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1.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 120(18): e2216342120, 2023 05 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37098070

RESUMO

NKG2D (natural-killer group 2, member D) is a homodimeric transmembrane receptor that plays an important role in NK, γδ+, and CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses to environmental stressors such as viral or bacterial infections and oxidative stress. However, aberrant NKG2D signaling has also been associated with chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and as such NKG2D is thought to be an attractive target for immune intervention. Here, we describe a comprehensive small-molecule hit identification strategy and two distinct series of protein-protein interaction inhibitors of NKG2D. Although the hits are chemically distinct, they share a unique allosteric mechanism of disrupting ligand binding by accessing a cryptic pocket and causing the two monomers of the NKG2D dimer to open apart and twist relative to one another. Leveraging a suite of biochemical and cell-based assays coupled with structure-based drug design, we established tractable structure-activity relationships with one of the chemical series and successfully improved both the potency and physicochemical properties. Together, we demonstrate that it is possible, albeit challenging, to disrupt the interaction between NKG2D and multiple protein ligands with a single molecule through allosteric modulation of the NKG2D receptor dimer/ligand interface.


Assuntos
Células Matadoras Naturais , Subfamília K de Receptores Semelhantes a Lectina de Células NK , Ligantes , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , Ligação Proteica
2.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39294869

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Taken together, prior publications on the association between symptoms of depression and anxiety and contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) suggest a bi-directional relationship, but all the studies only focus on one direction in this relationship. AIMS: To examine, in longitudinally collected data, period-specific within-individual change in anxiety and depression measures preceding arrest measurement and, separately, following arrest measurement. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997, a nationally representative sample of people born between 1980 and 1984 and first interviewed between ages 12-17 and a publicly accessible database. Our focus was on data for the 11 years 2000-2010. Using whole sample data, we tested for a reciprocal association between depression and anxiety during each 2-year period and arrests during the following year, and vice versa, allowing for relatively fixed characteristics such as sex, age and socio-economic indicators. We used period-specific change modelling to test relationships. RESULTS: We found that within-individual increases in depression and anxiety scores over short periods (2-year periods) of time was associated with an increase in the number of arrests subsequent over the following year, consistently throughout the whole of the 10 years studies. The reciprocal association was also observed, albeit the magnitude of the effects was much smaller. CONCLUSION: This study adds to the literature on the association between mental health and CJS contact by showing that they may be reciprocally associated. This suggests that facilitating co-working or even formal partnerships between community mental health services and justice-related services could be beneficial.

3.
J Neuroinflammation ; 20(1): 197, 2023 Aug 31.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37653491

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Medical advances have made it increasingly possible for spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors to survive decades after the insult. But how SCI affects aging changes and aging impacts the injury process have received limited attention. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are recognized as critical mediators of neuroinflammation after CNS injury, including at a distance from the lesion site. We have previously shown that SCI in young male mice leads to robust changes in plasma EV count and microRNA (miR) content. Here, our goal was to investigate the impact of biological sex and aging on EVs and brain after SCI. METHODS: Young adult age-matched male and female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to SCI. At 19 months post-injury, total plasma EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). EVs miR cargo was examined using the Fireplex® assay. The transcriptional changes in the brain were assessed by a NanoString nCounter Neuropathology panel and validated by Western blot (WB) and flow cytometry (FC). A battery of behavioral tests was performed for assessment of neurological function. RESULTS: Transcriptomic changes showed a high number of changes between sham and those with SCI. Sex-specific changes were found in transcription networks related to disease association, activated microglia, and vesicle trafficking. FC showed higher microglia and myeloid counts in the injured tissue of SCI/Female compared to their male counterparts, along with higher microglial production of ROS in both injured site and the brain. In the latter, increased levels of TNF and mitochondrial membrane potential were seen in microglia from SCI/Female. WB and NTA revealed that EV markers are elevated in the plasma of SCI/Male. Particle concentration in the cortex increased after injury, with SCI/Female showing higher counts than SCI/Male. EVs cargo analysis revealed changes in miR content related to injury and sex. Behavioral testing confirmed impairment of cognition and depression at chronic time points after SCI in both sexes, without significant differences between males and females. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to show sexually dimorphic changes in brain after very long-term SCI and supports a potential sex-dependent EV-mediated mechanism that contributes to SCI-induced brain changes.


