Pharmacological Characterization of the Novel Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists 10-Iodo-Akuammicine and 10-Bromo-Akuammicine in Mice.

Akuammicine (AKC), an indole alkaloid, is a kappa opioid receptor (KOR) full agonist with a moderate affinity. 10-Iodo-akuammicine (I-AKC) and 10-Bromo-akuammicine (Br-AKC) showed higher affinities for the KOR with K values of 2.4 and 5.

Validation of the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity (G-ROP) criteria in a Slovene cohort.

Purpose To validate the Postnatal Growth and ROP (G-ROP) study criteria for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening in a Slovenian cohort. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of preterm infants screened in 2021 at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia. The G-ROP criteria were systematically applied.

Manzamine A: A Promising Marine-Derived Cancer Therapeutic for Multi-targeted Interactions with E2F8, SIX1, AR, GSK-3β, and V-ATPase - A Systematic Review.

Manzamine A, a natural compound derived from various sponge genera, features a β-carboline structure and exhibits a range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antimalarial effects. Its potential as an anticancer agent has been explored in several tumor models, both in vitro and in vivo, showing effects through mechanisms such as cytotoxicity, regulation of the cell cycle, inhibition of cell migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, and apoptosis through multi-target interactions of E2F transcriptional factors, ribosomal S6 kinases, androgen receptor (AR), SIX1, GSK-3β, V-ATPase, and p53/p21/p27 cascades. This systematic review evaluates existing literature on the potential application of this marine alkaloid as a novel cancer therapy, highlighting its promising ability to inhibit cancer cell growth while causing minimal side effects.

Intranasal oxytocin for apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia (FOXY): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive, crossover, phase 2a/2b superiority trial.

Background: No treatments exist for apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia. Previously, in a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study, intranasal oxytocin administration in people with frontotemporal dementia improved apathy ratings on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory over 1 week and, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, a single dose of 72 IU oxytocin increased blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal in limbic brain regions. We aimed to determine whether longer treatment with oxytocin improves apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia.

Knowledge and attitudes of school nurses in caring for sexual and gender minority youth: A national survey.

Background: School nurses (SNs) can play important roles in the health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, yet little is known about their knowledge and attitudes toward this population.

Purpose: To understand SNs' knowledge and attitudes in caring for SGM youth across the United States.

Methods: We designed and disseminated the School Nurses and LGBTQ Youth online survey in May 2023 to U.

The effect of registered nurse staffing and skill mix on length of stay and hospital costs.

Background: Sepsis is a common cause of hospitalization among Medicare beneficiaries, often leading to prolonged hospital stays and high costs.

Purpose: To estimate the impact of registered nurse (RN) staffing and skill mix on hospital lengths of stay and associated costs for Medicare beneficiaries with sepsis.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was conducted using 2018 data from 2,107 acute care hospitals, including 653,496 patients with sepsis.

Management of renal cell carcinoma with ablation in comparison to nephrectomy: A 5-year analysis of inpatient procedural data to evaluate utilization disparities in the United States.

Purpose: To perform a nationwide analysis of ablation compared to partial and total nephrectomy for the management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to evaluate utilization trends and disparities in the USA.

Materials And Methods: The 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample was analyzed. Using ICD-10, we identified the diagnosis of RCC then analyzed the utilization trends of ablation and nephrectomies (both partial and complete).

From solubility to efficiency: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regeneration from anion exchange resins.

This study investigated the regenerability of anion exchange resins for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), focusing on the interaction between regenerant composition and resin characteristics. The influence of salt type and concentration on PFAS solubility revealed a general decline in perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) solubility with increased salt concentrations, most strongly with KCl followed by NaCl and NHCl. Mixed solubility results were observed for perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).

Extreme heat risk and the potential implications for the scheduling of football matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Climate change is making extreme heat events more frequent and intense. This negatively impacts many aspects of society, including organised sport. As the world's most watched sporting event, the FIFA World Cup commands particular attention around the threat of extreme heat.

Cultural differences on baby loss experiences: A comparison of the US and New Zealand.

Prior research has shown that the death of a baby (whether it be through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss) can have profound effects on the parents involved. However, research has yet to adequately understand how these effects differ cross-culturally. Our research addresses these issues through a qualitative study of 47 bereaved mothers in the United States and New Zealand-cultures that have differing perspectives on death.

2024 White Paper on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis: Evolution of Immunogenicity Assessment beyond ADA/NAb; Regulated Genomic/NGS Assays; Hypersensitivity Reactions; Minimum Noise Reduction; False Positive Range; Modernized Vaccine Approaches; NAb/TAb Correlation - Recommendations on Advanced Strategies for Molecular Assays and Immunogenicity of Gene Therapy, Cell Therapy, Vaccine; Biotherapeutics Immunogenicity Assessment & Clinical Relevance - Regulatory Agencies' Input on Immunogenicity/Technologies of Biotherapeutics, Gene, Cell & Vaccine Therapies).

The 18 Workshop on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis (18 WRIB) took place in San Antonio, TX, USA on May 6-10, 2024. Over 1100 professionals representing pharma/biotech companies, CROs, and multiple regulatory agencies convened to actively discuss the most current topics of interest in bioanalysis. The 18 WRIB included 3 Main Workshops and 7 Specialized Workshops that together spanned 1 week to allow an exhaustive and thorough coverage of all major issues in bioanalysis of biomarkers, immunogenicity, gene therapy, cell therapy and vaccines.

