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1.
Clin J Oncol Nurs ; 26(2): 215-218, 2022 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35302553

ABSTRACT

Patients with cancer are particularly susceptible to Clostridioides difficile infections because of their exposure to antibiotics, serious underlying chronic illnesses, advancing age, immunocompromising conditions, and extended lengths of stays in the hospital setting. In addition to suboptimal hand hygiene, other potential sources for bacterial transmission in the hospital setting include high-touch surfaces within the patient's immediate environment. Payers, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, continue to prioritize the reduction of healthcare-associated infections.


Subject(s)
Clostridioides difficile , Neoplasms , Aged , Clostridioides , Hospitals , Humans , Medicare , United States
2.
Curr Protoc ; 1(8): e229, 2021 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34416100

ABSTRACT

Flow cytometry is a powerful method, widely used to identify cell types present in tissues, to describe their phenotypes, and to purify cells for functional analyses. As a single cell technique, flow cytometry relies on identifying and excluding cell doublets and aggregates present in samples in the initial gating steps. This identification is based on detection of events generating electrical pulses falling outside of linear variations of pulse height, width, and area in a singlet population with increasing cell sizes. In heterogeneous cell mixtures, however, with cell types varying extensively in size and granularity, exclusion of doublets has the risk of removing single cells that co-localize with doublets of another cell type. This is particularly the case when doublets of a smaller cell type overlap with large cells of a distinct, larger cell type. Here, we describe a gating method to reduce this risk. In this protocol, initial gating steps aim to segregate cells according to physical characteristics (such as size and granularity) and gene expression properties in order to obtain more homogeneous cell clusters. Doublet exclusion is then performed separately in each cluster, minimizing the risk of confusion between single cells and doublets. To illustrate this protocol, human blood monocytes are separated and analyzed. By implementing this protocol, we were able to reveal the existence of a population of large monocytes previously unrecognized using conventional gating strategies. In subsequent functional assays, we have shown that this novel population exhibits unique inflammatory responses, highlighting the need and pertinence of this approach to identify and characterize infrequent-yet functionally relevant-cell populations present in complex cell mixtures. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Distinguishing single cells from doublets in heterogeneous cell mixtures by flow cytometry.


Subject(s)
Monocytes , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Phenotype
3.
Drug Test Anal ; 12(8): 1102-1108, 2020 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32309913

ABSTRACT

Direct alcohol biomarkers, including urinary ethyl glucuronide (EtG), urinary ethyl sulfate (EtS), and blood phosphatidylethanol (PEth), are used to monitor alcohol abstinence in individuals who are mandated to abstain. In this consecutive case series study, we examined 1000 forensic reports of participants enrolled in a professionals health program who were contractually obligated to abstain from alcohol and who underwent recovery status evaluations. We identified 52 evaluations in which urinary EtG, EtS, and blood PEth were measured and which produced a positive result for at least one of these analytes. PEth, at a cutoff concentration of 20 ng/mL, revealed alcohol use more frequently than EtG or EtS at our laboratory's cutoff concentrations of 100 and 25 ng/mL, respectively. This was true, as well, at alternative EtG/EtS cutoff concentrations of 200/50, 300/75, and 400/100 ng/mL. PEth was more likely than EtG/EtS to be positive in participants previously diagnosed with alcohol use disorders (AUD), whereas EtG/EtS was more likely than PEth to be positive in participants without AUD. In this study, blood PEth was the most sensitive biomarker for evidencing alcohol use.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/blood , Glucuronates/urine , Glycerophospholipids/blood , Sulfuric Acid Esters/urine , Alcohol Abstinence , Alcohol Drinking/urine , Alcoholism/diagnosis , Biomarkers/blood , Biomarkers/urine , Female , Humans , Male , Retrospective Studies , Substance Abuse Detection/methods
4.
Patient Prefer Adherence ; 13: 1375-1389, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31496665

