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1.
J R Coll Physicians Edinb ; : 14782715241282360, 2024 Sep 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39310985

ABSTRACT

The Department of Neurosurgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) marked its 75th anniversary in 2023. The unit began on 1 April 1948 when Mr W Martin Nichols became the first full-time neurosurgeon in the North of Scotland. Prior to World War II (WWII), there were only a handful of surgeons dedicated to the specialty in the UK. Martin Nichols was one of a new wave of pioneering surgeons who had sought out experience in this fledgling field and went on to establish post-war units in teaching hospitals across the country. Like others of his generation, the war had an enormous effect on his career. Here we discuss his early formative career gaining experience in the leading centres of the day, WWII and his 5 years as a prisoner of war, going on to set up the new unit in Aberdeen. We are fortunate to have had access to many of Nichols' letters and other materials that provide valuable insights into the period.

3.
J Cyst Fibros ; 2024 Sep 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39278759

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Highly effective CFTR modulator therapy (HEMT) has improved the health of many people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), offering opportunities to discontinue burdensome therapies. SIMPLIFY included randomized, controlled trials that confirmed non-inferiority of discontinuing versus continuing dornase alfa (DA) or hypertonic saline (HS) for 6 weeks in pwCF on HEMT. In this study of post-trial treatment use by SIMPLIFY participants, we hypothesized that randomization to discontinue DA or HS during the trial would be associated with a higher likelihood of non-use of each medication during follow-up. METHODS: We electronically surveyed SIMPLIFY participants every 4 weeks for 24 weeks after trial completion but before the main trial results were publicly disclosed. We asked them how often they used medications during the previous week. We estimated covariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of DA or HS non-use by logistic regression with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: After exclusions mostly due to lack of any surveys, 472 participants were included in the analysis population, 181 from the HS trial and 291 from the DA trial. Approximately half of the analysis population completed all six surveys. At every month of follow-up in both trials, the percentage of individuals reporting non-use of DA or HS during the previous week was greater among those randomized to discontinue therapy. Among participants with responses at 24 weeks, 30/122 (24.6 %) in the HS trial and 79/222 (35.6 %) in the DA trial reported non-use of the respective study medication. After adjusting for covariates, participants randomized to discontinue DA were 8.7-times (95 % CI: 4.3-17.7) more likely to not use DA during follow-up than those randomized to continue DA, and participants randomized to discontinue HS were 5.2-times (95 % CI: 2.1-12.8) more likely to not use HS during follow-up compared to those randomized to continue. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy pwCF on ETI, randomization to discontinue DA or HS during SIMPLIFY was associated with greater odds of not using each medication after the trial compared to randomization to continue. These findings suggest that participation in a treatment discontinuation trial can influence participants' post-trial treatment decisions. This possibility may be relevant during discussions about research participation and clinical care.

4.
Drug Test Anal ; 2024 Aug 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39148405

ABSTRACT

Salbutamol is a common short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist used in treatment of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction but also possesses anabolic and metabolic actions in skeletal muscle. As a chiral compound, salbutamol is a racemic 1:1 mixture of two enantiomers, (R)-salbutamol and (S)-salbutamol, which exhibit divergent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic actions. Despite salbutamol being available for decades, information on the enantioselective disposition of salbutamol enantiomers in human skeletal muscle is absent. In this study, we determined concentrations of (R)-salbutamol and (S)-salbutamol by UHPLC-MS/MS in arterial plasma and vastus lateralis muscle samples from 12 lean young men 2½ and 7 h following ingestion of 24 mg oral salbutamol. Mean (range) arterial plasma concentrations were 10-fold higher (p < 0.001) for (S)-salbutamol than (R)-salbutamol, being 33(9-62) and 49(30-84) ng·mL-1 for (S)-salbutamol and 4 (1-6) and 4 (2-5) ng·mL-1 for (R)-salbutamol 2½ and 7 h following administration, respectively, reflecting faster elimination of the (R)-enantiomer. Mean (range) muscle concentrations were higher (p < 0.001) for (S)-salbutamol than (R)-salbutamol 2½ h (0.17 [0.1-0.26] vs. 0.04 [0.02-0.06]) and 7 h (0.31 [0.21-0.46] vs. 0.06 [0.04-0.12] ng·mgd.w. -1) after administration. However, muscle:plasma partition coefficient was two-fold higher (p < 0.001) for (R)-salbutamol than (S)-salbutamol 7 h following administration. These observations demonstrate that oral salbutamol exhibits enantioselective disposition in systemic circulation and muscle favoring the (S)-enantiomer but with higher relative partitioning of the (R)-enantiomer in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, the concentration-time profiles of salbutamol enantiomers are different in skeletal muscle and systemic circulation following oral ingestion. These findings have implications for the application of chiral switch (R)-salbutamol in doping control.

