Effectiveness of levamisole in the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Inflammation plays a role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology and anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce the disease severity. Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug with immunomodulatory and possible antiviral effects. This study aimed to evaluate the role of levamisole in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.

Bridging the gap: The endocannabinoid system as a functional fulcrum for benzodiazepines in a novel frontier of anxiety pharmacotherapy.

While benzodiazepines have been a mainstay of the pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders, their short-term efficacy and risk of abuse have driven the exploration of alternative treatment approaches. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has emerged as a key modulator of anxiety-related processes, with evidence suggesting dynamic interactions between the eCB system and the GABAergic system, the primary target of benzodiazepines. According to the existing literature, the activation of the cannabinoid receptors has been shown to exert anxiolytic effects, while their blockade or genetic deletion results in heightened anxiety-like responses.

Identifying Allosteric Small-Molecule Binding Sites of Inactive NS2B-NS3 Proteases of Pathogenic .

Dengue, West Nile, Zika, Yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis viruses persist as significant global health threats. The development of new therapeutic strategies based on inhibiting essential viral enzymes or viral-host protein interactions is problematic due to the fast mutation rate and rapid emergence of drug resistance. This study focuses on the NS2B-NS3 protease as a promising target for antiviral drug development.

Application of the Box-Behnken Design in the Development of Amorphous PVP K30-Phosphatidylcholine Dispersions for the Co-Delivery of Curcumin and Hesperetin Prepared by Hot-Melt Extrusion.

Curcumin and hesperetin are plant polyphenols known for their poor solubility. To address this limitation, we prepared amorphous PVP K30-phosphatidylcholine dispersions via hot-melt extrusion. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the amounts of active ingredients and phosphatidylcholine, as well as the process temperature, on the performance of the dispersions.

()-1-(3-(3-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl)-1-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)allyl)-1-1,2,4-Triazole and Related Compounds: Their Synthesis and Biological Evaluation as Novel Antimitotic Agents Targeting Breast Cancer.

The synthesis of ()-1-(1,3-diphenylallyl)-1-1,2,4-triazoles and related compounds as anti-mitotic agents with activity in breast cancer was investigated. These compounds were designed as hybrids of the microtubule-targeting chalcones, indanones, and the aromatase inhibitor letrozole. : A panel of 29 compounds was synthesized and examined by a preliminary screening in estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells together with cell cycle analysis and tubulin polymerization inhibition.

Repellency of Essential Oils and Plant-Derived Compounds Against Mosquitoes.

Plant-based oils have a long history of use as insect repellents. In an earlier study, we showed that in a 10% concentration, geraniol, 2-phenylethl propionate, and the plant-based essential oils clove and cinnamon effectively protected from mosquito bites for over 60 min. To expand on this study, we reanalyzed our GC-MS data to identify the short organic constituents of these oils.

Oral Antibacterial Drug Prescribing in Primary Care Out-of-Hours Services: A Scoping Review.

Background/objectives: The rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a critical threat to global health. Primary care plays a significant role in this crisis, with oral antibacterial drugs among the most prescribed medications. Antibacterial prescribing rates are often high and complicated in out-of-hours (OOH) services, including weekdays outside regular hours, weekends, and holidays, potentially exacerbating AMR.

Biodegradable polymeric microsphere formulations of full-length anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab for sustained intraocular delivery.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of central vision loss in the elderly population. Bevacizumab, a full-length humanized monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody, is commonly used off-label drug to treat AMD. However, the dosing regimen of bevacizumab and other anti-VEGF antibodies requires monthly intravitreal injections followed by regular intravitreal injections at 4-16-week intervals.

The MASCC COG-IMPACT: An unmet needs assessment for cancer-related cognitive impairment impact developed by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.

Purpose: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) can have a profound impact on the lives of cancer survivors. A multitude of subjective and objective assessment tools exist to assess the presence and severity of CRCI. However, no purpose-built tool exists to assess the unmet needs of cancer survivors directly relating to CRCI.

Improving the solubility of pseudo-hydrophobic chemicals through co-crystal formulation.

Natural products are ligands and in vitro inhibitors of Alzheimer's disease (AD) tau. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) bears chemical similarity to known natural product tau inhibitors. Despite having signature polyphenolic character, DHM is ostensibly hydrophobic owing to intermolecular hydrogen bonds that shield hydrophilic phenols.

Rosae Multiflorae Fructus Extracts Regulate the Differentiation and Vascular Endothelial Cell-mediated Proliferation of Keratinocytes.

Keratinocytes are the primary component of the epidermis, so maintaining the precise balance between proliferation and differentiation is essential for conserving epidermal structure and function. Rosae multiflorae fructus extract (RMFE) has wide application in the cosmetic industry, but the molecular mechanisms underlying beneficial effects on keratinocytes are still not fully understood. In this study, we found that RMFE promoted epidermal differentiation and enhanced the barrier function of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and three-dimensional epidermis model in culture.

The Role of Sex and Gender in Acute Kidney Injury - Consensus Statements from the 33 Acute Disease Quality Initiative.

Sex differences exist in acute kidney injury (AKI), and the role that sex and gender play along the AKI care continuum remains unclear. The 33 Acute Disease Quality Initiative meeting evaluated available data on the role of sex and gender in AKI and identified knowledge gaps. Data from experimental models, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical care, gender, social determinants of health, education, and advocacy were reviewed.