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, and high cholesterol is a leading risk factor for CVD. While statins are effective at reducing cholesterol, they are frequently underused in patients at highest risk of CVD. The objective of this study was to identify interventions which may improve adherence to statins and to assess their cost effectiveness within the US Medicare population. METHODS: A literature review was undertaken to identify interventions to improve adherence in patients with CVD at highest risk of a recurrent event and to quantify non-adherence and the consequences of non-adherence to statins in this population. A Markov cost-utility model was developed to assess the cost effectiveness of these interventions. RESULTS: Ten adherence interventions were identified in the literature, with 6 demonstrating statistically significant improvement in adherence. The six interventions were disease management, interactive voice response, nurse counselling, discharge letter, nurse/dietician counselling and electronic pill bottle with feedback. The model found the cost effectiveness of an intervention was highly dependent on its effectiveness and costs. Incremental cost effectiveness ratios ranged from $27,545/QALY for discharge letter with large adherence gain to $130,399/QALY for disease management program with small adherence gain. CONCLUSION: Some interventions to improve adherence have been shown to be effective, but little attention has been paid to the costs. Further studies on adherence interventions should include economic evaluations.

5.
J Clin Lipidol ; 12(4): 1008-1018.e1, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29703626

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Statins are indicated for secondary atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention; however, multiple surveys have found treatment gaps in clinical application. OBJECTIVE: To determine trends over 15 years in the prevalence and impact of a statin prescription and dose intensity at discharge after a first ASCVD event. METHODS: The Intermountain Enterprise Data Warehouse was searched to identify all adults with a first encounter for ASCVD between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2013, including coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease, who survived the index event and were followed for ≥3 years or until death. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were assessed overall and in 5-year increments. RESULTS: A total of 62,070 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 65.9 ± 13.7 years, and most of them were male (64.7%). Increases in any statin (59.3% to 72.6% to 80.8%) and high-intensity prescription (3.1% to 14.2% to 28.1%) occurred over consecutive 5-year intervals and were greatest in coronary artery disease patients. Statin therapy was associated with a reduced risk of 3-year MACE (multivariable hazard ratio = 0.75 [0.72, 0.78], P < .0001), with a significant linear trend across dose intensities. CONCLUSION: In a real-world experience within a large, integrated health care system, significant reductions in MACE were found in association with both any and high-intensity statin prescriptions following an ASCVD event. Temporal trends indicated progressive improvement in guideline-recommended prescriptions. However, treatment gaps remain in receipt of both any statin and, especially, a high-intensity statin prescription, and these represent prime opportunities for further improvement in secondary ASCVD prevention.


Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis/drug therapy , Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Aged , Atherosclerosis/diagnosis , Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Databases, Factual , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Discharge , Proportional Hazards Models , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Secondary Prevention , Treatment Outcome
6.
J Ultrasound ; 21(1): 61-64, 2018 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29374397

ABSTRACT

Simulation based procedural training is an effective and frequently used method for teaching vascular access techniques which often require commercial trainers. These can be prohibitively expensive, which allows for homemade trainers made of gelatin to be a more cost-effective and attractive option. Previously described trainers are often rectangular with a flat surface that is dissimilar to human anatomy. We describe a novel method to create a more anatomically realistic trainer using ballistic gelatin, household items, and supplies commonly found in an emergency department such as the plaster wrap typically used to make splints.


Subject(s)
Gelatin , Models, Anatomic , Casts, Surgical , Education, Medical , Endovascular Procedures/education , Equipment Design , Humans , Ultrasonography, Interventional
7.
Soft Matter ; 13(37): 6542-6554, 2017 Sep 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28895607

