interest and thus opening a wide range of potential applications in biotechnology, magnetic separation, and preconcentration of target analytes, targeted drug delivery, and vehicles for gene and drug delivery and more importantly diagnostic imaging.