6.
Mass Spectrom Rev ; 2024 Jul 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38958096

ABSTRACT

Liquid chromatography paired with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the gold standard in measurement of endocannabinoid concentrations in biomatrices. We conducted a systematic review of literature to identify advances in targeted LC-MS/MS methods in the period 2017-2024. We found that LC-MS/MS methods for endocannabinoid quantification are relatively consistent both across time and across biomatrices. Recent advances have primarily been in three areas: (1) sample preparation techniques, specific to the chosen biomatrix; (2) the range of biomatrices tested, recently favoring blood matrices; and (3) the breadth of endocannabinoid and endocannabinoid-like analytes incorporated into assays. This review provides a summary of the recent literature and a guide for researchers looking to establish the best methods for quantifying endocannabinoids in a range of biomatrices.

7.
Ann Am Thorac Soc ; 2024 Jul 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39041864

ABSTRACT

Rationale Evaluating approaches to reduce treatment burden is a research priority among people with CF (pwCF) on highly effective modulators including elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI). Objective To evaluate the impact of discontinuing both hypertonic saline (HS) and dornase alfa (DA) versus continuing both therapies among a subgroup of participants in the SIMPLIFY study who sequentially participated in trials evaluating the independent clinical effects of discontinuing HS and DA. Methods SIMPLIFY participants ≥12 years old on ETI and comprising a subgroup using both HS and DA at study entry were randomized to the HS or DA trial, and then randomized 1:1 to continue or discontinue the applicable therapy for 6 weeks. After completion of the first trial, eligible participants could enroll in the second trial beginning with a 2-week run in. Study outcomes were compared across the duration of SIMPLIFY participation between a cohort remaining on both therapies during SIMPLIFY versus a cohort that sequentially discontinued both as a result of trial randomizations. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate treatment differences, adjusted for time between trials, trial order, baseline age, sex at birth and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (ppFEV1) at study entry. Results There were 43 participants who discontinued both therapies by the end of SIMPLIFY and 63 who remained on both, with overall average ppFEV1 at study entry 96.7% and average duration of follow up from beginning of the first trial to completion of the second trial 3.9 months, including time between trials. No clinically meaningful difference in the change in ppFEV1 from baseline to completion of the second trial was observed between those who discontinued versus remained on both therapies (difference: 0.22% Off-On, 95% CI: -1.60,2.03). Changes in LCI2.5, patient reported, and safety outcomes were also comparable. Patient reported treatment burden, as measured by a CFQ-R subscale, significantly decreased in those discontinuing both therapies. Conclusions SIMPLIFY participants who sequentially discontinued both HS and DA experienced no meaningful changes in clinical outcomes and reported decreased treatment burden as compared to those who remained on both therapies. These data continue to inform a new era of post-modulator care of pwCF.

