Identification of 3-chymotrypsin like protease (3CLPro) inhibitors as potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.

Emerging outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major threat to public health. The morbidity is increasing due to lack of SARS-CoV-2 specific drugs. Herein, we have identified potential drugs that target the 3-chymotrypsin like protease (3CLpro), the main protease that is pivotal for the replication of SARS-CoV-2.

Lipocalin-2 deficiency may predispose to the progression of spontaneous age-related adiposity in mice.

Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) is an innate immune protein elevated by several orders of magnitude in various inflammatory conditions including aging and obesity. Recent studies have shown that Lcn2 is secreted by adipocytes in response to inflammation and is categorized as a new adipokine cross-linking innate immunity and metabolic disorders including obesity. However, the involvement of Lcn2 and its function during the progression of obesity is largely unknown.

Are We Meeting the Demand for Pharmacist-Led Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs during Postgraduate Training-Year 1 (PGY1)?

In the United States of America pharmacists play a pivotal role in antimicrobial stewardship; training from postgraduate residency may hone knowledge and skills gained from didactic pharmacy education. Specifically, the first year of postgraduate training, the learner may become an "everyday steward in training" and may go on to complete a second year in infectious diseases. However, there are a limited number of second year infectious diseases programs.

Growth inhibition and apoptosis of human multiple myeloma cells induced by 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid derivatives.

Multiple myeloma is a blood cell cancer and can cause symptoms such as bone loss and fatigue. Recent studies have shown that the bone marrow microenvironment may mediate tumor proliferation, drug resistance, and migration of the multiple myeloma cells. Synthetic triterpenoids have been used for the treatment of cancer due to their antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Improving Sensitivity and Specificity of Amyloid-β Peptides and Tau Protein Detection with Antibiofouling Magnetic Nanoparticles for Liquid Biopsy of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing global healthcare burden affecting the aging population and society. Given the lack of effective treatment to AD, early detection at the prodromal stage and timely monitoring of changes during progression are considered the best approach to control and intervene in disease progression. "Liquid biopsy" of AD biomarkers amyloid-β peptides (Aβs) and tau proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood samples holds great promises for cost-effective, widely accessible, and easy-administrated noninvasive detection and follow-up of AD.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after an upper and lower endoscopy: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Gastrointestinal endoscopies are safe and follow guidelines that emphasize patient care. Although adverse outcomes are rare, high-risk patients may be predisposed to certain events.

Case Presentation: We report a unique case of a Caucasian woman with takotsubo cardiomyopathy following an upper and lower endoscopy.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester exerts apoptotic and oxidative stress on human multiple myeloma cells.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a phenolic compound initially identified in bee glue. CAPE is reported to exhibit antitumor activity in many cancer models. However, the effect of CAPE on multiple myeloma (MM) is not well studied.

Cytoprotective Effects of Natural Compounds against Oxidative Stress.

Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants, has been witnessed in pathophysiological states of many disorders. Compounds identified from natural sources have long been recognized to ameliorate oxidative stress due to their inherent antioxidant activities. Here, we summarize the cytoprotective effects and mechanisms of natural or naturally derived synthetic compounds against oxidative stress.

Systematic reviews and tech mining: A methodological comparison with case study.

When the Medical Library Association identified questions critical for the future of the profession, it assigned groups to use systematic reviews to find the answers to these questions. Group 6, whose question was on emerging technologies, recognized early on that the systematic review process would not work well for this question, which looks forward to predict future trends, whereas the systematic review process looks back in time. We searched for new methodologies that were more appropriate to our question, developing a process that combined systematic review, text mining, and visualization techniques.

An optimized LC-MS/MS method for determination of HYNIC-3PRGD, a new promising imaging agent for tumor targeting, in rat plasma and its application.

HYNIC-3PRGD is used to prepare a new Tc-radiolabeled tracer. HYNIC-3PRGD, which has a high binding affinity for the integrin αβ due to its special structure, has become a promising tumor imaging agent for diagnosis and monitor of the clinical response to therapeutic effects of anti-tumor agents. Here, we developed and validated a method for determination of HYNIC-3PRGD concentration in rat plasma using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system.

