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.

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.

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.

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.

Validation of an instrument to assess student pharmacist self-authorship.

Introduction: Self-authorship is the creation of one's own perspective by contextually evaluating evidence, constructing independent beliefs, and maintaining capacity to consider outside perspectives. Transitioning between cognitive self-authorship stages is common during higher education. Despite correlation to several co-curricular subdomains, instruments to measure self-authorship are limited, however, one such instrument has been developed within medical education and would benefit use within pharmacy education.

Removal efficiency of antineoplastic drug cyclophosphamide by hypochlorous acid.

Hypochlorous acid (HClO), one of the major reactive oxygen species, is obtained by electrolyzing a sodium chloride solution. HClO is a safe and effective disinfectant and decomposing agent widely used as an alternative to sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the safety and efficiency of HClO generated by electrolyzing sodium chloride as a decontaminant.

Alienation and/or anomie in pharmacists: a protocol for a narrative systematic review.

Introduction: Episodes of alienation and/or anomie in pharmacists have been reported in historical accounts since the 19th century. Alienation and anomie are distinct types of psychological or social ills where people are problematically separated from, or their skills and values are misaligned with, others and their environment. Alienation and/or anomie can be important precursors of many negative work experiences, including job dissatisfaction, burnout and/or intention to leave.

Context-Dependent Estrogenic Actions of (+)-Pisatin Produced in Elicited Green or Snow Pea ().

Legumes are a predominant source of isoflavones, termed phytoestrogens, that mimic 17β-estradiol (E2). Phytoalexins are inducible isoflavones produced in plants subjected to environmental stressors (e.g.

Tissue factor promotes TREX1 protein stability to evade cGAS-STING innate immune response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains the most challenging human malignancy that urgently needs effective therapy. Tissue factor (TF) is expressed in ~80% of PDAC and represents a potential therapeutic target. While a novel TF-ADC (MRG004A) demonstrated efficacy for PDAC and TNBC in a Phase I/II trial [Ref.

A Call for Clarity: A Proposed Toolkit to Integrate Foundational Sciences into Pharmacy Curricula.

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit has been used across many schools of pharmacy to guide the depth and breadth of therapeutics coverage, but no counterpart for foundational science coverage in pharmacy education currently exists. Broad topic areas for the foundational sciences are outlined in Appendix 1 of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) standards, but the standards lack specific direction with regard to foundational sciences content needed in the professional pharmacy curriculum. Faculty are therefore challenged to determine the depth and breadth of foundational sciences to meet educational standards within limited curricular space, often resulting in curricular hoarding and overload.

Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Experience With the Tandem t:slim X2 With Control-IQ Technology Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery System.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess patient satisfaction and clinical experience with the t:slim X2 with Control-IQ Technology automated insulin delivery system.

Methods: This descriptive study used a retrospective electronic health record review of all individuals trained on the Control-IQ system between December 2019 and April 2022 in one adult endocrinology practice. A total of 99 patients using the Control-IQ system for at least 3 months completed the glucose monitoring satisfaction survey (GMSS).

2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione mediates the effect of ROS-enhanced PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway on autophagy in breast cancer.

Several studies have suggested a potential antitumor effect of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD). To further understand the mechanism of action of this compound, we investigated its effect on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. We show that DMDD application significantly inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and ER-α positive MCF-7.