8.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 10353, 2024 05 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38710742

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to verify the essentiality of dietary cholesterol for early juvenile slipper lobster, Thenus australiensis (initial weight 4.50 ± 0.72 g, mean ± SD, CV = 0.16), and to explore the potential for interactions between dietary cholesterol and phospholipid. An 8-week experiment was conducted using six experimental feeds containing three supplemental cholesterol concentrations (0, 0.2 and 0.4% dry matter) at two supplemental phospholipid concentrations (0% and 1.0% dry matter). Dietary cholesterol concentrations of ≥ 0.2% resulted in up to threefold greater weight gain compared to 0% dietary cholesterol, but without any significant main or interactive dietary phospholipid effect. An interaction was observed for lobster survival with lowest survival (46%) recorded for combined 0% cholesterol and 0% phospholipid compared to every other treatment (71-100%). However, all surviving lobsters at 0% dietary cholesterol, regardless of dietary phospholipid level, were in poor nutritional condition. Apparent feed intake (AFI) was significantly higher at dietary cholesterol ≥ 0.2% but was lower for each corresponding dietary cholesterol level at 1% dietary phospholipid. This implied that the feed conversion ratio was improved with supplemental phospholipid. In conclusion, this study confirms the essential nature of dietary cholesterol and that dietary phospholipid can provide additional benefits.


Subject(s)
Animal Feed , Cholesterol, Dietary , Palinuridae , Phospholipids , Animals , Phospholipids/metabolism , Cholesterol, Dietary/metabolism , Palinuridae/metabolism , Animal Feed/analysis , Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
9.
Heliyon ; 10(8): e29188, 2024 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38681615

ABSTRACT

Background: Use of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) for treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) has resulted in unprecedented clinical improvements necessitating development of outcome measures for monitoring disease course. Intranasal micro-optical coherence tomography (µOCT) has previously helped detect and characterize mucociliary abnormalities in patients with CF. This study was done to determine if µOCT can define the effects of ETI on nasal mucociliary clearance and monitor changes conferred to understand mechanistic effects of CFTR modulators beyond CFTR activation. Methods: 26 subjects, with at least 1 F508del mutation were recruited and followed at baseline (visit 1), +1 month (visit 2) and +6 months (visit 4) following initiation of ETI therapy. Clinical outcomes were computed at visits 1, 2 and 4. Intranasal µOCT imaging and functional metrics analysis including mucociliary transport rate (MCT) estimation were done at visits 1 and 2. Results: Percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV1) showed a significant increase of +10.9 % at visit 2, which sustained at visit 4 (+10.6 %). Sweat chloride levels significantly decreased by -36.6 mmol/L and -41.3 mmol/L at visits 2 and 4, respectively. µOCT analysis revealed significant improvement in MCT rate (2.8 ± 1.5, visit 1 vs 4.0 ± 1.5 mm/min, visit 2; P = 0.048). Conclusions: Treatment with ETI resulted in significant and sustained clinical improvements over 6 months. Functional improvements in MCT rate were evident within a month after initiation of ETI therapy indicating that µOCT imaging is sensitive to the treatment effect of HEMT and suggests improved mucociliary transport as a probable mechanism of action underlying the clinical benefits.

10.
J Cyst Fibros ; 23(3): 490-498, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38448281

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis associated liver disease (CFLD) carries a significant disease burden with no effective preventive therapies. According to the gut-liver axis hypothesis for CFLD pathogenesis, dysbiosis and increased intestinal inflammation and permeability permit pathogenic bacterial translocation into the portal circulation, leading to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Evaluating the effect of CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) modulation with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) may help determine the role of CFTR in CFLD and increase understanding of CFLD pathogenesis, which is critical for developing therapies. We aimed to characterize the fecal microbiota in participants with CF with and without advanced CFLD (aCFLD) before and after ETI. METHODS: This is an ancillary analysis of stool samples from participants ages ≥12 y/o enrolled in PROMISE (NCT04038047). Included participants had aCFLD (cirrhosis with or without portal hypertension, or non-cirrhotic portal hypertension) or CF without liver disease (CFnoLD). Fecal microbiota were defined by shotgun metagenomic sequencing at baseline and 1 and 6 months post-ETI. RESULTS: We analyzed 93 samples from 34 participants (11 aCFLD and 23 CFnoLD). Compared to CFnoLD, aCFLD had significantly higher baseline relative abundances of potential pathogens Streptococcus salivarius and Veillonella parvula. Four of 11 aCFLD participants had an initially abnormal fecal calprotectin that normalized 6 months post-ETI, correlating with a significant decrease in S. salivarius and a trend towards decreasing V. parvula. CONCLUSIONS: These results support an association between dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation in CFLD with improvements in both post-ETI, lending further support to the gut-liver axis in aCFLD.