Assuntos
Doenças Neuroinflamatórias , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal , Feminino , Masculino , Animais , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Encéfalo , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Cognição
4.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett ; 96: 129492, 2023 11 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37778428

RESUMO

Natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) is a homodimeric activating immunoreceptor whose function is to detect and eliminate compromised cells upon binding to the NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules class I-related chain A (MICA) and B (MICB) and UL16 binding proteins (ULBP1-6). While typically present at low levels in healthy cells and tissue, NKG2DL expression can be induced by viral infection, cellular stress or transformation. Aberrant activity along the NKG2D/NKG2DL axis has been associated with autoimmune diseases due to the increased expression of NKG2D ligands in human disease tissue, making NKG2D inhibitors an attractive target for immunomodulation. Herein we describe the discovery and optimization of small molecule PPI (protein-protein interaction) inhibitors of NKG2D/NKG2DL. Rapid SAR was guided by structure-based drug design and accomplished by iterative singleton and parallel medicinal chemistry synthesis. These efforts resulted in the identification of several potent analogs (14, 21, 30, 45) with functional activity and improved LLE.


Assuntos
Proteínas de Transporte , Subfamília K de Receptores Semelhantes a Lectina de Células NK , Humanos , Subfamília K de Receptores Semelhantes a Lectina de Células NK/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte/metabolismo , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Ligantes
5.
Biochemistry ; 60(41): 3114-3124, 2021 10 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34608799

RESUMO

Achieving selectivity across the human kinome is a major hurdle in kinase inhibitor drug discovery. Assays using active, phosphorylated protein kinases bias hits toward poorly selective inhibitors that bind within the highly conserved adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pocket. Targeting inactive (vs active) kinase conformations offers advantages in achieving selectivity because of their more diversified structures. Kinase cascade assays are typically initiated with target kinases in their unphosphorylated inactive forms, which are activated during the assays. Therefore, these assays are capable of identifying inhibitors that preferentially bind to the unphosphorylated form of the enzyme in addition to those that bind to the active form. We applied this cascade assay to the emerging cancer immunotherapy target hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1), a serine/threonine kinase that negatively regulates T cell receptor signaling. Using this approach, we discovered an allosteric, inactive conformation-selective triazolopyrimidinone HPK1 inhibitor, compound 1. Compound 1 binds to unphosphorylated HPK1 >24-fold more potently than active HPK1, is not competitive with ATP, and is highly selective against kinases critical for T cell signaling. Furthermore, compound 1 does not bind to the isolated HPK1 kinase domain alone but requires other domains. Together, these data indicate that 1 is an allosteric HPK1 inhibitor that attenuates kinase autophosphorylation by binding to a pocket consisting of residues within and outside of the kinase domain. Our study demonstrates that cascade assays can lead to the discovery of highly selective kinase inhibitors. The triazolopyrimidinone described in this study may represent a privileged chemical scaffold for further development of potent and selective HPK1 inhibitors.


Assuntos
Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/química , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinases/antagonistas & inibidores , Pirimidinonas/química , Triazóis/química , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/química , Ensaios de Triagem em Larga Escala , Humanos , Fosfoproteínas/química , Fosforilação , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinases/química
6.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett ; 30(17): 127403, 2020 09 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32738972

RESUMO

High-throughput screening methods have been used to identify two novel series of inhibitors that disrupt progranulin binding to sortilin. Exploration of structure-activity relationships (SAR) resulted in compounds with sufficient potency and physicochemical properties to enable co-crystallization with sortilin. These co-crystal structures supported observed SAR trends and provided guidance for additional avenues for designing compounds with additional interactions within the binding site.


