Telehealth: misconceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals in England.

Objectives: This study aims to look at telehealth awareness and experiences among healthcare professionals (HCPs) from different disciplines, in addition to factors impeding its adoption in healthcare delivery.

Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 36 HCPs from different disciplines such as pharmacists, nurses and doctors in South London. A convenience sampling technique was used whereby HCPs working in local trusts, community pharmacies and general practitioners surgeries were approached for participation.

Association of High Risk Human Papillomavirus and Breast cancer: A UK based Study.

Infection by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) has been implicated in the aetiology of a variety of cancers. Studies evaluating the presence of HPVs in breast cancer (BC) have generated considerable controversy. To date, most studies have focused on the presence of viral DNA in BC; however there are important gaps in evidencing the role of HPV persistence in the invasiveness of BC.

Phytochemical Investigations of Three Rhodocodon (Hyacinthaceae Sensu APG II) Species.

The genus Rhodocodon (Hyacinthaceae sensu APG II) is endemic to Madagascar, and its phytochemistry has not been described previously. The phytochemistry of three species in this genus has been investigated, and eight compounds, including three bufadienolides (compounds 1, 4, and 5), a norlignan (2), and four homoisoflavonoids (compounds 3 and 6-8), have been isolated and identified. Compounds 1-3 and 6-8 have not been described previously.

3D Organotypic Culture Model to Study Components of ERK Signaling.

Organotypic models are 3D in vitro representations of an in vivo environment. Their complexity can range from an epidermal replica to the establishment of a cancer microenvironment. These models have been used for many years, in an attempt to mimic the structure and function of cells and tissues found inside the body.

Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope Imaging of Vesicle Systems.

The structural characteristics of liposomes have been widely investigated and there is certainly a strong understanding of their morphological characteristics. Imaging of these systems, using techniques such as freeze-fracturing methods, transmission electron microscopy, and cryo-electron imaging, has allowed us to appreciate their bilayer structures and factors which can influence this. However, there are few methods which all us to study these systems in their natural hydrated state; commonly the liposomes are visualized after drying, staining, and/or fixation of the vesicles.

Efficient approach to enhance drug solubility by particle engineering of bovine serum albumin.

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a solubility enhancer for indometacin (IND) as a model drug. IND-BSA solid dispersions were prepared by both spray drying and freeze drying techniques using IND:BSA solution (20:1 Molar Ratio (MR)) and IND:BSA suspension (100:1 MR). The solid state of IND in solid dispersions was characterised by SEM, DSC and XRD.

Screening for Neuraminidase Inhibitory Activity in Traditional Chinese Medicines Used to Treat Influenza.

To screen for influenza virus neuraminidase inhibition and to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of influenza using traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). In this study, 421 crude extracts (solubilized with petroleum ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous solvents) were obtained from 113 TCM. The medicine extracts were then reacted with oseltamivir, using 2'-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-α-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (MUNANA) as the substrate, to determine influenza virus neuraminidase activity using a standard fluorimetric assay.

Lead isotope ratio measurements as indicators for the source of lead poisoning in Mute swans (Cygnus olor) wintering in Puck Bay (northern Poland).

Lead (Pb) poisoning is most commonly linked amongst anthropogenically-caused deaths in waterfowl and this is often associated with hunting and fishing activities. However, the exact identification of the source may be difficult with commonly-used techniques. We have studied isotope ratios using Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to investigate the source of Pb in the blood of Mute swans (n = 49) wintering in northern Poland.

Relationship between air pollution and metal levels in cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissues.

We aimed to check the relationships between levels of metals (Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg and Zn) in cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissues and their link to air pollution, expressed as particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The study also examines the influence on metal concentration in the lung tissue of patients' sex and the distance of their homes from the nearest emitter. We found that the general pattern of ascending concentrations in tumor tissue was as follows: Hg < Cd < Cu < Ca < Zn < Fe.

Two New Highly Oxygenated Spirostanol Saponins from Paris polyphylla var. stenophylla.

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. stenophylla led to the isolation of two new highly oxygenated spirostanol saponins, named paristenosides A (1) and B (2), together with seven known compounds. Their structures were established mainly on the base of NMR spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry, as well as chemical methods.

Chemical and Genetic Comparative Analysis of Gentiana crassicaulis and Gentiana macrophylla.

Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk. and Gentiana macrophylla Pall. are two main sources of Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae (Qinjiao) available in markets, which has a wide range of anti-inflammatory effects and has been extensively used for fighting rheumatoid arthritis.

Effect of non-cross-linked calcium on characteristics, swelling behaviour, drug release and mucoadhesiveness of calcium alginate beads.

In this study, ibuprofen-loaded calcium alginate beads (CABs) with varying amounts of non-cross-linked calcium (NCL-Ca) were prepared using different washing methods. The influence of NCL-Ca on beads properties was investigated. Increasing the number or duration of washes led to significant decreases in the amount of NCL-Ca whereas the impact of the volume of washes was not significant.

Two new phragmalin-type limonoids from Chukrasia tabularis and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of C. tabularis (Meliaceae) led to the isolation of two new phragmalin-type limonoids, named tabularisins S and T (1-2), along with five known ones (3-7). The structures of the new limonoids were established by spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, HRESIMS, and 1D and 2D NMR.