2024 White paper on recent issues in bioanalysis: Impact of LDT in US and IVDR in EU; AI/ML for High Parameter Flow Cytometry; The rise of Olink Technology; CDx for AAV Gene Therapies; Integrative Bioanalysis by Multiple Platforms; Super Sensitive ADA/NAb LBA ( - Recommendations on Advanced Strategies for Biomarkers, IVD/CDx Assays (BAV), Cell Based Assays (CBA), and Ligand-Binding Assays (LBA) - Regulatory Agencies' Input on Biomarkers, IVD/CDx, and Biomarker Assay Validation).

The 18th Workshop on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis (18th WRIB) took place in San Antonio, TX, USA on May 6-10, 2024. Over 1100 professionals representing pharma/biotech companies, CROs, and multiple regulatory agencies convened to actively discuss the most current topics of interest in bioanalysis. The 18th WRIB included 3 Main Workshops and 7 Specialized Workshops that together spanned 1 week to allow an exhaustive and thorough coverage of all major issues in bioanalysis of biomarkers, immunogenicity, gene therapy, cell therapy and vaccines.

Betacoronaviruses Differentially Activate the Integrated Stress Response to Optimize Viral Replication in Lung-Derived Cell Lines.

The betacoronavirus genus contains five of the seven human coronaviruses, making it a particularly critical area of research to prepare for future viral emergence. We utilized three human betacoronaviruses, one from each subgenus-HCoV-OC43 (embecovirus), SARS-CoV-2 (sarbecovirus), and MERS-CoV (merbecovirus)-, to study betacoronavirus interactions with the PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway of the integrated stress response (ISR)/unfolded protein response (UPR). The PERK pathway becomes activated by an abundance of unfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to phosphorylation of eIF2α and translational attenuation.

Monovalent Lectin Microvirin Utilizes Hydropathic Recognition of HIV-1 Env for Inhibition of Virus Cell Infection.

Microvirin is a lectin molecule known to have monovalent interaction with glycoprotein gp120. A previously reported high-resolution structural analysis defines the mannobiose-binding cavity of Microvirin. Nonetheless, structure does not directly define the energetics of binding contributions of protein contact residues.

Evaluation of Biologics ACE2/Ang(1-7) Encapsulated in Plant Cells for FDA Approval: Safety and Toxicology Studies.

For several decades, protein drugs (biologics) made in cell cultures have been delivered as sterile injections, decreasing their affordability and patient preference. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) gum is the first engineered human blood protein expressed in plant cells approved by the FDA without the need for purification and is a cold-chain and noninvasive drug delivery. This biologic is currently being evaluated in human clinical studies to debulk SARS-CoV-2 in the oral cavity to reduce coronavirus infection/transmission (NCT00543318).

Hormonal Contraception and Bone Metabolism: Emerging Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies on Post-Pubertal and Reproductive-Age Women.

Background/objectives: This study aims to assess the effects of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) on bone metabolism markers. It primarily measures osteocalcin and additionally examines other bone health markers, seeking to determine their responses to estrogen-progestogen treatments.

Methods: This study involved a comprehensive evaluation of the pertinent literature and a meta-analysis explicitly conducted on data describing women of reproductive age.

Astrocytic HIV-1 Nef Expression Decreases Glutamate Transporter Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens and Increases Cocaine-Seeking Behavior in Rats.

Background/objectives: Cocaine use disorder is an intersecting issue in populations with HIV-1, further exacerbating the clinical course of the disease and contributing to neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Cocaine and HIV neurotoxins play roles in neuronal damage during neuroHIV progression by disrupting glutamate homeostasis in the brain. Even with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV-1 Nef, an early viral protein expressed in approximately 1% of infected astrocytes, remains a key neurotoxin.

Glucose-Lowering Agents Developed in the Last Two Decades and Their Perioperative Implications.

The last two decades have provided far more options f both patients and their physicians in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. While dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have been approved for nearly two decades, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are relatively new. Of interest to perioperative physicians, these drugs present specific perioperative concerns, prompting many societies to issue guidelines.

A TriNetX Analysis of Hypertrophic Scarring Disorders, Genitourinary Strictures, and Urethroplasty Failure.

Urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures (BNCs) can be significantly morbid for patients and may require intervention for effective urinary drainage. We hypothesized patients with abnormal scarring disorders, such as keloids or hypertrophic scars, are at elevated risks of urethroplasty failure as well as postprocedural urethral strictures and BNCs. We queried the TriNetX database to determine the risk of urethroplasty failure for patients with abnormal scarring disorders compared to controls.

Harnessing Insect Chemosensory and Mechanosensory Receptors Involved in Feeding for Precision Pest Management.

Chemosensation and mechanosensation are vital to insects' survival and behavior, shaping critical physiological processes such as feeding, metabolism, mating, and reproduction. During feeding, insects rely on diverse chemosensory and mechanosensory receptors to distinguish between nutritious and harmful substances, enabling them to select suitable food sources while avoiding toxins. These receptors are distributed across various body parts, allowing insects to detect environmental cues about food quality and adjust their behaviors accordingly.