A Comparison of Currently Approved Small Interfering RNA (siRNA) Medications to Alternative Treatments by Costs, Indications, and Medicaid Coverage.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based medications offer the ability to target previously undruggable targets and have now received FDA approval in five instances for orphan or uncommon diseases. The current siRNA "-sirans" are directed towards hepatic molecular targets. Because they are not conventional drug formulae, their ultimate clinical success will require overcoming multiple barriers beyond their pharmacology.

Retinal toxicity of heavy metals and its involvement in retinal pathology.

The objective of the present review is to discuss epidemiological evidence demonstrating the association between toxic metal (Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Sn, Ti, Tl) exposure and retinal pathology, along with the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that Cd, and to a lesser extent Pb exposure, are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), while the existing evidence on the levels of these metals in patients with diabetic retinopathy is scarce. Epidemiological data on the association between other toxic metals and metalloids including mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As), are limited.

Performance and CO emission of a single cylinder compression ignition engine powered by non-edible seeds fuel blends.

This work aimed at investigating blends of biodiesel in a compression ignition engine, attempting to improve engine performance and reduce CO emission compared with conventional diesel. Analysis of System (ANSYS) was used to predict in-cylinder behavior of the fuel. ANSYS SpaceClaim generated the geometric model on which 5° sector and mesh refinement was on ANSYS Internal Combustion Engine Modeler (ICEM).

Transcriptome Profiling of a Salt Excluder Hybrid Grapevine Rootstock 'Ruggeri' throughout Salinity.

Salinity is one of the substantial threats to plant productivity and could be escorted by other stresses such as heat and drought. It impairs critical biological processes, such as photosynthesis, energy, and water/nutrient acquisition, ultimately leading to cell death when stress intensity becomes uncured. Therefore, plants deploy several proper processes to overcome such hostile circumstances.

Effects of Physical Cues on Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles toward Neuropathy Applications.

The peripheral nervous system undergoes sufficient stress when affected by diabetic conditions, chemotherapeutic drugs, and personal injury. Consequently, peripheral neuropathy arises as the most common complication, leading to debilitating symptoms that significantly alter the quality and way of life. The resulting chronic pain requires a treatment approach that does not simply mask the accompanying symptoms but provides the necessary external environment and neurotrophic factors that will effectively facilitate nerve regeneration.

Activation of MAP Kinase Pathway by Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors Causes Apoptosis and Disrupts Breast Cancer Cell Invasion.

Prognoses for TNBC remain poor due to its aggressive nature and the lack of therapies that target its "drivers". RASA1, a RAS-GAP or GTPase-activating protein whose activity inhibits RAS signaling, is downregulated in up to 77% of TNBC cases. As such, RAS proteins become hyperactive and similar in effect to mutant hyperactive RAS proteins with impaired GTPase activities.

Mentoring Minority Cancer Researchers of Tomorrow: Comparison of the Face-to-Face, Virtual, and Hybrid Training Methods of the CaRE Summer Cancer Research Education and Training Program.

In our previous publication, we reported a framework to develop an undergraduate cancer research training program at Florida A&M University (FAMU) under the umbrella of the Florida-California Cancer Research, Education, and Engagement (CaRE) Health Equity Center activity by harnessing the resources available at FAMU, the University of Florida (UF), and the University of Southern California (USC) Cancer Centers. The implementation of the CaRE face-to-face training platform was dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the summer of 2020 and 2021 training periods. However, a concerted effort was made to restructure the face-to-face training model into virtual and hybrid training methods to maintain the continuity of the program during the pandemic.

Digital twins for health: a scoping review.

The use of digital twins (DTs) has proliferated across various fields and industries, with a recent surge in the healthcare sector. The concept of digital twin for health (DT4H) holds great promise to revolutionize the entire healthcare system, including management and delivery, disease treatment and prevention, and health well-being maintenance, ultimately improving human life. The rapid growth of big data and continuous advancement in data science (DS) and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to significantly expedite DT research and development by providing scientific expertise, essential data, and robust cybertechnology infrastructure.