Subject(s)
Aminophenols , Benzodioxoles , Cystic Fibrosis , Feces , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Indoles , Quinolones , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Aminophenols/therapeutic use , Benzodioxoles/therapeutic use , Chloride Channel Agonists/therapeutic use , Cystic Fibrosis/microbiology , Cystic Fibrosis/drug therapy , Drug Combinations , Dysbiosis/microbiology , Dysbiosis/etiology , Feces/microbiology , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Indoles/therapeutic use , Liver Diseases/microbiology , Liver Diseases/etiology , Pyrazoles/therapeutic use , Pyridines , Pyrroles/administration & dosage , Pyrrolidines , Quinolones/therapeutic use
11.
Psychoneuroendocrinology ; 164: 107007, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38503195

ABSTRACT

The endogenous cannabinoid (ECB) system is a small molecule lipid signalling system that is involved in stress response activation and is associated with PTSD, but it is unclear whether salivary ECBs are part of the sympathetic nervous system response to stress. We conducted an adapted trauma film paradigm, where participants completed a cold pressor test (or control) while watching a 10-minute trauma film. We also collected saliva and hair samples and tested them for ECBs, cortisol, and salivary alpha amylase (sAA). As hypothesised, there were significant positive correlations between sAA activity and salivary ECB levels, particularly 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), though ECBs were not correlated with sAA stress reactivity. Participants who had a significant cortisol response to the trauma film/stressor reported less intrusive memories, which were also less distressing and less vivid. This effect was moderated by arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA), where decreases in AEA post-stress were associated with more intrusive memories in cortisol non-responders only. This study provides new evidence for the role of ECBs in the sympathetic nervous system.


Subject(s)
Arachidonic Acids , Hydrocortisone , Salivary alpha-Amylases , Humans , Endocannabinoids , Polyunsaturated Alkamides , Saliva
12.
J Cyst Fibros ; 23(3): 457-460, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38355350

ABSTRACT

Many people with CF (pwCF) desire a reduction in inhaled treatment burden after initiation of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. The randomized, open-label SIMPLIFY study showed that discontinuing hypertonic saline (HS) or dornase alfa (DA) was non-inferior to continuation of each treatment with respect to change in lung function over a 6-week period. In this SIMPLIFY substudy, we used gamma scintigraphy to determine whether discontinuation of either HS or DA was associated with deterioration in the rate of in vivo mucociliary clearance (MCC) in participants ≥12 years of age. While no significant differences in MCC endpoints were associated with HS discontinuation, significant improvement in whole and peripheral lung MCC was observed after discontinuing DA. These results suggest that pwCF on ETI with mild lung disease do not experience a subclinical deterioration in MCC that could later impact health outcomes after discontinuing HS, and in fact may benefit from improved MCC after stopping DA treatment.


Subject(s)
Aminophenols , Benzodioxoles , Cystic Fibrosis , Deoxyribonuclease I , Indoles , Mucociliary Clearance , Pyrazoles , Quinolones , Humans , Cystic Fibrosis/drug therapy , Cystic Fibrosis/physiopathology , Mucociliary Clearance/drug effects , Male , Benzodioxoles/therapeutic use , Female , Saline Solution, Hypertonic/administration & dosage , Aminophenols/therapeutic use , Deoxyribonuclease I/therapeutic use , Deoxyribonuclease I/administration & dosage , Indoles/therapeutic use , Quinolones/therapeutic use , Adult , Adolescent , Pyrazoles/therapeutic use , Recombinant Proteins/administration & dosage , Pyrroles/administration & dosage , Treatment Outcome , Pyridines/therapeutic use , Young Adult , Chloride Channel Agonists/therapeutic use , Drug Combinations , Child , Respiratory Function Tests , Pyrrolidines
13.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol ; 326(5): L539-L550, 2024 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38410870

