ClinicalTrials.gov: An Underutilized Source of Research Data About the Design and Conduct of Commercial Clinical Trials.

Since 2007, the US federal government has required that organizations sponsoring clinical trials with a least one site in the United States submit information on these clinical trials to an existing database: ClinicalTrials.gov . Over time, the number of mandatory variables has grown and will probably continue to grow.

Carbodiimide induced cross-linking, ligand addition, and degradation in gelatin.

The water-soluble carbodiimide, 1-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) is widely used in protein chemistry. We used EDC-induced gelatin cross-linking as a model for amide bond formation to resolve reaction ambiguities with common variables of buffers, gelatin concentration, and pH. Percentage changes in SEC high molecular weight peak areas were used to follow the reactions.

Decreased liver triglyceride content in adult rats exposed to protein restriction during gestation and lactation: role of hepatic triglyceride utilization.

We have previously demonstrated that protein restriction throughout gestation and lactation reduces liver triglyceride content in adult rat offspring. However, the mechanisms mediating the decrease in liver triglyceride content are not understood. The aim of the current study was to use a new group of pregnant animals and their offspring and determine the contribution of increased triglyceride utilization via the hepatic fatty-acid oxidation and triglyceride secretory pathways to the reduction in liver triglyceride content.

Observation of aliphatic C-H···X hydrogen bonds in imidazolium ionic liquids.

Measurement of H/D isotope effects on the (19)F resonances of sequentially deuterated 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and tetrafluoroborate isotopologues reveals the formation of aliphatic C-H···X hydrogen bonds between the fluorinated anions and protons along the N-alkyl sidechains of the cations.

Black Plane Solutions and Localized Gravitational Energy.

We explore the issue of gravitational energy localization for static plane-symmetric solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations in 3+1 dimensions with asymptotic anti-de Sitter behavior. We apply three different energy-momentum complexes, the Einstein, Landau-Lifshitz, and Møller prescriptions, to the metric representing this category of solutions and determine the energy distribution for each. We find that the three prescriptions offer identical energy distributions, suggesting their utility for this type of model.

Evaluation of logistic Bayesian LASSO for identifying association with rare haplotypes.

It has been hypothesized that rare variants may hold the key to unraveling the genetic transmission mechanism of many common complex traits. Currently, there is a dearth of statistical methods that are powerful enough to detect association with rare haplotypes. One of the recently proposed methods is logistic Bayesian LASSO for case-control data.

Improving homology modeling of G-protein coupled receptors through multiple-template derived conserved inter-residue interactions.

Evidenced by the three-rounds of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) Dock competitions, improving homology modeling methods of helical transmembrane proteins including the GPCRs, based on templates of low sequence identity, remains an eminent challenge. Current approaches addressing this challenge adopt the philosophy of "modeling first, refinement next". In the present work, we developed an alternative modeling approach through the novel application of available multiple templates.

A QUANTUM MECHANICAL STUDY OF STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRONIC DILUTION EFFECTS IN PARAMAGNETIC CHEMICAL EXCHANGE SATURATION TRANSFER AGENTS.

We present a computational study of the effect of chemical modifications of the and substituents in the coordinating pendant arm of a modified 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N, N', N″, N‴-tetraamide (DOTAM) ligand on the Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) signal. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is currently one of the most widely used techniques available. MRI has led to a new class of pharmaceuticals termed "imagining" or "contrast" agents.

Design of amphiphilic oligopeptides as models for fine tuning peptide assembly with plasmid DNA.

We discuss the design of novel amphiphilic oligopeptides with hydrophobic and cationic amino acids to serve as models to understand peptide-DNA assembly. Biophysical and thermodynamic characterization of interaction of these amphiphilic peptides with plasmid DNA is presented. Peptides with at least +4 charges favor stable complex formation.

Antiretroviral therapy: current drugs.

The rapid advances in drug discovery and the development of antiretroviral therapy is unprecedented in the history of modern medicine. The administration of chronic combination antiretroviral therapy targeting different stages of the human immunodeficiency virus' replicative life cycle allows for durable and maximal suppression of plasma viremia. This suppression has resulted in dramatic improvement of patient survival.