ABSTRACT

2,2'-Bipyridine-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane)s (bpyPDMS) with number average molecular weights, MN, of 3300, 6100, 26 200, and 50 000 g mol-1 were synthesized. When mixed with Fe(BF4)2 at low concentrations, red solutions formed with UV-vis spectra that match those of iron(ii) tris(2,2'-bipyridine) (Fe(bpy)32+). Upon solvent evaporation, Fe(bpy)32+ crosslinked PDMS networks (bpyPDMS/Fe(ii)) formed, and were studied using oscillating shear rheometry. The shear storage moduli (0.084 to 2.6 MPa) were found to be inversely proportional to the MN of the PDMS, though the storage moduli at low molecular weights greatly exceeded the storage moduli of comparable covalently crosslinked PDMS networks. The shear storage moduli exhibited the characteristic rubbery plateau up to ∼135 °C. Films of bpyPDMS/Fe(ii) coated onto electrodes were found to be electrochemically active, especially so when the PDMS MN is low. The Fe(bpy)32+ crosslinks can be reversibly oxidized over ∼500 nm away from the electrode surface in the presence of a suitable electrolyte.

8.
Open Forum Infect Dis ; 4(1): ofw274, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28480266

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oritavancin compared with vancomycin for patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) who received treatment in the outpatient setting in the Phase 3 SOLO clinical trials. METHODS: SOLO I and SOLO II were 2 identically designed comparative, multicenter, double-blind, randomized studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single 1200-mg dose of intravenous (IV) oritavancin versus 7-10 days of twice-daily IV vancomycin for the treatment of ABSSSI. Protocols were amended to allow enrolled patients to complete their entire course of antimicrobial therapy in an outpatient setting. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite endpoint (cessation of spread or reduction in size of the baseline lesion, absence of fever, and no rescue antibiotic at early clinical evaluation [ECE]) (48 to 72 hours). Key secondary endpoints included investigator-assessed clinical cure 7 to 14 days after end of treatment (posttherapy evaluation [PTE]) and 20% or greater reduction in lesion area at ECE. Safety was assessed until day 60. RESULTS: Seven hundred ninety-two patients (oritavancin, 392; vancomycin, 400) received entire course of treatment in the outpatient setting. Efficacy response rates at ECE and PTE were similar (primary composite endpoint at ECE: 80.4% vs 77.5% for oritavancin and vancomycin, respectively) as was incidence of adverse events. Five patients (1.3%) who received oritavancin and 9 (2.3%) vancomycin patients were subsequently admitted to a hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Oritavancin provides a single-dose alternative to multidose vancomycin for treatment of ABSSSI in the outpatient setting.

9.
Sci Rep ; 7: 43196, 2017 03 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28256593

ABSTRACT

Damage to renal tubular epithelial cells by genetic, environmental, or biological insults can initiate complex signaling mechanisms that promote kidney repair and functional recovery. In this study, we demonstrated that thyroid receptor interacting protein 13 (TRIP13) is a critical modulator of tubular epithelial cell repair following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), a common type of renal stressor. In Trip13Gt/Gthypomorph mice treated with unilateral renal IRI, persistent tubular epithelial cell damage was determined in the IRI-treated kidney throughout the 168 hours of experimental period compared to the contralateral kidneys. The damaged epithelial cells were associated with increased levels of DNA damage (É£H2AX) and apoptotic markers (p53, cleaved caspase-7, and TUNEL-positive cells). Correspondingly, TRIP13 was found to directly interact with Tetratricopeptide Repeat Domain 5 (TTC5), a p53 co-factor, and genetic knockdown of TRIP13 in murine inner medullary collecting duct cells in the presence of hydrogen peroxide showed increased activity of p53 at Serine 15. In all, these studies suggest that insufficient TRIP13 increased the susceptibility of damaged tubular epithelial cells to progress towards apoptotic cell death.