Use of Potentially Nephrotoxic Drugs in Type 2 Diabetes Patients on SGLT2i: A Trajectories Analysis.

Purpose: To characterize trajectories of nephrotoxic potential (NxP) drug use among older adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) treated with SGLT2is and identify associated patient characteristics.

Methods: Using 2012-2019 Medicare data, we selected patients with T2D who filled at least one prescription for SGLT2is. Index date was the date of the first SGLT2i prescription filled.

Depression and anxiety in patients with type 2 diabetes in Indonesia and Malaysia: do age, diabetes duration, foot ulcers, and prescribed medication play a role?

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are susceptible to mental health issues, impacting medication adherence and diabetes control. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with depression and anxiety among T2DM patients in Indonesia and Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Indonesia and Malaysia from October 2022 to April 2023 among T2DM patients.

Empowering students in curriculum design and pedagogy: Perceptions of pharmacy students as partners; A qualitative study.

Introduction: The concept of "Students as Partners" (SaP) in curriculum design and pedagogy marks a significant shift towards relational pedagogical approaches in higher education. This study explored pharmacy students' perceptions of the SaP approach, focusing on their involvement in curriculum design and the perceived benefits and challenges of such partnerships.

Methods: A qualitative research design was employed, utilising one-on-one interviews with pharmacy students at a university in Malaysia.

Multi-omic signatures of host response associated with presence, type, and outcome of enterococcal bacteremia.

Unlabelled: Despite the prevalence and severity of enterococcal bacteremia (EcB), the mechanisms underlying systemic host responses to the disease remain unclear. Here, we present an extensive study that profiles molecular differences in plasma from EcB patients using an unbiased multi-omics approach. We performed shotgun proteomics and metabolomics on 105 plasma samples, including those from EcB patients and healthy volunteers.

Differential effects of β-hydroxybutyrate and α-ketoglutarate on HCT-116 colorectal cancer cell viability under normoxic and hypoxic low-glucose conditions: exploring the role of SRC, HIF1α, ACAT1, and SIRT2 genes.

Recent therapeutic strategies have highlighted the potential of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) as effective anticancer agents, particularly for colon cancer. These metabolites can modulate cellular metabolism and induce epigenetic changes, inhibiting tumor growth. Nonetheless, certain cancer cells may utilize ketone bodies, like BHB as nutrient sources under hypoxic conditions, potentially reducing treatment efficacy.

Synergistic Interaction of Chloroquine with Semipolar Extract Against : Histopathological and Immunological Studies in a Mouse Model.

Background: Malaria parasites have gradually developed resistance to commonly used antimalarial drugs. For decades, chloroquine was the most widely used drug to eradicate malaria. However, with the spread of chloroquine resistance, many countries have adopted combination therapies that utilize two drugs acting synergistically instead of monotherapy.

How will independent prescribing affect wellbeing and career progression for the pharmacists of tomorrow?

Pharmacist independent prescriber numbers continue to increase. In 2025/2026, independent prescribing will be integrated into the foundation year of pharmacy training, which will see a surge of pharmacists with the independent prescribing annotation on the General Pharmaceutical Council register. With increased responsibility and expectation from early careers pharmacists, the risk of burnout may be higher, and we could potentially see an increase in the number of individuals leaving the profession.

Does coenzyme Q10 improve semen quality and circulating testosterone level? a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Seminal oxidative stress has been shown to be a key factor in the development of male infertility. However, the benefits of infertility treatments with antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) remains controversial.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on semen quality, i.

Thrombin-induced kynurenine 3-monooxygenase causes variations in the kynurenine pathway, leading to neurological deficits in a murine intracerebral hemorrhage model.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate changes in the kynurenine pathway after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and its effects on ICH-induced injury. The exposure of a primary rat microglial culture to thrombin increased the mRNA level of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), and this increase was attenuated by a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Thrombin also increased the protein level of KMO.

[Development and Validation of an Analytical Method for 2-Thiouracil, 4-Thiouracil, and 6-Methyl-2-thiouracil in Bovine Urine: A Method for Monitoring Inspections in Beef Exports to the European Union].

Thiouracil (2-thiouracil) is a thyrostat used to promote weight gain in cattle. However, its use is prohibited within the European Union (EU), necessitating the monitoring of its presence in bovine urine for beef exports to the EU. In this study, we present the development and validation of a quantitative method for the determination of 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, and 6-methyl-2-thiouracil in bovine urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Long-Acting Broadly Neutralizing HIV-1 Monoclonal Antibody VRC07523LS in Newborn Infants Exposed to HIV-1.

Background: Vertical HIV-1 transmission despite antiretroviral therapy may be mitigated by use of long-acting, broadly neutralizing, monoclonal antibodies (bNAb) such as VRC07523LS. The present study was designed to determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of VRC07523LS.

Methods: VRC07523LS, 80 mg/dose, was administered subcutaneously after birth to non-breastfed (Cohort 1; N=11, enrolled in USA) and breastfed (Cohort 2; N=11, enrolled in South Africa and Zimbabwe) infants exposed to HIV-1.