Regulation of human Th9 cell differentiation by lipid modulators targeting PPAR-γ and acetyl-CoA-carboxylase 1.

CD4 T cell activation induces dramatic changes to cellular metabolism for supporting their growth and differentiation into effector subsets. While the cytokines IL-4, TGF-β and IL-21 promote differentiation into Th9 cells, metabolic factors regulating this process remain poorly understood. To assess the role of lipid metabolism in human Th9 cell differentiation, naïve CD4 T cells were purified from blood of healthy volunteers and cultured in the presence or absence of compounds targeting PPAR-γ, acetyl-CoA-carboxylase 1 (ACC1), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) for four days.

Unsupervised machine learning analysis to identify patterns of ICU medication use for fluid overload prediction.

Background: Fluid overload (FO) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is common, serious, and may be preventable. Intravenous medications (including administered volume) are a primary cause for FO but are challenging to evaluate as a FO predictor given the high frequency and time-dependency of their use and other factors affecting FO. We sought to employ unsupervised machine learning methods to uncover medication administration patterns correlating with FO.

Hyperglycemia causes differential change in macrophage population in the lacrimal gland, conjunctiva and cornea.

Background: Due to its location, the ocular surface is exposed to environmental microbes. Innate immune cells including macrophages are first line defense against infections. exposure to high glucose as well as diabetes-associated hyperglycemia has been shown to affect innate immune cell function and population.

UPJE: Most pharmacy law educators have heard of it, but support remains divided.

Background: Most states require pharmacists to successfully pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) required by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to obtain licensure as a pharmacist, though pass rates for the MPJE have declined in recent years. Meanwhile, NABP is pursing efforts to standardize the exam with the emergent Uniform Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (UPJE).

Objective: This study aimed to describe the current thinking of pharmacy law educators across the US on the UPJE.

Current state of APPE-readiness assessments in schools or colleges of pharmacy.

Objective: To determine components and assessments included in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) readiness plans in United States Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs.

Methods: An electronic survey was emailed to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Laboratory Instructors Special Interest Group. Survey items included demographic information about the program, APPE-readiness plan implementation status and components.

Use of an electronic health record training environment with a longitudinal patient case as a teaching tool in an APPE-readiness course.

Background: The integration of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in healthcare has changed how healthcare is performed, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of these systems among pharmacists. The ability to navigate EHRs is crucial for pharmacy students' success in introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs and APPEs). This manuscript describes the development and use of an EHR training environment in an APPE-readiness course.

miR-124, miR-126-3p, and miR-200b: Potential therapeutic targets for VEGF-mediated complications in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate alterations in intravitreal microRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) as these factors are implicated in PDR pathogenesis.

Methods: Fifty-two participants, including 26 patients with PDR and 26 controls without diabetes, were included in this study. VEGF levels were assessed using ELISA, and seven microRNAs (miRNAs) (miR-19a, miR-20b, miR-27a, miR-124, miR-126-3p, miR-146a, and miR-200b) were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR.

Respiratory pathogen trends in queensland, australia between 2018 and 2021: A statewide cohort study before and after the initial COVID-19 outbreak.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and accompanying public health measures disrupted the normal transmission of respiratory viral pathogens. Less is known about the effects on bacterial pathogens.

Aims: To assess the impact of public health restrictions on common respiratory pathogens (influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the following bacterial pathogens: Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.

A Modified Delphi Process to Achieve Consensus on Social/Administrative Science Topics in Pharmacy Curricula.

Objective: To identify a consensus among pharmacy educators regarding relevant social/administrative science (SAS) topic areas and their priorities within pharmacy curricula.

Methods: A modified Delphi process was conducted with members of selected American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) affinity groups as the expert panel. Eighty-three potential topic areas across 12 domains were gathered via an informal literature review.

Papilledema in Children With Cystic Fibrosis Receiving Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor: A Multicenter Case Series.

Following the approval of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), there have been post-marketing reports and published cases of papilledema and intracranial hypertension in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) taking ETI. In those reports, the patients often presented with marked symptoms and concomitant hypervitaminosis A. In this multicenter case series, we report eight cases of papilledema in children with CF taking ETI that were diagnosed via routine eye exam, the majority of whom presented with minimal to no symptoms and all had normal serum Vitamin A levels.

Scoping review of drug dosing recommendations in sustained low-efficiency dialysis.

The objective of this scoping review was to answer the question, "What has been published describing drug dosing in sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED)?" PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched on November 18, 2022. Methodology followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework for scoping reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Two investigators independently screened abstracts and full-texts of citations identified related to drug dosing and SLED.

Effectiveness of ceftazidime-avibactam versus ceftolozane-tazobactam for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in the USA (CACTUS): a multicentre, retrospective, observational study.