Subject(s)
ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities/deficiency , Acute Kidney Injury/pathology , Apoptosis , Cell Cycle Proteins/deficiency , Epithelial Cells/pathology , Reperfusion Injury/pathology , Animals , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Mice , Protein Binding , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
10.
Int J Sports Med ; 37(10): 825-30, 2016 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27337430

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of a pre-loaded 1 500-m treadmill time trial, conducted in moderate normobaric hypoxia. 8 trained runners/triathletes (24±3 years, 73.2±8.1 kg, 182.5±6.5 cm, altitude specific V˙O2max: 52.9±5.5 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) completed 3 trials (the first as a familiarisation), involving 2, 15-min running bouts at 45% and 65% V˙O2max, respectively, and a 1 500-m time trial in moderate normobaric hypoxia equivalent to a simulated altitude of 2 500 m (FiO2~15%). Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, skeletal muscle and cerebral tissue oxygenation (StO2), expired gas ( V˙O2 and V˙CO2), and ratings of perceived exertion were monitored. Running performance (Trial 1: 352.7±40; Trial 2: 353.9±38.2 s) demonstrated a low CV (0.9%) and high ICC (1). All physiological variables demonstrated a global CV≤4.2%, and ICC≥0.87, with the exception of muscle (CV 10.4%; ICC 0.70) and cerebral (CV 4.1%; ICC 0.82) StO2. These data demonstrate good reliability of the majority of physiological variables and indicate that a pre-loaded 1 500-m time trial conducted in moderate normobaric hypoxia is a highly reliable test of performance.


Subject(s)
Heart Rate/physiology , Hypoxia/metabolism , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Running/physiology , Adult , Exercise Test , Humans , Male , Oxygen/blood , Pulmonary Gas Exchange , Reproducibility of Results , Young Adult
11.
Europace ; 18(7): 979-86, 2016 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26838691

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulation have had few options for stroke prevention. Recently, a novel oral anticoagulant, apixaban, and percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) have emerged as safe and effective therapies for stroke risk reduction in these patients. This analysis assessed the cost effectiveness of LAAC with the Watchman device relative to apixaban and aspirin therapy in patients with non-valvular AF and contraindications to warfarin therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cost-effectiveness model was constructed using data from three studies on stroke prevention in patients with contraindications: the ASAP study evaluating the Watchman device, the ACTIVE A trial of aspirin and clopidogrel, and the AVERROES trial evaluating apixaban. The cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from a German healthcare payer perspective over a 20-year time horizon. Left atrial appendage closure yielded more quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) than aspirin and apixaban by 2 and 4 years, respectively. At 5 years, LAAC was cost effective compared with aspirin with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €16 971. Left atrial appendage closure was cost effective compared with apixaban at 7 years with an ICER of €9040. Left atrial appendage closure was cost saving and more effective than aspirin and apixaban at 8 years and remained so throughout the 20-year time horizon. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis demonstrates that LAAC with the Watchman device is a cost-effective and cost-saving solution for stroke risk reduction in patients with non-valvular AF who are at risk for stroke but have contraindications to warfarin.


Subject(s)
Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Aspirin/economics , Atrial Appendage/surgery , Atrial Fibrillation/therapy , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/instrumentation , Pyrazoles/economics , Pyridones/economics , Stroke/prevention & control , Aspirin/therapeutic use , Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology , Clopidogrel , Contraindications , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Germany , Humans , Markov Chains , Models, Theoretical , Pyrazoles/therapeutic use , Pyridones/therapeutic use , Quality of Life , Quality-Adjusted Life Years , Ticlopidine/analogs & derivatives , Ticlopidine/therapeutic use , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Warfarin
12.
J Am Coll Cardiol ; 66(24): 2728-2739, 2015 Dec 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26616031