Assuntos
Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transporte Vesicular/metabolismo , Progranulinas/metabolismo , Bibliotecas de Moléculas Pequenas/química , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transporte Vesicular/antagonistas & inibidores , Amidas/química , Amidas/metabolismo , Aminoácidos/química , Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Sítios de Ligação , Cristalografia por Raios X , Ensaios de Triagem em Larga Escala , Humanos , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Progranulinas/antagonistas & inibidores , Ligação Proteica , Pirazóis/química , Pirazóis/metabolismo , Bibliotecas de Moléculas Pequenas/metabolismo , Relação Estrutura-Atividade
7.
J Neurophysiol ; 122(2): 862-871, 2019 08 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31268813

RESUMO

Diabetes mellitus-induced hyperglycemia is associated with a number of pathologies such as retinopathy, nephropathy, delayed wound healing, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Approximately 50% of patients with diabetes mellitus will develop DPN, which is characterized by disrupted sensory and/or motor functioning, with treatment limited to pain management. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are an emerging animal model used to study a number of metabolic disorders, including diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and delayed wound healing have all been demonstrated in zebrafish. Recently, our laboratory has demonstrated that following the ablation of the insulin-producing ß-cells of the pancreas (and subsequent hyperglycemia), the peripheral nerves begin to show signs of dysregulation. In this study, we take a different approach, taking advantage of the transdermal absorption abilities of zebrafish larvae to extend the period of hyperglycemia. Following 5 days of 60 mM d-glucose treatment, we observed motor axon defasciculation, disturbances in perineurial glia sheath formation, decreased myelination of motor axons, and sensory neuron mislocalization. This study extends our understanding of the structural changes of the peripheral nerve following induction of hyperglycemia and does so in an animal model capable of potential DPN drug discovery in the future.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Zebrafish are emerging as a robust model system for the study of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and impaired wound healing. We present a novel model of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in zebrafish in which the integrity of the peripheral nerve is dysregulated following the induction of hyperglycemia. By using this model, future studies can focus on elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms currently unknown.


Assuntos
Axônios , Neuropatias Diabéticas , Hiperglicemia/complicações , Nervos Periféricos , Células Receptoras Sensoriais , Animais , Axônios/metabolismo , Axônios/patologia , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Neuropatias Diabéticas/etiologia , Neuropatias Diabéticas/metabolismo , Neuropatias Diabéticas/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Hiperglicemia/induzido quimicamente , Larva , Nervos Periféricos/metabolismo , Nervos Periféricos/patologia , Células Receptoras Sensoriais/metabolismo , Células Receptoras Sensoriais/patologia , Peixe-Zebra
8.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 25(4): 832-834, 2019 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30882321

RESUMO

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease affects wild and domestic ruminants and has recently spread northward within the United States. In September 2017, we detected epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in wild white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, in east-central Canada. Culicoides spp. midges of the subgenus Avaritia were the most common potential vectors identified on site.


Assuntos
Doenças dos Animais/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Animais/virologia , Cervos/virologia , Vírus da Doença Hemorrágica Epizoótica , Infecções por Reoviridae/veterinária , Doenças dos Animais/transmissão , Animais , Canadá/epidemiologia , Vírus da Doença Hemorrágica Epizoótica/classificação , Vírus da Doença Hemorrágica Epizoótica/genética , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores
9.
Epilepsy Behav ; 100(Pt A): 106501, 2019 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31574425

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: We recently detected a significant racial difference in our population with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seizure monitoring unit. We found that Black patients were more likely than their White counterparts to carry a TLE diagnosis. Using this same patient population, we focus on the patients with TLE to better describe the relationship between race and epidemiology in this population. METHODS: We analyzed the data from patients diagnosed with TLE admitted to the UAB seizure monitoring unit between January 2000 and December 2011. For patients with a video electroencephalography (EEG) confirmed diagnosis of TLE (n = 385), basic demographic information including race and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were collected. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the relationship between MRI findings, demographic data, and race. RESULTS: For Black patients with TLE, we found that they were more likely to be female (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-3.19), have seizure onset in adulthood (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.43-3.19), and have normal MRIs (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.04-2.77) compared to White counterparts with TLE after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that Black race (compared to White) is associated with higher expression of adult-onset MRI-negative TLE, an important subtype of epilepsy with unique implications for evaluation, treatment, and prognosis. If validated in other cohorts, the findings may explain the lower reported rates of epilepsy surgery utilization among Blacks. The racial differences in surgical utilization could be due to a greater prevalence of an epilepsy that is less amenable to surgical resection rather than to cultural differences or access to care.