Background: Ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam are preferred treatment options for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections; however, real-world comparative effectiveness studies are scarce. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences between the agents might affect clinical response rates. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam for treatment of invasive multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa infections.

Sectm1a Depletion Promotes Neutrophil Recruitment during Pneumococcal Pneumonia.

Airway epithelial cells (AECs) play an essential role in the immune response during bacterial pneumonia. Secreted and transmembrane 1a (Sectm1a) is specifically expressed in AECs during early (SP) infection. However, its function remains largely unexplored.

Stem cell transplantation therapy for advanced liver damage-associated neurodegenerative disorders.

Hepatic encephalopathy and other neurodegenerative disorders have profound implications for extensive liver impairment, calling for new ways of treating the condition. The application of stem cell transplantation to treat these severe disorders is a new and encouraging technique. This review article digs deep into the subject of stem cell transplantation therapy, neurodegenerative disorders associated with advanced liver damage, and liver transplantation.

The NCR1 transporter is an antimalarial target that exports cholesterol from the parasite's plasma membrane.

Malaria, a devastating parasitic infection, is the leading cause of death in many developing countries. Unfortunately, the most deadliest causative agent of malaria, , has developed resistance to nearly all currently available antimalarial drugs. The Niemann-Pick type C1-related (PfNCR1) transporter has been identified as a druggable target, but its structure and detailed molecular mechanism are not yet available.

Herbal Approaches to Diabetes Management: Pharmacological Mechanisms and Omics-Driven Discoveries.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia, resistance to insulin, and impaired function of the pancreatic β-cells; it advances into more serious complications like nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and retinopathy; herbal medicine has indicated promise in not just mitigating the symptoms but also in managing the complications. This review would aim to evaluate the pharmacological aspect of the botanical therapies Anacardium occidentale, Allium sativum, Urtica dioica, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum, as well as their bioactive phytochemicals, quercetin, resveratrol, berberine, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In this review, we discuss their mechanisms for secreting the insulin sensitizers, carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, reduction in oxidative stress and effectiveness against diabetic complications-all through sensitivity to insulin.

AlphaFold2-Based Characterization of Apo and Holo Protein Structures and Conformational Ensembles Using Randomized Alanine Sequence Scanning Adaptation: Capturing Shared Signature Dynamics and Ligand-Induced Conformational Changes.

Proteins often exist in multiple conformational states, influenced by the binding of ligands or substrates. The study of these states, particularly the apo (unbound) and holo (ligand-bound) forms, is crucial for understanding protein function, dynamics, and interactions. In the current study, we use AlphaFold2, which combines randomized alanine sequence masking with shallow multiple sequence alignment subsampling to expand the conformational diversity of the predicted structural ensembles and capture conformational changes between apo and holo protein forms.

Current and emerging PCSK9-directed therapies to reduce LDL-C and ASCVD risk: A state-of-the-art review.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is a primary strategy to reduce ASCVD risk. Although statin therapy remains the initial therapy of choice to reduce LDL-C and ASCVD risk, statin intolerance and suboptimal LDL-C lowering response prompts the need for additional non-statin therapies.

Advancement in predictive biomarkers for gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis and related outcomes: a scoping review.

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. While GDM is diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance testing between 24-28 weeks, earlier prediction of risk of developing GDM via circulating biomarkers has the potential to risk-stratify women and implement targeted risk reduction before adverse obstetric outcomes. This scoping review aims to collate biomarkers associated with GDM development, associated perinatal outcome and medication requirement in GDM.

Impact of smoking on gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in human and mice: Implications for COPD.

We aimed to elucidate the dynamic changes in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by the gut microbiota following smoking exposure and their role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. SCFA concentrations were measured in human plasma, comparing non-smokers (n = 6) and smokers (n = 12). Using a mouse COPD model induced by cigarette smoke exposure or elastase-induced emphysema, we modulated SCFA levels through dietary interventions and antibiotics to evaluate their effects on inflammation and alveolar destruction.

Curricular Assessment Blueprint and Needs Analysis for the Social, Administrative, and Behavioral Foundational Sciences.

Objectives: The objective of this integrative review is to analyze conceptual topics, applied content, teaching and learning strategies, and assessment methods within social, administrative, and behavioral sciences (SAS) syllabi and literature. The goal is to evaluate opportunities for enhancing the adoption and implementation of Curricular Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPA) 2022. Recommendations to better inform curriculum and assessment planning efforts are presented for programs and faculty seeking to optimize the integration of SAS content.

COEPA ready: Innovative pedagogy for integrating social determinants of health in PharmD curricula.

Background: The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPA) recognize the need for social determinants of health (SDH) education for pharmacy learners. However, there is a dearth of published strategies for incorporating comprehensive SDH education in Doctor of Pharmacy curricula. The objectives of this study were to: 1) highlight unpublished exemplars of SDH teaching models and 2) propose strategies for teaching SDH.