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and nonwarfarin oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have emerged as safe and effective alternatives to warfarin for stroke prophylaxis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVES: This analysis assessed the cost-effectiveness of warfarin, NOACs, and LAAC with the Watchman device (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) for stroke risk reduction in patients with nonvalvular AF at multiple time points over a lifetime horizon. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of LAAC, NOACs, and warfarin from the perspective of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over a lifetime (20-year) horizon. Patients were 70 years of age and at moderate risk for stroke and bleeding. Clinical event rates, stroke outcomes, and quality of life information were drawn predominantly from PROTECT AF (Watchman Left Atrial Appendage System for Embolic Protection in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) 4-year data and meta-analyses of warfarin and NOACs. Costs for stroke risk reduction therapies, treatment of associated acute events, and long-term care following disabling stroke were presented in 2015 U.S. dollars. RESULTS: Relative to warfarin, LAAC was cost-effective at 7 years ($42,994/quality-adjusted life-years [QALY]), and NOACs were cost-effective at 16 years ($48,446/QALY). LAAC was dominant over NOACs by year 5 and warfarin by year 10. At 10 years, LAAC provided more QALYs than warfarin and NOACs (5.855 vs. 5.601 vs. 5.751, respectively). In sensitivity analyses, LAAC remained cost-effective relative to warfarin ($41,470/QALY at 11 years) and NOACs ($21,964/QALY at 10 years), even if procedure costs were doubled. CONCLUSIONS: Both NOACs and LAAC with the Watchman device were cost-effective relative to warfarin, but LAAC was also found to be cost-effective and to offer better value relative to NOACs. The results of this analysis should be considered when formulating policy and practice guidelines for stroke prevention in AF.


Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation/therapy , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/economics , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/methods , Health Care Costs , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Stroke/prevention & control , Warfarin/therapeutic use , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Atrial Appendage , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Follow-Up Studies , Forecasting , Massachusetts , Stroke/etiology , Time Factors
13.
Med Teach ; 37(5): 411-6, 2015 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25523012

ABSTRACT

Twitter is a tool for physicians to increase engagement of learners and the public, share scientific information, crowdsource new ideas, conduct, discuss and challenge emerging research, pursue professional development and continuing medical education, expand networks around specialized topics and provide moral support to colleagues. However, new users or skeptics may well be wary of its potential pitfalls. The aims of this commentary are to discuss the potential advantages of the Twitter platform for dialogue among physicians, to explore the barriers to accurate and high-quality healthcare discourse and, finally, to recommend potential safeguards physicians may employ against these threats in order to participate productively.


Subject(s)
Information Dissemination/methods , Physicians , Social Media , Communication , Community Networks , Crowdsourcing/methods , Education, Medical, Continuing/methods , Humans , Knowledge , Physician's Role , Self-Help Groups
14.
Thromb Haemost ; 112(6): 1230-43, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25104417

ABSTRACT

Early diagnosis of severe infectious diseases is essential for timely implementation of lifesaving therapies. In a search for novel biomarkers in sepsis diagnosis we focused on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Notably, PMNs have their protein cargo readily stored in granules and following systemic stimulation, an immediate increase of neutrophil-borne proteins can be observed into the circulation of sepsis patients. We applied a combination of mass spectrometry (MS) based approaches, LC-MS/MS and selected reaction monitoring (SRM), to characterise and quantify the neutrophil proteome in healthy or disease conditions. With this approach we identified a neutrophil-derived protein abundance pattern in blood plasma consisting of 20 proteins that can be used as a protein signature for severe infectious diseases. Our results also show that SRM is highly sensitive, specific, and reproducible and, thus, a promising technology to study a complex, dynamic and multifactorial disease such as sepsis.


Subject(s)
Blood Proteins/metabolism , Chromatography, Liquid , Neutrophils/metabolism , Proteomics/methods , Sepsis/blood , Tandem Mass Spectrometry , Biomarkers/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Disease Progression , Humans , Neutrophils/immunology , Neutrophils/microbiology , Predictive Value of Tests , Sepsis/diagnosis , Sepsis/immunology , Sepsis/microbiology , Severity of Illness Index
15.
Neurobiol Learn Mem ; 114: 32-9, 2014 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24752151

