Minimal information for chemosensitivity assays (MICHA): a next-generation pipeline to enable the FAIRification of drug screening experiments.

Chemosensitivity assays are commonly used for preclinical drug discovery and clinical trial optimization. However, data from independent assays are often discordant, largely attributed to uncharacterized variation in the experimental materials and protocols. We report here the launching of Minimal Information for Chemosensitivity Assays (MICHA), accessed via https://micha-protocol.org. Distinguished from existing efforts that are often lacking support from data integration tools, MICHA can automatically extract publicly available information to facilitate the assay annotation including: 1) compounds, 2) samples, 3) reagents and 4) data processing methods. For example, MICHA provides an integrative web server and database to obtain compound annotation including chemical structures, targets and disease indications. In addition, the annotation of cell line samples, assay protocols and literature references can be greatly eased by retrieving manually curated catalogues. Once the annotation is complete, MICHA can export a report that conforms to the FAIR principle (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) of drug screening studies. To consolidate the utility of MICHA, we provide FAIRified protocols from five major cancer drug screening studies as well as six recently conducted COVID-19 studies. With the MICHA web server and database, we envisage a wider adoption of a community-driven effort to improve the open access of drug sensitivity assays.

Minimal information for Chemosensitivity assays (MICHA): A next-generation pipeline to enable the FAIRification of drug screening experiments.

Chemosensitivity assays are commonly used for preclinical drug discovery and clinical trial optimization. However, data from independent assays are often discordant, largely attributed to uncharacterized variation in the experimental materials and protocols. We report here the launching of MICHA (Minimal Information for Chemosensitivity Assays), accessed via https://micha-protocol.org. Distinguished from existing efforts that are often lacking support from data integration tools, MICHA can automatically extract publicly available information to facilitate the assay annotation including: 1) compounds, 2) samples, 3) reagents, and 4) data processing methods. For example, MICHA provides an integrative web server and database to obtain compound annotation including chemical structures, targets, and disease indications. In addition, the annotation of cell line samples, assay protocols and literature references can be greatly eased by retrieving manually curated catalogues. Once the annotation is complete, MICHA can export a report that conforms to the FAIR principle (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) of drug screening studies. To consolidate the utility of MICHA, we provide FAIRified protocols from five major cancer drug screening studies, as well as six recently conducted COVID-19 studies. With the MICHA webserver and database, we envisage a wider adoption of a community-driven effort to improve the open access of drug sensitivity assays.

Whole body vibration showed beneficial effect on pain, balance measures and quality of life in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of whole body vibration (WBV) therapy on pain, neuropathy disability score, balance, proprioception and quality of life (QOL) in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). METHODS: Twenty-six (16 males and 10 females) patients with PDPN were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n = 13, age = 60.69 ± 5.08) and a control group (n = 13, age = 59.54 ± 4.25). The experimental group was given WBV therapy for six weeks (3 days/week) in addition to standard medical care, dietary advice and lifestyle modifications. Control group was provided only standard medical care, dietary advice and lifestyle modifications. Outcome measures included numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS), vibration perception threshold (VPT), neuropathy disability score (NDS), proprioception, single-leg stance test (SLST), timed up and go test (TUGT) and short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36). RESULTS: NPRS, LANSS, NDS, SLST and TUGT showed significant time effect (p ≤ 0.022) and time×group interaction (p ≤ 0.007), whereas group effect was found to be significant only in LANSS (p = 0.001). VPT showed significant group effect (p ≤ 0.045) and time×group interaction (p ≤ 0.007) at great toe, metatarsal head and total average score. SF-36 was found to be significant time effect (p ≤ 0.024) in all domains except limitations due to physical health (p = 0.461). SF-36 average score was found be significant for group effect (p = 0.002) and time×group interaction (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: WBV improves sensory sensations like pain and vibration perception, neuropathy disability score, balance measures and health-related QOL in PDPN.

Effects of selective strengthening of tibialis posterior and stretching of iliopsoas on navicular drop, dynamic balance, and lower limb muscle activity in pronated feet: A randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: Flexibility and strength are compromised in pronated feet, which could in turn lead to alteration of the dynamic balance and muscle activity in the lower extremities. This study aimed to analyze the effects of selective tibialis posterior strengthening and iliopsoas stretching on navicular drop, dynamic balance, and lower limb muscle activity in young adults with pronated feet. Methods: Twenty-eight participants with pronated feet were randomly assigned to either the stretching and strengthening group (n = 14) or the conventional exercise group (n = 14). The stretching and strengthening group performed tibialis posterior strengthening exercises and iliopsoas stretching three times a week for 6 weeks in addition to the conventional towel curl exercises. The conventional exercise group performed towel curl exercises only. Navicular drop, dynamic balance, and lower limb muscle activity were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. A mixed model analysis of variance was performed to test the study hypothesis. Results: Significant group effects for the activity of tibialis anterior (p = 0.003) and abductor hallucis muscle (p = 0.010), as well as for the posterolateral (p = 0.036) and composite reach scores (p = 0.018), were detected. Significant group × time interactions were observed for naviculardrop (p < 0.001), all dynamic balance components (p < 0.001), and the activity of tibialis anterior (p < 0.001) and abductor hallucis (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that inclusion of selective tibialis posterior strengthening and iliopsoas stretching in addition to the conventional towel curl exercise program could improve important clinical outcomes, such as navicular drop, muscle activity, and dynamic balance in flatfeet.

Compensation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor function by altering sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase activity in the Drosophila flight circuit.

Ionic Ca2+ functions as a second messenger to control several intracellular processes. It also influences intercellular communication. The release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores through the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) occurs in both excitable and nonexcitable cells. In Drosophila, InsP3R activity is required in aminergic interneurons during pupal development for normal flight behavior. By altering intracellular Ca2+ and InsP3 levels through genetic means, we now show that signaling through the InsP3R is required at multiple steps for generating the neural circuit required in air puff-stimulated Drosophila flight. Decreased Ca2+ release in aminergic neurons during development of the flight circuit can be compensated by reducing Ca2+ uptake from the cytosol to intracellular stores. However, this mode of increasing intracellular Ca2+ is insufficient for maintenance of flight patterns over time periods necessary for normal flight. Our study suggests that processes such as maintenance of wing posture and formation of the flight circuit require InsP3 receptor function at a slow timescale and can thus be modulated by altering levels of cytosolic Ca2+ and InsP3. In contrast, maintenance of flight patterns probably requires fast modulation of Ca2+ levels, in which the intrinsic properties of the InsP3R play a pivotal role.