Densely Packed Tethered Polymer Nanoislands: A Simulation Study.

COordinated Responsive Arrays of Surface-Linked polymer islands (CORALS) allow for the creation of molecular surfaces with novel and switchable properties. Critical components of CORALs are the uniformly distributed islands of densely grafted polymer chains (nanoislands) separated by regions of bare surface. The grafting footprint and separation distances of nanoislands are comparable to that of the constituent polymer chains themselves.

Implication of specific retinal cell-type involvement and gene expression changes in AMD progression using integrative analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-seq profiling.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding eye disease with no unifying theme for its etiology. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptomes of ~ 93,000 cells from the macula and peripheral retina from two adult human donors and bulk RNA sequencing from fifteen adult human donors with and without AMD. Analysis of our single-cell data identified 267 cell-type-specific genes.

Validation of perceived physical fatigability using the simplified-Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale.

Background: The Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS) was developed to capture fatigue and demand in a single tool, filling a gap that no validated questionnaire existed to measure perceived fatigability. Since fatigability is a more sensitive measure of a person's susceptibility to fatigue, we validated the simplified-Chinese version of the PFS among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban community in Beijing between November 2018 and July 2019.

Deliberations about clinical pharmacogenetic testing in pediatric oncology.

This article summarizes the background, content and outcomes of a special meeting that was convened among oncologists and scientists to discuss the role of pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing in pediatric clinical oncology practice. This meeting provided an opportunity for what the lead author (AM Issa) refers to as the 'voice of the clinician' dynamic to be amplified in order to better understand how personalized or precision medicine applications such as PGx testing are adopted and incorporated into clinical settings and what we can learn from the experiences of current and ongoing implementation PGx approaches to further the implementation of precision medicine applications in real-world environments. Group dynamics and clinical experience with PGx testing and return of results shaped the discussion.

Aluminum toxicity and aluminum stress-induced physiological tolerance responses in higher plants.

Aluminum (Al) precipitates in acidic soils having a pH < 5.5, in the form of conjugated organic and inorganic ions. Al-containing minerals solubilized in the soil solution cause several negative impacts in plants when taken up along with other nutrients.

Non-peptide agonists and positive allosteric modulators of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors: Alternative approaches for treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors belong to the pharmaceutically important Class B family of GPCRs and are involved in many biologically significant signalling pathways. Its incretin peptide ligand GLP-1 analogues are effective treatments for Type 2 diabetes. Although developing non-peptide low MW drugs targeting GLP-1 receptors remains elusive, considerable progress has been made in discovering non-peptide agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of GLP-1 receptors with demonstrated efficacy.

Pharmacoepidemiology: A time for a new multidisciplinary approach to precision medicine.

The advent of the genomic age has created a rapid increase in complexity for the development and selection of drug treatments. A key component of precision medicine is the use of genetic information to improve therapeutic effectiveness of drugs and prevent potential adverse drug reactions. Pharmacoepidemiology, as a field, uses observational methods to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of drug treatments in populations.

Design and Synthesis of Quinolizidine Derivatives as Influenza Virus and HIV-1 Inhibitors.

Background: We have previously reported that a quinolizidine natural product, aloperine, and its analogs can inhibit influenza virus and/or HIV-1 at low μM concentrations.

Objective: The main goal of this study was to further optimize aloperine for improved anti-influenza virus activity.

Methods: Structural modifications have been focused on the N12 position of aloperine scaffold.

AKR1C3 mediates pan-AR antagonist resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Background: Antiandrogens are effective therapies that block androgen receptor (AR) transactivation and signaling in over 50% of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients. However, an estimated 30% of responders will develop resistance to these therapies within 2 years. JNJ-pan-AR is a broad-spectrum AR antagonist that inhibits wild-type AR as well as several mutated versions of AR that have emerged in patients on chronic antiandrogen treatment.

Significant Published Articles for Pharmacy Nutrition Support Practice in 2019.

The purpose of this article is to assist the pharmacist engaged in nutrition support therapy in staying current with pertinent literature. Several clinical pharmacists engaged in nutrition support therapy compiled a list of articles published in 2019 considered important to their clinical practice. The citation list was compiled into a single spreadsheet where the author participants were asked to assess whether the article was considered important to nutrition support pharmacy practice.

Chemistry and Pharmacology of Alkylamides from Natural Origin.

Interest in alkylamide, as a class of compound, has grown tremendously in recent years. This interest is due to the many presumed benefits in food, cosmetics, and medicine. This review focuses on the different alkylamides naturally occurring in many plant species.

Association of Quadriceps Strength Symmetry and Surgical Status With Clinical Osteoarthritis Five Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association of quadriceps strength symmetry and surgical status (anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] reconstruction or nonoperative management) with early clinical knee osteoarthritis (OA) 5 years after ACL injury or reconstruction.

Methods: In total, 204 of 300 athletes were analyzed 5 years after ACL injury or reconstruction. Quadriceps strength was measured and reported as a limb symmetry index.