ABSTRACT

Neuronal activity regulates AMPA receptor trafficking, a process that mediates changes in synaptic strength, a key component of learning and memory. This form of plasticity may be induced by stimulation of the NMDA receptor which, among its activities, increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) through the nitric oxide synthase pathway. cGMP-dependent protein kinase type II (cGKII) is ultimately activated via this mechanism and AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 is phosphorylated at serine 845. This phosphorylation contributes to the delivery of GluA1 to the synapse, a step that increases synaptic strength. Previous studies have shown that cGKII-deficient mice display striking spatial learning deficits in the Morris Water Maze compared to wild-type littermates as well as lowered GluA1 phosphorylation in the postsynaptic density of the prefrontal cortex (Serulle et al., 2007; Wincott et al., 2013). In the current study, we show that cGKII knockout mice exhibit impaired working memory as determined using the prefrontal cortex-dependent Radial Arm Maze (RAM). Additionally, we report reduced repetitive behavior in the Marble Burying task (MB), and heightened anxiety-like traits in the Novelty Suppressed Feeding Test (NSFT). These data suggest that cGKII may play a role in the integration of information that conveys both anxiety-provoking stimuli as well as the spatial and environmental cues that facilitate functional memory processes and appropriate behavioral response.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/genetics , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Type II/genetics , Memory, Short-Term/physiology , Animals , Anxiety/metabolism , Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Type II/metabolism , Maze Learning/physiology , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Phosphorylation
16.
J Neurosci ; 33(14): 6123-32, 2013 Apr 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23554493

ABSTRACT

The mechanisms by which natural rewards such as sugar affect synaptic transmission and behavior are largely unexplored. Here, we investigate regulation of nucleus accumbens synapses by sucrose intake. Previous studies have shown that AMPA receptor (AMPAR) trafficking is a major mechanism for regulating synaptic strength, and that in vitro, trafficking of AMPARs containing the GluA1 subunit takes place by a two-step mechanism involving extrasynaptic and then synaptic receptor transport. We report that in rat, repeated daily ingestion of a 25% sucrose solution transiently elevated spontaneous locomotion and potentiated accumbens core synapses through incorporation of Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors (CPARs), which are GluA1-containing, GluA2-lacking AMPARs. Electrophysiological, biochemical, and quantitative electron microscopy studies revealed that sucrose training (7 d) induced a stable (>24 h) intraspinous GluA1 population, and that in these rats a single sucrose stimulus rapidly (5 min) but transiently (<24 h) elevated GluA1 at extrasynaptic sites. CPARs and dopamine D1 receptors were required in vivo for elevated locomotion after sucrose ingestion. Significantly, a 7 d protocol of daily ingestion of a 3% solution of saccharin, a noncaloric sweetener, induced synaptic GluA1 similarly to 25% sucrose ingestion. These findings identify multistep GluA1 trafficking, previously described in vitro, as a mechanism for acute regulation of synaptic transmission in vivo by a natural orosensory reward. Trafficking is stimulated by a chemosensory pathway that is not dependent on the caloric value of sucrose.


Subject(s)
Neurons/metabolism , Receptors, AMPA/metabolism , Sucrose/administration & dosage , Sweetening Agents/administration & dosage , Animals , Carrier Proteins , Conditioning, Operant/physiology , Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase/metabolism , Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials/drug effects , In Vitro Techniques , Locomotion/physiology , Male , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Neurons/drug effects , Nucleus Accumbens/cytology , Phosphoproteins/metabolism , Post-Synaptic Density/metabolism , Post-Synaptic Density/ultrastructure , Protein Transport/drug effects , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Subcellular Fractions/metabolism , Synaptosomes/metabolism , Synaptosomes/ultrastructure
17.
Can J Urol ; 20(2): 6682-9, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23587507

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Several studies, including the recently published phase III study by Stenzl and colleagues have demonstrated that hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride, when used with blue light fluorescence cystoscopy, improves detection of non-muscle invasive bladder tumors compared to white light cystoscopy and transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURB) alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The objective of this study was to conduct a detailed assessment of the cost-effectiveness of using hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride with blue light cystoscopy as an adjunct to white light versus white light cystoscopy alone at time of initial TURB in the United States. A probabilistic decision tree model, using TreeAge Pro 2011 software, was developed using base case scenario cost and utility estimates. RESULTS: Incorporation of hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride into diagnostic cystoscopy results in lower costs over 5 years ($25,921) as compared to those patients who initially receive white light cystoscopy ($30,581). Those patients who initially receive hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride blue light TURB also experience a lower overall cancer burden. CONCLUSIONS: Hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride may be cost effective when used at first TURB for patients with suspected new or recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.