Assuntos
Negro ou Afro-Americano/estatística & dados numéricos , Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/etnologia , Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/epidemiologia , Disparidades nos Níveis de Saúde , População Branca/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Eletroencefalografia , Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Razão de Chances , Prevalência , Convulsões/epidemiologia , Adulto Jovem
10.
J Chem Inf Model ; 58(10): 2057-2068, 2018 10 22.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30204440

RESUMO

Since many projects at pharmaceutical organizations get their start from a high-throughput screening (HTS) campaign, improving the quality of the HTS deck can improve the likelihood of discovering a high-quality lead molecule that can be progressed to a drug candidate. Over the past decade, Janssen has implemented several strategies for external compound acquisition to augment the screening deck beyond the chemical space and number of molecules synthesized for internal projects. In this report, we analyzed the performance of each of those compound collections in the screening campaigns performed internally within Janssen during the last five years. We classified the screening library into two broad categories: Internal and External. The comparison of the performance of these sets of libraries was done by considering the primary, confirmation, and dose response hit rates. Our analysis revealed that Internal compounds (resulting from numerous medicinal chemistry efforts against diverse protein targets) have higher average confirmation hit rates than External ones; however, actives from both categories show similar probabilities of hitting multiple distinct targets. We also investigated the property landscape of both sets of libraries to identify the key elements which make a difference in these categories of compounds. From this analysis, Janssen aims to understand the descriptor landscape of the compounds with the highest hit rates and to use them for improving its future acquisition strategies as well as to inform our plating strategy.


Assuntos
Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos/métodos , Ensaios de Triagem em Larga Escala/métodos , Bibliotecas de Moléculas Pequenas , Química Farmacêutica/métodos , Descoberta de Drogas/métodos , Software
11.
J Biol Chem ; 290(33): 20360-73, 2015 Aug 14.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26134571

RESUMO

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) bind to and phosphorylate GPCRs, initiating the process of GPCR desensitization and internalization. GRK4 is implicated in the regulation of blood pressure, and three GRK4 polymorphisms (R65L, A142V, and A486V) are associated with hypertension. Here, we describe the 2.6 Å structure of human GRK4α A486V crystallized in the presence of 5'-adenylyl ß,γ-imidodiphosphate. The structure of GRK4α is similar to other GRKs, although slight differences exist within the RGS homology (RH) bundle subdomain, substrate-binding site, and kinase C-tail. The RH bundle subdomain and kinase C-terminal lobe form a strikingly acidic surface, whereas the kinase N-terminal lobe and RH terminal subdomain surfaces are much more basic. In this respect, GRK4α is more similar to GRK2 than GRK6. A fully ordered kinase C-tail reveals interactions linking the C-tail with important determinants of kinase activity, including the αB helix, αD helix, and the P-loop. Autophosphorylation of wild-type GRK4α is required for full kinase activity, as indicated by a lag in phosphorylation of a peptide from the dopamine D1 receptor without ATP preincubation. In contrast, this lag is not observed in GRK4α A486V. Phosphopeptide mapping by mass spectrometry indicates an increased rate of autophosphorylation of a number of residues in GRK4α A486V relative to wild-type GRK4α, including Ser-485 in the kinase C-tail.