A comparative study of 11 non-linear regression models highlighting autoencoder, DBN, and SVR, enhanced by SHAP importance analysis in soybean branching prediction.

To explore a robust tool for advancing digital breeding practices through an artificial intelligence-driven phenotype prediction expert system, we undertook a thorough analysis of 11 non-linear regression models. Our investigation specifically emphasized the significance of Support Vector Regression (SVR) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) in predicting soybean branching. By using branching data (phenotype) of 1918 soybean accessions and 42 k SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) polymorphic data (genotype), this study systematically compared 11 non-linear regression AI models, including four deep learning models (DBN (deep belief network) regression, ANN (artificial neural network) regression, Autoencoders regression, and MLP (multilayer perceptron) regression) and seven machine learning models (e.

Efficacy of a novel multi-enzyme feed additive on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut microbiome of weanling pigs fed corn-wheat or wheat-barley-based diet.

One-hundred-and-ninety-two weanling pigs (6.7 kg body weight) were used to evaluate the impact of a carbohydrases-protease enzyme complex (CPEC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut microbiome. Pigs were assigned to one of the four dietary treatments for 42 d according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of diet type (low fiber [LF] or high fiber [HF]) and CPEC supplementation (0 or 170 mg/kg diet).

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Associated Gastrointestinal Adverse Events: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Institutes of Health All of Us Cohort.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are commonly used diabetes and obesity medications but have been associated with gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events. However, real-world evidence on comparative GI adverse reaction profiles is limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate GI adverse events among GLP-1 RA users and compare semaglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, and exenatide safety regarding the GI adverse reaction profile.

The Garlic Compound, Diallyl Trisulfide, Attenuates Benzo[a]Pyrene-Induced Precancerous Effect through Its Antioxidant Effect, AhR Inhibition, and Increased DNA Repair in Human Breast Epithelial Cells.

Exposure to B[a]P, the most characterized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, significantly increases breast cancer risk. Our lab has previously reported that diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a garlic organosulfur compound (OSC) with chemopreventive and cell cycle arrest properties, reduces lipid peroxides and DNA damage in normal breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells. In this study, we evaluated the ability of DATS to block the B[a]P-induced initiation of carcinogenesis in MCF-10A cells by examining changes in proliferation, clonogenic formation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, and protein expression of ARNT/HIF-1β, CYP1A1, and DNA POLβ.

Combined Role of Interleukin-15 Stimulated Natural Killer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Carboplatin in Osimertinib-Resistant H1975 Lung Cancer Cells with EGFR Mutations.

In this study, we evaluated IL-15 stimulated natural killer cell-derived EVs (NK-EVs) as therapeutic agents in vitro and in vivo in Osimertinib-resistant lung cancer (H1975R) with EGFR mutations (L858R) in combination with carboplatin (CBP). NK-EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, and atomic force microscopy imaging revealed vesicles with a spherical form and sizes meeting the criteria of exosomal EVs. Further, Western blot studies demonstrated the presence of regular EV markers along with specific NK markers (perforin and granzyme).

The Anticancer Effects of the Garlic Organosulfide Diallyl Trisulfide through the Attenuation of B[a]P-Induced Oxidative Stress, AhR Expression, and DNA Damage in Human Premalignant Breast Epithelial (MCF-10AT1) Cells.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is the most characterized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon associated with breast cancer. Our lab previously reported that the organosulfur compound (OSC), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), chemoprevention mechanism works through the induction of cell cycle arrest and a reduction in oxidative stress and DNA damage in normal breast epithelial cells. We hypothesize that DATS will inhibit B[a]P-induced cancer initiation in premalignant breast epithelial (MCF-10AT1) cells.

The Anticancer Effects of Marine Carotenoid Fucoxanthin through Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K)-AKT Signaling on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that lacks specific targets such as estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. TNBC affects one in eight women in the United States, making up 15-20% of breast cancer cases. Patients with TNBC can develop resistance to chemotherapy over time, leading to treatment failure.