ABSTRACT

Soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than nondeployed military personnel and some have been shown to have a constellation of findings on lung biopsy termed post-deployment respiratory syndrome (PDRS). Since many of the subjects in this cohort reported exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2), we developed a model of repetitive exposure to SO2 in mice that phenocopies many aspects of PDRS, including adaptive immune activation, airway wall remodeling, and pulmonary vascular (PV) disease. Although abnormalities in small airways were not sufficient to alter lung mechanics, PV remodeling resulted in the development of pulmonary hypertension and reduced exercise tolerance in SO2-exposed mice. SO2 exposure led to increased formation of isolevuglandins (isoLGs) adducts and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) acetylation in endothelial cells, which were attenuated by treatment with the isoLG scavenger 2-hydroxybenzylamine acetate (2-HOBA). In addition, 2-HOBA treatment or Siruin-3 overexpression in a transgenic mouse model prevented vascular remodeling following SO2 exposure. In summary, our results indicate that repetitive SO2 exposure recapitulates many aspects of PDRS and that oxidative stress appears to mediate PV remodeling in this model. Together, these findings provide new insights regarding the critical mechanisms underlying PDRS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We developed a mice model of "post-deployment respiratory syndrome" (PDRS), a condition in Veterans with unexplained exertional dyspnea. Our model successfully recapitulates many of the pathological and physiological features of the syndrome, revealing involvement of the ROS-isoLGs-Sirt3-SOD2 pathway in pulmonary vasculature pathology. Our study provides additional knowledge about effects and long-term consequences of sulfur dioxide exposure on the respiratory system, serving as a valuable tool for future PDRS research.


Subject(s)
Disease Models, Animal , Sulfur Dioxide , Animals , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/genetics , Lung/pathology , Lung/drug effects , Lung/metabolism , Male , Hypertension, Pulmonary/pathology , Hypertension, Pulmonary/chemically induced , Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism , Mice, Transgenic , Vascular Remodeling/drug effects , Sirtuin 3/metabolism , Sirtuin 3/genetics , Endothelial Cells/pathology , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/drug effects
14.
J Cyst Fibros ; 23(1): 50-57, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37666709

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are an important cause of airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Isolation of NTM from respiratory specimens of pwCF do not mandate treatment in the absence of clinical and radiologic features of NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), as some pwCF clear the infection without treatment and others do not appear to progress to NTM-PD despite persistent infection. An evidence-based protocol to standardize diagnosis of NTM-PD is needed to systematically identify pwCF who may benefit from treatment. METHODS: In this multicenter observational study, eligible pwCF who are 6 years of age and older and who have had a recent positive NTM culture are systematically evaluated for NTM-PD. Participants are identified based on positive NTM culture results obtained during routine clinical care and following enrollment are evaluated for NTM-PD and CF-related comorbidities. Participants are followed in PREDICT until they meet NTM-PD diagnostic criteria and are ready to initiate NTM treatment, or until study termination. Active participants who have not met these criteria are re-consented every 5 years to enable long-term participation. RESULTS: The primary endpoint will summarize the proportion of participants who meet the NTM-PD diagnosis definition. The time from enrollment to NTM-PD diagnosis will be derived from Kaplan-Meier estimates. CONCLUSION: A prospective protocol to identify NTM-PD in pwCF will test if this standardized approach defines a cohort with signs and symptoms associated with NTM-PD, to assist with clinical decision making and to build a framework for future therapeutic trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02073409.