Subject(s)
Aminolevulinic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Cystoscopy/economics , Cystoscopy/methods , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/diagnosis , Aged , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Retrospective Studies , Software , United States/epidemiology , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/epidemiology , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/surgery
18.
Tenn Med ; 103(10): 31-2, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21186705
19.
Cancer Chemother Pharmacol ; 65(4): 707-17, 2010 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19649632

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The Aurora family of serine/threonine kinases (Aurora-A, Aurora-B, and Aurora-C) plays a key role in cells orderly progression through mitosis. Elevated expression levels of Aurora kinases have been detected in a high percentage of melanoma, colon, breast, ovarian, gastric, and pancreatic tumors. We characterized the biological and pharmacological properties of SNS-314, an ATP-competitive, selective, and potent inhibitor of Aurora kinases. METHODS: We studied the biochemical potency and selectivity of SNS-314 to inhibit Aurora kinases A, B, and C. The inhibition of cellular proliferation induced by SNS-314 was evaluated in a broad range of tumor cell lines and correlated to inhibition of histone H3 phosphorylation, inhibition of cell-cycle progression, increase in nuclear content and cell size, loss of viability, and induction of apoptosis. The dose and administration schedule of SNS-314 was optimized for in vivo efficacy in mouse xenograft models of human cancer. RESULTS: In the HCT116 human colon cancer xenograft model, administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg SNS-314 led to dose-dependent inhibition of histone H3 phosphorylation for at least 10 h, indicating effective Aurora-B inhibition in vivo. HCT116 tumors from animals treated with SNS-314 showed potent and sustained responses including reduction of phosphorylated histone H3 levels, increased caspase-3 and appearance of increased nuclear size. The compound showed significant tumor growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner under a variety of dosing schedules including weekly, bi-weekly, and 5 days on/9 days off. CONCLUSIONS: SNS-314 is a potent small-molecule inhibitor of Aurora kinases developed as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic agent for the treatment of diverse human malignancies.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Phenylurea Compounds/pharmacology , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Thiazoles/pharmacology , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Apoptosis/drug effects , Aurora Kinase A , Aurora Kinase B , Aurora Kinase C , Aurora Kinases , Caspase 3/metabolism , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Female , HCT116 Cells , HT29 Cells , HeLa Cells , Histones/metabolism , Humans , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Mice , Mice, Nude , Molecular Structure , Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasms/pathology , Phenylurea Compounds/chemistry , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Thiazoles/chemistry , Tumor Burden/drug effects , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
20.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett ; 19(17): 5158-61, 2009 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19646866

ABSTRACT

This Letter describes the discovery and key structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a series of 2-aminobenzimidazoles as potent Aurora kinase inhibitors. 2-Aminobenzimidazole serves as a bioisostere of the biaryl urea residue of SNS-314 (1c), which is a potent Aurora kinase inhibitor and entered clinical testing in patients with solid tumors. Compared to SNS-314, this series of compounds offers better aqueous solubility while retaining comparable in vitro potency in biochemical and cell-based assays; in particular, 6m has also demonstrated a comparable mouse iv PK profile to SNS-314.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Benzimidazoles/chemistry , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Aurora Kinases , Benzimidazoles/chemical synthesis , Benzimidazoles/pharmacokinetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Mice , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacokinetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Structure-Activity Relationship
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