A central role for the transcriptional regulator VtlR in small RNA-mediated gene regulation in Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

LysR-type transcriptional regulators (LTTRs) are the most common type of transcriptional regulators in prokaryotes and function by altering gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. In the class Alphaproteobacteria, a conserved LTTR named VtlR is critical to the establishment of host-microbe interactions. In the mammalian pathogen Brucella abortus, VtlR is required for full virulence in a mouse model of infection, and VtlR activates the expression of abcR2, which encodes a small regulatory RNA (sRNA).

Development and Application of a Modified Method to Determine the Encapsulation Efficiency of Proteins in Polymer Matrices.

A modified method to determine protein encapsulation efficiency in polymer matrices has been developed and applied to two proteins and two polymers to demonstrate its wide range of applicability. This study was pursued due to the wide variation in reported protein encapsulation efficiency of polymer-based microcapsules, even when the protein, the polymer, and the microcapsule manufacturing method were consistent. Hemoglobin (Hb) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were chosen as model proteins and ethylcellulose and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as model polymers.

Lutein-Loaded, Biotin-Decorated Polymeric Nanoparticles Enhance Lutein Uptake in Retinal Cells.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of visual loss and is responsible for approximately 9% of global blindness. It is a progressive eye disorder seen in elderly people (>65 years) mainly affecting the macula. Lutein, a carotenoid, is an antioxidant, and has shown neuroprotective properties in the retina.

Preparation and characterization of lutein loaded folate conjugated polymeric nanoparticles.

Aim: To prepare and characterise lutein-loaded polylactide--glycolide-polyethylene glycol-folate (PLGA-PEG-FOLATE) nanoparticles and evaluate enhanced uptake in SK-N-BE(2) cells.

Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared using O/W emulsion solvent evaporation and characterised using DLS, SEM, DSC, FTIR and in-vitro release. Lutein-uptake in SK-N-BE(2) cells was determined using flow-cytometry, confocal-microscopy and HPLC.

Silicon tackles butachlor toxicity in rice seedlings by regulating anatomical characteristics, ascorbate-glutathione cycle, proline metabolism and levels of nutrients.

Reckless use of herbicides like butachlor (Buta) in the fields represents a serious threat to crop plants, and hence to their productivity. Silicon (Si) is well known for its implication in the alleviation of the effects of abiotic stresses; however, its role in mitigating Buta toxicity is not yet known. Therefore, this study was carried out to explore the role of Si (10 µM) in regulating Buta (4 µM) toxicity in rice seedlings.

Retinoic acid induces differentiation in neuroblastoma via ROR1 by modulating retinoic acid response elements.

Neuroblastoma is the most common inheritable, solid neoplasm in children found under the age of 7 and accounts for approximately 7% of childhood cancers. A common treatment that has been prescribed for over a decade is retinoid therapy [using all‑trans retinoic acid (RA)]. Treatment with this differentiating agent has been revealed to progress the cells from their stem‑cell state to a mature neuronal state gaining classical neuronal characteristics, including the suppression of proliferation.

Pharmacological and non-pharmacological efforts at prevention, mitigation, and treatment for COVID-19.

A global outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected millions of people over a short period of time. The communicability and increased mortality from the SARS-CoV-2 infection mandated the WHO to declare COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. The virus outbreak has spread when there are no approved vaccines, treatments, or prophylactic therapies available.

EDMD-Causing Emerin Mutant Myogenic Progenitors Exhibit Impaired Differentiation Using Similar Mechanisms.

Mutations in the gene encoding emerin () cause Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD1), an inherited disorder characterized by progressive skeletal muscle wasting, irregular heart rhythms and contractures of major tendons. The skeletal muscle defects seen in EDMD are caused by failure of muscle stem cells to differentiate and regenerate the damaged muscle. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Aquafoldmer-Based Aquaporin-like Synthetic Water Channel.

Synthetic water channels were developed with an aim to replace aquaporins for possible uses in water purification, while concurrently retaining aquaporins' ability to conduct highly selective superfast water transport. Among the currently available synthetic water channel systems, none possesses water transport properties that parallel those of aquaporins. In this report, we present the first synthetic water channel system with intriguing aquaproin-like features.

Student Technology Acceptance of 3D Printing in Occupational Therapy Education.

Importance: Reports on the integration of 3D printing in occupational therapy education and changes in student acceptance of technology over time are lacking.

Objective: 3D printing technology applications may offer effective solutions to increase client participation in occupations. However, the use of these applications in occupational therapy practice requires attention to occupational therapy students' perception of the technology's usefulness and ease of use.

One Year of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Adherence Improves Cognition in Older Adults With Mild Apnea and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment frequently represents a predementia stage of Alzheimer's disease. Although obstructive sleep apnea is increasingly recognized as a common comorbidity of mild cognitive impairment, most apnea research has focused on middle-aged adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. Mild obstructive sleep apnea, defined as 5-14 apneas or hypopneas per hour slept, is common in older adults.

Open Payments and the US Clinical Landscape.

Background: The Open Payments database represents a new, substantial source of information on the US clinical trial investigator landscape.

Methods: This paper draws upon the Open Payments database. This database, mandated by the US Sunshine Act, does help provide a vital missing element in understanding the commercial clinical trial landscape in the United States: comprehensive, detailed, clinical investigator and site information by specific clinical trial.