Assuntos
Quinase 4 de Receptor Acoplado a Proteína G/química , Quinase 4 de Receptor Acoplado a Proteína G/metabolismo , Hipertensão/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Cristalografia por Raios X , Quinase 4 de Receptor Acoplado a Proteína G/genética , Humanos , Modelos Moleculares , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Fosforilação , Conformação Proteica , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Especificidade por Substrato
12.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 473(2): 370-6, 2016 Apr 29.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26792727

RESUMO

OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 (1B3) are members of organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs), a family of sodium-independent organic anion membrane transporters that contribute to transport of various drugs. To identify peptide inhibitors of OATP1B1, we developed a direct selection system on live cells using phage-displayed peptide libraries. Selections against OATP1B1 overexpressed cell-lines yielded three unique peptides able to inhibit the transport function of OATP1B1 and 1B3. Affinity maturation of one peptide led to identification of two peptides that demonstrated improved inhibition efficacy on drug uptake mediated by OATP1B1 and 1B3. We anticipate that these peptides will assist the identification of novel substrates for OATP1B1 and 1B3. Moreover, our selection system is a practical method for generating inhibitors of other membrane transporters.


Assuntos
Descoberta de Drogas , Transportadores de Ânions Orgânicos Sódio-Independentes/antagonistas & inibidores , Transportadores de Ânions Orgânicos/antagonistas & inibidores , Biblioteca de Peptídeos , Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/farmacologia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Transporte Biológico/efeitos dos fármacos , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Transportador 1 de Ânion Orgânico Específico do Fígado , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Transportadores de Ânions Orgânicos/metabolismo , Transportadores de Ânions Orgânicos Sódio-Independentes/metabolismo , Membro 1B3 da Família de Transportadores de Ânion Orgânico Carreador de Soluto
14.
Exp Mol Pathol ; 97(1): 116-9, 2014 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24927872

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: HER2 fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) is used in breast and gastro-esophageal carcinoma for determining HER2 gene amplification and patients' eligibility for HER2 targeted therapeutics. Traditional manual processing of the FISH slides is labor intensive because of multiple steps that require hands on manipulation of the slides and specifically timed intervals between steps. This highly manual processing also introduces inter-run and inter-operator variability that may affect the quality of the FISH result. Therefore, we sought to incorporate an automated processing instrument into our FISH workflow. METHODS: Twenty-six cases including breast (20) and gastro-esophageal (6) cancer comprising 23 biopsies and three excision specimens were tested for HER2 FISH (Pathvysion, Abbott) using the Thermobrite Elite (TBE) system (Leica). Up to 12 slides can be run simultaneously. All cases were previously tested by the Pathvysion HER2 FISH assay with manual preparation. Twenty cells were counted by two observers for each case; five cases were tested on three separate runs by different operators to evaluate the precision and inter-operator variability. RESULTS: There was 100% concordance in the scoring between the manual and TBE methods as well as among the five cases that were tested on three runs. Only one case failed due to poor probe hybridization. In total, seven cases were positive for HER2 amplification (HER2:CEP17 ratio >2.2) and the remaining 19 were negative (HER2:CEP17 ratio <1.8) utilizing the 2007 ASCO/CAP scoring criteria. Due to the automated denaturation and hybridization, for each run, there was a reduction in labor of 3.5h which could then be dedicated to other lab functions. CONCLUSION: The TBE is a walk away pre- and post-hybridization system that automates FISH slide processing, improves work flow and consistency and saves approximately 3.5h of technologist time. The instrument has a small footprint thus occupying minimal counter space. TBE processed slides performed exceptionally well in comparison to the manual technique with no disagreement in HER2 amplification status.


Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Neoplasias Esofágicas/genética , Hibridização in Situ Fluorescente/instrumentação , Hibridização in Situ Fluorescente/métodos , Receptor ErbB-2/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/genética , Automação , Biópsia , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Neoplasias Esofágicas/patologia , Feminino , Amplificação de Genes , Humanos , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Neoplasias Gástricas/patologia
15.
Pediatr Emerg Care ; 30(12): 904-10, 2014 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25469604