The application of molecular modelling in the safety assessment of chemicals: A case study on ligand-dependent PPARγ dysregulation.

The aim of this paper was to provide a proof of concept demonstrating that molecular modelling methodologies can be employed as a part of an integrated strategy to support toxicity prediction consistent with the mode of action/adverse outcome pathway (MoA/AOP) framework. To illustrate the role of molecular modelling in predictive toxicology, a case study was undertaken in which molecular modelling methodologies were employed to predict the activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated nuclear receptor γ (PPARγ) as a potential molecular initiating event (MIE) for liver steatosis. A stepwise procedure combining different in silico approaches (virtual screening based on docking and pharmacophore filtering, and molecular field analysis) was developed to screen for PPARγ full agonists and to predict their transactivation activity (EC).

Draft Genome Sequence of "Cohnella kolymensis" B-2846.

A draft genome sequence of "Cohnella kolymensis" strain B-2846 was derived using IonTorrent sequencing technology. The size of the assembly and G+C content were in agreement with those of other species of this genus. Characterization of the genome of a novel species of Cohnella will assist in bacterial systematics.

Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum 2025.

A draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum 2025 was derived using Ion Torrent sequencing technology. The total size of the assembly (3.33 Mb) was in agreement with the genome sizes of other strains of this species.

New Phragmalin-Type Limonoids from Chukrasia tabularis and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity.

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of C. tabularis led to the isolation of five new phragmalin-type limonoids and six known ones. The structures of the new compounds 1-5, named chukbularisins A-E, were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR) and comparisons with published data.

Lipopolysaccharide Increases Immune Activation and Alters T Cell Homeostasis in SHIVB'WHU Chronically Infected Chinese Rhesus Macaque.

Immune activation plays a significant role in the disease progression of HIV. Microbial products, especially bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), contribute to immune activation. Increasing evidence indicates that T lymphocyte homeostasis disruptions are associated with immune activation.

New Labdane Diterpenes and Their Glycoside Derivatives from the Roots of Isodon adenantha.

Two new labdane-type diterpenes (adenanthic acids A and B; 1 and 2, resp.) and three new labdane diterpene glycosides (adenanthosides A-C; 3-5, resp.) were isolated from the roots of Isodon adenantha, together with 23 known constituents including seven diterpenoids (6-12), eight triterpenoids (13-20), one lignan glycoside (21), six steroids (22-27), and one ceramide (28).

Systems Biology Approach Reveals a Calcium-Dependent Mechanism for Basal Toxicity in Daphnia magna.

The expanding diversity and ever increasing amounts of man-made chemicals discharged to the environment pose largely unknown hazards to ecosystem and human health. The concept of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) emerged as a comprehensive framework for risk assessment. However, the limited mechanistic information available for most chemicals and a lack of biological pathway annotation in many species represent significant challenges to effective implementation of this approach.

Chronic effects of the ionic liquid [C4mim][Cl] towards the microalga Scenedesmus quadricauda.

Chronic effects of the ionic liquid [C4mim][Cl] (mp 73 °C) towards the microalga, Scenedesmus quadricauda were studied by flow cytometry, monitoring multiple endpoints of cell density, esterase activity, membrane integrity, reactive oxygen species and chlorophyll fluorescence. Toxicity was clearly in evidence, and although increased esterase activity indicated hormesis during initial exposure to [C4mim][Cl], inhibition of both esterase activity and chlorophyll fluorescence became apparent after 3 days. Cell density was also decreased by culturing with [C4mim][Cl], but this effect was clearly concentration-dependent and only became significant during the second half of the experiment.

β-Eliminative depolymerization of the fucosylated chondroitin sulfate and anticoagulant activities of resulting fragments.

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FCS) from sea cucumber with complex structure has potent anticoagulant activity by inhibition of intrinsic tenase; however, it could activate factor XII and platelet. To obtain FCS' fragments with selective inhibition on intrinsic tenase, a method for β-eliminative depolymerization of FCS was developed by treating FCS benzyl esters with alkaline in anhydrous solution. Our results demonstrated that the glycosidic linkages of GalNAc-β1, 4-GlcA were selectively cleaved and distinctive Δ(4,5) unsaturated hexuronic acid was formed at non-reducing end of resulting fragments, while the main structures were essentially stable during depolymerization.

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 regulates nitric oxide synthesis and hemodynamics and determines outcome in polymicrobial sepsis.

Objective: Nitric oxide is a key to numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. Nitric oxide production is regulated endogenously by 2 methylarginines, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and monomethyl-L-arginine. The enzyme that specifically metabolizes asymmetric dimethylarginine and monomethyl-L-arginine is dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH).

Strophalloside induces apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells through the mitochondrion-dependent caspase-3 pathway.

Cardenolides with special chemical structures have been considered as effective anti-cancer drugs in clinic trials. Strophalloside is a cardenolide we recently isolated from Antiaris toxicaria obtained from Hainan, China. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible anticancer effects induced by strophalloside and the underlying molecular mechanism.