Police exposure to infectious agents: an audit of protective policies.

Background: As first responders, police officers may be exposed to infectious agents such as hepatitis viruses and human immunodeficiency virus. Their risk of infection by these viruses can be reduced with training, monitoring and, with some viruses, vaccination.

Aims: To examine infection prevention policies and practices among police departments and determine provision of vaccination and infection prevention education programmes.

Computational Study of Intramolecular Heterocyclic Ring Formation with Cyclic Phosphazenes.

Polyphosphazenes, because of their unique properties, have generated many opportunities to explore a variety of applications. These applications include areas such as biomedical research (e.g.

Combined autophagy and proteasome inhibition: a phase 1 trial of hydroxychloroquine and bortezomib in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma.

The efficacy of proteasome inhibition for myeloma is limited by therapeutic resistance, which may be mediated by activation of the autophagy pathway as an alternative mechanism of protein degradation. Preclinical studies demonstrate that autophagy inhibition with hydroxychloroquine augments the antimyeloma efficacy of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. We conducted a phase I trial combining bortezomib and hydroxychloroquine for relapsed or refractory myeloma.

Acceptability of the human papillomavirus vaccine among diverse Hispanic mothers and grandmothers.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has the potential to reduce rates of cervical cancer and other HPV-related morbidity among Hispanic women who are disproportionately affected by this disease. Understanding the barriers faced by this population is an important public health goal. In this qualitative pilot study, 17 mothers and grandmothers of adolescent girls from diverse Hispanic backgrounds in a large northeastern city in the United States were interviewed to examine attitudes regarding vaccine acceptability.

Synthesis and evaluation of new fluorinated anti-tubercular compounds.

Treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and the discovery of effective new anti-tubercular drugs are among the most urgent priorities in health organizations all over the world. In the present study, fluorinated analogs of some of the most important anti-TB agents such as p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), thiacetazone and pyrazinamide were synthesized and tested against TB. The fluorinated analog of thiacetazone was 20 times more potent than the parent compound against M.

Identification of a diguanylate cyclase and its role in Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative obligate anaerobic bacterium and is considered a keystone pathogen in the initiation of periodontitis, one of the most widespread infectious diseases. Bacterial bis-(3'-5') cyclic GMP (cyclic di-GMP [c-di-GMP]) serves as a second messenger and is involved in modulating virulence factors in numerous bacteria. However, the role of this second messenger has not been investigated in P.

2013 new drug update: what do new approvals hold for the elderly?

Six new drugs that are used for medical problems often experienced by the elderly have been selected for consideration in this review. The uses and most important properties of these agents are reviewed, and a rating for each new drug is determined. The rating is based on a comparison of the new drug with related drugs already marketed.

CAPER, a novel regulator of human breast cancer progression.

CAPER is an estrogen receptor (ER) co-activator that was recently shown to be involved in human breast cancer pathogenesis. Indeed, we reported increased expression of CAPER in human breast cancer specimens. We demonstrated that CAPER was undetectable or expressed at relatively low levels in normal breast tissue and assumed a cytoplasmic distribution.

Real-world disparities between patient- and clinician-reported outcomes: results from a disease-specific program in depression and anxiety.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify potential discordance between physician and patient rated measures of depression used by primary care physicians and psychiatrists.

Primary Practice Setting: This study collected data from primary care physicians and psychiatrists in the United States between October and December 2009.

Methodology And Sample: A real-world, cross-sectional study was conducted using the Neuroses Disease-Specific Programme (Adelphi Real World, Macclesfield, United Kingdom).

Feasibility of home infusion and self-administration of nanofiltered C1 esterase inhibitor for routine prophylaxis in patients with hereditary angioedema and characterization of a training and support program.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, chronic disease of C1 inhibitor deficiency. Study researchers evaluated the prevalence of home and self-administration of nanofiltered, human-derived C1 esterase inhibitor infusions and the implementation of a nursing training and support program. Home administration rate increased from 49.