RESUMO

Exertional heat stroke incidence is on the rise and has become the third leading cause of death in high school athletes. It is entirely preventable, yet this is a case of a 15-year-old, 97-kg male football player who presented unresponsive and hyperthermic after an August football practice. His blood pressure was 80/30, and his pulse was 180. He had a rectal temperature of 107.3°F, and upon entering the emergency department, he was rapidly cooled in 40 minutes. As he progressed, he developed metabolic acidosis, elevated liver enzymes, a prolapsed mitral valve with elevated troponin levels, and worsening hypotension even with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. After 3 days in the hospital, this young man was pronounced dead as a result of complications from exertional heat stroke. We address not only the complications of his hospital course relative to his positive blood cultures but also the complications that can result from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication our patient was taking. As the population of young adults becomes more obese and more highly medicated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, we sought out these growing trends in correlation with the increase in incidence of heat-related illness. We also address the predisposing factors that make young high school athletes more likely to experience heat illness and propose further steps to educate this susceptible population.


Assuntos
Futebol Americano , Golpe de Calor/etiologia , Adolescente , Anfetaminas/urina , Ansiolíticos/urina , Benzodiazepinas/urina , Transfusão de Sangue , Evolução Fatal , Golpe de Calor/diagnóstico , Golpe de Calor/terapia , Humanos , Masculino , Midazolam/urina
16.
Med Acupunct ; 36(4): 215-226, 2024 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39309622

RESUMO

Background: It has been previously reported that acupuncturists internationally can be reluctant to engage in acupuncture research. Purpose: Assess the beliefs and attitudes of acupuncturists in the United States toward research, along with exploring their backgrounds and interests regarding conducting acupuncture research. We aimed to capture any previous experiences in conducting research, applying research findings in their clinical practice, and their ideas on how research could be used to promote the profession. Methods: Using the SurveyMonkey© online platform, a 21-item survey was developed by the American Society of Acupuncturists Research Committee in 2021. Areas of research background and research interests, attitudes toward research, and demographics were queried. Close- and open-ended questions were used. Statistical analyses were conducted and presented in simple tabulations with confidence intervals for central tendency, along with relevant verbatim responses presented to highlight meaningful insights from the participants. Results: Seven hundred and eighteen respondents completed the survey. Respondents were: 1) overwhelmingly positive concerning their beliefs and attitudes toward conducting research, 2) wanting to receive resources from the professional organization regarding all queried aspects of research ranging from interpretation of research articles, conducting research, and how to obtain research funding, and 3) concerned that acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine could be usurped by biomedicine, in effect losing its rich theoretical grounding. Conclusion: Acupuncture professional organizations should develop resources including lectures and seminars to educate and support their members on how to: 1) interpret research articles, 2) design acupuncture studies, and 3) obtain research funding.

17.
J Wildl Dis ; 2024 Sep 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39287595

RESUMO

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of cervids caused by an infectious misfolded protein (prion). Several members of the Cervidae, including Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni), are susceptible to CWD. There is no evidence of complete genetic resistance to CWD; the M132L polymorphism in the elk prion protein gene influences the incubation period: longest in 132LL, intermediate in 132ML, and shortest in 132MM elk. We retrospectively analyzed six female 132LL elk housed in an environment heavily contaminated with prions to 1) document clinical outcomes and incubation periods, 2) describe PrPSc distribution and extent in tissues, and 3) characterize their histologic lesions. In five of six elk, PrPSc was detected postmortem, with a distribution pattern distinct from that of 132MM and 132ML elk; time to clinical CWD onset CWD ranged from 73 to 117 mo (6.1-9.8 yr). Although the remaining animal was observed for 220 mo (18.3 yr), PrPSc was not detected in its tissues postmortem. This study suggests that 132LL elk infected via natural exposure may live even longer with CWD than previously thought, but ultimately remain susceptible. We also report a distinct distribution of PrPSc in 132LL genotypes and highlight unusual histologic findings. Understanding the relationship between cervid genetics and CWD is of increasing importance, especially given the growing interest in leveraging genetics that delay disease onset despite not preventing infection.