Subject(s)
Cystic Fibrosis , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous , Humans , Cystic Fibrosis/complications , Cystic Fibrosis/diagnosis , Cystic Fibrosis/microbiology , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/drug therapy , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
15.
J Cyst Fibros ; 23(1): 155-160, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37845149

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (E/T/I) is highly effective clinically for those with at least one F508del-CFTR allele. The effects of E/T/I on mucociliary clearance (MCC) and sputum properties are unknown. We, therefore, sought to characterize the effects of E/T/I on in vivo MCC and sputum characteristics hypothesized to impact mucus transport. METHODS: Forty-four participants ≥12 years of age were enrolled into this prospective, observational trial prior to initiation of E/T/I and had baseline measurement of MCC and characterization of induced sputum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. Study procedures were repeated after 1 month of E/T/I treatment. RESULTS: Average age was 27.7 years with baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of 78.2 % predicted. 52 % of subjects had previously been treated with a 2-drug CFTR modulator combination. The average whole lung MCC rate measured over 60 min (WLAveClr60) significantly improved from baseline to post-E/T/I (14.8 vs. 22.8 %; p = 0.0002), as did other MCC indices. Sputum% solids also improved (modeled mean 3.4 vs. 2.2 %; p<0.0001), whereas non-significant reductions in sputum macrorheology (G', G") were observed. No meaningful changes in exhaled breath condensate endpoints (sialic acid:urea ratio, pH) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: E/T/I improved the hydration of respiratory secretions (% solids) and markedly accelerated MCC. These data confirm the link between CFTR function, mucus solid content, and MCC and help to define the utility of MCC and mucus-related bioassays in future efforts to restore CFTR function in all people with CF.


Subject(s)
Cystic Fibrosis , Indoles , Pyrazoles , Pyridines , Pyrrolidines , Quinolones , Humans , Adult , Cystic Fibrosis/diagnosis , Cystic Fibrosis/drug therapy , Cystic Fibrosis/genetics , Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator , Mucociliary Clearance , Prospective Studies , Aminophenols/therapeutic use , Benzodioxoles/therapeutic use , Mucus , Mutation , Chloride Channel Agonists/therapeutic use
17.
J Manag Care Spec Pharm ; 30(1): 26-33, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38153868

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dornase alfa and hypertonic saline are mucoactive therapies that can improve respiratory symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). A recent randomized control trial showed that participants with well-preserved pulmonary function taking elexacaftor + tezacaftor + ivacaftor (ETI) who discontinued dornase alfa or hypertonic saline for 6 weeks had no clinically meaningful decline in lung function. This may prompt discussions with care providers regarding ongoing use of these medications. OBJECTIVE: To compare the costs of outpatient medications between people taking ETI who continued or discontinued (1) dornase alfa or (2) hypertonic saline from 2 clinical trials and project cost differences in the US CF population if these 2 medications were used only intermittently for symptom relief instead of chronically. METHODS: The SIMPLIFY study was 2 parallel multicenter trials that randomized participants 1:1 to either continue or discontinue therapy. To estimate costs, we used data from the Merative MarketScan Databases to identify people with CF from 2020 to 2021. Our primary outcomes were differences in costs of outpatient prescription drugs among those who continued vs discontinued dornase alfa and, separately, hypertonic saline. We obtained adjusted differences in median costs. To estimate the annual cost savings if the population of people with CF taking ETI used these medications only intermittently, we multiplied the proportion of people in MarketScan with CF diagnoses who were taking each of these medications by the median cost savings per year and subtracted the cost of "rescue" use. RESULTS: A total of 392 participants from the dornase alfa trial and 273 from the hypertonic saline trial were included in analyses. The adjusted difference in median medication costs was not significant for the hypertonic saline trial, but we observed a significantly decreased 6-week cost of medications in the dornase alfa trial (adjusted median difference in costs between discontinue and continue of $5,860 (95% CI = $4,870-$6,850); P < 0.0001). We estimated that two-thirds of people with CF use ETI and dornase alfa in the United States; if they discontinued dornase alfa except for intermittent use, the resulting annual savings would be $1.21 billion. CONCLUSIONS: Although the costs of dornase alfa and hypertonic saline are smaller compared with ETI, reduction in use would lead to substantial prescription drug cost savings and reduce the treatment burden. However, individual benefits of these therapies should be considered, and decisions regarding changes in therapy remain an important discussion between people with CF and their providers. Study registration number: NCT04378153.