Prostaglandin E2 and IL-23 interconnects STAT3 and RoRγ pathways to initiate Th17 CD4 T-cell development during rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The chronic inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) leads to focal and systemic bone erosion of the joints resulting in a crippling disability. Recent reports indicate an increase in the incidence of RA in the coming years, placing a significant burden on healthcare resources. The incidence of RA is observed to be increasing with age and a significant proportion of those new cases will be aggressively erosive.

Low-dose radiation use in diagnostic imaging and cancer therapy settings.

Current methods of radiation safety are characterized by age-old hypotheses that claim low doses of radiation, such as those received in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment, increase the risk of cancer. The linear no-threshold hypothesis dates back to 70 years and has not been scientifically validated, yet it remains the driving force behind current regulatory policies concerning radiation exposure. The linear no-threshold hypothesis has birthed the "as low as reasonably achievable" concept that is commonly practiced in medical professions to limit radiation exposure.

Application of ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to investigate the regioselective glucuronidation of icaritin in vitro.

Icaritin is one of the Epimedium products with various biological activities. In the present study, we developed a rapid, reliable and robust UHPLC-MS/MS method to simultaneously determine unconjugated icaritin and its multiple glucuronides (icaritin-3-glucuronide, icaritin-7-glucuronide and icaritin-3,7-diglucuronide) in microsomal incubation systems, and applied it to study icaritin regioselective glucuronidation in vitro. We identified the involvement of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms in icaritin metabolism and further studied the kinetic profiles of icaritin glucuronidation using pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs), pooled rat liver microsomes (RLMs), pooled human intestine microsomes (HIMs) and UGTs, respectively.

Evaluating the Implementation of the EndoTool Glycemic Control Software System.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare achievement of glycemic control on insulin drips before and after the implementation of EndoTool, a glucose management software system used in a community hospital setting.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients on an insulin drip who were managed before and after implementation of the EndoTool software. Fifty patients were selected for each group.

Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs for rural and underrepresented minority students in the Alabama Black Belt.

Background: This paper evaluated the implementation West Central Alabama Area Health Education Center programs for high school students in grades 9-12 through participant-reported evaluations and feedback during the  September 1st, 2013 to August 31st, 2014 fiscal year. The programs targeted racial/ethnic minorities and/or rural individuals interested in pursuing a career as a healthcare provider in medically underserved counties of Alabama.

Methods: Students participated in enrichment activities related to prospective health careers that included: successful college preparedness, knowledge about health careers, and the types of primary care health professions that are needed in underserved Alabama communities.

Time Course Expression Analysis of 1[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole Induction of Cytoprotection in Human Endothelial Cells.

1[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im), a synthetic derivative of oleanolic acid that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in several animal and in vitro models, has been shown to be beneficial if given after injury. Although induction of heme oxygenase 1 appears to be a major effector of cytoprotection, the mechanism by which the overall effect is mediated is largely unknown. This study evaluated temporal gene expression profiles to better characterize the early transcriptional events and their relationship to the dynamics of the cytoprotective response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to CDDO-Im.

Understanding the importance of medical student clerkships in poor health outcome regions served by Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in impoverished locations of Southern United States.

Area Health Education Centers provide health professional students the opportunity to explore the benefits of practicing in a rural and underserved location. The status of health conditions in chronic disease patients residing in impoverished regions of the US provides the chance to understand the factors that are responsible for constant inadequate outcomes in underserved and rural communities. Many limiting barriers to positive health outcomes occur in disproportionate numbers in the Southern Black Belt.

Primary Care Practitioners' Views on Incorporating Long-term Prognosis in the Care of Older Adults.

Importance: Clinical practice recommendations increasingly advocate that older patients' life expectancy be considered to inform a number of clinical decisions. It is not clear how primary care practitioners approach these recommendations in their clinical practice.

Objective: To explore the range of perspectives from primary care practitioners on long-term prognosis, defined as prognosis regarding life expectancy in the range of years, in their care of older adults.

Compatibility of Norepinephrine Bitartrate with Levofloxacin and Moxifloxacin During Simulated Y-site Administration.

The purpose of this study was to determine the physical compatibility and chemical stability of norepinephrine bitartrate with selected fluoroquinolones during simulated intravenous Y-site administration. Simulation of Y-compatibility of intravenous fluids can be experimentally demonstrated by mixing equal volumes of two drugs of interest. Hence, we prepared 1:1 mixture of norepinephrine bitartrate and levofloxacin or moxifloxacin by mixing 64 .