18.
JHEP Rep ; 6(1): 100937, 2024 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38169900

RESUMO

Background & Aims: Micro-elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in high-risk populations is a feasible approach towards achieving the World Health Organization's targets for viral hepatitis elimination by 2030. Prisons represent an area of high HCV prevalence and so initiatives that improve testing and treatment of residents are needed to eliminate HCV from prisons. This initiative aimed to improve the HCV screening and treatment rates of new residents arriving at prisons in England. Methods: A rapid test and treat pathway was developed and implemented in 47 prisons in England between May 2019 and October 2021 as a healthcare service improvement initiative. Prison healthcare staff performed opt-out HCV testing for all new residents at each prison within 7 days of arrival, and those who were positive for HCV RNA were offered treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The Hepatitis C Trust provided peer support for all residents on treatment and those who were released into the community. Results: Of 107,260 new arrivals, 98,882 (92.2%) were offered HCV antibody testing, 63,137 (63.9%) were tested and 1,848 were treated. Testing rates increased from 53.7% in Year 1 to 86.0% in Year 3. Between May 2020 and October 2021, 40,727 residents were tested, 2,286 residents were positive for HCV antibodies and 940 residents were HCV RNA positive, giving an antibody prevalence of 5.6% and an RNA prevalence of 2.3%. A total of 921 residents were referred for treatment and 915 initiated DAA treatment (97.3% of whom were HCV RNA positive). Conclusions: This initiative showed that an opt-out HCV test and treat initiative in prison receptions is feasible and can be adapted to the needs of individual prisons as a viable way to achieve HCV micro-elimination. Impact and implications: Prisons represent an area of high HCV prevalence and so initiatives that improve testing and treatment of residents are needed to eliminate HCV from prisons. The reception testing protocol improved HCV screening in new arrivals across 47 prisons in England and could be a viable way for countries to achieve HCV micro-elimination in their prison systems. The reception testing protocol presented here can be adapted to the individual needs of prisons, globally, to improve HCV screening and treatment in this setting.

19.
J Wildl Dis ; 60(2): 448-460, 2024 04 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38329742

RESUMO

Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) across North America commonly experience population-limiting epizootics of respiratory disease. Although many cases of bighorn sheep pneumonia are polymicrobial, Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is most frequently associated with all-age mortality events followed by years of low recruitment. Chronic carriage of M. ovipneumoniae by adult females serves as a source of exposure of naïve juveniles; relatively few ewes may be responsible for maintenance of infection within a herd. Test-and-remove strategies focused on removal of adult females with evidence of persistent or intermittent shedding (hereafter chronic carriers) may reduce prevalence and mitigate mortality. Postmortem confirmation of pneumonia in chronic carriers has been inadequately reported and the pathology has not been thoroughly characterized, limiting our understanding of important processes shaping the epidemiology of pneumonia in bighorn sheep. Here we document postmortem findings and characterize the lesions of seven ewes removed from a declining bighorn sheep population in Wyoming, USA, following at least two antemortem detections of M. ovipneumoniae within a 14-mo period. We confirmed that 6/7 (85.7%) had variable degrees of chronic pneumonia. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae was detected in the lung of 4/7 (57.1%) animals postmortem. Four (57.1%) had paranasal sinus masses, all of which were classified as inflammatory, hyperplastic lesions. Pasteurella multocida was detected in all seven (100%) animals, while Trueperella pyogenes was detected in 5/7 (71.4%). Our findings indicate that not all chronic carriers have pneumonia, nor do all have detectable M. ovipneumoniae in the lung. Further, paranasal sinus masses are a common but inconsistent finding, and whether sinus lesions predispose to persistence or result from chronic carriage remains unclear. Our findings indicate that disease is variable in chronic M. ovipneumoniae carriers, underscoring the need for further efforts to characterize pathologic processes and underlying mechanisms in this system to inform management.


Assuntos
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae , Seios Paranasais , Pneumonia , Doenças dos Ovinos , Carneiro da Montanha , Animais , Ovinos , Feminino , Pneumonia/veterinária , Pulmão/patologia , Doenças dos Ovinos/epidemiologia
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