Trophic transfer mechanisms of potentially toxic elements from sediment and plant leaves (Rhizophora mangle) to fiddler crabs (Minuca rapax) ().

To assess "bottom-up" to "top-down" trophic transfer, we analyze As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Se, Zn, Fe, and Mn from two sediment chemical fractions (exchangeable and organic-bound), red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) leaves, and fiddler crab (M. rapax) soft tissues from Isla del Carmen, Yucatán Peninsula. Both mechanisms were observed indictive that R.

A versatile and economical method for collecting macroinvertebrates using Hester-Dendy multiplate samplers.

We present an inexpensive, versatile, and robust mounting system for Hester-Dendy (HD) multiplate samplers that are useful in aquatic biological studies and freshwater biomonitoring programs. Detailed instructions are provided outlining the construction and deployment of a concrete block system featuring threaded anchors for screwing in HD columns in a vertical position. Additionally, eye bolts provide a central attachment point for cabling the block securely to the stream or river bank, and for attachment of a buoy or physiochemical data logger if desired.

Health Promotion and Racial Disparity in COVID-19 Mortality Among African American Populations.

COVID-19, known as Coronavirus Disease 2019, is a major health issue resulting from novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Its emergence has posed a significant menace to the global medical community and healthcare system across the world. Notably, on December 12, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the utilization of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Composite Resins Impregnated by Phosphorus Organic Extractants for Separation of Rare Earth Elements from Nitrate-Based Leachate of Permanent Magnets.

Composite resins impregnated by different organophosphorus extractants were developed and used for the extraction chromatography recovery of rare earth elements from nitrate-based leachate of NdFeB permanent magnets. The influence of different factors on recovery of Nd(III) and Fe(III), as the most difficult to separate elements, by developed resins was studied. The influence of extractant structure, the composition of feed solutions, and concentrations of HNO and NHNO on the recovery of Fe(III) and Nd(III) by prepared resins were considered.

Self-Discharge Processes in Symmetrical Supercapacitors with Activated Carbon Electrodes.

The self-discharge of an electric double-layer capacitor with composite activated carbon electrodes and aqueous electrolyte (1 M MgSO) was studied in detail. Under a long-term potentiostatic charge (stabilization), a decrease in the discharge capacity was observed in the region of voltages exceeding 0.8 V.

Applications of Cannabinoids in Neuropathic Pain: An Updated Review.

Neuropathic pain is experienced due to injury to the nerves, underlying disease conditions or toxicity induced by chemotherapeutics. Multiple factors can contribute to neuropathic pain such as central nervous system (CNS)-related autoimmune and metabolic disorders, nerve injury, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Hence, development of pharmacological interventions to reduce the drawbacks of existing chemotherapeutics and counter neuropathic pain is an urgent unmet clinical need.

Physiological Comparison of Two Salt-Excluder Hybrid Grapevine Rootstocks under Salinity Reveals Different Adaptation Qualities.

Like other plant stresses, salinity is a central agricultural problem, mainly in arid or semi-arid regions. Therefore, salt-adapted plants have evolved several adaptation strategies to counteract salt-related events, such as photosynthesis inhibition, metabolic toxicity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. European grapes are usually grafted onto salt-tolerant rootstocks as a cultivation practice to alleviate salinity-dependent damage.

Anticancer Effects of Fucoxanthin through Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis Induction, and Angiogenesis Inhibition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

The absence of progesterone receptors, estrogen receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 restricts the therapy choices for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Moreover, conventional medication is not highly effective in treating TNBC, and developing effective therapeutic agents from natural bioactive compounds is a viable option. In this study, the anticancer effects of the natural compound fucoxanthin were investigated in two genetically different models of TNBC cells: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells.

Association between pharmacist-led telehealth services and improvements in cardiovascular outcomes among patients with cardiovascular risk factors: A scoping review.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. Despite the effectiveness of lifestyle changes and recommended therapeutics, access to primary care and treatments to improve cardiovascular risk-factors (CRFs) remains challenging. Pharmacists and telehealth services have been proposed as potential solutions to overcome these barriers.