Subject(s)
Cystic Fibrosis , Prescription Drugs , Humans , Cystic Fibrosis/drug therapy , Administration, Inhalation , Prescription Drugs/therapeutic use , Data Collection , Databases, Factual , Recombinant Proteins
18.
Genes (Basel) ; 14(12)2023 11 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38136938

ABSTRACT

In common with other plant species, the garden pea (Pisum sativum) produces the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan via a single intermediate, indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPyA). IPyA is converted to IAA by PsYUC1, also known as Crispoid (Crd). Here, we extend our understanding of the developmental processes affected by the Crd gene by examining the phenotypic effects of crd gene mutations on leaves, flowers, and roots. We show that in pea, Crd/PsYUC1 is important for the initiation and identity of leaflets and tendrils, stamens, and lateral roots. We also report on aspects of auxin deactivation in pea.


Subject(s)
Indoleacetic Acids , Pisum sativum , Pisum sativum/genetics , Plant Development , Mutation
19.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 23059, 2023 12 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38155287

ABSTRACT

The endocannabinoid (ECB) system has recently been considered a potential treatment target for various clinical disorders. However, research around age- and sex-related changes within the ECB system is relatively limited. To improve our understanding of these changes, the current study measured arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), oleoylethanolamine (OEA), palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), arachidonic acid (AA), cortisol, and progesterone in pooled serum samples stratified by sex (male and female) and age groups (5-15; 15-30; 30-45; 45-60; 60-75; 85+), using liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Serum progesterone levels significantly increased in females of the 15-30 and 30-45 age groups, before declining. Significantly higher cortisol, AEA, 2-AG, OEA, and PEA were found in males and in older age, while significantly higher AA was found in females. Our results indicate that ECBs and related hormones exhibit sexual dimorphism in the age ranges that correspond with female pregnancy, menopause, and post menopause. Male testosterone levels most likely influences male ECB changes throughout the lifespan. Future research could capitalise on these findings by performing repeated measurements in individuals in a longitudinal style, to further refine the temporal profile of age-specific changes to the ECB system identified here.


Subject(s)
Endocannabinoids , Sex Characteristics , Pregnancy , Humans , Male , Female , Longevity , Progesterone , Hydrocortisone , Ethanolamines
20.
AJPM Focus ; 2(3): 100118, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37790659

ABSTRACT

This case study provides evidence that homeostatic control in a patient with hyperglycemia and other metabolic abnormalities associated with insulin resistance can be rapidly restored utilizing lifestyle therapy. The patient, an overweight, non-Hispanic White male aged 70 years, had been medicated for hypertension and Type 2 diabetes mellitus for 12 years. From baseline during 21 months of follow-up, HbA1c decreased from 6.6% to 5.4%, mean fasting glucose decreased from 125 mg/dL to 94 mg/dL, blood pressure decreased from 130/85 mmHg to 100/64 mmHg, estimated glomerular filtration rate increased from 50 ml/min/1.73m² to 58 ml/min/1.73m², waist circumference decreased from 118.8 cm to 90.8 cm, and liver function improved with aspartate transaminase decreasing from 44 IU/L to 17 IU/L and alanine transaminase decreasing from 34 IU/L to 21 IU/L. Each of these metabolic corrections was observed while eliminating respective disease-specific medications. These metabolic improvements were achieved using primary recommended lifestyle therapy specifically targeting known insulinemic lifestyle components. This case study shows that the utilization of primary recommended, ongoing lifestyle therapy targeting insulinemic lifestyle components can rapidly improve markers of insulin resistance and normalize abnormal laboratory values while eliminating the risk of polypharmacy and the direct costs of medication.

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